USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Old-time Fairhaven; erstwhile Eastern New Bedford, Volume I > Part 19
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Baseball. - Baseball fans should have their innings. The principal nines, in Fairhaven, for the quarter century 1867-1892, in order of their organization, were as follows: Alaska, 1867; Actives, 1868; Red Rovers, 1869 ; Unions, 1869 (reorganized in 1873 as the Olympics) ; Resolutes, 1869 ; Pacifics, 1870; Nonquits, 1873; Re- creations, 1873 ; Eagles, 1874 ; Favorites, 1879; Peck & Barney, 1884 ; Pinafores, 1885; Rattlers, 1886; Comets, 1886; Sachems, 1887; U. M. S. Club, 1890; Town Team, 1892.
George Henry Tripp was the southpaw twirler for the Unions. The Favorites under the captaincy of John Stetson, included the fol- lowing players: B. F. Shurtleff, Charles Thomas, Walter Miller, H. L. Card, Henry Stetson, F. Nickerson, Charles Bird, John Sul- livan.
The Peck & Barney team was composed of the following : Frank Hanna, Frank Taber, Joseph Fraga, Arthur Francis, Albert Libby, Walter Williams, W. Rounsville, Harry Smith, George Baker.
The Comets, of 1886, consisted of Butman, Aiken, Pease, Bryant, Allen, Stowell, Norris, Taber, Card.
In the summer of 1892, the Town Team, with Frederick C. Dexter as manager, was represented by the following : Taber, Syl- vester, Bauldry, Westgate, McBride, Harris, W. Rounsville, Garvey, Burgess.
Scores were high in those days, the Red Rovers defeating the Unions by a score of 35 to 28. The Olympics defeated a Marion team by a score of 36 to 9. The Actives defeated a New Bedford club by a score of 14 to 12, the game being played on Pope's Island.
The Circus. - The circus, which enticed the lads to tramp over the old bridge, in the early morning hours, in order to catch a glimpse of the animals of the jungle, and to witness the unloading of the pranc- ing steeds and the side-show freaks, was, indeed, a great attraction for the Fairhaven youth. Fairhaven had its "WILD MEN" as well. The circus was pitching its tents on Pope's Island on Saturday, April 27, 1872.
"ONE DAY AND EVENING. On Tuesday, July 14, 1857. Great Wonders! The Wild Men with Menagerie can be seen at the lot near Union Hotel, Fairhaven. The schools are all coming in a body by permission of the School Committee and Teachers, if their
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parents furnish them with a little small change. Open, 2-5 and 7-10. Admission, 15 cents."
Velocipedic Mania. - During the latter part of the era of the omnibus, and just prior to the time of the horse railroad, the veloci- pedic mania was raging in Fairhaven. Velocipede rinks were opened in New Bedford, Fall River, Springfield, and the fad swept over much of the country. Fairhaven did not escape the fever. There were velocipede carnivals when imported female riders covered the distance of one-half mile in three minutes. For attraction, some riders per- formed stunts while riding. Bands played at many rinks and contests were constant. On the Point Road in New Bedford many races took place. A four-wheeled velocipede could cover the distance of one mile in three minutes. Silver cups were the usual prizes. Excur- sions from Fairhaven to Provincetown were not uncommon. One of the livery stable keepers did quite a business during the day by let- ting out the wooden horses by the hour.
One Fairhaven rink was in the second story of the house now at the foot of Allen street. This was just after the thriving boat build- ing times at Blackler's ship yard. The upper room took in the entire length and width of the structure. Rinks as a rule were about 40 feet wide and 90 feet long. Races of one-fourth mile were common, the distance being covered in one minute and thirteen seconds. Usu- ally the rinks had beginners in separate rooms, upstairs. One mile could be covered in about 512 minutes.
