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Ex-Governor Long, speaking of Mr. Whiting, says: "He was peculiarly one of the men of Massachusetts to be counted among her leaders. His life was typical of her inheritances and opportunities and the improvement of them. He came of licr best stock. He was born in her rural atmosphere. He seized with an inbred facility on the resources she opened to him. He stepped on the first round of her ladder and steadily and surely, with no aid and relying on himself, worked and won his way to the top. In his ascent and at the highest round he never forgot the responsibilities to his fellowmen which his own personal success laid on him. As he grew in power and wealth, his bounty and beneficence expanded in the same proportion, as the story of his life shows. He put his shoulder to the wheel of many a fellow business man, and lifted him out of disaster. He was the unfailing benefactor of the community in which he lived. His prosperity embraced that of all who were within the circle of his influence and administration. Holyoke might well erect his statue in her publie square.
"I valute the memory of my association with him in public and private life. I served with him in Congress and recall huis sterling good sense and the high wind with which he met all public questions. His home was ideal. With all Iris multifarious cares, the spirit of humor and play and youth was always his. He enjoyed a game of baselmall. He delighted in friendly comradeships. He loved his farm and the long rows of high-bred cows in his grent barn, and had them tended with every care. He deserved the genuine and spontaneous popu- larity which always followed him, and which he never sunght ly unworthy or self-seeking methods. And well indeed did he deserve the love which those who were fortunate enough to be his personal friends will never forget lo associate with his memory."
THE FAMOUS SKINNER MILLS
THE ROMANCE OF ONE OF HOLYOKE'S LEADING INDUSTRIES
WILLIAM SKINNER.
There is romance in busmess, as well as in love af- fairs, there are stories of fascinating interest in the his- Inry of Holyoke Mercantile industries, no less than in the tales of her people. When on the ill-fated May morning, 1874, the imprisoned waters of the Williamsburg Reservoir burst their barrier, and in a mighty wall swept down the valley, bringing death and destruction in their train, none streamed that from the ruins of his shattered industry, Wil-
SKINNIR MEMORIAL WINDOW IN THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
liam Skinner was to erect, on a new site, a plant larger in size, and lay the foundation of one of the most famous Textile Industries in America.
No one but n man of imagination, as well as ability and determination, could have faced the future as confi- dently aml as indomitably. It was the spirit of Nelson, of Farragut, and of Grant,-men who knew naught of the meaning of the word surrender; and in the fire of his in- vincible activities, obstacles melted like the snows in the sun of spring. From the first he set his standard the high- est, and from the first day, mito his last, hewed close to this standard, until today the name and fame of Skinner's Satin, and Skinner's Silks are household words in the en- tire country. Continous growth has been the history of the Skinner's Silk mills, resulting in the magnificent plants shown elsewhere in this issne, and which give employment to over 2,400 operatives.
As the history of the William Skinner & Sons con- cern is largely the history of its founder, William Skinner, it will be worth our while briefly to review that life and 113 accomplishments.
William Skinner was born in London, England, in 1424, and came to this country at nineteen years of age. having a good knowledge of silk manufacturing. Even at that early day the gern of the idea of the Skinner Silk Mills was in his wund. In tsts, in a small mill on the banks of the Mill river, seven nules above Northampton, he began the manufacture of sewing silk. In 1848 the silk industry in this country was in its infancy, as nearly all manufactured silk was imported from France and Eng- land. Ilowever, as the years wore on the business in- creased, the mill was enlarged, more operatives were em- ployed and a village grew up with the unofficial name of "Skinnerville," after the usual American practice. In the meantime Mr. Skinner hatl built a handsome res-
Idence, and when the morning of May 16, 1874, dawned, he was one of the leading manufacturers of Western Mas- sachusetts.
We may well imagine that on that morning no one dreamed of the dreadful disaster that was to take place be- fore the sun set,-the bursting of the great Williamsburg dam. This dam, located five miles above Skinnerville, burst with a roar that could be heard throughout the en- tire valley, and releasing 124 neres of water, swept down the Mill river, wiped out 200 human lives, and destroyed more than $3,000)0,000 worth of property. The village of Skinnerville was completely obliterated-mills and houses, and all in less than an hour's time.
But for the heroic ride of Collins Graves and others, in warning of the coming flood, hundreds of other lives might have been lost. As it was, however, many escaped to the hills, and watched with fascinated horror, mill and house and block crunible like sand before the rush of the roaring food.
