USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Old-time Fairhaven; erstwhile Eastern New Bedford, Volume I > Part 26
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So early in the morning a little after nine, They gathered at the corner, the weather being fine, To fill the chartered cars to take them to the train, That would take them to the picnic, and take them home again.
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The grove was nice and lovely, and Beulah was its name, Renowned for many meetings 'twill always hold its fame. Tall pines were pointing upward and clothed in living green, The oak and lovely Hemlock were also to be seen.
The ever-busy Super looked out that all was right, With swings to please the children in which they so delight ; With lemonade and chowder, ice-cream and melons, too, Hot tea and coffee plenty, there was no lack to rue.
And then our Rev. Dr. Fox, with generations three Enjoyed the pleasure with them as nice as they could be. And Rev. Mr. Fuller, also his loving wife
Came up to sing and cheer us and stimulate our life.
We spent a very happy day as all will gladly say, And we were all invited to come again that way. With weary heads and bodies we left the land of rest, Hoping that in the Beulahland we all shall yet be blest.
(Signed) Adeline Paull
"CLIMBING UP PHOENIX HALL STAIRS.
Phoenix Hall rocked with fairs and festivities, with merriment and town meetings, with song and laughter during the last half of the preceding century. More than a half century ago, we well re- member that, at this ancient arena, once a sacred spot, an entertain- ment full of fun and hilarity took place. The participants burst forth with the following, set to music, the words of which are to be found in The Fairhaven Star of Saturday, February 27, 1886: -
Town meeting am a coming, Our blood will soon be running, Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs. All our big men will debate Our taxes' excessive rate Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs.
Chorus :- O hear those men declaiming, 'Tis rough I do declare Our town officials blaming, Climbing up Phoenix Hall stair.
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JINGLES AND POETRY
Last year we voted liquor, This year we'll fire it quicker, Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs. Our school committee mixed ? We'll have a board of six ! Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs.
We hope the day'll be sunny For we'll vote a lot of money Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs. If our tax rate's any higher Our Assessors we will fire, Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs.
We'll have visitors from the city, To hear us talk so witty, Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs. They'll say all round the district Our town meetings are a picnic Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs.
But we'll say unto these loafers Our town is run by voters, Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs. And we do not depend On a Board of Aldermen Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs.
As thus you do encore, We s'pose you want some more, Of Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs. But our programme's very long And we cannot sing this song Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs.
So excuse us now you must, For our chorus it is .bust, By Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs. And as these things are such We thank you very much For Climbing up Phoenix Hall stairs."
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OLD - TIME FAIRHAVEN
WHOM SHOULD WE PITY ?
If there's an object upon earth, Which needs our pity and our prayers ; Or one which more of misery feels, And less of true compassion shafes :
'Tis one whose silvery locks bespeak, That life with him is nearly o'er ; And in whose sunken eye we read, "Time' soon with me will be no more."
Whose years have passed in search of gain, Whose worldly cares have filled each hour, Whose heart no warm emotion feels And stifles every noble power.
Who never knew the joy that springs From simple acts of kindness shown; Or from the lips of those he blessed, The words of thankfulness has known.
But in his hard and withered face, His stern, forbidding, careworn eye, We read at once, he heedeth not, The widows' and the orphans' cry.
Eternity to him is blank ; No beauty in religion seems ; The sun of righteousness sheds not Upon his heart its healing beams.
He fain would think this life is all, And sacred writ a fabled tale, No Heaven the humble Christian waits, The hardened sinner, no dark vale.
For whom then should compassion flow, If not for him who feeleth none ? Whose every hope is bound to earth; Whose sands of life are nearly run ?
(Signed) H. W. P.
July 7, 1848 Fairhaven
CHAPTER XXVI
Alabama Claims
On April 12, 1861 Fort Sumter was fired upon. Ninety thou- sand strong offered their services to the North. States seceded. There followed skirmishes, infantry battles, sea engagements, and blockades. For the Confederacy, English shipbuilders were con- structing cruisers, one of these bearing the name "Alabama." This name is probably as well known to Americans as their own names. The North blockaded the Southern ports. At this time the ships of the South were attacking, capturing, plundering, and burning the Union ships outside the blockade zone. For two years this vessel roamed the seas at will, a nightmare to commerce, until, in 1864, the Kearsarge sent the Alabama to the bottom off the coast of France. In due time, restitution for loss of ships and cargoes was demanded. Finally the English and the United States agreed to leave adjustment to a court of arbitration, resulting in an award to the United States of $15,500,000.
