USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. I > Part 31
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In compliance with the above vote, at the town meeting held in November of that year, the committee presented a re- port in which they recommended that the town, at a suitable time, should erect on the common a monument that should
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[1870
DEDICATION OF SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
serve as a lasting memorial of the great struggle to preserve our national life, or else should erect in some central spot a fireproof building to be called Memorial Hall, to be fitted up with tablets, pictures and other memorials of the war, the hall to be kept open as a library and reading room.
At the town meeting held in March, 1869, it was voted, " that a committee be chosen who shall cause a serviceable monument to be erected on the common, at a cost which, together with the fence and the grading of the ground, shall not exceed $10,000, and that $5,000 may be raised this year, and that the work commence this year."
In compliance with the above vote the following commit- tee was chosen : John F. Moors, Hopkins Woods, Frederick Clapp, George Pierce, Jr., Theodore Leonard, William Keith, and Henry G. Nims. In the following June a contract for the erection of the monument was made with J. G. Batterson of Hartford. The cost complete, including grading and fence, was $8,902.41.
The committee in their report said that the monument was " designed to honor the five hundred men whom Greenfield sent into the field, for they all offered their lives. It is es- pecially designed to honor the fifty men from Greenfield who not only offered but gave their lives on the altar of national unity. These fifty men we would honor to-day. We recall with gratitute their services and their sacrifices. It was due to them, it was due to ourselves that we should show our ap- preciation of their services by some act that called for some sacrifice on our part. Yonder beautiful shaft is our testi- monial."
On the occasion of the dedication, Colonel W. S. B. Hop- kins was the chairman of the committee of arrangements.
1870]
DEDICATION OF SOLDIERS' MONUMENT 381
DEDICATION OF THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT AT GREENFIELD, MASS., Thursday, Oct. 6, 1870.
Exercises at Washington Hall.
I. REMARKS, Hon. W. B. WASHBURN,
2. PRAYER,
President of the Day.
Rev. P. V. FINCH,
3. HYMN :
Chaplain of the Day.
" Who, when darkness gathered o'er us."
4. REPORT of the Monument Committee .- Rev. J. F. MOORS.
5. MUSIC by the Band.
6. ADDRESS by Hon. CHARLES DEVENS, Jr., of Worcester, Late Major Gen. U. S. Vols.
7. ORIGINAL ODE.
(Written for the occasion by F. G. TUCKERMAN, Esq.)
This slender spire of glossy stone, A nation's emblem poised above ; Speaks it to bleeding hearts alone, Ensign of sorrow and of love ?
Or here upon the village green In half light of the autumn day, Meet we to mourn for what has been ? A tale, a triumph, passed away ?
Yes more,-our gift is generous As theirs who gave their life-blood free, Not to the dead alone, to us Ourselves, and ours that yet shall be,
We consecrate for distant years, No idle rite-our deep hearts stirred,- And tenderly with prayers and tears, The gleaming shaft, the Eagle bird,
[1870
DEDICATION OF SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
382
8. REMARKS from residents of the town and other gen- tlemen.
9. NATIONAL ANTHEM.
" My country, 'tis of thee."
There was a parade through the principal streets in the following order :
Chief Marshal, Major J. H. Nutting. Aids, Capt. George Peirce, Jr., Col. Josiah Hall. Greenfield Cornet Band, Co. A. M. V. M.
Connecticut Valley Commandery, Knights Templar, Shelburne Falls Post, G. A. R., Edwin E. Day Post, G. A. R. Drum Corps, Eagle Engine Co., Greenfield Turn Verein.
After marching through the streets, which were decked with flags and banners, the column halted about the monu- ment at the Common, and then after appropriate music, re- paired to Washington Hall, where the other exercises were to take place. Hon. William B. Washburn presided; prayer was offered by Rev. P. V. Finch, and a choir under the di- rection of W. T. Davis sang an original ode by F. G. Tuckerman. The address was by Gen. Charles Devens, and was an eloquent tribute to Greenfield's soldiers, many of whom had served in his command, and whose deeds of valor and heroism were known to him. The monument stands to- day untouched by the hand of time, and may it remain through the ages to come a memorial of the brave men who so nobly honored their country and their town.
