History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 36

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 36

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In April, 1869, the New Bedford Choral Association was organized, and began rehearsals in City Hall in preparation for the great Peace Jubilee held in Boston in the following June.

On the 8th of September, 1869, a destructive southeast gale swept over the city and vicinity. It began about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, increasing rapidly in force, and continued until about 7 o'clock. Por- tions of the County Street M. E. Church, and the balustrade on the roof

376

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

of the Evening Standard building were blown down; several buildings were unroofed, trees were uprooted, and general havoc wrought with fences throughout the city. In Fairhaven, the spire of the Congrega- tional Church was blown down. The most serious disasters, however, occurred on the river. The tide rose to. the level of the wharves,.and huge waves swept over them, carrying valuable merchandise into the water. Many of the vessels lying at the wharves were badly injured. The ship Syren broke from her moorings, went through the bridge- draw stern foremost, and was driven against Wilcox & Richmond's wharf, Brig Eliza Stevens ran afoul the revenue cutter and a schooner, both of which were badly damaged. Several other vessels were driven in collision with one another, resulting in considerable damage. A costly result of the gale was the destruction of the New Bedford and Fairhaven bridge. The whole force of the storm was spent upon it, and nearly all of the wood-work was soon floating up the river. The scene presented when the gale subsided was, in spite of the damage done, an interesting one. Many of the main avenues of the city were blockaded with fallen trees and broken fences, and were strewn with limbs and leaves. Chimneys were blown down from many of the buildings, and the débris deposited in the yards and on the sidewalks. On both sides of the river and on the island shores were the tempest- tossed ships, schooners, yachts, and boats, all more or less damaged and some of them dismasted.

One of the beneficent results of this September gale was the purchase of the franchise of the bridge corporation at a cost of $20,970,31, and the building of the new structure which, when finished in the fol- lowing June, was made a free bridge. A vigorous movement to have the draw widened was defeated. The entire cost of the bridge was about $45,000 Bridge square, formed by the continuation of Front street, was macadamized at a cost, including curbing and crossings, of $1,107,00.

It was in the winter of 1869 that the velocipede mania, which swept over the country, made its appearance in New Bedford.

One of the prominent features of the growth of manufactures in 1870 was the building of a new mill by the Wamsutta corporation, and the in- stallation of a Corliss engine, which was then the largest stationary engine

377

IMPORTANT EVENTS.

in the world. This was among the earliest manifestations of the growing interest by our capitalists in the cotton manufacture. On September 13 the New Bedford flour-mills were burned, with a loss of $100,000. They were rebuilt at once.

As has been shown in former pages, the temperance question has ever had a place in the local politics of the village, town, and city of New Bed- ford. It was at this period (1871) that the topic again entered into the discussions of the day, and the political contests resulting therefrom were distinguished for their energetic character.

In October, 1871, a meeting was held in aid of the sufferers from the great Chicago fire. In two weeks, $20,000 in money and clothing were sent to the devastated city.

Another step in the advance of cotton manufacture was taken in 1871, by the erection of the Potomska Mills.

The year 1872 saw the inauguration of horse railways in New Bed- ford. Since this time, as explained in later pages, the system has been greatly extended.

In 1873 the subject of a railroad to Fall River was agitated. An ex- cursion was made by a party of New Bedford capitalists on the 15th of May, to look over the ground and consider the feasibility of the enter- prise. In the same year the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad passed into the hands of the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg Company.

The small-pox, which has periodically visited this vicinity, made its appearance in South Dartmouth in November, 1873, and about fifty cases and several deaths followed.

On the 31st of August, 1874, the city was honored by the presence of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, who came from a visit to Cottage City and Nantucket. The party came up the bay on the steamer Monohansett, Capt. Charles H. Smith. This steamer had been Grant's dispatch boat on the Potomac during the civil war, and it was a happy circumstance that it could be used in conveying the distinguished general and his party in their excursions on this coast. The shipping in the harbor, many of the public buildings and private residences, and the main thoroughfares of the city were profusely decorated with flags. As the steamer came up the harbor and entered the river, the scene presented to the coming guests was one of rare beauty. It was a bright, sunny

378

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

day, and the river was filled with gaily decorated vessels, yachts, and boats; indeed, every kind of craft that would float seemed to have been brought out to do honor to the occasion. Peals from the signal guns of the yachts and salvos of artillery from the wharves greeted the Mono- hansett as she approached the wharf. Immense crowds of people filled the adjoining wharves and streets and lined the sidewalks. The New Bedford City Guards and the Schouler Guards performed escort duty for the procession to City Hall. Here Mayor Richmond made a speech of welcome that was briefly responded to by General Grant. A recep- tion was then held, during which hundreds of citizens were introduced. A dinner was served to the visitors at the Parker House.

