USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Tercentenary history of Newton, 1630-1930 > Part 18
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In these various ways the Association was coming to be a power for good in the community. It had three hun- dred and ninety-one members, two hundred and sixty-four of them seniors, forty-nine juniors, and seventy-eight auxiliaries. It had to be content to grow with the city. It could not yet expect to maintain a large employed force or indulge in a building of its own, but it could look forward hopefully and bide its time.
The value of association to secure certain objectives was demonstrated in other cooperative undertakings besides the Young Men's Christian Association. One of these objectives was the improvement of the appearance of the villages. In the irregular growth of a village certain uncouth buildings remained and neglected areas which injured the appearance of streets and grounds. As the pride of the people grew and they became more sensitive to ugliness, they found such conditions disagreeable and soon banded themselves together to get rid of the ugliness and to substitute grass and garden plots to add beauty.
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The result was the village improvement associations, four of which were organized in the decade of the 'eighties.
The Newton Centre Village Improvement Association was the first to be organized. Indeed it had a link with the old Tree Club, and thus could claim to be the oldest asso- ciation of the kind in the country. Some of the villagers never had lost their interest in the Tree Club, which had done so much to beautify the streets by planting trees. In 1869 the Prudential Committee of the First School Dis- trict of the town of Newton had taken over the functions of the Tree Club, if it had not imitated the simplicity of its name. Under the aegis of such grandiloquence the members discussed such public questions as police and fire protection, water and gas supply and sewerage, and the existing railroad arrangements. The new organization did not live long but the use of the old record book linked it with the Tree Club of the past and the Improvement Asso- ciation of the future. Another impetus to the organization was the story of the Laurel Hill Association of Stockbridge.
It was in 1879 that the revived organization was created at the home of Dwight Chester. It started with thirty members, and with Judge John Lowell of Chestnut Hill as its president. At once it busied itself with the most obvious defects of the village, selecting its first objectives, and laying plans for more ambitious improvements in the future. It adopted the custom of making annual reports which were broadcast through the local papers, telling of the trees which it had planted along the streets, the improvements made along the shore of Crystal Lake, and the care of the Common and the aqueduct near by. The Association conducted the community celebrations of the Fourth of July, and supplied at least one annual enter- tainment to raise money for its objectives. It helped to agitate the abolition of grade crossings in the village, and influenced the railroad company to beautify the grounds
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about the station. Its principal achievement before the end of the century was to secure jointly with the Woman's Club the purchase of twenty acres for the playground. Two-thirds of this amount was raised in the village, while the city furnished the remaining third. The Association gained a reputation for seeing its plans through, and proved a pathfinder for similar societies in other villages and in the country at large.
The Auburndale Village Improvement Society was the second of its kind to come into existence. It was organ- ized in 1883 with fifty-one members. Its purpose, like that of similar associations, was to make the streets more attractive with bordering trees, to bring about local improvements of various kinds, to take an interest in the health of the community, and to provide occasional vil- lage entertainments. The Society was able to get a hall by acquiring control of the abandoned Williams School on Ash Street, and it was fitted for the needs of the Society at an expense of one thousand dollars. Leading citizens joined the group, and it promptly busied itself with plans of improvements. It was natural that the Society should wish to preserve its river border, and it was much inter- ested in the plans of the Metropolitan Commission. It was able to secure the appointment of E. B. Haskell, who was its first president, to membership on the Commission. It was hoped that the public would have the enjoyment of extensive reservations that might be made along the river, although access had been denied at certain points by per- sons whose individual claims clashed with the public interest.
The main line of the Boston and Albany Railroad bisected the village of Auburndale, and the existing cross- ings were inconvenient. The Improvement Society won popular approval by obtaining a tunnel under the tracks. It used powerful influence to get the extension of Com-
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monwealth Avenue over its present course, and it secured a park of thirty acres extending from Commonwealth Avenue to the Waltham line. These public measures were much to the credit of the organization, but it added to these achievements the raising of eight hundred dollars for a branch of the public library in the village. In smaller ways, such as the posting of bulletin boards and the supply of waste barrels, the Society put the village in its debt.
