USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Some interesting Boston events > Part 3
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The boys had their famous coast along Park Street, until one day General Gage's soldiers destroyed their slides, thereby causing a great protest to be made. The General asked them if their fathers had been teaching them rebellion, but at the same time he evidently admired their "love of liberty" and ordered that their sport should not be interfered with again. Some years later wooden bridges for pedes- trians were erected over the slides to prevent accidents.
During the Civil War the headquarters of the Recruiting Commit- tee were on Flagstaff Hill on the Common, and many speeches were made urging men to enlist. On one occasion one young fellow de- clared that he would enlist even if he were a "paralyzed corpse," which remark brought forth loud cheers and many recruits. In 1862 a Great War Meeting and Parade were held on the Common, speeches being made by Governor Andrew, Edward Everett, Robert C. Winthrop and others.
Many celebrations have been held here, but they are too numerous to receive more than a brief mention. The "Repeal of the Stamp Act" caused Captain Paddock's Artillery to roar out a salute, fol- lowed by fireworks and illuminations; Cornwallis' surrender was celebrated by a huge bonfire, and a few years later Peace was pro- claimed by cannon and fireworks; also the Bunker Hill procession, in which Lafayette participated, described elsewhere, had its starting place here. On these grounds, too, met the Great Whig Convention presided over by Daniel Webster, and the Grand Mass Washingtonian Convention of May, 1844. Another event was the Cochituate Water Celebration around the Frog Pond while Josiah Quincy was Mayor, when, as the last lines of Hon. Robert S. Rantoul's poem reads, "Boston claims her destined bride, the fair Cochituate, as Quincy turns the water, in eighteen forty-eight." The Frog Pond was also called "Crescent Pond" or "Quincy Lake."
In 1851 a three days' Grand Railroad Jubilee, which included a parade and dinner, was held to commemorate the opening of com- munication between Boston and Canada, and some years later the Prince of Wales was entertained with a military review. When General Lee's army surrendered bells pealed, steam engines screeched through the streets, and cannon again boomed. The parade at the time of the Centennial Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill was
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also formed here. It was in 1877 that the Army and Navy Monu- ment on Flagstaff Hill was dedicated, and we must not forget the Fourth of July celebrations that have taken place; nor must we omit several Indian war dances, the last of which took place in 1837, which caused about 70,000 to assemble to watch the antics. The Indians left the city in open barouches, sitting all over the vehicles and wielding their war weapons. We should also record several Temper- ance parades, one of which in 1844 was composed of the boys and girls of Boston, usually referred to as the "Cold Water Army," which marched to the Frog Pond and gave "three cheers for Cold Water." Many people signed the pledge on this occasion. Here also many military organizations were wont to drill, including the oldest order in the United States, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.
The Rev. George Whitefield visited Boston in 1740, and as the churches couldn't accommodate the number of people who wanted to hear him, he decided to preach on Boston Common. Twenty thousand persons heard his farewell sermon, among whom was Benjamin Franklin, who determined he wouldn't give a cent when it should be time to take up the collection. The preacher was so convincing and so eloquent that Franklin ended by handing over every cent he had with him. A negro on the Common mistook some one for Whitefield, and, falling on the ground and rolling over, exclaimed, "Oh, Massa Whitefield!" He learned his mistake, and as he hurriedly rose to his feet, said, "Oh, den I'se gone dirtied myself all for nothin'."
A unique event connected with the Common was the spinning com- petition in the year 1720, which was held daily in the open air before throngs of spectators, the women of the town, rich and poor, vying with each other in their speed in handling their newly imported machines. The fad continued for some time, and a Spinning School was built. It is a curious thing that the Irish-Scotch spinners who introduced these spinning-wheels also taught us the value of the potato, which had been hitherto almost unknown.
On part of the Common a rich harvest of hay was often reaped, and on one occasion we read that Deacon Sullivan hired a well-known bell-crier to go round to the different schools and lead the children over to the pasturage to "enjoy the new mown hay." During the rav- ages of smallpox the Common was also a convenient place on which to air the clothes of the victims, there evidently being no Board of Health in Boston at that time. About sixty years ago an announce- ment appeared in the papers that a cave had been discovered, which drew a large number of people who paid a small entrance fee to see the new curiosity. After a short time some one in the crowd remem- bered that it was April 1.