The subject of annexing the town of Fairhaven was considered in February, 1874, a petition of the citizens of that town being presented to the city government. It was deemed inexpedient to take any action, as strong opposition to the project was developed. In June of this year the opening of the new steamship line to New York was celebrated by excursions down the bay in the new steamers, City of New Bedford and City of Fitchburg.

December 31, 1874, His Majesty Kalakua, king of Hawaian Islands, and his staff visited New Bedford. They were given a cordial recep- tion by the city authorities and citizens. The visitors were entertained at the Parker House. The following day the guests were -shown about the city, visiting the cotton-mills and other points of interest. At noon Mayor Richmond gave a reception at his home, and about a hundred shipmasters paid their respects to the royal party. At its close the visitors were escorted by the military to the City Hall where a public reception and banquet was given. Mayor Richmond welcomed the king and his suite in a cordial manner. The king bowed his acknowledg- ments and fitting responses were made in behalf of the king by Chief Justice Allen, and Governor Kapena of his staff.

Very important changes in the city charter were proposed in 1875, and several were adopted. The steady development of business and manufactures is indicated by the building of Wamusutta Mill No. 5, and the incorporation of the Citizens' National Bank. The Fall River Railroad was opened to travel December 15, of this year, and the event was celebrated by a banquet at the Parker House. There were pres-

379

FOURTH OF JULY, 1876.

ent many prominent people from Fall River. The New Bedford Rail- road extended its tracks and began running trains to the steamboat wharf in the spring of 1876. Several meetings were held during the year in the interest of a railroad to Middleboro.

The Fourth of July, 1876, was observed in this city with unusual cere- monies. March 13 Congress passed a resolution recommending " the people of the several States to assemble in their counties and towns on the approaching centennial anniversary of our national independence and that they cause to have delivered on that day an historic sketch of said county or town, from the date of its formation, and that copies of said sketch be filed in the clerk's office of said county and in the office of the librarian of Congress " In accordance with this suggestion the City Council appointed on April 6 a committee of arrangements and made an appropriation of $4,000. The elaborate plans were executed in a very satisfactory manner, and the celebration proved to be the most complete and enjoyable in the history of the city. The procession was made up in three divisions and included fine displays by the military and fire department, Grand Army posts, disabled veterans in carriages, cavalcade of truckmen, civil government, U. S. officers and invited guests. An interesting feature was the Centennial Battalion, consist- ing of the Centennial Guards and the Yankee Volunteers. The old- fashioned uniforms worn by this body mingled in pleasant contrast with those of the modern military organizations. The parade was one of the finest features of the day and was fully worthy of the occasion. Base ball games, a regatta, a balloon ascension, and the fireworks were all successful and gave great pleasure to the multitude. The exercises in Liberty Hall at midday were of a very interesting character. The preliminary services consisted of a prayer by Rev. O. A. Roberts, the singing by a quartette (Messrs. Wood, Littlefield, Tinkham, and Mor. ton) of a patriotic hymn, "The flag that's waved an hundred years," and an original hymn composed by James B. Congdon. The historical address was delivered by Hon. William W. Crapo. It covered the entire period of time from the settlement of the township of Dartmouth, in 1664, and vividly portrayed the leading events that characterized our local history. The address closed with the following eloquent pas - sages :

380

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

".Beautiful, indeed, for situation, is this city of New Bedford. Few places are there on this continent, or elsewhere, which so well unite the institutions, benefits and ad- vantages of the city with the freshness and simplicity of rural life. Lying between green pastures, on the one hand, and the still waters of the river on the other, fronting upon this bay which is as charming as the Bay of Naples, and rising with the elevation of conscious pride from its shores, its physical condition and position are delightful be- yond exception. We rejoice to observe and remember that those who have shaped its ontward fortunes have been studious to make it attractive and healthful, as the home of a cultured and enlightened people. Its well-made and well-kept avennes and streets, shaded by long lines of trees which our fathers have planted; its complete and cleanly drainage, which the incoming and outgoing tides make perfect and efficient ; its abund- ant and pure water distributed and available for all the purposes of domestic, mechanical, and protecting use ; its trained, alert, and electric fire department; its well diffused sys- tem for gas lighting; its schools, its churches and chapels, and bethel; its hospital, its home for orphans, its many union of hearts and hands for good works; its comfortable and pleasant homes after the best methods of New England life, combine to make this municipality worthy our best affections, and of our constant effort for its prosperity and peace.

