USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Walpole > The story of Walpole, 1724-1924; a narrative history prepared under authority of the town and direction of the Historical Committee of Bi-Centennial > Part 17
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APPENDIX
WALPOLE'S BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION October 4, 1924
By JOHN J. FITZHENRY-Editor "Walpole Times"
THE fates were kind to Walpole in the celebration of her two- hundredth birthday. A clear atmosphere, a warm sun and the lightest and gentlest breeze of the season combined in the making of a perfect day. It was Mother Nature's gift to a favorite daughter.
The people of Walpole are to be complimented on the wonderful display of community spirit which they manifested and they are to be congratulated on the success of the Bi-Centennial celebration. Perhaps never before in the history of New England was there such a general feeling of equality, good-fellowship and neighborliness as that shown by Walpole's citizens during the festivities.
A great many former residents of the old town returned for the day to meet again the friends of long ago, to visit the scenes which live forever in memory and to contribute their part in doing honor to the town which was once their home.
At high noon the factory whistles were blown, the church bells were rung and the town crier, impersonated by Mr. Harry Guild, sallied forth and announced the glad Bi-Centennial tidings to the people of the several villages which constitute the township.
The dedicatory exercises were very impressive. The opening prayer was said by Rev. T. J. Fahey. In it he paid a tribute to the people of New England and likened their characteristics, rugged- ness, simplicity, honesty and dignity to the outstanding features of Memorial Bridge.
Mr. P. R. Allen, Chairman of the Bi-Centennial Committee, in a very graceful speech formally presented the Bridge to the Town and a most appropriate speech of acceptance was made by Mr. H. M. Stowell, Chairman of Selectmen.
Mr. Isaac Newton Lewis, clad in Continental costume, recited a dedication ode and Governor Channing H. Cox delivered the address. The benediction was spoken by Rev. A. L. Mckenzie. Appropriate airs were sung by the Bi-Centennial chorus to the accompaniment of the Weymouth Legion band under the direction of Mr. Adelbert Morse. At the close of the Governor's address the tablets of the new bridge were unveiled by Mr. Joshua Allen and Mr. F. A. Hartshorn, members of E. B. Piper Post, Grand Army of the Republic. The third surviving member of this Post, Mr. Nathan Fisher, was ill and unable to be present.
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When the draperies had been drawn aside, the command, "Fall in," was given by Colonel W. M. Whitman and the citizens of Walpole with their invited guests, led by Mr. John Dalton, carrying a halberd, the ancient symbol of authority, formed in processional order and marched across the newly dedicated bridge while the band played, "Onward, Christian Soldiers."
It was a grand and a wonderful procession. Everybody who could walk was in the ranks and every marcher carried a flag. Men and women whose hair had been whitened by the passing years, youthful couples filled with the joy of life, staid, middle-aged folk and little children just beyond the toddling age-all were there, honoring the memory of Walpole's dead heroes and paying tribute to the town's survivors of the nation's wars. More than three thousand men, women and children were in line-an inspiring sight and a splendid example of Walpole's community spirit. The Weymouth Legion Band and the Norwood Brass Band furnished marching music.
There was but one vehicle in the procession. It was an old stage coach, one which, in by-gone days, had seen active service on the Boston-Providence post road. It carried Governor Cox and the town guests, among them Mr. Granville Morse of Wrentham, Commander of the Plainville Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Morse in his younger days had been a stage coach driver and "handled the reins" for forty-five years over the road between Wrentham and Franklin.
At vantage points along the route of the procession, groups, clad in the costumes of other days, were stationed. They were im- personations of historic characters posed to represent past events.
The line of march was across Memorial Bridge to East street, along East street to Main street, up Main street and along Common street to the Plimpton school field. The streets and buildings were very tastefully decorated. The scheme was worked out in com- plete harmony and with noticeable uniformity.
