USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Monson > History of Monson, Massachusetts > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
Ducks and geese provided, food, feath- ers and down. Down was plucked from the live birds and used to fill ticking for the making of feather beds, which were used over the corn husk mattresses.
Favorite horses when no longer able to work, sometimes had their hides tanned and made into fur coats for the family.
Much land was under cultivation and it was done by horses and oxen, using old type hand ploughs, harrows, and cultivators. After proper conditioning of the soil, seed was planted, tended and then harvested.
Before the advent of the automobile, most food was grown locally and used lo- cally. Before the days of refrigeration, there was sometimes a well in the cellar. Water tight cans of milk and a pail of butter might be found suspended in the very cold water.
The vegetable cellar showed potatoes, Hubbard squash or pumpkins. beets and car- rots and turnips buried in sand. Unripened tomatoes on the vine were tied and hung from a sill or beam to ripen slowly. On shelves were stored row upon row of canned vegetables, fruits and meats. Mother Na- ture provided small fruits which were made into jams and jellies.
Forestry: cutting of wood, for fuel, ties for the railroad, poles for telephone, and home use provided many days work. Later, wood dealers were more plentiful. On order a load of green, dry, split, sawed, or mixed wood could be delivered to your door.
Page 132
HISTORY OF MONSON
Some of these dealers were Fred Davis, Justin Carew and O.C. McCray.
There are programs now which provide for teaching young people how to do these various tasks; also how to raise and care for animals. Among the first 4H Leaders were Mrs. Fred Rindge and Mrs. Joseph Labelle.
Industry has claimed many young people, and farms have dwindled in number, yet expanded in size and have become mechanized.
MONSON HOME FOR AGED PEOPLE
The movement to provide a home for aged people was introduced by the "King's Daughters and Sons." In 1914, the group had a fund of five hundred dollars which it set aside as a nucleus for such a home. The following year a committee was appointed to take the necessary steps for the incorpor- ation of a group of persons to be known as the Monson Home for Aged People, Inc.
Immediately A. D. Ellis gave five thous- and dollars, and Mrs. Edward D. Cushman gave her home in memory of her husband, Edward D. Cushman, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon F. Cushman.
Through the generous contributions of the many people interested in the home, some of whom were: Esther Holmes, Belle St. Clair, Martha Ellis, Clara Ellis, Florence Cushman, Ann Conant, Charles S. Hoar, Elizabeth Dowling, Fannie B. Capen, Henri- etta Lewis, Charlotte Nichols, Lillian N. Bradway and Louise Capen, it has fulfilled the purpose for which it was dedicated on June 4, 1919.
FROM THE LIBRARY FILES
The late Fred Cady, for years editor and pub- lisher of the Monson Register, is known to have collected considerable material for a history of Monson and it is most unfortunate that he did not live to carry the project to completion. Mr. Cady was well acquainted with the early history of the town and his style of writing was what is popularly known as "breezy"
On the occasion of the passing of Edward L. King, a quaint and lovable character who died in 1918, Mr. Cady wrote in part as follows: "Mr. King won a wide acquaintance and a large circle of friends as a tin peddler, a vocation which he followed for many years. Not so many years ago the proper way to get tinware was out of a cart. The housewife saved up rags, rubbers and any- thing in the junk line. Eventually, the tin peddler drove up to the door and proceeded to dicker. When 'Greek met Greek' in the olden days, the resultant
tug-of-war was such that the proverb lives to this day. When a Yankee tin peddler met a Yankee housewife, a mental contest ensued, seasoned with spicy conversation that would have been a joy to those ancient Greeks.
"Woolworth and the other people who have five-and-ten-cent stores have knocked all the poetry out of the tin business. There is no excitement connected with stepping into a store and buying a tin pan. It is purely a commercial transaction. Not so in the older days. The lady had the junk and the peddler had the tin and both of them had time to give to a transaction that brought out their latent ability.
"The tin peddler had something else that the lady wanted, and that was news. In those days, newspapers were not delivered at the door every day and the tin peddler knew what was going on all over his field. The Youth's Companion, The Springfield Weekly Republican and the Tin Peddler had the field all to themselves, and the Tin Peddler had it on the other two, as he knew of a number of things that the others dassent publish.
"Those of us who did not have an opportunity of getting our tinware of Mr. King when he was active in business, missed considerable. The next best thing was to hear him tell of his experiences, and that is a pleasure that many of us have had. Knowing the man as we did, we can imagine the amount of good cheer that he radiated around the country when he was in his prime. The most valu- able thing in the world is sunshine. Mr. King was more than a tin peddler, he was a sunshine mer- chant."
