USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Reminiscences of Worcester from the earliest period, historical and genealogical with notices of early settlers and prominent citizens, and descriptions of old landmarks and ancient dwellings, accompanied by a map and numerous illustrations > Part 27
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The first change of importance in the building, to adapt it to the growing wants of the town, demanding larger accommoda-
* This was in the building in the rear of the S. M. Burnside estate, on Main street, for many years known as Maj. Healy's Hall, for several years occupied by the Masonic fraternity, subsequently for various other purposes. among them as a printing office by llenry JJ. Howland. After the Town Hall building was completed, the Masons hired the south hall in the second story.
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tions, was made in 1841. At the annual town meeting held March 1, 1841, Col. John W. Lincoln, Pliny Merrick, William Barber and Col. James Estabrook were chosen a committee on a proposed alteration and enlargement of the Town Hall, and they reported at the adjourned town meeting, April 5, the fol- lowing plan which was accepted and carried out :
" On the east end, adding fifty feet, making the building 114 feet long. In the second or upper story to be one large hall 100 by 51 feet, and 18 feet high, this height to be obtained by dropping the present second floor two feet. This upper hall will then have three rows of raised seats all around, sufficient to accommodate 350 or 400 persons. The present upper or second story [i. e. as it was previous to this change] is divided into four rooms ; one hall 36 by 51 feet, one room 19 by 20 feet, and two smaller rooms each 9 1-2 by 20 feet, with a passage-way between these last three rooms. The room on the lower floor now occupied as an armory will be ta- ken away, and the space thrown open as an entrance hall. The first floor of the addition (on the east end) will form a hall 51 by 48 feet, and will be entered by a flight of steps from the east, and the other end of the building will be entered by two doors cut through the west wall. It is not contem- plated to take down this wall below the floor of the upper hall. The base- inent of the addition is to be divided into four rooms, two of which are in- tended to accommodate the engine company now in the old part. The north- east and south-east corner rooms may be occupied by town officers, or leased to advantage. On the outside of the old part no change is proposed, except making a third door in front, and filling up the space between the present flights of steps with additional steps. The outside of the addition will be in the same style as the old part, but the plan proposes an outside flight of steps and a portico over them on the east end for obtaining an entrance into the large lower hall without passing through the smaller hall at the west end."
These recommendations were adopted, and the proposed ad- dition and enlargement carried into effect, the same year, ac- cording to this plan, under the direction of a building commit- tee consisting of Col. John W. Lincoln, Hon. Isaac Davis, Gen. Thomas Chamberlain, Henry W. Miller, and Wm. A. Wheeler, who were authorized to borrow $7500 for the purpose.
The " Upper Town Hall," was the name generally given to the large hall in the second story, which had a gallery at the east and west ends, the speaker's platform being on the north side. The two lower halls were called respectively the " East Town Hall," and " West Town Hall."
The next change was made in 1848, when the town became a city, the east lower hall being converted into a Police Court room, and the west lower hall into rooms for the city council, clerk, treasurer, etc., with the police office in the basement of the
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east end. These improvements were made under the direction of Alderman James S. Woodworth, builder.
In 1852, the speaker's platform in the upper hall or City Hall was changed from the north side to the cast end, the gallery at that end removed, retiring rooms constructed at each end of the platform, and a narrow flight of stairs built at the north-east corner of the building to give ac- cess to the same without going through the audience-room.
In 1857, the south flight of stairs to the upper hall from the front entrance was removed, to enlarge the quarters of the city clerk, whose office was removed to its present loca- tion in front, windows being at this time substituted for the two original doors on each side of the main entrance, and a change made in the north flight of stairs to the up- per or city hall by which an office for the city messenger was created in its present location between these stairs and the north front window. An office was at this time also made for the superintendent of schools at the head of the stairs over that of the city clerk, comprising the front por- tion of the location afterwards appropriated for the mayor's office.
The next change of importance was made in 1866, under the first year's administration of Mayor Blake, when an al- most entire re-arrangement of the interior was made, into the shape it now presents, by transferring the City Council and Police Court rooms into the old "City Hall" above, with the mayor's office in front, devoting the whole of the first story to quarters for the various city officers, and en- larging the quarters for the police department by deepening the floor of the basement, and extending it under the whole building.
