History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 133

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 133

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The liberty-loving and determined people of Wor- cester and Worcester County elected Charles Allen to the National House of Representatives, that there his words and their words might be heard in the im- perative demand that slavery should not invade an- other foot of the nation's soil.

The attempt to enforce the Fugitive Slave Law, the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the aggression of the slave power caused intense excitement at the North. Worcester's position in relation to the Fugi- tive Slave Law was pronounced and emphatic. We do not need to resort to the memory of men, to the daily talk of Worcester's earnest men, to the files of unofficial publications, though these all confirm the fact of the city's deep feeling. I suppose that very few, of the present generation at least, know that in one of the official publications of the city is a declara- tion of purpose by the mayor of the city, that at once lifts the author of it to a place of unending honor, and puts his city and our city where no hand can rob it of its glory.

Again, it is a pleasure to refer to the inaugural ad- dress of Mayor Bacon in 1851.

In referring to the Fugitive Slave Law, he says: "If it be asked whether it is intended that the police of the city shall, in its official capacity, aid in its enforcement, I answer, No." He then con- siders the effect of a decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Priggs vs. Pennsylva- nia, 16 Peters 608, in its operation upon a law of

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Massachusetts, Acts of 1843, ch. 69, which provided that no sheriff, constable or other officer of this Commonwealth should arrest or detain, or aid in the arrest or detention, of any person for the reason that he was claimed as a fugitive slave, and closes as fol- lows: " And it is necessary for me only to add that should any officer of the city, embraced within the provisions of that Act of 1843, be found violating its provisions, I should deem it my duty to recommend his IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM OFFICE."

Only three years after these noble words were spoken, Worcester had an opportunity of showing by action that the words of its mayor expressed their own deep and abiding convictions. The arrest, in Boston, of Anthony Burns, as a fugitive slave, for the purpose of restoring him to his owner (?), which took place in May, 1854, roused Worcester to an exceptional degree. A contemporary account of the great meetings here, consequent upon it, will best illustrate the spirit of the occasion. The following account is taken from the Spy of May 31, 1854 :

GREAT MEETING IN WORCESTER.

Rally at the City Hall !

Withont the issuing of a single handbill or any previous notice, more than a thousand citizens of Worcester were assembled in the City Hall on Saturday evening at the ringing of the bell.

Speeches were made by W. W. Rice, Dr. O. Martin, Thomas Drew, T. W. Higginson and S. S. Foster, all of which were received with the most enthusiastic applause. The most intense excitement prevails in regard to the disgraceful proceedings of the U. S. Government in backing up the Kidnappers of men upon the soil of Massachusetts. But one feeling pervades this entire community, -Whigs, Democrats and all seem to be animated by one common sentiment of earnest opposition to the infamous invasion of our soil by the desperadoes of the Southern States under the protection of the Army of the United States.

It was voted unanimously to lay aside business on Monday aud pro- ceed to Boston en masse, there to meet the friends of Freedom and hu- manity from other sections of the State and to take conasel together upon the emergencies of the times.

Not less than nine hundred people from this section went to Boston by the special and other trains on Saturday and a much larger number will be there to-day. The people of the country towns are aroused to a pitch of excitoment hitherto never seen in Massachusetts since the days of the Revolution. What the result may be Heaven only knows, but one thing is certain : the administration and tho South have raised a etorm which can only be quelled when the manacles fall from the limbs of the last slave.

Oa Sunday evening the City Hall was crammed to its utmost capacity, with an earnest and true-hearted andience brought together by the demonstrations now being made by the slave power of its authority in and over Massachusetts. Dr. Martin was called to the Chair and made some stirring remarks on the occasion Other able and eloquent addresses were made by D. F. Parker, Rev. Mr. Marrs, S. S. Foster, Thomas Drew and others, all breathing the most determined feeling to fight the battle of Freedom and to nse all proper means to prevent the return of any fugitive from bondage.

Ia the course of Mr. Parker's remarks he renounced his former party allegiance and expressed his determination hereafter to go for freedom to all mankind, everywhere- .. . The meeting then adjonro ed to Court Square in Boston, at Il o'clock yesterday.

Among those who went to Boston were: Adin Thayer, W. W. Rice, T. W. Higginson and Martin Stowell.

Two citizens of Worcester were arrested for acts alleged to have been done by them in opposing the United States officers at Boston. They were T. W.

