USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 18
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MAZEPPA
MAZEPPA ENGINE I, AFTERWARD MAZEPPA 17.
The Mechanics Bank was in business corner of Turnpike and Division Streets, with James W. Converse as president and Alvan Simonds, cashier The South Mutual Fire Insurance Company, incor- porated in 1845, had an office in Barker's Building, on the Turnpike.
St. Paul's Lodge of Free Masons held meetings in Masonic Hall ; the Bethesda Lodge of Odd Fellows met in Mt. Washington Hall, and the Mattapan Literary Association held frequent meetings.
Joseph Smith was president of the hustling Democratic Associa- tion. and also president of the South Boston Lyceum. William B. Kennedy was at the head of the South Boston Total Abstinence Society, and there were many other organizations, though of less importance.
The Broadway Bank commenced business December, 1853, in a building at the foot of Broadway, with Seth Adams as president and Henry H. White, treasurer.
Prior to 1850 there had been two or three attempts made to publish a newspaper in the district, but one after the other met with failure.
In 1847 Messrs. Wright and Hasty determined to start a paper that would be, as near as possible, satisfactory to every one, and they hoped thereby to win public favor. It was called the South Boston Gazette. It was a small paper, scarcely a foot square. It met with success, and in a few years the size was enlarged. The paper was printed in an office on Water Street, Boston, and during the early fifties had a good circulation. The name was changed to South Boston Gazette and Dor- chester Chronicle, and, after that had a varying career until 1856, when it was discontinued.
182
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Mr Albert J. Wright had, in 1855, severed his connection with the Gazette and started another paper, the Mercury, but that lived less than a year.
In 1859 Mr. E. F. Barrett changed the Mattapan Register to the South Boston Register and continued until 1863.
No other attempt to publish a newspaper was made until several years afterward.
A hurried glance through the files of the South Boston Gazette for 1851-52, give some idea of the happenings in South Boston during that time.
Regular Democratic headquarters were open every evening, corner of Broadway and B Street, where Spelman hall is now. Thus, for more than half a century, this hall has been a political rendezvous.
The Hawes' free evening school had classes averaging 200.
Richardson's bath-house, corner of C Street and Broadway, was the only place in the district to indulge in this necessary pleasure. Officer Sleeper was the sole policeman west of Dorchester Street, and Justice Merrill passed sentence on the prisoners that Mr. Sleeper brought before him.
A strong effort was made by the people for a street or avenue, over a bridge, to be built from the foot of Summer Street to near the City Lands, and Gov. Boutwell was roundly denounced for vetoing a measure tending in that direction.
John Souther, one of the leading manufacturers of the district, was given a banquet by his employees of the Globe Works, October 30, 1851. Col. Hunting, of South Boston, was Superintendent of Streets. Isaac Adams, Theophilus Jenkins, Caleb Gill, Joseph Boylston, George B. Proctor, Charles Brady and E. H. Brainerd were leading Democrats of the time and made a strong effort for a secret ballot and created much excitement when it was learned that workingmen, in some of the foundries, were intimidated.
In January, 1852, the Superintendent of Streets reported that $42,000 had been spent for paving and "similar good work" in South Boston, and $11,000 for building a sea wall and grading First Street. Alderman Benjamin James was a prominent man in the city govern- ment and did excellent work for his district.
January 31, 1852, was chronicled the death, by accident, of Noah Brooks, one of the leading men of South Boston, but who had a short time previously moved to Dorchester. While driving along the Turn- pike his horse sheered from a pile of lumber, throwing Mr. Brooks, whose head struck a post, killing him. This occasioned great sorrow in South Boston.
The thirty largest taxpayers in the district, in 1852, were Hall J. How heirs, Boston Wharf Co., South Boston Iron Co., Cyrus Alger, Massachusetts Iron Company, John P. Monks, Fulton Iron Company, Samuel S. Perkins, Josiah Dunham, Luther Felton & Son, Ezra Baker
183
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
& Morrill, Suffolk Lead Works, Thomas Cains, Samuel G. Howe, Seth Adams, Jabez Coney, George Brinley, Luther Felton, Samuel Leeds, Elisha Goodnow. Joshua Jenkins, Francis J. Oliver, South Boston Association, Samuel Leeds & Others, Isaac Adams, Francis Alger, Isaac & Seth Adams & Company, Caleb Thurston, Henry W. Fletcher and Charles Hood.
In June, 1852, Telegraph Hill, now known as Thomas Park, was purchased by the city and reserved for a public park.
