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 32
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Garde d'Honneur, Wilfred Vincent, commander, 40 men. St. Jean Baptiste Society, Joseph Beaudreau, president, 200 men.
SECOND DIVISION.
Marshal, Charles F. Robinson.
Staff-Frank Bean, F. Howard Brown, Joseph E. Warren, George M. Moore ; guide, Roger Arnold Curtis, dressed in Colonial costumes. Worcester Brigade Band, 25 pieces, Joseph H. Morrisette, leader.
Marlborough Fire Department, Charles H. Andrews, chief. John W. Keane and William A. Berry, assistants.
Hose 1, Capt. David McDonald, 10 men.
Hose 2, Capt. John E. Carey, 10 men.
Hose 4, Capt. George H. Ball, 10 men. Combination, Capt. George Griffin, 10 men.
Hook and Ladder 1, Capt. Charles T. Berry, 10 men. Societe Laurier, Aime Rougeau, president, 50 men.
Painters' Union, Fred A. Moore, 50 men, wearing costumes of white. Knights of Columbus float, representing " The Landing of Columbus, " drawn by four horses with white coverings. The scene shows Columbus landing on San Salvador with a sword in one hand and the flag of Spain in the other. He is attended by nobles and courtiers, and Indians are hiding behind a rock. All were cos- tumed in attire of the times in which Columbus was such a con- spicuous figure. Those who took part in the representation are members of the Knights of Columbus Glee Club.
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Kor G
K. OF C. FLOAT - " THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS "
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Float, "Signing the First Deed," drawn by a pair of oxen, "Farmer" Theodore Temple, who was the famous ox cart candidate for Mayor in 1909, driving. This included a tepee with rocks and trees and pupils of the High school impersonating the figures in the picture." There were six Indians, three white men and two squaws.
Float, " The Village Choir," which was one of the great features of the entire day. Dressed in old time costume and with instruments of ye olden time, it presented a most spectacular appearance. At the conclusion of the parade the choir gave a concert on Main street. near City Hall.
"Rapid Transit," or old Daniel Webster coach, called "Grandpa's Trolley, " showed the method of travelling in 1760. The four occupants were dressed in old time costumes, and it was one of the worthiest.
District School, a float gotten up by Supt. O. A. Morton, was a fine one. Teacher and pupils at the long wooden benches, the high capped dunce, the whispering pupil, in fact the whole scene was pictured most naturally.
Peace and Liberty, 1660-1910, was one of the most beautiful floats in the parade. It covered four periods in history, showing the Redmen, Puritan, Colonial and Up to Date, presided over by Uncle Sam and the Goddess of Liberty. It was a very lovely display. The costumes of all the participants being in keeping with the period which they represented. The decorations were pink and green, most effectively arranged, the whole being drawn by six handsome black horses. On the float, an orchestra composed of the following young ladies rendered delightful music during the parade : Misses Berry, Brigham and Bill of Hudson ; Misses Charlton, Elliott and Carpenter of this city.
Float, Radium Club of St. Ann's parish, Southborough.
Tally-ho containing Southborough officials carrying a flag that was in the procession half a century ago when Marlborough celebrated its 200th anniversary.
Sudbury, Our Mother Town, joined with us in her good will and had a fine historical exhibition of " The Minute Men of Sudbury, " including captain, color bearer. standard bearer, drummers and militia men. They carried eight flint lock guns, eight powder horns, three wooden canteens, and one old tinder box, all used in the Revolution. One relic was a flint lock gun used in the battles of Lexington and Con- cord. Another relic was a 6-foot Queen Ann's gun shouldered in the
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FLOAT - " PEACE AND LIBERTY "
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parade by one of the men. Another carried an old sabre made by hand and borne by Captain Ephraim Stone in the Revolution. Three of the old flint locks, one powder horn and a wooden canteen were loaned by E. R. Lemon, Wayside Inn.
Westborough was represented by a tally-ho.
