USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume II > Part 8
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* * "His style is broad, and he freely expresses the truths of nature, dealing with masses rather than details, and handling his subjects, especially atmospheric effects, with a daring and insight that is seldom equalled in American landscape art. * * In catching the gray effects of brooding skies seen in his "Signs of Snow," a picture owned by W. F. Kellogg, editor of the New England Magazine, Mr. Greenwood shows the genius of an In- ness. The clouds recede in diminishing ranks through an aerial perspective of great distance and space, giving finished sugges-
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
tion of the approaching storm. * The bursting day as it breaks, the fading twilight as it wanes, the clouds that chase each other in the air, or their shadows over the hillside or mead- ows, the ever-changing movements of nature are always subjects for Mr. Greenwood's artist eye. His pictures are excellent ex- amples of tone and harmonious relation of color. Every one of his landscapes seems to communicate human sentiment. Mr. Green- wood's success has been very great indeed. He thoroughly be- lieves in his pictures while he is painting, and paints to please himself. He does not paint to exhibit his technique or to please
WOODLAND SCENE.
( By J. H. Greenwood.)
the masses. He is living a devoted life here in Worcester, and now that his genius is being recognized abroad, his pictures will do much to make the pastoral beauties of Worcester county famous."-Telegram.
The degree of success which has attended Greenwood's efforts in the world of art is most gratifying alike to himself and his friends. He has never reaped a large pecuniary harvest for his work; nor yet has he sought it. To have had his canvases regularly accepted at the highest exhibitions of original work is indeed a high honor. The conditions are favorable for anticipa- tion of many future triumphs. Painters proverbially carry their
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JOSEPH H. GREENWOOD
development into a much riper age than he has reached; and an enhanced appreciation of his present work is a natural expecta- tion. The successful painter is a prophet, in that he elevates the artistic standards of his times. Greenwood's personality in art has already made itself felt, and the best endowed minds in the various callings delight to bestow upon him their appreciation. His recognized mission as an intellectual factor in the community is to perceive and impart to others a sense of the beauty which per- vades nature. The pursuit of material advantage that engrosses the attention of individuals and of nations, is, after all is said and done, a poor thing compared with the development of correct sen- timent. To the intellectual mind sentiment is the only thing which makes life worth the living. As a successful creator of beautiful sentiment and promoter of the highest form of happi- ness, Greenwood's life deserves to be chronicled in the list of those who better their fellows. In bringing credit to himself he has brought honor upon the town of his nativity. He has helped to teach a higher use of material things than the plainly practical, and for this we esteem him as a public benefactor.
During the pastorate of the Rev. Joseph Pope over the Spen- cer Congregational church a man by the name of Hagar lived on what is now known as the Aaron Watson place. He was in the habit during the summer months of going early Sunday morning to Moose pond and catching a fry of fish for breakfast. This fact was known to Mr. Pope, but one of his well-to-do parishioners thinking the practice a sinful one called his attention to the same. "Well," said Mr. Pope, "I suppose when Sabbath morning comes some one of your family goes into your cellar, takes the meat hook and fishes around in the pork barrel to get a suitable piece of meat for breakfast?" The man allowed this was the truth. "Now," said Mr. Pope, "Hagar is a poor man and has no meat stored in his cellar, and so, instead of meat he catches fish; the pond is his pork barrel, and I see no substantial difference be- tween his case and your case." The parishioner was silenced. The story was told and for a long time Moose pond was known as Hagar's pork barrel.
In explanation of Mr. Pope's attitude in the case it may be worthy of note to record that he was a much more liberal man in his thought than most clergymen of his time.
Cole & Wood were proprietors of a boot factory on Wall Street about 1861 and later Lamb & Bacon were proprietors of a meat market in Union Block.
ANOTHER EARLY MILL FOR DRAW- ING WIRE
It has been learned that another early mill for drawing wire was built on the Enoch Ludden farm in the northwest part of Spencer by Daniel Ludden son of the original settler. About the time the mill was completed the wire business had become so depressed that the project was abandoned. The building was then moved away and used for other purposes. Enoch Ludden
THE ABANDONED ENOCH LUDDEN HOUSE AS IT APPEARED IN 1900.
(Photo by H. M. Tower.)
