USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 30
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 30
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 30
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 30
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, Vol. II. 1864-1893 > Part 30
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FIRST RAIL-ROAD STATION IN LYNN. Central Square, 1838.
For a hundred and fifty years shoe-manufacturing has been the leading mechanical industry of Lynn, and till within a few years, the work was done by hand ; the buildings required were small and very common in their appointments ; but when ponderous machinery was introduced substantial and capacious structures began to appear. While the work was done by hand, the shoes were cut out in small buildings occupied by the " bosses," and thence taken by the "jours" to their own little shops, made up and returned. These shops were to be seen in all quarters, for they rather affected positions whence the incomings and outgoings of neighbors could be observed ; and the sprightly music of the lapstone and hammer was well-nigh ceaseless. In the picture of Market street, which precedes the title-
317
PICTORIAL ADDENDA.
page of this volume, several which adorned that thorough- fare are seen. But hardly any of these interesting historical dots now remain. The great brick factories loom up triumph- antly and the hoarse voice of the steam-driven machinery pro- claims invention's conquest. The two following are fair speci- mens of our modern manufactories.
W'JOSEPH DAVIS & CO)
) B.P.DOAK2. MAMOS EBREED
RUSSELL SF
MODERN SHOE-MANUFACTORY, LYNN. Exchange Street Block.
SOLES
R.E. HILLIARD.
MODERN SHOE-MANUFACTORY, LYNN. Sweetser Building, corner of Washington and Oxford Streets.
318
PICTORIAL ADDENDA.
Allusions have been made in former pages to the style of dwel- lings common in earlier times. Of course the taste, means, and ambition of individuals had a controlling influence in given cases ; but yet there were certain characteristics marking the ordinary erections. In some instances the habitations, of the poorer classes especially, were placed partially under ground, for shelter from the cold ; while others, more desirous of the cheering sun- light, dotted the clearings and enlivened the acclivities ; but in most cases they were rude and unadorned ; not indeed more elegant than the one here represented.
AN EARLY DWELLING-HOUSE.
A little later on, we find the style of building adopted by many of the well-to-do folk like that represented by the following cut of the well-known Rebecca Nurse house.
REBECCA NURSE'S HOUSE
319
PICTORIAL ADDENDA.
In various parts of Lynn, now dilapidated specimens of the foregoing style are to be seen, and many have disappeared within the recollection of the writer. In our view of Market street, preceding the title-page, one or two may be observed. The Nurse house is famous in our county annals, and has a deeply touching history. Mrs. Nurse was a woman of many virtues and much beloved by her neighbors ; yet she fell a victim to the witchcraft infatuation, and was executed for the supposed crime, meeting her ignominious death like a true Christian heroine.
The gambrel-roof house soon appeared, though it is hard to see what special recommendation it had. Perhaps it was thought picturesque ; and it was somewhat so, when amid sur- roundings like those represented in the engraving here given, which was drawn from an ancient house in Norfolk county.
AN ANCIENT GAMBREL-ROOF HOUSE.
A neat example of this style may be seen on Marion street, in the historic Dr. Flagg or William Gray house. It was there that Dr. Flagg, a learned man as well as skillful physician and ardent revolutionary patriot lived ; and there, too, Lieutenant
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PICTORIAL ADDENDA.
Governor Gray, famed in his day as the most wealthy man in New England, was born. He was grandfather of Judge Horace Gray, at present an associate justice on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, and late chief justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. Another and rougher example of this style of building is the " Uncle Jed" house, as it was called sixty or seventy years ago- on Boston street, corner of Kirt- land. Our Market street view also exhibits a specimen.
As has been intimated, there was, in early times, here and there a residence widely differing from the generality, in costli- ness and elegance. One of the most notable, of whatever degree, in this vicinity, is the " old witch house," so called, still stand- ing in Essex street, Salem, at the corner of North. There was, as builders say, " a good deal of work in it ; " a fact made evident by the picture here given.
OLD WITCH HOUSE.
This is also sometimes called the Roger Williams house, and has an uncommonly interesting history, having been the resi- dence, as early as 1636, of the persecuted divine just named - Roger Williams - who for his invading religious opinions and progressive political principles was compelled, during the dark days of winter, to flee for rest to the savage but yet more hospitable Narragansett country, beyond the colonial jurisdiction, where he founded the plantation that finally became the state of Rhode Island. The name "witch house," arose from the circumstance that beneath its roof some of the witchcraft exam- inations, in 1692, are alleged to have taken place.
