USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holyoke > Holyoke, past and present, 1745-1895. > Part 6
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The Holyoke police department is presided over by Marshal George H. Twaddle, whose office is in City Hall. The court-room is in the basement of the City Hall. William B. C. Pearsons is justice ; special justices, E. W. Chapin, H. L. Sherman ; clerk, Thomas J. Tierney. The Marshal is assisted by four special officers and Detective Mack.
George H. Twaddle, City Marshal, was born at Burke, New York, in the year 1852. Mr. Twaddle has been in the mercantile life of Holyoke since 1872, his occupation prior to that time being a printer. He was first appointed City Marshal in
MARSHME
CITY MARSHAL GEORGE H. TWADDLE.
ASSISTANT MARSHAL PATRICK HERBERT.
1894, and reappointed for 1895 by Mayor Chase, and fills the duties of his position in a manner most satisfactory to all our citizens. Mr. Twaddle has a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and is a member of the Pequot Club. Patrick Herbert was born at St. Jerome, Canada, in the year 1843, and became a resident of this city in 1864, and has since remained, proving himself a substantial and valuable citizen. In 1880 he was appointed to the police
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force as a patrolman, and his capabilities soon brought advancement, he being a Captain in 1884. His record and qualifications led to his election as Assistant Marshal in 1892, which office he now holds. Mr. Herbert is a member of the A. O. of Hibernians, the Knights of Pythias, Red Men, and Washington Club, and has a very long list of friends and acquaintances.
Francis H. Hastings, Captain of Police, is a native of Holyoke, being born here in 1849, and has always taken
CAPTAIN FRANCIS H. HASTINGS.
LIEUTENANT PATRICK H. SULLIVAN.
much interest in the varied interests and industries of the city. He first joined the police department in 1888, and was a patrolman from that time until 1894, when he was appointed Lieutenant, and this year was made Captain. Captain Hastings has an excellent record in the duties of his profession, and has hosts of friends, not only among those who appreciate him as an official, but in private life. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Patrick E. Sullivan, Lieutenant of Police, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., in the year 1853, and was appointed to
ยท
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his present position in January of this year, having previously served eleven years as a patrolman. Before joining the force, where his prompt discharge of duty and courteous treatment of all whom he meets have made him deservedly popular, Lieut. Sullivan was employed as overseer in the weave room of woolen mills. He has a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and is a member of the Ancient Order United Workmen and the Workmen's Benefit Association.
The schools of Holyoke are second to none in the Commonwealth. The sacrifices and unselfish efforts of the forefathers have been full of good results. The old Gamwell Academy, first in its location on Back street, next in its stately position on what is now the Merrick lawn on Northampton street, exercised an educational influence not to be lightly esteemed, and bridged over the gap between the "deestrict " and public schools of the place. Its career under Mr. William Gamwell was notable, and it always bore a good, and often a high character. No modern sketch can present any idea of the persistent energy and intelligent efforts which sustained this and other schools and pre- pared the way for the present system. Following Mr. Gamwell, came Messrs. Gardner, Leavitt, Barton, T. W. Wads- worth, Kimball, Pratt, Joseph D. Long, son of the late Dr. Long, Oscar Ely, Rev. Chapin Carpenter, editor and an active pastor in Paris as well as this country, and Mr. Bissell. The old Seminary was finally sold, torn down and some of its boards now cover the sides of a building near Ewingville. This closes the first period in the history of Hol- yoke schools. In connection therewith it may be of interest to say that the building used as a boarding house and used for furnishing accommodations for the pupils of the Academy, is now standing and is owned by Miss Lydia Willard.
The Holyoke schools of to-day are what they should be, the culmination of what has gone before, having a superintendent actively engaged in bringing out new ideas, and by suggestion and helpfulness, developing the teachers as well as the pupils.
This city employed the first professional instructor in calisthenics (Professor Schmidt) in New England. The instructors in drawing, penmanship and music, have been the best. Miss Flora H. Lucas was the first special teacher in drawing and penmanship, and taught in both branches. Amos Andrews was the first grammar master in the city, and was at the head of the Appleton Street School. The late respected Judge Buckland, a fine teacher and educator, did much toward grading and organizing the schools. His ability in leadership gave him prominence here, as in other matters of importance to the city. The study of nature as a means to the study of language was early introduced by Superintendent E. L. Kirtland. First something to talk or write about was furnished by means of object lessons and
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when the pupil became interested he grew proficient. This method, as far as known, was used earlier in Holyoke than elsewhere in this country, and it led to the establishment of museums for assistance in the study of nature work.
