USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Dictionary of Worcester (Massachusetts) and its vicinity, 1893 > Part 6
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Eucleia .- See High School Societies.
Exchange Hotel .- At the corner of Main and Market streets, is the oldest hotel in Worcester, known a hundred years ago as the "United States Arms." Washington breakfasted here in 1789, on his way to Boston, and Lafayette was a guest in 1825. Reuben Sikes, a large owner of stage lines, kept the house from 1807 to 1823, and it was known during this period as Sikes' Coffee House. Samuel B. Thomas succeeded, and it became Thomas' Temperance Exchange Coffee House, and later as the Exchange. It has been much resorted to by jurymen and others attending court.
Executions .- The DICTIONARY is indebted to Hon. Clark Jillson for the following list of executions in Worcester :
1737, Hugh Henderson, alias John Hamil- ton, for burglary.
1742, Jabez Green, for murder.
1744, Edward Fitzpatrick, for murder.
1745, Jeffry, a negro, for murder.
1768, Arthur, a negro, for rape.
1770, William Lindsey, for burglary.
1778, William Brooks, James Buchanan, Ezra Ross and Bathsheba Spooner, for mur- der.
1779, Robert Young, for rape.
1783, William Huggins and John Mansfield, for burglary.
1786, Johnson Green, for burglary.
1793, Samuel Frost, for murder.
1825, Horace Carter, for rape.
1845, Thomas Barrett, for murder. This was the first private execution in the county.
1868, Silas and Charles T. James, for mur- der.
1876, Samuel J. Frost for murder.
yard, corner of Pleasant and Oxford streets, was totally destroyed by an explosion of gas, and on the 22d of July, of the same year, the boiler at the wire mill on Grove street, 30 feet long, 4 feet in diameter, and weighing 5 tons, exploded, shattering the building, in- jured several workmen, shot into the air 300 feet, and landed in a yard on Lincoln street, 4 of a mile distant. Mayor Blake lost his life by a gas explosion on the 16th of December, 1870.
Express Business .- Before the railroads were in operation every stage-driver and post- rider performed the functions of an express- man. The pioneer in this country of the express business as carried on to-day was Rufus W. Whiting, who kept a shoe store in Worcester as early as 1833. In the Spy of Nov. 21, 1838, he advertised that he had made arrangements with the Boston & Wor- cester Railroad Company to occupy part of a car, and that he would make daily trips each way, and attend to the business of his patrons, beginning Monday, Nov. 26. It is uncertain how long Mr. Whiting continued his trips between Worcester and Boston, but he proba- bly retired before 1840. It is said he was the first to engage in the milk traffic over a rail- road by transporting it from the country towns into Boston. On the first day of August, 1840, Samuel S. Leonard established the bus- iness so long known by his name, and contin- ued by his sons. The same year Harnden's Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Balti- more Express was established, with Simeon Thompson as agent in Worcester; and soon after P. B. Burke and Alvin Adams founded the company which bears the name of Adams Express at the present time. J. B. Tyler was their agent in Worcester. Harnden run the first express over the Western Railroad, but abandoned it after a year's trial. Thompson & Co.'s express to Albany was early estab- lished, and the present American Express Co.
Explosions. - There have been several serious explosions in Worcester, the most re- markable of which was the dualin explosion on the Boston & Albany railroad, near the is their successor. In 1847 Johnson, Mowton Junction, June 23, 1870, when one man was & Co. started an opposition express between killed, thirty persons injured, and many build- Worcester and Boston, which was discontin- ings shattered. On the 3d of May, 1850, an ued in 1848. William Ross's express from Providence to Worcester began with the run- ning of the railroad in 1847; and Liberty Bigelow established the express afterwards owned by Cheney & Fisk, and now called the attempt to blow up Mayor Chapin's office, at the corner of Main and Sudbury streets, re- sulted in considerable damage to the bruilding. This affair grew out of the temperance agita- tion, and the principal of the conspiracy fled. United States and Canada, running over the
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Worcester & Nashua Railroad. In 1856 quented in the summer season. A delightful view of the Lake may be had from this place.
