USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Somerville, past and present : an illustrated historical souvenir commemorative of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the city government of Somerville, Massachusetts > Part 23
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Since the reorganization the corps has won medals, trophies, etc., and the several prize drills, target shoots and reunions have evinced degrees never before attained by the early organizations. This is no reflection on the latter, but the requirements of the military department of the State are greater and more exacting.
On the 4th of March, 1889, the company visited Washington under the command of Capt. Pitman, and was part of the grand pageant at the in- auguration of President Harrison. Many associate members accompanied it, and were emphatic in their praise of the corps during this tour of duty.
CAPT. HORACE M. PARSONS.
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The commanders since the reorganization have been : Harrison Aldrich, Henry W. Pitman, S. Thomas Kirk and Horace M. Parsons, the latter being now in command, and he is entitled to great credit for his attention to the company's interests.
Capt. Parsons was recently elected a major of the Eighth Infantry, but declined the honor.
The lieutenants at present are : Herbert W. Whitten and George L. Marshall.
In connection with the history of the Somerville Light Infantry the following interesting extracts from a letter from Capt. Brastow to John K. Hall, which speak in the warmest terms of the liberality and patriotism of the people of Somerville in the civil war, can find an appropriate place.
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 13, 1861.
MY DEAR BROTHER JOHN K.
While a West Point lieutenant is drilling my company, as he does not want us officers around, I will devote a few minutes in hastily writing you a few lines.
I assure you we all duly appreciate the gallant civility of our good townsmen in turning out in so large numbers under your command on the day of our march from good old Somerville. No town has more liberally and more heartily come right up to the aid and encouragement of her soldiers than our town !
We all feel it sensibly and tenderly, and we must be recreant to every feeling of gratitude and of patiotism if we do not feel the full weight of our obligation to perform our duties manfully, and prove ourselves worthy of all this confidence and kind generosity. ... All our lodge members remember with interest your meeting last Tuesday evening, and we have heard with much pleasure of the waving of the glorious stars and stripes from the building. God grant that this struggle may add new brilliancy to the flag of our fathers, the flag of our country, the flag of our love and hope, and the flag for which we will cheerfully die if need be.
Your friend,
BRASTOW.
ROBERT LUCE.
.
FRANK E. DICKERMAN.
CLUBS.
CENTRAL CLUB ASSOCIATION.
BY CHARLES E. PARKS.
IN December, 1886, the following named residents of Somerville : Chris- topher E. Rymes, George A. Bruce, Charles S. Lincoln, George F. Loring, John E. Sylvester, Charles F. Rice, Wallace H. Ham, Harry Highley, Douglas Frazar, Herbert C. Hall and Joseph O. Hayden, believing it de- sirable to have a club-house in the city, signed articles of agreement to secure, under the Public Statutes of Massachusetts, the incorporation of the club under the title of the Central Club Association. The charter was pro- cured in the same month, the site on the corner of Highland avenue and Central street selected, and building was commenced as soon as practicable. The gentlemen above named constituted the first board of directors, and they organized by electing the following as officers of the association : Christopher E. Rymes, president ; Charles S. Lincoln, first vice-president ; George A. Bruce, second vice-president ; Joseph O. Hayden, treasurer ; Charles F. Rice, secretary.
The building was completed and formally opened Monday, October 10, 1887, and the occasion was one of the most brilliant social events in the history of Somerville.
The club roster (200) was immediately filled by the representative men of the city, and, under the presidencies of Christopher E. Rymes, Charles A. West, Hon. Edward Glines and Frank E. Dickerman, the association has held the prestige which was established on the opening night.
The Central was the first suburban club-house built especially for club purposes in the neighborhood of Boston.
The members meet frequently in a social way, and take an active in- terest in whist, billiards, pool and bowling, and the club always has teams to represent it in the different league tournaments.
The whist team has taken all the whist prizes offered in the Inter-Club tournaments, and held the championship trophy of the New England Whist Association in the winter of 1895 and 1896.