Music in the hands of a regular professional has been treated as a branch of what is educationally termed " expression," and is classed with the reading and elocution instruction and is based upon a careful drill in vocal elements and on production of good voice sounds by such calisthenics as are adapted for it. The usual practice of note-reading is held also, to bring out the sentiment properly.
Arithmetic has gone through many changing moods within these years, many new rules and practical methods have come into use. Geog- raphy has a prominent part in the educational course. A determined effort has been made to redeem it from the old method of memorization of inumerable details, and large facts are emphasized and impressed. The school buildings are : High School, Appleton street, South Chestnut street, Hamilton street, Park street, Sargeant street, Dwight street, Lyman street, Chestnut street, Nonotuck, South street, Ewingville, Ingleside, West Hol- yoke, West street, and Springdale schools. The personnel of the special- ists includes, Mrs. I. H. Ferry, instructor in drawing ; Professor Zucht- mann, music ; Miss Essie McDonald, writing ; Professor Eger, calisthenics ; Miss Hurlburt, training school. Brief sketches of the superintendent and masters of the Grammer Schools follow :
Superintendent E. L. Kirtland was born in Westbrook, Connecti- cut, and at fourteen years of age left the school and spent four years in the dry goods business in Norwich, Connecticut. After that he fitted for college at Westbrook Academy, graduated at Yale in 1859, and then took charge of the Academy at Westbrook. Following this he took a year and a half course at the Yale Law School, then received appointment to a E. L. KIRTLAND. position in the United States pension office at Washington, D. C., as first assistant at the financial desk, and for four years, during the entire war period, enjoyed life at the capital and had advantages for going through the camps and
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HOLYOKE PUBLIC LIBRARY
becoming familiar with the routine of that life. Mr. Kirtland was in Ford's theatre at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln, and left the city in October, 1865 ; went to Philadelphia, Pa., to spend two years in mercantile life, then went to Connecticut, in 1869, was a member of the Legislature, then came to Holyoke and entered the Holyoke Transcript as assistant to C. H. Lyman, and at the end of six months bought half interest and at the end of two years Mr. Lyman sold out to W. S. Loomis, and in 1875 Mr. Kirtland sold out to Mr. Loomis. He was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1876, when George D. Robinson and John D. Long were first entering upon their afterward famous careers. The following autumn Mr. Kirtland went into the National Paper Co. with Henry Fairfield, and at the solicitation of William Skinner, then chair- man of the city property, Mr. Kirtland accepted the superintendency of the Holyoke schools, and soon commenced upon the introduction of new ideas. While the studies, or rather the methods of pursuing them, have been suggested by Mr. Kirtland, he has found able and willing lieutenants to assist and carry on the work, which provides for the instruction of about 5,000 pupils at a cost of $120,000 per annum.
H. B. Lawrence, the Appleton Street School, and more recently nature and language studies, have come to be closely connected in the minds of Holyoke people, especially those interested in educational work. The interest and influence of Mr. Lawrence have been almost fatherly. Sorrow and loss in his own home have turned his thoughts with increasing kindliness to the young people committed to his care during the twenty-two years of his work in this city. Many young men now going into business life, or who are already in commercial life, look with pleasure to the days when they were boys under Principal HIRAM BARTLETT LAWRENCE. Lawrence's supervision. Every one knows him and knows his faithful, earnest work. One of the pleasantest sights of the year has been the annual school exhibition held usually in the
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Opera House, when pupils, big and little, had their little song and played their parts on the stage to the admiration of all beholders. Then Principal Lawrence's guidance and excellent judgment were felt, as they are now in the aban- donment of this custom, delightful as it was, for present requirements call for too great an outlay of the school's energies in the preparation for these festivities. Last year a very valuable work, written and published by Mr. Law- rence, " Nature Study and Language," had a cordial reception, and the introduction of the leading ideas it contained in the Appleton Street School has been attended by the largest results. Other books from the same pen include a history of the Lawrence family, the founders of which originally came to this country somewhere between the years 1664-67. Mr. Lawrence has always been ready to accept new ideas after a fair trial, and is himself the best sort of an educator, one who studies and assists in the development of his pupils and considers this his best line of work.
