USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 43
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UNION MUSICAL SOCIETY, organized April 6, 1869. Sumner A. Hayward, president; Ziba C. Keith, vice-president; Charles J. F. Packard, treasurer and librarian ; Hiram Wilde, of Boston, musical director. Consisted of about two hundred members. Met Friday eve- nings in the vestry of the First Church.
WORLD'S PEACH, JUBILEE .- On the seventeenth day of June, 1872, there was a large musical gathering of the best talent to be found in this and other countries assembled in Boston under the above name, con- sisting of upwards of twenty thousand voices and one thousand instru- ments, under the leadership of Patrick S. Gilmore, esq., and was called the greatest musical festival of modern times.
The interest which the people of Brockton felt may be seen in the fol- lowing list of persons who took part in the same.
Soprano-Hattie E. Allen, Alice B. Ames, Lucy Atherton, Jennie Bancroft, Mrs. J. O. Battles, Mrs. W. R. Bowen, T. Buckley, Louise R. Bailey, Lizzie Battles, Mary Borden, Helen Bemis, Lydia Brayton, Helen Cary, Mrs. Geo. C. Cary, Martha A. Copeland, Laura Cary, Mrs. E. E. Dean, Abbie F. Dunham, Mrs. B. F. Dunham, Mrs. Anna Far- well, Nellie Foss, Emma I. Fullerton, Mrs. Fred. Hartwell, Belle How- ard, Fannie A. Holmes, Alice Hudson, Jennie P. Hollywood, Mrs. N. Capen Howard, Adelia E. Howard, Mrs. M. L. Hayden, Mrs. Edwin Howard, Mrs. Thomas Jackson, Mrs. B. E. Jones, Mary Jones, Lizzie Jones, Jennie H. Keith, Lizzie Keith, Mrs. Albert Keith, Fannie S.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Kimball, Mrs. A. W. King, Martha Mead, Mrs. C. J. F. Packard, Mary L. Packard, Mrs. Benjamin Packard, Lucy S. Packard, Ella D, Packard, Mrs. C. F. Porter, Mrs. C. T. Peckham, Mrs. Agnes Parker, S. A. Plum- mer, Mrs. H. A. Paine, Amanda M. Perkins, Mrs. O. O. Patten, Mrs. H. H. Robbins, S. E. Reynolds, Rebecca D. Reynolds, Mrs. William Snell, Florence E. Snell, Mrs. Emeline Snell, Alice A. Sawyer, Mrs B. Snow, A. M. Snow, J. W. Snow, Mrs. C. E. Stone, Mrs. C. A. Tolman, M. A. Tucker, Mrs. S. V. Tuck, A. L. Thayer, Mrs. Anna B, Tabor, Mrs. Geo Thatcher, Mrs. J. M. Washburn, Mrs. Elvira Willis, Mrs. W. H. Wade, Mrs. Bradford G. Wild, Emma White, Mrs. G. E. Wood- bury.
Altos-Mrs. L. W. Alden, Mrs. F. E. Allen, Alice Allen, Mrs. B. F. Battles, Mrs. J. F. Beal, M. A. Brett, Susie Burrill, Delia Bingham, Emily C. Cary, Mrs. D. H. Cobb, M. B. Copeland, Hattie A. Cushman, Mrs. I. A. Dunham, Dorcas Dunbar, Mrs. W. L. Field, Ada F. Field, Lottie A. Fuller, Sarah E, Fuller, Ella J. Fullerton, Mrs. N. N. Gurney, Mrs. J. V. Gurney, Mrs. J. L. Grew, Mrs, C. H. Goss, Mrs. C. E. Ham- mond, Mrs. P. B, Hancock, Lora S. Hayward, Julia B. Hayward, Mrs. Marcus Holmes, 2d, Mrs. Hannah B. Holmes, Belle Holmes, Alice M. Keith, Carrie Keith, Georgiana Keith, Mrs. D. P. Kenney, Mrs. D. B. Lovell, Dora Macomber, A. W. Mowry, Mrs. T. Newell, Mrs. Harrison G. Phillips, L. Jennie Reynolds, Zilpha Reynolds, Mrs. J. W. Richards, Mrs. Elizabeth Sargent, Hattie M. Sawyer, Mrs. E. M. Sewell, Ella Seaman, Mrs. Annie E. Snow, Mary Sturtevant, Mrs. F. A. Thayer, Mrs. A. C. Thompson, Nettie P Wait, Carrie White, Mrs. F. E. White, Emily C. Wood.
