History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 29

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 29

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Aldermen-Ward one, John Avery Parker; ward two, Thomas B. White ; ward three, Ivory H. Bartlett; ward four, William H. Taylor ; ward five, James B. Wood ; ward six, Edward W. Howland.

Councilmen-Ward one, Abraham Gardner, Joseph Clarke, Clem- ent Covell, Jere. Greenman; ward two, Perry G. Macomber, Isaac M.

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INAUGURATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

West, Pardon Potter, jr., Abraham Delano; ward three, Peleg Butts, jr., Isaac Brownell, James Durfee, jr., Bennett Wilcox ; ward four, L. Ma- comber, Caleb L. Ellis, William H. Allen, Daniel Mckenzie ; ward five, James B. Congdon, Lemuel Kollock, Francis Baker, Charles R. Tucker ; ward six, B. F. Howland, James L. Pierce, Josiah S. Bonney, Nathan- iel Gilbert.

Overseers of the Poor-Ward one, Obed Nye; ward two, Horatio A. Kempton ; ward three, Robert Ingraham ; ward four, William A. Gordon ; ward five, David Brayton ; ward six, Edward W. Howland.

Assessors-Ward one, George A. Bourne; ward two, I. M. Rich- ardson ; ward three, Ichabod Chase; ward four, John R. Thornton; ward five, Barnabas S. Perkins; ward six, Benjamin R. Sayer.

School Committee-Ward one, George A. Bourne, Linneas Wood, Daniel C. Burt ; ward two, Sylvester Holmes, Horatio A. Kempton, Luther G. Hewins ; ward three, William H. Stowell, Thomas Davis, William W. Sweet; ward four, Rufus Babcock, Charles Haffards, Thomas D. Elliot ; ward five, Thomas A. Greene, George Howland, jr., William Howe; ward six, Henry H. Crapo, William P. Howland, Fran- cis Post.

The inauguration ceremonies took place in the Common Council chamber on Wednesday afternoon, April 28. George Howland, jr., made declaration of the election of mayor, aldermen, and councilmen. The oath of office was administered by Hon. Oliver Prescott, and prayer was offered by Rev. Moses Howe. The mayor delivered his inaugural address, in which he described the many advantages to be attained by the new order of government. He said : "It must be obvious to every person of experience that the great interests of a population of 16,000, including the management of public property, the instruction of chil- dren, the support of the poor, the maintenance and control of the fire department, the raising of taxation and proper annual appropriations of from $70,000 to $80,000 cannot be either judiciously or satisfactorily managed in a town meeting, in which not more than one-fifth of the legal voters can be present, composed, as it is liable to be, of a large number of temporary residents, and comprehending a small portion of those who have the largest interest in the affairs of the community. A city government with two council boards, each having the power to nega-

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tive the proceedings of the other, and consisting of a limited number of persons in whoin the electors have reposed confidence, affords the surest guarantee that important measures will receive mature deliberation, and be satisfactorily administered, while it secures greater accountability in the expenditure of the public money."

At the conclusion of the lengthy address, the government completed its organization by the election of James B. Congdon, president of the common council ; Henry H. Crapo, city treasurer and collector ; Isaac M. Richardson, city clerk. The school committee organized with Thomas A. Greene as chairman, and William Howe secretary.

The event of the birth of the new city was signalized by expressions of rejoicing from the citizens. The bells were rung, salutes were fired, the Citizens' Band performed martial music, and all the demonstrations were of a very enthusiastic character. The city at this time had a pop- lation of 16,000 and was enjoying a tide of prosperity. The whaling industry, which had been to a large extent the source of the wealth and growth of the place, had about reached its climax of importance, and the new city entered upon its municipal existence under the most en- couraging prospects.

The months succeeding the inauguration were busy ones to the city officials in adapting public affairs to the new order of things. Ordi- nances were passed to regulate and govern matters relating to finance, accounts, public buildings, public instruction, roads, bridges and sewers, fire department, police department, burial grounds, alms houses, etc.

