USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fireside legends : incidents, anecdotes, reminiscences, etc., connected with the early history of Fitchburg, Mass., and vicinity > Part 7
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H. Merriam. He boarded at a house next below what is now the confectionery store of H. N. Rugg. One of his peculiar oddities was that " he could never be prevailed upon to sleep in a bed, but persisted in sleeping in the school house. During Crosby's reign here as a pedagogue the town was severely afflicted with incendiary fires. One fire after another occurred in such rapid succession that a feeling of terror settled upon the inhabitants, and many children-and grown-up people as well- were afraid to go to bed at night, for fear of being burned out before morning. This was before the invention of efficient fire apparatus, and before fire insurance had become common as in later years.
The first fire that occurred was the burning of the shop of Capt. Zachariah Sheldon, located where the Priest Lumber Mill now is, on Rollstone street. Very soon the house of Benjamin Snow, where Mrs. Alvah Crocker now lives, was burned down, some of the inmates barely es- caping with thei . lives. Great excite- ment prevailed and a force was raised to patrol the streets through the night. Crosby was one of the most active of the
patrolling force, as he was ever among the foremost to arrive at the fires, and most zealous in combating the flames. One night, while the watchmen were going their rounds, the barn of Dr. Jonas A. Marshall was set on fire and burnt to the ground. A shed connecting the barn and house was with great effort torn away and the house saved from destruction. The citizens were now thoroughly aroused, and determined to hunt down the incendiary. The intrepid Crosby turned out with the rest to scour the town for the arrest of the fire-fiend; and in jumping a small stream stepped on a rolling stone and turned his ankle, which lamed and badly disabled him. He was helped to his boarding place and offered a bed, but preferred to bunk on the floor ; and was visited, commiserated and cared for by some of the first people of the town.
After Sheldon's shop was burned a young man by the name of Jonas Spaulding-a sort of half-witted fellow-was arrested, tried, con- victed and sent to state prison. He confessed to setting the fire, but said he was induced to do it by a man whose name he did not know.
Crosby went from here to Salem, and was there detected in rascalities which proved him to be a consummate villian, and it was finally ascertained that he set or instigated the setting of all the fires that had so disturbed the slumbers and endangered the lives of the people of Fitchburg. After leading a life of rascality and crime Crosby is said to have finally terminated his career on the gallows.
الينبوع
كلية بـ
"MAZEPPA Nº 3" PURCHACED IN 1851. THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN IN 1866. IN FACTORY SQ. IN 1851 THERE WERE FOUR OTHER HAND ENGINES, CONQUEROR No), WASHINGTONIAN Nº 2_ALERTNO4, AND VETERAN N25.
3
HOSE 3
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-
SE 3
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HOSE COMPANY NO. 3.
The modern hose company, team and apparatus which have superseded the old hand tub of fifty years ago.
THIS PICTURE OF THE OLD FRANKLIN HOOK & LADDER TRUCK NO. 1. WAS TAKEN IN FRONT OF THE "FIRST BAPTIST" CHURCH! PROBABLY IN 1865 0R1866.
316
Moulton
THE FIRST STEAMER"WACHUSETT~ PURCHASED 1865. IT HAD A MOTTO PAINTED UPON IT. NEVER WEARY" APPROPRIATE AZAOW THI NO ZI ONIJAZY KYANINOUW SLIVO NOILOW YKINOTIDOH OH1 . JULI VONDOVE WHOM OL ALITIDY SLI TO INMODOU NO
L FIRE
CENTRAL FIRE STATION, OLIVER STREET.
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CHAPTER IX.
MILITARY.
YE HE oldest military company now in existence in the city, received its charter in 1816, and was known by the name of the Fitchburg Fusiliers from the time of its organiza- -00+49 tion. It was formed from the "Old South" Company belonging to the 4th Regiment, 2d Brigade, 7th Division, M. V. M. The charter was granted to the new company, Dec. 14, 1816, and the organization was perfected at a meeting, Feb. 3, 1817, at which John Upton, Uncle of Colonel Edwin Upton,) was elected captain; Alpheus Kimball, (father of General John W. Kimball,) lieutenant, and Walter Johnson, ensign. These three officers were of equal height, a trifle over six feet, and otherwise well fitted to command. The uniform adopted by vote of the company consisted of a blue coat trimmed with bell buttons and lace, pantaloons of the same color as the coat, made to button over the boots, and trimmed with bell buttons from the bottoms to the hips, the caps were bound with red morocco and varnished and otherwise "ornamented as a committee chosen might think proper."