Caleb S. Fuller, formerly a conductor on the Norwich & Worcester Railroad established the Norwich express, which was continued by his son, Theo. S. Fuller.
In 1860 Earle's Boston and Providenec Express, Ross's Providence and Worcester, and the Leonard Boston and Worcester, con- solidated under the name of the Earle Express Company, with a capital stock of $150,000. This company controlled the approaches to Boston from the south and west, and the Adams Express Company were obliged to forward their local freight for eastern Massa- chusetts in charge of the Earle company. After considerable effort the Adams purchased the stock and franchise of the Earle, and the latter ceased to exist. The present Boston and Worcester Despatch was established by T. W. Davis in 1872. Previous to this J. H. Osgood had made trips for a year or two. Gen. S. H. Leonard, of the old Leonard Company, is concerned in the present man- agement of the Boston & Worcester Despatch.
Express Companies and Expresses .-
GENERAL.
Adams, 375 Main street.
American, 30 Front street.
Boston & Worcester Despatch, 18 Foster street.
Eastern Despatch, 19 Mechanic street.
Metropolitan, 10 Church street.
LOCAL.
Barre, 18 Foster street.
Farnumsville, 404 Main street.
Grafton, 24 Mechanic street.
Holden, 154 Main street.
Leicester, 18 Foster street.
Millbury, 404 Main and 18 Foster streets. Oakdale, 18 Foster street.
Oxford, 18 Foster street.
Paxton, 6 North Foster street.
Shrewsbury, 139 Front street. Spencer, 7 Park street. Upton, 6 Norwich street.
West Boylston, 139 Front street.
West Rutland, 24 Front street.
Fairmount. - In 1846 Dr. John Green purchased of Eli Goulding a tract of land north of Rural Cemetery, comprising 94 acres and 74 rods, for $7,000. This included the eminence known as Fairmount. Dr. Green sold a strip of this land to the Nashua Rail- road Company for $1,000; and in 1849 David S. Messinger bought the remainder, about 90 acres, for $14,000. Mr. Messinger improved the tract for building, laying out several streets, to which he gave names noted in lit- erature. He also gave the name Fairmount to the locality, which is often, though incor- rectly, called Messinger Hill. Fairmount square, on the summit, was recently deeded to the city by Mr. Messinger. Street cars go through Grove street.
Father Mathew Hall. - No. 100 Green street. This hall was erected in 1888 by the Father Mathew Mutual Benefit Total Absti- nence Society at a cost of $30,000. The seat- ing capacity is 1,000.
Father Mathew Mutual Benefit Total Abstinence Society .- See under Irish So- cieties.
Father Mathew Pioneer Corps. - Or- ganized in 1889, and meets Tuesday evenings at Father Mathew Hall.
Field Sports Association, (Worcester.) -Was organized in 1891 with a capital of $5,000.
Fires .- The following comprise some of the most disastrous fires that have occurred in Worcester : February 18, 1815, the bake- house of the Flagg Brothers and house of Samuel Brazer were totally destroyed. Loss $10,000. On the same spot, on the 29th of January, 1854, was burned the Flagg build- ings, with a loss of $50,000. The old Cen- tral Exchange and other buildings were burned March 6, 1843. The Bradley & Rice car shops in Washington Square were destroyed May 12, 1842. Loss $20,000. Holy Cross College was burned in July, 1852. The Mer- rifield fire occurred June 16, 1854, and was the most destructive of all the fires in Worces- ter. The pecuniary loss was half a million, and many establishments were burned out and
Eyrie, (The) .- The high elevation on the Shrewsbury side of Lake Quinsigamond, south of the causeway, improved and owned for many years by Mr. T. C. Rice, who main- hundreds of workmen were thrown out of em- tained a house of popular resort, much fre- ployment. (See Merrifield Buildings. ) The
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fire next to this in magnitude of loss was at Taylor's building opposite the Common, May 28, 1875. May 16, 1884, the Pakachoag Mills were burned. Two or three lives were lost and many operatives injured. The loss was nearly $150,000. The Worcester Theatre on Exchange street was totally destroyed on the morning of May 16, 1889.
