Collapse of Quebec's World's Greatest Bridge

1916

Quebec, Que., Sept. 11. — The span of the world's greatest bridge collapsed into the St. Lawrence river today with a loss of life variously estimated.

The Company erecting the structure placed the number of deaths at upward of 25, but H. P. Borden, a member of the Quebec bridge commission, expressed the opinion that only three persons were lost. Several hours after the accident happened, at 10.30 o'clock, a special train into Quebec brought 20 men who had been injured.

Nine years ago a similar accident at the same spot took a toll of 70 lives. Today 90 men were carried into the river when the 5,000 ton span, being raised from pontoons in an engineering feat designed to complete the $17,000,000 cantilever suspension for transcontinental railway traffic, plunged a distance of fifteen feet into the water and sank 200 feet below the surface perhaps never to be recovered.

Contradictory stories were told regarding the collapse. The pontoons had been removed and the span was being lifted by massive hydraulic jacks when, according to some of the spectators, the northern end of the span fell with the breaking of girders. Frantic efforts were made to plate a chain rope around the tottering structure, but with reports like shells exploding the remaining supports snapped and the span disappeared with a spectacular splash.

Some of the observers said that the structure buckled at the center as it fell. Groups of men at work slipped off into the water and others were knocked into space by flying debris. Scores of craft containing spectators went to the rescue and their endeavors prevented a larger loss of life.

Toronto, Sept. 11. — The property loss resulting from the Quebec bridge disaster will be about $600,000, it was stated here today by George L. Evans of the Dominion Bridge Company. The accident will delay the completion of the structure for ten months, he said.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

MacMillan Party Intact

1916

Battle Harbor, Labrador, Sept. 8. — The Grenfell Mission schooner George B. Cluett, which went to the relief of the Donald B. MacMillan Arctic expedition in July 1915, has returned here, Only Captain H. C. Pickles and the crew are aboard, MacMillan, Dr. E. O. Hovey, who led the relief expedition, and the other scientists of the party having elected to remain for a time in the northern part of Greenland.

The MacMillan party wintered aboard the Cluett in Parker Snow Bay east of Etah and Captain Pickles reports that on July 28, 1916, when the Cluett left North Star Bay, Greenland, about twenty miles north of the expedition's winter quarters, all the party were in good health and had an abundance of supplies.

The MacMillan party were joined by Knud Rasmussen, the Danish explorer, who has been engaged in that region in mapping out the coast, and it is understood that they will return by way of Denmark.

The Cluett was just able to get clear of her anchorage through a narrow lane of ice, and after four weeks of battling with heavy ice, reached open water at a point about the latitude of Durban Harbor, forty miles north of Cape Dyer. Throughout August fog and southerly head winds prevailed. The hull of the Cluett on her arrival here appeared to be in good shape, in spite of the hard winter through which she passed, and her buffeting by the ice on her trip south. Her engine has been out of commission since last October and her propeller shaft and rudder chains are broken.

The crew seems to be in good shape, despite the shortage of food and other hardships through which they passed. The winter's diet of salt horse and bread was varied by a supply of birds and sea pigeons, which were netted in large numbers, and whale, sea walrus and Polar bear meat.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Keating & Shaw

Maine, 1916

Within a year's time, Keating and Shaw of Exchange street, Portland, have become one of the leading automobile accessory dealers in the entire State. They are selling their tires and tubes in every section of Maine and have recently become distributors of the Puritan Tires and tubes manufactured by the Hood Rubber Company of Watertown, Mass.

Another line which they carry is the Pressure Proof Piston Ring, for which they are the State distributors for the Boston Company.

The company is also distributor for the Hill-Smith repair parts for Ford automobiles and also State distributors for the Webber automatic carburetor, which is designed and manufactured for those who want to increase their mileage.

The Webber automatic undertakes to increase the mileage of any automobile from 20 to 100 per cent, and in these days when Standard Oil is fattening up the purses of its stockholders, the Webber is an article which it will pay the motorist to look up, not only to increase mileage, but power.

Another active branch is the vulcanizing department, the process whereby the work is done being called the fuse rubber process. The company uses the same principal in repairing all tires, and are carrying in stock, on hand, and ready for instant use, inside and outside patches, cement patches and other tire accessories which they wholesale as well as retail to garages in Portland and throughout the State.

