USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Easthampton > Historical address delivered at the centennial celebration, in Easthampton, Mass., July 4, 1876 > Part 6
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68
WILLISTON ALUMNI RECORD.
At its close, the audience listened, with great interest, to an address from the President of the day, who was followed by Presidents Woolsey of Yale, and Stearns of Amherst, Revs. Luther Wright, and Josiah Clark, former Principals, Prof. North- rop, Gen. F. A. Walker, and others. The exercises of the mem- orable day were brought to a close by the reading of a poem, by C. H. Sweetser, Esq., of New York.
This gathering of alumni left, as its legacy, an incipient Alumni Association, which still lives and grows. It has done something towards the cultivation of an esprit du corps among graduates. It has meetings each Anniversary week, with a public address from some distinguished alumnus. Addresses have been deliv- ered by Rev. H. Clay Trumbull, Prof. Judson Smith, Rev. H. M. Parsons, C. D. Adams, Esq., Judge William S. Shurtleff, and Col. Mason W. Tyler. On one occasion, a poem was delivered by Rev. Albert Bryant.
One of the most valuable results of this organization, has been the publication of an Alumni Record. This society urged the mat- ter upon the trustees, who readily favored the project, appointed a co-operating committee, and voted to defray the expense. The matter was finally put into the hands of Rev. Joseph H. Sawyer, for several years a teacher in the seminary. With painstaking and great labor, and with the co-operation of various class secreta- ries, he succeeded, at length, in bringing out a most satisfactory record. It gives the addresses, and, in most cases, a brief sketch of the life, of trustees and teachers, and of one thousand four hundred and fifty-five male students; an index of the full num- ber; the Roll of Honor ; and a list of female teachers and stu- dents, with their present address and name. From this record, it appears that, at the time of publication in 1875, there had been connected with the seminary five thousand one hundred and sixty-six male, and one thousand and seventy-seven female students; total, six thousand two hundred and forty-three. Of these, the whole number reckoned alumni is one thousand one hun- dred and seventeen. Mr. Sawyer was able to report more or less fully concerning two thousand four hundred and ninety-four per- sons. Of these, five hundred and twelve had already received a college education, two hundred and five at Yale, one hundred and sixty-two at Amherst, and seventy-eight at Williams. Seventy- two were then in college. Eighty-eight more had graduated at professional or scientific schools. Of these, one hundred and sixty-
69
PRESENT PLANS AND ORGANIZATION.
seven had chosen the clerical, one hundred and seventy-four the legal, and eighty the medical professions; while seventy-seven were teachers, fifteen journalists, and twenty-five civil engineers. The Roll of Honor shows nine generals, sixteen colonels, fourteen majors, thirteen chaplains, twenty-seven surgeons, thirty-six cap- tains, forty-one lieutenants, and two hundred and thirty non-com- missioned officers and privates. Of these, forty-nine died in bat- tle, or from exposure.
In 1873, the seminary held property which was rated at $270,000. In addition, the founder, by his will, left it a mu- nificent endowment. Upon the settlement of the estate, it is to receive $200,000. In a few years thereafter, $100,000 more ; and ultimately, $300,000 additional.
Mr. Williston's purpose was to establish neither a college, nor a professional school ; but a secondary institution far superior to any now existing. To this end, the departments are to be divided into distinct professorships, to be filled by men of ability, scholarly culture, and of experience in instruction, whose duties are not to be so arduous as to prevent, and whose compensation shall be sufficient to allow, special study and research by each in his own department.
It is intended that the classical department shall not only give a most thorough fit for college ; but also afford sound basis for im- mediate professional study, if the pupil chooses. Thorough instruc- tion will be given in the common English branches; and also in the modern languages, with reference both to reading and eonver- sation therein. " In the scientific department, young men are to be instructed in all the branches of science, literature, and phi- losophy, of a college course; and also in business forms and methods, in drawing and designing, and in architecture."
The vacancy, occasioned by the resignation of Principal Hen- shaw, has been filled by the appointment of Rev. James M. Whiton, Ph. D., a classical instructor of high repute, who was taken from the pastoral office in Lynn. Into his hands, with that of an able corps of associates, under the supervision of the trustees, will be committed the realization of the ideals of the founder. A part of the old board of teachers has been retained for the new administration, and other able men have been associ- ated with them. In addition to the principal, who instructs in Latin, the faculty at present consists of the following persons, who give instruction in the branches subjoined to their names :
70
WILLISTON MILLS.