There are many interesting associations connected with this old Town and City Hall, more or less permanently fixed in the memory, arising principally from the fact, that after its enlarge- ment in 1841, and previous to the completion of Mechanics' Hall in 1857, it was by far the largest hall in the place, and all the largest assemblages and conventions for different purposes and
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objects in the " Heart of the Commonwealth" were held in it. All the political parties made its walls echo their annual re- solves and the patriotic addresses of the most eloquent repre- sentative men. This hall was the birthplace of the old "Free Soil" party, and here was its cradle rocked, nearly thirty years ago, by men who have been since most honored in the councils of the nation,-including Sumner, Wilson, Adams, Allen, Hoar, Palfrey and Walker.
Here was that memorable controversy in the summer of 1848, well remembered for the ability and zeal with which it was con- ducted, between Gov. Lincoln and Judge Allen, when each had a " foeman worthy of his steel," their swords flashing fires of eloquence and scholarship rarely equalled, in support of the political views each deemed most conducive to the best inter- ests of the country-widely differing, it is true, as to the merits of particular measures, but each speaker equally honest, out- spoken and able, in the expression of his views.
A brief account of the state of things giving occasion for this remarkable controversy, may be interesting in this connection, following immediately as it did the birth of the political organ- ization referred to, known as the " Free Soil party" :
In June, 1848, Gens. Zachary Taylor and Lewis Cass had been nominated for the presidency, respectively, by the then Whig and Democratic parties of the country, and Charles Allen of Worcester and Henry Wilson of Natick had repudiated the nomination of Gen. Taylor by the convention of the par- ty at Philadelphia, to which they were delegates, on the ground of " sub- serviency to slavery." Four persons, previously of the Whig party, Albert Tolman, Henry H. Chamberlin, William A. Wallace and Oliver Harrington, representing the dominant political feeling in Worcester in reference to the nominations which had been made, were particularly active in organizing that sentiment into action, and it found its first public expression in a large meeting at the City (former Town) Hall, on Wednesday evening, June 21, 1848, when the introductory speech of that memorable campaign was made by Hon. Charles Allen. This was " a meeting of the citizens of Worcester opposed to the nominations of Cass and Taylor, preliminary to the State Convention to be held on Wednesday, June 28," at the same place. This preliminary meeting of June 21, described at the time as " large and en- thusiastic as any ever assembled in Worcester," was called to order by Oliver Harrington, and organized by the choice of Albert Tolman as pre- sident, and William A. Wallace secretary, who were present and served. Oliver Harrington, George W. Russell, Henry H. Chamberlin, Edward Southwick and Joseph Boyden were appointed a committee to nominate a list of persons to act as committee of arrangements for the State Convention to be held June 28, and the names thus reported and adopted, besides those above mentioned, were : Charles Allen, Alexander De Witt, Charles Wash-
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burn, Thomas A. Clark, John C. Mason, Rufus D. Dunbar, Edward Hamil- ton, James F. Allen, Edward II. Hemenway, John C. Newton, Benjamin E. Hutchinson, P. B. Gilbert, Enoch Hall, Samuel Davis, John C. Wyman. H. G. Darling, Joseph A. Gilbert, A. P. Ware, Charles Hadwen, Augustus Tucker.
While this business was being transacted, IIon. Charles Allen entered the hall, amid the loudest demonstrations of applause, accompanied by the com- mittee who had been sent for him, and who had previously in their individual capacity engaged him to speak at this meeting. Judge Allen's speech in review of the doings of the Philadelphia Convention, and urging the forma- tion of a new party with candidates pledged to the support of " free soil" principles, occupied two hours, and wasreceived with the greatest enthusiasm. ilis colleague at Philadelphia, Henry Wilson, the " Natick Cobbler," being present, was called upon, and spoke briefly in support of what had been so ably and boldly said.
Resolutions were unanimously adopted thoroughly endorsing and sustain- iug the action by Judge Allen and Gen. Wilson at Philadelphia.
Just before the adjournment of the meeting, the Rev. George Allen, who had been absent most of the evening on duties connected with his position as chaplain at the State Lunatic Hospital, offered the following resolution, couched in his terse, emphatic style of composition, which was unanimously adopted amidst the loudest applause :
" Resolved, That Massachusetts wears no chains, and spurns all bribes ; that Massachusetts goes now, and will ever go, for free soil and free men, for free lips and a free press, for a free land and a free world."
