A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 21

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

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SHE KNEW BY EXPERIENCE

The old adage has it that "children and fools tell the truth." It is also true that the attendance of children upon the public school brings home to some of the most careful of families certain experiences that are kept close within the family circle if possible. One Christmas a little five-year-old kinder- gartener of a particularly proud family had among her presents from Santa Claus set of combs for her dolly, and she was very much pleased. At an early hour on Christmas morning she hastened to the home of her particular play- mate and, in the presence of the family there assembled, she thus described her doll's gift :

"See what I got, all these doll's combs. These two are the side combs, this is the back comb, this one is to comb her hair out long with, and this little fine one is to catch the bugs with." 1

SOME PRACTICAL-MINDED YOUNGSTERS

Let me tell you about some practical-minded youngsters who live in Willi- mantic. These are all actual incidents of recent occurrence.

A litle six-year-old girl who in many ways seems to take a common-sense view of life, came in to supper a few evenings ago and found two older sisters crying as if their hearts would break. "What they crying 'bout ?" was the question put to mamma. She was told that the family dentist, a life-long friend who had taken a special interest in the children, was dead. "Well, hasn't he gone to heaven?" "Certainly, he was a good man," said mamma, with feeling. "Well, isn't heaven a better place?" "Yes, a beautiful place," rejoined mamma. "Then what are they crying for?" said the practical little reasoner.

A ten-year-old Willimantic lad, son of a prominent physician, went into a department store a few days before Christmas and requested the proprietor to order a half dozen new story books or books of adventure which he had selected from a list which interested him. Not doubting the lad's authority or the father's responsibility, the proprietor ordered the books. A few days later the enterpris-

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ing lad came in again, inspected the books, approved them, and then turned to the proprietor and said, in a confidential tone, "Now, when any of my relatives come in buying presents and ask you to show them 'something suitable for Raymond,' you show them these books, but don't say anything about it."

A little Willimantic girl came home from school one day all broken out with "the hives," as they are called. "Oh, mamma," she cried, as she bared her arms to view; "I think I must have the mosquitos."

A LITTLE GIRL WHO WOULDN'T USE SLANG

Six-year-old Katharine had acquired the habit of using slang to a degree that annoyed mamma very much, but after a long struggle she was overcoming the habit very nicely, and mamma was accordingly gratified. Now, Katharine was really a dutiful little girl, and meant to do as mamma said. One day mamma called her from play just before dinner and said, "Katharine, you may run over to the corner store and get me a pound of crackers-be sure to get the Boss crackers, tell the man I want Boss crackers." Katharine knew nothing about the makers of crackers, but she did know that among users of slang it was very common to speak of "a boss time," or "the boss candy," or "I had just a boss ride the other day," etc., and so she was astonished when mamma, who was so careful not to use slang, should ask her to get some "boss" crackers. "Mamma must have forgot," she said, as she hurried to the grocery, and when there she said to the grocer, "My mamma wants a pound of very nice crackers." "What kind?" said the man. "Oh, some-some very nice ones," repeated Katharine, determined not to use the forbidden slang, even if mamma did for- get about it. So the storekeeper put up a pound of very nice "Kennedy bis- cuit," and she took them home. "Why, Katharine," exclaimed mamma, as she opened the bundle, "these are not Boss crackers, I told you particularly to get Boss crackers." "But mamma, I did not think you would like me to use slang, even if you did forget about it, and so I told him you wanted some very nice crackers, which I thought meant the same, didn't it ?- and he gave me those."

ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

Usually children come gradually to realize that all human beings must die; but if sometimes the realization comes in a sudden way, it is very disturbing.

I recall a girl in Sunday school whose younger brother died at age fourteen when she was sixteen. She asked the teacher if she might talk with him after class. When they were alone, she asked with evident mental distress, "Mr. - , have I got to die as Willie did ?"

The teacher quickly realized the situation, and replied with a sort of indif- ferent smile, "Why, yes, I suppose so-some time; no hurry about it, is there?"

But the young miss was thoroughly aroused and insistent, and wished to know what it all meant. So the teacher talked about other things as far as possible, and about old people who died at eighty or ninety; how some met with accidents; how once in a great while a young person would die; very infrequently, compared to the old folks, as she would realize, if she thought it over; how her brother had never been well anyway, and it was probably best that he should go; and so the teacher eased the matter along, until the child became more quiet in her mind, and accepted the fact of death as probably quite remote, although apparently inevitable.

