USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Dictionary of Worcester (Massachusetts) and its vicinity, 1893 > Part 9
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Kennel Club .- The Worcester Kennel Club was organized at the Bay State House, Monday evening, December 3, 1888, with the following officers : President, Harry W. Smith; Ist Vice-President, Col. Rockwood Hoar; 2d Vice-President, Frederick Kimball; Secretary, Edward W. Dodge; Treasurer, Fred W. White; Executive Committee, A. B. F. Kin- ney, Waldo Sessions, Capt. E. A. Harris, Capt. Levi Lincoln, Chas. A. Parker, Francis M. Harris, H. F. Littlefield, Geo. W. Patter- son. The first annual bench show was held at the Worcester Skating Rink, April 9 to 12, 1889. There were 324 dogs shown, among which were an unusually large number of the most noted prize winners in the U. S. The principal objects of this Club are, to encourage the breeding and importation of thoroughbred dogs; to hold meetings at fixed times for the reading of essays and holding theoretic and scientific discussions on the breeding of dogs; and to hold annual bench shows.
Kansas Emigrant Movement .- The plan which saved Kansas, and ultimately the whole country to freedom, had its origin in Worces- Kettle Brook .- This stream rises in Pax- ton, and flows south through Leicester to Cherry Valley, thence southeast through Valley Falls, supplying the various ponds there, then into Auburn, where it joins Ramshorn Brook. Kettle Brook contributes a large volume to the water supply of Worcester. ter, in the brain of one of her citizens-Eli Thayer. Mr. Thayer first made his plan known at a meeting called to protest against the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, held in the City Hall, March II, 1854. The Emi- grant Aid Company was soon in full operation, and under its direction " four or five thousand Kindergartens .- On January 4th, 1886, Miss L. Gertrude Bardwell, through the efforts of Mrs. David W. Pond and Mrs. Rev. Henry M. Stinson, began the first permanent Kinder- garten in Worcester, at 25 Harvard street, corner of Dix. The house occupied has since been moved back, and is now No. I Dix street. Miss Bardwell was from Shelburne Falls, and was educated in Germany, having been taught in both Berlin and Dresden. In Sept., 1886, she passed the school over to Miss Elizabeth Kilham from Beverly. The latter received her training in Mrs. Shaw's school in Boston. In the spring of 1887 the Kindergarten was removed to 35 Chestnut street, and the fol- lowing September was again removed to the Y. M. C. A. building, and united with Mrs. Morgan's school. of the most resolute men and women the world ever saw went into Kansas," and largely out- numbering the slave-holding element, gained permanent possession of the territory. The South, convinced by this that slavery could not be extended into the new territories, re- sorted to rebellion, and suffered an ignomin- ious defeat after four years of war. Of Mr. Thayer's work, Rev. Edward Everett Hale has recently written : "When the resevoir of North- ern indignation was still a resevoir, with its rage wasted on its banks, one man saw where the spade-blows were to be struck through which the waters should rush out. He knew how to strike these blows, struck them with his own hands, and made the channel through which the water flowed." Mr. Thayer's ac- count of his work has recently been published There is a Kindergarten at the Temporary by the Harpers of New York, under the title Home and Day Nursery on Southbridge street.
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Mrs. Frank J. Darrah's Kindergarten is at 4 Sever street. £ Kindergartens are to be maintained by the city as part of the public instruction from September, 1892; and 1 Kin- dergarten is to be opened as an object study for the students at the State Normal School.
Knights and Ladies of Columbia, Hope Lodge, No. 23, has been established in Worcester.
Knights of Father Mathew .- Organized in 1879, and meets at Father Mathew Hall.
Knights of Honor .- Bay State Lodge, No. 184, was instituted in Worcester in 1875, and Worcester Lodge, No. 3220, in 1885. Meets in the Y. M. C. A. building on Pearl street. There are two lodges of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, viz., Pearl Lodge, No. 123, which meets at 405 Main street ; and Puritan Lodge, 1208, meets at 566 Main street.
Knights of Labor .- This order has de- clined greatly in influence and numbers within the past few years. The only Local Assembly at all active in Worcester at present is No. 2353, though one or two others perhaps claim an existence. Local Assembly 785 was the first one formed here, as part of the old Dis- trict 'Assembly, No. 30, which had its head- quarters in Boston. There have been seven Local Assemblies in Worcester since the order was founded, this number including one Ladies' Assembly. The more recent Trades' Unions have drawn off many from the Knights' organi- zation. The order served its purpose, un- doubtedly, in modifying the views and tenden- cies of both employer and employé; and a better understanding probably now exists be- tween them. Strikes are not now as frequent as formerly, as their bad economy has been effectually demonstrated ; and arbitration is oftener resorted to. The order of the Knights of Labor never flourished as well in Worces- ter as in some other places, on account of the general good feeling between those employed and their employers.