" We celebrate to-day the centennial birthday of our independent national existence. The republic was horn aroid the smoke and fire of battle, and at the cost of the blood of patriots. It achieved its place among the nations of the earth through the grim desola- tion and prolonged sacrifices of war, and, ordained of God. it entered upon its destiny as a government of liberty and free institutions. It has survived the perils of outward violence, and the wild storms and bloody conflict of internal strife. It has grown from three millions of people to forty-four millions ; from a few scattered colonies it has be- come an empire reaching from ocean to ocean, and bounded on the one hand by perpet- ual snows, and on the other by perpetual verdure.

" We remember with pride the sacrifices and the self-denial of the men of Bedford in 1776, and the losses sustained and grevions burdens borne by them in the War of the Rev- olution. A feeling of deep sadness mingles with the pride with which we recall the noble army which New Bedford sent to the War of the Rebellion, and many of ns will carry to our graves a heavy sense of loss and grief for those who never came hack to us.

" The son of New Bedford who one lindred years hence may review the history of his city, will with proud satisfaction dwell upon the loyalty of this people and the con- tributions made by them in men and money for the preservation of the Union. The Roll of Honor bears the names of 3,200 men furnished by New Bedford to the army and navy, being 1,110 more than her quota under all the calls made upon her. Some of those names will never disappear from our history, for they gave their lives in patriotic devotion to their country. RODMAN, HOWLAND, BROWN, ALMY, and many others, born and reared upon our soil, are enrolled among the martyrs who died that our flag might still wave a symbol of freedom and the equal rights of all mankind.

" The memory of the heroism and the patriotic devotion of those who struggled for our independence, and of those who gallantly contended for the preservation of the na- tional union, stirs our blood and arouses our emulation. We remember the brave men

381

INCIDENTS OF INTEREST.

who would not be trampled on by tyranny, and the loyal men who suffered to perpetu- ate free institutions. We cannot forget the record, and we ought not to forget it. It inspires us with faithfulness and determination to meet the needs and requirements of the coming age; it stimulates us to labor strenuously for the highest welfare of our country, believing that America holds in trust the destinies of the world. We are de- scended from a noble ancestry. We are proud of their achievements, and their history incites us to effort. Our birthright, this inheritance of the principles and sentiments which have made the republic great, imposes upon us grave responsibilities."

In October, 1876, the whaling industry sustained a severe blow in the loss of twelve ships in the Arctic Ocean. The details of this unfortu- nate affair are given in the chapter on the whale fishery.

The years 1876 and 1877 were notable in the growth and develop- ment of the city. A large number of streets were opened, many new buildings were erected, and general prosperity characterized all business enterprise. The only exception to this tide of progress was a strike of the employees of the Wamsutta Mills. The differences were at last re- moved, and work was resumed May 1, 1877. The strike proved to be a disastrous one to all concerned; but its lessons of bitter experience afforded some compensation, for no strike of equal magnitude has since occurred in this community. Potomska Mill No. 2 was built in 1877, and local prosperity continued in spite of the general financial depression of this period.

On the 12th of October, 1878, a severe gale blew down several sheds and many trees and fences, and a number of boats in the harbor were destroyed. It was the most severe gale since that of 1869. The bark Sarah sailed that morning on a whaling voyage and when about forty miles off Block Island, she was carried down in the gale and was lost.

On the 17th of December, a public meeting was held, at which the project of erecting a new opera house was for the first time considered.

Early in January, 1879, the railroad passed under the control of the Old Colony corporation.

Of the history of New Bedford during the last decade there is noth- ing to record but a few features and incidents, all of which indicate the most encouraging prospect of future growth and prosperity. These may be summarized as follows :

The Pairpoint Manufacturing Company began business in 1880, and the following year added a second building to their plant.

382

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

In 1881 the Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company was organ- ized, and the telephone was introduced into the city. In July, the New Bedford Co-operative Bank was organized.

In 1882 the Acushnet Mills Corporation was organized, and a mill was built in the following year. The Grinnell Manufacturing Company and the Oneko woolen-mills were incorporated. The city made many important street extensions during this year.

The year 1884 saw the organization of the New Bedford Manufactur- ing Company, and their mill was erected in the same year. The New Bedford Board of Trade was organized in March.

In 1885 the city made extensive street improvements and new sewers, the most important of the latter being that in North street west of Cedar, which abated a long-existing nuisance in that part of the city. A special appropriation was made also for the further improvement of the Point road.

The Edison Illuminating Company located a plant here in 1886, and began supplying light and power in July of the same year.

In 1887 the New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Company was in- corporated. The city purchased a tract of land and erected city stables, and the Oak Grove Cemetery was enlarged, in this year.