Tenors-Frank Allen, Geo. W. Allen, J. S. Allen, Sidney Allen, Jesse Billings, W. R. Bowen, J. T. Burke, Benjamin Clark, Hiram Curtis, Charles Daniels, B. F. Dunham, F. A. Dunham, E. B. Fanning, Wm. H. Faxon, S. L. French, N. H. Fuller, Geo. H. Fullerton, F. Goodwin, T. J. Gurney, N. N. Gurney, Fred. Hartwell, Fred. E. Holmes, Lemuel L. Holmes, Edwin Howard, E. L. Howard, Z. C. Keith, Charles Lowe, E. C. Mayhew, M. McCann, George McQuinn, C. J. F. Packard, S. F. Packard, J. M. Packard, W. D. Packard, Harrison G. Phillips, F. B. Porter, C. L. Reynolds, O. B. Reynolds, J. W. Richards, H. E. Snow, S. W. Snow, F. A. Thayer, A. C. Thompson, Geo. Tolman, Bradford Wild, J. C. Wood.
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MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
Bases-L. W. Alden, N. A. Battles, Charles H. Cary, George C. Cary, Everett Clark, Otis Cobb, G. M. Copeland, H. M. Dunham, John Far- rell, jr., C. E. Field, W. F. Field, M. Fitz, C. R. Ford, N. H. Fuller, C. WV. Gardner, Wm. Hammond, Geo. F. Hayward, S. A. Hayward, Albion Holbrook, S. A. Holbrook, Elmer W. Holmes, Marcus Holmes, 2d, N. C. Howard, C. T. Jackson, Melvin James, Geo. M. Keith, R. P. Keith, Thomas Keith, Elbridge Lincoln, D. B. Lovell, Samuel McLauthlin, F. B. Meade, H. F. Nash, W. M. Nash, T. B. Norton, W. H. O'Neill, B. Packard, F. H. Page, Benj. Perkins, C. F. Porter, T. C. Prescott, A. F. Poole, F. S. Reynolds, L. M. Reynolds, Lucius Richmond, George E. Russell, Wm. A. Sanford, Edward J. Stevens, R. L. Thatcher, J. M. Washburn, L. C. Wood. Total 201.
SOCIETY OF PROGRESSIVE SPIRITUALISTS .- A society with the above name was organized on the 7th day of April, 1878, with officers as follows: H. F. Bird, president; Dr. F. Webster, vice-president; E. G. Sparrow, secretary ; Nelson Huckins, treasurer ; Nelson Huckins, Dr. F. Webster and A. Ames, trustees ; L. W. Hill, collector. Meet- ings in Cunningham Hall.
SPIRITUALIST SOCIETY .- A society under this name has been organ- ized in 1884, having the following officers, viz. : Rev. Samuel L. Beal, president ; William Osborne, vice-president ; James A. Kent, secretary and treasurer ; Theodore Loring, Charles Delano, W. Dickerman, and James A. Kent, executive committee ; Mrs. M. A. Dickerman, Mrs. Rogers, and Mrs. Arabel Ames, auditing committee.
THE WOMAN'S MISSION SOCIETY is connected with the Congrega- tional Churches of the city. President, Mrs. Albert Keith; vice-presi- dents, Mrs. George E. Martin, Mrs. F. A. Warfield, Mrs. John T. Blades ; secretary, Mrs. George C. Cary ; treasurer, Miss Mary K. Keith ; executive committee, Mrs. C. Bradford, Mrs. O. Crossman, Miss Cornelia Eddy, Mrs. S. Foss; collectors, Mrs. Jane P. Reed, Mrs. Minot Niles, Mrs. Charles Curtis, Mrs. Almiron Leach, Miss Annie Moors, Miss Mary C. Keith.
BROCKTON WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION .- On Monday, October 2, 1876, the friends of female suffrage met in Lower Music Hall, David L. Cowell, esq., presiding, to listen to an address by Miss 59
466
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Matilda Hindman, after which a form of constitution was presented, which set forth the objects of this organization, whose principles may best be told in the two following articles :
" Ist. Believing in the natural equality of the two sexes and their consequent right to equal elective and legal privileges, and in the wrong inflicted upon women by withholding the same, resulting in in- calculable loss to society, the undersigned agree to unite in an associa- tion to be called ' The Brockton Woman's Suffrage Association.'