NATHANIEL RUSSELL DAVIS, son of Wendell T. Davis, en- tered the navy early in the war of the Rebellion, and served on the U. S. S. R. R. Cuyler in the east Gulf Squadron ; chased the Confederate steamer Florida when she escaped from Mobile
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MEN OF THE NAVY
harbor ; was sent to Philadelphia on Prize steamer Kate Dale, and was promoted to be Acting Ensign, and assigned to the command of U. S. S. Alpha, a picket and torpedo boat on James river below the Howlet house batteries. In this service he contracted malarial fever and was invalided home early in 1865, and honorably discharged at the end of the war.
In 1869 he was a member of the United States Geological Survey of the 40th parallel, and in 1871 located at Cheyenne, Wyoming, in the stock raising business. He has held honor- able positions in civil life, having been president of the Wyo- ming Stock Growing Association, president of the Cheyenne National Bank, grand master of the grand lodge of Masons of Wyoming, and is now president of the Cheyenne City Council.
GEORGE THORNTON DAVIS, son of Wendell T. Davis, was ap- pointed acting midshipman in the United States Navy in 1863, and served on the frigate New Ironsides in Charleston harbor, South Carolina. In 1864 he was attached to the frigate Wa- bash of the South Atlantic station, and commanded the Wa- bash boats in an engagement in the North Edisto river. Late in 1864 he joined the North Atlantic Station and was present at both attacks on Fort Fisher by the fleet under Admiral Porter, and was with the naval force doing shore duty at the time of the assault on and capture of the fort. He was com- mended for gallantry in the official reports for leading the assault, being one of three naval officers to enter the stockade of the fort.
Soon after he joined Admiral Porter's flagship Malvern as first lieutenant and executive officer, and was present at the capture of Wilmington, N. C., in January and February, 1865. After the Civil War he served at sea on several foreign sta- tions, as well as at many stations at home. His last command at sea was the cruise of the U. S. S. Juniata, on her trip around the world, 1886-1888. He was retired from active service in
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1889, with the rank of commander, and is an honored citizen of the town.
Greenfield claims more than a passing interest in Admiral CHARLES E. CLARK, the brave commander of the Oregon as he was for a short time a resident of the town, and married Louise, a daughter of the late Hon. Wendell T. Davis.
CHARLES CARROLL CARPENTER, son of David N. Carpenter, a former postmaster of Greenfield, was born here and entered the Naval Academy in 1850. During the Civil War he was a first lieutenant on a moniter and during an engagement in Charleston harbor, his captain was killed by his side and he was seriously injured. He was for a time in command of the gunboat Marblehead on blockade duty. After the war he served on various foreign stations and at home and shore duties with credit and distinction. He was in command of the fleet on the Chinese coast during the war between that nation and Japan, and performed the delicate duties of the situation with great credit to himself and the nation. This was his last sea service. He was in command of the naval station at Kittery, Maine, for some years. He was retired as Rear Admiral in 1896 and died at Jamaica Plains, Mass., in 1899.
1
CHAPTER XXX
DAILY EVENTS
D ECEMBER 27, 1853. Adaline Phelps of Northfield was put upon trial accused of the murder of her father, Elihu Phelps by poison. George T. Davis was coun- sel for the prisoner and Charles Devens for the government. The verdict was, "Not guilty, by reason of insanity." She was ordered to be confined in the insane hospital.
January 2, 1854. Only two passenger trains run north and south and east daily.