The meeting then adjourned " to meet the true men of the Commonwealth, on Wednesday, the 28th inst., in the same place, to consult upon the course of action which the exigency of the times, the good of the country, and the cause of freedom and humanity demand."
At the Mass State Convention. which was held June 28, following. in the old City Hall, where the " Free Soil" party was formally organized and ushered into political existence in due form, all sections of the Common- wealth were represented by many of the ablest men, and large numbers were also present from other States, filling the hall to its utmost capacity. The convention was called to order at ten o'clock in the forenoon by IIon. Alexander De Witt of Oxford, and Hon. Samuel F. Lyman of Northampton was chosen temporary chairman, and Wm. S. Robinson of Lowell, [ Warring- ton.] chosen temporary secretary. A committee, of which IIon. Edward L. Keyes of Dedham was chairman, was then chosen to nominate permanent officers, Augustus Tucker being the Worcester member of that committee ; and in accordance with their report, the following were chosen permanent officers of the convention : President-Hon. Samuel Hoar of Concord ; Vice- Presidents-Hon. Alanson Hamilton of West Brookfield, James S. Richard- son of Medway, Dr. S. G. Howe of Boston, Hon. John Wells of Chicopee, James Stevens of Warwick and Richard P. Waters of Salem ; Secretaries- Wm. S. Robinson of Lowell, Wm. A. Wallace of Worcester, Allen Shepard of Ashland and Wm. A. Arnold of Northampton.
Thunders of applause greeted the introduction of Hon. Samuel Hoar to the platform, coupled as his name was with the ignominious treatment he had received in South Carolina, while there as the representative of Massachusetts to protest against the grievous wrongs our colored citizens had received at her hands.
After prayer by Rev. George P. Smith of the old South Church, and an address from the chair, a committee, consisting of Hon. Stephen C. Phillips of Salem, Erastus Hopkins of Northampton, Daniel W. Alvord of Greenfield,
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E. R. Hoar of Concord, John Milton Earle of Worcester, Allen Bangs of Springfield, M. M. Fisher of Medway and Wm. B. Spooner of Boston, were chosen to prepare an address to the people, which was subsequently read by Mr. Phillips, an able and lengthy document, thoroughly endorsing the course and action of Judge Allen and Gen. Wilson, and suggesting plans of action for the future, in co-operation with a similar movement in other States. Speeches followed by Judge Allen and Gen. Wilson, who were loudly called for, and by Charles Sumner, Abraham Paine of Providence, R. I., J. C. Woodman of Maine and Amasa Walker of North Brookfield. Letters were read by Mr. Sumner from Hon. J. R. Williams of Michigan, Hon. John G. Palfrey, then members of Congress, and others from other States, endorsing the movement.
At the afternoon session. Hon. Lewis D. Campbell, member of Congress from Ohio, and a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention was introduced and spoke, followed by Joshua R. Giddings, the veteran representative in Congress from Ohio. Mr. Phillips then read the address and resolutions of- fered by the committee, which were unanimously adopted.
At the evening session, speeches urging on the movement, were made by Hon. Charles Francis Adams of Quincy, Joseph C. Lovejoy of Cambridge, Charles Sumner, Joshua R. Giddings, and E. R. Hoar. Stephen C. Phillips headed the list of delegates at large chosen to the Free Soil National Con- vention to be held in August at Buffalo, and Charles Francis Adams the list of members of the State Central Committee chosen.
Against the party thus organized was arrayed the influence of most of the leading men of the time in Worcester, including Govs. Levi Lincoln and John Davis, Judges Ira M. Barton, Thomas Kinnicutt, Emory Washburn and Benjamin F. Thomas, Hon. Alexander H. Bullock and others whose eloquence was wont to awaken the echoes of that old Hall, on public and political occasions.
The first political mass meeting held on the other side, in ratification of the nomination of Taylor and Fillmore, was held at the City (the Town) Hall, on the night of Saturday, June 24, when there was an immense au- dience, comprising many besides Whigs. This meeting was called to order by Hon. Thomas Kinnieutt, and organized by the choice of Hon. Ira M. Barton for chairman and John C. B. Davis, (son of Gov. Davis, ) for secretary. After a speech from the chair, Gov. Lincoln arose and announced that on some future evening he should take occasion to reply to the charges against himself and his friend Gov. Davis in the address made in that hall on the Wednesday evening previous, [by Hon. Charles Allen,] and to the arguments contained in that speech against the nominations made at Philadel- phia. Gov. Lincoln concluded by introducing to the audience Gen. Leslie Combs of Kentucky, the friend and neighbor of Henry Clay, who then spoke at some length in defence of the Philadelphia nominees. Hon. Alexander HI. Bullock read a series of resolutions endorsing those nominations, which were adopted.
