History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 90

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 90

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In 1870 the Gamewell fire-alarm was introduced at an expense of eight thousand dollars. It was a two- circuit repeater, and strikers were placed on three bells in town,-the Unitarian, Baptist and Rollstone Church bells. In 1888 a new system was ordered, which was put up during the summer of 1888. It is a six-circuit repeater of the Gamewell pattern.

Firemen's musters have frequently been held in Fitchburg, and on October 10 and 11, 1871, one of the largest musters ever held in New England oc- curred here.

The apparatus in service at the present time consists of two steam fire-engines, one two-horse hose-reel, one two-horse hose-wagon, two one-horse hose-reels, two two-wheeled hose-tenders, two two-horse hook-and- ladder trucks, one exercise sleigh, and one large sled for Hook-and-Ladder No. 1, in active service ; and one second-class steamer, one two-horse hose-reel and two two-wheeled hose-tenders in reserve.

The department has in service 7,960 feet of rubber- lined cotton hose, 1,550 feet of linen hose, and 150 feet of old leather hose.

The value of this department is, and has been, fully appreciated by our citizens, and ample provision is willingly made for all its needs. At the present time, the numerous hydrants in all parts of the city, the forty fire-alarm boxes, and the promptness and efficiency of the engineers and firemen, render it difficult for a fire to get much headway in Fitchburg. In the following table are given statistics in regard to the fires with which the department has had to contend during the last quarter century where the damage was $10,000 or over :

Date.

Property. Los3.

Jan. 2, 1865 .. Paper-mill of Crocker, Burbank & Co. $20,000 Oct. 8, 1865 .. .Vt. & Mass. R. R. repair-shop. 13,000

JnDe 13, 1869. .. Lorenzo Barker's lumber-yard. 13,000

.. Heywood Chair Co.'s chair-shop 90,000

July 21, 1870, ..... Alvah Crocker's buildings 19,000

.. Smith, Page & Co., irou-fouodry 12,000 March 7, 1871 .. Paper-mill of Crocker, Burhank & Co. 18,000 March 6, 1872 .. ... Americao Rsttan Co.'s stock house 14,000 Feb. 3, 1873 .L. B. Farosworth's clothing store. 16,000

Sept. 15, 1873 Buckeye Mowing-Machine Co.'s shop. 15,000 July 9, 1876 County Jail at South Fitchburg. 40,000 Oct. 15, 1884 . Crocker, Burbaok & Co,'s "Snow Mill," ..... 35,000

Oct. 26, 1885 I. A. Lowe & Co.'s pork-packiog establ'mt ... 24,657 Jan. 29, 1886. ... " Buckeye Shops ". .. 11,700 April 6, 1888 Walter Heywood Chair Mfg. Co. (1 bldg.) ... 25,000

The Board of Engineers consists, at the present time, of a chief, four assistants and the superintendent of the fire alarm, who are chosen annually by the City Council in convention in November. The members of the Board for 1888 are, David W. Tinsley, chief; Geo. H. Kendall first assistant; Boardman Parkhurst, sec- ond assistant ; James N. Whiting, third assistant ; Geo. E. Wellington, fourth assistant; and John W. Rand, superintendent of the fire-alarm telegraph. There are upwards of sixty firemen attached to the several com- panies.

December 12, 1879, the Fitchburg Firemen's Fuud Association was incorporated for the purpose of mutual aid and relief in cases of accident or injuries received by its members while discharging their duties as fire- men. Every member of the department belongs to it, and the funds in the treasury now amount to about $1500. Frauk C. Foster, foreman of Hose 1, is now its president.

The following is a list of those who have served as chief engineers since the department was organized : Kilburn Harwood, 1851; John H. Wheeler, 1852-54; James B. Lane, 1855; Alpheus P. Kimball, 1856-59; Lucius Aldrich, 1860-64 ;. Francis Sheldon, 1865-66; Eugene T. Miles, 1867 ; Lucius Aldrich, 1868-73; Geo. H. Manchester, 1874-76; A. J. Green, 1876-77 ; Geo. Reed, 1877-84; David W. Tinsley, 1884 to the present time.