January 12. A most dastardly attempt was made to kid- nap General Asa Howland, of Conway. He had come to Greenfield to sit as magistrate in the trial of cases brought for the violation of the very strict liquor law then in force. About twelve o'clock at night his room at the Mansion House was broken into and three men in disguise entered, rushed to his bed and while one of the miscreants held his hand over the General's mouth he was taken from his bed into the hall, where he succeeded into getting the hand from his mouth and shouted " Murder !" George Field, the proprietor of the hotel, was awakened and caught one of the ruffians, who let go his hold of General Howland, and kicking both Mr. Field and the General, made his escape. The others had fled as soon as the General cried out. Mr. Howland was badly in- jured about his face, and nearly suffocated.
Mr. Field offered a reward of one hundred dollars for the detection of the perpetrators of this assault, and a public meet-
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25
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
[1853-1854
ing was called at which Judge Grennell presided, and Henry W. Clapp, Franklin Ripley, Lucius Nims, Lewis Merriam, Charles H. Munn and George W. Potter were appointed a committee to secure the arrest and conviction of the guilty parties. The selectmen offered a reward of five hundred dol- lars for the same purpose.
February 22. Washington Hall was dedicated by a grand Military, Firemen's and Civic Ball. More than a thousand persons attended.
Park street was laid out this year by Mr. Clapp, and Dwight H. Kellogg built the Judge Conant place.
In April, the Hoosac Tunnel loan bill was passed, granting $2,000,000 for building the tunnel. The news was received with great joy ; fifty-six guns were fired, tar barrels burned, bells rung, etc.
There was a great flood during the last week in April. The water ran two feet deep in the road at the west end of Mon- tague bridge. Cheapside bridge was impassable.
May 2. A grand " Old Folks' Concert" took place at Washington Hall. Captain T. M. Dewey was the leader and Reverend Dr. Chandler deaconed off a hymn.
December 8. P. T. Barnum lectured in the Lyceum course. The lecturers during the winter and spring, were Ralph Waldo Emerson, J. G. Holland, John P. Hale, Theo- dore Parker, Thomas Starr King, Edwin P. Whipple, Horace Greeley, Henry Ward Beecher and Cassius M. Clay.
The county commissioners bargained for the "Count" Mark lot on Main street, for a location for the new jail. The location of the Troy & Greenfield Railroad by the Edwards's survey defeated this scheme.
The ten-acre wood lot near the tool factory belonging to the estate of the late Judge Wells was sold for $1,065.
July, 1855. H. W. Clapp purchased W. T. Davis's inter- est in the Mansion House.
July, 1856. A public meeting of the citizens was held to
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
1856-1857]
take action in regard to a larger and better water supply. . A survey of the Glen brook was ordered.
August 19. A great flood in Green river ; two bridges in Leyden and Mr. Cummings's barn carried off.
October. D. N. Carpenter, postmaster, has purchased a five-acre lot in the Ames wood, and is building a fine house. (Prospect Hill School.)
Robert Wiley has purchased land west of Davis's block and is building a mercantile block thereon. (Cohn block.)
November 6. Old Folks' Concert.
Lyman W. and James P. Aldrich are tried for killing " Jack " Potter. Griswold & Lamb, aided by Rufus Choate, appeared for the prisoners and I. F. Conkey and George T. Davis for the commonwealth. Verdict not guilty, by reason of self-defense.
December 23. A fair netting $300 held for the Greenfield Library Association.
January 4, 1857. Sarah Kelley was found dead in bed. A coroner's jury found that she came to her death by blows from her drunken husband. He plead guilty of manslaughter, and was sentenced to State's Prison for seven years.
February 8. Another great flood in Deerfield river. The bridge at Charlemont village was swept away, and an ice jam below the Meadow mills at Deerfield caused a loss of $3,000 worth of grain. John DeWolf lost a cow. The bridge over Millers river at Grout's Corner was also swept away.
W. H. Sanborn purchased the east lot now covered by " Sanborn's Block." Colonel C. H. Munn bought the old jail property for $2,430. (Union House.)