Improvements on the velocipede came in rapid succession. One invention permitted the change from a two-wheel vehicle to one of three wheels or vice-versa within five minutes. A New Bedford paper reported that Mr. Charles Bradford, brother of the marine artist, William Bradford, invented a four-wheeled velocipede, and was offered $20,000 for his patent, but declined it. This was in Jan- uary 1869. For the extra-enthusiastic a paper called "The Veloci- pedist" was published at $1.00 per year. There was much rivalry between the allurements of the rinks and the Fairhaven Mill Pond.
These vehicles of rapid transit became a new terror in the streets causing as much consternation as the automobile does today. Some velocipedes had two wheels, some three and some four. The writer possessed one of the first mentioned which descended to him from some remote time when the wheels of nearly equal size had an iron circumference and was propelled by pedals on the front wheel.
A slump came in the velocipede industry. The craze subsided. A great depreciation in velocipede stock ensued. On Saturday,
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January 20, 1872, eight velocipedes were sold for $25.00 which at the time of the velocipede fever cost $690.00. The mania which swept the country in the winter of 1869 was on the toboggan.
Velocipedes were made at the carriage factory of George L. Brownell of New Bedford in 1868. In The Daily Mercury we find the following : - "VELOCIPEDES. Mr. Giles G. Barker, foreman of George L. Brownell & Company's carriage factory, rode to and from his home on Saturday, December 19, 1868, the first instance in which that novelty in locomotion has appeared in the streets of New Bedford."
In the Connecticut "Mirror" of May 31, 1809 there is an article on "Velocipedes."
Following the epoch of the velocipede came the bicycle, first the old type with large wheel in front and tiny one in rear. Many re- member the one which Frank Taber, son of Robert H. Taber, made, and permitted many to attempt to master the art of riding. This handiwork of Mr. Taber was a marvelous bit of skill and ingenuity. Headers were so common and unwelcome that the safety was soon devised.
The Taber family were living, at the time Frank manufactured his bicycle, on the northwest corner of North Main and Coggeshall streets. The Tabers sold the land leading to the bridge.
John W. L. Kempton, Joseph Nye, Thomas Fairchild, William C. Card, and the Bliss twins who removed from Taunton to Fairhaven in 1884, living in the Abner Pease house, southwest corner of Main and Pease street, were the first to risk the tumbles on the old high type.
Walking Matches. - And who remembers when Arthur Har- rington emerged as champion in a pedestrian match in Phoenix Hall, sixty-five years ago? This "heel and toe" contest is herein described by one who witnessed the race, as follows: The contestants are lined up, side by side; the pistol is fired ; off they go, Harrington having no uniform nor tights, just a pair of overalls. Around the hall they go, Harrington at first being the object of banter while loud hurrahs break forth for his opponent a few laps ahead. On goes Harrington, not fast, but creeping up, making headway. His opponent begins to fag, and his trainer hands him a wet sponge with which he wipes his brow, and holds the wet sponge in his hands to keep them moist. He slows up, too. Harrington spurts, and makes a little gain, but keeps cool. His trainer hands him a sponge, but Arthur grins, and shakes his head. Amid the applause (the relater's definition for applause
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is "apple sauce") Harrington just plugs along and is not one iota excited ; just goes "round and round" like the song a few years ago. His competitor is dropping behind, takes a rest for a few minutes, has a rub-down, and goes out to meet Harrington. He looks on the board - "Harrington Leads." This makes his opponent speed up once more, but he has lost his fire. All interest is now for Art Har- rington. On the last few laps, some friend who has hoped Harrington would win, has supplied himself with a "clam basket and hoe," and will hand it to Harrington as he makes his last round. How the throats of those Fairhaven men and boys did hurrah for HAR- RINGTON! Harrington takes the basket, shoulders the hoe, leaves his opponent many laps in the rear and, amid the hurrahs, and the music of the Fairhaven Brass Band, Harrington has won. He makes a few extra rounds to show that, after all "the race is not to the swift."
Masquerades. - Let us note a social event which took place in a house which afterwards became the summer residence of Henry H. Rogers.