The company was recently incorporated and has as its president R. L. Keating and as treasurer, H. Earle Shaw. They keep two men on the road constantly. Mr. Keating, who covers the territory down State, and Mr. Verner L. Smith who looks after the company's interests within a distance of 20 and 25 miles.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Bangor Strike Declared Off

Maine, 1916

Bangor, Sept. 9. — Bangor's street car strike, which has been on since Saturday, August 26, was declared off at 5 o'clock tonight by unanimous vote of the two-thirds of the strikers who had remained loyal to the union. The other third had returned to the jobs as individuals during the past two weeks.

The strike, which lasted two weeks, has been accompanied by violence, which cannot be attributed to the strikers. Bricks have been hurled through car windows, granite blocks and sleepers have been placed on car tracks, an imported workman was arrested charged with brandishing a revolver and the feeling on both sides of the controversy has run high. For a time, 80 per cent of the electric car patrons refused to ride on the cars, the electric company carried fewer passengers than ever before. Last Saturday night there was a public demonstration in favor of the strikers.

The strike was declared off by vote of the men following a conference between their leaders and representatives of the Central Labor Union, at which it developed that after September 16, support from the Central Labor Union would be forthcoming.

At the offices of the railway company tonight, it was said that few of the strikers would be taken back, as their places have been filled.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Enforcement in Bangor

Maine, 1916

Bangor, Sept. 6. — Following what is said to have been a stormy discussion with Mayor John F. Woodman, Chief of Police, Lindley W. Gilman tendered his resignation to the Mayor late this afternoon. Tonight the Mayor said that he had not accepted the resignation and probably would not and that matters would no doubt reach an amicable settlement.

Chief Gilman declined to discuss the matter more than to admit that his resignation was brought about by a difference of opinion as to how the liquor law should be enforced in Bangor at this time. The chief of police is appointed by the Mayor, who also has the power of removal.

When the electric carmen went on strike about 10 days ago, Chief Gilman ordered the saloons and bars, said to number 114, holding United States revenue licenses, to close and stay closed. Several who did not obey were promptly raided and fined.

On Tuesday morning there was a general reopening of the bars. Some of the liquor dealers said there was an understanding with the Mayor that they could resume business after Labor Day. Chief Gilman said that he could not be expected to maintain order during a car strike with all the bars open and ordered them to close again.

It is understood that today the Mayor took up the matter again favoring the reopening of the saloons and Chief Gilman passed in his resignation. The saloons are still closed.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

Bakers Would Abolish 5-Cent Loaf

1916

Chicago, Sept. 9. — Recommendations to all bakers of the United States that the five-cent loaf of bread be abandoned and the ten-cent loaf standardized, were made after considerable discussion at the closing session of the executive committee of the National Association of Master Bakers yesterday. They urged that the recommendations be put into effect immediately. Economic waste incident to the manufacture of the five-cent loaf was emphasized. Saving in manufacture, improvement in quality and standardization are urged in favor of the ten-cent loaf. It is also recommended that where local conditions make it necessary a smaller loaf may be maintained, with a price consistent with the cost of manufacture.

The bakers cited the following percentages of increase in the cost in the ingredients in the manufacture of bread within the past two years: Patent flour, 100 per cent; rye, 124 per cent; sugar, 66 per cent; shortening, 60 per cent; milk, 40 per cent; salt, 14 per cent; wrapping paper, 70 per cent. Delivery costs also have increased, it was stated, through an advance of 100 per cent in the price of gasolene and of 25 per cent in feed for horses.

The bakers went on record strongly against any attempt to lower the quality of bread.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6

U. S. Crop Report

1916

Maine

Corn — September 1 forecast, 477,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 656,000 bushels.

Oats — September 1 forecast, 5,540,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 6,080,000 bushels.

Barley — September 1 forecast, 135,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 132,000 bushels.

Potatoes — September 1 forecast, 25,700,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 22,010,000 bushels.

Hay — Preliminary estimate, 1,830,000 tons; production last year, final estimate, 1,397,000 tons.

Apples — September 1 forecast, 1,550,000 barrels; production last year, final estimate, 720,000 barrels.