Northborough Veteran Firemen and hand tub, 160 years old, Hazen Leighton, captain, 30 men.
Marlborough Hospital had a float decorated with 1,500 poppies ; red crosses of flowers were conspicuous and eight little misses dressed as nurses made an appropriate and interesting float. The tout ensemble was gotten up with great care and expense.
Members of Marlborough Woman's Club in carriages. Miss Dorothy Brigham was dressed to represent the district nurse which the club provides.
Float, General Joseph Badger Chapter, D. A. R. Mrs. F. W. Riley as Martha Washington, Mrs. Fred H. Morse dressed as Betsey Ross. The carriage was decorated with white and blue, the society's colors. Members of the chapter aided in making pretty the colonial effect. The flag carried by General Joseph Badger Chapter, D. A. R., was the State flag, presented by State Treasurer, Mrs. Chick. The pole, which is mounted with a gold eagle, was the gift of Miss Harriet A. Dean of Dorchester. This is the first time that the flag has been out of the State headquarters and the members of the local chapter felt sig- nally honored.
Ladies Relief Corps rode in an open landau which contained four of the six charter members.
Cadet Drum Corps of 15 boys with Charles Whitman, leader, made the air resonant with their steady tap tap.
Marlborough Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, float, with Uncle Sam, the eagle and other symbols of the order, made a fine showing in the parade.
Marlborough Grange had three lovely floats-one representing the four seasons ; Ceres, Pomona, Flora being impersonated ; reapers, glean- ers, drivers and outriders. This pictured out the work of the organiza- tion ; colors, pink, green and white.
Another float of Marlborough Grange showed a picture of ye olden time and was under the direction of Mrs. Fred Nichols. The old fashioned fireplace, with the utensils and tools used in the colonial period together with the dress worn by the participants, was very unique.
The new style of farming was shown in two wagon loads of machinery exhibited by Marcus Brown.
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CHOIR.
FLOAT- "THE VILLAGE CHOIR "
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Mary A. Parsons tent, D. of V., was represented in the procession by carriages containing members of the organization.
United Order of Golden Star float. This was decorated in yellow and white with gilt banners of the order. Five hundred small American flags were used to complete the decorations, and the degree staff consist- ing of 14 ladies rode on the float in the robes of the order, making a very pretty picture.
Highland Fraternal Lodge caused applause in a tally-ho decorated with pink chrysanthemums with eight of the members dressed in white, carrying red, white and blue sunshades.
French Dramatic Club, float, representing Washington and Lafayette. This was glowing in color with eight mounted men dressed in continental costumes and two footmen, also guards and Uncle Sam. One of the most interesting floats of the procession.
Marlborough Lodge, Knights of Pythias, float representing a degree. Participants all in handsome regalia.
Immaculate Conception Court, Mass. Catholic Order Foresters, carriages with members.
Ladies Auxiliary, A. O. H., float representing Columbia and Erin, drawn by three horses. Decorations of white and green with an arch on which L. A. O. H. in letters of gold were prominent. Columbia, wear- ing a crown and grasping the star spangled banner, was greeting Erin who also wore a crown and had the harp of Ireland in her hand. They were surrounded with attendants. All of the ladies were attired in dresses of white and wore green ties and sashes.
Jeanne d'Arc Circle float. This beautiful float was silver and white decorated with French and American flags. Eight young ladies were attendants and Jeanne d'Arc, dressed in blue with silver shield and helmet, and carrying an imported spear direct from France, proved a striking feature.
John Boyle O'Reilly Council, carriage with members.
French Artisans, carriages with members carrying banner.
Newman Club, victoria and horses decorated in lovely manner with yellow chrysanthemums. Representatives of the club riding and driven by Miss Katherine Shaughnessy, sister of the Mayor, brought much applause and lent eclat to the procession.
Court 44, Foresters of America, carriages with members.
THIRD DIVISION.
(Consisting of Mercantile Floats.)
