USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Royalston > Reflections on Royalston, Worcester County, Massachusetts, U.S.A > Part 30
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In 1871, he removed to Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N. Y., and became the partner of a college classmate in the operation of a sanitarium.
Royalston Center was then without a resident physician for several years. The constantly decreasing population of the town, and the aggregation of physi- cians in the adjoining towns, who could not only care for all needs in their own towns, but, owing to the peculiar topography of Royalston, were as conveniently available to many of the people of that town as would be one located at the Center, -these conditions had made it impossible for any other physician in Royalston to build up a large and lucrative practice like that enjoyed by the early physicians, the Doctors Bacheller and Dr. Willis.
Dr. Henry O. Adams drove to the Center at intervals, and had quarters where he could be seen or requests left for him to call, as there were no telephones then; and he responded to such calls as reached him at any time.
But the people at the Center wanted a resident physician. And more than that. They had experienced the advantages to the community of the presence of Dr. Frank W. Adams, with his many and varied accomplishments-musical, literary, artistic, as well as those of his profession, and plans were made to induce him to return. In 1875 he was offered, by a few residents of Royalston, "a regular salary in addition to the receipts of his practice, if he would return to the town." He ac- cepted the proposition, and so became a salaried pillar of Royalston society. And Caswell's History states that "the agreement was faithfully kept during the lifetime of the several parties." It is fair to assume that the principal contributors of that salary were Hon. George Whitney, Mrs. Emily (Bullock) Ripley, and Mrs. Mary S. (Mirick) Clark, as they probably had larger incomes than any other residents, and were the largest contributors in taxes and by donations to all financing for the public welfare.
During his life of more than half a century in Royalston Dr. Adams has asso- ciated with three, and in the cases of some families, with four generations of its people-those who were elderly people when he took up his abode in the town, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many he has known from the womb to the tomb,-from that supreme moment which has decided whether the result should be a living soul, charged with all the responsibilities of a never-ending eternity, if the theology be true, to that other happiest moment of existence, when it has ceased and rest and peace have come to the weary wanderer, when life has been made no longer desirable by age, adversity or disease.
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He has seen nearly all of the residents who were in the prime of life and domi- nant in the affairs of the town when he came to it, pass on to "that bourne from which no traveler returns;" and in many instances not one person of the family name remains, to remind of those who have gone.
Dr. Adams has held town offices more years in the aggregate, probably, than any other resident of Royalston. He served as Town Clerk from 1877 to 1889 and again from 1900 to 1917 inclusive,-a total of 31 years; as Town Treasurer in 1888 and from 1900 to 1919 inclusive,-a total of 21 years; as Trustee of the Public Li- brary from 1881 to 1920 inclusive,-a total of 40 years. He has served as one of the Trustees of the John N. Bartlett Trust Fund for about 25 years, and as Trus- tee of other Funds for many years; and on various financial and other committees. Contrary to the custom with the other physicians of the town, he has never served as a member of the School Committee.
In connection with the affairs of the First Congregational Church his activities. have been as extensive and diversified as in town affairs. He has served as Clerk of the Church for more than 30 years; as one of its Deacons for 32 years; Superin- tendent of the Sabbath School something like 40 years; as choristor, organist, and in other positions too numerous to mention.
In 1883 he served as Representative to the General Court or Legislature, from the Eighth Worcester District, which then consisted of the towns of Athol and Royalston. He has held commissions as Justice of the Peace and as Notary Public for extended terms.
He has been a leader in musical affairs, and was one of the founders of the Royalston Madrigal Club, which achieved a notable reputation in Royalston and ad- joining towns by the quality of the musical and dramatic entertainments which it staged, the proceeds of which were devoted to the purchase of a piano for the town hall, and other community benefits.
It is probable that Dr. Adams has sung at more funerals than any other person in Royalston, as his musical talent and his willingness to respond to requests for such service have made him the most desired and most available singer. His wife has often accompanied him in the service.
His pleasant facility of language has made him the almost universal choice for presiding officer at public functions and celebrations. He served as Master of Ceremonies at the dedication of the Phinehas S. Newton Public Library Building; as Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements and President of the Day at the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration; as Toastmaster on Old Home Days; and, in brief, there have been very few public gatherings, celebrations, anniversaries, entertain- ments, conventions, et cetera, at Royalston Center for many years, which Dr. Adams has not been called to "conduct."