In 1888 the Hathaway Manufacturing Company was organized (in December), and their mill was erected in 1889. In April, 1888, the City Manufacturing Company was organized, and a mill was begun in December. The Howland Mills were also established in this year. The New Bedford Clearing House was established on the Ist of Sep - tember.

The year 1889 saw the organization of the Bennett Manufacturing Company, and the beginning of the erection of the first mill; the sec- ond followed soon afterwards. The Acushnet Co-operative Bank was organized on the 15th of November. All the foregoing institutions are described in detail in subsequent chapters of this work.

The foregoing pages of this chapter, giving brief annals of the more important events and proceedings in the city's growth during the past twenty- five years, show that it has been a period of rapid transition from its former conditions to the formation of one of the important manufacturing centers of the Commonwealth. This period has wit-

383

NECROLOGY.

nessed, as has been observed, the introduction of modern ideas into the city government; modern methods of transportation ; improved con- struction of streets ; modern facilities for lighting; and many other improvements that go to constitute a progressive American city. New Bedford is becoming important also as a summer resort and especially as a gateway to several beautiful and popular seaside homes. The Mattapoisett shores, Onset and its beautiful bay, the Buzzards Bay shores, Wood's Holl, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket are attracting every year larger numbers of those who are learning the value and profit of leaving their cares for a time; and many of these people visit New Bedford. The resident of the New Bedford of modern days is in all re- spects to be congratulated on the bright prospects of his home.

In continuation of lists in preceding pages, the following is a partial record of names of prominent citizens, with the years of their death. Many names that would otherwise appear herein, are included in the succeeding chapters on various topics, and in the later biographical de- partment of the work :

1841 .- Joseph Dunbar.

1849 .- Jireh Perry.

1850 .- Cornelius Grinnell.

1851 .- Benjamin Congdon.

1852 .- Roland R. Crocker, Dudley Davenport, George Howland.

1853 .- John Coggeshall, Job Eddy, John A. Parker, Mark B. Palmer.

1854 .- Jethro Hillman.

1855 .- Charles Grinnell.

1857 .- Joseph Congdon, John C. Haskell, Jireh Swift, Frederick Parker.

1858 .- Asa R. Nye, Paul Kempton.

1859 .- Robert Ingraham, William Hussey, Charles Haffords, Hervey Sullings, John Perkins.

1860 .- Ezra S. Kempton, Joseph Davis, Rev. Asa Kent, Humphrey Nye, Leonard Macomber, Calvin Staples.

1861 .- Charles W. Morgan, Elisha W. Kempton, Benjamin Tucker, Hayden Coggeshall, James Howland 2d, Benjamin R. Almy.

1862 .- Andrew Robeson, Job Shaw, Franklin Tobey, Stephen Taber, Isaac C. Taber, Stephen N. Potter, Henry C. Kelley, John Hunt.

384

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

1863 .- Rev. Nathan Paine, Bethuel Penniman, Ephraim Kempton, George M. Eddy, Henry Cannon, Benjamin Cummings.

1864 .- Capt. Latham Cross, J. B. King, Robert Bennett, Nathaniel Perry, Clothier Pierce, Dr. Aaron Cornish, Tucker Damon, A. Sydney Howland.

1865 .- Cornelius Howland, George G. Chase, Philip Cannon, Edward Mott Robinson, Willard Nye, Southward Potter, J. H. W. Page, Dr. Lyman Bartlett, Thomas Bennett.

1866 .- James Cannon, Warren Delano, William Gifford, Eli Haskell, Rev. Sylvester Holmes, Timothy R. Cushman, Rev. Timothy Stowe, William Whippey, Joseph R. Shiverick.

1867 .-- Zachariah Hillman, Rev. Benjamin K. Sayer, Capt. Barton Ricketson, Paul Ewer, William G. Gordon, Alex. Gibbs, Thomas A. Green, Rev. John Girdwood, Benjamin B. Howard, Abraham H. How- land, Obed Sherman.

1868 .- Henry P. Willis, Joseph Wilcox, Andreas Thorup, Samuel Leonard, Rev. Wheelock Craig, Kelley S. Eldridge, George Hussy, Capt. Arthur Cox, Philip Menage, James H. Mendall.

1869 .- Jacob L. Porter, Nathaniel Nye, Nehemiah Leonard, Lemuel Williams, Joshua C. Stone, Capt. Abraham Gardner, Francis S. Hath- away.

1870 -Cephas Cobb, Rodman Howland, Borden Wood, Ezekiel Sawin.

1871 .- Jacob Parker, Gideon Richmond, Loum Snow, Pardon Til- linghast, William A. Dana, Isaac Case, John Goodspeed, William Cranston, Abraham Barker, Ivory H. Bartlett.

