Sun-Journal from Lewiston, Maine • C14

Lewiston, Maine, Tuesday, October 28, 2003 C14 A RTS TC NEW YORK (AP) Britney Spears exactly been shy lately. appeared topless on the cover of Rolling Stone and British Elle magazines and bottomless on the cover of Esquire. But after taking it all off for the suggestive pictures, the 21-year-old pop star says she plans to put it all back on at least for now. did feel kind of weird after those Spears tells Newsweek magazine for its Nov. 3 issue, referring to the Esquire cover on which she wears nothing but a white sweater and high heels.

was in a moment. I had, like, eight Red Bulls and said, do I learned my lesson and you see me like that for a while. kinda over it myself. Not that dirty or tacky, but it is really revealing and I want my kid, at 21, to be dressing like Spears also says she swore off dating for a while after her very public breakup with Justin Timberlake. She says still not involved with anyone, despite reports that she hooked up with a married backup dancer.

was a time when I was like, over men. she says. like six months, not a single thing happened. Not like they drawn to me, but there a single real attraction. like, happening? I know not a NEW YORK (AP) Pamela Anderson wants to meet with the chief executive officer of Kentucky Fried parent company to discuss what she calls positive changes for The former star of and faxed a letter Monday to David Novak of Yum! Brands asking to talk about animal-welfare guidelines that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is recommending.

Anderson, a spokeswoman for the animal-rights group, called for a boycott of the fast- food chain a few weeks ago. NAACP President Kweisi Mfume and Paul McCartney also have joined the PETA-led criticism of the company. must admit from the outset that I understand why a company that claims to care about animal welfare would continue to allow chickens to be bred and drugged to be so top-heavy that they can barely walk, to be gathered in a manner that breaks their wings and beaks, and to be scalded to death or drowned in feather-removal she wrote in the letter, which PETA released. Knight Ridder Newspapers Metallica has called off a tour of South America, citing injury and mental reports BBC Online. Singer James Hetfield said they were in body and after being on the road continuously for 18 months.

Drummer Lars Ulrich is being treated for a recurring shoulder injury. The band to fans, while it has pledged to honor its dates in the U.K. at Court in December. Metallica canceling dates OOKING ACK 100 Years Ago, 1903 While repairing the wall to the cross canal, near the old bag While repairing the wall to the cross canal, near the old bag mill, Jules Picher and Joseph Cote, employees of the Bates Manufacturing met with a horrible accident. In some unaccountable manner, a portion of the wall fell upon the two men while they were at work, partially covering them up.

As soon as the stones and bricks were taken from them, it was seen that Picher and Cote were very badly injured. The injured men were taken to their homes and physicians were summoned. Their injuries were at once cared for. An examination showed that Picher had both legs fractured while Cote had one of his legs fractured. 50 Years Ago, 1953 Seventeen break-ins in four counties, two in Auburn, have been cleared through an investigation which began last July and has been continued for the most part since that time by Chief and has been continued for the most part since that time by Chief Deputy Leonard Gagne of the Androscoggin County Department.

Warrants will be sought in Auburn Municipal Court this morning against at least two Lewiston youths and possibly a third. The break-ins are in Androscoggin, Oxford, Kennebec and Cumberland counties. 25 Years Ago, 1978 new fire sub-station, occupied by only two men, but with a capacity to house 21, was built for the future needs of the city, Fire Chief Ralph Adams proudly says. But those needs, according to Adams, include female firefighters. Walking cording to Adams, include female firefighters.

