A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 10

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 960

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Some objection was made to the linen company site on account of the short lease, the probability of having to move at the expiration and the fear that the company would monopolize the exhibition to the exclusion of smaller exhibits. At this point in the proceedings, Mr. Barrows withdrew his offer. Subsequently a resolution was presented providing that no one person or corporation would be allowed more power in the organization than ten shares permitted, even if more was held by such persons or corporation. A motion was put as to the acceptance of the proposition and the vote stood 36 to 6 in favor of the linen company site. At the next meeting the company's site was accepted and the work of organization started. Stock in the association was sold at $26 a share and in a short time over $9,000 was disposed of. Competent contractors were secured and the work rushed on the track, buildings and fences.

The following were the first officers : directors, Eugene S. Boss, Willimantic; G. L. Rosebrooks, Mansfield; J. M. Hall, Willimantic; Henry Larrabee, Wind- ham; O. H. K. Risley, Willimantic; J. G. Martin, Windham; Dwight E. Pot- ter, Willimantic; N. P. Perkins, Mansfield; M. E. Lincoln, Willimantic; Giles Little, Columbia; D. H. Clark, Willimantic; F. G. Spaulding, Coventry; E. C. Winchester, South Coventry ; J. A. Brown, Ashford; Merrick Barton, Chaplin ; E. E. Burnham, Willimantic; Gardiner Hall, Jr., South Willington; Philo Burgess, Lebanon ; W. C. Jillson, Willimantic.

At a subsequent meeting of the directors the first officers of the organiza- tion who were: president, Eugene S. Boss; vice president, John M. Hall; sec- retary, O. H. K. Risley; treasurer, William C. Jillson ; corresponding secre- tary, M. Eugene Lincoln ; superintendent of grounds, Dwight E. Potter. In less than six months the grounds were completed and the first fair held Octo- ber 3, 4, 5, 1883.

The opening day was very stormy and the patronage light. The second day the receipts were $1,100 and the third day $2,013 were taken in at the box office, making a total of over $4,000 for the three days. There was a balance over actual expenses in the staging of the fair on the three days which was pleasing to the association. The fair that year was extended at night. Thirty-four large electric arc lights were strung around the track illuminating the course almost as well as in the daytime and it was the first time on record that a race track was lit up for racing in this respect.

There was good horse racing with J. P. Rogers of Parkersville, L. I., as starter. The first track record was made by Happy Thought, owned by Theo- dore Palmer of Stonington, an exhibition mile in 2:29 wheeled off by electric light. The best time in the races was 2:3012 by Nellie Bryant. The track record was 2:111/2 by Bingas in September, 1912, then owned by the late Frank Northrup of Southbridge, Mass.

As time rolled on the organization was more familiarly known as the Wil- limantic Fair Association. The words "Agricultural" and "Industrial" being dropped. Up to 1895 the fairs were a steady paying proposition and from that date until 1901 most of the fairs were run at a loss. There was a demand for new blood to run the affairs of the association. Some of the officials had been with the association since it was started in 1883, and were ready to retire, which they did when it was agreed by the new promoters to liquidate the asso- ciation's outstanding indebtedness.

The old association disbanded immediately after the fair held in 1901. September 23, 1902, the new organization was formed under the name of the

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Willimantic Horseshoe Park Agricultural Fair Association and assumed the debt of the old association, about $1,350. The association had an authorized capital stock of $4,000 and there was paid in $2,050 in connection with the liquidation of the old debt.

The first fair, under the auspices of the new association, was held in Sep- tember, 1902, and was a fine success. The following were the officers elected : Senator Charles A. Gates, Willimantic, president; vice president and treas- user, Dr. William L. Higgins, South Coventry ; secretary, Frank P. Fenton, Willimantic; superintendent of grounds, Ernest Chesbro and Daniel P. Dunn of Willimantic .:

Some of the greatest drivers in the racing game guided horses over the local track, among them being Fred Reynolds, and John Shilinglaw of Hartford. Many noted horsemen trained their horses there, those of state note being Allan Risk of Hartford and Isaac Sanderson of Willimantic. The track held the yearling record for a New England bred horse, 2:37, made by Lady Lacy, sired by Alcyco, whose dam was Annie Rooney, one of the greatest racing mares of the time. The track record was 2.1114. made by Bingass in September, 1912, and then owned by the late Frank Northrup of Southbridge, Mass.