"FAIRHAVEN. A very pleasant masquerade party was en- joyed last evening, (Friday, March 15, 1878) at the residence of Mr. J. B. Tarr. It was participated in by about forty from both sides of the river. Many of the costumes were rich, and evinced great taste and skill. Among the most striking and picturesque suits were those of the Wood Nymph, represented by Miss Clara N. Burgess ; the Sailor Girl, Miss Nettie J. Allen ; the Princess, Miss Gertrude S. Howland; Old Mother Hubbard, by Miss Lillian Clark; the Pop Corn Girl by Miss Emma F. Tripp, and the Italian Musicians by the Misses Fairchild. Among the gentlemen were the Knight, Mr. E. S. Brown of New Bedford; Sweet Sixteen, Mr. W. S. Bryden; the Sprite, Mr. A. G. Bourne; Ye Antique Maiden, Mr. A. J. Tarr ; the English Swell, Mr. R. A. Dunham, Jr. During the evening a bounti- ful collation was enjoyed ; music and dancing enlivened the party till the wee small hours, and all agreed in the verdict, 'A Good Time.' "
With permission, we record the following found in the Mercury of April 1878. This was just before Seth H. Keith built his house on the west side of Fort street. "A grand masquerade party met at the residence of Mr. Seth H. Keith, corner of Center and Main streets, last evening, (Friday, April 12, 1878). Some 250 persons were present, making much the largest assembly of the kind that ever came together in Fairhaven. The rooms were tastefully trimmed with bunting by Martin Bowen, and the brilliancy of the occasion is indescribable. The representations were as follows: - Mrs. W. S.
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Bryden, as Harvest ; Mamie Allen, Spanish Lady ; Lucy Taber, Katie Tarr and Gertie Howland, Sailor girls; Mary Robinson, Joan of Arc; Hattie Tripp, Old Woman; Della Gerrish, Martha Washington ; Emma Damon, Queen Elizabeth ; Sarah Ewer, Female Jockey ; Sarah Fairchild, Fisherman's Daughter ; Annie Robinson, Pocahontas ; Re- becca Taber, Shepherdess; Lillie Tappan, Country Cousin ; Katie Bird, Fan; Agnes Tarr, Quakeress; Jennie Brown, Pointed Top; Minnie Keith, Folly ; Sey Allen, German Lady ; Susie Damon, Flower Girl; Lillie Clark, Fortune Teller ; Eva Kelley, Night ; Winnie Sto- well, Snow; Bessie Allen, Red Ridinghood; Carrie Rogers, Sheet and Pillow Case; Thomas Taber, Monkey; A. G. Bourne, Clown; Willie Rogers, Louis IX; H. Terry, Black Domino; Ahijah Tarr, . Will Collins, R. A. Dunham, Jr., Frank Sherman, Ed. Stoddard, Minstrels ; John Damon, Devil ; F. Keith, Calico Man ; A. B. Collins, Vienna Baker; Harry Allen, John Chinaman; C. Fairchild, Monk; T. R. Robinson, Gent of '76; George Hammond, City Guard ; Charlie Lewis, Drummer Boy; Johnnie Swift, Sailor Boy; Charles Bird, Harlequin ; Hardy Hitch, Uncle Sam; W. Judd, Page; J. Gifford, Domino; W. Church, Grandmother; Rita Howland, Dairy Maid; Helen Taber, Peasant Girl; Nettie Allen, Daughter of the Regiment ; Johnnie Howland, Old Man; Annie Keith, Flower Girl; Annie Morse, Haymaker."