Higginson and Martin Stowell. Neither was con- victed.

The rendition of Burns produced a profound im- pression in this city. The bells of all the churches were tolled during the day ; the stores were closed and draped in black; the flag of the United States, re- versed, furled, draped with black and raised half-mast high, was hoisted on the liberty pole on the Common.

On Sunday morning the effigies of four men, promi- nently connected with the Burns case, were found suspended on the Common. Large labels were at- tached.

No. 1. PONTIUS PILATE LORING, THE UNJUST JUDGE. No. 2. BEN. HALLETT, THE KIDNAPPER. No. 3. CALEB CUSHING, THE BLOODHOUND. No. 4. FRANK PIERCE, SATAN'S JOURNEYMAN.

Scarcely had Burns been remanded to slavery, when the slave-hunters sought Worcester for the supposed purpose of securing the person of William H. Jan- kins, an escaped slave. On Sunday October 29, 1854, information was received that Asa O. Butman, a deputy United States marshal, who had arrested Burns, was here. At once the Spy issued the follow- ing notice :-

LOOK OUT FOR KIDNAPPERS !

BUTMAN, THIE KIDNAPPER OF THOMAS SIMS AND ANTHONY BURNS, 18 IN TOWN, ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER OFFICER ! ! THEY ARE BOOKED AT THE AMERICAN TEMPERANCE HOUSE ! LOOK OUT FOR THEM 11

A public meeting was held in the evening, and the vigilance committee previously appointed watched the hotel and the movements of Butman. They were assisted by a large number of volunteers, who sur- rounded the hotel. The crowd increased and became somewhat demonstrative in language. A pistol was seen in the hands of Butman, a complaint was at once made against him for carrying dangerous weap- ons, he was arrested and came before the court the next morning and gave bail for his appearance at a later day. The Commonwealth was represented by W. W. Rice and Adin Thayer.

Upon his release, the excitement was such, the at- tendance so large, and the outlook so ominous, that he sought the protection of the officers of the law, which was granted, and he was taken to the marshal's office. But with that respect for law which Worcester has signally displayed, and with the most earnest purpose to prevent violence, those whose love for freedom could never be questioned, attempted to repress the ardor of the crowd. George F. Hoar ad- dressed the throng and earnestly besought that no violence should be inflicted on Butman, and cour- ageously announced that he had offered to accompany

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Butman to the depot. Rev. T. W. Higginson, Martin Stowell, S. S. Foster and others volunteered to form a body-guard for Butman's safety. A more instructive scene has rarely been witnessed in Worcester than the protection afforded by these ardent friends of liberty to the person of this cringing coward, whose supposed business they bitterly loathed. These, with a few police, escorted Butman to the depot. There were obstacles to a rapid journey, and upon arrival at the station, it was found that the train upon which they proposed to send Butman to Boston, had left. Mr. Foster stated to the crowd that Butman had pro- mised never again to visit Worcester, if he could safely depart ; that this was a victory for freedom, and he hoped that no violence would mar the triumph. At last Butman was started for Boston in a hack, ac- companied by Mr. Higginson. It is believed that he kept his promise l

There was no occasion to " recommend for immediate removal " any of the Worcester police; their only as- sistance rendered Butman was to get him safely out of the city without his prize. It may be very doubtful if Mr. Butman's visit here was for the purpose of procuring Mr. Jenkins, for the reason that more than three years prior to his visit, Mr. Jenkins, through the instrumentality of Emory Washburn, had been manumitted by his owner (?), W. E. Taylor, of Norfolk, and for the further reason that the instru- ment of manumission had been recorded in Norfolk in 1851, and in the city clerk's office at Worcester on June 9, 1854.

As it is believed that it is the only document of that character recorded here since 1777, at which time one of similar import is of record, I have thought it deserving of insertion here. It is as follows.

Kaow all men by these presents, that I, William E. Taylor, of the City of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have manumitted, Emaoci- pated aad set free, and by these presents do mamumit, emancipate and set free a mulatto man slave named Henry Jenkins, and sometimes called William Henry Jenkins, who was purchased by me in the year 1837 of the late John N. Walke, of the said City of Norfolk, and I hereby declare him, the said llenry, to be entirely liberated from slavery and entitled to all the rights and privileges of a free person, with which it is in my power to invest him. The said Ileory hereby emancipated is a man of light complexion, about five feet eight or Dine inches high, aod about thirty-five years of age.

