USA > Connecticut > Tolland County > Vernon > A century of Vernon, Connecticut, 1808-1908 > Part 7
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bers have banded together and the officers are: President, A. W. Annis ; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Carlos Doane. Miss Ida Martin is the first reader and Mrs. A. W. Annis is the second reader. The attendance each Sunday runs from eighteen to thirty-five.
There are few, if any towns with a like population that have a greater number of fraternal organizations than the town of Vernon. Indeed, Vernon is especially remarkable for the strength of the fraternal spirit and organizations. It is probable that all the fraternities together include a goodly percentage of the entire population of the town. Many of the societies have handsome rooms, and the influence of this element in our social and charitable life is incomputable. The oldest strictly fraternal organization in the town is Fayette Lodge of Masons, which was organized in October, 1825 in the William Morgan Tavern in Ellington. It will thus be seen that Masonry in the vicinity of Vernon is nearly as old as the town itself. On June 1, 1857, Fayette Lodge occupied for the first time its new hall in King's Tavern, now the town almshouse. The Lodge was reorganized in that year and Frank Winthrop Perry was made a Master Mason, the first Master Mason ever made in the town of Vernon. There are six living members of Fayette Lodge, who have been Masons over half a century. They are Edward R. Fitch of Burnside, Frank W. Perry of South Norwalk, Henry W. Coye of Cottage City, Mass., E. Stevens Henry, A Park Hammond and Lucius E. Thompson of this city. E. Stevens Henry has been an officer of the lodge for over fifty years. The lodge had furnished one grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Connecticut, Edward E. Fuller.
VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
Vernon, for a town its size, has several institutions, some in the embryo stage, but certain in the not far distant future to take their proper place in the life of the community and be-
GEORGE MAXWELL. A potent factor in the development of Rockville.
GEORGE SYKES. A captain of industry who worked his own way to the topmost round of the ladder. At his death he left a fund of $100,000 for
a Manual Training School.
JUDGE DWIGHT LOOMIS. Christian Statesman - Distinguished jurist-Prominent in National Life.
WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT. Who Gave $50,000 for a City Hospital.
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come a potent influence for good, making for the uplifting and betterment of the people. Perhaps the foremost institution in which the town takes greatest pride is the George Maxwell Memorial Library, presented to the city on June 29, 1904, by the Maxwell family, in honor of their father, and as a tribute of affectionate remembrance to him, who had been a stalwart figure in the religious, social and industrial world, one of earth's true benefactors. The library building is a modern one and is finely located on Union Street a few rods west of the Union Con- gregational Church, Central Park and the business center and nearly opposite the magnificent Maxwell homestead. It stands high above the street, occupying land that was formerly two build- ing sites, on one of which was the residence occupied for several years by the deceased. A commanding feature of the structure, which is built of marble, is the magnificent double flight of gran- ite steps and the beautiful terraced grounds. Beautiful in exterior and interior, equipped with all modern conveniences, it is indeed an enduring memorial of one who loved Rockville and all her institutions and who was beloved by all. It is a gift which every part of the community shares. The library contains 10,164 carefully selected volumes. The management is vested in the hands of the Rockville Library Association of which Francis T. Maxwell is president; William Maxwell, secretary and J. C. Hammond, Jr., treasurer.
The present librarian is Miss Bessie Beckwith, who has several capable and efficient assistants.
The magnificent generosity of the Sykes family insures a manual training school for Rockville. At the death of George Sykes, which occurred December 21, 1903, Vernon lost a citizen who had been closely identified with her growth for over a third of a century and allied with the city's largest and most success- ful corporations. He left a fund of $100,000 for a manual training school. Mrs. Elsie Sykes Phelps, wife of Hon. Charles Phelps, the president of the Vernon Centennial Committee, pre- sented a desirable site for the building on Park Street, and since the death of Mr. Sykes, his widow has presented the trustees with $50,000, without condition or restrictions, to be added to
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the building fund. The latest gift received by the trustees, is the sum of $25,000 from Mrs. Charles E. Bond of Hartford, daughter of the late Mr. Sykes. This money is to be used by the trustees as they see fit.
