USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greefield, shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. II > Part 29
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" I took tea in the evening at Mr. Alvord's, where I re- mained until 9 o'clock, spending the time in a very agreeable manner.
" Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1833. We prepared for our journey home, leaving Mrs. Newcomb & the baby. Miss Lincoln returned with us, and we went back the same way we came. Wereached Worcester at 8 in the evening, safe & sound. The weather during our absence was very favorable. Sept. 23, 1833, Mr. Baldwin started with his friend Newcomb for New York. They went by stage to Hartford, where they spent the first night. He says: ' I passed the evening at Dr. Amariah Brigham's, who was formerly a physician in Greenfield, Mass. ; his wife was a Chapman from that place, and her father was an Englishman,* who died there. The doctor is a man of some fame, having written a treatise on the cholera and one on education, the last of which has been favorably received by the public. Our conversation was chiefly upon phrenology, in which he was a firm believer. He stands very well in his profession and is rapidly rising in public estimation."
In 1835 Mr. Baldwin made a journey to Ohio, and Au- gust 20th of that year he was instantly killed in a stagecoach accident at Norwich, Ohio.
* Thomas Chapman.
CHAPTER LXVI
THE FRANKLIN COUNTY PUBLIC HOSPITAL
T HE late Dr. A. C. Deane for many years advocated the establishment in Greenfield of a public hospital. Considerable interest was awakened in regard to the matter in the fall of 1894, and February 16, 1895, an " Agree- ment of Association " was signed by thirty-six people with the intention to constitute a corporation to be known as the " Franklin County Public Hospital." The signers of the agreement met at Grand Army Hall, March 2, 1895 " for the purpose of organizing said corporation by the adoption of by-laws, and election of officers, and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meet- ing." At this meeting officers were elected and measures taken to procure suitable quarters for use as a hospital. July 20, the board of managers voted to lease the house of Rev. Dr. Francis L. Robbins, for one year with the privilege of renewing the lease for the two succeeding years. September 9, the hospital was opened with Miss Nellie Daniels as superin- tendent, and Miss Anna Moritz as the first pupil nurse in the training school. It so happened that Dr. Robbins was the first patient. October 24, Miss Daniels was succeeded temporarily by Miss Hunt who acted as superintendent until the coming of Miss A. C. Nedwell about February 1, 1897. October 14 of that year the " Greenfield House " was rented of Henry Couillard with an option of purchase within two years, at such valuation as might be fixed by three disinter- ested men, Mr. Couillard agreeing to subscribe $2,000 of the purchase money.
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GIFTS TO THE HOSPITAL
The hospital took possession of what proved to be its per- manent home January 1, 1898. At a meeting held at its new quarters, January 7, Hon. L. J. Gunn, president, announced that Judge Charles Allen of Boston had presented the asso- ciation with the sum of ten thousand dollars, and after prop- erly acknowledging Mr. Allen's generosity, it was voted to apply the gift to the purchase of the property of Mr. Couillard. Miss Nedwell resigned March 1, 1899, and was succeeded by Mrs. M. H. Laurence as superintendent, which office she held until July 13, 1901. At that time Miss Anna Sweeney began her duties as superintendent. The hos- pital has rapidly advanced in the estimation of the public of late years, and the people are united in its support to a greater degree than ever before. Unlike many small hos- pitals, it has been able to pay its running expenses, and is doing a blessed work for suffering humanity.
By the terms of the will of the late Mrs. Maria L. Hosmer, of Brooklyn, N. Y., a daughter of the late Dr. Daniel Hovey, of Greenfield, the hospital at the decease of Mrs. George H. Hovey will receive a legacy of ten thousand dollars, and a share of the rest and residue of the estate. Mrs. Hosmer upon the same conditions, also gave the Greenfield Library Association and the Green River Cemetery five thousand dollars each.
By this generous gift the managers of the hospital feel that the opportunities for the future usefulness of the institution will be much increased.
The principal officers of the hospital for 1903 are Levi J. Gunn, Pres. ; Franklin R. Allen, Vice Pres .; Frank J. Lawler, Treas. ; Eliza B. Leonard, Sec .; Anna Sweeney, Supt.