The effort to secure a bridge across from the foot of Summer Street to a point near the City Lands, was not successful during this period. Nearly fifty years afterward, through renewed agitation, the L Street Bridge was built, which, with the Congress Street Bridge, previously constructed, provided the avenue for which the people of 1850 were seeking.
To the Shade Tree Society, organized March 23, 1853, is probably due a great deal of the credit for planting many of the magnificent trees that still beautify the district, particularly on K Street, Broadway, G Street and Fourth Street. Nearly a thousand trees were planted in the few years of the society's existence.
Washington Village, until March 4, 1850, known as Little Neck, was annexed to Boston, as a part of South Boston, in May, IS55. After the annexation of South Boston, in 1804, that portion between Eighth Street and Savin Hill was but sparsely settled, in fact there were but very few houses. Gradually, like in other sections, the houses increased in numbers, and by 1850 there was quite a little village.
Being quite remote from Dorchester and having no connection with the municipality of Boston, the residents of Washington Village petitioned, in 1855, to be annexed to Boston, and their petition was granted. There were then 1,300 inhabitants and the territory extended almost to where is now Five Corners.
Bay View was the name given to a neat little village at old Powow Point, between K and L Streets. It had a large number of fine dwell- ings, and its citizens were noted for their neighborly feeling and their endeavors for each others benefit.
Just previous to 1860, and for many years thereafter, there was a continual exodus of inhabitants from Fort Hill to South Boston. Many of these people settled in the SS. Peter and Paul's parish, but as the numbers still increased, and the houses went up, further along in the district, St. Vincent's Catholic church, formerly the Purchase Street church, was removed, stone by stone, to the corner of E and Third Streets, and dedicated in 1874.
While waiting for the completion of the St. Vincent's church, Catholic services were held in the hall corner of Broadway and C Street, in the church formerly occupied by the Baptists.
Previous to 1850 the delivery of mail in South Boston was con- ducted in rather a crude manner. Thomas Spinney was one of the
184
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
first to bring the letters from the central office in the city and deliver them in South Boston and he was succeeded by a Mr. Hunting.
F - In 1850 Mr. Caleb Gill was sub-postmaster and he had charge of the delivery and collection of mails in the district. At first his office was at the corner of Broadway and B Street, but he soon removed to
BIGELOW SCHOOL. 1850,
Broadway and C Streets, and the mail was brought from the city by the South Boston Omnibus company.
William G. Bird was probably the first letter carrier in the district, being employed by Mr. Gill. His duty was to deliver letters below C Street, during the morning, and above C Street in the afternoon.
OLD LAWRENCE SCHOOL, 1860,
South Boston's old resi- dents well remember the three famous stores that were then on Broadway, near C
Street - Hill, Gill and Still were the three proprietors, and the similarity of the latter portion of their names was the occasion of much merriment. Thomas Hill was a hardware merchant, Caleb Gill in charge of the mail and also a book- seller and stationer, and Mr. Still kept a candy store.
The location of the post office has changed many times since then. During the regimes of William F. Clerke and John H. Giblin particu- larly, the service grew most rapidly, and there was no cause for complaint among the citizens.
185
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, occasioned much activity in South Boston, and the foundries, especially Algers', did a big business, working night and day.
The Civil War, however, was the cause of a big falling off in the value of property, and many were the house lots and dwellings pur- chased during that time. After the war prices improved, business was good, and many new business blocks were erected.
There was but one new church added to South Boston's houses of worship between 1850 and 1870, and that was the Gate of Heaven Church, corner of I and Fourth Streets. It was dedicated March 19, IS63.
{
OLD SOUTH BOSTON BUILDINGS NOW STANDING.
Enrgr: House |1845 .
Pa 'Holmes Corner South Boston Hotel (1805).
Blake House Broadway and P Street. (Now Francis E. Park Residence )
Through the munificence of Andrew Carney, the Carney Hospital was established in 1863, and the first patient was received June 9 of that year. Mr. Carney, aware of the absolute need of an institution of the kind, purchased the land where the hospital now stands and gave it to the Sisters of Charity. The estate was what was the old Hall J. How property and the institution has quickly grown in size and usefulness.
In 1864 the present Episcopal Church Home, corner of Broadway, Fourth and N Streets was introduced into this district, having pre- viously had various locations in the city. From that time, up to the present, hundreds of orphans and homeless children have been cared for, and prepared for the battle of life.
186
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The fact that South Boston was rapidly growing and that that portion of the city between what is now Pleasant and Boylston Streets was becoming more important, occasioned the necessity for still another bridge between the two places. It required many years of agitation, but finally the people were successful, and plans for the present Broadway bridge were made. It was not until several years afterward, however, that the bridge was built. The grade of lower Broadway and that portion of Dorchester Avenue had to be changed, elevated from one to five feet, and all the adjacent territory filled in accordingly.