POLICE DEPARTMENT .- About 1839 there was or- ganized in Fitchburg a "Society for the Detection of Thieves." Ebenezer Torrey was then president, Sam- uel Willis, treasurer, and Asa Partridge, secretary, of this society. There was a standing committee of twelve members and a " pursuing committee," also number- ing twelve. This society lasted some time, and did good work in breaking up several bands of thieves.

Up to the year 1869 all police work in Fitchburg was done by a few constables and private enterprise; but on September 23, 1869, a Police Department was regularly organized, consisting of a chief and five po- lice officers. Charles E. F. Hayward was the first chief of police.

During the first six months of the existence of this department one hundred and thirty-one arrests were made, and during the next year (ending March 31, 1871).three hundred and ninety-one arrests were made, showing conclusively the need of a police force.

Under the city form of government the chief of police and members of the department are appointed annually in January by the mayor and aldermen. For 1888 the police force consists of Sumner P. Law- rence, chief; Asahel Wheeler, captain ; and fourteen patrolmen. This is by no means a large force cou; sidering the population of the city; but it is in an excellent state of discipline and has always proved

Oct. 17, 1885. L. H. Goodnow (Rollstooe Iron Fonudry) ..... 15,560 | amply sufficient to maintain public order.

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FITCHBURG.

Fitchburg has always been singularly free from crimes of a serious nature, and the number of arrests made annually is not much larger now than it was fifteen years ago, though, in the meantime, the city has nearly doubled in population.

During the past few years the temperance senti- ment has predominated among our citizens, and the police officers have done good work iu suppressing the sale of intoxicating liquor.

The following is a list of those who have served in the office of chief of police since the organization of the department: Charles E. F. Hayward, 1869-71; M. Edwin Day, 1872; Russell O. Houghton, 1873-74; Alpheus P. Kimball, 1875; Aaron F. Whituey, 1876- 81 and 1883-85; William Gilchrist, 1882; Charles H. D. Stockbridge, 1886-87; Sumner P. Lawrence, from January, 1888, to the present time.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT .- Enough has been said in the chapters on the history of the town to show that from the very first the people of Fitchburg have had more than ordinary difficulties to contend with in keeping their streets, bridges, etc., in a tolerable state of repair. The selectmen had charge of all these affairs up to January, 1873; and since then five sub- committees, appointed annually from among the members of the Board of Aldermeu and Common Council, have had the general charge of the various portions of the work of the Highway Department. A superintendent of streets is elected annually by the City Conncil, who has the immediate control and direction of all the work done in the Highway Depart- ment.

The following is a list of those who have held the position of superintendent of streets since Fitchburg became a city: George W. Holman, 1873-74; Joel Davis, 1875-77; F. W. Aldrich, 1878-82; Abram G. Lawrence, 1883-86; Thomas Larkin, Jr., from Janu- ary, 1887, to the present time.

POOR DEPARTMENT .- The selectmen acted as overseers of the poor up to within a few years of our incorporation as a city. During the last few years of town government a Board of Overseers, con- sisting of three members, was chosen at the annual town-meeting. Under the city form of government, the Board consists of the mayor and president of Common Council, ex officio, and three members chosen in January by the City Council, in the same way as the water commissioners are chosen.

The Board for 1888 is as follows: Hon. Eli Culley, mayor ; Henry F. Rockwell, president of the Com- mon Council; Samuel S. Holton, Isaac C. Wright and Aaron F. Whitney.

The city farm is very pleasantly located in South Fitchburg, and has, for several years, been under the efficient supervision of Mr. Norman B. Stone, snper- intendent, and Mrs. E. T. Stone, matron. The value of the city farm and personal property thereat is now over thirty-three thousand dollars, and there are between fifty and sixty inmates.

