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Odeon Hall seated its first Bethel town meeting in March 1893.
April 4, 1893 Democrat
West Bethel: Prof. W. S. Wight will open singing school in the village on the 31st. Will give 12 lessons. E.B. Shaw lately had a car of phosphate and sold most of it to his customers who took it directly from the car. Leon Tyler is moving to his farm lately purchased of A.W. Grover and the latter is moving to Bethel village. The highway begins to show bare ground in places but teaming continues.
Newry: J.S. Allen is moving from Mayville to Newry. He intends to start his meat cart route about the 1st of May. Howard Thurston has moved back to Newry from New Hampshire. He will have his old place (job) at Thurston's steam mill at the Corner. Logging teams seem to be on the road homeward bound every day now.
East Bethel: Elbridge Crooker has resigned as postmaster at East Bethel and will close his store the first of April. Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Hastings and Mrs. E.S. Bartlett attended the wedding of Miss Mabel Hastings, the 29th. Dennis Cole is having his house built over new with work done by N.F. Swan. Mrs E.S. Bartlett is visiting her daughter, Mrs. W.S. Wight at Bethel Hill. Charles Bryant has moved from the town farm to his farm in this place.
Locke Mills: The Current Events Club held its first meeting at Mrs. E. L. Tebbetts’ last Wednesday. Mrs. Tebbetts was chosen president. Program included singing and the recital of Barbara Frietchie by Mrs. Clara Brown. All parts were taken from Whittier and the next meeting’s question will be Hawthorne.
Albany: The Congregational society of Albany held their annual election Wednesday, and elected the following officers: A.G. Bean, Clerk; Mrs. Nancy C. Andrews, Treasurer; Daniel Clark, James E. Bird and Wallace E. Cummings, Trustees. The public library association held their elections Wednesday and the following were elected: J.H. Lovejoy, President; Howard Allen, Vice President; Mrs. Hattie C. Wilbur Treasurer and Librarian. The library has lately received new books. Logging in this vicinity is good yet, and from here to Bethel has not been better this winter.
April 11, 1893 Democrat
Bethel: Saturday, April 1st, Mr. Eber Clough of Bethel died. Mr. Clough was one of the oldest citizens of Bethel and highly respected. He has held many offices in town and represented his district in the legislature. He leaves a wife and eleven living children. March 29th, Wednesday, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Hastings was married to Ernest Skinner of Boston by Rev. Mr. Beem. The Hastings then left Bethel the following Monday to spend spring and summer on their ranch in Judith Basins, Montana. At churches in Bethel Easter services were held with “unusual interest”.
The lumber and hotel men have taken large quantities of grain and feed from Bethel the past week. One of Thurston’s teams took 6,000 pounds to Errol, N.H., and Porter & Thomas and Charles E. Cushman of Andover, each loaded two four-horse teams. Mrs. L.M.N. Stevens lectured at Garland Memorial Chapel Thursday on the work of the W.C.T.U. A branch was organized with about fifty members. E.W. Woodbury started for Pottsville, PA where he will stay for the month of April.
The school house committee has purchased a lot on High Street of John M. Philbrook, on which the town intend to erect a new brick building to accommodate 250 scholars. Price paid was $800. And last Tuesday evening the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor held a sociable at the Congregational Church
The Gould Academy Lyceum League held its second lyceum of the spring term and the following question was debated: “Resolved that the prohibitory law of Maine should be repealed.” The judges ruled 2 to 1 in favor of the affirmative. The vote of the house was 13 to 10 in favor of the affirmative.
Newry: Loggers are pretty generally through for the season. Baker Thurston and Bros. at Ketchum came out last week. J.H. Farrar in Grafton finished one week ago and Clifford’s crew have a few days longer to work. The butter factory at Bethel wants to take in Bear River. Some have signed but a good many are holding back.
West Bethel: John Stiles is going to move from G.P. Bean’s farm to Mayville and take charge of Prof. Chapman’s stable. I am happy to introduce E. G. Wheeler, Esq., to your readers as the future correspondent from this place. He will make an honest member of the Brigade and an interesting writer and will improve on the former character of the items from this place. In taking leave of the Brigade (of Oxford Democrat correspondents) I would inform them and all my friends that my address at present will be A.W. Grover, Bethel.
