USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > The Worcester book : a diary of noteworthy events in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1657 to 1883 > Part 6
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June 29.
384
1797. "In memory of Capt. John Curtis, who died June 29th 1797 in ye 90 yr of his age.
"Son of Ephraim Curtis, was born at Sudbury, Sept. 21, 1707. Married Rebekah Waite, probably of Sudbury, by whom he had all his children, viz : John, James, Joseph, Mary, William, Sarah and Tyler. He mar- ried for a second wife, Elizabeth Robbins, who was a daughter of Rev. Mr. Prentice of Lancaster. Capt. Curtis for many years kept a public house which was a general rendezvous for all the ministers passing to and fro.
"He held important civil offices, among which were those of Deputy Sheriff and Coroner. He was Captain of a detachment of men from Col. John Chandler, Jr.'s regiment that marched from Worcester on the alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry in 1757. During the revolutionary war, he sympathized with the royal cause, and was a signer of the tory protest of 1774. Also, deemed an internal enemy and disarmed in 1775."-Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
385 1847. President Polk, James Buchanan, Mr. Clifford and Commodore Stewart passed through Worcester on their way to Boston.
The train reached Worcester at 10 A. M .; but owing to some misunder- standing about the time, only a few persons were at the station, some of whom were favored with an introduction.
June 30.
386 1730. "Here lyes interred the Remains of John Young who was born in the Isl of Bert, near Londonderry in the Kingdom of Ireland. He departed this life June 30th 1730, aged 107."-Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds.
387 1841. Baptist Church, on Salem street, struck by light- · ning.
· 400 school children had gathered with their teachers to arrange for the celebration of the 3d of July; and were dismissed just as the stroke came. About 250 were then inside the building, and nearly all of them were thrown to the floor. 15 or 20 were prostrated in a heap near the door. Two girls had their shoes torn off by the lightning, and one had the bottoms of her feet blistered; but none were . seriously injured. No rain was falling at the time.
July I.
388
1775. Gen. Washington, accompanied by Gen. Charles Lee, passed through Worcester, on his way to Cambridge to take command of the American army.
Washington was also accompanied by his private secretary, Col. Joseph 6 Reed. At Springfield he was joined by Dr. Church and Hon. Moses Gill, a committee of the Provincial Congress; and the party was es- corted from Brookfield by a Worcester company of horsemen, under command of Capt. James Chadwick. The General and suite were en- tertained at the Stearns tavern, site of the Lincoln House.
389
1844. Ole Bull's first appearance in Worcester.
At Brinley Hall. He played here for the last time, April 27, 1880. He was born at Bergen in Norway, Feb. 5, 1810; and died there, Aug. 18, 1880.
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
390 1855. Five Cent Savings Bank opened.
39I 1865. Admiral David G. Farragut arrived in Worcester. He remained in the city over Sunday.
July 2.
392
1778. Execution of William Brooks, James Buchanan, Ezra Ross and Bathsheba Spooner, for the murder of Joshua Spooner of Brookfield, husband of the woman.
She was a daughter of Gen. Timothy Ruggles of Hardwick.
393
1826. Jeremiah Stiles drowned in Lake Quinsigamond.
He was a man of many and varied talents; a portrait painter of more than ordinary merit, and a poet of no mean pretensions. His familiarity with the English classics was wonderful. He painted carriages and signs for a living.
394 1836. American Temperance House, at the corner of Main and Thomas streets, opened by Eleazar Porter & Co. This hotel was discontinued after about twenty years, and was then converted into the present American House Block. Mr. Porter, the first proprietor, formerly kept the Worcester Temperance House, cor. Thomas street.
395
1863. Rev. Edward A. Walker installed Pastor of the Old South Church.
He died at Marquette, Mich., April 10, 1866, aged 31.
July 3.
396
1819. [Saturday] Republican Celebration of Independ- ence : procession escorted by the Worcester Light Infantry, Capt. Sewall Hamilton. Oration* by Edward D. Bangs, in the Old South Church.
