Samuel D Hanson School - Crescent Yearbook (Buxton, ME)

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-'qqu1uuuunu ' The Erzszent 15 straw, wool and hair or often of hardened earth. There the tender little ones are carefully guarded by the fine mother until they are old enough to soar away and find their own food. Of the many gifts Nature has provided for the children, none is lovelier than the sweet-voiced birds, which come alike to all. ANNIE C. PARKER, '29. BUXTON IN THE WARS Amerfiran Legion Prize Essay Buxton has every reason to be proud of her service record in time of war. Her sons have fought valiantly and Well in every conflict, from the outbreak of the Revolution in 1775 to the end of the world struggle in 1918. History tells us that Buxton, according to its population, was represented by more men in the Revolution than any other town in New England, this number be- ing one hundred and forty-three. NVhat an enviable record! At least one Buxton man accompanied Arnold on his ill-fated expedition against Quebec. Buxton men gained honor under Prescott at Bunker Hill g crossed the Dela- ware with Washington in '76, suffered in the snow at Valley Forge, fought under Stark at Bennington, and witnessed the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, Other Buxtonians served on Washing- ton's Life Guard, were with Gates at Camden: served under Morgan at Cowpensg followed the fortunes of Greene in the South, and even partici- pated in Mad Anthony Wayne's gallant capture of Stony Point at the point of the bayonet. Surely Buxton did her bit in winning the Independence which we en- joy today, and at least two of her men paid the supreme sacrifice for it. Advancing a quarter of a century we find the sons of Buxton again answering the nation's call in the short but decisive conflict of 1812. In the spirit of the slogan of Hurrah for free trade and Sailors' rights, one hundred Buxton men took service in the war which gave us Freedom of the Seas. No casualties were suffered by our town in this war, however. Almost four decades roll by before the nation and town are again confronted by war. Four decades of prosperity and continued growth for Buxton. Those who have studied history realize the relative insignificance of this war in comparison to the two preceding it. In spite of the fact that few New England men fought in the American army during the Mex- ican War, Buxton was represented by one man, Lieutenant John D. Bacon. The death of Lieut. Bacon at the battle of Buena Vista added still another name to Buxton's honored dead. In 1861 the war horn sounded still again, and sounded a note that stirred men's souls as they are seldom stirred- the note of emancipation. When Lincoln sent the stirring call for seventy-five thousand men, none answered more promptly than those of Buxton. Our town was represented by two hundred

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' 'f1Qe1p ' 'W -' ' 14 The Erzsnznt are thickly covered on the back with spines. In the center of the under side is the nucleus, which forms the mouth, and from which the arms of the animal extend into the rays. The edges are fringed with tentacles, which constitute the arms and means of moving. The star-fishes -are en- dowed with a wonderful power of re- producing any part of the body of which they may be deprived. They can restore one or more rays if broken off, and do not seem to be inconvenienced at all. The twelve-rayed star-fish is one of the handsomest of the sea-stars. It is perfect in form and very brilliant in coloring. It lives in deep water and is not very plenti- ful. The upper part is a bright pink, with shades of blue and yellow. Because of its bright colors it is sometimes called the sun-star. The last variety is the Astrophyton, the most Wonderful of all. From the center five arms branch out, which are sub-divided, and these divided again, and so on until there are more than eighty thousand branches. These tentacles are flexible and are generally kept turning and twisting, so that by means of these the animal forms a net and captures its prev. Surely the wonders of G0d's handi- work are strange and beautiful. But these which I have mentioned are only a few specimens taken from the great bor- ders of the sea, not from the vast plateaus of the ocean. I think that now the sea will not seem to me a wild waste of water. but a great treasure house of God's creative skill. As the poet says, Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs And works his sovereign will. , YOLA TURNER, '27, BIRDS OF SPRING Winter, with its ice and snow and chill- ing winds has passed and all are sensible of the delightful infiuences which accom- pany the earliest indications of spring. Of these none are more pleasant than the first notes of the birds. The hardy crow is generally the first bird to return from the winter's quarters. and following closely after him come the robin. blue- bird and bobolink. Their sweet voices gladden the whole land. telling us that summer in all its beauty is not far away. The first appearance of the robin is hailed with joy, as it is a certain indica- tion of spring. In his simple song there seems a strain of sorrow when he visits his last year's withered nest. just as we recall fond memories of a happy past. But when the gloom of twilight falls, he perches himself upon a slender twig and pours forth in song the burdens of his little heart. One of the happiest birds of our spring is the bobolink. His life seems to be all enjoyment, song and sunshine as he pours forth a succession of rich tinkling notes. When the spring rains are over. and many tinted flowers appear, and the trees are in their fullest foliage, then the birds begin to build their snug little nests of

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- -fn-.-ng.:--v-...V ,., 1- V Y-'Y 16 The Crescent and sixty-six of her sons on the battle- fields of the Civil War. During this struggle twenty Buxton men gave their lives for preservation of the Union and the freedom of the black man. Buxton boys fought under McClellan at Antie- tamg faced Pickett's charge at Gettys- burg: were with Grant before Vicksburg and Richmond, and followed Sherman from Atlanta to the Sea. Of the few remaining Buxton G. A. R. veterans, per- haps one of the best known is Charles F. Pike of Buxton Lower Corner. ' In 1898 our country generously took the part of the oppressed people of Cuba against the haughty over-bearing Spaniard and gave her the independence which she desired. Nineteen Buxton boys volun- teered for service in this war. one of whom we have in our midst today, Ernest VV. Cressey of Bar Mills. Again in 1917 our peace-loving nation was provoked into action and entered the greatest war in the history of the world to make the world Safe for democracyf, Cf the seventy-five Buxton boys who went at their country's call. seventy-four returned safely. The other, Harold F. Hutchinson, gave his life for his country at the storming of the St. Mihiel Salient, France, on Sept. 12, 1918. The Harold F. Hutchinson Post of American Legion in this town is named in his honor and will ever be a re- minder to the people of Buxton of his sterling character and unselfish manhood. Buxton boys took part in some of the bit- terest fighting of the war at Chateau Thierry, Argonne Forest and St. Mihiel. In these battles they faced the very flower of the German army, the Prussian guards, and did their part in demonstrating to the world that in fighting ability the Amer- ican army is second to none. The people of Buxton contributed a total of over one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dol- lars in the Liberty loan drives of the war, a record to be proud of. . Let us hope and believe that in the age of free government and education that the foundation of world peace will be per- manently laid, and wars be made a thing of the past. Although we largely picture the glory and renown of war, there is a sadder side upon which we do not care to dwell. However, should it be our destiny to be again engaged in war, may the Bux- ton of the future play as honorable a part as has the Buxton of the past. ELSIE C. Fooc., '27. ' THE GIRL OF TODAY Junior Prize Essay Probably no subject is more- often dis- cussed at the present day-unless it is prohibition-than that of the modern girl, and why shouldn't it be? What is of more vital importance to the world than the girl of today, for tomorrow she is the ruler of destiny. They say that man is mighty, He governs land and seag He wields a mighty sceptre O'er lesser powers that be. But a mightier power and stronger Man from his throne has hurled, For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rulesthe world. ,