USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Wayne > Centennial celebration of the town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, August 18, 1898 > Part 3
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In early morning with their host as guide, They leave the valley, mount the steep hillside And pause with wonder as they gaze around To see, with massive rocks, its summit crowned.
Hoary with age, dark-stained by storms of years, Seamed with deep crevices, their sides appear, As if some mighty force had rent them wide And hurled them, heidlong, from a mountain side.
Science with open vision views the earth And reads keen-eyed the story of their birth, - How, midst the terrors of the great Ice Age, These rocks were torn by the tierce glacier's rage
And onward, from the frozen North they swept, A mighty avalanche of ice and drift,
ยท Till, moving southward, niet the warmer air And melting, flung their burden here and there.
Not learned in modern lore, our fathers gaze And wonder for a little, then they raise Their eyes, Behold ! a vision of delight ! Words fail to tell the beauty of the sight.
Pocasset, region to the Red men dear E'en to its utmost bounds. afar and near, They scan with eager and admiring gaze A fairy landscape seen through Autumn haze.
Under the blue of the September sky, Five shining lakes in tranquil beauty lie ; Brilliant with gorgeous hues, the forest round Seen with a coronal of glory crowned.
North, west and south these sparkling waters shone, One, Androscoggin by the Red men known, On its broad breast two emerald islands bore, With meadows green upon its farthest shore,
Where a slow stream on which no ripples play Glides noiselessly upon its quiet way, Till the broad river rushing madly on Engulfs its sluggish tide and then is gone.
Distinct and clear on the horizon's verge. The dazzling peaks of the White Hills emerge, While nearer, northward, clothed in azure mist, Mt. Blue stands radiant with sunlight kissed.
On every side, where'er they turn their gaze, Its beauty charms, its merit wins their praise. And like the ancient spies, in solemn mood, They judgment give, -"Behold, the land is good "
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
FAREWELL TO SANDWICH.
There is stir in olden Sandwich Of many hurrying feet, And hearts are sore and eyes are wet, As friends and kinsfolk meet ;
For a coaster lies in the harbor With white sails floating free, And they who go to the Kennebec To-day on board must be.
There are earnest men and women, And youths and maidens fair, And tender babes and childhood sweet,
This new strange home to share.
The hearts of the old are heavy, Thinking that nevermore They e'er will see the pleasant town Or tread its sea girt shore.
But the young and middle aged, On whom the burdens fall, Are strong with resolute purpose To bear and brave them all.
They have counted well the hardships,
Rough toil and scanty fare,
And dwellings void of comforts And dangers lurking there.
Whate'er the peril, whate'er the toil,
Their stout hearts little reck. They will found a town and build them homes Beyond the Kennebec.
No lack have they of husbandmen To change the forest wild To fertile fields where herds shall roam
And golden harvests smile ;
And some can wield with ready skill
The chisel, saw and plane ; Some cast from off the glowing forge The plow share and the chain.
The mill wright checks the sparkling stream 'To turn his busy wheel. While, through the giant pines, the saw Urges its glittering steel.
And thus, for every daily need, The settlers' hands supply The skill of homely handicraft, Wherein their comforts lie.
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
While cultured minds are haply found Wisely to teach and guide, Till, in the forest, church and school Shall rise their homes beside.
And for their safety and defence, 'Gainst those of evil fame, Are men who fought with courage true At Stony Point with Wayne.
THE FOUNDING OF THE TOWN.
From the summit of Hill Morrison when a score of years have gone, Though the lakes and the winding streams remain, the landscape is traus- formed ;
The forests have bowed to the woodman's axe, wide gaps in their shad- ows made
Mark where the farms of the settlers lie amid their pleasant shade.
From every lofty hillside round, from every nestling vale,
The curling smoke from household hearths floats on the morning gale. The lonely trail through the forest dark has lengthened in its bound. Till roads, like silver ribbons, bind the homes of the settlers round. In place of lowly huts of logs, the well built houses rise,
And to this end and for daily food, Nature the means supplies ; For the streams that all the ages long loitered childlike at play, Harnessed with bands to busy mills, toil on their destined way. Health dwells on these breezy billtops and hides in the pines' sweet breath, Yet when sickness overtakes them or its pale kinsman, Death, One among their number, well-skilled in the healing art, On horse back, with his saddle bags. brings cheer to the fainting heart. Mindful are they of deeper need and welcome to their homes The traveling saint, whate'er his creed, who on God's errand comes. Within their homes a place is found wherein to hold the school, And thus the youth are taught with care and trained by rigid rule. Prospered in each succeeding year, their numbers grow apace, Till, with their sister towns around, they seek to hold their place. And for their civic needs, the men in joint petition pray The General Court of the mother state to grant without delay The rights and powers of citizens, that in their hands may rest The future weal of this new town, according to its behest. And in memory fond of their olden home, New Sandwich wish the name, But "Mad Anthony" casts a magie spell and thus our town is Wayne.
