History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 118

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 118

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Another important consideration came into the loss account, which was, that the sanitary welfare of Milford Centre demanded costly sewers, and though Hopedale needed none, it would be grievous injustice to release her from the legal grasp that

would compel her to help pay the coming bills! Who could answer such ardent and eloquent reason- ers? Thus the whole controversy was narrowed down to the question : Shall Milford be damaged to the extent of her power to draw this annual net rev- enue from Hopedale by municipal taxation ? If Mil- ford could have shown that Hopedale was indebted to her for favors in the past, for patronage and en- couragement in time of need, her plea would have had some color of justice and plausibility. But here was an unfortunate blank. For though Hopedale always had more or less good friends in Milford, as individual and social acquaintances, the town ma- jority and authorities never laid it under any special obligation. From the days of its struggling infancy as a fraternal community, in 1842, it continually in- creased the taxable polls and property of the town without a token of appreciation. For several years it schooled its own children, and built its own streets. And when appropriations began to be granted, it was done with manifest reluctance. Its people made no paupers, or criminals, or disorderly characters for the town to care for. Yet, as a town, though it sowed not, it was a vigilant reaper. Every poll and every parcel of estate was assessed, the taxes duly called for and always promptly paid. And so matters had gone on through all the changes, substantially in the same manner, for over forty- three years, down to this contest.

All the while Milford was drawing a net revenue from Hopedale by taxation ; giving back in appro- priations much less than she took. And whence came the population of Hopedale Village? Almost en- tirely from places outside of Milford, some of them from remote quarters of the country. From whence came their property ? A mere fraction of it from Milford-the great bulk of it from widespread regions abroad. Milford purchased very little from Hope- dale, but Hopedale was a large and profitable cus- tomer of Milford's goods. These facts came out in bold relief during the discussion, and they convinced a sufficient number of Massachusetts legislators that, even if Milford should lose the net revenue to which she clung with such a tenacious grasp, she had a poor title to it, and that Hopedale ought of right to be a free and independent town. The Hon. Mr. Bowman wound up the pleadings before the Leg- islative Committee with a masterly speech for the petitioners -clear, comprehensive and irresistibly impressive. The committee deliberated, and unani- mously reported a bill for the incorporation of Hope- dale.

The bill came up in the Senate for consideration March 12, 1886, and after a long discussion prevailed, fourteen to eleven. It was brought up in the House March 25th, and after a hot debate carried, one hun- dred and eighteen to ninety-two. Returning to the Senate, it was finally passed, eighteen to sixteen, April 6th. On the 7th it was signed by His Excellency,

Ad. Westcott

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Governor George D. Robinson, and so Hopedale be- came a town. Nothing really new was said or could be said in either House of the Legislature for or against Hopedale's incorporation, but of course the whole ground must be gone over with more or less particularity. The committee ably defended their own report on its solid merits. Its opponents repeated all che sharp things said against the petitioners in the committee-room. And their orators in both Houses won laurels of approbation from the remoostrants by their invective eloquence against the leading Hope- dalians and their followers. All these labors of love were lost, not only on the assailed, but on the legis- lative majorities and the Governor. Justice and rea- son triumphed.

In the evening of April 13th ensuing the Hope- lalians celebrated their victory, according to the fashion of the political world, by the ringing of bells, discharge of artillery, illumination of their village and display of fireworks. Two sonorous bells were rung smartly for an hour ; Battery B, from Worcester, fired first a salute of eleven guns to General William F. Draper, and then eighty-six in honor of Hopedale as the eighty-sixth town of Massachusetts incorporated during the present century ; the gas and electric lights flashed their splendor in all directions, and the skies hlazed with brilliant rockets. So the people rejoiced with manifold demonstrations in their newly- acquired municipal independence.

The town held its first meeting under a warrant from W. F. Draper, justice of the peace, April 19, 1886, and was legally organized by the choice of the following-named officers: Frank Dewing, clerk ; E. D. Bancroft, treasurer : E. L. Chichester, collector; Ernest M. Capen, auditor ; J. B. Bancroft, Lewis B. Gaskill and Alonzo A. Cook, selectmen, overseers of the poor, Board of Health and highway surveyors ; Asa A. Westcott, David Nelson and H. B. Fisk, As- sessors; Frank J. Dutcher, for three years, Anna M. Bancroft, two years, and Albert W. Ham, one year, school committee; William N. Goddard, for three years, Frank S. Hayward, two years, and C. F. Roper, one year, trustees of library ; Frank Gaskill, William N. Phillips, Samuel A. Andrews and Robert Ross, constables ; C. H. Messenger and C. F. Roper, field-drivers; Frank S. Hayward, Fred. Mooney and E. D. Walker, fence viewers.