Fairhaven citizens suffered loss and were reimbursed, at least in part, as is shown below. We herewith give the names of the claimants and the vessel on the destruction of which these claims were based. The awards were as follows: - J. C. Allen, Gipsey, $1,624 ; James I. Church, Kingfisher, $300; Julia M. Cox, Admx., Martha, $1.140; Benjamin Ellis, Elisha Dunbar, $907 ; O. F. Hitch, Admr., Kingfisher, $295; Albert Jenney, Kingfisher, $318; Simpson Jenney, Kingfisher, $1,936; Elizabeth H. Lambert, Admx., King- fisher, $2,166; George F. Tripp, et al. assigns, Favorite, $2,315; J. A. Severance, Kingfisher, $687; Ellery T. Taber, Sophia Thornton, $7,410; George H. Taber, Favorite, $772; Charles H. Tripp, King- fisher, $1,272; Noah Spooner, Sophia Thornton, $443; M. W. Stetson, Admr., Favorite, $550; Julia A. Nye, Admx., Ocean Rover, $289; S. Maxfield, Admr., Covington, $1,050; Estate of Charles Spooner, Sophia Thornton, $397. Awards to be distrib- uted; Bark Favorite, Catchings, $25,217; Schooner Kingfisher, Catchings, $2,864. This aggregated awards of $51,952 for Fair- haven, in 1876.
CHAPTER XXVII
Cantata, Music, Concert
"THE HAYMAKERS. This pleasing Cantata was repeated in Phoenix Hall, Fairhaven, on Wednesday evening, (November 28, 1877), by very general request, and there was a large attendance. The music is very pleasing, and in some of the songs enough of action was introduced to vary pleasantly the programme. In several pieces the singers received encores, and the applause all through was enthusiastic and merited. The singing was all harmonious, and the best of time was observed which is something quite remarkable when it is stated that but few of the performers can read music, and learned the songs by rote. The accompaniment of Mrs. D. A. Caldwell was brilliant and effective, and to the efforts of this lady, in particular, our Fairhaven friends are indebted for an eve- ning of real pleasure. Farmer Morton mustered an unusually at- tractive set of haymakers who not only performed their work in a style which testified to his efficiency as an agriculturist, but did credit to his taste in selection. Perhaps the personnel of his foreman had something to do in drawing so many pretty maidens to the hayfield. The call to dinner by the first assistant farmer was heartily responded to, and the member from 'Afric's sunny clime' set the stroke for the mowers in a manner that suggested the probable exist- ence of 'salt mash' in the unexplored regions of Ethiopia. Miss Fairchild, as the farmer's daughter, sang with brilliancy and fresh- ness to the very end of the piece, notwithstanding the extreme length and difficulty of her part. Miss Delano, in the part of Anna, sang very sweetly, and was most heartily encored. The part of Tompkins, who is an amateur city farmer, was well acted by Mr. Hillman, and his serenade was especially well received. The Dairy Maid sang so sweetly and looked so charming that we felt it must be bliss to be one of Farmer Morton's cows. On' Tuesday evening, Mr. Leavitt, who took the character of Uncle John, with that yoke of oxen, was on hand, jug of old orchard included, and brought down the house with his excellent rendering of the character, but on Wednesday evening, by an accident in falling down a flight of stone steps, in the rear of the hall, by which one of his knees was badly cut, he was unable to appear."
Under the date of Wednesday, February 27, 1878, the Daily Standard also gives us the following: - "Mr. John A. Hawes, of
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CANTATA, MUSIC, CONCERT
Fairhaven, has had a very fine pipe and reed organ combined, built to his order at the manufactory of George Woods & Co., Cambridgeport, which is the only instrument of the kind in this section of the State. It adds largely to the attractions of Mr. Hawes' music room, in the hall near his residence, being placed in an alcove, the walls of which were handsomely frescoed by Clark & Berthold."
Then, under the date of Monday, March 11, 1878, we read :- "MUSICAL NOTES FROM FAIRHAVEN. The Fairhaven Brass Band spent Saturday evening in serenading friends in various parts of the town. It is a good idea, and the music was very en- joyable. The band is under the direction of Mr. W. H. Heap, of New Bedford, and its performance is in every way creditable to leader and performers. The programme comprised several brilliant selections, and although the organization is comparatively young, the performance gave evidence of careful and thorough preparation."
