USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 22
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The Pierian Club has distinguished itself in that a number of its mem- bers have been officers in the Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs. In the late eighties a group of women proposing to form a study club, interested ten others, and choosing their officers, elected Miss Helen Metcalf to prepare a programme and act as their leader. For awhile after- wards, Miss French was their leader. Dispensing with an individual leader, the club as a whole soon made out their programmes, and assigned literary topics to the different members. The organization became State federated in 1896, then becoming interested in civic work, continuing with literary afternoons, dramatics, speakers and musicales. A memorial to Miss Helen Metcalf was established at the high school which made provision' for a prize annually to the pupil performing the best work in English. A group of trees was set out at Capron Park, a summer house was built, and the section named Pierian Grove. Some particular and practical work has been performed annually by the club, with contributions to the Hospital Aid District Nurses, and Associated Charities. In 1922 the special hospital work consisted in furnishing and fitting out one of the maternity wards at the hospital. From a membership of eighteen at the start, it became sixty in 1923. The Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs has hon- ored this club thus: Mrs. H. C. Bliss was appointed assistant clerk; Mrs. W. M. Sturdy a district director ; while a number of members have served on various department committees. The club's past presidents: Mrs Walter Mason, Mrs. Louis Whitmarsh, Mrs. Herbert E. Bliss, Mrs. Harry P. Kent, Mrs. Peter Nerney, Mrs. Joshua Clarke, Mrs. William Wilmarth, Mrs. Frank Bliss, Mrs. Edward Coe, Mrs. Walter Allen, Mrs. Harlan Allen, Mrs. William M. Sturdy.
The Attleboro Round Table is the development of a book club of several years' standing, and, organized October 29, 1895, it now belongs to the State Federation. Its membership, limited to forty at first, has been increased to fifty. Its aim was stated in its first constitution to be "to promote intellectual improvement and social intercourse," and was after-
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wards changed to "to promote the general culture of its members." It began with yearly dues of two dollars that had been increased to three dollars, with no assessments. Meetings are held from the first Tuesday of October to the first Tuesday in May, once in two weeks, in the afternoon, usually at the home of some member, except when a special programme with guests requires a larger meeting-place. Generally, the programmes are furnished by the members, and consist of papers, music, readings, dramatics, book reviews, etc. The concluding brief hour or so is reserved for socia- bility. The first officers were: President, Mrs. Florence M. Sweet; vice- president, Mrs. Alice M. Wales; secretary, Miss Elizabeth J. Wilmarth; treasurer, Mrs. Mabel W. Mason; board of directors: Mrs. Irene T. Hill, Miss Helen Metcalf, Mrs. Harriet S. Rowe, Mrs. Emily L. Richardson, Mrs. Irene M. F. Sanford. The officers for 1923: President, Mrs. Sophia H. Fuller ; vice-president, Mrs. Eugenia M. Watson; recording secretary, Mrs. Caroline S. Holden; corresponding secretary, Miss Clara B. Blackinton ; treasurer, Mrs. Beatrice T. Green ; board of directors: Mrs. Alice M. Wales, Mrs. Bessie A. Engley, Mrs. Polly Vaughn, Mrs. Clara Richards.
One of the oldest clubs for women in the county is the New Century Club, that had its organization in 1897. Just previous to that, twelve Attleboro women accepted an invitation to meet at the home of Mrs. L. Z. Carpenter to formulate plans to start a club, with literary and social pur- poses in view. Much interest was shown at the outset, so that the club was formally organized in 1897, with a charter membership of eighteen, the constitution and by-laws being prepared by Mrs. Josephine Cobb, Mrs. William Sturdy, and Mrs. Christina Holman. The first president elected was Mrs. Abbie E. Richards. The membership increased to twenty-five, remaining at that number for years; it is now limited. to thirty, with a waiting list, which carries three names. The club became State federated in 1905, and was admitted to the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1922. There were five chartered members surviving in 1923. The officers that year were: President, Mrs. Fred U. Bowen; vice-president, Mrs. Louis A. Wilbur; secretary, Mrs. Robert Shaw; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Frederic C. Rounds; treasurer, Mrs. Albert S. Ingraham; executive board : Mrs. S. W. Hollis, Mrs. C. M. Robbins Mrs. Joseph Finberg; press chair- man, Mrs. Albert Dunham.