Riding inside a hearse would not seem to come under the head of joy riding, but an automobile dealer here managed to get considerable fun out of such a ride the other day. Accompanied by a friend, he went to Ohio to drive back a new hearse for a local undertaker. To save time he bought a mattress and pillow - which he installed in the place usually reserved for a coffin. When he be- came tired of driving, he turned the wheel over to his friend, got inside the hearse and went to sleep.
The curtains were drawn and all went well until the driver stopped for gasoline. The station at- tendant was a colored man and as he started to pump the gas he asked the driver, "You got some- body dead in there?" The driver nodded and the attendant kept one eye cocked toward the body of the hearse. As luck would have it the dealer woke up at this instant and curious to know why they had stopped, raised the curtain and looked out, full into the face of the attendant.
A look of horror came over the latter's face and his arm stopped moving. For three or four seconds he stood as if paralyzed, then letting go the crank, he backed slowly away from the hearse. Not knowing what had happened, the driver asked him what was the matter.
The attendant's jaws worked, but he made no sound. Finally he pointed to the hearse. By this time the dealer saw the situation, so, sinking back on his bed he gave a piteous groan. This was too much for the black man's nerves. With a yell, he ducked into the station.
No amount of coaxing served to bring him out again until the dealer climbed out and showed himself. They then showed him the sleeping ar-
Page 133
HISTORY OF MONSON
rangements and he gazed at them in awe. Finally he said, "You mean you gemmen sleep in that place?" They said they did, and he looked from one to the other, shaking his head. Then he said, "Well, all I'se got to say is you gemmen's sure got damn little imagination."
MACKMEADOW 1926
"'Mackmeadow" famous Monson house burned. Believed to be work of vandals, the Estate has a long history.
The burning of "Mackmeadow" Monday night, came as a climax to a period of vandalism there. The fine old house was situated at the end of a mile long road, which leads from Ely Road west, and was the sole habitation on it. The building nestling at the foot of the hill, had in its foreground, a pond, famous for its fishing, and the woods nearby furnished many feathered flocks for hunters.
Two deeds in the possession of George C. Flynt convey to Samuel McIntosh the farm property on which the house stood. One was executed Jan. 5, 1839, by Richard and Armeda Stacey and the other by the trustees for the heirs of William Nor- cross; Alfred, Albert; Loring and Lavinia Norcross on January 9, 1849.
In the latter conveyance of property, the right was reserved to build a dam on the pond and flow water therefrom. The brook formed in that way, flows north through the so called Leonard G. Cush- man, Lyman Miller, Wilson M. Tucker farms and through the Maguire property and forms Burdick Pond. Thence it goes across Mechanic Street to the old Henry Glinn Property and to the Sullivan Mill.
An overshot wheel was located at this point at one time, but was taken away long years ago, although the old raceway may be seen yet. Some men tell of rolling marbles down the old trough during their boyhood. The brook after crossing Mill and Main St., finally enters Chicopee Brook.
The place which is familiarly known as the "Sam Mack" place remained in the family until nearly 1912, passing from grandfather and his daughter Mrs. Smith to the grandsons.
It was sold to a Mr. Whitney by them, and by him the same year to George C. Flynt who began at once to improve it. Inside and out it was thoroughly renovated. New or rather old doors taken from Colonial houses replaced poor ones, a bathroom and china closet were built in, and old fireplaces opened up.
Fine antique furniture graced the rooms. The four poster sleigh beds, the quaint old piano, the blue dishes in the corner cupboard, the tall secre- tary, the sideboard and the desk are but a few of the many articles of value, as well as beauty that made it a veritable show place.
A secret cupboard gave me a thrill, and a meal cooked in the fireplace in the old utensils was most appetizing.
The dam was rebuilt and the pond stocked with pickerel and bullheads. Heron and wild ducks made homes there. Shrubbery was set out and the place had the appearance of being occupied. It was visited nearly every day, during warm weather by those who knew of its charm and in the winter, when skating was good, the young
people went up there in parties. Old style skates were furnished if desired, all were welcome to go into the house if they wished but the privilege was sometimes abused. Mr. Flynt named the place Mackmeadow.
Several years ago Mr. Flynt sold the property and it soon began to run down. It was raided for moonshine and finally deserted. Vandals broke the windows, smashed the pillars of the piazza, broke the china closets, even destroyed the bath- tub, chopped through the floors and finally burned the building, whether by intent or accident is not known.