Newton Highlands was ready to organize its Improve- ment Association in 1886, with Moses G. Crane as its first president. It encouraged every resident to join by asking for only one dollar a year as dues. The Association took upon itself to promote most of the improvements that the village made subsequently. It was instrumental in plant- ing more than one thousand shade trees along the streets, erected a fountain at the corner of Walnut and Forest Streets, and with municipal assistance regulated the use of the shore of Crystal Lake. The Association was active in pushing through the proposal to depress the railroad tracks on the south side of the city, and it had an impor- tant part in getting better transportation and mail and school facilities for the people of Newton Highlands. It started the accumulation of a fund for a playground, carry- ing out a number of successful entertainments to raise the money. The most elaborate of these was the "Pageant of the Year," 1899, in which more than two hundred persons participated.
The Waban Improvement Society had the advantage of starting early enough to shape the growth of a new com- munity. That part of Newton was little more than open farming country when the organization was born, but it was evident that the time was near when another village would be added to the Newton cluster. The pioneers of the Society realized the basic importance of the church and the school, and made these the first items on their calendar.
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The beginnings of public worship in a hall and the plans for a church building were their care, and negotiations with the city government for adequate schools. Then the Society turned to material needs. The introduction into the village of gas and electric lights, of the police signal system and fire alarm apparatus, and better streets and sidewalks, were objects of its campaigning. It enlisted the attention of the Boston and Albany Railroad Company to making the surroundings of the station more attractive and secured good train service. It secured signs for the streets, the planting of trees, and a village post office. During the next few years it busied itself with the problem of drain- age, the improvement of Cheesecake Brook, and sewer extension. It did not forget to arrange for a children's playground, and it secured small plots of land at intersect- ing street corners for tiny public parks, thus adding greatly to the attractiveness of the streets. It prevented the entrance of street cars to the village and protected it against reckless automobile driving. In short the Improve- ment Society was the moving force in all sorts of social and civic enterprises which seemed valuable for Waban. Latest of all it helped to form the Waban Neighborhood Club and the Waban Public Library Association.
VIII ORGANIZING FOR CULTURE AND RECREATION
IT was the glory of the colonial period in America that pioneers could conquer a primeval continent by sheer industry and self-reliance. The Puritan New Englander was willing to work hard and to build up the fortunes of himself and his family by slow degrees, and he had a ster- ling faith in his own ability to win in the struggle for exist- ence in the New World. His industry and thrift made him well-to-do after a time, even on the sterile soil of New England. His independent spirit saved him where weaker men would have failed. He was rightly proud of his achievement. But two consequences resulted from this colonial attitude of mind. The first was that the habit of strict attention to business tended to narrow a man's inter- ests, even to make him feel that he could not take time to relax and enjoy himself. He did not find it easy to learn to play, and he was too intense in his application to the game after it had attracted his interest. The second conse- quence was that team work was difficult because indi- vidual independence had become so ingrained. The last decades of the nineteenth century were to teach him to enjoy recreation and to learn to associate in clubs and societies for other ends than business.
The story of Newton in the 'seventies and 'eighties includes an increasing number of organizations for these purposes. Thus far for more than two hundred years asso- ciation was limited largely to the regular religious gather- ings connected with the churches, and to the chance meet- ings of individuals at store or tavern, weddings, funerals
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and auctions. But now new interests, like athletics, were demanding attention, and new organizations were being formed among those who were interested in the same things. Men and women both felt the spur to association, and as they were able to enjoy leisure they formed groups in which they could discuss matters about which they wished to learn more or about which there were varieties of opinion. Newton people were becoming more socialized.
