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Newspaper
Bath Independent
Location
Bath, Maine, United States of America
Date
Dec 10, 1931
Page
2
A Maine Publicity Bureau survey of 55 replies from 1855 tourists shows the average expenditure per person in 1931 was $65.43, with more tourists expected as publicity increases. The report notes tourism boosts state revenue, property sales, and local taxes, urging greater promotion to attract visitors and inflate totals.
A reflective Bath column recalls the era of square riggers and Bath Iron Works steel ships shaping the city’s fortunes. It also mentions a new Bath club housed in the YMC A, honors the Colonial club’s long service, and advises Christmas tree seekers to obtain owner permission before cutting in woodlots to prevent trespass troubles.
Residents and cottage owners at Penham Beach may organize to extend electric service from Central Maine Power Company. If enough subscribers are found, the company could build a new line and supply current to the colony.
The Boys' Conference in Augusta reports strong forward steps among attendees. Many pledged to accept Jesus Christ unite with the church teach Bible classes and pursue Christian service while others promised daily Bible reading prayer and giving up bad habits. Grace Church Men’s Club hosted a venison dinner with Rev. Ralph H. Hayden speaking on church convention reports and world issues.
Genesta Sewing circle cleared more than $100 at its annual Christmas sale and supper in the Masonic temple on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Eva Helah and Carrie Thompson directed the entertainment. Eunice Walters and Annie Bonney managed dining, with a supper committee including Emma Ehlers and Anne Deering. Multiple tables covered fancy work, aprons, greens, candy, and more under numerous chairpersons.
Coach Horace Herrick of Morse High named six players Friday morning as top candidates for the team and barred from Y M C A Church League play. The six are Capt E Legard. H King. N Wilson. R McElman. H McElman. E Sarkis.
Charles B. Day of Richmond, president of the Maine Hotel Association, sets Friday December 11 for the annual meeting at the Lafayette hotel Portland. Officers will be elected and by laws discussed while a 6 30 p m dinner features talks by Herbert L Swett and Arthur G Staples. Harrie B Coe may show a film of the Fall Pilgrimage to Rangeley Lakes.
Aldermen blocked a proposed salary boost and alderman Youland nominated a candidate who could cast the ballot. The term runs three years. Wilbur C. Oliver seeks permission to install two 1,000 gallon gasoline tanks with pump connections buried on his Lincoln and Center streets property. The request was sent to the fire department chief. Mayor Small confirmed Freemont B. Rowe Russell C. Dalrymple and Arthur Colby as constables.
Mrs bury Atkins and daughter Mrs Lillian Nickerson with her young son return to Woolwich from Bangor after a brief visit and prepare to close the Woolwich home for winter before moving to Farmington for the season until spring.
The Rotary club places a tall fir Christmas tree on the granite platform of the historic old City Hall on Center street at Water. Sponsored by Harry E. Stetson for nearly a decade, the tree was cut Friday on the Brown farm in West Bath and now glows with incandescent lights. It moves from the City park to the busy business district to better welcome shoppers and carolers during the holiday season.
The Winter Street church held its 136th annual meeting with strong attendance. Officers re elected include Charles C. Low as clerk Frederick H. Low treasurer of benevolence funds Langdon T. Snipe as auditor Rev O W Folsom and Miss Fros tina Marston on the standing committee. Mrs Langdon T Snipe and Mrs Edwin Dodge Hardin joined the Sunday school committee. Reports were read and letters from absent members were reviewed. The session closed with refreshments and a social hour.
Nick Mihalos, Bath boxing promoter and shoe shop owner, broke a rear axle in Waldoboro at midnight. A tourist offered to tow but with no rope they pushed the crippled car. The pair covered roughly 35 miles to Bath in about an hour.
The Rotary club set up a community Christmas tree on the granite steps of Old City Hall Friday afternoon. It was lit at night and praised by visitors. Rotarians plan an overhead greeting reading Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and will host carol singing at the tree the afternoon before the holiday.
Mr and Mrs H Dorman Perkins and daughters Doris and Evelyn of West Bath motored to Portland Thursday for a day trip.
Eight of fourteen appointees met in City hall to discuss replacing the bicameral city government. A permanent organization formed with N Gratz Jackson as chairman and other officers. Talks planned on town, Gardiner, city manager forms with next meeting set for December 16 at 7 30 p.m. Citizens urged to send communications to chairman or press.
Over 100 people attended a baked bean supper at Sebenoa hall on Thursday evening. A supper committee led by Edward V. Reed Herbert Munsey and Clare Baker organized the event to raise funds for the Woolwich Union for Christian Service.
The annual Red Cross drive totals 709 memberships, seven short of last year’s pace with an 850 city quota. The chapter retains 50 cents per membership, totaling $354.50, plus $602 in additional contributions, for a $956.50 sum. extra donations hoped to fund nurses and activities. contributions may be left with treasurer Charles C. Low.
