USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > History of the town of Douglas, (Massachusetts,) from the earliest period to the close of 1878 > Part 10
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The issues of both the Herald and Compendium appeared on the 11th of November, reduced to six columns on a page, and printed entirely at the home office, the ready-printed outsides be- ing abandoned. Typographically and otherwise the paper never presented a more creditable appearance.
March 9th, 1872, Mr. Charles A. W. Spencer, a brother of the editor, who had been for some time in his employ, was admitted to partnership, but the firm name remained unchanged under the style of G. W. Spencer & Co.
On the 25th of January, 1873, the Douglas Herald and Whit- insville Compendium were merged into one sheet, called the Wor-
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cester South Compendium, and was at the same time enlarged to seven columns on a page. The paper continued to exist as a Doug- las institution until the 4th of October, 1873, when it was removed to Uxbridge, against the wish of a large portion of the people of this town. The job office was separated from the paper, and left in charge of the junior member of the firm, who also for a time acted as editor of a Douglas department. Within a few months of the removal the job office was sold to Mr. C. J. Batcheller, a former employe of the concern, who has since continued to act as agent and correspondent of the Worcester South Compendium. Through the efforts put forth in this direction the paper has succeeded in retaining the larger part of its Douglas support, and is still con- sidered the local organ of the town and vicinity.
Probably no paper ever had a more enthusiastic set of sup- porters than the Herald while it remained here, notwithstanding its recognized faults and insufficiencies. The business men of the community were anxious to have an organ which might aid in correcting evils and promote the town's welfare. There is no doubt that the paper did a great deal in this direction, but it might have done much more if it had been backed by sufficient capital. It was an impecunious institution from the start, and never succeeded in surmounting the obstacle of debt, although its facilities were greatly improved by additions of type and material from time to time. No injustice is done to its founder and pub- lisher in saying that a lack of financial management has been the one obstacle encountered. The tone of the paper was such as to meet the approval of the fastidious. It always sought to advance the interests of the town as a whole, without regard to the prejudices of the few, and it advocated its pet ideas fearlessly and without favor. Its influence could never be bought, but its columns were always open to any respectful complainant, or to any one who had a subject of public interest to discuss. On the subject of schools the Herald always took a position in advance of the sentiment of the community, ridiculing the idea of putting the high school on wheels, to be moved here and there at the beck of some agitator, and denouncing the action of the town in returning to the district system after its condemnation by the best intelligence of the State. In politics it was professedly " independent," which in the opinion of the editor did not deny him the privilege of
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writing and voting with the Republican party if he saw fit to do so. In times of heated political contests his views were sometimes found to be objectionable to his Democratie readers, and in the Butler campaigns the hostility of the paper to the General as a gubernatorial candidate won the ill will of some Republicans.
The Herald was started as a local paper, and its object. from first to last, was to present an epitome of local news, and to advocate beneficent measures of a local nature, making the dis- cussion of other matters of secondary importance. In this field it was a success, and claims only the credit due it.
Since the publication of the Herald was discontinued in East Douglas the following publications have been issued :
In 1874 The Advertiser, a monthly sheet, by C. J. Batcheller.
Our Home Journal, by W. D. Bridge & Co., in 1877.
In October, 1877, the Engraver's Proof-Sheet, an illustrated paper, by Win. A. Emerson, now in its second year.
In 1876 a volume entitled Practical Instructions in the Art of Wood Engraving, by Wm. A. Emerson, a 16-mo., 52 pp .. illustrated.
All the above were printed at the office of C. J. Batcheller.
CHAPTER XIII.
DOUGLAS BANDS, SOCIETIES, ETC.
ERY early in the history of Donglas it just- ly had the rep- utation of be- ing a musical town, and at the old-fash- ioned musters would almost invariably be represented by a regu- larly organized band of music. The first association of this kind of which we have any account was composed of the members named below. It flourished for a number of years, and was in existence as early as 1800 : Adolphus Taft, leader ; Col. Ezekiel Preston. bass clarion ; Stephen Southworth, Jesse Balcome, Micah Hill, Fuller Marsh, Dea. Isaac Gale, James Farwell, John Balcome, and Joseph Lee, clarionet ; Aaron Marsh, bassoon ; Ellis Balcome, bass drum. Wm. Hale, Sam'l Balcome, David Balcome, and Benaiah Morse were also members of this band, though we are not able to state the parts assumed by them.