This new interest in associations for various purposes was not restricted to age or sex, nor was it limited to a few subjects. But the desire for better acquaintance among villagers made the social features of an association attrac- tive, and a sense of the lack of a higher education, especially among women, was the actuating motive which led to a number of women's organizations. Younger people were fond of debates. Some of the men welcomed military or athletic organizations; older men liked discussion clubs or fraternal orders. Men and women both united in public causes, like civil service reform, temperance and woman suffrage. The last two decades of the century were pro- lific of such organizations, and some of them have con- tinued forty years or more.
Young people were busy in school and church, or starting their week day occupations. Several went to col- lege every year, but few except those who expected to go into a profession. They had their societies in high school and in church. Their Christian Endeavor movement included Newton in its sweep. As it originated in a Con- gregational church it appealed to that denomination first of all, but young people in all the churches responded to the idea of a young people's organization, and in Baptist and Methodist churches they frequently had their En- deavor societies, until those denominations organized their own Young People's Union and Epworth League.
They were glad of a reason to get together in the com-
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munity. Jollifications of one kind and another were fre- quent, but these affairs were spontaneous and irregular. The young fellows had their ball games, and in the village of Newton the Young Men's Christian Association fur- nished a means of amusement. A few of both sexes who were musical enjoyed the singing societies. But they were ready to respond to any proposal for an organization that interested them. Such was the issue of temperance which was responsible for the Young Women's Temperance Union. The Union combined temperance propaganda with entertainment features. Another group organized the Young People's Literary Club of Newton Highlands, which ordinarily was satisfied with simple programs of entertainment, but occasionally attracted public notice by debating such questions as: "Will the Circuit Railroad bring more advantages or disadvantages to Newton High- lands?" The Franklin Debating Association started as early as 1878 with the prestige of a great name. Its aim was "to facilitate the acquirement of knowledge, freedom of speech, and an acquaintance with the rudiments of parliamentary law." It carried on its program of discus- sion for several years, and then resolved itself into the Franklin Club, with an annual meeting in the fall. Of a different sort was a social organization formed four years later and called the Nonantum Athenaeum. Formed on the general lines of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, though without religious features, it proved popular among the young men of the village. It secured a building for thirty-seven hundred dollars, which was subscribed in advance, and there it had a hall for large gatherings, and a reading room with ten tables for games, accessible every week day.
Militia companies were reminders of the Civil War and a promise of patriotism. The Claflin Guards was an organization formed in 1870, when fifty young men peti-
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tioned Governor Claflin for permission to organize a militia company. It was felt that the patriotism and train- ing of the war ought not to be lost entirely, and the Massa- chusetts Volunteer Militia was the nucleus for its preserva- tion. The new organization was named the Claflin Guards in honor of the Governor, and it was incorporated into the militia as Company L. Its captain was Isaac F. Kings- bury and its first lieutenant Fred P. Barnes. In 1872 it found active service in guarding property in Boston after the disastrous fire which swept so large a part of the busi- ness district of the city. It was not always easy to main- tain an interest among the members or to get money enough for any special purpose, but it was a real gain for the organ- ization when the city bought for an armory the old build- ing originally used by Channing Church in place of earlier quarters in Nonantum Hall. The state paid the city a rental of four hundred dollars a year for the use of the Guards. In a single contest among the militia companies the Claflin Guards won the regimental trophy, the regi- mental individual prize, and the state individual prize.
The Elliott Guards were seven years the senior of the Claflin Guards, but they never enjoyed the distinction as a militia company which the north side boys enjoyed with their armory. The Elliott Guards celebrated their twenty- fifth anniversary in 1888, recalling the days of 1863, when they belonged to Company B of the Forty-Seventh Massa- chusetts Volunteers. The Guards improved the occasion to present an American flag to the public library, and gathered about the tables of the Woodland Park Hotel for their reunion. Even some of the regiment bands which saw service in the South preserved their organizations, and were in demand for musical entertainments.