A city hospital, made possible by the Prescott family, William H. Prescott, one of Rockville's captains of industry, having con- tributed $50,000 before his death, and the family having con- tributed the site, the Gainer property on Prospect Street, will be a reality at no distant day.
The Tolland County Agricultural Society was organized August 22, 1853 at the County House in Tolland, by Jonathan Flynt, who was then treasurer of Tolland county. Ephraim H. Hyde was the first president. The fairs were held at Tol- land for a few years and were then transferred to Rockvillle. Mr. Hyde remained at the head of the society for a great many years. When the park in Rockville was purchased, it was decided to name it Hyde Park in his honor, in consideration of his valu- able services. The entire amount of the premiums to begin with did not exceed $350. Today they average from $1,200 to $1,300. In 1898 the Tolland County Agricultural Society became a joint stock corporation and the name was changed to the Rockville Fair Association. The late Walter E. Payne was the first president and E. F. Badmington the first secretary. Andrew Kingsbury is president at the present time and Fred J. Cooley is secretary. The annual fair is now recognized as one of the biggest and best in the state.
The Tolland County Temporary Home for Children was opened in November, 1883, at Andover, and Mrs. William T. Smith was the first matron. In 1888, the Edwin Bill property at Vernon Center was purchased and the Home was removed there. Early in 1900 a start was made toward a new building, which was dedicated on December 5, of that year. It stands just at one side of the old one, is an imposing structure of Colonial style of architecture and an ornament to the village. Edwin Hick is superintendent, succeeding E. S. Talbot, who served in that capacity for fifteen years. Mrs. Hick acts as matron.
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On November 18, 1876 property for a town farm was pur- chased. In the early days of the town this property was a famous tavern, known as King's Tavern. In a room in this tavern Fayette Lodge of Masons had its first meeting place in Vernon. The property has been improved from time to time, and today it is recognized as a model town farm. Nelson Palmer was the first superintendent. Gilbert Ahern is the present superinten- dent.
No organization is doing a more effective work along patriotic lines than Sabra Trumbull Chapter, D. A. R. Since its organi- zation it has accomplished a world of good, not the least of which was the inauguration in 1908 of the free evening school, now under town support, where the city's foreign born population can learn English and acquire the fundamental principles that are essential to progress in education, which makes for good citizen- ship and a law-abiding community. Other organizations which deserve a passing notice are the Research Club, the Cornelia Circle, the Mothers' Club, the Teachers' Club, the W. C. T. U., Salvation Army and Sunshine Society. In the business life of the city no organization has exerted a better influence than the Rockville Business Men's Association, which was organized eight years ago with Edward A. Kuhnly, since deceased, as president and Wilbur B. Forster, also deceased, as secretary. The member- ship at the present time is about one hundred and the president is Harry C. Smith and William A. Howell is the secretary.
CEMETERIES.
The town of Vernon has four modern cemeteries, three public and St. Bernard's Cemetery. There was no movement for the establishment of a cemetery in Rockville until 1847, when the present grounds were purchased of David Hale, consisting then of seven and one-half acres, and costing $398. No considerable improvement in the grounds was made for twenty years. In 1867 additional grounds were purchased for cemetery purposes. After this the changes were numerous, and the cemetery at the present time is an attractive one, containing many handsome monuments in marble and granite.
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The other two comparatively modern cemeteries are Elmwood at Vernon Center, and Mount Hope at Talcottville.
After Grove Hill Cemetery was laid out, the hearse, a one- horse affair, covered, without glass panels, was kept in a house near the gate and belonged to the town. It was the only one in the town. When Albert Dart was selectman and the Met- calfs built their shop on Market Street, he ordered them to take charge of the hearse and furnish a horse and driver. But the good people of Vernon had not been in the habit of paying for the use of a hearse, and most of them gave up the plan and the Metcalfs sold out their business. As near as can be learned McCollum and James, successors to the Metcalfs, were the first to procure a paid hearse.
The first monument in Grove Hill Cemetery was erected for Christopher Burdick.
