USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant, 1629-1864 > Part 46
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant, 1629-1864 > Part 46
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant, 1629-1864 > Part 46
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant, 1629-1864 > Part 46
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant, 1629-1864 > Part 46
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On Friday evening, 21 November, the brig Exile, of Yar- mouth, N. S., Captain Sharp, was wrecked on Long Beach. Large quantities of her deck load of wood were washed ashore, and by the means an immense fire was kindled on the Beach, by the light of which the multitude worked in saving the lives of the mariners, who were very much exhausted and in great peril. By half past one o'clock all were safe on shore, but the vessel was a total loss. It was estimated that there were a thousand people on the Beach that night, and the scene was one of terrific grandeur.
The first power printing press ever used in Lynn was set up at the office of the Bay State on Christmas day. Before that all the printing here was done on hand presses. The second power press was set up in the Reporter office, in March, 1854.
The first meetings of the Second Baptist Society of Lynn, were held this year.
The legislature authorized the offering of a reward of $10.000 for the discovery of a remedy for the potato rot.
1852.
On Wednesday night, 7 January, Joseph Barrett, of Graves- end, aged 70, was frozen to death on his way home from Salem, whither he had been to testify in the Perdy murder case.
At about sunrise, on a morning in January, a noble eagle was observed, perched upon a house in Green street. Finding that he was attracting a good deal of attention, he presently soared away.
A light snow fell on Sunday evening, March 21, and the next morning mysterious footprints were discovered in the vicinity of Nahant street and Long Beach. They were of a shape that excited much curiosity, and no one was able to determine what sort of a creature had made them. But on Monday evening,
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Mr. John Barry shot a very large gray owl, on the marsh, near the foot of Pleasant street, and it was concluded that the won- derful tracks were made by him. He measured more than five feet from tip to tip of the wings.
An act was passed, 26 March, to prevent the destruction of shad and alewives in Saugus river, and the tributary streams in the city of Lynn. Shad had long before disappeared, but ale- wives continued abundant.
The Saugus Mutual Fire Insurance Company commenced business on the 1st of April.
The organization of the third city government took place on the 5th of April. Edward S. Davis was elected president of the common council, and William Bassett, city clerk. Mr. Hood continued to act as mayor, no other having been elected. Daniel C. Baker and Benjamin F. Mudge were the principal candidates ; but there were sufficient scattering votes to defeat an election. The old majority law was then in force; and it was not till the eighth trial that a choice was effected. Mr. Mudge was elected, June 12, by a small majority, and took the oath of office, on the 16th of June.
A violent snow storm occurred on the 6th of April. A foot of snow fell. There was also a snow storm on the 13th of April, during which from six to eight inches fell.
On Thursday, 6 May, Louis Kossuth, the distinguished Hun- garian patriot visited Lynn, and was received with public honors. He arrived at about one o'clock in the afternoon, and a procession was formed which proceeded through the Common, between lines of public school children, and thence, by Market street, to Lyceum Hall, where an enthusiastic reception awaited him. He was quite ill, from exertion and exposure, but was able to speak for about three quarters of an hour. The proces- sion was imposing, embracing some military, the fire companies, the city government, associations, and citizens generally - with stirring music. It was thought that ten thousand persons were on the Common at the time the procession passed. Kossuth left in the afternoon. The day was quite warm, the thermom- eter standing at eighty.
An act was passed by the legislature, 13 May, designed more effectually to restrain people from carrying away sand, sea-weed, and stones from the beaches. Much damage had been done by inconsiderate and mercenary trespassers.
The Lynn City Guards were chartered this year. They were formed as an independent company, and for a short time called the Kossuth Guards, their first duty having been to serve as escort on the reception of Gov. Kossuth, May 6. They were chartered as an artillery company. William T. Gale was the first captain, but he resigned in August, and was succeeded by K2 28
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Thomas Herbert. Capt. Herbert resigned 15 May, 1857, and James Hudson, jr., was chosen commander. This was one of the companies belonging to the renowned Eighth Regiment, which so promptly responded to the first call of President Lin- coln, on the breaking out of the war of the great rebellion, in 1861. In five hours after the unexpected requisition arrived in Lynn, this company and the Light Infantry were ready for duty. And they both departed in the forenoon of the next day.