Walking through the spacious living quarters, it becomes obvious that they were not built to house men and women overnight, at the same time. The three carpeted bedroom areas have large, open doorways. It is conceivable that sliding doors could be installed, but there still would be only one bathroom and shower facility. If he were forced to by the courts, Adams says he would have to make sleeping arrangements for women. But he insists he go down without a fight.

a woman came in here today and applied for a job, say he says. plied for a job, say he says. Pam has message for KFC Britney putting it back on EWSMAKERS Bill Dodge Auto Parks Emerson Toyota Lee Auto Mall Lee Toyota Lewis Auto Sales Morong Brunswick Pape Chevrolet Pape Mitsubishi Ripley Rowe Aubur Commer cial and Residential PLOWING AND SANDING 786-4256 ALENDAR Today Oct. 28: FARMINGTON, comedian Gary Cauette will perform at 9 p.m. at UMF Olsen Student Center.

Free 7787348 Oct. 28: LEWISTON, a microphone night will be held at 6:30 p.m. at LA College, 51 Westminster St. 753-6513 Oct. 28: LEWISTON, journalist and author Anne Snowden Crossman will sign copies of her book at 9 a.m.

at Mr. Paper- back, 855 Lisbon St. 783-2273 back, 855 Lisbon St. 783-2273 Tomorrow Oct. 29: FARMINGTON, the Smith Brothers will perform at 2:15 p.m.

at UMF Merrill Hall. 778-7136 Oct. 29: LEWISTON, Troy Duster, professor of sociology at New York University, will speak on and the Veil of Privilege: From Redress to Diversity and at 12:30 p.m. at Bates College Muskie Archives. 786-6330 A story AURA ONAGHY Special to the Sun Journal role in history is often silent and overlooked.

Women have traditionally been subordinate to men, their contributions viewed as secondary and supportive. The period of American industrialization is no exception, being commonly perceived as dominated by men and machinery. Yet Yankee women from rural New England were the primary labor source for the new industrial cities that dotted the urban landscape in the mid- 1800s. Women were drawn to millwork to help support their families, and they also obtained economic and social independence, as well as the amenities of city life. Most women who left home were from middle class families, which had minimal land holdings and many children.

These women usually worked for only a few years before returning home, going to school or getting married. The diary of Phebe Merrill, archived at the Androscoggin Historical Society, illustrates the experiences of a New England woman working in town. Phebe C. Merrill was born on Sept. 15, 1832, in Hebron.

Her diary spans 1868, when she initially lived with her mother, sister Sarah and brothers Levi and Joseph. The previous year her father had passed away, leaving the family in a tight economic situation. Phebe worked in her boardinghouse doing domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Like many other young women in her situation, Phebe decided to move to Lewiston to gain independence and help support her family. Phebe took up work as a at the Lincoln Block, the housing for mill- workers.

While she stayed only four months, employees were constantly coming and leaving, allowing Phebe to be promoted to the positions of table girl and second cook. Work was rigorous in the boardinghouse, with a strict schedule and long hours. Within the first month Phebe noted, think I shall be obliged to give up my place if I have to work as I have for the past week from three or four in the morning, until eight, nine or even ten in the The incredibly long working days could be one reason many women only worked briefly before switching jobs or returning home. 40 cents a day For all of her hard work, Phebe was very satisfied with her first salary. She noted, got nine dollars and twenty- two cents pay for twenty-three days.

How glad I am to be earning so Phebe was paid about $.40 a day, or $.03 an hour (assuming an average 14-hour workday). While this might appear unjust by present standards, it was sufficient, if not generous, almost 150 years ago. Never before had women been able to earn such high wages. Unlike many women who spent their earnings on new dresses and accessories, Phebe saved her money and purchased only necessities, including a pair of boots, an umbrella, a braid, a net, stamps, ribbon, photographs and alpaca fabric. These allowed her to correspond with her family, attend church on rainy days, make presents for friends and stay warm in the winter.

