USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Ludlow > The history of Ludlow, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of leading citizens, reminiscences, genealogies, farm histories, and an account of the centennial celebration, June 17, 1874 > Part 8
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Treasurer George A. Birnie is the active head of the bank, through whom all financial dealings are made. Ludlow is doubly fortunate in
INTERIOR LUDLOW SAVINGS BANK, CORNER EAST AND SEWALL STREETS
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TOWN DEVELOPMENT
possessing men with the executive ability to establish and to carry an institution so successfully.
To safeguard further the interests of its investors, the accounts are audited thoroughly twice a year by four of the bank trustees appointed for the purpose. Every account is carefully followed up and rechecked. This gives the auditors a thorough knowledge of the bank's doings. The present auditors are Charles W. Gowan, James Henderson, Harley W. Morrill, and Frank N. Moore (1911).
COURT HISTORY
In spite of all the influences that make for good in a community, there are sure to be disturbing elements. For this reason laws must be made and offenders must be punished. Ludlow was not exempt from this necessity and accordingly a court was established and a trial justice appointed.
The first trial justice of the town was John Padelford Hubbard. He was appointed in the year 1875 and continued in office until his death in 1881. He was succeeded by Charles F. Grosvenor, who was appointed by Gov. John D. Long in 1881, reappointed in 1884 by Gov. George D. Robinson, in 1887 by Gov. Oliver Ames, and resigned in 1888. At the solicitation of the selectmen and others, he was again appointed trial justice in 1891 by Gov. William E. Russell and held the office until he moved to Palmer in 1892. The most exciting of all events connected with his administration was at the time of a strike at the mills of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, when upon the complaint of Mr L. H. Brigham, who was agent of the mills at that period, Mr. Grosvenor was routed out of bed to issue warrants. These trials were held in the rear of the store occupied by Druggist C. S. Browning, in the old Joy building, North Street, and later at Mr. Grosvenor's place of business on Hubbard Street. During his term of office the criminal and civil business grad- ually lessened, until there was practically nothing to do. From 1892 until 1905 the court proceedings were held in Springfield and sometimes in Palmer.
For the convenience of the people Gov. Eben S. Draper appointed George A. Birnie trial justice in 1905. The town had made a large gain in population and it became necessary to have a resident trial justice. When Justice Birnie assumed the duties of the office, there was much lawlessness, which through his efforts has been reduced to a minimum.
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
He had a number of severe cases to deal with and was not long in in- pressing upon the minds of the offenders that he would insist on good behavior in the town. During his term of office he has had a number of cases of illegal liquor selling, which is always likely to exist in a no- license town. It was during his term of office that George Freeman Cook shot and killed Herbert E. White and was committed to the grand jury.
THE LIBRARY
In 1881, for the benefit of the employees of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, a small library with reading room and social room in con- nection was opened, under the direction of Mr. Hubbard. This room was in the "Old Tavern house," which formerly stood a short distance from the present library building. At its beginning this little library contained four hundred volumes, while the reading room boasted half a dozen magazines. After a time it was moved to a building standing where the present office of the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates' office is located. In 1890 the collection of 1,500 volumes was removed to the new library building.
This building was presented to the town by the family of the late Charles T. Hubbard, formerly of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, with the following conditions:
(1) The building is to be forever maintained in proper repair at the expense of the town as a public library and reading room; (2) the library to be open for the delivery of books at least two evenings in a week for two hours each evening; (3) the lower rooms to be used for educational and social purposes, but not for town or political meetings; (4) the inscription "Hubbard Memorial" to be maintained over the entrance, together with a bronze tablet in the porch bearing the inscrip- tion, "Erected to the memory of Charles Townsend Hubbard by his wife and children, 1888."
At a special meeting of the town in May, 1888, it was unanimously voted to accept this proposed gift and also a proposed gift of about fifteen hundred volumes from the Ludlow Manufacturing Company to be placed and maintained in the library building to be erected.
