USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1876 to 1950, Volume II > Part 61
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Over the years, the Community Association has never lost sight of the purpose for which it was formed. The Society has made contributions to a village family after their house was burned; they have sponsored an Athletic Association and bought necessary baseball equipment; they sponsored the Boy Scouts and, in 1948 and 1949, they sponsored the Cub Scouts.
For many years they have bought the flowers for the Honor Roll at Memorial Day and have helped to keep the lawn in order. In 1949, they appropriated a sum of money for repairing the Honor Roll and covering it with glass. With the Sutton Fire Co. No. 3, they have entertained the village children at Halloween.
In 1945, the Association decided not to go on with the building for the time being and, in 1947, it was decided to sell half the lot and foundation to the Town of Sutton for a Fire Station. This has already been a great help to the vil- lage for the fire-engine and equipment are kept ready for use at all times at almost a moment's notice.
In 1951, it was voted to sponsor the Junior Basketball Team for the children of Wilkinsonville under the direction of the Sutton High School Alumni Associ- ation and it was also decided to donate a sum of money for equipment, jackets and emblems for the players. The Society meets monthly at the schoolhouse with President Daniel M. Chase, in the chair.
THE SUTTON MEN'S CLUB By Mrs. E. B. Smith
The Sutton Men's Club was started in 1933 by several young men as a purely social and non-political service organization for all the men of the community who cared to join.
The first officers were: president, Willis J. Perry; vice-president, Edward W. MacLaren; secretary, Kenneth Shaw; treasurer, Everett Newton. The club, when first organized, met in the town hall but later in the Church vestry. Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month except in July and August.
This group of men has done much for the Community, the Sutton Congrega- tional Church and the High School. In the first years a committee was appointed to work in conjunction with the school nurse as to the dispersion of funds in a clinic for local underprivileged children. The club sponsored the Boy Scout Troop and donated a prize for the High School spelling contest for several years. In
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1942 they gave a cup to the High School to be presented, at graduation, to the outstanding boy in the Senior class; this cup is still presented and the boy is chosen by the Men's Club president, the Junior class president and the principal. The last outstanding gift to the High School was an electric scoreboard for the new gymnasium.
Included in the activities of the club are teams for baseball and basketball. During the winter a bowling league is held which holds the group's interest out- side of regular meetings. A pitch club also meets with men from Millbury each month all winter. Band concerts on the Common, conducted by the club, are enjoyed during the summer.
Each year, in November, a turkey supper is put on by the men which has be- come almost famous in Worcester and surrounding towns. The first supper was held in 1935 to finance the project of the children's clinic. An average of four hundred are fed at the supper and the proceeds are used for expenses and gifts during the year. The year 1951 marked the fourteenth year this particular event has taken place.
All these activities hold the men of the Community together in a most worth- while organization. The club has an average membership of eighty-five.
SUTTON FIRE COMPANIES Data given by Chief Daniel Smith
The most useful and active of organizations are the Fire Companies of the town. A few moments after the alarm is sounded, the fire engine and a group of men are ready to respond, all companies alert.
Before the companies were organized, all fires in woods or buildings were fought by volunteers with any equipment available. There was seldom any hose on hand and the supply of water often limited. Bucket brigades many times saved buildings. Men in the neighborhood were always ready to help in an emergency and fought desperately.
In 1919, Randsom H. Richardson was appointed Fire Warden and, in 1923, S. Martin Shaw received the appointment and became Deputy Fire Chief a few years later. Reports of the years following show the increase in equipment and the formation of the three companies.
1926. First Portable Pump, with gasoline engine, purchased by the town with 1,000 feet of one and one-eighth-inch fire hose. Located at Chief Shaw's farm.
1927. Second Portable Pump, same make and located in Manchaug. Until late in 1928, equipment was transported by nearest available truck at time of fire.
1928. First motorized equipment. One and one-half ton G.M.C. chassis, pur- chased by the town and a body was designed and built by Chief Shaw and mem- bers of his family from lumber sawed in the Shaw sawmill. Housed at the Shaw farm until moved to Wilkinsonville, in 1941, and known as #3 truck.
1941. Organization of First Volunteer Fire Co. of Sutton, known as Com- pany No. 3 in Wilkinsonville.
1941. New Ford V8 Fire Truck, fully equipped, purchased by the town from the Farrar Co. of Woodville Mass., known as #1 truck.