On the 14th of October, 1886, the town adopted an ample, wholesome and commendable code of by-laws ; also at the same meeting judicions rules and regula- tions for the Fire Department. Thus the necessary machinery of a well-ordered municipal government was set in motion. Its operations have been emi- nently satisfactory. A large, well compiled, Incid and complete report for the year ending January 1, 1887, was made by the town officers and published, representing all departments of its affairs in a pros- perous condition. A similar one was made and pub- lished for the year ending January 1, 1888. A sum- 27

mary of this second annual report, modified by later ascertained data, may properly be given on these pages, as exhibiting the progressive status of the new town, nearly down to the present time.

TOWN OFFICERS .- David A. Westcott, clerk; E. D. Bancroft, treasurer; Edward S. Simpson, collector ; J. B. Bancroft, Lewis B. Gaskill and Simon G. Gilman, selectmen, overseers of the poor, Board of Health and highway surveyors; Asa A. Westcott, David Nelson and Hamlet B. Fisk, assessors; Albert W. Ham (three years), Frank J. Dutcher (two years), and Anna M. Bancroft, school committee; C. F. Roper (three years), William N. Goddard (two years), and Frank S. Hay- wood (one year), trustees of the library; Frank Gas- kill, William Phillips, Samuel A. Andrews, Robert Ross and T. J. Coyne, constables ; Charles Waterhouse, George Cole and Frank Gaskill, field-drivers; Frank S. Hayward, Fred. Mooney and E. D. Walker, fence- viewers. By appointment and special organic arrange- ment-Charles E. Pierce, chief engineer of Fire Depart- ment; J. B. Bancroft, assistant engineer; A. W. West- cott, clerk and treasurer; Wm. N. Goddard, secretary of library trustees and librarian; Ellen F. Welch, as- sistant librarian; Frank H. French, truant officer.

Before coming to statistical details, it is pertinent to treat of important historical matters chronicled in the second report. George Draper, the father and bene- factor of the new town, departed this life, in the ripe- ness of his successes, usefulness and honors, June 7, 1887, aged sixty-nine years, nine months and twenty days. This lamentable event took place in Boston, whither he went for a temporary sojourn to obtain medical relief from urinary and kindred ailments, which, though not seemingly dangerous, he was anx- ious to overcome. Unexpectedly to all, he presently became alarmingly sick under treatment, and in a few days expired. His remains were brought home, and on the 11th of June his funeral was solemnized with every demonstration that bereaved family affection and public grief could bestow. Thousands appreciated his merits, sympathized in a great common loss, and united in reverential tributes of respect to his memory. Besides the valuable gifts and legacies which he be- queathed, was the commodious and beautiful town edifice which graces the centre of Hopedale Village. He had laid its foundations in 1885, and it was far ad- vanced towards its completion before he died; but the interior finish had been retarded by casualties, and lingered several months.

BRIEF GENERAL DESCRIPTION .- "The building is of granite and brownstone, with exterior dimensions of 75x69 feet. It is on the main street, and faces nearly east. On the front are two store entrances, besides the main entrance, at the right of which are the stair- case and town officers' rooms. At the end of the hall, directly opposite the entrance, are double doors lead- ing to the reading room, 24x22 feet, in the northwest corner; this is connected with the library proper by an arch eleven feet six inches in width. This room

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

occupies the rear centre of this floor, and is thirty feet by seventeen feet, six inches, with an entrance from the left of the entrance hall. The finish, furniture and shelving in these rooms is of California red-wood. The entire upper story is occupied by the town hall, with the stage, reception and ante-rooms. The base- ment contains a market, lock-up, caucus-hall, steam- heating apparatus and store cellar." The entire cost of the noble structure, with its sixteen thousand feet of land, was over forty thousand dollars.

