The Somerset reporter., 1909-08-19
Scion 100 Years Old.
Citizens of Somerset Assemble to Cele-
brate the One Hundredth Anniversary
of the Settlement of the Town of
Scion. Names Chief Executive and
Many Other Distinguished Visitors

of the Settlement of the Town of
Scion. Names Chief Executive and
Many Other Distinguished Visitors
Present.
One by one the communities of
Somerset are attaining the dignity of
their hundredth birthday and the
citizens of Scion long ago determined
that this important anniversary
should be observed with appropriate
and impressive ceremonies. For
more than year preparations have
been going toward. Committees
have conducted all affairs in an order
ly manner and with indefatigable
zeal but, for that matter, the whole
town may be said to have been one
great celebration association as none
dwelling within Solon's borders has
been free from the sweep of interest
which has carried the great Centenary
Observance from its inception to a
magnificent conclusion.
1t was just bit unkind of the wea-
Their department to withhold the,
long desired rainstorm until eve the
of Solon's one hundredth birthday,
but the clouds and the showers were
not so serious as to interfere appre-
ciably with carrying out of the DAYS
program just as it had been officially
announced. Doubtless some, living
at distance, were deferred from at
tending, but the number of stay at
homes must have been small for
the throng which filled Solon's streets
seemed to show maj ority of the
residents of nearby towns, and many
representatives from distant points in
Somerset and other portions of the
State.
The athletic sports were among the
earliest of the days events. These
commenced at an early hour and
were continued thru large portion
of the forenoon. There were running
matches all the way from one hun
dred yards to quarter of mile.
Sack and potato races attracted much
attention and made lots of fun. There
was a three legged race and a greas-
ed pig chase, all of which furnished
great sport for the crowd. Later, the
winners will be announced and the
prizes awarded
The parade was the most import
ant and at the same time the most i'm
pressive and spectacular, feature of the
forenoon. This formed at half past
ten and marched through the princi-
pal streets of the town. Some teams
from distance, which were in readi
ness to participate, vera detained
from coming on account of the rain of
the previous night and early morn
ing. This diminished the length of
the line in some slight degree and
caused the omission of some features
known to the committees but a spec
tator, viewing the number of persons
and teams participating and rejecting
on the amount of thought and work
involved in preparation, would never
have guessed that every link in the
chain was not complete.
Dinner was served by Scion Grange
in the banquet room of the public
hall building, through the mid day
hours and the multitude of hungry
people were cared for very hand
somely in this respect. Right here
it should be mentioned that supper
was served under the same auspices,
also late supper after the ball in the
evening.
In the afternoon came the formal
exercises in the public hall. Sing ng
by choir and chorus, trained for the
occasion with much care, music by
the Lakewood Band, E. E. Towne
leader, violin and piano solos by Don
and Miss Margery Morrison and the
speaking, were all listened to by an
audience which filed and overlooked
the capacity of the hall.
The address of welcome was de-
livered by Leon S. Merrill. His Ex-
cellency, Hon. Bert M. Fernald, gov
ernor of Maine, delivered the princi-
pal address of the afternoon. The
Grafton, upon Scion One Hundred
Years Ago, was given by Chas. E.
Jackson of Portland. The poem,
written for the occasion, was deliver
ed by Helon Hilton of Somerville,
Mass, a descendant of one of Solon's
earliest families. The Historical re-
view, written by Mrs. Jennie w.
presented by its author, full Of data
thentic sources and in manner to pre-
ooTVo tuCtu iof tuC upc aho luuCtOcb
of future generations. Mark Pollard
served as chairman and master of
ceremonies.
A grand ball was held in the even
ing and was the last of the events OF
the centennial day.
Scion citizens should feel many
times repaid for all the care and
anxiety which has been theirs in
preparing a celebration suitable to
mark the passing of the first century
of their towns existence. The en-
joyment of the one day in which this
program was carried out, would in a
large measure be reason sufficient for
the effort but this is a small part of
the benefit derived from their labors.
The greater and more weighty con-
siderations are In an educational line,
the facts of history brought to light,
the genealogy Of the first settlers
made familiar to later generations,
the inspiration to right living furnish
ed by the knowledge of what the first
settlers of the region endured and
accomplished to found the civiliza-
lions which we now enjoy.
The COMMITTEES.
The agitation for this anniversary COM
menced more than one year ago and has
since been assuming shape and form. When
the organization was complete it had the
| rouou,;no LET ~ of6cere and rommiftees.