USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Lakeville > History of the town of Lakeville, Massachusetts, 1852-1952; one hundredth anniversary of the town of Lakeville > Part 8
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The depth of snow in some of the historic storms have been:
1747 - 48-February 22 41/2 feet 1786 - 87-December 4 5 feet 1798 - 99-November 17 41/2 feet
1802 - 03-February 24 51/2 feet
1835 - 36-February 20 4 feet
1842 - 43-November 30 11/2 feet
1856 - 57-January 18 6 feet
1898 - 99-November 27 1 foot
During a thunder shower on July 13, 1884, the Town House was struck by lightning. The bolt passed down the chimney knocking off a portion of the top and tearing away the plaster- ing. The stove was turned completely around. A religious meet- ing was being held in the Town House at the time. Two ladies, Mrs. Abbie Pickens and Mrs. Flecther, were stunned but soon recovered. Two of the horses which were hitched near the build- ing fell to the ground but were not injured.
It was during this same storm that Charles and Arthur Jenney were crossing the large open field at Camp Joe Hooker. They sat
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down beneath their umbrella to shield themselves from the pour- ing rain and it was the last they remembered until they recovered consciousness to find that the lightning had struck a small tree about twenty feet from where they were, entirely uprooting it and tearing a hole in the ground two feet in diameter. They were thoroughly bespattered with mud and slightly burned.
The snow storm of February 5, 1920, can still be remembered. How it snowed, the flakes sweeping horizontally across the lakes and fields to pile high in drifts, while at intervals the rain and sleet descended in sheets. On the second morning the wind had subsided but more snow had fallen during the night. All trans- portation was suspended and for the first time in the memory of our fathers and grandfathers, the people were without mail delivery. It was during this storm that Dr. Smith hired mules to take him on calls to his patients.
We all well remember the great hurricane of September 21, 1938, which did more damage than is recorded in any other hur- ricane in history. Starting at 4 p.m. the gales increased until about 9 p.m. when they gradually decreased. By 10 p.m. the danger had passed and by midnight it was virtually gone. All roads were impassable from fallen trees. Many homes were dam- aged. The telephones and electric lights were out of service for days. Candles were lighted and lanterns appeared. It was several days before the streets and roads were clear and again made passable.
A second hurricane swept this area on the night of September 14, 1944. This time, people had been warned by newspapers and radio and, remembering that many lives were lost in 1938, they were more prepared and, as a result, fewer deaths were reported. Winds increased rapidly between 9 and 10 p.m., and before midnight were blowing at 100 miles an hour in some places. Homes were damaged by falling trees and utilities suffered heavy damage.
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THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
It was on March 14, 1866, that a meeting was held and a library association organized. From the records, those present at this first meeting were Thomas Nelson, Mrs. H. L. Williams, Miss Lizzie P. Nelson, Mrs. Cephas Haskins, Miss Jennie Mont- gomery, Mrs. Miller Sampson and Miss Anna Hersey. Mr. Nelson was elected the first president of the association.
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Lakeville Public Library
The first library was opened at the home of Horatio Sampson with Mr. Sampson as librarian. Some of the books in this library were donated, while others were purchased with money raised by membership fees and by fines. In May, 1866, Hugh Mont- gomery donated books on the condition that they should be free to the people. In 1867, 497 books were in circulation. By 1868, the number had increased to 1185; in 1869, 1070 books were circulated. Miss Louisa Washburn was librarian in 1869, and the days for lending books were Tuesdays and Fridays.
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For a few years the association was discontinued, but on May 28, 1877, another group met at the home of Cephas Haskins to change the constitution and by-laws. A week later, on June 4, 1877, Myrick Haskins was elected president and Miss Lydia Haskins, daughter of Cephas, became the third librarian, using a part of her father's store for the library. In the winter of 1877 the store was burned and all the books were lost except those that were out at the time. However, the library was .re-established and again more books were purchased, the funds being raised by a pound-party held at the Town House. Later, the books were kept at the home of Mrs. Miller Sampson. In 1887 her home was destroyed by fire and only a few books were saved.
At the Town meeting of March 2, 1903, Mrs. Arthur Perry made a motion that Lakeville establish a Free Public Library. At first the motion was laid on the table, but before the meeting was adjourned the Town voted to accept the State Library Act of 1890 and also voted twenty-five dollars for the support of a library. Three trustees were appointed: William Hall, Mrs. Annie J. Peirce, and Miss Eloise A. Hafford.