The fire was seen by many people between one and two but no alarm was given. The telephone operator was called, but could give no information nor could Fire Chief Murray. Information as to where the fire was did not reach the villagers until Tuesday p.m. The owner lives in Springfield. Whether there was insurance is not known."
1960 addition: This was later bought by Grover C. Eaton and the pond has been enlarged, dammed, and made into a summer resort known as Lake Paradise. There are also year around residents. Where one house stood there are now several.
FROM A LIBRARY SCRAPBOOK
Bates House where Sylvestus Marsh of "Old Peppersass Fame" was married. It may not be generally known that Sylvestus Marsh of "Old Peppersass Fame", courted and married for his first wife, Miss Charlotte Bates, daughter of James and his wife, Betsy Davison Bates at the old homestead on the Hovey road.
The Marshes had a son Frank and a daughter Mary. Son became a Civil Engineer and the daugh- ter a teacher. She is recalled by the older genera- tion as having taught in the "little Academy" for several years in the '70s and in the seventh grade at State Street within 30 years. During the latter part of her life she lived with Mrs. Minnie Clifford. She died at Palmer not five years ago.
Miss Mary another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bates married Charles P. Fay - their daughter Mary Bates Fay married Henry O. Rindge, father of James E. Rindge of High Street and Alfred P. Rindge of Main Street. The latter recalls hearing the story of "Old Peppersass" told and retold in the family. He remembers Marsh's name being Sylvestus rather than Sylvester as the papers of late have had it.
Bates house, which has a part in this story was built in 1731 by one David Hyde according to records.
This name appears in the list of Selectmen of Monson in 1784, and in 1787 to 1791 and 1792 to 1795 as town clerk, again in 1791-1793 as Representative to the General Court. The 53 years between the house building and the office holding suggests the idea that they may have been a father and son of the same name. The house builder is spoken of as "a man of wealth and influence" who ran a grist mill on the Palmer side of the Quaboag River and was drowned there in 1806." Farm comprises 20 Acres.
Mr. Rindge says that Marsh, a New Englander by birth, went to Chicago and engaged in packing industry, amassed a fortune for the times.
Page 134
HISTORY OF MONSON
About 1865 when he was about 61, he came to Littleton, N.H. to attend a political gathering of some sort. With his friends he climbed Mt. Wash- ington one day and was lost. While spending the night in the bitter cold on the mountain, there was born in his brain the idea of a means of trans- portation up and down. The result was the trav- ersing of the mountain side by a railroad 31/4 miles long to a point more than six thousand feet above sea level.
The son Frank was the engineer in charge of the road, which, as expressed by Literary Digest "was to be a new and easy way to the magnificent panoramic spectacle to be seen from the moun- tain top, heretofore available only at the expense of toil and hardship."
The railroad was three and a half years in the building. Meantime the elder Marsh had invented the pioneer steam mountain climber, a cog locomo- tive, Frank Marsh drafting the plans and over- seeing its construction.
The locomotive was known as "Old Peppersass" and was used to push timber up the mountain for the trestle on which the railway was built. The opening of the road was July 1869, and was the first public appearance of the locomotive. Before this, much ridicule had been heaped upon it. But it worked faithfully and well for twelve years. On its 60th Anniversary it was to have made a last trip down the mountain before being given to the State of New Hampshire. But tragedy stalked in its path. It exploded when half way down killing a man and injuring others.
The Bates House is believed to have been the oldest in town up to the time it was burned by morons a few years ago on the night of July 3. The house was a good example of Colonial archi- tecture. It was rich in fine woodwork, a corner cupboard being especially notable for its hand carving. The hardware was also valuable from the viewpoint of the antiquarian, but this was buried deep in the ruins.
AN OLD SETTLER
BATES HOUSE
1926 NEWS CLIPPING
McCray blacksmith shop at Monson is on the market. It is an old landmark. In fact it is one of the oldest businesses in town. It is a conjecture whether some buyer may wish to continue the shop or to raze the building to make way for another
of a different sort. It is one of two shops left in the town where there were at least five, forty years ago. One by one of the others have fallen into decay; either on account of other interests of the owners or settling of estates. In recent years the patronage has diminished of course, owing to the coming of the automobile, but there are still horses left in Monson and they must be shod, and wagons must be repaired.
Interviews with old inhabitants and a perusal of old deeds dating from 1857, bring to mind half forgotten bits of interesting history. The building, considerably glorified from its original appearance was first located at the corner of Main and State Streets on the grounds of the new High School. The builder's name is not recalled, but previous to 1860 it was owned by Matthew Sutcliffe, father of Miss Kate Sutcliffe of East Hill. He moved it to near its present site. Early in the sixties, the town wishing to straighten the road at that point, raised $50 to pay for moving the building to the west. The hill south of the present site extended much farther south than it does now, and Mr. Sutcliffe shoved the building as far into the bank as pos- sible.
