The independent-reporter., 1910-07-28
FROM SKOWHEGAN
To H|NCKLEY
Path of the Pioneers
of Somerset
SkOwhegan Town Farm One of Finest
In State.

One of the finest of the many beau
tiful drives radiating from Skowhe-
gan village is over the road leading
from Skowhegan to Hinckley on the
west bank of the Kennebec, a dis
tance of eight miles Here the seen
cry Is ever varied with glimpses OF
the river, dotted now and then with
islands. of high hills In the distance
and undulating fields of waving grain
and heavy grass near by Something
new appears continually to catch
ones interest as the level road winds
back and forth across the railroad
track from one fine set of farm build
ings to another.
First among the prosperous farms
is that of Dr. F. S. Bigelow. DR.. Bige-
lows special hobby, besides keeping
his farm up, is to have good horses.
The horse he now owns is a fine look
ing one which is equally good as a
driver or as a saddle horse.
Then comes the old Albert Leigh
ton farm, now owned by George Wes-
ton. This is situated on the left be-
yond the railroad track as you de-
scend the first hill after leaving
Skowhegan village. Here lived the
first white settlers of Somerset
County, and on the island near it was
their first landing place in Somerset
County. The farm is very productive
nj re of forfiIa I'M 10 land
and, since the buildings were remodel
ed recently, it is very picturesque.
Other historical associations this
road has, also: For on a hill top
farther down is the old cemetery
where the forefathers of Skowhegan,
then Canaan,-Peter Haywood. the
Smiths and the Weston, lie sleep
ing. Many graves are now unmarked
by any stone and the epitaphs on 9TH
ers are almost obliterated, but the
spot will always be consecrated
ground.
But those who enjoy the present
prospect more will be pleased with
the fine farm buildings along this
road. Uriah Foss has some. So have
the two men who came here from
Aroostook about two years ago and
bought the Robie Albee and the
Samuel Emerson farms. Like all
good Aroostook farmers they have
large crops of potatoes every year.
The farm buildings of the late DR..
William Blunt are another example
Of what such buildings should be- On
this farm are acres of fine oats and
sweet corn. Another fine farm be-
longs to George Weston.
Still farther along the road pleas
ant surprise Is in store for you. On
the right hand Is the first one, a
beautiful grove of pines; free of un-
derbrush and dead limbs, 1t rises on
hill top, continual JOY to the own
er and to the beholder Down the
road a little are other large growths
of pine, one containing from 100000
to 100000 feet of pine. Considering
the hard times manufacturers have
had to get pine lumber In small pieces
even for sashes 1t Is encouraging to
see here source of supply in years
to come. The farmers who have them
are to be congratulated on their fore
sight.
The farm that interests Skowhegan
people most of all Is that owned by
the town, which is situated about a
mile from Hinckley. There is a fine
large two and a half story house
equipped with furnace and other mod
ern improvements. But the chief
pride of the town Is the large so foot
barn recently completed at a cost of
about $4,000. This Is of the hip roof
variety. The foundation and base
ment of the barn are of cement In
this barn there is ample room for
storing all the farm wagons, keeping
pigs and horses and a large herd of
dairy cows. This Is one of the finest
town farms in the State and Show
hegan may well feel pride in being
its owners.