USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > The history of Holden, Massachusetts. 1684-1894 > Part 12
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138
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Doran B. Coxe, two terms; William C. Whiting, two years ; Charles C. Jackson, one term ; Miss Lucy W. Cain, one term ; Miss Lizbeth M. Larned, three years; Miss Agnes Sample, one term ; Miss Mary E. Buzzell, two years. The High School was taught in the upper story of the Center school-house until September, 1888, when it entered the tasteful and commodious rooms provided for it by the liberality of Mr. Gale, in the Damon Memorial.
The graduates of the High School have been :
CLASS OF 1884.
Harry C. Bascom, : Mary F. McLaughlin,2
Nellie M. Bascom, Sadie I. Packard,
Leila S. Boyden,
Alice E. Stone.3
Edith H. Davis,1
CLASS OF 1886.
Herbert E. Austin,
Lula F. Merrick, 4
Maud E. Davis,
Sadie I. Morse, 5
T. Walter Howe,
Sara F. Perry,6
Raymond D. Hubbard,
Gertrude E. Talbot.7
CLASS OF 1887.
Josephine S. Ames,8
Bertha M. Drury,
Susie L. Austin, Bertram S. Newell,
Carrie E. Bascom, Mary Helen Rogers.
CLASS OF 1888.
George C. Johnson,
Grace F. Mulcahy,
Lizzie E. Moore. William J. Powers.
CLASS OF 1889.
Winifred S. Clark.
1 Mrs. Frank Richardson. 2 Mrs. Frank W. Hopkins. 3 Mrs. Arthur H. Parker, died December 6th, 1890. 4 Mrs. John Johnson. 5 Mrs. Fred E. Sanborn. 6 Mrs. William C. Whiting. 7 Mrs. Samuel F. Powers. 8 Died September 16th, 1891.
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SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY.
CLASS OF 1890.
Maud E. Graham, Bernice I. Lovell,1
Waldo B. Truesdell.
CLASS OF 1891.
Lucy P. Boyden,
Florence L. Johnson,
Florence P. Davis,
Mattie C. Johnson,
Lucy A. Dodge,2
E. Frank Kelton,3
Catharine A. Dowd,
Mary E. Putnam, 4
Lois M. Hubbard,
Harris W. Moore.
CLASS OF 1892.
F. Marguerite Davis,5
Charlie E. Jordan,
Helen L. Davis,
Maud A. Moulton,
Annie W. Fales,
Alice L. Parker.
The following are known to have gone to college from this town :
Jonathan Fisher,
Harvard,
1792.
Joseph Cheney,
Brown,
1801.
Abraham Wheeler,
Williams, 1810.
Abel Manning,
Brown, 1817.
Moses Winch,
Amherst,
1827.
Elnathan Davis,
Williams,
1834.
David Fisk, 6
Amherst,
1834
John P. Foster,
.
Amherst,
1834.
William Howe,
Waterville,
1834.
Merrill Richardson,
Middlebury,
1835.
Henry G. Darling,
Williams,
1835.
Samuel C. Damon,
Amherst,
1836.
Samuel D. Darling,
Williams, 1836.
James H. Bailey,7
Amherst,
1845.
John F. Bigelow,8
Brown,
1845.
George Darling,
Unión,
1846.
Charles W. Holbrook,
Williams,
1851.
1 Mrs. Fred A. Bryant. 2 Rutland. 3 Hubbardston. 4 Rutland. 5 Prince- ton. 6 Died in 1834, before graduation. 7 Did not graduate. 8 Did not graduate.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Charles Brooks, 1
Brown, 1856.
Cyrus W. Perry,
Amherst, 1862.
Harlan W. Moore,2
Amherst, 1865.
Henry W. Warren,
Yale, 1865.
Arthur R. Paine,
Amherst, 1871.
James W. Mclaughlin,3 Holy Cross,
1879.
Mary Louisa Ball,4
Wellesley, 1880.
John R. Murphy,
Holy Cross, 1880.
Samuel W. Hamblen,
Brown, 1886.
James M. Prendergast,
Holy Cross, 1886.
Harry C. Bascom,
Tufts, 1889.
Waterman L. Williams,
Amherst, 1891.
Susie L. Austin,
Vassar, 1895.
Herbert L. Warren,
Amherst,
1895.