At seven o'clock in the morning, a busy manufactur- ing village existed-at eight o'clock the Skinner Mills, like others, were a tangled mass of iron and brick, the houses swept away or ruined. Mr. Skinner's house itself, though on higher land, was partly destroyed.
Later it was removed to Holyoke, and is the present Skinner residence on Pine street, known as Wistaria- hurst, which could it speak, could tell a tale of wonderful interest to the present generation, who have, in a large measure forgotten the disaster of thirty-eight years ago.
William Skinner, nothing dannted by the catastrophe. with high faith in the enduring quality of Iris silks and sat- ins, and equally high confidence in the permanence of the demand for the Skinner products, turned his eyes toward Holyoke, where new industries were being welcomed. Here in 1974 was completed the first mill, a small part of the present immense plant. From that time, until today. the story of the Skinner industry is one of continued and healthy growth, based on the cartlinal principle of the high- est quality, that has brought fame and renown to its prod- ucts, as the choicest and most reliable made in the world.
William Skinner was not only a manufacturer of first rank, but a generous and wise benefactor. In supporting all worthy charities, Mr. Skinner was a leader, His gen- crous contributions to the Holyoke City Hospital, to the Holyoke Public Library, to churches and other charities were almost endless. When, in the year, 1902, he finished this earthly work and passed on, there was sorrow and re- gret in hundreds of Holyoke hearts. To him may be ap- plied the words of Pericles of old,-"the most Insting me- morials are not carved in stone, or graven in brass but are those by kind and loving deeds, kept eternal in the hearts of men."
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SKINNER'S FIRST MIT.I ..
WILLIAM SKINNER & SONS
72177
WILLIAM SKITNER & SONG
SKINNER'S SANGSAN
TWILLIAM SKINNER & SONS
MILLS OF WILLIAM SKINNER & SONS, HOLYOKE, MASS.
LARGEST MANUFACTURERS OF SILK LININGS IN THE WORLD
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Ton. Jolm J. Mhite
Mayor
John J. White is the 17th Mayor of Holyoke. There are bnt five of the former Mayor, living. Mr. White is serving his second term, having been elected by growing majorities each year. He is not a Holyoker hy birth, but is very much one by adoption. He was born in Lee, forty-six years ago, and came to Holyoke when he was four years old. His career is the replica of so many others who have come up from "poor but humble parentage" and made good. Mr. White was first a bell boy at the old Holyoke House and is now the moving spirit of the White Paper Box Company. He made his debut in politics in 1003 when he was elected Alderman to fill out J. J. Farrell's term. It came as an entire surprise to him. He was reelected the following year. Then he rested three years. In 1907 he was able to "come back" in Ward Five and has since been con- tinuously in the public eye. He was advanced to the Mayoralty in 1910, succeeding Mayor N. P. Avery and is still there Mr. White has a charming wife and a bevy of children. He is prominent in fraternities and the king of good story tellers.
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE
THE FAMOUS COLLEGE OVER THE RIVER FOUNDED BY MARY LYON SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
CHAPEL, VAD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.
Neighhor to Holyoke, and as the years go, more closely related to the city, is Mount Holyoke College, the famous institution for the education of young women that is ronniling out seventy-five years of vitality this month. It is just now preparing to celebrate, in worthy fashion, its three-quarters of a century of life.
Mount Holyoke College dominates all colleges for women because it was the first institution dedicated to the higher education of women, and because today, after seventy-five years, it proceeds along just the lines laid down for it by its founder, Mary Lyon. In America's Hall of Fame, in New York, there is a niche for Mary Lyon. No woman ever born in America deserves one bet- ter, for she stood up before the biased men and women of her time and demanded for women the same educational advantages that were given to men. Then she went ahead and got them for her sisters. First she acquired such ed- ucation for herself as was obtainable.
Born in the little village of Buckland, in the Franklin County hills, her own road to learning was over a rough path. But she was the highest type of pioneer, anil when her dream of a college for women was rumly to take shape she went up and down the land and begged the money that was needed. The original building fund came from 1,800 subscribers There were two subseriptions of $1,000. Those were the highest. There were three offerings of six cents each Six cents meant more in 1837 than they do toilay.
Miss Lyon's ideal for Mount Holyoke was "a perni ;- nent mstitution consecrated to the work of training young women to the greatest usefulness Designed to be furnished with every advantage that the state of education in this country will allow . . To put within the reach of students of moderate means such opportunities that none can find better ones."
