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 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
Just fifty years ago our ancient town Observed her bi-centennial festival. Within one year, dark clouds had settled down O'er our beloved country, like a pall. The gathering storm in all its fury burst, The youthful hosts were summoned to the fray ;
.
461
Ours was a land by Slavery accursed And we the awful penalty must pay.
Ah! who that lived then ever can forget The pain and sorrow of those days long past ? In memory's tablets they are firmly set,
Never to be effaced while life shall last.
After the storm, a calm. Dark clouds no longer O'er our fair land their long pent fury pour. And faith with each succeeding year grows stronger That the fierce tempest shall return no more.
Yet would we not forget in days of gladness, Those who went bravely to meet the foe, To stem the tide, to check the raging madness Which threatened our Republic to o'erthrow.
God bless them all, our country's brave defenders ! God bless you, brethren of this sacred band ! Nobler your record than earth's proudest splendors, High on the roll of fame your names shall stand.
Some have passed on, through pain and death and weeping, To join their comrades in the world on high ; One by the far Pacific shore lies sleeping, The youngest brother, yet the first to die.
And when your earthly pilgrimage is over, And, one by one, you lay life's burdens down. May each before the white throne of Jehovah Receive with joy the never-fading crown.
How great soe'er her possibilities, Marlborough is beautiful just as she is. Her neighbors and her daughters all look well, But the old mother still remains the belle. The many hills, so variously crowned with verdure, villas, rocks, and woods profound ; Her placid lake, reflecting heaven's own blue, Whose shores are pictures beautiful to view ; Her thriving villages and splendid farms, Each with its wealth of ever-varying charms, These all in perfect harmony unite To fill the soul with wonder and delight.
But let us not be content to leave undone The work which art and nature have well begun. We are proud of our noble mother, and reasoning thus, That a rule is faulty which will not work both ways,
462
Let us hope that she may also be proud of us, Nor e'er have reason for sorrow or dispraise. Let us rejoice that the birthright of labor stands As a shield from many a danger and folly and crime ; For the mischief that Satan finds for idle hands Is as patent now as it was in Watts' time.
And whatsoe'er our future has in store, Of joy or sorrow, ere this life be o'er, Be it our firm endeavor, day by day, To hold the right and keep the wrong at bay ; To live, as Marlborough's sons and daughters should, Lives ever honest, earnest, pure, and and good ; Lives which shall never cause her grief or shame, But add new lustre to her honored name.
Miss Annie A. Howes read an ode written by her for the occasion, which was as follows :
ANNIVERSARY ODE (Written by Miss Annie A. Howes)
O, City of the Eastern Hills, While far from thee I roam, With what a joy my bosom thrills When thou dost call me home ! Back to the haunts of boyhood days, To spots I long held dear, Back from the world's entangled maze To thy sweet love and cheer !
Two centuries and a half have flown Since o'er thy fertile lands The sun above in glory shone Where now thy city stands ; Since when the Indian's fragile bark Swift glided o'er the tide, And shot within the recess dark Of thy lake's wooded side.
Then came a little band to seek The refuge of thy sod, On thy fair hills in peace to speak The worship of their God. So here in faith and love they dwelt, And tilled thy fertile soil, And as time passed the decades felt The outcome of their toil.
.
463
MISS ANNIE A. HOWES
A little village rose above, And in the sun's bright glow A lasting token of their love Looked on the vales below. And year by year, beneath its rays, You grew in strength and fame, 'Till, like the Rome of ancient days, Seven hills bore thy name.
And while thou prospered all the while, Men came here to abide ; Strong men from Erin's verdant isle, Beyond the laboring tide. They had seen their grandsires hoary Slaughtered in ignoble fight, And looking westward, saw the glory Of thy freedom and thy light.
From St. Lawrence, wood embowered, From the northern river cold, Where the mighty pine tree towered, Came the voyagers of old.
464
Sons of Canada's clear waters Left the land of maples tall, Came to be thy sons and daughters, Hearing only thy sweet call.