Robert P. Keep, Ph. D., Greek; Charles F. Eastman, M. A., Latin and Greek; Roswell Parish, M. A., Physics ; Russell M. Wright, M. A., Natural History; Joseph H. Sawyer, M. A., Mental Science and History; Maj. Henry E. Alvord, C. E., Gym- nastics and Engineering ; Charles A. Lador, M. A., Modern Lan- guages ; George Y. Washburn, B. A., Elocution.
BUSINESS.
When the " History of Easthampton " was published, Mr. Williston had shortly before undertaken the greatest business enterprise of his life. The manufacture of cotton yarns had re- sulted so favorably as to encourage a great enlargement of the business; and he was, at that time, vigorously pushing to com- pletion a mill, with a capacity of 20,000 spindles-twice that of the first mill. It was to be run by steam-a Corliss engine of 240 horse power. A corporation was formed with the title, "The Williston Mills," which had a paid up capital of $700,000. For a time at least it employed from 400 to 500 persons, with a pay roll of $9,000, and a sales account of $50,000 to $60,000 per month, and owned a village of 160 tenements (mostly only two under one roof), a store and a large boarding-house. To this enterprise Mr. Williston, who was the principal owner, gave the last years of his life, relinquishing to the hands of others the management of the industries of the upper village, in which he still retained his inter- est. His attempt in the new factory was to establish the manu- facture of all grades of spool cotton for hand and machine sewing. With great energy and will he persevered in his undertaking, and, for several years, turned out thread in large quantities. But the competition was so sharp, and the difficulties and em- barrassments of the work and of the times were so great, that the enterprise failed to be remunerative ; and, indeed, was prosecuted at so heavy a loss as greatly to cripple Mr. Williston, and sadly to disappoint his hopes as to the amount of money he was able to leave behind him for educational purposes, although, as it was, his bequests were princely.
At last he abandoned the manufacture of thread, and confined his efforts to the manufacture of cotton yarns. In this there has been better success. On account of the shrinkage of values, and the ill success of the undertaking, the capital of the corporation was reduced to $350,000 where it now stands.
71
THE UPPER VILLAGE.
The other manufacturing corporations have continued their business with varying, but on the whole with gratifying success. They have suffered at least no more than their share in the de- pression of the times, and have not been compelled to curtail operations to any disastrous extent.
The oldest concern, the National Button Company, has enlarged its capacity fully 50 per cent. in ten years, the mills being now capable of turning out 2,000 gross daily. In its business it em- ploys a quarter of a million or more, though its nominal capital is but $150,000. Its President is its long-time manager, Hon. H. G. Knight, and its Secretary, H. L. Clark.
The Nashawannuck Manufacturing Company has a capital of $300,000, and a capacity of 4,000 dozen pairs of suspenders a week. Its officers are Christopher Meyer, President ; Hon. E. H. Sawyer, Treasurer; G. H. Leonard, Superintendent.
The Glendale Elastic Fabrics Company has a capital of $100,000, though it employs twice that, and annually turns out products to the value of $250,000 to $300,000. E. H. Sawyer, President ; M. H. Leonard, Secretary.
The Easthampton Rubber Thread Company met with a severe reverse in the burning of their mill on the night of July 12, 1869, at a loss of $135,000, with an insurance of $70,000. A new mill was, however, ready for operation in five months. It is as ca- pacious as the old one, though with one less story. The company employ a capital of $150,000, consume in manufactures from 200,000 to 250,000 pounds of pure rubber per year, and do an annual business of from $200,000 to $250,000. H. G. Knight, President ; E. T. Sawyer, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Easthampton Gas Company does a thriving business with $25,000 capital, making two and a half million feet of gas yearly. Officers are E. T. Sawyer, President; H. L. Clark, Treasurer ; C. B. Johnson, Clerk.
The Valley Machine Company was formed in 1870. It suc- ceeded the Easthampton Steam Pump and Engine Company, (of which Mr. Williston, James Sutherland and Dr. J. W. Winslow were the members.) It also purchased the business of the Nashawannuck Company's machine shop. The pump which the earlier company was making not proving a success, a new one was taken up, which is succeeding admirably. It is Wright's Bucket Plunger, patented by William Wright of New York, though greatly improved by the present manufacturers, who claim
72
THE UPPER VILLAGE.
that it is now "the most simple, compact, and reliable steam pump ever offered to the public." At the Fair of the American Institute in New York, in 1870, it was rated superior to all con- testants in order of merit, being considered "as effective as the best of the four valve double-acting pumps, with the advantage of having but two water valves, instead of four, to keep in order or cause trouble." The company at first received a charter, but sur- rendered it in 1873, and organized on a partnership basis with John Mayher as Treasurer and General Manager. A capital of $30,000 is employed. The pump has had good sale and given great satisfaction. The company propose soon to erect a foundry.
