USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > Historical reminiscences of the early times in Marlborough, Massachusetts : and prominent events from 1860 to 1910, including brief allusions to many individuals and an account of the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town > Part 26
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Flagg, James H. Co. B. 5th Mass. Eastman, Sam'l E. Co. D. 39th N. Y. Gerry, Madison, 1st Reg. N. H. Co. C. Beach, Thos. Co. C. 15th Mass. Underwood, Chas. H. Co. G. 27 Mass. Stumpf, Joseph, Co. A. 37 Mass.
Smith, Chas. E. Co. C. 15 Mass. Livermore, Thos. Co. I. 1st Vol. Mass. Lenfist, Madison, Co. C. 4 Mass. Carter, Chas. W. Co. I. 5 Mass. Parsons, Henry, Co. H. 148 N. Y.
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STATISTICAL HISTORY.
"There is one striking fact discoverable in the early taxes," writes Mr. Hudson, "viz., that almost every man owned the house in which he resided."
To show the growth of Marlborough as to population, we give the following census from the last one given by Mr. Hudson, in 1860 :
1860, 5,910 ; 1865, 6,840 ; 1870, 8,470; 1875, 8,424 ; 1880, 10,127 ; 1885, 10,941; 1890, 13,805; 1895, 14,977 ; 1900, 13,609 ; 1905, 14,073. 1910-
TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF POLLS, VALUATION AND TAX RATE FROM 1860 TO 1909.
Year
No. of Polls
Valuation
Tax Rate
1860
1,591
$2,001,736
$ 7.50
1861
1,466
2,065,537
8.50
1862
1,549
2,069,073
9.50
1863
1,748
2,130,030
12.50
1864
1,815
2,163,584
25.00
1865*
1,770
2,458,595
25.00
1866
1,531
1,924,832
20.00
1867
1,694
2,086,395
20.00
1868
1,707
2,175,270
16.00
1869
1,929
2,280,570
23.00
1870
2,146
2,577,853
22.00
1871
2,320
3,141,531
25.00
1872
2,244
3,287,633
20.00
1873
2,204
3,334,216
20.00
1874
2,085
3,264,447
22.50
1875
2,086
3,381,017
22.50
1876
1,993
3,493,060
16.00
1877
2,124
3,439,925
15.00
1878
2,182
3,451,365
16.00
1879
2,200
3,505,478
15.50
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Year
No. of Polls
Valuation
Tax Rate
1880
2,441
3,562,563
20.00
1881
2,626
3,720,166
22.50
1882
2,627
3,858,552
15.00
1883
2,539
4,067,824
20.00
1884
2,671
4,190,975
16.50
1885
2,904
4,171,095
21.00
1886
3,115
4,283,197
18.00
1887
3,267
4,528,026
25.00
1888
3,284
5,207,339
16.50
1889
3,553
5,474,090
18.80
1890
3,875
6,284,638
16.20
1891
4,038
7,195,672
18.00
1892
3,938
7,503,025
19.50
1893
3,974
7,719,061
18.00
1894
4,000
8,310,714
17.40
1895
4,238
8,673,238
17.90
1896
4,086
8,869,287
18.30
1897
4,173
8,972,385
18.10
1898
4,201
8,975,248
19.00
1899
4,331
9,284,377
19.10
1900
3,971
9,200,127
20.50
1901
3,883
9,233,973
20.30
1902
3,988
9,370,394
20.00
1903
4,064
9,351,231
19.60
1904
4,094
9,479,003
18.60
1905
4,214
9,725,523
19.30
1906
4,322
9,803,330
19.50
1907
4,449
9,889,313
20.40
1908
4,440
10,053,075
20.60
1909
4,626
10,320,913
22.20
*In 1865 the town of Hudson was set off from Marlborough, assuming one-third of its debt.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT FROM MARLBOROUGH.