CHAPTER XLVII.

FITCHBURG-(Continued.)

ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES.

IN this section will be given short accounts of the most important of the many organizations and socie- ties of various kinds at present existing in the city.

The organization in which the people of Fitchburg take the most pride is

THE FITCHBURG MILITARY BAND .- The origin of this band dates back to January 4, 1868, when eight gentlemen met in an unfinished room in the then new Belding & Dickinson's block, and organized "The Musical Club." Through the efforts of these gentlemau was organized, on March 26, 1868, the Fitchburg Cornet Band, with thirty-three members, and Mr. George Rich, leader and director.

The first public appearance of this band was on May 27, 1868, with the Fitchburg Fusiliers. During the balance of that year thirty-one engagements were filled. The band prospered and improved until Mr. Rich left his position, January 16, 1871.

March 11, 1871, Ira W. Wales, of Abington, was elected leader of the band, but held the position only about a month, aud on April 19th, owing to some trouble or other, it was voted to discharge the leader and disband the organization ; but on the 3d of the following May nine of the members met and re- organized the band, and chose Mr. Rich leader. For some reason matters did not go on satisfactorily, and in the latter part of 1871 the band went to pieces and came near utter extinction. Five plucky mem- bers were resolved to have a band in Fitchburg if it were a possibility, and through their efforts Mr. Warren S. Russell, a gentleman of well-known musi- cal ability, was secured as leader. The band was again re-organized January 11, 1872, and under the faithful and skilful management of Mr. Russell, at- tained almost the highest rank among the musical organizations in New England. In the course of a few years the name of the band was changed to the " Fitchburg Military Band."

For thirteen years this band filled engagements for the summer at Lake Pleasant, near Greenfield, Mass., and was one of the chief attractions of the place. During the two past seasons it has been engaged to furnish music for the Carnival Club at Cottage City, Martha's Vineyard, for the entire summer, and has won the highest praise of the many musical critics there assembled.

In March, 1884, the city, and especially the Fitch- burg Military Band, suffered a very great loss in the death of Mr. Russell, who was then in the prime of life. His funeral occurred March 18, 1884, and was very largely attended. Business was generally sus- pended in town during the afternoon of that day, and

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all united to pay honor to the dead musician. Mr. D. W. Reeves, always a warm friend of Mr. Russell, was present at the funeral, with his well-known American Band of Providence, R. I., whose members volunta- rily tendered their services for the sad occasion gratu- itously, and there were many beautiful floral tributes from musical organizations throughout New England.

After Mr. Russell's death the business management of the band was put into the hands of a committee of five, chosen annually by the active members, from both active and honorary members. Iu June, 1884, this committee, very fortunately, secured as leader and director Mr. G. A. Patz, formerly, leader of the celebrated Gilmore's Band, of Boston, and under his leadership our band has maintained its former high standing, and become widely known and appreciated. The hand has a very large and complete library, con- taining the works of all the noted composers.

In the spring of 1888 some changes were made in the band, and at the present time all the active mem- bers of the organization are residents of Fitchburg. Mr. J. L. Miller was chosen agent and treasurer, and the general management of the business of the band was placed in the hands of a committee of three. At the present time the band consists of G. A. Patz, leader, and twenty-three active members, each one of whom is a musician skilled in the use of his own special instrument. Connected with the band is an orchestra of high standing, and named, out of respect to the former director, the Russell Orchestra.

December 27, 1887, the band suffered a serious loss in the death of Charles A. Dadmun, who played the tuba and was the efficient agent and treasurer of the organization.

The Fitchburg Military Band is now one of the permanent institutions of the city, and is held in the highest esteem by our citizens, who, by their gener- osity, have enabled the organization to maintain its high reputation ; and the fine open-air concerts which the band gives from the band-stands on the Upper and Lower Commons during the early summer and autumn evenings, as often as engagements permit, amply re- pay the citizens for all they have done to assist the band.