Upon the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861 both the "Fusiliers" and "Washington Guards" vol- unteered and served faithfully during the war.
The Washington Guards were organized in July, 1855, on petition of Charles H. Foss and fifty-nine others. The following officers were elected : Captain, John B. Proctor ; Ist lieutenant, Hiram P. Minot ; 2d lieutenant, Charles H. Foss ; 3d lieutenant, Oscar A. Battles ; 4th lieutenant, Varius Stearns. July 26 the name of Washington Guards was adopted.
HOLESTONE HOUSE
THE FITCHBURG FUSILIERS.
Photographed by Moulton in front of the Rollstone House in 1861, as they were about to leave for the seat of war.
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CAPT. JOHN B. PROCTOR.
The first commissioned Captain of the Washington Guards. Several years in the wholesale flour and grain business.
CAPT. CHARLES H. FOSS (1829-98). First Lieutenant in the Washington Guards. Captain of Co. F, 25th Regt., during the war. Several years on police force.
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COL. EDWIN UPTON (1815-90).
Selectman, Assessor, Representative 1859-60; Boston cus- tom house 1861. Colonel 25th Massachusetts Regt. After his return served six years in the Boston custom house, and was keeper of the House of Correction at South Fitchburg 1869-74.
COL. JAMES MAY (1828-80).
2d sergeant in Old Fusiliers, then Co. B, 9th Regt. M. V. M., which was mustered into service as Co. B, 15th Regt. Pro- moted rapidly for conspicuous bravery and soldierly qualities ; mustered out 1865 as captain Co. H, 20th Regt. Colonel 10th Regt. M. V. M. 1869-75.
320a
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DR. CHARLES H. RICE.
Practicing physician in Fitchburg since 1866. Several years surgeon 6th Regt., M. V. M. Member of School Committee and Trustee of the Public Library. City Physician 1873-75.
Fairbanks
RESIDENCE OF DR. CHARLES H. RICE.
Prichard street.
320b
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COL. HENRY G. GREENE.
Druggist ; President Fitchburg Trust Co. Deputy Sheriff Worcester County since 1878. Twenty-three years M. V. M., serving in every grade from private to colonel. 34th Mass. Infantry 1862-64; in charge of U. S. General Hospital at Rcad- ville until Oct. 1865, when he came to Fitchburg.
RESIDENCE OF COL. HENRY G. GREENE.
Day street.
320c
CHARLES P. MUDGE.
Treasurer Fitchburg Trust Company.
ROBERT B. YOUNG. Assistant Treasurer Fitchburg Trust Company.
320d
GOODERE, FINE TAILORING
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FITCHBURG LOAN, TRUST & SAFETY DEPOSIT CO
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FITCHBURG TRUST COMPANY'S BLOCK, 1901.
320e
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RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM A. HARDY, CHARLES STREET. Theodore R. Hardy, Photo.
320f
WILLIAM A. HARDY
Brass founder. Resident of Fitchburg since 1855. Selectman, Councilman, and School Committeeman. Washington Guards, 9th Regt., M. V. M. ; Co. D, 5th Regt. Mass. Vols. in Civil war ; Ancient and Honorable Artillery; Boston L. I. Veteran Corps; Army and Navy Veterans; G. A. R .; I. O. O. F .; and I. O. R. M.
Visit of Ancient and Honorable Artillery to the Honorable Artillery of London, July, 1896. Commander of the Honorables photographed under the stars and stripes at grand review of Eng- lish army by Earl of Connaught at Aldershot, in honor of Ancient and Honorable Artillery.
Theodore R. Hardy, _Photo.
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THE DICKINSON BUILDING.
320h
RESIDENCE OF WALTER A. DAVIS, VIEW STREET.
HON. DAVID H. MERRIAM (1820-88).
Began practice of law in Fitchburg in 1851. Served as Selectman 1861; represented Fitchburg in legislature; two years as Mayor; was Provost Marshal of 9th Massachusetts District under President Lincoln; Commmissioner of Insolvency; Special Justice of Police Court.
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COL. EDWARD P. LORING (1837-94).