At a special town-meeting held on the evening of August 22, 1887, the five children (three sons and two daughters) of George Draper (deceased), pursuant to their father's testamentary wishes and directions, pre- sented these premises to the town, with a perfect title of conveyance. This conveyance imposed on the town only one qualifying condition-that none of its rooms should ever be rented to persons without the consent of the donor's heirs. The town unanimously accepted the donation on the offered terms, passed an appreciative vote of thanks for the same, and also the following preamble aud resolutions :-

WHEREAS, In the Providence of God, the Town of Hopedale has been called to lament the decease of Mr. George Draper, and would formally indicate its appreciation of his noble services and powerful direction ; therefore it is

Resolved, That this town suffers an irreparable loss.

Resolved, That not only has thia Municipality been thus bereft of a wise counsellor, loyal citizen and most munificent benefactor, hut it is also deprived of one whose integrity in business relations, and whose nn- tiring devotion to the public welfare, constituted bim an object worthy the emulation and grateful remembrance of all who knew bim.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be inscribed upon the records of the Town, a copy also presented to each individual of his immediate family and duly published in the public press.

At the same town-meeting, after choosing a Com- mittee of Arrangements to supervise the dedication of their admirable Town- Hall, the following vote of thanks was passed :

Toted .- To thank Gen. W. F. Draper for his donation to the town of the so-called Dutcher Street extension (which cost him several thousand dollars), and for the prompt and liberal manner with which he accepted and paid for such changes as seemed necessary for the successful comple- tion of said road.

If, after perusing such a record, any of our readers should wonder whether this Draper family and these menial voters are the same that were so sadly dispar- aged before the General Court of 1886 as unworthy to be incorporated into a town, let them rest assured that they really are the very same.

DEDICATION OF THE TOWN HALL .- The Commit- tee of Arrangements consisted of Gen. William F. Draper, chairman; Joseph B. Bancroft, Lewis B. Gaskill and Simon G. Gilman, selectmen ; and Arte- mas B. Edmands, Asa A. Westcott and Charles F. Roper, citizens-at-large. To these were subsequently added E. D. Bancroft, Mrs. Phila W. Weston and Miss Anna M. Bancroft. Numerous sub-committees were appointed and put in charge of the necessary branches, into which details were divided. Every

committee discharged their duties assiduously, effi- ciently and creditably. At length the day of dedica- tion arrived, October 25, 1887. It was a grand and memorable occasion for Hopedale. A specific narra- tion of its interesting proceedings and performances would overflow our limits, and will not be expected. We must confine our account to synoptical outlines. A great concourse of people assembled, including, besides near residents, numerons representatives of the surrounding towns and a host of sympathizing friends from more distant parts of the Common- wealth, who had stood by Hopedale through evil as well as good report, when it was struggling before the Legislature for independence. Music of the highest excellence threw its charms over the multi- tude, rare eloquence distilled its fragrance on de- lighted auditors from eminent orators, and a rich dinner regaled the stomachs of participating guests. The formal exercises in the hall commenced at eleven o'clock A. M. Stirring airs from the band ; prayer by the writer; unsurpassable music from the Weber Quartette; a pertinent and appropriate introductory address from Chairman Gen. William F. Draper ; principal dedicatory address by Ex-Governor John D. Long, replete with his graceful and renowned elo- quence; remarks by the writer of this article, inter- esting speech by Rev. Lewis G. Wilson as the spokes- man of two hundred and forty grateful Hopedale em- ployés, presenting the town a splendid life-size crayon portrait of the late Geo. Draper ; formal delivery of the Town House keys to selectmen, by Geo. A. Draper, as representative of the late George Draper's heirs, and acceptance of the same by Joseph B. Bancroft, chair- man of the board; dinner, toasts and speeches in the great tent on Church Common, with the customary musical accompaniments. So the day closed, redo- lent with testimonial tributes to departed worth, grateful acknowledgments of munificent benefactions, sacred reminiscences of the past, and auspicious hopes of the future.

