USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Templeton > The story of Templeton > Part 6
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The boy rushed to the nearest house, pushed open the door, closing it behind him, and ran up the stairs to the second floor. The waters rushed madly against the house, dividing their force on either side, bringing along fallen trees and broken timbers. This water was eight feet deep in the street, and flowed as wide as Niagara.
All the village people came out with rope and ladders to go to the rescue if the house went down. The boy went to the window and waved to the men outside, then he disappear- ed, and presently returned eating an apple, while he watched the oncoming stream. But the house stood, the waters sub- sided, and the boy went home though he had to be ferried across the newly made river.
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As the waters rushed madly through the streets carrying large objects in their wake, tall trees were seen riding along perfectly erect, some of them twenty feet high.
Farther along the Otter River, in the industrial part of the town, the flood the day before had washed away the bridge which connected the two sections of the village, and the only way to cross the river was over a suspension railroad bridge which also extended across the roadway. This is a trestle structure over seventy feet high and dangerous crossing at any time. A man who lives four miles away parked his car the morning of the hurricane near the bridge, walked across it and went to work. The day was over, the winds raged, and the man started for home. When he reached the high bridge he found two other men ready to cross at the same time, one with a supply of groceries under his arm. They found it impossible to stand erect; the only way they could go was to crawl on their knees and clutch the rails with both hands. This they did, making slow and difficult progress. The man with the groceries had to give up his supplies and let them drop below.
Then came a violent gale. The man in the middle lost his right hand grip and was partly blown over the side. The man in front grabbed his arm, the man behind grabbed his leg, and together they pulled him up between the rails. At last the bridge was crossed. Our man got into his car and started on his four-mile ride. To the right and left trees and poles went down. A huge pine tree fell across the roadway just after he had passed that point. He reached his home in safety, but terribly exhausted. He put up his car, and while crossing the yard the chimney on the house blew down. The falling bricks hit him, fortunately not on the head, but on his arm. He was thankful to be alive.
One of our good housekeepers, having a washing out on
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the line, said to her sister: "It is blowing so hard I must go out and take in the clothes." "No, you don't," said the sister, "You stay in the house." "But I must take in Frank's shirt," said the woman. "No matter if Frank never has a shirt," said the sister, "if you value your life, stay in the house." The woman obeyed, and the shirt remained on the line.
This incident reminded me of a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, which I feel confident refers to the big blow of 1815, which swept through this section of the country and did great damage. It is entitled "The September Gale".
I'm not a chicken: I have seen Full many a chill September
And though I was a youngster then, That gale I well remember; It chanced to be our washing day, And all our things were drying;
The storm came roaring through the lines, And set them all a-flying;
I saw the shirts and petticoats Go riding off like witches; I lost, ah! bitterly I wept, - I lost my Sunday breeches!
I saw them straddling through the air, Alas, too late to win them;
I saw them chase the clouds, as if The devil had been in them; They were my darlings and my pride, My boyhood's only riches - "Farewell, farewell" I faintly cried - "My breeches! Oh, my breeches!"
After the tempest, when morning came, we took count of stock of our resources. Some had two chimneys, some had
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one, and some had none. Several did their cooking by the open fireplace. We found candles, lamps and old discarded oil stoves. The iron flatirons came back to use, and the hand pump at the kitchen sink.
After the excitement had abated, all went to work to repair damages. Fortunately, we have in our midst a carpenter, mason, steeple jack, and tree men, and they did heroic work.
How did this affect the elderly people? It saddened them greatly, for they had lived from childhood with these trees and steeples. But they went to work with all the rest to sal- vage the wreckage. One man over eighty whose yard was strewn with fallen trees went to work with his saw.
One woman who could not saw wood, but who could drive a car, knowing that it was necessary to reach a man who lived only three miles away, made a detour of twenty-five miles over some rocky roads, found the man, returned over the same route, and then drove four miles to find another man who lived just across the river from the first one. A few who could spare a little money and could not work gave to the church that had lost its beautiful spire.