397
1835. First Passenger Train over the Boston and Wor- cester Railroad.
The Directors and their friends made the trip from Boston to Worces- ter and return. On Saturday, the 4th, four trips each way were made, and more than 1500 passengers carried. For celebration, see July 6.
* Oration printed.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
398 1841. [Saturday] Independence celebrated : the Cold Water Army of school children, numbering 1200, with Wor- cester and other Temperance Societies, held a picnic in the grove back of the hospital.
July 4.
399
1789. Celebrated by a Company of Horse under com- mand of Capt. Denny of Leicester ; the Worcester Train of Artillery, Capt. Stanton ; and two companies of Militia, Cap- tains How and Heywood ; the whole under command of Maj. Phinehas Jones. They paraded the town and were reviewed on the Common. In the evening, the officers and a number of private gentlemen sat down to an elegant entertainment, at which toasts suitable to the occasion were drank.
400 1791. A salute with ringing of bells in the morning. Mil- itary parade of company of Artillery, one of horse, and two other companies in complete uniform. An oration * was de- livered by Edward Bangs, and an original ode was sung. "Af- ter which, the officers and a number of other reputable citizens adjourned to Capt. Heywood's Inn, [site of the Bay State House ] where a very handsome but economical entertainment was provided, of which they heartily and sociably partook." -Spy. Fireworks in the evening.
40I
1792. A salute and ringing of bells. In the forenoon a military parade of the Artillery and two companies of infantry. "A large number of gentlemen met at Heywood's Inn, dined under an arbor built for the purpose, and drank fourteen toasts, with the discharge of fourteen cannon. The day was other- wise spent in social mirth, &c, becoming the occasion."-Spy.
402 1793. "In this town a spirit of manly independence pre- vailed. The company of Artillery paraded in the morning ; marched up and down the street, exhibiting a very martial and respectable appearance ; fired fifteen guns ; and were dis- missed." A repast was provided at Heywood's tavern, at which toasts were drank.
* Oration printed.
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
403 1795. Salute and ringing of bells in the morning. A pro- cession formed at Free Masons' Hall and proceeded to the South Meeting House, where "Mr. Joseph Allen, jun. pro- nounced an oration * fraught with the genuine, manly prin- ciples of republican Liberty." The company dined at Masons' Hall.
404
1796. Ringing of bells and display of flags. The com- pany of Artillery, commanded by Capt. Torrey, paraded at 10. At II, a procession was formed at Mower's tavern, and pro- ceeded to the South Meeting House, where an oration * was delivered by Francis Blake. Dinner at Mower's, with toasts and discharges of cannon.
405 1797. "As Aurora arose smiling she was saluted by 16 dis- charges from the cannon of the Artillery company. The bells rang and the Flag of the Union was displayed." A procession was formed at Mower's Inn, and proceeded to the South Meeting House, where an oration * was delivered by Doctor Oliver Fiske. A dinner followed. The Worcester Train of Artillery had a supper at Heywood's tavern, and "the anniver- sary was closed with decent hilarity."
406
1798. Salute and ringing of bells. A procession formed at Masons' Hall and marched to the South Meeting House. The Divine Blessing was invoked by Rev. Joseph Sumner of Shrewsbury ; and Rev. Samuel Austin delivered an oration .* "The celebrated song 'Adams and Liberty' succeeded the oration, and enlivened the patriotic glow excited by the Day, the Oration, and the particular situation of our Country."- Spy.
407
1799. Capt. Healy's Artillery Company escorted the pro- cession to the South Meeting House, where "a select band performed a number of appropriate pieces of Music ..... . A large assembly of Ladies and Gentlemen were unhappily dis- appointed of an expected oration. Mr. P[elatiah] Hitch- cock, the Orator of the day, on his way from Brookfield to
* Orations printed.
K
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
Worcester, was suddenly seized with a billious colic and was unable to reach town."
408 1800. Artillery parade. Oration* by Edward Bangs, in the North [Dr. Bancroft's] Meeting House.
409 1801. Oration * by Isaac Story of Sterling.