Locke Mills: Mr. E.L. Tebbetts has gone to Minnesota on a business trip to be gone about two weeks. The spool mill is closed up for want of orders. G.C. Woodsum has returned to this place and is going to build a barber shop.
April 18, 1893 Democrat
State of Maine News: The board of state assessors have assessed the tax against the railroads of this state. It amounts to $150,440.84, besides $10,000 for the railroad commissioners. The increase over last year amounts to $37,209.95, which is occasioned by the new law. The Atlantic and St. Lawrence pays $13,259; the Portland and Rumford Falls $274.
Bethel: Gould Academy lyceum program: Debate– resolved that women’s influence is greater than man’s. Affirmative Eva Twaddle and Bertha Wiley. Negative: Alonzo Chapman and Fred Merrill. Judges gave a decision of 2 to 1 in favor of the negative but the house gave a vote of 24 to 14 in favor of the affirmative.
Dana C. Philbrook has taken an agency for bicycles and sells them on easy installments. Streets in the village are very bad—mud and water in abundance. Prof. Dennett, the elocutionist will be at the Opera House next Thursday, admission 15 and 25 cents, tickets on sale at E.C. Rowe’s store.
Albany: Bethel butter factory is extending their route to the south part of Albany. Abel Andrews gathers the cream; he carried two loads today on runners, April 14th. Charles Grover has taken the mail route from Albany to Bethel commencing July 1st.
Rumford Falls: The new passenger station is nearing completion. A tower surmounts the center in which is to be placed a clock which is visible from almost any part of the city. The contest for one-half mile plank sidewalk, five feet wide, was awarded to Murch & Arnold. It is to extend on both sides of Congress Street and the west side of Canal Street. The Light & Water Co has completed the wiring on Congress and Canal Streets and about all the stores and quite a number of dwellings have put in the incandescent.
The People’s Clothing Co. of New York has leased the store in Lander Block; Maurice Rosen of Waterville is manager. The cellar and foundation for the Hotel Rumford addition are done. It is much needed as they are obliged to set up cot beds almost every night.
East Bethel: Z.W. Bartlett is agent for the Sagadahoc superphosphate and the Dirigo fertilizer. F.Q. Haines has a cow that gives 36 pounds of milk daily and she can be bought for $50.
Mason: There seems to be quite a call for oxen and cattle fit for beef. J.M. Philbrook was in town and bought a sheep from Don Bean for which he paid $11.00.
April 25, 1893 Democrat
Maine News: World’s Fair rates announced by the Maine Central Railroad from Portland are $33.00 for a season ticket or $32.00 for a 30 day ticket.
Albany: Abel Andrews is all equipped for gathering cream for the Bethel butter factory. He purchased a horse to match his black mare, a pair of double harnesses and a wagon.
Newry: This is Fast Day. I presume that there will be more feasting than fasting. How times have changed! I can remember when the fast was observed both in the spirit and the letter. J.S. Allen and O.E. Baker are at work in the birch mill at the Branch, which started up last Monday.
West Bethel: Rufus Skillings runs G.P. Bean’s farm. Henry Verrill has taken himself a wife and moved on to the farm lately bought of Addison Bean.
Wilson’s Mills: The bridge at John Olson’s was taken out Wednesday.
East Bethel: Mayflowers are found in the bud. Fast Day passed quietly. Crossing (the Androscoggin) on the ice yet.
Gilead: The Grand Trunk has begun work on the new depot just below the old one. Wild River Lumber Company is doing a large business this year—they expect to cut twelve million of spruce.
April 21, 1893 Advertiser
Bethel: The Burnham heirs will sell their house, furniture, etc., this week Saturday, April 22. They will board with Mrs. Cloudman in L.T. Barker’s house this summer.
We understand W.S. Parker (located in the new Cole Block) is closing out his entire stock of furniture and carpets at a bargain.