One man said: "Silver and gold have I none, but I will give my time and clean up the wreckage around the church and carefully save the parts of the spire." When he was doing this, he pointed out the marvelous workmanship, the hand- hewn beams and wrought iron.
You will be glad to know that the clock goes on and strikes the hour, the bell tolls, and the organ peals forth its rich music. A parish meeting was held soon after the disaster and for the first time in our memory, the room was lighted by candlelight, except for one oil lamp.
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AFTER THE HURRICANE September, 1938
Higglety, pigglety, my black hen
Will never be the same again,
Because of our inclement weather, She scarcely boasts a single feather,
But still must roost on fallen trees ---
What price September's tropic breeze!
-Kenneth Bourn
The hurricane now seems to be a thing of the past, and what a task it has been to clear away the wreckage left in its wake. September twenty-second was a beautiful day, forerunner of weeks of perfect Indian Summer, ideal for out-of-door work. But what a sight met our eyes that morning!
At my tiny farm, we were nearly hidden from sight by great limbs tossed in a tangle of branches from the street to the porch; poles and wires looking for all the world like a first lesson in knitting by some mad giant. Where to begin the business of living amid such a tangle was a problem in- deed, yet a farm has first principles as rigid as the actors' creed, "The show must go on!" The milk must be delivered and the animals fed.
But even with this goal established the details of procedure are far from clear. Fortunately, the barn still stood, but the stable was a hash of broken glass and sash, drenched hay and shattered leaves. The cows stood still in bewilderment at the sight of the friendly sun after such a night of terror. The milking done, they went out to pasture where they might, as no fences were left intact.
Now for the hens-one flock still had a house, though roofless, but the second flock was scattered about the wreckage of their ruined home. Poor Gloria, the family pig, was sun- ning herself in what was left of a battery of nests from the
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hen house. "Gloria in excelsior", if you will forgive the pun. The milk bottled and delivered, the question of where to start was soon settled at the breakfast table. With no power there could be nothing cooked on the electric range. With no chimney, the coal range could not be used. Cooking in the fireplace, while cheap with all the fuel at hand, is by no means as satisfactory as the pioneer stories lead us to believe. The chimney must be built first, which meant a trip to town for supplies. Armed with axes and a saw the trip was started. Men were everywhere, young and old, even the crippled, lame and halt were doing what they could to clear the streets. The Highway Department, aided by the W. P. A. workers and volunteers had a way cleared for single-line traffic in a re- markably short time, for few travelers were abroad.
For five miles on Route 2 there was but one gas station doing business; the enterprising owner had installed his old kitchen pump and was pumping gas into a gallon measure. The lumber yard, when finally reached, had already exhausted its supply of bricks and cement, but two sacks of cement and a little lime were secured from the attendant. This man dealt with a hoard of frantic customers as though a hurricane were a daily occurrence. One businessman rushed up to him and demanded two hundred sacks of brick cement at once; the whole top of his factory was blown off! "Well", remarked the attendant, "I was just telling this gentleman we didn't have two sacks and we ain't got two hundred sacks either, but you just sit down a minute and we'll get you something."
While the lime was slaking, the tedious task of carrying bricks began. What a view from the top of the house! Next door a neighbor was shingling his roof; on the other side firemen were struggling to extricate a cow from a high barn that had collapsed. Trucks were carrying load after load of debris from the streets and common that had been cleared
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up by the W.P.A. workers. There were no shovel leaners among them.
In a few days the town was filled with telephone and elec- tric light men from New York and the Middle West, who worked from dawn to dark setting poles and stringing miles of new wire. So many lines had been destroyed that even with extra helpers no lights were in the houses for over eighteen days. The telephone came back into service after twenty-five days, much to the relief of the housewives who were weeks behind with their gossip, and so much to talk about! It was just a month before the street lights were turned on again. Schools had been started after ten days of enforced vacation, due largely to our local committee woman; she is also town accountant, indispensable in town affairs; she gets things done.
The slate roof of the school house was patched. The chimneys were blown off and there were no lights or water in the buildings, but the school started. Fortunately the weather was warm enough to make fires unnecessary.