The following have gone to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute : Solon P. Davis, class of 1872 ; Jonathan L. Moore, 1872; Charles E. Davis, 1875 ; Fred C. Greenwood, 1878 ; Charles W. Phillips, 1878 ; George A. Marsh, 1882 ; Charles A. Bennett, 1886 ; Herbert E. Austin, 1890; Henry L. Phillips, 1893 ; Harris W. Moore, 1894. Charles S. Graham graduated from the Massachusetts Agricultural College in the class of 1892. Charles H. Parker entered the same college, but left without graduating.
THE HOLDEN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION was organized October 4th, 1876. Col. Isaac N. Ross was chosen President, Horace B. Morse, Vice-President, William D. Chenery, Secretary and Treasurer, and Mrs. Ellen Phelps, Librarian, a position which she filled during the history of the Association. Funds for its support were raised by subscription, public lectures and an annual assessment of its members. It em- braced in its membership men and women who gave to the" -- conduct of its affairs untiring attention and well directed effort.
1 Did not graduate. 2 Killed in Union army, March Ist, 1864. His name appears with his class in the catalogues of Amherst College in accordance with a vote of the Trustees applying to all undergraduates who lost their lives in the Civil War. 3 Did not graduate. 4 Mrs. Loren L, Morrison.
141
SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY.
The books were widely circulated and read. It was a worthy precursor of the Gale Free Library, in that it awakened a desire for books and a love of them.
In July, 1888, a special meeting of the Association was called to take action in reference to presenting the Library to the town, which, with the books presented by Mr. Sam- uel C. Gale, should form a Free Public Library; and it was voted : "That the Trustees of The Holden Library Associa- tion be authorized and directed to transfer the books and other property belonging to the Association to the proper authorities of the town of Holden, whenever the said town shall vote to accept the same in accordance with the constitutional provis- ions of the Association." This proposition was accepted by the town, and, in accordance with the vote, fourteen hundred volumes were transferred to the Gale Free Library.
The following was placed on record by the town, September 26th, 1888, in recognition of the gift.
" The Town of Holden, in accepting the gift of the books belonging to the Holden Library Association, desires to express its apprecia- tion of the desire for culture which has made that Association so successful, and its gratitude for the liberality with which the whole Library has now been placed at the service of all our citizens."
As soon as the establishment of a public library was assured, Mr. John Wadsworth of Chicago sent a check for one hundred dollars, to be used in the purchase of books. The fol- lowing is the recorded expression of thanks of the town :
" The Town of Holden would respectfully express its thanks to Mr. John Wadsworth of Chicago, for the gift of one hundred dol- lars for the purchase of books for the Gale Free Library. The town is grateful to be remembered by a former citizen, and to receive a gift so well-timed and useful."
While the Damon Memorial was building, Mr. Gale gave to the town the sum of $3,000, for the purchase of books. Many of the books were bought and placed upon the shelves before the presentation and dedication of the edifice. In accord-
142
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
ance with the conditions of the gift the town appointed trustees to manage the estate and library, who voted unani- mously that the library should be known as "The Gale Free Library."
The Trustees of the Library have been David F. Estes, 1888-1891, Waldo E. Austin, 1888, Alonzo K. Learned, 1888, Charles E. Parker, 1888, Emory Rogers, 1888, Henry W. Warren, 1888, Clifford W. Stickney, 1892. The building and grounds were cared for by James D. Black until his death, January 11th, 1892. Mrs. Addie Black Holden was chosen Li- . brarian immediately upon the organization of the Trustees, and the Library was opened for the circulation of books, November 30th, 1888. The Dewey Decimal System of classification was adopted, and a catalogue was issued March 22d, 1890. The total number of readers' cards issued up to March Ist, 1892, was five hundred and ninety-nine, and the circulation of books for home use, for the year 1891-2, was six thousand three hundred and thirty-four. March Ist, 1892, the date of the last report, not including public documents, there were three thousand six hundred and ninety-seven volumes in the Library.
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1
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DAMON MEMORIAL.
..
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CHAPTER IX.
THE DAMON MEMORIAL.
TENDER FROM MR. GALE. - DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. -
PRESENTATION AND DEDICATION. - ADDRESSES BY MESSRS. -
LEARNED, EARLE, GALE, PARKER AND HIGGINSON. - ODE.
T THE annual town meeting, March 21st, 1887, the committee, which had been chosen the preceding November to investigate the matter of additional school accomodation at the Center, presented to the town the following letter :
"MINNEAPOLIS, March 15, 1887. " Maj. Isaac Damon, Holden, Mass.
" DEAR SIR : I have delayed sending to you my final decision in the matter of the public building to be erected on the Chenery lot, until I could look up the subject thoroughly. In accordance with your suggestion, your High School Principal has written a full and satisfactory letter touching the needs of the High School.