Col. C S Edwards will start for Chicago this week to attend the meeting of the National Board of Managers of the World’s Columbian Exposition on April 25th. The party from Maine will start from Portland and go by the Mountain Division of the Maine Central and the C.P.R.
Grand Athletic Exhibition at Odeon Hall, April 25, by Gould’s Academy Athletic Association. Events include horizontal and parallel bars, tumbling, special fencing and sparring, immense pyramids of human beings, new features of juggling and balancing. Tickets at Wiley’s, reserved 35 cents, general seats, 25 cents.
West Bethel: Daniel Freeman Bean, father of our trader, A.S. Bean died April 15th. He was 83 years old. Three of his four living children were present. Mrs. Morrill of Boston and Mrs. Perkins of Worcester, Mass came to the funeral.
There is a singing school in progress here with W.S. Wright as teacher. S N Buck of Bethel was in this village with a nice Victoria Bicycle. Arthur Robertson is again in charge of A S Bean’s stable.
Grover Hill: Mr. Clough, the cream collector, went with wheels today. George Ames is at work for Morrill in the mill instead of having employment at Rumford Falls. Olin F. Pingree is at work at Morrill’s mill.
West Paris: The Fryeburg purchasers of our chair factory take possession and charge of the business here this week. Correspondent has learned that they have bought all of the manufactured and unmanufactured stock of the old company and will continue the business here until their factory is completed and ready for business. They have some ten thousand finished chairs stored here.
Gilead: Work commenced Monday on the foundation for the new depot. The snow storm of Saturday made the roads very muddy.
Hastings: The Wild River Lumber Co. is hauling from 18 to 20 cars of logs daily now. A new hotel is going up in Hastings. A smash-up now and then on the Wild River railroad. The Wild River Lumber Co. will run one or two camps this coming summer.
April 28, 1893 Advertiser
Bethel: Miss Phila D. Locke died April 21 in Maine General Hospital, aged 63 years. Miss Locke had hosts of friends all over the country being the business manager of the Locke boarding house for summer company.
Three of the workmen of the Wild River Lumber Co. at Hastings were arrested by Sheriff Wormel this week and tried before Trial Justice Rich at Bethel for intoxication and disturbance. Two of them settled up and were discharged, the other, William H Black went to jail.
There was much praise for Prof. Merriman and the Gould’s Academy Athletic Exhibition for the fine performance Tuesday night at Odeon Hall. Molly Gill our stylish dressmaker has put on the new ladies’ dress wings and flown away—to Roxbury, Mass to set up her business.
Birds are arriving from the south. C.H. Barker’s martin house which has remained empty for 13 years has been taken possession of. Half of the surface of open country is covered with snow
Miss E E Burnham will exhibit her spring stock of millinery goods in Odeon Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday. Miss Boothby has been to Portland, Boston and New York and made critical selections from the best styles of spring wear. Her exhibit will be in the large Hall of the Cole Block.
Wilsons Mills: The winter bridge at John Olson’s was taken out Wednesday. It is built each fall by the lumber companies for the use of tote teams, etc., but is not strong enough to stand the spring freshet.
South Bethel: H. Hodsdon has returned from Frye. We have a blacksmith at this place now—said to be a first class worker and is liked very much.
May 2, 1893 Democrat
Bethel: The Bethel Creamery reported that 1,400 pounds of butter is churned each week.
Elmer H. Cole wishes to sell his property known as the Cole Block together with the adjoining house. Reason given is that business calls Mr. Cole out of state. The can (corn?) shop opens about the first of May under the management of Herbert Lord of Waterford. Thomas of Andover came with twelve horses to carry a boiler (from the depot) to Rangeley Lakes, to be used on a passenger steamer.
A traveling company will present the Hoodlum, at the Opera House, Thursday, May 4th. The academy’s sociable called out fifty-two with the committee on entertainment being H.C. Rowe, Irving Kimball, and Misses Smith and Jones. Schools in town commenced May 1st.
West Bethel: The Grand Trunk is building a coal shed near the station. J.E. Pike has bought Sewell Walker’s stable and had it moved to this place. Another snow storm since my last (weekly news) card was written.