But it is not expedient to travel much into places beyond our own borders for illustrative examples.
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PICTORIAL ADDENDA.
For a period reaching back far beyond the time to which any man's memory extends, the cheap, unadorned cottage, or plain, one-story dwelling, has been common in Lynn, with those of limited means. And since that poor man's godsend, the street rail-road, has been extended to the out-lying neighborhoods, such have sprung up in increased numbers. It is a grand thing for a man to own his home, be it ever so humble. It makes him a better citizen - more fixed in his habits, more contented, and more ambitious to maintain a creditable position. An example of this kind of habitation may be seen on page 166. But Lynn has homes of all grades, and is not deficient in the sumptuous class concomitant to wealth and gentility.
ELMWOOD. Country Residence of the late Hon. E. R. Mudge.
The above is a picture of the beautiful summer home of the late eminent merchant and highly respected citizen, Hon. E. R. Mudge, and that in which he died, with such startling suddenness, on the first day of October, 1881. There are residences in Lynn
21
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PICTORIAL ADDENDA.
of probably greater cost, but none, it is believed, that indicate more refined taste or are more attractive in surroundings.
But our illustrated " annex" must not exceed due limits.
The rapidity with which the vacant territory of Lynn is being occupied, warns us that few years will elapse before most of the beauty and romance of her surroundings will be extinguished. There are competent artists among us who would be glad to apply their skill to the preservation of scenes which to us of this day are sources of so much enjoyment, and which by those of future generations would be viewed with ten-fold delight. But artists, as a rule, are not overburdened with this world's goods, and are seldom able to labor without the cheering hope of some pecuniary reward. And it may well be lamented that so few of those who would fain be reckoned among the wealthy and cultured have little taste for rich adornments of the character here alluded to, or any thought of employing a small amount of their substance for the gratification of those who in future years may occupy this goodly heritage.
On the three following leaves are re-produced - for they appear in our 1865 edition - illustrations which preserve at least a glimpse of what has been. They are from faithful sketches made for the writer, in 1864.
" Forest Place" has already been shorn of its most attractive features - groves and shady walks have disappeared, and high- ways and by-ways, with ambitious habitations, intruded. See page 33. And even the Point of Pines -recognizable by the house and flag-staff in the distance - has yielded to the march of improvement, and become an alluring resort. See page 244. " Lynnmere " retains many of her old-time charms ; and when shorn of her natural beauties her interesting history will survive.
The view represented by the other picture, and our last, has undergone but comparatively little change. The point from which it was taken being a sort of rocky fastness has withstood the invading march of the destroyer. But the vacant lands in front are already penetrated by streets ; house-lots are staked out and dwellings appearing. The rear lands, however, remain almost unchanged ; and old ocean still perfects the view-old ocean, ever changing, ever grand, in sunshine and in storm.
VIEW IN LYNN - Forest Place, Residence of the late J. C. STICKNEY, Esq.
[323
LYNNMERE.
BRICHER RUSSELL.SC BUSTON
[325
sure
VIEW IN LYNN - From Residence of JAMES R. NEWHALL, Walnut Street.
[327
SUPPLEMENT.
ANNALS.
1882.
The winter of 1881 and '82 was rather remarkable for the quantity of snow, and the long time the earth remained cov- ered. A storm began on the afternoon of January 31, during which some eighteen inches fell. And on the next Sunday, Feb. 5, a snow storm occurred that was not for many years before exceeded in violence. The drifts in some places were for a time insurmountable ; and services at several of the principal churches were omitted.
On the night of Feb. 15, a building on Munroe street, owned by Charles G. Clark, together with one or two others, was burned, causing a loss of some $20,000.
The Grand Army Coliseum, on Summer street, was dedi- cated March 15, with appropriate ceremonies. Its seating capacity is much greater than any other place of assembly hitherto erected here.
On the morning of the 15th of March, just before the time for workmen to assemble, a terrific steam boiler explosion took place in the rear of the Goodwin last factory, in Spring street. The engineer was killed, and several others badly wounded. One or two adjacent buildings were much damaged, and a piece of the boiler, weighing about 1,500 pounds, was thrown two hundred feet up into the air, and fell in Newhall street, seven hundred feet distant.
A fire occurred on the morning of April 22, at Houghton, Godfrey & Dean's paper warehouse, Central avenue, de- stroying property to the amount of $3,000.