" I am now able to say, that, unless prevented by some misfortune, I shall commence the present season to erect upon the Chenery lot a building adapted to both High School and Library purposes. I design to have the walls completed and the roof on before next winter, and have the same fully completed ready for occupancy as early as September, 1888.
" This building and ground, together with some books, which we hope to add, my wife and I will present to the Town of Holden as a free gift, subject only to some simple and reasonable conditions as to care and support of the structure and its equipment on the part of the town.
144
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
" I write this letter now, that the people of the town may have assurance that both School and Library accommodations will be provided for without any steps being taken by the town at its coming meeting.
" Yours very Sincerely,
SAMUEL C. GALE."
The following resolutions were immediately adopted by a rising vote of the town :-
" Resolved, That our sincere thanks are hereby tendered Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Gale, of Minneapolis, Minn., for their very generous proposal, the fulfillment of which will be a perpetual memorial of their generosity and thoughtfulness.
" Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Gale, and that they be entered upon the records of the town."
Mr. Gale at once proceeded to carry out the plans outlined in the above letter, and the edifice was completed in August, 1888. The cost of building and grounds exceeded forty five thousand dollars. The architect who furnished the plans and supervised the construction was Mr. Stephen C. Earle of Worcester. The building stands on a large, elevated site, next to the Common, and nearly opposite to the Damon estate. The style is Romanesque, of a rustic, vigorous character, suited to the material. It is built of stone from the Holden quarry,1 laid with unusual painstaking in irregular ashlar, with seam- faces of many tints, and is pointed with red joints. The rustic character is emphasized by the huge uncut boulder which serves the purpose of a buttress at the end of the steps to the main entrance, and also by a smaller boulder built into and boldly projecting from the tower wall, and bearing the inscription, " DAMON MEMORIAL 1888." For sills, lintels, arches and other parts requiring more or less cutting, brown sandstone from Longmeadow was used, which makes a very agreeable combi- nation with the native granite. It is left uncut as far as
1 On the old Kendall place, now occupied by John B. Dodd.
145
THE DAMON MEMORIAL.
possible, with the notable exception of a panel five by eight feet, placed in the middle of a large space in the south wall, which is sculptured in bold relief. This panel, a spirited and beautiful work, has for its motive the enlightening influence of education, represented by an advancing figure, floating rather than walking, carrying a flaming torch in the right hand, and in the left an open book. In a quaint, bold inscription at the left is the legend, " Let there be light," and corresponding on the other side, "Character is destiny."
In ground plan the building is nearly square, being sixty-two by sixty-five feet, relieved on the south side by a semi-circular bay projecting nine feet, and on the northeast corner by a clock and bell tower eighteen feet square, rising to a height of sixty-four feet. The tower has a specially bold and massive character, taking a firm footing on the ground with its heavy buttresses, which run half way up its height until lost in the face of the wall. It is kept as low as its purposes will allow. A low arcaded belfry makes the top story, with its pyramidal roof covered with red slate. Directly below the belfry, on two sides, are open dials of black iron for the Howard clock. In the belfry hangs a bell, selected by Mr. Gale himself for its sweetness. The main building has a high pitched, hip roof, somewhat broken by gables and dormer windows, and covered with black Maine slate.
At the main entrance, in the middle of the east front, is a massive round arch of fifteen feet span, and an open porch seven by seventeen feet, with a floor of dark red tiles.
Two separate entrances from the porch have wide arched doorways, in the stone transoms of which, respectively, are cut the words "School " and " Library". The school entrance at the right has a vestibule seven by nine feet, with tiled floor, and opens into a spacious hall, from which a handsome stair- way, of liberal dimensions and very easy grade, leads to the second story, which is fourteen feet high, and is entirely appropri- ated to the uses of the high school. Opposite the entrance is a stained glass arched window, of simple but rich design ; over the windows on the first landing are perforated stone transoms
146
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
filled with stained glass bull's-eyes, geometrically arranged, and a bit of quiet coloring is seen in the round window at the head of the stairs.
Opposite the landing is a door to the main school room, at the right a door to the girls' cloak room, which is eleven by fourteen feet, and at the left the boys' coat room, which is seven by fourteen feet. Both of these rooms also connect directly with the main school room. The principal's cosy room, ten by thirteen feet, occupies the tower, and with windows on three sides commands charming views to the north, east and south. This room opens from the stairway hall. From this hall is also a stairway leading to the tower lofts and the unfin- ished attic. The main school room is forty by forty-six feet, besides its semi-circular bay window, seven feet deep, project- ing from the south side of the room, opposite the entrance.