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
WAYNE'S HUNDRED YEARS.
The century's first decade of years Flowed on their quiet way, The echoes of Colonial strife Had almost died away.
The Red men's haunt by the great lake side Had long deserted been And on the isle where slept their dead. No more their watch fires gleam.
When, suddenly, athwart the sky Dark war-clouds rise again.
The new-made town must send her sons To fight on land and main.
England once more with hostile front The flag of war unfurls, With fierce Tecumseh's force allied Haughty defiance hurls.
Sad hearts are found in every home- The young men march away, The fathers live past dangers o'er,
The mothers work and pray. But soon glad news from o'er the sea Comes like a blessing sent,
The mother land and daughter young Clasp friendly hands at Ghent.
And now the century's dawning Brings to the infant town Promise of Peace and plenty, Hardship and toil to crown. The soil yields goodly harves', A bountiful reward
For the labor of the sower
From the generous upturned sward.
Mechanics ply their busy trades,
By need or profit stirred, And the hum and whir of busy wheels Along the streams are heard. The ring of axe and hammer Resounds on every hand And homes and schools and churches rise, As touched by magic wand.
Rightly to guide the public weal Experienced men are found Whose careful records. scanned to-day, Give proof of wisdom sound. They laid foundations sure and strong
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Where future years might build A structure fair of righteous deeds, With truth and honor filled.
Between the lakes Pocasset And Androscoggin grand, Where the narrow stream unites them, The fair South village stands- A gem in Nature's setting Of lake and hill and stream- They who have wandered from her Oft of her beauty dream.
And here the townsfolk gather, As need or pleasure calls. For here are stores and shops and mills Post-office and town hall; Two churches guard the village Like watchful sentinels And from their altars, faithful men . God's truth and mercy tell.
There are homesteads on the ridge of land That the settlers called Beach Hill And the legend of its name comes back And claims remembrance still- How a mother gazed at the yellow sand Like that by the ocean's foam And smiled through tears, as she softly said, "Beach Hill" is the name of our home.
At the foot of the pleasant hillsides
. In the north part of the town, The stream called Thirty Mile River Escapes Lake Lovejoy's bound To rush with rapid torrent Through the eleft the valley makes And lose its fretted waters In Pocasset and Rounding lakes.
Within the rim of these circling hills The village of North Wayne lies; Embowered in maple. elm and oak, Its homes and church arise, The shining lakes on either side A landscape fair are seen, Haunts of the heron, duck and loon. And bright with lilies' sheen.
The low roofed shops that cluster Close on the banks of the stream Are hives of busy workers,
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Through the open doorway's seen. From early dawn till nightfall, The forges glow and shine And the clang and clatter of hammers To the ring of the steel keep time.
The echo of their music Resounds across the lakes And mingles with the hum and stir The sister village makes. The bells of each call sweetly Over the blue waves foam And link with common interests Their people and their homes.
So past her fiftieth milestone Prospered in generous store, Wayne, counting blessings over Dares hardly ask for more, But even now the shadow Of a mighty woe seems near, Over the land from North to South, Trembling it brings, and fear.
For the voice of the Lord hath spoken As He spake beyond the sea, "Break the fetters from off their feet Let my oppressed go free." O, woeful was the answer The South defiant gave, It crashed from Sumter's falling fort O'er the Atlantic waves.
It thundered to the startled North, "We will not let them go,
Follow your flag with the stars and stripes, Ours the stars with the bars below." O land beloved, was ever doom So sad, so sore as thine, To see thy sons in deadly strife In battle's awful line !
The spirit of their valiant sires Lived in the sous of Wayne. It sent them forth in youth and strength, Some came not back again. Yet loyally, on sea and land, The flag their fathers gave Stout hearts and willing hands upbore And shed their blood to save.
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The story of those years of pain Heroic deeds rehearse, A stainless shield the nation bears, Redeemed from slavery's curse. The flag of old, the stars and stripes, Baptized in blood. now waves O'er South and North, alike beloved, O'er loyal homes and graves.
Thus through these years of mingled pain and pleasure, Of good and ill, The steps of Wayne have kept their even measure And hold it still. Not hers to gain the crown of great achievement And win men's praise ;
Content she serves Humanity and Duty In lowlier ways.