The second band of which mention should be made was com- posed of very good players. The first seven in the subjoined list being young players were called the "Steer Band," and the last six the " Ox Team ;" Dorris Taft, leader ; Homer Whipple, bugle ; Willard Taft and Edward Balcome, clarionet ; Jedediah Balcome, fife ; Joseph Hunt, small drum ; Austin Packard, bass drum ; Cullen Whipple, bugle ; Justin Whipple and Clark Balcome, clari-
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onet ; Luther Stone, fife : Sumner Balcome, small drum ; Chester Morse, bass drumm.
" Ned Kendall," as he was familiarly called, figured promi- nently at musters near this time. He was about the only person who played the bugle at general musters, and received $10 per day for his services. Bugles were then made withont keys, and Cullen Whipple improved his by making finger-holes at the bend of the horn, by which he secured important variations in the tones of this instrument.
A few years afterwards another band (also under the leadership of Dorris Taft) was started, of which David Perry of Worcester was the teacher. It was composed of the following members : Willard Taft, Francis Taft, Edwin Moore, Malvern Wheeler. Dudley Balcome, Caleb Legg, George Reynolds, S. W. Heath, Sumner Sutton, William B. Amidon, Homer Whipple, Ansel Newton, Amasa Coggeshall, Austin Packard, and Sumner Balcome.
About the year 1840 this band gave a concert at Sutton street, and on the way home the stage conveying them was upset. Homer Whipple had his shoulder broken and his bugle thoroughly jammed, and Dudley Balcome's trombone was also so badly broken and jammed as to be deemed worthless. The company continued its organization only a short time after the accident. Mr. Whipple turned over his bugle to Dorris Reynolds, who was then about fourteen years of age, and he was so successful in repairing it that it was rendered highly serviceable again. After practicing for a while in the old lower axe shops at Douglas Center he was rein- forced by Clark Balcome, who had secured the loan of a trombone, and the two devoted most of their waking hours to practice - often by the light of a candle far into the night. After becoming some- what proficient in the use of their instruments they made their first public appearance by marching in solemn procession through the streets to the tune of " Yankee Doodle." Such an excitement did this arouse in the village that a mass-meeting was immediately called at the vestry of the Congregational church, and a band was organized with Mr. Amidon as leader on the E flat bugle, and Dorris Reynolds second leader on the B flat bugle. The following names were identified with this band: H. C. Reynolds, Isaac Balcome, Jonah Morse, Levi Stoddard, Gideon Turner, Peter Bal- come, John Gibson, Mowry Lapham, James Balcome, Warren
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Balcome, Augustus Balcome, Samuel Balcome, Edwin Balcome. Luther Balcome. Clark Balcome, Charles Balcome, and David Dudley.
In 1858-9 a new band was formed, with A. A. Goodspeed of Putnam, Conn., teacher ; D. T. Reynolds, leader, and A. F. Jones, second leader. S. N. Jones, N. H. Jones, Amos Steere, Edward Thayer, M. M. Luther, Thomas J. Calden, Henry C. Fitts, W. D. Balcome, Stillman Russell, Bennett W. Thomas, Charles Whipple. Cornelius Emmons, Enoch Converse, and Thomas Southwick were associated with them.
In 1861, at the outbreak of the Rebellion, nearly all the mem- bers of this band enlisted. Three times during the war was the band reduced and again filled. It retained its organization until about 1870.
In 1872 another company was organized, with A. A. Good- speed as teacher, D. T. Reynolds leader, A. F. Jones second leader, and including also the following members : George W. Spencer. C. A. W. Spencer, Arthur Sutton, Walter E. Cooke, Frank Young. Charles Hall, Westley Metcalf, L. A. Thayer, C. F. Russell, Still- man Russell, Nelson Jepherson, and M. M. Luther. This band continued its organization for about two years.
The present flourishing band was started June 2, 1875, with Dorris T. Reynolds leader, and N. H. Jones second leader. In April, 1876, Mr. Reynolds resigned, and Mr. E. F. Darcey of Putnam, Conn .. was chosen leader and teacher. James H. Bal- come, James B. Williams, M. M. Luther, F. F. Young, L. A. Thayer, Nelson Jepherson, T. O. Murphy. C. F. Travis, S. P. Copp, A. D. Bowers, A. E. Sutton. Chester Williams, Herbert W. Jones, George I. Hopkins, Stillman Russell, Elmer H. Bal- come, Moses H. Balcome, H. E. Boardman, W. P. Hough, W. F. Young, J. R. Darling, H. W. Sutton, C. F. Russell. Arthur F. Jones, H. B. Martin, William H. Balcome, and Eli Messier con- stitute the remaining members.