A band of music was formed in Lynn, this year, under the name of Mechanic Brass Band.
Swampscot was incorporated as a separate town, May 21. And on Saturday, the 29th, public festivities were held there in honor of the event. Bells were rung, cannon fired, and flags raised. In the afternoon there was a procession, with music by the Salem Brass Band, an address by Rev. J. B. Clark, and a collation. In the evening there was a torch-light procession and illuminations.
On Thursday, June 3d, three men were in a boat, near Pig Rocks, when a severe squall struck them with such force as to lift the boat entirely out of the water. It was capsized, and two of the men, Mr. Small, of Swampscot, and Mr. Danforth, of East Boston, were drowned.
The bells were tolled and flags raised at half-mast, on the 3d of July, by order of the city government, on account of the death of Henry Clay.
The planet Venus was brighter in the month of July, than it had been for the ten preceding years. And for several nights the unusual occurrence of all the visible planets being above the horizon at the same time, was witnessed.
In July, a rattlesnake, having ten rattles, and measuring nearly five feet in length, was killed on the Lynnfield road, by Joshua Soule. And on the 29th of July another was killed by Samuel J. Sargent, measuring five feet in length and eleven inches in girth, and having twelve rattles. Still another was killed in August, on the Turnpike, between Lynn and Boston, by a Mr. Grout, which was four and a half feet long and had seven rattles.
On the 28th of August, Mrs. Jerusha Rhodes died, aged a little more than 97 years - being the oldest person then in Lynn.
On Thursday, 2 September, the Sixth Regiment of Infantry went into camp at Lynn, occupying the field on the southeast corner of Washington and Laighton streets. Many military notables and others were present from abroad. Some gamblers and pickpockets also made their appearance, but the police interfered with their arrangements.
Building was very active during the spring and summer of this year. Many houses of the better sort were erected.
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On Wednesday, 15 September, the new meeting-house of the Trinitarian Congregational Society, in Saugus, was dedicated. It cost $5.500.
An omnibus commenced running between the east and west sections of Lynn, in October, and was continued till the horse rail-road was built.
Funeral services were held in the First Congregational meet- ing-house, on Friday, 29 October, in memory of Daniel Webster, it being the day on which his funeral took place at Marshfield. The city council attended, each member wearing a badge of mourning on his left arm. The house was appropriately draped. Minute guns were fired on the Common from twelve to one o'clock, the bells were tolled, and flags raised at half-mast.
Died, on Tuesday, 9 November, Isaac Gates, aged 74. He practiced law in Lynn, for many years, but closed his life at Harvard, his native place. He had been unwell, but recovered, as was supposed, and went to the polls to vote the day before his death. He retired apparently in good health and was found dead in his bed the next morning. He graduated at Cambridge, with the class of 1802, and possessed good natural abilities, but had such eccentricities and irregularities, as tended to impede his success ; and he never prospered much at the bar. His style of address was dogmatical, and his expressions extrav- agant; but he possessed an abundance of grating wit and loved much to indulge his powers of sarcasm, particularly in the political caucus. His talents were sufficient to have ren- dered him conspicuous and useful in any community ; but in him was afforded another of those instances over which the philanthropist is so often called to lament. He took a good deal of interest in the management of town affairs, and often wrote timely articles for the newspapers; but his really judi- cious suggestions too frequently lost their force through some lurking prejudice or severity of expression. He also loved to write political articles for the newspapers, but his style even here was often so pungent as to destroy the effect. Neverthe- less 'Squire Gates, as he was popularly called, secured many friends by his good nature and readiness to do a neighborly act. The following very well exhibits a common way he had of giv- ing vent to his humor. He had in the court of common pleas defended a man of notoriously intemperate habits against the charge of being a common drunkard, and by some strange good luck succeeded in winning from the jury a verdict of not guilty. The man was so elated that he began to stammer out his thanks. Mr. Gates, perceiving his object, sprang to his feet, and throwing up his spectacles, exclaimed, in that earnest manner which every one who knew him will remember, " There, there ! don't you try to say any thing; the jury on their oath
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declare that you are not a drunkard. Now go right home and see if you can't keep sober for a week, a thing that you know you haven't done for the last six months." Before coming to Lynn Mr. Gates practiced in Concord, N. H., and Brunswick, Me. He had one son and three daughters, and the family were refined and highly esteemed.