The room is admirably lighted by five windows on the west side and three on the south, being at the left and back of the pupils, while a broad wall space between the south windows and the bay, directly opposite the teacher's platform, affords an agreeable relief from the glare of the mid-day sun.
On the east side is a very ample fire-place of pressed brick, with a handsome oak mantel. Connecting with the school- room on the east is a recitation room about fourteen by thirty- two feet, so arranged that it may be used as two rooms on occasion, and another, sixteen by twenty-three feet, occupies the northwest corner of the building. This room has closets for chemical and physical apparatus. The basement of the building, besides the steam heating apparatus for both direct and indirect radiation, contains also a well lighted, pleasant southeast room with a handsome fireplace and mantel, which is appropriated to the use of the school as a lunch room. Water is supplied for all purposes from a well sunk on the premises. There is an outer door on the north side for the boys, and one at the northerly extreme of the west side for the girls, with connecting corridor and covered way, giving convenient access to outbuilding and yard.
147
THE DAMON MEMORIAL.
Turning now to the portion of the building devoted to the library, we enter the tiled vestibule, seven by eight feet, and from this the space railed off from the main room, to be used as a waiting room. The room devoted to the storage of books, like the story throughout, is fourteen feet high, occupies the southwest corner of the building, and is thirty-one by forty feet. It is lighted by nine lofty windows. Shelving is now arranged for five or six thousand volumes, and should need arise, the book room could be arranged to accommodate twenty thousand. It is separated from the waiting room by a screen, the upper part of which consists of an arch of open timber work, the lower part being the desk for the delivery of books, and the supplementary railing. At the northwest corner of the building, and connecting with the book room is the libra- rian's work room which is about twelve by twenty-five feet, and has an outside door.
The southeast corner of the building is reserved for the reading room, which is twenty by twenty-eight and one half feet, besides its semi-circular bay projecting seven feet on the south side, opposite the entrance. It adjoins the book room and the waiting room, being separated from each by glazed screen work. It is a most attractive room, with its ample fireplace and oak mantel of tasteful design, chimney corner seat, tinted walls and delicately shaded stained glass transoms. A low case for books of reference fills the whole of the west side, and two large tables for periodicals stand in the room.
The building throughout is finished with oak in the natural color. The carpenter work was done by Emory Rogers, who had also general charge of the whole work. Thomas Hennessey did the stone work, Peter Carr the brick work and plastering, and the walls and ceilings were tinted by Daniel Boyden. It was the intent of Mr. Gale that all material and labor for the building, so far as possible, should be derived from the town of Holden. However considered, the structure deserves the title which it has received, " The Gem of Worcester County."
The formal exercises of the Presentation and Dedication of the Damon Memorial occurred August 29th, 1888. The day
148
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
was very fine, and many visitors came from neighboring towns and from a distance to share with the citizens of Holden in the interest and pleasure of the day.
The public exercises of the morning were held in the Con- gregational church, which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion, in the presence of an audience which thronged the church. After a selection by the Marlboro' Brass Band, which furnished the music for the day, Rev. William G. Tuttle offered prayer. Mr. Alonzo K. Learned, the President of the Day, then gave the following Address of Welcome :
" Ladies and Gentlemen :- This morning, so bright and beau- tiful, is indicative of the welcome we extend to each. We are glad that, whether living by the sea, in the city, by the mountains, or on the distant prairie, a common impulse has moved so many of the sons and daughters of Holden to return and join in the festivities of the day -the day of the slowly rolling century in the history of the town. The familiar paths, the old homestead and school-house, the village green, this old church, though mute, unite with us in cordial sal- utation. Whether participating in the exercises of the day, meeting with friends, renewing old associations, treading with careful step the place
· 'Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap,'
or standing by the memorial raised to the memory of parents, brother, or sister,-may all the hours be filled with pleasure, bene- diction, and blessing to each of you.
"Welcome to those men and women, distinguished in the walks of life, who are with us to-day. We feel that the occasion is in unison with the efforts you are putting forth to lift man
' To a purer air and a broader view.'
May the breath of the hills, the warmth of our hospitality, the spirit pervading these exercises, the bright outlook which generous thought and generous hands have opened to the people of this town, cheer and strengthen you.
" Cordial greeting to the honored official representative of the city of Worcester, to the members of bench and bar, to her accomplished librarian, to her teachers, eminent for learning and ability, to her honored business men, to all her citizens, whose united life consti- tutes the purity of the life of the ' Heart of the Commonwealth '.
149
SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY.