Hiram Bartlett Lawrence, born in Wayne, Me., 1840, studied in the common schools until he entered Towle Academy, at Winthrop, later fitted for college at the Maine State Seminary, now Bates College. Finishing at Bowdoin College, and being graduated in 1866, he studied law ten years and was admitted to the Kennebec county bar. Receiving a flattering offer from Gardiner, Me., he took the principalship of the high school. He remained there three years and fitted boys for Bowdoin and Dartmouth Colleges. The effect of night work over Greek and Latin text books, while in charge of Penacook Academy, caused him to resign and try to restore his failing eyesight, and in 1872 he came to Holyoke and was elected principal of the only grammar school at that time. The school had only 120 pupils then and these were scattered from Willimansett to the Easthampton line. The school board included such men as C. W. Ranlet, E. W. Chapin and others, who have always remained the firm friends of Mr. Lawrence. He married Mary Day and of their three children only one daughter is living. In the school building are a fine museum and library containing 2,000 volumes.
William E. Judd, principal of the High School and a most successful teacher, has been called to this city twice to preside over the same school. Coming here soon after his graduation from Amherst College in 1874, he was classical teacher from 1874 to 1880, then became principal of the Park Street Grammar School from 1880 to 1882, then accepted an urgent call to Hartford high school, where he taught Latin and history until 1885. Then, yielding to the solicitations of his Holyoke friends, he came here again and accepted the position as principal of the High School, which he has since held, and has shown great ability in imparting knowledge.
Wilbur F. Nichols, principal of the Hamilton Street School, has acquired an enviable reputation outside the city and through the state for his execution of progressive methods in teaching and his original ideas successfully
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WILLIAM E. JUDD.
WILBUR F. NICHOLS.
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brought into practice. He has impressed himself as an instructor on the minds of all with whom he has been brought into contact. Principal Nichols first studies his pupils, and this has enabled him to prepare courses of instruction which have met their needs. His first stepping aside from the routine course was in his treatment of geography, the course of study in which, Mr. Nichols argues, has been so arranged that the pupil need not think independently. First, Mr. Nichols prepared a series of topics that enabled the teachers under him to give proper instruction in the subjects, and presented the whole subject by topics. Natural curiosities have been introduced and statistics are sparingly handled. By the use of compositions there is an introduction of language work, and it is begun in the primary grades, with successive steps for older pupils. This work has been published by D. C. Heath & Co., of Boston, and is in use by all the pupils of this city, and as a reference book in many cities. Mr. Nichols' principal work during the last two years has been in the line of arithmetic. The course for five grades has been completed and will be published soon. It has been tried in the Hamilton Street School and has worked well. In preparing it, at the sug- gestion of Superintendent E. L. Kirtland, Mr. Nichols visited bankers, manufacturers, mechanics and other workers, to find out the methods employed by each class in performing mathematical problems. None of the schools teach arithmetic in this way. His plan is to make a practical training of the reasoning powers, as Mr. Lawrence's plan is to train the observation in nature's works.
Wilbur F. Nichols was born in Stillwater, Minn., and is 37 years old. He prepared for college at Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy and graduated in 1876. He entered Amherst College and graduated in 1880. He received the degree A. B. in course of 1884, in Amherst College. At the end of his college life he took charge of the high school in Sheffield for a year. The succeeding year he was principal of the high and grammar schools in Florence, and came to Holyoke, in 1882, as principal of the Park Street Primary and Grammar Schools. When the Hamilton Street School was completed Mr. Nichols took charge of it, and has been there ever since. Principal Nichols is alike popular with pupils and teachers.
John A. Callahan, principal of the Nonotuck Street School, was educated in the public schools at Barre, Mass., and graduated from the Barre Academy in 1879. He at once entered Amherst College, where he was graduated in 1883. He taught for a year in the public school at his home, and in 1884 was elected principal of the Nonotuck Street School. His special tastes are in the lines of literature and history, and one of the fine results of his foreign travel has been the production of several lecture courses generously illustrated by picturesque views, which have been used for the profit of many educational and religious institutions in this part of the country. Principal Callahan has
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JOHN A. CALLAHAN.