GREENFIELD WATER WORKS
" The first water works in Greenfield were established by an act of the General Court, passed June 17, 1796. There were thirty shares of the par value of $100 each. By that
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GREENFIELD WATER WORKS
act ' Daniel Wells, Eliel Gilbert, Jonathan Leavitt, Abner Smead and William Coleman, all of Greenfield, in the county of Hampshire, such other persons as may be associated with them,' and their successors were ' constituted a corporation by the name of The Proprietors of the Aqueduct in Greenfield for the purpose of conveying water by subterraneous pipes into the town street in Greenfield.' This corporation con- trolled and brought water to the street from several springs, the principal of which were on the Hastings farm, now owned, we believe, by W. P. Maynard, east of the Bernardston road, and on the Clapp farm (now Highland Park). It supplied for many years a large number of houses, and its business was so profitable that its shares sold for double their par value and were sought for as a first-class investment at that price. The water was at first brought in wooden logs of three inch bore. As these decayed, cement pipes were to some extent substituted. The terms were ten dollars per annum for a leak not exceeding three gills per minute. The village depended mainly on this aqueduct for water till 1869. A fire district was formed December, 1849, consisting of the territory included in School District No. I, and $1,500 was raised by assessment for the support of the Fire Department. Whiting Griswold, Franklin Ripley, Henry B. Clapp, D. W. Alvord and Isaac Miles were the committee of organization. In the drouth of that year it failed to meet adequately the demand, and the attention of the people of the village was directed to other sources and means of supply. The first suggestion was to form a private corporation and steps were taken for that purpose. Surveys were made by Alfred R. Field and different sources were considered. It was finally de- cided that the 'Glen brook,' so-called, would furnish the best supply. It was also concluded to give the enterprise a public character by placing the same in the hands of the fire district if it would assume the work. A meeting was held on the 27th day of August, 1869, to see what action the
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LEYDEN GLEN
district would take. W. S. B. Hopkins was moderator of the meeting. On motion of Charles H. Munn it was, after statements by Hon. Wm. B. Washburn and others, voted ' that the fire district assume the work of bringing water from the Glen brook, so-called, into the village.' It was then moved and voted ' that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to nominate a committee of seven members to be called the " Construction committee," whose duty it shall be to take the whole charge of the work of bringing water into the district, to make all contracts for pipe and for laying the same, to settle all claims for damages and to attend to all busi- ness connected with the construction and completion of the work ; that said committee be instructed to commence work at once and 'press it to completion as soon as practicable.' The committee appointed under the foregoing vote consisted of Wm. B. Washburn, Robert Wiley, William Keith, Alfred R. Field and Charles H. Munn. On motion of Mr. Wash- burn, the said committee was instructed to apply to the Leg- islature at the next session for an act authorizing the district to borrow money, issue bonds, etc., for the purpose of de- fraying the expenses attending the construction of the works. In pursuance of the application of the committee a bill pre- pared by S. O. Lamb and Alfred R. Field, having passed the Legislature, was approved by the governor, May 6, 1870. The act was accepted by the unanimous vote of the district, May 17, 1870, and by the town of Greenfield by a vote of 71 yeas to 31 nays, May 28, 1870. Alfred R. Field, who made all the surveys and plans for the work, died in June, 1870, and the vacancy in the construction committee caused thereby was filled August 10, 1870, by the election of S. O. Lamb. The dam at the head of the Glen, a solid structure of stone laid in cement, thirty-five feet high and about 130 feet in length, was built by George Merrill of Shelburne Falls, the ditch for the pipe was dug by P. P. Severance of Greenfield and the pipe was laid by S. L. Wiley.
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FIREMAN'S MUSTER
C. H. Munn superintended the digging and filling of the ditch. The work was pushed rapidly and the water intro- duced into the village in the early fall. It was first used at a fire, and with good effect, on the 16th of October, 1870, at a small house that stood on the eastly side of Hope street, on land then owned by Mrs. Pratt, next north of the jail property now owned by Emil Weissbrod.
" The completion of the works was celebrated on the 20th of October, 1870, by a fireman's muster. After the regular proceedings of the day, to show our guests the efficiency of our new water works, hose were attached to a hydrant and a clear, compact stream without a break was thrown perpendic- ularly far up into the air, then upon and over the neighboring block and horizontally along the street. The latter distance was paced off by a stranger, who made it over one hundred and thirty-five feet.