1942. New Ford V8 Fire Truck, same make and same specification, purchased by the town and stored in Manchaug, known as #2 truck. One hundred twenty-
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five gal .- per-min. portable pump with 4-cylinder Hercules motor, purchased for use on the #3 truck.
1942. Basement of Town Hall remodeled to house #1 Fire Truck, which made it possible to keep water in the booster tank during winter months.
1945. Company #1 in Sutton Center and Company #2 in Manchaug organ- ized. Fire Chief S. Martin Shaw retired from active fire duty, after serving the town in the capacity of Chief for twenty-three years and was presented a gold watch by members of the three companies in town. Daniel S. Smith appointed Chief, in 1945.
1946. Fire Station in Manchaug, #2 Station, purchased from George E. Plante, Stone Building, originally started by B.B. & N. Knight Co. on Main Street, opposite #1 Mill for a storehouse but never completed. Purchased, re- modeled and completed with total cost to the town of $7,930.75, a building large enough to house four fire trucks. All three companies purchased sirens and installed same for fire and emergency calls.
1947. Fire Station at Wilkinsonville. A portion of foundation, originally planned for a community building was purchased from the Wilkinsonville Community Association and a two-stall cinder block building with full size basement was erected at a cost to the town of $12,705.
1948. F. & J. Resuscitator added to equipment at station #2, Manchaug, pur- chased from the private fund, raised by Co. #2.
1949. A 750 gal .- per-min. Seagreaves Pumper was purchased by the town from the Whitin Machine Works for the sum of one dollar. This engine, known as #4, was equipped with hose and fitting, and placed in service at Manchaug Station #2. After passing the insurance rating test, this equipment was the first to reduce insurance rates in the town, but applied to the village of Manchaug only, where it is housed and a hydrant system is in operation. A jeep, equipped with siren and red light and new paint job was presented to the town by Co. #1 of Sutton Center, Truck #5.
1951. The town was again fortunate to purchase a ladder truck, fully equipped, from the Whitin Machine Works for the sum of one dollar. This truck was placed in service at the Manchaug Station #2, Truck #6.
1951. Co. #2 of Manchaug presented the town with a Dodge squad-car, four- wheel drive, to be used in places difficult to reach with the regular trucks. Truck #7. A two-way radio was placed in service on the Fire Dept. Jeep in Sutton Center. A 650-gal. Tank Truck was presented to the town by Co. #3 at Wilkin- sonville, Truck #8.
At present, the department consists of three companies with a total member- ship of about eighty volunteer fire fighters. There are three fire stations: one in Sutton Center, one in Manchaug and one in Wilkinsonville. There are eight fire trucks, four combination pumpers, one ladder truck, two utility trucks and one tanker. Daniel S. Smith, Fire Chief and Forest Warden; Ellery B. Smith, Deputy Chief, Co #1; Henry E. Plante, Deputy Chief, Co #2; Alexis Chausse, Jr., Dep- uty Chief, Co. #3.
The fire companies have been interested in the young people of the villages, sponsoring youth organizations and conducting Halloween celebrations. Play- ground equipment has been provided for the schools.
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The following poem describes conditions in earlier days.
A TRIBUTE OF THANKS
"Out on the stilly twilight Echoed the cry of "Fire",
Thanks to those other brothers
Treading the dizzy height,
Passed from one to another,
Seeking a better vantage,
Faster than modern wire.
To work in the smoky fight.
Up 'gainst the darkning Heavens Flickered the sheets of flame, Calling the scattered people, To help, in pity's name.
Thanks to the busy sisters,
Working so brisk and deft,
Saving the household treasures,
Every one was left.
Quickly rushed to the rescue Helpers from every hand
To every man and woman,
Who worked in the scorching fray,
Everyone at his bravest,
I tender my hearty praises,
A thinking, working band.
For the aid to me that day.
Thanks to the faithful brothers,
Always, in distant future,
Standing in oozy mire,
When a shattered home I see,
Dashing a heated surface,
To baffle the flying fire.
Shall I see that band of neighbors, Giving mine back to me."
Frances J. W. Freeland, September 20, 1896
AMERICAN LEGION, JOHN MATEYCHUK POST 390, OF MANCHAUG Facts supplied by Mrs. Aldea Peterson
This Post's birth, November 17, 1946, was made possible by a group of vete- rans of World War II, who, actuated by the same lofty ideals which inspired them during the great conflict, desired to render the same outstanding service in time of peace they gave during the world's gravest crisis.
