USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Ludlow > The history of Ludlow, Massachusetts > Part 33
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29 Eastern part of town, on Belchertown Road. Owned by Charles Whitney. Former owners: Dexter Capen, Quartus Sikes, Otis Sikes, Zuri Whitney. This house was formerly a hotel.
30 Eastern part of town, still north on Belchertown Road. Owned by Richard Reynolds. Former owners: Henry Graves, Austin Lyman Graves, Mr. West of F. M. West Box Company of Springfield. A. Lyman Graves had a shingle mill and a gristmill on the place.
31 Eastern part of town near Belchertown line. Owned by Caroline Alden. Former owner, Benjamin Alden.
32 Eastern part of town, near Belchertown line. Owned by Alden brothers. Former owners: Josiah Alden, Orsamus Alden, Orsamus Alden's heirs. The house now standing was built by Orsamus Alden.
FROM AMOS KEEFE'S TO EATON'S MILLS (NOW BANKIER'S), TO JACKSON CADY'S, IO OWEN CLIFFORD'S; THEN NORTH DO AMOR NICHOLS'S, TO A. F. MILLER'S IN LUDLOW VILLAGE
Western part of town, southwest of Amos Keefe's. Known as the 1 David Eaton place. Present owner's name is not known. Former owners: David Eaton, Nelson MeGregory, William McGregory.
Western part, on road to Eaton's mills. Present owner's name is unknown. Former owners: Curtis Frost, who built the house; Samuel Omrod.
3 Top of the hill, east of Eaton's mills. Owned by Jo Dupal. Formerowner: Noch Frost.
4 Western part of town, off Ludlow City Road. Owned by Albert Banister, who purchased it in 1888. Former owners: West, Jacob S. Eaton, Mrs. H. K. Wight. The old Eaton mill used to card wool fleeces into rolls, and made a cloth called satinet. There were also a sawmill and a gristmill. The gristmill is still operated by Mr. Banister. He also carries on a dairy farm and has a milk route. Main
503
FARMS OF LUDLOW
part of house was built about a hundred years ago. Mr. Banister has remodeled the house and barn.
5 Southwestern corner of town, Chicopee Falls Road, near Ludlow City Road. Owned by Jackson Cady, who inherited it from his father, Amasa Cady, in 1848. Former owners: Samuel Frost, Amasa Cady. House was built in 1851 by Jackson Cady. This farm is a part of the original Amasa Cady farm. Jackson Cady built his present house in 1851 and the barn about 1866. His barn was struck by lightning in July, 1911, and burned.
6 Southwestern part of town, Chicopee Falls Road. Owned by Otis Sikes, who purchased it in 1893. Was formerly a part of the Amasa Cady farm, and included the old farm buildings of Amasa Cady. For- mer owners: Samuel Frost, Amasa Cady, Mrs. Mary Deland and Mrs. Jane Leonard (daughters and heirs of Amasa Cady). The house was built by Amasa Cady in 1826. He also built a house on the north side of the road in 1839, which was struck by lightning in 1879, but was not destroyed. A balsam tree standing near was struck at the same time, and cut off about three feet from the ground, a piece about five feet long, like a whip stock, being taken from the tree and driven through a window. Mr. Sikes has the piece as a relic. A few years later the house caught fire and was burned. An old house where Amasa Cady lived for a time is still standing on the farm, and is owned by Otis Sikes.
7 Southwestern part of the town, Chicopee Falls Road. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. William C. Walker, who purchased it in 1905. Former owners: Bullard; he sold it in 1845 to Samuel Frost Keyes, who died in 1864. It remained in possession of his widow until her death in 1905. The main part of the house was built about 1800, the L in 1859.
8 On Holyoke Road, a little north of the Village. Owned by Owen Clifford. Former owners: Warren Hubbard, Sr., Warren Hubbard, Jr., Stebbins.
9 A little south of Harris Mill, Holyoke Road, corner of cross road. Owned by Daniel Nichols. Former owners: Pratt, Lemuel Ben- nett, David Atchinson, Horace Tarbox, Mrs. Margaret Tarbox. Horace Tarbox was drowned while trying to cross Harris Pond on the ice.
10 \ little north of Ludlow Village on the Fuller Street Road. Owned by Ann ( Bliss) Gasner. Former owner, Edmund Bliss. Mr. Bliss built the house on the east side of the Holyoke Road near Owen Clifford's and afterwards removed it to its present location.