William Montgomery left a legacy of one hundred dollars toward a public library. Gifts amounting to another one hun- dred dollars were received from Mrs. Cornelia Cook, Mrs. Almira Ashley and Mrs. Mabel Agassiz.
In July of 1903 a library was opened in the Town House. At that time many of our townspeople thought a library of little value but the patronage of the past fifty years has emphasized the wisdom of those who established it.
The library opened with 150 books on the shelves. Frank Y. Hall was the first librarian, issuing 229 cards and circulating 1,119 books in the first five months. In September, 1904, Miss Mary L. Nelson was appointed librarian in charge of 632 books. When the number increased to 782 volumes, a building for housing them became necessary and the ladies of the town began working together to obtain it. Thus the Lakeville Library Sewing Circle was formed.
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SHORT STORIES
By 1909 the volumes numbered 1,160. Miss Hannah K. Nelson became librarian, with Miss Mildred Pratt as assistant during the summer months. In 1912 with over 2,000 volumes, the town, through the efforts of O. K. Gerrish, accepted the offer of Andrew Carnegie to erect a five thousand dollar build- ing, with the provision that a yearly appropriation of five hun- dred dollars be made.
The lot on which our library now stands belonged to the Washburn estate and had been given to the town for a school or other educational purposes. The school had been moved years before and the lot was now vacant. Mrs. Annie Peirce, who was a leader in this undertaking, wrote to the Washburn heirs, asking if the town might have the lot for a public library building. Their consent was readily given.
To earn the needed money the Sewing Circle sponsored fairs, lawn parties, whist parties and dances. They also served suppers and town meeting luncheons. The sum of one thousand and one dollars was raised to build and furnish the basement.
On August 26, 1914, the new home of the Lakeville Public Library was dedicated.
Since the erection of the building there have been many changes and improvements: electricity, a new furnace, a water system, a cement floor in the basement, and an oil burner.
There has been an increase in the number of volumes and in the circulation. The circulation increased to such an extent that in 1931 it was considered advisable to open the library on Thursday evenings in addition to the afternoon sessions on Tues- days and Thursdays. In 1916 the circulation was 6,103; in 1933, 11,357, and in 1951 it was 9,930. The number of volumes in 1914 was 2,281; in 1934, 5,256, and in 1951, there were 6,695 volumes.
Miss Hannah K. Nelson remained as librarian, resigning in 1928. Mrs. Ono Goodridge assumed the position until her death in 1930. The following have been librarians and assistants since 1930:
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
Librarians:
Mrs. Grant Hoard, 1930-1940.
Mrs. Mildred Stafford, 1940 to the present time.
Assistant librarians:
Miss Jeanette Bassett, 1930-1933.
Mrs. Gordon MacNeill, 1933-1934.
Miss Bertha Stiles, 1934.
Mrs. Halbert Reed, 1935.
Mrs. Theodore Sopa, 1935-1938.
Mrs. Ellis Williams, 1938-1939.
Mrs. George Penniman, 1940 to present time (substitute).
Mrs. George Penniman, 1950 (acting librarian during Mrs. Stafford's leave of absence).
Mrs. Mildred L. Stafford, 1935-1940.
Mrs. Cuthbert Bowles, 1940-1942, 1947.
Miss Helen Norton, 1942-1943.
Miss Faith Williams, 1943-1944.
Miss Anne Begley, 1944-1945.
Miss Phyllis Wilbur, 1944-1945 (substitute).
Miss Annette Perkins, 1945-1946.
Miss Josephine Scanlon, 1946-1947.
Mrs. C. Donald Turner, 1950 to the present time.
Miss Marjorie Smith, 1947-1949.
Miss Natalie Turner, 1947 (substitute).
Miss Virginia Turner, 1949.
Since 1940 an aid to circulation has been the Bookmobile which calls at the library once a month.
On March 10, 1941, the oil burner exploded, filling the library with smoke and soot. It was necessary to have the furnace repaired and the interior of the library and the books cleaned.
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SHORT STORIES
In 1941 the woodwork in the basement was destroyed by ter- mites and replaced with tile.
In 1947 a gift was received of a grandfather clock which was manufactured by Joseph Gooding of Dighton during the years 1800-1810. The original owner of the clock was Uriah Samp- son, who was proprietor of the famous Sampson Tavern from 1838-1845 and again from 1848-1852. The clock was given by the granddaughters of Uriah Sampson, Mrs. Carrie Crane and Mrs. Abbie Washburn, with the stipulation that it should be kept running.