FAMOUS RACE RECALLED

One of the most notable races ever pulled off at this notable track was on July 5, 1909, between horses owned by local men, Louis D. Dondero and John Curran, the latter since deceased. Donnybrook, owned by Dondero, was picked up in the West and shipped here by a local horse dealer. The horse was something of a mystery, as the dope was that it was once a famous track horse that had seen its day. However, it showed up well, Curran's horse was County Beater, sired by Goldbeater, a famous trotting horse owned by Truman R. Sadd. A match was arranged between both owners, the proceeds over expenses to be donated to St. Joseph's Hospital. Over five thousand people assembled at the park. County Beater was the favorite in betting, the odds ruling two to one. Horsemen were present from all over New England. The writer predicted that the horse that would win would have to go better than 2:18 to win. The figures were better, 2:161% for the three heats, 2:141%, 2:181% and 2:151/2. Donnybrook drew the pole and after three scores they were sent off with Donnybrook about a length in the lead. It was a great heat. The western horse was never headed, winning by a scant half length. The time was: quarter, 331%; half, 1:051/2; three-quarters, 1:401%; mile, 2:141/2.

The getaway on the second heat was well-nigh perfect. County Beater broke at the eighth pole and again at the five-eighths, Donnybrook winning by two lengths. The time was: quarter, 34; half, 1:10; three-quarters, 1:46; mile, 2:181/2. Donnybrook money then soared at odds of two to one with few takers. In the last heat County Beater went bad from the start, making sev- eral bad breaks, making a walkover at the wire, Donnybrook winning by over a hundred yards. It was a victory for the Marvin treatment. Dondero worked his horse on the theory of fast quarters only. County Beater was worked out on miles. About $5,000 changed hands on the result. Starter J. L. Dunn said it was the best race he had seen in years. In the race Donny- brook lowered his track record from 2:181% to 2:141%. The summary :

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Donnybrook (Martin)

County Beater (Kingsley)

1 2

Time

2:141/2

2:181%

2:151/2

The weather was excellent and the track in fine condition. Starter L. J. Dunn of Providence, R. I .; judges, James C. Small of Springfield, Mass., Thomas Sears of South Coventry, William Latimer of South Coventry ; timers, John Henry, Paul Coutu and William L. Williams of Willimantic. The fireworks and fire- water emporiums remained open all day, but all the other stores, shops and offices except the butcher shops and barber shops, closed at 10 A. M.

Another historical event in connection with the old fair grounds was that the first time that a flying machine ever flew over Willimantic was on September 10, 1913, the last year of the fair, when Jack MeGee of Providence gave an exhibi- tion over the fair grounds in his 60 h. p. Wright-Curtis bi-plane. Nearly ten thousand people witnessed the flight.

REMINISCENCES OF HORSE RACING IN WILLIMANTIC

By M. Eugene Lincoln

Harking back to 1863 Willimantic was a small borough with a three-room school in one district and two in the other. Four mills of good size comprised the number engaged in textile industries. The leading man in the horse business was Warren Tanner, who was a lover of a good horse and knew one when he saw it. Mr. Tanner kept a livery stable on North Street about where the Johnson Stables now are, but it was "up in the air," the street then called Tanner's Lane having since been cut down. Among his contemporaries were Robert Hooper, and Hyde Kingsley. They used to have many friendly brushes, and they could be heard a long way off, urging their steeds to do a little better. The rivalry resulted in many new purchases of "dark horses" which sometimes were a disap- pointment to the new owner, and sometimes to an opponent. Different ones took a hand in the friendly brushes, until there was a goodly number who had the speed craze. It resulted in an organization which leased land on the east side of the Shetucket River and the Horse Shoe Park Association started business. By this time Edward Harris had invested in trotting stock, and in addition to the old guard there was Isaac Sanderson, Edwin Hamlin, James French, Wm. P. Stevens, M. E. Lincoln, Dumont Kingsley, and others who congregated from time to time to try conclusions at the track.