During this very important period, 1850 to 1870, the ever in- creasing population created a demand for more schools and five of them were established. They were the Bigelow, corner of Fourth and E Streets, dedicated May 2, 1850; the Lawrence, corner of Third and B Streets, dedicated March 17, 1857 ; the Lincoln on East Broadway, between I and K Streets, dedicated Sept. 17, 1859; the Norcross, corner of D and Fifth Streets, in 1868, and the Shurtleff, on Dorches- ter Street, in 1869.
Of the private schools at this time there were two above Dorches- ter Street, that of Rev. Dr. E. M. Wells on Fourth Street, and that of Rev. Dr. J. H. Clinch on Broadway near G Street. There was another private school, largely attended, in charge of Mr. Lawrence Egan, and located on Broadway exactly midway between A and B Streets. Miss Mary Baxter, of a well-known South Boston family, also conducted a private school for young women on E Street, between Broadway and Silver Street.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE CIVIL WAR.
Young men eager to enlist - Tremendous excitement - Pulaski Guards - First Massa- chusetts Regiment - Start made for the seat of war- Engagements in which the organization participated - Recapitulation of the regiment - Roster of Company E (Pulaski Guards) - Lincoln Guards - Events at home.
A BOUT two hundred of South Boston's young men - young because the oldest was about thirty-five years of age, and there were many eighteen, nineteen and twenty years, -left their homes, their business and their loved ones, in 1861, and fought for their country, believing firmly that the grand old Republic should be such in every particular and that every one had equal rights and should enjoy life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness.
The attack on Fort Sumter, as every schoolboy knows, was the first serious event of the Civil War. April 11, 1861, Major Robert Anderson, who commanded the fort, refused the command of the Con- federate general, P. T. Beauregard, to evacuate, and, accordingly, at 4.30 on the morning of April 12, the first gun was fired from a Con- federate battery, and, after thirty-four hours' fighting, the fort was reduced to ruins and the occupants obliged to capitulate.
This assault stirred the hearts of all true Americans, and, as their forefathers were up in arms when British tyranny sought to unjustly impose taxes on the country, so they quickly prepared to leave their homes and go to the front to defend the country from the danger that threatened it.
In South Boston there was tremendous excitement. The popula- tion of the district was nearly 25,000, and there were many true and loyal citizens. Although thoroughly enjoying the comforts of home, generally prosperous in business, with every opportunity to enjoy life, they were ready to sacrifice all to enter the service of their country. Up and down Broadway they paraded, carrying banners announcing that they were ready to enlist for " three, five or fifteen years."
The most prominent military organization in South Boston was the Pulaski Guards, chartered in 1836, a company that had drilled frequently and had been to muster annually. Their headquarters at first was in the building corner of C Street and Broadway, a one story wooden structure, still standing, but with several stores beneath it. In a field in the rear of headquarters they drilled.
This organization joined the First Regiment, Col. Robert Cowdin,
188
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
and were known as Company E. The other nine companies were from Brookline, East Boston, two from Roxbury, Chelsea, and four from Boston. The services of the regiment were immediately offered to Gov. Andrew by Col. Cowdin.
When the War Department, May 8, called for volunteers for three years, the First Regiment immediately and unanimously responded. It was the first regiment to leave the state for three years' service, and, it is said, was the first three-years' regiment in the service of the United States.
May 25, the companies were mustered into service. The men of Company E met in Lyceum hall, corner of E Street and Broadway, and marched to Faneuil Hall, the headquarters of the regiment until June 1. They then marched to Cambridge, took possession of an old ice house on the borders of Fresh Pond, where they re- mained until the afternoon of June 15, when they were marched to Boston Common and then to LYCEUM HALL, 1848 the Boston & Providence Rail- road. Here a handsome national banner was presented to the regi- ment. At nine o'clock in the evening, after repeated cheers, WALTER H. TILDEN the train moved out, bearing the soldiers away to war, many of them, alas, never to return.
Through New York, Phila- delphia and Baltimore, the regi- ments went, and met with big receptions, especially when it reached Washington. There they LYCEUM HALL, BROADWAY AND E STREET. From this hall the Pulaski Guards (Co. E, Ist Regiment) started for the War. remained until the afternoon of July 16, when, with the Second and Third Michigan and the Twelfth New York Regiments, constituting Col. Richardson's brigade, they crossed into Virginia, over Chain Bridge, and commenced the march toward Vienna.
