USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Dictionary of Worcester (Massachusetts) and its vicinity, 1893 > Part 21
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(which see). Many years ago real estate operations were begun here by David T. Brigham, who opened and kept for a time the Worcester House on Main street. (See Old Hotels.) A few years after Brigham's venture John F. Pond came into possession of a large tract on Union Hill and laid out many streets
Another arrangement which the New York and made other improvements.
club plans is the refunding, at the end of a year, of 5 per cent. of the purchases. Each family that is a regular customer, makes in the shape of a bank account. A coal club is pro- posed. Its members will be charged twenty- five cents a week, which will entitle them to coal enough for a week, with a box to put it in. The same 5 per cent. rebate, in the form of a bank account at the end of the year, is proposed.
The subject of the formation of a U. C. ME Club in Worcester was introduced by Walter Vrooman in August, 1892. The purpose was approved by the W. C. T. U. and other or- ganizations, and Mr. H. H. Bigelow having tendered the free use of the Rink, the club was established there in September, with a great variety of attractions for the class it was intended to benefit. The nature of some of these attractions was considered too secular and worldly by a portion of the religious people, and the club did not receive the sup- port of the evangelical societies of the city. After a trial of two or three months the move- ment was admitted to be a failure, and the Rink was closed. A financial deficit of some magnitude remained, which was the cause of annoyance and unpleasant consequences to the founder, whose good intentions received little praise or reward. Probably the "universal brotherhood" idea which was prominent in the Worcester movement, was one of the principal causes of the failure, as distinctions and differ- ences among mankind and all nature seem to be the results of the development from the lowest to the higher organizations, and all at- tempts to reduce to sameness operate against an inevitable law.
Unitarian Churches .- The first Unitarian or Second Congregational Church in Worces- ter was formed in March, 1785; and the parish was incorporated November 13, 1787. " After this act of the Legislature, the First Parish had a legal existence separate from the municipal incorporation, and the support of worship was provided for, not by a general ineeting of the inhabitants, but in parochial meetings. The Second Parish was the first example of a poll parish in any inland town of the Commonwealth, and it was regarded as a bold innovation on the usages of the times." Aaron Bancroft was the first minister till 1839. (See Ministers.) The church worshipped seven years in the Court House, and occupied its own house on Summer street, January I, 1792, and continued there till 1829. This building was afterwards used for many years as a school house, and has within a year or two been sold by the city. A new church building was erected on Court Hill in 1828-9, and was destroyed by fire in 1849. The present structure, built on the same site, was dedicated March 26, 1851. It cost about $25,000.
The Second Unitarian Church, known as the Church of the Unity, was organized in 1845. The name was suggested by J. Henry Hill. The house on Elm street was dedicated April 28, 1846. This has been altered and enlarged. first pastor. Edward Everett Hale was the (See Ministers. )
The South Unitarian Church, 877 Main street, was formed in 1890.
United Order of Equity .- Brunswick Union Passenger Station .- See Rail- Lodge, No. 3, formed in 1889; Worcester road Stations.
Lodge is more recent.
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United Friends (Order of) .- A mutual and Pickford or Leland tracts. The original benefit order for assistance in sickness or mis- fortune, and an insurance in case of death. Harmony Council, No. 8, was organized in Worcester in 1881.
Universalist Churches .- There are two Universalist churches in Worcester: The First, organized in 1841, for many years Valley Falls .- A village on Leicester street, near the Leicester line. worshipped in the building at the corner of Main and Foster streets, which was erected for the use of the society in 1843. In 1865 Valuation .- The assessed valuation of Wor- cester, May 1, 1892, was $81,213,482. The the society purchased of Healy Baker the lot of land on Pleasant street, 10,800 feet, where valuation and rate of taxation from 1884 to the present church edifice now stands, for the to 1891 are given below : sum of $6,250. The building was completed YEAR. VALUATION. in 1871, and dedicated June 28th of that TAX per $1000. $16.60 year. The cost of the building, including 1885 1884 18.00 organ, furniture, etc., was $63,310. The $50,773,475 52,714,39I
names of the pastors appear in the article on Ministers.
All Souls Church, Kilby street, was formed in 1884, and Rev. Frederic W. Bailey was the first minister. The succeeding pastor, Rev. Francis A. Gray, settled in 1889 and resigned in 1893.
The Adams Square Universalist Sunday School was organized in 1891, and meets Sun- day afternoons at 3.30 at 185 Lincoln street.
