Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

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L.. 20 T H E L Thomas B. Reed, Speaker of the House of Representativesg Sir VVilliam Phipps, the treasure finder and a Royal Governor 5 Gen- eral Knox, Secretary of VVar in Vifashing- ton's Cabinet, Lillian Nordica, our famous singerg and Hannibal Hamlin, vice-presi- dent under Lincoln. A Mr. Verrill has published the following unique facts: The name Bangor was given to that city by mistake. It was intended that it should be called Sunnyside 3 but when the clerk asked the representative, who was whistling, what the name was, he, thinking the clerk meant the tune replied, Bangor. The clerk thanked him and filled in the nameg and Bangor the town remained. Muscongus, or Loudis Island. which is near Bristol, is an independent republic. How it happened, no one appears to know, but years ago when the United States gov- ernment made a survey of Maine, Muscon- gus Island was overlooked and omitted from the maps. The mistake was not rectified. Nevertheless, the inhabitants continued to pay taxes to Bristol until the presidential vote was cast for Lincoln. Through the votes of Democratic Muscongus, Republican Bristol had a Democratic majority. It was then that 4' some brilliant genius remem- bered that Muscongus was a no-man's land and caused the Nluscongus votes to be counted out. The islanders held a meeting, agreed that their slogan should be. 'fNo votes, no taxes, and defied the officials to collect. From that time to the present they have m a i n t a i n e d their independence. Although the people are legally without a country, the Hag of the United States flies over the island. Many interesting stories, which I should like to recount to you. might be told about towns of Maine. The history of our state is well worth reading and studying, and it is truly regrettable that her past is so little known by her visitors and especially by her sons and daughters. AUREI. CI.AssMA'res 1 As we travel through Maine, we see stone walls beside the roads, some of these have been well-constructed and are still solid, while others have been poorly built and have fallen into ruin. The stones in the walls can be compared to problems which we shall have to meet in our lives. VVhether our walls are made of securely or insecurely placed stones depends on what character- istics we show when solving each problem. If we are impatient, timid, careless in our habits, and make too-hasty decisions, our structure will be so weakened that it will soon crumble. But if we are persevering, courageous, desirous of giving and doing only our best, and make decisions after care- ful consideration, our walls will be firmly cemented by those traits and will endure many storms. During the past four years which we have spent together in work and play we have been laying foundations. These years, never to be forgotten, have been happy and profit- able. Tonight may be the last time we shall be united. Possibly some of us may never meet again. Each one of us will now begin in earnest to build the walls of his life upon those foundations which he has been laying. Each will rise according to the course the builder takes in its construction. In his poem, The VVays , John Oxenham gives an appropriate, guiding thought which we might well follow: To every man there openeth A way. and ways, and a wayg And the high soul climbs the high way. And the low soul gropes the low, And in between. on the misty Hats, The rest drift to and fro. But to every man there openeth A high way, and a low. And every man decideth The way his soul shall go. Wilma Ray 337.

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THE LAUREL 19 paper, and wood-working mills being sit- uated here. A. Hyatt Verrill in his book Romantic and Historic Maine states, Although not usually regarded as a mineral producing or a mining state, yet Maine's mineral products are of tremendous importance. Her granite quarries produce over two million dollars worth of stone annually. In addition to the granite there are quantities of feldspar, clays, and mica. Doubtless it will surprise many to learn that Maine produces a greater variety of precious and semi-precious stones than any other region in the world except Brazil. Among the gems obtained from the Paris Hill deposits are the largest beryls in the world, the world's largest aquamarines, the world's finest precious tourmalines, ame- thysts, garnets, chrysoberyls, rose quartz, and pink, green, blue, and yellow tourma- lines. In Norway shops are sold local gems and Maine pearls set in Maine gold. For many a year, more than half the sea- going vessels built in the United States were launched from Maine shipyards. So rapidly did the shipbuilding industry grow that it was almost impossible to keep track of the ships built on the Kennebec River. At one period over forty ships were under con- struction in the Bath yards at the same time, while as many more, which had been re- cently launched, were being fitted for sea. But with the advent of iron ships and steam, Maine's shipbuilding was doomed. The coast and interior of Maine abound in history and romance, but time will per- mit me to recount only a part of this. As early as 1614 Maine was explored and mapped by Captain John Smith. The first incorporated town, York, the first established court and the first deed conveying land in New England were recorded in this state. At Mt. Desert Island was built the first monastery in the United States east of Cali- fornia. The oldest Indian mission, the old- est church, and the oldest cemetery in New England are in our state. The first trading post was on the Kennebec River. The Hrst ship built in North America, the Virginia, was launched at Popham Beach in 1608. At Hunnewell Point nearby, the first British settlement in New England was established under the leadership of Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Although this colony did not endure for long, it led to the settlement of Maine. In 1814 the British brig Boxer and the American brig En- terprise met between Monhegan and Pema- quid in the first naval battle between the United States and a foreign power. Along the shores of Maine cruised Leif Ericsson and his Norsemen. Across the pages of her history have stalked many notable figures. Champlain discovered Mt. Desert Island and explored the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers. Baron de Castin, in whose honor Castine was named, did much to create good feeling between the colonists and the Indians, he himself marrying an Indian princess. Sir Francis Hawkins led the way to the founding of a trading post on the Kennebec River by loading his ship with Maine furs. Benedict Arnold made his famous march through our state. The first court and the first organized govern- ment in New England were established by Sir Ferdinando Gorges at York. Captain George VVaymouth captured five Indians on Monhegan Island and presented them at the English Court, on account of information obtained from these Indians, plans were made for the settlement of Maine. Marie Antoinette would have escaped to Maine but was beheaded before she could reach the ship placed at her disposal by Captain Clough of VViscasset. From obtainable data it would appear that in proportion to her population, Maine has produced more well-known, world-famous men and women than any other state of the Union. Among these people are included the poet Longfellow, whose birthplace was Portlandg James G. Blaine of Augusta, one of the most outstanding personages in United States history, who was at one time a presidential candidate, and was Secretary of State under Garfield and Harrisong l