The Common has always been a recreation ground, and many famous football and baseball games have here been fought out. Mr. James D'Wolf Lovett's book, entitled "Old Boston Boys," gives a vivid idea of the sports on the Common fifty or so years ago. The Latin School team had many games with the Dixwell School, and the famous Lowell Baseball Club, organized by Mr. John A. Lowell, fought it out with the Trimountains, Bowdoins, Olympics, Rocking-
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hams, Athletics, Harvards, Elm Trees and Hancocks. In these games the runner had to be hit by the ball to be put out, stakes were used as bases, and foul balls were considered as hits. Sometimes as many as seventy or eighty runs were scored. The older men in Boston to-day remember with delight the home run "hit" made by Thomas Nelson, which soared over Flagstaff Hill towards West Street. One legend describes this ball as having rolled down West Street and then bounced on board a horse-car, which took it out to the Norfolk House. In the year 1869 probably for the first time baseball influenced a Mayor's election. The Common was ploughed up, and the ball players, fearing they would be permanently deprived of its use, entered politics and helped to elect a Mayor and aldermen who would be favorably disposed to the use of the Common as a playground. The "Baseball" ticket, with a red baseball printed at the top, won, and Mayor Shurtleff was elected. Coasting was popular in these days, and the sleds were almost as well known among the younger generation as race horses and yachts; the "Comet," owned by Dr. Frank Wells, the "Eagle," belonging to James Lovett, "Multum in Parvo," the property of Francis Peabody, and the "Tuscaloosa," handled by Horatio G. Curtis, being a few of the "race horses" of the day. "Old Boston Boys" also tells of an amusing incident that happened on one of the Beacon Hill coasts. A colored washerwoman of large propor- tions with her basket on her head was caught by a sled and deposited ! astride the coaster, who continued down the hill faster than ever. During the whole length of the slide she cuffed the frightened boy over the ears for having upset her.
The Circus used to pitch its tent on the Public Garden, and the great drawing card with the Boston boys was the announcement that at a certain hour the elephants would bathe in the Frog Pond. A great feat of skill was to vault the high iron picket fence when the policeman was not looking and thereby gain admittance without charge on the day of some celebration.
Many of the older generation who went to Mr. Sullivan's school in the basement of Park Street Church remember with sorrow the old blind cigar man who stood near the corner of Park and Tremont Streets and sold what he called "cinnamon" cigars, warranted harm- less and suitable for beginners; but, as they were made of real tobacco and merely dipped in cinnamon, the effect was not as advertised.
Almost every boy "ran" with his particular engine and endeavored to have his "tub" win in the "playouts" on the Common, his Captain shouting to him meanwhile to "shake it out of her," or "just one foot further, if you love me!", or other appropriate remarks. When one of the loyal firemen died his last request was to cut off his ears and bury them under the engine house, so that he could hear the old machine rattle as she rolled out.
THE FIRST NEWSPAPER IN AMERICA
The first newspaper printed in America, entitled Publick Occurrences, Both Forreign and Domestick, appeared in Boston on September 25, 1690. It was a sheet of four pages, seven inches by eleven, with two
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columns on a page, and was printed "By R. Pierce for Benjamin Harris, at the London Coffee House, 1690." The editor announced that it was issued in order "that the people may better understand public affairs, that important occurrences shall not be forgotten," and n order "that something may be done towards the Curing, or at least the Charming of that Spirit of Lying, which prevails among us." The introductory paragraph reads, "It is designed that the countrey shall be furnished once a month (or if any Glut of occurrences happen oftener) with an Account of such considerable things as have arrived unto our Notice." It then went on to say that the editor would "take pains to get a faithful relation of things and hopes observers will communicate of such matters as fall under their notice." And, further, the publisher proposes to correct false reports, and to expose the "First Raiser" of them, and he also adds that he thinks "none will dislike this Proposal, but such as intend to be guilty of so villianous a Crime." Mention is made of the Indians of Plymouth; of the fact that two children of Chelmsford had been stolen by the Indians; of the three hundred and thirty deaths in Boston from smallpox; of a fire near the South Meeting House; and of the murder of the crew of a vessel near Penobscot by Indians and French. There is also an account of Governor Winthrop's expedition to Canada, and other interesting news. Only one issue of the paper appeared. The authorities ordered Publick Occurrences discontinued, as they believed it contained "reflections of a very high nature," and the Court, in 1662, forbade "any thing in print without license being first obtained from those appointed by the government to grant the same." The people were not yet ready for a free press.