The evening appointed for the address of Gov. Lincoln was July 15, when the hall was again packed to its utmost capacity. The Governor spoke about two hours, in an exceedingly able and eloquent manner, during which he made a review of the whole political situation, claiming that the best in- terests of the country demanded, especially from the Whigs of the North, acquiescence in the nomination of Gen. Taylor, and replying to the charges made by Judge Allen that those who did so, went back on their previous Whig professions and became mere " serfs of the slave power."
Of course, this is no proper medium for expression of opinion as to the re- lative merits, either of the great arguments contained in the two speeches
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above alluded to, or of the vast questions then in issue, the discussion of which soon spread over the whole country, and ended finally only in the fall- ing of the last shackle from the last slave in the land. The motives which actuated these two distinguished men, honored representatives of their time and generation, can never be impeached, founded as they were upon princi- ples adopted after long experience in public affairs. Both, " natives and to the manor born," at different periods represented the same constituency hon- orably and faithfully in both the state and national councils, as had also their honored sires before them.
No two men were more warmly attached friends during their last years, and like Jefferson and Adams, after the settlement of the great questions the discussion of which had made them for a time political antagonists, they went to their last reward, with the general benediction, " well done, good and faithful public servants." Gov. Lincoln died May 29, 1868. aged 86, and Judge Allen, Aug. 9, 1869, aged 71.
Other speeches followed on both sides in this hall, during this celebrated campaign, by many of the ablest men in the country, including Daniel Webster, Charles Sumner and Abra- ham Lincoln, afterwards president of the United States.
The result of the memorable contest thus begun here, was the triumph of the new " party of freedom" at the polls in November following, by a large majority, and by a large plural- ity in the county. Two years later, a victory followed in the State by which Charles Sumner was placed in the seat of Daniel Webster in the United States Senate ; six years later, Henry Wilson was the Senatorial colleage of Sumner, and a Massachusetts Republican filled the office of Speaker in the na- tional House of Representatives at Washington ; four years subsequently, a Republican President of the United States was elected, in the person of that same ABRAHAM LINCOLN, on the same platform of principles promulgated by the party he had deemed it his duty to speak against twelve years previous in our City Hall, and presidents of the same political stripe have ever since been chosen. HENRY WILSON, the compeer of Chas. Allen in the initiation of the " Free Soil " movement, died Vice President of the United States.
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RAILROADS, DEPOTS, ETC., ETC.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE OLD FOSTER STREET DEPOT AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
As the old Foster street railroad depot and its immediate surroundings are soon to undergo important changes prelimin- ary to the construction of the proposed new street from Main street over the site of the old depot to the new union passenger station at Washington Square, a few words in reference to past associations connected with this locality may be of interest. One hundred years ago, the land in this vicinity was owned by Capt. John Stanton, Jr., who came from Boston in 1776, and married in 1780, a daughter of the last Judge Chandler, (see page 71.) He had a handsome garden and an extensive tract of land in the rear of his residence, which stood on the site of the old Universalist Church, corner of Main and Foster streets. The land extended east as far as Mill Brook. After his de- cease, the estate was owned and occupied for several years by Thomas Stevens, who kept a hotel in the house, to the rear part of which he added a hall, long used for public purposes.
John W. Stiles, from Templeton, about 1820, purchased this estate, and resided in this dwelling till he disposed of the property to the railroad company, and kept a store for many years in company with the late Dea. Benjamin Butman, in the building south of his residence, which had been occupied by the owners preceding him for a store or shop. This dwelling, re- moved when the first Universalist meeting-house was built on its site in 1843, now stands on the south side of Mechanic street, the second house east of Spring street. The hall part,
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added by Mr. Stevens, now stands on Norwich street, opposite the old depot.
At the opening of the Boston and Worcester Railroad in 1835, the land on which the company erected their passenger station in Worcester, the first depot built in New England, out of Boston, was purchased of John W. Stiles, the purchase ex- tending up to Main street, and including the buildings just mentioned.