With the farm temporarily patched up after a few days, we were able to help out our less fortunate neighbors.
Not far from us, in a splendid old house, live three sisters. Their place was like the rest; shingles off, doors and shutters gone, the roof torn from the barn, fences down, trees uprooted and broken. After getting an estimate of the amount of material required, the eldest sister drove to Athol, some ten miles west, for supplies. The town had been badly flooded and was still under guard to keep people out of the streets who were not on urgent business. The shingle dealers were swamped with customers, but she got into town and came out with thirteen squares of roofing and a truck load of roof boards and shingles and nails.
Then the three sisters supervised the repairs to their home
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and also found time to attend the meeting held for the dis- cussion of repairs to the Church, to go to the meeting of the Women's Club and to pick up and preserve the pears that had been hurled from the trees by the winds. Despite the damage done to their home, the three kept as cheerful as crickets with their delightful sense of humor unimpaired.
Much of our town was covered in pre-hurricane days with a heavy growth of pine and to these perhaps the damage was greater than to any other single thing. At our lake resort, some three miles west of town, there used to stand a growth of pines that must have been more than two centuries old; some of them were more than two feet in diameter, towering a hundred feet in the air. All of these beautiful trees were completely destroyed, and in falling they carried down the under-growth and many of the cottages lining the lake shore. Almost nothing has been done in any of the woods, as all the labor in town has been occupied in clearing streets and re- pairing houses.
What can be done to salvage the timber is still a question. The crop of years coming on the market at once would ren- der the pine worth less than the expense of cutting even if the labor to salvage the good logs were available. Our farm had but a single acre of large pines, but they surrounded a rocky glen that made a perfect picnic grove. Never again will we see it as it was a few weeks ago, but by planting new trees, it still will remain a delightful spot for the years ahead.
Next to our lot stood many acres of pine, which for years had been tended as carefully as an orchard by the father of the present owner. Only last summer she had been approach- ed by a lumber man who wished to purchase the pine, but it had been so long in her family, and her father had loved the trees so much, she was reluctant to sell at any price. Now practically all those splendid trees are gone, but at least she
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has the satisfaction of knowing that they were not destroyed at her bidding.
Now that the worst is over, most of us still find that we can look upon our possessions and find them good. Now that we have had weeks of living as we did half a century ago, we can better appreciate the blessings that we enjoy from day to day without thought.
Our electric clocks now tell the time; the radio brings the world news to our fireside; our oil burners again keep us warm without effort on our part; we say, "Let there be light!" and there is light; water again gushes forth at the turn of the knob; our washing machines and the dozen other contrivan- ces that would have been miracles only a few years ago now take up their tasks to make our lives easier.
If the hurricane has made us more conscious of our present aids and comforts, then perhaps it was not in vain after all. The fortitude shown by every one, the help so readily ex- tended by neighbors and friends and by perfect strangers, must linger in our memory; a shining example of the essential goodness of men and a source of courage as long as we live.
As Kenneth Bourn has related, the townspeople went to work to salvage and reconstruct. All this experience brought the people in the town closer together. We learned that the roots of our lives were fastened firmer than we realized in our home town and like the sturdy ash and maple, we still stand and have much cause for thanksgiving.
In 1939, the two churches across the common were fed- erated.
In 1940, the spire on the First Parish (Unitarian) Church was restored. William Roger Greeley of Boston was the architect, and the work was done by W. M. Bogart Co., Charlestown, Mass. Thanks to Robert Bourn, who carefully
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picked up and preserved the fragments of the spire, it was possible to erect a perfect duplicate. Thus again the spire stands out as a landmark on the horizon.
In 1940, after the flood and hurricane, the state thought best to build the Birch Hill Dam to prevent more disaster. Con- sequently the north part of the town was much disturbed, houses taken down, the buildings of two business firms re- moved and picnic spots and pleasure grounds demolished. With the advent of World War II, work on this project ceased. Now the construction work is taken up again, and we hope its completion will prevent more floods.
It was in the year 1940 also that the story of Templeton was told over the air from radio Station WHDH, Boston.
