USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume I > Part 42
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At the time of the great fire of 1914 these mills suffered much loss, but being so well and long established, rebuilding speedily followed and the industry went on as before. The immense buildings all went down before the devouring flames except one structure. The large cotton warehouse, with a million pounds of cotton, was burned to the ground. The plant now comprises many massive structures of brick and cement re-inforced. The floor space is now twenty-two acres. These mills produced in 1920, 10,516,000 pounds, or 18,252,527 yards; the sales amounted to $9,360,348.25; number males employed, 556; number fe- males, 768; total, 1,324. The number of spindles is 150,000; number of looms, 2,924. The "Pequot" and "Naumkeag" brands of sheetings are an American household word. Their quality really sells them.
Jute bagging was made in large quantities by two companies, which began to operate in 1865 and 1870. One was styled the Bengal Bagging Company. David Nevins & Co. of Boston owned the property in the seventies. Five million yards of bagging were produced in these two bag mills annually; 22,500 bales of jute were consumed, and they cost eight dollars a bale. Two hundred and seventy hands were employed in these mills, over one-half being women and youth. The jute butts were
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brought from Bengal in large vessels. The amount received at the Salem Custom House on this material was about $2,000 a cargo. The bagging here produced was mostly shipped South, and there used as bales for cot- ton. But times have changed, and no such mills now exist in Salem.
From the earliest days in Salem, the manufacture of white lead for painting purposes was numbered among the best industries of the place. It was first made here in 1826, when two such factories started. One was by the Salem Lead Company, and the other that of Colonel Francis Peabody. These works were both located in South Salem. The first plant stood where the Cotton Mills now stand, and the other where La- grange street is now situated. The first-named mills failed in 1835; the Peabody concern was more successful, and in 1846 the works were sold to the Forest River Lead Company. A thousand tons of white lead was turned out from this factory until 1882, when an assignment was made, and later the business was entirely abandoned. What was known as the Salem Lead Company was incorporated in February, 1868, and its works were on Saunders street. Here 1,500 tons of white lead, dry and ground in oil, with sheet lead, were produced ; thirty hands were being employed in 1887.
The refining of oils commenced in 1835, when Caleb Smith began the oil and candle-making business. About the same date, Col. Francis Peabody started a similar plant in South Salem. In one season, Peabody bought $150,000 worth of whale oil to be used in candle-making, and also introduced the first candle-wicking machine into this country. In the eighties, Salem had four oil refining and manufacturing plants. One large concern was burned in 1887. The later oil concerns of Salem pro- duced large quantities of currier's oils for the use of tanning and finishing leather.
Salem was also the home of the Hall typewriter, which was made in large quantities in 1885; the company was incorporated in April, 1886, on a capital of $100,000. Fifty men were employed, and two hundred machines were made each month.
Salem has had two car companies engaged in the making of horse street cars. One was the Salem Car Company, in 1863; it proved un- profitable, and the shops were sold to the Eastern Railroad Company. One hundred and fifty cars were made there annually at one time. The Atlantic Car Company was organized in 1872, and commenced to make railroad coaches, but the Jay Cooke financial panic of 1873 swamped the enterprise. The buildings subsequently belonged to the Poor Brothers tannery corporation of Peabody.
The story of electric lighting in Salem may be briefly told. Salem was among the earliest cities in New England to introduce electric lights ; the first appeared in December, 1881. In April, 1882, the Salem Electric Lighting Company was organized on a $100,000 capital, taking over the plant started in 1881. The incandescent light was introduced in Salem
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in June, 1885. From the last-named date, Salem has kept apace with all other cities in the introduction of every electric improvement.
Among the greatest conflagrations on the American continent have been the fires of Chicago, Boston, Portland, (Maine), Baltimore, San Francisco, and those of Salem and Lynn. The Salem fire burned over two hundred and fifty-two acres of territory; 1,376 buildings were de- stroyed; area of burned district was one-half mile wide and one and one- half long; entire loss in excess of $15,000,000; the insurance loss paid amounted to $11,744,000. About twenty thousand people were rendered homeless, and those thrown out of employment exceeded ten thousand.