The following citizens were elected to fill the positions named : City marshal, Timothy Ingraham ; assistant marshals, Shubael G. Edwards, William O Russell; policemen, Thomas Davis, George W. Shearman, Daniel Ripley, Lewis G. Allen, Marshall B. Bird, Joshua P. Dunbar ; watchmen, Otis H. Horton, captain ; Calvin Harvey, Ichabod Cogge- shall, James N. Sampson, Thomas Albert, John C. Banker, John Allen, Winthrop Adams.

The establishment of the city charter evidently gave great satisfaction to a majority of the people. Their sentiments were voiced in an edi- torial in the Mercury which closed with the following : "Success to the city of New Bedford ! may she ever be foremost in good works, ever be eminent as the friend of freedom, liberality, good will, education, and

3º3

SUMMARY OR EVENTS.

Christianity ! To the latest generation may she be a burning and a shining light ! May she be illuminated with the oil of gladness and blessed with plenty and prosperity !"

The magnetic telegraph was exhibited January 17, 1847, by Dr. Bur- bank to the citizens of the town.

The new alms-house on Clark's Point, built by James Wheaton and Wright Brownell, at a cost of $17,000, was completed and opened with a public service and addresses on January 10, 1847.

The making of daguerreotypes was commenced by C. E. Hawes & Brothers, at their rooms in Liberty Hall. Their productions were of great merit and beauty.

The New Bedford Mercury announced in strong head lines the re- ception of news " twenty- eight days later from Europe."

Independence Day of this year (1847) was observed with great pomp and parade, as it was the first city celebration. The day opened with the usual round of salutes and ringing of bells. The public buildings were decorated with flags and bunting. Excursion boats brought 1,700 visitors from Edgartown and Nantucket, and hundreds of others came from surrounding towns. At 10 o'clock a procession was formed at the City Hall under the marshalship of Gen. James D. Thompson. The New Bedford Guards, Capt. Seth Russell, performed escort duty. In line were the entire city government, civil officers, Masons and Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, fire departments of New Bedford, Fair- haven, and Nantucket, and a cavalcade of citizens. The Citizens' Band furnished music. An oration was delivered by J. A. Kasson, in the North Christian Church. The festivities closed with a brilliant display of fireworks, attended by 10,000 people.

On May 18, 1848, occurred the Dudley Davenport fire, so-called, which destroyed about $30,000 worth of property. The fire com- menced at 10 o'clock in the evening, and was one of the fiercest ever ex - perienced in our history.

At this period there were thirty miles of streets in the settled portion of the city, twenty of which were graded, curbed and flagged. It is a fact worthy of record that but few cities in New England to-day are better provided with flagged sidewalks than New Bedford, and the atten- tion by the government to this feature in the early city life, did much

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

to accomplish this result. The important matter of sewerage also com- manded the attention of the officials at this time. Public sewers were constructed through portions of Union and Middle streets, in 1852 ; through School, Kempton and Spring streets, in 1853; William and Maxfield, in 1854; Hillman and Bush, in 1855 ; Merrimac, Kempton, Bedford, Third, and Sycamore, in 1857.

The Fourth of July, 1849, was celebrated with a grand procession, Timothy Ingraham, marshal. There was an oration by H. G. O. Colby, fireworks, and a torchlight procession of firemen.

The city was honored by the presence of Father Matthew, the great apostle of temperance, in September, 1849. Several hundred signers to the pledge were secured.

In the summer of 1849, the Asiatic cholera, that had been prevalent throughout the country, made its appearance in New Bedford. Several citizens died from the disease.

The New Bedford Horticultural Society, which was in a very flourish- ing condition, held an exhibition in the City Hall in September. James Arnold was president; Henry H. Crapo, chairman of committee on fruits ; Thomas A. Greene, chairman of committee on flowers.

Tuesday, August 6, 1850, was solemnized by funeral services in memory of Zachary Taylor, late president of the United States. A salute was fired by Boston artillery near the court- house, and an im- pressive service was held in the North Christian Church. A long and representative procession was formed at the City Hall at midday, under the direction of Gen. James. D. Thompson, Maj. George A. Bourne and Col. James H. Collins, acting as aids. These were assisted by Col. David Baker and twenty-one other citizens. The military, fire department, Masonic and civil societies took part. While the proces- sion was moved, minute guns were fired, and the bells sent out their solemn peals.

