A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 54

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 54

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The showman threatened dire vengeance and demanded financial recom- pense, also criminal action against the boys; but C. L. Newcomb, local shoe- maker, had overheard the man who told Aleck to hold the candle to the bear, and he acted as peacemaker. He offered to sew up the tent with wax-ends, which he did; and so the affair was adjusted without further trouble.

CATS' TAILS AND SKUNKS

In Windham there was an Indian by the name of Shaw who worked for the Smith-Winchester Company as a coppersmith. This Indian had a mania for cutting off cats' tails. One day, when I was a small boy, I was in a store on an errand and Shaw came in and asked Mrs. Gray to wait on him. As Mr. Gray was down cellar at the time, Mrs. Gray said, "Shaw, don't you touch my cat." "No, mum, no, mum." She went into a back room to get what Shaw wanted. As soon as she left the room, Shaw cut the cat's tail off, almost

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up to its body. The cat ran out with a yowl. Mrs. Gray ran in and cried, "Where is my cat?" Shaw said, "Saw him go out doors." At the very moment he had the cat's tail stuck in his hat band. Now I was well frightened, got my things and ran all the way home. Mother asked me if I told Mrs. Gray. "No." "Well, don't unless she asks you, then tell her the truth."

Shaw also had a faculty for handling skunks. A man by the name of Byrnes kept a store at the foot of the hill going up to the machine shop. One day Byrnes was behind the postoffice boxes at the end of the counter next to the outside of the store. Shaw came in, had a bag which he opened and out came four or five half-grown skunks. Byrnes screamed, "Take them out." "Give me two plugs tobacco." "No," but Byrnes hesitated. Shaw kept going up, and finally the Indian got six plugs, and the men in the store had a good laugh.

HORN SPRING

This spring in a piece of woods on the Major Avery place was visited many a time by hunters and fishermen to get a drink. The stream of water came out from a split or seam in a rock with such force that the water did not drop to the ground until a distance of nearly two feet from the base of the rock. This spring got its name from an Indian who had a hut nearby, and who used this spring for drinking purposes for many years as he lived to a ripe old age. He came to the village for supplies and worked some for the farmers, he was also fond of "fire water." He lived about a mile from any other house, and hunted and trapped in order to obtain his food. On one of his trips to town in the winter he either got too much fire water or he had a sick spell. The snow was quite deep and not far from the Doctor Bromley place he was found one morning dead. It was the opinion that he became tired, for he was quite old, and had sat down to rest, but was so cold that he could not arise and froze to death. The spring was named after him-"Horn."

PERSONAL SKETCHES

Among "Scotland-ites" who have gone forth from the old town may be mentioned, as perhaps the most distinguished, Judge Edwin Baker Gager, now a justice of the Supreme Court of Connecticut. He made his own way to an education through many difficulties.

Daniel Bromley, son of Dr. Calvin Bromley, was graduated as a physician, and became a surgeon in ocean liner service from New York to Liverpool.

Ernest E. Waldo, son of George Waldo, left Scotland in his youth and lived in New York City and Brooklyn. He was educated as a lawyer. After a successful legal career he was chosen as a congressman. In August, 1907, while on a vacation in Maine, he was out in a canoe, the wind began to blow a gale, the canoe was overturned ; he hung to it at least twenty-five minutes, when a party of fishermen from Waterville, Me., put out in a motorboat and rescued him. In later years he has lived in California.

Henry F. Hewitt was another lad who made his own way against diffi- culties. He has been for over forty years a successful manager of the Dalton, Mass., opera house.

Edward Bingham, son of Sumner Bingham, became a member of the Hart- ford police force, and one of its most efficient men. In vacation time he would often come to Scotland on a hunting expedition, bringing some of his fellow

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officers with him, and seldom did they return empty-handed. Grey squirrels were his specialty, with specimens also of quail and partridge. Another Hart- ford policeman, the first boy born in Scotland when it became a town, is J. Irving Palmer, son of John M. Palmer. He also has made a good record.

The late Fayette Safford made his name known to many as one of the editors of the Willimantic Chronicle. He married a Scotland girl.

Herbert L. Hatch was a noted musician, the violin being his favorite instru- ment. He was sought for to play for dances all around the state and at one time was connected with Colt's Orchestra. He also traveled with Leavitt's Swiss Bell Ringers.