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At the close of the conversation the teacher said, "Well, Mary, there isn't much use in getting excited about it; all the people you know, all the people in Willimantic, all the people in Connecticut, all the people in the United States, all the people in the whole world-they are all in the same boat with you and me; they've all got to die some time ; so you've lots of company, and the world seems to be going along just about as it always has; so what's the use of get- ting excited about it? You won't die till your time comes, and as you seem in pretty good health, you'd better plan to live awhile."

The girl went away quite comforted. She is living yet, now well towards fifty ; and she says that the thought that helped her most was this: "We're all in the same boat."

THEY SAW THE ELEPHANT

On a day in July, 1860, when the sons of Dan Barrows, of Spring Hill, in Mansfield, were young, and could not go to Willimantic to the circus to see the animals, they hit upon a plan to have a good look at some of the animals as they passed the house on their way to Springfield. The boys buried some potatoes in the road, covering them lightly. When the elephant trudged up the hill, he smelled the potatoes and stopped to dig them out and .devour them, and so the Barrows boys had their reward in a good look at him.

CRANKY BUT TRUSTWORTHY

It is sometimes unfortunate that we cannot look through the mannerisms of a man and realize that there is a quality and a character beneath the sur- face that merit esteem and confidence. A certain business man in Willimantic, years ago, had a somewhat angular and indeed irascible personality. Very often when one talked with him, he would "rub the fur the wrong way." And yet he held a position which required superior business ability and absolute integrity, and he filled the requirement. To another business man came from an outside source a commercial inquiry as to the character and business stand- ing of the man of angular personality. The question was referred to a third friend, for verification as to qualifications. "What about the character and standing of John Jones," repeated the third friend, considering the ques- tion; "why, he's the worst crank on the face of the earth, but I'd trust him with my life."

POLITENESS IN PRAYER TIME

Eddie was not fond of Sunday school, and when an obsequious stranger was called upon to open the exercises with prayer, the visitor was untactful enough to speak directly to a company of restless boys in the seat before him, requesting that they "keep very quiet during prayer time." "Now, boys, F want you all to bow your heads carefully during the prayer," he said. That word "during" gave a cue to Eddie, who as the prayer proceeded, began to move his head up and down as in the act of "bowing" politely, and the entire row of boys was quick to follow suit, with the result of much tittering among the scholars, until the superintendent had to seat himself with them to restore order.

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SHE THOUGHT SHE HEARD SOMETHING

Little Helen at age six was something of a somnambulist, and often worried grandma when visiting there; but Helen herself was of even, happy-go-lucky disposition and took everything calmly as she does today. One night, several hours after retiring, grandma was awakened suddenly by a big commotion on the back stairs. Suspecting the cause, she rushed out from her bedroom and down the stairs, to find Helen sleeping quietly at the bottom. She had to shake the child to awaken her, fearing injury. "Why, Helen, you scared grandma 'most to death; you've fallen way down stairs." "Well, I fought I heard sumpin' go bumpity-bump," said Helen as she gradually came to consciousness, and was led back to bed, absolutely uninjured.

EVIDENCE OF HIGH CONFIDENCE

The late Huber Clark was for many years a member of the Windham County bar, and during his career was member of the Legislature, judge of probate, secretary of state, besides holding various local offices. He was a regular at- tendant of the Congregational Church during the pastorate of the Rev. E. A. George. One Sunday morning Judge Clark had evidently yielded to an im- pulse which in elder years will sometimes possess even the most devoted of church attendants. After the sermon several persons went forward to greet the pastor, as was the pleasant custom. One of them complimented the pastor on his "fine sermon," and others agreed. "Yes, Mr. George is a good preacher," remarked Mr. Clark. "You didn't know much about it this morning," jollied the pastor with a merry smile; "You were asleep most of the time." "Be careful what you say, young man," returned the veteran attorney, "for my attitude was the greatest compliment you could have." "Why, how's that?" asked the pastor in some surprise. "It shows that I have perfect confidence in you," said Judge Clark.