Wilson’s Mills: School commences at Magalloway Plantation on April 24th and is to be taught by Mrs. E.P. Kimball of Bethel, a teacher of experience and ability.
Newry: Next Monday is May Day but I guess it will be minus the Mayflowers in these parts. The streams are free of ice but there can be no driving until we have a few warm days or a rain storm.
Elder Joseph Knapp died at the residence of his son, E. B. Knapp, of Newry, aged 89 years. Long a resident of Byron, he was for many years a preacher of the Freewill Baptist denomination.
May 5, 1893 Advertiser
Bethel: J.G. Rich declared “Something much needed in Bethel is a sidewalk from the Hill to the station. We trust our village fathers will not think it beneath them to undertake the job. We are sure the present generations will bless the man that starts it.”
Ceylon Rowe is in Boston and New York this week purchasing his spring stock of men’s and boy’s clothing, ladies’ wear and dry goods.
Bethel Millinery Opening
The millinery opening at Odeon Hall Tuesday and Wednesday was a success in spite of the dubious weather that has prevailed the last few days. The so-called “Eminence” and “Evaque” - the shades most in vogue this season were becomingly displayed. One hat is particular displayed a real art in the trimming—black lace foundation, fancy jewel-studded crown and loops of Evaque ribbon intertwined with a rose Monture of the same shade finished an elegant hat.
The millinery corner was especially pretty with furniture kindly loaned by Mr. Parker (from his store on the Cole Block’s main floor).
The presence of so many of our ladies testified to the popularity of the Misses Burnham and Boothby.
Gilead: Rand & Tibbetts’ mill are done sawing birch for a week or more when they expect two car loads from Wild River way to finish. J.W. Bennett’s mill is running on birch and will finish about June 1st.
The G.T.R. men are putting in the foundation for the new depot. It is to be 19x39 with a cellar and furnace heating. Carpenters are here unloading lumber and tearing down the old woodshed and car house. It will be a great treat to Gilead to have all these improvements, for which we are very thankful that the G.T.R. after so long a time has concluded to grant us better accommodations.
May Ball was originally on for May 1st but due to rain was postponed to May 3rd.
School starts in District No. 4 May 8. We earnestly hope we may have a good school and all the scholars will go and work with their teacher who will be Amy Atherton of Bethel.
West Bethel: A.S. Bean has a new crew driving spruce on Pleasant River. Village school commenced last Monday.
“I would like to know if the ones that so much favor this ridiculous dog law ever owned a dog. The idea that a person cannot keep a little pet dog about as big as a cat without paying $1.15. I think it is very wrong such a privilege be taken from a little girl or boy and have to kill it or pay license.
May 9, 1893 – Democrat
Oxford County Supreme Judicial Court: Jury – D.R. Hastings, Gilead, foreman; George A. Grover, Bethel.
Bethel: Entertainment news:
The May Day ball was not very well attended on account of the rain but those who came had good time. Excellent music by the Norway orchestra. A social and sugar party was held at Pattee’s Hall. Games, etc., entertained all evening. Lyceum League entertainment at Gould Academy set for May 11th.
Huse Bros. (a Cole Block tenant business) is going out of business and their whole stock of dry goods will be sold at once regardless of cost. The Cabinet shop of Sylvester Robertson on Main Street will be sold at public auction May 16 – all tools and a large stock of furniture.
The E.C. Parks have moved into the house on Church Street recently purchased of the Burnham heirs.
West Bethel: There is quite an interest in bicycling in the village. A number of ladies as well as gentlemen are purchasing wheels of Mr. Philbrook of Bethel on the installment plan.
Village school: Teacher is a graduate of the Gorham Normal School. A new organ was put into the school for the use of religious meetings – a gift of E.P. Grover’s summer boarders.
Weather: fourth wet day in succession and raining hardest today.
Spring drives: A.S. Bean is having a nice run of water to drive his pulp wood out from Mason and is employing all the help he can get.
Very seldom is there so much changing in real estate. E.B. Shaw has just bought two oxen and is the first to start his spring work.
Gilead: Your correspondent visited the new town of Hastings last week and found everything in a prosperous condition. The mill is cutting fifty thousand feet of lumber a day.