Only one copy of this paper has ever been discovered, and it is now in the Colonial State Paper Office, in London. Dr. Samuel A. Green some years ago took a copy of it, which may be seen in the Massa- chusetts Historical Society rooms. Many of the papers issued since this time are not any better than was this "First Newspaper."
The first regular newspaper was The Boston News Letter, which appeared in April, 1704, and which gives the history of the town for the next seventy years. It was issued by John Campbell, who was Postmaster of Boston, and printed by Bartholomew Green in a build- ing on Washington Street near the east corner of Avon Street.
CAPTAIN KIDD ARRESTED AND JAILED IN BOSTON
Lord Bellamont in London, before his departure for America to become Governor of the New York and the New England Colonies, commissioned Captain Kidd, at the suggestion of Robert Livingston, a New York merchant, to destroy piracy along the American coast. Captain Kidd was undoubtedly himself a pirate, although he had once been an officer in the British navy and later had commanded one of Livingston's merchant ships. He was a Scotchman. It is quite apparent that Lord Bellamont made this selection with the old adage in mind, "Set a rogue to catch a rogue."
The pirate captain sailed in his Adventure Galley in December of the year 1697 with instructions to cruise only against the King's
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enemies. Instead of suppressing piracy, however, he captured the Quedah Merchant, belonging to the Great Mogul, and on his return to Long Island sent word to Bellamont, who was now in Boston, that he would be glad to come on and explain his actions. He arrived in Boston with his wife and maid ser- vant in June, 1699, on his sloop the Antonia, and put up at Camp- bell's, which was the most luxu- rious hotel in Boston at this time, Governor Bellamont himself having stayed there a short time before. On his arrival he was examined ? before the Council in the Old State House, but his explanations were so unsatisfactory that he was ar -. rested on July 7 and jailed in the Old Prison on Court Street, where the new wing of the City Hall now stands, the same prison which confined the witchcraft victims. Captain Kidd suggested to Lord ! Bellamont that he should go back while still a prisoner to his capt- ured treasure ship and that he . and Bellamont should divide the $300,000 of valuables which the CAPTAIN KIDD HANGING IN CHAINS. Captain said were on board. The Governor's connection with Captain From an old print in "The Pirates Own Book or Authentic Narratives of the Lives, Exploits and Executions of the Most Cele- brated Sea Robbers." Kidd was already none too credit- able, and it was fortunate indeed "My Lord, it is a very hard sentence," said Kidd, when asked why sentence should not be passed against him. "For my part, I am the most innocent person of them all, only I have been sworn against by perjured persons." He was executed on Execution Dock, England, and hung up in chains some distance down the river. for him that he turned down the offer. The hillsides of Southern Rhode Island and the waters of the Hudson River have been searched, but nothing has been discovered of Kidd's treasures except an old chest which was found on Gardiner's Island, just off the end of Long Island, where Captain Kidd landed in 1699. Lord Bellamont sent commissioners to dig up these buried treasures, and an inventory was made of the articles that were found, which is said to be in the pos- session of the Gardiner family who now own the island.
It was now a question what to do with the pirate, as it was discovered that the laws of the Province were insufficient to execute criminals guilty of piracy. Two other brigands had escaped from this same prison, and Governor Bellamont more than once wished his prisoners were safely lodged in Newgate jail. An English frigate, the Advice, took Captain Kidd back to England, arriving in April, 1700. He was imprisoned for a long time, was tried for both murder and piracy and then hanged. He died hard. The rope broke the first time, but the second attempt proved successful. He committed the murder at sea,
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he victim being his gunner, whom he killed by striking with a water bucket.
The pirates' song supposed to have been written by Benjamin Franklin is worth quoting. Ned Teach was another well-known rover f the seas.