Etaerio had its beginning as an afternoon reading circle of South Main street women, started in December, 1894, by Mrs. Ida Knapp and the Misses Alice and Lydia Babcock and some of their neighbors. "Standish of Standish" was read and colonial history studied the first winter and spring, the meetings being held fortnightly on Mondays. The next winter the circle organized as a literary club with thirteen members, Mrs. Arthur Car- penter being president and Miss Lydia Babcock, secretary. The object of the club was the mutual improvement of its members. The charter members were: Miss Melissa Capron, Miss Alice Babcock, Miss Lydia Babcock, Mrs. Lucy B. Sweet, Miss Lucy C. Sweet, Mrs. Arthur B. Carpenter, Mrs. William Tiffany, Mrs. Josephine Gray, Mrs. Hattie Carpenter; Mrs. Ida Knapp, Mrs. George A. Dean, Mrs. Edgar Cummings, and Mrs. O. Cora Chatterton. Miss Melissa Capron and Miss Alice Babcock are the only. charter members affiliated with Etaerio in 1923.
The name "Etaerio" was suggested by Miss Capron and Miss Lydia
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Babcock-a Greek word meaning "society". It also has a botanical mean- ing-a collection of distinct carpels or seeds upon a fleshy receptacle, as the strawberry. The strawberry was chosen as a club emblem, and the red of the strawberry as the club color. The motto "To form of many parts a whole, to make them strong and hold them true, from end to end," by A. H. Clough, was suggested by Mrs. O. Cora Chatterton. Etaerio changed to an evening club during its first years, and for eight years limited its membership to thirty. The constitution and by-laws were drawn up in 1900 and the club joined the town federation of women's clubs. In No- vember, 1902, Etaerio became State federated and increased its membership to forty, which it held until May, 1923, when the limit was raised to fifty.
The early sentiment of the club was for a purely literary organization, philanthropic work being done by the members in their churches or socie- ties devoted to such work. This policy has been largely followed, although the progress of the times demands occasional donations for community and federation calls. Of the five State federated clubs of Attleboro, Etaerio is the only club holding evening meetings. There is no town federation in existence now, but the five clubs are joining in a current events program for the season 1923-1924. The lectures are to be given by Mrs. Grace Mor- rison Poole, the Massachusetts State federation president, each club financ- ing one lecture. Etaerio meets the second and fourth Tuesday evenings, from the fourth Tuesday in September to the second Tuesday in May, which is the annual meeting. The first meeting in December is always celebrated as "birthday night". Literary programs of study are taken up each season. The programs sometimes follow one subject for the entire season, and sometimes take in many subjects at the option of the program committee. There were forty-two members at the beginning of the 1923-1924 season. The officers for 1923-24: Miss Ethel I. Macdonald, president; Mrs. Hazel- fern Appleton, vice-president; Miss Alice Enbom, recording secretary ; Mrs. Berthe Mason, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Mae Blaikie, treasurer; Miss Lillian Fisher, custodian. Miss Laura Moore, Miss Frances Bottomley, and Mrs. Helen Manchester, program committee.
The North Purchase Club of Attleboro was formed in October, 1900, with thirty charter members, the title being made use of because of this historical fact: Captain Thomas Willett, successor to Myles Standish as captain of the Plymouth military company, was the original purchaser in 1661 of Rehoboth North Purchase, or Attleboro, from Wamsutta, eldest son of Massasoit, then the sachem of Pokanoket. The club prepares a literary programme and gives special attention to the current events of the day, while substantial sums are given to local charities, notably the Dis- trict Nursing Association and the Hospital Aid Association. The presi-
dents of the society in the order in which they have served are as follows: Mrs. Gertrude Bigelow, Mrs. Gertrude Kendall, Mrs. Mary Arthur, Mrs. Irma Webb, Miss Amy White, Mrs. Florence Theobald, Mrs. Edith Gil- patric, Mrs. Abbie Hill, Mrs. Ada Bottomley, Miss Edith Claflin, Mrs. Ella Thompson, Mrs. Nancy Baker, Mrs. Edith Nerney, Mrs. Margaret Conro, Mrs. Ella Rogers, Mrs. Olive Fargo. The membership of the club in 1923 was forty, and the officers then serving were: President, Mrs. Nancy Baker ; vice-president, Mrs. Edith Smith; secretary, Mrs. Florence Theobald ;
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treasurer, Mrs. Louise Wilmarth; directors: Mrs. Edna French, Mrs. Mary Ford, Mrs. Lucinda Spofford.