During the winter months the members of the club entertain their lady friends at least once a month.
SONS OF MAINE CLUB. BY ROBERT LUCE.
Many of the residents of Somerville were born in the State of Maine. The spirit of fellowship has always been strong in natives of that State, and
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some of those living in Somerville thought it would be pleasant to take ad- vantage of that fact by organizing a club where acquaintance could be in- creased, old times recalled, and the good name of their native State be honored. So in 1890, chiefly through the instrumentality of Col. Charles F. King and Mr. C. C. Farrington, a meeting of representative citizens organ- ized the Sons of Maine. Naturally and very wisely Col. King was made the first president, and Mr. Farrington secretary. It has been the policy of the club to choose a new president each year, and the office has been held in turn by Dr. H. C. White, Dr. H. P. Makechnie, Robert Luce, Dr. A. H. Carvill and Hon. A. A. Perry. Mr. Farrington has remained the secretary from the start, and to his interest in the affairs of the club it is greatly indebted for its prosperity. Among other well-known citizens who have contributed to its welfare have been : Col. Elijah Walker, Prof. George M. Harmon of Tufts, Melville C. Parkhurst, Porter S. Roberts, F. W. Hopkins, Louis E. Merry, Franklin F. Phillips, George H. Russ, M. L. King, John F. Mills, Rev. L. M. Powers, Albion H. Brown, Capt. John F. Merry, Charles H. Crane, Rev. S. S. Cummings, George M. Starbird, S. S. Woodcock, C. C. Folsom and James E. Kelley. The club has had two or three banquets each year, to most of which the ladies have been invited. Among the Sons of Maine who have been its guests on these occasions have been General Chamberlain, Ex-Governor Long, Col. A. P. Martin, Judge Enos T. Luce, A. A. Strout, Esq., and Dana Estes.
DAUGHTERS OF MAINE CLUB.
BY MRS. MAE D. FRAZAR.
One of the organizations of which Somerville has reason to be proud is the Daughters of Maine Club, that in four years has reached a member- ship of two hundred and seventy-five.
When Col. King was president of the Sons of Maine Club he suggested the forming of an organization for Maine women, and acting upon this a meeting was called, this Club was organized, and Mrs. King was chosen president, with Mrs. Harriet A. Chamberlin, Mrs. S. A. P. Dickerman and Mrs. Helen M. McCully as vice-presidents ; Miss Bessie R. White and Mrs. Clara P. Haven, each for six months as secretaries ; and the executive com- mittee was Mrs. Lizzie Adams, Mrs. Adrianna V. Cloyse, Mrs. Carleton, Mrs. George A. Clark and Mrs. Annie M. Farrington.
Mrs. King had presided only twice, when she, with all Somerville, was called to mourn the loss of Col. King, who had been a man of mark in the city, by reason of his wide sympathies, broad charities and liberal, progres- sive spirit.
At the urgent request of the ladies, Mrs. King allowed her name to stand as president for the remainder of the year, and then Mrs. Harriet A. Chamberlin was elected to fill the office, the other members on the com- mittee being Mrs. Alice S. Waterhouse, Mrs. Adrianna V. Cloyse, Mrs. Lydia A. Greely, vice-presidents; Mrs. Clara P. Haven, secretary ; Mrs. Hattie
MRS. MAE D. FRAZAR.
MRS. CLARA P. HAVEN.
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J. Teele, treasurer ; Mrs. Ella E. Burroughs, Mrs. Martha I. Sturtevant, Mrs. Amanda C. Blanchard, Mrs. Martha B. Boyden and Mrs. Carrie H. Waining, on the executive board.
