USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fireside legends : incidents, anecdotes, reminiscences, etc., connected with the early history of Fitchburg, Mass., and vicinity > Part 2
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The darkey was hugely tickled with his good for- tune, having made twenty dollars out of the ride. He was dressed in white hat and breeches, red coat, and American flag style of shirt collar. He was a
50
KIMBALL
--
Moulton, Photo.
51
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regular "African dewdrop," a black diamond of the purest water, and his original remarks added to the amusement of the crowd. In the evening Mr. Brown gave a banquet to some twenty-five of his friends, some of whom are still living and well remember the occasion.
Mr. Brown's partner in the dry goods business was Mr. Charles Kimball of Haver- hill, but in 1862 Mr. Brown became sole owner, and with no assistance except that rendered by Mrs. Brown and a boy, he started for himself.
In the years that followed Mrs. Brown supplemented her husband's efforts with rare tact and ability in the store, until at the time of his death there were over fifty persons em- ployed who mourned the loss of a friend as well as an employer. The building shown on the preceding page was remodelled at five dif- ferent times until the substantial brown stone front, now occupied by Nichols & Frost, was evolved. The hall in this block was furnished for several years, warmed and lighted for the meetings of the Railroad Men's Christian As- sociation, and was freely opened to all meet- ings, social, political or religious.
"LAKE-VIEW," WESTMINSTER, MASS. HOME OF MRS. L. J. BROWN AND MISS A. E. HARDING.
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DAGUERREIAN GALLERY.
HAVES H.EEVERETT
HENRYJ.LOWE.
VIEW ON UPPER MAIN STREET IN 1865, SHOWING SITE OF THE PHOENIX BLOCK. Moulton, Photo.
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Home office? The FITCHBURG MUTUAL FIRE
INSURANCE CO
-
FITCHBURG GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT CO.
HENRY G. MORSE. PREST. ond TREAS,
HON. RODNEY WALLACE VICE-PREST.
LINCOLN R. WELCH. SECRETARY.
RESIDENCE OF HENRY G. MORSE, BLOSSOM STREET.
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HENRY G. MORSE.
President and treasurer Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company. For several years leading building contractor.
LYMAN H. GOODNOW, Proprietor of the Rollstone Iron Foundry. Established
1867.
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WYSTERS & REFRESHMENTS
OYST
TAR
CONFECTIONER
Moulton, Photo.
OLD BUILDING WHERE FITCHBURG SAVINGS BANK NOW STANDS.
Residence of Samuel Willis, woolen manufacturer, who died Sept. 30, 1843, aged 51. Representative to General Court in 1838.
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Moulton, Photo.
EBENEZER TORREY RESIDENCE, MAIN STREET.
Office of Calvin Willard, Postmaster, and afterward Sheriff of Worcester County.
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İ
LES, MARK
Townend, Photo.
FITCHBURG SAVINGS BANK BLOCK.
Erected in 1871. The office of Torrey & Wood was located for years in the old building at the left.
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EBENEZER TORREY (1801-88).
One of the incorporators of and for fifty-six years connected with the Fitchburg National Bank, Thirty years Town Treas- urer, Representative, State Senator; and on Governor's Council.
NATHANIEL WOOD (1797-1876).
President Fitchburg Savings Bank, first President Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Representative and State Senator. For fifty years Torrey & Wood was recognized as a leading law firm in Worcester County.
STEPHEN SHEPLEY (1818-80).
Bookseller and local historian. Many valuable facts in the history of Fitchburg have been obtained through his researches.
TIMOTHY S. WILSON (1801-91).
Was for 17 years with Leander Sprague in the dry goods and crockery business. He was the oldest Odd Fellow in Fitchburg at the time of his death.
HON. GOLDSMITH FOX BAILEY (1823-62).
Member of Congress, a lawyer and legislator of great promise at time of his death.
E. FOSTER BAILEY.
Town Clerk for several years, clerk and treasurer Ameri- can Rattan Co , Representative 1869, member of school committee.