Bowdoin '61. 1st Lieut. Co. B, 13th Me .; Capt. Co. A, 1st La. H. A. ; Maj. 10th U. S. colored H. A., Asst. Inspector-General on staff of Gen. T. W. Sherman. Graduate Albany Law School. Lawyer, State Senator, Comptroller of County Accounts.
FITCHBURG SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
Monument square. Martin Millmore, sculptor. Dedicated June 24, 1874. Four brass field pieces, secured to Fitchburg from the national government by Hon. Alvah Crocker, M. C., were mounted regulation style and placed on the four corners of the square.
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FUNERAL OF LIEUT .- COL. GEORGE E. MARSHALL.
April 19, 1866. The imposing ceremonies were attended by His Excellency Gov. Bullock and ex-Gov. Andrew. The "Com- mittee on a Monument to our Fallen Heroes" had it in charge. The Army and Navy unions of Fitchburg and Leominster at- tended in a body, the Fusiliers, numbering sixty men, and the Fire Department. Rev. Henry L. Jones, rector of the Episcopal church, delivered the funeral oration.
320j
WILLIAM M. WILLIS (1833-1900).
Commissary sergeant U. S. Volunteers 1861-05.
J. CALVIN SPAULDING.
Sergeant Co. F, 25th Mass. Volunteers, during Civil war. Several years a deacon in the C. C. church. 320k
LIEUT. GEORGE G. NUTTING.
Co. A, 53d Regt. Killed at Fort Bisland, La., April 13, 1863.
CAPT. GEORGE H. BAILEY. Co. A, 53d Regt. Killed at Port Hudson, May 25, 1863.
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CAPT. JEROME K. TAFT. Co. A, 53d Mass. Regt. Killed at Port Hudson, June 14, 1863.
CAPT. JONAS COREY. Co. B, 53d Mass. Regt. Died Oct. 28, 1878.
320m
STATE ARMORY, CHURCH STREET. Furnishes quarters for Companies B and D, 6th Regt. Built in 1891.
Moulton, Photo.
320n
COL. CHARLES K. DARLING.
Colonel 6th Regt., M. V. M. Dartmouth '81; West Point Military Academy. Fitchburg Sentinel 1890. Connected with the 6th Regt., M. V. M., since 1887; Major in the 6th during Spanish-American war. Appointed United States Marshal for Massachusetts 1899.
6 M
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LIEUT .- COL. GEORGE H. PRIEST.
Lieut .- Col. 6th Regt., M. V. M. Enlisted in Fitchburg Fusi- liers, Co. B, 6th Regt., 1885; Major of the 6th during Spanish- American war. Graduate Fitchburg High School. Four years with his father, and since death of latter in 1887, manager C. A. Priest Lumber Co. Councilman 1897-8; Alderman 1899-1901.
3200
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SAFETY FOND NATIONAL BANK ***
THE SAFETY FUND NATIONAL BANK, MAIN STREET.
HENRY ALLISON.
President Safety Fund National Bank from 1874. Was six years clerk in postoffice under Hon. J. W. Mansur and Judge T. K. Ware. In Fitchburg Bank 1864-74.
ELMER A. ONTHANK.
Cashier of the Safety Fund National Bank.
BIRTHPLACE AND FORMER RESIDENCE OF ELIJAH M. DICKINSON AT WEST NORTHFIELD, MASS.
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DICKINSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, NORTHFIELD
Nathaniel Dickinson built a house in 1728 near this spot, which was soon changed into a fort for protection against Indians, He lived here nineteen years, and was killed and scalped by the Indians April 15, 1747, aged 48, A monument at Pochange Hill marks the spot where he fell, Benoni Dickin- son, his son, and Capt. Job M, Dickinson, his grandson, also lived here, Elijah M, Dickinson, his great-grandson, was born in West Northfield, Aug, 1, 1816, He erected this building in memory of the above and presented it to the town for a public library,
ELIJAH M, DICKINSON
Shoe manufacturer for nearly sixty years, Came to Fitch- burg in 1854, Was Alderman in 1873.
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DANIEL CROSS (1813-90).
First president of the Fitchburg Merchants' Association. Merchant tailor in Fitchburg from 1839.
HENRY A. ESTABROOK. President Fitchburg Merchants' Association 1900,
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FRED L. ROLPH.
Was President of Fitchburg Merchants' Association 1899. Member of Common Council 1895-96.
FRANK S. STONE.
Six years with W. D. Burdett, druggist in Marlboro. In Fitchburg twenty-five years with John Choate and in business for himself. Is an Overseer of the Poor.