At the field Rev. R. W. Savage delivered the invocation. Mr. P. R. Allen then introduced Mr. George A. Plimpton, the Chairman of the Reception Committee. Mr. Plimpton welcomed the guests and read a cablegram from the Bishop of Edinburgh and a letter from President Coolidge, expressing their regrets at being unable to attend the exercises. His Lordship is a descendant of the Walpole family and he had been invited as the guest of honor.
Mr. Charles S. Bird, the orator of the day, delivered an address that reached every heart. He spoke very feelingly of Walpole's past, honestly of her present and optimistically of her future. Mr.
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MEMBERS OF THE G. A. R. WHO UNVEILED TABLETS AT MEMORIAL BRIDGE At Bi-Centennial Exercises, Walpole, October 4, 1924
(Left to right) Joshua Allen and Frederick A. Hartshorn of the E. B. Piper Post, No. 157, G. A. R., Walpole; Charles O. Greene of Franklin Post, G. A. R., and Granville Morse of the Plainville Post, G.A.R.
APPENDIX
Isaac Newton Lewis recited the Bi-Centennial Ode and Rev. John H. de Vries pronounced the benediction. The Bi-Centennial Chorus sang two numbers and, as the closing event of the afternoon ex- ercises, the entire assemblage sang "America."
The Legion boys now announced that supper was ready and the beanery was stormed by a happy, hungry multitude. The waiters and waitresses worked as they never worked before. The task of catering to the thousands who were in line was a difficult one, but it was accomplished without friction, and everyone got his hot coffee and plate of "beans and-"
While supper was being served on the grounds, a reception to ex-residents and visitors was held at the High School, and a concert was given by the Norwood Brass Band.
As the shades of night were falling the gay throng began to leisurely wend its way back from the sloping hillside and grassy knolls to the open field where Walpole's historical episodes were to be presented. When the twilight was dying two high-powered electric lamps and a number of smaller lights were flashed, lighting all of the field except that part on which the episodes were to be shown.
The Weymouth Legion Band furnished music during the evening. Stereopticon views showing Walpole scenes of historical importance were shown before the episodes. The Walpole Song, written by Mr. Joseph S. Leach and set to the tune of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," was flashed on the screen and sung with great vim by the audience, which now numbered more than five thousand, to the accompaniment of the Band, Mr. Leach conducting. .
A series of ten episodes depicting the march of history through two centuries concluded the day's festivities. This feature of the celebration was the crowning glory of a wonderful program. Never before had the audience witnessed anything like it. The lighting scheme was reversed. The field lights were turned off and two mammoth search lights were turned upon the stage. A thrill of joy ran through the audience at the beauty of the scene. The pretty woodland picture which had been shrouded in darkness was sud- denly flashed before the eyes of the expectant gathering in a light as clear as day. The portrayal of scenes and characters was better than anything ever presented on the operatic stage. Men, women and children played their parts with a natural ness and realism far beyond the anticipations of the most exacting critic. The back- ground of trees, the beautiful grassy carpet, the deep, wide stage space, the artistic set-ups and the perfect lighting system-each
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contributed its part to the grandeur of the performance. But, as Thomas Moore sang, long ago:
"It was not the soft magic of streamlet or rill; Oh, no! It was something more exquisite still."
It was the human touch, the men and women and boys and girls who made the episodes what they were-the grandest and the greatest event in Walpole's history. Future generations may imitate, but they can never equal, the work of Mrs. Henry M. Stowell and her assisting committee in the presentation and por- trayal of historical episodes.
Mr. P. R. Allen, the general chairman, is to be complimented on the success of the celebration. It will go down in history as Walpole's greatest social event. It was as great a demonstration of social equality and community spirit as the world has ever witnessed. There were no dividing lines, no classes, no caste. Rich and poor walked side by side, chatting freely together, in the procession. They sat side by side in God's country, eating beans and brown bread. They were a unit in the service of dedication and in ap- plauding the speakers, the chorus, the bands and the episodes. It was a Walpole day for Walpole citizens and it was eminently suc- cessful.
The chairmen of the various subcommittees are to be compli- mented. Their work was perfect. There was not the slightest hitch anywhere. Everything worked smoothly and the day's program was carried to a most successful ending without any ap- parent effort on the part of anyone.