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GUY ROBINSON'S POLKA „ phường kỹ thọ
CHARLES ROBINSON First Governor of the State of kansas,
ANDREW WHITNEY.
Mr. Whitney composed several voeal and in- strun ental pieces, was a church organist, and organ and melodeon builder with his father, Jonas Preseott Whitney, and brothers; is a large real estate owner and builder in Fitchburg and Springfield.
SWIFTS CHICACO.DRESSED
FACTORY SQUARE, 1887.
DR. T. S. BLOOD AND N. TOLMAN ESTATES, MAIN STREET, 1890.
UPPER MAIN STREET, 1883.
PROCTOR, KINSMAN AND DICKINSON RESIDENCES, MAIN STREET, 1895.
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CHAPTER III.
EARLY DAYS IN THE SETTLEMENT.
OR many years after the Indians ceased to trouble the settlement the best energies of the inhabitants were given to the work of subduing the wilderness. The story of these early labors has a peculiar fascination to us, their descendants, although lacking the same interest elicited by the recital of Indian atrocities.
The wilderness lay before them, the lonely and solemn woods used for generations by the Indians as a hunting ground. the stillness at last broken by the ringing tones of the axe and the sound of falling timber, accompanied by the echoes of the voices of the woodmen at their work ; then came the time for burning the dry trunks and branches, the planting of barley and corn, the building of houses and barns, walls, fields, and roads. and in the course of time, when the stump- age had become sufficiently decayed, re- moving the charred stumps and roots by the use of oxen and heavy chains, then levelling the land, removing the stones, and at last introducing the plough ; after this followed the various processes of planting, the setting out of fruit trees and vines, until the wilderness was made to blossom as the rose. '
Only those who have lived in frontier towns can appreciate the toil incident to the opening of such a wilderness. One writer of New England history has said : "An immense amount of the most exhausting labor must be expended in the process. The world looks with wonder on the dykes of Holland, the wall of China, the pyramids of Egypt; I do not hesitate
to say that the results produced by the small, scattered population of the American WOODEN colonies, during the first century, in tearing PLOW up the wilderness by the roots, transferring the rocks with which the surface was covered into walls, opening roads, building bridges, and making a rough and broken country, smooth and level, converting a sterile waste into fertile fields, blossoming with verdure and grain and fruitage, is a more wonderful monument of human industry and perse- verance than them all. It was the work, not of mere hired laborers, still less of servile minions, but of freemen, owning or winning by their voluntary and cheerful toil the acres on which they labored, and thus entitling themselves to be the sovereigns of the country they were creating."
During the early years of the settlement there were only a sufficient number of mechanics to do the absolutely necessary repairs, to dress the cloth, which was home- spun and made in the family, to do the blacksmithing, make the ţ ploughs and other farming im- plements, to make and mend the custom shoes, etc. It was a common practice for the shoe- maker to pack up his "kit " and go from house to house, making up the shoes for the year.
Nearly every farmer had his field of flax, and some had flax sell. The wives and daughters
made cloth of it for the family, and the boys at an early age learned to brake and swinge it.
The early houses of the settlement were one-story, with stone chimneys, and built principally of logs, and the windows in many of them were of oiled paper instead of glass. The interiors were un- finished and almost destitute of furnishing, the benches, tables and chairs being home made.
The chimneys were large enough in most cases to allow of seats inside the fireplace, where a person sitting in the evening could watch the stars through the top of the chimney. The cooking was done principally in iron pots and kettles, which hung over the fire on a swinging crane suspended by hooks of different lengths. Wild game, fowls, and sometimes pigs, were roasted or spitted whole, the spit. an iron rod sharp at one end, being thrust through the meat and turned about before the fire while it roasted. Meat
was also broiled by contact with the live coals, and corn bread or pancakes were has- tily prepared in pans and also baked before the coals. The bak- ing, including the brown bread and beans, was done to a nicety in
the brick oven adjoining. The tinder-box and flint were used for lighting the fire and the bellows to fan it into a blaze. The an- cient iron candle sticks or tallow dips stood on the mantle piece, and above on wooden pegs hung the old flint-lock musket and powder horn. The piggin, skillet, and other roughly constructed articles of culinary use; the tin lantern, candle and bullet moulds ; mortar and pestle, hour glass, the steelyards, the birch broom, the iron fire shovel and tongs, and other articles of daily use either hung on the walls or stood in their accustomed places. The bare For and the wooden settle, the dresser with its pewter plates, platters, etc. the reel and quill- wheel, the wooden churn, straight back chairs, the old eight-day clock in the corner, were familiar objects in nearly every New England home.