EDWIN V. SUMNER POST 19, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC .- This was organized as an encamp- ment Angust 16, 1867. It was later called a post, and the name Edwin V. Sumner was adopted September 8, 1868.

Charles H. Foss was elected the first commander ; since then thirteen members have held the position, the present commander being Charles H. Glazier.

The post has been active in all good works, and by means of the fund that has accumulated during the last twenty years has accomplished much for the re- lief and benefit of its members, the amount expended for relief and sick benefits, from its organization to the present time, being about ten thousand dollars. In order to maintain and increase its fund for this charitable work the post has held fairs, had lecture

courses, etc., which have always been well patronized by our citizens.

At the time of the establishment of the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea, a few years ago, it- gave more than any other post, in proportion to its numbers and means,-81,083.18.

In 1883 the post moved into its present elegant and commodious rooms in the Rollstone National Bank building. At some future time the members hope to have a building of their own; and with this idea in view, the Edwin V. Sumner Building Association was incorporated a few years since for the purpose of holding real estate, and now owns a " cottage " in the city.

Upon the roster of Post 19 are about five hundred and thirty names, and the present membership is about two hundred and fifty.

This post has always been rated high at department headquarters, and has had its share of State and National honors. Two department commanders of Massachusetts have been taken from its ranks,-John W. Kimball and Charles D. Nash-and a commander of the Department of Ohio, Daniel C. Putnam, a native of Fitchburg.

In the latter part of 1877 the post appointed a com- mittee to consider the matter of inviting the ladies to form a Relief Corps, and as a result the Edwin V. Sumner Relief Corps, No. 1, was organized in January, 1878, and has since then effectually aided the post on many occasions.

In July, 1883, Clark S. Simonds Camp, No. 28, Sons of Veterans, was organized, and one of its past cap- tains, Colonel Nathan C. Upham, of this city, has already attained prominence in the State and National organizations.

There was, for a short time, in Fitchburg an organi- zation which may fairly be regarded as the origin of the present widespread and powerful Grand Army of the Republic. Its name was

TAYLOR UNION, NO. 1, ARMY AND NAVY VETER- ANS .- One evening in the latter part of May; 1865, five army veterans-Richard Tucker, Robert Elliott, W. A. Hardy, S. W. Harris and W. S. Hersey-met casually on Main Street, and in the course of conversation the subject of forming an association for taking care of sick or disabled comrades was broached. The result was that a few nights later a meeting was held in Washington Hall, and the " Army and Navy Veterans' Union " was organized. At a subsequent meeting it was voted to change the name to "Taylor Union, No. 1, Army and Navy Veterans," in remembrance of George C. Taylor, Company B, Fifteenth Regiment, who fell at Ball's Bluff, and was the first Fitchburg volunteer killed in battle.

This organization was chartered January 2, 1866, with twenty-one charter members.

During 1865-66 some eighteen unions were organized in towns in this vicinity-Leominster, Gardner, Tem- pleton, etc.

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FITCHBURG.

A purchasing agent from Illinois was in Fitchburg during the latter part of 1865, and hecame much inter- ested in Taylor Union. He carried a copy of its by- laws home with him, and soon after sent for five more copies ; and' in February, 1866, Dr. Stephenson, of Illinois, suggested the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic. Whether or not the idea was ob- tained from the copies of the by-laws sent there is not known, but it is, to say the least, a remarkable coinci- dence.

Taylor Union naturally gave way to this new and stronger association and became merged in the pres- ent Edwin V. Summer Post 19.

A "Dorcas Union " was also instituted in 1866, and was probably the origin of the present Relief Corps.