July 24, 1857. As Ezra Holton and C. P. Dickinson of Northfield were returning home from Greenfield, just at dusk, a man came out of the pine woods just above the D. L. Fay place, and presenting a cocked pistol demanded their money. Dickinson lost $3 or $4 and Holton $37. They then drove on to Barnard Newell's and with him returned to the place
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
[1856-
where they had been held up, where they found one or two dollars in change on the ground, but no robber. The select- men offered a reward of $100 for the apprehension of the robber.
H. W. Clapp erected the stone monument at the corner of the sidewalk at the Mansion House. It is sixteen feet long, two feet square at the base and eighteen inches at the top.
October 15. W. H. Sanborn's store was robbed of $900 worth of goods.
November 6. The Chapman high school building was dedicated. Cornelius Walker of Boston delivered an address on " Education."
March, 1858. W. B. Washburn of Orange purchased of Wendell T. Davis his home on Main street, for $6,000.
May. Dr. J. W. D. Osgood bought of the Cephas Root estate the property on Federal and School streets for $6,000.
January 1859. Rankin & Fairfield purchased the property formerly Dexter Marsh's on Clay Hill, where they will erect a marble shop.
February 21. George A. Arms bought out the agricultural store of Wells & Smead. Henry L. Pratt has purchased the steam mill standing near the track below the station of J. Smead Purple.
April, 1859. J. H. Hollister has remodeled two communion bowls given to the First church-one in 1763 by Samuel Barnard-and one in 1810 by Abigail Newton. The names of the donors are beautifully engraved on each, with the date of the gift, and on the bottom rims the words, "Remodeled April, 1859."
W. H. Sanborn has built a front upon the two west stores of "Union Block." Honorable Emory Aldrich, of Worces- ter, sitting as arbitrator in the case of the Commonwealth v. Greenfield, for support of two children of Reverend Ebenezer Halping, who for a short time supplied the pulpit at the old
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
1759-1761]
meetinghouse, in 1823 and after. Mr. Aldrich decided in favor of Greenfield.
John P. Bass, a member of the Greenfield militia company while on his way to the military encampment, was injured at Ashburnham so badly by the cars, that he was obliged to have his leg amputated. The operation was performed by the surgeon of his regiment, Dr. Charles L. Fisk, Jr., and his fellow soldiers at Concord raised a purse of $375 for the benefit of Mr. Bass.
October II. The senior class of Amherst visited Green- field and with considerable ceremony christened the Rocky mountain " Notunk " (the wall) but the name did not stick. They had supper at the American House, with addresses by Professor Hitchcock, Reverend Mr. Headly and others.
January, 1860. The Gazette & Courier published a list of men doing business in Greenfield in 1839 and in 1860. Only eight of those in business at the earlier period remain in business in 1860, and only one firm remains unchanged- Miles & Lyons.
February. H. L. Pratt has sold his steam mill to Black & Hawks.
March 29. Philander F. Potter (weak-minded) shot his father, Abel Potter, aged seventy-five. Mr. Potter died from his wounds, April 12. The son died in Northampton Insane Hospital, August 13, 1864.
May 21. Dwight G. Morton was instantly killed by being struck by a revolving drum, while shoveling sawdust from under the Newton mill.
June. The Greenfield Gas Company are laying pipes in the village streets.
January 9, 1861. News is received that the Star of the West sent to provision Fort Sumter was fired into by the rebels. The deepest feeling of patriotism prevails among the people, and Massachusetts is being made ready to respond to any call tending to preserve the Union.
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
[1861-1863
April 15. The Haupt bridge below Russell's factory fell. George A. Kimball, engineer of the train to test the bridge, had loaded several cars with railroad iron which he pushed on to the bridge, without their being shackled to the engine. The span over the river was one hundred and twenty feet in length and eighty feet above the stream. Several spectators standing near were warned not to get on the cars, but Joseph Newton, son of Alpheus, James Shehee and George Lucas climbed upon the cars. They went down with the bridge. Newton had his leg and arm broken ; Shehee had his jaw and leg broken and his head badly injured ; Lucas fell in the water and had no bones broken, but died April 22d. A coroner's jury acquitted the railroad of any blame.