The members of the police department, too, are to be compli- mented. Their work was most efficient and very satisfactory. Few people realize the difficulties with which policemen have to contend at such a time. Chief Crowley and his men are deserving of the highest praise.
The decorative scheme of the town as arranged and carried out by the Decoration Committee, under the leadership of Mrs. Henry Plimpton, was very beautiful and was the subject of very favorable comment.
At the Bradford Lewis House, Walpole's relics were on exhibition. Mrs. H. L. Goddard, Chairman of the Historical Exhibits Com- mittee and her assistants were eminently successful in assembling for the exhibition a large and unique display of valuable curiosities.
Mr. Chester E. Andrews, Chairman, and the other members of
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UNVEILING TABLETS AT MEMORIAL BRIDGE October 4, 1924 by members of the G. A. R.
APPENDIX
the Chorus Committee deserve great praise for the work which they accomplished. The chorus singing was one of the outstanding features of the celebration. It is to be hoped that an effort will be made to keep this chorus together and build from it a permanent organization.
When the great wheel of time shall have made another revolution, and when a new generation shall assemble to celebrate Walpole's Ter-Centennial, it may be that the onward march of progress will demand a more elaborate display and a longer festive period, but nothing that the passing years may bring can enlarge on the spirit which was the predominating influence of the Bi-Centennial cele- bration-the spirit of loyalty to the old town and social equality among her citizens.
Appropriate services were held on Sunday in the many churches of the town and the Bi-Centennial exercises were closed with an act of thanksgiving to God for the honorable and glorious past which is the boast of Walpole and with a devout prayer that a wise Providence may always guide her, guard her and keep her from harm.
INVOCATION BY REV. T. J. FAHEY.
AT DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL BRIDGE BI-CENTENNIAL EXERCISES, OCTOBER 4, 1924
TN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
On the threshold of our Bi-Centennial celebration we are re- minded of St. Paul's admonition to the Corinthians: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God."
We citizens and residents of Walpole, Massachusetts, are a Christian people. We believe in God and we love God; and be- cause we believe in Him and love Him we are unlike those of whom we read in the opening chapter of the Old Testament: "And the earth was of one tongue, and of the same speech. And each one said to his neighbor, 'Come, let us make bricks and bake them with fire.' And they had brick instead of stones and slime instead of mortar. And they said, 'Come, let us make a city and a tower, the top whereof may reach to heaven; and let us make our name famous before we be scattered into all lands.' And the Lord came ยท down to see the city and the tower which the children of Adam were building, and He said, 'Behold it is one people and all have one
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tongue. Come, therefore, let us go down and there confound their tongue, that they may not understand each other's speech.' And so the Lord scattered them from that place into all lands, and they ceased to build the city. And therefore the name thereof was called Babel, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded; and from thence the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all countries."
It is only too obvious that the ends and motives of these people were most reprehensible. These men and women were enveloped in arrogance and pride. They were blind with selfishness. They gave little or no thought to their Creator, Almighty God, and they failed to see the truth to which, later, the inspired Psalmist gave expression: "Unless the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city he watcheth in vain that keepeth it."
It is neither our wish nor intention to build in Walpole a Tower of Babel. Our motto is "For God and Country," and if we take pride in our achievements it is pardonable and justifiable, for we are not unmindful of St. Paul's injunction, and we frequently repeat with David the King: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy Name give glory."
And now behold the spectacle! Here we have assembled on this joyous occasion, on this festive day, the aged, the middle-aged and the young, to bear our part in public manifestation of our devotion to Walpole.
Were Webster participating in these memorial exrecises he would not exclaim as he did on the occasion of the laying of the corner stone of Bunker Hill Monument in the year 1825,-"Let it rise! Let it rise! till it meet the sun in his coming. May the earliest light of the morning gild it, and parting day linger and play on its summit."