The Club was intended to be a social one, but it undertook some chari- table work during its first years, and since its organization has expended over $600 in individual cases for charity and in furnishing the trustees' room at the Somerville Hospital, in which has lately been placed, by the Club, a fine portrait of Col. King. In 1894 Mrs. Clara P. Haven was chosen president ; Mrs. Mary E. King, Mrs. lona L. Robinson and Mrs. Hattie J. Teele, vice- presidents ; Mrs. Martha A. Mann, secretary; Mrs. Lydia A. Greely, treasurer ; executive committee, Mrs. Harriet Wilder, Mrs. Ella Burroughs, Mrs. Mary E. Taylor, Mrs. Abbie E. Southworth and Mrs. Achsa M. Mills.
The Club meetings had been held in the Y. M. C. A. Hall, at Union square, at Social Hall, Eberle Building, and in the Y. M. C. A. Hall, in Gilman square; but during the year 1894 the Club took up its quarters at Social Hall, Tufts street, where the gatherings were held, not only for social enjoyment, but also for discussions of literary subjects, for, as the member- ship increased, the ladies felt it imperative that they undertake some work of this sort ; and as it had been found to be inexpedient to undertake large or extensive charities, it was decided to restrict the work in this direction to special objects. Six lectures were given during the winter.
In 1895 the officers elected were : president, Mrs. Clara P. Haven ; vice- presidents, Mrs. Martha A. Mann, Mrs. Lydia A. Shaw and Mrs. Hannah S. Longfellow ; Mrs. Maria F. Hall was secretary, but resigning in March, Mrs. Fannie B. Kelly [was elected ; Mrs. Lydia A. Greely was treasurer, and on the executive committee were Mrs. Amanda C. Blanchard, Mrs. Alice M. Bill, Mrs. Achsa M. Mills, Mrs. Addie R. Davlin and Mrs. Theresa S. King.
This was a memorable year for the Club, as it undertook careful and important literary work, established a fund for a home for women in Som- erville, was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts and joined the State Federation of Women's Clubs.
The charter members were : Mrs. Mary E. King, Mrs. Harriet A. Cham- berlin, Mrs. Clara P. Haven, Mrs. Lydia A. Shaw, Mrs. Achsa M. Mills, Mrs. Fannie B. Kelly, Mrs. Harriet T. Wilder, Mrs. Hattie J. Teele, Mrs. Theresa S. King, Mrs. Addie R. Davlin, Mrs. Hannah S. Longfellow, Mrs. Emma F. Bacon, Mrs. Isadore P. Merrill, Mrs. Lydia A. Greely, Mrs. Adrianna V. Cloyse, Mrs. Amanda C. Blanchard, Mrs. Alice J. Bill, Mrs. Maria F. Hill, Mrs. Helen McCully.
The present year found the Daughters of Maine in a most prosperous condition, and while the social element is not lost sight of, the Club is be- coming known as a literary one. The officers for the year are : president, Mrs. Clara P. Haven ; vice-presidents, Mrs. Lydia A. Shaw, Mrs. Hannah S. Longfellow, Mrs. Emma F. Bacon ; recording secretaries, Mrs. Dora R. Houghton, resigned in March, Mrs. Rebecca S. Waldron ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Isadore P. Merrill ; executive committee, Mrs. Hattie J.
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Teele, Mrs. Alice S. Waterhouse, Mrs. Achsa M. Mills, Mrs. Mary E. King, Mrs. Adrianna V. Cloyse, Mrs. Carrie V. Clark, Mrs. Fidelia A. Pratt, Mrs. Elizabeth G. Cushing.
Each season a dinner is given to the Sons of Maine, and there is also an annual dinner and reception for Club members, at which the ladies prove themselves very clever as after-dinner speakers. There is also an outing in the early summer, which has become quite a feature in the history of the Club.
Through able management, wise judgment, and combined unity of ac- tion and interest, the Daughters of Maine are doing an important work in our city.
THE HEPTOREAN CLUB.
BY MRS. BARBARA GALPIN.