THE DOUGLAS LITERARY SOCIETY
was organized on the 5th of October, 1875, the mutual improve- ment of its members being the object contemplated in its forma- tion. It had the following names on its roll of members at the time of its organization : Misses Chandler, Robbins, Sibley, and
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Phillipps ; H. R. Titus, G. B. Southwick. J. E. Cummings, W. F. Amidon and E. F. Sibley. It has received additions from time to time since then, and now has twenty-six members, and is in a flourishing condition. The society has a library of abont one hin- dred books and pamphlets, and its funds are expended in replen- ishing the library almost entirely. There is a great amount of talent in this society, and its public entertainments have displayed an unusually high order of literary ability.
DOUGLAS SOCIAL LIBRARY.
On the 8th of April, 1799, the Douglas Social Library Associ- ation was formed, with Rev. Isaac Stone for librarian. The li- brary was composed of standard works, of which a full list is not now in existence, but it probably contained not more than about sixty volumes. These comprised a set of Rollin's Ancient History, Josephus' Works, Winterbottom's History of America, Robertson's Scotland, Edwards' History of the Reformation, Goldsmith's Eng- land, Marshall's Life of Washington, and a few others of a like nature. The fines imposed for damages done to the books, etc., were rigidly enforced. It may be well to note some of these : For a leaf turned down, six cents ; for a drop of tallow, or any other spot, six cents ; for a tear, or writing that does not deface the read- ing, six cents. " If a member keeps a book out over two ordinary months he shall pay a fine of one cent per day until returned. Any person that doth not return the book or books they may have taken out, at least four hours before the time of day stated for the annual meeting, shall pay a fine of twenty-five cents for such neglect ; and if any member shall lend a book out of the company they shall pay a fine of fifty cents." These rules, no doubt, account in a measure for the fine state of preservation in which the books are found even at the present day. On the 10th of April, 1815, Rev. David Hol- man was chosen librarian, but the library was not removed to his house till 1825. The books and other property of the Association were offered at public sale, and the proceeds were to be divided among the members. Not finding a purchaser, the books remained for years with Mr. Holman, and all who cared to read them had full liberty to do so.
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DOUGLAS BANDS, SOCIETIES, ETC.
UNION LODGE, NO. 88, I. O. OF O. F.
This Lodge was instituted March 10, 1846, continuing in ex- istence till December, 1852. Like other organizations of this or- der, its object was the mutual benefit of its members. The sum of $5 per week was paid those suffering from sickness or disability. In the event of the death of a member $30 was paid as a funeral benefit, and $15 on the death of the wife of any member. A con- tingent fund, formed by contributions, donations, and the interest arising from the general fund, all fines collected, and also one-third of the quarterly dues, was held by a board of trustees for the wid- ows and orphans of deceased members. A widow, so long as she remained such, was to receive $25 per year. In the case of the orphans or children of deceased members the trustees were to en- deavor to place them in situations where they might earn a liveli- . hood, and also obtain an education. The Lodge was quite success- fully carried on until its disbandment.
The charter members were : Dr. Ezekiel Wood, Royal Cum- mins, Seba Carpenter, George Reynolds, Loren C. Munyan, and George Young. In connection with this was formed an Auxiliary Lodge, composed only of the wives of Odd Fellows, and called the " Daughters of Rebecca."
HOWARD LODGE, NO. 119, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS, was instituted March 23, 1866, with the following list of officers : W. C. T., William H. Moore ; W. V. T., Sarah F. Abbott ; P. W. C. T., Alphonso Luther ; W. S., Julius D. Whipple ; W. T., Emma A. Emmons ; W. C., Dea. A. A. White ; W. M., Frank D. Whip- ple ; W. D. M., Mrs. Frank D. Whipple ; W. I. G., Mary R. Williams ; W. O. G., Loring A. Thayer ; W. R. S., Mrs. J. D. Whipple ; W. L. H. S., Mrs. Emma Converse.
The design of the Order was to be progressive as well as educational, to strive to reclaim the fallen, and to throw the right influence over the pure and virtuous, that they might never become victims of intemperance. Prohibition was the watchword written on its banners and heartily adopted by its members.
The meetings of this Lodge were for several months held in the vestry of the Congregational church in East Douglas. The place proving at length not large enough to accommodate its increasing membership, a more commodious place was secured in the build-
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ing at the corner of Cottage and Depot streets. From that time the Lodge steadily and rapidly increased, until it reached a mem- bership of 116. At its meetings the important questions of the day were freely discussed, and good, efficient temperance work was done by many of its devoted members.