"The Crocus Club numbers from 45 to 50 members, and is regularly organized with Robert E. Leavitt as president, Isaac Thatcher as secretary, and Thomas Taber as treasurer. A new Cantata is in active rehearsal which will be ready before many months to present to the public. Weekly rehearsals are held at the residence of Mrs. Caldwell."
"The wilds of Naskatucket also have broken forth into melody. Miss Annie H. Delano has been teaching a very successful session in vocal music, and the school is yet in operation."
"The news of the existence of a 'Violin School' comes to the ear with a pleasing interest. Private lessons have been given here- tofore by more than one teacher, but the school where the Professor teaches 'five pupils at once' must be quite a Conservatory. Verily, the Foundry may be looking down, but the Fiddle is triumphant."
"CHORAL ASSOCIATION. The New Bedford Choral Association will have a social gathering Wednesday evening, May 1, 1878, in Hon. John A. Hawes' music rooms, in Fairhaven. All are requested to attend, taking the horsecars, William street, at 7:30. Horse cars will be engaged for the return."
In conclusion, the Daily Standard also carries this :- "FAIR- HAVEN. Monday's report of Easter services failed to mention the Sunday School Concert held in the lecture room of the Congre- gational Church, Fairhaven. The room was filled to overflowing. The floral decorations, the Scripture selections, the anthems, songs and hymns, together with some admirable recitations by several
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young ladies, all told that the Concert was an Easter Concert, (April 21, 1878). Those who had wrought so patiently and with such diligence to perfect the arrangements for the evening must have felt themselves fully repaid by the presence of so large an audience, as well as by the attentive hearing which was given the exercises, and the expressions of appreciation which were so a- bundantly uttered at the close of the concert. One special feature of the evening was the singing of a quartet of young men, two of them sons of Conductor Manter, the other two, Edgar Marston and Charles Bird. Their selections were beautifully appropriate, and their rendering of them was heartily enjoyed."
CHAPTER XXVIII
Parties and Fairs
Fairhaven indulged in tea parties as well as Bostonians, as seen by the following :- "TEA PARTY. The ladies of the Brick Church in Fairhaven will give a Tea Party tomorrow evening, September 25, 1857, for the benefit of the Infant Department in the Sabbath School of that Society. Tickets, 10 cents."
On Saturday evening, December 24, 1870, the Unitarian Sun- day School had a Christmas tree. It was set up in the vestry, laden with presents for all young people and many older ones. The room was crowded and the event was a joyous one. At 6:30 the young- sters, 250 in number, sat down to a bounteous supper, and a half hour later the adults followed suit. After the feasts were over, Mr. N. P. Fish impersonating Kriss Kringle, came on the scene and be- gan to distribute the presents from the tree. Among the gifts was a beautiful chromo of a scene on the Rhone for Mrs. Moses H. Delano. (It was in October 1845 that Mr. Moses Delano and Miss Amanda Eldredge were married). Dickens' Works were for Rev. Ellery Channing Butler. A set of silver forks went to Mr. N. P. Fish, and a set of silver forks and butter knife were passed to Mrs. H. F. Wilde. All these were presented by the members of the respective classes. A large wax doll for Emily A. Eddy, and napkin rings for Misses Annie and Mary, and Masters Charlie and Walter Eddy, were among the presents. In fact every scholar received a gift. Perhaps a few survivors of the joyous occasion might be able to add to this description.
Fairs at Phoenix Hall were always popular from the time the upper story was transformed into a place of amusement (including town meetings). On Thursday evening, November 11, 1858, the fair was held under the auspices of the Unitarian Society. Phoenix Hall was completely packed, hundreds being unable to gain en- trance. Three hundred were on hand from New Bedford. The omnibuses were crowded, carrying 28 persons at a time. These vehicles tipped, and groaned, and creaked, as they were subjected to the unusual patronage, causing the ladies to scream, and the men to become alarmed. Some witnessing the hysterical condition of the passengers chose to employ shanks' mare. Mr. William R. Sherman who in 1862 was succeeded by Mr. William F. Hudson, had his
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hands full taking the tolls on the old bridge. The tableaux were ex- cellent, and all felt well repaid for their efforts. Several ladies fainted and were carried from the hall. The chowder and ice-cream tables were thronged.
The Unitarian Society, more than three score and ten years ago, held wonderful fairs at Phoenix Hall, lasting several nights. The Organ Society of that church was active also. This society held a Strawberry Festival at Phoenix Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, June 28th and 29th, 1870. They announced in the notice for the occasion that the bridge would be open for travel at the time of the festival. This was following the repairs made necessary by the storm of 1869.