"Why does not Somerville have a woman's club?" was the question pro- pounded in the " Somerville Journal " in its issue of November 17, 1894, and in less than one week that which was to become one of the strongest and best clubs in Massachusetts was organized. The matter of a woman's club had been discussed many times, and this article in the "Journal " brought the matter to definite action. By invitation of Mrs. Edward Glines, the women who were interested in the project met at her residence, Friday, November 24, 1894, to discuss the feasibility of such an organization. Among those present were : Mrs. C. A. West, Mrs. E. H. Foote, Mrs. I. A. Whitcomb, Mrs. C. F. Simes, Mrs. E. T. Bartlett, Mrs. E. G. Woodward, Mrs. L. R. Wentworth, Mrs. A. C. Aldrich, Mrs. J. E. Whitaker, Mrs. H. W. Gleason, Mrs. M. D. Frazar, Mrs. W. H. Gleason, Mrs. F. C. Ayer, Mrs. A. F. Follett, Mrs. W. H. Brine, Mrs. Barbara Galpin, Mrs. S. Z. Bowman, Mrs. W. T. Hinckley, Mrs. W. J. Willard and Mrs. Robert Luce.
A discussion of the subject showed it to be the unanimous opinion that a club which should unite the interests of the women of the city for mutual improvement would be of great benefit to them, as well as to the city, and it was at once formed. The officers chosen for the first year's work were : president, Mrs. C. A. West; vice-presidents, Mrs. E. T. Bart- lett and Mrs. E. H. Foote ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. F. H. Raymond ; recording secretary, Mrs. E. G. Woodward ; treasurer, Mrs. Barbara Galpin ; auditor, Mrs. H. G. Minot ; directors, Mrs. W. H. Brine, Mrs. S. Z. Bowman, Mrs. E. J. Peasley, Mrs. J. H. Butler, Mrs. C. S. Lincoln, Mrs. B. F. Wild, Mrs. E. S. Tead ; chairmen of committees : Miss H. J. Sanborn, literature ; Mrs. G. L. Baxter, science ; Mrs. J. E. Sylvester, art ; Mrs. E. H. Capen, political economy ; Mrs. Sanford Hanscom, music ; Mrs. M. D. Frazar, cur- rent events ; Mrs. I. A. Whitcomb, hospitality.
At the next meeting it was decided to limit the Club membership to two hundred, but later on it was extended to three hundred, and in November, 1896, it was again extended, and the Club now has three hundred and fifty active members, nine non-resident members, and one honorary member - Mrs. Martha Perry Lowe - and a waiting list of one hundred and sixty.
MRS. BARBARA GALPIN.
MRS. ANNA D. WEST.
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The object of the Club is to bring together women from all parts of the city for mutual improvement and sociability, and to become an organized centre for united thought and action.
The Heptorean Club was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts, January 15, 1895, and joined the State Federation of Women's Clubs the same year.
During the first year of the existence of the Club lectures were given by Prof. E. Charlton Black, Prof. G. Stanley Hall, Henry Sandham, William Lloyd Garrison, Prof. Louis C. Elson, the late Kate Field and others of equal note, and classes in literature, botany and current events were held, Miss Lucia True Ames and Prof. Katherine Lee Bates conducting the lit- erature classes, Miss Frances Prince that in botany, and Mrs. Barbara Gal- pin that in current events.
At the end of the first year the officers were unanimously re-elected, it being a recognized fact that when a new club is launched upon the waters of public approval, master hands are required to keep it from running on the shoals of adverse criticism, of quiet scorn, or of open ridicule.
During the year 1895-1896 a great advance was made in the work of the Club, due in a great measure to the efforts of the president, Mrs. A. D. West, a woman of wise judgment, superior executive ability and delicate tact. Under her leadership, assisted by efficient officers, an enviable repu- tation was made.
Prof. T. H. Bartlett, Mrs. Florence Howe-Hall, Prof. John Fiske, Attor- ney-General Hosea M. Knowlton, Prof. L. C. Elson, Miss Heloise Hersey, Prof. Henry Southwick and other celebrated speakers addressed the Club at the regular literary meetings, while the red-letter occasion of the year was the first gentlemen's night, held February 20, 1896. At the reception which followed the entertainment the guests were received by the officers of the Club, assisted by Mayor A. A. Perry. This was the finest social event ever held in Somerville, and was attended by the representative people of the city.