Nor can she claim among earth's worshipped great ones Many illustrious names But all who owe their birth and nurture to her Bring houor and not shame.
Some have won name and fame in distant places, Yet love to come And breathe the fragrance of the air of summer In the old home. And one, whose voice of melody out-rivals The hermit-thrush that sings
In forest shadows when the twilight deepens, Has charmed the ear of kings. Responsive to the calls of truth and mercy, To every thought 'That seeks to bless and help an erring brother Wayne's energies are brought. So in her midst are cherished and defended By steadfast minds The sacred ties that link the earthly workers With the Divine.
Wholesome and pure as her own hillside breezes Her civic life, Though differing in honest thought and purpose, No malice holds or strife ; For the strong bond, the hearts of all uniting, Love of lier name. Impels her sous to act in mutual concord, Worthy her fame. Thus, of her past, a record true and noble, This simple lay is sung ; But forward, of her future, who shall tell it With prophet's tongue?
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Will there come changes in the old-time beauty Of lakes and hills and streams,
When the wild rose will no more haunt the waters Where snowy lilies gleam ? When o'er the fern-sweet hills in early Autumn Once bright with golden rod,
Through Spring time meadows sweet with violets And daisy starred the sod,
The ruthless wheels of modern art and progress, Of growth and enterprise
Shall onward roll, till the familiar landscape
Is changed to loving eyes ? And the twin villages, enlarging borders, Shall meet and clasp their hands,
Bound not alone by cordial ties fraternal But steel and iron bands?
Yet, from the future, mortal hand may never Withdraw the veil ;
Wisely content are they who leave its issues With Him Who cannot fail.
His guiding Hand that led our fathers hither We trust it still ;
A century of blessings rich has proved Him, He cannot work us ill.
To those who follow in our fleeting footsteps In years to come, We leave in solemn faith and sacred keeping Our heritage and home.
Let no rude touch of evil or dishonor Tarnish her fame But each succeeding year bring grace and honor To our loved Town of Wayne.
Hiram S. Maxim, the famous inventor, was called upon for a few remarks before closing. He spoke briefly of his immense gun works and ship yards in Europe and made another argument for an alliance between England and the United States. He explained that he was advertised upon the bills to give an exhibition of his rapid fire gun but owing to the Queen's declaration that all guns should be contra- band of war, it was impossible to get a gun over here. He said he had something better than the gun in the form of about 300 lantern slides which he should exhibit in the town hall, three nights, free of expense.
The audience then sang Auld Lang Syne, the rich melody of the
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
voice of Annie Louise Cary Raymond, who was born in Wayne, mingling with the Band Accompaniment.
The dinner came next. It was served on the grounds. Tables were erected and settees placed around them. For two hours the multitudes were fed. Before the settees and people could be got back into the tent, the rain began to fall in torrents and there was a general scampering for shelter. For more than an hour all exercises were kept at a stand still by the shower. A long list of speakers had been arranged for the banquet at which Rev. Erwin Dennett was to preside but the rain spoiled this programme which was not attempted only so far as the speeches of Captain H. N. Fairbanks and Hon. Sewall Pettingill.
Toast responded to by H. N. Fairbanks, Bangor, Me.
OUR TOWN AND OUR ANCESTORS.
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well descended ; But the glory of it belongs to our ancestors .- Plutarch.
When I came into town this morning, and the old familiar land- scapes came to view, my heart seemed as light and my spirit as buoy- ant as of forty years ago, when I used to walk to and from the old farm after the day's work was done to attend a meeting or social gathering ; and while I cannot truthfully say that I am as sound of wind and limb as then, I wish for this day at least to be considered one of the boys of Wayne.
The sentiment of this toast brings to our attention something of the lives of our ancestors,-the character of their employment and their achievements. Nearly all of the first settlers of Wayne came from Massachusetts by water up the Kennebec River to Hallowell, and then penetrated by a spotted line into this land, then a wilderness. Their food was carried upon their backs, salt, flour, meal and pork, and they depended wholly upon wild game, fish and berries for the balance. A log house was built. Then began the work of felling the forest. If the pioneers could sustain life long enough a burn was effected in the autumn, and they then returned to their homes in the west for the winter ; the following spring coming back to sow wheat and plant corn. Thus they would continue their work of clearing the forest ; and this labor would go on year by year, until sufficient land had been cleared to sustain life (whither they were followed by
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
their families in the spring to the new land.) This, in general, was about the course pursued by all of the pioneers of every New England town, and the hardships were many and arduous ; but there was great recompense in this hard work, for good health and happiness came along with this manly and courageous toil. Stories are still told of the ravages of wolves and bears upon the sheep, swine and cattle of the settlers. One story is now in my mind, a courageous widow, who, when she heard the distressed lowing of her cow, and sure that some wild animal was after the calf, sprang from her bed, armed herself with a firebrand and went to the hovel, drove the wolf out and stood guard for the rest of the night over her precious property.