Veteran firemen as well as soldiers formed their organ- ization for fraternal purposes and with reminiscences of fire fighting to exchange. Under the leadership of men
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BOSTON CRPRESS
B. S.WETHERESE. UPHOLSTERER.
STANK ELLIOT MARKET.
CLAFLIN GUARD AND NONANTUM HALL, NEWTON
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prominent in the fire department, like George Ellis, Henry L. Bixby, and Edwin O. Childs, the Newton Firemen's Relief Association was brought into existence in 1878, chiefly as a benefit organization. The danger of injury to life and limb among fire fighters was greater than normal, and the families of firemen were liable to be deprived sud- denly of the breadwinner. Realizing this the Association agreed to pay disability benefits of one dollar a day. Death benefits were not a part of the original-plan, but the con- stitution was revised so that four hundred dollars might be paid to a beneficiary on occasion of death.
In 1884 the Association was incorporated, with H. L. Bixby as president. Small gifts came to the Association from persons whose property was protected in times of peril, and a bequest of five thousand dollars from Mary Shannon of Newton helped to swell treasury funds. Fire- men in active service were eligible to membership by pay- ment of the annual due of one dollar, which later was increased to two and eventually to three. Upon retirement from the service after five years of membership, one could remain a member and enjoy the benefits of the Association. The Association meets annually for the election of officers, and biennially holds a public ball for an increase of revenue. In recent years the Association has observed the second Sunday in June as Firemen's Sunday, visiting and decorat- ing graves in nine cemeteries. The present membership is about one hundred, most of whom are firemen in active service.
The training and equipment of the fire companies was improving, but the efficiency of later days was not yet attained. A fire was a universal attraction for adults as well as small boys, and every one displayed keen curiosity over the cause and outcome of the interesting disaster, mingled with a desire to quench the flames or rescue the contents of the building. Most spectators were ready with
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advice to the official fire fighters. The burning of a fac- tory or a public building caused great excitement. Eliot Block, a landmark in the village of Newton, went up in smoke, followed a few months later by Cole's Block near by. When these failed, people found diversion in attend- ing theatre or concert in Boston, or listening to lecturers who came to that city or to Newton. More persons con- tented themselves with such local entertainments as came in their way, church sociables, an old-fashioned concert, an occasional party or reception. When all else failed sociable folk exchanged neighborly calls in the afternoon or evening.
Men who were fond of good fellowship joined the lodges of the fraternal orders. Waban Lodge of Odd Fel- lows met weekly at Newton and Home Lodge of the same order was located at Upper Falls. Gethsemane Command- ery of Knights Templars gathered monthly at Newton- ville. Fraternity Lodge of Masons came into existence in 1875. Two years later Eliot Lodge of Knights of Honor found room to exist, and a year later still Channing Council of the Royal Arcanum was formed.
Four organizations of men for group acquaintance and discussion closely resembled one another. Each was a selected company of twenty-five men prominent in the community either in business or professionally. Each had its monthly meetings when one member in his turn read an original paper, which was discussed by the other members of the club. Meetings were held usually at the homes of the members, where refreshments were served, and the host or one of the members in alphabetical order presided. This made unnecessary any officers except a secretary and a small executive committee.
The Tuesday Club was the first of these to be organ- ized. It was formed in the village of Newton in 1877. From the beginning a keen interest has been maintained in
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the topics discussed, and the fellowship of the members has been richly rewarding. The Monday Evening Club was organized in the same village in 1880. It varied the usual program of the societies by taking an hour during the first part of the evening to call upon each member for five-minute remarks on some topic, then followed that part of the program with the paper and discussion, and at ten o'clock had a collation.
The Eight O'Clock Club was formed by six men in the village of Newton in 1886 for the literary and social development of young men. It was limited in member- ship, and included mainly men of college training, who were well able to participate in essays, debates and five- minute discussions, which made up most of the programs. Sometimes joint meetings were held with the Monday Evening Club.