THE WORCESTER NORTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY was organized in 1852 and includes the city of Fitch- burg and the towns of Leominster, Sterling, West Boylston, Princeton, Lunenburg, Ashburnham, West- minster, Gardner, Templeton and Royalstou, in Wor- cester County, and the town of Ashby, in Middlesex County, though persons in any part of the State may become members.

This society formerly owned fair grounds on Sum- mer Street comprising some thirty acres of land, and provided with a half-mile track, suitable exhibition buildings, sheds, etc. The annual fair is still held on these grounds the last Tuesday and Wednesday in September, though for the past year or two the prop- erty has been owned by

THE FITCHBURG PARK COMPANY, which was organ- ized May 18, 1887, with a capital of eleven thousand dollars, for the purpose of purchasing these grounds and improving them for use as a park.

THE FITCHBURG AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION .- This is Chapter 48 of the National Association, and was formed in January, 1886, by the union of four chap- ters of the Agassiz Association and the Young Ameri- can Industrial Society. It is doing a good work among the young people in the city, by training them to become careful observers of natural phenomena. Many valuable papers, on various scientific subjects, have been prepared by the members, and some have been published. In April, 1888, this Association be- gan the publication of a monthly journal, The Scien- tist.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION was organized in October, 1886, and, December 27, 1886, took possession of their present convenient and pleas_ ant rooms in Twitchell's block. The membership is upwards of three hundred, and the association is do- ing much good among the young men of the city. A monthly organ is published, The Beacon Light. Some twenty years ago there was a Young Men's Christian Association, which flourished for a time, but disband- ed after a few years' existence.

THE FITCHBURG BENEVOLENT UNION was organ- ized March 6, 1876, and incorporated February 10,

1886, and includes in its membership many of the benevolent and philanthropic citizens of Fitchburg. It is entirely unsectarian, and its object is to distrib- ute charity wisely and to help the poor to help them- selves.

THE FITCHBURG HOME FOR OLD LADIES sprang from the " Ladies' Union Aid Society," and was made a corporation in 1883. A house on the corner of Summer and Beacon Streets was purchased and furnished for a home and was opened for use in June, 1886. The bequest of Mrs. Elizabeth Boutelle Rob- iuson, a life-member of the corporation, who died in August, 1885, rendered it possible to purchase this house. The president of the corporation, Dr. A. W. Sidney, has also done much to establish the home.

THE UNION AID HOSPITAL OF FITCHBURG was incorporated March 26, 1885. The need of a hospital in this city has been evident for some years, and the object of this corporation was to arouse public senti- ment and accumulate enough money to start a hospi- tal on a small scale. The late Gardner S. Burbank appreciated this need and left an ample sum, which, at some future time, will establish here a large hospi- tal.

THE FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION has been spoken of in the chapter on city departments.

Of the many other organizations existing in Fitch- burg for the public good or social intercourse we have space merely to mention the names of a few.

The Park Club and Windsor Club are both social organizations; the Chapin Club, a social and literary society connected with the First Universalist Church ; the Arlington Club, social and beneficial ; Fitchburg Congregational Club; French Literary Club; Fitch- burg Harvard Club, composed of graduates of Har- vard College residing in the city; Railroad Men's Relief Association; Railroad Men's Christian Asso- ciation ; Fitchburg Teachers' Association and the Fitchburg Woman's Suffrage League.

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. - The Fitchburg Woman's Christian Temperance Union began its exist- ence in January, 1875, and has ever since kept up its practical temperance work, which, though quietly done, has proved very effective. Among the most important results achieved by the Union was the formation, in January, 1876, of

The Fitchburg Reform Club .- By invitation of the Union, Dr. Henry A. Reynolds visited Fitchburg and organized this club, its object being to reclaim men who were addicted to the use of liquor and make them respectable citizens. This work the club has faithfully performed during all the years of its exist- ence, and with a fair degree of success.

The Fitchburg Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in November, 1885. It is com- posed of young ladies belonging to the various re- ligions societies in the town and accomplishes much in aid of the temperance cause.