" 2d. The object of this Association shall be to effect by moral and political effort, changes in public sentiment, resulting in the acknowleged right of suffrage for women, and placing her in all respects on an equal footing with man."
This constitution was adopted, and twenty-five names placed upon the list of members. The officers elected were Mrs. Lydia B. Willis, president ; Mrs. Milley Estey, Lewis Ford, Rev. S. L. Beal, Mrs. Jason Packard, vice-presidents ; Richard Humphrey, treasurer ; Rev. C. M. Winchester, secretary. The president, treasurer, secretary, Edward E. Bennett, and Ellen Slade constituted the executive committee.
ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION, CAMPELLO .- This is an association of persons leagued together for the purpose of beautifying and ornament- ing the village with shade and ornamental trees, and otherwise improv- ing the appearance of that portion where they reside, and in which they have a deep interest.
CAMPELLO SPORTSMEN'S CLUB. - Several parties interested in shoot- ing and practice in glass-ball matches met together and formed a club under the above name. President, Henry F. Thayer ; treasurer, Frank P. Keith ; secretary, J. D. Fiske. The secretary, treasurer, president, Howard P. Keith and J. E. Carr were executive committee. Members: Henry F. Thayer, Frank P. Keith, J. D. Fiske, J. E. Carr, Howard P. Keith, Manuel P. Nevis, Charles E. Tribou, Charles E. Martin, Paul Hartwig, Henry B. Wood, Alton M. Thayer, Charles J. Turner, Walton E. Keith, Joseph A. Jennings, Harry A. Copeland, Stephen M. Thresher, W. Dexter Pierce, William F. Ryder, Japhet B. Packard, L. Sumner Packard, Warren R. Thayer, Edward Baker, O. G. Tinkham.
The ground used for practice by the club was a lot east of the river at Campello, on land belonging to Nathan Keith.
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MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
CITY BICYCLE CLUB is the largest organization of the kind in South- eastern Massachusetts. It was formed in 1881. President, William Briggs ; captain, George P. Johnson ; secretary and treasurer, Fred. M. Bixby. Their present headquarters is in Theatre Building, East Elm street, which was opened to their use January 1, 1883. Starting with fourteen original members, it has increased to forty, and growing in numbers.
This city has two other clubs, the " Brockton " and " Union."
BROCKTON BICYCLE CLUB, organized June 1, 1879, twenty-two members. William H. Bryant, president; Fred. B. Howard, secretary and treasurer ; F. H. Johnson, captain.
BROCKTON FANCIERS' CLUB .- Organized November 1I, 1878. This is an association of persons interested in the improvement of poultry, pigeons, and pets, etc., and in holding exhibitions for the purpose of encouraging the special raising of the best varieties. President, William Rankin ; vice-president, J. W. Freeman; corresponding secretary, Abbott W. Packard; recording secretary, R. W. Shaw ; treasurer, W. F. Field ; executive committee, Bradford Wild, G. T. Randall, W. H. Sylvester, L. A. Tower, of Brockton, and Ozias Millett, of South Abington.
FIRE DEPARTMENT .- Water is the grand agent that nature has pro- vided for the extinguishment of flames, and the different ways and means for applying it with effect have been sought for in every civilized country. In the absence of more suitable implements, buckets and other portable vessels of capacity at hand have always been seized to throw water upon fire, and when used with celerity and presence of mind in the early commencement of a fire have often been sufficient, but when a conflagration extends beyond their reach the fate of the burning pile too often resembles that of the ships of " Æneas,"-
"Nor bucket poured, nor strength of human hand,
Can the victorious element withstand."
Hence the necessity of some device by which a stream of water may be forced from a distance on flames. Ingenious men of former days were stimulated to an unusual degree to invent machines for that pur- pose. The first machine used for throwing water upon fire was the common syringe. Fire was the most destructive agent employed in
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
ancient wars, hence every effort that could be made by ingenuity for protection from the assaults of pitch, oil and fire, that were thrown from the ramparts, was made.