Attleboro Chapter, D. A. R., was formed June 27, 1901, due to the personal efforts of Mrs. Marion Carter, a member-at-large, with a member- ship of thirty-six, writes the historian, Mrs. Ruth B. Worrall. The chapter has placed markers on all the graves of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War in the Attleboro cemeteries. In 1912 a fitting tribute to the patriots of the Revolution was erected in Capron Park, in the shape of a bronze tablet. Among the many branches of the chapter's work was that which secured the organization of the Working Girls' Club, and which continued its upkeep until the club became self-supporting. The past regents are as follows: Mrs. Marion Carter, Mrs. Carrie Parker, Miss Melissa Capron, Mrs. Florence Blake, Mrs. Mary E. Sweeney, Mrs. Clara Perry, Mrs. Ruth Balfour, Mrs. Fannie Callowhill, Mrs. Philomene Vose, Mrs. Dorothy R. Worman. The chapter in 1923 consisted of one hundred and seven mem- bers. In the latter part of 1902, Sabra and Lydia Peck sold their home- stead to Attleboro Chapter for the chapter house, and the building was removed to its present site, a few rods from the original spot. This was once a part of the home of Hezekiah Peck, that was built by Henry Sweet or his son Thomas in the latter part of the sixteenth century. A more appropriate chapter house could not have been found, the lot itself having been in one family for two hundred and fifty years.
The Chaminade Club of Attleboro, writes Mrs. Leonilda Sweeney, the secretary, was organized in 1912 by ten young women musicians. It was then called the B Natural Club. Its aim has been always to "further the general study of music." In 1914 the club joined the National Federation of Musical Clubs, and in the same year the name was changed to the Chaminade Club, after Mme. Chaminade. In recognition of our name, Mme. Chaminade has presented the club with an autographed book of her music, her autographed photograph, and has written us this year, 1923, she is composing a song for mixed female voices for us. The club is now composed of forty active members, forty-six associate. The officers for the year are: Mrs. Florence Coe, president; Mrs. Marie Sweet, 1st vice-presi- dent; Mrs. Kathleen Rounseville, 2nd vice-president; Mrs. Leonilda Sweeney, secretary; Miss Edna Butterworth, treasurer. This club has under its supervision a Junior Chaminade Club, ages 14 to 18; a Juvenile Chaminade Club of pupils 14 years and under. Each year a concert is given by members for the benefit of the Attleboro Public Library Music Fund. Also in the past, free concerts have been given to the public of Attleboro, and have had Madame MacDowell and Mme. Beach in concert in Attleboro.
The Philharmonic Society is an organization that popularizes music and its aims in Attleboro in a way that has won for it a multitude of friends. The society was organized by and its preliminary meeting was called by T. O. Mullaly, C. Ed. Bruce and E. Lacroix. At the first meeting for business March 7, 1921, the following-named officers were elected : President, J. L. Wiggmore; vice-president, W. Hugh Pickering; treasurer and custodian of music, C. Ed. Bruce; secretary and manager, T. O. Mul- laly ; director, Lester E. Moore. A room was hired in Odd Fellows' build-
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ing ; and the club made its first appearance at Wrentham Town Hall, No- vember 18, 1821, under the auspices of the Holly Club, the ensemble at that time being as follows: tenors -- Harold Strong, Harry Fisher, A. A. Doty, C. Ed. Bruce, George S. Bliven, John Washington, R. Richards, W. E. Briggs, and T. O. Mullaly ; second tenors-Remi Desmarais, W. Henry Blake, Christopher T. Sullivan, Leon Simms, William F. Rogers; bari- tones-James L. Wiggmore, Sr., James L. Wiggmore, Jr., Nelson Fon- tenean, Frank LeClaire, Fred Dietz, Jr., W. W. Rogers, W. F. Barden, A. Goodwin; basses-Fred Dietz, Sr., J. Butman, W. Hugh Pickering, L. P. Brown, John Adams. The club is assisted at its concerts by Miss Mc- Quade, pianist; Ralph Stutzner, violinist; Howart Patt, tenor soloist; Lester Moore, director.
The preliminary meeting having in view the formation of the Attle- boro Young Men's Christian Association was held in the Methodist Church, October 10, 1867; the second, in the Second Congregational Church on October 22, when a constitution was adopted and the following officers elected: President, N. C. Luther; vice-president, J. O. Tiffany; secretary and treasurer, C. G. Hill; standing committee: C. E. Bliss, C. L. Fuller, C. E. Carpenter, and Freeman Robbins. Among the charter members were Rev. F. N. Peloubet and Rev. A. Anderson, then pastors of the Second Congregational and Methodist churches respectively. For more than twenty years a thorough work was in progress under the auspices of this organiza- tion, the main activities being conducted along religious lines in their read- ing rooms, located successively in the Dean, Pierce and Bates blocks along Park street, where Sunday afternoon meetings were held. Religious services were occasionally held in the outlying districts.