New Hampshire.

Corn — September 1 forecast, 798,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 990,000 bushels.

Oats — September 1 forecast, 442,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 456,000 bushels.

Potatoes — September 1 forecast. 1,940,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 1,520,000 bushels.

Hay — Preliminary estimate, 767,000 tons; production last year, final estimate, 504,000 tons.

Apples — September 1 forecast, 510,000 barrels; production last year, final estimate, 353,000 barrels.

United States.

Corn — September 1 forecast, 2,710,000,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 3,054,535,000 bushels.

Oats — September 1 forecast, 1,230,000,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 1,540,362,000 bushels.

Barley — September 1 forecast, 184,000,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 237,009,000 bushels.

Rye — September 1 forecast, 41,884,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 49,190,000 bushels.

Potatoes — September 1 forecast, 318,000,000 bushels; production last year, final estimate, 359,103,000 bushels.

Hay — Preliminary estimate, 86,200,000 tons; production last year, final estimate, 85,225,000 tons.

Apples — September 1 forecast, 67,700,000 barrels; production last year, final estimate, 76,670,000 barrels.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 6.

American Bar Association

1916

Senator George Sutherland of Utah was elected president of the American Bar Association for 1917, defeating by four votes Walter George Smith of Philadelphia. The vote was 26 for Senator Sutherland and 22 for Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith was put on the executive committee.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Courthouse

New Hampshire, 1916

Ossipee, N. H., Sept. 9. — Carroll County's new courthouse, of Colonial design, recently erected to take the place of the wooden building destroyed in the fire of June 23, 1915, which wiped out a large section of the heart of Ossipee Village, is one of the handsomest in the State. Its cost, exclusive of the furnishings, was approximately $40,000. The equipment cost several thousand dollars more.

The structure occupies the site pf the old Courthouse, but sits back about 30 feet farther from the village square. It has a frontage of 53 ft. 3 in. and a depth of 94 ft. 4in., and is two stories high. The exterior is dark red brick, laid in white mortar, with trimmings of Indiana limestone. The portico at the front is supported by large colonial columns. There is a side entrance to the rear section.

The admirably arranged interior includes the courtroom on the first floor, 46 ft. 3 in. x 39 ft. 5 in., and the height of two stories; the offices of the County Commissioner, register of deeds, register of probate, clerk of court, judge's room, Grand and Petit Jury rooms, lawyers' library and vaults for the court and county records.

Special attention has been paid to the acoustical treatment of the courtroom. In this, it is said, the builders have succeeded well. The room will seat about 200 spectators.

The judge's, jurors' and lawyers' rooms are conveniently arranged at the rear of the courtroom and it is only a step from the judge's room to the bench.

The officers of the commissioners and clerk of court are on the first floor in the front of the building and those of the two registers are similarly placed on the second floor. All are large and well lighted.

The building is strictly fireproof. It has fire walls and steel enters largely into the interior construction. The stairway at the front of the building is of marble with steel bannisters.

Steel wall cases and other equipment of the latest design are used in the offices. The courtroom furniture and the desks, chairs and tables throughout the building are of quartered oak.

Unique among the courthouses of the State, this one is equipped with its own electric lighting plant. It is heated by steam, and the compressed air system is used for supplying all parts of the building with running water, which is pumped from a spring about 50 yards away from the building. The basement includes, besides the heating, electric and water systems, a prisoner's cell. The building is equipped with fire escapes.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

Passages From The Early History of Brownfield

Maine/New Hampshire, 1916

By Hon. Eli B. Bean.

Schools.

After the settlement of a portion of the sixty families Brown had obligated himself to settle in his grant of land, and these had erected for themselves log cabins and commenced clearing the then unbroken forest, those families located near each other began to think about schools for their children. Under such circumstances as they were then situated the question of establishing schools and erecting suitable houses for same was a problem hard to solve. Yet it was boldly and firmly met with all the means in their power and with partial success, in many cases the mothers and older children acting as teachers and some portion of the larger houses, or some out building, serving as a school room for the time being. The hardships and privations endured by those pioneers of our township would quite discourage the people of the present generation. Yet they were ever sustained with the hope of making a home for their young families. The first building erected for a schoolhouse was situated not far from the present junction of the road from Denmark, with the road to Fryeburg at East Brownfield railroad crossing, and was built prior to the incorporation of the town. It was at this schoolhouse where the first town meeting for the election of town officers was held after its incorporation in 1802. In 1806 a town meeting was again called to meet at this "schoolhouse near John Bolt Miller's" and no further mention is made of the house, either for school purposes or town business.