Of the early cemeteries, the one designated on the town rec- ords as the East Cemetery, is the oldest. It is situated about half a mile east of the spot, where Vernon's first meeting house stood, on the road from Rockville to Bolton. It was laid out a great many years before the first church was built, which was in 1762. Probably the site of the church was selected partly because of its proximity to the cemetery. There are many old gravestones there and several graves without any stones. Tradition says the first body buried there was that of a child, who was killed by a fall from a load of goods near the very spot. The goods were being moved by ox-team from Bolton. The child was buried in the northeast corner of the cemetery. There is no place of burial where, with more peculiar fitness, one may quote the pathetic lines :
"Each in his narrow cell forever laid,
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
Once the center of the parish, time has played strange pranks. It is today "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife," removed from the haunts of men. Few go there, except the curious, and those drawn by a desire to muse and be alone. As we wander through this old graveyard and pause to read the uncouth rhyme, under the rudely carved death's head on the
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frail memorial of one of the early pioneers, we are bidden : "Behold and see as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I, As I am now so must you be, Prepare for death and follow me."
Many of the fathers of the town, who helped make history in the early days, and who have lived Godly and useful lives, are buried in the ancient burying ground, among them being the honored and saintly Ebenezer Kellogg, Vernon's first pastor, who died September 3, 1817. The inscription on his stone reads : "Rev. Ebenezer Kellogg died September 3, 1817 in the 81st year Of his age, and 55th year Of his ministry in this place." "In yonder sacred meeting house he spent his breath,
Now silent; senseless, here he sleeps in death.
Those lips again shall wake and then declare,
A long amen to truths they published there."
Captain Moses Thrall, who was the first to settle on the tract of land in the vicinity of this ancient burying ground in 1703, was one of the pioneers in what is now Vernon Center. He died August 24, 1770, and is buried in Vernon's ancient bury- ing ground. Daniel Thrall was one of the first sextons of the historic old burying ground. His son, Ira Thrall, succeeded him, and he was in turn succeeded by his son, Alfred O. Thrall, who is the present sexton. Their combined period of service extends over one hundred years.
Vernon's other ancient burying ground is designated as the Southwest Cemetery. It is located below Dobsonville.
St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery was started about 1855. It has increased in area by the purchase of additional land, and numerous improvements have been made, until today it is a credit to the town and to St. Bernard's parish.
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ROCKVILLE AS A CITY.
For nearly fifty years after the incorporation of the town of Vernon, the south part of the town, designated as Vernon, was the "hub." Rockville was hardly a spoke in the wheel. Gradually Rockville became the "hub" and Vernon was hardly a spoke in the wheel.
As far back as 1861, when A. C. Crosby represented Vernon in the General Assembly, there was talk of a change of govern- ment, many citizens expressing a desire for a new form. A few were bold enough to think the opportune moment had arrived for the adoption of a borough charter, and Mr. Crosby intro- duced a bill for such a charter. He plainly discerned the hand- writing on the wall and dropped the matter. For twenty years or more Vernon continued to go along under the town system, sentiment finally crystalizing for a change, it being everywhere acknowledged that the town was too big and important for a suit of borough clothes. Those who had given careful thought and attention to the subject were firmly convinced that a suit of city clothes would fit very nicely and be the proper thing, and, accordingly, in November, 1888, an informal meeting was held at the office of Town Clerk Gelon W. West for the purpose of considering the advisability of a city charter. There was a good attendance. Opposition developed, coming principally from the manufacturers, and the first effort ended without any action being taken.