Probably the first Universalist meeting in Worcester was held in the Town Hall, January 27, 1834, when Rev. Lucius R. Paige, the well-known historian of Cambridge and Hard- wick, preached. October 22 of the same year, Rev. Thomas Jefferson Greenwood, the Universalist minister of Marlborough, held a meeting in the Town Hall.
University .- See Clark University.
part was first called Crystal Park from Crystal street, which had its name from Simon S. Gates, who formerly owned the large farm through which the street was laid out, and who removed to Crystal Lake in the state of Illinois. He also named Illinois street.
1886 54,566,389 18.00
1887
59,465,575 17.00
I888
64,551,736 16.00
1889
69,429,871
16.00
1890
73,531,060
15.60
1891
77,635,908
14.60
The property exempt from taxation in 1891 amounted to $3,568,900. The wealth of Worcester can be estimated at $125,000,000.
Vermont (Sons and Daughters of) .-- An association of natives of the Green Moun- tain State and their families, formed in 1873. Hon. Clark Jillson was the first president.
Viaduct (The) .- The elevated railway crossing Front and Mechanic streets, near the Union Station, which connects the Boston & Albany Railroad with the tracks of the northern roads. It was completed in 1876.
Victoria Associates .- This association was formed in 1888.
University Park .- The public ground on Main street, opposite Clark University, opened Wachusett Club .- See Boat Clubs. in 1887. The first portion purchased cost $21,000. In April, 1889, an addition of five Wachusett Mountain. - The highest eleva- tion of land in Worcester county, situated in the town of Princeton, near the Westminster " This isolated eminence lifts itself grandly in the northerly part of the town to the commanding height of 2,480 feet above sea level. The ascent to the summit is gradual, acres was added at an expense of $40,873.30. Of this, 200,377 feet belonged to Alonzo Whitcomb, for which he was paid $37,500, line. or about 183 cents per foot. This piece has a frontage on Main street of 148 feet and runs back along Crystal street. 11,261 feet between the Whitcomb lot and Gates street through a growth of timber, diminishing in (known as the Pickford or Leland lot) was size. On the top of the mountain there is a good hotel, the Summit House; and an ob- servatory which commands on every side a most magnificent prospect. Almost the whole of Massachusetts, with its varied scenery of also purchased for $3,378.30. Chairman Edward W. Lincoln of the Parks-Commis- sioners dissented from a majority of his col- leagues in voting to purchase the Whitcomb
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mountain, woodland, town and village, lake known as the Walker building. Its present and river, seems to spread itself as on a map quarters are at 38 Front street. The member- beneath the observer's eye."
On the evening of the 4th of March, 1825, never been incorporated.
an immense bonfire was built on the summit, and the mountain re-christened Mount Adams, in honor of John Quincy Adams, who was that day inaugurated president of the United States. A hotel called the Adams House was opened soon after. But the name was never popular, soon fell into disuse, and is now for- gotten, while the Indian name, which signifies " Mountain Place," remains.
The story of Lucy Keyes, the lost child of Wachusett Mountain, has several times been written. This little girl, five years of age, strayed from her home in the year 1755, and although diligent search was made, was never found. It came to be. believed, many years afterwards, that the child was murdered by a neighbor, who had had some differences with her father, and that on his death bed he con- Waterworks .- The cost of Worcester's fessed the deed. Mr. Francis E. Blake of water system has been to February, 1893, $2,486,061.63. There are three sources of supply, Lynde Brook reservoir, high and low service, and Holden reservoir (Tatnuck Brook), low service. From the first there is
Boston has taken pains to investigate the matter and finds little foundation for the idea of murder. He has given the result of his re- search in a recently printed pamphlet.
The mountain is easy of access from Wor- a 16-inch main with a pressure of 160 pounds cester by the Fitchburg Railroad.
Wards .- The city is divided into eight wards, the boundary lines of which radiate from the center like the spokes of a wheel. The City Hall is assumed as the central point and the wards are situated as follows: Ward I, north; Ward 2, northeast; Ward 3, east; Ward 4, southeast; Ward 5, south; Ward 6, southwest; Ward 7, west; Ward 8, north- west.
For convenience in voting the wards are divided into precincts or polling places, and the number in each ward is here given: Ward I, two precincts; Ward 2, three; Ward 3, two; Ward 4, two; Ward 5, three; Ward 6, two; Ward 7, three; Ward 8, three.