11 At Ludlow Village. Owned by Frank A. Towne, who inherited it. Former owners: Washburn. Marquis DeL. Towne. The house and barn were built by Mr. Washburn.
12 At Ludlow Village. Owned by Mrs. Francenah Towne. For- mer owners: Rev. Chester L. Cushman. Lemuel H. Brigham, Marquis
504
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Del. Towne. Rev. C. L. Cushman built the house and barn in 1878, and Mr. Towne remodeled them.
13 North Street, Ludlow Village. Owned by Charles M. Smith, who purchased it in 1875. Former owners: Thyla Batholic, Col. John Miller. House was built in 1877. Charles Smith bought the place of John Miller in 1875, tore down the buildings, built the present house in 1877 and the barn in 1888.
14 Ludlow Village. Owned by Wilbur F. Miller, who purchased it in 1873. Former owners: Orrin Andrus, Col. John Miller. House was built about 1825. Colonel Miller built the present front in 1846, the work being done by Eli M. Smith. Colonel Miller also built the barn, the boards used being purchased at the mill in North Blandford for $2.50 per thousand. The barn was burned in 1909. Since W. F. Miller bought the farm of sixty acres there have been one hundred and thirty houses built upon it.
FARMS DESTROYED IN BUILDING SPRINGFIELD RESERVOIR
NORTH AND EAST OF CENTER
Going from the First Church north, we come to an old bridle road leading past the house of Leonard Lyon and up through to Turkey Hill in Belchertown. About half a mile beyond Mr. Lyon's place was what was known as the Calkins place, where used to be a house and saw- mill. The mill was burned and never rebuilt. At that time a family by the name of Kimball lived in the house: later Harvey Macomber lived there. The Springfield Water Works diverted the water to their reservoir and the house is gone. It was said that Mr. Calkins believed in eating little and often, and that a pew ter milkpan full was all he wanted at one sitting. There was a peach orchard on the place known to be forty years old and still bearing, having escaped the "yellows."
There was another farm, mostly woodland, with buildings, two of three miles farther north. Solon Lyon lived there a few years, and it was known as the Lyon place. Mr. Lyon used to say the only sound he could hear was the crowing of roosters.
Still farther up in the woods lived Jacob Story and his wife, colored people. They made baskets and exchanged them for pork, Indian meal, and other provisions. Mrs. Story did washings and other household tasks for the townspeople.
SIKES STREET-BELCHERTOWN ROAD FROM LUDLOW CENTER.
Before the City of Springfield made its reservoir, the old road to Belchertown extended from the gatehouse through land now covered by water and leading into the new road which was built a little south
505
FARMS OF LUDLOW
of where Deacon Alva Sikes lived. The cellar hole where the house stood may still be seen. This was the first house after leaving the gate- house-the last owner being Reuben Sikes. The former owners were: Jonathan Sikes, then Alva Sikes, who inherited the property from Jonathan and built the barn.
The next house north was owned by Silas Sikes, brother of Alva. There is no other owner known. Near this point, where the old road turned to the right into the reservoir, we come to the site of another house, now covered by water, which was owned by Ashbel Burr and his son, Lyman. It was the birthplace of Benjamin F. Burr. This place was sold to Edmund Sikes in 1833.
A little farther north on the old road and on the east side, now covered by water, was the site of a house owned by Chester Sikes, another brother of Alva; probably never owned by any one outside his family. Farther north, on the west side of the old road, but not covered by water, was a house owned and probably built by Estes Burr, and afterward owned by Lovinski White. Still north, on the west side of the road, stood a gambrel-roofed house, list owned by Adelbert L. Bennett. The former owners were: Jonathan Burr (brother of Ashbel Burr and father of Estes Burr), Seth J. Bennett, and Gilbert Clark.
A little farther along we come into the old road; at a little distance north we turn from the main road to the west, go about thirty rods and come to a house last owned by Gilbert Clark. The former owners were: Welcome Bennett, by whom the house was built, and Charles S. Bennett.
Then westerly by private road about two thirds of a mile, we come to a house built and owned by Carlos Lombard, which was inherited by his daughter, now Mrs. Fred C. Adams. Near by was another house owned by Jonathan Lombard, father of Carlos Lombard.