In 1941, Rev. George Ackerly was recognized as minister of the Federated Church. He was an exceptional organizer and did much to interest the young people. He established the Summer Vacation School which still continues and gives instruction to local children.
One summer a condensed history of the town was given to the entire school of sixty children in the form of radio broad- casts called "Exploring the Past of Templeton". One of the boys, Richard Wheaton, acted as announcer. From time to time, the children took part in the broadcasts, by answering questions or singing hymns or songs appropriate to the various chapters. Sometimes guest speakers added to the program. After the broadcast, several of the children made pictorial scrap books, illustrating the various stages of history.
In looking over the town records, it will be found that nearly all of the early settlers came from England. But with improved transportation across the ocean and across the con- tinent, people came from other countries to settle in the new world, and many of them came to live in Templeton. Besides the English we have eight different countries represented -
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Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Holland, Denmark, France and Italy.
The mingling of these people with the descendants of the first settlers should help to bring about a better understanding of world problems. In many cases these new residents have proved to be good citizens, and some hold responsible posi- tions.
Then, during the years 1939-1945, came World War II, be- yond a doubt the greatest war in the history of the world.
Again Templeton did its part; 550 men and women served in the war, and 18 gave their lives to this great cause, that all countries might sing
"My country tis of thee Sweet land of liberty"
Forever we shall be proud of the bravery and sacrifice of those who served in this war.
The women at home occupied their time in making gar- ments, knitting sweaters, helmets, gloves and socks and folding surgical dressings. Also, they were constantly writing letters and sending useful and needed articles to those in service.
In Otter River was established an airplane observation post and many of the townspeople gave their services in three-hour relays, watching and reporting the passing of the planes, throughout the twenty-four hours.
Then came the rationing of meat, cheese, butter, canned goods and shoes, which meant problems for the housewife. The rationing of gasoline made transportation another problem.
But these inconveniences were willingly met. Men and women went to work to make their gardens grow and canned the produce for winter consumption. We patched our gar- ments, wore old models throughout the war and cheerfully gave up nylon stockings.
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V E Day came May 8, 1945, and V J Day, September 2, 1945. On both of these days services of thanksgiving were held in the churches. The end of war, but not yet the coming of peace.
Another conflict appeared, between capital and labor. Strikes and more strikes, the danger of the atom bomb and unrest and disturbance in countries all over the world.
But we as citizens must use our influence by voting for the best people to represent us and in the next decade may there be peace and prosperity for all.
Since the war there has been vast improvement in auto- mobiles, airplanes and other inventions. What will this mean to our town? With the new high-power gas we may drive to Boston in half an hour. We may have breakfast in our home, lunch in California, return for dinner in Chicago and supper at home again.
NEW BUSINESS IN TEMPLETON CENTER.
As has been stated, in the early days Templeton Common was a thriving business center, but with the coming of the railroad in the north part of the town, many of these industries disappeared and the village became almost entirely residential.
But now we find something of a reappearance of activities. The automobile has made a garage and repair shop a necessity, which Alton Ware ably operates. A blacksmith shop now, as in days gone by, still finds its usefulness and is owned and operated by Samuel Symons. In 1945, Adams Brothers, opened up a printing shop in the barn adjoining the house formerly owned and occupied by Mary W. Stone and now owned by Orville Adams, one of the members of the firm. Francis Ellis, who lives in the Chamberlin house with Nestor Maki and Son, is doing excellent work in photography.
Roswell Johnson, an able electrican, has established a profit- able business at his home.
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Mrs. Dora Winch, Mrs. Florence Winch and Mary Winch produce beautiful designs in the old art of weaving.
In the old Hadley house, Richard LeMieur restores antique furniture. Farther along the Athol Road, Philip Swanson produces small pieces of woodwork.
There are in the village expert masons and carpenters. Leo Lund is specializing in hothouse vegetables. Johnson's Cider Mill on the Otter River Road produces most excellent cider.
In Brooksvillage, Lester Pease does an extensive business for the market and local trade in growing apples.