" The distance from the Glen to the street is four and three- quarters miles. The pipe originally laid was eight inches in diameter for about two miles from the dam and six inches the rest of the way. The cost of the works, including land dam- ages, was about $70,000. They supplied the village with water till 1885, when, to meet the increased demand, an ad- ditional fourteen inch pipe was laid from the Glen to Main street, and a twelve inch pipe through Main street at a cost of about $60,000. Soon after the completion of this addi- tion the efficiency of the works was tested as follows : six one and one-eighth inche streams, two one inch streams, one one and three-eighths inche stream and one seven-eighths inch stream, ten streams in all, throwing horizontally distances varying from 102 to 137 feet, all at one and the same time. The whole length of pipe in use in 1892 was twenty-seven and three-fourths miles. The income that year (at the lowest rates in the United States) was about fourteen thousand dol- lars a year.
" In addition to the Glen brook, the district, by virtue of an
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FUTURE SUPPLY
act of the Legislature of 1883, has taken Fisk Brook in Shel- burne with the right to convey the water from the same to the street, but has had no occasion as yet to use it." *
In 1892 the limits of the fire district were extended so as to include Silver street, and in 1894 the district voted to lay a main on Conway and Silver streets, which brought the water to Nash's mills. A committee was also appointed to report upon the expediency of a larger storage of water. This committee reported that four plans had been con- sidered.
I. Pumping from Green river, estimated cost, $7,880
2. Pumping from the Allen brook, " 14,100
3. Green river by gravity, 50,000
4. Raising Glen dam 14 feet, 14,550
Another committee was appointed with directions to report to the district before March 15, 1895. The report recom- mended establishing a pumping station upon the town farm at Green river. Five thousand five hundred dollars was raised for carrying out the recommendations of the commit- tee. The Gamewell fire alarm system was also adopted by the Fire District, and $2,500 raised for that purpose.
In 1896 the water system was extended to Music Hill in the Nash's mills district.
In 1902 the water rates were materially reduced, and in 1903 the income from the water rentals was sufficient to pay all the expenses of the water and fire departments, so that no fire district tax was necessary.
THE GREENFIELD GAS LIGHT COMPANY
The Greenfield Gas Light Company was incorporated by an act of the General Court, approved March 31, 1854, by
* From the Centennial Gazette.
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GREENFIELD GAS LIGHT COMPANY
Emory Washburn, governor. Franklin Ripley, Wendell T.
Davis and Rufus Howland were the corporators. They held their first meeting on the 17th day of November, 1856, and organized by electing themselves directors. The directors appointed Franklin Ripley, president, and Rufus Howland, clerk and treasurer. This organization was maintained till the 27th day of February, 1860, when, at a special meeting duly called and notified, Henry W. Clapp, George T. Davis, Charles Allen and twenty-one others were admitted as as- sociates. At the same meeting the capital stock was fixed at $20,000, in shares of fifty dollars each, and the number of directors was increased to five, Henry W. Clapp and George W. Potter being added to the board. At a meeting of the directors, March 3, Rufus Howland resigned the offices of clerk and treasurer and Charles Allen was appointed in his place. At the same meeting the president was authorized to sign the contract with Messrs. Dimmock, Dwight & Co. for the erection of the gas works. Under this contract the works were constructed during the summer and fall of 1860, at a cost of $20,000. The contractors took $18,000 of the stock of the company and $2,000 in money in payment. The $2,000 represented the stock taken by citizens of Greenfield village, in blocks varying from one to four shares. In No- vember, 1860, at a meeting of the stockholders, Mr. Clapp de- clined to serve longer as a director and James Wilson of Bridgeport, Conn., George Dwight of Springfield and W. T. Davis, George W. Potter and Rufus Howland of Greenfield were chosen directors. At a meeting of directors, Novem- ber 18, 1860, Rufus Howland was chosen president and was continued in that office by annual elections till his death, De- cember 23, 1886. He was succeeded by Franklin R. Allen. Charles Allen held the offices of clerk and treasurer till Jan- uary 18, 1861, when he resigned and James C. Davis was chosen in his place. Mr. Davis resigned, December 27, 1861, and was succeeded by E. W. Sparhawk. In August, 1862,
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ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
Mr. Sparhawk, having enlisted in the Greenfield Company in the 52d regiment, resigned. S. O. Lamb was chosen in his place and continued to hold the offices, by annual election, till July, 1887, when he declined a re-election and was suc- ceeded by William R. Howland, who resigned in December, 1887, and was succeeded by Dana Malone.
In 1873 the capital stock of the company was made $ 50,000 and the capacity of the works largely increased by the erection of a new gas holder and other important improvements under the supervision of James Porter, then, and for many years superintendent of the works. The company has the reputa- tion of a well-managed and successful concern, but like other gas companies has suffered from the introduction of electric lights.