During a prolonged dry spell, on June 25, 1914, at about one o'clock in the afternoon, in the leather district, in the Korn leather factory at No. 57 Boston street, there were several loud explosions, which upon in- vestigation showed the cause to have been a mixture of acetone, amalaci- tate and alcohol; also that a large amount of celluloid was stored in the building. This plant was engaged in the manufacture of tip finish for patent leather, made up of extremely high explosives. The conflagration started in a shed which had wooden doors. Inside were a lot of inferior sheep skins, also three small barrels filled with highly-inflammable ma- terials. It was suggested at the investigation that possibly the fire occurred by a quantity of celluloid being set on fire by the sun's rays coming through the glass in the nearby windows of the building. It was stated by one well posted as to the surroundings, that "if this factory had been equipped with a sprinkler system, the building might have been saved and the conflagration averted. There was nothing in the build- ing which water would not have extinguished." Many of the best homes in Salem were reduced to ashes within a few hours. The twenty-five Sisters removed one hundred children and aged women from the Orphan Asylum, (just as it was about to be fired by approaching flames and in- tense heat), to St. Mary's, in Walnut street, and later they were all re- moved to St. John's, at Danvers.
This fire was not without its fatalities, sad as it is to record. A veteran, Samuel P. Withey, was burned to death in the house at the cor- ner of Winthrop and Prescott streets. Joseph J. Pickering was burned to death at No. 131 Lafayette street. James Hosman's body was dis- covered near the rectory on Salem street. A number of persons died from excitement or from exposure and strain, while being removed from the fire district. Among the sixty or more persons injured were Oscar Choinard, who jumped from a second story window; Vincent Dowell, arm broken while acting as a volunteer fireman; Charles McCarthy and Captain Remon, injured about their heads by flying nozzles; Captains Preble and Kelly of Lynn, overcome by smoke; James Hoey, three ribs broken; Frank King, arms badly burned. These brave fellows all re- mained at their work as firemen, even James Hoey with his broken ribs.
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Heroic relief work went forward from first to last. The Red Cross Society, under orders from Superintendent Bigelow of the Salem Hos- pital, by eight o'clock on the first day of the fire removed fifty-seven patients to hospitals in Beverly and Peabody, as well as others to alms- house and hospitals on the Neck. There were thirty-two nurses, and all did excellent work. President Wilson telegraphed from Washington: "I am sure I speak for the American people in tendering heartfelt sym- pathy to you to the stricken people of Salem. Can the Federal Govern- ment be of service to you in the emergency?"
The relief committee established headquarters at the Armory, and Governor Walsh called a meeting at the State House to form a general relief committee, of which John F. Moors was chairman. The Salem "Evening News" started a relief fund early the next day after the fire, and headed the subscription with $500, followed by another of the same amount by John S. Saltonstal, of Beverly. The same day, Henry C. Frick sent his check for $25,000, and tendered the use of two of his auto- mobiles to be used in relief work. The side cities and towns, as well as far distant places, did all in way of relief that was possible. By noon, the Ward Baking Company had two tons of bread in Salem, and Mayor Scanlon of Lawrence sent two car loads of bread and other provisions. A firm in Boston sent one hundred and fifty-six gallons of coffee, all creamed and sweetened. Lynn sent over fifteen truck loads of provisions ; Hood offered one thousand pints of milk a day, and the Mohican Market, Salem, 1,000 rations a day, while much more was sent in from side towns. In less than forty-eight hours after the fire alarm sounded, $150,000 had been raised. A message came over from sister Beverly that $100,000 could be counted on from that city. The State fund amounted to $569,- 000, while Congress appropriated $200,000. There was doubtless as much as $3,000,000 loss not covered by insurance. Mention should here be given of the good work by the fire companies from Boston, Chelsea, Marblehead, Peabody, Beverly, Lynn, Swampscott, Wakefield, Danvers, Reading, Stoneham, Quincy, Newburyport, Revere, Lawrence, Malden, Gloucester, Manchester, Medford, Hingham, Somerville, Winchester, Ipswich, Wenham, Cambridge; all took part with some of their best fire-fighting apparatus.
The militia was called into service and looked well to its duties. Different companies guarded various districts of the city. They also had charge of the rations at the Armory, and the following figures tell their own story: Number of rations issued from June 28th to July 1st, 18,175. The cost of feeding the refugees was $2,200 daily, and the militia that served until July 7th cost Massachusetts $50,000. Now after the lapse of seven years, the burnt district has been fairly well rebuilt, with here and there evidences of the great fire of 1914. The new build- ings that took the place of the old ones are, as a rule, of a modern and
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much better style. With the expansion of the city, it will not be many more years before the traces of that conflagration are all obliterated.