The monotony of life in the settlement was varied by occasional social gatherings, in which labor and merrymaking went hand in hand. The old fashioned husking and quilting parties were looked forward to and indulged in by all, men, women and children alike entering into the enjoyment of the occasion. After the hay and grain were gath- ered and the corn and pumpkins were harvested, then came the merry husking party. When the corn had been brought into the corn house or barn and arranged in convenient rows and heaps an evening was appointed for the husking. Towards the close of the appointed day the neighbors, old and young, for miles around began to assemble. They came in wagons
.
and carts, or on horseback, clad in plain homespun, and at early twilight began their merry labors. The red ear was industriously sought, as it entitled the finder to salute each fair maiden in the room. The ladies of course were allowed the same privilege, but seldom availed themselves of it. Some un- fortunate young man, however, after hunting in vain would find his sweetheart equal to the emergency, a red ear would find its way into his hand, and the generous young lady would be repaid by the first kiss. Sometimes there would be a scarcity of red ears, in which case recourse would be had to a choice collection from the garret which had seen active service in times gone by, and which although showing signs of age were too welcome to excite suspi- cion or inquiry. The young men found exercise for their gallantry in helping their fair companions to corn from the heap, and in remov- ing the accumulation of husks ; then there were songs and stories and gossip; sometimes the whole company were in breathless silence while some old veteran slowly rehearsed a tragic tale of Indian warfare and blood, and then the whole house would resound with loud peals of laughter which followed some comical story or bright flash of wit. Those who
3
could not rehearse incidents even of doubtful heroism in the army, had their fund of divers anecdotes of struggles with bears, minks, wild- cats, foxes, musquash and coons. After the labors of the evening were finished, the company repaired to the house, where the tables were loaded down with cake and dough- nuts and pies, the pumpkin pies baked in great, deep platters, and the best cheese reserved to be cut
on this occasion. After a hearty repast, at which coffee and cider were bountifully supplied, the kitchen was cleared of furniture and the festivities wound up with "blind-man's buff"" and other sports, or the old folks were dismissed and the rest of the time devoted to dancing.
As the long winter evenings drew on social gatherings became more frequent, neighbors would assemble at the house of some one of their number and by their united labor accomplish in a single evening what it would have taken the family months to do. The patchwork quilt- ing would all be done, the corn and nuts all shelled, the young birch stripped down in their strands and birch brooms enough made to last a year in house and barn, and many other useful offices rendered. Outside of these occasions, in which labor and jollity were mingled, the games and amuse-
Joe Cushing Rail Road
Fitchburg R. R.
This Pass is not! to be presented or. used by the holder to . procure a Pass over any other R. R.
Vt. & Mass. R. R. Cheshire R, R.
4
ass
Francia Buttrich
1873.
1873.
Complimentary Until December 3ist, 1873. for ofthe Cus hing
B. C. & F. R. R.
If presented by any other person than the individual named thereon, the Conductor will take up this Pass.
Joe Cushing R. R.
See other side. /
Superintendent.
Front.
Back.
The "Joe Cushing Railroad" extended from the tracks of the V. & M. R. R., near the old stone depot, to the old stone mill, a distance or about 500 feet. The grand opening and spike driving occurred Sept. 9, 1871. Music by the Fitchburg Band, introductory remarks by Hon. Amasa Norcross, address by George E. Towne, and collation, a full account of which was given in the Fitchburg papers. Passes were exchanged with railroads all over the country.
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FACTORY SQUARE, 1860.