410 1803. Oration * by John William Caldwell, at the South Meeting House.
4II 1804. Oration * by William Charles White of Rutland.
412 1805. Procession escorted by the Artillery Company, Capt. Slater ; and the Infantry Company,. Capt. Flagg. Oration * by Daniel Waldo Lincoln. [Brother of Gov. Levi Lincoln.]
413 1808. "The Democrats formed a great procession of 'such as they were,' and had a very 'magnificent' oration * delivered by MAJOR [Estes] HOW, who two years since delivered as 'magnificent' a FEDERAL one in Sutton .- Thus we go up, up, up !- and thus we go down, down, down ! "-SPY.
414 1810. Civic and military celebration. Oration * by Levi Heywood.
415 18II. Celebration by young men between 16 and 21. Oration * by John W. Hubbard, in the South Meeting House.
416 1812. Celebrated by the Washington Benevolent Society of the County, with a procession escorted by the Light In- fantry, Capt. John W. Lincoln. Oration* by Francis Blake, in Dr. Bancroft's Meeting House. Dinner in a building erect- ed for the purpose.
Also celebrated by the Republicans, with a procession es- corted by the Artillery. Oration * by Enoch Lincoln, and an ode by Edward D. Bangs. Fireworks in the evening.
417 1814. Celebration by Federal Republicans `escorted by the Light Infantry. Oration by Edwin A. White, at Dr. Ban- croft's Church.
Also a civic procession escorted by the Artillery. Oration * by Rejoice Newton, at the Old South Church.
* Orations printed.
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
418 1815. Oration * by Peleg Sprague.
419 1816. Oration * by John Davis, in the Old South Church.
420 1817. Military parade. Oration* by Pliny Merrick, in the Old South Church. An ode composed by Edward D. Bangs was sung by Capt. Sewall Hamilton. A dinner was served in a bower opposite Mr. Hathaway's tavern. Isaiah Thomas presided at the dinner, of which 300 partook.
421 1818. Parade of Worcester Light Infantry. Oration * by Austin Denny, in the Old South Church.
422 1820. Parade of the Light Infantry, Capt. John Coolidge. Oration by Charles H. Warren.
423 1821. Republican celebration, with an address by Henry Rogers, editor of the National Ægis.
424 1822. The observance of the anniversary was religious in character. An address was delivered in the Old South Church by Rev. Jonathan Going.
425 1823. Democratic celebration. Oration by Francis B. Stebbins. A dinner, presided over by Otis Corbett, was served in a bower near the hotel of Nathaniel Eaton. The procession was escorted by the Worcester Rifle Corps, Capt. Nathaniel Gates.
426 1825. Celebration by the Light Infantry, with an oration by Richard Hampton Vose, a member of the company ..
427 1825. House of Moses Whipple struck by lightning, set on fire, and entirely consumed.
428 1826. First Celebration of Independence under the aus- pices of the town authorities. The procession, under com- mand of Brig .- Gen. Nathan Heard, comprised the Worcester Rifles, Capt. Thomas Howe ; Worcester Artillery, Capt Elijah Flagg ; and the Light Infantry, Capt. John Whittemore. Ora- tion by Charles Allen. Dinner in the Town Hall, presided over by Isaiah Thomas. Music by the Worcester Harmonic Society, Emory Perry, President.
* Orations printed.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
429 1827. Celebrated by Odd Fellows. Oration in Dr. Ban- croft's Church by Thomas Kinnicutt, with a poem by Rich- ard Hampton Vose.
430 1829. Military procession of the Providence Light Infantry, Capt. Field ; Leicester Light Infantry, Capt. Joseph D. Sar- gent ; Worcester Light Infantry, Capt. Charles A. Hamilton ; and Worcester Artillery, Capt. Leonard W. Stowell. Oration in the Old South Church by John Davis, with an ode by Em- ory Washburn.
431 1831. Two processions and celebrations with orations by Edwin Conant and Samuel M. Burnside.
432 1832. Two celebrations. The anti-Jackson party listened to an oration by George Folsom, in the Old South Church.