The sentiment for a city charter among the business men continued to grow, and those who advocated a change felt success was bound to come eventually. At the legislative session of 1889, William B. Sprague of Andover, who was then a member of the senate, introduced a bill, providing for a city charter for Rock- ville. At the hearing, which was slimly attended, E. S. Henry presented the matter before the committee on cities and boroughs. The charter, which was patterned after the Danbury charter, provided that the matter be submitted to the people. The people in the south part of the town justly felt that Rockville was an expensive proposition for them, and Rockville proper felt that the time had arrived for extensive public improvements-
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improvements it was impossible to get under the old order of things. The need was felt for a paid police force to control the hoodlum element, better lighting facilities and increased fire pro- tection and the establishment of a modern sewer system, also the establishment of building lines. These were some of the many ar- guments that appealed with irresistible force for a change in the system of government. With the lower part of the town lined up against paying Rockville's bills and Rockville expanding and reaching out for more costly things, it is no wonder the vote for a city charter when submitted to the people was passed. For some time. after the charter was adopted there was talk of abandoning it, as the tax rate took a decided upward jump, but it was nothing more than talk. A fact worth noting in connection with the securing of the city charter is that it came at a mini- mum of expense.
Under the city charter Samuel Fitch became the first mayor, and following him came William V. McNerney and E. S. Henry, all of whom served for two years each. E. L. Heath and William H. Loomis served four years each. George Forster holds the record for length of service, having served three terms of two years each, and he was re-elected in December, 1909, for a fourth term. Since the organization of the city government Rockville has had but six mayors. All of the citizens who have occupied the city's chief executive office are living at the present time with the exception of Messrs. Fitch and Loomis.
With the acceptance of a city charter Rockville did away with the justice system of trying case, as the new system of govern- ment provided for a city court, giving it much wider jurisdiction than the ordinary police courts, including the town within its jurisdiction. The first judge of the city court was Gelon W. West and the present officials are: Judge, John E. Fisk; associ- ate judge, John E. Fahey; prosecuting attorney, Thomas F. Noone; assistant prosecuting attorney, D. J. McCarthy ; clerk, Frederick Forster ; probation officer, T. F. Garvan.
The city charter provides for a mayor and a Court of Common Council, consisting of two boards. At the present time there are four wards, each ward having one alderman and two council-
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men. They serve without compensation. The charter originally made no provision for paying the mayor, but an amendment was passed in 1905 allowing the mayor $300 per year. There have been a few other amendments making slight increases in the salaries of the court officials.
The county court was established in Tolland County in 1786. The first presiding judge was Samuel Gilbert of Hebron. Before 1819 the county court consisted of one chief judge and four justices of the quorum. After 1819, it consisted of one chief judge and two associate judges. From 1838 there was but one judge. Sylvester Gilbert was the first state's attorney and Ephraim Grant was the first clerk. On July 4, 1855, the county court was abolished. Sessions of the superior court are now held in Tolland county, where civil and criminal cases are tried, the court meeting for the purpose in September, December, April and June. Numerous short calendar sessions are held during the year. John H. Brockaway was the first state's attorney for Tol- land County appointed by the judges of the superior and supreme courts. Others following him were Dwight Marcy, Benezet H. Bill and Joel H. Reed.
Charles Phelps is the present state's attorney of the county ; Joseph Bishop was the first clerk, and L. T. Tingier is clerk of the court at the present time.
The story of the old days has no more entertaining anecdotes than those of the first fire fighters. The first fire engine used in Vernon has passed beyond recollection. The second one was Hockanum No. 1, a button engine. This was housed for a time where the present Rock Mill dyehouse stands, at that time owned by the Leeds Mill. There was no organized company and the machine did not receive proper care. The engine had two narrow escapes from destruction by fire, the first coming at the time of the Frank Mill fire September 20, 1851, and the second coming when the Leeds Mill was burned in 1854. It was abandoned in disgust. Following the Leeds Mill fire, there was an insistent demand for better fire protection. The hat was passed around in the various mills, contributions were asked for and about $1,500 was raised, two fire companies were organized and a new engine
MAXWELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY, Rockville, Gift of Maxwell Family.