The Salem Hospital is a private institution, supported from the in- come of funds given for the purpose, from money received for the board of patients, and from gifts and annual subscriptions ; the city grants free water, and in return the hospital cares for many of the city's afflicted poor and unfortunate cases. Where persons are not able to pay, they are cared for scientifically until able to leave, board and all, free of all charges. This hospital was founded by John Bertram, in the spring of 1873. Mr. Bertram came to Salem when a mere lad, as the son of a scissors grinder ; but through the native ability he possessed, he engaged in shipping on the seas, was captain of several boats he owned, and final- ly became wealthy. He was taken very ill, and cared for tenderly by doctors and nurses, who finally restored him to health. This caused the appreciative patient, that he was, to enquire what poor persons would do were they taken ill as he had been. He was told that they must of ne- cessity suffer and die for want of attention. He then and there decided to find means for a hospital in Salem, which he did, by purchasing a resi- dence property in the heart of the city, on Charter street, where numer- ous additions were made. The great fire of June 25th, 1914, swept the property away, after which land was purchased and the present spacious modern brick hospital was erected in 1917. Its cost was about $650,000. It has a housing capacity of 135 patients at one time. The present build- ing opened in November, 1917. At the end of the first twenty years of the institution (1893), reports show they had cared for 3,048 resident patients and 968 outside patients; 814 patients had paid board; and 2,- 928 were free. In 1884 a maternity hospital was added. The present superintendent is Wilbur B. Bigelow. The board of trustees is made up as follows: Matthew Robson, president; Walter H. Trumbull, John Robinson, Charles S. Rea, George A. Vickery, Robert Osgood, Richard Wheatland, Robert M. Mahoney, Walter K. Bigelow, Frank P. Fabens, George W. Grant. January 1, 1921, the treasurer had on hand $10,203. The last year the receipts and expenditures amounted to $231,961. This is a truly modern institution, and one of great credit to the city of Salem, as well as a perpetual monument to its thoughtful founder, Captain John Bertram.
Harmony Grove Cemetery is reached by continuing down School and Grove streets to No. 30 Grove, the main entrance being within easy walking distance from the city proper. It comprises sixty-five acres. It was the first burying ground used around Salem and neighborhood. An archway of rough stones spans the carriage-way to the entrance. The grounds have some wooded growth of natural timber. Many expensive monuments have been placed on private lots within this Silent City of the Dead. In 1905 a handsome chapel was erected on the grounds, the
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ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, SALEM
ESSEX INSTITUTE, SALEM
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gift of Mrs. Nancy C. Blake in memory of her son, George Harrison Blake, who died in 1869. In a lot on Locust Path the remains of George Peabody, the great philanthropist, are at rest. Also a sarcophagus of granite marks the resting place of Captain John Bertram, founder of Salem Hospital. There are other burying grounds, both Catholic and Protestant, used by the people in Salem, but Harmony is one of the oldest and largest.
Salem has numerous beautiful parks and environments, some of which are truly historic. The subjoined list includes several of the more important places in and about the city: Gallows Hill, off Witch Hill; Forest River Park, Fort Lee, Willows, The Neck, Moody Square, Nauvoo, portion of Ward 3, near the Mill Pond; Winter Island, Mack Park, Mason Hill, Liberty Hill, Lookout Hill, Unionville, North and South Salem, Legg's Hill, Juniper Point, Kernwood, Fort Pickering, Castle Hill, Carl- tonville, Cold Spring, off Liberty Hill.
Concerning the parks, it may be said that The Commons, named Washington Square in 1802, is a territory of about eight acres, and has always remained public land. It is a historic spot; was once a cow pas- ture, then used for general training or military drills as early as 1714. Forest River Park, finely situated on rolling land skirting the harbor, was purchased by the city and opened for park purposes in 1907. There are twenty-nine acres in this tract. It is equipped with a bathing basin, spaces for games and various sports. Ledge Hill Park, opposite Har- mony Cemetery, was given to the city by Esther C. Mack in 1885. This is an extension of a rocky ledge of quite an altitude, and affords an ex- cellent view of the city and its harbor. Liberty Hill is reached by way of Liberty Hill avenue; it has been a park from the first settlement of the place. It is popular on account of its numerous cold springs of pure water, which have been used for centuries. The Millerites (religious sect foretelling the end of the world) held a great camp meeting here in 1844.