Although he is not listed among the eminent poets of the land, Dr. Adams is the author of one poem of distinction-an epic dealing historically and dramatically with the principal events and the prominent actors in the Civil War. Inspired by his own experience, in its stirring lines he has given expression in most appropriate language to the patriotic sentiment which has always been dominant in his career. It was first rendered as a Memorial Day address in Royalston, and has since been delivered at Memorial Day exercises and regimental reunions and in lecture courses in many other towns and cities, always eliciting the highest encomiums. Probably it has never appeared in print in full, but half a dozen selections from it are given in Caswell's History of Royalston.
Nothing but blizzardy conditions of the weather and the earnest request of Dr. Adams and his wife that the people desist, out of regard for the health of the com- munity, kept the populace from thronging their home, Feb. 18, 1920, to assist them in celebrating Dr. Adams' 80th birthday. But the people "said it with flowers."
Weather conditions, however, could not be made a refuge in "the good old summer time," and the people insisted that the venerable Doctor and his spouse allow them to help celebrate the golden anniversary of their marriage in a public reception at the town hall, June 26, 1922. "A good time was had by all."
Dr. Adams married Fannie Russell Chase, daughter of Chauncy and Caroline (Morse) Chase, of Royalston, June 26, 1872. They have 2 children:
1. Mabel Winifred Adams, born at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N.Y., Nov. 17, 1873. She graduated from Northfield Seminary in 1895, and from Cornell University in
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1899. She was married at Royalston, Oct. 30, 1901, to William Horatio Burr, an attorney at law at Rochester, N. Y., where they have resided since that time.
2. Robert Winthrop Adams, born in Royalston, Oct. 27, 1881. He graduated from Cushing Academy in 1900, and from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1904, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He engaged in electrical engineering, in which he became so proficient that in 1908 he was awarded the advanced degree of Electrical Engineer by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He became asso- ciated with the General Electric Company, and in 1913 was appointed manager of its Providence office, and is in charge of its interests in Rhode Island and vicinity.
In 1906 he married Pauline Whitney, daughter of Alfred H. and Susie (Davis) Whitney, of Ashburnham. They have 2 children:
(1.) Winthrop Whitney Adams, born at Pittsfield, Jan. 27, 1909.
(2.) Margery Adams, born at Providence, May 11, 1922.
DR. THOMAS RICHARDSON.
Dr. Thomas Richardson was born in Leominster in 1766, and came to Royals- ton about 1790, and located in the northeasterly part of the town. He married Jane Brown of Winchendon, and they were credited with 11 children. He had a large practice, and a good reputation as a physician and a citizen, and served the town as Selectman, Assessor and School Committee. He removed to Fitzwilliam in 1812, desiring to reduce his practice for the good of his health. He became one of Fitzwilliam's most prominent citizens, and was for a time the largest tax-payer in that town. He served as Representative in the New Hampshire Legislature. As a horse breeder, his thorough knowledge and good taste brought him great success. He died iu Fitzwilliam in 1832.
PHYSICIANS AT SOUTH ROYALSTON.
As South Royaiston was an after-thought in making up the town, being located principally on territory set over from the adjoining towns, it has not accumulated so long a list of some of the things that tend toward civic betterment as has the Center. This is especially true with relation to physicians. In its early years the sick in the village and its vicinity were cared for by physicians from the Center and neighboring towns.
Whether Dr. Horace B. Austin was the first physician to locate in South Roy- alston may not be told. It is stated that he came at about the time that the Ver- mont and Massachusetts Railroad was put through. He married Sally W. Lewis, and after several years removed to Athol, where he was in practice for a few years, and where he died as the result of an accident.
Dr. Austin was succeeded by a Dr. Coury, who remained about 2 years.
Dr. J -- B. Gould studied medicine at Harvard, and graduated at the Wood- stock, Vt., Medical College in 1850. He soon located in South Royalston, and mar- ried a daughter of Silas Hale, Jr. He served on the School Committee for several years. His practice in South Royalston continued until 1860, after which he was in Templeton for a few years, and then removed to West Somerville.