Thomas P. Hurley, marshal; staff, Daniel F. O'Connor, Dr. E. L.
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Signing First ne d'
Of MARLBOROUGH
FLOAT - "SIGNING FIRST DEED OF MARLBOROUGH "
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Stevens, Dennis E. O'Brien, John F. Burns, Chester F. McGill ; guide, James M. Keane.
United Shoe Machinery Band, 25 men, G. J. Roujeau, leader. United Shoe Machinery float, consisting of decorated auto-truck.
Rice & Hutchins Shoe Co., three floats. Each of the three local factories of Rice & Hutchins, the big shoe manufacturers was represented by a float. The Curtis factory represented a model shoe factory, being the Curtis factory in miniature, 30x40x9 feet. Young ladies rode on the float.
The Middlesex factory was represented by a float in which the Minute Man and the old time cobbler figured.
The Main street factory, a massive shoe containing an entire family, showing that the factory made shoes for father mother, sister, brother and all the other relations.
First National Bank was represented by an auto truck showing a safe deposit vault and alarm. F. L. Claflin, cashier, was on the float.
W. H. Hill, the plumber, had an advertising team, the four side signs showing a lady cooking over one of the Magee ranges, which ranges he has sold for more than 30 years. Mr. Hill had also a very pretty float drawn by two handsome grey horses hitched tandem. On the float was a huge bell constantly ringing covered with 800 pink chrys- anthemums, the whole hung on heavy cross arms on which was lettered " Ringing for W. H Hill." The decorations were green with ferns for background.
William A. Allen Co., float was a most pretty one and decorated in green and white ; the girls dressed in white and carrying dainty green parasols caused much attention.
The display of the Burke Drug Co. included a handsome road wagon drawn by two horses in tandem, with decorated harnesses, and advertising his two stores.
E. F. Houghton, teams. One float representing a grape arbor under which were ladies and children dressed in white, carrying baskets of flowers, attracted attention. Another advertising Muskateer Flour and with two mounted men, dressed as muskateers, was fine.
Arthur C. Lamson, floats. His display of hardware and other articles in which he is an extensive dealer, attracted favorable comment. Two wagons heavily laden with his wares was a noticeable contribution to the parade.
The Misses Stevens, florists, had a wagon artistically decorated with beautiful poinsetttas and ferns.
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John P. Rowe, team. This had a good display of Regular Flour.
George F. Bond, float. Here was a display of all his wares, hand- somely arranged on a two-horse float surmounted by a floral piece in red and white. Employees in white caps and coats. All deserved the applause they received.
James Golden, float. This was a noticeably large four-horse float. Wagon and harness trimmed with crimson rambler roses. A number of young ladies dressed in white added to the pretty effect and was worthy of praise.
A. T. Haynes & Co., teams. Furniture of the colonial design and latest pattern formed an attractive exhibit, heightened as it was by attend- ants in colonial costume.
J. J. Hanley, team. An interesting four-horse float containing a large display of goods, hardware, paint and pictures.
Edward C. Minehan, painter, had a neat wagon trimmed with flags, horses decorated with pink roses ; five girls in different colored dresses rode in the team.
Downey Brothers, three teams. These teams, drawn by dapple grey horses were well decorated with bunting and flags and displayed meats and flour. They deserved all the praise they received along the route.
John M. Carpenter, float. This was a typical representation of an Indian village scene, with wigwams, papooses, squaw, dog, Indian chief, etc. It showed much labor and ingenuity and deserved the many encomiums received.
Marlborough Stock Farm, floats and teams. The float represented a mammoth potato, fashioned from wood, and mounted on advertising display. Employees and drivers attired in white suits.
Sherman Laundry, three teams and float. Two laundry teams were decorated, the third carrying banner. The four-horse float was trimmed with over 1,000 red white and blue paper flowers, and ten pretty girls dressed in white aided to make a pleasing effect.