On the 26th of November, an earthquake was felt at Lynn.
A bell was raised on the meeting-house of the Trinitarian Congregational Society, in Lynnfield, November 26. And this was the first church bell in the town.
At the great World's Fair held in London, this year, several lots of shoes, the product of Lynn industry, were exhibited, highly praised, and in one or two instances took prizes.
1853.
On Monday, January 3d, a prize fight took place between two pugilists from Boston, in a field bordering on the north- eastern road to Lynnfield. The stakes were $300. The fight was arranged in Boston, continued about an hour, and was witnessed by a large number of persons, many of whom came in carriages from other places. The combatants were badly bruised. The city marshal succeeded in arresting one of the par- ties who was afterward convicted in the court of common pleas.
The gas was lighted in Lynn, for the first time, on Thursday night, 13 January. The price to consumers was fixed at $3.50 a thousand cubic feet.
On the 16th of January, the harbor was frozen to Sand Point ; on the 23d it was clear of ice; and on the next day it was again frozen to Chelsea.
The new grammar school-house in the fourth ward was dedi- cated on the 25th of January.
On Tuesday, February 1, the cars commenced running over the Saugus Branch Rail-road.
On Monday afternoon, February 14, Richard Roach, a man about forty years of age, was at work near the Lynn Common rail-road depot, sawing wood with a steam circular saw. The balance wheel suddenly exploded, with a terrific report, and fragments flew in all directions, one of them striking the unfor- tunate man just above the chin, and knocking his head com- pletely off, with the exception of a part of the jaw. Another part of the wheel was thrown with such force as to cut off a four-inch joist and shoot to a distance of a quarter of a mile ; and two pieces landed on Boston street.
Nahant was incorporated as a separate town, March 29.
The organization of the fourth city government took place on Monday, April 4 - Daniel C. Baker, mayor, Edward S. Davis, president of the common council, Charles Merritt, city clerk.
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On Friday afternoon, May 20, the remains of Jesse Hutchin- son were buried from the stone cottage at High Rock, which was built by him six years before. He was one of the band of vocalists known as the Hutchinson brothers, though his duties lay rather in making arrangements and writing songs than in singing. He was the poet of the family, had much skill in touching the popular vein, and would, could he have been per- suaded to spend a little more time and thought in elaborating some of his pieces, have left what would have endured. He had a social disposition though his temper was impulsive; and he possessed many eccentricities that were attractive, coupled with some that were not. He had a good printing-office educa- tion, had traveled some, read a great deal, and his mind was well stored with information, much of which was unavailable in the practical concerns of life. He was a spiritualist, and, it is said, pledged himself to return, after entering the spirit land, and convince mankind of the truth of his views. But from some cause, he appears to have failed in fulfilling his pledge. He died at Cincinnati, where he had stopped at a water-cure establishment on his way home from California, in the hope of recovering his health. He was the father of several children, all of whom died young, and before his own decease.
The Lynn Light Infantry was chartered this year. This was the second company of the name formed in Lynn. See under date 1846.
Boston street Methodist Society was organized this year, and their meeting-house dedicated on Thursday, 9 June.
During a thunder shower, on the 23d of July, electrical dis- charges were heard in several places near where telegraph wires ran, resembling the discharges of muskets. When one of the explosions took place near the Central Depot, two horses were thrown to their knees. At the mill on Saugus river, as one of the discharges took place the glass attachment on the ridge-pole was shivered and pieces sent to the distance of a hundred rods.
A comet was visible in August. It was about as bright as a star of the third magnitude and had a tail two degrees in length, extending upward. The best view was when it was in the west, an hour or two after sunset.
On Friday morning, 16th September, a fire broke out in a building on the north side of Federal square, owned by Joseph Moulton, jr. A store and dwelling-house were destroyed and several other buildings injured. Loss $3.000.
Patrick McGuire, an Irishman, aged about 23, was fatally stabbed in Franklin street, at half past nine o'clock on Monday evening, September 26. The murdered man was thought to have been mistaken for another. The murderer escaped.