Electric lights made their appearance here, in the spring.
At midnight, May 12, according to the weather reports, the thermometer, in Lynn and vicinity, reached a lower degree than in any other part of the United States ; yet it was not so low as to be particularly noticeable.
Memorial Day, May 30, was observed as usual; address by Comrade James M. Tanner, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Sup. I.
(329)
330
ANNALS OF LYNN - 1882.
Glen Lewis was consecrated, May 30.
Barnum's " greatest show on earth" visited Lynn, July 22. Some half a score of elephants appeared in the street parade. The giant elephant Jumbo and the nursing baby elephant were both members of the caravan. Some 25,000 persons attended the exhibition, and the amount of money received for admission reached nearly $11,000. The show consisted of a large collecton of animals, equestrian, acrobatic, and other circus and semi-dramatic performances. It was, no doubt, the grandest and most costly show ever in Lynn.
An explosion of a part of the underground equipment of the Citizens' Steam Heating Company, at the corner of Wash- ington and Munroe streets, took place, July 27, injuring the street somewhat, and throwing up stones and gravel to the danger and fright of persons in the vicinity. And subse- quently other explosions took place inducing an appeal to the city authorities for protection.
Nickerson's oil-clothing factory, in Swampscott, was burned August 4. Miss Emma Stone, employed in the establishment, lost her life, and the loss of property amounted to about $9,000.
An extraordinary drought prevailed during the latter part of the summer. Most of the crops about Lynn were abso- lutely ruined, the unripe fruit dropped from the trees, and much of the shrubbery and many of the trees had the appear- ance of having been exposed to fire blasts. Yet the springs and wells did not indicate any very marked deficiency of moisture somewhat below the surface. We had an uncom- monly long succession of very warm days, with westerly winds and clear skies. And the peculiar effect on vegetation was, no doubt, attributable rather to the burning sun than the lack of moisture. The spring was backward by full two weeks, and the weather was on the whole anomalous, most of the year.
The Ocean House, in Swampscott, a summer hotel of con- siderable note, was destroyed by fire on the evening of Sep- tember 6. It was a large wooden building, six stories in front and five in the rear. The loss was about $65,000.
In October, the fare to or from Boston was reduced to five cents on all the trains of the Narrow-gauge Rail-road, and on a part of those of the Eastern.
Mayor Lovering was, on the 7th of November, elected a member of the U.S. Congress - the second Lynn man ever chosen for that honorable position.
33I
ANNALS OF LYNN-1883.
The morning sky for several weeks in October and November was adorned by a splendid comet which rose two or three hours before the sun, in the south-east. A very good representation of it, as seen from High Rock, is here given. The steeple of the Central Church, in Silsbee street, is seen on the right of the picture, and Phillips's Point, Swampscott, on the left Astrono- mers had wonderful stories to tell of this comet - its incon- ceivable speed and partial disruption as if by some collision.
COMET OF 1882.
1883.
Electric works established in Lynn. They rapidly developed P
into a very large business, the factory buildings occupying a good part of Centre and Federal streets. Lynn capitalists invested largely. A visible impulse was soon felt in real estate movements, and all the westerly part of the city, even to the woody highlands, was presently booming, to use a current expression of the time. The company was chartered in Connec- ticut, but soon became practically a Lynn enterprise, the plant being brought hither. Professor Elihu Thomson, an experi- enced electrician, was prominent in the business, and by perse- vering studies concerning the nature and application of electricity was able to add much to the substantial character and success of the business. Something more will be said of these works, in the proper place, further on.
The Sweetser building, corner of Central avenue and Oxford street, was burned Jan. 26. Loss, $81,000.
332
ANNALS OF LYNN-1884.
The Lynn Hospital, incorporated in 1880, was opened for the reception of patients, March 12. Facts concerning this benefi- cent institution appear elsewhere in these pages.
Col. Gardiner Tufts publishes, in the Lynn Transcript, during this year, a series of articles on the " Old Choirs of Lynn," em- bodying many interesting facts concerning the history of music here, anecdotes of early musicians, and well-timed suggestions.
Fales Henry Newhall, D. D., a minister of the Methodist denomination, of more than ordinary ability and scholarship, died at the Asylum for the Insane at Worcester, April 6. He was born in Saugus, June 19, 1827, graduated at the Wesleyan Uni- versity, with the 1846 class, soon prepared for the ministry, and held prominent appointments, till overtaken by mental disorder from which he never entirely recovered.