Coming back to the old road and going north, we find a house last owned by Robert Landers. The former owners were: Charles Bennett, Seth J. Bennett, Fred Sheldon and A. D. Moore, and Charles Clark. Farther north on the west side of the road, was the site of a house owned by Jefferson Bennett, later by Laura A. Bennett. Then farther north, near the Belchertown line, is a house formerly owned by Justin Lombard and Asenath Lombard, later by Dennis Lombard, son of Justin. Since the reservoir was built the City of Springfield has bought most of the places and the buildings have been removed.
PART III
THE CENTENNIAL
PROSPECTIVE-ACTUAL-AFTERPAST
COMMELIFE ON THE CENTENNIMI
Bemjau in Franklin Burt, Francs Til. Mc Lean
Ambrose ( longh
Wasser row John Padelord Hubbard. Chester Demad Luchin, George Root ( Mark
COMMITTEE ON THE CENTENNIAL
AMBROSE CLOUGH,
JOHN PADELFORD HUBBARD, GEORGE ROOT CLARK, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BURR, CHESTER LEMUEL CUSHMAN, ALFRED NOON, FRANCIS FISK MCLEAN.
SUB-COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION
AMBROSE CLOUGH, GEORGE R. CLARK,
BENJAMIN F. BURR, ALFRED NOON.
THE CENTENNIAL
PROSPECTIVE
Titt annals of the Bay State had for years declared that in the year 1774 the towns of West Springfield, Ludlow, Leverett, West Stockbridge. and Barre, Mass,, and Edgecomb and New Gloucester, Me., then of Massachusetts, had been granted their distinctive title to separate existence. This fact had from time to time attracted the attention of the denizens of Ludlow, and awakened some comment upon the question of a celebration when the century should have rounded itself. The com- memorative exercises at the sister town of Wilbraham in 1863 of course attracted more or less attention in this adjoining place. But there appears to have been no agitation of any account until about 1870, when Mr Ambrose Clough, a connoisseur in local history, called the atten- tion of some of his fellow-citizens to the fact that the town was approaching its hundredth birthday, and should not allow the occasion to pass without giving its children an invitation home again. By his efforts was the celebration of the Ludlow centennial given an impetus, and but for him the event would very likely have passed unnoticed. Others were evi- dently much interested in this historical fact and heartily seconded the efforts of the gentleman named. Indeed, the approaching milestone in the race of life seemed to throw its shadow in advance in the vision of many a citizen, particularly the elderly ones of the town. Nothing was done, however, until the spring of the year 1874, when the selectmen received the following petition :
TO THE HONORABLE HIE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF LUDLOW :
We, the undersigned, inhabitants and legal voters in the town of Ludlow, petition your honorable body to insert an article in your war- rant, to see if the town will take any measures to celebrate the Centennial
514
IHISTORY OF LIDLOW
of the town; also to appropriate money for the same, and to pass all necessary votes.
ludlow, February 25th, 1874.
(Signed) Ambrose Clough. * B. F. Burr,1 J. P. Hubbard,* Albert Fuller .* Gilbert E. Fuller .*
As a result of this petition the article desired appeared in the warrant for the Spring meeting of the town. Its insertion seems to have awakened a little feeling, but not in any way marked, as the citizens very unan- imously voted to observe a day of festivities. The following makes evident the result of the agitation so far:
Original meeting, March 9th.
Voted that the town celebrate its Centennial.
Voted to choose a committee of seven to carry out the design of the town, and that this committee report at the adjourned meeting. Ambrose Clough* was chosen chairman of the committee, and the other members are John P. Hubbard,* George R. Clark*, B. F. Burr, Rev. C. L. Cushman,* Rev. Alfred Noon and F. F. MeLean .*
Voted to appropriate two hundred and fifty dollars for the same.
AAdjourned meeting. April 6th.
Voted to appropriate one hundred and fifty dollars in addition to that appropriated at the March meeting, for the Centennial Celebra- tion.
Let no one think the work of this committee was a sinecure.
The first meeting was held at the house of the chairman on the evening of March 16th, but adjourned, with little result, to the house of Major Hubbard on the 23d. On that evening Mr. B. F. Burr, the ready writer of the town's records, was chosen secretary. From that date the com- mittee met fortnightly, and then weekly, at the town house, until after the Centennial.
In the preliminary arrangements for the celebration of course many things were planned which could not be consummated. The first choice of the committee for the literary orator was Rev. J. W. Dadmun of Winthrop, once pastor of the M. E. Church, but home duties prevented
1 Only signer of the petition in the town warrant now living ( 1912).
An asterisk (*) appended to a name denotes deceased.