Knights of Pythias .- A secret fraternal and mutual benefit order, similar to the Odd Fellows. Blake Lodge, No. 49, and Damas- cus Lodge, No. 50, were instituted in Worces- ter in 1871. Later, Regulus Lodge, No. 71, was formed. Section 189, Endowment Rank was organized in 1878. Pythian Temple is at 405 Main street. The Loyal Ladies of Damon, No. I, Pythian Sisterhood, is an association of ladies similar to the above order.
Knights of St. Patrick .- Organized in 1890, and meets at 98 Front street.
Knights Templars (Worcester County Commandery of) .- See Masonic Societies.
Lake Park .- In 1862, Hon. Isaac Davis offered as a free gift to the city, fourteen acres of land at Lake Quinsigamond for a public park, but this gift was declined. In 1884, Hon. Edward L. Davis and Mr. Horace H. Bigelow deeded to the city about II0 acres of land bordering on the lake, a tract admirably adapted from its location and diversified sur- face for a public ground. Mr. Davis also gave $5,000 to improve the park, and has recently erected at his own expense a stone tower, modeled after the ancient Irish structures, and built of rough stones gathered from the sur- rounding land. This is a striking and promi- nent object, and gives from its top a fine view of the lake and country about. . A road called the Circuit has been laid out on three sides of the park and Lake avenue passes through it near the water front. The station on the Shrewsbury Railroad nearest the park is Lake View.
Lake Quinsigamond .- A beautiful sheet of water lying along the eastern boundary of Worcester, and mostly within its territory. "It extends from north to south, in crescent form, about four miles in length, presenting by reason of disproportionate breadth the ap- pearance of a noble river, with bold banks covered with wood or swelling into green hills." There are several islands varying in extent. Known years ago by the name of Long Pond, its natural advantages for boating and as a pleasure resort, if noticed, were not made available until within the past few years. College regattas were first held here in 1859, and the place has been growing gradually in popular favor to the present time. The many attractions during the summer season, and the easy means of access by the Shrews- bury Railroad, draws large crowds, especially on Sundays. At Lincoln Park, the terminus of the railroad, there are several steamboat wharves, and close by extensive boat houses, where craft in all varieties can be obtained. From June to October, band concerts are given here every afternoon and evening, and the visitor will find much to engage his atten- tion and furnish amusement and entertain- ment. The lover of nature and beautiful scenery should not fail to explore the mysteries
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of the lake by a steamboat trip from the
Causeway to the south, or above Natural Islands south of the Causeway.
History Park. The best view of the lake in its entirety is from Wigwam Hill, near the north end. The station of the Worcester & Shrewsbury Railroad is on Shrewsbury street, close to the Union railroad station. £ Trains run every half-hour, and the fare is five cents each way.
LAKE NAMES. In the summer of 1888 a committee was selected for the purpose of naming the various prominent points and places at Lake Quinsigamond, the names to be permanently fixed and incorporated in a large and accurate map of the lake drawn for Mr. H. H. Bigelow. The committee con- sisted of Nathaniel Paine and Edmund M. Barton, of the American Antiquarian Society; Ellery B. Crane, Thomas A. Dickin- son and Franklin P. Rice of the Worcester Society of Antiquity; and H. H. Bigelow, T. C. Rice and A. A. Coburn, representing the owners of property at the lake. After several meetings and a tour of inspection the following names were agreed upon : North of the Causeway, Shrewsbury side :
Jeseph Point and Bay, near the head of lake. South of this :
Temple Point. The Sanctuary. ( See Title.) Cold Spring. ( See Title.) The Kitchen.
South of the Causeway, Shrewsbury side : Green Brook. Quinsigamond Forest. Atalanta. See Boat Clubs. East Lake. Eyrie. (See Title.) Jordan Brook. Jordan Pond. Club Harbor.
Park View. Sagamore Point. The Narrows. Shrewsbury Bay. Matoonas Point. Powder Horn. Old Faith Bay. Round Pond. Half Moon Bay.