Sunday morning, June 9. A fire was discovered in the sash, blind and door works of Black, Hawks & Co. (B. B. Noyes's works) Henry B. Clapp, thirty-three, and Nelson Horr, nineteen, were killed by the falling of the north walls of the building.
September. Gunn, Amidon & Holland built shops on Cherry Rum brook.
April 18, 1862. The Connecticut and Deerfield rivers are the highest known for forty years. Plank are afloat in the Cheapside bridge, and trains are stopped on the Connecticut River Railroad.
Two thousand dollars has been subscribed to purchase the remaining portion of the Brainard meadow for the Franklin Agricultural Society.
July 4. The fire department conducted a celebration. Honorable Whiting Griswold delivered the address.
September. The county commissioners accepted the Still- water bridge as a highway.
April, 1863. The original high pulpit in the Second Con- gregational church was lowered.
June. The St. James parish has purchased the Hooker Leavitt place with the intention of building a parsonage on it.
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
1864]
April, 1864. There are many changes in real estate owner- ship. E. J. Jones has sold the Federal street house to Oren Wiley, who will occupy it for a tinner's shop. Price $2,000. Charles H. Munn has sold to Mary Pond, for $1,800, the livery stable property in the rear of her block, through to Ames street. Charles D. Lyons has sold his south house on High street for $1,800 to William Merriam (H. H. Fletcher's). Charles K. Grennell has sold to D. W. Spear land between Union and High streets, and Mr. Spear is building a house on it. Geo. W. Mark has sold his Main street place to Henry L. Pratt, and Mr. Pratt has exchanged the Mark property with the Catholics for the old Chapman place, on Chapman street. W. N. Bailey has purchased M. M. Childs's place on the south side of Main street, and Mr. Childs has purchased one third of the Bird lot on the north side of the street. Humphrey Stevens purchased at auction for $2,000 the old Dr. Strong place, adjoining St. James church on the east. Edwin Pierce sold his High street place to John M. Forbes for $2,800. L. O. Emerson has sold his Main street house for $3,200 to Calvin L. Butler. Dr. A. C. Deane and Francis B. Russell purchased the Charles A. Mirick lot, through which now runs Lincoln street. T. Dwight. Root sold the house on Congress street formerly owned by T. M. Dewey, to Mrs. Cushman for $3,000. Mr. Root paid Reverend J. F. Moors $5,000, for his house on High street, and Mr. Moors purchased the Mirick property adjoining for $5,500. J. H. Hollister purchased the " Hol- lister place " of Almon Brainard for $8,000. Messrs. Parker, Woods, Gunn, Bryant, Williams and Amidon, living on Con- way street, purchased the remainder of the Bird lot for $1,900, and will open Conway street to Main. George H. Hovey purchased of H. W. Clapp for $9,000, "the Corner store." W. H. Sanborn sold his High street house to Henry A. Bud- dington, for $5,500. F. B. Russell bought of George T. Davis the place now owned by W. W. Davenport. Edwin D.
(
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
[1865-1867
Marsh bought the Hollister place on west Main street, $6,000. The landed property of Colonel Geo. D. Wells was sold at auction. J. P. Felton bought the Severance house on Wells street for $910. The four adjoining lots lying north were bought by Dr. W. S. Severance for $690. The Mitch- ell house, west side of Wells street, was sold to Norman Kel- ley for $1,250; the building lot next south to Thomas Wait for $610; the lot opposite on Conway street to L. Merriam, for $265 ; two acres of pasture northwest of Conway street to Solomon Williams for $250; two lots and a house on Wells street occupied by John Putnam to Charles Keith for $450; three other lots on Wells street to F. Grostick for $165. The Dwight or Alvah Hastings place west of the cutlery shops, to Patrick Bulman for $1,000. The Brown house and lot near by the last, and fifteen acres of land, to Mr. Thorn- dike for $1,000. Four acres of land west of the Hastings place to Patrick Fitzgerald for $525. Eighteen rods of land to Charles Richards for $150. One third of the 100 acre Ripley farm to J. H. Hollister for $1,230. A lot in the rear of J. C. Balls-Wells street-to the Greenfield Tool Com- pany for $150. Two shares of preferred stock of the tool company to Thomas Wait for $ 190.