The semi-centennial anniversary of the First Universalist Society was celebrated in the Nahant street church, April 29. A free banquet was served on the following evening.
The street railway to Peabody was opened for travel, May 15. Died in Lynn, May 17, Mrs. Lydia E. Pinkham, aged 64. She was known throughout the country and to some extent throughout the civilized world, as proprietor of a popular patent medicine. Her portrait adorned numerous publications in con- nection with advertisements of her specific. She was a woman of intelligence and excellent character.
May 30. The Memorial Day address, delivered in the Coli- seum, was by George H. Patch, of Framingham.
The Soldiers' Monument, Swampscott, was dedicated June 16.
The Boscobel, probably the best appointed hotel ever estab- lished in Lynn up to this time, was opened in October. It was a part of the fine brick structure near the west end of the Com- mon, known as the Arcade. But it was not successful in the intended line, and in four or five years ceased to rank as a hotel. The name was from Shakspeare.
1884.
John W. Skinner, for many years prominent in musical circles, died very suddenly, Jan. 4, aged 73. He rendered efficient service in church choirs, before the introduction of organs, by skill on the double-bass viol, trombone and other instruments.
A Grand Army fair closed, March 19. 29,550 tickets were sold.
Theophilus N. Breed died March 21, aged 78. He was for many years an active business man, chiefly in the line of hard ware and shoemakers' tools. He was perseveringly inclined to making "improvements," sometimes much to his pecuniary detriment. His name will long survive in the picturesque and useful lakelet known as Breed's Pond, which he formed by building a dam across the valley at Oak street.
333
ANNALS OF LYNN - 1885.
The annual session of the New England Methodist Confer- ence began in the First Methodist Church, April 2.
A Lasters' fair closed March 25. 30,272 tickets were sold.
Miss Maria Monds died at the Home for Aged Women, April 4, aged 81. She was a native of London, Eng., but came to Lynn in 1836, and was the first teacher on the piano here, was an accomplished organist and at different times did duty in two or three of our churches. She also taught draw- ing and painting, and on the whole did much to advance those fine arts in Lynn. At the time she came there were but three pianos in the town.
John B. Tolman gives to the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, in trust, an estate on Market street, valued at $30,000, the income to be expended for the suppression of the sale of intoxicating liquors. The trust was accepted, April 26.
May 30, Memorial Day. The address was by W. A. Simmons.
The new organization known as the Salvation Army appeared in our streets, June 4, marching to the music of tam- bourines and other instruments. This new order of religious en- thusiasts, zealous as they were, made but few converts in Lynn.
Lightning struck in Chatham street, June 5, killing a lad of 12 years, named John Tyler, and considerably injuring two of his companions.
The city was divided into voting precincts in June.
The street railway to Marblehead was opened June 25.
Government commenced dredging Lynn harbor this summer. Died, Oct, 23, at the great age of 99 years, Francis Johnson, a native of Ireland, but for many years a resident of Lynn.
Home for Inebriates, New Ocean street, established, Oct. 27. The ladies open a grand fair for the benefit of Lynn Hospital, Dec. 2.
1885.
James M. Sargent died, Jan. 5. He was born in Haverhill, Jan. 20, 1810, and came to Lynn in 1829. Here he soon ac- quired a knowledge of shoemaking and for many years was a member of the craft. He held various offices of public trust and in all of them acquitted himself with marked fidelity. He was a member of the First Universalist Society, from its founda- tion, in 1833 ; was elected clerk at the time of the organization, and for more than fifty years, till the time of his death, continued in the office.
The Lynn National Bank was organized this year.
Several destructive fires occurred in the early part of this year. Jan. II, by a fire in Henry A. Pevear's building, Washington street, there was a loss amounting to $3,337. By the burning of
334
ANNALS OF LYNN-1885.
Lucian Newhall's wooden building, on Central avenue, Feb. 17, there was a loss of $56,600. By a fire in C. B. Tebbetts's brick building on Willow street, Feb. 17, the loss was $3,760.
March 20. Lynn Associated Charities organized.
Rev. Dr. Pullman, as minister of the First Universalist Church, occupied the pulpit for the first time, April 12.
Col. Carroll D. Wright delivered the Memorial Day Address.
Trinity (Methodist) Church, Tower Hill, dedicated June 4. Church of the Incarnation (Episcopal) formally organized, June 9. St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) Church consecrated, June 21.