Much of free time was spent practicing her Christian faith. She attended church every Sunday, except when very sick, and recorded in detail each sermon. She participated in prayer meetings in the Lincoln Block on Monday nights. Although these meetings were usually poorly attended, Phebe felt they were good for her soul and brightened her day. God and her faith played a central role in her daily decisions, and every act, she believed, was the will of God.

faith appears unusual among the mill girls of her time. She wrote often about her fellow faith, saying, have felt badly to think how many people in this house, and how few go to the house of God. I pray for Trying for a better job At the end of October, Phebe left her position in the Lincoln Block and moved to Auburn to work in Mr. bookstore. After only two days, she decided she disliked her new job and returned to the Lincoln Block, where she worked for another month.

Although Phebe was glad to be independent, she was also lonely and homesick. Near the end of her stay Phebe wrote, my nature would have been gratified if I could have been free to have run where I pleased. My heart has cried for home today, and now, while I write, the tears will drop. that I were more submissive to my Heavenly will. Very pleasant surroundings, but I am Just before Thanksgiving she was granted a few weeks leave to go and spend the holidays with her family.

Unfortunately, while at home her position was filled and she lost her job. Phebe immediately began looking for new employment, and on New Day, 1869, Phebe contemplated the pos- sibility of taking a job doing housework in Woodstock, Maine. Unfortunately, her decision known, because her diary ends with an entry on Jan. 2, 1869. Phebe probably took a job doing some sort of domestic service in order to further provide for her family and herself.

Phebe died on April 22, 1903, at the age of 70 in South Paris. Her life after 1868 is unknown. Yankee millwork peaked in the mid-1800s, and then sharply declined after the Civil War with the introduction of large Irish and Franco-American immigrant groups, who were willing to work longer hours for lower wages. In 1868, Phebe was part of a small and declining group of Yankee mill girls. Although Yankee women no longer played a large role in mill production, their role there offered them greater responsibility.

They were for the first time able to be socially and economically separate from their families. Never again would women solely hold a domestic role in society, and they began demanding the opportunities and rights granted to men. diary represents just a small snapshot of history, but it exposes a critical moment that altered social conventions as seen through the eyes of a woman. Research for this article was done last spring during a course, Methods: Writing the History of taught at Bates College by Joseph Hall and Steve Hochstadt. Phebe C.

Merrill left a record of her work in Lewiston in 1868. Her diary includes the long hours she toiled and the small purchases she made. diary tells of 37 pumpkin pies LEWISTON Here are excerpts from the diary that Phebe C. Merrill kept in 1868 when she left her home in Hebron to work in Lewiston: Jan. 11: Attended to washing.

Oh how my fingers ached when I got the clothes hung up, in the house, too. An odd day to wash, but the boy could not attend to it before. Hulled corn, had some for supper and it was good. Another Saturday night. nearer death; am I nearer Heaven? for a clean heart.

Our Pastor not yet returned. We miss him. Feb. 29: The name of the pedlar we kept last night, P.A. Darington, of Peru.

He appears to be a good man. He carries bed-spreads, table linens, drapes, handkerchiefs, Irish We wanted towels for boarders. Providence sent him here to stay the night. Aug. 26: Tom Thumb is in the city.

I got a glimpse of his coach ponies from my window. Sept. 10: A new cook, from Rockland, came last night. She is not a religious woman I find by her talk. She goes to dancing school.

I was shocked for she must be fifty years old, I should think, and she is a Democrat Sept. 14: Election day. Enough towns have been heard from to make it quite sure that Gov. Chamberlain, the Republican candidate, has been elected. Very heavy cannon have been discharged.

This city went Republican with considerable increase over last year. Sept. 29: This day I have made 37 pumpkin pies. Mrs. Lowell came down and rolled mince pie crust awhile a great help so we made 78 pies today, and that is not half the work we have done.

Quite a scene in the kitchen in consequence of putting up mean for a man. I got some from his wife. I consider her too low to be noticed. Source: October 1992 newsletter of the Androscoggin Historical Society at www.rootsweb.com/ For all of her hard work, Phebe was very satisfied with her first salary. She noted, got nine dollars and twenty-two cents pay for twenty-three days.

How glad I am to be earning so.