On the contrary, he would say, "We have assembled, not for the purpose of erecting a majestic column towering toward the skies; not to raise aloft a Grecian temple or Roman arch; but rather to dedicate a modest memorial,-a bridge, commemorating as it does, and will, the valor and patriotism of our soldiers, sailors and nurses, and by a grateful people placed here amid happy fields and rustic environment."
Now what shall we say of this memorial? We should give ex- pression to at least this sentiment: It was constructed in honesty, it has ruggedness, it has simplicity, it has dignity. Most assuredly these were some of the distinguishing characteristics of our New
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APPENDIX
England ancestors. They were honest, they were rugged, they were simple, they were dignified.
In conclusion let us raise our minds and hearts to Almighty God and in our invocation say, Sicut patribus sit nobis Deus: "As God was to our fathers, so may He be to us." We go further still and find in the scriptures the best and choicest invocation, for there we read the language of our Divine Saviour, the Son of God, and what He taught and proclaimed we also teach and proclaim: "And it came to pass that as He was in a certain place praying, when He ceased, one of his disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples.'
And He said to them, 'When you pray, say,-Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.' "
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost Amen.
WORDS OF WELCOME BY PHILIP R. ALLEN, CHAIRMAN, AT THE BRIDGE
Governor Cox, invited guests, oldtime and present citizens of Walpole:
It is a very pleasant duty that falls to my lot today in behalf of the Bi-Centennial Committee, to welcome you all to our. Anni- versary exercises.
Two hundred years is a very short time in the history of the old world, but looking back as we do today into the history of our own new world, it is a very long period. In 1724, 50 years before the battle of Lexington and 60 years before our own United States Government came into existence, Walpole became an incorporated town.
In the history of Walpole, as in that of every New England town, the war periods have been always the important, the critical periods, and the records show that Walpole has never failed in any war to give of its best to the cause of liberty and freedom.
While we have other memorials and tablets dedicated to the men of particular wars, the citizens of Walpole voted in 1923, as part of our Bi-Centennial exercises, to erect a Memorial Bridge and start
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work on a Memorial Park as a tribute to the sailors, soldiers and nurses who had gone out from Walpole to serve their country in time of war during the two century period we now celebrate.
In behalf of the Building Committee, I now report to you that the bridge is completed. The bronze tablets, soon to be unveiled, tell the whole story in simple and short words.
Words of praise might well be given the architects, engineers and contractors, but there stands the bridge, beautiful in its simplicity, a far better testimonial than any words of mine.
We might have built our Memorial Bridge of granite, marble or brick, but we chose as the most suitable, the field stones taken from the old stone walls built by the older generations of Walpole. These stones surely are a symbol of the rugged, sturdy, God-fearing character of those who helped build Walpole and gave unselfishly of their services to town, state and country.
Mr. Stowell, the committee now hands over to you, as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, the authority over the Bridge, which it has temporarily held during its construction.
We expect it to be a lasting monument, that it may ever stand as an example of the generosity and devotion of the citizens of Walpole to those who have given of their best services in time of war.
SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE BY HENRY M. STOWELL, CHAIRMAN OF SELECTMEN
Mr. Chairman, Governor Cox, Mr. Allen, Friends and Invited Guests:
I greatly appreciate the honor of being the town's representative to accept this beautiful Memorial Bridge. What more fitting me- morial to our soldiers and sailors of all wars than this artistic struc- ture, situated near the center of this memorial park, bridging one of the tributaries of the Neponset River, and forming part of a public street, where it will stand for centuries, and must prove an inspiration to all of loyalty and patriotism.
Walpole has always done her part for the defense of the country. Many were engaged in the Revolutionary War, and were found in some of the greatest battles. The Civil War called 182 of our best young men. They fought valiantly, and the survivors have always been our most honored citizens; and to the three remaining, who join with us in this dedication, we offer our sincere respect. Of the World War, 3 of our girls and 307 of our boys can tell you of
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HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR CHANNING H. COX, DELIVERING A DEDICATORY ADDRESS AT MEMORIAL BRIDGE, OCTOBER 4, 1924, AT BI-CENTENNIAL EXERCISES, WALPOLE From left to right-Henry M. Stowell, Chairman of Selectmen; Charles Summer Bird, orator of the day; Isaac Newton Lewis, Esq., au- thor of Bi-Centennial Ode; George A. Plimpton, presiding officer of the Bi-Centennial Exercises; Rev. T. J. Fahey, who delivered the Invocation at the Dedicatory Exercises; Axel H. Anderson of the Board of Selectmen; Granville Morse of Plainville Post, { \ R ; Philip R. Allen, Chairman of Bi-Centennial Committee.
