USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Templeton > The story of Templeton > Part 5
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It was also in the year 1888 that Hosea F. Lane published "The History of Templeton", a most valuable document, a copy of which may be found at our public library. Another event in our history that same year, 1888, was the burning of the Old Hotel.
We have now arrived at what was known as the Gay Nine- ties period and assuredly it was the gayest and happiest time in our history. Again I quote from one of my radio programs, for it seems to fit this story. Kenneth Bourn wrote some of the material, so now, as previously, I quote from our joint compilation.
"Those were the days when life was a song, When girls were modest and skirts were long And the boys were the kind that always paid Honest respect to a blushing maid."
-Cummings
The town was still thriving in a business as well as a social way. The industries in the north part of the town were in
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full swing, and the common in the center village continued to be the mecca for musters and ball games. Perhaps the vital interest was in the fall of the year when the local Grange held its cattle show, with its fine display of home products in the Town Hall and its exhibition of farm animals outside. Then for exciting diversion came the trial of fire engines and all kinds of races, ending with the greased pig race.
Besides the stagecoach, in the village streets were seen vari- ous kinds of conveyances - the carryall, the beach wagon, the democrat, the buggy, the phaeton with its fringed top, the dog cart, the two-wheeled gig, the buckboard, and the tall bicycle which proved disastrous to many a daring rider. Horseback riding was very popular - the women, on side saddles, with long flowing skirts, tall hats, and holding the little whips. All these vehicles and horses were housed in barns or stables. This was the time when the livery stable did a big business, for buggy riding was the favorite pastime for the young swain and his girl.
The men delighted in horse trading and were famous for their clever deals. Not only were there seen the hitching posts, but the tradesmen always carried hitching weights with attached chains.
In former days, as has been stated, the residents were given simple names - William, Charles, John, James, Mary, Har- riet, Caroline, and Elizabeth. During this period, they were shortened to Willie, Charlie, Johnny, Jamie, Mamie, Hattie, Carrie, and Betty.
The news of the nineties was quite different from that of today; no radio broadcasts; in the newspapers no automobile page, no movie advertisements, no comics, no such words as 'permanent', 'upswing', or 'hair-do'; no Rotary Club or chain stores, and no Rose Bowl football.
Articles of clothing were long woolen underwear, top hats,
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derby hats, and copper-toed shoes for the men. It was the day of the Gibson Girl and Maxfield Parrish. We listened to MacDowell's music and sang Moody and Sankey hymns; and the young people danced to "Banks of the Wabash", and "Sidewalks of New York". Some of the older people went to see Irving and Terry on the stage, and "Casey at the Bat".
At this period, the kitchen ceased to be the central meeting place; nearly all the houses had a dining-room and sitting- room as well as a parlor. The sitting-room and dining-room were where the family gathered. If the dining room was used, the long table was covered with a heavy dark cloth after the evening meal, and around the table the family sat for reading and study. Over the table was the hanging lamp which could be lowered or raised for the convenience of all.
In the parlor the floor was carpeted, usually with Brussels or Axminster. A lambrequin, silk and embroidered, covered the mantel. The haircloth furniture of the earlier period was banished, together with the hair wreaths, samplers, and prism lamps. These were replaced by more comfortable chairs up- holstered in plush, oil paintings in gilt frames, and decorative lamps with silk shades. In the hall stood the hat rack, with a mirror in the center and around it pegs for coats and hats. Beneath was a little shelf, and on each side extensions for canes and umbrellas.
Young people enjoyed out-of-door games - croquet and lawn tennis - and some of them became expert players, even if the girls did have to wear long skirts, high collars, and sailor hats.
The costumes of the nineties were quite striking; skirts stiffened to make them stand out, high stiff collars, bustles, leg o' mutton sleeves, high button boots, cotton stockings, hats with plumes, and parasols. Women wore fob watch chains tucked into their belts, and also the chatelaine bag fastened
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at the side. They also carried button hooks for their gloves. The men wore Prince Albert coats, starched bosoms with studs, neckties all made up, celluloid collars and detachable cuffs, very fancy cuff buttons, and massive watch chains.