"Then each man to his gun
For the work must be done, With cutlass, sword, or pistol; And when we no longer can strike a blow, Then fire the magazine, boys, and up we go. It is better to swim in the sea below Than to hang in the air, and to feed the crow, Said Jolly Ned Teach of Bristol."
2 LB. 5
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FIVE ARCHI KEYS OF THE BOSTON JAIL ON QUIEN NOW COURT ST.
IN 172 2 & UP To 1823 MORE THAN300.000PRISONERS WERE LOCKED UP
Keys to jail on Queen Street in which Captain Kidd was imprisoned. Now in the possession of the Bostonian Society.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DELIVERS NEWSPAPERS IN BOSTON
There is something very romantic and attractive in thinking of Benjamin Franklin early in his teens setting the type of his brother James' New England Courant, printing the sheets from the old press now in the Bostonian Society rooms, and then carrying the papers through the streets to the houses of his customers. He was born on January 17, 1706, in a small house on Milk Street, where the family resided for a few years until they moved to the corner of Hanover and Union Streets. He was the most amusing member of the family. Once when he was watching his father, Josiah, prepare the winter's supply of salt fish, young Franklin suggested that he would save a lot of time if he said grace over the whole cask at once. His father was by trade a soap-boiler and tallow-chandler, and when his son had studied at the Latin School a few years he took him home at the age of ten to assist him in his own business. He showed so little interest in making soap and candles that his father decided to apprentice him as a printer to his elder son, James. Here Benjamin found more opportunity to read, the first literature that came to his notice being "Pilgrim's Progress" and the Spectator. It was not long before he wrote anonymous articles and shoved them surreptitiously under the door of the printing room, and to his great joy they were printed.
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Had James realized that they were from the pen of his brother they would probably have found their way into the scrap basket, as the two agreed none too well in business.
The Mathers didn't at all approve of the Courant; it spoke too freely, and so the Assembly imprisoned James Franklin. In the mean time Benjamin had full charge of the management. When the elder brother had served his term he was discharged but ordered not to print his paper unless it were first supervised by the Secretary of the Province. It was then determined that the New England Courant should be issued under Benjamin's name, and this plan was carried out for
Bronze tablet on statue of Benjamin Franklin, Boston City Hall Courtyard.
about three years, the imprint reading, "Boston, printed and sold by Benjamin Franklin, in Queen Street, where advertisements are taken in." The building that was used as his first shop later became a bookstore, and was ornamented with a head of Franklin for many years, until it was torn down. Over the office was the Long Room Club, where Adams, Hancock, Otis, Warren, Church, Quincy, Dawes, Paul Revere and others laid their plans for resisting the British.
The animosity between the two brothers increased, and Benjamin soon gave up his position and looked for another one in some of the other printing houses in Boston. His brother had, however, gone to these same offices and prevented his getting any employment, and in October, 1723, he left the city in disgust. Had he been able to find some occupation, Boston might have been able to claim him during his whole life, instead of for only his first seventeen years.
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The town of Franklin, Mass., was named after him, and books to the value of £25 were given by Benjamin Franklin to be added to its library.
SOME INTERESTING EVENTS IN CONNECTION WITH CHRIST CHURCH, OR "OLD NORTH CHURCH"
The Old North Church on Salem Street is the oldest church in Boston standing on its original ground, and was the second Episcopal Church erected in the town. For many years its tall spire served as a landmark for vessels entering the harbour. As a boy Governor Phips dreamed that he would some day become rich and live on Salem Street, which was then called Green Lane, and later his dream came true. The North End was practically an island at one time and was reached by a bridge where Hanover and Blackstone Streets now meet. In the early days religious services were held in the Old State House.
Christ Church is chiefly noted for its connection with the Revolu- tion and Paul Revere, yet there is much more history which, though less well known, is nevertheless most interesting and instructive. The corner-stone was laid in 1723 by the Rev. Samuel Myles, then rector of King's Chapel, who pronounced the following words: "May the gates of Hell never prevail against it." It was opened for divine service on December 29 of the same year by the first rector, the Rev. Timothy Cutler, who had a most unusual career. He was Doctor of Divinity of both Oxford and Cambridge universities, also was a graduate of Harvard in 1701 and then became President of Yale College in 1719. His home was on Salem Street. Dr. Cutler in a letter at this time stated that there were thirty-two "Negro and Indian slaves" in his parish. In the early days a fine was imposed upon any member who "does not appear within two hours after the time appointed for a meeting."