Bay State Cadets, Drum Corps, 15 boys, swelled the enthusiasm of the onlookers.
David Harris, marble dealer's float, was a very pretty one. The wagon was trimmed with roses and had fifteen young ladies dressed in white with gold crowns and crosses.
E. H. Fitch, teams. These two teams, well trimmed, and contain- ing lambs, pigs and chickens, were especially interesting to the children.
Thos. S. Burke, piano dealer, team, had a most harmonizing dis- play of the Mathushek piano.
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Carl I. Stevens had a neat single team arranged to well advertise his plumbing business.
Thomas F. Williams, clothier, called attention with the old Lafayette coach drawn by four black horses. The vehicle was used at the dedication of Bunker Hill Monument, June 17, 1825, and had for one of its distinguished occupants Lafayette who was the Nation's guest.
Miss Rose King, typewriting on a float, showed that she appreci- ated the advantage of advertising her business as public stenographer.
F. P. Martin & Son had several grocery teams stocked high with the best of staple goods.
E. E. Webber, team, was decorated and had a display of cakes and pies.
Thomas M. Dacey & Son, stablekeepers, had an appropriate display of a wagonette decorated with bunting and flags and two landaus.
W. C. Blake & Co., float, which advertised Red Men collars and was driven by an Indian chief. A group of seven little Indian boys from the plains and hills of Sligo attracted lots of attention as they were carried about the city. The boys were afterwards presented with the Indian suits they had worn.
Major F. G. Taylor, with two teams, well exhibited the Laurel and Onward Flour.
Marlborough Dye House, a covered wagon, with lamb on top appro- priately marked " Dyed in the Wool. "
F. Gauvin, Jr., team and float decorated, and with well matched white horses, advertising Pillsbury's Flour. All men were dressed in white suits making a fine appearance.
Middlesex Baking Co., a four-horse team, carrying an immense loaf of bread, advertising quality bread and bakings.
T. J. Brennan, team filled with choice potted flowers from his greenhouses.
George A. Dyer had a wagon containing a fine selection of chickens which pleased the little folks.
Marlborough Business College float consisted of a triumphal arch decorated in white and gold. Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, sat on a high golden throne attended by maids of honor. At her feet were two flower girls clad in white, and they gazed on a scene before them which represented the advance in science as applied to business methods. On one side of the platform of the float were quaint figures resembling the wood cuts of an old counting house clerical force. With quill pens and parchment they scratched away laboriously. Next to them were men
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and women operating typewriters, adding machines, mimeograph and other appliances of a modern business office. The idea of the float was to represent the progress of training in efficiency.
James Gibney had a well decorated laundry wagon.
D. W. Cosgrove & Co. had an open carriage in which members of the firm rode.
Elmer D. Howe & Son of Fairview Farm, three exhibits. Two milk carts with the placards, " The milk that needs no washing; 8 cents per quart. " A float having two calves with blue ribbons, three pigs with white ribbons and two lambs with red ribbons. The wagons and horses were decorated with crepe paper and prominent with the inscrip- tion, " Clean milk makes healthy babies. "
Marlborough Coal Co. had three teams decorated with flags.
Bemis Brothers had a Buick auto of which they are the Marlborough agents.
Armour & Co., two teams decorated to show to the best advantage their canned meats and star hams.
Howe Lumber Co., three teams. One filled with wooden boxes such as are made in Marlborough , another was a load of roofing paper ; the third was a house, one side showing clapboards, shingles, double doors and blinds, the other side showed the inside finish. At the back were steps and on the front side was a piazza, all of which formed an interesting display.
C. Riani, two teams. This confectioner certainly looked cool with his ice cream display, the white teams and horses decorated with red, white and blue bunting. The men were dressed in white.
Frank Reynolds had a moving team on which was a Shubert piano of our popular townsman, Charles J. McCarthy, which was played all through the procession. A man also sang through a megaphone.
Dart Express Co., one team, decorated with flags.