The young people then had to make their own good times. They gave amateur theatricals and melodramatic plays, light operas and vaudeville acts. Often exceptional talent was found among the actors and singers in the town. Singing groups were popular. Dancing was always enjoyed, so much so that people would sometimes ride five or six miles in open sleighs to attend these grand affairs. The waltz, schottische, polka, the lancers, and contra dances were the favorites.
Those were the happy days!
The latter part of this period saw the coming of electricity and the telephone, and what a blessing and comfort to the townspeople! Most important of all were the electric lights in the houses - no more filling of oil lamps, cleaning wicks and washing chimneys. As the years went on, many electrical devices appeared; refrigerators, irons, toasters, vacuum clean- ers, and so on. Perhaps the best of all was the electric pump which brought running water to the kitchen sink -what a change from carrying the water from nearby streams, the "Old Oaken Bucket" at the sunken well, the pump outside, and the hand pump in the kitchen!
On February 15, 1898, the battleship "Maine" was blown up, which precipitated the Spanish-American war. In this war, as in others, Templeton was represented by valiant men.
In 1903, the Templeton Street Railway was established, connecting all parts of the town. Cars ran from Baldwinville through Otter River to East Templeton, Templeton Center, and on to Athol. In summer it was a great pleasure to ride in the open cars with the seats placed crosswide. This new means of transportation, and the telephones in the homes
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brought residents throughout the town into closer relationship. The telephone was an especial advantage to the farmers in the outlying districts, even as it is today.
The two women's clubs in town were organized in 1899, one in Baldwinville and one in Templeton Center. The club at the Center was first known as the Wellington Club. In 1923, the name was changed to Templeton Woman's Club. These clubs have been and still are of great value to the cul- tural life of the town.
In 1900, Moses Richardson, a former resident, built a new inn (the present one) on the site of the old hotel. Ernest Maynard, born in Templeton and architect of Keith's Theatre in Boston, was chosen to plan the new building. It contained about fifty rooms, well furnished and comfortable.
This was an imposing edifice for our village, bringing a dif- ferent atmosphere into the community. It is interesting to note that the guest rooms were decorated by F. Ketley, the man who decorated the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. People came from New York, Boston, and other cities and found a pleasant summer home. For some time Percival Blod- gett, another of the town's prominent citizens, was proprietor of this hostelry; and his daughter, Grace Blodgett, acted as clerk. Miss Blodgett also served for many years as librarian of the Boynton Public Library besides giving valuable service in town affairs.
The places of business of former times were now almost entirely gone from Templeton Center. The furniture shop below the hill and the blacksmith shop were about all that remained. There were seen only the general store, postoffice, and residences. The picket fences around the houses were taken down, but the lawns were kept cut with the new inven- tion, the lawn mower, and the gardens bloomed. Life went on in a more luxurious way than formerly because of the
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coming of electricity, the telephone, the new inn, and many other improvements.
We now have the setting - the common with its ash, maple and elm trees, the two churches with their tall spires, the house with the pillars, the old brick house, the very modern Templeton Inn, and the trolley car winding its way over the main street by the common on its way to Athol.
During the summers of 1911-12-13 was maintained at the north end a vacation house for working girls from Boston, sponsored by the South End Settlement House in that city. The girls came in groups of ten, and each group remained two weeks.
Many of the village people helped to give them a good time. Guests from the inn sent in contributions of Abby Maynard's famous ice cream, neighbors sent in fresh vege- tables, talented people helped with the entertainment.
The barn was their recreation room and there the girls took part in impromptu charades, and village people joined them in singing groups. Rev. William F. Skerrye, the minister of the First Parish, gave illustrated lantern talks, and Wallace Underwood, the town's artist, gave chalk talks. Several of the townspeople took the girls on trolley rides, picnics, and walks in the woods. One group took the trip to Mt. Monad- nock; another group who could not tramp so far, went to Mt. Wachusett.
Each girl paid three dollars a week, and on that amount the house was run. At the end of the first year the amount of seven dollars was returned to the sponsor. Delia Damon, who for many years held the position of postmaster, was the cook. The girls loved her, for she not only prepared good things to eat, but was a musician - played the piano and sang and was ever ready to help with the good times in the barn. The coming of these working girls brought a new element
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into the community and gave the natives an opportunity to know a different side of life.