The horse spirit grew and flourished, and in a few years the horse shoe fair association moved their belongings to Pleasant Valley. Their outfit consisted of a judges' stand, which was moved gratis by L. and M. E. Lincoln. The farmers' association had buildings at Pleasant Valley, and after continuing a few years there the horse spirit had so developed that it was decided to have more com- modious quarters, and nearer the borough. Then came into being the Willi- mantic Fair Association. By this time the association had, in addition to the ones mentioned before, O. H. R. Risley, Dr. T. R. Parker, Chas. L. Boss, Albert Hicks, Dwight E. Potter, A. B. Green, Wm. Hawkins, Fred Burnham, Sanford Comins, Dr. F. E. Wilcox and a host of others who each and every one thought they had a trotter. They trotted them around the stove, and around the track.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

The craze was such that A. T. Walker, Johnson and Williams, Isaac Sanderson and M. E. Lincoln started stock farms. The breeding industry was overdone, and trotters were at a discount, and all breeding operations in this section ceased, and interest in the Willimantic Fair Association waned until it was given up.

In 1920 scarcely one of the horsemen of twenty or thirty years ago even owns a driving horse. Some of them use motor cars, and once in a while the old spirit flares up and a determination to "take no one's dust" appears, and away they go as regardless of personal safety as ever. Time works wondrous changes in most ways, and it has certainly done so in the horse business, where now none but the work horse is highly prized.

CHAPTER XXXVI SPECIAL STORIES

NATHANIEL WALES-COMMUNITY LIFE IN EARLIER AND LATER DAYS-NEW ENGLAND RAILROADS IN THE '50S-THANKSGIVING DAY-OLD DARN COAT-OLD-TIME SING- ING MASTERS-OLD-TIME DANCING MASTERS-THE COUNTRY DANCE IN 1920.

NATHANIEL WALES

FACTS NOT PREVIOUSLY REALIZED ABOUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEN OF EARLY WINDHAM -- VITAL IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING EARLY RECORDS

Paper read by Charles H. Dimmick, Town Clerk of Windham, 1893 to 1899, before Willimantic Daughters of American Revolution, March 5, 1912

The story of Windham history is full of interest. For two centuries it has held an honored place among the towns of New England. In peace and in war; in the affairs of patriotism and those of prosperity; as also those of the church and civilization, the position of Windham has been in the front, rendering a service of which the citizens and the descendants of former citizens may well be proud.

To rehearse several things which have come under my observation while acting as your town clerk and which has to do with the history of Windham and of the preservation of its history, is my purpose. I have no high-sounding words; only the plain story of a plain, God-fearing and God-serving people.

In the first place, permit me to say a word about the ancient records in our own town. The oldest were written over two hundred years ago. The informa- tion in them is called for more today than ever. This demands that these records be cared for in a way which will not only preserve but make them more accessible. In regard to the original volumes, such as are becoming worn out, the paper becoming brittle and crumbling away, there is a way of preserva- tion. The process which places each of those ancient leaves securely between two sheets of the finest silk cloth, is probably the most approved. It is called the "Emery process." It is in use in the oldest of official archives. Mr. Robert T. Swan, Record Commissioner of Massachusetts, in his reports to the Legis- lature of that state, officially recommends it. Receiving the advice of archivists it becomes us to listen to their advice. Six of our oldest volumes should be thus rebound. These ancient volumes should not, even when properly rebound, be in constant use, but referred to only in needed cases. The rebinding is for preservation. The copy in use should be convenient and of ready access to citizens and visiting strangers. The information most sought is that relating to old families. The records of births, marriages and deaths are about copied, and when complete I venture to say that for permanency of record, accessibility and fulness of detail they will not be surpassed by any record of a similar character in the state. These records are of value for historical and genealogical purposes. A larger part of them has ceased to be of legal worth in determining

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

residence ; hence they must be regarded solely as a manuscript source of genea- logical information. I have learned of several towns which have placed all their information of families in strictly alphabetical form, the information which was found not only upon the town records but also the baptisms upon ancient church records, the inscriptions from the several cemeteries in the town and from Bibles of old-time families. Attached to the information are abbrevia- tions to indicate its source, so that the examiner may know at once where the same was found, and the clerk can attest whether from the town, church, or family records, or among the cemetery inscriptions. Our present laws oblige the town clerks and all officials to record items which were not required in former years. We can hardly expect to gain such fulness of detail of the former times as we can expect of present affairs, but it should be the ambition to secure all that is possible. To preserve both the ancient volumes and all available information should be the part of officials.