In November, 1866, J. L. Bassett bought the sawmill property on Manhan river, for many years owned by L. P. Lyman, and began the manufacture of spools and bobbins, supplying the Wil- liston Mills with these articles. After being burned out in 1868, he rebuilt, and then went into the manufacture of thread, in which he has ever since continued. The business is conducted by a corporation, organized September, 1873, and styled "The Mt. Tom Thread Company," with a capital of $55,000. J. L. Bassett is President, and J. I. Bassett Secretary and Treasurer. About thirty hands are employed, and a business of $65,000 to $75,000 a year is done. They buy yarn, which is mostly imported, and dye, twist, and spool it. It is an excellent thread, mostly for machine use, put up in two ounce spools, and it goes chiefly to the clothing and shoe trade.
The National Button Company, the Nashawannuck, the Glen- dale, the Rubber Thread and the Valley Machine, each made an exhibit of their goods at the Centennial Exposition, and each re- ceived a medal as a testimonial of the excellence of their products.
Other institutions connected with the business of the place, are the First National Bank and the Easthampton Savings Bank. The former was organized in 1864, with a capital of $150,000, which has been increased to $200,000. Hon. H. G. Knight is president, and C. E. Williams cashier. An efficient board of directors co-operate in the management. Dividends have averaged 9 per cent. per annum. A surplus of $40,000 has accumulated. In its whole history, the bank has lost only $125, which is a fact without a parallel in the State. Some five years since a bank building was erected at a cost of about $20,000, which is a model structure for a country bank, being most tasteful and convenient, and having a very solidly built vault.
73
TRADES-TOWN OFFICERS.
The Savings Bank, which was organized June 7, 1870, finds quarters in the same apartment. Cashier Williams is its Treas- urer, and Hon. E. H. Sawyer President. It already has a deposit account of $182,721, three-quarters of which belongs to the towns- people. Besides its annual dividend of six per cent., it has paid three or four extra dividends.
There is no space to speak at length of the persons engaged in the trades and mercantile business of the town. Ten years have brought extensive changes ; though, of those who were chronicled in 1866, as doing our mercantile business, L. Preston, A. J. Ly- man, F. H. Putnum, J. E. Lambie and C. S. Rust, are still thus engaged. Of the tradesmen who were then active and are so still, E. R. Bosworth does the building, T. J. Pomeroy the under- taking, G. L. Manchester the steam and gas fitting, O. N. Clark and Wm. J. Lyman the carriage work, Wm. E. Topliff and L. G. Fales the mason work. Franklin Strong, at Loudville, still grinds grain, and E. H. and A. S. Ludden still have to do with marketing, H. F. Knapp with livery, while C. W. Langdon, then a merchant, has gone to flouring, and L. O. Toogood, then a painter, now sells fruits, vegetables, etc.
In 1686-7, Northampton gave Samuel Bartlett liberty to set up a corn-mill " on the falls below the cartway on the river." From the time when, shortly after, he used his liberty, to the present, the waters of the Manhan have not ceased to grind grain on that spot ; and during all this time, a part or all the toll has been taken by the Bartletts, or their relatives the Clapps. One quarter of it is still owned by Edward Clapp, a great grandson of Major Jonathan, who received it from his uncle Joseph Bartlett, .son of Samuel. It has been run five years by J. T. Thayer, who has owned three-quarters of it for two years, buying it of Cowles & Webster, who bought it of J. Pomeroy, who bought it of the heirs of L. P. Lyman, who owned a large share of it in 1866.
To supplement the previously published lists of town officers, it may be stated that C. B. Johnson was Town Clerk from 1865 to 1870, from which time until this spring. Lafayette Clapp has held the office, as he has that of Treasurer, since 1867. The present Town Clerk is Lafayette Clapp, Jr. The Selectmen of 1867-8-9, were S. Alvord, Q. P. Lyman, L. W. Hannum ; of 1870, S. Al- vord, Theo. Clark, A. S. Ludden ; of 1871, G. L. Manchester, Theo. Clark, A. S. Ludden, and of five years, beginning in 1872, to the present, A. S. Ludden, J. W. Wilson, and H. T. Hannum.
10
74
TOWN OFFICERS.
The present board are H. J. Bly, A. S. Ludden, and A. P. Clark.
As Assessors during the last ten years, L. D. Lyman and L. S. Clark have each served five years, Q. P. Lyman four, A. B. Lyman, J. W. Wilson, H. T. Hannum, three each, S. Alvord two, and R. M. Lambie, C. A. Clark, M. L. Gaylord, Theo. Clapp and A. S. Ludden, one each. The newly elected board are M. H. Leonard, A. B. Lyman and S. Alvord.