515
THE CENTENNIAL
his coming. The next vote on this matter was one of invitation to Rev. Prof. G. Prentice of Middletown, Conn., also a former pastor of the church just named. At first the gentleman was inclined to accept, but finally found his labors at the university of such a character as to interfere with the plan of coming here. The third choice rested upon Prof. Lorenzo White of New Salem, a former resident of the town for a score of years, who could not find it in his heart to refuse the request of his old town. The excellence of the address will be marked by every reader.
Not so long a delay was experienced in securing the services of the historical orator. The first request was to Rev. Mr. Austin of Connecticut, the last minister employed as pastor by the town of Ludlow. Poor health prevented his acceptance, and the choice then was Rev. J. W. Tuck of Jewett City, Conn., for sixteen years pastor of the Congregational Church, whose able address, spoken to the audience at the Centennial, dissemi- nated through the region by the enterprise of the press, and now placed in an enduring form, has become a constituent element in the historic annals of the town.
The following scheme shows concisely the doings of the general committee, as finally revised, in the selection of sub-committees:
On Collation .- District No. 1. Andrew E. C. Bartlett,* Amnie Hubbard .*
2. John W. Hubbard, Addie F. Hubbard.
3. Gillen D. Atchinson,* Estelle Newell.
4. F. F. McLean,* Ellen Root .*
5. D. C. Jones,* Henrietta Chapin .*
6. William P. Clark,* Angeline White .*
7. Charles S. Bennett, * Maria Sikes.
Elliot O. Alden, Florence Graves. *
S. Manson Pool,* Carrie R. Waid .*
10. Lucien Lyon, Alice Kendall.
On Invitation .- Rev. C. L. Cushman,* George R. Clark .*
On Music .- Davenport L. Fuller,* Alfred S. Putnam, Wilbur F. Miller, Henry S. Jones,* Edward E. Fuller.
On Finance .- Samuel White,* Edward E. Fuller, John Ray,* Austin F. Nash,* David C. Jones,* Silas Billings,* Reuben Sikes .*
On Programme .- Rev. C. L. Cushman .* L. H. Brigham,* Edmund E. Charles .* Rev. Alfred Noon. Ambrose Clough .* C. A. Southworth .*
On Sentiments .- John P. Hubbard,* C. L. Buell, Jackson Cady, L. H. Brigham .* Gilbert Pillsbury .*
510
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
On Printing .- Key. C. L. Cushman, * George R. Clark, B. F. Buri, Res. Alfred Noon.
On Facts, Portraits, etc. George R. Clark,; Ambrose Clough. C. 1 .. Buell, John Hobson, Jr.+
On Decorations, Eliza Jones, Genevra B. Mclean, Elle Jones. Susan Fuller,* Lucy E. Booth, Anna S. Bennett, Belle L. Kendall .* Nellie Buffington, + Jennie Green, Lily T. Sargent, " Mrs. N. B. Paulk. *
On Arrangements and Receptions. C. L. Buell. D. L. Fuller, Silas Billings, & Rouben Sikes, Austin C. Gove, Lyman Burr. Adin Whitney. Lucius Simonds, David K. Paine, Charles Sikes, Oliver B. Miller, Albert Fuller,* F. F. Fairbanks .;
President of the Day .- Rev. Alfred Noon.
Vice-Presidents. Elisha T. Parsons,* Rev. D. K. Banister, Syl- vester Miller, " Hezekiah Root, Theodore Sikes, George Clark, * Ezekiel Fuller, Artemas H. Whitney ,* John Miller,+ Sylvester Clark,* Jonathan Waid, Stillman Alden, Zachariah Day, Spencer Talmadge, Aaron Davis, Franklin Fuller, Jacob S. Eaton, * Daniel Brewer, * Elijah Plum- ley.+ Marvin King. Henry Fuller,* Hubbard Dutton. R. M. Chandler,* Josiah Alden, Orsamus Alden, Lyman Burr, Gordon Pinney. *
Marshal .- J. P. Hubbard .*
Assistant Marshals, Wilbur F. Miller, John W. Hubbard. James O. Kendall. Lucius Simonds. Austin F. Nash .*
The collation committee organized with F. F. MeLean for chairman. They voted to invite the town to furnish bread and butter, cake, dough- nuts, cheese, cold meats, tea and coffee. The following result of a canvas of the various districts for catables may be of interest to the committee arranging for the next centennial:
Biscuits, buttered 3,807 Cake, loaves 400
Doughnut- 2.165 Tarts. 750
Besides, there were purchased for distribution :
27 lbs. of dried beef. 200 lbs. of tongues,
150 lbs. of ham. 1.5 lbs. of bologna.