As was natural and proper, the dominant current of thought, speech and attention was eulogistic of the new town's upbuilder and generous patron, George Draper. The writer was the only speaker of the occasion who represented the primary Hopedale of community days. And he deemed it both a privi- lege and a duty to revive its memory, and show that it had something more to do with preparing the way for subsequent success than appeared on the present surface of things. The honorable and eloquent orator of the day had, indeed, made one brief ref- erence to it, but in terms of disparaging commisera- tion rather than commendation. He said :

On thia spot, some forty years ago, one of those communitiea which spring up from time to time, and of which so much is anticipated by the enthusiasm of. their members, had undertaken, under the aweet guid- ance of the venerable and heloved pastor, who is here to-day, to solve the problem of a happy, industrious and peaceful Christian brotherhood. It was a joint atock association, sharing capital and profits, and run on

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common account. The result was a practical bankruptcy, avoided ouly by a change which followed no longer any transcendental line, hut turned to the line of hard, practical American business, for George Draper took the plant into his vigorous hand. An enlightened and liberal selfishness became, ae it usually does, a beneficence to which a weak communism was as the dull and cheeriess gleam of decaying puuk to the inspiriog hlaze of the morning suo in spring-time. The man of affairs was in temporal things a better leader than the priest, as he usually is, and us nobody will so emphatically assure you as the priest himself. A meagre manufacturing enterprise, that made a few boxes and cotton -spinning temples, and employed a dozen hands, hegan that marvellous expansion which, in these few years, nuder George Draper's direction, has come to employ five hundred meu, has grown from an anqual product of twenty thousand dollars to one of more than twelve hundred thousand ; has built and incorporated & Massachusetts town ; has erected these trim, convenient houses and homes of skilled and pros- perous labor ; has enlarged the original industry into four greet business houses, and embraces one of the largest cotton machinery manufacturing centres in the world.

Well, how was the " venerable and beloved Chris- tian pastor," "the priest," likely to appreciate this rhetorical picture of " weak communism, etc. ? " Did he wish to detract from the merits and fame of his lamented friend, the deceased George Draper ? By no means. But he did not feel that the honorable reputation of that departed friend needed to be mag- nified by the unjust disparagement of the Hopedale Community or any member thereof. He knew all the facts in the case, and knew that the orator, through some mistake, had radically misrepresented the most important of them. He knew that Ebenezer D. Draper, the elder hrother of George, was president of the Hopedale Community at the time when its joint stock and unitary interest were dissolved; that he was then a much larger capitalist than his younger brother, and wielded far greater power; that he pro- nounced the condition of the community eminently barmonious and prosperous less than two months before he and his brother decided to withdraw their capital ; that there really was no bankruptcy, nor any necessitating cause for a dissolution of unitary interests, except their withdrawal of three-fourths of the joint stock, and that " the plant" was taken into the vigorous hands of the two brothers only to be changed into a successful manufacturing settlement, managed on the principles of " enlightened and liberal selfishness." Therefore, knowing perfectly the entire history of the community, that without its devoted labors and sacri- fices this new town of Hopedale would probably never have attained the importance now being glori- fied, and knowing, moreover, that the rising genera- tion were in danger of remaining misinformed on the subject, the aged "priest " improved the few minutes allotted him in stating the salient facts of the case. What these facts were is clearly set forth in the be- ginning of this sub-history, and need not be repeated. His speech was listened to with respectful attention, and he was cordially thanked by many auditors for his exposition. He believes it made a salutary and lasting impression on the assembly.

PROGRESSIVE STATISTICS TO SEPTEMBER, 1888 .- The town report already referred to comes down to January 1, 1888, but on several points later informa-

tion is available, and will be used. The officers chosen at the annual March meeting, with slight exceptions, were re-elected from the preceding year, as already named. The following synoptical chronicles exhibit, in a compendious form, the principal transactions and corporate progress of this youthful municipality.

Conformably to the terms prescribed in the act of incorporation, Hopedale must pay fifteen per cent. of Milford's indebtedness at the time of separation. Amicable settlement October 6, 1887, when principal and interest was paid to Milford, amounting to 818,- 436.95. Liquidated by funds on hand and borrowed money.

Town debt, October 6, 1887, 816,000; reduced so as to stand at the end of 1888, $14,000; total valuation of taxable property in town, at the close of 1887, $781,204; July 1, 1888, $882,408 ; tax rate per $1000, uniformly thus far $13; number of inhabitants, July 1, 1887, 975; July 1, 1888, 1,116 ; number of dwelling- houses, July 1, 1888, 203; in Hopedale village, 217; number of polls, July 1, 1887, 301; July 1, 1888, 347 ; amount of taxes committed for collection, 1887, $10,- 749.91; amount committed in 1888, $12,165.55; total income from taxes of all kinds,-i.e., from individuals and corporations,-1887, $19,385.30; same for 1888, not fully reported at the time of this writing.