In 1803 the town voted to raise fifty dollars for school purposes, but there is no record of it having been expended, or, if expended, where or how. At the same town meeting the Selectmen of the town (Joshua Ames, Cyrus Ingalls and Lieut. John Goodenow) were directed to divide the town into school district and they reporting the following:

District No. 1. Beginning at Timothy Gibson, Esq., and to include all the inhabitants on and about "Beech Hill" and on the main road as far as Wilson Howard's, including Josiah Spring and his neighborhood that are in Brownfield to be one district. We recommend two schoolhouses to be built in the most convenient places to accommodate the inhabitants of said district.

District No. 2. Beginning at Benjamin and George Lord's and including the settlement on towards Fryeburg (east side Saco river) as far as school rights of land, so called, now owned by Lieut. Joshua Ames and John Howe, and we do recommend one schoolhouse to be set in the most convenient place to accommodate the inhabitants of said district.

District No: 3. Beginning at Lieut. Joshua Ames' and John Howe's land, as mentioned in the second district, and on the main road to Fryeburg line. Lieut. Asa Osgood and others in that neighborhood, also all those persons on the west side of the river, below Wilson Howard's, we recommend to draw their money, providing they will lay it out for schools in said town.

In March, 1804 it was voted to raise one hundred and fifteen dollars for support of schools in town and that each district should build their own schoolhouses. At the town meeting held in March, 1805, the town voted not to raise any money for school purposes, but at a second meeting called in April the same year, they appeared to repent of such action, and the town voted to raise $115 for schooling the present year. From this date on until 1820 the town raised various sums for schooling from $115 to $250 annually.

NO schoolhouses were built in districts No. 2 and No. 3 prior to the change in town lines in 1807 and their schools were kept in private houses. At the first town meeting held in Brownfield in 1807, after a portion of the town had been annexed to the towns of Denmark and Hiram, and the north part of Porterfield annexed to Brownfield, the town selected Timothy Gibson, Esq., John Sands and Nathaniel Merrill as a committee to divide the town into school districts and they reported as follows in October of same year and their report then accepted:

District No. 1 Beginning at Timothy Gibson Esquire's, and extending to Wilson Howard's.

District No. 2. Beginning at William Merrill's and extending to John Sand's on the Merrill road to take in Mr. Thompson and David Mansfield and "athuat" Sheppard's river so as to embrace Timothy Gibson, Jr.

District No. 3. To take all on the south side of Sheppard's river to Porter line.

District No. 4. To take all on the north side of Sheppard's river.

At the same meeting the town voted to allow any person to send their scholars to either school they chose, but that each district should retain their own school money.

School district No. 2, the Centre district, was the first to build a schoolhouse under the new organization of the town. In 1808, the district voted to build a schoolhouse and locate it "on the ridge at the foot of Dugway hill, below John Sand's" the size of the house to be twenty-two feet by twenty-six feet square, and voted to raise two hundred dollars for that purpose, selecting John Sands, Lieut. James Steele as a committee to build the house. Timothy Gibson, Jr., was clerk of the district meeting. As many of the inhabitants in the district wished to pay their tax in labor or material, a vote was taken to establish the price the committee were to allow for such as furnished. The same year (1808) District No. 1 voted to build a house, locating it in the centre between Esq. Timothy Gibson's and Wilson Howard's. The house was erected near the Maj. Stickney homestead. Daniel Gibson was clerk of the meeting and Timothy Gibson, Esq., Wm. Webster and John Stickney, selected as building committee, and one hundred and thirty dollars raised for the purpose, the house near John B. Miller's having been destroyed or abandoned.

The frame of the house was erected by Daniel Gibson for which the committee paid him thirty dollars. The following year, Dec. 30, 1809, the district voted to raise 85 dollars to finish the house and have the committee call on the Selectmen to furnish a school teacher as soon as they think proper. No record of any school in this district for the years 1808 and 1809, but they probably had schools kept in private houses during those years.