Washington Club .- The oldest social club in existence in Worcester at the present time. It was formed at the Waldo House, December 19, 1865, and for about twenty years occupied rooms in Clark's block, now
ship numbers less than one hundred. It has
Washington Social Club .- See Irish Societies.
Washington Square .- At the east end of Front street, where Summer, Mechanic, Grafton and Shrewsbury streets center. The Union Passenger Station is located on the east side, between Grafton and Shrewsbury streets, and at a short distance, on Shrewsbury street, is the station of the Shrewsbury Railroad. Street cars go from the square to points north and south on Main street, to the west side through Pleasant street, and to Lake Quinsiga- mond. The square received its name about 1828, the time the Blackstone Canal was opened.
at the City Hall. Low pressure comes from Hunt's reservoir, which is supplied by Lynde Brook reservoir by a 16-inch main. Low pres- sure from Holden reservoir is conveyed by a 24-inch main. The storage capacity is as fol- lows: Bell Pond, 30,000,000 gallons; Lynde Brook reservoir, 680,000,000 gallons; Hol- den reservoir, 900,000,000 gallons, and Hunt's on Leicester street, 3.000,000. The number of miles of street mains is 127 3-4. The daily consumption of water is estimated at 5,634,- 365 gallons, or 65 gallons for each consumer
Wealth .- See Valuation.
Weasle Brook .- A tributary of Mill Brook in the north part of the city.
Webster Square .- At New Worcester. Washburn Hall .- The lower audience From this point Main, Leicester, Webster and room in Mechanics Hall building, named in Cambridge streets diverge. The square was honor of Ichabod Washburn. Its seating capacity is 552.
named about the time the horse railroad was started in 1863. A marble fountain has been erected and other improvements made within the past two or three years.
Whipping Post .- The stocks, pillory and whipping post were familiar objects on Court Hill a hundred years ago. The stocks were at
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one time in the meeting-house "under the the present and prospective status of women stairs." Whipping for minor offenses was imposes upon us, of informing ourselves more common. The notorious Stephen Burroughs, fully, not only upon subjects of general inter- tried in Worcester in '1791, was sentenced to est, but also upon the more important special receive 117 stripes on the naked back, to questions which are now pressing upon all stand two hours in the pillory and to sit one people everywhere for a just solution, be- cause involving the welfare of humanity, do agree to form ourselves into an association for the prosecution and accomplishment of the above-named purpose." The club meets twice each month for discussion, or to listen to lectures upon subjects of interest to the members. hour on the gallows with a rope around his neck. He escaped before all the punishment had been inflicted. Offenders were sometimes whipped in'court in the presence of the judges, as the records testify. A . woman was sen- tericed to receive a public whipping in Wor- cester about the beginning of this century. Sheriff Caldwell, a humane man, disappointed Woman's Suffrage. - The Worcester Suffrage League was organized in 1886. the crowd that had assembled in expectation of witnessing the spectacle, by saying that the sentence did not specify when the whipping Worcester .- "The name Worcester is said to have been derived from the Saxon Wegera- ceaster, meaning war castle, and descriptive of the military character of the place (in Eng- land) to which it was originally applied by the martial clans of remote antiquity."-Lincoln's History. should be administered. After the gathering had dispersed he carried out the order of the court by laying the lash lightly the specified number of times over the shoulders of the cul- prit, and dismissed her with the injunction to sin no more. This was the last case of the kind. Criminals frequently had their ' ears cropped for offenses, as late as 1790. In 1811 Worcester History .- See Early History, and Military History. A large portion of the DICTIONARY is devoted to matters of Worcester history in detail. a man was exposed in the pillory on Court Hill for blasphemy. Whipping appears to be a very efficient method of reducing crime, yet it is spoken of by a certain class of sentiment- alists as "brutalizing." The governor of Delaware, where whipping is common, re- cently stated that criminals rarely appear there for punishment a second time-they either be- have after the infliction, or leave the state.
Wigwam Hill .- The high elevation near the head of Lake Quinsigamond and on its western shore. The summit and eastern slope of this hill are owned by the Natural History Society, and come within the bounds of Nat- ural History Park. A fine view of the whole length of the lake may be had from the top, and this view S. P. R. Triscott has preserved in an oil painting owned by The Worcester So- ciety of Antiquity.
Winsor Club .- A social club of young men formed in 1889.
Winter Hill .- A high elevation in the north part of the city.