On Monday night, 24 October, a severe gale took place. The K2*
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eastern wing of Nahant Hotel, eighty feet in length and thirty in breadth, and containing sixty sleeping rooms and the large dining hall, fell, with a tremendous crash. It had been raised from the foundation for the purpose of being altered.
Albert Gove, aged 51, while near the Central Depot, 25 Octo- ber, was caught by the arm, by a locomotive, and dragged some two hundred feet. His injuries caused his death, two days after. His spectacles were found on the cow-catcher, at the Salem depot.
1854.
Pine Grove Cemetery was conveyed to the City, January 2, by the Corporation.
During the first week in January, there were four snow storms. Between two and three feet fell. The rail-road trains were much impeded. On Thursday, five locomotives were joined to force a morning train from Lynn to Boston. Some damage was done to Nahant Hotel, by the wind.
Early this year various fashions in wearing the beard began to be adopted. A great many laid aside the razor altogether, and allowed it full scope; others kept it within what was to them a convenient length, by the use of the scissors; others entertained only mustaches ; and soon as great diversity pre- vailed as existed in the tastes and whims of those who cultivated the masculine appendage.
The Legislature passed the plurality law in February. This was a great convenience and the means of saving much expense at elections. In a community where the number of voters is few, it may operate well to require a majority for an election. But where the number reaches to thousands, and there must neces- sarily be many opposing candidates, a plurality law seems a necessity. The majority requisition was a great burden to Lynn, where there were usually more than two parties. It was not till the eighth trial that the mayor was elected, in 1852.
On Friday night, March 17, a violent gale commenced from the northeast, continuing through Saturday. For a few days previous the weather had been quite warm, with some thunder and lightning; but when the wind set in so violently the tempe- rature changed with a suddenness seldom witnessed even here. In about five hours the thermometer sank from near summer heat to below freezing point. The wind was so powerful as to overthrow several chimneys, and the lofty flag-staff at East Sau- gus. Upon the Eastern Rail-road a train was brought to a full stop, while passing over the marshes, by the force of the wind. Mr. Stevens, of the Tremont House, Boston, while attempting to ride across Long Beach, on his way to Nahant, found himself and his horse in danger of being buried by the drifting sand,
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and was compelled to give up the attempt and return to Lynn. Old people at Nahant declared that so severe a gale had not before taken place, within their recollection.
The Lynn Weekly Reporter was commenced on the 25th of March, by Peter L. Cox and Henry S. Cox.
The organization of the fifth city government took place on Monday, April 3 - Thomas P. Richardson, mayor, Gustavus Attwill, president of the common council, Charles Merritt, city clerk.
John Estes died, 30 May, aged 41, of lockjaw. About a fort- night before, he stepped on a rusty nail, wounding his foot; but the wound apparently healed and he thought nothing further of it for some days. But on the Saturday before his death he took cold, and on Monday took to his bed, complaining of an unpleasant feeling in his head. His jaws presently became fixed and no effort could relax the muscles. Mortification ensued and on Tuesday afternoon he died.
A large and beautiful elm, on Washington square, died in May, as was supposed from the effects of gas that had leaked from the under-ground pipes. Several other fine trees, among them a stately elm on South Common street, which had cast its shade for sixty years, died about the same time, and as was thought, from the same cause ; also one on Market street, corner of Liberty.
On Friday, 16 June, a little son of C. W. Jewett, died from injuries received while attempting to turn summersets.
On Saturday morning, 8 July, a car load of cotton belonging to a Saco company, on arriving at Lynn was found to have taken fire from a spark from the locomotive. Alarm was given and the fire engines appeared. After considerable exertion the fire was extinguished. Some fifteen bales were destroyed.
There was a great drought this year. No rain fell for six weeks immediately preceding the first of September. On that day copious showers took place, much to the refreshment of parched nature.
On the 3d of August, Henry Thomas shot a white-faced seal off Swampscot. The animal was four feet in length and weighed forty pounds.
Mackerel were unusually plenty on the coast this year. Old fishermen declared them to be more so than at any other time within twenty-five years. Considerable quantities were taken from the wharves in Lynn.