Down through the years the trustees have been:
Mrs. Annie J. Peirce, 1903-1920.
Miss Eloise A. Hafford, 1903-1905.
William Hall, 1903.
Mrs. Julia Bassett, 1916-1930.
Mrs. Myra A. Hammond, 1916-1924.
Mrs. Annie Peirce Haynes Kelly, 1920-1927.
Mrs. Ono Goodridge, 1924-1930.
Mrs. Annie Bennett, 1927-1931.
Mrs. John G. Paun, 1930 to the present time.
Mrs. Everett Grant, 1930-1945.
Mrs. N. Merrill Sampson, 1931-1943, 1945 to the present time.
Mrs. Theodore Sopa, 1943 to the present time.
In the beginning the branch libraries at North and South Lakeville were conducted under the careful management of Mrs. William F. Harlow and Miss Eloise Hafford.
In 1905 Miss Hafford resigned and was replaced by Mrs. Sally Winslow as librarian. In 1908 the vacancy caused by the death of Mrs. Winslow was filled by Mrs. Jerusha Washburn. In 1912 the South Lakeville branch was transferred to the home of Mrs. Alton Hoard. Mrs. Hoard continued in charge until 1926 when the South branch was discontinued. In the 1940 town report
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of the librarian we find that the Bookmobile service to the people of South Lakeville was started by leaving books at the home of Mrs. Ina Washburn. In 1941 a branch library was opened at the home of Mrs. Christian Lang.
In 1912 Mrs. Godfrey Robinson was in charge of the North Lakeville branch, the books being kept at her home on Taunton Road. In 1914 Mrs. Robinson resigned and was replaced by Mrs. George Holloway who kept the position until 1923. Mrs. Robinson was again elected librarian for the North Lakeville branch. This branch is now conducted by Mrs. Stephen Roberts.
TESTIMONIAL FOR CHESTER ASHLEY AND JOHN G. PAUN
On January 30, 1951, Lakeville citizens honored Chester Ashley, selectman and assessor, and John G. Paun, town clerk and treasurer, for their long and faithful services. More than one hundred and seventy persons gathered at a testimonial dinner held at Linden Lodge. Following the dinner, a reception was held at the Assawompsett School, at which time each was presented with one hundred dollars. Mr. Ashley, 86, and Mr. Paun, 80, shook hands with and received congratulations from over two hundred friends.
Mr. Ashley had served continually for twenty-nine years, as selectman and assessor. In 1910 he was elected a member of the school committee and served one term of three years.
Mr. Paun was appointed moderator and auditor in 1902, con- tinuing until 1923 when he was elected town clerk, treasurer and tax collector, offices he still holds.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
At the town meeting held June 9, 1949, it was voted that all matters pertaining to fire protection should be under the control of a Board of Fire Engineers, appointed by the selectmen. The board will serve without pay and will have complete control of all fire apparatus. They are to appoint the officers and the chief of the fire department.
The members of the Board of Fire Engineers appointed were Walter A. D. Clark, chairman; Edward DeMello, secretary; Joseph Gladu, Harold Hemmingson, Edmund S. Knysinski, fire chief; Frank Orrall, and Charles L. Weston, deputy chief.
In 1949 a fire siren was purchased and installed on the Town House, and a two-way radio was installed on one of the trucks.
In 1950, the red net-work was installed, whereby six members, including the chief and deputy chief, are notified when the fire number is called.
The department now (1952) has three pieces of apparatus, all triple combination, a 1950 Dodge, 1939 Dodge and a 1928 Maxim, with a total carrying capacity of 1300 gallons of water.
THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE CLUB
During World War I a group of young girls organized the Red, White and Blue Club. These girls, under the leadership of Mrs. Cranston Jennings, made and sent many articles to the American Red Cross for the boys over seas.
After the close of the war the club erected a boulder on the lawn of Lakeville's Public Library, in honor of those service- men. As president of the Red, White and Blue Club, your author had the pleasure of presenting to the Town of Lakeville a boulder in commemoration of the boys who fought in World War I. Fred Shockley, chairman of the selectmen at that time, accepted the boulder in behalf of the town.
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DID YOU KNOW -
In 1904 the Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company in- troduced its farmers' line from Middleboro to Lakeville Junction.
At one time candy was made in one of the buildings at the rear of the Washburn House.
William DeMaranville's death was in a Boston paper two weeks before he died.
Records show that Chester Ashley's father and mother were married September 31st. (30 days has September).