South of the Causeway, Worcester side, going north : South Bay. Point Lookout. Leonard Point. ( See Title.)
Park Landing.
Ram Island.
Lone Pine Island.
Long Island. Blake Island.
The Twins.
North of the Causeway, Worcester side : Regatta Point. Half-way Pine.
Pannasunet Point.
Nannaswane Point.
Coal Mine Brook.
Flatlands.
Paine Cove.
Lakeside Boat Club .- See Boat Clubs.
Lake View .- The settlement west of Lake Quinsigamond and south of Belmont street, and one of the stations on the Worcester & Shrewsbury Railroad, 24 miles from the City Hall. There is a post-office, school-house, church, store, etc., here.
Lancaster .- The oldest and one of the most beautiful towns in Worcester County. It was incorporated in 1653. It is distant from Worcester 16 miles, on the Worcester, Nashua & Rochester division of the Boston & Maine Railroad. Its fine scenery and other attractions will well repay a visit. Population in 1885, 2,050; in 1890, 2,201.
Laurel Hill .- The elevated region east of Summer street, to which Laurel street is the leading avenue.
Law Club .- Meetings are held every two weeks, when law questions selected for the occasion are discussed by members of the club before older members of the bar sitting as judges.
Law Library .- The Worcester County Law Library Association was formed in 1842, and the library, which comprises some twelve thousand volumes, is located in the Granite Court House on Court Hill. This library is for the use of members of the bar, but the books may be consulted by the public.
"Learned Blacksmith."-At the age of twenty-one, Elihu Burritt began the study of Latin and French, and later learned Greek while toiling at the anvil. In 1837 he was keeping a small grocery store in Connecticut, and failed during the financial crisis, losing the
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little he possessed. In quest of opportunity to Canada in company with Hannah Dustin, es- pursue his favorite studies and gain a liveli- caped with that heroic woman, assisting her in her remarkable exploit of killing and scalp- ing the party of Indians. The boy figures in the histories as Leonardson. hood at the same time, he walked to Boston, and from there to Worcester, where he found the desired combination in the library of the American Antiquarian Society, and employ- Letter Carriers' Relief Association has been instituted in Worcester. ment in a blacksmith's shop. A letter to William Lincoln soliciting employment at translating was shown to Edward Everett, who Levels in Worcester .- The. elevation above tide level of some places in Worcester is given below : soon heralded Mr. Burritt to the world- as the "Learned Blacksmith.". For several years Burritt lectured before lyceums, and becoming At City Hall, 482 feet. interested in philanthropic and kindred sub- At Piedmont Church, 508 feet. jects, established in Worcester the "Christian At Salisbury's Pond, 490 feet; (surface of the water, which varies ). Citizen," the first number of which appeared January 6, 1844, and was published seven At Elm Park, 498 feet. years. Mr. Burritt for many years devoted Top of Millstone Hill, 780 feet. himself to the interests of universal peace, and Top of Chandler Hill, 721 feet. resided abroad for a long period, part of the Top of Pakachoag Hill, 693 feet. time as Consul of the United States at Bir- Top of Newton Hill, 672 feet. mingham. He made extensive tours on foot Libraries .- In the Massachusetts Spy of May 23, 1793, appears an anouncement of the annual meeting of "The Worcester Associate Circulating Library Company," Thomas Payson, librarian. Subcribers were notified that the books would be ready on the 4th of through different parts of Great Britain, and published several interesting volumes of travel and description of the home-life of the English and Scotch. His last public appearance in Worcester was at a peace meeting held in Mechanics Hall, November 24, 1871. He June. This association was later known as the
died in New Britain, Conn., March 6, 1879, at the age of 69. As to Mr. Burritt's familiar- ity with languages, and the number he learned, many exaggerated statements have been made. His acquisitions in this respect were, however, truly wonderful, and his achievements worthy of great praise. That he should have a criti- cal knowledge of all the languages he gained, or even of a large part of them, was not to be expected; but that he had not such knowledge was the substance of a comment made by Charles Sumner, who appears not to have held the attainments of the blacksmith in high es- teem.
Leicester .- A town adjoining Worcester on the southwest, and 6 miles distant. It was incorporated in 1713. The center of the town is not accessible by railroad, and the nearest station is Rochdale, on the Boston & Albany Railroad. It is connected with Wor- cester by electric street railway. Population in 1885, 2,923; in 1890, 3,120.