On the 5th of March. 1867, a Degree Lodge was formed, in which all important matters for disenssion or investigation were to be considered, by which more time was secured in the subordinate lodge for educational and preparatory work, and much time was given such literary exercises as were calculated to interest and benefit the young. Its spicy debates on methods of temperance work and the general questions of the day will long be cherished in the memories of its members.
The Lodge was discontinued Dec. 3. 1870. after nearly five years of active labor in the temperance field. During that time it accomplished much, although it might have done vastly more had it been favored with the sanction and support of all good friends of temperance ; but some among the prominent temperance men in town were unfavorable to secrecy in temperance work, and op- posed the movement most sincerely but persistently.
MUMFORD RIVER LODGE, A. F. AND A. M.
A dispensation for organizing this Lodge was granted Jan. 25, A. D. 1877 (A. L. 5877), and the charter was granted March 13, A. D. 1878 (A. L. 5878). The following were the charter mem- bers : A. J. Thayer, W. M .; Noah H. Jones, S. W. ; John McArthur, Jr., J. W. ; William H. Moore, Luke Keith, S. D .; Marcus M. Luther, Secretary ; Preston Goddard, S. S .; J. Fred Brown, S .; Nelson Emmons, Benj. F. Hodgdon, C .; William Abbott, Treasurer ; Edwin P. Heath ; Stillman Russell, J. D. ; John Robbins, T. ; William L. Church, Arthur J. Dudley, Chilon Hough- ton, Caleb Hill, Dorris T. Reynolds, Aaron F. Jones ; Brigham Morse, Merrill A. Woodard, George B. Adams, John M. Rawson, J. S. ; George Cleaveland, M. ; Edward F. Darcy.
For a short time the communications were held in the Band Hall, afterwards in the hall in Thayer's new building, which has been leased and fitted up as a permanent Lodge-room. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition.
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DOUGLAS BANDS, SOCIETIES, ETC.
THE SOCIAL UNION.
On the 29th of October, 1875, the " Social Union " (a literary society) was organized, and meetings were held in Central Hall through the winter of 1875-76. The exercises at its meetings consisted of music, dramatic and other readings, dialogues, dec- lamations, etc. The last meeting was held June 8, 1876, and the society soon after dissolved.
THE DOUGLAS LYCEUM.
Like most New England towns. Douglas has witnessed the birth, prosperity, struggles, decline, and death of a local Lyceum. The records of the earlier debating societies, if such existed, are not preserved, but in the fall of 1872, at the instigation of the High School teacher and several active young men, the Douglas Lyceum was organized, with the following list of officers : President, A. F. Brown ; Secretary, G. W. Spencer ; Treasurer, William H. Moore ; Executive Committee, G. F. Stone, G. F. Hutchins and Dr. Hamilton.
A constitution and by-laws had been previously framed and adopted, and meetings were regularly held throughout the ensuing winter, the exercises consisting of select readings, essays, music, recitations and debates, with an occasional lecture or entertain- ment. The meetings were held in Citizens' Hall. All sorts of questions, political, theological, philosophical, simple and pro- found, were discussed by the citizens, young and old, with the usual incidents, laughable and provoking ; and the influence of the Lyceum, as a whole, while it was sustained by the public, was salutary beyond question, although the rulings were as contradic- tory as they were multitudinous ; and although some personalities, such as will almost inevitably be indulged in at a popular gather- ing, sometimes occurred, the institution was successfully and profitably conducted for two years. Then it lost some of its ablest supporters in consequence of their removal from the place ; others began to neglect their appointments and also the meetings ; and although it existed more than a year in a state of alternate revival and decline, its day of prosperity was over.
In the fall of 1875 Citizens' Hall, that had begun to look like an ancient attic, was repaired and put in decent shape, and also
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painted and varnished, and furnished with seats. Owing to some personal feelings and prejudices brought to bear the hall was refused to the executive committee for Lyceum purposes, its managers having decided to let it only for singing-schools and lectures, and some few other general objects which could be and were made to cover any profitable show, from acrobatic turnings to a peace jubilee. The Lyceum could not very well resolve itself into a society for the promotion of psalmody, and, disdaining any but open and honest measures, a public meeting was called at the old Methodist church, for the purpose either of sustaining the Lyceum and providing it accommodations or of giving it a decent burial. The meeting was a large one, and filled the church to overflowing. A. F. Brown, Esq., presided. Music and literary exercises were given, and speeches were made concerning the managers of the hall, and in favor of sustaining the Lyceum. ' The meeting showed plainly, however, that the days of the institution were numbered ; and after appointing a committee, whose functions practically were those of the bearers at a funeral, nothing further was or has been done for its revival.