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EARLY WIRE MILL
built the house shown in the cut in 1810 in the then primeval forest. While his house was in progress he lived in a dwelling long since gone which stood on the southwest corner of the agri- cultural grounds. All trace of its location appears to have been obliterated. From this place Mr. Ludden and son Daniel, then about ten years of age, went daily to attend to the building of their new house into which the family moved on its comple- tion in the fall. Mr. Ludden died Oct. 25, 1848. The farm des- cended to his son Daniel, then to Daniel Jr., and thence to Myron Ludden the present owner.
The Missing Hen Coop.
Some sixty years ago a man by the name of Richard Mills owned what is now the Joseph Butler place at the foot of Pleas- ant street. He occupied the old two-story red house, long since torn down, which stood a few rods north of the present dwelling. He was a mason as well as farmer and was frequently employed in the village to relay chimney tops. He had a habit of often calling to his tender in a loud voice for more mortar, which he contracted to "More mort !" This attracted the attention of boys and young men and they took up the cry so that it soon became a byword, and ended by their calling Mr. Mills "Old Mort." This was not agreeable to him; in fact he was wrathy and threat- ened to horsewhip all offenders. In addition to this it is said he committed an unjustifiable act at the swimming place of the boys at Moose pond. On his farm south of his house stood a good sized hen coop which one morning was missing. During the night it had been transported on poles in the hands of indignant young men and placed on the common in front of the Jenks tav- ern. A sign also had been nailed to the building which read, "Hen Market." Some of the tavern boarders were up earlier than usual that summer morning to know the meaning of such vociferous cock crowing notes as came wafted in through open windows. In the dim twilight they discerned the outlines of the coop and in a short time a crowd had gathered to see, hear and discuss the unusual affair. After considerable sport Capt. Jere- miah Grout,a kind-hearted gentleman living opposite and owning an ox team, offered to transport the coop to its owner if the crowd would load it onto an ox sled. This was done with hearty good will and the team moved the same slowly homeward attended by the usual crowd of small boys.
7
BIOGRAPHY OF EDDY WARNER PROUTY
This distinguished violinist is a son of Joel Eli and Minerva Prouty, and was born at Proutyville, or Lower Wire Village, Spencer, June 27, 1860. Mr. Prouty, who has met unusual suc- cess as a musician, seems to have inherited his passion for a vio- lin from his grandfather, Liberty Prouty, a pioneer wire manufac- turer at Proutyville and likewise his love of music from his mother, a good alto singer of local repute. From his earliest recollection, Mr. Prouty longed to possess a violin and was so persistent in making this want known that his parents gratified his desire when only six years of age, and purchased, as good enough for a boy, a small sized instrument of ordinary make, which they hung for him on a Christmas tree at the M. E. church in the winter of 1866. This proved to be a most acceptable pres- ent, but did not wholly meet his wishes. At the age of eight, he took up piano practice with Edward L. Sumner. His love for the violin, however, was strengthening with his years, and at the age of ten, his father purchased for him from his brother Henry the violin of his grandfather, Liberty, and this souvenir is still in his possession. Now for the first time he possessed an instrument that was satisfactory to his young mind, and com- menced taking lessons of John Eastwood, an Englishman, living at Proutyville, a wire worker by occupation.
His first lesson was "Yankee Doodle" which was executed to Mr. Eastwood's evident satisfaction, after struggling with it for a week. The next lesson, "Money Musk," was too difficult for our young violinist, and after many trials and little progress he became discouraged and abandoned further effort for that time. He has, however, since then many times regretted that he could not then have been placed under the direction of an experienced teacher, as he believes it would have made a vast difference in his musical career. This discouragement prevented any further attempt at getting a musical education until he was seventeen years of age, except for a short time when at Wilbraham academy, where he was sent at the age of twelve, and in addition to his regular studies took lessons in harmony and on the piano under
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EDDY WARNER PROUTY
Prof. Hastings who was at the head of the musical department there at that time.
On account of a contagious disease breaking out among the scholars he left the school during the second term. He returned home and after his strength returned, attended the high school for three years, but did nothing with music except to sing alto one year with his mother at the M. E. church. After leaving the high school, he attended Howe's commercial college at Worcester and acquired a knowledge of book-keeping. He then
EDDY WARNER PROUTY.
worked a year for D. A. Drury in his boot factory with the promise of a situation as book-keeper at the beginning of the second year. For some reason the promise was not kept, and a situation as book-keeper and cashier was obtained from Bemis & Prouty, a Spencer concern then doing business as provision deal- ers in Worcester.