A GAIN IN WISDOM

"Tom" Rollinson, the famous musician and band-master, contributes the following as an experience of his boyhood :

"When I was a small boy, my father owned a horse named Fanny. She was slow but sure and never was noted for her brain power. One day I un- hitched her from the wagon and without drawing the reins through the saddle rings, tied them securely to a hundred-pound gear near the edge of the Linen Company's canal. Eventually she backed and the reins pulled upon the bit and the more she backed the harder they pulled. The final result was that she backed into the canal, drew the gear in after her and was firmly anchored in about eight feet of water. The gates were closed, the water drawn off and Fanny was hoisted out by about a dozen men with strips of toweling. I gained a little wisdom from the transaction, but I doubt if Fanny ever remembered it. I have an impression that the Willimantic Linen Company had never previously been obliged to close on account of a stress of existing conditions."

By the way, a writer in the musical publication of the Oliver Ditson Com- pany completes a sketch of Tom Rollinson's successful life by a quotation from Tom himself to the effect, "Whatever I have been able to accomplish in life I attribute to my favorite motto 'Whenever I have nothing else to do, I work.' " Evidently the above incident marks one of the earliest beginnings of Tom's indomitable energy.

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FLOWERS FOR HIS CHEERY WHISTLE

Charles P. Backus, born in Danielson, sometime clerk in Windham National Bank at Willimantic, and for several years past superintendent of Bradstreet's Commercial Agency in Providence, developed appendicitis when in Williman- tic, and went to a New York hospital for an operation by the famous Doctor McBurney. The distinguished surgeon told Charles he would come out all right, but of course the patient was a bit nervous, especially when he learned that MeBurney would be away next day on a prior engagement and could not attend him until day after. Now Charles had a habit of indulging a low whistle sometimes while at work and was himself often unconscious of it; and during that long day of waiting for the surgeon he found comfort in that habit. Sud- denly a nurse emerged from the women's ward nearby, and asked the nurse in the ward where Charles lay who it was that was whistling. Charles heard the inquiry and sighed to himself, thinking he was to be called as a disturber. Not long afterwards, the inquiring nurse returned, bearing a beautiful bouquet of flowers. "These are for the gentleman who whistles," she explained; "my patient sends them with her compliments. She says it's the most cheerful sound she's heard since coming here and she hopes he'll keep it up." Charles learned afterwards that the complimentary lady who sent the flowers was a daughter of one of the most distinguished public men of New York State. No, he didn't marry her; he married Bertha Adams, of Wethersfield who was attending Willimantic Normal School while Charles was working at Windham Bank.

A SALOONKEEPER'S WIT

They say "you shouldn't spoil a story for relation's sake." When Editor Lincoln started his prohibition newspaper in Willimantic in 1886, Frank Frost, a local saloonkeeper, was among the first subscribers. Frank was a live wire and liked to know what was going on.

On the morning when the first issue of the paper appeared, Editor Lincoln met Frank coming down from the postoffice on North Street with the prohibition oracle wide open before his eyes and deeply perusing it, and the following conversation ensued :

"Hullo, Allen, do you expect to make prohibitionists with this paper ?"

"Sure, Frank, that's the intention,"

"But you'll never do it in God's world," said Frank.

"Why not?" inquired the editor.

" 'Cause it makes a man dry to read it," declared Frank.

At another time the editor was holding a curbstone argument with a neigh- bor in front of Frank's saloon in the Atwood Block, when Frank came out to listen. Finally he said : "Well, Allen, what are you kicking about? If we didn't run our business, you couldn't run your paper."

HIS LIFE WORK ASSIGNED EARLY

A peculiar interest attaches to the birth at Oneco, August 22, 1920, of Wil- liam Harrison Taylor Montgomery, son of Charles Bertrand and Grace Amelia Montgomery, as he is named after "Souvenir" Taylor, with the express inten- tion on the part of his parents to train him to follow in the footsteps of his

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famous namesake. A fund has already been deposited in the bank to provide for his education along that line, and "Souvenir" himself-with due appreciation of the distinction thus accorded him-will see that the young man is brought into the proper atmosphere as soon as he is old enough to begin to comprehend his destiny. His special task will be to keep track of the public men of Con- necticut of his day and generation, and to "keep their memory green."