The introduction of fire. engines was an important event in the country, and indicates a certain degree of refinement in civilization, and an advanced state of the mechanic arts. If we review the progress of fire-engines in modern times, from the syringe to the splendid engine of to day, we cannot fail to observe that progress marks the age. At first was used the single cylinder, then the double cylinder and air- chamber, which was first used in 1825.1
FIRE-ENGINES .- The first fire engine in Brockton was purchased by subscription in 1827, and was owned by a private company. The fol- lowing is a copy of the original subscription paper :
This proposes a method of obtaining a fire engine, to be kept near the road betwixt the Old Meeting House and Mr. Whitman's office, for the use of the inhabitants of North Bridgewater, who are liable to suffer loss by fire. And to accomplish said object, twenty- three shares, valued at twenty dollars each, are offered to those who may become inter- ested to become proprietors thereof. Each subscriber will annex to his name how many shares he takes, and if less than one, what part. And we, the subscribers, do sev- erally feel under obligations to pay, agreeably to our subscription, to the proprietors, treasurer, or agent duly authorized by a majority of the proprietors to receive their money, and to procure their engine.
North Bridgewater, February 10, 1827.
Subscriber's names.
No. of Shares. One.
Subscribers' names.
No. of Shares. One-half 66
Eliab Whitman
Eliphalet Kingman
Nathan Perry
Bela Keith. .
Edward Southworth.
Ephraim Howard
Silas Packard
William Faxon
Jabez Field.
Nathan Jones.
Benjamin Kingman.
David Packard 66
John Wales.
John Packard "
David Ames.
Nathaniel H. Cross
Rosseter Jones
Charles Packard.
Micah Faxon. .
Hiram Atherton.
Nathan Hayward 66
Azor Packard. . One-quarter
Arza Leonard.
Josiah W. Kingman
Azel Wood.
Benjamin Stoddard "
Lemuel French.
John Crafts.
Zibeon French
Thomas Wales. Three-quarters
Perez Crocker
Nath. B. Harlow One-quarter
John Battles
Sidney Perkins.
1 The first fire-engine in use in this country was imported from Holland for the city of New York in December, 1731.
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MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
This engine was called the " Union No. 1," and was a bucket- tub to be filled by hand. The machine passed out of the proprietors' hands to the town, on condition that the town would put the engine in perfect order, and keep it in order for use at fires. They also furnished a hook- and ladder carriage, with fire hooks, ladders, chains, etc.
The above constituted all the facilities for extinguishing fires previous to 1845. At that date the town, finding the alarms of fire growing more numerous as new buildings were erected, and were so near to- gether, " voted to procure two new and improved suction fire-engines." This vote passed February 9, 1846. The town appropriated one thou- sand dollars, provided the citizens would subscribe one thousand dollars more. The subscription was promptly raised, and Benjamin Kingman and Amasa Edson appointed a committee to purchase the machines. Previous to this time the management at fires was under the direction of " fire wards " appointed by the town.
The two engines were manufactured by Messrs. T. & E. Thayer, costing seven hundred and fifty dollars each, and were completed and received February 6, 1847. One of them was called " Protector," and was kept in the Centre Village ; the other, called "Enterprise," was located at Campello.
The "fire department " of 1865 was organized by an act of incorpo- ration by the Legislature of Massachusetts, March 18, 1846, and at the time of the receipt of the two new engines consisted of the following : one old engine, the " Union," Capt. Henry L. Bryant ; " Protector, No. No. 3," Capt. B. P. Lucas,-motto, " We will endeavor ; " " Enterprise, No 2," Capt. Aaron B. Drake .- motto, "Always ready ; " one hook- and-ladder carriage, with the fixtures, and one old and two new engine houses.
In 1850 the town purchased a large engine of John Agnew, of Phila- delphia, Pa., costing seventeen hundred dollars, which was called the "Protector No. 3." The old engine of that name was changed to " Relief No 4,"-motto, " Our aim the public good." In May, 1853, a new machine was purchased by private subscription, by the name of " Independence No. 5,"-motto, " Still live." About the same time, the " Relief No. 4," was sold to the town of Randolph, and located at South Randolph. In the fall of 1853 a new engine was purchased of
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
L Button & Co. of Waterford, N. Y., named " Mayflower No. 4," which name was changed to " Columbian No. 5,"-motto, " On the alert."
In the spring of 1861 the town voted to sell " Protector No. 3," which was done during the year, by exchange with William Jeffers, of Paw- tucket, for one of his engines, using the same name and number. In 1854 ' Enterprise Engine No. 2" was transferred to the " West Shares," or Northwest Bridgewater and the name changed to " Niagara No. 6." During that year a new engine was purchased of L. Button & Co. of Waterford, N. Y., to take the place of the old engine, adopting the same name, and was located at Campello. In 1865 the " Niagara Engine" was sold to go to South Easton, and a new engine was purchased at Charleston, named " Hancock No. 1."
