Distressing Occurrence On the night of the 12th ult the house owned and occupied by Mr. Nathan Ross, jr in the town of Anson, Me. was discovered to be on fire; every exertion was made to stop the progress of the flames, but all in vain: the house and all the furniture was consumed, and what is painful to add, Mrs. Ross, with three children, were consumed in the flames. Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, February 5 1823 Page 1 (Contributed by Nancy Piper) Norridgewock, Me., Oct. 17 Shocking Accident. One of the most distressing events which has fallen to our lot to record, occurred in Milburn on Sunday evening last, in the destruction of a house and whole family of children, five in number. The following letter from a gentleman in Milburn, contains the melancholy information.      “On Sunday evening last, between the hours of 8 & 9 o’clock, the dwelling house of Mr. John Whitman, of Milburn, was discovered to be on fire; and awful to relate, all his children (5 in number) perished in the flames. The parents were from home at an evening lecture. It is supposed that the children retired early to bed and were all insensible of the danger that awaited them till too late.      The scene was truly appalling to see the bodies of the unfortunate children, enwrapt in flames, falling from the chamber into eh cellar, while the parents, distracted with grief, were with difficulty kept from rushing into the fire.      Their names were as follows, - Betsey, aged 20, Warren, 19, Mary 16, Orinda, 12 and Acenith 6 years. Their remains were interred on Tuesday in one grave. A very solemn and appropriate discourse was delivered by Elder Joseph Merrill, 1. Peter I, 24, 25, to a large and attentive collection of people.” The Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA, 29 Oct 1823 Page 3, (Contributed by Nancy Piper) Deer Hunter Killed North Anson, Maine – J. Russel Emery of Madison was killed while deer hunting at Lake Moxie, on the Kineo branch of the Maine Central Railroad. His death is the first fatal accident reported since the opening of the deer hunting season in eight Maine Counties. (Source: Anaconda Standard - October 27, 1920 - Transcribed and Contributed by:  Frances Cooley) In Cornville, 31st ult., Lydia J., wife of Rev. John F. Whitney, of Marlow, N.H. aged about 25. (Source: The Easter Argus, Portland, Maine, August 11, 1859)   Mrs. Sophia A. Tibbits: The death of Mrs. Sophia A. (Fish) Tibbits, which occurred at the home of her daughter Mrs. C.F. Rowe in Augusta on Thursday June 17th, at the age of 93 years marks the passing of one of the oldest residents of Somerset county.  Mrs. Tibbits was a native of Somerset County and passed a large part of her long life within its limits.  She was a descendent of one of the three Fish brothers who came to this country from England., her father being Eliab Fish of Fairfield Center.  The old homestead still stands a short distance below the center settlement but is not occupied by members of the Fish family.  Reared according to the New England customs of her day, Mrs. Tibbits was a most interesting woman because of her memories, which dated back to a period when conditions both in Somerset County and the State of Maine differed greatly from those of the present day.  She was keenly alert in matters of public interest and was cordial and hospitable to the friend or stranger who visited her home.  In early years she united with the Methodist church.  Her husband, the late Charles Tibbits died many years ago and during the earlier years of her widowhood she and her son, Charles Tibbits, resided on the homestead farm near Fairfield Center.   With increased years, she resided more and more in the family of her daughter, Mrs. Chester F. Rowe, formerly of Waterville , now of Augusta.  The kindness and attention which she received from the members of this home have been noted with warm regard by friends of the family.  Beside the son and daughter previously mentioned there was another son, Willard, who died in the West a few years ago.  Surviving relatives in Skowhegan are a niece, Mrs. Albert H. Lang, and a great nephew, John L. Fish. [Source: Daily Kennebec Journal,June 26, 1920 edition] Mrs. L.P. Southard: Mrs. L.P. Southard, an esteemed Princeton pioneer, departed this life at her home in north Princeton Sunday morning at 2 oclock, after an illness of eight months, at the age of 78 years, two months, and 26 days. Funeral services were conducted at the family residence Tuesday afternoon at 2 oclock, and numberous friends and relatives attended to pay a last tribute to the departed one.  A quartet composed of Mesdames C.A. Caley and E.B Service and Messrs. Guy Ewing and Grover Umbehocker sang appropriate selections, being accompanied on the organ by Miss Eileen Walker, and Rev. and Mrs. Service gave a vocal duet.  Interment was in Oak Knoll Cemetery, adn the remains were laid to rest beside those of her husband and a son. All of the children attended the final service except Charles, Fred and E.L.   Charles and E.L. reside in Washington and Fred is a resident of Maine. Deceased, whose maiden name was Almeana Bickford, was born in Belgrade, Somerset County, Maine, on December 30, 1837.  She grew to womanhood in Maine, and on January 1, 1854, was united in marriage to Mr. Daniel Spaulding.  To this union were born three children, all of whom are living, viz: Charles H.  Fred R., and Daniel W.  Mr. Spaulding answered the final summons several years ago, and on March 8, 1865, the subject of this sketch became the wife of the late L.P. Southard.  Five children-Mrs. Mina Bickford, E.L., I.R., Mrs. O.B. Newton and Alvah-blessed this union.  In the fall of 1879 Mrs. Southard accompanied her husband and family to Minnesota, and resided in Minneapolis one year.  Since that time Princeton has been her home Mrs. Southard was a good Christian lady, and possessed qualities that won her the love and esteem of a large circle of friends.  She was of a home loving dispostion, and as a neighbor and friend was all that could be desired.  Besides the children she leaves many grandchildren and great grandchildren to mourn her passing. [source: Princeton Union, March 30, 1916 edition]

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