FRANCIS J. RILEY.
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GEORGE H. D. L'AMOUREAUX.
J. J. LYNCH.
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also made a special study of a new method of teaching American history, which includes illustrative work by the pupils, and is productive of general interest.
Principal Riley, of the Chestnut Street School, was educated at Harvard College, and for a time tutored in private families in Pennsylvania. He was elected to a position in the High School September 9, 1887, and by mutual agreement with Principal M. M. Moriarty, then presiding over the Chestnut Street School, Mr. Riley assumed the principalship of that school and Mr. Moriarty became assistant at the High School.
George H. D. L'Amoureaux, principal of the South Street School, Elmwood, was born in South Hadley Falls, where his family occupy one of the old mansions of the place. He attended the town schools and graduated from the High School, next entered and took the complete course of study at Colby University, Me., graduating from there in June, 1894, and in September following, received the appointment as principal of the South Street School, which was just opened. Mr. L'Amoureaux has his history to make, being one of the youngest principals, and his acquirements in educational work guarantee marked success in the line of principalship and teaching.
Principal J. J. Lynch, of the Dwight Street School, received his appointment in the autumn of 1894, and is one of the youngest principals. He received part of his education at Holy Cross College, and gives fine promise of rapid progression in his line of work.
In a sermon given by Rev. Dr. E. A. Reed of the Second Congregational Church, December 4th, 1892, on " Civil Responsibilities," occurs such a just and impartial description of the natural advantages of Holyoke that it is reproduced here :
" An intelligent stranger could not make the circuit of the city, without remarking upon its natural beauty and salubrious situation. The river, flowing swiftly through the door which the mountains so hospitably opened for it, brings power in concrete form, but, as if unwilling to mar the landscape, makes a circuit enclosing sufficient territory for business purposes, without encroaching upon the land most suitable for residences, and then turning south, gliding past the peaceful farms of old Chicopee, leaves us with a quiet stretch of water which must be like a perpetual benediction to those privileged to live within the view. Project the fashionable thoroughfare of Northampton street at either end, and it will intersect the river, giving us a triangular piece of territory with the minimum of utility and maximum of beauty, with the mills compressed within narrow limits and the residence portion expanding in broader lines on either side. The ground rises in successive plateaux, affording near and distant prospects of unfailing
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delight. The view from Depot Hill is unique. The tranquil charms of the Dingle, of Oakdale and Elmwood, or the rapidly-filling plain of the Highlands, vie with the grander pictures of the Holyoke range and the blue Wilbraham hills, while Mt. Tom, ever in sight, looks down with kindly interest on the busy town drawn as if by some resistless
BEND OF THE RIVER.
fascination, nearer and ever nearer to its feet. Most cities may boast of some one view of marked attractiveness, but we may take our choice. Prospect Park would do, or the end of Taylor street, or either terminus of Northampton street, or the high ground at the foot of Maple street, or beyond Brown avenue. Indeed, from Fairmount square or
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HIGH STREET, LOOKING SOUTH.
BOSTON STORE
NORTH SIDE OF DWIGHT STREET.
Linden street, or the Hospital, or Forestdale, or any elevated point within the residence portion of the city, to say nothing of the hills beyond, or Mountain Park, or the suburban drives, the prospect is pleasing in the extreme. Providence has done much for us. Holyoke is always spoken of as a business city, but with unusual business advantages, it is precisely adapted to home life. The soil is porous, easily drained, the water pure, the air, fresh and invigorating, comes sweeping from the hills, often with furious onset as if to beat back malarial foes."
In 1878, two fine buildings were completed, the Windsor Hotel and the Opera House, both owned by Hon. Wm. Whiting. The Opera House was opened to the public as a place of amusement March 25 of that year. At that time Holyoke had no first-class theatre, the only place of amusement being Parsons Hall, on which the traveling com- panies of that day were obliged to depend. The new house was opened under the management of Chase Bros., the opening attraction being the Stock Company from the Leland Opera House, Albany, N. Y. John W. Albaugh was the star, and Ada Rehan, then entering her marked career, was leading lady in the play -- " Louis XI." " Money," the real opening continuing three nights.