During 1861 the regiment was in the battle of Blackburn's Ford, which, however, was little more than a skirmish, and then it was in the first battle of Bull Run. In the siege of Yorktown, and the battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1862, the regiment did good service, following it up with a participation in the battle of Seven Oaks, or Fair Oaks, May 31 and June I.
Other engagements in which the regiment participated were
1 89
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing and Warrenton Junction, the Second Bull Run and Chantilly, Va., battle of Fredericksburg, and the battle of Chancellorsville. Va., where Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded, May 2, 1863, by one of the First Regiment's men. This regiment was in the thick of the terrible battle of Gettysburg, July 2 and 3, 1863, where several men were lost.
At Glendale, Kettle Run and Locust Grove, in 1863, the regiment did excellent service and its last fighting was at the battle of the Wil- derness, May 6, 1864, and the battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse, May 10. 1864.
May 20, at II p. m. the colonel of the regiment received orders to report to the superintendent of the recruiting service at Boston to be mustered out.
May 25, 1864, arriving in Boston, there was an elegant reception accorded the regiment. It was gratifying to them to receive the splendid and enthusiastic welcome that greeted them everywhere in Boston.
The regiment was furloughed for two days, to visit their homes and prepare the proper muster rolls. They reassembled on the morning of the 28th and were mustered out of service by Captain Norton, 14th U. S. infantry.
Appended is a recapitulation of the number of men attached to the regiment during the term of service :
Whole number .
1629
Discharged for disability, caused by wounds, etc. .
643
Killed and died of wounds 171
Missing
2
Transferred
I16
Deserted
160
Mustered out May 28
537 1629
Two members of Company K, of a mathematical turn of mind, figured out the distance travelled by the First Regiment, from June I, 1861, to May 25, 1864, and it was found to be 3,312 miles, of which 1,263 was on foot, 1,325 by railroad, and 724 miles by transport.
Interesting to South Boston people may be the names of its citi- zens who belonged to the Pulaski Guards, and, through the courtesy of William G. Bird, who was a member, and, at the present time secre- tary of the First Regiment Association, the writer is enabled to give the list.
Robert Cowdin of Boston was colonel of the regiment, having been commissioned May 22, 1861. He was Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Oct. 1, 1862, having been mustered out as colonel, Sept. 30, 1862.
190
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Clark B. Baldwin was Captain of the company. He was commis- sioned a Lieutenant-Colonel, Sept. 8, 1862. George H. Johnston was First Lieutenant, and was commissioned Asst. Adjt .- Gen. of Volunteers, May 12, 1862. Miles Farwell was Second Lieutenant, and was com- missioned First Lieutenant, May 13, 1862. Thomas Strangman was the First Sergeant, and the other Sergeants were Hugh Cummings, George T. Baldwin, son of the captain of the company, Francis Duffy, Joseph C. Riley.
Company E was largely made up of South Boston men.
ROSTER.
Alexander, Benjamin D.
Derby, Samuel.
Allen, Lorenzo L.
Dillaway, George E.
Bagley, George F.
Dodge, Joseph W.
Bagley, Perkins H. Enlisted at 16, now in California,
Edwards, Samuel
Bailey, Charles.
Elms, Cornelius.
Barney, Charles H.
Elms, George W.
Bassett, Samuel.
Elms, Rollin L. M.
Bates, Thomas E. Drummer boy, enlisted at 18.
Emerson, Moses C.
Baxter, George O. Killed at Fair Oaks, Va.
Farnham, Albert A. Died in Andersonville, Nov. 15, 1863. Fleming, James.
Blake, Horace O. Corpora!, killed at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863.
Brown, Horace F.
Burditt, Charles E.
Burditt, George W.
Brother of Charles, killed at Williamsburg,- shot while jumping from a tree, May 3, I862.
Campbell, Thomas W.
Cantwell, Robert.
Carey, Edward.
Chadwick, Samuel S. Died in Andersonville.
Howe, John B.
Clapp, James S. Clark, Charles.
Johnson, William B.
Clark, William H.
Jones, Charles A.
Closson, Edward P.
Cox, Samuel H. Craig, Charles H.
Kane, Richard W. Kelren, William B. Killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Kelly, Michael A.
Kenney, Robert.
Kettell, Fred K. S. Died of wounds at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
Kirkland, Robert.
Lakin, James A.
Afterwards on Gov. Greenhalge's staff
Craig, John S. Brother of Charles. Crooker, George H.
Cummings, Thomas. Dalton, George W.
Danforth, George D. Demery, Richard.
Herman, Charles.
Herman, Conrad. Father of Charles.
Holmes, William.
Champney, William L.