Benjamin F. Thomas delivered an oration in the North Church.
433 1833. Celebration under the auspices of the town author- ities. A military parade. Oration * by Edward Everett.
Oratorio, directed by Emory Perry, and grand ball at Esta- brook's Hotel.
434 1834. Whig celebration. Oration by Franklin Dexter, in the Brick Church.
435
1836. Whig celebration. Oration by Benjamin F. Thomas.
436 1837. Celebrated by the Jackson Democrats.
"In this town the Tories celebrated the success of their ef- forts in introducing the Jackson Currency, and in causing those 'to break' who 'trade on credit.' Their orator was Robert Rantoul, Jr. of Gloucester, Cape Ann, a man of talents worthy of a better cause. . The dinner was provided at Brinley Hall, of which near two hundred and fifty of 'the faithful ' partook."-Spy, Fuly 5.
437 1838. Temperance Festival. Dr. Walter Channing of
* Oration printed.
81
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
Boston, Hon. Mr. Hoar of Concord, and Hon. Mr. Lawrence of Belchertown made addresses.
438 1839. Oration at New Worcester by William Lincoln ; Anti-Slavery meeting in Union Church ; and Young Ladies' Picnic at Lincoln Grove.
439 1840. Democratic celebration. Oration by Rev. Orestes A. Brownson.
440 1842. Picnic of the Cold Water Army at Hospital Grove. Temperance Festival of the Washingtonians in the evening. Wendell Phillips made an address at the Town Hall in the morning, and one at Brinley Hall in the afternoon.
44I 1843. Picnic of Cold Water Army at Hospital Grove. Washingtonian Festival at Town Hall in the evening.
442 1844. Two' celebrations. The Whig "Clay Club" marched to the residence of Ex-Gov. Lincoln, and were presented with a banner by Col. A. H Bullock, in the name of the Whig La- dies of the town. Edwin Conant, president of the Club, re- plied in an appropriate manner. A public dinner followed, with speeches from Hon. Charles Hudson, Hon. Thomas Kinnicutt and others.
The Democrats celebrated with an oration by George Ban- croft in the First Baptist Church, and a dinner at Brinley Hall. Large numbers were present from all parts of the county.
There was also a Temperance celebration.
443 1845. Temperance celebration.
444 1846. Temperance celebration. A display of fireworks in . the evening under direction of Dr. Mathew.
445 1847. Fireworks on the Common in the evening, under direction of Dr. Mathew.
446 1850. Parade of the Worcester Light Infantry, Capt. Ed- ward Lamb. The Worcester Guards also paraded. A poem was read at the dinner by Charles Thurber.
447 1851. Free Soil celebration. Oration by John P. Hale.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
448 1853. The City Government appropriated $1,500. The military procession of the Jackson Guards, Capt. Driscoll ; the Worcester Light Infantry, Capt. Russell ; and the Fire Department, was under the command of Chief Marshal Jon- athan Day. An oration was delivered by Francis Wayland, in the Old South Church. Dinner in the City Hall.
This was the first public appearance of the Jackson Guards, an Irish company formed the winter before. It was disbanded by Gov. Gardner during the Know Nothing frenzy.
449 1856. The Steam Calliope was played. A floral proces- sion at 8 A. M. was not fully carried out on account of rain. At 10 the mounted Continentals paraded, under command of Charles B. Pratt. At II Charles Hersey's "Minute Men" were called by the arrival of the mounted messenger with his cry (feebly given) of "To arms ! War is begun !" At noon a procession commanded by Gen. George Hobbs, marched through the principal streets to the Common, where dinner was served in a tent. Oration by Homer B. Sprague. At 5 P. M. the Butchers and Provision Dealers paraded in white frocks and caps.
450
1857. Celebrated by two free fights, one at the Providence railroad station, the other in Pine Meadow.
45 I 1859. Hersey's Minute Men. The messenger was Mr. Lucian Prince, who startled the whole Blackstone valley with his stentorian shout of "To Arms !" as he galloped his horse through Main street.