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was bought. It was known as the "Fire King." This old hand engine is inseparably associated with the early history of Rock- ville. Not even an entire chapter can give the reader a com- plete idea of the fire fighting days "befo' th' wa'." Older resi- dents now among us recall them. They were days that will live long in memory-different from the fire fighting days of this modern age, and, when contrasted with these days, bringing vividly before us the wonderful changes time has wrought in fire fighting methods. Electric wires were unheard of then. It was lung power and the man who could "holler" the loudest was the best fellow. This would start the mill bells going and the noise by those combined flesh and brass alarms was something to strike terror to every inhabitant. Did anyone sleep through these noises? Well, hardly; and almost everybody not sick in bed was out to the fire, regardless of wind or weather. There were no prosecutions for "ringing in" false alarms then, for no false alarms were given, taking a strict view of the matter. What matter if a few packing boxes or tar barrels did get ablaze in some mysterious manner? There were no tramps about in those days to lay the cause to. And it was the people who saw these fires and imagined some house on fire who gave the alarm, and with good intentions. Nobody was to blame. Besides, there was no expense when the department was called out only occa- sionally wounded feelings. The remuneration the fire laddies received for yanking the old hand engine over the rough streets and up and down the steep hills was the feeling that they had done their duty. The engine burned no coal and there was no fire police to pay.
Of the "false alarms" of long ago, it is only necessary to speak of one. It was the king of them all, however. There are some here in our midst today who remember it, and there are some here, too, who dare insinuate that there are those who could tell, by practical experience, the ins and outs of that false alarm. At that time there was no common council to pay a detective for looking up criminals. Indeed, there was no ordinance relative to the matter. A lesson may have been learned from that inci- dent, however, as it may be proper to assume that one or more
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of those "alarm ringers" may have seen service in the City Council and in framing the present ordinance.
It was not long after old "Fire King" had been purchased. The members of the fire department then, were the first men of the village and they were proud of belonging to the department. It numbered on its roster the Hammonds, the Winchells, the Kelloggs, and all the leading citizens of the place. There was great rivalry between the two companies. At that time the Saxony Mill Pond was quite large. One very stormy night, in January, 1858, with the snow piled two feet. on a level, the old- fashioned alarm "rung out" on the snowy air. Fire King boys were ever ready for a contest. They ran, tugged, pulled and puffed away for a weary mile-the longest mile they had ever been up against in all their experience, and lo, and behold ! what did they find? A huge pile of tar barrels and boxes were blazing on the further corner of the pond.
One or two of the recognized leaders in the affairs of the town, who were looked upon as pillars in the community, held high their heads and offered a reward for the detection of the con- spirators, the offenders against the sacredness of Rockville's fire system. A wise-headed man, however, put his hand upon the benevolent champion of law and order and suggested: "I wouldn't do it, Captain, it might possibly hit too near home."
The incorporators of the Fire King Company, which was or- ganized in 1854 in Butler Hall, the present editorial room of the Leader, were : William R. Orcutt, Edwin P. Allen, A. C. Crosby, Thomas Spence and Wells Symonds. Mr. Orcutt, who was the first foreman of the company, the "firemen's friend," selected and purchased the engine of James Smith of Brooklyn, N. Y. in the spring of 1855. It was at that time considered a marvel of mechanism. The engine was housed in the basement of the B. H. Bill residence, which is now doing duty as a hotel in El- lington under the name of the "Ellington Inn." In this house, which at that time stood on Park Street, the company had two rooms, one fitted up for a parlor. Under the articles of incor- poration the company was allowed to own property to the amount of $2,500 and to have a membership of sixty, and for years
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the company had its full quota. The engine gave a fine account of itself at the various firemen's musters about the country and a feature of the early days in Vernon were the contests between the Hockanum and Fire King boys.
Foreman of the Fire King Company following Mr. Orcutt, were A. C. Crosby, N. H. Thompson, E. P. Allen, R. H. Dawson, Charles E. Harris, J. W. Burton, George Millard, John Leach, Nicholas Wendhiser, O. C. West and James Fitzgerald, who was the last foreman before the reorganization of the company.
The Hockanum Fire Company was organized in 1855 with Carlos McKinney as first foreman. The other foremen up to the time of its reorganization were Joseph Selden, A. Park Hammond, Joseph Schofield, Carlos Tracy, William C. Avery, R. G. Holt, William H. Jones, John Pitney, John Chapman and Edward Hurlbut.
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