At a colonial tea given by the Nemasket Chapter D.A.R. in February, 1916, Mrs. John Hiram Nelson appeared in the gown worn at her wedding more than sixty years before. It was a fine piece of silk and had not even been altered since her wedding day.
Stone quarries were in operation years ago on the Old Pit Road, which is now Peirce Avenue. Gravestones were made there. At one time they were called the Carroll Pits and later they were operated by John Peirce. The last operators were Frank Taylor, John Alden and Ethan Peirce.
CHAPTER VIII
SCHOOLS
T
N reviewing briefly the records of the school committees down through the years, Lakeville is, and ever has been, characterized as liberal in support of its public schools, and ranks among the first, for a town of its size, in the state. It was November 11th, 1647, that the General Court of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England passed a law making schools free and their support compulsory.
In 1853 when Lakeville was incorporated as a town there were twelve school districts.
The district number, name of district and teachers' names were as follows:
No. 1, Miller-Martha Copeland, J. R. Putman and Betsey Kensley.
No. 2, Haskins-Cassandria Shaw and Sarah C. Coombs.
No. 3, Upper Corners-Caroline T. Wood and Abby Canedy.
No. 4, Washburn-E. Washburn Coy and Mary A. Phillips.
No. 5, Neck-Matthew H. Cushing and Susan S. Canedy.
No. 6, McCully-E. W. Barrows.
No. 7, Canedy-Mary B. Canedy.
No. 8, Sears-Catherine Bishop.
No. 9, G. Haskins-Sarah E. Evans and Tirza S. Morse.
No. 10, Beech Woods-Sarah A. Tinkham.
No. 11, Strobridge-Matilda P. Briggs.
No. 12, Precinct-Adeline V. Wood and Charlotte Barstow.
In the second report of the school committee there were only eleven schools. District No. 11, which was at that time the Stro- bridge School, was closed for a few years. When re-opened it became No. 10, and the Precinct School was then called District No. 11.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
The first school report tells that there was appropriated by the town for the support of schools $1000 and that $70.95 was re- ceived from the State, which, with some contributions from the districts, made the sum spent for schools between $1100 and $1200.
In 1858 a private school was conducted in the center district, for one term, by a Miss Agnes S. Goulding.
In 1858 the town appropriated $1199 for schools. One-third of this amount was divided equally among the districts, and the remaining two-thirds, with the amount received from the State (which was $49.35), made $1248.35 which was divided equally among the scholars and given each district as follows:
School No. 1 with 36 scholars
$168.02
School No.
2 with 22 scholars 116.81
School No.
3 with 22 scholars 116.81
School No. 4 with 19 scholars 105.87
School No.
5 with 28 scholars
136.76
School No.
6 with 18 scholars 102.11
School No.
7 with 21 scholars
113.18
School No. 8 with 15 scholars
91.22
School No. 9 with 25 scholars
127.79
School No. 10 with 10 scholars
72.92
School No. 12 with 16 scholars
94.86
A State law required that every town which was divided into school districts should, at its annual meeting in 1863, and every third year thereafter, vote upon the question of abolishing such districts. Lakeville, in accordance, voted upon the question at its annual meeting held in March 1866, and it was decided to abolish the system. When the district system had been abolished, they decided it was the duty of the school committee to select and contract with the teachers. But, at a subsequent meeting (an adjournment of that March meeting), the town voted to reconsider the vote wherein they had agreed to abolish the dis- trict system, and in place thereof voted that each district choose its own prudential committee. The prudential committees were
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authorized and instructed to select and contract with teachers and to run their schools six months in the year. This trust seems to have been somewhat abused by the different committees, as the wages of the teachers range all the way from sixteen to thirty- two dollars per month. The cost of wood was from three to twenty dollars for the winter term in schools of the same size.
In 1867, the report shows that the number of scholars attend- ing school in the summer was one hundred and ninety-six and in the winter two hundred and twelve.
The most serious problem in the schools in the early days seemed to be the irregular attendance and year after year this was pointed out by the school committees in their annual reports. The reports also urged the parents to visit the schools and see for themselves the needs and conditions existing.
In 1875, at the annual March meeting, it was voted that each of the schools should be continued eight months in the year.
The town had a habit of moving the schoolhouses, thus re- versing the usual order of things; for instead of the children going to school, the schoolhouse was moved to the children.