452 1860. Corner Stone of the Free Public Library building laid, with addresses by Mayor Rice and others. A military procession, and a dinner at Mechanics Hall. There was also a balloon ascension.
453 1862. Burlesque parade.
454 1865. Ovation to returned Soldiers. Several arches were erected on Main and other streets. Military parade, which in- cluded the veterans, in the forenoon. Trades' procession in the afternoon.
83
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
455
1868. Studlefunk parade in the morning. Military and civic procession at noon. The Military Division, under com- mand of Col. Robert H. Chamberlain, consisted of six com- panies of the 10th Regiment, M. V. M. ; the State Guards, Lieut .- Col. David M. Woodward ; and the Highland Cadets, Capt. L. G. White. The Fire Department, A. B. Lovell, Chief Engineer, formed a part of the procession. There was also a cavalcade, consisting of gentlemen mounted and driving light and fancy teams, and draft horses ; in all about 500 horses.
456
1869. Corner stone of St. Paul's Church laid.
457
1870. Monument to Capt. Peter Slater, one of the Boston Tea Party, dedicated at Hope Cemetery with addresses by Henry Chapin, Isaac Davis, Henry L. Chandler of Lexing- ton, Albert Tolman, Rev. A. P. Marvin and A. B. R. Sprague.
458 1872. Studlefunk parade.
459 1873. Studlefunk parade.
460 1876. Centennial celebration. Studlefunk parade in the early morning. Singing of National Songs by the School children in a large tent on the Common. An extensive mil- itary and civic procession in the forenoon, on which occasion the Worcester Continentals made their first public appearance. The Centennial Oration * was delivered in Mechanics Hall by Benjamin F. Thomas ; and an Ode written by the Mayor, Clark Jillson, was sung by the pupils of the High school.
461 1879. Fatal accident at Lake Quinsigamond. The steam- er "Isaac Davis" was boarded by a large and unmanageable crowd, which rushed upon the upper deck, causing the boat to careen over. Five persons lost their lives, and a number were injured.
462
1883. Studlefunk procession.
For other Celebrations of Independence, see under dates July 3d, 5th, 6th, 8th and 22d.
* Oration printed.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
July 5.
463 1790. [Monday] The anniversary of Independence was celebrated by the Worcester Artillery Company. "At II o'clock they paraded before Mr. Mower's tavern, [present location of Clark's block, cor. Mechanic st.] and at 1 o'clock they marched on to the hill by the Court House and fired a national salute ; after which they returned to the place of pa- rade." The officers and several private gentlemen partook of a handsome entertainment, at which toasts were drank. "The company was in complete uniform, and made a very handsome appearance."
. 464 1802. [Monday] Independence celebrated by a parade of the Artillery Company, and an oration * by the Rev. Zepha- niah Swift Moore of Leicester.
465
1805. Death of William Caldwell, aged 52.
He was Sheriff of the County from 1793 to 1805. His death was caused in part by an attempt at suicide some time before, while suffering under depression of spirits.
4 466 1824. [Monday] Independence celebrated. A proces- sion "numbering 80 in line, including boys," escorted by the Light Infantry, Capt. Artemas Ward. Oration by William Lincoln.
467
1830. [Monday] Independence celebrated. Oration by Peter C. Bacon in Rev. Mr. Abbott's [the Central] Church. At the dinner Isaac Goodwin offered the following toast : "Our venerable townsman, Isaiah Thomas, Esq., who first promulgated the Declaration of Independence to the inhabi- tants of this vicinity from the church and press."
468
1852. [Monday] Whig celebration. A large tent was erected on the Common, in which speeches were made by Ex-Gov. Lincoln, Emory Washburn, and Col. Lee of Temple- ton. The Worcester Light Infantry, Capt. Childs, performed escort duty.
* Oration printed.
85
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
July 6.
469 1806. Robbery of the Ægis Office.
