USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Cheshire > History of the town of Cheshire, Berkshire County, Mass. > Part 19
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In 1873 Noble K. Wolcott, who was reared in Cheshire and connected with its business through his early life, died at his home, the homestead of the Wolcotts. This man was always successful in his investments and amassed a large fortune. He married late in life and died without children. He was the last of Moses Wolcott's family. The home fell to Mrs. Noble Wol- cott and to Mrs. Fisk, a niece of Mrs. Wolcott and grand-daughter of Wil- liam Wolcott, whose name is often seen on the town records in early days.
A little later Luther Brown, who had fallen heir to the river meadows and the intervale owned originally by Capt. Brown, died suddenly at his home. The family being south the home was broken up. He was soon fol- lowed by R. C. Brown, whose pleasant, kindly face and friendly interest in all who sought his advice, caused him to be remembered sorrowfully by a large crowd of friends gathered through years of daily meeting.
J. N. Richmond, whose name has often been used upon these pages, after selling the lots on the fields that he had added to the village, went to Illi- nois, where he died three months later. Cheshire was bereft indeed in los- ing so many of her sons during this decade. Warner Farum, prominent as a town officer and a man of sterling worth, died a few months previous.
In 1873 George Browning opened a harness shop, and being a good work- man he supplied a need that had long been felt.
In 1873 the mill of Dean & Martin burned, but was rebuilt at once. In 1881 Mr. George Martin left the mill on account of gradually failing health. A slow and insidious disease was undermining his life, and in 1882 in spite of the loving home circle and the deep interest of friends with which he was hedged about, notwithstanding the earnest wishes and prayers for his recovery to health again, he went down to the grave mourned and regretted by all who knew him. J. B. Dean continued the business sawing lumber, lathes and shingles, making barrels, barrel-heads, staves, etc. Connected with the mill is also a department where grains are ground for feed. In 1883 George Z. Dean bought the interest of J. B. Dean in the store on Main street, and W. B. Dean the mill interests, which he carries on as before.
During this epoch in 1874 the Farnum Brothers commenced the manu- facture of lime at Muddy Brook. This is quite a large industry, giving employment and helps the town, as they use many barrels and ship their lime abroad.
Although telegraphy had made rapid strides since Morse first secured the favors of the powers at Washington for his wires and mode of working
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
them, Cheshire had never had an office established within its borders until 1876. Prior to this date any person desiring to send a dispatch to a friend was compelled to go to Adams or Pittsfield. No matter how great the haste, or how urgent the need, the long ride must be taken first, the message for- warded, and if an answer was required the time until its arrival spent as patiently as possible, then the homeward ride followed. This was felt a great inconvenience. Sometimes an important item was dispatched to Pittsfield, reaching there at an early hour in the morning, but could not cover the last ten miles and reach its destination until the morning train time, and it could go as mail matter.
In 1826 the wires were laid through Cheshire, the posts put up, an office opened at Mr. HI. C. Bowen's store, with Miss Julia Bowen as operator. The office is now at the depot and Mr. Marshall Jenks attends to it. In 1883 Mr. Towner Jenks, who had lost his foot in the battle of Gettysburg and was an intense sufferer from it, found that he could not attend to the duties of the situation as station agent and resigned the position after a long term of service. Mr. Marshall Jenks succeeded to the place, Edwin Brown tak- ing the position of baggage master.
In the beginning of the year 1875 the inhabitants of the village depended wholly upon springs and wells for a supply of water, and during the dry season when some of these failed many families were obliged to go quite a little distance to obtain it for daily use. In case of fire there was little or no protection, and the question of a good water supply began to be strongly agitated. Our enterprising and public spirited fellow townsmen Messrs. R. A. Burget and F. F. Petitclerc proposed that a stock company be formed and the water brought from a mountain brook above the Kitchen, which, fed entirely by large springs, would furnish pure water in necessary quantity for the whole village. Their first efforts in this direction met with some opposition, and grave doubts were expressed as to the feasibility of obtain- ing enough water during the dry season to warrant the attempt and ex- penditure. But persistent effort generally carries the day, and bending every energy to the task, after weeks of argument and urging they convinced the doubting ones of the expediency of the project, and the company was incorporated by act of the legislature under the name of the Cheshire Water Company.