Fifty years ago in this community very little care or thought was given to the history of ancestry, but it is changed now, for as John Fiske in his new book "Old Virginia and Her Neighbours" says:
"After the fashion that prevailed a hundred years ago, the most illus- trious of Americans felt little interest in his ancestry ; but with the keener historic sense and broader scientific outlook of the present day, the importance of such matters is better appreciated. The pedigrees of horses, dogs, and fancy pigeons have a value that is quotable in hard cash. Far more important, for the student of human affairs, are the pedigrees of men. By no possible ingenuity of constitution- making or of legislation can a society made up of ruffians and boors be raised to the intellectual level of a society made up of well bred merchants and yeomen, parsons and lawyers. One might as well ex- pect to see a dray horse win the Derby. It is, moreover, only when we habitually bear in mind the threads of individual relationship that connect one country with another, that we get a really firm and con- crete grasp of history. Without genealogy, the study of history is comparatively lifeless."
This town is a true type of all New England in every respect. Settled chiefly by the descendants of the Pilgrims and Puritans from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, those sturdy people hewed out their homes from the forests, and wrought early and late to wake the virgin soil from its long rest to activity and support of the white men. A community is what its people make it, and in all the relations of life the inhabitants of Wayne have answered nobly for upright man- hood. The town of Wayne has always been strong in its religious and moral teaching, and noted for its temperance and sobriety. It always has had good schools and its people have always been indus- trious, happy and law abiding.
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
This town was patriotic during our civil war and sent many brave men to the front-men whom I know well. Their names are written upon the war rolls and are in the archives at our capitol. Yes, our town history contains a long list of names, many of whom gave the full measure of life for their country, and their deeds are a part of a mighty work for freedom and equal rights, which could never have been achieved, save by the united effort of all the free states of the nation. I well remember that in the dark days of 1863, this town declined a proposition in town meeting to accept recruits from neigh- boring towns, but filled its quota from among its own valiant men.
It is well for the young and old of our land to know of the hard- ships and sacrifices that have been endured by the generations that have preceded us, that we might enjoy the blessings that now sur- round us-prosperity and happiness. Not so very many years have elapsed since the war whoop of the Red men disturbed the pioneer's wife and children, after the husband and father had been shot down in the clearing near the log cabin. They were then besieged by this ferocious enemy with firebrands, driven out of their cabin to be toma- hawked, or even worse, left to Indian torture, the details of which sicken the heart.
The history of the Colonial wars have been carefully collated and written by Francis Parkman, and to his books we go for an honest and truthful account of those terrible years of pioneer life. The his- tory of the Revolutionary war, however trying, bears no comparison with the Colonial wars when savages were enemies, allied and aided by an unscrupulous French government. Study the history of all our wars, the valor of our people for the past 275 years, and from whom you are descended, and you will all agree that this celebration and the written history of this town are but a just and graceful recognition of the noble deeds of our ancestors,-for as Lord Macaulay has said "A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."
To me this town is a charming spot, with its beautiful scenery, its lakes and hills, broad meadows, green fields in summer, its rich fields of corn, grain, and fruits in Autumn. I have not forgotten the sound of the busy trio hammer from the North Village, the joyous winter months of coasting and skating, the district singing and spelling schools, social parties, lectures and the lyceum. Nor the early spring when the bluebird, robin and thrush came to us with their soft notes
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
announcing assurances of warmth and sunshine, soon to be followed by the shrill piping of the frog, and heralded by the deep honk of the wild goose as she sped straight over land and water to find her home in the ice bound shores of the north land. These are some of the memories that cluster about me when turning back in memory to my youth.
It is because we love this place, its people and its history that we are assembled here the hundredth anniversary, thus proving that the living are worthy descendants of their sires. To us who are of this people, whether now of this town, or elsewhere, let it be the purpose of our lives to uphold and honor the good name of this community by always performing the right in all of the avocations of life, that it may be said of us who had our beginning of life in this town, that we have been true to its best teaching, that of honesty and fidelity.
In your cemeteries my ancestors are buried ; to them my mind re- verts always with thankfulness for their example of pure and patriotic lives, my greatest heritage.