Edward Ashley married a Scotland girl, Ellen Wood; for a long time was postmaster at Plainfield, called by his neighbors a model postmaster.

His brother, John Ashley, married Jane Palmer, daughter of Deacon Alfred Palmer, and they went to Nebraska, where he was successful.

Walker Maine married Lois Palmer, a sister of John Ashley's wife; they also went to Nebraska, where he was honored with many offices.

Frederick Cunningham, son of William Cunningham, took up the business of a photographer and he and his wife chose Willimantic for a home. He made a success in this line of work. His son is a newspaper man in Willimantic connected with the Chronicle.

William R. Dorrance had a large family. Among them was John, a suc- cessful business man in Norwich. Others of the family boys went into the manufacture of jewelry. All are now, dead but Julian, who has come back to Scotland to live.

Chauncey Smith and his brother Edwin, sons of David F. Smith, at one time were in Scotland making hoop skirts, once a fashionable article for women. The old factory building is still standing near the bridge over Merrick's Brook as you enter the town from the west. After hoop skirts became unfashionable, they went to Providence, R. I., and established a big wholesale trade in Yankee notions. In those days teams were sent out and carried the goods and deliv- ered them to the storekeepers. Chauncey is now living at the old homestead in Scotland. His brother has passed on.

Another well-known family was the Benjamin Hovey family. Mr. Hovey was the first town clerk in 1857; and continued in that office up to 1873. His sons, George and John, were in the Civil war; one son, Henry, who lives in Norwich and a daughter, are all that are living; the daughter, Mrs. Eliza Hovey Freeman, lives in Hartford.

John P. Gager, who was a brother of Lewis Gager and uncle of Judge E. B. Gager, was a successful business man. He represented the town in the Legislature; besides farming he had a gristmill, and dealt in lumber. His large family of girls and one son have all passed on except the youngest daughter, Flora, who married John F. Taber, and now lives in Willimantic.

Frank F. Webb, only son of Paschall Webb, who had a farm on Pudding Hill, took up his residence, after his father's death, in Willimantic, where he became a prominent citizen in commercial life and in banking. He was one of the men one likes to meet; was always cordial to his old-time schoolmates and friends, and very highly esteemed by everybody who knew him.

Another successful business man born in Scotland was Frank Carey, son of Dwight Carey. He went to Northampton, Mass., and took up the coal and wood business with success. His son now carries on the business.

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John Palmer was a well-known citizen. His daughter Emily married Doc- tor Brewer, a successful physician in Baltic. Another son, William F., mar- ried Susan Webb, and became a partner with James Burnett, firm name Bur- nett and Palmer. Mr. Palmer became the third town clerk, continuing in that office until his death in 1897. He was one of the best known men of the county, state senator, etc. His daughter, Ella B. Palmer, married James H. Johnson, for many years as now keeper of the village store and postoffice, and a success- ful business man.

A brother, Wolcott Palmer, married Helen Smith, and was in business in Hartford. Another brother, Sanford, married Lois Morgan. Lewis Palmer married Ellen Davison, daughter of William Davison, a merchant in Scotland. They had two children. Grace died when she was young; Alice married Arthur L. Kingsbury, a prominent paper-box manufacturer at Northampton, Mass.

Another son, Pitt Palmer, never married; he was in a railroad office for years in Hartford.

Ralph Webb had two sons and one daughter. Julius became interested in a boat line from Norwich to New York; Henry was a farmer; the daughter married James Burnett, who was storekeeper and postmaster for a long time ; finally took Wm. F. Palmer in as a partner.

Calvin Cook carried on the old mill just south of the Main Road-a pond, made from Merrick's Brook, set back to the Main Road. During the Civil war an uncle of his, Dwight Cook of Preston and Norwich, got a contract to make woolen yarn for the government. Machinery was put into the Scotland mill which consisted of a picker, set of cards, one spinning jack and reels. At that time wool got high in price, a dollar a pound, consequently old garments, pants, coats, vests were ground up into shoddy and mixed with the wool. A little wool of all lengths came from the plains of the West; sheep shipped alive sometimes died by the hundreds on the way. Lime was applied to the hides to eat the flesh; the wool was then sacked. Large quantities of oil were used to keep down the dust from the lime; horns and bones made it anything but safe running the picker at times.