Section first of the charter reads: "Richard A. Burget, Felix F. Petitclerc and George Martin, their associates and successors are made a corporation under the name of the Cheshire Water Company for the purpose of supplying the town of Cheshire with pure water, etc." The above named gentlemen were also chosen directors, and as soon as the weather would allow the work began, and was pushed vigorously until its completion in the carly fall gave to
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FROM 1867-1884.
our little town an inexhaustible supply of pure water, second to none in the state, with a pressure of 120 pounds to the square inch, thus furnishing ef- fective protection against fire. The pipes were all of cast iron and laid below the frost line, so that very little trouble from leakage has arisen. At first the pipes were only laid through that portion of the village west of the railroad, but later they were extended to supply a portion of Scrabbletown, and a few years after a further extension supplied the Tannery grounds with water.
During the years following the purchase of the iron furnace by the Rich- mond Iron Company its progress was upward. The deposit of iron ore was found extending in different directions, and unlike other deposits on both sides of the valley. The limestone is found but seldom among the Hoosacs, and the quartz rarely among the Tagconics. The town holds upon her own soil the treasure of fine iron ore, a treasure which in a way outranks gold and silver, as the intelligence and advancement of a race toward civilization has always been marked by its use and knowledge of iron. Much of the ore used at the furnace is mined at Richmond, where the deposits are rich. The iron manufactured at the Cheshire furnace is second to none in the country. It is employed in the construction of the great guns at South Boston. The greater share of the time since 1863 they have been in opera- tion, save when idle for repairs. With the ups and downs that follow the iron market all mills are sometimes forced to close for a few months on ac- count of an over supply, or some similar condition, which is unfortunate for the town and the men employed at the works, but denotes no lack of pros- perity on the part of the operators. In 1884 the iron furnace was closed for the summer.
The Gordon Sand Bed increased in its works and gradually enlarged its borders, adding other beds, which were developed and industriously worked. In 1875, upon the death of the former agent, R. C. Brown, F. F. Petitclerc was secured as agent and took charge of the works. He went at the work of developing the sand beds and enlarging the business with all of his energy.
In 1876 a building was erected for washing and storing the sand. It was 110 feet long by 40 wide. This same year another building was put up for the accommodation of an elevator and a pump, the latter worked by water power used to throw the water from the pit. A track was laid to the mouth of the pit where the sand was received from the elevator. Thirty- three thousand dollars were expended at this time in improvements.
In 1877 George W. Gordon died, and the Gordon Sand Bed was man- aged by a new company under the name of the Berkshire Glass Sand Min- ing Company, F. F. Petitclerc, Agent. In 1879 it changed proprietors again . and settled down firmly under the name of the Berkshire Glass Sand Com-
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
pany. In 1880 a second building was erected for washing and storing, and in 1882 another was added. A cooper shop is operated where the barrels required in the business are constructed.
In 1881 another sand bed was opened south of the village and a building for washing and storing put up. Here a side track runs in and the barrels when loaded for market are rolled from the platform of the building on to the car. In 1882 the Berkshire Glass Sand Company consolidated with that of L. L. Brown & Son. In 1883 some chasers were put in for crushing the sand; these are two huge circular stones run by steam, and prepare the sand for market in different grades of coarseness, according to the following brands: 12, 18, 24, 40, 40XXX and 100.
The quartz is also used by this company in making the best silica fire brick known. The company are now erecting a large building in which to manufacture them, and expect to be able to compete successfully with the best imported brick; the Cheshire brick having stood fire tests which melted the foreign brick. With teamsters, coopers and all, seventy-five men are employed in the different departments. So the Berkshire Glass Sand Com- pany has gone steadily on stretching out its arms, its trenches and beds have invaded the sleepy borough of Scrabbletown and undermined now and then a garden, here and there a house. Adding new machinery and conven- iences they dig, wash, crush, barrel and ship their wares in the most im- proved and systematic manner with the greatest ease and rapidity all over the world.