July. The Turners Falls Company are building their new dam, George W. Potter being in charge.
George H. Hovey pays $2,500 for one fourth of the - Leavitt property east of the Mansion House. David S. Simon purchases for $17,000 the American House property, including the furniture.
February, 1867. Two days' fair for the benefit of the Greenfield Library Association. Net results, including sub- scriptions and membership, $2,026.21.
February 17. The North church was re-dedicated after extensive repairs.
Spencer B. Root bought the Franklin Ripley place for $10,000 (Joseph Griswold's).
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
1867-1869]
April 1. Frank J. Pratt bought for $6,250, the Richard- son Hall place on Congress street.
May. William Wunsch buys the house next east of the Pierce block for $3,000 (now L. Nims's).
August. R. A. Packard pays Fred'k Clapp $8,000 for his High street place.
Moore & Withy purchase for $5,500, the steam mill prop- erty between Federal and School streets. (Old Birge chair shops.)
October 29, 1867. Shelburne Falls celebrates the comple- tion of the Troy & Greenfield railroad to that place.
November. The Methodist society purchase the George W. Mark property on Main street for $3,600.
December. Coal is $10 a ton, and hard wood $8 per cord.
January 1, 1868. Regular passenger trains commence to run to Shelburne Falls.
January 20. Second Congregational society vote to build a new church building.
February 19. Thomas Wait was robbed on Church street.
W. N. Potter bought the Lucius Dickinson place at the corner of Church and Franklin streets, for $3,800.
March. L. J. Gunn bought the Packard place of S. B. Wood for $4,800. (Corner of Main and Conway streets.)
April 21, 1869. The water is so high in the Deerfield river that it sets back over the Russell dam in Green river, so that William Sheldon came from Deerfield to Greenfield in a boat.
August 27. Fire District No. I, chose W. B. Washburn, Wm. Keith, Robert Wiley, Alfred R. Field and Charles H. Munn a committee to bring the Glen water into this village.
October 2. Occurred the great storm in this county ; the Smead bridge, the bridge at the mouth of Mill brook and the Country Farms bridge over Green river, and the bridges over both the Allen and the Hinsdale brooks were swept away, the culverts north of Main street were badly damaged ;
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RECORD OF DAILY EVENTS
[1869-1871
the bridge at Russell's factory carried off, and the road badly washed at both ends of the bridge at the Hollow Factory. The damage to the town was estimated at $5,000. The hill towns suffered terribly. The loss to all the towns in the county is believed to be $500,000. No trains ran on the Troy & Greenfield Railroad for a month.
Solon L. Wiley buys the Sparhawk place for $6,500. (Pleas- ant street school lot.)
Phillip Traver buys the Ruth Russell place, corner of Fed- eral and Church streets.
October 27. D. W. Alvord and family move to Virginia.
February, 1870. Ansel Phelps sold S. B. Root the lot on Main street, and Root sold the same to the Franklin County National Bank, for $8,000, and the bank will build thereon.
The old Phelps building was sold to D. W. Goss for $175. It was built about 1770, and was a part of the old Willard tavern. The timber was still solid and firm and it was with difficulty that it could be pulled down.
June. The Misses Russell discontinue their school after twenty-five years of successful operation.
October 17. General Charles Devens delivers an address upon Greenfield soldiers at the dedication of the Soldiers' monument.
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