History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 42

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 42

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" These cases, with the high percentage gained by our school children, together with the excellence of the exercises you have seen here this evening [Monday, June 23, 1890], should he sufficient to convince every- body of the success of our schools. We are determined that they shall surpass the public schools ; and if they do not equal those schools, we will close them altogether."

Nor has Father O'Brien's interest been confined to those of Lowell of his own race and creed. Becom- ing, as soon as the law allowed, an American citizen, he feels that no other country has now equal claims on his love and allegiance. A most devoted Catholic, pious and ardent in his sacred calling, and allowing no interference with the discharge of his religious duties, or of those of his people, he never interferes with the religious opinions of others.

A friend to humanity in its broadest and most charitable sense, any work for the benefit of the com- munity, Catholic or Protestant, receives from him most cordial encouragement, and the ready aid of

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purse, voicc, or influence. A keen reasoner, the wis- dom of his judgment is only excelled by its charity ; and the devotion and earnestness of his piety are equally manifest in his exemplary life, and in the edifying, soul-reaching discourses with which he is ever ready when duty and occasion require. Quiet and scholarly in his tastes, he is, none the less, most public-spirited ; and keeps abreast of the times in everything that concerns the interest of his church, his schools, and the general public.

As to the rest, see his own simple, honest words, in response to one of the grandest demonstrations of re- spect and affection with which a pastor could be honored.

His life in Lowell is an open book, which all may read. Some pages, perhaps, might be better written but such as they are, they stand for his best efforts. Surely those efforts will win for him the' commenda- tion, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" and will be crowned with rich and enduring results in this city to whose spiritual and temporal interests he is so devoted.

St. Peter's Church .- As early as 1841, ten years after the dedication of St. Patrick's Church, the num- ber of Irish people living in the neighborhood of Gor- ham, Green and William Streets had become so great that a new Catholic Church was evidently called for in that part of the city. Rev. James Conway, assist- ant of Father McDermott in the Church of St. Pat- rick, was chiefly instrumental in planting the new church. A lot of land was secured in 1841 on Gor- ham and Appleton Streets and a substantial brick building was erected as a house of worship. This house was dedicated October 16, 1842. It is proper to state, in passing, that this is the house recently purchased by the United States Government in order that its site may be used for the erection of a building for the Lowell post-office.

The church edifice was erected at a liberal expen- diture for the times, and it has served the church for forty-six years.

Rev. Father Conway, the first pastor of this church, removed to Salem in 1847, and the Rev. Peter Crud- den was his successor.

In August, 1883, Rev. Michael Ronan, from St. James' Church, Boston, became pastor of this church. He is still the beloved and faithful pastor of St. Peter's Church, having three assistants. A new house of worship will soon be erected.

St. Peter's Orphan Asylum, which adjoins the parochial residence, now freed from debt by the ef- forts of Father Ronan, is in charge of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

St. Joseph's Church .- Rev. Andre M. Garin, a member of the Society of the Oblate Fathers of Mary Immacu- late, came to Lowell in April, 1868, and entered upon his work of the religious instruction of the French Catholics of this city. Hc soon purchased of the Second Unitarian Society their stone church on Lce

Strcet for $11,500. This house, since twice enlarged at an expense of nearly $60,000, is still the house of wor- ship of the French Catholics of Lowell, the genial and excellent Father Garin being still their pastor. The enterprise has had great success. Notwithstand- ing the enlargement of the church, it has proved too small to accommodate the crowds who flock to it, and a lot on Merrimack and Austin Streets has been pur- chased for the erection of a new church for the French Catholics of the city. This new church, which is already in the process of erection, is to be of gran- ite quarried at North Chelmsford and of the Roman style of architecture. Its name is to be St. Jean Bap- tiste Church. The new church is to be in St. Joseph's Parish, which is one of the most flourishing in the United States.

Father Garin, the pastor of this parish, has six as- sistants.

The basement of the new church was opened for worship and dedicated on February 2, 1890, by Bishop Clut, of the Order of Oblate Fathers, a mission- ary among the Indians on Mackenzie River.