Seth Stewart a janitor at the Bath National Bank was taken home from 80 Green Street after a fall from a step ladder inside the bank. He sustained a cut on the back of the head and minor injuries but his condition was not believed to be serious. Mrs Ardenne A Stott and daughter Miss Geraldine Stott of Sagadahoc Ferry were guests of Miss Eva Carlton in Portland.
Dromore Farm Bureau gathered at Mrs. J Edward Drake s home 972 Washington St for a meeting on Tooled Leather Materials were taught by Mrs Percy Marston and Mrs Ruth Farnham from Nequasset Farm Bureau and Mrs Fred Brown from West Bath Farm Bureau Thirty members attended with guests from Portland Fort Lauderdale Fla and local residents The president Mrs Raymond Campbell led the business session with Miss Bessie Dickinson as secretary in Mrs Clara Oliver s absence
Mrs Katherine A Blair widow of Winthrop Blair longtime Bowdoinham resident was killed when she fell down stairs at her grandson Clifford Blair’s Hull Massachusetts home. She was en route to Sit Petersburg Florida for the winter visit with daughter Mrs Mabel Blair Burns Thomas. She was born 1850 in Cape Breton and married Winthrop Blair of Woolwich. Survived by two children Lester Blair of South Weymouth Mass and Mrs Christine Blair of South Weymouth plus Frederick Burns Jr. and Clifford Blair among three grandchildren.
Melissa Emma Thornton 52 wife of Oscar F Thornton manager of the Center street A and P store died at home 472 Middle street Bath after a year of illness. Born in Bath she was daughter of the late Cleveland M and Emma Terrell Oliver and lived mostly in Bath with a three year stay in Malden Massachusetts. She was a past noble grand of Queen Esther Rebekah lodge and formerly belonged to Myrtle Lodge I O O F and Ladies of the G A R. She was a member of Beacon Street Methodist church and is survived by her husband Arnold C Preney Newport News Virginia a son two stepchildren Edward B Thornton Arlington Massachusetts Grace Olive Mansfield Malden Massachusetts and brother Eugene L Oliver Bath.
Edwin E. Witherby 72 longtime gas electric engineer and former New York Chicago executive died Friday from injuries after a fall at his Gray Rocks home on Dingley’s Island. Born in Bridgewater Massachusetts he retired two years ago and had been active in town affairs. He is survived by his wife.
Captain Eugene A Call, 80, longtime Kennebec river towboat captain and Delta commander, died after a long illness at his South Front Street home in Richmond. Born in Dresden, he lived in Richmond 54 years, served 31 years at riv er towboats, and held roles with Richmond lodge and S O F. Survived by wife Ella M Crosby Call, son Chester Call, and two grandchildren.
Fred Harrington a 62 year old storekeeper and postmaster at Parker Head for many years died Thursday after a long illness. He was a longtime local resident and figure in Parker Head community services.
The obituary notes a Phippsburg native born to Charles and Esther Harrington who lived there all his life. He ran a grocery business for 86 years and served 17 years as postmaster. He belonged to the National League of District Postmasters. Survived by wife, a son Eugene Harrington, two daughters Frances E. Kieidler and Laura Libby, and nine grandchildren.
Miss Etta F Borchers of 21 Lemont street died November 26 at her sister Mrs Annie Garvin’s home in Epping New Hampshire where she had gone to spend the winter. She was a niece of the late Mrs Abbie Brown of Bath. She leaves a brother Charles H Borchers of Salem Depot NH and many relatives. Interment was at Salem Depot NH.
The Overseers of the Poor report a $900 net positive from intertown collections after $5,953 in expenditures. Sidney L. Eaton notes collections of $6,867 and a year start credit balance of $563.09 on an $11,000 appropriation, with total credits $21,628.50 and year to date expenditures $21,065.41.
George A. Colton of Lee Massachusetts returns to Bath for the holidays at 852 High Street with wife Mrs Colton. He notes progress in landmarks like the Davenport memorial and housing project but laments lost old friendships. Colton formerly worked at Howland and Hayden’s jewelry store now Charles A Harriman.
United States Coast Guard cutter Kickapoo docked at Bath Iron Works with 28 crew members for the newly launched patrol boat Aurora. The crew joined 12 others who arrived by rail, completing a 40 man complement. The group traveled from Coast Guard headquarters New London to Seguin Island aboard the Conygham, then moved upriver.
The Eagles opened the winter social season at their rooms with a series of club member card events led by William Deering. Deering's team defeated Harry Warner's, as 40 attendees played cribbage bridge sixty three and pitch in the event.
A long list of crossword style clues across and down with numbers and hints for words like alighted writing material flower and many more with references to animals plants and objects. The grid appears to include multiple definitions such as Persian poet Tibetan priest sea eagle and mercantile establishment along with various measuring and grammatical terms.
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