Thankful for this rich inheritance and the many blessings which have been vouchsafed to us, let me add that I have never forgotten my old friends, the good old town of Wayne, my State and my Country.
For you, and all, my manhood yearns with best of good there is in me.
. Mr. Pettingill spoke interestingly upon "Our Old Flag," after which the exercises were closed for afternoon.
A Colonial salute of 13 guns was fired at 12 o'clock and another salute of 11 guns at 6 P. M.
A grand concert was held at the tent at 7.30 in the evening at which music was furnished by the Second Regiment Band, AEolian Quartette and Payne's Orchestra. The festivities of the day closed with a grand ball.
Mention should be made of the exhibit in Wayne Hall of the cu- rios that were loaned by the people of the town. It was a good exhibit and was much enjoyed by visitors and local people. There was everything from the little red handkerchief made in Revolution- ary time up to the great exhibit of the North Wayne Tool Co.
Old pictures of the early settlers were looked upon with interest
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
while all the old-fashioned household furniture, old books, warming pans, foot stoves, old style farming tools and old everything attracted the attention. J. M. Moulton had a large case of old coins which many a collector longed for, and all viewed with interest and pleas- ure.
An illustrated History of Wayne, from its settlement to 1898, was compiled by the Centennial Committee, assisted by others. It met with a ready sale on the day of the Celebration, and the entire edition was exhausted in about six months.
The Centennial Celebration was an enjoyable event, which will ever be cherished in the memory of the sons and daughters of Wayne for the opportunity it afforded of renewing the dear associations of long ago.
The compiler of this account extends thanks to those who kindly furnished copies of their parts, and he wishes also to acknowledge that valuable material was gleaned from the excellent report of the pro- ceedings of the day made by the enterprising publishers of the Ken- nebec Journal.
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WAYNE'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
CENTENNIAL SUB-COMMITTEES.
The following were the sub-committees appointed by the general committee :
On Orator and Poet-J. C. Stiuchfield, C. E. Wing and C. W. Crosby.
On Address of Welcome-G. W. Walton.
On Vocal Music-Dr. F. L. Chenery.
On Instrumental Music-J. C. Stinchfield.
On Band Concert-Sewall Pettingill.
On Banquet-B. F. Bradford, J. M. Moulton and C. M. Stevens.
On Invitations and Printing-C. W. Crosby and G. W. Walton.
On Salute-C. E. Wing.
On Parade-Williston Jennings.
On Programme-J. C. Stinchfield, C. W. Crosby and S. Pettingill. .
On Tent-C. E. Wing and B. F. Bradford.
On Antiquities-T. G. Jeunings, J. M. Moulton, L. S. Maxim and G. L. Wing.
On Decorations-A. B. Allen and C. E. Wing.
On Floral Decorations-Mrs. Fronia M. Small and Miss Alice Chandler.
On Honored Guests-G. W. Walton, W. Jennings and S. Pettingill.
On Location of Tent-J. C. Stinchfield, W. Jennings and C. E. Wing.
On Lumber and Labor for Floor and Tables-C. E. Wing, Dr. Chenery and B. F. Bradford.
Reception Committee-J. M. Moulton and wife, F. L. Chenery and wife, C. H. Barker and wife, A. F. Johnson. and wife, Nahum Huff and wife, M. G. Besse and wife, L. M. Norris and wife, W. W. Walton and wife.
On Lighting Tent and Walks in the Evening-A. W. Riggs, A. S. George, H. N. Walton, George Riggs and Scott Ridley.
On the Sale of Refreshments on the Grounds-Herbert Norris.
On Historic Parade- Albert Pike, Harry Riggs, John Moulton, Herbert Norris, Irving D. Lincoln, E. L. Crosby, W. Clark, W. W. Walton, Sum- ner Erskine, Olin Pettingill, Irving Norris, A. T. Morse, J. W. Taylor. Lotou D. Jennings, U. N. Walton, Ray Norris, L. M. Norris, F. H. Rob- erts, A. N. Manter, E. Emmons and Elmer Verrill.
On Providing Ice Water on the Grounds-A. S. George.
On Toastmaster-Sewall Pettingill, J. C. Stinchfield and C. W. Crosby. On Toasts-C. F. Leadbetter. J. W. Taylor and W. W. Walton.
On Procuring Carriages for Aged Citizens to Ride in, in Parade-W. Jen- nings, M. G. Besse, W. B. Frost, W. E. True and Osgood Graves.
On Sale of Town History-G. W. Walton.
On Auditing Bills-B. F. Bradford, Sewall Pettingill, JJ. C. Stinchfield. Treasurer of Centennial Committee .- G. W. Walton.
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