April 3, 1894 Democrat

 

This week in Maine:  The outlook for spring drives along Maine rivers is not most hopeful. The ground was very dry in the fall when the first snows came and there is very little frost in it. When the heavy snows melted gradually as they did much of the water was taken up by the ground. This in itself was a  blessing otherwise much damage must have resulted from freshets. But the rivers and other streams have been raised comparatively little. The snow too has gone to an almost unprecedented extent in the Maine woods. If there are heavy rains this spring the drives will experience little difficulty. Otherwise many logs will be held up.

 

Real Estate Transfers.  John F. Stanley, Register.  Bethel: W.F. Walker to C.F. Chapman $200. C.F. Chapman to A.L. Young, $200.

Greenwood: E.C. Park to E.L. Tebbetts. Newry: J.S. Brown to M.A. Mason , M.A. Mason to J.S. Brown.

 

Bethel: Prof. W.R. Chapman of New York was here Friday looking after the affairs of his farm in Mayville.  The W.C.T.U. meetings will be postponed for a few weeks on account of bad traveling.

 

The Bethel Creamery is attending strictly to business. 1800 pounds of butter is churned every week. Some of this is contracted to consumers in town and the rest is shipped immediately to the city.

 

Deputy Sheriff Wormel and Justice Rich were called to Gilead on account of trouble there caused by liquor.

 

Edwin Gehring and Herman Mason attended the Bowdoin Athletic exhibition at Brunswick. Bert I. Bryant, a former Bethel boy, now a student at the college, made their trip enjoyable.

 

The North Oxford Teachers' Association will meet at the Academy next Friday. The feature topic for discussion is; "Grading of the Schools".

 

Academy lyceum met last week. Recitation was given by Alonzo Chapman and a piano solo was played by Bertha Wiley. Debate question was:  Strikes should be prohibited by law. Irving Kimball and Lizzie Grover presented the affirmative. Emma Jones and Howard Wiley took the negative. Judges decided 2 to 1 for the affirmative. The house vote was 16 to 14 for the affirmative. Other presenters were: Misses Moulton and Chamberlain played a piano duet. Fannie Carter read the lyceum paper. Joan Stearns gave a piano solo.

 

East Bethel:  Mr. Dennis Cole is putting in new windows and making other improvements to his house.

 

West Bethel: Little episodes of ill feeling for one another.. A.S. Bean and one of his men had a little unpleasantness and Mr. Bean somehow got so near Mr. Robertson's hands that they brushed his face in a way that seemed unfriendly. Mr. Robertson was fined as the court thought justice required.

 

Mason: Business rushing. The mill has been undergoing repairs, changing engines, etc. - is now running with plenty of power. There is more lumber in the mill yard than I have ever seen before.

 

Dr. Tuell of Bethel was called to this town to extract some teeth for Mrs. S.B. Mason. The doctor is very popular in this vicinity as a dentist.

 

Newry: Jobbers are about through in the woods here. Jotham Chapman has been painting for some time at Poplar Hotel.

 

"Strong drink has claimed more victims in old Oxford. Wouldn't it be well to hunt out and put the screws to rum-sellers. Gospel is good in its place, but gospel for the sinner, and  law  for the criminal are the reformers to go as yoke fellows to serve the ends of justice."

 

Gilead: Dr. Hill of Bethel went through town vaccinating all who wished to avail themselves of this wise precaution.

 

April 10, 1894 Democrat.

 

This Week in Maine: "The gambling slot machines have been ordered out by the city marshal of Portland."

 

It is reported that a new line of steamers will operate between Boston and points along the Maine coast. A boat will leave Boston on Tuesday and Friday mornings with stops at Portland, Bass Harbor, Bar Harbor, Millbridge, Jonesport and terminate at Machiasport.

 

There are strong expectations that President Cleveland will come to Maine this summer for trout fishing in the Katahdin Iron Works area.