Nearly seventy years ago the Standard told of a social gather- ing held in the mansion which was built for Capt. Lemuel C. Tripp, in the early '50's, on the northeast corner of Spring and Adams street. This house passed in ownership through the hands of Bart- lett, Marston, Rogers, Lewis, and Thomas before being acquired by the present owners. It was in July 1873, that James L. Marston purchased the mansion. Under the date of February 22, 1878, we find: - "FAIRHAVEN. A highly enjoyable social gathering occurred at the residence of James L. Marston, Esq., corner of Spring and Adams streets., last evening, being a private masquerade given by Master Edward W. Marston. About twenty-five couples partici- pated in the pleasures of the evening. Especially noticeable among the attractive characters were Miss Lizzie Gifford and Miss Sadie Ewer, as the Two Orphans. Thomas & Morse furnished the music. About 11 o'clock an elegant collation was served. Dancing was re- sumed after an hour's intermission and continued until the morning hours were far advanced." Charles G. Nye was present, and will gladly tell you of the good time and the costumes worn, including his own.
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Coasting. - Imagine the throngs of real sports assembled at the Four Corners, or Phoenix Hall Corner, participating in the fun, or watching the more daring shoot down the hill. With a gentle slope in those days from Main to Middle streets, this is what they witnessed in January 1877 : - "COASTING, in Fairhaven, Center street, from Main to Handy's wharf, presents a lively spectacle, the coast being a good one and well lighted by the residents, and both sexes, young and old, enjoyed the sport together."
On the west side of North Main street we discover "Dolly Hill," the grand coasting place of former days where double-runners, laden with youngsters, having the time of their lives, sped down the hill. There were acres of space then, but now 'we find modern streets with modern homes.
Herbert Brightman, son of Jacob Brightman, of Oxford village, suffered a broken jaw on Friday, February 24, 1882. Coasting was exceptionally good on Dolly hill. Herbert, and Frank Taber, son of Robert H. Taber, appeared on the scene with large sleds. They collided with the above-mentioned result.
Fort Hill was the coasting rendezvous for the south part of the town.
Bowling. - There was much excitement over the game of bowl- ing in the winter of 1892, a contest being in operation. At the con- clusion of the series Anderson W. Kelley, our schoolmate at the Rogers School on Center street - the fellow that held aloft the wooden hatchet as seen in the photograph taken on the front steps of that school in April 1887 - was pronounced the winner of the prize, a gold watch. In April, 1900, Anderson married Fannie A. Atkinson. He was president and owner of the William F. Nye Com- pany and died in November 1926 at the age of 55.
On the Hathaway Lawn. - In the yard of the house, owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hathaway, on the west side of William street, between Union and Center streets, a children's lawn party was held on September 11, 1884. In the group picture which was taken at that time we discern Ralph Bryden on a small velocipede. This party took place three months before Ralph attain- ed his 7th birthday. Others recognizable are: Russie Hathaway, Walter Forrest, John Hillman, Clara Hathaway, Tina Swift, Abbie Young, Morton Snow, George Jenney, Eddie Sanders, Bertha Damon, Bessie Hathaway, Eugene Miller, Alton Paull, Anna Fuller, Willie Alden, Harry Bisbee, Walter Morton, Henry Waldron, Clara Daniel- son, Arthur Fuller, Johnnie Young and Harry Raymond.
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Parks. - The parks of Fairhaven are five in number, viz., 1. Cushman Park which was created by filling in Herring river and its adjoining marsh, in 1903. It was named in memory of Robert Cushman, Agent of the Plymouth Colony in England. 2. Cooke's Memorial Park located at Oxford, on the northeast corner of Cherry street and Pilgrim Avenue ; it was set apart as a burial spot in 1778. 3. The Livesey Memorial Park located on the south side of East Morgan street, north Fairhaven. A bronze tablet carries this in- scription : "Livesey Memorial Park, dedicated to the memory of Thomas Livesey, a public-spirited citizen of Fairhaven, 1888-1935." 4. Delano Park or Marine Park near the foot of Pease street. 5. Willow Park, formerly the old burying ground at the southern termi- nus of William street, derived its name from the fact that a huge, willow tree stood just outside the wall, near the present entrance.
To these may be added the following plots, under the supervision of the Park Commission: 1. Bridge Park. 2. Fort Phoenix. 3. Garrison Lot. 4. Benoit Square.