Town expenditures for the year ending December 31, 1887, yiz .: for highways, out of appropriations, donations, etc., $4,456.69; for sidewalks, out of appro- priations, $1,013.32; for incidentals, under adminis- tration of selectmen, $2,788.11 ; for town hall appurte- nances, etc., $842.15 ; for gas and street lights, $315.94; for water against fires, under appropriation, $516.68; for Memorial Day, $25.00; for school-house lot appropria- tion, $600.00 ; for borrowed money repaid, $3,000.00 ; for State and county tax in 1886, $1,331.10; for State and county tax in 1887, $1,662.52; for land damage, extension of Dutcher Street, $819.00; for outlays on Water Street, newly laid, $501.36; for aid to poor belonging to other towns, $108.66; for Fire Department under appropriation, $813.01; for educational pur- poses, total receipts from all sources, $5,232.89; total disbursements, $5,232.89; for town library, total receipts, $1,170.10 ; expended, $2,294.40. So, for all purposes the town expended, during the year ending December 31, 1887, $26,320.83. It will be understood that this total includes certain donations, and is affected somewhat by debits and credits of the pre- ceding year.

Appropriations of 1888, for the same general pur- poses above specified, amount to $19,475.00; town property on hand, aside from town hall and its appen- dages, school department buildings, $5,700.00; High- way Department, including new stone-crusher, etc., $2,467.00; Fire Department, hose-house, apparatus and equipments, $2,015.00.

CONDITION OF DEPARTMENTS .- All the depart- ments are admirably managed and in excellent con- dition. Respecting highways and streets, the new

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

town inherited twenty-five, by act of incorporation, from Milford. These are of various lengths and widths, and bear appropriate names. One of them has been very advantageously extended, through the generosity of General Draper, a considerable distance northward from Hopedale Village, shortening, on a level route, the distance to Upton. Two or three other new streets have been laid out, and marked im- provements made on several old ones. Our roads are good.

Concerning the Hopedale Fire Department, matters show a no less creditable record. It has a nice hose- house, a well-equipped carriage with 1200 feet of hose, 4 ladders, 36 fire-pails and 12 suitably-located hydrants. Besides these, the several corporations have provided themselves costly and efficient apparatus for the ex- tinguishment of fires on their respective premises, and not a few individuals have plenty of ladders and fire-pails. The department is well organized and manned. Fires are few, far between and, thus far, almost harmless.

As to pauperism, it scarcely exists, and criminality, as a cause of expense, is of rare occurrence. No licenses are granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors, and the manufactories of vice, crime and misery are kept at a distance. Our Educational De- partment is liberally encouraged, assiduously super- vised, reputably conducted and in first-rate order. Down to the present writing there have been but two school-houses, the larger situated in Hopedale Village and the smaller in South Hopedale. An ample High School edifice is in near prospect, and will soon be erected. The corporations have unitedly pledged a subscription of six thousand dollars towards it, and the town is about to raise a sum adequate to secure its completion. The High School was inaugurated in an extemporized room of the large village school-house in September, 1886. It was an immediate success. Number of pupils, thirty. Course of studies up to the average standard. Principal and assistant emi- nently well qualified, and results ever since all that could be desired. The increase of scholars in the lower grades has obliged the High School to find new quarters in the Town Hall until the new edifice de- signed for it shall be ready for occupancy.

The village school-house barely accommodates the pupils of lower grade. During the fall term of 1887 there were in its primary room sixty-six scholars, fifty-three in the intermediate and forty-three in the grammar. Since then these numbers have been con- tinually augmenting. Competent and excellent teachers have filled the several positions with honor to themselves and satisfaction to all parties concerned. The South Hopedale School has not yet admitted of gradation, but it has been creditably taught and managed. The whole number of children in town between the ages of five and fifteen years, as reported by the School Committee for May 1, 1887, was one hundred and eighty-two. The number must now be

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 118

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1576

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576