The present board of School Committee consists of W. G. Bas- sett, W. H. Wright and L. S. Clark. In the last ten years Mr. Bassett has had eight years of service, James H. I.yman seven, making ten in all, M. L. Gaylord six, H. G. Knight two, thus completing nine years of consecutive service, R. M. Wright, four years, or six in all. L. S. Clark and W. H. Wright, are each on their second term of three years. Seth Warner, G. H. Leonard, and Miss E. B. Hinckley, have each had a term of three years, and Geo. S. Clark of two years. For a part of this time the town appointed a committee of six instead of three, as usual.
In this connection it may be remarked, that since the establish- ment of the High school in 1865, Miss S. E. Chapin has been in constant employ at its head.
The town was represented in the lower house of the Legislature in 1866 by Hon. E. H. Sawyer; in 1870 by Lucas W. Hannum ; in 1874 by Wm. G. Bassett; and in 1876 and 1877 by Lafayette Clapp. Hon. E. H. Sawyer served two terms in the Senate, i. e., in 1867 and 1868. Hon. H. G. Knight has been twice in the Executive Council. At the present time he is honored with the office of Lieutenant-Governor of the Commonwealth, being on his third term.
Wm. G. Bassett was appointed Trial Justice in 1869, upon the resignation of Seth Warner. He held the office five years until 1874, when he resigned, and Lafayette Clapp was appointed to the .vacancy.
Wm. G. Bassett and E. H. Sawyer are Notaries Public; Dr. J. W. Winslow is Coroner. The following have been appointed to the office of Justice of the Peace. The list may not be com- plete : Lafayette Clapp, H. G. Knight, E. H. Sawyer, J. H. Bard- well, C. E. Williams, W. G. Bassett, A. J. Fargo, L. D. Lyman, J. W. Winslow, M. H. Leonard, Rev. R. J. Donovan and Lafay- ette Clapp, Jr. J. L. Campbell still holds the office of Deputy- Sheriff, and, until recently, has been Tax Collector since 1869, at
75
POST OFFICE-HOTEL-STATISTICS.
which time he succeeded E. W. Clark. His last term A. B. Lyman filled out. L. L. Wright now holds the office.
Wm. G. Bassett and A. J. Fargo are settled here in the prac- tice of law. Drs. J. W. Winslow and F. C. Greene continue the practice of medicine, the former of whom has lately associated with himself Dr. Wm. M. Trow, who moved hither from a suc- cessful practice in Haydenville. Dr. C. R. Upson, a homeopathic physician, resides near Mt. Tom Station, practicing here and in Springfield.
J. H. Bardwell is in his sixteenth year in the post office. The total receipts of the office for the last year were $5,500. Proba- bly 150.000 letters are now mailed here yearly. This is a money order office, both domestic and foreign. Foreign orders have been issued since 1872, and domestic since 1866, in which period about 10,750 orders have been given out. The office is now rated by the post-office department as of the second class, and, in the county, ranks next after Northampton and Amherst in impor- tance. The salary it commands is $2,200.
Few Easthampton institutions have had a more variable history than its hotel ; but in the last decade it has acquired something more of permanence, under the efficient and popular management of William Hill, formerly of the Mansion House, Northampton. The property he bought May 1, 1869, and changed the style of the hotel to the Mansion House. In 1870 he added a story to the main building, in the shape of a mansard roof, greatly im- proving its appearance. In 1871 he built a three-story extension in the rear, 80x40 feet. He can easily accommodate 100 guests, and has cared for 150. He has doubled the capacity of the house . and more than quadrupled its business, receiving much patronage, during the summer season, from city guests. Much has been said, though not too much, in praise of Mr. Hill's excellent man- agement. He keeps a thoroughly temperance house, being him- self an ardent friend of this great reform.
From the census of 1875, it appeared that the town had a population of 3,969, which was a gain of 349 in five years, and of 1,100 in ten. The number of families is 730. The assessors re- ported the valuation, May 1, 1876, $2,274,449, the number of taxable polls 790, and of dwelling-houses 626. The tax levied in 1876, was $30,872, the rate being $12.25 per thousand. Of this the town received from the corporations within it $9,974, besides its share of the State corporation tax. One individual pays
76
TOWN HALL.
a tax of over $1,000, two over $300, nineteen over $100, and 426 only a poll tax. The town's highest indebtedness, $81,200, was reported February 1, 1872, the greater part of the debt being caused by the war expenses, and the building of the Town Hall. Since that time there has been a steady reduction. The total debt is now $39,719.20; or only .017 per cent. of the town's valuation, a proportion lower than can be shown by almost any town in the State. Deducting from the present debt the available resources of the town, the Treasurer reports a net indebtedness of only $29,828.46, which is matter for just pride, considering the many improvements which have been made at public expense.