On the north corner of Main and Mechanic streets, stood the dwelling of Daniel Denny, from Leicester, who had in the rear of his residence a card manufactory started by him in 1798. The old buildings were removed when the brick block now standing on their site, was erected by George Bowen in 1842, and the old factory building now stands on Norwich street, having been occupied for several years past for a bowling saloon and other purposes.
On the north side of Mechanic street, east of the Denny estate, were several old dwellings, removed when the Norwich railroad was opened, and occupied respectively by the carpenter and builder, Wentworth ; Smith & Western, painters ; and Winslow Dalrymple. Next east of the latter came the re- sidence of Capt. Simeon Duncan, afterwards of Capt. Sam- uel Graves, the old dwelling, a very ancient one, now stand- ing on the east side of Bridge street.
THE FIRST RAILROAD OPENING.
The old Boston and Worcester Railroad was the carliest one incorporated in Massachusetts, and one of the oldest in the country, its charter bearing date, June 23, 1831. The first single track of forty-four miles was completed in about four years, so as to be opened for public travel, July 4, 1835, a grand celebration of the event taking place in Worcester, on Monday, July 6, following, under the direction of a committee of arrangements of whom the late Chief Justice Charles Allen was chairman. An excursion train of twelve cars, (such as they then were,) propelled by two locomotives, bringing the directors and some three hundred stockholders of the road, from Boston, arrived here at one o'clock in the afternoon, af-
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ter a ride of three hours and a quarter, and were escorted from the depot to the Town Hall by a numerous procession of citi- zens, headed by the committee of arrangements, and preceded by the Worcester Light Infantry, under command of Col. Charles H. Geer, the whole being under the chief marshalship of Gen. Nathan Heard, marshal of the day. Tables spread with an inviting array of eatables occupied the lower, and one of the upper halls of the town house, and all were soon filled by the invited guests and prominent citizens of [the town and vicinity. Ex-Gov. Levi Lincoln presided with his accustomed ability and grace over the festivities of the occasion, and open- ed the speaking exercises with one of his most eloquent ad- dresses. Speeches in response to toasts were also made by Governors John Davis and Edward Everett, Chief Justice Arte- mas Ward, Hon. Alexander H. Everett, Hon. Julius Rock- well of Pittsfield, Hon. George Bliss of Springfield, Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr., of Boston, and other distinguished guests from abroad. Of those mentioned above, Gen. Heard, Judge Rockwell and Col. Quincy still survive.
THE OLD DEPOT.
The first portion of the old Foster street depot was built : by Horatio N. Tower in June, 1835, the carpenters who worked for him on the job, being Tilly Raymond and Martin Harring- ton. The frame was raised May 31. It stood originally nearly on the site (a little south) of the present Worcester Bank Block, there being a passage-way between the west end of it and the two buildings previously belonging to Mr. Stiles, which were moved off when the first Universalist Church was built. This first depot (the central portion of the one on Foster street just abandoned) was 100 feet long by 40 wide, and attached to the east end of it was an ell, 68 feet long by 30 wide, used for many years past as a storage house for passenger cars. The front part of the present or second depot, (60 feet front on Nor- wich street by 72 feet long on Foster street, with 22 feet posts,) was built by H. N. Tower and Tilly Raymond, begun Oct. 22, 1839, and finished the following spring. The contract price was $4000. The main part of the first depot, (100 by 40 feet)
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was then moved down from its original site, and attached to the east end of the new structure, 17 feet in length of new material being added between the two structures to join them. At the same time, an addition of forty feet in length by 45 feet wide was added to the cast end of the whole, making the total length of the Foster street depot, from the front on Norwich street to the east end of the train house, 229 feet.
The occasion of changing the location of the depot, in 1839 and 1840, four years after the first building was constructed, was, in order to have the trains of the Norwich and Worcester railroad, then about being completed, run into the same build- ing. This Norwich and Worcester depot, (built by Messrs. Tower and Raymond, and attached to the south end or south side of the Boston and Worcester depot,) was begun Dec. 14, and finished during the spring of 1840. The contract price for the building, 150 feet long by 75 feet wide, with an ell 75 by 36 feet on the south end, making its extreme length 225 feet, was $5500. The extreme length of the whole build- ing on Norwich street, including the 60 feet front of the old Boston and Worcester, is 285 feet.
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