Immaculate Conception Church .- The wooden chapel of one story situated near St. John's Hospital, in Bel- videre, and called St. John's Chapel, having been erected by the Sisters of Charity of St. John's Hos- pital, was in-1869 purchased by the Oblate Fathers and made the temporary place of worship for a new Catholic Church. Rev. André M. Garin was, in 1870, appointed first pastor of this new organization, hav- ing for his assistant Rev. J. M. Guillard. Steps were promptly taken towards erecting on Fayette Street the massive and imposing stone structure now known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

The first pastor of St. John's Chapel, Rev. James McGrath, was appointed in October, 1870. On November 30, 1871, Archbishop Williams laid the corner-stone of the new church edifice. The base- ment, which was for some time used as the place of worship, was blessed July 7, 1872, and the church it- self was dedicated by Archbishop Williams, June 10, 1877.

The translation of the relics of the martyr, St. Vere- cunda, took place on November 24, 1878, and the an- niversary of this translation is still observed at this church on the second Sunday of September, every year.

The church is of the Gothic style of architecture and is surmounted with spires and pinnacles. The seating capacity is 1932.

July 1, 1883, Rev. C. J. Smith succeedcd Father McGrath as pastor of this church.

The present pastor, Rev. W. D. Joyce, assumed his sacred office in July, 1886.

St. Michael's Church .- The city of Lowell was eccle- siastically divided by the Archbishop of the diocese into Catholic parishes in 1883. Each parish takes its name from the name of the church within it. One of thesc parishes, St. Michael's, includes the village of

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Centralville, in which the Irish population has in late years rapidly increased. A church to be known as St. Michael's is already in the process of erection. It occupies a lot which extends from Sixth Street to Seventh Street. The corner-stone was laid by the Archbishop in April, 1SS4, in the presence of " no less than 15,000 persons." The basement, which is already completed and dedicated, will accommodate 1100 per- sons.

The church is to be of the Romanesque style of ar- chitecture. The material to be used will be the finest quality of pressed brick with granite trimmings. There will be 235 pews with a seating capacity of 1500.

Rev. William O'Brien, the first pastor, was born in Ireland and educated at All Hallows Seminary. He is still in service, having one assistant. The parochial school connected with this church was opened in September, 1889, and is under the instruction of the Dominican Sisters.

Church of the Sacred Heart .- This church, still in its infancy, was organized in 1884, under the auspices and government of the Oblate Fathers. Measures were promptly taken to erect a house of worship, and in 1885 the basement was completed. It is situated on Moore Street and has a seating capacity of about 1400. The church will be of brick and will accom- modate 2000 persons. The first pastor, Rev. W. D. Joyce, was appointed in 1884. He is now the pastor of the Church of Immaculate Conception. The present pastor is Rev. J. C. Lavoie, who assumed his sacred office in 1885. He has one assistant.

THE LOWELL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIA- TION was organized February 4, 1867, and incorpor- ated in 1868, " for the purposes," as expressed in its charter, "of providing for the physical, moral and spiritual welfare of young men." The number of members in April, 1889, was 498, of whom 303 were active members and 195 associate members. Any young man who is a member of an Evangelical Church, in good standing, may become an active member by paying one dollar annually, and any young man of good moral character can become an associate member by paying one dollar annually.

There is a standing committee of four from each church whose duty it is to seek out young men who come to Lowell, to bring them under good moral and religious influences, to aid them in finding boarding- places and employment, to secure their attendance at church and to surround them with Christian associ- ates. At their headquarters they have a reading- room and library, intended as attractive resorts of young men in boarding-houses. Here also they have Bible-classes, prayer-meetings and social gatherings. Prayer-meetings are also held in various parts of the city. Under their auspices are held out-of-door ser- vices on the Commons, at which sermons are preached by the Lowell clergymen and others. Literary, classes are formed at their rooms, the sick are visited

and in a word, every effort is made to encourage young men in virtuous living, to strengthen the weak and rescue the fallen. In a work so beneficent they find support in all the churches, and sympathy from all good men.

