The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-10-19
SOLOMON BENNETT OF TROY
Is IS Years Old and has a Remarkable
Record as a Stage Driver.

Is IS Years Old and has a Remarkable
Record as a Stage Driver
Solomon Bennett. aged So, of Troy
. was recent visitor in Augusta and en-
joys excellent health. He is one of the
old-time stage drivers, and likes to tell
of his experiences.
up stage driving" said Mr.. Bennett. 81
was n years old and drove continuously
for four years. My route was from
Unity village to Dixmont Center and re-
turn, making round trip of 20 miles
daily. They said when | got through
that had the best record of any man
who had driven on the route.
81 have been up over these mountains
when it was 20 to 80 below zero, and
remember once when there was heavy
storm on that lay down in the pung and
covered all up but my head and let the
horse choose his way. But we finally
got there all right, although it was
savage trip. No matter what the weather
l always started out, even if | was
forced to turn back once in a while,
which was not often. l remember one
time in the spring that the mud got
pretty thick and that one horse almost
got lost in the mire and had to be killed"
Mr. Bennett comes from long lived
family. His great-grandfathe John
Cllley, reached the age of 124. A
number of his relatives reached over
50. Mr.. Bennett was born in the town
of Troy and has lived there most of his
lite, though often being away from home
on numbering and other expeditions. His
father, Isaac Bennett, was the first
white child born in the town of Troy and
he built the first frame house in that
town. The son remembers the early
days when 1t was not uncommon to see
the Indians pass through the village.
Il guess one secret of my health is
walking. | have gone over long dis
tances some times. | remember once |
was logging up on the Penobscot river
and later at Moosehead lake, from which
place | walked home to Troy, Is miles,
in three days | did this to save nv
money, as we didn't have much in those
days. l have often walked from the
town of Troy to visit folks up on the
Church Hill road in Augusta, and that is
40 miles
Il am not issuing any challenge, but
| claim | can get into wagon even now
and ride as many miles as anyone, and
wagon for a long distance is not the
easiest thing in the world | remember
| once rode on lumber cart, sitting on
the aXles, into the provinces, a distance
of 200 miles, in four days. was some
tired when got off that cart, but | can
hang to a thing when get started.''
In early life Mr.. Bennett was engaged
largely upon the farm and became great
iy interested in horses, colts and other
animals. At the age of IA he had seven
horses to care for and has broken to har-
ness some of the most vicious colts in
this section. He can read horse like
book. When he sees one pass the house
he can outline about all the characters
tics of the animal. He has often been
consulted by prospective buyers of horses
and cattle. He has had good deal to
do with the numbering industry and for
number of seasons was employed on the
Saco river near Biddeford,
81 never go in for any parties, " said
Mr.. Bennett. Il used to think it was a
good thing to be a Republican. Then |
though maybe it would be just as we'll
to be Democrat. Then | thought it all
over and it seemed to me that neither of
these parties gets the best man some
times, so have been out for d good
many years for the best-man policy. re-
CARELESS of his politics or religion. "