FOURTH DIVISION. (Consisting of Mercantile Floats.)
Marshal, G. J. Laplante. Staff, J. A. Bouvier, Louis Buisson, Fred J. Lesieur. Guide, Joseph Beaudry. Music, Garde d'Honneur Drum Corps.
Morse & Bigelow, three teams and two floats. One float contained a small country house surrounded by turf where a miniature lawn tennis
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game was being played. This advertised Devoe paint. The large float was an imitation of a Japanese pagoda drawn by four handsome horses richly caparisoned which elicited much applause. The whole float was decorated with thousands of red chrysanthemums. Behind the railings below and in the second story were seated 16 pretty Japanese maidens dressed in national costumes who served Salada tea.
New York Confectionery team was prettily decorated with flags and bunting.
Parsons' Machinery Co. team was a large four-horse float containing two sole cutting machines.
D. W. Powers & Co., float. This was suggestive of the business in which Mr. Powers is engaged. On the float was a freight car complete in every detail and filled with all rail coal. The four horses were attended by grooms in white uniforms and caused much attention and praise.
Barton & Morrison, team driven by George M. Morrison, filled with groceries. Horse ridden by C. F. Barton, attired as a knight. and adver- tising King Arthur Flour.
Louis Farley, float, picturing a complete bath room, advertised well his plumbing facilities.
Marlborough Grain Co. had two teams, one filled with grain and poultry supplies, the other piled high with Gold Medal Flour, and with young ladies dressed in white, they made an attractive exhibit.
Monument Square Market had a finely decorated and unique float having a large pickle at the top to advertise Heinze ; also 1775 coffee was well displayed.
J. J. Bradley float was admired by all. Two handsome horses drew the team rich in the glow of peach blossoms, with hedges and four large trees. Natural terns and other greenery added harmonizing color effect with young ladies robed in white.
White Star, electric laundry. Three teams, particularly conspicu- ous with their handsome black horses, white harnesses and well decorated wagons.
Favreau & Collette, float, a fine Cough Syrup display.
Orient Tea Co., H. S. Whitman, team.
Precourt & Blanchard had a carriage artistically decorated with 1000 yellow chrysanthemums, containing ladies of the firm in picture hats, Miss Adams driving tandem.
S. L. Churchill had a team containing a small house to advertise his painting business.
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G. J. Shortsleeves had a decorated team.
N. H. Ranney, float on which employees of the firm and boys dressed in Ranney's suits, and a number of little girls wearing white gowns and carrying pennants rode.
Alberic Lacroix had a team decorated with flags.
Lyman School Band of Westborough, 40 pieces, Robert Chapin, leader.
Pan Hellenic Union, Arthur Badavas, president.
The Lyman School Band, which headed the Pan Hellenic Union, had applause galore all along the route. The little fellows certainly were a great feature in the procession.
Noel & Lapierre, large team, decorated with 50 dozen artificial flowers, which was very attractive ; also hacks containing 12 clerks, all of which made a fine exhibit.
I. P. L'Ecuyer, team well decorated.
Lake Williams Ice Co. float, handsomely decorated in red and white poppies, was a very appropriate and beautiful display in which an Arctic bear on ice floats figured. Little Esquimaux boys were sitting around the ice cakes.
E. P. Longley, team of printed boxes advertising the business.
George R. Hall & Co., three floats and one team. One four-horse float represented a complete bathroom with running water, shower bath, etc. ; another had an immense sprinkler surrounded by pails etc., to advertise sheet metal, and the third float had a Glenwood range with gas attachment with the words, "Don't blame the cook ; get her a Glen- wood. " On the other side of the range was a large old brick fireplace with andirons, kettle, etc., and the date 1660, showing the difference in cooking apparatus of old time and present.
C. H. Landry, team advertising Pillsbury Flour. Cookies were made and thrown out which pleased the young people.
W. K. Nichols' float represented a nice little ice cream parlor with parties being served at a table. Decorations yellow and white.