Until 1889 the headquarters of this association were in Barristers' Hall, opposite the post-office, where rooms in the third story were rented. But by the liberality of friends, a building on Hurd Street has been purchased for the association, which, with necessary improvements and the addition of a new hall having a seating capacity of 350, will cost about $32,- 000. The new building was entered in 1889, and the hall dedicated December 17, 1889. The presidents of this association have been : I. W. Beard, Sullivan L. Ward, William W. Sherman, C. W. Sleeper, George F. Willey, N. W. Frye, A. C. Russell, Phile- tus Burnham, E. P. Woods, J. G. Buttrick, A. W. Woodworth, Wm. H. Ward, W. F. Hills. The gen- eral secretaries have been : Dauphin Osgood, G. C. Osgood, G. E. Lovejoy, Henry J. McCoy, C. K. Flan- ders, George S. Avery, D. A. Gordon, C. P. Harlow. The general secretary and his assistant are salaried officers, and are the active agents and managers of the Association.

CHAPTER X.

LOWELL-(Continued).

MILITARY.

No part of the honorable military record of the town of Chelmsford in the War of the Revolution or in the War of 1812 can be properly credited to the town or city of Lowell. Nor was Lowell's part in the Mexican War in 1846-47 worthy of extended historical record. As a city, Lowell sent no troops to wage war against the sister republic. The army, which, on Sept. 14, 1847, captured the city of Mexico, consisted of a small division of the regular army of the United States and 50,000 volunteers. All New England con- tributed but a single regiment to this war, and Lowell raised no companies and paid no bounties. Her citi- zens, though proud of the success of our national arms, had at heart but very little sympathy with the spirit which precipitated this war or the purpose for which it was waged. The noble part, however, which Lowell took in the great Rebellion of 1861 is abund- antly worthy of historic record.

With the cause of the National Government in crushing this gigantic rebellion, Lowell was in full sympathy, and had taken her full share of the respon- sibility of electing a President pledged to its suppres- sion.

The cause of this momentous conflict can, doubt- less, be found in the incompatibility of slavery with the institutions of freedom. Two elements so utterly

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discordant could not peaceably dwell together. The compromises of the Constitution, the Missouri Com- promise, and other devices of patriotic statesmen did not remove the evil, but only concealed it from the sight. The Missouri Compromise, which opened to slavery a part of the territory of which all belonged to freedom, was received with sadness and borne with discontent by all who loved liberty; but when even that compromise was repealed and the whole laid open to slavery, their indignation could no longer be sup- pressed. Still they met the issue with only legitimate and honorable efforts to settle the fertile fields of Kansas with Northern free men, and thus secure them for liberty. But when this honorable action was met with bloodshed and the murder of innocent settlers, the wrath of the North was fully roused. The time for tame submission was past.

The slave power had made alarming encroachments. In every branch of the National Government slave- holders were intrenched in power. President Buchan- an, if in sentiment a friend of liberty, was utterly un- able to withstand the imperious domination of the slaveholders by whom he was surrounded. Brecken- ridge, the Vice-President, was a slave-holder. In the Cabinet, Floyd, the Secretary of War, and Cobb, the Secretary of the Treasury, were slave-holders. In the Senate, Jefferson Davis, Slidell, Benjamin, Mason, Toombs, all were party leaders, and all were slave- holders. The chairman of almost every important committee of the Senate was a slave-holder. In places of power not a Northern Republican and scarcely a Northern Democrat could be found.

It was under such provocations that the people of the North resorted to the fair and justifiable efforts to place, by their ballots, the government of their coun- try in the hands of the friends of freedom. And hence the war, with all its carnage and all its fearful horrors.

Several important events in the summer and au- tumn of 1860 clearly foreboded the near approach of war. Conspicuous among them were the disruption of the Democratic party, which, at the Charleston Convention, failed to unite upon a common platform or to nominate a common candidate for the Presi- dency, and the election of Lincoln, an avowed oppo- nent of the slave power. To these should be added the firing, on January 9, 1861, upon the "Star of the West," a vessel commissioned by President Buchanan to provision the garrison in Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston. Still forbearance reigned. But when the startling news ran like wild-fire through the nation, that on April 12th this national fort had been fired upon by insurgent batteries on the shore, every sentiment of patriotism made it cowardice and treason longer to wait. Seven States had already se- ceded. The Southern Confederacy had already been formed. Treason in Buchanan's Cabinet had crippled the martial resources of the North, and now, by the firing upon a National fort, war was actually begun.