SEVENTY YEARS AGO

By James Haggerty

Seventy years ago the town of Windham contained more hotels than at the present time. First on the list of those old time hostelries was "Hebard's Tavern." It was located on the old Post road leading to Hartford. The build- ing was of brick, and is now used as a tenement house, standing on the south side of Pleasant Street just west of the junction with South Main Street. This tavern was known to patrons of the stage line for its appetizing cuisine and was the gathering place of family parties and political banquets from far and near.

Among the many attractive features of this old tavern was what was known as a "spring dancing floor."

The Rifle Company of Willimantic from time to time commanded by lead- ing citizens was active in entertaining. When other companies gathered here for drill, in those days known as "Training Days," great were the festivities.

The hotel at Windham Center was also a well known place of entertainment and frequented by many on account of its historic associations.

The "Brainard House" also came in for its share of popularity. It was more modern in style and management. In those days, commercial travelers were almost an unknown quantity. The patrons of the Brainard House were mainly cattle buyers, drovers, and horsemen. Droves of cattle were driven from West- ern New York across country to Eastern Connecticut.

Another hotel, long since forgotten, was located at the end of the old wooden bridge which crossed the Willimantic river where No. 5 Mill of the American Thread Company now stands. This so called hotel known as "The California House," catered to a class of patrons who did not care whether the hotel con- tained a "spring floor" or not, as long as whiskey was only fifteen cents a gallon. It was the scene of many encounters more or less tragic. When the Thread Company began to build the "California House" disappeared.

In those days a great transformation took place in and about this location ; near the California House there was a large blacksmith and carriage shop, with other buildings; then the old stone school house, and near by an extensive saw- mill, large stone gristmill. Today it would be difficult to locate the site of any of the buildings mentioned, as the ground is occupied by many large mills.

In the fifties the people of Windham were divided in their political affiliations and as aggressive in maintaining them as they are today. In fact, the political division was more pronounced. There were Whigs, Federalists, Pro-Slavery Men, Free Soilers, Anti-Slavery Men, Abolitionists, and several minor "isms." Near riots occurred upon many occasions. A man named Burleigh, living in the town of Lisbon, was a frequent visitor. Burleigh was a brilliant speaker and an out-and-out Abolitionist.

On one occasion it was announced that he would speak at the old stone

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schoolhouse. That night, when he arrived, a mob of angry pro-slavery men sur- rounded the schoolhouse, refused him admittance, and threatened to ride him out of town on a rail. Burleigh and his friends retreated up town to the steps of the Baptist church. Here he attempted to speak. A free fight took place. Some one sent for General Waterman Clark, a well-known militiaman, to quell the riot. When General Clark arrived, he mounted the steps holding a lighted lantern in one hand and a bulky legal-looking document in the other. He was a man of small stature with a very weak voice. "I order you to disperse and go to your houses," was what he said. The crowd laughed and whistled, but did not disperse. Then he started to read the riot act. Just then someone threw a stone and smashed the lantern, and Clark was compelled to withdraw.

William Lloyd Garrison came to Willimantic. A mob of pro-slavery men broke up the meeting. Other anti-slavery speakers of prominence came to town, but were unsuccessful in obtaining a hearing until after the Civil War broke out.

A change then came over the scene. Many of the very men that stoned Burleigh and Garrison took up a musket, entered the fight for freedom, died on Southern battle fields in defense of the very principles they so stoutly ob- jected to in days of old.

N. B .- This was all before the days of "foreigners." The disturbers who later became patriots were all of Yankee stock-which shows that human nature is about the same in all races, and that hot-headedness is not exclusively an Irish trait !- Editor.

ADDENDA SOME OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS

HENRY VERNON ARNOLD

Henry Vernon Arnold, who has made notable contributions to this his- torical volume, and now lives in Larimore, North Dakota, was resident in Dan- ielson during his childhood, and in his earlier manhood years made visits to his old home, and has always retained his interest in Windham County. His ability to describe scenes and places with minutest accuracy of detail and in a manner to hold the interest of the general reader, is remarkable, and in its practical thoroughness suggests Robinson Crusoe.

Mr. Arnold was born in Bridgewater, R. I., March 26, 1848, and is there- fore now in his seventy-third year. His father was Amos Arnold, a native of Manville, R. I., born August 13, 1807; lived in California in 1851-'54, in Danielson, Conn., 1856; thence to Houston County, Minn., in 1864. He was descended from colonial stock in New England since about 1635. He died in Minnesota April 5, 1895. His wife was Lucy Darling, (1808-1886) of Scotch- Irish stock.

