The Bethel Journals Bethel in 1931 The Oxford County Citizen – Special Edition, August 3, 1931 December 30, 2008

PROGRAM OF CELEBRATION of the 150^th Anniversary of the last Indian Raid in Bethel. 9:00 - Parade 10:00–Baseball Lovell vs. Bethel 11:00 – Parachute jumping 11:30 – Airplane Stunting 12:00 – Dinner – Cong’l Church and Midway 1:00 – Sports – Greased Pig and Pole 2:00 - Pageant 4:30 – 12 Outdoor dancing LARGEST ELM TREE IN MAINE On the grounds of Dr. W.R. Chapman in the center of town. 1931 Bethel, Maine

In 1931, Bethel took a snapshot of itself. A variety of Bethel residents contributed to the publication of a Special Edition of The Oxford County Citizen, Bethel’s weekly newspaper. For the material, personal sketches and photographs, in this section, we are indebted to the late Mr. George N. Thompson, Mr. Carl Brown, Mr. Frank Goddard, as well as unidentified members of Bethel legion post and the Bethel community. This group made a unique contribution to recording the town’s 1900 to 1931 history - The Oxford County Citizen, Illustrated Edition published in observance of the 150^th Anniversary of the Last Indian Raid at Bethel in cooperation with George A. Mundt Post. No 81, American Legion is a result of many individual efforts. About 1979, John K. Brown, editor of The Bethel Citizen at the time, gave me one of few remaining copies of this special edition. Besides the professionalism and dedication exhibited by its contents, this edition was printed on high quality, coated paper that enhanced the quality of the printed photographs. My copy has grown frail, rent and rumpled from 30 years of frequent handling. Now in 2007, my “job”, while in Bethel and Florida, is to transfer the information and photos into another media. The author. The 1931 journal is an online version of the weekly newspaper’s Special Edition issued to help celebrate the town’s last Indian raid in 1781. Click page to enlarge Next