A Unitarian Fair was held for four evenings, closing on Satur- day evening, December 10, 1870. An extension table for a married lady went, through the process of voting, to Mrs. J. H. Wilkie. A barrel of flour was won by James Severance.
The Unitarian Society held a Fair at Phoenix Hall for four successive nights beginning on Tuesday, December 18, 1860. Be- sides a beautiful collection of Fancy and Useful articles made by members of the Society, refreshments were for sale, including ice- cream and chowder. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday eve- nings, tableaux were exhibited, and elicited much admiration: - "Quaker marriage and source of prosperity." "The Young Archer," "The Orphan," "Jealousy," "Grandpa's Prodigies," "Apple Paring," "Threading the Needle,' "Innocence and Justice," "The Greek Captive," "The Heart's Resolve," "Too late for the Cars" and "No. 7 of last year's exhibition" making twelve grand tableaux.
An "Antiquarian Kitchen" was among the novelties of the occasion where Carding and Spinning Tow, Flax and Wool; Weav- ing ; Combing Worsted; Dipping Candles, and other employments which our grandfathers and grandmothers are more familiar with than ladies and gentlemen of the present day, (1860) was carried on, using the same implements that were employed fifty (140) years ago. Admission, 10 cents. Admission, including the Kitchen, 15 cents.
The Unitarian Society, on December 31, 1880, saw to it that the children and adults enjoyed themselves on New Year's Eve. Many remember the farce, "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe." The children assembled, at 4:30 indulging in games until 5:30 at which time supper was served, after which games were played until 7:30. There was a recitation by Nellie Coombs, and a reading by
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Mrs. J. M. Leighton. The male quartet was composed of Messrs. Bird, Marston, and the Manter brothers. Mrs. Leighton was at that time 24 years of age. In 1903, Flora H. Leighton was assist- ant at the Millicent Library, and in 1906, she bought the Church house. Mrs. James M. Leighton died at her home, 7 Main street, on Friday, March 4, 1938, aged 81. Rev. Mr. Leighton was the Unitarian minister here from 1878 to 1891. In February, 1886, he leased the house on William street, vacated by Alfred Thornton who removed to New Bedford. Mr. Leighton died in 1901, aged 52. The Leightons who lived next door to the writer, impressed him, as a lad of eight years of age, as ideal personalities. Miss Lillian E. Page, sister of Mrs. Leighton and a teacher for 42 years, died in September 1933.
1
CHAPTER XXIX
The Old Town Clock and the Fire Alarm System
An interesting feature of the celebration of the one hundredth birthday of the structure which was the home of the Methodists, until its destruction by fire, was the paper, prepared and presented by Mr. Clifton A. Hacker on that occasion. Mr. Hacker reluctantly but graciously permits his composition to be printed under the title of "Old-Time Fairhaven." It runs as follows :- "When Mr. Ham- mond called me up in regard to the old clock that once told the time of day from the tower of this church, I did not think I could re- member anything of interest to relate to you. However, as my memory went back to this long ago, many little incidents connected with that time came to my mind, so I will speak about them as of possible interest to you."
"In those days, this church had stone posts surrounding it, there being twelve posts on the Walnut street side, connected by iron chains, and four large stone posts at the entrance on Center street. In 1893, these posts were removed, and the curbing in front of the church was moved back about 21/2 feet, and the lot raised nearly a foot."
"As a matter of present interest, there was an old horse-chest- nut tree just across the street from this church, and it is still there; the only tree of its kind among the stately elms that beautify the vicinity of this edifice."
"When the new clock in the present town hall, the gift of Mr. Rogers, was installed, and put in running order, early in August 1893, the old town clock in this Methodist church was discontinued because the striking of the two clocks, so near together, was con- fusing."
"Somehow, we missed very much looking up at the old time- piece that we had depended on for so many years, to see its hands stilled, and so, living nearby, I volunterd to climb the tower once a week and wind it, leaving the striking business to the new clock in the town hall."
"This is how I came into the picture. I do not know just how long I carried on this undertaking, but eventually the clock works were sold or otherwise disposed of."
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TOWN CLOCK AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
"Mr. Amos Pierce who lived at 121 Green street had charge of the town clock formerly. He died in 1887, aged 72 years. Mr. Pierce was quite an inventor, and the Street Railway Company permitted him to place his patent axles upon some of their cars, as an ex- periment ; the object of the axle being to prevent friction when rounding curves."
