06 Jul 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Bath Independent
Location
Bath, Maine, United States of America
Date
Jul 06, 1939
Page
1
Francis J. McCabe reports Maine highway fatalities down 38 percent for the month, with six lives saved, while drunken driving deaths rise from three to ten year to date. He urges stricter action, notes speed and reckless driving have lessened, and warns drivers to anticipate children crossing streets.
Paul W. Litchfield president of Goodyear Tire along with five officers visited Bath to worship at Central church and reconnect with former acquaintances. He once lived at 708 Washington Street in a house built by his grandfather Benjamin Owen Weeks and plans to spend the Fourth at Squirrel Island after returning from Europe where Goodyear operates two factories and a White House call with President Roosevelt occurred.
Prof. Earl B. Perkins of Rutgers College New Brunswick New Jersey and daughter Joyce visit Edith M. Perkins mother at her Parker Head cottage for a fortnight. Perkins is remembered by Bath residents as a biologist with the Byrd Antarctic expedition.
MacMahon Island welcomes cottage owners and newcomers for a busy season. Notables include Emory Basford of Andover purchasing Taft cottage near Fox Island bridge and Dr. Edwin F. Hussa of Summit relocating Morse cottage. New York City and Philadelphia visitors join, with Prof. Edward D. Snyder and daughter Caroline aiding the Athletic Association. Lodge opens July 1 with Dr. Richard D. Owens as resident physician and over 50 at a Sunday buffet.
Announcement lists several gifts in memory of Augusta Frost of Topsham who died June 13 1936. Donations include 2000 to Topsham Public Library and 2000 to Brunswick Old Folks Home Association plus 1000 to First Universalist Church in Brunswick and 1000 to Maine Children's Home Society. Frost born Brunswick October 31 1848, resident of Topsham since 1877. her sons Allon S. Frost and John W. Frost reside in Merrimac Massachusetts and Pleasantville New York respectively.
Former world heavyweight champion Jack Johnson stopped at the Columbia Hotel in Bath for about 30 minutes with promoter Charley Miller to greet locals and discuss boxing. He praised Joe Louis and Jim Jeffries, recalled his Havana defeat, and noted plans to lecture at the New York World’s Fair while reflecting on his title history and notable bouts. Johnson, 62, also commented on Dempsey’s appendectomy recovery and his willingness to box current heavyweights for a possible match.
Contractors Merritt Chapman Scott, Bath Water District, push a 16 inch Kennebec River main across the Bath waterfront. Delays due to underwater ledge expected into mid September after laying 619 of 2646 feet. Five divers at work as Captain Lonn's crew advances piling and pipe placement.
Mr and Mrs Granville M Colby of 10 Quimby street set out June 17 on a four week tour across the continent. They planned Boulder Dam as a climax but might continue to California for the World's Fair. They report friendly people, warnings about hitchhiking, impressive scenery, and a lodging boom for transcontinental tourists with affordable rates.
Traffic over the Carlton bridge rose in June 1939 versus 1938 with higher cash receipts. Saturday July 1 shows continued heavy flow and likely through the Fourth of July. The June comparison lists vehicle counts and revenues. local birthday party noted for Barbara Ann Hudson. naval officer Lieut A M Boyd and family arrive in Bath staying at Red House on Lincoln Street.
Capt. Richard Quick, aged 71, retired Friday in Baltimore and returned to his home at 300 Washington Street Saturday morning. He served 26 years with Texas Steamship Co and captained the modern tanker Connecticut for six months, sailing 45 000 miles and delivering ten oil cargoes from Port Arthur to Baltimore and other Atlantic ports. His career included command of the Edward Sewall for 21 years and a life at sea spanning 55 years with many ships and voyages.
June this year was cooler and drier than June 1938. The Independent diary notes three rainy days this year versus eight last year, four cloudy days versus two, and 23 fair days compared with 20 a year ago.
The Bath tax rate remains at 45 mills for the fourth consecutive year as realty owners received bills. The city committed Friday afternoon to the collecting department and plans to mail bills over the weekend. Real and personal estate valuations show a slight year over year decline of 52,900 with overlay up by 950.68, totaling 7,867,445. Additional figures show real estate 6,146,970 and personal estate 1,720,475 with 3,444 polls valued at 10,332.00, while a Boston-bound party arrived in Woolwich for the summer week.
The Bath Fire Department faced twelve alarms from Monday midnight to Tuesday morning. The worst blaze was at the Pendleton saw mill yard at 306 Washington street, where tires fueled a lengthy inferno. Firefighters saved other properties amid damaged hose and pipes and delays due to obstructed access. Fireworks likely sparked several blazes, including one at Holmes home on Front street. A busy schedule from 11:57 p.m. to 3:02 a.m. saw multiple small fires and bonfires across Middle, Russell, Spring, Weeks, and Washington streets, with crews continually deploying lines and returning to stations exhausted. The Pendleton yard loss included 1,000–1,500 wooden wedges and several hundred treenails. total damage estimated near $1,000 with no insurance.
Miss Faith Hourwich Reyher of New York and Robin hood Maine wed Gardner Forscutt Cook in Robinh ood village church with about 100 out of town guests. Rev Morrison Russell Boynton officiated assisted by Rev Clarence Hoch. The reception followed at the bride's mother's home as guests danced.
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