1872 .- William Cummings, Nathan Durfee, George Hussey, jr., John M. Hathaway, William Beetle, William T. Russell, James A. Tripp, William A. Robinson, Martin Pierce, Allen Lucas, Zenas Whitte- more, James B. Wood, Benj. Rider, Tilson Wood, William Penn How- land.

1873 .- Thomas B. White, Daniel Wood, Benjamin Rider, Pardon Potter, James Harper, Sherman White, Abraham Delano, Joseph C. Grinnell, Isaac D. Hall, John Briggs.

1874 .- Jabez Delano, Elijah H. Chisholm, Jonathan P. Lund, James Rider, Andrew Robeson, jr., Caleb T. Sullivan, Capt. F. A. Stall.

385

NECROLOGY.

1875 .- Gideon Nye, Cuffee Lawton, Caleb Anthony, James H. Col- lins, Edmund Gardner.

1876 .- Joseph Knowles, Marsena Washburn, Robert Earle, William C. Taber, Benjamin Rodman, Samuel Rodman, Joseph S. Tillinghast, Edmund Maxfield, Simpson Hart.

1877 .-- Rufus Sherman, Thomas Knowles.

1878 .- Thomas S. Hathaway, Gideon Allen, David Wood, Dennis Wood, Obed Nye, Edward L. Baker, Charles Hitch.

1879 .- H. G. Ricketson, W. H. Reynard, Elias Sampson, Hiram Webb, Elisha Thornton, jr., Samuel Watson, Edward W. Howland, Henry T. Leonard, Samuel Watson, Joseph Brownell, David R. Greene.

1880 .- Nathan Johnson, Walter Spooner, Elisha Haskell, Charles M. Pierce, William H. Taylor, James B. Congdon, William G. Blackler, Edward C. Jones, Wright Brownell, Otis Seabury, Henry F. Thomas.

1881 .-- C. L. Wood, Rev. Moses How, W. H. Jenney, Ward M. Parker. 1882 .-- Andrew Craigie, Thomas Nye, jr., Jonathan Howland, Stephen G. Driscoll, Joseph Tabor, Caleb Kempton.

1883 .-- Henry T. Wood, Daniel Thornton, Joshua Richmond, John A. Hawes, William H. Allen, Frederick P. Shaw, John H. Perry.

1884 .-- Matthew Howland, James Howland, Edward Merrill, Amasa Whitney.

1885 .- Horatio A. Kempton, Abraham Russell, Benjamin Russell, W. A. Wall, Joseph Grinnell, William Hathaway, Alfred Kempton.

1886 .- Joseph C. Delano, William Phillips, W. C. Tobin, Oliver Swain, Benjamin Pitman.

1887 .- William Tallman, jr., A. H. Howland, jr., Charles Taber.

1888 .- Seth K. Aikin, William Ingalls, Henry R. Wilcox, Ambrose Vincent, Cyrus W. Chapman, Alanson Williston, Niles Tilden, Lemuel Kollock, Dr. Charles Swasey, Timothy D. Cook, Benjamin F. Howland.

1889 .-- R. C. Topham, Rev. James D. Butler, Joseph W. Cornell, Elisha Dunbar, Joseph Tillinghast, David B. Wilcox, Thomas Cogge- shall, Henry J. Taylor.

1890 .- Thomas Cook, Nathaniel Gilbert, Josiah Holmes, jr., Col. A. D. Hatch, Charles P. Seabury, Charles Tucker, B. F. H. Reed, Oliver Prescott.

1891 .- Thomas Durfee, Thomas M. James, Robert C. Pitman.

386

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

The following table shows the growth of population in New Bedford and its vicinity, from the year 1790 to the present time :

New Bedford.

Fairhaven.

New Bedford. 22,300

Fairhaven.

Acushnet.

1790

3,313

1860.

3,118

1,387

1800

4,361

1865.

20,853

2,547

1,251

1810

5,651

1870.

21,320

2,626

1,132

1820

3,947

2,733

1875.

25,895

2,768

1,059

1830

7,592

3,034

1880.

26,845

2,875

1,105

1840

12,087

3,951

1885 33,393

2,880

1,071

1850

16,443

4,304

1890

40,733

1855

20,389

4,693

Probable population of New Bedford in 1891, 45,000.

CITY OFFICERS - 1847-1891.

1847 .- Mayor, Abraham H. Howland. Aldermen, John Avery Parker, Thomas B. White, Ivory H. Bartlett, William H. Taylor, James B. Wood, Edward W. Howland.

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 36

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