And this deposit of sand, white as snow, and lying dormant so long ex- tends along the bed of the river and underneath our old farms, an exhaust- less pile, which came to the surface when needed, as petroleum bubbled up from the earth in floods just at the time when whaling ships came home from north sea voyages empty, and sailors declared the whale crop disap- pearing, while croakers on shore looked forward to a time, speedily ap- proaching, when the nation would be forced to sit in darkness because there was no oil. When man grows older on the world he will know that at the time of need for any discovery the train of circumstances to lead up to it is laid and the discovery waiting at the door, for all history tells the story.
This sand is unequalled by any yet discovered, and won a gold medal at the London Exposition and a bronze at the Centennial. Cars go from the station daily loaded with it for distant points. At Boston it is used by the New England Glass Company, the Union, Boston & Sandwich Glass Com- pany, and a score more, in manufacturing everything that is dainty and beantiful from a tiny wine cup to an exquisite set of cut glass, for which yon may pay half a thousand dollars. The following is a copy of the analysis :
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FROM 1867-1884.
STATE ASSAYER'S OFFICE, NO. 4 STATE STREET, 1
BOSTON, January 13, 1880.
Berkshire Glass Sand Company:
GENTLEMEN: I have analyzed a sample of white sand received from Felix F. Petit- clerc, Supt., with the following results. One hundred parts contain : Pure silica, 99.78
Alumina and lime, 0.22
Total, -
- 100.00
This is remarkably pure silica in the form of white sand. It is excellent for use in the best of flint glass and for chemical purposes. Respectfully,
S. DANA HAYES,
State Assayer and Chemist, Mass.
In 1876, The Cheshire White Quartz Sand Co. was organized ; J. B. Dean, President; George Z. Dean, Treasurer. They have two mills, and crush the rock without washing.
Lovain Rider and Foster Brothers kept a meat market on Main street, giving up the business in 1878 to Charles Cummings who opened on Main street a meat market and grain store. In 1880 Mr. Ed. Beers went into the butcher business, keeping a market in the village, but doing a brisk trade from his cart in adjoining towns.
In 1877 the Coles all entered a partnership in the tannery business under the name of Cole's Company.
In 1878 Dr. D. E. Thayer commenced the practice of his profession in Cheshire. A graduate of the Chicago Medical College, he was well up in his practice from actual experience, both as a student and a practitioner. He has always had an extensive ride. Dr. Bliss left town and Dr. Thayer and Dr. Phillips have been the only resident physicians until Dr. Ira Mason returned from his western home to live among his early friends once more. Other physicians sometime ride in from adjoining towns, but none beside care to come and stay. Dr. Mason belongs to the family of Mr. James Mason, who was an early settler. The doctor is an unquestionable Mason, both his father and his mother were members of the Mason family. His father came to Cheshire a young man, and had no home in town; his mother was daughter of the James Mason who settled at the Kitchen, and after their marriage made Adams their home. From this same family de- scended the minister, Almond Mason.
In 1881, the drug store was newly equipped and rented by H. J. Darby of Adams. He remained its occupant until 1884, when becoming interested in some experiments in brick making that were being developed by the Berkshire Glass Sand Co., he went into the new business, and Mr. H. F. Shaw of Dalton, relieved him from the store rental.
In 1883 Mr. Guy Preston received the appointment from this Congres- sional District as cadet to West Point. He bore with honor the primary
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
examination in 1883 and the second one at West Point in the summer of 1884, and was admitted to the military school, to the drill of books and war, in camp and in field.
In 1884 a gentlemen's club and reading room was established. The lead- ing papers are provided for the tables, debates are sometimes carried on, games are at hand, the rooms always warm and bright afford a pleasant place for both young and old to spend an evening; a place which young men with- out a home may find preferable to the bar-room or saloon.
In the winter of 1884 the excitement concerning skating rinks ran along the towns from point to point like a prairie fire, and Cheshire did not escape the contagion. G. Z. Dean opened a rink which was well and faithfully sustained during the season. Some fancy skating was provided and an oc- casional tournament given.