 

Bethel: Additions to the magazines and books at the Cole Block reading room are: Magazines: Bicycling World, St. Nicholas, Arena Forum; new papers: Union Signal, Industrial Journal, Star in the East, Boston Weekly, Maine Farmer, Berlin Independent, Household and Portland Herald; books: Black Beauty and Webster's Dictionary. There is a call for donations of any good reading matter.

 

The last Early and Often Club social of the season was held at the Congregational Church in Garland Chapel. The program included the following performers: Mrs. Tuell, Mrs. York, Misses Purington and Bartlett. Also Misses Chamberlain, Moulton and Leighton. Also Lillian F. True, Harry Carter, Emma Jones, Clyde Bartlett, Miriam Herrick and Miss Babcock. Mrs. J.G. Gehring directed the Kinder-Symphony.

 

At the Universalist Church, Mrs. O.M. Mason's Sunday School nine helped with an evening entertainment program. Names of participants were: Gladis Wiley, George French, Charlie Telton, Jamie Finney. A farce was presented by Bertha Wiley, Joan Stearns, Florence and Barbara Carter, Alice Perkins, Vivian and Beatrice Kelliher.

 

The program of the Northern Oxford Teachers Association included papers and discussion as follows: Grading Our Schools by N.F. Brown and Mr. Merriman; How to Best Secure Attention of Pupils, Ethel Hammons. Talk on Written Work, Lydia R. Smith; Written Work for Reading Classes, Lizzie Grover.

 

Hiram Perkins opens a barbershop this week in the Packard Building near E.B. Goddard's. Calvin Bisbee has closed is lower store (in the Odd Fellows Hall) but is still running the upper one. Clarence Fox and Fred Roberts are in charge.

 

Newry and Mason: "Don't touch my arm," that's what they say now. Never mind, a sore arm is better than to have small pox.

 

The widow of Alonzo Fifield of Riley died quite suddenly last week. Her son Roscoe of Methuen, Mass., were in attendance at her funeral. Deceased was 82 years old.

 

Gilead: Mr. and Mrs. D.R. Hastings hosted a sugar party for members of the Golden Cross at their home. Sweets were followed by musical and literary numbers.

 

George Staples of the Success Lumber Company purchased Albert Bennett's place. He will fix it up as a boarding house for his men.

 

A tragedy almost occurred as a result of men recklessly crossing the river on ice after warm weather. Eben Chapman broke through the ice near West Bethel and Edward Skillings did the same trying to rescue Chapman. Their cries for help were eventually answered; prominent among the rescuers were: Dan Matherson and Arthur Grover. Milton Evans had a similar experience the same day and George Leighton nearly lost a team of horses trying to cross near Staples Mill.

 

Democrat reporter  says that it is glad news to learn T.G. Lary has decided to remain in Gilead. In the summer he will build a fine residence on the site  of the old Lary homestead.

 

Boston Police on Bicycles

 

The (Boston) Park Commissioners have voted to equip the park police with bicycles, and positions on that force are now at a premium. Park police have often been at a great disadvantage. They have had to listen to the mocking laughter of the reckless driver who simply whipped up his horse and escaped when ordered to stop. The unruly pedestrian has given them a hard run and sometimes disorderly bicyclists have wheeled away in open defiance. But mounted on bicycles of the latest and most approved pattern, the park police are masters of the situation. They can overtake horseman and bicycle riders without difficulty, and with the pneumatic tires can follow a man successfully over almost any sort of ground.

 

The recent accomplishment of a patrolman from Station 1, who borrowed a bicycle and ran down an escaping thief, may have shown the Park Commissioners how the usefulness of their men would be doubled by wheel. At any rate, their order has been placed with the Pope Manufacturing Company for improved Columbia Bicycles to equip the police in Back Bay and Franklin Parks.

 

April 17, 1894 Democrat

 

Bethel: Five men commenced  on the brick work of the New Cross block. When the lumber arrives, carpenters will be kept busy.