Dr. Henry O. Adams, a brother of Dr. Francis W. Adams, was born in Brook- field, Jan. 14, 1835; studied at Philadelphia Eclectic College, and graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1858; served in the Civil War in the 51st Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, and as ward superintendent in a hospital. He came to South Royalston about 1863, where he had a good practice, and also attended to calls for his services at the Center and in other parts of the town when there was no other resident physician, as mentioned elsewhere. He was public spirited, and served on the School Committee 6 years, as Trustee of the Public Library 4 years, and was a prominent member of the Second Congregational Church. He died June 16, 1902. He married Mary (or Maria) A. Carpenter, of Worcester, in 1860; she was a woman of more than ordinary attainments, prominent in church and so- ciety, and served on the School Committee. She died at Pasadena, Cal., Dec. 5, 1917. They had a son:
Dr. Walter H. Adams, born in South Royalston, Sept. 8, 1864; graduated from Cushing Academy in 1884, and from New York University in 1889. He has prac-
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ticed in Stoughton, East Bridgewater and Northampton. He married Agnes M. Hobart, of East Bridgewater, in 1899; she died in 1915. They had two sons: Ho- bart Adams, born in 1902, and John McKean Adams, born in 1904.
Dr. Charles A. Bates followed Dr. Henry O. Adams as physician at South Roy- alston. He was a graduate of the University of Vermont, and practiced at South Royalston for about 10 years, and then rcmoved to Ashburnham.
A Dr. McConley followed, and remained about 2 years.
A SALARIED TOWN PHYSICIAN.
After several decades of practice in Royalston, Dr. F. W. Adams made it known that he did not care to be called on for general practice, with the result that he gradually relinquished his work in that line; and, there being no other resident phy- sician in the town, the people began to call in physicians from adjoining towns, and several in Fitzwilliam, Athol, Baldwinville, Winchendon, and other towns, have added to their work and their incomes by attending those in need of their services in Royalston. The telephone and the automobile have made it possible for the services of these physicians, residing at distances of from 4 to 8 or 10 miles, to be secured in much less time than was required to get one. residing nearer, when he must be summoned by a messenger on foot or by horse, and go to his patient by a horse-propelled vehicle.
But the people of Royalston wanted a resident physician, and the discussion of the matter and of the means of secnring one led to action at the annual town meet- ing held March 3, 1924, when the Town voted to have a resident physician secured, appropriated $500 to be paid to him for remaining in the town for one year, and chose Dr. Frank W. Adams, Rev. Francis J. Fairbanks and George M. Lemon as a committee to arrange for a physician in accordance with the stipulations.
The committee soon secured Dr. Arthur W. King to fill the position. Dr. King came from Hyde Park, and had been practicing at Jacksonville, Fla., for several years, but in order to be near his widowed mother, who is in Boston, he remains in the north. He is a graduate of Tufts College Medical School, and an X-ray expert. He resides at South Royalston, and makes periodic visits to the Center. May 28, after his arrival, he was given an enthusiastic reception at Whitney Hall, South Royalston, and on June 27 he was tendered a similar ovation at the Town Hall at the Center. These gatherings were attended by large numbers of the townspeople and by physicians and others from adjoining towns, and the exercises included speeches and musical selections in profusion.
At its annual town meeting March 2, 1925, the Town of Royalston again ap- propriated $500 for the resident physician for another year, and at a later town meeting voted against increasing the salary above that amount. The Town also voted to accept the provisions of Section 3 of Chapter 303 of the Acts of the Massa- chusetts Legislature of 1925, which is an amendment to a previous law, and pro- vides that
"In any town of not exceeding 3,000 inhabitants which votes to have its select- men act as a board of health and which accepts this section by vote in town meet- ing, the selectmen may appoint the school physician to be inspector of health, with the duties set forth in Section 102 [of the previous law]. Such appointment shall not bar the school physician from the general practice of his profession."
A salaried physician might be of service by giving free lectures and "talks" on the cultivation of health, in schools and other public places. But such work might not prove to be popular, as people generally are not so much interested in matters relating to the prevention of disease and the promotion of health as they are in having disease cured and lost health restored.
LET THE ALPHABETICAL INDEX HELP YOU.
The reader can get much assistance in locating desired information by consult- ing the alphabetical index in the front part of the book, in which are given not only the locations of references to people whose names are given, but the locations as well of stories of events, illustrations, and many other features which help to make a work of this character interesting and valuable for reference.