Louis Houde, team advertising Tiffany Hair Tonic.
Crown Confectionery Co., team prettily decorated with flags and flowers.
The Singer Sewing Machine Co. had a float representing parlor sewing. Samples of the machines sold by the company.
Phillias Lesieur, team arranged to make a good display of Chinese starch. A number of young men dressed in Chinese costume added to the effect and received much praise.
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F. A. Wheeler had a Moxie auto advertising the favorite drink.
Wheeler Express Co., seven teams, decorated with flags and bunting.
Lake Williams Ice Co., five teams.
At the conclusion of the parade came the Mayor's dinner to the Governor at the Gleason House which was one of the happy incidents of the day.
At the same time guests of the city of Marlborough were served with a buffet lunch by J. Henry Gleason at Knights of Columbus Hall. The officers and soldiers of the Sixth Regiment were provided with a lunch at the State Armory on Lincoln street.
Two hundred and fifty guests of the United Shoe Machinery Com- pany were served dinner in A. O. H. hall. Harris S. Cann, the local manager, was toastmaster and performed his duties in a gracious manner. Among those present was ex-Senator Prouty, of Spencer, a well known and prosperous shoe manufacturer. Mr. Prouty is 62 years old, but is in full bloom of health with not an infirmity to bother him. Ile recently won a walking match from Spencer to Worcester in which a man of his own age was second best. Mr. Prouty made a hit at the gathering.
The United Shoe Machinery Co. did much to make the celebration a success and Manager Cann certainly did his part to make it pleasant for everybody numbered in the guest list.
Without the presence of the United Shoe Machinery Co. there would have been something missing in the celebration. Its band was one of the best musical organizations that has ever visited this city and the lavish manner in which they entertained was a revelation to Marl- borough people. The guests represented the following towns and cities : Col. Fred G. King, Ed. Cox, H. M. Esselin of the order department, George H. Vose of the Beverly factory, W. H. Carricow, leader of the band ; C. T. Cahill, the clever advertising man ; George S. Caswell, S. F. Howard, George Daniels, formerly of the Marlborough Awl and Needle Co., M. Brock of Boston. Others came from Providence,
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Keene, N. H., North Adams, Worcester, Spencer, North Grafton, Westborough, Hopkinton, North Brookfield, Ware, Brockton, Whitman, Cochituate, Webster, Milford and Holliston.
At noon another salute of 21 guns was fired by Battery B.
AFTERNOON EXERCISES ON HIGH SCHOOL COMMON.
The presiding officer was Judge J. W. McDonald, who after the opening selection by the Marlborough Band, introduced the Most Rev. Archbishop, William H. O'Connell, of Boston, who offered the following beautiful prayer :
"O Thou, who in eternal majesty sittest enthroned amid the glory of heaven, hear, we beseech Thee, the voice of Thy creatures raised to- day in benediction and praise for the blessings which have descended upon them from Thy merciful Providence. Father of all, here united in Thy Holy Name, deign to accept our grateful thanksgiving for the pros- perity, the health, the industry, the harmony of hearts which have com- bined as rivulets to form the noble river of this city's growth and progress. They are all Thy gifts. Preserve them even as Thou hast given them, that Thy goodness may be known by all who enjoy them, and that as all here have partaken of them, so may all unite in loving and adoring Thee. Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour and Redeemer of the world, Thou who didst die for love of mankind, make us united in the firm bond of brotherhood, in the strong tie of Thy charity. The rich and the pocr, the employer and the laborer, all are brethren in Thee. Fill every heart with peace and patience, that no envy or jealousy of a passing difference in place or station may ever divide us, but that we may be strongly united in the hope of Thy eternal love which alone is true riches and glory. Holy Spirit of God, rest above this fair city, that by Thy light all may be illumined-that the eyes of all may behold the path of duty, of law and of good citizenship. Teach us by Thy Divine wisdom the road of true progress. Help us to restrain ourselves from
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