From the eastern land of beauty, Acadia's green vales of shade, Others came, and in their duty, To thee, Marlborough, homage paid. Some sought thee from the shores of Greece, And some from Italy's sunny clime.
Seeking out the land of peace From the land of grapes and wine.
Still came they to thy kindly hills From o'er the ocean's foam, And thou, fair Highland City, still Shall be their cherished home. Thy lofty walls stand proud and high, Thy towers stretch in air ; To our dear Marlborough still we cry, " The fairest of the fair."
The concluding number was the address of Hon. Charles S. Hamlin, orator of the day. Mr. Hamlin opened by complimenting the city on being so typical of the American community, spanning as it does the colonial, revolutionary, federal and constitutional periods of our history. He said in part :
" The invitation from the citizens of Marlborough, which was con- veyed to me through his Honor, the Mayor, came to me at a time when I was so busily employed in my professional work that I did not see how I could possibly accept. When I reflected, however, I realized the very great honor of this invitation, and I felt that the request of the people of Marlborough was a command which must be complied with.
" I believe that there is not a city in this grand old commonwealth which so well typifies the progress of our country as does this city. It has spanned the whole period of our existence, from the earliest Colonial times down to the present, and one who knows its history knows the history of our country, and conversely, the history of our country is not complete without proper recognition of what the city of Marlborough stands for, both in the past and in the present.
" In considering the wonderful energy and ability of this city and of its people, the words of the Greek poet, Sophocles, come to my mind :
465
HON. CHARLES S. HAMLIN Orator of the Day
ยท Wonders in nature we see and scan,
But the greatest of all is man.'
" It is difficult indeed to comprehend the development of our country since its foundation. The early colonists, more or less independent communities, soon found that they must come together into some form of union, and there resulted the confederation to resist the attacks of the hostile Indians; then followed the irritating difficulties with the mother country which brought about the committees of correspondence ; next came the Continental Congress which proclaimed the great document, the Declaration of Independence ; then followed the articles of confedera- tion, and lastly, as a crowning result, our present constitution.
" We should never forget that under that constitution the people of
466
the United States owe allegiance to no personal sovereign or ruler. They owe allegiance to the government, and this allegiance is two fold, to the government of the state as well as that of the nation. There is, or should be, no conflict in this two fold allegiance ; it is recognized and affirmed in the constitution of the United States.
"Great as has been the material prosperity of the United States, I feel confident that the future will see an even more marvelous develop- ment in which this great city will receive its share, and if any should think that your share is unduly large, we can only attribute it to the energy and ability of your people. In any event, I am confident that your prosperity serves to illustrate the maxim that the greatest prosperity of the individual comes from the prosperity of the community, and that disaster to the community must in the long run prove injurious to the individual. The maxim of all our effort should be the greatest good of the greatest number, and out of this will surely come future prosperity and happiness to the people of Marlborough, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and of the United States."
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1910.
The celebration closed Tuesday with sports, which the weather prevented Saturday, exercises by the firemen and G. A. R. and a display of fireworks at night on Fairmount Park.
Great interest centered in the firemen's parade. The firemen never made a better appearance anywhere and were constantly applauded along the route. A special feature of the day was the presence of the Mass. Fire Chiefs' club, headed by its president, John A. Mullen, Chief of the Boston Fire Department.
The line traversed Main street to West Main street, to Broad to Lincoln to Concord, to Prospect to Washington, to Bolton to East Lin- coln, to East Main, to Main, where it disbanded. It was as follows :
Platoon of mounted police in charge of City Marshal John F. Mitchell.
467
Marlborough Brass Band, 25 pieces, Robert W. Bird, leader. Carriage containing Mayor John J. Shaughnessy, Chief J. A. Mullen of
Boston, William Brophy of Boston and Alderman F. W. Banister of Marlborough.
Carriage containing Levi W. Baker, Thomas Campbell, George Balcom and George H. Brigham, old time chiefs of the Marlborough fire department.