The City Bank went into operation in September. Capital, $100.000. John C. Abbott, president; B. V. French, jr., cashier.
The Cemetery at Swampscot was consecrated in September.
Sagamore Hotel was built this year. The stone dwelling on the point of Sadler's Rock, at the junction of Walnut and Hol-
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yoke streets, was also built this year. The stone was taken from the hill above, and affords a fair specimen of large deposits. Our rough and partially barren hills contain that which at some future day may be esteemed rich treasure. In elevated locali- ties especially, stone is far preferable to wood as a building material, not only because it is more substantial and durable, but also because it is so much less liable to be affected by atmospheric changes. There were only three stone houses in Lynn when this was built. But a novel material for building began to be used to some extent at this time. It consisted of coarse gravel, with about one twelfth part of lime, worked into mortar. Many believed it would be sufficient to form walls firm enough for large dwellings. But the delusion was dispelled in a singular and effectual manner, on Monday afternoon, November 13. Joseph Hay had employed William H. Mills, a carpenter, to erect for him, on Breed street, near Lewis, a dwelling-house, the dimensions of which, on the ground, were thirty-four by twenty-eight feet, with an L twenty-three by eighteen feet. The walls, which were of this new material, had been carried up twenty-two feet from the underpinning, and the roof was put on early in October. The house was now - November 13- lathed, and ready for the inside plastering. Ten persons were at work within, when, without any premonition, and with a tremendous crash, the whole fabric fell to the ground. A cloud of dust ascended and great alarm spread. Nothing remained but a heap of rubbish. Mr. Hay had three of his ribs broken ; a young man had an arm broken ; and several others were badly bruised ; no one, however, was fatally injured. After this catas- trophe, the "mud houses," as they were called, were looked upon with little favor. But it should be added that one or two smaller buildings, of similar material, erected about the same time, are still standing. The ingredients may, however, have been better proportioned, or the weather during the time of building may have been more favorable. It is quite certain that in a climate as variable as that of New England, something more substantial is required.
The rail-road running from Danvers to South Reading, through Lynnfield, was opened for public travel, in connection with the Danvers and Georgetown rail-road, on the 23d of October.
An unusually protracted and delightful period of Indian sum- mer ended on the 28th of October. The natural cause of the beautiful autumn weather known in New England as Indian summer still remains unknown. Some naturalists think it pro- ceeds from a chemical condition of the atmosphere produced by the ripening and falling of the foliage.
Brick side walks began to be laid in Lynn this year, though a few trifling patches existed before. With a view to encourage
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the improvement, the city government passed an order that granite curb stones should be furnished anu set at the public expense, in all cases where individuals would furnish and lay the bricks.
On Sunday evening, December 3, a violent wind with rain and hail arose and did considerable damage, breaking trees and destroying fences. T:vo dwelling houses in process of erection at Bass Point, Nahant, were blown down.
During the winter of this year there were thirty-five storms, and a more than usual aggregate of snow.
The boundary line between Lynnfield and Reading was estab- lished this year.
Two of those financial anomalies called loan and fund associa- tions were formed this year ; one called the " Lynn Mutual Loan and Fund Association," and the other the " West Lynn Loan and Fund Association." It is not singular, as may be remarked in general, and with no special reference to the Lynn associ- ations, that many of that large class who in the hot pursuit of riches rely rather upon their supposed shrewdness than any settled business principle or mathematical rule, and have a child- like credulity in regard to any speculation that promises in- crease, should madily join such associations as these; but it is singular that so many reputable and experienced business men, should have so readily given countenance to what was so questionable. Some expected to derive from them large benefits as borrowers and others as lenders. But most were disappoint- ed; for it turned out as a few careful computers declared, that miscalculations had entered into the plans of operation. The modes by which these associations operated were complicated and not easily understood; and perhaps that very thing was one cause of their acceptance ; for many minds are charmed with what is mysterious, and disdainful of what is simple. A portion of those connected with these associations complained bitterly of their usurious and oppressive management. And the supreme court was appealed to for the righting of some of the alleged wrongs; but the appeal was barren of the expected results. They were relieved from the charge of usury; and the purgation was followed by such reasoning as to satisfy honest and reflect- ing men that the tribunal still remains a human institution.
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