Wilmot L. Estabrooke: First Superintendent of the Monson Railroad
This interesting piece came courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society from Sprague’s Journal of Maine History, Volume 2 dated February 1915. Wilmot Estabrooke was the Superintendent of the Monson Railroad from 1883 to the time of his death in 1904 and was a highly respected member of the community. He was a member of Onaway Lodge # 106 IOOF.
Wilmot L. Estabrooke
The following beautiful lines were from the pen of Prof. William Smith Knowlton of Monson, Maine, upon the death of the late Wilmot L. Estabrooke of Monson, who was for many years the popular Superintendent and Conductor on the Monson Railroad, a short line that connects Monson village with the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad.
He died in Monson, August 22, 1904, and this was written by suggestion of Bangor Division, 403, Order Of Railway Conductors of which the deceased was a member, under the title of
"Wilmot L. Estabrooke, Promoted."
Brothers lament! His last run is made.
The red light shone bright on the track;
With the speed of the wind he made the last grade,
And the train will never come back.
That heart that beat so kindly for all,
In the casket lies silent today,
Bedewed are the flowers, the crepe and the pall
As they bear it sadly away.
That kindly "All right" we shall hear nevermore;
That smile shall nevermore see,
Till we enter the train for the evergreen shore
And meet by the jasper sea.
"All aboard" will soon be the message to all,
Our "pass!' will be countersigned through;
God grant we be ready, whenever the call,
With a heart as faithful and true.