"At the bowling alley, located beside Mr. Pierce's home on Green street, he had invented a system of setting up pins and re- turning the balls. The players had only to wind a crank that did the job and they were all ready to go on with their game without the aid of pinboys."
"Also, I remember a self-propelling vehicle of his, one of the fore-runners of the automobile, and on his back stairs a burglar alarm."
"After him, in connection with the clock, came Mr. Frederick Allen who had all kinds of mechanical toys at his place of business at No. I Water street. Clock repairing was one of his specialties, and he took care of the clock after Mr. Pierce's death in 1887."
"I was the next in line. I can still recall the smell of the stale porpoise-jaw oil that permeated the clock room, and the sound of the slow tick-tock of the pendulum as I wound with a crank the many feet of cable on the drum, that would be released minute by minute during the coming week."
"To make a story of this old clock, I am going back to July 8, 1888, a Sunday morning. In the house next east of the church lived Mrs. Lydia C. Almy on the first floor, and Mrs. Ahira Kelley and family on the upper floor. My home, where I still reside, looks out upon this house and the church. Looking out of the window while we were eating breakfast, we noticed smoke and flames coming out of the roof of this dwelling. Well I remember rushing over to notify the occupants that their home was on fire. We were the first to arrive and found that they were wholly unaware of their peril. It was 8:45 o'clock of this Sunday morning, and people in general thought it was the usual nine o'clock ringing of the Methodist and Congregational bells, which was the customary time in those days. Consequently, little attention was paid, so the fire made good head- way before they realized that the bells were actually being rung for fire."
"The Contest Company 'put down' in the well at the southwest corner of William and Washington streets. They could do no more for the fire engine was in the repair shop in New Bedford. The Progress, a steamer from New Bedford, 'put down' their hose also,
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OLD - TIME FAIRHAVEN
but soon pumped it dry and then went to Handy's wharf and pumped from there, using 1,500 feet of hose. The damage to the house was estimated at $1,900, to say nothing of the loss of furniture. Ben- jamin Beetle's house across the street caught fire from the sparks but it was soon extinguished. Mr. Robert H. Taber and Rev. William F. Davis and others went up on the roof of the Methodist church, putting out the sparks with a chemical extinguisher brought by Mr. Taber."
"All this happening made a profound impression on me as a boy ; so, when I came in charge of the clock and the unused striking mechanism before me, it occurred to me that it might be utilized for a fire signal by fixing it so that the striking mechanism would be released and strike continuously until it ran down, a matter of, I believe 1,750 strokes, this to be accomplished by an arrangement at the base of the church so that anyone, day or night, might set in operation without having to lose time to get the sexton or someone up and out to open the church to ring the bell for fire, the method that had been followed for years."
"Somehow, I arranged this and went to the selectmen and fire engineers with this idea. They were so pleased with it that they decided to go a little further with the scheme and had an article placed before the town meeting, and $1,200 was appropriated to install a fire alarm system. And so you see, the old clock was re- sponsible for your present alarm system."
"On April 26, 1898 six boxes and a bell striker were installed for a start, and I was placed in charge because of my interest in this matter. Now, the alarm system has grown to some 73 box numbers and we have three tower bells and two whistles to an- nounce a fire and call the firemen."
"As a matter of interest, at one time this Methodist clock bell was connected with the fire alarm system."
"A Mr. Humphrey from the Gamwell Company of Boston, now a large concern, but then a young Company furnishing fire alarm signal systems, with a tiny office in the business district of that city, installed the apparatus for us. He had completed his job and was being shaved in Mr. Baudoin's barber shop on Main street, just north of Phoenix Hall before returning to Boston, when the fire alarm was sounded for the first time. Mr. Baudoin had lathered Mr. Humphrey, and started to shave him, but upon hearing the alarm he dropped the tools of his trade and rushed to the fire leaving Mr. Humphrey to finish the job by shaving himself."
The Beacon - Fort Phoenix
Old Stone Schoolhouse - Built in 1828
CHAPTER XXX
Rambles and Reminiscences
Let us, in a happy-go-lucky frame of mind, stroll leisurely around this block, this square, adhering to no single topic in our remarks, but stating facts about the houses, and commenting upon their former occupants, letting one subject suggest another, until the circuit is completed, perhaps anticipating sometime to cover the entire town by the same procedure.
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