On the evening of July 21, 1852, a grand ratification meeting was held in the William Street Baptist Church, in celebration of a new liquor law. The edifice was crowded with the friends of temperance. Will- liam J. Rotch, mayor of the city, presided and made an impressive speech. The meeting was characterized by great enthusiasm, and reso- lutions were adopted.

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3º5

BURNING OF LIBERTY HALL.

March 3, 1853, the Free Public Library, located at 139 Union street, was thrown open to the public. An exhaustive account of this institu- tion will be found in a later chapter.

In 1854, on petition of 1,200 citizens, the " Point Road " was laid out and graded eighty feet wide, at a cost of about $50,000. It was subse- quently named French avenue, in honor of Rodney French, under whose administration this important pleasure drive was opened to the public. During the administration of Hon. George Howland, jr., in 1855, the approaches to this popular highway were much improved.

Horatio A Kempton's lumber yard fire occurred on the night of Oc- tober 18, 1854 November 9 the famous Liberty Hall building was- entirely destroyed. The Evening Standard of November 9, 1854, contained the following :

" At five o'clock this morning Liberty Hall building was discovered to be on fire. The fire department was immediately on the spot, but their efforts were unavailing to save the far-famed 'temple of liberty,' within whose hallowed walls freedom for all men has so frequently been proclaimed, and front whose tower the note of warning to the poor, trembling fugitive from oppression has so often sounded. At about seven o'clock the structure was destroyed. It had fretted away its short term of existence and witnessed: its last exhibition of impressive tragedy and mirth-provoking farce. The actors have positively made their last appearance. The fire caught from a lamp in a transparency in front of the restaurant, in the lower part of the building, that had been left burning all night. From thence the flames were communicated to the building, and thence ascended to the upper portion, between the wall and ceiling, and were consequently in- visible for some length of time. Being out of reach of water until it had gained strong headway, it was impossible, from the combustible character of the building and the scenery attached to the theater, to stay the progress of the flames. The occupants of the building were as follows: E. C. Leonard, carpet store; Bourne & Perry, shoe store ;. City liquor store ; Davis & Allen, merchant tailoring establishment ; Isaac Quinnell. restaurant ; Uncle Tom's Cabin, a restaurant of long standing, owned by Thomas T. Allen ; Charles E. Hawes, daguerrean rooms ; Mechanic, No. 6, club room ; telegraph office, Bennett R. Paine, operator. The Grotto restaurant, west of the building, and Eli Haskell's house, on the north, were repeatedly on fire, badly charred and scathed by the fiery element and drenched with water."

I have gathered from various sources some facts about this building which will prove interesting to the reader. The tract of land on which it was located (northwest corner of Purchase and William streets), was given by William Rotch, in 1795, to the First Congregational Church, and a building was erected during the years 1795-97 by Manasseh 39

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Kempton, jr., and Eastland Babcock. It was occupied by the society for public worship some time before its completion. It is said that one of the pew-holders was so anxious to occupy his pew on the following Sunday that he gave a carpenter a quart of brandy to saw open the pew door. This was, however, long before the Maine law was projected and while temperance movements were in their infancy.

The famous bell was purchased Feb. 18, 1796, of Capt Silas Jones, of Nantucket. The money, $255, was raised by subscription, the largest amount, $10, being given by Thomas Pope, and the next largest, $6, by a colored man named Aaron Childs. It was a bell of remarkable tone and clearness. In the November fire it was melted in the flames. The metal was gathered from the ruins, and several of our townsmen had tea bells and articles of ornament made from it, which are still held as valuable relics of the old liberty bell.

During the excitement that thrilled the nation following the passage of the infamous fugitive slave law, in 1851, and at the time Thomas Simms was arrested and sent back into slavery from Boston, a rumor became current in that city that the United States marshals were plan- ning to visit our little Quaker city by the sea in J. H. Pearson's brig Acorn, accompanied by United States Marines, to recover certain fugi- tive slaves that were supposed to be in hiding, awaiting transit to Can- ada by the underground railroad. The news was brought into town by S. P. Hanscom, the New Bedford express rider, who rode all night, arriving Sunday morning with the startling intelligence. It was not long before the warning notes of the Liberty Hall bell rang out and said in thunder tones to the affrighted colored people that their enemy was near. The immediate cause for the alarm was that a strange ves- sel was reported to be in the bay, and on this account Rodney French 1 ordered the bell to be rung. Some of our citizens will vividly remember the excitement that followed, for every one, especially the colored people, felt that real danger was at hand. No officers, however, made themselves known, and it is not certain whether they entered the city or not. One thing is sure, that the reported presence of the vessel was a mistake. The marshals would have assuredly met with a warm reception had they put in an appearance. This is but one of many in- teresting episodes that occurred during those days when it cost some-