 

L.F. Grover of West Bethel has a tin-knockers' shop in the rear of N.F. Brown's hardware store. Mr. Grover has worked some time for several firms in Norway so he has the trade well learned.

 

Ed Coburn has leased for the summer the famous hotel, "Anglers' Retreat" at Middle Dam. The house will be opened for sportsmen about the first of May. Ed and Charles Coburn are up at the place getting in ice and making repairs.

 

The Academy lyceum discussion  was on the topic, American negroes have too much liberty.  Orne Douglass spoke in the affirmative. Claude Abbott and A.C. Eames spoke for the negative side. All stormy weather limited the size of the audience, both judges and the house decided in the negative.  Herbert Rowe, Joan Stearns and Theodore Gould. Recitations were presented by Ethel Richardson and Eva Twaddle. A paper was presented by Edwin Gehring and Alice Chamberlain.

 

Newry: "The best run of sap in twenty five years", so said H.S. Hastings of Newry Corner to me one day this week.  Hastings was in J.A. Thurston's store at the time packing eggs. "There's a lot of eggs I've sold for a cent apiece," said the merchant. "How's that for eggs in April? Some of those eggs cost me eighteen cents per dozen, too."

 

West Bethel: Our cream collector, Mr. Clough, voted the 13th of April the most disagreeable day of the year for his business. The topic of conversation in this town is the syrup season and the question is do trees yielding very sweet sap live longer than trees with less sweet sap?

 

Mason:  Several from this town carried veal calves to Bethel Monday for J.M. Philbrook who ships them to Brighton. Mr. Philbrook is one that is willing to live and let live. A. S. Bean is going to run his mill nights.

 

April 24, 1894 Democrat

 

Bethel: Athletic interest has not abated. The gymnasium is open afternoons and evenings to those who desire exercise. Mr. Merriman continues to give classes in bell and club work for young ladies and bar, bell, chest weights and boxing for the gentlemen.

 

R.E.L. Farwell is soon to move his stock of confectionary, fruits, etc. to the store recently vacated by Charles Benson. (This probably the store on Church Street next to “Honest Corner”. Bethel Library leased the second floor.)

 

West Bethel:  A.S. Bean is about ready to get his drive started. H.E.Grover has a fine lot of  hot bed plants in a good state of forwardness.

 

Rumford Falls: Congress Street is receiving a coat of coal waste (cinders?) from the paper mill. No bicycles on the sidewalks or ball playing in the streets, by order of the selectmen.

 

May 1, 1894 Democrat

 

Gilead: The position of school superintendent in our little town during this transition period is no sinecure. The combined wisdom and efforts of three men cannot arrange the schools to the satisfaction of everybody.  Some think the old ways are best, cling to the “district” system.

 

The more intelligent and progressive wish to have a graded school established at the village – grammar and primary grades – that will accommodate all the scholars in town.

 

The best thing possible for the town would be the erection of a building at the village center, suitable for a graded school, and don’t let us be satisfied with anything less than the best.

 

The conveyance of the scholars to and from the school is provided, or paid for, by the town, and they secure the advantage of much longer terms, superior teachers, better classification, and the added discipline and mental stimulus, which is always the result of grouping pupils in large classes.

 

Mason: A.S. Bean had good luck with his drive this year with a pitch of water just high enough. He made quick work of it. Another batch of veal calves last Monday morning from this town for J.M. Philbrook. What shall we do for cattle if people sell all the calves?

 

May 8, 1894 Democrat

 

May Term of Supreme Judicial Court: Willard R. Wight, Newry, Foreman of the Grand Jury. H.R. Godwin of Bethel is a Juror.

 

West Bethel: The entertainment at A.S. Bean’s Hall Saturday was well managed and a success. Miss Rose Bean played a banjo solo. After the entertainment, all enjoyed a hulled corn supper served in the hall below.