Worcester Social Library, and appears to have existed some forty years, for the books belonging to it were sold by auction March 6, 1833. We are informed by Librarian S. S. Green, in his article on the Libraries of Wor- cester, published in the recent History of Worcester County, that an association was formed here in 18II called the "Military Library Society in the Seventh Division," and that it possessed a small collection of books. The library of the Fraternity of Odd Fellows was maintained a few years from about 1825. March 12, 1830, the " Worcester County Athenaum" was incorporated, with the inten- tion of forming a library for general use. Thirty-four proprietors purchased shares at $25 each, and organized with Rev. George Allen as President, F. W. Paine, Treasurer, and William Lincoln, Secretary. A good col- lection of books was made, but the association was discontinued after a few years, and the books went to the American Antiquarian Society. The Worcester Lyceum, formed November 5, 1829, and the Young Men's Library Association in August, 1852, united
Leonard Point .- The most prominent point of land in Lake Park, extending into the water. It is in front of the old estate of in 1856 under the name of the Lyceum and Samuel Leonard, whose son was captured by Library Association, and consolidated their the Indians in 1697, and while being taken to libraries, which formed the nucleus of the cir-
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culating department of the Free Public Library in 1859. This library was kept in the upper story of the Bank building on Foster street, where also were deposited the private library of Dr. John Green and the Worcester District Medical Library. All these were in charge of John Gray as librarian. Dr. Green gave his or of eleven books printed before the year library to the city and endowed it. See Free Public Library. 1500, and many others of great rarity issued in the 16th and 17th centuries. His earliest im- The principal libraries in Worcester at the print is 1467-said to be the oldest perfect
present time are here named :
American Antiquarian Society. ( See title.) Free Public Library. ( See title.)
Worcester Society of Antiquity. ( See title.) Library of Clark University.
Worcester County Law Library .- See Law Library.
Worcester District Medical Library .- See the past twenty-five years have enabled him to Medical Library.
Worcester County Mechanics Association. -See Mechanics Association.
Worcester County Horticultural Society. -See Horticultural Society.
The High School has a library of some size, and the Musical Association and Choral Union possess libraries of books pertaining to music. Several educational and other institutions also own collections of hooks.
Libraries ( Private ) .- The largest private libraries in the city are said to be those of Senator Hoar and Jonas G. Clark, Esq. There are large libraries at the Green Hill mansion, and at "The Oaks" on Lincoln street. The valuable library of the late John B. Gough at Hillside formerly, with its princi- pal treasure, the collection of Cruikshank's illustrations, some of them being original drawings and sketches, has been dispersed by auction. Of other libraries in private hands, several are not mentioned, in deference to the wishes of their owners. Of especially curious and unique collections, that of Mr. Nathaniel Paine is, perhaps, the most noteworthy, for a
editions, with a large number relating to the drama, personal memoirs, etc. In old books, Hon. Clark Jillson easily leads in these parts, and probably in New England. The printed catalogue of his library, issued from his own private press, informs us that he is the possess-
book with a date in the United States. Be- tween Judge Jillson and Mr. Samuel H. Put- nam, of the bookselling firm of Putnam, Davis & Co., a pleasant rivalry has existed in the matter of old books, and the latter has suc- ceeded in obtaining a volume bearing the date 1470. Mr. Putnam's facilities in trade during gather a fine collection of books in standard and scarce editions, covering the field of gener- al literature, and the volumes have been care- fully selected. Mr. Alfred S. Roe has made a specialty of Rebellion literature, and his collection is large and exhaustive. He has not, however, neglected other departments. Mr. Ellery B. Crane has a good private col- lection of books on genealogy and heraldry. It contains such works as the Domesday Book, Playfair's British Family Antiquity, many English County Visitations and Church Regis- ters, Burke's General Armory and many others. Mr. Richard O'Flynn has gathered during many years a private library illustrating the history of Ireland and of the Irish people, and his books have been well conned, for he is an authority upon the subjects of which they treat. The library of the compiler of this DICTIONARY principally consists of books upon subjects re- lating to the political history of the United States, in which he has a particular interest. There are other private collections worthy of notice, and which do their owners much credit.
Light .- A weekly literary and society paper large proportion of the books bear evidence of in quarto form, the first number of which ap- the individuality or handiwork of the owner, peared March 1, 1890. It was established by who has spent much time, labor and money in elaborating and extending by extra illustrations many standard and scarce editions. Among other rarities may be mentioned the Biog- raphies and Portraits of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, with autographs inserted. Mr. James E. Estabrook has a fine private library, comprising many standard works of history and biography in the best ing Co. The office is at 339 Main street.