At this meeting the following resolution was passed: Whereas the family of the late Charles T. Hubbard has proffered to the town of Ludlow for its acceptance, under merely nominal conditions, a building
LUDLOW COURT ROOM, NORTH STREET
L
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for library purposes as well as a social home for the townspeople; a building which promises to be a source of pleasure and pride, "a thing of beauty and a joy forever," therefore be it resolved, that we, the voters of the town of Ludlow in town meeting assembled, appreciate heartily the interest expressed in our welfare and the sympathy felt for our aspirations, as well as the liberality and generosity illustrated by the gift, and we desire further to pay our tribute of respect to him whose memory this hall perpetuates. And be it further resolved, that we also
HUBBARD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
wish to give expression to our pleasure and gratitude in receiving the gift of their library at the hands of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company.
The new building was erected in 1889 and the following spring was presented to the town by Governor Robinson in the presence of a large audience of townspeople assembled in Mill No. 6 of the Ludlow Manu- facturing Company. The gift was accepted for the town by Mr. Benjamin F. Burr.
More volumes have been added to the collection from year to year
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW.
by the family of Mr. Hubbard and the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates. There are at present between four and five thousand volumes. The reading room is supplied with a large number of newspapers and magazines from an annual appropriation made by the town.
ANTIQUES AND RELICS
At the regular annual town meeting held in March, 1907, a committee on antiques and relics was appointed as follows: Gillen D. Atchinson, E. T. Potter, Wilbur F. Miller, Irene T. Jones, and Mrs. A. C. Birnie.
The purpose in appointing this committee was to preserve the antiques, relics, and curios of the town. The use of the west room on the first floor of the Hubbard Me- morial Library building was secured through the courtesy of the library trustees. An effort has been made to secure the photographs of all the clergy of the five churches from the date of their organization to the present. These photographs are hung on the south wall of the room in groups according to the church. There are three cases containing many valuable articles. An old cra- dle, spinning wheels, saddlebags, sev- SADDLEBAGS FORMELY BELONGING TO ASHBEL BURR eral old guns, andirons, etc., are arranged on the floor.
Among the specially notable articles in the collection are: a pewter communion service given to the Congregational Church in Ludlow Center by the First Church of Springfield, and used from 1789 until 1846, when a silver service was presented to the church by Abner Cady; the first pewter communion service used by the Methodist Church in 1835; the sword, sash, and belt given to Captain H. A. Hubbard by the people of Ludlow; a list of the company he raised and his picture, given by his nieces; an old cartridge box carried through the Revolutionary War by Deacon Oliver Dutton; a collection of bottles, one blown in the glass factory once located north of Ludlow Center; a machine to pare apples, made by a Ludlow boy when only sixteen years old; a Testament used
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by the Rev. Alexander McLean; a very rare Masonic jewel; and a britannia teapot, loaned by Mrs. Frances (Chandler) Sikes.
THE LUDLOW HOSPITAL
On April 28, 1908, a meeting of the citizens of the town was called for the purpose of organizing a society to accept, maintain, and carry on a hospital for the benefit of this and adjoining towns, on the provisions offered by the Lud- low Manufacturing Associates.
This meeting was largely attended, among those present being Charles W. Hubbard, treasurer of the Ludlow Manufacturing Asso- ciates, who made the following offer: The As- sociates would give to the society, if formed, the use of the hospital rooms as arranged, fully equipped with all necessary furnishings, lighted and heated, free of rent, and for every dollar received by said society, either in contributions or membership fees, they would contribute a dollar; that the society be known as the Ludlow Hospital Society, should be composed of a president, vice- president, secretary and treasurer, member- ship committee, aids and charities committee, and visiting committee; the president, vice- president, treasurer. and the chairman of the above three committees should be the execu- tive committee to take charge and manage the affairs of the hospital.
