USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The story of a New England town; a record of the commemoration, July second and third, 1890 on the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Haverhill, Massachusetts > Part 23
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After the river illumination was over a most varied display of hreworks was sent up from Tilton's Tower, on Mount Wash- ington, which can be seen from all parts of the city. These fire- works were of every possible description and design. the greatest variety ever seen in this vicinity, and the display continued for about an hour.
The Reception Committee reports that all the guests of the city, and friends in general, were generously provided for and cordially entertained on both anniversary days.
The various clubs opened their rooms for the entertain- ment of the distinguished guests, and the various churches
ST. GREGORY CADETS.
315
EXPRESSION OF THE PRESS.
opened their vestries, while the citizens in general responded cordially to the request of the committee in providing entertain- ment for those from out of town.
EXPRESSION OF THE PRESS.
It is not inappropriate here to give the expression of the Haverhill press. We quote an editorial of the Haverhill Gazette, July 3, 1890.
" For the structure that we raise. Time is with matenal hlled; Our to days and yesterdays Are the blocks with which we build."
* * " A handful of red sand, from the hot cluine Off Arab deserts brought, Wild this glas her me the spy of Time, The minister of Thought." * " Imbedded here our loves do lic, --- Ban-grains, that with the sands are rolled, ( I memory."
The result of two utterances, the one of calling the sons and daughters of Haverhill here, who are such, either by birth of by adoption, and their response to that call, is now waiting to be placed on record. Once in the roll of the centuries has there come a halt with us to take an observation ; first, turning in vision back to the time when the fathers made their plant upon this wilderness shore, and, from there, tracing their footsteps, followed by those of their children, and their children's children, through successive genera- tions down to the present hour.
You who are already here, with those who are yet to come, on their pilgrimage to the Mecca of these early memories, are given a most cordial greeting. The event is now being accorded its place in the current history of the hour, and is a fitting record to be joined with that which has already been made.
The impulse which sent men and women from the old world to extend their civilization upon the then new American shores, was one of the most remarkable that has neolof the lastory of any age. For nearly three-quarters of a cuitray di plast is il. . wilderness
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and surrounded by races of savage men, was made the frontier line along which barbarism and savagery defied the footsteps of enlight- ered civilization. The war-whoop of red men resounded through the forests until hope of success nearly faded out. Victory at length perched upon the banners of the adventurers, and the heroic band took their places in founding on this soil a civilization which has been broadened by an element of stem justice ; has become enlight- ened by a sense of humane obligations, and illuminated by a pro- found devotion to the support of the principle that human liberty is the priceless birthright of all. Foremost in thought is now to be la ine the fact that this ancient town, built upon an amphitheatre of hills, looking down into the valley of the Merrimack, and which has : spanske i into a vigorous city, is now classic ground. made so as the birthplace of our own Winttier, the great poet of Freedom, whose Mure has Kballed the whole world into glowing life by songs, which like the angel melodies sounding in the heavens over Judea's plains, have been heard all over the world.
With us the thought of Haverhill in England is this day heart- ily joined, and also with us she is most worthily representel; an indication de test memorie, have been faithfully cherished, whel loves have been kept alive, and that our building, in th. commaries that have rolled by, has been upon the rock of principle. To such as are here to revive old memories, may there come a renewal of sweetest joy. Looking down, as they will, upon the green earth, to earth, if possible, a fresh inspiration from returning recollections of childhood, and also looking upward to the beckoning heavens, to find yet glistening there the same stars which grosted their child- vi in. and to meet, still in their places, the old constellations which were the wonder of their youth, now, as ever, standing in their plares, types of eternity, and the reminders to them that on the earth and in the ethereal arch which is over them, are the evidences appear- ing that, really, this is " Home, Sweet Home."
Over the hills and down the valley your visions will once more stretch, to catch glimpses again of the scenes which once were the joy of youthful days, and which have lived in your memories though all your wanderings. "The sandhimmed pickerel pond," the ently delight of the " barefoot boy," will again be met, but " the walnut slopes beyond " will some of them exist only in the memory of the pa. 6. but the fair lake toward which the city is rapidly drift- ing, isstill there, and is now mirroring in its watsis the forms of castle walls. Of its beauties the Muse has sweetly sting : --
ILWERHILL.
EVELINE
GAZETTE
1640 -- 1890
From the Acorn to the Dak.
HAVERHILL CELEBRATES HER 250TH BIRTHDAY.
Hie Colebrati si Formally
The Four Corners
1 AT09. F ET AND MUS GAG PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR FATHERS
1 DulCAN) A TUAILAL
HAVERHILL GAZETTE, JULY 3 INL 3, 1890.
317
EXPRESSION OF THE PRESS.