Nathaniel C. Fowler and Fred E. Colburn. Mr. Colburn sold his interest to Mr. F. E. Kennedy on the fifth of April, and June 28 Mr. Fowler retired. The paper was pur- chased of Mr. Kennedy by Mr. A. S. Roe on the 20th of December and the latter continued as editor and publisher till March of 1892. The paper is now issued by the Light Publish-
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Light Infantry .- This company was organ- structure on the corner of Belmont street was, ized in 1804, in response to a demand for in its original form, occupied early in the cen- better conditioned militia. The first public tury by Hon. Levi Lincoln as a residence. parade was made June 6, 1804, under com-
On the east side of Summer street can be seen mand of Capt. Levi Thaxter. September II, the old Antiquarian Hall, erected by Isaiah 1814, this company marched to Boston with the Worcester Artillery to repel expected British invasion. They remained in camp at South Boston till October 31, when they re- turned. In 1861 the Light Infantry belonged to the 6th Regt., and quickly responded to the call for troops to suppress the Rebellion, leaving Worcester on the 17th of April, and
Thomas in 1820; between Summer and Union streets are the substantial Dean and Salisbury buildings, erected by Stephen Salisbury, Esq. At the entrance to Court Hill is the hall and treasure-house of the American Antiquarian Society, while in full view in different direc- tions are the County Court Houses on the hill; the residence of Mr. Salisbury, on Highland passed safely through Baltimore on the memor- street; the new Central Church and parsonage,. able 19th, when a portion of the command on Salisbury street; and beyond, the new Armory building and the Society of Antiquity was massacred in that city. After three months' service, most of which was in Maryland, the building. The steam railroad and street car company arrived home the Ist of August. It lines pass through the square. The station is now attached to the 2d Regt. and designated as Company C.
Lincoln House .- A popular hotel, located on Elm street. The Main street block in front, now used for other purposes, was opened in connection with the present hotel as the Lincoln House, June 2, 1856. This estab- lishment not being successful, the property was divided, the rear portion only, which had been a hotel-the old "Worcester House"- since 1835, being now confined to that use. The old part of the building was erected in 1812 by Hon. Levi Lincoln, and occupied as a residence by him till 1835. There was a fine garden in front, the site of which was covered by a row of low buildings called the Tombs, and later by the present Lincoln House Block.
Lincoln Park .- The pleasure ground at the terminus of the Worcester and Shrews- bury Railroad, Lake Quinsigamond. During the summer season band playing and other attractions are maintained here daily, and Sundays especially. Steamboats make fre- quent trips from the wharves at the park, down the lake and above the causeway to Natural History Camp. Abundant facilities for boating are also afforded close by. The Belmont House is connected by a bridge with the park. The park is private property.
of the Boston & Maine and Fitchburg Rail- roads stands between Lincoln and Prescott streets.
Literary Men .- The atmosphere of Wor- cester seems not to be favorable for the culti- vation either of literature or the fine arts, and literary men are not inclined to take up a resi -· dence here, although there are some apparent. attractions and advantages. Nor in the past do we find many names among residents of the place which can be enrolled with those entitled to literary fame. Rev. Aaron Ban- croft was a writer of some merit, but not equal to his distinguished son, George Ban- croft, the historian, who was born here in 1800. The elder Bancroft wrote perhaps the first life of Washington published in this country. William Sheldon, an Englishman and a littera- teur of versatility, resided in Worcester a few years previous to 1812. He was employed by Isaiah Thomas to supervise the publica- tion of the History of Printing, was editor of the Spy, and wrote one or two books while he lived in the place. William Charles White, "player, poet, advocate and author," was in Worcester more or less during the period 1797- 1818, and died here the last named year. Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, a brother of the celebrated "Peter Parley," was minister of the Old South Church from 1816 to 1820.
Lincoln Square .- At the north end of He was the author of several historical works. Main street. Highland, Salisbury, Prescott, William Lincoln, the historian of Worcester, Lincoln, Belmont, Summer and Union streets was a writer of elegance. Rev. John S. C. all radiate from this point. On the north is Abbott, best known as the author of the life the old Salisbury mansion, one of the most in- of Napoleon, was pastor of the Calvinist teresting buildings in Worcester. The wooden Church in Worcester from 1830 to 1835. He
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