In 1888 the Attleboro Young Men's Christian Association was incorpo- rated, when a more extended work was contemplated and the association looked forward to the erection of a building of its own. The cornerstone of this building was laid in 1889 just off Park street, on County street. The building was well located, planned and equipped for the religious, physical and social development of young men, and cost about $10,000. This building did good service for the following twenty years until it in turn was outgrown, a site being then secured on North Main street near the Public Library. On the rear of this lot a gymnasium building was erected from funds contributed by the public, and in 1909 the cornerstone was laid of a new brick and sandstone three-story and basement Memorial Y. M. C. A. attached to and just in front of the gymnasium. Mrs. Fannie M. Tappan gave $60,000 to erect and equip this building as a memorial to her husband, it to be named the "William C. Tappan Memorial." Her gift for this purpose was one of the largest public bequests ever made in Attleboro, and for fifteen years this building has amply met the requirements of the growing city, being equipped with swimming pool, shower baths, reading and game rooms, study and lecture halls, while on the third floor are four- teen dormitory rooms. In this building three trained secretaries are in charge of the activities. Among those who have served as presidents in the past were the following: N. C. Luther, C. E. Bliss, H. M. Daggett, S. W. Gould, A. V. Cobb, J. M. Fisher, W. E. Sanford, Z. C. Collins, E. W. Thrasher, H. T. Regnall, F. W. Lincoln, A. R. Macomber, Dr. H. H. Ams-
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den, E. A. Remington, E. F. Thayer, E. M. Bliss, J. J. Thacher, E. L. Ford, L. S. Chilson.
With every member a lover of the out-of-doors, and a thorough be- liever in legitimate sport, the Angle Tree-Stone Rod and Gun Club of the Attleboros may well be accounted one of the leading sportsmen's clubs in the State, if not in New England, as its membership in 1923 was 450. All sections of the township from the first have become interested in the club's purposes and programmes, and, organized at first in North Attleboro, meet- ings have been held alternately in North and South Attleboro. Raymond C. Collins and other sportsmen assisted in launching the club, the first meeting having been held in Red Men's Hall in North Attleboro. The first officers elected were Dr. Willis Hale of North Attleboro, president; secretary and treasurer, Everett Palmer of Attleboro. For a few years thereafter, interest dwindled. Through the efforts of Frank Nerney, well known devotee of the rod and gun, the activities of the club were renewed in 1921, and Mr. Nerney served two years as president. The secretary was Everett White and the treasurer Walter McAlpin, both of North Attleboro. The president in 1923 was Orrin C. Clifford, the former secretary and treasurer retaining their positions. The club has been entertained by President Clifford at his camp at Mirimichi lake, North Attleboro. The name of the organization was derived from that of the Angle-Tree stone near the Draper Farm, North Attleboro, which was the dividing mark of the Plymouth and the Narragansett Bay colonies. The club from the first has been awake to the need of re-stocking the streams and ponds of this sec- tion of New England, black bass and trout being the kind of fish with which they have been the means of supplying the waters hereabouts. William C. Adams, head of the State Fish and Game Commission, is an honorary member of the club, and has been of great assistance in such matters. The club is forwarding its annual plans for shooting events in the fall and get-together meetings. They have annual banquets, with the mayor of Attleboro and the president of the Rhode Island Game Commis- sion as speakers.
West Side Men's Club originated about the year 1893, for social and fraternal purposes, the first meetings being held in the old Pierce building that later was burned; and from that time in the Odd Fellows' building. The founders of the club were A. A. McRae, A. T. Smith and C. P. Keeler. The club today has a representative membership of the business men of the Attleboros and Mansfield. 1. The officers are as follows: President, Joseph Rioux; vice-president, Fred Bishop, of North Attleboro; secretary and treasurer, F. H. Hill; house committee: Joseph Rioux, A. S. Blackinton, Dr. Griffin of Mansfield, Ivo Brownell, Chester Ashley.