The first deed which shows the connection of Henry Aldrich with any part of the property is a warranty executed by Alfred Norcross in 1857, but not delivered until April 26, 1860.
It describes 42 rods of land in which the "post- road land of George Stowell" and a "cart path" figure. Hiram Newton was the witness to this deed. Of course the "post-road" meant the present Main Street. The "cart path" started near the Bartholomew Connell place on what is now Bridge Street. It crossed the railroad at grade, ran through the present property of Mrs. A. D. Ellis and followed present Green Street to the Corish house.
From there it went around the Hill, east of Green Street to the Marsden property and from there through to Main Street. Neither Bridge nor Green Street was laid out at this time. Mr. Aldrich tried to buy the blacksmith shop, but Mr. Sutcliffe declined to sell. So, on the land described in the deed, Mr. Aldrich built a shop, and, with his family, for a time occupied the second floor. In a few years, Mr. Aldrich succeeded in buying out Mr. Sutcliffe and then turned his original house into a barn, adding to it and for many years conducting a livery stable, building the house now owned by Elmer E. Thompson, fronting on Lincoln Street. Later he sold the Blacksmithing business to John Barry and Edward Fitzgerald.
Following his death, the shop was sold to Mrs. Eliza Robinson Dec. 6, 1881. She soon became Mrs. Lorenzo Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchinson carried on the shop, also carriage making and repairing, having raised and otherwise enlarged the building after the purchase of the adjoining property by Mrs. Hutchinson in 1887.
After Mr. Hutchinson passed away the entire property was sold to Orrin C. McCray. The little old house that stands northwest of the shop was moved from the site of the block occupied by Richard S. Hughes and Edward J. Lyons. It once bore the sign: "A. Green, Boot and Shoemaker".
The building standing north of the blacksmith shop is another landmark. The older residents will recall Pittee, who once ate four dozen eggs on a bet at Jeff's restaurant conducted in this building. Pittee was ever afterward known as the "Great American Egg Eater." For many years
Page 135
HISTORY OF MONSON
Robert Murphy, Monson's good old shoemaker, plied his trade in the same building.
Memory also takes us back to the woman who lived in the tenement in the rear, who said one morning that she had been the night before to "see poor Mrs. Grady's remainders".
Mr. Aldrich's father was also a blacksmith and it is possible that the remains of the "old forge" may be seen on the farm owned by Charles Day of East Hill. The Tucker forge is within the memory of the present generation, and the Bliss Shop passed but a few years ago. The Burdick Shop combines blacksmithing with other work at present.
HAWK AND SNAKE
Picture Courtesy of Worcester Gazette From newspaper clipping of May 6, 1960
MONSON - Fires in woods start in a number of ways but the one Thursday which set off six hours of blistering flame and choking smoke in the Colton Hollow area of Monson, between Hovey Hill and Stebbins Roads, was of a peculiar twist, according to Monson Fire Chief Lloyd Partelo.
A large hawk, carrying a four foot snake in its talons struck high tension wires of the New England Electric Co., causing a short circuit, and one of the high tension wires snapped, shooting sparks on the ground which set off the blaze in an isolated area. The snake and hawk were found near one of the poles, burned to a crisp, Chief Partelo said.
The broken high voltage wire caused power failures in Hampden and East Longmeadow Thurs- day afternoon until the necessary repairs were made. Chief Partelo estimated about 100 acres of dense woodland, brush and tall grass were burned over, sending billows of smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles.
Assisting about 60 firemen and volunteers from Monson and the nearby areas, was a state fire truck crew under the direction of Lucius Holton.
The blaze was reported shortly after the noon hour and burned all afternoon until Chief Partelo report- ed the blaze under control after 6 p.m.
The area where the fire was concentrated is uninhabited and there were no buildings or farm- houses in immediate danger. Hundreds of feet of hose were laid. Firemen and volunteers with watering cans, shovels and spades surrounded the blaze after more than six hours of hard work.
ACTS OF GOD
Monson has been the victim of three severe floods. The first occurred October 4, 1869, and created damages to the town amounting to between sixty and seventy thousand dollars, not counting the individ- ual losses. One report states that every bridge and every dam were washed away; roads were badly gullied; and one factory was one-third undermined and another par- tially so.