Fire Alarm Telegraph. - Number and location of signal boxes :
I2 Chandler street, near Main
I2I Piedmont street, corner Davis
I3 Webster square
131 Leicester street, corner Montague
132 Webster and West Fremont streets
134 Jamesville
14 School street, Hose No. 1 House
141 Loring & Blake's, 19 Union street
15 Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company
152 Electric Light Station
16 Southbridge and Sargent streets
17 Main and Foster streets
18 Lincoln and Catherine streets
19 Grove and North streets
21 Main and May streets
213 Main and Wyman streets
23 Union street, Rice, Barton & Fales
231 Foster street, Cutting & Bishop
24 Southbridge & Southgate streets
25 No: 26 Salisbury street
26 Madison and Portland streets
261 Salem street, City Barn
27 Pleasant and West streets
271 Pleasant and Chestnut streets
28 Millbury and Worth streets
28I Ward and Taylor streets
282 Ward and South Ward streets Tatnuck
29 29I Chandler and June streets
31 Main and Richards streets
32 Exchange and Union streets
321 Insane Asylum, Summer street
324 Summer and Charles streets
333. No School Signal, struck 7.50 A. M. and I P. M. Green and Bradley streets
34 341 Fox and Ingalls streets
342 Columbia and Arlington streets
35 Winthrop and Vernon streets
Union avenue and Batchelder street
351 36 Front and Spring streets
37 Highland and North Ashland streets
371 West street, Polytechnic Institute
38 Salisbury street, opposite Military Academy Valley Falls
39 4 City Hall 41 Summer and Thomas streets
416 Hanover and Arch streets
42 Southbridge and Cambridge streets
43 Quinsigamond Wire Mill
431 Millbury and Greenwood streets
45 Shrewsbury and East Worcester streets
451 Prospect street and Eastern avenue
452 East Central street and Eastern avenue
Albany street, Malleable Iron Works
453 46 Grafton street, Hose No. 2 House
47 Belmont street and Oak avenue
471 Belmont street and Eastern avenue
48 Southgate and Camp streets
4SI Cambridge and Canterbury streets
49 Park avenue and May street
491 Park avenue and Shirley street
5 Trumbull Square
51 Lincoln Square
512 State and Harvard streets
52 Prescott street, Richardson Manufacturing Co.
Prescott street, near North
521 53 Providence and Harrison streets
54 Belmont street, Worcester Lunatic Hospital
Plantation street, near Draper's
541 .542 Plantation street, opposite Hospital Barns
Coburn avenue, near Bolmont street
543 56 Chestnut and William streets
57 Hermon street, W. C. Young & Co.'s
58 Woodland and King streets
59 Lincoln street, corner Green Lane
6 Laurel and Edward streets
61 Gardner street, Forehand & Wadsworth
62 Orange and Plymouth streets
621 Washington and Gold streets
63 Washington Square
631 Bloomingdale road, Steel Works
64 Grafton and Barclay streets
65 Elm and Linden streets
67 Pleasant street, Engine No. 4 House
671 Pleasant and Highland streets
68 Bloomingdale road, Tannery
681 Norfolk and Ascension streets
69 Grafton Square
691 Orient and Division streets
7 Lamartine street, Hose No. 7 House
71 Central and Main streets
72 Austin and Newbury streets
721 Wellington street, opposite Jaques avenue
73 Dix and Wachusett streets
74 Windsor street and Harrington avenue
75 May and Woodland streets
76 West and William streets
761 Elm and Sever streets
78 Lake View
8 Irving and Chatham streets
81 City Poor Farm
82 Cambridge and Pitt streets
83 Park avenue and Sunnyside street
84 Brussels street, Pakachoag Mills
85 Benefit and Beacon streets
87 Putnam lane
9 Franklin Square
91 West Boylston and Millbrook streets
92 Chandler and Dewey streets
921 Pleasant street and Park avenue
93 Coes Square
94 Charlotte and Clifton streets
95 Adams Square
Fire Department. - The Worcester Fire Department was established February 25, 1835. Previous to that time the town relied upon volunteer organizations, the principal of which was the Worcester Fire Society noticed below. The Mutual Fire Society, formed in 1822, was another body of similar character, and there was also a hook and ladder com- pany. The Town Fire Department was or- ganized by the choice of Isaac Davis as chief engineer and a board of eight assistants. A list of chief engineers to the present time is here given: Isaac Davis, 1835-6; Nathan