Board of engineers of the Marlborough fire department : Chief C. H. Andrews, First Assistant John W. Keane, Second Assistant William A. Berry.
Fifty members of State organization of fire chiefs in uniform.
Fifty members of vicinity fire departments, Natick, Framingham, Hudson and Fitchburg, in uniform.
Fifty members of Marlborough fire department.
Thirty members of the Northborough fire department in uniform, Harry Foss in command.
Northborough Volunteers, dressed in rustic attire, drawing the old fire engine Volunteer, built in 1760, Hazen Leighton in command, 28 men.
Assabet Engine Co. of Northborough, Moses Mosso, chief driver. Fayville fire company with the ancient Hunneman tub Falcon, Capt. Fred Barron in command, 30 men.
The newly built hose carriage No. 1, Marlborough fire department, first public appearance. Captain, David McDonald; Patrick Genery, driver.
Hose 2, Marlborough fire department, Captain, Thomas Doyle, John E. Carey, driver.
Hose 5, Marlborough fire department, old-time carriage, Harry Cain, driver.
Hose 4, Marlborough fire department, Captain George H. Ball; Walter J. Logan, driver. Natick Hose carriage No. 1.
Hook & Ladder truck No. 1, Marlborough fire department, Captain Charles T. Berry ; Henry Bonner, driver.
Combination Co., Marlborough fire department, Captain George Griffin ; John F. Carey, driver.
Ex-Chief George A. Stacy, superintendent of the Marlborough water department, and Fred Williams in carriage, the former driving Jim, the first fire horse used in the Marlborough fire department. Assabet engine of Northborough, James Duffy, driver.
468
Motor truck from Malden fire department. Motor truck from Newton fire department. Two motor trucks from Springfield.
Auto containing C. A. Young, Chief T. W. Huff of Malden, G. G. Morrell of Concord, C. N. Perkins of Springfield.
Auto containing Chief S. E. Kellogg, J. B. Chapman, Captain William Draper and Frank Warren, all of Hopedale. Natick steamer, S. A. Drake, driver.
Tally-ho, decorated in pink, drawn by four horses, William Batman, driver, containing G. A. Judd, fire commissioner of Everett ; H. C. Lord, ex-fire commissioner of that city ; Charles E. Berry of Somerville, Y. D. Bordman, ex-superintendent of the fire alarms of Natick; ex-Chief Frank Harrington of Northborough; ex- Chief A. Howard Fiske of South Framingham ; ex-Chief W. K. Morse and Elmer Wright of Leominster, E. B. Floyd and F. A. Floyd of Winthrop, George HI. Wellfleet of Revere.
Brake, decorated in yellow, drawn by four horses, J. F. Norman, driver, containing J. M Gould, editor of the Firemen's Standard; W. D. Taylor of Boston, foreman of engine No. 1 of that city 50 years ago ; John F. Byrne, J. H. Dwyer, Thomas Dugan, C. Waldo Brigham, ex-chief of the Marlborough fire department ; E. R. Nichols of Ladder No. 1, R. H. Whittemore of Hose 2 of the Marlborough fire department, F. C. Whitmarsh, chief of the fire department of Braintree.
Auto containing Chief George S. Coleman of Worcester, Chief N. M. Burke of Cambridge, ex-Chief J. R. Hopkins of Somerville, Charles Smith, veteran fireman of the Marlborough fire depart- ment ; George G. Tidsbury of Ashland and Deputy Sheriff Francis D. Newton of Southborough.
Auto containing Alderman Willard A. Walker, Herbert W. Angier, superintendent of fire alarm system, both of Marlborough ; John G. Manuel, superintendent of fire alarm, Natick ; N. J. Winches- ter, Natick.