William Ward, 1666
Samuel Ward, 1679
Abraham Williams, 1679-82, 91, 93-96
Joseph Rice, 1683 Obadiah Ward, 1689, 90 Henry Kerley, 1689, 93, 1703
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John Brighamn, 1689, 92 John Barnes, 1692 Samuel Brigham, 1697-99, 1705
Thomas Howe. 1700, 1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 17-19
Thomas Beaman, 1707, 8, 12
Peter Rice, 1709-11, 14, 20, 21, 28-30
Thomas Rice, 1715, 16 William Ward, 1722
Caleb Rice, 1723-25, 27
Nathan Brigham, 1726, 30
John Sherman, 1731, 32
Joseph Rice, 1733-36, 39
Ebenezer Witt, 1737
Samuel Brigham, 1741
Samuel Witt, 1745-49, 51-60, 62-70
James Woods, 1750
John Warren, 1761, 63
F. H. Morse, 1868 Edward L. Bigelow, 1869, 71, 72
Peter Bent, 1771-75
Samuel Howe, 1870
George Brigham, 1776, 77, 81
Edward Hunter, 1777
William A. Alley, 1875
Paul Brigham, 1777
James T. Murphy, 1876
Simon Stow, 1778-82
S. Herbert Howe, 1877
Winslow Brigham, 1783, 84
Daniel S. Mooney, 1878
Edward Barnes, 1787, 92-98
James W. McDonald, 1879
Jonas Morse, 1790
Timothy A. Coolidge, 1880-SI
William Morse, 1791
Samuel N. Aldrich, 1882
Jonathan Weeks, 1800-2
Michael J. Buckley, 1883
Daniel Brigham, 1803, 10, 12-19
William N. Davenport, 1884-85
John Loring, 1804-8, 12-14
Timothy J. Harris, 1886 Arthur A. Brigham, 1887
Samuel Gibbon, 1817
1. Porter Morse, 1888 John J. O'Brien, 1890-91
Silas Felton, 1822, 24, 25
Charles Favreau, 1892-93
Daniel Stevens, 1828-31, 33
Louis P. Howe, 1893-94-95
Eli Rice, 1830, 34, 36
William L. Morse, 1897-98
Levi Bigelow, 1831, 32, 34, 39
George Balcom, 1898-99, 1900
Sylvester F. Bucklin, 1835, 36
Isaac Hayden, 1837, 39-41
Ezekiel Bruce, 1840, 42
Abel Rice, 1843, 44
Charles F. McCarthy, 1908-09, 1910
Lambert Bigelow, 1845
David Goodale, 1847-48 Obadiah W. Albee, 1849, 51, 61 Francis Brigham, 1850-52 Abraham W. Rice, 1854 Lewis T. Frye, 1855 Hollis Loring, 1856-57
Leonard E. Wakefield, 1858
John Phelps, 1859
Horatio Alger, 1860
O. W. Albee, 1861
Francis Brigham, 1862
Samuel Boyd, 1863
Henry O. Russell, 1864
Nahum Witherbee, 1865-66
Hugh R. Bean, 1867
Francis C. Curtis, 1873-74, 1888-89-90
Ephraim Barber, 1810, 11
Joel Cranston, 1820, 21
William M. Brigham, 1900-1-2-3-4-5-6-7
Harrie C. Hunter, 1901-2 John J. Mitchell, 1903-4-5-6
MARLBOROUGH SENATORS SINCE 1860.
Charles W. Howe, 1867 Samuel N. Aldrich, 1879, 80 William N. Davenport, 1889, 90 James W. McDonald, 1891, 92
Henry Parsons, 1897, 98 Harrie C. Hunter, 1905, 06 John J. Mitchell. 1907, 08
33I
TOWN TREASURERS OF MARLBOROUGH.
Thomas Howe, 1739, 40, 65, 67. 69
George Brigham, 1741
Ephraim Brigham, 1742, 43, 50, 52-64
E. B. Witherbee, 1833, 34
Lambert Bigelow, 1835-37, 44-50, 52
Joseph Howe, 1748, 49
John Phelps, 1839, 40
John Warren, 1766, 70 Hezekiah Maynard, 1771
Hollis Loring, 1841, 51, 53, 54, 56 George Brigham, 1855
Jonas Temple, 1772-74
Winslow M. Warren, 1857-61
Moses Woods, 1775-77, 79. 80
B. F. Underhill, 1862
Simon Howe, 1778. 82-89
Benjamin Rice, 1781, 1819-25
Noah Rice, 1790-1800
A. C. Weeks, 1873-88, 90 Patrick J. Conway, 1889
MARLBOROUGH CITY TREASURERS.
William A. Alley, 1891, resigned May 16, 1892
Charles F. Holyoke, 1892-94 Charles F. Robinson, 1895-
TOWN CLERKS OF MARLBOROUGH From its incorporation up to the present time.
John Ruddocke was chosen 1660 and continued until Phillip's War, 1675. There may have been another clerk between him and Williams.