Then in 1914, again a cloud appeared on the horizon - the disturbance in Europe and subsequently World War I, the greatest war in history up to that time, and the first to draw into its vortex nations of every continent. When we read in the papers of the assassination of the heir apparent to the throne of Austria, we little thought that a war would result and that our town would have a part in that great tragedy. But Templeton played its part, giving its full devotion. Again the marching of feet was heard on the common and our brave boys went off across the seas to fight hand in hand for liberty with the descendants of those who came to America to pre- vent that very liberty which our ancestors were trying to es- tablish for themselves.
You know the story; we need not repeat it here - the heartaches and anxiety - how the women knitted sweaters and stockings and folded surgical dressings, first for the French Army and then for our own. Peace came at last, but at what a price! To commemorate the sacrifice and bravery of our boys of Templeton, a beautiful monument was erected on the common. John G. Hardy of Warwick, Rhode Island, was the sculptor. This statue is considered one of the finest erected in New England in memory of the war dead.
After this war fewer guests came to town for the summer and the famous inn, then known as the Landlords' Inn, closed its doors, and for a time life in the town became quieter and less eventful.
In 1901, the radio was born, and by 1920 it was in use in many homes; now hardly a house is without one. Motion picture houses were established in Gardner, and automobiles appeared one by one. All this meant a drastic change in en- tertainment. There was less desire to create amusements.
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The automobile and other conveyances took people to movies in Gardner, while the less active ones sat in their chairs at home and listened to the radio.
Then in 1924, one of our residents, Mrs. Elizabeth L. Park- hurst, who was ever a faithful worker for home, church and town interests, had a vision. In the next chapter we will tell what materialized from her dream - the reorganization of the Historical Society of Templeton.
IMPORTANT DATES
1883
Brick Store built in Otter River
1885
Templeton Grange established
1886
High School in Baldwinville
1888
Big Snowstorm
1888
Hosea F. Lane's History of Templeton published
Old hotel burned
1888 1890 ) to 1900 1898 1899 1900
Gay Nineties period
Spanish-American War
Women's Clubs organized
Present inn built
Construction of Templeton Street Railway
1903 1911 1912 1913 1914
Vacation House for working girls
World War I
1920
The radio
1924
Reorganization of the Historical Society
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CHAPTER V
Reorganization of the Historical Society and
Hopes For Tomorrow, 1924-1946
M RS. PARKHURST remembered that many years ago an Historical Society was formed by Hosea F. Lane, for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of our forefathers, by collecting articles of interest, which were placed in the upper story of the library building.
In the fall of 1924, she invited the townspeople to her home, and the society was reorganized, named and later incorporated as the Narragansett Historical Society of Templeton, Massa- chusetts, Mrs. Henry Kirke White was chosen president and has remained in that position to this day (1946). It was called Narragansett because that was Templeton's name at the time of its birth, as stated in the first chapter.
From its very beginning the society has prospered, bringing a new interest into the town. Every summer special attrac- tions have been arranged, either lectures by noted people or costume parties.
Once an old-time service was given in the First Church;
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all the people came dressed in Puritan costumes, the men sit- ting on one side and the women on the other.
At another time, the old houses were open for inspection and supper served in Mrs. White's grounds, to over 400 people. On still another occasion historical living pictures were pre- sented with a dramatic portrayal of an old-time school.
The climactic event was a production of moving pictures, at the time of the Tercentenary celebration, in 1930. These pictures were produced by the late Charles H. Flood, whose summer home, then, was in Templeton. They represented the history of the town's events and customs from the begin- ning of its settlement to the time of this presentation.
The scenes were generally taken from locations in the town and the costumes were owned by Templeton residents. Mrs. Flood arranged and played a musical background for this pro- duction. It was a memorable occasion, and we still have the pictures.
One of the past residents, Mrs. Adelaide B. Howland, in her will, left a sum of money to be used either for the erection of a new building or for the restoration of an old one, in order to make a home for the Society.