Ia testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at the City of Norfolk, aforesaid, this 20th day of March, A.D. 1851.

W. E. TAYLOR. [LS.]

la the Clerk's office of the Court of the Corporation of the City of Norfolk, on the 20th day of March, 1851, this deed of emancipa- tion was acknowledged by William E. Taylor, party thereto, and admitted to record.

Teste JNO. WILLIAMS, CZ. 1851, March 20 Ackd io off hy Wm. E. Taylor and A. R.

Teste JNO. WILLIAMS, CI. JNO. WILLIAMS, CI.

Recorded and examined, (State tax paid.)

The righteous indignation of Worcester over the dastardly assault upon Senator Sumner fouud imme- diate expression at a meeting held in May, 1856. The officers of the meeting were ; President, Hon. J. S. C. Knowlton ; Vice Presidents, Rejoice Newton, Ira

M. Barton, W. A. Wheeler, George W. Richardson, Henry Chapin, Charles Thurber, Lee Sprague, P. Emory Aldrich, George M. Rice, William T. Merri- field, Edward Earle, Joseph Mason and Thomas Kin- nicutt ; Secretary, P. L. Moen. Speeches were made by P. Emory Aldrich, Charles Allen, Dwight Foster, D. F. Parker, J. B. D. Coggswell and Rev. Horace James. For participation in this service, if for no other reason, Worcester ought to hold these honored men in enduring remembrance.

During all this period the activity of Worcester in the anti-slavery cause was conspicuous, not simply in the ranks of the Anti-Slavery Society, but in the great body of the more practical and constitutional Free Soilers and Whigs. The records of the Wor- cester County South Division Anti-Slavery Society, now in the possession of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, show that as early as 1847 the society began to adopt resolutions that it was the " duty of the non-slave-holding States to immediately secede from the Union." In 1851, while it rejoiced in the election of Charles Sumner, it resolved that he, Giddings, Hale, Mann, etc., occupy an utterly inde- fensible position, because they have taken an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. Again, in 1854, after the formation of the Republican party, it resolved that the support of the new party is prac- tical treason to the anti-slavery cause.

Its members were animated by a deep and abiding spirit of abhorrence of the institution of slavery and could see no possible issue out of participation in its crime, except by withdrawal from a government whose Constitution, they argued, sustained it. Events have shown that, by the very opposite course of insistence that no State should or could legally withdraw from the Union, the grand consummation which they so earnestly desired-the utter annihilation of slavery- has been accomplished. The great majority of Worces- ter's freedom-loving population, while detesting slav- ery, were not disunionists. The Anti-Slavery Society resolved that no true abolitionist could consistently hold office, but Worcester agreed with Dr. Oramel Martin, who in one of the public meetings of the society, in 1854, argued that it was wisest for the cause to vote for the best anti-slavery candidates they could get.

But, however much certain details of action were disapproved, without doubt the work of that society served a most beneficent purpose and was a grand educator of the people. Stephen S. Foster and Abby Kelly Foster were the best known members of the Anti-Slavery Society, and their assiduous and fearless labor, day and night, in season and out of season, was a contribution of great power to the general cause.

A greater privilege yet awaited Worcester. It be- came the birth-place of the Republican party. This is not intended in a partisan sense or with a partisan bias, but simply in a historical view.

On July 20, 1854, the "People's Convention " was

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held in Worcester, participated in by many of Wor- cester's strong men as well as from all sections of the State. Upon that day the party took the name of " Republican."

P. Emory Aldrich and P. W. Taft, of Worcester, were upon the Committee on Resolutions, which reported, among other resolutions, the following :

"Resolved, That the unquestionable existence of a settled purpose on the part of the slave power to convert the Republic which our fathers founded on principles of justice and liberty into a slave-holding despot- ism, whose vital and animating spirit shall be the preservation, propa- gation end perpetuation of slavery, calls for the immediate union of all true men into a party which shall make the question of freedom par- amount to all other political questions.

Resolved, That in co-operation with the friends of freedom in other States we hereby form ourselves into the REPUBLICAN PARTY of Massa- chusetts, pledged to the accomplishment of the following purposes"-

among which were the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law, the restoration of liberty to Kansas and Ne- braska, prohibition of slavery in all the Territories, refusal of admission of any more slave States into the Union, etc.