In later years under the management of A. R. Willard, superintendent, the business of the company has largely in- creased, and the use of gas for heating and culinary purposes has become much more general and of profit to the com- pany.
The present officers are James D. Safford, Springfield, president ; William S. Allen, clerk ; A. R. Willard, super- intendent ; Dana Malone, William N. Washburn, W. A. James Forbes, D. Safford, and William S. Allen, directors.
THE GREENFIELD ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY
Was incorporated December 7, 1886, with a capital of $10,000. The capital was increased to $15,000, June 8, 1887, and to $30,000, August 6, 1889. The capital stock has been increased from time to time until in 1903 it is $100,000. The company has fifty miles of wire, 8,000 incan- descent lights, seventy street arc lights, forty-four commer- cial arc lights, forty-five motors installed, and maintains a total of 136 horse power at their works. The company has recently purchased a large water right on the Deerfield river,
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THE RURAL CLUB
and expect soon to move their plant to that place. The offi- cers for 1903 are :
President, F. E. Wells ; treasurer, A. J. Doolittle ; clerk, C. H. Keith ; superintendent, A. J. Doolittle ; directors, F. E. Wells, J. W. Stevens, F. O. Wells, N. S. Cutler, W. N. Pratt.
THE GREENFIELD RURAL CLUB
Was organized in the Centennial year (1876) for the ac- complishment of this worthy purpose: "To improve and ornament the streets and public grounds of Greenfield by planting and cultivating trees, cleaning and repairing the side- walks and such acts as shall tend to beautify and improve said streets and grounds and promote the comfort, health and happiness of the inhabitants of said town." Any person could become a member of the club by the annual payment of one dollar. The first president of the club was H. K. Simons ; Newell Snow and Rev. J. F. Moors, vice presi- dents ; C. M. Moody, treasurer ; E. A. Hall, secretary. The club has continued its existence since and accomplished much for the good of Greenfield. It was by its means and influ- ence that a public drinking fountain was erected near the com- mon, the road opened to and tower built on Poet's Seat, and that shade trees have been planted along the streets and beside the roads leading out of the town. Hundreds of these beautiful shade trees are growing to-day, and will be enduring evidences of what has been done by Greenfield's Rural Club. The club has been liberally sustained by the action of the town in the matter of appropriations. It was incorporated in 1884 under the laws of the state, to enable it to hold real estate, the hope being entertained that it might acquire property to be converted into a public park. This organization has by reason of a change in the laws providing for a tree warden been largely superseded in its duties. The present officers are : president, W. A. Ames ; secretary and treasurer, W. S. Allen.
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OLD INSURANCE COMPANY
THE FRANKLIN MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
Was incorporated February 11, 1828. The corporators were Eliel Gilbert, Elijah Alvord, Sylvester Allen, Horatio G. Newcomb, Lyman Kendall, Alanson Clark and Franklin Ripley. The first policy was issued September 12, 1829. Among the first directors were Elijah Alvord, Horatio G. Newcomb, Polycarpus L. Cushman, Ebenezer Fisk, Sr., Thaddeus Coleman, John Drury, Sylvester Allen, Stephen Whitney, Colonel John Wilson, General Asa Howland, and Ephraim Hastings. Elijah Alvord was the first president and Horatio G. Newcomb, secretary, and Alanson Clark, treas- urer. The object of the company was to procure insurance at cost. All of the profits were divided among the policy holders except a small reserve for their protection in case of unusual losses. The company at one time did a business of over a million dollars a year. The company has not done business until recently since 1895. The present officers are : Frank A. Colley, president and treasurer ; John D. Bouker, secretary. The office is now in Boston.
SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
MASONRY
The first meeting of Republican Lodge of Masons was held in the hall of the old Munn Tavern January 28, 1795. The charter was signed by Paul Revere, then grand mas- ter of the Grand Lodge. The first master of Republican Lodge was John Long, Jr. On the day the lodge was insti- tuted the brethren marched in procession to the old meeting- house (at the Long Corners) attended by a large concourse of people and were there addressed by Reverend Mr. Parsons of Amherst, and then repairing to Munn's Hall, where the con- cluding ceremonies were performed. Among the early masters of the lodge were John Stone, William Wait, Lemuel Foster, Elijah Alvord, Sr., Elijah Alvord, Jr., John Wells, Hooker
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MASONRY
Leavitt, James Gould, Titus Strong, Franklin Ripley, Geo. Grennell and Ansel Phelps. In those days the meetings were opened at 6 o'clock and closed at 9 o'clock, the by-laws not permitting the brethren to tarry longer. In 1805 the first funeral obsequies were performed at the burial of Dr. John Long at Shelburne. In 1807 the question of moving the lodge to Colrain was discussed, but the project was finally abandoned. The place of meeting was moved from the tavern to a building (built by subscription for a schoolhouse) on Fed- eral street which stood on the site of the shop now owned by M. R. Pierce & Company. In 1817 the brick school build- ing on School street, now known as the Avery house, was erected and a hall fitted up for the occupation of the lodge. In 1822 there had become a lack of interest in the order and the lodge was moved to Gill, where the first meeting was held in the house of A. Alvord. Shortly after, as there was no improve- ment, the brethren became discouraged and surrendered the charter. On the 10th of December, 1851, it was restored and the lodge commenced its work again in Greenfield. At first meetings were held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, in what is now known as Hollister's building (on Newton's place), and after- ward in a hall fitted up in W. T. Davis's block. In 1856 a hall was finished off for the lodge in the Mansion House building, and in the reconstruction of the hotel in 1873 a new hall with better accommodations was provided and was occupied until the present Masonic building was completed. Franklin Royal Arch Chapter was instituted January 17, 1818. Titus Strong Council was formed in 1856, and May 22, 1868, Con- necticut Valley Commandery was added to the bodies of the order.
Fully 500 Masons gathered on the 28th of January, 1895, to celebrate the one hundreth birthday of Republican Lodge. The officers of the Grand Lodge were present and many other members of that body, and session was held. The Reverend P. Voorhees Finch delivered in the Second Congregational
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ODD FELLOWS
Church, a most admirable historic address after the audience had been welcomed by Charles H. McClellan. A banquet followed at Washington Hall, at which Master Charles E. Wheeler presided. Mr. Finch was toast master and Frank- lin E. Snow was chairman of the committee of arrangements. Caterer W. E. Wood served 600 guests and "all went merry as a marriage bell."
December 14, 1897, the first social test occurred in the new Masonic Hall building, which had been erected at a cost of $ 50,000. The building is sixty by one hundred and thirteen feet, and beside the elegant quarters needed by the Masons, contains Grinnell Hall and many fine offices on the second and third floors. The main floor is occupied by a store, the post-office and the first Franklin District Court. W. J. Howes of Holyoke was the architect, Robert E. Pray the con- tractor, and Nahum S. Cutler, Franklin E. Snow, Anson Withey, Dr. W. S. Severance and Hiram O. Smith were the building committee.
ODD FELLOWS
Pocumtuck Lodge of Odd Fellows was originally instituted May 6, 1845. The first officers were Wendell T. Davis, noble grand ; Stephen Gates, vice grand ; R. R. Taylor, sec- retary ; John P. Rust, treasurer. The meetings were held in a wooden building which stood on the site of J. H. Hollis- ter's Main street building. The first death that occurred in the lodge was that of the chaplain, Rev. James Mudge, who was at that time pastor of the Methodist Church in this town. After a period of about ten years interest in the lodge began to wane and the charter was finally surrendered. The reor- ganization was brought about in 1870. Meetings were held for a time in a room in Sanborn's block, but desir- ing more room a hall was finished off for the use of the lodge in the courthouse. This was dedicated June 10, 1873, an address being delivered on the occasion by Past Grand
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ODD FELLOWS
Joseph Beals. The lodge has since prospered and gaining a large membership, decided to secure a permanent home. In furtherance of this plan the large brick building on Main street, long occupied by J. L. Lyons as a furniture warehouse, was purchased and reconstructed to adapt it to the use of the lodge. On the second and third floors are the main hall, the ante-rooms and banqueting room, supplied with every conven- ience, while a store is rented, occupying ground floor and basement. The new hall was dedicated June 5, 1890, Dr. Joseph Beals again delivering an address.
There has been a steady growth in membership and influence since Pocumtuck Lodge of Odd Fellows located in its block in 1890. In 1895 the lodge expended about $1,900 in mak- ing changes and improvements. Extensive improvements, the erection of a new building to replace the wooden building in the rear of its block, and other changes are contemplated. In May, 1903, the lodge had assets of substantially $8,000 and a membership of 219. Officers in May, 1903 : noble grand, Charles Voetsch ; vice grand, Frederick C. Witt; re- cording secretary, Sumner Chapman ; financial secretary, Charles M. Blanchard ; treasurer, Robert E. Pray ; trustees, George A. Shearer, Frank S. Perry, and Franklin H. Clapp.
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