Joseph Heywood, for many years prominent in musical circles in the town, writes for this work some of his recollections of musical events and people, thus :
The first musicale that I attended outside of the church, was a large chorus that was directed by a Mr. Pond, formerly of Foxboro, upon which occasion we gave an Old Folks concert in the old Union Hall, now Sweeney's store, in the winter of 1869- 1370. It was in 1872 that the Harmonic male quartet was formed, that aggregation being composed of D. H. Smith, H. A. Bodman, George Gilson and Joseph Heywood. For the long period of twenty years, this quartet sang together, and they gave some
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very fine entertainments. They have all passed away with the exception of Mr. Hey- wood. In 1885 there was a large male. chorus in Attleboro of some forty-five voices, they being directed by Joseph Heywood. On October 17, that year, they presented their first concert of war songs, and their audiences gave them a great send-off. The concert was given in Union hall. Then in turn followed a ladies' chorus of forty or fifty voices, very good voices, indeed, and Mr. Heywood was chosen director. At the end of a season the two choruses blended in organization and in voice to form one grand chorus, they giving a series of concerts. April 23, 1884, the combined choruses gave a splendid concert at Park hall, when they were assisted by Miss Woodward of the Boston Conservatory of Music, Jules Jorden of Providence being the director. The chorus also had the assistance of the Harmonic quartet. The name of this society was the Attleboro Choral Union. After a short period the latter disbanded. Then H. A. Bodman formed a choral union, which, at the close of a season gave a very fine concert at the White Church. This was their only concert. A. season after- wards, a Mr. Hazelwood, teacher of voice, came here and formed a class, or union, and for one season his teaching and training was most popular. As a result, we sang in the old White Church, the cantata "Belshazzar's Feast." At that time the churches began to form their quartets and choirs, so that public musical societies were no longer the vogue.
Company C Association is one of the old-time Republican campaign clubs of this section that had its beginning in Attleboro during the Garfield and Arthur campaign in the autumn of 1880. The society was reorganized at the time of the Blaine and Logan campaign; and the permanent or- ganization was formed November 4, 1884, at Room 19, in the Horton block, when the first officers were: President, E. S. Norton; vice-presidents, George A. Adams and E. W. Rhodes; secretary, Fred L. Morse; treasurer, John McDonald; executive committee: C. H. Chappell, W. H. Blaney, W. L. King, E. S. Horton, B. J. Angell. The association had its largest mem- bership in the nineties, the number being over 200.
Oak Hill Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized June 21, 1896, with thirty-three charter members, the first master of the Grange being Oscar S. Thayer. In 1923 there were 175 members and the officers were: Master, W. E. S. Smith; overseer, Samuel W. Cash; secretary, Mrs. Maud Smith; treasurer, E. V. Carpenter; lecturer, Mrs. Stella Warren.
The Attleboro Poultry Association was incorporated June 12, 1913, its objects being to promote the interests of poultry breeders, both for ex- hibition and utility purposes; to encourage high standards in its exhibi- tions, and to increase the efficiency of its members by the exchange of ideas and business methods. Annual exhibitions have been conducted and premiums and prizes awarded. From the first the officers have been: President, W. H. Saart; vice-presidents, Thomas Wilson, John Hickey, Clifford Thurber; secretary, H. E. Sibley; treasurer, Frank Hutchinson ; executive committee: Otto Ockert, Dr. George Jenkins, H. A. Pike, F. E. Whiting, A. Penny, F. Middleton, E. B. Macdonald, H. White, C. Gill.
CHAPTER XIII. MILITARY AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Reunions of those who were comrades in successive war-time periods have developed a number of military-social groups, with their auxiliaries, and maintaining their distinctive Attleboro traditions and usages. Some of
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the fraternal organizations here have been numbered among the oldest in the State.
Grand Army of the Republic .- William A. Streeter Post, No. 145, G. A. R., was instituted only six years after the close of the Civil War. The first Memorial Day service in the town was held Saturday, May 29, 1869, the address being given by Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, D. D., of Cam- bridge. A meeting of soldiers and sailors of the war belonging to this sec- tion was held for the purpose on May 26, with J. B. Savery as chairman, and E. R. Read secretary, and E. S. Horton was chosen marshal for the day. This was probably the beginning of active interest in the institution of the post, which was mustered in on June 12, 1871, at Union Hall. The first regular meeting place after that was at Bates Hall, in August of the same year; in September removal was made again to Union Hall; the following spring, in 1872, the post gathered at Dean's building, and on August 11, 1873, permanent meetings began to be held at Briggs block and in the old Y. M. C. A. building. In 1872 the town began to make its regular appropriation for the expenses of the Memorial Day observance. The post was presented with State flags July 4, 1872, by the women of the East Village, and in January, 1877, by the women of Attleboro. Their altar was presented November 3, 1876, by the Women's Relief Corps. The head- quarters of the post have many interesting relics of the war; and the post owns a lot in Woodlawn cemetery with a suitable monument.
These are the post commanders from the first: D. H. Smith, E. S. Horton, E. C. Martin, A. T. Wales, W. H. Wade, W. H. Goff, W. J. Thomp- son, Edwin J. Horton, M. Q. Wheaton, E. W. Rhodes, F. L. LeBaron, T. K. Gay, George L. Jillson, E. D. Guild, George A. Taylor, Edwin Leach, Daniel E. Adams, Edwin Leach, Cyrus Getchell, Edward E. Rhodes, Welcome B. Aldrich, Nathan H. Read.
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