In 1933, the property of the old brick store was purchased and the following year the building was restored. Charles Flood was chosen chairman of the building committee and through his untiring efforts and the cooperation of others on the committee, a wonderful rebirth of the old store was ac- complished. The architect was Royal Barry Wills of Boston, and the builders were Columbus and Berg of Gardner.
At the time of the dedication of the building, October 1934, Lucius Greenwood gave a detailed account of the history of the store. This paper can be found in the Narragansett Historical Building. Now this building stands out as an attractive object to the traveler passing through the town.
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The space back of the building during its restoration was used as a dumping ground for pieces of lumber, old bricks and other refuse; and no sooner had this rubbish been re- moved than the president, Mrs. White, created a garden. As the years went by, it grew in beauty and development. For several summers, tea was served in this area of flowers and ferns on Saturday afternoons, by young girls dressed in Puri- tan costumes. The garden has been used for many purposes - story-telling to the children, for the Society's luncheons and other gatherings as well as wedding receptions.
During 1935, nearly 1000 people came to visit the building and its garden. Rev. Frederick Weis of Lancaster was chosen historian at the time of reorganization. In 1945, he presented to the Society two large volumes containing the genealogy of Templeton families from 1750 to 1850. This made a most valuable and generous contribution.
Tribute should be given in our story to Mrs. White for her faithful and painstaking work; her part in the reconstruction of the building; arranging the interior; creating the garden; planning entertainments; engaging lecturers and thus making a center where the people from various parts of the town come together and enjoy the fruits of their accomplished work. Were it not for Mrs. White and the inspiration of her mother, Mrs. Parkhurst, I doubt if we would now have this interesting institution.
Recognition should be given to the other officers of the Society who have faithfully served through the years.
More data concerning this organization will be found in the large scrap book compiled by Mrs. White, now in the Manuscript Room at the Historical Building.
In recent years, the young people of the town have found inspiration for good citizenship through the establishment of the Scout movement. The first troup of Boy Scouts was or-
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ganized in East Templeton in 1915 under the sponsorship of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while the first troup of Girl Scouts was established in 1936. At a still later date, the young- er girls were banded together as Brownies.
The pledges of these organizations stimulate patriotic loyal- ty, courage and bravery.
Mention should be made of the faithfulness of the leaders of the Scouts, and special acknowledgment given to Edith G. Hinds for devoted service as Commissioner, having com- pleted ten years in this important work.
Also in 1916, the year the first troup of Boys Scouts was formed in Templeton, Miss Grace Blodgett organized a group of Camp Fire Girls at the Center. Ten girls composed the group, with Miss Blodgett as Guardian and Miss Nellie Bryant as Assistant Guardian. Since the use of an Indian name was required by the national organization, the Templeton group chose the name Kenestro from Kenestro Brook in the south- ern part of the town, one of the few Indian names remaining after the town was incorporated.
Under Miss Blodgett's able leadership the Kenestro Camp Fire Girls were a distinct asset to the community. During World War I, the girls did their bit with war gardens and canning and in the relief drives. Records show that during its four years of existence, about thirty girls were included in the membership list. In 1920, Miss Blodgett was forced to relinquish the guardianship on account of illness in her family, and as a successor could not be found, the group disbanded.
When the Girl Scout troup was organized, in 1936, a num- ber of the former Camp Fire Girls and sponsors became a part of the new organization.
Other sources of good influence for the young people have been Mothercraft, sponsored by the Templeton Woman's
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Club, and the 4-H Work, under the auspices of the Worcester County Extension.
In 1925, the electric cars were supplanted by buses, thus cutting off direct communication with the north part of the town and making it neccessary to enter that area by the way of Gardner.
The Mohawk Trail Cut-off, Route 2, running through Templeton, was built in 1927, giving better accessibility to outlying towns.
And so during the years to 1938, because of interest in the historical society, new road construction, automobiles and other improvements, the townspeople were finding content- ment and happiness.
They were looking forward to the restoration of other old buildings and landmarks.