"The Willows" is at the east end of the city, in the section long known by this name. It is annually visited by tens of thousands of home, as well as many sight-seeers from abroad. Steamboats ply the harbor at this point. To the north is Beverly shore; Cape Ann is at the north- east. The city provides open pavilions where parties may lunch and enjoy the scenery. The old trees, from which the place derives its name, were European white willows planted by the Salem Board of Health in 1801 to provide a shade for the convalescents at an old hospital. Nine of the original forty trees still survive. Junior Point adjoins the Wil- lows to the south, and is a fine summer retreat. Fort Lee has been a fort and block-house point on Salem Neck from the earliest days of Salem. It is located on the heights at the left, beyond the city farm. A fort was constructed here in 1742, and used in the War of 1812-14. In the
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Civil War it was mounted with guns to command the approach to the outer harbor; it is still owned by the federal government. The old earth- works add to the appearance of the Neck. Winter Island, opposite Fort Lee to the right, is reached by a causeway. Here used to be the center of the fishing business of Salem.
Fort Pickering, on Winter Island, was built in 1643; it was occupied in the War of 1812-14, and at the Civil War period had guns in position. During the Spanish-American War, two companies of Massachusetts Heavy Artillery were stationed there. It commanded the entrance to the inner-harbor. Town House Square is formed by the junction of Essex and Washington streets. From the pioneer settlement, this has been the center of population and business, and also the scene of many important events.
Without entering into a detailed history of the First Congregational Church, Unitarian, it may here be recorded, for reference, that this society was formed in 1629, and was then of the Calvinistic faith. Its pastors have included Rev. Samuel Skelton, associated for a time with Mr. Higginson, as teacher; Roger Williams, Rev. Hugh Peters, Rev. Edward Norris, and Rev. Higginson, who served forty-eight years, his death occurring in 1708, aged ninety-two years. The next minister was Rev. Nicholet, from Virginia; then came Nicholas Noyes, succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Curwin, Samuel Fisk, Rev. John Sparhawk, Rev. Thomas Barnard, Rev. Asa Dunbar, Rev. John Prince (pastor fifty-seven years), Rev. Charles W. Upham, Rev. Thomas Treadwell Stone, Rev. George W. Briggs (resigned in 1867), and Rev. James T. Hewes. Rev. Fielder Israel, who closed his ministry in Salem in 1889, was succeeded by Rev. George Crosswell Cressey, D.D., from 1890 to 1896; Rev. Elvin James Prescott, 1897-1902; Rev. Peter Hair Goldsmith, 1903-10; Rev. Edward Dunbar Johnson, 1911, and still serving. During the pastorate of the last named, the church gave up the old method of raising money by the sale of pews, and is now on a voluntary subscription basis. For a num- ber of years this church has maintained a series of Wednesday noon ser- vices. The early history of this church is very interesting, and will readily be found in almost any library of Essex county.
As to church buildings of this society, it may be said that four church edifices have been occupied since its formation in 1629. All have been on or near the same spot. "An unfinished building of one story," said Rev. Upham, "was temporarily used at the beginning for the purpose of the congregation." The second house was erected in 1670, and the first one was used for school and other purposes for ninety years, and later removed to Gallows Hill. It was finally presented to Essex Institute by Mrs. David Nichols. The second church cost £1000, had galleries, and Cotton Mather called it "the great and spacious meeting-house." This building was used about sixty years. In 1718 it was too far gone to
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*** ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
ABOVE, NORTH CHURCH, SALEM. BELOW, SECOND CHURCH AND WASH- INGTON SQUARE
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be of value, and was removed and the third church built. This was sev- enty-two feet long on Essex street, and fifty feet wide, with two galleries and a tall spire. The present church was dedicated in 1826 and serves until the present day, but has at various times been remodeled and materially improved.