Henry attended common schools on "Brooklyn side," Danielson, and in early youth worked at farming, carpentering (and as mail carrier in Min- nesota ) ; and in Connecticut 1870-'73 worked on the Ponemah Mill at Taft- ville, and on No. 2 mill, North Grosvenordale, as he describes; returning west in 1873.

In 1880, moved to North Dakota; took up quarter section; followed occu- pations as in Connecticut, also took an interest in printing; one-third owner of Larimore "Pioneer" newspaper 1909-'18. He has published many articles of local history, including contributions to Windham County Transcript, and several pamphlets. He is just now publishing a pamphlet entitled "Forty Years in North Dakota."

JOEL N. ENO

Joel N. Eno, A. M., was born in Enfield, Connecticut, August 8, 1852, son of Nelson Eno and Harriet Lillibridge, who lived in Tolland and Willington. He received his A. B. degree from Brown University in 1883; followed post- graduate study at Yale the next year, and received A. M. degree from Brown in 1886. He was high school principal 1883-'96; took library training course at Pratt Institute 1896-'97; assistant in reference department Columbia Uni- versity Library 1897-'98; has followed library and research work in New York Public Library, Yale Library and in special tasks. He was married August 28, 1883, to Etta Myra Foster, daughter of Rev. Wm. C. and Mary A. (Elliott) Foster. Their children are Hattie Mary Eno (Mrs. Roy G.

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Beach) of Bristol, Conn., and Nelson Roberts Eno, who married Anna C. MacDowell of New Haven, Conn.

The immediate lineage of Joel N. Eno is as follows: Great-great-grandson of Joel and Hannah Eno; great-grandson of Joel and Annie Pinney Eno, grandson of Jesse Eno of Simsbury, Conn. His mother was Harriet Lillibridge, daughter of Clark and Phebe (Bates) Lillibridge; Clark, the son of Jonathan and Mary (Reynolds) Lillibridge; Jonathan, son of Benjamin and Amy (Sherman) Lillibridge; and Benjamin, son of Thomas Lillibridge, charter mem- ber of Trinity Episcopal Church, Newport, R. I., 1699, soon after arrival from England.

DR. FRANK E. GUILD

Dr. Frank E. Guild was born in Thompson, August 14, 1853, son of Rev. John Burleigh Guild and Julia Ann Griggs. His father was a Baptist clergy- man who preached at Clinton, Packerville and Thompson, in Connecticut. His son was graduated at State Normal School at New Britain in 1874, and from Long Island College Hospital in 1885, teaching school in the interim as a means to a professional education. Doctor Guild began medical practice in Windham, Conn., in October, 1886, and has continued there since, with offices also at Willimantic. Has been president of Windham County Medical Society, vice president of the state society ; member of town school board of Windham thirty years and chairman of the board for the past fifteen years. He was married April 28, 1887, to Harriet Clark, daughter of Edgar Clark of Putnam, who was a civil engineer and employed in surveying the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad. Doctor and Mrs. Guild are, respectively, S. A. R. and D. A. R. members, and Mrs. Guild's grandmother was a real daughter. They have three children, Alan Clark, Harriet Griggs, and Julia Exton Guild .- Editor.

MEMORIAL TO PRESIDENT ELIPHALET NOTT

One of Ashford's most distinguished sons was Eliphalet Nott, who was born on Westford Hill, June 25, 1773, son of Stephen and Deborah (Selden) Nott. After district school, he studied chiefly with his brother, Dr. Samuel Nott, of Franklin, Conn .; secured A. M. degree from Brown University by examination in 1795; became president of Union College, at Schenectady, N. Y., in 1804, and continued there a remarkable career as educator and doctor of divinity until his death, January 29, 1866, at the age of ninety-two. He received his D. D. de- gree from Princeton in 1805. During his sixty-two years at Union College, 5,526 students came under his influence.

Recently, graduates of Union College and Theological Seminary and other persons interested to give recognition to the remarkable life and service of Presi- dent Nott from the local standpoint have planned to erect at his birthplace in Ashford a suitable memorial, probably some rugged boulder bearing tablet of bronze, and it is hoped that this memorial may be put in place during the year 1921.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 21

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