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"OLD HOME" CELEBRATIONS.
July and August are the "vacation" months of the year. Schools and colleges are not then in session, and the students and teachers are at liberty to go about seeking recreation and health. Those are the months during which, more than any others, people who have gone out from the country towns to other homes return with their children to visit their relatives in their native towns. Then they can meet and mingle also with many of their old friends who during the greater part of the year are elsewhere, improving their education or helping to educate others, as well as those who have made permanent homes elsewhere.
Somewhere along near the beginning of the 20th century somebody started the movement for a "standardized" celebration of "Old Home Week" and "Old Home Day," when the home-coming should culminate in one or several days of public commingling and entertainment. Associations were formed to arrange for the pro- ceedings, and some of those who were born or had resided in the towns, and had achieved distinction elsewhere, were invited to assist in furnishing entertainment. Sometimes the plans covered one or two Sundays, when services in the churches would be in keeping with the occasion.
Old Royalston early adopted the "Old Home" custom, and its celebrations for several years were very interesting and enjoyable. The first formal observance of the occasion was on July 20, 1903, when the forenoon was devoted to social inter- course, music by the Red Men's Band of Winchendon, and sports and games on the Common. About 800 people enjoyed a dinner in the town hall. Rev. Francis J. Fairbanks served as president of the day, and Dr. Frank W. Adams as toast mas- ter, at the afternoon exercises in the church, which included songs by Prof. Edward N. Knight, Miss Jennie Bolton and Miss Morgan; addresses by Ex-Mayor Thomas Norton Hart, of Boston, Judge Hamilton S. Peck, ex-mayor of Burlington, Vt., Prof. Fred W. Cross, principal of Palmer high school, Edwin A. Fisher, city engi- neer of Rochester, N. Y., and Mrs. C. C. Parker, of Winchendon; a poem by Rev. Albert Bryant, of Scituate; and a paper by Mrs. Calista Peck Fairbanks, of Win- chendon. On this occasion George W. Holman, of Fitchburg, presented the ancient statuette of the "Angei Gabriel," the story of which is told on page 77.
In following years the exercises were varied somewhat. In 1904 a "basket picnic" took the place of a formal dinner, and between 400 and 500 registered, from 44 cities and towns, in 7 states, which probably did not include nearly all present. Band and vocal music, addresses by natives or former residents, formal dinners and informal lunches, sports and ball-games, with concerts and entertainments, and sometimes dancing parties in the evenings, filled the days with enjoyment.
Some of the "Royalston people" from other places who assisted in these festi- vals, were Dana M. Dustan, John B. Bowker, and Charles H. Goodell, Esq., of Worcester; Frederic C. Nichols, of Fitchburg; Enoch T. Lewis, of Athol; Elizabeth Brown, of Chicago; and Rev. Charles B. Williams, of Fitzwilliam.
At the exercises in 1910, Daniel Davis, 101 years of age, read a paper, giving historical data for nearly a century from his own personal knowledge. There was also an inspiring poem by Amanda Bemis Smith.
The evening outdoor exercises in 1910 were interrupted by a terrific thunder storm and gale; the caterer's tent was blown down, and one horse was frightened into running away; the damage to persons and property, however, was light.
Among the early officers of the Old Home Association were Rev. Francis J. Fairbanks, president; Herman M. Partridge, secretary; Phinehas S. Newton, treasurer; Benjamin Hammond Brown, Leonard Byam and Willie W. Davis, exec- utive committee. Colin Mackenzie served as president and Stella V. Newton as secretary for several years; and others who assisted in official positions were Luke B. Shepardson, Charles H. Brown, Everard B. Hanson, Levvens G. Forbes, Wil- liam A. Frye, and Millard W. White.
These "Old Home" observances were kept up every year, probably, from 1903 to 1910, inclusive; but the dedication of the Phinehas S. Newton Public Library building, in June, 1911, (see page 131,) was so much like an "Old Home" affair that the usual festival was omitted that year, and it has never been resumed,-the anticipation and realization of the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration of 1915 (see page 169) evidently having satisfied the desire for public celebrations.