They were enjoying the beautiful trees on the common and in the surrounding groves where many of the pines had stood sentinel for over two centuries. Tall trees were seen along the highway and at the lake resorts; one section, especially beau- tiful, was known as the cathedral pines. Whenever one trav- eled along the highway, the tall spires of the churches stood out against the sky, pointing heavenward.
Then in September, 1938, came the hurricane! It did its work with a mighty force. Beautiful elms and the cathedral and sentinel pines were uprooted. The spires on three churches went down, bridges were washed away and the poor little town devastated. Again, I am inserting one of my radio programs giving facts as I know them concerning this fright- ful experience followed by a program written by Kenneth Bourn entitled "After the Hurricane".
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THE HURRICANE - September, 1938
"Flung by a fitful gust, there beat Against the window a dash of rain; Steady as tramp of marching feet Strode on the hurricane"
-Celia Thaxter
The storm raged, the winds blew. From my house I had an extensive view of the surrounding country. As I looked out of the window, the whole world seemed to be engaged in a terrible battle. Trees swayed, touched each other, and went down. Telephone poles dropped, chimneys collapsed, and shingles flew in all directions. My house swayed like a ship at sea, electric wires and tree branches were pounding on the outside as if bound to destroy.
I went downstairs, for it seemed safer to be on the first floor, as I was alone. As I looked out of the window, I saw a man running across the field chasing a pig. What became of the frightened animal, no one knows, but the man blew home. Then I saw a large object fly through the air, narrowly escap- ing hitting one of my windows. It proved to be the cap from my neighbor's chimney.
The darkness came and flashlights and candles were put to use. Then followed a night of watching and waiting. In the morning my neighbor came with her coffee pot. She had no electricity and because she had no chimney she had no fire. So I made her morning coffee. After a while, the boy arrived with the milk. He had much to report. Hardly a house escaped some injury. Most of the elm trees were up- rooted - some of them measured twenty feet in circumference.
The beautiful common was like a battle field. Three church spires were down. The Christopher Wren spire fell
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on the roof and hung there, extending part way into the church.
In other sections of the town three bridges were down, houses were washed away, ponds overflowed, and dams were destroyed, thus cutting off all communication, and all around us the pine groves were gone. Just down the hill from the common the entire roof of a barn caved in, burying the cow. The owner went to the rescue. The creature seemed to be breathing, but try as hard as he could he could not remove the timbers. However, in the morning, the neighbors helped him and they pulled the debris away, and the cow got up, walked into the shed, and gave the usual amount of milk for the family. When the roof of that barn fell in, the cupola re- mained right side up and intact, the glass of the windows not even broken, and the little structure is now serving as the temporary home for the cow.
One of the neighbors who helped to rescue the buried cow went out in the height of the gale to do his milking, the barn being some distance from the house. He opened the door and went out. Fortunately he had a firm grip upon the pail handle for the wind took his arm and pail and sent them into the air high above his head and blew him with great force into the barn. He sat down upon the stool and began to milk. Windows blew in and glass flew in all directions, but the man went right on milking. Then came a violent crash, glass hit the cow, the cow jumped, upsetting the milk, and the man, after quieting the animal, went to the house with an empty pail.
Another barn collapsed, burying a woman's pet horse. The owner spent the night in great anxiety, but when the timbers were moved the next morning, the horse was as good as ever.
After the hurricane had abated, even though it was pitch
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dark, one man felt called upon to go to his brother's house to see what had happened there. He stumbled against fallen trees, and walked around them, and was going along valiantly when suddenly he stopped and fell and found he was in the wake of an uprooted elm tree. The earth was like quick- sand, and before he know it, he was almost buried in the mire. He thought his last days had come, for he was alone in this wilderness of fallen trees. He reached up and grasped a root of the elm, which fortunately did not give way, and by pulling with all his might he managed to climb up on solid ground and work his way to safety. Did he return to his home? No, he went on to his brother's house and made his call, dripping mud as he went along.
In the north part of town is an old iron foundry, built over a hundred years ago, with a pond back of it and the Otter River flowing in front. The residents living in that locality, fearing a disaster, vacated their homes. Right at the height of the blow a boy was seen walking, on his way home. Just as he came to the foundry, the dam broke, the pond over- flowed, and the road was a raging torrent.
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