The ancient records relating to the conveyance of land are very important, in most cases they disclose the name and former residence of the early settler and determine the title to the land that you own. These records have too rap- idly grown brittle and broken and have become mutilated. The paper under the ruthless hand of time is fast crumbling away. The ancient indexes are practically useless and to construct a new index will require the closest care and skill. The ink is fading away and it will not be long before it will be impossible to decipher their contents. It is through the index and these records that the early settlers are something beside a tradition. These men and women rendered a service to the world little realized. They learned through divers ways to govern themselves, and started our nation on a career of greatness which in recent months astonished and bewildered the governments of the old world. These records are of larger worth since they reveal to us the process of learn- ing to control themselves, not only as municipalities but as individuals.

Our Legislature two years ago made a beginning in the better preservation of all town, county and state records, and even going to the preservation of the records of organizations which derive their charters from the state. This begin- ning was a new departure. Just how far the people will welcome this new scheme remains to be seen; but one matter is sure, there is a need of knowing the whereabouts of the papers and records of churches and incorporations as well as municipalities. There is a large grain of profit in such an undertaking. Several states in our nation are moving in this matter, Connecticut has led in many patriotic affairs and confident are we that she will not be slow in looking to the preservation of the official papers of her past people.

The state and court houses of Connecticut have many documents and rec- ords; town, probate and church records; each and all are sources of informa- tion regarding the former social life of our New England ancestors.

To protect, preserve, re-copy and publish these means a renewal of all those excellent qualities of character found in these ancestors. The twentieth cen- tury does not ask for the manner and the custom of the seventeenth, but the spirit which dominated them is the need of every time.

There has been in recent years a growing interest in behalf of the former days. The descendants of the Puritans are in no danger of becoming hero worshippers, but they are proud of the splendid spirit the Puritans manifested in determining a settlement in the new world; in establishing a community, whose central features were the church and the schoolhouse; who were a people

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

that regarded individual worth and character as a necessity in life, and a living faith in the Bible as a present and future requisite. The general history of our country has been well written; but in these recent years the people are desirous of knowing more of the people of former days. The various patriotic societies have done much to help forward this spirit. They are great aids to the officials of local and general government and to historical societies. The many books and papers published in recent times show how earnest the people are in studying, writing and publishing of the former days.

The collection of relies in our homes, the craze for old furniture and dishes, the new care of heirlooms, are all in the line and spirit of the fresher patriotism. If the individual and the home is interested in these things, the public ought to be also. The people are the government. This is our proud boast.

The state, county and town have official heirlooms" which are priceless in value to our present life and the well-being of citizens unborn. If the people appreciate the worth of these heirlooms, little need be said as argument for their preservation.

In preserving manuscript volumes care should be taken that they are not in vaults affected by moisture. On the other hand, the vaults must not be sub- ject to steam or furnace heat. Moisture and extreme aridity are enemies of ink, paper and binding. Great care should be taken in this regard. It is a problem which many towns are obliged to consider. Windham is indeed fortu- nate in having vaults in which to store its priceless records. The patriotic citizens of Windham have seen to it that none of the dangers I have enumerated can affect our records, for I believe if the evil hour comes the vaults in our new Town Building will stand firm against the devouring flames, and will ever be a monument to the ceaseless vigilance of their Creator while in the process of their construction. But enemies of records are more numerous than we think. The introduction of "modern improvements" have put aside the simple ways of the fathers and have caused new enemies to appear. The good paper and ink used, and the heavy bindings of a century or more ago have wonderfully withstood the elements of time. But we fear the same cannot be said of too many records of today. It is said that there are records at the City Hall, Nor- wich, written twenty years ago, which today are in great need of re-copying. This will have to be done because of pressing necessity affecting the interests of the town and its citizens.