This offer was accepted by the meeting and an organization was immediately formed by the election of Dr. J. W. Hannum. presi- SWORD, SASH, AND BELT PRE- SENTED TO CAPT. H. A. HUBBARD BY THE TOWN OF LUDLOW dent; George D. Green, vice-president: George A. Birnie, secretary and treasurer; James B. Irwin, chairman of membership committee; Robert Kyle. chairman of aids and charities; Miss Emma A. Warner, chairman of visiting committee.
By-laws were adopted, and after an address by Dr. Palmer of South
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
Framingham, Mass., on hospitals in general, and the beginning and development of the South Framingham Hospital, the meeting adjourned.
The hospital was opened for business July 3, 1908. Only the top floor of the two rear sections of the building was used for hospital purposes. Not having been able to secure the services of a superin- tendent, two nurses were engaged from Springfield, who, under the direction of the president, managed the hospital until July 20, 1908, when Miss Emma M. Glover, assistant matron and superintendent of nurses at Waltham, became superintendent.
The Misses Annie and M. Louise Stebbins and Mrs. Thornton Parker, as a testimonial to their father, a former president of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, furnished the operating room and also an X-ray machine, which, with the furnishings supplied by the Ludlow Manufac- turing Associates, make the Ludlow Hospital one of the best equipped small hospitals in this section of the state.
Rev. Father Power of Indian Orchard donated to the society a communion set, which has been used upon all occasions when the rites of the Roman Catholic Church have been observed in the hospital, and the gift has been appreciated by society and patients.
The hospital has been in successful operation three years. The first year (1908-1909) 41 patients were admitted, the second (1909-1910), 85, and the third (1910-1911), 170.
As a charitable and educational institution the Ludlow Hospital should remain a permanent interest among the activities of the town.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Brigham Lodge of Masons .- Until 1891 the Masons of Ludlow belonged to lodges in Chicopee, Wilbraham, and Springfield. On account of the distance from their homes and the inconveniences of travel, it was suggested that efforts be made to establish a lodge in Ludlow. Acting on this suggestion a meeting was called and finally 33 Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge in Boston to grant a dispensation for a new branch. This was allowed, and the lodge was instituted. The meetings were held in a room on the top floor of the grammar school building. The lodge was called Brigham Lodge in honor of Lemuel H. Brigham, a retired agent of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, who had given valuable assistance in its establishment. Through the efforts of John E. Stevens, then agent of the company, the said company erected a Masonic Hall in
LUDLOW HOSPITAL BUILDING
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TOWN DEVELOPMENT
Winsor Street, and rented it to the lodge on a five-year lease, this lease to be renewed every five years thereafter. The first three officers were Charles F. Grosvenor, W. M .; Albert H. Halford, S. W .; Frank King, J. W. Worshipful Albert H. Halford in 1903 became district deputy grand master of the sixteenth Masonic District, to which district Brigham Lodge belonged. Worshipful Hugh M. Cramond was appointed grand marshal. Brigham Lodge now (1911) has 145 members. Regular communications are held on the first Tuesday in each month; the annual communication occurs on the first Tuesday in November. Indian Orchard Lodge, recently instituted (1911), is the child of Brigham Lodge, as Brigham Lodge was the offspring of Newton Lodge of Wilbraham.
Charter Members .- Charles F. Grosvenor, Frank S. King, Frank A. Towne, Emerson F. Lovett, George L. Streeter, Henry Burke, Alfred J. Hobson, Alfred H. Bartlett, Oscar J. Hunt, Charles Sikes, Benjamin F. Burr, John L. Mason, Austin E. Morse, William O'Neill, Charles A. Smith, David L. Fuller, David C. Jones, Albert H. Halford, Frederick L. Burr, Charles F. Howard, Walter B. Atchinson, George W. Miller, John Hobson, Austin F. Nash, George F. Greenhalgh, Marquis DeL. Towne, James Lowe, Gilbert S. Atchin- son, George Elphinstone, Henry W. Keyes, Edward E. Fuller, Jean B. Bergeron, George D. Green.