Their patriotism, loyalty and devotion to "God and Country" was manifested by the inception of a new Post. On this day, officers were elected to assume the leadership of members, numbering eighty-six.
During this year, the Post Colors were purchased, also land for the Memorial Park. Visits were made to Rutland Heights Veterans' Hospital, bringing refresh- ment and entertainment to our disabled comrades, which is one of the purposes of the American Legion. A baseball team was organized for recreation and good sportsmanship to our Post.
The Post sent a boy from Sutton High School to Boy's State. Memorial Day Exercises, up to this point had been assumed by Union Sons of Veterans (now decreasing in number). It was now taken care of by the Post, the opening exer- cises being held at Wilkinsonville Common. Then the veterans went from one cemetery to another in widely separated sections of our town to honor those who have fought and died for their country during the Great Wars.
Each year the Post with the aid of its Auxiliary and Fire Co. #2 have spon- sored very successful Halloween and Christmas parties for the children of the community.
Blood has been donated by the Post members, to the Rutland Veterans' Hos- pital. The care and attention of the hospitalized veteran is of much concern to the American Legion. Military funeral services were held for Sgt. John H. Dudley, July 1948; Frederick Benoit, May 1950; Harvey Brousseau, May 1951.
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HISTORY of SUTTON
This Post and Auxiliary has taken part in laying the cornerstone of the Memo- rial School, November 13, 1949 and in its dedication, November 12, 1950, with fitting and beautiful ceremonies. October 17, 1950, about 450 persons attended United Nation's Day program, held in the Memorial School.
Each year there has been an Armistice Day banquet, at which time the veterans can come together with their families and townspeople for fellowship that will be lasting. Much is left to be done, as we will have with us for years to come the disabled and needy veterans.
Commanders of Post 390: 1946, George E. Picard, 1947, Donald G. Schwab, 1948, Homer Mongeon, 1949, Roland Picard, 1950, Henry Paikos, 1951, Ray- mond Burrows.
JOHN MATEYCHUK UNIT 390, AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY, MANCHAUG
Whenever an American Legion Post is organized in a town, it becomes evident that a helping hand must be extended to this organization. As it is so well known, that its right hand is the American Legion Auxiliary, a group of women of this village met together for the purpose of bringing into being Unit 390, on November 24, 1946. County Director Elizabeth Fullerton was in charge of this meeting.
Officers were elected and on Dec. 13, 1946, were duly installed at a joint in- stallation with the Post. Unit 390 purchased its colors in 1946. They have parti- cipated in the many activities of the Post, jointly, such as taking part at Memorial Day exercises, at which George Picard has been official marshal for years, the dedication of Memorial Park, laying the cornerstone and the dedication of Memorial School, presentation of United Nation's Flag.
Each year a day is set aside as "Poppy Day" on which poppies are sold which are made by disabled veterans, the proceeds of this drive being used for rehabili- tation work. High School girls have been sent by this Unit to Girls' State where the girls have learned the fundamentals of our government.
The Unit has sent gifts to veterans' hospitals at Cushing and Rutland and it has also participated in Christmas programs for hospitalized veterans. Each year we have made and sent to Rutland Veterans' Hospital an afghan, this being made by members of the Unit and their friends. This Unit helped the Post to give parties to the children of the village at Halloween and Christmastime.
Unit 390 Presidents: 1946, Aldea B. Peterson, 1947, 1948, Irene Pouliot, 1949, 1950, Floride Picard, 1951, Rita Picard.
DUDLEY-GENDRON AMERICAN LEGION, UNIT 414, WILKINSONVILLE
On March 9, 1947, a group of Veterans of World Wars I and II assembled at the Wilkinsonville schoolhouse with the intention of forming a Legion Post. When the objects of the American Legion were explained by a district officer that day, twenty-eight veterans became members and officers were elected. A name was chosen for the Post, honoring John Holbrook Dudley and Henry Gendron, who had lived in Wilkinsonville and had given their lives for their Country in World War II.
The first Commander of the Dudley-Gendron Post of the American Legion, Unit 414, was John Mooskian and the meetings were held, for a time, in the
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schoolhouse at Wilkinsonville. There was an Auxiliary for a short time but it was discontinued until new quarters were established. The veterans were very anxious to have their own quarters, yet there seemed to be no space available. Finally, someone suggested the abandoned Harback schoolhouse. This building was sadly out of repair; in fact the ridgepole and most of the roof had fallen in, leaving snowdrifts on the floor.