In 1865 the fire department of Brockton consisted of "Hancock En- gine No. 1," Capt. Isaac H. Hartwell, located at the " West Shares,"- motto, "Our aim, the public good ; " " Enterprise Engine No. 2," Capt. William Stevens, located at Campello,-motto, " Always ready ; " " Protector Engine No. 3," Capt. Henry B. Packard, located in Centre Village,-motto, " We will endeavor ; " "Columbian Engine No. 5," Capt. E. Z. Stevens, also located in the Centre Village,-motto, " On the alert ; " and one hook-and-ladder carriage and three engine houses. On Saturday, October 21, 1865, the fire companies made a trial of fire engines for a silver trumpet. " Protector " took the prize, playing hor- izontally two hundred and twenty feet.
The fire department as constituted in 1884, consisted of three fire en- gines, with fifteen men each, three extinguishers, one hook-and-ladder company and one hand engine.
The board of engineers were Davis R. Eldred, assisted by Nehemiah S. Holmes, Charles A. Eaton, Zenas L. Marston, and Alexander Fan- ning, Nehemiah S. Holmes, clerk.
The fire department of Brockton has ever had a good reputation for efficiency, and when it is considered how many wooden buildings there are, compactly located, the city has been remarkably fortunate in not having many conflagrations.
The fire department of Brockton is often referred to as being one of the most efficient and best managed of any in the county. At present it consists of four steam fire engines, three chemical engines, and one
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MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
hand engine, with sufficient hose and supply wagons, with the follow- ing details on the ist of January, 1893.
Onc Amoskeag Steam Fire Engine.
Three Silsby Steam Fire Engines.
One Babcock Aerial Ladder Truck and portable water tower.
One City Ladder Truck.
Two Double Tank Babcock Chemical Engines.
One Double Tank Holloway Chemical Enginc.
One Two Horse Hose Wagon.
Two One Horse Hose Wagons.
Two Two Horse Supply Wagons.
One Hand Engine and Hose Reel.
One Hand Hose Reel at City Farm.
One Horse and Buggy for the Chief Engineer.
One One Horse Hose Reel.
The following is a list of engineers of the fire department for 1892. In the resignation of Charles A. Eaton in the early part of the year, and who was one of the best known officers in the department, the place was temporarily supplied by Charles L. McCann in a very able manner. An ordinance having been passed by the city council for a permanent chief, Harry L. Marston, one who had been connected with the depart- ment for years, was appointed, October 5, and is now the chief engineer of the same, with the following assistants: Charles L. McCann, first as- sistant ; Willis A. Downs, second assistant ; Frank F. Porter, third as- sistant ; Francis W. Smith, fourth assistant; Stanton F. Bourne, fifth assistant.
FIRE ALARM .- The city has an excellent system of fire alarms through its territory, in charge of Harry L. Marston, superintendent, which facilitates the getting to fires at the earliest possible moment.
BROCKTON SPECIAL FIRE POLICE .- This is an organization of per - sons appointed by the mayor and aldermen, whose duty it shall be, as soon as an alarm of fire is given, to repair to the spot designated by the fire alarm, and take charge of the personal property in and around the burning buildings, subject to orders from the chief engineer.
This is a very valuable aid to the fire department, and prevents de- predation and all sorts of mischief.
The force of 1883 was as follows :
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
David Eldred, captain ; Thomas W. Kennedy, first assistant ; Arthur P. Alden, second assistant; Alden W. Skinner, clerk and treasurer ; Clarence Gill. David Glover, and Michael O. Neil. Members, William Brett, John Dean, George F. Tinkham, Alexander Fraser, John S. Perry, E. J. Hartford, Oliver L. Joy, Rufus E. Packard, Elmer L Fel- lows, Charles N. Hudson, Melvin F. Packard, John H. Raymond, J. Emery Merchant.
BROCKTON FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION. On Friday evening January 21, 1887, a meeting of about seventy-five members of the fire department was held at the Central station, and organized into an as- sociation by the above name. Chief Engineer Charles A. Eaton was chosen president ; Engineer Charles L. McCann vice-president ; Calvin R. Barrett secretary ; Engineer Frank F. Porter, treasurer. For audi- tors Samuel H. Howland, Stanton F. Bourne, and Edward J. Barry.