Nason W. Leavitt, born in Craftsbury, Vt., a fine musician, came to Scot- land, got acquainted with Jane Martin and married her. He started in the show business, first as the Green Mountain Serenaders; later he added Swiss Bells, and the combination took well, money was made; two other troupes were added. They traveled with teams; had a fine band wagon. A son, Burton Leavitt, was born in Scotland and became a composer, author of the operettas, "Charter Oak," "Frogs of Old Windham," etc., which won success. He was a graduate of Yale and died in early manhood.

Jane Gay Fuller was a daughter of David L. Fuller. She was one of the noted story writers for Bonner's, then celebrated New York Ledger. One story, considered to be her best, was said to portray local characters, with, of course, fictitious names-the title as I remember it was, "The Wolf in the Broken Home." I knew her well and shall never forget her graceful manners, so refined and of great personal charm. She had many gracious ways, like her very lovely mother, and the practical business ways of her father. She always greeted one with such a sweet voice, with such a winning smile. Only once in my acquaintance did I ever see a sign of anguish, that was when her brother, Frank, a promising young man, passed to the great beyond. Her wonderful will power kept her from outward demonstrations, yet her heart

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was nearly broken, and during those trying days of grief, she asked if there was anyone she could assist, "do let me know, please." Her deeds of kindness were many-more than anyone ever knew.

THE REV. EBENEZER DEVOTION'S CONTRACT

Copy of the contract between Rev. Ebenezer Devotion and the Scotland Church society. The date is blurred but looks like 1733 as will be seen by reading, it was the first and second years of his ministry :

"In consideration of 20 pounds ye legal money, 5 pounds ye tea, 10 pounds ye tobacco, 10 gallons ye rum, house rent and firewood, I, Ebenezer Devotion hereby agree to preach for one year in the church in the parish of Scotland in ye town of Windham."

On the reverse it reads for the same consideration except "Ye society shall provide for this my second year fifteen gallons of ye rum."

WONDERFUL VISION OF A BLIND MAN

Seth Safford, father of Fayette Safford, was blind for many years. Mr. Safford did things that caused wonderment. He had a long cane with which he hit the ground and once if he had been taken to a place, could go there again unaided. He made much money going about and sawing up four-foot wood stove length, which he would split up, fine or coarse, as was desired. People would stand and watch him split the wood, expecting to see him get cut. He would hold the piece of wood sideways with his left hand, run his right-hand fingers over the end, then pick up his axe, which had a short and straight handle, then down would come the axe. It seemed to onlookers that he would cut his left hand, but he never did. Another thing he could do was to tell the color of a horse, cow or ox by running his hand over their bodies. One time he bought a cow and when he came after it, a test was made. He was lead to another cow, he felt her, and said: "This is not the one I bought. The one I bought had a white face and white hair along part of her back. This cow has no white hairs." He was right. He made many articles with car- penter tools-one was a wheelbarrow, every part of it his own work. When he became blind, there were no blind schools so that he had to teach himself everything that he did.

AN OLD-TIME SCHISM

During the Civil war local troubles over the draft resulted in schism in the Congregational Church, and seceding members made overtures to the Universalists, with the result that the Universalist Church, then located on Pudding Hill, was removed to the Center. A number of Universalist clergy- men from outside conducted meetings for a time, Rev. S. A. Davis of Hartford being the principal one. As a result the old church was weakened and the pastor finally left. The seceders found, however, that maintaining a separate church was expensive and unsatisfactory, those most interested passed off the stage, and in later years the Congregationalist Society has held the field. Certainly in these days of liberal thought and growing spiritual unity, one church, actuated by a genuine spirit of brotherhood, is all that a community like Scotland needs.

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DR. ISAAC B. GALLUP AND SMALL POX

One morning very early a clerk in Brown and Morgan's store was accosted by a man who had his face nearly covered with a comforter. As he spoke the clerk recognized him as a Mr. Boss, superintendent of the Appaquag Paper Mill. Boss said, "Give me something to eat, quick. I got away from a hospital on Blackwell's Island, N. Y." A man had left a pail of oysters in the store and Boss saw them and said, "I'll pay for them. Give me two or three crackers. I have eaten nothing for almost two days." He ate and then started across lots for the paper mill. In the forenoon Dr. Isaac B. Gallup of Scotland was sent for to go to the mill. He at once said "small pox." He wished to be sure, so sent for Doctor Cassidy of Norwich, who said, "Yes, small pox." Doctor Gallup knew that Boss had been at the store, so he said to the clerk, "Keep quiet. Don't believe anyone saw him but you." The clerk was vac- cinated. I never heard of any other cases in any town in which Boss was.