EAST DOUGLAS DISTRICT.
Many of the leading and public-spirited citizens of the village for a long time were desirous of introducing certain improvements of a local character, such as sidewalks, street lamps, etc., for which it seemed a little hard to assess those outsiders who could be expected to reap but little practical benefit from them. The interest in these matters finally reached such a point that on the evening of Nov. 30, 1874, about seventy-five legal voters, residing within the limits of the village, assembled in Citizens' Hall and accepted a vote which had been passed by the town authorizing the organization of a Village District. The authority thus con- veyed empowered them to maintain street lamps, build sidewalks, employ watchmen, organize and support a fire department, and various other things contributing additional convenience and security to the citizens as well as to the outward prosperity of the village. On the 18th of the following month, acting under these provisions, the first street lamp was erected by William H. Moore and E. T. Thayer. Others speedily followed, and since that time
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the number has increased to twenty-nine, so that the village is now well lighted. The plan has worked successfully thus far, and many and marked advantages will undoubtedly result.
EAST DOUGLAS MUSICAL SOCIETY.
The Musical Society of Douglas, which has been in existence now for nearly ten years, has done much to develop and edu- cate the musical talent of the town. On the 15th of March, 1868, a permanent organization was effected, the following officers being chosen : President, William Hunt; Secretary, G. W. Spencer ; Treasurer, Stillman Russell ; Musical Director, John C. Waters ; Pianist, Miss H. A. Hutchins ; Directors, A. Butler, A. M. Hill, and Edwin Moore.
The first rehearsal took place under the direction of Mr. J. Astor Broad, now of Worcester, and on the 18th of March of this year the society gave a concert in the Congregational church in East Douglas, in which they rendered Haydn's "Creation." Subsequently they repeated the concert in Putnam and Webster. Aside from the large amount of miscellaneous music (much of it being of a high order) with which the society has become familiar since its organization, they have performed Root's "Haymakers" for two seasons in Douglas and Upton, and also Broad's Cantatas of " Ruth " and "Joseph," the former publicly rendered in Douglas and Slatersville, the latter in Douglas alone.
The society was fully represented at both the Peace Jubilees in Boston, sending forty members to the second, and devoting a whole season to preparation for it.
Since its organization the membership has varied from forty-five to sixty. It has been the dual object of the officers of the society to introduce and develop a taste for the higher kinds of sacred and other music, much time having been devoted to oratorios, and to encourage the development of the musical talent of the young people of the village. In both directions their success has been marked and highly commendable, meriting the public approbation that has always attended their efforts.
DOUGLAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
For about forty years the association known as the Douglas Agricultural Library has had quite a flourishing history. It was
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the only library in the eastern portion of the town, and was com- posed of about one hundred volumes of strictly agricultural works ; but after a while, to supply the demand for a more general course of reading, other books of a miscellaneous character were added. The library retained its original name and organization until April 10. 1865, when its proprietors met and organized themselves into a corporation, under the name of the " Douglas Library Associa- tion." Since that time the number of books has been increased to 500 volumes. The library was removed to G. W. Spencer's room in the post-office building, afterwards to the office of the Douglas Axe Co .. and in September, 1878, to the present location in Thayer's Block on Main street, a central location, easy of access. and well patronized by the reading public.
UNION TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
At a public meeting of the citizens, held May 13, 1874, the draft of a constitution, together with a list of officers, was pre- sented by a committee previously appointed for the purpose of aiding to organize a "Union Temperance Society." The com- mittee consisted of Rev. William T. Briggs, Rev. W. M. Hub- bard and A. J. Thayer. The report of this committee, including a pledge, was accepted, and a list of officers was chosen as follows : President, Edwin Moore ; Secretary, C. A. Hunt ; 'Treasurer, Walter E. Cook ; Councilors, Dea. A. Butler, A. F. Brown, J. C. Hammond, A. J. Thayer, W. D. Jones, Luther Wing, Mrs. Ezra Jones, Mrs. William T. Briggs, Mrs. S. Kelley, Royal Keith, Luther Hill, and Miss Nancy Hammond.
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