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CHAPTER XVII
Means of Communication
Many communities have experienced successive stages of com- munication. We have advanced from the footpaths and Indian files to the super-highways of today ; from the Pony Express, post riders, and horsedrawn vehicles to the electric lines, automobiles, motor busses and trucks ; from ferryboats to bridges ; from the wood-burn- ing locomotive to the Diesel engine; from signals to the ocean cable, telegraph and telephone ; from these to the wireless telegraph and the wireless telephone, climaxed by the radio.
We, herewith, enumerate, then comment upon, the successive means of communication in our own immediate community.
1. Bridge 1801
2. Ferry 1832
3. Carriage (N. B. & F. Hourly)
1832
4. Regular Hack Stand (N. B.)
1838
5. Cabs
1842
6. Fairhaven Signals
1843
7. Stage
1844
8. Omnibus
1853
9. Fairhaven Branch Railroad
1854
10. Submarine Cable
1856
11. Telegraph
1856
12. Horse Cars
1872
13. Telephone
1880
14. Electric Cars 1895
15. Busses
1925
Subjects, enumerated above, not treated in this chapter, are described elsewhere in this volume.
The Bridge and Ferry. - The two hamlets that had developed into communities, Fairhaven on the eastern bank of the Acushnet and New Bedford on the western, had no direct means of communication in the early days. In 1796, these two localities constituted one town, namely New Bedford. To reach New Bedford from this side of the river which separated the two villages, one had to walk or ride, or drive around the Head- of-the-River, or perchance, to row, sail or swim across the
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expansive stream. One sailing ferryboat was the only public means for crossing from one village to the other. According to the dictates of necessity, an application was made to the General Court for a charter authorizing the construction of a toll bridge across the Acush- net river and an act of incorporation was obtained, via Fish Island and Pope's Island, the latter at first called Wood's island. The owners of these islands were willing to grant to the corporation a right of way across their lands in return for the advantage of the use of the bridge to get off and market their crops. Six years were allowed to complete the bridge which was finished and open to travel in 1801. This bridge was in constant use until March, 1807, at which time a severe storm, accompanied by an unusually high tide, swept the whole wood construction away. Repairs were speedily made, and the bridge was about ready for delivery by the contractors to the proprietors the following September, but another storm came before the accept- ance was official. This put an additional burden of cost upon the contractors, of $2,000. After being completed and turned over to the proprietors, this bridge was used until the gale of September 23, 1815, which again demolished the structure and carried away all the floating material.
The stockholders of this enterprise were discouraged, and nothing was done toward its reconstruction until 1819, when many of the shares had been abandoned or had been transferred to other hands. Then another attempt was made. This time in place of crib piers sunken to the bottom of the river bed, rubble stones were thrown di- rectly upon the ruins of the old piers which were to support the road- way. This was practically the same as building, a submerged dam, preventing the water in the harbor from flowing freely during the ebb and flow of the tide. This checking of the flow caused eddies re- sulting in deposits of mud, sand and debris which filled up the chan- nel making dredging from time to time necessary and costly. At Ox- ford Point the wharves had gone to ruin, and the channel became completely closed where formerly the whaling industry flourished. The draw on the Fairhaven side became closed forever in con- sequence. A sailboat could scarcely float at this point at low water.
Fairhaven became a separate municipality in 1812, and New Bed- ford was incorporated as a city in 1847, having a population of 16,031 in March of that year. Both municipalities continued to ex- pand. Thus on March 8, 1832, the proprietors of the New Bedford and Fairhaven Ferry became incorporated. Conveyance by ferry under other auspices had been in operation some years before.
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A petition from Jonathan P. Lund and 309 others was, on Thursday, February 12, 1852, presented to the legislature asking for authority to erect a new bridge over the Acushnet. Public trans- portation by omnibus was advertised by R. A. Dunham and Co. on January 1, 1853, and this means of transportation continued across the bridge until the advent of horse-cars in 1872. In June 1853 the proprietors of the Fairhaven bridge built a foot-way from Pope's Island to the Fairhaven side.