At Middlesex square, the parade was reviewed by Sylvester Bucklin aged 95 years, who bought for the town a half a century and more ago its first two fire engines, who was the first captain of the first fire com- pany formed here, and who was also the first chief of the fire depart- ment. When the head of the procession had passed, there was a halt, and the members of the Chiefs' Association retired from the line and shook hands with the old-time fire fighter. Just before the processson
469
again moved, the band played "Auld Lang Syne." The parade then marched up Main street to the City hall, where it was reviewed by Mayor Shaughnessy and a number of guests of the city. The parade was then dismissed, when the firemen went again to the central fire station, where, after a short rest, a line was formed and the march taken for A. O. H. hall where dinner was served to 375 guests.
The firemen's exercises began at 2 o'clock when two blows of the fire alarm caused Ladder Co. No. 1 and the Combination Co. No. 1 to respond to Bond's building on Main street. Here Ladder No. 1 raised two ladders and put man on roof. No time was taken of this or the three remaining exercises which followed. Combination No. 1 raised one ladder and put a man on the roof with a chemical line, and laid one line 2} inch hose and carried it to the roof and got water.
On an alarm from box 32, located on Main street, front of Windsor House, hose companies 1 and 5 responded to Bond's building, laid one line each, and carried it to the roof and got water.
On a second alarm from box 34, hose companies 2 and 4 responded to Bond's building, laid one line each and carried it to the roof and obtained water.
Next, each hose company in numerical order started on Main street near Burke's drug store, and on a signal ran to the hydrant, got water, shut off, broke and rolled up hose, placed it on the wagon and got away for the next company.
All of the companies had to lay 150 feet of hose, uncoupled. At a signal, they coupled, got water, uncoupled, took length at hydrant to pipe, and length at pipe to hydrant and got water. Time was taken when water appeared at the pipe the second time.
In the hand tubs contest, the Volunteer of Northborough threw a stream of 154 feet 3 inches, defeating the Falcon of Fayville which threw a stream of 140 feet 4 inches.
The closing exercises were an exhibition of the Marlborough water works in front of central fire station, eight streams being thrown from one hydrant and then 12 streams were thrown as a final windup.
Early in the morning there began to arrive the guests of the day. The firemen gathered at the central fire station, where they were met by the engineers of the department : Charles H. Andrews, chief, John W. Keane, first assistant, and William A. Berry, second assistant, who acted as the reception committee.
470
0
CHIEF MARSHAL AND STAFF- MILITARY AND CIVIC PARADE
471
ye Olde Fashioned Skul'
FLOAT - "YE OLDE FASHIONED SKULE"
472
While the firemen were having their time, the veterans of the Civil War were holding forth in Grand Army hall where Post 43 was having a daylight camp fire. Visitors were present from Leominster, Fitchburg, Hudson, Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Fayville, Framingham, Westborough and other places. The exercises included a selection by the Marlborough Brass Band, and speaking. George S. Parker, commander of the Post, called the gathering to order and W. S. Goss was toastmaster. There were speehes by Mayor J. J. Shaughnessy, G. C. Fiske of Ashland, senior vice-commander ; W. A. Witherbee, P. D. C .; Junior Vice- Commander Hosley, Rev. E. H. Horton, chaplain of the State Senate ; Rev. A. H. Wheelock, and Hon. S. II. Howe, one of the staunch friends of the Post. J. Henry Gleason served lunch.
The sports were one of the most successful features of a successful celebration. The school boy sports at the playground were some of the most exciting events of the day.
The sports for the school children took place at Burke park, while on Main street took place a series of sports including a 10-mile Marathon race. These proved sufficiently attractive to call many thousands of spectators to the scenes of activity.
Great crowds of people witnessed the games at Burke playground. The summary of the contests in which members of the High School participated is as follows :
Mile run-Won by Hollis Tayntor, William Hutch second, John Costello third. Time 4m 14s.
Broad jump-Won by Joseph Drummey, John Ward second, Joseph Slattery third. Distance 18ft 2in.
Shotput, 12 pounds-Won by Joseph Drummey, William Hutch second, Joseph Slattery third. Distance 38ft 43 in.