Worcester Indexed Information .- The compiler of this DICTIONARY has given much ef- fort during the past fifteen years to perfecting a plan for rendering the original and particu- lar sources of Worcester history, and all mat- ters of fact relating to the place, accessible and available for quick reference, by a system of minute indexes in connection with the compila- tion and arrangement of a large mass of in- formation and data in convenient printed form comprised in the following publications :
The Worcester Book, a Diary of Noteworthy Events from 1667 to 1883.
Proprietary Records of Worcester, 1667-1 788. Worcester Town Records, 1722-1848, in six volumes. (The fifth now in press. )
Worcester Births, Marriages and Deaths to January 1, 1849. (Now printing. ) DICTIONARY OF WORCESTER AND ITS VICINITY.
Worcester Annals. (In preparation.)
Worcester Academy .- In 1832 "a few Woman's Club (Worcester) .- Organ- individuals desirous of founding an institution ized in 1880. The constitution has the fol- for education, under the patronage of the Bap- lowing preamble: "We, women of Worces- tist denomination," raised a fund of $5,000, ter and vicinity, feeling the necessity which and in November of that year "a tract of
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twenty-nine acres of land was purchased at come of which, and the use of the building, the price of $75 the acre, and another lot of was given the principal in lieu of a salary. It thirty-one acres at $65 the acre-$4,200 in was while Mr. Marble was in charge that an all-about half a mile south of the village. effort was made, influenced by Rev. David Buildings were erected in 1833, and on the Weston, pastor of the Second Baptist Church 28th of February, 1834, the institution was in- in Worcester, to abolish the Academy and corporated under the name of the Wor- give the entire fund and proceeds to the New- cester Manual Labor High School." The ton Theological Institution to found a profes-
buildings were located on Main street, nearly sorship there. The project was favored by opposite the Piedmont Church. The original the president and others, but was effectively design was to furnish, in connection with a
resisted before the Legislature. In 1869 the course of study, such employment as would old medical college building and grounds on enable the students to defray some part of Providence street were purchased for $40,000, their expenses, but this was never successfully and since that time the Academy has been lo- demonstrated. The first principal of the cated at that place.
The institution is now on a good financial
school was Silas Bailey; and Isaac Davis was the first president of the board of trustees, and basis, and possesses in real estate and invested served in that capacity for nearly fifty years. funds a property valued at $450,000. Hon. The first board of trustees was composed of Isaac Davis was a large benefactor, and Hon. the following gentlemen : Otis Corbett, Joseph H. Walker, who succeeded as presi- secretary; Ichabod Washburn, treasurer; Isaac dent, has been a generous friend, while many Davis, Rev. Abiel Fisher, Joseph White, Rev. others have aided to bring the school to its Otis Converse, Rev. Frederick A. Willard, present condition. The Academy is under Stephen Salisbury, Edward Phillips, Samuel the control of a board of nineteen trustees, D. Spurr, Perley Goddard, Daniel Goddard, and the faculty numbers eleven. Daniel W. Abercrombie is the principal. Formerly both
Joseph Converse and Joshua T. Everett. Joel Marble was the first steward, and his son, sexes were instructed, but it is now a school Manton Marble, the well known New York editor and politician, was born at the school.
for boys. There are three courses of instruc- tion-a college preparatory, a scientific, and a Hard pressed for funds the trustees in Janu- ary, 1837, petitioned the Legislature for pecun- iary aid, and in response an elaborate report was made by Hon. Myron Lawrence, com- mending the plan and purposes of the school, but not recommending an appropriation. For the next fifteen years the school was main- special scientific in preparation for the Wor- cester Polytechnic Institute. On one of the highest eminences in this city its group of buildings of fine architectural proportions has a commanding 'view of the surrounding country. The old college building has re- ceived the name of Davis Hall, and the new tained under great pecuniary difficulties. The school building, which cost over $70,000, and manual labor feature was gradually aban- was dedicated Feb. 17, 1890, is known as doned, and in 1846 the name was changed to Walker Hall. Dexter Hall, the new dormi- tory, was opened in September, 1892, and Adams Hall, used as a dining hall, was com- pleted at the same time. Worcester Academy. The sale of a portion of the land afforded such relief that a new street laid through the tract disposed of was called Benefit street. Succeeding principals to 1870 were Nelson Wheeler, Eli Thayer, Charles C. Bur- Worcester Boat Club .- See Boat Clubs. nett, Rev. E. J. Avery, William S. Greene, Harrah J. Reynolds, James R. Stone, A. P.