Abraham Williams, 1682-1700, 1702-12
Isaac Amsden, 1701, 12, 13
Nathaniel Joslin, 1714-25
Abraham Eager, 1726-30
Joseph Stratton, 1731, 38
James Woods, 1732-37, 44-49 Andrew Rice, 1739-43, 50, 51
John Warren, 1752, 53, 56-61, 63-67
Samuel Brigham, 1754, 55
Jonathan Barnes, 1762
Ebenezer Dexter, 1768 Uriah Brigham, 1769
Winslow Brigham, 1770-80, 82 Samuel Curtis, 1781
Moses Woods, 1783-1803
Benjamin Rice, 1804-6
Daniel Brigham. 1807-13 Jedediah Brigham, 1814 Silas Felton, 1815-27
Heman Seaver, 1828-31
Lambert Bigelow, 1832-53
John Phelps, 1854-62, died in office, August 8, 1862 E. L. Bigelow, 1862-71
William A. Alley, 1871-76 J. M. Whiton Jr., 1876-82 P. B. Murphy. 1882-90
MARLBOROUGH CITY CLERK.
P. B. Murphy, 1890-
Nahum Witherbee. 1863, 72
Daniel Brigham, 1801-13
Jedediiah Brgham, 1814-18 Mark Fay, 1826-32, 38, 42, 43
Jonathan Barnes 1744-47
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MARLBOROUGH BECOMES A CITY.
On July 14, 1890, a grand demonstration was shown in Marl- borough. Every church and engine house bell began to ring; two score whistles contested for supremacy in unearthly screeches ; youth was in its element with horns, fire crackers and small arms. Pandemonium was let loose ; guns were fired and all the demonstration indicated the pleasure of the people that Marlborough was about to enter a higher class in the great school of the State.
In the evening all the stores in the new city were closed and the streets lined with thousands of people congratulating each other with smiles upon their faces. Bands went through the city on electric cars ; houses and places of business were illuminated, fire works shot across the sky, red and green fires burned brightly ; the roar of cannon was heard above the din, and all in honor of Marlborough's step in advance. Speeches were made, interspersed with music, on the High school com- mon.
On December 2, 1890, Marlborough's First City Election took place. The result was as follows :
Mayor-S. Herbert Howe.
Aldermen-Francis C. Curtis, Martin H. Collins, John Dalton, Charles Favreau, George A. Howe, E. Irving Sawyer, Michael Quirk.
Common Councilmen-Levi W. Baker, Charles F. Holyoke, Charles H. Hollis, Dennis Mahoney, Hilaire Lacouture, John T. McCarthy, Dennis F. Lyons, Michael Purcell, Austin B. Howe, Onesime Levasseur. Florence A. McGill, Daniel F. Lynch, Charles L. Bartlett, John F. O'Brien.
School Committee-William D. Burdett, Charles A. Keegan, Patrick J. Conway, William H. Laughlin, William L. Morse, James W. McDonald, George L. Stevens.
333
S. H. HOWE
S. H. HOWE, MAYOR, 1891. [See Sketch, page 169]
335
二:
GEORGE A. HOWE Mayor, 1892
X
337
0
C
JOHN O'CONNELL
JOHN O'CONNELL, MAYOR, 1893.
[See Sketch, page 113]
339
WILLIAM N. DAVENPORT Mayor, 1894-95
341
CHARLES L. BARTLETT Mayor, 1896-97
343
EUGENE G. HOITT Mayor, 1898
345
EDWARD J. PLUNKETT Mayor, 1899-1900
347
X
WALTER B. MORSE Mayor, 1901-2-3
349
FREDERICK R. S. MILDON Mayor, 1904
35 I
x
C
HENRY PARSONS Mayor, 1905-6-8-9
353
EDWARD F. BROWN Mayor, 1907
355
JOHN J. SHAUGHNESSY Mayor, 1910
357
GEORGE A. HOWE, MAYOR, 1892.
George A. Howe, the second Mayor of Marlborough, who died the 7th of November 1909 at the age of 60 years, was no exception in the list of chief executives who have rendered valuable service to the city. While he was mayor during one of the most tempestuous years of our municipal life, his conduct during that time was animated by an honesty and devotion to duty that marked his character as a man. Mr. Howe's chief characteristic was his unyielding opposition to wrong. This he showed not only in his political life, but also in his business and every day life. Withdrawing from politics after his term as mayor, Mr. Howe devoted himself exclusively to business, and that he was fitted for this is shown by the success which greeted his ventures. Whether as a leader, a citizen, a business man, family man or neighbor, Mr. Howe possessed those qualities that make the world better for having lived in it.