Past Masters .-* Charles F. Grosvenor, tAlbert H. Halford, George W. Miller, Walter B. Atchinson, tJames Henderson, *William H. Tipping, Alexander H. Fobare, Hugh M. Cramond, tRichard Tipping, James W. Simes, Alexander F. Winton, Simpson McPhail, Walter Bennett, George Elphinstone, Jr., William T. Eaton, Walter Winton.
Ludlow Farmers Club .- About fifty years ago a farmers' club was started by a few middle-aged men and women for social pleasure and farm profit. The idea became very popular and soon the club numbered twenty couples. Meetings were held every two weeks during the winter, with a summer outing to Mount Holyoke, the Shaker Settlement at Enfield, and other places of interest. Guests were invited from outside making usually a party of 100 persons. At the regular meetings guests were frequently present. The members were very punctual in attend- ance, meeting in the afternoon at two o'clock. Supper was served at six, and in the evening the men and women assembled in separate rooms until nine o'clock, when they came together for an hour of social intercourse, closing at ten. These meetings continued for twenty years
*Demitted.
¡Deceased.
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW
with no break; no serious illness and no deaths came to interrupt this friendly and helpful gathering. Within two years' time seven strong men died. This affliction was more than the members could endure and no meetings were held after this time. The young people, the sons and daughters of the old members, took up the work and organized the Young People's Farmers Club of Ludlow. Their meetings were conducted along similar lines with much success, but the club was finally absorbed by the Ludlow Grange.
Ludlow Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, No. 179, was or- ganized by George R. Chase, assisted by Francis E. Clark of Wilbraham, October 21, 1889, with 26 charter mem- bers. Mr. C. L. Buell was the first master. Until 1894 the meetings were held in the Congregational chapel or Methodist vestry, but during that year the Grange voted to petition the town "to see if they will give the Grange, free of rent, the use of the lower floor of the Town Hall, with the privilege of making such repairs and alterations as they may see fit." This was done, and the present EDWARD EARLE CHAPMAN Grange Hall was fitted up at the expense of the Grange, which has since occupied and controlled it. No. 179 is included in the jurisdiction of Springfield Pomona Grange, which is entertained here once a year. This grange has supplied many officers for Pomona, among them three masters-Frank G. Bennett, Edward E. Chapman, and Charles B. Bennett; also two State deputies-Frank G. Bennett for two years, Edward E. Chapman for ten years; also one State officer-Edward E.
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TOWN DEVELOPMENT
Chapman, who has been overseer of the Massachusetts State Grange for 1910 and 1911. Meetings are held twice a month, at which business is transacted and a literary program given, consisting of music, readings, papers, etc., and questions of interest are discussed.
List of Worthy Masters .- 1889, Chauncey L. Buell; 1890, 1891, Gilbert S. Atchinson; 1892, 1893, Frank G. Bennett; 1894, Fred O. Taylor; 1895, 1896, Frank E. Sikes; 1897, Gillen D. Atchinson; 1898, 1899, 1900, Edward E. Chapman; 1901, 1902, Charles B. Bennett; 1903, E. Newton Fisher; 1904, 1905, Elbridge J. Streeter; 1906, Caleb B. Estey; 1907, 1908, Edward E. Chapman; 1909, 1910, George Davis; 1911, William Ashwell.
Ludlow Women's Club .- This club was organized February 26, 1908, with seven members. During that year the number was increased to twenty-six. The purpose of the club is to consider topics of vital interest,-social, literary, scientific, artistic, historical, ethical,-and other fields of importance; to promote culture, and cordial personal relations among women, and to contribute to the welfare of the community.
The Ludlow Social and Debating Club .- In 1892, the Scotchmen of Ludlow formed the Ludlow Burns Social Club for the purpose of con- ducting the entertainments on New Year's Eve and Robert Burns's birthday, and to lend a helping hand to those in need. The charter members were: William P. McFarlane, president; George Elphinstone, secretary ; George Mackintosh, treasurer; and Charles Mitchell, guard; William Palmer, Walter Duncan, Hugh M. Cramond, Charles Graham, David Ogilvie, Richard Proctor, James Wilson, John Duffy, John Craige, and George Ogilvie. In 1897, many others having become interested in the work of the Club, expressed a desire to join it and enlarge its activities. They were admitted and the name was then changed to the Ludlow Social and Debating Club. Much pleasure and benefit have been derived by this change.