The present association was legally formed as a corporation June 7, 1887, as follows :
We whose names are hereto subscribed, do by this agreement associate ourselves with the intention to constitute a corporation according to the provisions of the one hundred and fiftieth chapter of the Public Statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the acts, in amendment thereof, and in addition thereto, The name by which the cor- poration shall be known is " Brockton's Firemen's Relief Association." The purpose for which the corporation is constituted is for the mutual aid and assistance under casual- ties to which their public duties as firemen of the city of Brockton may expose them.
The place within which the corporation is established or located is the city of Brock- ton within said Commonwealth.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hand this seventh day of June in the year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven. A
Charles A. Eaton.
Charles L. McCann.
Frank F. Porter.
Stanton F. Bourne.
Augustus E. Chase.
Calvin R. Barrett.
S. Harvey Reed.
John W. Totman.
Horatio Corbett.
Edward E. Fairbanks.
Charles F. Davis.
Fred H. Moore.
Bennie C. Leonard. W. H. Jacobs.
Eugene F. Braley.
Frank E. Richardson.
S. H. Sanford.
Frank Tinkham.
Benjamin L. Clark.
Fred E. Child.
Richard Westcoat.
Henry P. Baker. Horatio D. Snow.
Fred Leighton. Samuel H. Huggon.
Chester Vinal. George F. Nye.
Joseph B. Nye, jr. H. H. Billings.
Edgar O. Smith.
Lyman J. Wilbur.
Nathaniel G. Sawyer.
A. H. Emerson.
Edward J. Barry.
Patrick J. Collins.
John A. Livingstone.
Fred W. Place.
Edward Stone.
Horace B. Emerson.
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MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
John F. Nilson.
Alvin F. Leonard.
J. Frank Sturgis. Charles H. Wilbur.
Patrick Reardon.
Thomas V. Barnes.
John S. Makepeace.
C. F. Edgecourt.
Walter E. Keith.
Samuel H. Howland.
A. W. Chandler.
Charles E. Reynolds.
Daniel G. Berry.
Willis A. Downs.
John W. McGowan.
J. F. Monk.
W. P. Chamberlain.
Charles E. Clark.
John Griffin.
William M. Cash.
Charles F. Chevigny. B. A. Packard.
H. T. Merritt.
The first meeting after the incorporation was held September 29, 1887, at which the following officers were elected: Clerk, Calvin R. Barrett ; directors, Samuel H. Sanford, Charles Reynolds, Lyman J. Wilbur, Augustus E. Chase, Fred Moore, Joseph B. Nye, jr., Barnabas A. Packard, Fred Leighton, Charles A. Eaton, Charles L. McCann, and Benjamin Clark ; treasurer, Frank F. Porter.
At a meeting held immediately after the above Charles A. Eaton was elected president, and Charles L. McCann vice-president.
BROCKTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY .- During the year 1858 several of the citizens in the thickest settled portions of the town began to discuss the subject of a better means of lighting the stores, factories, and dwelling houses ; or, in other words, the people wanted more light, and as is always the case when people wish for light it can be had. For this purpose a few public-spirited individuals were called together July 22, 1859, to see what measures it was thought best to adopt. Subscrip- tion papers were opened, and stock taken to the amount of twelve thou- sand dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each. A com- pany was organized September 5, 1859, with the following officers : William F. Brett, president ; David F. Studley, treasurer ; Noah Ches- man, H. W Robinson, and Jonas R. Perkins, esq., directors.
The present officers are Warren A. Reed, president ; Wallace C. Keith, vice-president and general manager ; Fred P. Packard, treasurer ; Eugene H. York, superintendent. Office on Montello, near School street.
THE EDISON ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY .- This company organized March 5, 1885, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, for the purpose of conducting business in Brockton. The follow- ing is the list of officers : President, Charles G. White, of Boston ; clerk and treasurer, William L. Garrison; John Balch, superintendent and
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
manager ; Charles G. White, James P'. Tolman, Frank J. Coburn and G. R. Richardson, of Boston, directors.
On Monday evening, October 1, 1883, at quarter-past six o'clock P. M, the above system of lighting was successfuly introduced into the city of Brockton, and has now become one of the principal institutions of the city. The reputation of Brockton is second to none in intro- ducing the best and newest of all improvements, and in sustaining all well-directed enterprises. That there is a growing feeling in favor of electricity in Brockton is evident by the increased demand for its intro- duction into private houses and stores, and that it will come into general use we have no doubt.
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