In the spring of 1884 Miss Eva Cummings opened a millinery store with ladies' furnishing goods in addition. Mr. George Stowell began to operate a green house. It was during this decade that Cheshire began to attract at- tention as a favorite resort for summer tourists. The scenery is picturesque and romantic, the mountain breezes are cool all through the heated term, there are no finer roads in the world than are found through this valley from south to north, hard and smooth and even they form strong attractions for pleasure driving, while the varied and charming scenery is a feast for the eye. There are many points in the near vicinity for strangers to visit that afford a pleasant day. Potter's Mountain, Graylock, Pontoosuc Lake, the famed Savoy House, Rolling Rock, Big Rock, are some of these spots.
Upon the farm of the Northups, a farm owned by this family since the first Northup fought the wolves and built his log house in the early years of the settlement, is a cave which is a natural curiosity. The entrance or mouth is so small and overgrown by bush and bramble as to scarcely attract the notice of the passer-by, but after admission is gained a hall or narrow way leads to different chambers of good size. In some of these rooms pic- tures and words have been cut into the rock, and upon the floor are scat- tered pots, a knife or two and some dishes, showing evidently that it has been occupied at some time either by hunters or parties in hiding.
Mrs. R. C. Brown commenced the movement of inviting summer travel- ers to the village by throwing open to those who desired a home for the weeks of summer, outside of the city, with its hot pavements and rows of wall, her own house on the hill with its spacious rooms, its wide halls and pleasant verandas. The giant trees in the outlying park break the hot rays of the sun, cast their heavy shade where the games of croquet and lawn tennis are stretched, and shield the players at their sport, or the invalid and the more quiet as they rest upon some rustic seat. Taken together, house,
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FROM 1867-1884.
grounds and table it is one of the first in favor among the places offering board to the city strangers.
Then there is the Hoosac Valley House with a crystal brook tumbling over the rocks, a little distance in the rear, a huge clump of trees tossing their crowns over the roof, and a lawn where the cider mill used to stand when the Captain was master of the place. This is another desirable home, made so by its proprietors.
Prospect Farm, is situated on the eastern hills in the midst of the most ravishing prospect in the whole town. Well and appropriately is it named -Prospect Farm. The proprietors are generous, their table is loaded with all the good things the farm produces in profusion. Children play upon the grass in the field and ride up from the meadows on the big loads of hay; they follow the milkman to the stanchion or milk-yard with their cups and have them filled with the sweet foaming milk. There is no trouble there; city mothers need not throw away any of the little ones be- fore engaging board at Prospect Farm. There is room there for all of them.
On the western hills a new house, nicely fitted up by Mrs. Daniel Wood, offers a home that is cool, quiet and healthful, with all the charms of a country farm life.
At the Kitchen Mrs. Nathan Mason has a large, convenient house just by the brook-a picturesque and pleasant home.
In the village, on Main street, is the home of Mrs. George Martin, a de- lightful place for any who desire to share a neat, tasty home made cheery by young ladies and agreeable surroundings, both within and without.
The selling of berries is quite an industry among the children of the vil- lage. Rising at an early hour the willing feet and busy fingers are em- ployed tramping over the fields to the berry-patch, and picking the shining berries in their turn-the strawberry hidden in the long meadow grasses or ripening upon the sunny pasture hill, the raspberry or blackberry later in the season; filling huge pails they take the cars to Adams or Pittsfield, where they find a ready market, at a good price, for their fruit and return home with empty pails and a little pile of change tied up in the corner of their handkerchiefs. During the six weeks, commencing with July 1st and ending at the mid August days, 739 tickets were sold to children going to Adams alone.
The Good Templar Lodge did its work, and as an organization it was abandoned as the years passed by bringing with them the crusade-the Women's Christian Temperance Union and other orders. In 1884, the W. C. T. U. stands at the head, and from Maine to Florida, from Boston Bay to Puget Sound, it rules the hour and preaches prohibition across the continent.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
A reading club is carried on successfully in the village, having been in existence for a number of years and meeting on every Friday evening during the winter months.