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THE LA SALUTATORY N behalf of the class of 19157 it is my happy privilege to welcome you, our be- loved parents and our friends, to these ex- ercises which mark the end of our course in Farmington l-ligh School. We are going forth confidently into the future with the realization that you have done everything possible toward our success. Now it is our responsibility to make you proud of our achievements. liven as I speak. I am reminded how futile are words to express our imnost thoughts, to convey to you our deep ap- preciation that it is largely through your interest and cooperation that the completion of this part of our education has been made possible. The words which come to our minds are the same words which have been repeated again and again on similar oc- casions. Hut for us they have a new and deeper meaning as we, the Class of 1937, welcome you. OUR HERITAGE The heart of almost every man responds in some way to the stirring message of Nature: but as the poet so aptly ex- pressed it, To him who, in the love of Nature, holds communion with her visible forms, she speaks a various language. God's gift to us. People of Maine, has been the privilege of living in one of the most beautiful spots in our nation, perhaps in the world. But carried along by the swift stream of life. we are often forced to pass by these beauties unheeding. So it is my hope tonight that l may bring back to you a longing for a deeper appreciation of the heritage that is ours. Maine's charm lies not so much in her grandeur as in her simplicity. lf you will come with me along the by-paths of our state, perhaps the journey will recall to you thoughts of once familiar scenes which have been crowded out by the constant demands which Hll our lives. lt is a long journey, but the spirit of Maine. youthful and full UREL 2l of life-giving power, will lend us strength for the way. The morning dew is still upon the grass as we wend our way along the winding lane which leads to yonder orchard. The air is filled with joyous sounds, and our hearts respond in glad refrain. Tiny birds dart here and there among the tender green shrubs which border our path. A long, rambling stone wall overgrown with vines straggles along the way. At the end of the lane, the rails of an old fence, weather- beaten and worn, must be let clown in order that we may pass. At last we reach the orchard. Beautiful trees decked in flowery garments of pink and white stand upon the hillside like lovely bridesmaids in hushed expectancy. The busy hum of bees among the blossoms hlls the air, and here and there a yellow butterfly Hits lazily in the warm sunshine. As with reluctant step we leave the festive scene, the sweet fragrance of the apple blossoms lingers in our memory. See! Here before us is another path beckoning to the depths of a forest. As we reach the entrance to the woods, dainty violets lift their lovely heads to us. Making our way along the edge of a tract of swampy land to higher ground, we catch a glimpse of soft green mosses far within the shadows of the overhanging boughs. The scent of mellow earth mingled with evergreen fills the air. A bright-eyed squirrel scolds' at us as he seampers through the overhanging branches. But hark! I hear the murmur- ing of a brook. Its voice will lead us per- haps to some secluded spot where we may enjoy the coolness of the forest stream. Leaving the path we make our way up a steep embankment in the direction whence the sound comes. At last gaining the sum- mit, we look down upon a lovely mountain brook in the ravine below, pursuing its merry course in a hundred miniature cata- racts. Beside the sparkling waters in the shade of the overhanging branches is a moss-covered bank inviting us to linger by the laughing stream. Dancing spots of sun- shine flickering through the leaves play upon .4