During the early winter of 1877-8, Mr. Prouty was sick with lung fever and confined to the house until spring. It was
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
during this time that he again took up his neglected violin work, which led on to success and fame, and has since then never been abandoned. He practiced scales and church music on the violin until he was well enough to go out, and then took lessons of Chas. Muzzy, a noted local violinist, but Mr. Muzzy advised him to seek a more competent teacher and through the counsel of Wm. Sumner, he placed himself under the instruction of Carl Eichler of Boston in June 1878 and made rapid progress. In August he organized his first orchestra, known as Prouty & Bemis orchestra, Harry E. Bemis being a partner. Their first appearance in public was in the vestry of the M. E. church at a festival on December 18 and 19, 1879. They put on Gilbert and Sullivan's "H. M. S. Pinafore" with all local sing- ers, which was quite a success and probably the first opera ever produced in Spencer by home talent. Mr. Prouty conducted, and Sarah W. Dyer, daughter of Dr. Edward C. Dyer, sang the leading part.
On December 31, 1879, this orchestra played at the sixth annual concert and ball of the Spencer firemen, an engagement of which they were very proud, as it was the first time the fire- men had not been obliged to send out of town for their music. Mr. Prouty remained in Spencer during the year 1880, teaching and during engagements with his orchestra, at the same time con- tinuing his studies in Boston. His first appearance as a soloist was October 26th of that year, when he played De Beriot Con- certo in D Major at a concert given by the Spencer Cornet Band. The winter of 1880 and 1881 was a very successful one for his orchestra, their time being well booked for parties in Spencer and adjoining towns. In the spring the name of the orchestra was changed to Prouty & Belcher, and went under that name for two years, since which time it has been known only as Prouty's orchestra, Mr. Prouty assuming full control. He soon made arrangements with the proprietors of leading summer and winter resorts and between seasons had so many calls that he made his headquarters and permanent address with the Oliver Ditson Co., music publishers of Boston.
Prouty's orchestra filled two seasons' engagement at Cottage City, Martha's Vineyard, during the summer of 1881 and 1882. They were at Poland Springs Hotel, Maine, during the summers of 1883 and 1884. The fall seasons of 1881 and 1883 were filled by engagements at the San Souci Gardens, Providence, and the New Bedford Opera House. At the close of his first season at Poland Springs, he accepted a position with the Germania Or- chestra of Boston, still studying with the leader, Carl Eichler. He also took lessons that season of Bernard Listemann. During Mr. Prouty's first season at Poland Springs, the manager of the
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EDDY WARNER PROUTY
St. James Hotel at Jacksonville, Fla., then stopping there, heard his orchestra and was so well pleased that he offered him an en- gagement for the winter of 1883-84, and continued to employ him for eighteen consecutive seasons, or until the hotel burned.
During the fall of 1884, he made a tour of the middle states and Canada. His connection with the St. James brought him an abundance of calls to other places, his orchestra having been heard there and favorably commented on by hotel managers from all over the United States. To this cause he owes liis engage- ments at the Magnolia hotel, the Bay Point, Hotel Champlain, Owl's Head, Princess Anne, Va., Magnolia Springs, Fla., and the Ocean House, Swampscott. During the summer of 1885 he was engaged as a soloist with Schmidt's orchestra on the Fall River line of steamers to New York, and during that season studied with two of the leading violinists of New York city. Later he was leader of the orchestra at the New York Academy of Music.
During the summer of 1899, Mr. Prouty received an offer from both the Florida East Coast Hotel Co. and the Plant system for the winter following and accepted the one from the first named party to play at Nassau, N. P. Bahamas, at the Colonial and Royal Victoria, where he has been the past three winters and is engaged for the next season. He has also been engaged to fur- nish music for the four Magnolia hotels and at Masconomo at Manchester-by-the-Sea this summer.
It is probable that Mr. Prouty's orchestra has filled more engagements at resort hotels than any other orchestra in the country, and what is particularly worthy of notice is that these have largely been unsolicited. That his work has been and is eminently satisfactory may be judged by the frequency with which he has been engaged for succeeding seasons. That Mr. Prouty has been a hard worker in his chosen field is quite evident; that he has been a good manager is equally clear, and that he has accomplished so extensive results for a man of his age is credita- ble alike to himself and his native town.
Mr. Prouty married Sarah W. Dyer, Feb. 14, 1883, and has always had his home in Spencer, where he spends his vacations in needed relaxation and rest.