100 yards dash-Joseph Drummey, first ; Joseph Slattery, second; John Ward, third.
50 yards dash-Joseph Drummey, first; Joseph Slattery, second ; Arthur Turner, third.
Relay race-senior class, John Ward, Stanley Freeborn, Joseph Lynch, Joseph Drummey.
.
473
High jump-Charles Allen, first ; Joseph Drummey, second ; John Ward, third.
In the grade contests the results were :
100 yard dash, 7th and 8th grades-Won by Delorey of Washington street school, Savage of same school second, Leveque of Pleasant street school third. Time 11 2-5s.
100 yard dash, 5th and 6th grades-Won by Seuss of Hildreth school, Muir of Bigelow school second, Cavanaugh of Pleasant street school third. Time 12}s.
50 yard dash, 7th and 8th grades-Won by Washington of Hildreth school, Ryan of same school second, Beaudreau of Bigelow school third. Time 8 1-5s.
50 yard dash, 5th and 6th grades-Won by Muir of Bigelow school, Conrad of Hildreth school second, McGinnis of same school third. Time 83-5s.
Broad jump, 7th and 8th grades-Won by Washington of the Hil- dreth school, Delorey of Washington school second, Ward of same school third. Distance 15ft 8in.
Broad jump, 5th and 6th grades-Won by Seuss of Hildreth school, Conrad of same school second, Stewart of same school third. Distance 13ft 62in.
Shotput, 7th and 8th grades-Won by Johnson of Hildreth school, Washington of same school second, Leveque third. Distance 33ft 114in.
Hop, step and jump, 7th and 8th grades-Daniel Delorey, Wash- ington street school, first, 33.9; Wm. Washington, Hildreth street school, second, 33.73 ; Harold Ward, Washington street school, third, 30.11.
Hop, step and jump, 5th and 6th grades-Joseph Conrad, Hildreth street school, first, 25.4; Francis Bonin, Washington street school, sec- ond, 22.9; Wilfred Grenier, third, 21.10
Potato race, 7th and 8th grades-Daniel Delorey, Washington street school, first; Vincent Ryan, Hildreth street school, second; Daniel Cashman. Washington street school, third.
Potato race, 5th and 6th grades-Grant Webster, Hildreth street school, first ; Harold Darling, Pleasant street school, second; Gaston Duhamel, Bigelow school, third.
Relay race, 7th and 8th grades-Washington street school, Harold Ward, Edward Laplante, Charles Savage, Daniel Delorey.
Relay race, 5th and 6th grades-Hildreth street school, William Monsette, George Seuss, Reginald Stewart, Joseph Conrad.
474
The Hildreth school, by winning the ball game, was the winner of a cup offered to the victors in the tournament.
Many thousands of people witnessed the 10-miles Marathon race ending near the Soldiers' Monument Tuesday afternoon. This is the first time that a race of this kind was held in Marlborough and it attracted a great deal of attention throughout the State, largely on account of the fact that the run was confined wholly to streets within the limits of the city-from Main to West Main, to South, to Maple, to Main, three times around.
The winner was James Cleary of the Sigel Athletic club, Worcester, followed at the finish, in the order given by Thomas H. Lindley, Percy Venoit, Thomas Wilkinson and C. L. Carr. All were awarded medals or cups. Cleary's time was 1h 31 2-5sec.
The 100 yards dash (all Marlborough entries) held on Main street, was won by Joseph Drummey, athlete of this city. He was closely followed by Slattery, Ward, Carroll and Kane.
220 yard run-Won by A. M. Bowser, Boston ; Frank P. Sheehan, South Boston, second; Edwin Ellstrom, Worcester, third; Joseph Slattery, fourth ; K. A. Chisholm, fifth. Time 23 1-5 secs.
880 yard run-Won by Frank P. Sheehan, South Boston ; James H. Maloney, Worcester, second; A. M. Bowser, Boston, third; C. A. Ryan, fourth. Time 2 min. 10 secs.