The activity of Worcester in the formation of the Republican party and in the great struggle for free- dom in Kansas are considered so fully by another writer that I forego further mention of it. So, too, the energy and the sacrifice of Worcester in the Civil War receive treatment in another article. All, how- ever, combine to form the magnificent total of Wor- cester's achievement in behalf of Liberty and Union.

Worcester's contribution to the great temperance movement was not equalled by any town in the State.

The consecration to a life of sobriety and moral effort made by John B. Gough, when, at the Worces- cester Town Hall on October 31, 1842, he took the pledge of total abstinence, had doubtless a more beneficent effect upon the whole land in the grand efforts for the reclamation of those addicted to the excessive use of liquor aud in the elevation of the moral sentiment of the country, than any other agency. In the suppression of the sale of liquor, the sugges- tion made by Mayor Bacon, in his inaugural address of 1852, has proved more potent than any other legal means. He says : " We cannot rely upon living wit- nesses to give the testimony sufficient to put down this traffic. Why should we not then, as in other cases, appeal to the tools-the implements, and, if necessary, to the very liquor itself and get their response ? Why not produce and interrogate them ?"

CLOSING PERIOD.

The space allowed for this article has already been exceeded; the reference to this period must, there- fore, be exceedingly brief. The materials for its his- tory are so accessible that any one may readily examine for himself.

The causes which contributed to the growth and prominence of Worcester have continued to exist and operate, so that now it is estimated that the city has

a population of about 82,000. It has a valuation of $64,514,536 and 23,122 polls. Its Lynde Brook Res- ervoir has been increased so that its storage capacity is now 680,000,000 gallons. In 1883 the city took the waters of Tatnuck Brook as an additional water sup- ply, and the distributing reservoir upon that stream has a storage capacity of 370,000,000 gallons, so that, with Bell Pond, of 30,000,000 gallons, its present actual supply is 1,080,000,000 gallons. The daily consumption is somewhat over 4,000,000 gallons. It has now 110 miles of main pipe and 76 miles of ser- vice pipe. Its water-works system has cost about $2,350,000.

Work upon the construction of sewers has been continued until now the city has sixty-eight miles of sewers, all constructed within the last twenty-one years. It has now a duty imposed upon it of purify- ing its sewage before pouring it into the Blackstone River. The total cost of its sewers has exceeded $2,400,000.

The act which authorized the city's sewer system provided that assessments might be made for a por- tion of the cost upon those whose estates were bene- fited thereby.

Each city government till 1872 hesitated and de- layed to take the action authorized. It was necessarily attended with great embarrassments and difficul- ties, but Hon. George F. Verry, in his inaugural of 1872, took strong and fearless ground as to the necessity of meeting the question and dealing with it without further delay. Accordingly, in 1872, an a-sessment, aggregating $450,000, was laid. Natur- ally it met with opposition, but its legality was estab- lished by the Supreme Court and it was collected.

The mayors during this period have been as follows : 1869-71, James B. Blake; 1871, Henry Chapin, ad interim, for a few weeks after Mayor Blake's death, Edward Earle the balance of the year ; 1872, George F. Verry; 1873, Clark Jillson; 1874, Edward L. Davis; 1875-76, Clark Jillson ; 1877-79, Charles B. Pratt; 1880-81, Frank H. Kelley ; 1882, Elijah B. Stoddard ; 1883, Samuel E. Hildreth ; 1884-85, Chas. G. Reed; 1886-89, Samuel Winslow.

In 1871 the city took decisive action towards re- moving the railroad tracks from the old Common and some of the adjacent and most frequented streets, which resulted in their removal and the construction of the Union Station. In 1885 steps were taken to secure the removal of the Old South meeting-house, and under legislative authority it was accomplished in 1887, at an expense of $115,000. The Common is now free from all structures not belonging to the city. The City Hall, the monument to Col. Timothy Bige- low, erected in 1861, and the beantiful soldiers' mon- ument, dedicated July 15, 1874, alone remain upon it.

The wisdom of providing ample parks by the city was stimulated by the gifts of Horace H. Bigelow and later of Edward L. Davis, of Lake Park, on the shores of Quinsigamond, and of Stephen Salisbury, of Insti-

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tute Park, on the shores of Salisbury Pond, so that in 1888 the city government appropriated two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the purchase of several tracts in various sections of the city for use as parks.