PHYSICIANS
Dr. Aaron John Miller was the first physician to practice in Ludlow. He was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, and is reliably reported to have been a member of the original Boston Tea Party. The next in order are: Francis Percival; Benjamin Trask, who practiced here in 1777; a Dr. Wood, who lived at "Miller Corner " about the same time; Simpson Ellis; David Lyon; Sylvester Nash, who married a daughter of the Rev.
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW.
Antipas Steward; Philip Lyon, in 1802; Drs. Taintor, Sutton, Munger, and Hamilton; Estes Howe, from Belchertown, a commissioned officer in the Continental Army, June 17, 1775; Elijah Caswell, who practiced many years and lived on the "Caswell place," west of the Center; Wash- ington B. Alden, at Ludlow Center; Dr. Bassett, about 1840; R. G. Eng- lish; William B. Miller, at Jenksville, but later removed to Springfield; Henry M. T. Smith, C. B. Smith, Robert Wood at Jenksville; Dr. King, Benjamin K. Johnson, Horace B. Miller, J. W. Lyman (died about 1880), C. J. Ray, M. B. Landers, A. J. Treichler, C. H. Lortie, J. W. Hannum (died Dec. 9, 1911), G. H. Aldrich, and P. A. Hoyt.
LAWYERS
John Jennings practiced in Ludlow at a very early date and is said to have been the only one who ever did so. His office was in his house near the Ezekiel Fuller residence. That he was a regular licensed attorney is not known. That he served his clients well is fully attested. His main usefulness seems to have been in drawing up legal papers and in giving wholesome advice.
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FIRST MEETING-HOUSE, LUDLOW CENTER
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THE FIRST OR TOWN CHURCH
THE MEETING-HOUSE-Places of meeting-Location of center of district -Site chosen-Erection of building-Improvements-New building- Fire-Third building-Dedication-Additions.
THE MINISTERS-The first minister, Rev. Pelatiah Chapin-Other early ministers-Stephen Burroughs-First ordination and installation-Rev. Antipas Steward-Mr. Steward and his chorister-Selection from one of his sermons-Dissatisfaction-Dismissal of Mr. Steward-Union efforts- Elder Elijah Hedding-Rev. Alexander McLean-Difficulty-Rev. E. B. Wright-Rev. D. R. Austin-Rev. Alonzo Sanderson-Rev. Jeremy Webster Tuck-Succeeding ministers-Pastors.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION - Early membership - First great revival-Addi- tional members-Succeeding revivals-Deacons-Organization of parish- Ministry fund-Parish membership rule-Adoption of church creed and covenant-Church regulations-Incorporation of church and parish- Church harmony-Benevolences-Children's Sunday-Prayer meetings- Old Home Sunday-Choristers-Musical instruments-Organists-Gifts and bequests-Deacons-Clerks of parish-Church societies-Sabbath school.
THE MEETING-HOUSE
IT seems to have been the universal practice of our New England fathers to provide themselves with the ordinances of religion as early as possible after a settlement was made. The first meeting had been held, the new district named, and all preparations made for a corporate existence, but nothing had been done to establish a church. They desired a place for convenient worship, and so those worshiping westward turned from their ecclesiastical home to find another eastward; those whose heartstrings had entwined about the Wilbraham sanctuary loosened the tendrils and trained them about the remoter center northward.
We are not left wholly to conjecture respecting the places used for transacting town business and for public worship previous to the erection of a building devoted especially to these purposes. The first district meeting was held at the home of Abner Hitchcock, March 16, 1774. The second meeting was also held at Abner Hitchcock's a few weeks later
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HISTORY OF LUDLOW.