The Second Church in Salem, Unitarian, was known as the East Church for many years, but in 1897 it united with the Barton Square Church, and resumed the old name of the Second Church of Salem. Mr. Manchester, who had been for four years pastor of the Independent Church in Barton Square, was made pastor of the United churches. The First Church resisted a separation and the formation of the Second church as long as possible, but finally, in 1718, it yielded and the Second Church was organized. During 1718 the First Church lost by death, within three weeks, its two ministers, Revs. Noyes and Curwin; then followed the settling of Rev. Samuel Fisk, as pastor, the erection of a large new church building and the completion of the East Church build- ing. The East Society's meeting-house was situated a half mile to the east of the First Church, on Essex street. In 1761 the meeting-house was newly sashed and glazed; in 1766 clapboarded; in 1770, "there not being room to accommodate the congregation," it was voted to enlarge it, which was done the following year. In 1846 this house was abandoned and the present church was erected. July 13, 1903, the church was par- tially destroyed by fire. It was restored and opened November 2, 1903. The new organ was first used on December 28, 1903. In October, the two hundredth anniversary of the building of the old East Church was celebrated. In 1918 the two towers that ornamented the church were condemned as unsafe and were taken down to within a few feet of the roof.
The pastors who have served this church are as follows, in the order named: Rev. Robert Stanton, died in 1727, succeeded by Rev. William Jennison, who was dismissed in 1736; next came Rev. James Diman, who served until 1788, when he died; then came Rev. William Bentley, who died in 1855; he was sole pastor of the East Church for years, aided the last few years of his ministry by Rev. Dexter Clapp. Dr. Flint remained with the church until his death, in 1868. He was not the active pastor the last four years of his life. Rev. Samuel C. Beane succeeded Dr. Flint, resigned in 1878, and was followed by Rev. George H. Hosmer, who remained until 1886, and was followed by Rev. William H. Reeby, who served two years, and was in turn followed by Rev. David Edward Towle, who served from 1892 to 1897, after whom came Rev. Alfred Manchester, Rev. J. F. Dutton having served for a short time between Revs. Reeby and Towle.
There is some question when the South Church (Congregational) first began as an independent one in Salem, but it is known that it was recognized in record February 14, 1775, but it called itself the Third
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Congregational Church until March 15, 1805, when it was incorporated under title of "The Proprietors of the New South Meeting-House." Its edifice was dedicated in 1805 and remodeled in 1860. The ministers were as follows: Rev. Daniel Hopkins, Rev. Brown Emerson, Rev. Dwinell and Rev. Atwood. The lastnamed died while pastor, and since then the pas- tors have included Revs. Dr. Edward S. Atwood, died 1888; Rev. Bro- die, 1888-04; Rev. Harold Colson Feast; Rev. George W. Roesch, 1908- 10; Rev. Thomas Langdale, 1910-14 ; Rev. H. M. Bartlett, 1914-20; Rev. George Leo Patterson, 1920, and is still serving. In 1804-05 a handsome church was built. It possessed a high spire, which was a great attraction for many years. The building was burned in 1904, when a stone church was erected in its place.
The Tabernacle Church (Congregational) was originally a part of the First Church, but in 1735 a difficulty arose which split the church in two parts. It came up over Rev. Samuel Fisk, an early pastor. The date of the Tabernacle Church organization was probably May 4, 1735. The pastors have included Revs. Dudley Leavitt, John Huntington, Nathaniel Whittaker, D.D., Joshua Spaulding, Samuel Worcester, D.D., John P. Cleaveland, Samuel M. Worcester, son of a former pastor; Charles Ray Palmer, 1860 to 1872; Hiram B. Putnam, DeWitt S. Clark, installed in 1879, served until his death in 1916; and was succeeded by Rev. O. H. Bronson, who remained two years, and was followed by Rev. W. H. Spence, present pastor. Good church buildings have usually been owned by this church, including the one erected in 1854; the large two- story chapel erected in 1868, has served until now. Plans are under consideration at this writing (1921) by which it is believed that a hand- some stone structure will soon take the place of the old wooden building.
March 3, 1772, the proprietors of the North Meeting-house organized themselves into a religious society with the title of North Church, Uni- tarian. The trouble between the parent church and the new one arose over the selection of a pastor. The long line of pastors included Revs. Thomas Barnard, Jr., John Emery Abbot, John Brazer, Octavius Brooks Frothingham, Charles Lowe, Edmund B. Wilson, installed in 1859, served until his death in 1904, and was succeeded by Rev. George D. Latimer, his associate until 1907, when he was followed by Rev. Theodore D. Bacon. Without entering into details as to church edifices, it may be said that the present building has recently been greatly enlarged and much improved.
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