Worcester's benefactors have been largely those whose gifts have been their loyal service to her, but she is not without those who added to such service more material means. The largest pecuniary gift which Worcester ever received was from George Jaques, who by deed and will gave to the city in 1872 over two hundred thousand dollars for a city hospital. Mrs. Helen C. Knowles, wife of Lucius J. Knowles, gave to the city in 1886, by her will, twenty-five thou- sand dollars for a maternity ward in connection with the hospital. George Bancroft, in 1882, presented to his native city the sum of five thousand dollars for the foundation of a scholarship in memory of his parents, the income to be devoted towards the liberal education of some young native of Worcester who, in the schools of the city, may prove his ability.

Still another railroad leading to Worcester has been added-the Boston, Barre and Gardner-to which the city liberally contributed two hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars in subscription to the capital stock. The Worcester and Shrewsbury Railroad to the lake affords abundant facilities for access to that attractive resort.

The street railroad has extended its location, so that now it has seventeen miles of track, and carried the past year 3,794,169 passengers.

The city's streets have increased in number and length, so that now it has one hundred and forty-two miles of public streets, and fifty miles of private ways.

Its schools have been fostered with a generous hand, the appropriation the past year for that purpose being- $266,554.00. Its great educational institutions bave been supplemented by the Polytechnic Institute and Clark University.

Though the net debt of the city was, on November 30, 1888, $2,061,183.00, yet its credit stands as high, and its bonds sell at as much premium, as those of any town or city in the country.

Although Worcester has, at no time, been repre- sented upon the successful State ticket since 1869, yet her influence has not sensibly diminished. Her leading men have rendered service in other capacities.

GEORGE F. HOAR represented this district in the National House of Representatives from 1869 to 1877, and has been greatly distinguished as United States Senator from Massachusetts since 1877.

CHARLES DEVENS, JR., remained upon the Supe- rior Court bench till 1873, when he was appointed one of the justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, and remained such till 1877, when he became Attor- ney-General of the United States in the Cabinet of President Hayes. Upon his retirement from that position in 1881, he was again appointed one of the justices of our Supreme Court, which position he now occupies.

FRANCIS H. DEWEY was one of the justices of the Superior Court from 1869 to 1881, when he resigned.

P. EMORY ALDRICH has been a member of the Superior Court bench since 1873, and

HAMILTON B. STAPLES since 1881.

W. W. RICE succeeded Geo. F. Hoar in the House of Representatives and remained till 1887.

JOSEPH H. WALKER has just been elected a mem- ber of the next Honse.

A merited and distinguished honor was conferred upon Ex-Gov. BULLOCK, in the offer by President Hayes of the nomination of his name for minister to England, which was declined by Mr. Bullock.

HENRY CHAPIN remained judge of Probate till his death, in 1878, when he was succeeded by another citizen of Worcester, ADIN THAYER, who held the office till his death, in 1888.

THOMAS L. NELSON was appointed judge of the United States District Court for the Massachusetts District in 1879, and still occupies the position.

Worcester has furnished district attorneys for the Middle District during the entire time, viz .: W. W. Rice, H. B. Staples, Francis T. Blackmer, W. S. B. Hopkins, and the present incumbent.

Worcester has had the service of distinguished members of the bar as city solicitors, including T. L. Nelson, F. T. Blackmer and Frank P. Goulding.

CONCLUSION .- If, from the foregoing sketch, it can be seen that Worcester, during the past century of her existence, has been true to the highest demands of civic existence ; has been active and usually fore- most in the great movements of political thought ; that her people have been inspired with a true con- ception of duty ; that her leaders have been fearless and actuated by noble impulses; that material pros- perity has been attained by promoting intellectual and moral growth, as well as by sagacious judgment and varied industries; that her true progress has not been retarded by alien indifference, but promoted by the filial affection of her children, its purpose will have been accomplished.

The fountains of her political action have remained pure. Her affairs have been, in the main, committed to men of education and capacity. She has ordina- rily chosen as her servants those who, from culture, intelligence, honesty and maturity of judgment, were qualified to represent her worthily. The demagogue has found here no place for the sole of his foot; the unworthy self-seeker for office has been doomed to disappointment.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 133

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464