1 Mr. French was an unswerving friend to the colored people.

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THE HOWLAND STREET RIOT.

thing to be an anti-slavery man. To illustrate the work going on in the interest of the slave during that eventful period, I quote the follow- ing from the Mercury, April 21, 1851 :

"EXTRADITION EXTRAORDINARY .- We are pleased to announce that a very large num- ber of fugitive slaves, aided by many of our most wealthy and respectable citizens, have left for Canada and parts unknown, and that more are in the way of departure. The utmost sympathy and liberality prevails toward this class of our inhabitants."

At the completion of the elegant stone church, corner of Union and Eighth streets, in 1838, the old building was sold and became "Liberty Hall," and was used for lectures, political meetings and entertainments. From time to time several additions were made to the building on the west end, and about 1846-47 stage and scenic properties were added. and the hall became the principal place for theatrical representations. It became chiefly noted as the place for lyceum lectures and for lectures by the distinguished advocates of the cause of the slave. The mere mention of the names of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Frederick Douglass, Stephen Foster, Theodore Parker, Parker Pills- bury, and Henry Ward Beecher will call up the recollection of an era in our history that was pregnant with the results affecting the extinction of slavery in the United States ; and it was in this hall that these ora- tors poured forth their torrents of eloquence, argument, and invective.

On the evening of April 19, 1856, occurred the celebrated How- land street riot, an event that must carry us back to the years 1826 and 1829, to find any parallel occurrence. It is somewhat remarkable that the conditions that brought about the riot were kindred to those of the two riots above mentioned. Our readers will remember in the descrip- tion of those events that we found certain sections of our town infested with a dangerous class of citizens, occupying dwellings that were moral pest-houses, and with surroundings that were detrimental to the dig- nity and good order of our community. In each case a murder had been the prime cause that brought into existence the organized mob In the riot we are now discussing we find a simple repetition of the same condition of things. So that we may have an intelligent knowl- edge of this affair, let us take a general survey of the place and the pe- culiar circumstances of the event.

Howland street is a short street in the south part of the city, run - ning east and west, parallel to and situated between Grinnell and Griffin

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

street, beginning at Acushnet avenue and running east to the river front. In the years gone by, and especially at the time of the riot, the eastern section was a noted resort for drunken sailors and evil-disposed persons. Nor was this confined to Howland street, for South Water and other intersecting streets partook of the generally bad reputation. They abounded in dance-halls, saloons, gambling dens, and brothels. When our ships came in from their long voyages, these abodes of in- iquity were in high carnival, fights and brawls were of frequent occur - rence, and it was dangerous to pass through this section after nightfall. It was no uncommon circumstance for persons to be knocked down and robbed. Matters grew steadily worse and more uncontrollable, when the climax was reached in a murder.

Early on a Sunday morning a man coming out of Benjamin Baker's fish market, then located at the foot of Howland street, discovered the the body of a man close to the water's edge. Supposing that he was drunk, he called the attention of the bystanders to the danger from the coming tide. What was their horror, on approaching the spot, to find the man dead ; an ugly wound on his head showed with certainty that he had been foully dealt with. The investigation that immediately fol- lowed, under the direction of William O. Russell, coroner, revealed several startling facts : that the man had been murdered; that a crushing blow on the top of the head was the immediate cause of death ; that the man had been seen in the house No. 17 Howland street the night before ; that the track of blood from the spot on the shore where the victim was found was traced in direct and unbroken line to this same house. All this was brought out clearly and positively ; but who did the deed, and under what circumstances, was never found out, at least by any official investigation. The name of the unfortunate man was Rogers, and he was a resident of the northwest section of the city.