He received his education in the Marlborough public schools, supple- menting this by a course in an academy in Lancaster.
Mr. Howe served in the 5th Mass. regiment during the Civil War and was the youngest member of Rawlins Post when he died.
Mr. Howe was a member of the Board of Selectmen when Marl- borough passed from town to cityhood. He was a member of the first city government, serving as alderman from Ward 5.
During the year that he was Mayor, Marlborough was in the no- license column. He was a strong believer in the majesty of the law, and the moral sense of the community was not as stringent as it is today, so he had a more difficult task than would have been the case today. He never wavered, however, and carried out his plan unaltered to the end.
Mr. Howe was a member of the Board of Trade, and was president and treasurer of the Howe Lumber Co. and operated the box mill and lumber yard on Florence street. He also had large lumber interests in New Hampshire and elsewhere.
He believed thoroughly in the right and was of the opinion that it would sooner or later prevail. He loved his native city and always worked for its advancement and welfare.
WILLIAM N. DAVENPORT, MAYOR, 1894-95.
William N. Davenport, son of William J. and Louisa (Howard) Davenport, was born in Boylston, Massachusetts, November 3, 1856.
358
He attended district school until he was eleven years of age, when he was thrown upon his own resources for his support and went to work in the Boylston cotton mill, from there going to Hudson, Massachusetts, and securing work in a shoe factory. In 1872 he came to Marlborough, working in the shoe factory of Clapp & Billings for nine years, when he decided to commence the study of law. He entered the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was admitted to the bar of that state the same year. Returning to Marlborough, he was admitted to the bar of Middlesex County, June, 1883. The first public office he held was clerk of the Police Court from its organization, to 1884. The same year he was elected Representative to the General Court of Massachusetts, 1885, and elected for a second term. He had represented his constituency so well in the House, that he was elected to the State Senate in 1889 and 1890, where he discharged his duties in a satisfactory and intelligent manner. He is a member of the United Bretharen Lodge A. F. & A. M., the Order of Red Men, and has served for two years as Grand Comman- der of the American Legion of Honor, and one year as Grand Leader of the Home Circle. He married Lizzie M. Kendall of Boylston. (Politi- cally, professionally and socially, Mr. Davenport occupies a front rank in the esteem of his fellowmen.) He was a member of the State Board of Publication from 1902 to 1908 iuclusive, Secretary of the Metropolitan Water Board from July, 1895, to March, 1901, Secretary of the Metro- politan Water and Sewerage Board from March, 1901, to the present time.
CHARLES L. BARLETT, MAYOR, 1896-97.
Charles L. Bartlett was born on a farm at Norwich, near Dartmouth College, in the Green Mountain State. He was educated in the public schools and while still a boy, came in 1869 to Marlborough and entered the employ of K. D. Childs, and labored in his baking establishment for some ten years. He removed to Milford for four years and then returned to Marlborough and established himself in the bakery business. His business methods were always marked by a strict integrity and honesty and his word was really recognized as good as his bond. He accomp- lished much in aiding the poor and distressed of the city without ostentation and parade, and many a load of supplies from his bakery has been delivered where want and hunger were present and the only pay- ment received or expected was the gratitude of the recipients. In 1890
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he was elected to the Common Council, and during 1891, served on many committees connected with city affairs. In 1895 he was elected Alder- man, and in December of the same year was elected Mayor. He was a member of the United Bretheren lodge, A. F. & A. M., being advanced to Houghton R. A. C., and to Trinity Commandery, K. T. He was a member of the Union Club, Mizpah Chapter, O. E. S., O. U. A. M., Ockoocangansett Tribe, I. O. R. M., and the Merchants' Protective Association. In 1875 he married Miss Emily A. Chadwick of Framing- ham. They had two sons Fred W., and C. Lester. He died April 8, 1898. It was during his term of office that the plot of ground near the Catholic church was made into a pretty park on which a fountain was generously erected and donated the gift to the city by Mrs. A. E. Golbert. The park was named Bartlett Park in his honor.
EUGENE G. HOITT, MAYOR, 1898.