Poor ink, poor paper, unskilled binding are too frequently on the market. It requires a keen judgment to keep one's self from being imposed upon by the arts of modern craftiness. It should be the aim of officials to govern as though the government was to thrive a thousand years. Ink, paper, bindings, vaults, safes, fire-proof constructed buildings should all be of that grade which will impress every citizen that the town, state, nation is to exist generations after our generation has ceased to be.

It is said the Yankee is practical. If so, let him prove it by fully believing in the nation he has founded. To be practical and patriotic we should see to it that the best of care is taken of every official paper and record. Two or three years ago the Town of Groton had its ancient records destroyed by the burning of a farmhouse. The town had no vault, no safe, and, as I understand, not even a second copy of their volumes. This loss can never be made good. Insurance can never cover it. Through our many years the records of Windham are still preserved to us, though not in the best condition; they call for a per-

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maneney of record and protection from the cruel hand of time, and should be surrounded by such care and vigilance that will ensure their safety and dura- bility beyond possibility of loss. But you may say, why should this generation care for the ancient records of Windham as long as they are only of historical service, and are chiefly used by those residing at a distance. I would in turn inquire, to whom do these records belong? It is the proud boast of the New Englander that these records belong to the town. True. But each decade witnesses the departure of very many of Windham's sons and daughters to other and distant lands. The descendants of those who once paid taxes in Windham are in every section of our land. Have not these people a claim on them ? They truly have, though it may not be a legal claim.

The sons, the daughters, the dames over this broad land of ours have sought the records of ancient Windham. These people are the descendants of the best stock of ye olden days. They descended, it is true, from those who went forth to newer regions, but now after many years the interest in ancestry and in the history of long ago brings them back to the old homestead again. These people feel a joint interest in these papers and volumes, because of the worthy citizen- ship of their ancestors.

The town has the legal ownership of these papers, but interest is found in them in every section of the nation. The various patriotic organizations have rendered a large service to our country in causing the people to regard more and more their ancestors; the homesteads and the towns in which they dwelt.

May I ask you tonight to join with me in creating a sentiment in this com- munity that will result in the preservation and perpetuation of our records? Will you join with me in arousing the patriotic spirit of our citizens to such an extent that steps will be taken that will preclude the possibility of the history of Windham ever becoming simply a matter of tradition.

Tradition is not always safe, and when tradition has been printed it is most difficult for truth to overtake it. I have such a case in my mind which relates to Windham history, and which adds to our information of our early settlers. The printed manual of the First Church of Windham states that the church was organized December 10, 1700, with twenty-eight members. That Nathaniel Wales was elected a deacon of said church in 1700, and died in 1744, aged eighty-two years. Other histories relating to Windham make substantially the same statement. From a thorough examination of Windham town records, and the records of the First Church of Windham, I am led to believe that the above is an error. I offer the following to substantiate my belief.

First : Nathaniel Wales' name does not appear in the Windham land rec- ords either as grantor, grantee or witness until July 11, 1712, when he bought 360 acres of land of the Rev. Samuel Whiting of Windham, paying for the same "£160 of the Massachusetts bills of credit," and in which deed he is men- tioned as of Lebanon. I have examined Lebanon records and am unable to find his name mentioned therein.

Second : At a town meeting held April 19, 1703, the following committee was appointed to seat the meeting house, "the two deacons, Lieutenant Fitch, Ensign Crane, Abraham Mitchell, Joshua Ripley and Jonah Palmer." At the same meeting the town by vote seated the above-named committee as follows. "Dea- con Cary on the left-hand of his wife in the 'pue,' Deacon Bingham to seat at the right-hand of his wife in the 'pue,' Joshua Ripley, John Fitch and Ensign Crane in the foremost 'pue,' Abraham Mitchell in the foreseat and Jonah Palmer

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 10

Author: Lincoln, Allen B Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co. Number of Pages: 960

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 960