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SOUTH ROYALSTON SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
South Royalston has had something like "Old Home Days" of its own, in the annual gatherings of the "South Royalston School Association," beginning Aug. 3, 1904, and continuing regularly. About 50 former teachers and pupils assembled at the first session, but the attendance gradually increased until several hundred were sometimes present. At the first meeting the following officers of the organization were chosen, some of whom have been continuously re-elected: President, Charles A. Safford, of Atlantic; vice-president, J. Herbert King, of Baldwinville; secretary, M. Abbie Sherwin, of Gardner; treasurer, Fred L. Drury, of Fitchburg; executive committee, Mrs. Myra Benson, of Otter River, Fred Ingalls, of Greenfield, and Mrs. E. G. Beals, of South Royalston. At these annual gatherings addresses have been given and other entertainment provided by former teachers and pupils, many of whom have become prominent in professional and business life.
WEST ROYALSTON SCHOOL REUNIONS.
The residents and former residents of the west part of Royalston on several occasions gathered in what were known as biennial reunions of the old school dis- trict No. 7. About 75 people were present at the one held on July 23, 1902. Sal- mon Goddard, of Athol, 87 years of age, was president of the day, and his son, Herbert S. Goddard, was toast master. Among those who participated in the ex- ercises were Judge Hamilton S. Peck, of Burlington, Vt .; Dea. Hervey W. Bliss, of Winchester, N. H .; Prof. J. K. Cole, of Peabody; Augustus J. Fisher, of Orange; Edwin Pierce, of Chelsea; Sheldon Moses, of Worcester, 88 years of age; and Dr. Frank W. Adams.
ROYALSTON GRANGE, NO. 195, P. OF H.
Royalston has never been a fertile field for secret societies or beneficial organ- izations, and lodges or branches of the numerous orders which have become popu- lar in the cities and larger towns have never been established among her people. The population is too limited to furnish the membership and officers required for the successful establishment and maintenance of such associations. Residents of Royalston, however, have become members of organizations with headquarters located elsewhere, and others have retained memberships which they acquired while residing in other places.
Mr. Caswell gives the names of about 40 Royalston men who have been mem- bers of Masonic lodges in Athol and Orange.
One fraternity has been developed which gained a foothold in Royalston, has flourished there for more than a third of a century, and promises to continue as one of the permanent institutions of the town.
The Patrons of Husbandry, according to Webster's dictionary, is "a secret organization of farmers, designed to further their interests, and particularly to bring producers and consumers, farmers and manufacturers, into direct commer- cial relations, without intervention of middlemen or traders."
Royalston Grange, No. 195, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized March 17, 1892, with 42 charter members. The officers were elected March 24, and in- stalled March 30, as follows: Master, Millard W. White; Overseer, Joseph M. Wheeler; Lecturer, Alfred Dwight Raymond; Steward, Calvin H. Wilcox; Assist- ant Steward, Levvens G. Forbes; Secretary, Carrie W. Raymond; Treasurer, Wil- lard H. Newton; Gate-Keeper, Clarence H. Deland; Chaplain, Luther E. Stewart; Pomona, Hattie R. Moore; Flora, Stella V. Newton; Ceres, Lizzie M. Reed; Lady Assistant Steward, Cora Wetherbee; Organist, E. Jane Partridge; Chorister, Her- man M. Partridge.
During the year 1892 the sessions of the Grange were held in the town hall, but beginning with the first meeting in 1893 they were held in a hall that had been fitted up on the second floor of the Center schoolhouse, and so continued until 1904, when the room was required for school purposes, and the sessions were again held in the town hall, which has been the meeting place since that time.
Starting with 42 charter members, at the end of the first year its membership had increased to 53; in 1895 it was 108, and in 1912 it was 90. Quite likely a few
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members were given over to the South Royalston Grange when it was instituted in 1913, and its constituency is likely to fluctuate. But the Grange is particularly adapted to the social needs of a rural community like Royalston, and it is probable that it is one of Royalston's institutions which will last for many years.
While the Patrons of Husbandry, as stated by the dictionary, is an "organiza- tion of farmers, designed to further their interests," its membership is not confined to people engaged in agricultural pursuits and their families, but embraces those of all pursuits, including mechanics, professional and trades people. This brings into the Grange a wide range of talent, with varied ability for the promotion of its aims, not only in the interest of its membership, but for the good of the whole community.
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