 

In forty years, I have not turned my cattle to pasture as early as this year.

 

Newry: J.A. Thurston’s mill in Riley burned. About 125 cords of timber remain unsawed. H.S. Hastings paid 55 cents for the potatoes he shipped.  Mrs. John Danforth is at home now. She expects to join her husband at Parmachenee as soon as traveling will permit.

 

Bethel:  The Methodist Church welcomed the return of their pastor, Rev. B.F. Fickett for a third year.  Rev. F. K. Beem of the Universalist Church has read his resignation; he will be missed in the village as he and his wife have been earnest workers in the temperance cause.  At the Congregational Church Rev. Jordan has received nine new members.

 

Northwest Bethel:  Voters in the Northwest Bethel school districts, 5 and 29, met with the school committee to decide on the location for the combined school. After discussion and presentation of evidence, the committee decided that No. 29 should have the case.

 

Bethel: The Academy social was well attended. The social committee was Joan Stearns, Herbert Rowe, and Fred Merrill.

 

Bicycles are beginning to monopolize the highway. No riding is allowed on the sidewalks for a vote was passed at the last corporation meeting prohibiting it.

 

Horace Purington, the school (new brick grammar school) house contractor and two workmen arrived Wednesday. Several men were put to work on the stone work and the brick layers will start next week.

 

May 15, 1894 Democrat

 

Norway Fire:  Swept by Fire – Terrible Conflagration in Norway Village – It Destroyed Seventy of the Best Buildings – Loss $239,000; Insurance $139,000. Worst Fire Oxford County Ever Saw.

 

Between 2 o’clock and 6, Wednesday afternoon the fire mowed a  wide swath a mile in length through the heart of Norway village, destroying the Opera House block, the large mill of C.B. Cummings &  Sons, the tannery, the high school building, the Congregational church, a number of stores and shops, and over sixty of the fines residences in this place.

 

It was about 2 o’clock when a little blaze started in the factory C.B. Cummings & Sons. The fire jumped to the Opera House block. A strong easterly wind was blowing at first but that later veered and blew directly down the street. The Norway fire department responded promptly to the first alarm but the fire traveled too fast for them. The South Paris and Bethel hose companies were sent for and they responded promptly. Then help was summoned from Lewiston and Portland and they responded promptly. It was about 4 o’clock when first the Lewiston steamer and company arrived then the Portland engine arrived.

 

Over seventy buildings and sets of buildings were lost and something like five hundred people were made homeless.

 

Bethel: Library association elected officers: President, Mrs. Ceylon Rowe; Vice President, Mrs. A.E. Herrick; Secretary, Annie Frye; Treasurer, Cora Burnham; Librarian, Mrs. Cloudman; Trustees, Mrs. O.M. Mason, Miss Burnham, Alfred True, Fannie Merrill, Mrs. F.B. Chandler.

 

One hundred new books have been added to the library holdings during the year bringing the total to 1,476 volumes in all.  3407 were taken out on the regular list and 333 were taken out by transients.

 

Twenty fire department members and 600 feet of hose went to the Norway fire plus a large number of townspeople. Over 25 from the village visited the ruins in Norway on the next day, Thursday.

 

Bearce and Wilson’s drive had their headquarters at the toll bridge on Friday night. Forty-two men were employed by the company including a cook and assistant. Only five boats are required to transport the whole crew.

 

Twelve men are at work on the school building (on High Street). New planks have been put down on the Mechanic Street sidewalk.

 

May 22, 1894 Democrat

 

Bethel:  Gould Academy has published “The Herald” , a paper setting for the commencement week program. The ads of twenty Bethel traders appear in the columns.

 

The water company is putting a water supply pipe into the chair finishing shop (the former Rialto Hall on Main Street).

 

John B. Chapman has bought the Grover buildings of the academy trustees, paying $150.  He will tear down the old barn and shed and will move the house down High Street to a lot between Coburn’s shoe shop and the chair factory finishing shop on Main Street.  George Hapgood has rented the house.