"In December, 1805, the whole [Ægis] property was attached under a claim growing out of debts of the printer, Samuel Cotting, and the publication suspended. The democratic citizens, roused to exertions, procured new apparatus, which they vested in trustees, and the Ægis again appeared, Feb. 19, 1806, in deplorable dishabille for a time, but soon regained neatness and beauty. A new calamity occurred to in- terrupt its prosperity. On Sunday, the 6th of July, during the hours of worship, a part of the types were removed, and the sheets, impressed on one side, carried away by Cotting, who, on the next Wednesday, in his individual capacity, sent out the paper in handsome form, while the trustees of the subscription fund were scarcely able to communicate their misfortune. A curious state followed, realizing the confusion of external identity, imagined in the Comedy of Errors. Two papers were published in the same town, on the same day, claiming to be 'the true Ægis.' A contest painful to retrace ensued, disturbing the repose of the village, proceeding almost from words to blows in private discussion, and furnishing subjects for judicial investigation. The good sense of the community, for a time amused by the the bitter feeling of the com- batants, and the personal insult degrading pages which should have been devoted to common improvement, at length acted on the source of the commotion, and after a few months of infamous existence, the false print disappeared."-Lincoln's History.
470 1835. Celebration of the Completion of the Boston and Worcester Railroad.
A procession composed of about 300 citizens of Boston and vicinity, was escorted by citizens of Worcester and the Light Infantry, Capt. Charles H. Geer. A dinner was served in the Town Hall, at which Ex-Gov. Lincoln presided. Speeches were made by the presiding of- ficer; Hon. Nathan Hale, President of the Railroad Company; Hon. Edward Everett and others. During the dinner about 500 ladies were given a ride in the cars to Westborough and return. Hon. Charles Allen was chairman of the committee of arrangements.
47I 1836. Union Church dedicated.
July 7.
472
18II. "In Memory of Capt. William Gates, who died July 7, 1811, Æt. 76. L
.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
"Capt. William Gates was first sergeant in the company of minute men under the command of Capt. Timothy Bigelow, which marched from Worcester on the alarm at Lexington, April 19, 1775. Second lieuten- ant in a company under the command of Capt. Jonas Hubbard, which served three months near Boston the same year. Captain of a com- pany in Col. Jonathan Holman's regiment in the Continental Army. Town Treasurer, 1780-81."-Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds.
473 1834. Foundation of the first Catholic Church in Wor- cester laid on Temple street.
474 1869. Plymouth Church organized.
July 8.
475 1779. "Sunday se'night being the anniversary of the In- dependence of America, the celebration of that day was post- poned by the Sons of Freedom, in this Town, until Thursday last. The morning of that day was ushered in by the ringing of bells, the firing of cannon, and a display of the Continental Flag ; at 12 o'clock, thirteen cannon were fired ; in the eve- ning the Court House was illuminated, thirteen rockets were fired, and a display of other fireworks ; greatly to the satis- faction of many respectable and staunch friends to the com- mon cause of our nation, who were assembled at the Court House from this and adjacent towns. Mutual congratulations were given, and a number of toasts suitable to the occasion were drank."-Spy, July 15.
476
1831. Siamese Twins exhibited in Worcester.
The "Siamese Twins, Chang and Eng were born at Bangesau, on the north-west corner of the Gulf of Siam in 1810. The father was a China- man, the mother a Siamo-Chinese woman. They were brought to the United States at the age of 18 by Capt. Abel Coffin, and exhibited throughout this country and Europe; realized a competence; married two sisters (mulattoes) in 1842, and settled in Surrey Co., N. C. Each has 9 children. They revisited Europe in 1868-9 .- Drake's Dict. Am. Biog. The Twins died Jan. 17, 1874.
477
1856. Steam Calliope excursion to Fitchburg to attend a Frémont meeting.
The instrument astonished the residents of the County, discoursing mu- sic which could be heard for miles as the train moved along. The late
87
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
Elijah H. Marshall of Worcester informed the writer that he distinctly heard the music as the train approached Fitchburg, in Lunenburg, where he was visiting, and thought it was a hand-organ close by. The Calliope is an adaptation of the steam whistle to the musical scale, and was invented by J. C. Stoddard of Worcester.
478
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