(April 22). A third (adjourned) meeting was held on June 1st, probably at the same place, though the record does not state. We find that the three favorite places for the early district meetings were the homes of Abner Hitchcock, Joshua Fuller, and Jacob Kendall. In 1777 the houses of James Kendall and Samuel Scranton were prescribed as places for assembly in worship and for town business. Barns also seem to have been brought into requisition. One formerly standing opposite the home of James Leroy Simonds, and torn down within the memory of many now living, was thus used. Public worship was also held in a barn in the vicinity of the Dorman place and near the old Methodist Church. It was here that the notorious Stephen Burroughs is said to have preached. A barn in front of the residence of Simeon Pease was likewise utilized.
June 1, 1774, in the first year of the incorporation of the district of Ludlow, it was voted to choose a committee to find the center of the district as the location for a meeting-house. Abner Sikes, Edmond Damon, and Jonathan Bartlett were chosen. What this committee did or did not do in the matter of finding the center of the town as a location for a meeting-house is not recorded. If they came to any conclusion, it was not satisfactory. Another committee, Abner Sikes, Edmond Damon, Samuel Ackley, and Oliver Chapin, appointed for the same purpose, seems to have accomplished no more. It is rumored that the original finding of the center was in the midst of Cedar Swamp-a somewhat shaky foundation for town ecclesiastics! It has since been ascertained that the actual center of the district is just west of the present First Church and the town has erected a stone marker there.
The first public act with reference to building a meeting-house was on December 17, 1778, but it was subsequently reconsidered. The causes to which Mr. Tuck refers in his Historical Address (see Part III)-the scarcity of money and the absorption of interest in the Revolutionary War-were doubtless instrumental in the delay experienced in erecting the desired place of worship.
In the town meeting of March 25, 1780 (vide records), Dea. Nathan Smith of Granby, Dea. David Nash of South Hadley, and Dea. John Hitchcock of Wilbraham were asked to serve as a committee to set a stake where the meeting-house should be built. These worthy deacons performed their task acceptably and set the stake just in front of where the present house stands. The next year (November, 1781) there is a record of a town meeting called at the stake. But evidently the people
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THE FIRST OR TOWN CHURCH
did not find the stake sufficient shelter for the transaction of business, for after organizing they adjourned to the house of Joshua Fuller (near the post office).
February 26, 1782, it was voted that a meeting-house be erected on the place designated by the honorable committee above-mentioned. It was further voted that £200 be raised for the purpose. On January 28, 1783-the year of the close of the Revolutionary War-John Sikes, Moses Wilder, Timothy Keyes, James Kendall, and Isaac Brewer were chosen a committee to erect said house. On the following April 7, it was voted to raise £30 to procure shingles and nails to be used in the erection of said house. June 9 it was voted that the building should be underpinned with hewn stone. A Mr. Loomis of Monson received the contract for framing the building. The work of hewing the timbers and nearly all that of construction seems to have been performed gratuitously by the people of the community. Probably the building was done by odd jobs between planting and hoeing and after haying. The summer had passed and it was late autumn before the frame was ready to be raised, for it was the 23d of October that the building committee was authorized by a town meeting held at the stake to procure "a sufficient quantity of rum for raising the meeting-house frame." (See Historical Address, Part III.) On December 22 of the same year an additional £200 was voted to be used to finish said house. The building seems to have proceeded slowly, for not until August 3, 1784, was it sufficiently com- pleted to be used for a town meeting. For several years it remained unfinished, with neither clapboards nor plaster, and if there was a floor it was of the roughest kind. Alfred Putnam was told by Stillman Alden that the audience stood throughout the service in the early days of its occupancy, before the pews were built. The pulpit at first was a carpenter's bench, and the seats rough planks supported by blocks. Later a high pulpit was built. (See Historical Address, Part III.) During the winter people used to go a mile or more at noon for live coals to heat their foot stoves for the afternoon meeting.
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