L. J. BROWN AND H. A. HATCH STORES, 1882.
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HON. ALVAH CROCKER (1801-74).
Paper Manufacturer, Railroad Builder and Manager. First President of Fitchburg and V. & M. Railroads. State Senator, and Representative to Congress at time of his death. First Senior Warden of Christ Church.
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In the
pleasant
orchard
clases.
Mrs BrownING.
Somewhat back fin De Village Street
Looking down
Main Street,
A farm house" in the
Lowest )
orchard Shadow.
Stands The Old-fashioned Country Seat? (LONGFELLOW)
RESIDENCE OF HON. ALVAH CROCKER, MAIN STREET.
Florence W. Tyler, Photo.
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28 PAGES
Fitchburg Evening Mail.
PRICE IO CENTS
FIRST SECTION
FITCHBURG EVENING MAIL, SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 180G.
PAGES 1 10 9
E: E Armes
Por-Editor
Organized dee 7 1894 Issued by Assistant Editor
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THE
Woman's Club - Woman's
M's Edition =
1896:237 Members
Empr
Nested among her hills she lies,- The city of our love!" Within her, pleasant homes arise; And healthful airs and happy skies Floor peacefully above.
or A sturdy few, mid hopes and fears, Her fair foundations set; And looking backward now , Through years of steady gain! how small appears Her old estate ! - and yet ,
She dens no autocratic airs, Er In seorn of humbler-days," But; shapes her fortunes and affairs, To match the civic wreath she wears . And justify hel bays. Honor and ruth her old, renown. Conservative of both.
The virtues of the little Town She holds in leggey . to crown- The City's larger growth:
Nor ease nor sloth her strength desport: - Her peaceful farmers tilt, With patient thrift, ih outlying sol. Her trained mechanies defly toil, Her merchants ply Their skill;
Her bonderous engineries supply A thousand walling needs; Her wheels revolve, her shuttles fly" And ever where The prize hangar Her foot , unfaltering leads.
Her sympathies are target and sweet: And when at Freedom's call, the war flags waved , the war drums beat , Sale Sprang responsive to her feet, And frealy offered all !
Alert in War, she Emulates The Arts of Peace , as well ; Religion. Order, guard her gates;
So Through the round of years, she KEEps
Wealth, Culture, Thrift, like happy later ny Advancing on her past: Her old-Time vigor never sleeps,-
der destinies storetell.
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I
And Even as she sows she reaps. God bless her to the last!
( Caroline A Mason.)
- Department Editore. -
Educational-Maria T. Lawrence. Home Inkreatt Sara J. Thomson. Philanthropy-Alice Miller.
BUSINESS MANAGER E.M.F : Hartwell ADVERTISING AGENT. Annie Crocker
- Department Editors .- eluios - Myra BIR Miller Juvenile - Ellen F: Blood. Fine Arts Lucy conn Potter Adelaide P. Crocker
MRS. E. M. F. HARTWELL. First President Fitchburg Woman's Club, 1894-1900.
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ME: daquith
Charter
Member
HOME OF THE FITCHBURG WOMAN'S CLUB.
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CHARLES MASON, A. M. Senior Attorney in Fitchburg at present time.
CHBURG
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES MASON, LAUREL HILL.
Mr. Mason has been for 60 years a resident of Fitchburg; connected with its educational interests. His address, delivered at the centennial cele- bration of his native town, Dublin, N. H., was printed in its history, and his book, "The National and State Governments," has been used as a text- book in schools and academies.
CAROLINE ATHERTON (BRIGGS) MASON.
"Do They Miss Me At Home?" was one of her earlier and best known poems. The words were set to music and sung by thousands. The poem as orig- inally composed is here given.
DO THEY MISS ME?
Do they miss ine at home, do they miss me? 'Twould be an assurance most dear To know that this moment some loved one Was saying, "Oh, were she but here!" To know that the group at the fireside Were thinking of me as I roam,- Oh yes, 'twould be joy beyond measure, To know that they missed me at home!