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Heard, 1837-9; Henry W. Miller, 1840-44; Joel Wilder, 1845-9; E. N. Holmes, 1850- 54; L. W. Sturtevant, 1855-58; S. A. Por- ter, 1859; L. R. Hudson, 1860; Alzirus Brown, 1861-65; A. B. Lovell, 1866-68; R. those who have at different periods graced the M. Gould, 1869-71; Simon E. Coombs, 1872-
meetings of the Society with their presence. 91, and Edwin L. Vaughn, at present in The organization from the first was largely of office. Before 1860, when the first steam fire a social character, and for the last fifty years has been entirely of that nature, its active service probably ending before or at the time of the formation of the Worcester Fire De- partment in 1835. From the first its bias was aristocratic, and it has always been maintained as an exclusive body. Its membership is lim- ited to thirty. The annual suppers of the society have of late years been occasions of much interest and enjoyment to the members; and reminiscences of deceased associates given at these gatherings have been preserved in printed form, and furnish almost all we know to-day of many of the prominent residents of the town in years gone by. engine was purchased, only hand engines were used, and some of these remained ten or twelve years later. The Fire Alarm Telegraph was constructed in 1871 and first used on the 28th of June. It has cost $17,000. Worces- ter has now one of the most efficient fire de- partments in the country. It comprises four steamers, two extinguishers, two hook and ladder companies and ten hose companies, with a total force of 180 men. In addition, the Insurance Fire Patrol numbers eight men. (See Protective Department. ) The apparatus includes two Hayes trucks. The sum appropri- ated to maintain the department the present year (1892) is $106,500.
Fire Escapes. - The public halls, hotels, and business and other buildings are generally provided with fire escapes in compliance with a law of the state.
Fire Patrol .- See Protective Department.
Firemen's Relief Association, (Wor- cester ) .- Formed in 1874 and incorporated in 1878. Only members of the Fire and Pro- tective Departments are eligible to active membership. In case of injury or sickness a fireman draws $10 per week, and may receive further assistance. The association has a fund of several thousand dollars.
Fire Society, (The Worcester). - On the 21st day of January, 1793, twenty-two prominent citizens of Worcester, "influenced by a sense of social duty," and " for the more effectual assistance of each other and of their townsmen, in times of danger from fire," formed themselves into an association, with the title above given. Among the names subscribed to the first agreement we find those
Messrs. Francis Blake, E. D. Bangs, S. M. Burnside, Pliny Merrick, Thomas Kinnicutt, A. D. Foster, I. M. Barton, S. F. Haven, Dwight Foster and Charles Devens are among
In 1822 another society of similar order was formed, called the Mutual Fire Society, which maintained its organization some twenty-five years; and still another, called the Social Fire Society, was in existence a few years. These never attained the standing of the first society, though many respectable and worthy citizens . belonged to them.
Five Points .- A place in the northeast part of Worcester where five roads meet. It is a short distance from the "Summit " station.
Flat, (The). - A name given the level tract in the vicinity of Dewey, Mason and Parker streets, running south of Pleasant street, where from 1852 to 1856 an extensive real estate transaction was carried on by F. H. Dewey, Joseph Mason, Samuel P. and Leon- ard Harrington, Ebenezer E. Abbott and others. It was sometimes called "Abbott's Flat."
Floating Bridge .- In 1817, a bridge at Lake Quinsigamond, at the point where the Causeway now is, which was constructed somewhat upon the principle of a wharf, and of Hon. Joseph Allen, Judge Nathaniel Paine, then loaded with stones and earth, gave way Dr. John Green, Hon. Edward Bangs, Dr. and disappeared, after an expenditure of $10,- Elijah Dix, Stephen Salisbury, Daniel Waldo, ooo. Sometime later a bridge was constructed and Isaiah Thomas; and many distinguished on the ice in the winter and secured at each names have since been placed upon its rolls. end by chains. This formed the floating bridge which was removed when the Cause- Governors Lincoln, Davis, Washburn and Bul- lock, United States Senators Davis and Hoar, way was built.