S. Stuart, Albert P. Marble and William C. This society was organized in 1817 and incor- Poland.
Worcester Agricultural Society (The).
porated in 1818. For many years the annual About the year 1850 the trustees disposed of the buildings and land on Main street, and in 1854 the institution was removed to the old Antiquarian Hall building, at the corner of exhibitions or cattle shows were held on the Common, with the plowing matches in Salem square. These were great occasions fifty or sixty years ago, and brought together a large assem- Summer and Belmont streets. The sale of blage of the inhabitants of the surrounding the south end property paid for this building country. Generally some distinguished states- and gave a fund of $25,000, the in- man or orator attended and favored the gather-
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ing with an address. In 1826 President John those present and participating were: Hon. Quincy Adams attended the cattle show, and Edward L. Davis, then mayor-elect; Lewis remained three days the guest of Gov. Lin- Barnard, George T. Rice, A. D. Warner, O. coln. In 1829 150 yoke of cattle were driven L. Hatch, Sumner Pratt, L. H. Wells, J. A. through Main street, and Harrison, Gray, Otis and Edward Everett made speeches at the dinner. Sometimes, as in late years, other attractions were secured which made the show the event of the year.
Knowlton, E. H. Knowlton, T. W. Welling- ton, C. B. Pratt, G. Henry Whitcomb, Jerome Marble and Jerome Wheelock. A. D. War- ren called to order; Hon. Edward L. Davis was elected chairman and E. H. Knowlton secretary.
In 1853 the society purchased seven acres of land on Highland street, and the next year In the discussion the failure of a similar ef- fort made a few years before was mentioned, and it was hoped that this effort would suc- ceed. The meeting finally referred the whole subject to a committee to report at a future meeting, which was held in Washburn Hall, Jan. 2, 1874. Hon. George M. Rice was chair- man of this meeting, and a constitution was adopted with a preamble as follows, giving the purpose of the organization: "To promote the business interests of the city of Worcester and vicinity, and to secure the advantages which the city offers to trade and manufactures, as well as to cultivate a more intimate and friendly acquaintance among the business men of the city." erected a spacious hall. Later the tract was increased to about twenty-five acres, now bounded by Sever, Highland, Agricultural and Cedar streets. These grounds are still used for the purposes of the society, though the value of the land is many times the price given. Probably the society will in the near future dispose of this tract and remove to some other locality. A half mile track affords good accommodations for trotting. Base ball and other games and exhibitions are often held here. The managers of the New Eng- land Fair have generally, during the last fifteen years, selected Worcester as their place of ex- hibition on account of the facilities offered here. Street cars go to the fair grounds from The name adopted was The Worcester Busi- Main street or the Union Station via Pleasant, ness Exchange, and officers were elected as West and Cedar streets; also from Lincoln square through Salisbury, Boynton and High- land streets.
The American "Cattle Show," or Agricul- tural Fair, originated with Elkanah Watson, and the first one held was in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1810. Mr. Watson was the owner of the first pair of Merino sheep introduced into Mas- sachusetts, of which he announced a public exhibition. He says that "many farmers and even females" were attracted by the novelty, and "from this lucky incident I reasoned thus : If two animals are capable of exciting so much attention, what would be the effect of a dis- play, on a larger scale, of different animals?" The result was the Berkshire Agricultural So- ciety, and the first cattle show in New Eng- land. Afterward he removed to New York, that state.
follows: President, Philip L. Moen; vice- presidents, L. J. Knowles, Lewis Barnard and George T. Rice; treasurer, Charles B. Whit- ing; directors, Sumner Pratt, T. W. Welling- ton, E. L. Davis, George M. Rice, Jerome Wheelock, A. D. Warren, L. W. Pond, E. T. Marble, Edward Sargent, Edward R. Fiske, Charles H. Fitch, J. H. Walker, John D. Chollar, George L. Newton, John D. Washburn, L. M. Richardson, Mowry Lap- ham, Addison Palmer, C. M. Smith and Sam- uel Woodward. Rooms on Pearl street were formally opened March 3, 1874. The occa- sion was celebrated by a dinner at the Bay State House, at which President Moen pre- sided, and speeches were made by Mayor Davis, Dr. George B. Loring, Hon. George F. Verry, Secretary Little of the Providence Concord (N. H. ) Board of Trade, Hon. John D. Washburn, Hon. W. W. Rice and Hon.
and organized the first agricultural society in Board of Trade, President Stevens of the
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