Starter, F. W. Leary ; clerk of course, Dennis S. Hurley ; timers, Henry W. Eager, Thomas O'Halloran and Ernest L. Faunce ; judges at the finish, John W. Keane, George Butterfield and George H. Spalding ; referee, Dr. George J. Delaney.
SUMMARY. Grades 7 and 8.
Pleasant
Washington
Bigelow
Hildreth
100 Yards Dash
1
8
...
...
50 Yards Dash
...
...
1
8
Broad Jump
...
4
...
5
Shot Put
1
...
.. .
8
Hop, Step and Jump
...
6
...
3
Potato Race
...
6
...
3
Totals
2
24
1
27
-
475
Grades 5 and 6. Pleasant Washington
Bigelow Hildreth
100 Yards Dash
1 ...
3
5
50 Yards Dash
...
...
5
4
Broad Jump
...
...
...
9
Hop, Step and Jump
...
3
1
5
Potato Race
3
...
1
5
Totals
4
3
10
28
Individual standing of High School : Joseph Drummey, '10, 23 points ; Joseph Slattery, '12, 8 points ; William Hutch, '14, 6 points ; Charles Allen, '14, Hollis Tayntor, '10, and John Ward, '10, 5 points each ; John Costello, '10, A. Turner, '11, 1 point each.
Standing of Grammar Schools : Hildreth street school, 55 points ; Washington street school, 27 points; Pleasant street school, 6 points ; Bigelow school, 11 points.
Grammar School individual standing : Daniel Delorey, Washington street school, 18 points ; William Washington, Hildreth street school, 16 points ; Joseph Conrad, Hildreth street school, 11 points ; George Seuss, Hildreth street school, 10 points : Albert Muir, Bigelow school, 6 points ; A. E. Johnson, Hildreth street school, Grant Webster, Hildreth street school, 5 points each; Francis Bonin, Hildreth street school, Harold Dowling, Pleasant street school, Charles Savage, Washington street school, 3 points each ; H. A. L'Eveque, Pleasant street school, and Harold Ward, Washington street school, 2 points each ; William Cavan- augh, Pleasant street school, Joseph Beaudreau, Bigelow school, John McGinness, James Stewart, Wilfred Grenier, Daniel Cashman and Gaston Duhamel, 1 point each.
The prizes given included gold, silver and bronze watch fobs for individual events, and cups for schools and classes. Hildreth school was successful in competitions in the fifth and sixth grade class, and the seventh and eighth grade classes as well as in the base ball series.
All of the sports were under the direction of Dr. George J. Delaney which proved a credit to himself. His management of the Marathon was a revelation to the sporting men and lovers of athletics who say they never saw anything like it. It was perfect, they said.
476
-
FLOAT - DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION
477
EDWARD L. BIGELOW Chairman Trustees of Marlborough Public Library
478
RL BOR
MA
ROUGH
+ A TOWN 1
CITY 1890.
1660.
CITY OF MARLBOROUGH
OLD HOME DAYS
June Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Nineteen Hundred and Ten
HE Committee on General Invitations have T issued this letter to apprise the absent sons and daughters of Marlborough of the forthcoming Quarter Millennial or 250th Anniversary of the Settlement of our City, which will occur on June 11, 12, 13 and 14th of this year.
The observance of this event will be fitting and very interesting. and we desire to have a large rep- resentation of former residents, their descendants and our erstwhile friendly visitors, who have found homes in other parts of the country, come back and partici- pate with us in the festivities of this celebration.
479
X
It will be a great pleasure to the residents of the City of Marlborough to extend a cordial wel- come to those who have visited or have been identi- fied with us in the past.
The importance of this event has already been recognized by many old and former residents in cor- respondence with this and other committees, and the prospects are good for a memorable celebration.
In behalf of the citizens of Marlborough the committee extends to you a cordial invitation to come home and join us in making the event one to be long remembered as a Red Letter Day in the history of the City of Marlborough.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.