A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 14

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

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II > Part 14

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In no way could mother or father or anyone else I ever heard of find out his true name, where he was born, his nationality. He apparently was of Eng- lish stock. He had a good knowledge of English history, of men of those days. At times his talk would lead one to believe he might have had personal acquaint- ance with some of them, and he might have been born there, and it was possible that his evident disappointment in love might have been over in England or perhaps Scotland, for he talked much of the highlands and moors of bonny Scotland, of the lassies and lads, and after his failure to marry he may have come to this country. Yet an account of him-published a few years ago, as I remember it-put him down as the son of a clergyman, etc. Yet in no way did my parents, after all sorts of attempts, taking him unawares, ever get the history of his youth, but only from the time he avowed he never would wear any other coat; never a date or the place when this avowal was made or when he first started on his trips.

He came about once a month from April to January. Where he was from January to April, I never learned. I remember one time he was due at our house about Thanksgiving time and once at Christmas. I remember how mother tried to have him sit at the table with us. He was neat and clean, evi- dently had good underclothing, kept himself well washed up, carried in a bundle

1023

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

a white-handled razor, a pair of scissors-at times he did not shave his upper lip, but kept the lip hair cut close. I have seen him stand before the looking- glass and it seemed as if he cut one hair at a time and then looked at it. If too long, would cut it again; if too short, cut those next to it, so as to have it even. Mother at times trimmed his white hair which he wore quite long. He wore a neck handkerchief-I never remember him wearing any collar-if any on the shirt, he evidently cut it off.

Once he came and wore a stock someone had given him and had let his hair grow. This was his first appearance in April, 1859, as I remember it, and he had his hair in a braid down his back. He at times in addition to his bundle carried an umbrella-he must have picked it up-quite a bit of money, for he had some with him. As to footwear, he had shoes, mostly boots given him. He would ask, if he came late, for neatsfoot oil. As my father had a skillet with neatsfoot oil and lampblack mixed in it, he would ask for that. At times he carried with him bayberry tallow, which he would melt and add a little of father's neatsfoot and lampblack mixture to it. He said the bayberry tallow kept the water out, he never had wet feet, etc. He would go and pick perhaps a peck of the little bayberries, put them into a brass kettle, boil them, skim off the tallow, then put that into another disli, melt it and pour into a cup to make a cake of it. This he carefully wrapped up in cloth, then paper, and added to his other baggage in his bundle.

He it was who told my mother to mix the bayberry tallow with beef or mutton tallow to make her candles out of it. The candles, he said, would not melt and run down in hot weather. At that time candles were dipped, not even candle molds were used in our house. It proved true. The bayberry tallow hardened the other tallow and mother would make a few with enough bayberry tallow so that they would have a green tinge. He would take one, fold up a paper into a strip about an inch wide, wrap that around the candle and hold it in his hand to see and read by.

One time an Irishman, who was known only as Pat, became a visitor two or three times a year and he made straw hats out of rye straw. He made one for "Darn Coat," who would wear it while at our house, but as he left for his next place would hang it up in the woodshed. He had papers, which looked like documents or letters, that he had tied up and carried in the top of his tall hat. But when he donned the straw hat, these papers, snuffbox, specks, and kerchief were transferred to the straw hat. He would talk about the way English people did in order to get on the throne and was especially down on queens, relating their treachery, for example, Mary and her sister, telling how you can trust some women, their word is good, but most of them are only for themselves. He would turn to me and say : "Boy, as you grow up, beware of the girls. Don't spend your money on them. Don't pay out for a nice wedding suit, especially a coat, for you may be left as I was, to wander about with my wedding coat I avowed to wear until I learned what became of the one whom I had adored, who I am not willing to say went back on me; I am charitable enough to think she was spirited away or lost her mind and perhaps was killed."

As my people left Hampton in 1860 we never saw "Old Darn Coat" but two or three times. We met him on the road and asked him why he did not change his route and come to Scotland where we then lived, and lie answered : "No, I have my mind made up to keep on going over the same route, in the same towns, and I expect to die some time in some of the places I have been for

1024

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

years." When asked if he did not want to leave with someone confidentially the name of his relatives to whom his death might be made known, or if he had any money anywhere by inheritance or otherwise to go to any one, his reply was, "If you knew what I know about myself, you would know what I know." This was in substance a reply often made. I have many times wished I might know the real history of "Old Darn Coat."