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THE MCKINLEY CRUISER.
One of the unique features of the presidential campaign of 1896. The idea originated with Major Charles K. Darling and the plans were perfected by Architect Henry LaPointe. The cruiser was afterwards transferred to Whalom lake, where it now floats. See p. 133. Moulton, Photo.
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OFFICERS OF THE MCKINLEY CRUISER, 1896.
Maj. C. K. Darling, Captain; W. L. Emory, Lieut. Commander; W. F. Sawyer, Surgeon; W. K. Jewett and F. N. Dillon, Captains of Jack Tars; W. A. Hardy, Captain of Marines; W. B. Page and H. K. Bennett, Lieutenants of Tars; E. E. Dennett, Paymaster; H. E. Jennison, Quartermaster.
Moulton, Photo.
327
BIRTHPLACE OF THOMAS MACK.
The Capt. Jonathan Wood place, on what is now Intervale road, nearly opposite the car shops. The house is still standing, but obstructed by another house built close up to it. Mr. Mack had an oil painting of the house as it was before it was encumbered by its present uninteresting surroundings, from which this engraving was made.
328
Ví
THOMAS MACK (1827-97).
Born in Fitchburg. Clerk for Benjamin Snow, later for Daniel Cross. Went to Boston in 1845. Partner in dry goods firm of C. F. Hovey & Co. 1858, retiring in 1897 with an ample fortune.
CAPT. J. M. UPTON.
Veteran of Faneuil Hall Market district. Grandson of Capt. Thomas Cowdin. Born Fitchburg, Nov. 8, 1822; went to Bos- ton, 1839. Was commander of Washington Light Infantry 1st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers.
RESIDENCE OF P. A. NOURSE, WEYMOUTH STREET.
330
PERCY W. HASTINGS (1861-86).
The story of the life and achievements of this young man is familiar to most Fitchburg people, and is well worthy of record. While attending Cushing Academy in Ashburnham he met with an accident by which instan- taneous paralysis was produced in all parts of the body below the neck. A few weeks after he was carefully removed to his home in Lunenburg to die, but contrary to the predictions of his physicians he lived nearly six years to enjoy life in a measure, and to teach all who knew him a lesson of patient submission and indomitable perseverance. At the suggestion of a friend, a well-known business man of this city, he was induced to make the effort to write with a pencil between his teeth, and later to draw and paint flower pictures. A young lady of this city volunteered her services as teacher and he soon developed remarkable talent, as his pictures which sold all over the country gave ample evidence. His faithful friend and attendant, Oscar H. Wood, of about the same age as Percy, gave up a career he had marked out for himself and devoted his life to him as long as he was needed. The story of the unfortunate accident and of his life up to his suc- cessful production of paintings was finely told by J. T. Trowbridge in the Youth's Companion of May 3, 1883, in a sketch entitled "Without Hands or Feet."
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CAPT. MARTIN NEWTON (1786-1863).
Native of Southborough; came to Fitchburg 1804. Com- menced the manufacture of cotton on the site of the Stone mill in 1810, built factory at Newton place 1812, and was in busi- ness there for upwards of thirty years.
THOMAS E. DANIELS (1800-84).
Inventor of the Daniels planer; native of Fitchburg. Moved to Woodstock, Vt. in 1829, to Worcester 1834, to Fitchburg in 1848, where he spent the rest of his days.
FRANCIS SHELDON (1820-96).
Son of Zachariah Sheldon, Jr. Learned the millwright trade which he followed up to the time of his death. Connected with the early fire department, later as chief. Served the city as Councilman and Alderman.
DEA. SAMUEL A. WHEELER (1804-84).
Was a stone mason in Fitchburg for many years, a thor- ough and conscientious workman in his line of business. Select- man, and held other town offices. Was one of the first deacons in the Baptist church.
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RESIDENCE OF HENRY F. COGGSHALL, PRICHARD STREET. Moulton, Photo.
334
H. F. COGGSHALL.
General Manager, Clerk and Treasurer of the Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Co. Nearly fifty years interested in the lighting of Fitchburg.
VIEW IN COGGSHALL PARK. Fred A. Young, Photo.
MIT. ELAM AND COGGSHALL PARK VIEWS. Photos by Walter A. Hardy and Fred A. Young.
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HECKMAN BINDERY, INC. Bound-To-Please"
DEC 00
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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