MEDAL OF HONOR COMES TO SPENCER
One hundred and sixty thousand soldiers went from Massa- chusetts into the Civil War. To twenty-one only of this large num- ber of men, an army in itself, Congress awarded medals of honor for distinguished bravery on the field of battle. One of these came to a Spencer man by birth and residence, Charles Adams Hunter, who was born August 26, 1843, in an old house now torn
CHARLES ADAMS HUNTER
down, but then standing where John M. Newton lives. It was known as the Howland place and was at that time owned by Otis Howland. It must not be supposed that these twenty-one men were any more brave than hundreds of other men in the same ser- vice only there came to them a time or times, or opportunities for action which, quickly embraced, made their bravery more
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MEDAL OF HONOR COMES TO SPENCER
conspicuous. Mr. Hunter is very modest in his statement of ser- vice performed. He writes from Hopkinton, where he now resides :
"I was color guard or color bearer in all the engagements my regiment was in except the first, and only did my duty as I understood it, not thinking myself more brave than many of my comrades. I suppose it was for this duty that Congress awarded the medal, but never have known definitely as no explanation was given."
It is said by others that at the battle of Fort Gregg, Cor- poral Hunter not only planted the United States colors on the top of the Fort but the State flag also, which he had picked up on the field on the death of the color bearer carrying it. It is also related that an order to march coming unawares, he went into one battle barefoot and without a musket, refusing to go back though ordered so to do. After a while he secured the musket of a soldier who had been shot.
Charles A. Hunter enlisted July 19, 1862; was mustered into service as a private in Co. E, 34th Massachusetts Infantry, July 31, 1862; made corporal, Nov. 13, 1863; sergeant, April 30, 1865; 2d lieut., June 18, 1865.
The first battle in which he was engaged was at Ripon, West Va., Oct. 19, 1863. >> Subsequently he participated in the battles of Newmarket, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Snicker's Ford, Winches- ter, July 24, 1864,' Martinsburg, Halltown, Berryville, Winches- ter, Sept. 19, 1864, Fisher's Hill, Stickney's Farm, Cedar Creek, Hatches' Run, Fort Gregg, Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865.
His most intimate comrades during the war were George P. Clark, Liberty W. Worthington, Walton Livermore, Henry Bemis and Ira E. Lackey. The exposures and privations of the war gradually developed a leg trouble which made amputation neces- sary, the particulars of which are related in the following ex- tracts from a Natick paper, as follows :
"The citizens and many friends of Mr. Charles A. Hunter of this town will be pained to learn that on Sunday, Feb. 26th, it became necessary to amputate his right leg as a last resort to save his life. The circumstances in connection with this sad case are as follows :
"About two weeks ago, Mr. Hunter consulted Dr. P. R. Manuel, complaining of an unnatural coldness and numbness of his right foot, which was also purple. After a few days treat- ment, Dr. J. H. Wright was called for consultation when a diag- nosis of embolism of the feinoral artery was made with the advice which was concurred in of amputation. The case being such a rare one, Dr. S. J. Mixter of Boston was sent for and performed
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
the operation, assisted by Drs. Manuel, Cook, Wright and Syl- vester. The leg was amputated a little below the knee.
"Mr. Hunter was a veteran of the late war with a valiant record as a soldier. He enlisted in Co. E., 34th regiment, Mass- achusetts Volunteers, from Spencer, Mass., as a private, and was promoted through the several grades of corporal and sergeant and
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ARMY MEDAL OF HONOR.
received a commission from Governor John A. Andrew, dated June 18, 1865, as 2d lieutenant, but was never mustered in. He was awarded a bronze medal by Congress for bravery and gallant service on the field of battle, when a corporal of his company. This medal was presented to him just previous to his discharge
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MEDAL OF HONOR COMES TO SPENCER
at the close of the war, June 13, 1865, and was placed on his breast by the wife of the Commanding General of the 24th Army Corps, Major General John Gibbons. The medal is in the form of a five-pointed star, on the face of which is a representation of the Goddess of Liberty protected by a shield, defending herself from the serpent of treason. On the reverse side is inscribed the following:
THE CONGRESS
TO CORP. CHARLES A. HUNTER, COMPANY E, 34TH MASS. VOLS. THIS MEDAL OF HONOR WAS AWARDED BY AN ACT OF CONGRESS, APPROVED JULY 12TH, 1862, FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICES DURING THE REBELLION.