"New Bedford and Fairhaven Hourly. - Fairhaven, March, 30, 1832. Luther Wilson respectfully informs the public that he intends to commence driving a carriage hourly between the Four Corners at New Bedford and Fairhaven on the 3d day of April next." The fare was eight cents each passage, taken up or left at the usual stand or toll houses. If taken out of the regular course, the price was 121/2 cents. Conveyance to Oxford was advertised.
Regular Hack Stand. - The first attempt to establish a regular Hack Stand in New Bedford was advertised under the date of June 19, 1838, giving service from 7 A. M. to 9 P. M. John Clapp was proprietor and Benjamin West was driver.
Cabs, Carriage and Stage. - The following advertisements of Transportation are of interest since they antedate the omnibus period. "Cab. The subscribers will commence running a Cab be- tween New Bedford and Fairhaven on Monday, December 5, 1842. Passengers will be taken from the Village of Fairhaven and left any- where between the Bridge and Purchase street, on Middle street and on Union street for 121/2 cents. If carried any farther, the price will be regulated according to the distance. Names to be left at Chandler's New York Store, New Bedford ; and at Dunham's Hotel, Fairhaven. (Signed) Soule & Dunham, Fairhaven."
"Cabs! Cabs !! New Arrangement-Hiram D. Wentworth having purchased another of those Two Wheeled Safety Cabs will take pas- sengers to Fairhaven for a reasonable compensation. April 5, 1843."
Under the date of January 9, 1844, we find this advertisement : - "FAIRHAVEN CARRIAGE NOTICE. Persons wishing to be conveyed to Fairhaven will be called for at any part of the towin (New Bedford) by leaving their names at the New York Cash Store, No. 46 Purchase street, New Bedford."
Again, we find for the year 1844, the following: - "New Bed- ford and Plymouth Mail Stage leaves the Boston Stage office and Cole's Coffee House in New Bedford, Tuesdays, Thursdays and
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Saturdays at 10:30 A. M., passing through Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Rochester Town, West Wareham and South Carver, and arrives at Plymouth at 5 P. M. Return trips Mondays, Wednesdays and Fri- days. Fare $1.75."
Semaphoric Telegraph. - About one hundred years ago there were more than seven hundred vessels engaged in the American whale fishery. In our own harbor there were whalers at anchor nearly two centuries ago. A century ago a signal system was in- augurated whereby the approaching whalers were known to the populace long before they hove in sight. News concerning the in- coming whalers was relayed to this vicinity as soon as they appeared in the offing. As the flags were hoisted to the masthead, the mark- ings, colors and letters designating the particular vessel, were de- ciphered by the outmost station and by semaphoric telegraph relayed to the inner station which in turn sent the message on to the Observa- tory over the New Bedford Reading Room in front of which stood a gathering waiting for the announcement of the name of the arriving boat. As soon as the New Bedford station had been advised as to the name of the ship or brig, up went the appropriate flag to the top of the flagstaff. New Bedford and Fairhaven agents, owners, friends and relatives of those on board were thus speedily informed, and all was soon ready for the reception. In some instances celebrations of the home-coming had been previously held by the crew by dis- mantling the try-works and throwing it, brick by brick, into the briny deep.
In the early days of the whale fishery, there were none of the long voyages of several years. The much-sought mammals, in their pristine abundance, ventured close to the land, making their capture comparatively easy. The trying-out process was performed on shore, not far from the water's edge, the blubber being conveyed to the beach in small boats. North of the Proctor house (which became the Harris house in 1872, and remained such for a third of a century ) that is, in the immediate vicinity of Higgins wharf, the Fairhaven trypots were located. Other shore trypots were to be found at the Point in Oxford village. From this blubber, conveyed from the whalers, was extracted the oil which became so valuable.
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