Eugene G. Hoitt was the sixth Mayor of Marlborough and was the first chief executive to be elected on by the Democratic party. His administration was marked by conservative, prudent action. He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, April 12, 1850, son of Samuel L. and Ann J. Hoitt. His parents removed to Northfield, Vermont, when he was three years old and remained there four years when they removed to Port Jervis, N. Y. He spent his boyhood days in the latter place, graduating from the Port Jervis academy in 1867. He worked at the jewelry business for a short time, after which he entered Buffalo Univer- sity where he remained four years and graduated second in his class from that institution in 1881. He then came to Marlborough, where he remained, and where he has established an enviable reputation as a physician and surgeon. While in college he was president of the I. C. A., a college society, and first assistant to the professor in physiology. He is a member of the Massachusetts State Medical League, is Medical Examiner for the ninth district, member of the Medico-legal Society, American Medical Association, President of Middlesex County Medical Society, 1900 and 1902, member of Mayor's Club of Massachusetts, Consulting Surgeon to Framingham hospital, member of surgical staff of Marlborough hospital. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the leaders of both political parties on account of his unswerving adherance to his opinions of correct prineiple and methods. He is former president of the Union Club of Marlborough and a 33d degree Mason, also an Odd
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Fellow. He married in 1873, Sarah Frances, daughter of Dr. Simon T. and Rachel H. Barrett.
EDWARD J. PLUNKETT, MAYOR, 1899-1900.
Edward J. Plunkett, son of George and Margaret (Lynch) was born in Marlborough January 7, 1870. After leaving school he entered the employ of Murphy & Conway, shoe dealers in Corey block. He had a natural love for horses which was probably inherited from his father who was an expert horseman, and when his father and brother died, he took over the Windsor stables which he conducted for a number of years. He 1 served in the common council in 1894, 1895 and 1896, and on July 7, the same year, he was elected alderman to fill a vacancy in that body. He was re-elected the following year. He served as Mayor 1899 and 1900, being the youngest chief executive the city has had. His first year as mayor was beset with many difficulties on account of the general labor troubles in the shoe business throughout the city, but by firmness and diplomacy he so won the confidence of the people that he had the dis- tinguished honor of receiving both Democratic and Republican nomina- tions for mayor his second year. He died March 13, 1902.
WALTER B. MORSE, MAYOR, 1901-2-3.
Walter B. Morse was born in Marlborough June 26, 1864. His education was received in the public schools, supplemented by a business college course. He has been connected with the Wheeler Express Co., doing business between Marlborough and Boston ever since he was a boy. He was the first newsboy in Marlborough, selling nothing but the Marl- borough Times, a weekly publication, issued formerly by his uncle, Charles F. Morse. For some time he has been president of the com- pany issuing the only daily paper in the city, The Enterprise. He is prominently connected with the Masonic fraternity of Marlborough, is a Mystic Shriner, a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, Royal Arcanum and Ancient Order of United Workmen, also of the Union Club. In a business way he is equally prominent, being President of the First National Bank and a trustee of the Marlborough Savings Bank. He has been a member of the Common Council three years and elected Mayor in 1900, 1902, 1903.
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FREDERICK R. S. MILDON, MAYOR, 1904.
Frederick R. S. Mildon was born in Weymouth, Nova Scotia, November 1852. In 1873 he married Miss Abbie C. Travis and coming to this country in 1880, settled in Marlborough in 1892. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1902, elected Mayor in 1904, chairman of building committee that erected City Hall in 1904 and 1905, also member of Building Committee that built the new Fire and Police Station in 1909, trustee of the Marlborough Hospital, and is at present engaged in the real estate and insurance business He is a Democrat in politics and a strong advocate of no-license. He has three children, Reginald C., civil engineer, graduate of Cornell, Eleanor M. and Alice E.
HENRY PARSONS, MAYOR, 1905-6-8-9.
General Parsons is chiefly known through his military record in the Civil War and in the Mass Vol. Militia since the war. When the South- ern States declared war against the Federal government, he was a young man living in the town of Waterloo, New York, where he was employed as an apprentice in a machine shop, learning the business in which he was later to become so successful. With thousands of other boys he volunteered his services to President Lincoln that the union of the States might not be dissolved, enlisting as a private in the 148th Regt., N. Y. Vols. on August 2d, 1862. He was mustered into the United States service at Geneva, N. Y., on August 6, 1862, and started with his regi- ment for Washington on August 12th.