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Flora .- A list of the Flora of Worcester Worcester, libraries containing respectively County, compiled by Joseph Jackson, has 7000 and 4500 volumes, to form the nucleus of been published in pamphlet form by the Wor- a public library. The offer was accepted by cester Natural History Society. the City Government, and an ordinance estab- Foreign Blood Population of Worces- ter .- ( Estimate.) lishing the Free Public Library was passed December 23rd, of the same year. The library was opened to the public in Worcester Bank Armenians 700 Block, Foster Street, April 30, 1860. In ac- Chinese 27 Colored . 900 French Canadians 10,000 cordance with a stipulation made in the deed by which Dr. Green transferred his books to Germans 1,300 Irish 30,000 the city, the latter bought from Hon. Emory Italians 200 Washburn a lot of land on Elm street, at an Jews . 1,500 Scandinavians 10,000 expense of $5,042, and began the erection of a library building. The corner-stone of that Total. 54,627 building, which constitutes the older portion The number of others of foreign blood is not known. Of the above the Catholics num- ber 40,000 in a total (estimated) population of 92,000. occupied by the library, was laid July 4, 1860; it was completed in 1861, at a cost, including the lot, of about $30,000, and thrown open to the public September 4th of that year. That building having become filled with books, and Fossil Coal Plant .- See Coal Mine. having ceased to afford room enough to the Franklin Social Club .- For several years occupied rooms at 98 Front street. It was disbanded in May, 1892. readers and students who wished to use it, the city bought in 1888 an estate adjoining the library lot on the east for $35,000, and in Franklin Square. - Where Main and Southbridge streets meet. The new Govern- ment building will face the Square if Scott's block (" Flatiron building ") is taken away. the summer of 1889 began to put up a new building which was finished and occupied April 1, 1891. The cost of the new building and furniture was $108,000 exclusive of the amount paid for the land. At the start the Rev. George Allen informed the writer that about the year 1830 an effort was made by himself and his brother, Judge Charles Allen, to induce those living in the vicinity to sub- scribe the sum necessary to purchase the tri- angular piece of land comprising the part occupied by Scott's block and about half of the new post office lot, which could have been had for $40, and enclose it as a public ground. It was impossible, however, to raise the money, and the project was abandoned. library consisted of 11, 500 volumes; December 1, 1891, the date of the last annual report, it had 85,502 volumes, divided among the dif- ferent departments as follows: Green or refer- ence library 23,045, Intermediate Department 23, 177, Circulating Department 39,280. The books have been selected with especial ref- erence to the needs of the residents in Wor- cester, and the library, therefore, while well supplied with works in the different branches of knowledge, is particularly rich in the de- Free Church .- A Free Church was organ- ized in Worcester in 1852, with Thos. Went- worth Higginson as pastor. The society at first occupied Horticultural Hall, and after- wards Washburn Hall. David A. Wasson succeeded Mr. Higginson. partments of chemistry, physics, mechanics and the fine and industral arts. According to the first annual report of the library, 31,454 volumes were used by frequenters in the eight months covered by the report. During the the last year, which ended November 30, 1891, Free Institute of Industrial Science, (Worcester County). - Name changed in 1887 to Worcester Polytechnic Institute. See Polytechnic Institute. 188,480 volumes were either taken to the homes of residents or used within the library building. The aim in the library is to establish pleasant personal relations between the fre- quenters of the library and its officers, and all Free Public Library .- Towards the close of the year 1859, the late Dr. John Green and the Lyceum and Library Association offered to give, upon certain conditions, to the city of persons having questions to ask, answers to which may be found in books, are cordially welcomed, encouraged to ask questions, and sympathetically aided in getting answers to
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them. There were used 58,720 volumes Baker, Feb. 17, 1860, to Jan. 14, 1871, and during the last year by persons seeking infor- Samuel Swett Green, Jan. 15, 1871. Mr. Green belongs to the progressive school of librarians, mation within the library building. The library has become distinguished for the value and and is a prominent member of the American efficiency of the aid which it has rendered to the teachers and scholars of the public and private schools of Worcester. It has begun in
Librarians' Association, and has recently been its President. He has originated and intro- duced new methods in library management, its new building to place upon the walls of and is the author of several treatises upon sub- halls many of its valuable art treasures and il- lustrations of countries, and scenes and in- cidents in history. It is rich in pictorial col- lections and is using them for general enter- tainment and instruction, and in many instan- ces in connection with its school work. When the pictures have been put up on the walls, the public generally, or school children in par- ticular, are invited to examine and study them. A reading room was founded in connection with the library in 1865. It contains 359 re- views, magazines and papers.