The other temperance societies and orders in Fitch-

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

burg are the Unity Temperance Society, connected with the First Parish; St. Bernard's Temperance Lyceum ; St. Bernard's Total Abstinence and Mutual Aid Society ; Monadnock Temple of Honor, No. 17; Aquarius Council, No. 10, Select Templars ; Falulah Lodge, No. 11, I. O. of G. T .; Henry A. Reynolds Lodge, No, 81, I. O. of G. T .; Wendell Phillips Di- vision, Sons of Temperance and Silver Spray Temple of Honor, No. 3.

SECRET SOCIETIES .- Five of the largest and most wide-spread strictly secret organizations have flour- ishing representative bodies in this city,-the Masons. Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, American Me- chanics and Red Men.

Masonry is represented by the following four bodies :

Aurora Lodge, F. and A. M., instituted June 9, 1801, at Leominster, and removed to Fitchburg March 17, 1845.

Charles W. Moore Lodge, F. and A. M., instituted October 9, 1856.

Thomas Royal Arch Chapter, instituted at Princeton December 21, 1821, and removed to Fitchburg No- vember 13, 1847.

Jerusalem Commandery, K. T., instituted October 13, 1865.

The Odd Fellows also have four organizations in town.

Mount Rollstone Lodge, No. 98, I. O. O. F., instituted December 12, 1845.

Pearl Hill Degree Lodge, No. 47, Daughters of Re- bekah, I. O. O. F., instituted October 14, 1885.

King David Encampment, No. 42, I. O. O. F., insti- tuted October 18, 1870.

Grand Canton Hebron, No. 4, Patriarchs Militant, instituted March 4, 1886.

The Knights of Pythias have the two following or- ganizations :

Alpine Lodge, No. 35, K. of P., instituted March 12, 1879.

Red Cross Division, No. 7, Uniform Rank, K. of P., instituted January 11, 1887.

The Order of United American Mechanics, a strictly American secret organization, is represented in town by Wachusett Council, No. 21, O. U. A. M., instituted February 21, 1883.

The Improved Order of Red Men is represented by Nashua Tribe, No. 37, I. O. R. M., instituted Febru- ary 23, 1887.

The Masons have very fine lodge apartments in the Fitchburg Savings Bank Block; the Odd Fellows' lodge-rooms are in the Rollstone National Bank building; the Knights of Pythias hold their meetings in Pythian Hall, Crocker Block; and the American Mechanics and Red Men hire Pythian Hall of Alpine Lodge, K. of P., and use it as a council chamber and wigwam respectively.

An organization of the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians was incorporated in Fitchburg in June, 1869.

Fraternal Insurance and Mutual Benefit Orders .- Of these there are a great many in Fitchburg, and we have space only to mention their names, as fol- lows :

Fitchburg Associates, No. 22, N. M. R. A .; Fitch- burg Lodge, No. 797, K. of H. ; Roumania Lodge, No. 312, K. and L. of H .; Overlook Council, No. 972, A. L. of H .; Fitchburg Council, No. 777, Royal Arca- num; Castle Fitchburg, No. 195, Knights and Ladies of the Golden Rule; Local Branch, No. 390 and Sis- terhood Branch, No. 595, Order of the Iron Hall; Plymouth Colony, No, 97, United Order Pilgrim Fa- thers; Watatic Lodge, No. 31, New England Order of Protection ; Union Assembly, No. 170, Royal Society of Good Fellows; Shakespeare Lodge, No. 121, Sons of St. George; Georg Loge, No. 538, German Order of Harugari; Society St. Jean Baptiste de Fitchburg; Wachusett Division, No. 191, Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers; W. A. Foster Lodge, No. 216, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen ; Fitch- burg Lodge, No. 1, Brotherhood of Section Masters, and E. A. Smith Division, No. 146, Order of Railway Conductors.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 90

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