Church bells tolled, July 23, in observance of the death of President Grant, and a special meeting of the City Council was held, at which resolutions of respect were passed. On the 8th of August commemorative services were held in the Coliseum, business being generally suspended and insignia of mourning displayed in many places.
Hon. John Batchelder died, Aug. 6, aged 80. He was born in Topsfield, but came to Lynn when about twenty-five years of age, and took the position of teacher of the fifth ward gram- mar school, which position he held till 1854. He was then elected to the State Senate, and by re-elections remained in that body for two other terms. He also held positions in our municipal government, and in every place performed the duties with promptness and fidelity. In 1857 he was again in harness as a teacher; but in 1869 he bade a final adieu to the profession, being then appointed postmaster. The latter office he held till 1877. The incipient moulding of many a worthy character may justly be attributed to him.
Died in London, Eng., Aug 17, Minot Tirrell, aged 55. He was for many years a well-known resident of Lynn, though not a native. To his enterprise and wealth the westerly section of the town especially was greatly indebted for substantial im- provements. The first building of the electric works, the Bos- cobel, the Mildred Range, and a large number of other structures are examples of his liberal expenditure and enterprise. Indeed he gave an impetus to the business of our western section, that cannot fail to be long felt. He studied law and was admitted as a regular practitioner, but did not entirely or for any long time apply himself to the duties of a profession that was not probably congenial. He had generous and kindly traits, and considerable literary taste, but unfortunately possessed a temper that was at times almost uncontrollable, a circumstance that detracted from his social popularity. His remains were em- balmed and reached Lynn, Sept. 8.
The large brick building, owned by Lucius Beebe and Son, Western avenue, corner of Federal street, occupied as a glove-kid and morocco factory, was burned Sept. 3. Loss, $75,500.
335
ANNALS OF LYNN-1886.
Corner stone of the Church of the Incarnation laid, Sept. 25, Bishop Paddock delivering an appropriate address.
A heavy thunder storm, Oct. 3, flooded several business places in and near Munroe street, and delayed railroad trains.
Lynn Shoe and Leather Association organized, Oct. 9.
Horse car line through Washington street opened, Nov. 30.
1886.
Died in Lynnfield, Jan. 17, Rev. Jacob Hood, aged 94. He was a school teacher in early life, of a thoughtful, serious turn of mind and always much respected. He belonged to the old Hood family of Lynn and Nahant.
Benjamin A. Ward, a well-known citizen, was, on the night of Feb. I, attacked by three highwaymen, who severely assaulted him and robbed him of eighty dollars and a gold watch. He was on his way home from his office in Central square, and the attack was made on Chestnut street. One of the robbers, named Timmins, was soon arrested, and in due course of law sentenced to the state prison for fifteen years, where, in about two years, he died. The two others were convicted in New York of prior offences and sent to Sing-Sing prison, each for fifteen years.
An unusual overflow of the water courses took place in and about Lynn during February, caused by the falling of abundant rains on the frozen ground. Meadows were changed to lakes and in some localities basements were abandoned and boats called into use. The Sluice pond gate was opened, February 13, to save the dam.
The Lynn Daily Item and the Daily Bee, newspapers that had before been published at one cent per copy, raised the price to two cents, March I.
Mechanics' Exchange formally opened, April I.
Grand Army building, Andrew street, dedicated, April 21.
St. Stephen's chimes rang for the first time, April 25, Easter day. This was the first set of bells Lynn ever had.
Hon. Josiah C. Bennett gives to the Lynn Hospital the entire amount of his year's salary as Senator - $652.
Rev. George A. Crawford delivered the Memorial Day address, in the Coliseum, May 31.
There was a rowing regatta in Lynn harbor, June 19.
Lynn contributed $2,060 for relief of the sufferers by the destructive earthquake at Charleston, S. C., Aug. 31. And St. Stephen's Church sent a separate donation of $77 towards repair- ing the shattered tower of the venerable St. Michael's.
On the 25th of September Capt. Martin V. B. Stone of Swamp- scott received an ovation in consideration of his triumph in the race for the America's prize cup between the yacht Mayflower under his command, and the English yacht Galatea, under
336
ANNALS OF LYNN-1887.
command of Lieut. Henn. A gold watch, bearing an engraved representation of the yacht, was presented.
Nov. 22, the day on which ex-President Arthur was buried, marks of respect were shown in Lynn by the closing of public offices, raising flags at half-mast, and the execution of a dirge on St. Stephen's bells.
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