Gaskins, William B. Killed at Fair Oaks
Gill, Henry W.
Goodrich, Samuel A.
Hartford, George W.
Haynes, Daniel B., Jr.
Bird, William G.
Emery, John A.
Berry, Charles O.
Fuller, William H.
Howe, Michael.
Ingalls, George F.
Duffield, John.
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
191
Lanigan, William H. Larrabee. John S. Leahy, John.
Smith, Alfred W. Smith, Amasa G.
Went out as a wagoner; reported missing.
Smith, Joseph A.
Stephens, William A.
McKenna, Alfred.
Swain, John P.
Moulton, Samuel.
Tanner, Ferdinand W.
Munroe, George S.
Tighe, James T.
Munroe. William.
Myrick, George.
Neale, John.
Whitman, Edward P.
Niel Charles H.
Pearce. Albert.
Potter, Edward.
Potter, John F.
Killed at Glendale, June 30, 1862 ; was the only support of his mother, and determined to go to the front. Whittier, Napoleon B.
Whittier, Reuben S.
----
PULASKI GUARDS' UNIFORM. (Wiliam G. Bird.)
Proctor, Benjamin.
Ransom. James.
Riley, Joseph C.
Sackett, Moses.
Severance, Orrin.
Shackford, William B.
Willey, Benjamin F.
Shattuck, Edward.
Williams, Martin J.
Shaw, Jeremiah.
Woodbury, Frank V.
Simmons, Albert,
Young, Samuel W.
Sloan, Thomas E.
Wilkins, George W. Willcutt, John
known in South Boston as "Skilly " Willcutt, and was a large, powerful man.) Willeston, Charles H.
Young, William O.
While the Pulaski Guards, the pride of South Boston, was at the front, other young men of the district were still eager to enlist and
Letherbee, James D.
Marcy, Howard F.
Tucker, John C. M. Died of disease at Fair Oaks, Va.
192
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
joined themselves together in little companies, and were drilled by some companion who happened to know the manual of arms.
The Lincoln Guards was another company that organized and was ready to fight for the country's cause.
The services of this company, however, were not needed at the front. For thirty days they stayed at Castle Island awaiting further orders and preparing for whatever emergency might arise.
Another company, the Home Guards, was also ready to respond, but they were not called upon to leave their homes.
The Pulaski Guards, however, was not the only representation that South Boston had at the front. Many there were who enlisted in other companies and other regiments and did as valiant service as could be expected. Then there were residents of the district who were in the navy, and they, likewise, upheld the honor of their country and served their district as well.
At home there was scarcely any cessation of excitement during the entire four years of the war. News from the front was anxiously awaited, day by day, the progress of the Pulaski Guards were carefully noted, and accounts of the doings of that organization were received with joy, mingled with heart burnings, when word was received of the loss of some favorite son.
Citizens who remained at home, either through necessity, inability to enlist, sickness or any of the numerous other reasons, still showed their loyalty and patriotism. Flag raisings were many, one of the most important being that at the South Boston Iron foundry when a magni- ficent large banner was thrown to the breeze amidst the cheers of the assembled multitude.
The war ended, however, after a long and bitter struggle. On Palm Sunday, April 9, 1865, Gen. Lee surrendered, with all his men and munitions of war, to Gen. Grant. This put an end to the Rebellion and placed the seceded states at the mercy of the authorities in Washington.
CHAPTER XXV.
SOUTH BOSTON, 1870 TO 1900.
Remarkable changes throughout the district - Additional schools and churches - Library- Police Court - Public Baths-New bridge- Abolition of grade crossings -Lands reclaimed from tide water-Commonwealth Lands -Commonwealth Dock - Streets laid out on Commonwealth Lands-Summer Street Extension-Demoli- tion of a large section of South Boston, known as "Swanland " - Combination of southern Massachusetts railroads - Boston Terminal Company - South Boston's vigorous battle, for its rights, with a gigantic corporation - Excellent work of Senator Gallivan and Congressman Naphen - New avenues - Marine Park - South Boston railroad strike of ISS ;- Strikers had a firm friend in Rev. Fr. Metcalf - Street car strike of 1896- Reminisences of old residents - William Cains recalls appearance of the district in 1860- South Boston considered equal to the most beautiful spot in the world- James Hayes reminiscent - William S. Locke's recollections of former residents.
W ONDERFUL, indeed, were the changes in South Boston during the last thirty years of the nineteenth century. Improvements were many, likewise alterations, houses erected where previously were isolated spots, churches almost doubled in number, schools increased, societies with various objects, spread throughout the district, and the general character of the people changed remarkably.
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