On April 14th the fort surrendered, and on April 15th President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 troops. The call came upon our city with startling effect. Citizens who had read in the newspapers with eager interest the exciting accounts of Southern outrages, now, when the inevitable time had come to part with fathers, brothers and friends, experienced emotions never felt before. It was a day of tears and sadness. A cloud seemed to hang over the fair city.

At the time of the opening of the Rebellion, Low- ell had four organized military companies, viz. : the Mechanic Phalanx, formed in 1825, while Lowell was a town, the City Guards (1841), the Watson Light Guard (1851) and the National Greys (1855). When, on April 15, 1861, Col. Edward F. Jones, of the Sixth Regiment, to which the Lowell companies belonged, was commanded to muster his regiment to march to the defence of Washington, these companies promptly obeyed their country's call. They met the duty and the danger with patriotic zeal. They were not un- prepared. Three months before Gov. Andrew had issued his famous General Order No. 4, requiring the militia of the State to be forthwith put into a state of efficiency, and on January 19th the field officers and commanders of companies of the Sixth Regiment had met at the American House in Lowell, and Col. Jones was commissioned to tender the services of the regiment to the commander-in-chief, whenever the country should call. By this prompt and patriotic act the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment had the proud distinction of being the first regiment in the nation called into action. The conduct of Col. Jones on this memorable occasion was beyond all praise. Hap- pening on that day to be in Boston, instead of his place of residence, Pepperell, Mass., he received the news of the President's call upon the very day of its promulgation. He forthwith issued orders by tele- graph to the companies of the Sixth Regiment, to assemble at seven o'clock on the next morning in Hunt- ington Hall, Lowell, uniformed and ready to proceed to Washington.

Within seventeen hours after Col. Jones had re- ceived his marching orders the following companies were assembled in Huntington Hall ready for duty : Company C, the Mechanic Phalanx of Lowell, Capt. Albert S. Follansbee, 56 men, including officers ; Company D, the City Guards of Lowell, Capt. James W. Hunt, 53; Company H, the Watson Light Guard of Lowell, Capt. John F. Noyes, 53; Company A, the National Greys of Lowell, Capt. Josiah A. Saw- tell, 52; Company I, Capt. Pickering, of Lawrence, 52; Company F, of Lawrence, Capt. Chadburne, 62; Company E, of Acton, Capt. Tuttle, 52; Company B, of Groton, Capt. Clark, 74. With these companies, also came the Lowell Brigade Band, with sixteen pieces. Upon the arrival of the above eight companies at Bos- ton, the following three companies were to be added : Company L, of Stoneham, Capt. Dike, 67 ; Company G, of Worcester, Capt. Pratt, 100; Company K, of

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Boston, Capt. Sampson, 62; making a total of 699 men.

The 16th of April was a cold and dismal day. The rain and sleet were falling. In Huntington Hall was assembled the flower of the manhood of the city. Fathers, brothers and friends had been suddenly called to meet the perils of war and the dangers of death. The tocsin of war had never been heard in the city, and when its fearful notes resounded, the mothers, wives and children of the soldiers were struck with a terror never felt before. But a patriotic enthusiasm filled the hearts of the soldiers, and it seemed a glorious thing to march to the defence of the capital of their country.

Before the regiment left Huntington Hall to pro- ceed to Boston, the Rev. Dr. Blanchard read the eightieth Psalm: " Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth. Stir up thy strength and come and save us." Patriotic addresses were made by the mayor, Honorable B. C. Sargeant, A. R. Brown, Esq., Theodore H. Sweetser, Esq., Colonel G. F. Sawtell and others. Republican and Democrat uttered the same sentiments of patriotism from the same plat- form.

As the companies departed for Boston, throngs of citizens gathered around them. The soldiers' fami- lies became the objects of tender regard. The mayor assured them that they should not suffer. It was a day of noble sacrifice. Lucrative positions, profitable trade, extensive professional practice, all were forsaken to march to the defence of the capital.

On their arrival at Boston thousands of the citizens escorted them to Faneuil and Boylston Halls. On the next day their old muskets were exchanged for modern rifles. Governor Andrew addressed them with words of patriotic fervor. As the Governor pre- sented to Colonel Jones his regimental colors he tenderly and eloquently said to the assembled soldiers: " We shall follow you with our benedictions, our ben- efactions, and our prayers. Those whom you leave be- hind you, we shall cherish in our heart of hearts." Colonel Jones replied : "You have given me this flag, which is the emblem of all that stands before you. It represents my whole command, and, so help me God, I will never disgrace it." The daughter of the colonel was adopted as the daughter of the regiment.