Many raise vegetables, chickens, and rabbits, all of which find ready market.
Ernest Kendall, Marcia Reed and Mabel Paige all produce and sell gorgeous gladioli.
At Baptist Common, on the road leading to the old Under- wood house, John Kosakowaki and Walter Dabuliewicz are doing small wood turning, and employ five people. They are known as Templeton Manufacturing Co., and make chil- dren's chairs, rockers, bassinets and spindles and frames for upholstered furniture.
Templeton has a long list of people who were educated in town and through church and school training were equipped to go out into the world and became great influences for good. It is impossible to recall them all, but some of the outstanding names should be mentioned.
According to the record found in the Dictionary of American Biography, between 1760-1840, Templeton, in pro- portion to its population, produced more people of note than any other town in Massachusetts, and probably in the entire country. Following is the list of names:
Stephen P. Andrews 1812 - reformer and philosopher,
Sylvanus Sawyer 1822 - inventor,
George Cheney Shattuck 1783 - physician,
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Asa Turner 1799 - clergyman and educator, Jonathan Baldwin Turner 1825 - teacher, William M. Goodrich 1777 - organ builder, Sarah Goodrich 1788-miniature painter, Rev. William Goodell D. D. 1792 - missionary, Leonard A. Jones 1832 - judge,
Charles Knowlton 1800 - physician and philosopher.
In 1894, the Templeton High School celebrated its 38th an- niversary and at that time many prominent people were men- tioned by Hosea Lane, the high school teacher. Some of these were: Prof. George Alden, who at that time had charge of the department of mechanical engineering at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, also John Boynton, one of the founders of that same institution; Prof. Lucas Baker, an artist of spe- cial reputation, for many years instructor in the Art Institute in New York City; Charles W. Stone, the owner and head of one of the best known private schools for boys in New England; William Kirchner, professor of drawing in the University of Minnesota; John Leahey, professor at Holy Cross College in Worcester; H. Edwin Hawkes, for many years Dean of Columbia College; Edmund Hudson, connected with the News Press of the Boston Herald; Judge Partridge and Judge Pierce, prominent lawyers of Boston and Worcester; Newton Bugbee, at one time candidate for Governor of New Jersey; Ernest Maynard, the architect of Keith's Theatre in Boston; Kendall Saunders, a New York artist of some note, and Michael Kelly, a famous ball player who became the manager of the Minneapolis Team.
Prominent in business were: W. M. L. Shearer, at one time the principal owner and manager of Paine's Furniture Com- pany of Boston; Moses Richardson (donor of the inn) for many years engaged in the wool business in Boston; George Fuller of the great construction company of that name be-
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came a most successful builder and contractor. That com- pany invented frames of steel with iron girders, erecting what are called "sky scrapers". The Flatiron Building in New York City was the first enormous structure erected by this firm.
Many women became prominent teachers: Henrietta Saw- yer, the daughter of one of the leading families was for over twenty years, at the head of a preparatory school for girls in St. Louis; Hattie Twichell, a pioneer educator of kindergarten in Springfield and Rosetha Norcross, for many years a mis- sionary in Turkey.
And so all over the world, Templeton people have been doing valiant work in many fields.
Throughout this story we have mentioned some of the people who have contributed to the town's welfare and cul- ture: the ministers and their wives, the doctors, the teachers and business men. From the very beginning of the town's settlement, there have been many whose names seldom ap- peared in the newspapers, but who, as Mr. Lane said in his address, were living brave and helpful lives and exerting greater influences than perhaps they realized. The farmers and their wives, for example, who have trained sons and daughters into intelligent, honest, and patriotic citizens. And then the maiden aunt who has been a perpetual source of comfort and helpfulness to her many relatives and friends.
I think we have illustrated that Templeton has produced people of note and distinction and that the homely influences of this country town have produced some of the finest citizens of the world.
As it has been in the past, I am confident it will be in the future, for with the example of present forward-looking citi- zens, the town's selectmen, teachers, ministers, government leaders and businessmen, it will be possible for the young people to carry on with courage.
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