When twilight approaches,-the season That ever was sacred to Song,- Does someone repeat my name over, And sigh that I tarry so long ? And is there a chord in the music That's missed when my voice is away ? And a chord in each heart that awaketh Regret at my wearisome stay ?
Do they place me a chair near the table When evening's home pleasures are nigh, And candles are lit in the parlor, And stars in the calm azure sky ? And when the good-nights are repeated, Does each the dear memory keep, And think of the absent, and waft me Afwhispered "Good-night" ere they sleep ?
Do they miss me at home, do they miss me, At morning, at noon, and at night ?- And lingers one gloomy shade round them That only my presence can light ?- Are joys less invitingly welcomed, And pleasures less dear than before, Because one is missed from the circle,- Because I am with them no more?
Oh yes-they do miss me-kind voices Are calling me back as I roanı, And eyes have grown weary with weeping, And watch but to welcome me home! Sweet friends, ve shall wait me no longer- No longer I'll linger behind - For how can I tarry while followed By watchings and pleadings so kind ?
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MARY LOWE DICKINSON.
General seeretary and editor International Order King's Daughters and Sons. Devoting her time to philanthropic and literary work. Born in Fitchburg : a scholar and for nine years teacher in its schools, winning the devoted love and esteem of classmates and pupils.
IF WE HAD BUT A DAY.
We should fill the hours with the sweetest things If we had but a day ; We should drink alone at the purest springs In our upward way; We should love with a lifetime's love in an hour If the hours were few :
We should rest, not for dreams, but for fresher power To be and to do.
We should guide our wayward or wearied wills By the clearest light ; We should keep our eyes on the heavenly hills If they lay in sight. We should trample the pride and the discontent Beneath our feet ; We should take whatever a good God sent With a trust complete.
We should waste no moments in weak regret If the day were but one; If what we remember and what we forget Went out with the sun; We should be from our clamorous selves set free To work or to pray, And to be what the Father would have us be If we had but a day.
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MARTHA DOWNE TOLMAN .;
In addition to her literary work Miss Tolman is secretary of the Board of Managers of the Old Ladies' Home, and one of the Board of Managers of Fitchburg Benevolent Union.
THE POET
The poet was young and the world was old, Threaded with labors manifold;
The poet sang as it pleased him best; He sang what prophet or sage ne'er guessed. He wandered afar, over mountains and seas, Afar, over continents, east and west ; He asked of the skies, he asked of the trees; Yet, the poet sang as it pleased him best.
He sang, and the clouds bent low to hear;
He sang, and the murmuring breeze stood still; He sang, and the linnet and lark drew near, The sweet-voiced nightingale hushed on the hill. The poet sang, and he looked afar, His fancies roamed through the years to be; He peopled a world of wise and good- A nation noble and great and frec.
The poet grew old. "Ah, the world is young!" The poet sighed, while yet he sung- Sung, and the skies, more fair and bright, Graced with their beauty the day and night; Sung, and the mountain's crest, sublime. Cried to his singing, "Oh, what is Time?" Sung, and the wide earth blossomed for him In fadeless beauty, from rim to rim
$1
WILLIAM M. LEATHE.
Nearly sixty years in Fitchburg; twenty-five years in manufacture of palm-leaf stoek for braiding hats and weav- ing bonnets; fourteen years connected with the Old Ladies' Home corporation.
TRUE FRIENDSHIP.
You often say you are my friend, But can I on your word depend ? A friend is sure a friend indeed Who is our friend in time of need. Now, if your friendship here is true, For my own sake what would you do ? If all the world did firmly stand Against me, would you take my hand, And speak with that sweet friendly voiee- You did when first I was your choice?
Should dire misfortune fall on me With shame, disgrace, then would you be- My friend ? When others all depart, Would you still stand by me in heart ? Or, if my foes should cast me down, Would you likewise upon me frown, Add to my grief more bitter tears, Then turn aside with eold, deaf ears, Fold up your hands upon your breast,
* Leave me alone, by wrong oppressed ? Now, if in truth you are my friend, Your friendly aid you would not lend For foes to crush me with their might, But until death against them fight.