" To the citizens of adjoining towns, who, in response to invita- tion, or who, moved by neighborly feeling, are present to offer congratulations, we extend the hand of welcome.
" Welcome one and all to this historic ground, given by the Hon. John Hancock to the early settlers for a public common, and a site for a church, where for many generations, men, in the exercise of the rights of freemen, have met in times of peace and prosperity, in times of danger and alarm, to transact business for the common welfare, or to discern from a common consideration the path of duty and of honor.
" Welcome to this historic and hallowed church, within whose walls the generations of the past have met, feeling a common need, humbly praying for a common blessing, and finding it 'none other than the house of God and the gate of heaven'.
" At a town meeting, the second in the history of the town, held May 19th, 1741, the legal voters first passed the following vote :
"""'Voted to have the gospel preached in town'. The fourth vote of that meeting was : 'Voted to have a reading and writing school.'
"In happy accordance with the spirit animating those men, in happy accord with all that noble men have planned for the public welfare in
' Yonder painted shingly town-house,'
in happy accord with the purest aspirations of those who have trod
' These quiet aisles of prayer,'
is the occasion which has assembled us to-day.
" Yonder 'Memorial Building' is but the completion of the structure, the foundations of which the men of Holden laid in 1741. It is the tribute which persons reared and educated in New England gladly offer to the wisdom of the fathers in establishing a system of free public schools for the education of the children of a free republic.
" That we may more fully understand the plans and purposes of the donors, the beauty and utility of the structure, and learn what workmen have wrought from foundation to turret stone, I present to you the architect, Mr. Stephen C. Earle, of Worcester."
Mr. Earle said :
" One bright March day of last year found me, at the request of him whose wisdom and generosity makes the occasion for this glad
150
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
gathering, viewing the site proposed for a building designed to meet the pressing needs of this old town of Holden in two important par- ticulars, viz., first, a public library, and second, better accomodations for the high school. The glistening, crusted snow covered the whole landscape, but then, as now, the fitness of the site selected was apparent. There was the beautiful and ample lot, with its graceful, central knoll, where the half filled-cellar told of a home of the past, with a location all that could be desired.
"In the middle of the village, only a stone's throw from Main Street, nearly opposite the old Damon mansion, directly adjoining the Common, the Damon Memorial becomes one among the group of the town's public buildings. In the first instructions to the architect was the statement that the building was to be of brick or stone, preferably the latter, a preference on the part of a client which is always heartily seconded by the architect. Some one has said that a brick building, however large, cannot be made grand or imposing. Without arguing the point, it will at once be conceded that even a small building of stone has a certain dignity, due to the materials, whatever" the treatment of it. In this building the stone has an added value, a sentimental one at least, from its being indigenous, coming from the granite quarry of John P. Dodd, on one of the Holden hills, about a mile distant.4
" You may judge of the material value of the generous outlay of those benefactors who have here built a permanent home for your library and school, but few can have an idea of the intense and constant interest, the loving thought and care with which they, from their distant home, have inspired and watched every detail of design and construction. My task has been a pleasant one, working out with such success as I might their high ideals.
"Though 'westward the star of empire takes its way', and with it many of the brightest and best among us, let us be thankful that the heart strings still bind them in love to their old eastern homes."
Mr. Learned then introduced Mr. Gale in the following words :
".It is said that Anaxagoras, beholding the Mausoleum erected by Artemisia, Queen of Caria, to her deceased husband, Mausolus,
1 The description of the building, given on this occasion by Mr. Earle, has already been given in substance in this chapter.
151
THE DAMON MEMORIAL.
which was constructed of the most costly marbles and decorated in the highest style of Grecian art, exclaimed, 'How much money is changed into stone!' From the statement of Mr. Earle, con- firmed by our own observation and knowledge, we are ready, when viewing the massive proportions, completeness, and elegance of the Memorial, to exclaim, 'How much money is changed into wood and stone !' Artemisia, in erecting the Mausoleum, would enshrine and perpetuate the memory of her husband, thus exhibiting one of the most beautiful sentiments of the human heart. Our friends, animated by the same sentiment, would perpetuate the name of a family, honorably identified not only with the history of the town, the county, the state, and the nation, but also with the progress of civilization and Christianity in other lands and the islands of the distant seas, by linking it with the 'living present' and the long future. The ' Memorial,' while casting its loving shadow over the ancestral roof, through whose garden gate five generations have passed, welcomes to its lofty halls the youth of the present and fu- ture generations and places in the hand of each 'a good book, the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up for a purpose of life beyond life.'"
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