Two years from then a man sorting over some imported rags found a fine silk handkerchief which he took to his house. It was washed. However, in about two weeks every member of the house had small pox, as well as others in the mill. Doctor Gallup attended all of them. No deaths resulted. Not long after this a small child was taken ill in a family in South Windham. The child died and a public funeral was held. A Spiritualist preacher attended the funeral and all believers in Spiritualism were present who lived near them. The child's father worked in the machine shop of Smith-Winchester Company. One of the workers by the name of Yergason attended the funeral. He was the first one taken down. Doctor Gallup pronounced it small pox. This man died. Soon the cases in South Windham were many. The railway cars were ordered not to stop at the station; Willimantic doctors agreed with Doctor Gallup; the village was practically shut off. There was no need to tell people not to go there. A place was fixed at the east end of the bridge over the Shetucket River on the road from South Windham to Windham, where Doctor Gallup changed his clothes that he wore at the homes of the sick. They were put into a hogshead with a lot of earth in the bottom, then a large iron kettle with sulphur was placed inside, set afire, and the open end covered with blankets. The next visit they were taken out and aired. He had two sets, so as not to have to wait. At this point food was left and taken to families by men who had had small pox. This was a busy time for Doctor Gallup. I don't remember the number of cases, but I think he attended twenty or more. There were no other deaths but Mr. Yergason's. Much credit was given to Doctor Gallup. Later Doctor Gallup left Scotland for Willimantic, where he died about two years ago.

A "SECRET SOCIETY"-1870-71

During the Civil war a man by the name of Elbridge Geer came to work as a spinner at Cook's woolen mill. He wore a pin with "I. O. O. F." on it, and the Scotland boys were all curious to know what those letters meant. He told them he was a member of a secret society which protected its members, and helped them when sick. There were a number of boys and young men in and about Scotland in those years, 1865-70. The young men, especially in the vil- lage, helped to get up dances at the hotel in the village, and there were also dancing schools in the winter. As the prices demanded by the hotel keeper for dancing lessons and for supper were thought excessive, a few got together and

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had a talk with the landlord about making a reduction, suggesting lower prices for those in the town, but he couldn't see it. Then the boys got together and said, "Let's get up a club"; but some present had talked with Mr. Geer, the "I. O. O. F." man, and they said, "All right, but let's have it a secret one." It was agreed; a committee was chosen, namely Samuel N. Avery, Arthur Gager, Albert Welden and A. D. Ayer.

There was a large room over the store of David L. Fuller which at that time was leased to Brown and Morgan. A trade was made with them for using the room. The committee after agreeing on amount to join, the dues, etc., organized the society. No one knew anything about passwords or grips, but talking with some of the "vets," they told of how a countersign was given out to the one on picket, and no one to pass unless he could give it; so from that a password, with a certain number of knocks on the door, was adopted. Then they wanted something to wear, so a design was adopted with mystic letters, K. D. O. P., meaning, K-eep, D-ark, O-ur P-roceedings, B. R. S. brothers. The fee to join was $3 for charter members, later $5; 50 cents a month dues to pay rent, etc., with a proviso, that if there was any surplus (not counting the money for membership, which was to be kept separate in a bank for a sort of a safety fund) the surplus was to be available for fun.

Later the boys were called to meet at the hall over Brown and Morgan's store, some twenty were present; the committee's report adopted, and A. D. Ayer was chosen commander, Samuel N. Avery secretary, Arthur Gager treas- urer, Albert Welden guard. No liquors of any kind were allowed in the hall.

A special form of badge was adopted, of white silk, about three and one- half by two inches, with rosette at the crest, of a narrow ribbon, red, white and blue, and these rosettes made by the young ladies of Scotland; and the lower end of the badge was fringed. A wood cut something like a Maltese Cross was made by the Page Wood Type Company, Norwich, with the mystic letters B. R. S. in its center, and with the four other mystics, K. D. O. P., one at each of the four arms of the cross. The printing was done on Fayette Safford's press.

