The Bangor Commercial newspaper ran a contest in 1893, offering trips to the World's Fair -- the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
The contest required participants to fill out "coupons" from the paper and mail or deliver them with their votes for the teacher, clerk, or wage earner -- from Bangor or from outside Bangor. The person in each category -- one from Bangor, one from outside -- won the trip.
John and Clara Martin's youngest child, Mabelle Martin (1866-1899) won the contest among Bangor teachers. This article describes the contest and winners.
The Bangor Daily Whig and Courier reported on July 8, 1893: "Mrs. John Martin and Miss Mabel Martin leave on this morning’s train for the World’s Fair, making a short stop at Portland on the way."