At the close of the Club year in May, 1896, the officers elected were as follows : president, Mrs. A. D. West; vice-presidents, Mrs. J. H. Butler and Mrs. E. H. Capen ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. H. H. Trowbridge ; re- cording secretary, Mrs. E. G. Woodward ; treasurer, Mrs. Barbara Galpin ; auditor, Mrs. M. D. Frazar ; directors, Mrs. G. E. Dustin, Mrs. Edward Glines, Mrs. F. M. Howes, Mrs. S. C. Alford, Mrs. J. S. Hayes, Mrs. E. S. Brooks, Mrs. C. P. Lincoln ; chairmen of committees : Miss Sarah W. Fox, literature ; Mrs. J. E. Sylvester, art ; Mrs. Sanford Hanscom, music ; Mrs. G. L. Baxter, science ; Mrs. G. T. Knight, current events ; Mrs. F. H. Ray- mond, political economy ; and Mrs. I. A. Whitcomb, hospitality.
The Heptorean Club has proved an important factor in helping to unify Somerville, bringing its different scattered sections together into closer and more friendly relations, and, with the exception of the hospital, there is nothing which so unites the best elements of Somerville life as this institution.
1
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HELEN J. SANBORN.
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THE HILLSIDE CLUB.
BY HELEN J. SANBORN.
The literary society that enters upon the fifteenth year of its existence with as great a measure of prosperity and promise as has ever characterized it, since the days of its first enthusiasm, has not only proved its right to be, but has also demonstrated that it contains some germs of perpetuity and some standing in the community of which it forms a part. The Hillside has seen many a club organize, flourish for a time, and then pass away, while it pursues its work with its form and purpose unchanged, and with many of its original members still active.
In this day of multiplied organizations it is pertinent to ask, "What is the well-spring of the life of such a club ?" Simply individual effort, the most natural and rational source from which the greatest benefit is to be derived in any walk in life. The members of the Hillside Club do their own work. They write the papers themselves ; and, while much profit and pleasure is doubtless to be derived from listening to lectures by able professionals, far more knowledge and enjoyment comes from the investigation of a subject for one's self, and the presentation of it, in written or spoken form, to others. Just this opportunity is given in the Hillside Club, and the member who thinks it the greatest task, and who enters upon it the most reluctantly, never fails, after it is done, to say, "I am glad I did it. It was good for me."
An evidence that this is the vital principle of the Club is shown by the fact that those who fall voluntarily out of the ranks are generally from the list of associate members, who, by the payment of a little larger fee, are exempt from service. In some cases these are among the most valued members, for appreciative listeners and faithful attendants at the meetings are most desirable in any organization, yet they do not sustain the literary work, and, as a rule, it is the active and not the associate member that remains longest in the society. It is noticeable, too, that the periods of temporary eclipse from which the Club has occasionally suffered have oc. curred when it has departed from its first principles, or has introduced elements foreign to their nature.
The Hillside has never been the exponent of a single church, although its members and officers have been mainly from the Winter Hill Congrega- tional Church. The first meeting for organization was held in the chapel, corner of Broadway and Sycamore street, October 10, 1882, when a number of residents of Winter Hill came together to form a society for literary and social purposes. Of that meeting, John S. Hayes, who is the real founder of the Club, acted as chairman, and Henry C. Baldwin as secretary. Two weeks later the permanent organization was effected, and the following list of officers chosen for the first year : president, Joseph M. Thompson ; vice- president, Miss Emma S. Keyes ; secretary, Frank E. Dickerman ; assistant secretary, Miss Emily G. Colman; treasurer, Frank E. Davis; executive
Residence of IRVINE A. WHITCOMB, 358 Broadway.