Her plan was fearfully fought. It was called "chimer. Ic.il." "impractical," "visionary," and anti-Christian. But Mary Lyon kept on, and when the cornerstone of the first
Moulding was laid in South Hadley town, she wrote in triumph :
"I have indeed lived to see the time when a body of gentlemen has ventured to lay the cornerstone of an edifice which will cost about fifteen thousand dollars, and for an institution for females . This will be an era in fe- mate education."
When Mount Holyoke Seminary was given its charter hy the Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1837, there was hut one other college open in women, amil that was Oberlin College in Ohio, and that was not for women only
When Mount Holyoke Seminary was fifty years old, it applied for a change of its name and charter to Mount Holyoke Seminary and College. By this time the old pre- judice about women aspiring to college was all gone.
In 1893 the title of seminary was dropped altogether, and it became Momit Itulyake College, but always the same idea anıl ideal was maintained. Mary Lyon's pro- gram and purpose are as much alive at Mount Holyoke today as they were at the start. From the first the insti- tution was a great success. Eighty students were present at the opening the first year, and the second year 400 were ileclined for lack of room. The original building was enlarged as funds allowed. until in 1865 two wings had been completed and an adilition containing gymnasium and laundry built across the ends, thus enclosing a quadrangle. By the generosity of trustees anil frieuils other buildings began to assemble about this quadrangle, until in 1896 there were the library, Lyman Williston Hall. Shattuck Hall, the observatory, andl two cottages.
On September 27, 1896, ten ilys after the opening of college, the old historic building was burned. The first eu- rouragvinent to rebuild enne the next day in the gift of Dr. Pearsons of Chicago, which enableil work to begin at The New York alumox were alminst really to erect their memorial hall for Miss Brigham, and this was com- pleted before the end of the year. Four other residence
halls were renuly for use the next September, and were all filled to overflowing.
The buildings erected since 1896 are as follows: Mary Brigham Hall, dormitory; Safford Hall, dormitory ; Porter Hall, dormitory; Pearsons Hall, dormitory; Rockefeller Hall, dormitory ; Mary Lyon Hall, chapel and administra- tion building; Mary Ware Wilder Hall, dormitory ; gym- nasium, Talcott arboretum, Dwight Art building, Elizabeth Mead Hall, dormitory ; library ; Judson Smith Hall, dormi- tory; the president's house; Peterson Lodge, apartment house for retired and active members of the faculty ; Music Building, and Cowles Loilge, dormitory.
In 1837 there were on the faculty a principal, an asso- ciate principal, two instructors, and three assistants, who were also pupils, with eighty students, In 1896 the faculty numbered thirty-eight, and the students 331. The eurrich- Im contained 129 different courses and about two-thirds of the work required for a degree was prescribed. Courses in experimental psychology had not been introduced; one course in political economy represented the beginning of the department of economics aud sociology, amil the depart- ments of literature and history were yet undeveloped. To- day, with a faculty numbering ninety-five members, there are 761 students. Twenty-two departments offer 290 dif- ferent courses.
Students are admitted at Mount Holyoke on an even footing, regardless of race, creed, or nationality. The stu- dent boily is self-governing It makes its own rules of conduct in ileliberative sessions of the Students' League, which enforces chapel attendance, maintains order in the residence balls, and regulates non-academic student lite generally. Every girl is a member of the gos- ering body.
Athletics thrive under the management of a Student Athletic Association. Basketball and tennis are favorite forms of athletics. Two small lakes on the campus afford rowing and canoeing in summer and skating in winter.
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE
MARY LYON,
PRESIDENT WOOLLEY.
Uniler the supervisune at a Dramatic Club, four major (days and a large mmmher ul minor performances are given every year. A rustic theater on Prospect Ilill forms an ideal setting for the out-of-doors productions. To the world at large perhaps the most characteristic anil dis- tinguishing feature of Mount Holyoke is the great vested choir, which includes 200 students in its membership.
In its seventy-five years of history Mount Holyoke has had thirteen administrative heads, seven of them called principals of the seminary, four presilents of the seminary and college, and two presidents of the college. The list of these educational leaders follows: Mary Lyon, 1837- (8)9; Mary C. Whitman, 1849-1850; Mary W. Chapin, 1850-1863; Sophia Hazen Stoddard, 1867-1887; lelen M. French, 1867-1812; Julia E. Ward, 1872-1883; Elizabeth Blanchard, 1883-1889; Mary A. Brigham, 1869, died m 1889; Louise Francis Cowles, 1889-1890; Mrs. Elizabeth Storrs Mead, 1890-1000; Mary Emma Woolley, 1900 --.