CORNER ESSEX AND MAPLE STREETS.
The succeeding attractions were "London Assurance " and This enterprise resulted in the coming to Holyoke of many stars and combinations which had never been able to visit the city because of a lack of accommodations. Among
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DRINKING FOUNTAIN IN HAMPDEN PARK.
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SOLDIERS MONUMENT IN HAMPDEN PARK.
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these were Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett, Mary Anderson, Thomas Keene, Lotta, Joseph Jefferson and others. At the close of the sixteenth season, May 1, 1894, the owners began the remodeling of the house, and when it reopened its doors the following September, it was one of the most beautiful playhouses in the country. The improvements cost $50,000. The house seats about 1,400 people, has a stage 9 1 by 52 feet, the second largest in New England, and is beauti- fully decorated throughout. W. E. Kendall is manager, and his theatrical knowledge is going far to make success assured.
WHITING BLOCK
OPERA HOUSE
WINDSOR HOTEL.
The laying out of the streets and the names given them were largely taken, at first, from those persons identified with prominent cotton manufacturing companies and from the names of Massachusetts counties. Main street is a long thoroughfare extending north and south and terminating at the river. Canal, Race and Bridge streets were named from OPERA HOUSE. their location. Then there are Franklin, Hampshire, Essex, Suffolk, and Hampden streets alternating with Jackson, Sargeant, Cabot, Appleton, Dwight, and Lyman for noted cotton manufacturing concerns. Bowers, Mosher and Ely,
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.
BOXES ON LEFT-HAND SIDE OF OPERA HOUSE.
from former land owners on Depot Hill. John and Oliver streets perpetuate the name of John Oliver. High street was named for its sightly location. West of, and parallel with High, the streets have the names of woods, Maple, Chestnut, Elm, Walnut, Pine, Beech, Oak, Linden and Sycamore. Many streets in Ward Seven were named for the
ATHLETIC PARK.
persons first owning land or building upon them. The total area of the city is about fourteen square miles. The Highlands has been rapidly built up during the last few years, and some of the finest residences in the city are located there. The height and fine view make this one of the vantage grounds and very desirable for residences. Elmwood
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BEE HIVE.
FLAT-IRON BLOCK.
is equally well situated. Building has progressed rapidly here. E. Netherwood, C. E. Ball and Dwight Ives are the leaders in building up this section, having worked up different tracts of land, some of which was once part of the large Horace Brown farm. The view from Brown's avenue or bluff is not surpassed by any in the city. The Crystal Spring water, owned by Donald Mackintosh, is a feature and several streets are piped for it. Another excellent spring is on the place owned by Fred Parsons of the Highlands. This water is supplied to the city at moderate cost, and is sold in small lots by the company which owns it.
The Grand Army of the Republic, a name never read without a different feeling from that called forth by any other, early established a post in this city. It experienced the vicissitudes which beset any new organization and had its dark days. Finally the undesirable material was weeded out, and Kilpatrick Post, 71, was established on a basis as firm as that held by its members in the hearts of every patriotic citizen. The Post was organized December 3, 1868. The first Commander was the late D. E. Kingsbury ; charter members, Geo. W. Burdette, William Shafto, W. H. Sisson, Russell Tyler, F. L. Taylor, Chas. F. Quint, E. L. Draper, Adolph LaGrave, A. M. Snow. The quarters were first in Stratton's, then Good Templars', and Parsons Halls, and January 21, 1873, their present pleasant quarters were taken. The Women's Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans and Auxiliary to the Sons, are all thriving orders and mutually helpful.
Along in '72 the order was particularly depressed and the two members who remained faithful were George Whitaker and "Bob" Mitchell. These two jointly held meetings until the interest became more general. The photographs of past and present Commanders are presented as fully as possible, the publisher being specially grateful for any efforts made by the veterans which have assisted in preparing this part of the story of Holyoke life. The Post boasts one of the youngest soldiers of the war, Mr. W. H. Abbott, only 15 years of age, one of the first prisoners at Libby prison, P. A. Streeter, and a man who heard the first shot in the war of the Rebellion, J. H. Howard, now of Milford.
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