There is mention of school in 1810, when Maj. John Stickney was paid two dollars per week for board of teacher (probably Sally Mansfield) and tuition, and the district "voted to have a lock on schoolhouse, and allow any denomination go into the house to worship God."

District No. 3 voted to build a school in 1809 and locate it on land deeded to the district by Andrew Wentworth, near the Wentworth homestead. Luke Mills, Ichabod Ricker and Isaac Merrill were chosen committee to build the house. Most of the orders given by the building committee for labor and materials are now in good condition and on file with the town papers in Selectmen's office.

In 1811 an effort was made to have the town assume the expense of the schoolhouses already erected in Districts 1, 2 and 3, and finish the same for schools, also "to build such other schoolhouses in town as may become necessary." The town voted not to build any schoolhouses, but voted to aid District No. 2 to rebuild, contributing one hundred dollars for same, conditioned that the town could hold their town meetings there and that the house be free for each religious denomination to hold Sunday meetings, each denomination to have its equal share of the time. The size of the house to be 28 feet by 30 feet square, and to locate same in the forks of the road in front of Dr. Hadley's.

It was in this house Rev. Jacob Rice, the first settled in town, was preaching when he was stricken with heart failure and died within a few hours afterwards at the house of Dr. Hadley.

W. S. H.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — East Sweden

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bisbee and Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Marr went to Lewiston to the State fair September 6.

D. T. Adams was home Sunday, Sept. 3.

Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bisbee were in Rumford September 3.

A number went from here to the town hall September 6 to hear William M. Ingraham speak.

Fred Barton went with the Haskell family to Bridgton September 8.

Harold Porter made a flying call at H. Haskell's September 10.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — Sweden

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Leslie Chandler, who got so badly burned by the bursting of a gasolene torch while soldering some milk cans recently, is gaining.

The remains of Miss Louise Brackett were brought from Cumberland Mills to her sister, Mrs. Martha Chandler's. The funeral was held Thursday. [*]

Sweden grange held its regular meeting Saturday evening, Sept. 9, with nine members present.

Charlie Bailey hauled stove wood for Walter Evans Monday.

Miss Mable Trimback is doing housework for Mrs. W. E. Evans.

M. E. Perry and wife and Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Moulton were in Portland Saturday, going in Mr. Perry's new auto.

Mr. and Mrs. James H. Bennett are visiting his brother, Charles Bennett.

Mrs. Fordyce Gammon and daughter Emily are visiting her sisters, Mrs. Ernest Bennett, and Cleora Saunders, also her brother, Lindon Merrill.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Saunders and daughter of Portland are visiting his father, Lincoln Saunders, at O. P. Saunders'.

Miss Marion Moulton is visiting Mrs. Charlie Bailey and Mrs. Forest Hutchins.

Miss Louisa Moulton has gone to Massachusetts to visit her sister.

George Thompson and Ernest Bennett cut corn fodder into the silo for Lindon Merrill Thursday afternoon.

Hugh Smart helped Thell Bennett get in oats and hungarian Saturday.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

[*] Note: Original newspaper breaks this line "Thurs-" followed by "Number Four. [another linebreak] No. Four."

New Hampshire Neighbors — South Sweden

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Henry Emerson and Joe Willard made a business trip to Norway last week.

Hazel Plummer of Haverhill, Mass., is visiting her uncle, Enfield Plummer.

Mrs. Adelbert Stearns and two children of Lovell, also W. H. Smith visited at Charles Brackett's Sunday.

Royal Flint and George Thompson finished haying on the meadow Saturday.

Orin Plummer of Bridgton ridge spent Sunday at E. S. Plummer's.

Mrs. Florence Sawyer and Mrs. Carrie Adams visited at Henry Emerson's one day last week.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

New Hampshire Neighbors — West Denmark

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

Mrs. Viola M. Walker has returned to her home in this neighborhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Warren, Mrs. Robert Ingalls, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Sawyer and son Allan of South Bridgton visited at H. F. Lord's Thursday.

Mrs. Martha Ingalls and daughter, Mrs. Harlan Lord, were in Portland Friday.

Willis Thomes has moved his family to Kezar Falls.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.