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committee, Joseph M. Thompson, Rev. Chas. L. Noyes, John S. Hayes, Mrs. Willard, S. Farrar, Miss Emma S. Keyes.
Since the first year the following persons have filled the office of president : John S. Hayes (three years at different periods), John Herbert, Edwin A. Stone, William E. Pulsifer (two years), Samuel C. Darling, Ed. ward S. Townsend, Helen J. Sanborn (now serving the third year). Rev. Chas. L. Noyes, pastor of the Winter Hill Congregational Church, has served upon the executive committee from the beginning, and to his wise judgment and fertile suggestions the Club is very largely indebted for any measure of success that it has attained.
The constituency of the Club is the same as that of a large family in which there is not only a difference in age and sex, but also a wide differ- ence in tastes, in natural gifts and attainments. There are mature and immature minds ; the scholarly man and the " sweet girl graduate "; there are those who can produce papers that would grace any society of " literati," and those who, with fear and trembling, can but read that which another has written. Some of the best literary work from the pen of the present mayor of Somerville has been prepared especially for the Hillside, of which he has long been a member. Some find in it their only opportunity for the investigation of a new subject, and the writing of an original paper. Others make use of their musical talent, for music often serves as an illus- tration, and always gives an added pleasure to the program. An oppor- tunity for social converse is a part of each evening's plan. A private house as the meeting place adds an air of refinement and the charm of hospitality, and an "outing" in May tends to promote friendly feeling and good-fel- lowship.
To prepare a program that shall be profitable to all, and achieve the greatest good to the greatest number, is the difficult problem that meets the executive committee each year. Variety there must be, and unity is so de- sirable that a course, when it can be determined upon, is thought by the present directors, at least, to be most beneficial. One of the most popular seasons of the Club was enjoyed under the presidency of Dr. H. H. Piper, when historical novels were the subject. The countries of the Mediter- ranean proved a very profitable theme three years ago, and this year the study of "our country " will embrace literature, art, science, history, current events and political economy.
Whenever outside talent is called in, it is always of the highest order, and it is likely that an "open meeting," once during the season, with a lecture or a reading, like that of last year, when Prof. J. J. Hayes, of Har- vard University, gave a delightful rendering of a Midsummer Night's Dream, will be made a feature of the Club.
The Somerville "Journal," in announcing the program for 1894-5, called the Hillside "one of the important educational factors in our city." The Club itself makes no claims to distinction, but pursues its work without ostentation. The only material evidence of its public spirit to which it can point is the tablets that mark the historic spots of Somerville, placed there
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as the result of a petition from its members. The Club's importance and its value lie not in the results it achieves, but in the fact that, while it falls far short of its ideals, it aims for that which is refining, elevating, edu- cational and progressive, and exists " For Mutual Good and Mutual Need."
WEBCOWIT CLUB.
BY J. FOSTER CLARK.
The Webcowit Club was organized December 5, 1885, at the call of Lester L. Cole, who, with thirty others, were charter members of the organi- zation. Their meetings were held in a hall on the corner of Broadway and Franklin street, and in December, 1886, they moved into their present club- house at 56 Mount Vernon street.
The object of the Club is the promotion of social intercourse, and the encouragement of kindly feeling and good-fellowship among its members. The officers are : a president, a vice-president, a treasurer, a secretary and five directors, who together constitute the executive committee. These officers are elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Club, and hold office until others are chosen, and who accept office in their stead.
The annual meeting of the Club is held on the first Thursday in Decem- ber, and the regular monthly meetings occur in the evening of the first Thursday of each month.
The club-house is open from eight o'clock A. M. until twelve o'clock P. M., and the executive committee may, by vote, extend the privileges of the club-house to any stranger within such limitations as they shall think proper. Members who invite gentlemen to the club-house are required to enter their names in a visitor's book kept for that purpose, with his own name and date of introduction. The club-house may be opened to ladies accompanied by members of the Club at the pleasure of the executive com- mittee.
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