Allen Jewett, of Hampton, well remembers "the Old Darning Man," as he calls him, and writes: "He often stayed at my father's house. He was tall and slender, with small features and small slender hands, and a mild blue eye. He was a lover of strong tea, but ate sparingly. He made no conversation except for his needs. He would often ask for needle and thread to mend his clothes and would not sew but only darn; hence his nick-name. He wore a swallow-tail coat, tight-fitting pants and vest, and a stove-pipe hat. He was always clean and neat. He would ask for water and soap to wash his shirt, and keep his coat on while the shirt was drying. He would always sit with his hat on. He told my mother his name was George Johnson and that he had two sisters living in Rhode Island. He died by the roadside in Plainfield or Sterling. Mrs. C. H. N. Thomas, of Danielson, wrote a poem of eleven verses about him that were excellent. I quote these from memory :

The beggar lay dead by the roadside A pitiful sight to see, But then he was only a beggar And nothing to you and me.

He was weary and worn with travel, His feet could not further go In chase of the beautiful phantom That beckoned from long ago.

With eyes like the eyes of the maiden, Full of gentleness and truth, Who died on the morn of her bridal- The love of his long-lost youth-

And left him so crazed and heart-broken To wander alone through life, Its joys and its pleasures unheeding, Unheeded its turmoil and strife.

OLD-TIME SINGING MASTERS

Living in an apartment of the Casey home on Turner Street in Willimantic is an old gentleman who has weathered the seasons for eighty-six years and still is able to look after himself and care for his own comfort. From a beauti- ful oil painting hanging on the basement wall one can gather that he was a handsome specimen of manhood when in his prime and long afterward.

W. O. Turner is the personage here referred to. He has been a resident of Windham County only sixteen years, but his active life has been spent therein and its vicinity. His father was Alfred Turner, who, like his son, was born in Groton, New London County, Conn. His wife was Cynthia Maine.

W. O. Turner removed to Turnerville about thirty years ago and began

1025

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

teaching music there, taking charge of a large singing class that had been organized for his instructions. His fame and popularity had preceded his advent into the community. Born with the love of music in his soul and with the ambition to make of it an accomplishment and also a means to a livelihood he, at the age of thirteen, began the study of the art, and without help other than his books and soon attained the rudiments. In a short time he had pupils of his own and imparting to his pupils the beauties of song and instrument. Making his chief forte singing and instrumental music, young Turner's name became known not only throughout his own neighborhood but also in adjoining counties, where his services were in demand by young and old and where he taught the art of "singing correctly," and such instruments as the violin, piano, organ and cornet.

In the early days, when the harvests had been garnered and work on the farm no longer demanded the services of the young people and was then that the thoughts of the community turned to pleasanter things and recreation and relaxation from the sterner duties of life were enjoyed to the full.

Singing classes were the vogue in all of the then rural communities, and a teacher being a prerequisite, W. O. Turner's services were always in demand. It was the custom to form a singing class in late September, which would gen- erally meet at the village church. Here the young and the old were wont to foregather, and in a session of two hours make the rafters of the meeting house ring with melody.

For many winters Professor Turner taught his singing classes in Windham County. He had classes at Hampton, Westminster, Canterbury, South Wind- ham, Willimantic and Scotland. At these places he also gave instruction on the instruments mentioned.

Mr. Turner's memory is not as certain as it was in his younger days, and upon being pressed for his recollections of some of his pupils, could only recall the names of William Burnham and his wife, who had been a Barstow of Scotland, Windham County, and George Fuller and wife, of the same place. These two men, he remembers, were superb bass singers and a spirit of rivalry was always manifest when they were together in the classes. Sue Carey, now a widow, was a splendid soprano. She now lives at Scotland, where the profes- sor was organist in the Congregational Church three years.

