The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-08-26
Solon's Centennial Poem.

"
zion by Helon Hilton of Somerville,
Mass, and delivered by this gentle
men as a part of the centennial ex-
srcises. Mr.. Hilton, now a man ap-
preaching 80 years of age, Is native
Of Scion, descendant in direct line OF
one of the original settlers. he
moved to Massachusetts about forty
years ago. Visits from time to time
to the home of his youth have Kept
him in touch with the affairs OF his
native town and he was full OF inter-
est when plans for the celebration
we're proposed. The following YER
SEES of his composing will be preser-
we'd as a condensed history OF the
town and it may we'll be imagined
that they will be read with even
greater interest at Solon's second
100 years hence.
1t was one hundred years ago. perhaps
fifteen decades,
A dark primeval forest stood on Solons hills
and glades,
Its hills and dales were then as now, and the
river murmured near,
Where the antlered moose oft came to drink
It's waters pure and clear.
Twas then that William Hilton came,
man both stout and hale,
And built his hut upon the shore beside the
intervale
A nd with his sharp and cleaning axe ne
blazed the bride trail
And thus by horse and saddle-bags young
Scion got Its mall.
He was veteran of the war, man both
true and tried
And all the wealth he then possessed was MS
young welded bride.
Beside that lily-padded stream the couple
settled down
Twas grandpa VIII and grandma Kate that
founded Scion town
The years went passing swiftly by. The sea-
sons came and went
They toiled away upon their land and knew
no discomfort
they toied from day to day and
saved scanty hoard,
lot OF little Hiltons came and could not
pay their board.
And as each year went rolling by another
child was born
And every year they raised child, they
raised q crop of corn;
They filled them up on mush and milk and
that's what made them grow
That's how they raised big families. one
hundred years ago.
But Hilton In his lonliness did not have Ions
to wait
New settlers came focklng In from out the
old Bay state,
nd some came from New Hampshire.
--.-z They were a sturdy band,
The smoke OF their log cabins were seen on
every hand.
Their work was most laborlous while clear
ing up the land
But the fires OF their big choppings were
picturesque and grand;
They toiled from early morn till eve in heat
and winters SHOWS
Until they caused the forest wild to blossom
like the rose.
A lot OF solid citizens located on the hills,
The Richardson's, the Jewetts, the Heads
and Hunnewells,
rhe Drewreys and the Dearborns, the Bos-
worths and the Halls,
rhe Pierces and the Trenches, the Hobarts
and the Pauls.
rhe men that settled Scion were OF good old
yankee stock,
nd some could trace their ancestry BACK 10
old Plymouth rock;
From such q strong foundation this COM
munity has sprung
And 1t is as patriotic as when the town was
young.
II hail to the bold frontlersmen who came
and settled here,
All praise to their faithful consorts those
women we revere,
While they made the forest echo to music OF
the axe,
Their wives and pretty daughters were SPIN
ming wool and flax.
Where are those stalwart men OF oid7
,.s,y. Where are those ancient DANES?
stood beside yon churchyard gate and read
80 some of their names
they all have spun the thread OF life. They
all perior med their parts
And have a grand escutcheon now engraved
upon Our hearts.
note the little cascade that went rushing
down the hill
II was a roaring torrent and drove Joe Bus
wells mill;
Also we'll remember when drove the sor-
rel colt,
For he did not like Its rumble, or the thuhp-
ing Of the bolt.
mention E. G. Savage, he run the big
hotel,
He was n military man, a general as WE'LL
"a. lovad to hear the bugle call, also the fife
and drum,
He long ago departed and went to Kingdom
come.
There were two gifted lawyers who practised
in the town,
Inc was O. r. Bachelor and the other VIII
liam Brown;
Each could stand before jury and make an
able plea,
they could pocket a retainer or write a
warrantee.
And there was Mr.. sumner Webb man
both shrewd and wise,
lie kept the little village store and sold good
merchandise.
He kent n fine assortment his customers to
please.
And Ithink he could persuade them the
moon was made OF cheese.
How quiet and how home-iike are those
houses on the htls
Their frames are sound and solid rom their
ridge poles to their sills,
Although they were constructed near CEN
fury ago.
They have withstood the tempest, the rain
and drifting snow.
And ofttimes in those ancient days they
served a dainty dish,
~