This modest and unassuming man who has been so frequent- ly seen upon our streets, is only known by a few to have been indeed a recognized hero of our late war. He has the sympathy of all who know him and deserves the gratitude of a reunited Republic. Such soldiers make the fame of our great generals possible."
Early Chair Manufactory.
At the end of the road leading westerly from the house of William Pratt at Hillsville stands the old residence of Joshua Hill. Six hundred feet perhaps before the house is reached, the road crosses a fill of earth and stone once used as a dam, and flowing a pond the north side of the road. Opposite on the south side mnay now be seen the foundation of stone where once a small mill was located. This mill was built by members of the Hill family and used as a place for the manufacture of such parts of chairs, settees or bedsteads as needed to be sawed or turned, and was operated as late as 1859 by Sullivan Hill, son of Joshua, and father of Edwin A. Hill. The furniture was put together or otherwise completed in a shop near his dwelling. The stream supplying the pond was a very small one, and the time of flow- age and use of the mill was chiefly confined to the early spring. The water was drawn off later and a crop of hay annually raised on the pond bottom. Some wag composed a few lines of dog- gerel in regard to this mill which, while not wholly true, served as sort of a nursery rhyme for children in that section of the town for many years. The stanza is as follows:
"Sullivan Hill Built a mill Upon a sandy plain. There was no water Within a mile and a quarter, Unless there came some rain."
WASHINGTON'S VISIT TO SPENCER, OCTOBER 22, 1789
POEM WRITTEN FOR THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THAT OCCASION BY MRS. L. H. UPHAM.
The day is long past, Far away is the scene, But backward we'll glance, Though years intervene.
What hopes and what fears, What smiles and what tears, Have filled out the cycle Of the last hundred years.
Generations have come, And as time onward sped Their course they have run, They now sleep with the dead.
But seed-time and harvest Each year to our land Has been graciously dealt By a bountiful Hand.
For His merciful gifts, With glad hearts we raise To our glorious Maker Thanksgiving and praise,
And pray that His wisdom May show us the road And guide our weak feet 'Till we dwell with our God.
Our Nation's first great President, As all the records show, Visited New England One hundred years ago;
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WASHINGTON'S VISIT TO SPENCER
Thus setting an example To the rulers of our nation, Which has been largely followed By each administration. He established here a precedent It would be well to mind- He was careful of his lovely wife, And she was left behind. He needed not the prestige Of her presence and her grace, She was wise as well as beautiful And knew her proper place. Whene'er it was her duty To be in public seen, With great homage she was welcomed As any foreign Queen. It was the month October Of seventeen-eighty-nine, The fifteenth day, on Thursday "About the hour of nine,"
He started on his journey Accompanied part way By Hamilton and General Knox And chief justice Mr. Jay. When past the city's limits, Their course they homeward turn, With good wishes for his journey, And a very safe return.
He had his scribes and servants, His retinue was eight, With horses four, and chariot, You see he rode in state. It was the finest carriage seen In continental days, On this occasion it was drawn By four Virginia bays.
It was for Washington imported, And was of English make; It was a rich cream color, And globular in shape. Its ornaments on panel work Resembled fairy bowers, They were cupids each supporting Festoons and wreaths of flowers.
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
JENKS TAVERN.
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WASHINGTON'S VISIT TO SPENCER
The whole was well encased
In clearest crystal glass,
And was a wonder and delight, To all who saw it pass. His groom and stalwart coachmen, And four outriders, too, Were dressed in handsome livery, Their hair worn in a queue.
On Narragansett pacers Rode his secretaries near, One was a Major Jackson, And one Tobias Lear.
View of Jenks Tavern
taken about 1860, and substantially as it looked when Washington stopped there an honored guest. The building stood on the present site of the Massasoit Hotel. Josiah Robinson of Uxbridge purchased the land in 1743 and is supposed to have erected the eastern end of this Tavern house the same year. In 1775 Isaac Jenks came to Spencer, purchased the property and there kept hotel, presumably until his death, Sept. 27, 1818, forty-three years later. Draper's His- tory records that Mr. De Wareville, a French traveler passing through Spencer in 1788 and stopping for the night at this Tavern, speaks of it as " half built in a new village in the midst of woods." The un- completed part was the western end of the main building then in process of erection. Later quite a large ell was built extending north. This old landmark which in its day was the centre of more history-making than any other structure in town, ancient or modern, was totally destroyed by fire Sept. 20, 1870.
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