At Hampton the singing classes were always held in the Grange hall, to "standing room only." Lyndon Button was Professor Turner's chief assist- ant and "always had something to say." He was a good speaker. Visitors would come from far and near and everybody had a jolly good time.

Professor Turner began giving concerts at Canterbury forty years ago, in the Congregational Church. At the first entertainment both singing and instru- mental selections were on the program and the price of admission was 25 cents, the sum total for the evening was $125, which shows how popular the singing school was in the early Windham County days. In the same winter Professor Turner gave a concert in the hall at Colchester, when the building was packed by a large and interesting audience, and the admissions amounted to $150. It is to be regretted that the names of those who took part in these festivities of the heart are wanting, but the reader must be contented with the old singing master's plaint, "My memory is too infirm to remember those who took part in my concerts, but I know most of them are now dead."

Professor Turner mentions the fact that at times no less than seventy-five

1026

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

singers assisted in his old folks' concerts, which he instructed and conducted, and the entertainment usually was given for church purposes. It was his rule on these occasions to remind each member of the class that he would himself buy a ticket of admission, which would act as a gentle hint for them to do like- wise, and it always worked. By this means the church funds always were greatly augmented, largely through the generosity of the singing master and the entertainers.

Professor Turner's mother attended singing schools in the days when the scale was taught in five syllables, fah, sol, lah, si, fah, etc., the present-day primary tones do, re, mi, etc., coming in before his day. Professor Turner has taught fifty-three winters, not giving up until about six years ago, and even now he gets repeated calls, and will occasionally appear at an "Old Folks Con- cert." He was born in Groton, Conn., and will be eighty-four November 3, 1920. He never took a music lesson in his life-just picked it up by study. He says he got his musical talent from his mother, as his father "couldn't even whistle enough to call a dog"; and yet his father loved music, and would often get out his violin and play four notes over and over for half an hour, sounding like "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle" (three notes in tenor clef), then a triple bass note "tr-r-r."

He was employed for twenty-five years in the office of P. W. Turner at Tur- nerville, and enjoyed close companionship with him. He led a big chorus at Martha's Vineyard with audiences of two thousand to five thousand, for six years; campaigned in several states in Y. M. C. A. work. He always opened his singing school with prayer, not only in gratitude to God, but because the spirit of prayer helped keep order. "Order is heaven's first law," he told them, and if there was any tendency to disorder among those inclined to be frivolous, he would stop short and say, "We're going to have order here, if we don't learn a note." His motto is "Always do right and you won't get into trouble."

Professor Turner was an ardent camp-meeting follower and had, up to the year 1919, conducted the singing at various Methodist camp meetings in Wind- ham County for forty years, and the Willimantic camp grounds have seen him there for fifty-five years. At the latter place he played the organ for thirty years. The first camp-meeting held on the Willimantic grounds, as the pro- fessor remembers it, was in 1862, and there was not a cottage there at that time. A large tent had been erected which, divided by a stretch of canvas through the center, made sleeping apartments for both male and female guests. In this relation Professor Turner became reminiscent and said: "There was an old man on a stiff leg came along the night of the first meeting. He was known as "Father Stead." Upon reaching me he put his hand on my shoulder and exclaimed : "Hello, my boy, where are you going to stay tonight?" I replied, "I don't know, sir." Then he said to me: "I want you to stay with me at the Greenville tent on the camp grounds." At that we started for the tent and upon reaching our objective we found the tent divided by a canvas, the women being on one side and the men on the other. Finding a place for myself I stretched out on my cot, but later awakened to find myself on the outside of the tent, where I had rolled in my sleep. The next night there came up a terrible rainstorm, which flooded the tent and made everybody miserable."

There were five singing masters in his neighborhood when Professor Turner began teaching, and he relates that they were constantly after him for assist- ance. They were Madison Woodard, Henry Dewey, George Fuller, and Amity

1027

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Hunt. All of them lived at Canterbury. And then there were Amos Hall, of Willimantic. He says that Woodard was the best of the lot, although he had an intense New England twang to his voice. He amused his audiences with his comic songs and also by the nasal intonations.

