Four Sisters, Four different Women: Alice

Alice Marguerite Skinner was the second child born to Myron and Edna (Southard) Skinner on February 7, 1896 in Portland, Maine.  Like her older sister, Alice attended schools in Portland until 1904, when her father moved the family back to Exeter, Maine.  She was raised by grandparents until their deaths and then by older sister, Bertha.  She attended schools in Exeter and graduated from Exeter High School in 1915. 

For a few years she remained at home helping her sister with the chores and raising her other two sisters.  Like many young women at that time, she would have been expected to marry and have a husband to support her.  However, that did not happen with Alice, either by her own choice or that she may not have had a “beau” in Exeter.  A class photo shows the ratio of girls far outnumbered the boys and with Alice who rather plain in looks, dark hair and taller than some boys, she may not have been the first pick of the few boys in school, especially when her younger sister had the blond hair and fair skin to compete with.

Alice chose to have a career in nursing.  Whether it was something she felt came naturally to her or because she wanted to pursue career where she could make her own money without a husband, is not known.  She attended Eastern Maine General Hospital's School of Nursing in Bangor, Maine starting in 1918.

Alice and friend at school in 1920

Alice at home in Exeter in 1922

Alice did not graduate from the nursing program.   An event while school would change her life and have far reach consequences that she probably would never have expected.  The rules of school were quite explicit that student nurses where not to become to familiar with the doctors at the hospital.  Any interaction outside of the school was forbidden.  Alice, however, choose to risk it all, when it came to one certain doctor who either preyed upon a young naïve student or liked the attention of having a young woman enchanted by him.

O. R. Emerson as a young man

His name was Doctor Oscar Rodney Emerson of Newport, Maine.  He was known as Dr. O. R. Emerson locally.  He was 20 years older than Alice and married.   He had married his wife in 1896, the same year Alice was born.  He was well known and respected doctor, having established a medical practice in Newport, Maine and covered a large area of patients.  Dr. Emerson at times, did surgery at Bangor hospital and worked with the nurses who training at the school.   We don’t know exactly how they met or who pursued who, but an affair began between them. Word got around about the “closeness” between the two of them and Alice expelled from the school. 

Alice and O.R. 1922

In 1920, she was listed as a nurse working at a hospital on the census record while living at home. How she explained her departure from school to her father and sisters is not known.  Maybe they knew or heard of what had happened or maybe a good cover story was invented.   Either out guilt of getting Alice expelled or he really loved Alice, he would now be responsible for providing Alice with work and continue to see her for the next twenty years.   

She became a practical nurse working at Chase Hospital in Guilford, Maine then later at the Dover-Foxcroft Hospital.  Photos of her show her having fun with the other nurses at the hospitals.

Alice and fellow nurses at Chase Hospital

Bathing Beauties 1920s Alice at

Chase Hospital in Dover

Plummer Memorial Hospital had been established in Dexter, Maine by 1920 which became Dr. Emerson’s main place of work.  As one of Alice’s co-worker’s stated, with Dr. Emerson’s reputation as a surgeon, he only had to ask for Alice to come to Dexter and this would be where Alice would work for the rest of her life.

Plummer Memorial Hospital, Dexter, Maine

In 1930, Alice M. Skinner, now 34, was a private nurse boarding with Ernest L. and Cora (Brown) Colbath in Dexter, Maine. Cora Colbath was a first cousin to Alice's father, Myron Skinner.  Alice developed a close relationship with them and referred to Cora as “Aunt Cora.”  

Alice at 31 Birch St, Dexter, 1934

Cora (Brown) Colbath, 1934

31 Birch St. Dexter

The year 1939 would be a pivotal year in Alice’s life.  Alice was now 43 years old and had been involved with Dr. Emerson almost 20 years.  However, living on a nurse’s salary she was able to buy her own house in Dexter, Maine.  The deed shows she paid only $1 and the phrase added in was “and for other valuable considerations.”  It was well known that Dr. Emerson was that “consideration.”

Alice's home at 113 High Street

Alice also kept a diary of the events of this year.  Her entries involved her setting house, buying furniture, curtains and clothes from Bangor stores.  Although she never names Dr. Emerson, she recorded her meetings with her “S” or sweetheart.  Sadly, many entries in the diary describe her waiting for her “S” to either call her or visit her.  At this point in time, as her visits and calls with her “S” were very few, it may be the passion of the long affair may have fizzled out some.   Afterall, Dr. Emerson was now 67 years old and there were rumors that he was known to friendships with other women as well. 

It would come to an end this same year.  On September 25, 1939, Dr. Emerson would be in automobile accident.  Alice noted the day before, that her “S” had visited and that it was a short visit as he seemed very tired and not his usual self.  Mrs. Emerson aware of her husband’s relationship with Alice had forbidden her to see him.  However, a nurse took pity on Alice and brought him to see him.  Alice again wrote that her held her hand tight in his and had tried to say something and she knew what he was thinking.  It would be the last time she would see him. Dr. Emerson died September 7, 1939.  

Newspaper death of Dr. Emerson

For next 50 years, Alice would continue to live her life in the shadow of this affair.  Although, she had the freedom to see her sisters and their families more often without the worry she would miss a visit from her “S” while she was gone from home.  She continued to work at Plummer Memorial and often worked with children or did private nursing for families in the area.

Alice in 1948, Dexter, Maine

Alice in 1958 at her sister's house in Corinna, Maine

She eventually began to slowly withdraw from society.  She became more of a recluse as got older and even with her own family.  Most family relatives can tell a story of going to visit her and she would not even answer the door or answer the phone.  She kept a photo of Dr. Emerson with her at all times.  She talked to it like he was there with her.  This may have been her way of coping with his death.  Her niece told the story of going to visit her aunt in Dexter and saw Alice sitting outside in a chair.  As she walked across the lawn and got closer, she realized that Alice was talking to Dr. Emerson photograph that was sitting in a chair next to her.   Startled when her niece called her name, she became very upset and told her to go back to the front door and wait there which she did.  Alice then picked up the photo and went into the house, put the photo away and then answered the door.  No mention was made of his photograph.  

Alice and her sister Velma in 1966

Alice remained living alone until 1985 when she became too ill to live on her own.  Her only surviving sister, Velma took her in to live with her.  But it was not ideal.  They had been close as sisters, but they fought once they lived together.   Velma died in 1987.  Alice was then placed in a nursing home in Brewer, Maine where died on July 31, 1988 at age 92.