Up until 1885, No. 9, the Beech Woods School, had quite a re- spectable number of scholars, but all at once the number became very small. The school committee decided that there were four schoolhouses which were concerned. If No. 7, Canedy School, could be located midway between No. 7 and No. 9 all the chil- dren could be accommodated in that section. Then again, if No. 4, which was the Washburn School and which had been closed for want of scholars, could be taken and centrally located between No. 4 and No. 6 which was the McCully, then, as in the first case, all the children in that territory would be provided for. But it was thought best to ask the advice of the town, so as to give every one a chance to express his opinion. A committee was appointed to select and buy two lots on which to set the houses, and to sell the two remaining schoolhouses at public auc- tion, and to move No. 4, the Washburn, and No. 7, the Canedy, on to their respective lots. This was done. It was only a few days after the town meeting which voted the moving of the school-
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houses that another town meeting was called and a vote passed to move the two schoolhouses back again to the places from whence they had been taken.
At a special town meeting, held April 21, 1879, it was voted that schools No. 10 (Strobridge) and No. 11 (Precinct) be com- bined, and one of the schoolhouses be moved to a place where it would be most convenient for the scholars and the inhabitants. The selectmen were to move one of the schoolhouses in No. 10 or No. 11 where they and the school committee thought best, and they were to sell the other. Schoolhouse No. 11 (Precinct) was then advertised by the selectmen for sale at a public auction. School was in session in the schoolhouse at the time and no loca- tion had been decided on as provided for by the vote of the town, therefore, when the day arrived for the sale, it was indefinitely postponed. Another meeting was held and it was voted to remove No. 10 schoolhouse to a lot near John Montgomery's home on Montgomery Street, at the head of Hill Street.
The selectmen again advertised schoolhouse No. 11 for sale at auction, and this time one of the school committee members purchased it for the small price of $45.00. The school committee had nothing further, under the vote of the town, to do in rela- tion to the location of No. 10. The selectmen proceeded to move it to the lot designated, and to put it into condition for holding the fall term of school. Since No. 11 (Precinct) had been per- manently discontinued by the sale of the house, it became ap- parent to the committee that a part of the scholars of No. 2 (Haskins), heretofore conveniently accommodated at No. 11, would have to be provided for in some other way. Accordingly it was voted to start a school for the fall term at No. 2. When it started, the scholars at No. 11 attended it, having no other school. Of these scholars there were nine. They had nearly reached the middle of the term when schoolhouse No. 10 (Montgomery) became ready for occupancy. Since the boys and girls were well started in their various studies, there was strong objection to having them changed, although their parents were earnestly re- quested to do so. Having allowed those of No. 10 their choice of school for the spring term, the school committee could not
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now reasonably compel those of No. 11 to make this change, which was so much against their wishes. Therefore the scholars continued to go to No. 2 for the remainder of the year.
In 1888 a law was passed by the State Legislature permitting two or more small towns to unite in the employment of a super- intendent of schools. In 1900 an amendment to this law was passed, whereby all towns must employ such a superintendent before July 1, 1901. In April, the Town of Lakeville united with the towns of Rochester and Carver in employing a superintend- ent of schools. Chester W. Humphrey was appointed and held that position until 1920. W. J. B. MacDougall was superintend- ent of schools for two years, 1921 - 1923. In 1923, Arthur B. Webber became superintendent and remained in office until 1938 when Donald P. Mattoon became superintendent. At a special meeting on November 26, 1940, at the Assawompsett School, the Union Committee elected George R. Austin as superintendent of schools to begin January 1, 1941.
The School Superintendency Union No. 40 has been in exist- ence since 1902 but the first report of its work was published in 1939. This Union includes the Towns of Carver, Lakeville and Rochester. The members of the school committees of the three towns comprise the Union Committee of nine members.
Mrs. Mary Fuller was the first school nurse in the year 1923. The first report of the school nurse was in the 1924 Town Report. Mrs. Fuller held the position for eighteen years until the appoint- ment of Mrs. Doris Brown in September, 1942. Mrs. Madeline Pitman Baker submitted her first annual report as school nurse in 1945 and is still holding that position (1952).
Dr. A. Vincent Smith, M.D., was school physician for many years. The first account of medical inspection was reported in 1911. Dr. Smith continued as the school doctor until 1950 when, because of ill health, he was unable to continue his practice. Dr. Edward L. Perry was appointed at that time.
The first diphtheria prevention clinic was held in 1936. The first annual dental clinic was held in 1936 and was discontinued in 1944. The school children of Lakeville have had the benefit
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LAKEVILLE
of dental service and in 1939-1940 there were five hundred and forty-one dental operations performed. In 1940 the audiometer, a machine for testing the hearing of the pupils, was purchased.
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