The Neighbors was organized at Newton Centre in 1878, due chiefly to the interest of Dr. Alvah Hovey, president of the Newton Theological Institution. The Club has always welcomed the clergy of the village as guests to its meetings. The members developed surprising facility in discussing all sorts of questions, for writers never were restricted in their choice of topics. In 1928 the Neighbors observed their fiftieth anniversary with a recep- tion and a historical paper. The Villagers was a later organization, formed in Newton Centre in 1884. The same methods of procedure have been followed as in the older organizations. Topics discussed by the Club have covered a wide range of subjects, embracing art, literature, finance, business, music, history, biography and sociology. Henry Baily was secretary-treasurer of the Club from its founda- tion in 1884 to his death in 1928. After forty-six years the Villagers exists as an active, virile organization of con- genial spirits, and the much-coveted memberships are a hall-mark of distinction.
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Newton was fortunate in having many men of such calibre as those who belonged to these organizations: men of eminence in manufacturing, like J. Wiley Edmands and Otis Pettee; in railroading, like Gardner Colby and Thomas Nickerson, Levi Wade and the Burrs; in education, like Horace Mann and Barnas Sears and Alvah Hovey; in politics, like Horatio King, postmaster general in the cabinet of President Buchanan, and William Claflin, governor of Massachusetts; in music, like Horatio Parker, Eliot Trowbridge, George F. Root, the writer of popular melodies in war time, and S. F. Smith, the author of "America"; in art, like Ryder and Bartholomew and Cope- land; and in the various professions of law, medicine, the- ology and journalism. More books were written by New- ton authors than the public dreamed, more newspapers and magazines were edited by Newton people than the average citizen realized, more benefactions were bestowed upon the needy than the charitable records showed, and more interest in Christian missions in all parts of the world than in any other place of its size perhaps in America.
It was the breadth of vision and the human sympathy of men like these and of women who were their equals which created the local charity that found its niche among city institutions, such as the Newton Hospital. Physicians for a long time were alive to the need of a hospital, but it was a doctor of divinity, Reverend George Shinn, who made the ideal real. He believed that humble beginnings were not to be despised, that while a small city like Newton could not expect to have an institution equipped like the hos- pitals of Boston and New York, it was possible to build and equip a cottage hospital with a few rooms which would be a great boon to the suffering.
It was in the year 1880 that the first conference was held of those interested at the home of Dr. Shinn, the rector of Grace Church, Newton, and it was six years
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before the buildings were dedicated. It was greatly to the credit of Newton citizens that so many should have been willing to join heartily in the task of getting the hospital started and equipping it for service. Their time, money and advice were at the disposal of those who were father- ing the project.
The Newton Cottage Hospital was incorporated in 1881. Nine acres of land on the Granville Fuller estate on Washington Street near the Woodland Station of the Circuit Railroad were acquired for building purposes, and there were erected in 1886 the first two small wooden buildings which constituted the nucleus of a slowly expand- ing plant. The first stage in the hospital's history was experimental. The community needed to be shown the value of the institution when so many people had a preju- dice against hospital treatment, and methods of admin- istration had to be tried out. But the experiments were tried and worked successfully.
A second stage was reached when the women of the city organized in the Newton Hospital Aid Association in 1885 in order to give systematic assistance. Four hundred and ten members were enrolled in the Association, and the sum of thirty-seven hundred twenty-six dollars was raised. Without a generous endowment the hospital required money for current expenses above what the patients could pay. This the Association undertook to raise year by year, not an easy task after the initial enthusiasm had waned. As months went on wards were furnished, buildings re- painted, surgical instruments purchased, a free bed sup- ported, repairs made to the Administration Building, furnishings supplied for contagious wards and Nurses' Home, new laundry built, Thayer ward and additional contagious accommodations furnished, and an endowment fund started.
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