Real estate: A.S. Hodgman has begun to build a house on his lot near his store. J.E. and G.N. Richardson have bought the T.G. Lary farm.
Newry: If there is any news in these parts it is mud-bound. The roads were never in worse condition. “We need a better system of road-making – benefit to the farmers and the community.” “By the way how about the law in regard to confiscated liquors? Isn’t it taking back tracks to set up the counties in the business of liquor selling? That is how it looks to me.”
Mason: Driving water: The last few days the water has been high enough so that river driving has been possible.
Real estate: Herbert Whitman has bought the N.H. Tyler farm and is to move in a few days. Charles Coffin and Bert Woodsum were in town last week looking for a farm. Ernest Morrill has bought H.G. Mason’s farm
Names: C.F. Brown being seen by Dr. Twaddle; Artemas Mason is very feeble; George H. Brown in poor health; Miss Bessey is teaching her second term of school here.
Albany: People: N.G. Mills of Mason called Monday; Carter Grover and his new bridge, Amelia, have returned from Hyde Park, Mass.; F.P. Stanley of N. Waterford and Mr. Eastman of Stoneham were at the Corner; our blacksmith E.T. Judkins is in his shop again.
East Bethel: People: Miss Pearl Elliott of Rumford is teacher this term; Emma Brown teaches at Middle Interval; William Ormando Holt died, age 63, buried at Middle Interval church.
Post office: Elbridge Crooker has closed his store and moved the post office to his house where it awaits the new postmaster.
Rumford Falls: The main sewer pipe on Canal Street is being put in – employing about 50 Italians. The Cates block is up and boarded in – also the hotel addition.
Two lead chambers exploded at the chemical works. It completely demolished the chambers 30 feet square and six feet deep.
The Androscoggin Beef Co. will open under the management of F.C. Pearson of West Falmouth, Maine. Paper company office is being plastered by Simpson & Powers.
New rail station plan has several more changes added to it.
The falls were a great spectacle last Friday due to the heavy rain, river was up six feet. The flow created an eddy where a 75 foot diameter mass of logs circled like a merry-go-round.
May 12, 1893 Advertiser
Bethel: Grover Hill: Edward P. Lyon has been assisting in G.P. Bean’s store for a few days but has returned to Auburn to resume his work in the shoe shop.
The Grand Trunk Railroad has paid its back state taxes amounting to $182,797.
West Paris: The Fryeburg parties cleared up the machinery work in the chair factory and are making arrangements to move the machinery and leather works to Fryeburg at once.
Newry: School in District No. 4 began last Monday, Miss Carter of Bethel is the teacher. J.S. Allen is on the road with his meat cart.
May 19, 1893 Advertiser
Bethel: The school in District 4 (Mayville) commences next Monday taught by Ida Hazelton (one of the Bethel areas most experienced teachers. However, the Mayville school would be closed and the students would attend school in Bethel village.)
Graduation at Gould Academy: May 21, Sunday, baccalaureate sermon at Congregational Church. Monday at 8 PM, prize speaking; May 25th P.M. and May 26th, A.M., public examination; May 25th, Thursday, 8 P.M., concert, Odeon Hall; Friday, May 26th, 3 P.M., at the Academy, alumni reunion, at 8. P.M., Graduation at Odeon Hall.
On Monday more than 20 ladies of the Congregational Church filled a bushel and started on a stealthy march toward the parsonage to surprise the parson, Rev. Jordan and his good (and new) wife. “ That silent march and surprise to the parson and his good wife will not soon be forgotten in Bethel.”
Milton Penley supplies his customers with meat this week from his new artistic cart, neatly and freshly ornamented at the factory of J.C. Billings.
Milton Penley and H. C. Barker have been commissioned to kill dogs that are not licensed. They have the right to enter any house and shoot the dog, if the door is not locked.
At Odeon Hall, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will be played on May 22. William Fairbanks and May Standish are in a clever company of players. The electric dance is a wonderful performance; lights in the hall will be turned off and the maiden’s person is lightened with electricity as she performs the dance. You may reserve seats at W.S. Parker’s furniture rooms.