Chief among these improvements should be mentioned the Town Hall. Its erection was voted in the fall of 1867. The building committee consisted of Seth Warner, E. H. Sawyer, H. G. Knight, L. W. Hannum, E. R. Bosworth, and L. D. Lyman. The founda- tion was begun in April, 1868. The corner stone was laid July 4, 1868. The building was ready for occupation by June, 1869.
One of the most notable days in the history of the town was that of its dedication, Tuesday, June 29, 1869. A large proces- sion, led by the Haydenville Band, and under chief direction of Capt. F. A. Rust, moved through the principal streets, and escorted the orator and distinguished guests to the Hall. The soldiers of the war, under command of Capt. J. A. Loomis and Lieutenants J. H. Judd and H. H. Strong, were in attend- ance. The exercises at the Hall were in the following order :--- After an overture by the Germania Band, Hon. H. G. Knight, of the committee of arrangements, introduced Hon. Samuel Wil- liston, President of the day, who made a few remarks, after which a prayer of dedication was offered by Rev. A. M. Colton. The keys were presented by Seth Warner, in behalf of the build- ing committee, to L. D. Lyman, of the committee to be in charge of the Hall. The principal feature of the occasion was the admirable address by Hon. Ensign H. Kellogg of Pittsfield. Brief remarks by Lieut. Gov. Tucker, closed the dedicatory services. The day was one of the finest, and an immense assem- blage participated in the exercises. A concert was given in the evening by Miss Adelaide Phillips of Boston, and eighteen mem- bers of the Germania Band. It was a rare musical treat, and was enjoyed by fully 1,100 people. A promenade concert was also held on the following evening.
. The Hall is in the Lombard style of architecture, is of brick
77
MEMORIAL TOWER.
laid in black mortar, and its height is relieved by bands of Port- land stone. The front is especially ornate. It is very hand- somely finished, both without and within. Its ground dimensions are 104 by 60 feet, exclusive of the towers. At the north corner is a tower 75 feet in height ; and at the south corner the Memorial Tower, 12 feet square and 133 feet high, which has near its summit an ornamental projecting balcony, affording a fine outlook. Upon its front, near the base, it supports a memorial tablet of white Italian marble, 12 feet in height, decorated on either side with col- umns of black marble. It ends at the top in a triangular block, surmounted by a cross. It bears upon its face the inscription :- " Easthampton erects this tower, a memorial to these her sons, who died for their country, during the great rebellion." Then follow the names of the honored dead, twenty-two in number. Of these, Maj. Gen. George C. Strong was killed at Fort Wagner, S. C .; William Hickey, at Camp Bisland, La. ; Daniel W. Lyman, at Port Hudson, La. ; Charles Tencellent, at Olustee, Fla. ; and Ro- land S. Williston, at Culpepper C. H., Va. ; Alvin W. Clark, Oliver A. Clark, Rufus Robinson, Ezra O. Spooner, Frederick P. Stone, and Charles Rensselaer, died in Andersonville, Ga .; Clinton Bates and Charles L. Webster, at Baton Rouge, La .; Elisha C. Lyman and Henry Lyman, at Newbern, N. C .; James H. Clark, at Alexandria, Va. ; Augustus M. Clapp, at Nashville, Tenn .; Daniel Kane, at Fredericksburg, Va .; Salmon H. Lyman, at Davis Island Hospital ; Herbert W. Pomeroy, at Plaquemine, La. ; Lewis P. Wait and Chauncey R. Hendrick, at home.
The first story of the building contains a small hall and rooms for the town officers, and for the public library, with ample cor- ridors and stairways leading to the spacious upper hall. This is capable of seating 1,100. The entire cost of the structure was $65,000. The tablet cost $2,000. The architect was Mr. Chas. E. Parker of Boston, and the builder E. R. Bosworth. The masonry was supervised by George P. Shoales, and the painting by F. J. Gould. The elaborate frescoing was done by William Carl of Boston. A more complete description can be found in the published account of the dedicatory exercises.
While the hall was in process of erection, the Public Library Association was organized with corporate powers, Hon. E. H. Saw- yer, its earnest advocate, securing the charter. The town appro- priated two large rooms in the hall for its use, and has made it an annual grant of $500. Private donations have also been made,
78
PUBLIC LIBRARY-MUSEUM.
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