Not the least of Momit Holyoke's clams to fame rests in the fact that it has given to the world seven su-called laughter colleges, viz,: Rockford in Illinois, Western College for Women in Chia, Lake Erie in Ohne, Mills College in Califorma, Hugnennt College at Wellington, Cape Colony, International Institute for Girls in Spain, and Albert Lea College in Minnesota. Mount Holyoke College in its time has sent out more than inur theoraml graduates who have made their own and their ahna mater's influence felt in all parts ui the warhl.
There is scarcely an institution of high grade for wramen in the land, or an organization of any sort, herny, henevalent, ur religions, in which Mount Halynke women
are not among ns most efficient workers. Mrs. Dascomb, Indy principal at Oberlin, and Miss Lyman of Vassar were pupils of Miss Lyon. Mr. Durant and Mr. Moody both at- tributed the inspiration for their grent enterprises to Mount Holyoke. The first presidents of Wellesley College, of the Western and Lake Erie in Ohio, and one of the fonmilers of Mills College, Mrs. Susan Lincoln Mills, anil for many years its president, are all Monm Iholyoke women. Mrs. Mills graduated under Mary Lyon in 1842 Those engaged in private institutions, academies, and pub- lic schools are a great multitude, and not a few of these are in the responsible positions of principal or superinteml- ent. Among writers, sume of the most popular authors of the day are Mount Holyoke trained; so in the newer forms of activity for women, many are physicians, nurses, aml even demists; names might be given of prominent surgeons aml of those successfully engaged in bnsmess,
Ahronil, they have aided in founding schools more or less on the Mont Holyoke plan, in every country where missionary operations have been carried on . In Persia, Imha, all over the Turkish Empire, in Hawaii and the Sonth Sens, in South Africa, and even in Pretoria among the Boers. The International Institute for Spanish girls, mnw, after many vicissitudes, getting a firm holdt in Madrid, Is ime of the most interesting of the kinil at the present time ; Japan and China, too, have many representatives of Mount Holyoke, Due of whom was of that baml whn maile the heroie march from Kalgan neruss the plans of Siberia, deving from the Boxers. One only, so far as known, Aliss Conshl. if Pane Ting-in, belongs on the nidl of latter- day
When the jubilee exercises are held this month, there will he a great gathering of great people. More than a Immilred American colleges will be represented at the ceremonies. President Taft will come, if he can do so.
October 8 will be particularly alumna day, and will be celebrateil with a pageam anil song recital hy Madam 1.ouise llamer. The next day will be devoted to the inter- enilegiate commemoration exercises, with addresses by the ilelegantes from the various sister institutions, and a recep- tion to almnæ and other guests of the college.
A new endowment innd of half a million dollars is How complete. Most of this innd will be devoted to in- creases in salaries for members of the faculty, but $100,000 is to be used in the erection of a student-alumme building.
The faculty staff numbers 130, including the assistants in the various departments, the heads of huusrs, and the secretaries, all of whom are on the salary list Twenty- three are chief administrative officers or professors; forty are instructors. With four exceptions, the largest salary mund to any professor is $1,650, The associate professors get from $1,030 to $1,200; the instructors from $800 to $1,172. But all this will segen be changeil, as the endow- mint will make it possible to raise the salaries of the pro- lessors to $2, hun as a minimum ; those of the associate pro- lessors to $1,500, mul the instructors in like proportion.
Mount Holyoke is more magnificent at seventy-five than at any time in her history, and under the presidency of our of the mddest women in the American einentional hell, Presilens Mary E Windley, is going forward to te splendid stimmen address holding to the ideals
POETRY DEDICATED TO HOLYOKE.
WHEN THE TRANSCRIPT ANNOUNCED ITS SPECIAL THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, IT OFFERED A PRIZE OF STA TUR THE BEST PUEM, TO BE WRITTEN ON ANY PHASE OF HOLYOKE LIFE. THE MATTER OF JUICING THE PRIZE POEM WAS LEFT TO A COMMITTEE OF THREE, MISS LILLIAN FAY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL, FACULTY, PRINCIPAL, JOHN A. CALLAHAN OF THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL, AND REV. JOHN S. LYON. THE COMMITTEE, DULY CONSIDERING ALL, AWARDED THE FIRST PRIZE TO MISS RACHEL L. CLARK, WHOSE POEM IS USED ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THIS PAPER. THEY WERE SO IMPRESSED WITH THE EXCELLENCE OF THE POEMS OFFERED BY MISS ANNA M. LAPORTE AND MRS. 11. A. RHONDES THAT THEY ARE ALSO INCLUDED, PRESENTING AS THEY DO OTHER VIEW- POINTS OF, HOLYOKE'S PRESENT AND FUTURE GREATNESS.