The Public Library has increased in strength until in the present decade its future outlook is very bright. Funds have been raised in a variety of ways with which to purchase new books. Many volumes have been given by different individuals. E. D. Foster has never lost his interest or relaxed his vigilance, and hundreds of books are on the shelves that could never have been obtained without his assistance and personals gifts. John C. Wolcott also has presented many volumes to the library. Some sets con- prising the complete works of an author. The little building is full now to overflowing. Every case and shelf and place that ingenuity can devise has been piled high with books. A fund is in reserve as a nucleus, around which the library board and friends of the institution . hope to gather suffi- cient to erect a suitable building. When this is done and a room pleasantly finished with appropriate surroundings of tables and desks, with book cases convenient and suitable for the preservation of their contents, it will be the crowning jewel of this Berkshire village. It contains now 2,370 volumes, with Miss Emma Martin as their custodian.
In 1884 Cheshire sustained a serious loss in the death of an efficient and valued town man, E. F. Nickerson. One of its business men for years, ever honorable and upright, he was a kind friend and neighbor; but he was far more than this to the town. A man of education he was always interested in the schools, had served for many successive years on the Board of Edu- cation, and was looked upon as authority in all matters pertaining to these interests. It seemed almost impossible to fill his place.
Approaching Cheshire from the south, and just beyond Meeting-House Hill at the north, one obtains the best views of the village, or rather of its chimneys, roofs and spires, nestled among the hills, half hidden by the trees. The spirit of inquiry has hovered over this ancient and interesting town during the year 1884, and a strong desire been evident to have its history, traditions and romances hunted up and put on record.
Settled as it was over a century and a quarter ago by an active, sensible, energetic people it has borne through all the years of its existence a moral and intellectual character. Its climate is fine and salubrious, one that is conducive to perfect health and great longevity, of the latter statement the moss-grown, storm-stained stones of blue and gray that stand in its old scattered burying grounds are prima-facie evidence. Aged 93 is the fre- quent record on these outposts at the extreme limits of life's journey. The bracing mountain air stimulates the mental vigor as well as the physical health.
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It is a town that has kept well up with the times. Situated near enough the great centers to keep pace with their literary culture and partake of their many and varied opportunities. It has been far enough remote to escape the evils of its dissipations, and has ever maintained a self-sustaining and self-respecting inward life. It is somewhat rich in family reminiscen- ces; occupies, in a certain measure, historic ground, and possesses many elements of local interest.
Cheshire is not specially fortunate in its lawyers that have remained to shine and adorn the town, but it has produced as many lawyers, doctors and ministers and sent them out for the foray and battle of life as any other town of its size on this or any other continent.
Its streets in 1884 are broad and long and old-fashioned, and at friendly distances along them are planted its houses-the modest, humble ones, the antique buildings of early times and some pretentious ones of modern date.
With its four churches, school house and town hall, its post-office and stores, where dry goods, groceries and hardware dwell in harmony together, in addition to the more distinctive ones, with its shops where various branches of business are pursued, its miniature green house, its mills, sand beds and lumbering interests, the signs of business are seen, and its busy hum goes on year after year, but its greatest interest lingers around the vine-clad homes-the dwelling houses with their body-guard trees and apple orchards as back grounds. Entering them one often finds an air of gentili- ty, and is pretty sure to see some reminder of the foremothers and fore- fathers. Sometimes these houses are a perfect museum of antiquarian pos- sessions. Not filled with Sevres china, or ewers and platters after Palissy, but on side board or dresser stand cups, saucers, plates and platters, sugar bowls and creamers, owned as early as 1750 by some grand-aunt or great grand-mother, and going back-how far no one knows; of that delightful tinge of pink, blue or mulberry that belongs to the primitive time and costs a small fortune over the counter of a china store. Tea urns and bowls, so dainty, of such ancient device as to cause a hunter after these relics to spend sleepless nights of longing to own them. Chairs and pictures brought from "Down Country" through the forests by the pioneers in 1767. Spinning wheels and reels, and in some cases the low ceiling and polished beams of the last century may be seen. While some residences are perfect ware-houses of souvenirs from preceding generations, every one of them has a tea cup, plate, platter or punch bowl that has connected with it some tradition of interest.
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