The Old Folks Concerts have not lost their piquancy and popularity in Windham County as the years have glided by. In them are sung the old songs that are reminders of the days past and forever gone. They serve to keep alive the memories of the old and are capable of reaching the hearts of the young. The last one given by Professor Turner was held at Stonington, the unique announcement of which follows.

Ye Old Folks Concert will be held in ye Bigge Boro Hall on ye 13th day of ye last month, Anno Domini 1912 Under ye Auspices of ye Improvement Society of Stonington Boro and ye Lecture Fund Ye Old Fashioned Antique Songs, With Some of ye Newfangled Ones, will be sung Prof. W. O. Turner, of Willimantic, will beat ye time. Doors will be open at ye early candle light and Concert will Begin at 8 o'clock, Sharp.

Admission

35 cents

Ye reserved seats at 50 cents. On Sale at ye Chymist Shoppe of Dr. C. E. Brayton & Co.

OLD-TIME DANCING MASTERS

Dancing has been a popular amusement among peoples of all nations from time immemorial and the recreation has as many votaries today as ever. The people of Windham County have been no exception to the rule and dances have been the means of divertisement for the young and old since the coming of the first inhabitants into her pleasant environments.

One of the best-known of the old-time "prompters" is George L. Wheeler, who was born in Willimantic seventy-two years ago and has always resided there. It is now more than fifty years since George Wheeler first stood on the floor and became a prompter at a public dance. At that time the older people of the com- munity were having a series of dances, the music for which was furnished by Atkins and Severen's orchestra of Hartford, a splendid organization. The dances were held in the hall of the old Brainard House which stood where the H. C. Murray building now is, corner of Main and Church streets. These affairs were so popular that people would come from Windham Center, Coventry, South Windham and North Windham and other places to attend them. The old- fashioned square dances, Virginia reel and Money Musk, prevailed. In those days the round dance was not much in vogue. Occasionally a waltz or schot- tische would be given for the benefit of the younger visitors. The second sea- son of these dances culminated in what was probably the first "masquerade ball" in Willimantic, and it was held in Franklin Hall. This event created great excitement among both young and old. Tickets sold for $2.50, and were eagerly sought for. Great preparations were made for the unusual frolic and the medley of masks shown on the night of the dance evidenced the taste and activ-

1028

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

ity of the participants in the fun. Brown and Reeves orchestra of twelve pieces, of Providence, furnished the music. The story goes that one enthusiastic young man who is now among the venerables of Willimantic sat in the doorway of the hall from 7 o'clock the evening before until 9 o'clock in the morning in order to get the first tickets for the masquerade. He was as persistent as a modern baseball fan and got what he waited for.

An event of more than ordinary interest was a grand ball, given by the Masons about this time. Gilmore's famous orchestra of Boston was engaged for the occasion, with the celebrated cornetist, Arbuckle, as a soloist. The tickets sold for $3 and even at that time the hall was packed with dancers and all had the time of their lives. Mr. Wheeler was the prompter.

Many of the local organizations would have an annual dance, and some of them more often than that, during the winter season, and there was always pride to have good music. Among the musical organizations which furnished the "pep" on these occasions may be mentioned Gilmore's band, White's band, Prutting's orchestra, of Hartford, and Beeman and Hatch's orchestra, of the same place. Charles P. Hatch (a South Windham boy) is still leader of the First Regiment band and Miss Beeman was for many years soloist of the orchestra. Finally the Harmony Club was organized and gave dances in the then new Washburne Hall, corner of Valley and North streets. Severn's orchestra furnished the music the first season and was followed the next winter by Beeman and Hatch's. Among the leading members of the Harmony Club were Dr. J. D. Bentley, O. H. K. Risley, E. S. Washburn, John E. Brick, and Dr. D. E. Taylor.

Probably the most famous of the old-time dancing masters and prompters was Gurdon Cady, who not only taught dancing and led the dancers a merry chase at their balls, but was also master of the violin, and thus by voice and rhythmic motion the life of many a party. He played in the old-fashioned "time," and to follow his music and directions was a real art. He was a very popular figure for many years. He had a farm at Central Village where he made his home, but nearly all his time was taken to "play the fiddle" and "prompt" at country dances.