La bibl. of pickles. 15 lbs. of coffee.
10 lbs. of tea.
204 H. of cheese.
190 lbs. of crackers. 100 lbs. of sugar.
Upon Reuben Sikes fittingly devolved the duties of chief waiter, while his assistants were legion.
The committee on invitations sent out a large number of letters and circulars, besides specially inviting certain dignitaries, as the corre- spondence read after the collation will show.
517
THE CENTENALA
The committee on music worked hard and successfully. One and two rehearsals a week gave after a while great proficiency to the singers. D. L. Fuller was chosen leader, and A. S. Putnam organist, while the Armory Band of Springfield was selected to furnish music of its kind.
The committee on printing at first issued five hundred notes of invi- tation, on postal cards, reading thus:
CENTENNIAL AT LUDLOW
The old town invites all her children and children's children, former residents, and friends, to celebrate her hundredth birthday on the 17th day of June next.
This is to invite most cordially, you and yours, to be present and participate in the festivities of the occasion.
Come one, come all, for one joyous reunion.
The number being inadequate, two hundred more were obtained, all too few, as the sequel showed. They further issued schedules of committees, in two editions, of which over two hundred were distributed. Ten thousand programs provided under their auspices were very soon taken up on the opening of the exercises.
The committee on facts made little demonstration, but were very busy and very useful, as many of the notes in this volume may testify.
The committee on decorations arranged very tastefully the tables in the display tent, with flowers and evergreens, while they showed rare taste in elegantly festooning the tents; besides in an emblematic banner, bearing the legend, "Welcome to our Centennial," and the two dates 1774 and 1874, the one in sere and yellow leaf of age, the other in brilliant foliage of the day.
Next, however, to the Centennial committee in careful plannings and extensive labors, came the committee on arrangements and reception. The only instructions of note given them were to arrange for a free collation and find sitting accommodations for fifteen hundred persons, while upon them devolved the task of providing a place, securing crockery, arranging the details of the day's accommodations, and a myriad of little duties which could not be anticipated and yet must be performed. Two circular tents, one a hundred and one sixty feet in diameter, were placed upon the green near the town house, and the old pews to a considerable extent were removed from that ancient edifice, much to the joy of voters. The area thus obtained was devoted to the purposes of the celebration.
518
HISTORY OF LUDLOW
The town house was the general depository of food and crockery, the smaller tent contained tables for display of a moiety of the good things so freely furnished, while the larger canvass covered a network of plank seats and an ample platform for musicians and dignitaries. Six thou- sand three hundred and seventy pieces of crockery, a load for seven horses, were obtained from the mother city, all of which was requisite. Arrange- ments were also made for the conveyance of passengers from the depots.
At last the arrangements were pronounced complete, and the day of days for Ludlow began to dawn. Alas for human plans! Could Heaven frown upon such efforts? No ball had been arranged for the finale of the exercises or as their initial. All had been performed with the strictest decorum, and yet the daybreak exhibited humid skies and rain drenched ground. The committee arose with anxiety, and one and another looked eagerly for the signs of fair weather. "How do you feel?" said one of the committee to the indefatigable chairman. "First-rate." was the cheering reply, and the others caught its spirit. Down came the rain in genial showers. until an hour or two before the time for the exercises to begin, when Pluvius had satiated himself, and the rain ceased. Meanwhile the crowds began to start from their homes, and about the hour for the opening of the exercises every barn, shed, and shelter for a team within a radius of two miles had long been filled. At last the appointed time arrived, and all were prepared to enjoy the Centennial Actual.
1774
1874
ESESC
ORDER OF EXERCISES AT THE
TOWN
entennin
2
At Ludlow, Mass., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17TH, 1874.
Services to Commence at 10 1-2 o'clock A. M.
Music by the (SPRINGFIELD
BAND.
ARMORY
Clark W. Bryan & Company, Printers, Springfield, Muss
Order of Exercises. G 3-
Por El .. . Po. c?
9
I .- Music by the Band.
2 -Singing. 3 .- Prayer.