On September 21, 1938, after several days of rain had soaked the earth and caused streams to overflow their banks, the hurri- cane struck with full force. This hurricane, the first to strike Western Massachusetts in many generations, began late in the after- noon and at its peak carried winds of more than 100 miles per hour. The town was with- out power and telephone communication for several days, and countless thousands of dollars were spent in bringing conditions back to normal, but the toll of trees will take many more decades to replace. One has but to examine early pictures of our beauti- ful tree-lined Main Street to realize what a terrific loss this has been to the town.
The third great flood began with rain on August 17, 1955, climaxing in a torrential downpour late Thursday night, August 18th. A recapitulation of the overall toll showed:
One dead. Francis W. Wytas, 33, was drowned during the height of the flood while on duty at the C. F. Church plant.
Property damage totaled $3,900,000 of which 60% was incurred by two manufac- turing firms, A. D. Ellis Mills, Inc. and C. F. Church Manufacturing Company.
Damages to the highways and bridges accounted for 35% of the total. Washouts or slides occurred on 75% of the town's 105 miles of highway. The roadbeds of Ely Road and Mill Street were totally destroyed.
Three bridges on Route 32, those at Ma- ple. Street, A. D. Ellis No. 3 plant, and Mill Street, were completely destroyed, as well as many more on the lesser traveled roads.
Page 136
HISTORY OF MONSON
The town was completely isolated from all communication with the outside world for over twenty-four hours. The water mains, telephone and power lines all suf- fered heavy damage.
Thirty-five dwellings and three farms along Chicopee Brook suffered damage, as did many homes in other sections. More than 100 people were evacuated from the area along the river bank.
A Disaster Team from the American National Red Cross arrived as soon as roads were passable and spent more than one month investigating and assisting those families in the disaster area.
-
DEPACE PROPERTY AFTER FLOOD
ARMY ENGINEERS BAILEY BRIDGE
BLIZZARD OF 1888
The famous blizzard of 1888 did not keep George Flynt from hitching up the old white mare and exploring the countryside of Mon- son.
WASHOUT FROM ELY ROAD
1
DAMAGE AT ELLIS NO. 1 MILL
Page 137
HISTORY OF MONSON
RESTAUR
A
-
MONSON VICTORY BAND - 1920
Front Row: A Holdsworth, John Hirst, Albert Hirst, William H. Anderson, Edward Madelle. Second Row: A. Adams, Samuel Vennard, Daniel Kibbe, George Bowden, Follis Pero, Wilfred Kimber, Frank Lasbury. Top Row: H. Pero, Harold Moffett, Edgar Kemp, Homer Pero, Alfred Norcross, William Moffett, Ralph Entwistle, Everett Woods.
Firemen's Clambake about 1924 - Back row: : L to R. Myron Pease, Frank Sutcliffe, Albert Blanchard, Henry Pease, John McCarthy, Herbert Aldrich. Middle row: Henry Miller, Alfred Norcross, Arthur Noyes, Charles Osborn, Amos Jette. Front row: John Mur- ray, Albert Stewart, John Crowley.
Page 138
HISTORY OF MONSON
-
Monson Academy Football Team 1901 - Back row L to R: Carl Rand, Gene Mat- thews, Mike Crowley, Bill McGuire, Harry Leahy, Chas. Dunn, Peyoff. Front row: Fred Sullivan, Walter Ballard, Utz, Dudley Homer, Jim Murphy, - Nelson.
-
KONSON 35
MONSA .. 3
MONSC 24
MONSDY 31
MONSOY 40
CONSO 22
MON SON
MONSO 23
MONSON 25
KONSON 34
1952 New England Class A Prep School Champions. Back Row: L to R. Ullery, Duke- shire, Skypeck, Ford, Lolas. Front Row: Vlasak, Laferriere, Woods, Waflick, Swift, Coach Callahan.
HISTORY OF MONSON
Page 139
The Monson High School Soccer Team of 1945 had a record of ten wins - no losses. Back row: Arnold Shields, Paul Galasso, Richard Knight, David Dewey, William Mea- cham, William Lewing, Ronald Hayden, Fisk Bacon. Front Row: William Partelo, William Hale, Francis Hayden, David Carew, Robert Gould, Clarence Brown. Coach Robert E. Moriarty.
M
-
40-
4
Valley Wheel Champions 1940-1941. Back Row: May Hale, Coach Henry O. Holley, Edith Pease. Front Row: Marie Wytas, Mary Pinand, Lois Litz, Carolyn Talmadge, Jacqueline Pascale.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.