APPENDIX
the horrors and privations over seas, and many of them are here today as our honored guests.
And now, Mr. Allen, in bchalf of the citizens of Walpole, allow me to thank you and your associates for your untiring thought and work in conceiving and building this bridge, a perpetual memorial to our heroes of all wars.
ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR COX
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen and Good People of Walpole:
The choicest possession of Massachusetts is her honorable history. That history has been written by the men and women of succeeding generations who have met the tests which have been put upon them. The story of Massachusetts is found in the lives of her sons and daughters.
Mighty issues have arisen and mighty writers have stepped forth to lead the people. The people have never faltered; they have never hesitated to take their stand courageously upon the side of right.
As we look back over that record we would not change it; rather do we rejoice that it reads as it does. They who have gone before have done well and so, too, I believe the choicest and richest posses- sion of Walpole is its honorable history and that history in turn has been written by the sturdy men and women who have lived and wrought here and who have gone in and out trying to make these foundations more secure and more enduring. They have not been selfish; they have been willing to deny themselves of pleasures and luxuries that they could give the more bountifully to their children, to the succeeding generations, and how well they have succeeded, so that you have this beautiful old New England town set here in this beautiful region and where, thank God, today men, women and children are leading happy and contented lives.
When we see a young man who shows respect to his father and mother we say instinctively "that's a good boy." We turn to him confidently and we trust him. When we see a people of a splendid community showing respect, reverence and gratitude to the mem- ories of their fathers and mothers, then instinctively we say "that people do credit to themselves in the honor which they show to those who have gone before."
I would that the thinking people of the whole Commonwealth of Massachusetts were here today and could see this beautiful picture
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which gives me new heart and gives me new assurance. If I came here and heard that you were to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of this town and I had scen the men and women going about their usual pursuits, I should have been discouraged. When I come here and see this great outpouring of attentive men, women and children and when I detect the care that has been put into the preparation of this celebration, then I, in the name of the people of Massachusetts, congratulate you. You are keeping the faith; you are showing proper appreciation of that splendid history in which you have every right to rejoice. And on this occasion, when you pause to mark the 200th Anniversary of the town, how fitting and appropriate that you should leave as a permanent ex- pression of your gratitude for the sacrifices and struggles which the preceding generations have made, how fitting that you should have constructed this beautiful bridge which has already been called simple and appropriate and which indicates strength in its structure. You set it aside and place upon it a tablet saying it has been dedi- cated to the men and women of Walpole who have served in wars.
There can be no distinction of class here in America. We are all equal and the only distinction which men ought to enjoy may come because they have given a greater measure of service to the time and day in which they live, and so you in that sense desire to give dis- tinction to the men and women of Walpole who have attested to their great love of country by service in war. And what wars there have been!
No matter how many centuries of continued strength, permanency and development America may enjoy, the time will never come when good citizens will cease to hold in gratitude those men of old Massa- chusetts who put principle above all else and who risked their lives in order that they might establish independence; in order that they might secure liberties not only for themselves, but for those who were to come. So long as America is true to her traditions, her people will turn back with gratitude and reverence to the memories of the men from Walpole, from old Norfolk County, from old Massachusetts who won the independence of the nation. That people will not deserve our gratitude, or our reverence, unless forever it holds in highest esteem and honor the men who in '61 answered the call of country and kept this nation one and inseparable.
I hope that many of you were privileged, as I was one day last summer, to see that remarkable spectacle as it moved through the streets of Boston-that dwindling band of venerable men. They had come from all parts of the country. They had scheduled a
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