It is not words true friendship needs, But love that prompts to noble deeds ; If sure you would my life defend, And live or die, you are my friend. Such friendship will through life endure, For like its fountain it is pure; It springs from love which is divine, The more 'tis used, the more 'twill shine.
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THE NEW OLD LADIES' HOME, CEDAR STREET.
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E
E
----
RESIDENCE OF DR. A. W. SIDNEY, HOLT STREET.
DR A. W. SIDNEY.
In practice in Fitchburg since 1866. Has been a member of the School Committee and President of the corporation of the Old Ladies' Home. A prominent Baptist, one of the founders of and deacon in the Highland Baptist Church.
J. C. MOULTON.
RESIDENCE OF J. C. MOULTON, ATLANTIC AVENUE.
Veteran photographer and one of the oldest Fitchburg business men, began making daguerreotypes here in 1848. His collection of negatives, over 30,000 in number, includes likenesses of nearly all of our leading citizens for 50 years, and old-time pictures of streets and buildings, many of which are reproduced in these pages. Mr. Moulton served the city as Councilman, was the first president of the Fitchburg Y. M. C. A., a deacon in Rollstone church, and for 15 years superintendent of its Sunday School.
85
1
M
CAN
AMERICAN HOUSE, BUILT BY DEA. DAVID BOUTELLE.
Moulton, Photo, 1868.
$6
JOHN H. COBLEIGH.
Veteran jobber, came to Fitchburg in 1859. Was fore- man of old hand engine "Conqueror," and first assistant engineer, Fire Department.
JOHN G. SPRING.
Veteran conductor, railroading since 1864. Known all over the line as "Jack" Spring.
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OVERLOOK RESERVOIR.
27
BURBANK HOSPITAL BUILDINGS.
From Architeets' Drawings.
Extract from the will of Gardner S. Burbank: "I desire that a substantial and commodious hospital building shall be erected. * *
* I trust that my charity may survive and do good to the poor and sick for many generations. # * And I also request and direct that while those who are able to pay for the services rendered them in the hospital may be subjected to such moderate and reasonable charge as is usual in such cases in similar charitable institutions, those on the other hand who are in poverty and sickness shall ever be received and cared for kindly and tenderly, 'without 'money and without price,' and without regard to color or nation- ality. It is by the request of my wife, whose good judgment has so greatly aided me in all the affairs and purposes of my life, that I was led to make the foregoing provision for the foundation of a hospital."
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GARDNER S. BURBANK (1809-88).
SARAH H. (GROUT) BURBANK.
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*.
Fairbanks, Photo.
MEMBERS OF BURBANK HOSPITAL TRAINING SCHOOL FOR NURSES, 1900.
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JOHN GARFIELD (1815-85). Founder of the Fitchburg Weekly Sentinel 1838. Connected with that paper at different times up to 1871.
ELISHA GARFIELD (1802-73). Publisher Fitchburg Sentinel 1850-65, either alone or in connection with his brothers.
92
WILLIAM J. MERRIAM (1817-85).
Owner and manager of Sentinel from 1841-50. Afterwards a lawyer and in the drug business at the time of his death.
WILLIAM S. WILDER (1805-87).
Publisher first Fitchburg Directory, May 1, 1835, Editor of the Courier and one year editor of Sentinel. Assistant post- master, afterwards City missionary in New York.
93
CHARLES C. STRATTON (1829-1900).
JOHN E. KELLOGG.
From March, 1873, until the death of Mr. Stratton, Oct. 5, 1900, Messrs. Stratton and Kellogg constituted the Sentinel Printing Company. The first number of the Daily Sentinel was issued May 6, 1873.
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Ilenburg
HOME OF THE FITCHBURG SENTINEL, WALLACE BUILDING.
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THE SENTINEL FAMILY, 1900.
AARON W. WATSON.
Employed by the Sentinel Printing Co. as printer, reporter, foreman and city editor nearly all the time since Sept., 1870.
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