Some of the veterans saw possibilities in the building and a request was made of the Town to sell the building to the Post.
June 24, 1949, at a Town Meeting, it was voted that the Selectmen be author- ized to execute a deed of the Harback School property to the Dudley-Gendron Post, No. 414, for the sum of one dollar, the title to be held by said Post, so long as the premises are used for the purpose of a Legion Post.
Immediately a transformation began to take place. Rafters appeared and a roof, also, and with the determination and persistence of a few veterans, the building took shape again. It should be understood, also, that the money for lumber and materials was earned by the Legion with clambakes and other money-raising efforts.
The structure has been entirely renovated, painted inside and outside and a practically new building is the home of the Dudley-Gendron Post and Auxiliary. The surrounding lot has been cleared, giving approximately an acre of fairly level ground and plenty of shade under the maple trees.
The Legion has sponsored some very worthwhile projects. Beside the rehabili- tation work, schoolboys have been sent to the Boys' State in Amherst, Mass. and the veterans have participated in the yearly Memorial Day Exercises which begin at seven forty-five at Wilkinsonville and continue throughout the Town, making at least nine stops for decorating soldiers' graves with appropriate exercises; roll call of veterans, firing squad and taps.
During the year, the Legion has been called upon many times to assist at spe- cial exercises ; viz. Corner Stone Laying and Dedication of the Memorial School.
They have rendered notable service in honoring several Unit members with a military funeral. In August 1948, one of the hottest days of the summer, a service was read for S/Sgt. John H. Dudley and on one of the coldest days of winter, in December 1951, the same honor was paid to Lieut. John C. Dudley, father of John H. Dudley. Services have been held, also for several veterans, not members of the Post.
The Unit has a unique fieldpiece from World War II, mounted in front of the building.
The commanders of the Legion have been: John Mooskian, James Dunleavy, Francis Silun, Joseph Gribouski, John Tebo and Rex Lewis. There are seventy members listed, at present.
DUDLEY-GENDRON AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY, UNIT 414
The present Legion Auxiliary was organized on June 21, 1949, with eleven members. They have assisted the Dudley-Gendron Unit 414 in decorating the interior of the Headquarters, providing refreshments, and helping the Legion projects wherever needed. These ladies have also attended the yearly Memorial
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Day exercises in uniform, marching with the Legion, to help honor the deceased veterans of all wars.
For several years, the ladies of the auxiliary have provided a dinner at head- quarters for the veterans after the decorating was completed. They have raised funds by having hot dog roasts, whist and lawn parties to finance the sending of at least one girl a year to the Good Government Course at Amherst, Mass. A great deal of happiness has been given to the veterans in the nearby Veterans' Hospitals by visits to the men and by sending Christmas and Birthday gifts. Much worthwhile rehabilitation work has been done by these patriotic women through Poppy sales.
At present, there are thirty-two members in the adult group. The "Tiny Tots," a junior organization, has fourteen members, who meet regularly for patriotic purposes. The presidents of the Auxiliary have been Mrs. Elizabeth Ajamian and Mrs. Amanda Brehio.
CIVIL DEFENSE
The control room of Sutton's Civil Defense was in the basement of the Town Hall. Gordon Humes was the first Director. Rollin Mansfield was appointed, December 11, 1941, after Mr. Humes was called into military service. Mrs. Grace Jordan was in charge of the Woman's Division. Others appointed were: Identi- cation, Claude Bates; Wardens, David Picard for Manchaug, Alvin Swindell for Sutton Center, Roscoe Fisher for Wilkinsonville; Medical Department, George Grandchamp and Mrs. R. H. Mansfield, Sept. 1942; Health and Social Service, Leon Sampson. Mr. Sampson raised funds for Christmas gifts for servicemen for two years; Communications, Louise Ray; Transportation, John Dudley; Mes- senger Service, Boy Scouts; Fire Department, Martin Shaw and Daniel Smith; Mounted Patrol, Roy Potter; Observation Corps, American Legion of Millbury; Rescue Squads, Donald Schwab; Welcome Home Day, Carl Lund.
Observation for planes was carried on twenty-four hours a day for over two years. Womens' hours were from 6 A.M. till 6 P.M .; divided into periods of two hours each. The men served from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M. in periods of six hours each.
MEMORIAL DAY
For more than fifty-five years, the citizens of the Town of Sutton have con- sidered the observance of Memorial Day an obligation and a sacred duty.
In the early days, when horse-drawn vehicles were the means of transportation, the decorating took a long time, although there were fewer graves than today.