jects pertaining to his occupation. The office hours of the librarian are 10 A. M. to I P.M., 3 to 6 P. M .; Sundays 3 to 5 P. M. The cir- culating department is open for the delivery and return of books from 9 A. M. to 8 P. M , excepting Sundays and holidays; Saturdays, open until 9 P. M. Week-days, including holidays, the upper reading rooms are open from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M .; the lower reading- room from 8 A. M. to 9.30 P. M. Sundays, both reading rooms open from 2 to 9 P. M. The books of the circulating department can be taken to their homes freely by residents who have reached the age of fifteen years. Younger persons in the discretion of the libra-
Dr. Green died in 1865, and left by will $30,000 to the library mainly to endow his department of it. One provision of the be- quest is that one quarter of the income shall be rian may have cards of an especial color to use added to the principal every year. The Green in taking out books, but attendants are in-
structed to take unusual care in seeing to it that persons using such cards get books suited to their age as regards quality and comprehen - sibility. Books belonging to the intermediate department can be taken out under certain
Library Fund amounted November 30, 1891, to $44,766.06. Another bequest of Dr. Green to the amount of about $4,500 has recently become available. Hon. George F. Hoar raised by subscription $10,000 or $11,000, which constitutes a Reading-room Fund, the conditions. Books in the reference department income of which is used in paying annual dues which were given to the Library by Dr. Green, for reviews, magazines and papers. The ex- or which have been bought with the income penditures of the last library year were $26, of the Green Library Fund, can only be used 372.20 exclusive of $4,500 spent for furniture in the library building. Every facility is af- as mentioned above. The income was as fol- forded there, however, for their use. The ows: City appropriation $20,000, dog license books of the Worcester District Medical Society are kept in the Free Public Library building, and may be consulted on the same easy con- money $5,079.92, income from Green Library Fund $1,660.15, income from Reading-room Fund $434.70, receipts from fines, etc., $544. ditions which prevail in regard to the use of the Green Library. The library building is Nos. 12 t, 18 Elm street. The former presidents of the Board of Directors have been Hon. Alexander H. Bullock, Hon. William. W. Rice, Hon. Stephen Salisbury, Hon. George F. Hoar, Hon. Thomas L. Nelson, Hon. Peter C. Bacon, J. Evarts Greene, Esq., Rev. Dr. William R. Huntington, Hon. Fran- cis H. Dewey, Hon. Francis A. Gaskill, E. Harlow Russell, Esq., A. George Bullock, Esq. The President for 1892 is Hon. E. T. Marble. 64. December 8, 1872, the reading rooms and library for purposes of reference, were thrown open to the public on Sunday. The Free Public Library was the first public library in New England to open its doors on Sunday. During the last thirteen years 13,404 persons on an average have used the library annually on that day of the week. Thanksgiving Day, 1889, the reading rooms, and the library for purposes of reference, began to be open on holidays. The reading rooms and the library, for purposes of reference, are now open every day in the year. The circulating department is Free-Thinkers .- Although Worcester has been known in the past by its conservatism in religion and politics, it has also been the birth- open every day except Sundays and legal holi- days. The librarians have been Zephaniah
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