On the officers' badges the young ladies embroidered separate letters at the center of the rosette, for commander, "C," for secretary, "S," for treasurer, "T," for guard, "G." The rosette on the lay member's badge was left plain.

After the society had been going for a time some of the older and married men who were fond of dancing wanted to get in; and as the constitution and by- laws had not been adopted at the first meeting, the name of "Single Men's Bene- fit Society" was adopted at the next meeting and no married men could join, and any member who later married lost his membership. And as it had been pro- vided to divide up any money in the treasury every six months pro rata to each member, any one marrying was cut off from getting his share; so when the married men insisted on joining, it was voted to have an honorary member- ship with no vote, no rights to any of the funds, but to be admitted to dances. or entertainments at same price as regular members. Charles L. Newcomb was chosen to take tickets and have charge of the dance hall.

Primarily as stated this society was organized to protect its members from excessive rates for dances. An effort was made to bribe a member to know what was done; an offer of $5 was made; but did not succeed. As time went on, the old hoop-skirt shop, near the Samuel Hunting place by the bridge over Merrick's Brook, was hired; the upper room was put in good shape. The lower room was arranged for suppers. Several dances were held; no one except mem-

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bers was admitted without a card with a member's name thereon. These cards were sent out to friends of the society. Norman Perrigo, a giant, and a Civil war veteran, was secured to attend to the door, for it was rumored that there were certain objectionable persons who would try to get into the dance hall, someone else paying the cost of tickets. At one dance this proved to be more than a rumor and a group of "undesirables" appeared. One of a pugilistic sort and ready to pick a quarrel was the one selected to get into the hall, but he did not expect to meet Norman Perrigo. He tried to pass the doorkeeper, but "Norm," with a grip like a vice, took him by the arm and walked him out under protests and threats of having his "head horns" knocked off-but the bluffing and resistance were futile. That affair ended such methods.

The next move was pacific. "Come back, boys, to the hotel, you will be treated square"; and after a time they did go back. Later, as there was a lack of entertainments for young or old, the society got up a series of lectures. D. M. Reed of Jewett City spoke on, "Money"; Rev. Mr. Skinner of Hartford on "Citizenship"; Samuel Bowles of the Springfield Republican on "Our New West." In securing Mr. Bowles, some of the members thought it too much of a risk, $25 and his expenses; but so many came that the society cleared over $75. Then they got up a festival and at none of the dances, lec- tures or other entertainments, were they behind in expenses.

As time went on members got married or left town and finally the society met and "divided up" and decided to dissolve. However, before dissolution the remaining members got in right with the hotel keeper, and when they went there to dances, as in old days, they assisted him in every way to get a good attendance and to keep out 'all objectionable parties. At the suppers in the hoop-skirt shop, the ladies of the town gave their help and in place of $2 a head for the supper, the admission was $2 a couple; in place of $2 for dancing, $1; or when no supper, $1 a couple. The finest orchestras were always secured. Altogether it was a history of many good times, and on the whole exerted a strong influence for clean amusement. It was felt that it did much to keep the young people at home and to give them good times and it was well supported by some of the best families in town.

DR. A. DORRANCE AYER

The editor adds the following concerning Doctor Ayer :

A. Dorrance Ayer was born in South Windham April 9, 1850. His fore- bears were the first settlers of North Farms, now Franklin, Conn., near what is now called Ayer's Gap. His father was foreman at the Smith-Winchester foundry for over thirty years. The family moved to Scotland in 1860. In early manhood, young Ayer took up the study of medicine with Dr. I. B. Gal- lup, later was a student in Philadelphia hospitals; went to Vermont as assistant to Dr. Wilbur F. Templeton ; in 1877 was licensed to practice; in 1880 went to Indianapolis for further study ; resumed practice in Vermont; in 1885 returned to Connecticut ; began practice in Madison in 1888 and in 1890 attended special courses at Polyclinic Hospital in New York City. In Madison he has been health officer, and for the past twelve years medical examiner; also served on school board and as acting visitor; is now retired from active practice but does office work; is much interested in matters of local history and genealogy, and has always retained a special interest in Scotland, where the impressionable years of his boyhood and young manhood were passed.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 54

Author: Lincoln, Allen B Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930