Not long after this event, another body of a dead man was found in the "Long House," and though no bruises were found showing violence, it was deemed necessary to have an inquest. The body was removed to the boat builder's shop of R. C. Topham, where an investigation was held, but without any satisfactory results. My readers can easily un- derstand how intense the feeling became after two such tragedies.

A thrill of terror went through the community as these dreadful oc- currences became known, and they became the all-absorbing topic of

PURCHASE STREET IN 1856.

YOUNG MECHANIC NO. 6 RETURNING FROM A FIRE.

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THE HOWLAND STREET RIOT.

conversation. But few days elapsed after the fruitless investigations, when the preliminary arrangements were commenced which ended in a most complete organized mob. Several meetings were held in which the plans were matured. Triangular pieces of white paper pasted about the city gave the call to these gatherings. Whenever a red paper was posted it signified danger. The date selected for the demonstration was April 5, but the affair was postponed because of the delay of the en- gineers in moving the old hook and ladder truck to the Second street house. The new truck, built by Joseph Brownell & Co., was to be placed in the engine- house on Market street.

Let it be understood that the municipal authorities, with his honor, George Howland, jr., at the head, were not lax in their efforts to main- tain order ; indeed his administration was conspicuous for the vigorous enforcement of law

Just east of the house on the northeast corner of Howland and Second streets, was a small, two-story house, No. 17. It was here that the murdered man, Rogers, was last seen alive. The occupants of the house were of the worst class, and the place was noted for being one of the vilest on the street. Through an alleyway on the east of the house and in the rear directly northeast stood what was known as the Long House, a large building occupied by similar characters and used for kindred purposes. On these two houses centered the demonstra- tions of the mob.

Several weeks before the riot the streets were filled with rumors in regard to something that was going to happen. At first it was not even hinted where or when. Not many days elapsed, however, before "Jerry " was announced as having arrived in town. My information regading him and the organization of which he was the acknowledged head is one of the most reliable character, and the facts relating to the finding of the murdered man on the shore were told me by the very man who made the discovery.

One morning our citizens were greeted with bits of red paper, posted everywhere through the city, bearing the significant words: "Fire ! Fire ! On Howland street ! Paint your faces and look out for the police." This was an appeal to more than 300 members of the organization that time attack was to take place on the following Saturday night, April 19.

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

They met that evening on City Hall square, and, at an early hour, a party of rioters took the old truck from the Second street house, pro- ceeded to Howland street, and undertook to pull down the house, No. 17. Their efforts were unsuccessful, until about 9 o'clock, when a false alarm of fire was raised and brought the whole force and an immense crowd of people to the scene. The rioters now were in their greatest strength. They proceeded to the vicinity of the house, quickly stripped the carriage of the long hooks, and the work of demolition commenced. One of these hooks was thrust into the front window, another to the roof, and the house began to come down. The Long House in the rear was the first to be set on fire, though both were soon in flames and burning fiercely, while dense volumes of smoke filled the heavens. Jerry mounted the ridgepole of No. 17 and directed the operations.

A thrilling episode occurred when this building was entirely wrapped in smoke and flame. The roof fell in with a tremendous crash, carry- ing Jerry with it, and it was for some time supposed he had perished in the seething furnace. But he soon put in an appearance and continued to direct operations. The fire soon spread to the next building east, called the Block, but the damage here was slight. Any attempt on the part of the engines to play on either of the first two buildings was de- feated by cutting the leading hose. The fire department was promptly on hand, but its operations were distinguished by apparent stupidity and want of efficiency.

The Franklin, No. 10, was the first to arrive. Singular as it may seem, the engine stopped directly over the reservoir cover and not a man could find it. Nos. 5 and 6 came tearing through the streets, anx- ious, of course, each to beat the other in getting first water, shoved their suctions under No. 10, got water and played on-no, they didn't play on the fire, for the reason above stated. All the engines of the depart- ment were hindered from doing any service. The only instance where they were at all effective was in putting out the fire in the Block. The crowds of people were great, for the papers of the day mention the number as at least 3,000. The police were present, but were helpless in preventing the work of the mob; indeed the mischief had been ac- complished before they were present in any force.

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 29

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170