The Trustees of Gould Academy have purchased the Grover property situated near their academy. (The C.H. Grover house and lot lay between the academy school house and High Street on the corner of Church and High Streets.) Ellery C. Park has moved into his new purchase, the Pinkney Burnham house (on Church Street). Rev. Mr. Jordan has moved into the house vacated by Mr. Park.
Peter S. Bean—The Bean Families of Bethel.
May 23, 1893 – Democrat
Bethel: Heavy rains have raised the Androscoggin River so that water completely covers the intervales on both side of the railroad and was over the carriage road near the toll bridge.
Goodwin R. Wiley has started on the foundation for a new post office building that will be 20 x 55 feet. C.H. Adams will construct the building.
Memorial Day program: J.H. Barrows, Commander, Brown Post G.A.R. has made the following announcement: The post members and the Ladies Relief Corps will meet at the post room at 10 A.M. The post and other associations will proceed to the Congregational Church for Memorial Day services. Village schools are invited to attend. Members of Brown Post detailed for the purpose of cemetery visits will visit each cemetery in town to decorate graves of those who served in the war for the preservation of the Union. At 2 P.M. Brown Post, the L.R.C., citizens and several schools will march to Evergreen Cemetery where services will be held. At 7:30 P.M. the memorial address will be given at Odeon Hall by Col. Thompson of Cambridge, Mass.
Rev. Mr. Jordan was surprised with a May basket at his door with about two bushels of groceries left by the Congregationalist society. An interesting lecture was given at the Universalist church by W. Scott Robinson on the Keeley Institute – description of cures made there.
A griddle cake party was given at Pattee’s Hall by the Universalist society to help raise funds for their new chapel which is almost ready to be occupied. Other entertainment: the U.O.G.C. gave an audience at Odeon Hall an entertaining evening where elocutionist, Prof. Dennett and music by local talent please all.
Newry: It has been a good week for river drivers and it is raining now. Farmers are in a hurry to be ready for planting. M.L. Thurston has put his mill crew on the river (Bear?) driving out pulp wood left over from last year.
Schools: Miss May Powers is teaching in District 1, Maria Russell in District 2, Fannie Carter in District 4 and Siona Willard in District 6. Names in the news: Mrs. E. H. Stearns ill, Arthur Farrar at work for N.S. Baker.
East Bethel: Rivers and brooks are overflowed; intervales are flooded. Names in the news this week: Mr. and Mrs. Z.C. Estes of Boston are at their place tending to business. Mrs. Z.C. Perry is away visiting.
May 26, 1893 Advertiser
Bethel: William Hastings went out West last week to look after landed property purchased several years ago. G.R. Wiley is putting in a foundation for a post-office building next to his drug store, and knowing the man we prophesy that Bethel will soon be the owner of a post-office to be proud of.
The Cross heirs are contemplating building a new block near Honest Corner.
We would like to see some large mill go up in this village that would give employment to the idle men and boys here so as to give them encouragement to stay at home instead of leaving in hopes of work elsewhere.
D.C. Philbrook is pushing his new house on Mechanic Street. It is most ready for the carpenters.
Work has begun on the new post-office in our village. It is to stand between the Cross Block and G.R. Wiley’s drug store.
A. A. Parker and wife are working at the Chapman homestead in Gilead this summer.
The road machine has been working in the village lately.. They could do a better job on Railroad and lower Church Streets. They are not as good as when they were kept in repair by the use of the shovel and the hoe.
The Bethel Chair Company is having a large number of orders from all over the U.S.
E.D. Cole and Emma Parker were married last week at the house of J.G. Rich on Spring Street. They immediately took the 3.37 train for Boston and from there they will go to the Fair at Chicago.
Anyone needing phosphate can find all they want at Fred Edwards.
Rumford Falls: The annex to the Hotel Rumford, four stories containing forty rooms, is ready for plasterers.
The first train will run to the new passenger depot next Saturday afternoon. Murch & Arnold have the Hartford Street bridge across the canal (which will connect to the new rail station) nearly completed.
End of Part II, 1893
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The Bethel Journals The 1893 Journal Part II April to June October 19, 2007 |