A day or so before May 30th, the neighbors assembled in the Town Hall and wound wreaths of evergreen for the graves of the veterans buried in the Howard Cemetery and others in the vicinity. Flowers were brought in the day before and made into bouquets to accompany the wreaths.
On the morning of May 30th, the Civil War Veterans started out with their flags, wreaths and bouquets and reassembled at the Center about noon. Later, they went to South Sutton and West Sutton, stopping at Sandy Beach to leave a wreath on the water in memory of the sailors of the Civil War, lost at sea. This trip took all the afternoon and there was always a service in the Town Hall for the townspeople, in the evening. These programs in Memorial Hall continued
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until 1940 and Sutton was the last town in the vicinity to discontinue them. In 1895, the program began with an opening prayer, followed by instrumental and vocal music based on appropriate themes. There was Community singing of America, a reading from a pupil in the school system and an address by Dr. Selah Merrill, U. S. Consul to Jersualem.
This outline was followed over the years with little deviation.
In 1895, there were only twelve soldiers buried in Howard Cemetery, thirty at West Sutton, twenty-six at South Sutton and fifteen at Wilkinsonville, which were decorated by the Grafton Post.
Few people were at the Cemeteries when the Veterans came. At Howard, on this 1895 date, one of the Civil War Comrades made the following speech which seems to express their feelings on that sacred occasion.
"Friends. We are again gathered on this Memorial Anniversary to place flowers and flags on the graves of our comrades who fell on the field of battle or succumbed to disease, contracted while doing their duty, to protect the prin- ciples of our country. While the numbers increase each year, let us give thanks to God, our great Commander, for the protection and blessings to the many of us remaining."
When the Civil War Veterans found the task too great, and the long, dusty afternoon ride on settees in a springless wagon, too exhausting, the Sons of Union Veterans helped take over the responsibility. Appreciation should be given to Vernon Johnson, William Davis, William Moore, Charles Lowe, Charles Hough, O. E. Smith, Milton Holbrook, Roger Putnam and Walter Acker for their faithful service. Mrs. Grace Jordan and the members of the Church Choir, also gave liberally of their time and talents. They tried to help keep the signifi- cance of Memorial Day in the minds of the people.
When the Veterans of World War I returned, they were invited to join the Civil War Veterans and Sons of Union Veterans in making yearly Memorial Day plans. Thomas Small's able Drum Corps furnished music at the Cemeteries and, on one occasion, George Sweet, alone, furnished drum music for the day.
John Dudley was Marshal for many years and Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and School Children joined the long procession behind the patriotic Organizations. The School Children of different districts gave programs after the prayers and before the decorating. Many people remember the Children's Fife and Drum Corps, trained by Thomas Small and Mrs. Grace Jordan.
A pretty custom was followed for years. Each soldier chose a school child with a bouquet and they went to a soldier's grave and stood reverently, before laying the wreath on the spot, after Taps were completed.
A concert was given on Memorial evening, before the speaking program began. This was usually by Adams and Brown's Orchestra from Whitinsville. After World War I, the Grange Orchestra was organized and gave very efficient service, under Mrs. Jordan's direction. The Memorial Day Chorus was also organ- ized and with forty members sang at the evening services under the direction of Mrs. John Dudley.
From 1930 to 1940, the principal speakers included Colonel Edward Hayes, who had been awarded the Distinguished Cross, Captain Charles P. Rugg and Attorney Owen Hoban, all of Worcester, former Attorney General Joseph E.
-
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Warner of Taunton and Admiral Wat Tyler Cluverius, President of Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
In 1934, the representative from the School System read, "Our Soldier Dead." He was Walter Belaski, who was afterwards killed in World War II.
On one occasion, when funds were low, a daughter of a Veteran wrote a poem and another daughter of a Civil War Veteran composed the music for it. This anthem, "Victory," was sung by the Chorus.
For many years, Sutton has raised a sum of money for Memorial Day. The Town Report of 1892 shows $100 for the purpose. At the present writing, it is $300. For a number of years, the Town furnished a dinner for the Veterans and it was usually prepared by the Daughters of the American Revolution. This has been discontinued.
After World War II, the John Mateychuk Post 390 and Auxiliary were formed in Manchaug and the Dudley-Gendron Post 114 and Auxiliary were organized in Wilkinsonville, and for years, now, the two Posts have joined the Sons of Vete- rans in decorating the soldiers' graves.
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