John P. Miller was another of the old-time dancing masters, who lived in Norwich, and taught classes at various places. His violin was painted red and his manner of dress was marked by "flashy" colors, so that he was a central figure at the social functions, where he directed. His brother, Herbert, some- times accompanied him on the piano.

In later days "Professor" Dennis F. Clifford, a Willimantic boy, has held the field, winning far more than a local reputation. He has had very successful classes not only in his home town, but also in Westerly, Hartford, New Haven and elsewhere. His methods are high-grade and he teaches grace and deport- ment, with positive influence for the development of good character.

The following article about Gurdon Cady, as published in The Graphic, a Plainfield souvenir, will be read here with much interest :

"Probably no resident of this town is more widely known than Gurdon Cady, who for more than a generation has been teaching the poetry of motion to the lads and lassies for miles around, and whose services as prompter at social parties have called him frequently into the neighboring states of Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island. Mr. Cady was born in Brooklyn, Conn., August 15, 1822, his father, Elisha, being a resident of that town. He came to Central

1029

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Village in 1843, at the age of twenty-one years, and has here made his home up to the present time. In early life he was for several years engaged in the reed business, in which he was very skillful and quite successful. He learned to play the violin when in his teens, and when quite a young man used to play at huskings, and in 1846 commenced to teach dancing as a profession.

"His first school was in what was known as the Bennett Hotel at Almyville. His winters were thereafter given to his profession, while the summers were spent on the farm. As a farmer he has always been something of an enthusiast, and placed on his premises the first Jersey stock ever brought into town. For two years he was president of the Windham County Agricultural Society. In politics Mr. Cady is a democrat. He has served on the board of selectmen two terms, and represented the town in the Legislature in 1876. It is as the genial and popular prompter at social parties that he is most widely known, however, and for many a year the fact that "Unele Gurdon" was to prompt has been sufficient to insure a crowd. He is a member of Moosup Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Brooklyn Grange. Mr. Cady married Mary E., daughter of Charles Whiting, who died seven years ago. He had one adopted daughter, Frances C., who died in December, 1887. He has a brother living at Cleveland, Ohio, and a sister who makes her home at Willimantic.

"Though still quite vigorous mentally and physically, Mr. Cady has antici- pated the common lot of mankind in having erected in Evergreen Cemetery a monument which has become quite famous by reason of the unusual inscriptions engraved thereon. The monument is of a familiar design, and is located near the main entrance of this pleasant cemetery. The first side, facing the drive- way, does not differ from the ordinary family tombstone, and bears the names with date of death and age of Mr. Cady's parents: 'Elisha Cady, died Septem- ber 18, 1880, aged 88 years; Betsey, his wife, died July 19, 1872, aged 78 years.' Below is cut the name and date of birth of 'Prof. Gurdon Cady, August 15, 1822,' with a space left for the date of death; and 'Mary E. Whiting, his wife, died December 16, 1888, aged 61 years.' On the plinth the name Cady is cut in large letters. The north side bears a picture of a cow, and the inscription, 'Rosa, my first Jersey cow : record, 2 pounds, 15 ounces butter from 13 quarts, one day's milk.' The western face of the shaft is inscribed with the names of Mr. Cady's sister, Harriet S. Cady, and of Mary Lee, his housekeeper. Beneath the name of Mary Lee is the simple epitaph, 'Kind to Dumb Animals.' The fourth side of the stone has a violin and bow crossed, carved upon it, with the words 'At Rest' beneath, and the words 'All Ready, Mr. Cady'-a phrase familiar in Eastern Connecticut-above the violin."

THE COUNTRY DANCE IN 1920

By Julia A. Lincoln

At length the summer dusk settled definitely into night. A new moon sur- veyed the earth as if half afraid to shine more brightly. If we weren't so well versed in astronomy we might say that the good fairies had arranged the wax- ing and waning of the moon, merely to be impartial. Low-set and shabby farmhouses on such a night as this seem beautiful, mysterious. Stumbling about the premises of such a farm, one forgets its neglected and discouraging ap- pearance in the bright daylight, and thinks only of how quiet and peaceful the scene is and how well the rambling dimly lighted house fits in with its sur-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 14

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