REV. D. K. BANISTER, OF LUDLOW.
4 .- Reading of Scripture.
REV. SIMEON MILLER, OF SPRINGFIELD. 5 .- Original Centennial Hymn.
God of our Fathers, now to Thee We lift our hearts with glad acclaim, Rejoicing in that liberty Vouchsafed to them who love Thy name. The generations live and die,. The earth itself is growing old, But Thou, O Lord ! art ever nigh, Thou dost the sands of ages hold.
We recognize Thy loving hand, Whose gentle guidings have been felt By sires and sons throughout the land. While under care divine they dwelt.
Receive our praise, Messiah King, While here we count thy mercies o'er; Accept the offering we bring, And make us thine forevermore.
6 .- Greeting.
REV. C. L. CUSHMAN, OF LUDLOW.
7 .- Music by the Band.
8 .- Literary Address, with Response to Greeting. REV. L. WHITE, OF NEW SALEM. 9 .- Singing.
10 .- Historical Address.
REV. J. W. TUCK, OF JEWETT CITY, CT.
11 .- Music by the Band.
12 .- Prayer.
13 .- Doxology.
14 -Benediction.
0
Old Folks' Concert
IN THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ON THE Erening of June 17th.
PROGRAMME. PART FIRST.
I -Anthem for Easter. 2 .- a "Sherburne " b. "Northfield." c. " Rainbow." 3 .- Piano and Cornet Duet MR WILSON and MR. SOUTHLAND.
4 .- Duett, " In the Starlight " 5 .- a "China " b. "Greenwich." 6 -Song, selected.
MISS GENEVRA MCLEAN.
7 .- Male Quartette. 8 .- Cornet Solo.
MR. SOUTHLAND
9 -" Invitation."
PART SECOND,
1 .- Piano and Cornet Duett
MR. WILSON and MR. SOUTHLAND. 2 .- a " Montgomery " b. "Bridgewater " c. " Turner." 3 .- Song, Chalet Horn
MISS GENEVRA MCLEAN.
4 .- " David's Lamentation "
5 - Mixed Quartette.
6 .- Cornet Solo.
MR. SOUTHLAND.
7 -a " Majesty " b "New Jerusalem " 8 .- " Coronation," in which all are invited to join
All hail the power of Jesus' name! O, that with vonder sacred throng,
Let angels prostrate fall ; We at his feet may fall ; Bring forth the royal diaden. We'll join the everlasting song,
And crown him Lord of all. And crown him Lord of all.
The Concert will commence at 7 1-2 o'clock.
W. F. MILLER, Conductor.
THE CENTENNIAL
ACTUAL
THE speakers were assigned their places; the musicians took the seats prepared for them; the marshals occupied their posts of duty; the audience quietly sought accommodations in and about the vast tent, now all too small; the Bohemians were already writing up the exercises in advance. Upon honorary seats near the speaker's desk were ranged the old and elderly men of the town: Sylvester Miller,1 over ninety, the oldest of all; Col. John Miller,1 Sylvester Clark, Theodore Sikes, Esq., George Clark, Orsamus Alden, Rev. D. K. Banister, Ezekiel Fuller, Harry Fuller, Jonathan Waid, Dea. Elisha T. Parsons, Franklin Fuller, Lyman Burr, Elijah Plumley, Marvin King, Artemas Whitney, Stillman Alden, Hezekiah Root, Hubbard Dutton and others, while near them were invited guests: Elijah Blake, Chester W. Chapin, J. . I. Rumrill, Mayor Stebbins, Aldermen Holt and Fuller, Dea. Roderick Burt and others of Springfield, and others still from towns nearer or more remote. Austin Chapman came from Ellington, Conn., while Joseph Miller, over eighty years of age, who had traveled more than four hundred miles to attend the gathering, arrived at four in the after- noon. Goodly numbers had on previous days arrived at the homes of their friends, taking the very favorable opportunity presented for a visit to the old landmarks. Some had been born here; some had here chosen the companions of their youth, perhaps remembering at this anniversary the "publishment" by crier or posted notice; some had seen their loved ones laid away in graves now marked by mossy monuments, or more recently had visited the old town to attend funereal service. How sad and yet how interesting the greetings of these old friends! Surely all this painstaking was more than recompensed by the gladness of reunion or the tenderness of reminiscence. The programme, which has been elegantly reproduced on the previous pages, was then handed around.
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