He was promoted rapidly-to second lieutenant Sept. 5, 1862, and to first lieutenant Oct. 26, 1863. He was commissioned captain Dec. 14th, 1864, and on being mustered out was promoted to brevet major for gallant and meritorious service on the battlefields, by concurrent vote of the House and Senate of the State of New York, approved by Governor Reuben E. Finton.
He first smelled powder at the siege of Suffolk, Va., in 1862, being detailed with two companies to assault one of the Rebel forts, which he captured, taking the first prisoners made by his regiment in the war. He was then ordered to Bowers' Hill, between the Dismal Swamp and the western branch of the Elizabeth river, and was detailed to construct a fort controlling the road to Suffolk and Portsmouth, which he did so well
362
as to receive the commendation of regular army officers and special mention in general orders.
He was next transferred to Fort Norfolk between the city of Norfolk and Fortress Monroe where for a short time he was in charge of seventy- five Confederate prisoners, all commissioned officers. He succeeded in this duty an officer who was killed by one of the prisoners, but Parsons, by his tact and humane treatment, had no trouble and no escapes, and on being ordered away, received the thanks of the immured Rebels.
A new campaign commencing, he was ordered with his troops to rejoin his regiment, and was sent to the front at the famous siege of Petersburg where he was under fire on June 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th before the actual siege began. He was later in the trenches for ninety- two consecutive days and nights, under fire all the time. In fact he was on the open front all of the years 1863 and 1864 around Petersburg and Richmond. A few of the severest engagements in which he participated were those of Cold Harbor, where, in command of two companies, he led the charge of his brigade which lost 20 per cent. of its men in killed and wounded. The Rebels lost fully two-thirds of their forces. Other important engagements in which Parsons fought in this campaign were Fair Oaks, Drury's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Fort Burnham, Deep Bottom and Hatches' Run, where, while in command as major, he captured the Confederate commanding general, the colors, two pieces of artillery and 200 prisoners. Later on the same day came the engage- ment at Fort Cregg in which, after the first volley, all the fighting was. of the fiercest, being hand and hand with clubbed muskets and fixed bayonets, there being no time to load or fire. According to the com- manding officer, General Gibbon, who describes it in his history, the losses in the fight in proportion to the number engaged were greater than any known in modern warfare.
The next day, Sheridan's cavalry and the 24th corps, to which Parsons' regiment belonged, began the famous pursuit of the retreating Confederates, and in the sharp fight at Five Forks captured and destroyed most of Lee's artillery. On April 6th, the same corps at Farmville, defeated a strong force, taking many prisoners, and on the next day starting at 4 a. m., marched a distance of 44 miles from Farmville to Appo- mattox where the following morning it met and defeated with heavy loss Longstreet's and Pickett's troops. This day, while actively engaged in driving the enemy, a Rebel flag of truce was seen passing Parsons' regiment which at first was thought to mean the actual surrender, but proved to mean only a cessation of hostilities until a meeting of the great commanders could be held.
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The next morning Major Parsons, eager to witness an event to be forever memorable in history, worked his way through the lines of Custer's and Sheridan's cavalry which occupied the roads between the two great armies, and joined General Ord's staff, marching with it toward the McLean house where the momentous meeting was to take place, and reached the vicinity of the house just as General Grant with his staff and escort arrived. General Lee at once advanced to meet him and tendered his sword which General Grant declined to receive. After talking together a few minutes, they approached and entered the house with some of their respective staff officers. He distinctly remembers that just at this time General Custer came up with a small table which he passed in through the window, on which table the famous papers were written and signed. General Parsons' recollection of this and other closing scenes of the war are remarkably vivid, and he takes great pride in the fact that it was his fortune to witness them at closer range than anyone in this vicinity. His reminiscences are unusually interesting, but in a sketch of this nature cannot be afforded more space.
After the surrender, his division saw some hard times, having far outmarched its provision teams, and for some days had to exist on pounded and boiled corn. However, on April 15th it secured a few rations and started back to Richmond, reaching there April 20th, and remaining until June 28th, 1865, when Parsons' regiment was ordered home, when he was mustered out with it July 2d at Elmira, N. Y.
During the war the General was four times wounded and carries the marks today. However, his hospital record is very brief. When he was sent to the hospital for his most serious wound, the surgeons wanted to amputate his arm which he saved only by a most vigorous resistance to the proposition. The result was, he was soon able to return to active and efficient service without any permanent disability.
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