A most interesting Bible was presented to the Church by King George II. in 1733. It is called the "Vinegar Bible," on account of a curious error which appears on one of the pages, the word "Vinegar" being printed in place of the word "Vineyard," in the chapter of St. Luke which refers to "The Parable of the Vineyard." Some of the Prayer Books have paper pasted over "King and Royal Family," and the words "President of the United States" written over it. The Church also owns a Communion Service, several pieces of which were given by King George II., and may be seen at the Museum of Fine Arts. At one time part of this Communion set was pledged to the creditors of the Church.
A chime of eight bells, each bearing a different inscription, was placed in the steeple in 1744, having been made in a famous foundry in England. On bell "3" is written, "We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North America." For some years there was a guild of bell ringers composed of Paul Revere, John Dyer, Josiah Flagg, E. Ballard, Jonathan Law, Jonathan Brown, Jr., and Joseph Snelling.
Captain Gruchy, a member of the Church and commander of the
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Privateer Queen of Hungary, presented to the church the four small statues in front of the organ, which were captured from a French vessel during the French and Indian war in 1746. They were doubt- less intended for a Catholic cathedral on the St. Lawrence River, but instead found their way to a Protestant church in Boston.
It is said that General Gage watched the burning of Charlestown and the Battle of Bunker Hill from Christ Church steeple. In this battle Major Pitcairn was killed by a bullet fired by a negro soldier from Salem, and his remains were buried in the tomb beneath the church. About this time Lieutenant Shea, who died of fever, was also buried here. Some years later Major Pitcairn's friends in Eng- land sent for his body, and it is believed that through some curious mistake the remains of Lieutenant Shea were shipped in its place, so that the tablet in Westminster Abbey possibly marks the last resting place of Shea, who had a very commonplace end, instead of marking the remains of the hero whose bravery its inscription com- memorates. Samuel Nicholson, First Commander of the Constitution, was also buried here.
Rev. Mather Byles was pastor from 1768 to 1775. His father, who was pastor of King's Chapel, was the celebrated wit of the town and was always cracking jokes. There are some good stories of his in "Dealings with the Dead." In 1777 he was arrested as a Tory, placed under guard and ordered sent to England in forty days. He was discovered one morning pacing before his door with a musket on his shoulder, and one of his neighbors asked the cause. "You see," said the Doctor, "I begged the sentinel to let me go for some milk for my family, but he would not suffer me to stir. I reasoned the matter with him; and he has gone himself, to get it for me, on condi- tion that I keep guard in his absence." He frequently referred to his keeper as his "Observe-a-tory." He was also intimate with General Knox, who after the evacuation marched through Boston at the head of his artillery. Byles yelled out to him, "I never saw an ox fatter in my life." General Knox, who was quite stout, did not at all ap- preciate the remark.
In front of Dr. Byles' house there was a mire, and he often tried to get the selectmen to fill it in. One morning two of the board happened to drive too near the bog, and their carriage sank in. Dr. Byles walked by them as they were trying to extricate themselves and politely remarked, "I am delighted, gentlemen, to see you stirring in this matter, at last." Another time a man with a toothache met the Doctor and asked him where he could have it drawn. The Doctor gave him a name and street number. On going to the address the occupant of the house answered him, "This is a poor joke for Dr. Byles, I am not a dentist, but a portrait painter-it will give you little comfort, my friend, to have me draw your tooth." Dr. Byles had sent him to Copley. Another time, when the Rev. Mr. Prince for some reason did not keep an engagement to preach, Dr. Byles rose and preached from the text, "Put not your trust in princes."
It is recorded that once some one got the better of the Doctor. He was devoted at one time to a lady who finally married a Quincy. He met her one day and asked her how she happened to choose Quincy
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instead of Byles. She replied, "If there had been anything worse than biles Job would have been afflicted by them."
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