The regiment in the evening left Boston upon the Worcester Railroad. Along the route could be heard the firing of cannon, the ringing of bells, and the shouts of patriotic men. In New York the streets were filled with a sympathizing and excited populace. At noon on the 18th the regiment left New York by way of Jersey City. Its progress was a grand ovation. At Philadelphia the enthusiasm was intense. The soldiers were quartered at the Girard House, where, after prolonged excitement, they spread their blankets and enjoyed the welcome blessing of sleep.

At one o'clock on the morning of April 19th, ever memorable day, they were waked from their slumbers

to start for Washington. And now, as they proceed, muttered threats begin to be heard, and predictions of stormy times in the streets of Baltimore. To these startling rumors Colonel Jones replied : "My orders are to reach Washington at the earliest possible mo- ment, and I shall go on." The regiment reached Balti- more at ten o'clock in the morning and began to cross the city iu cars. Their enemies did not expect them until noon. So early and so unexpected was their arrival that the populace had not yet filled the streets. It has been since discovered that had the regiment arrived at the hour they were expected by their enemies, there would have been a fearful slaughter.

Thus favored by their early and opportune arrival, seven of the eleven companies were conveyed across the city to the Washington depot in cars drawn by horses. Only one of these companies met with serious resist- ance. This was the Boston company, Captain Samp- son, which joined the regiment at Boston on its arrival from Lowell. It occupied the rear car and had a most perilous passage. Three times the car was thrown from the track and the soldiers were assaulted with paving stones and clubs. But none were killed and only four were wounded.

But the main interest of that eventful day centres in the four remaining companies, which, being in the rear, and finding that the crowd had torn up the rail- road track, were compelled to march across the city. These companies were the Mechanics' Phalanx, of Lowell, Capt. Follansbee; the City Guards, of Low- ell, Capt. Hart ; Company I, of Lawrence, Capt. Pick- ering, and the Stoneham Light Infantry, Capt. Dike. Of this detachment of four companies Capt. Follans- bee was, by his fellow-officers, selected as comman- der.

Soon after beginning their march they were at- tacked by a mob bearing a secession flag. The flag was captured by the indignant soldiers and trampled upon the pavement. As they proceeded, mingled volleys of oaths and yells, showers of missiles and shots from muskets and pistols filled the air. On reaching a canal bridge, on Platt Street, the planks had been torn up to form a barricade, and cannon planted to sweep the street. But before the cannon could be discharged the agile soldiers had scaled the barricade and crossed the bridge. And now, as they proceed, at double-quick step, they are attacked from streets and houses as they pass. They were ordered to return fire, and many of the mob fell. Capt. Fol- lansbee reported that he saw, at one time, four fall upon the sidewalk, and that " where a man in Balti- more showed his pistol, or axe, or palmetto flag, he was about sure to drop." .

When the four battered companies joined their companions at the Washington depot several of their number were missing. Capt. Dike, of the Stoneham company, had been wounded and left behind. Sum- ner H. Needham, of the Lawrence company, had

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been killed, and he was the first victim. But the City Guards, of Lowell, bringing up the rear, suffered most severely. Of this company Luther C. Ladd, Addison O. Whitney and Charles A. Taylor were killed. In the four companies four were killed and thirty-six wounded.

After three hours thus spent in crossing Baltimorc, the regiment, being now re-united at the depot, Col. Jones gave the order for the train to start for Wash- ington. The number left behind, including the band and field music, was 130. The band, being unarmed, refused to cross the city, and were conveyed back to Philadelphia. As the train moved forward the crowd preceded and followed it, tearing up the rails and ob- structing it with telegraph-poles and rails of fence. But the workmen on the road and policemen who ac- companied the train for several miles removed the obstructions, and the regiment, after a long delay at the Relay House, reached Washington at about six o'clock in the afternoon. They were received by Major (afterwards Major-General) McDowell, and escorted to their quarters in the Senate Chamber in the Capitol.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 42

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1226

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226