 

Wilsons Mills: John Olson started for Camp Caribou May 13^th. He has parties engaged (to guide) for May 21^st and May 29^th.

 

West Bethel: A.S. Bean is raising his boarding house one story to put a new story under it – making the building two and one-half stories instead of one and one-half.

 

All villages and farmers: The weather has been very dry and farmers are calling for rain.

 

East Bethel: The Bearce and Wilson drive crew is clearing logs from the river with horses.

 

May 29, 1894 Democrat

 

The Week In Maine:  The Rickers, proprietors of Poland Spring, have bargained for the Maine world’s fair building and will remove it to Poland Spring to be used as a library.

 

Rumford Falls: The business outlook here grows bright as the season opens. The steady growth of Rumford Falls which seems to have suffered something of a check when the financial cyclone swept over the country last year is evidently to be resumed this season. Several new enterprises are already assured and considerable new building is going on.

 

The Rumford Falls Woolen Company has been organized with a capital of $50,000. A new mill will be erected at the lower end of the middle level canal. The building will be of brick, 100 by 54 feet and three stories high. A picker house will be 32 by 40 feet.  It is expected to employ 60 men to make felt for the paper mill.

 

The chemical mill is to be enlarged about four times of its present capacity. New brick buildings will be built including a dynamo building 50 by 70 feet and two stories high. When completed about 60 men will be employed and the mill will produce about ten to twelve tons of chloride of lime and caustic soda daily. These works will be the only one of its kind in American; heretofore these chemicals were imported.

 

The frame is up for the new $7,000 school house and the $4,000 school house at Ridlonville has

had its contract let.

 

Bethel area correspondents reported that they had received a nice rain during the past week.

 

Bethel: Several persons made a complaint to the selectmen that the new brick schoolhouse now being built by Horace Purington of Waterville was not put together according to the specifications – especially the granite foundations.  The architect, Mr. Thompson of Portland, met with the complainants at the building spot. After a careful survey of the work the architect decided that the contract was being faithfully carried out.  So Mr. Purington was exonerated of the charges.

 

The Gould Academy nine were to play the Fryeburg Academy nine last week at North Bridgton but due to illnesses the game was postponed.

 

For Memorial Day observances, Brown Post #84 will visit the outlying cemeteries and decorate the soldiers’ graves in the forenoon.  In the afternoon the post will form at the G.A.R. Hall and march to Evergreen Cemetery where devotional services will be lead by Rev. Beem, followed by a response, “Muffle their Drums” by a chorus of young ladies.  After the graves are decorated, their comrades will offer appropriate remarks. A chorus of school children will sing “America”.  The evening program will be at Odeon Hall and Hon E.W. Woodbury will preside.  The program will open with an overture of “National Aires” by the orchestra directed by Mrs. Gehring. Devotional services will be led by Rev. Israel Jordan. A response “Heroes Beloved” will be given by the chorus. Other speakers will be Hon. Woodbury, Ellery Parks, A.E. Herrick and Maud Pratt.

 

Fred Clark and Eli Stearns will open a meat and vegetable market in the room back of Hiram Perkins barber shop. They expect most of their business to be carried on with the out of town summer hotels.

 

Pages– Home 1 | Jan-Mar 2  |  [Apr-May 3 | Jun  4  | Jul-Sep 5  |  Oct-Dec 6  |  Town Report 7  |  School Report 8  |  Names 9  | Railroad 10

 

Donald G. Bennett, The Bethel Journals , PO Box 763, Bethel, ME 04217

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1894 Bethel Journal

Part Two—April to June 1894

 

Rumford Falls

 

The business outlook here grows bright as the season opens. The steady growth of Rumford Falls which seems to have suffered something of a check when the financial cyclone swept over the country last year is evidently to be resumed this season. Several new enterprises are already assured and considerable new building is going on.