HOLYOKE.
Ilail, All Hail, Holyube! Phon sittest on thy green hill Like a queen on her throne. The smoke from a hundred chimneys Thy coronet. The gleaming river at thy feet 'Phy necklace of brilliants ; Thy robe, the mist from the plunging waters Of the swift flowing river ---- Silent and swift, like the inoceasined feet
Of the savage, who once roamed its borders.
And as thuu sittest there, O Queen. Thou art looking back, with brooding eyes On the days of thy youth : Ou green fields, where enttle were grazing Mild eyed, and gentle; Scattered hamlets, with farm houses Nestling amid their green trees:
And the broad river, flowing on In silent majesty, to the sea, Little recking of bit, and of curb,
That should tame its wild freedom.
Hammered out in iron, and stecl, Stood like sentient beings, obeying the will Of the doers of things to be done. And the hum, and the bustle of Labor Was heard in the land; And forth from its hands came the needs of the world. In finished perfeetion.
And so thy fair dream became truc, O Queen --- With shining eyes thou dost see its perfection. Bruad streets, and fair mansions; Churches whose slender spires, crowned with the eross. Point toward heaven; Schools for the needs of the children : Gifted daughters; noble sons, Rulers, who govern all wisely and well; Heroes, wbo gave up their lives for their country And sleep on her breast. Pulpits, from which comes the Word -- To comfort and bless. Glorious musie, that carries our souls up to God. The press, Hashing news round the earth, Giving us knowledge of far distant elimes All are for thee, and thy people.
And bere, and there, were hints Of what thon wouldst be. O Queen. A fair City. But long it remmined still a eity of dreams, And unfulfilled hopes.
Then Industry cume, with his twin hrothers. Labor and Power. They harnessed the river, and bowed its proud crest To their will. Mountains were scaled to their heights; Noble trees, and thick forests were laid low
For the iron road, and the clanging hell of the street rar: And the green fields were covered With acres of brick, and of stone; And tull Imildings, that trembled and throbbed With the clanking of wheels. Shuttles were flying, spindles were turning. And great thoughts of great men
And our arms shall enfold thee; With our hearts we will love thee; And with drawn swords, and with lips pressed to wine We pledge thee- Hail, All Hail, Holyoke, Beautiful Queen! Our allegiance is thine!
MRS. 11. A. RHOADES.
ODE TO HOLYOKE.
I.
III.
In a radiant vale, by a silver, tree-fringed stream. Deep-studded hy the purple, cronehing hills, That patient, beast-like, broad o'er thee ;- 'twould seem Earth had no fairer sight than that which thrills My beart, oh! best-loved city! as on ther, All prond. I look .- And yet 'tis not alone
The glory of thy setting that I see. But the brave hearts that toiled laburiously. And loving hands that builded stone un stone. Renring the stately pile from infuney.
II
Thy granite tower hath many a wondrous tale Of those on whom its kindly face hath gaxed : Of drep devotion, love and work, and pale And weary donbt. Ah! nut a stone was raised. But echoes still the throbbing of the heart Of men who are no more. The stir and him
Of factory-wheel, and wnters harness'd fast By human-hands .- ah! these are but a part Of herenleun tasks, of which the snm Will ne'er be known, till mortal life be past.
"l'is not the pomp and stir of war dath make Thy past so great; but slow and patient toil, And high ideals .- Our duty then to take The prineely heritage, and not to soil The emblazoned shield, hold our esentcheon high! Noblesse oblige! "Tis craven to forget .--- 'Till now. ah! city fair! thou'st been a youth. Intent on growth; now thy maturer eye Should broader vision take, and. resolutely srt. Turn thy face upward to the truth.
IV.
Muy'st thou shine out, a beacon light, and seek To make thy Hame more pure :- so pure and bright, That many a fremmlons heart, surcharged mid weak, May look to thee, when all around is night. Look to the alien at thy gate; extend To him the cheering radiance of thy thame.
Be thou a gracious friend, a guiding-light. A champion. ever-ready to defend What's best. Ahl staup nut to a lowly nim! In future days, let Holyoke stand for Right.
MISS ANNA MARIE LAPORTE.
And thou art fair, O Queen! Trail not thy robes in the dust ; Keep thy heart pure; Let no unelean ting soil thy name. Stand for Justice, for Truth, and the Right. As the seed struggles, cramped and in the dark. Up toward the light ; Up toward the perfect flower, So thou toward light, and knowledge, and power, Up toward the stars, and beyond them.
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