" Kenoza! o'er no sweeter lake Shall morning break, or noon-cloud sail, No fairer wave than thine shall take The sunset's golden veil."
Turning from here will be met the peaceful Merrimack, still flowing onward to the sea, on whose shore is to be still found a remnant of the "buttonwoods" which are historically associated with the visit of Washington to this ancient town, now celebrating its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary. Of that view the poetic record of his observation is : -
" Midway, where the plaid-tree's shadow Deepest fell, his rein he drew : On his stately head, uncovered, Cool and soft the west-wind blew.
And he stood up in his stirrups, Looking up and looking down On the hills of Gold and Silver Rimming round the little town. On the river, fall of sunshine, To the lap of greenest vales Winding down from wooded headlands, Willow-skirted, white with sails.
And he said, the landscape sweeping Slowly with his ungloved hand, I have seen no prospect fairer In this goodly Eastern land.'
Then the bugles of his escort Stirred to life the cavalcade : And that head, so bare and stately, Vanished down the depths of shade."
In this beautiful chronicling of an event upon which, in youth, it was your delight to dwell, the vision is renewed for you in this anniversary hour. The other things which belong to this occasion of communion with the past, while the " handful of red sand, from Alab deserts brought," is running through the hour-glass, are the records which Old Haverhill has made in the march of the world's civilization, by the heroie deeds of her sons and daughters during the frontier period, some of which have never fome a parallel in the history of any people, - by her jealous guard of human rights in colonial days, - by her patriotism in the revolutionary period. -- by
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her foremost and warm support of Republican principles in the late war, when the permanency of their establishment in this country was placed on trial.
Concerning these events of the past, brief reference only is made in these introductory words, but it is not forgotten that, while placing this seal of rejoicing upon our work of the centuries now sone, a new era is opening in which the pioneer spirit of the past Las come down with its baptism upon the present, and the amimal cats of a new day are already gilding its morning. What has made the desert a blooming garden, and lighted the earth with a new glory, is even now taking its advance steps, and with our heart ex uitations over the past, is blended herald voices of hope for the Intun. The story as it is being feal today in preuy, oratory, his- tory and song, was never so fully told before and the heroes of pogt = all over this planet will hear its voice, with clasped hands ; car sons and daughters, as in the past, standing in the front ranks of heroism and progress in the present, will move on to a broader unfoldment in the dual world whose onter kingdom is seen, but in " host inner temple is the invisil le.
RESUME.
In looking over the different features incident to the cele- byron, it is a pleasant duty to record the fact that nothing of finportance occurred to mar the enjoyment of the festivity, and a grateful acknowledgment is due to the various committees for their ardnous labor and harmonious action, by which the splendid success of the whole was achieved.
Great credit is also due to our police department. So perfect were its arrangements, that, though more than fifty thousand visitors were in our city on these days, only two arrests were made, and owing to the strict enforcement of the prohibi- tory law no disorderhy conduct disgraced our streets.
The military and civic parade aroused the enthusiasm of the thuong who witnessed the pageant as it moved ste ofily and with- out Break through the streets. The martial attitude of its par- ticipants evinced the fact that many of them had taken part in more earnest actions than street parades and had in! Forgotten
3 0
MINUTE MEN.
319
RESUMÉ.
yet the acquired soldierly bearing. Applause greeted them from every side. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the historic representations and trade floats representing the industries of our city, and unbounded applause was accorded to the children of our schools participating in the procession in tableaux, or as " hool cadets.
The success of the street parade is, in a measure, greatly dne to the judicious arrangement and indefatigable exertions of the Chairman of the Committee on Parade, Mr. IL. L. Perkins, who also acted as Adjutant-General to the Chief Marshal, Mr. Thomas Sanders.
By the death of Dr. John Crowell, which occurred soon alter it ; organization, the Literary Committee was deprived of a clearman who would have been of inestimable value ; his versa- tility and culture eminently fitting him for such a position. By vote of the committee the vacant chairmanship was accorded to Cien. Jones Famille. The committee desires to acknowledge its indebtedness to the Hon. Ira A. Abbott, whose efficient and faithful services as secretary greatly facilitated the work of the committee. The Literary Committee is also desirous to acknowl- edge their indebtedness to the different committees for their excellent and exhaustive reports, from which most of the narra- tive describing the proceedings of the celebration is taken.
'Ilmus has the two hundred and fiftieth unaversary of the ,ttlement of our city received adequate and fitting recognition. The poet and the orator have told the story of the past, the mer- chant and artisan have represented the activities and prosperity of the present. All have united in harmony, worthily to give expression to this important event.
In time to come our people will be justified in looking back on these anniversary days with satisfaction and pride.
THE FIRST
· ORGANIZED
FILE SOCIETY
1768,
FIRST FIRE SOCIETY.
EARLY MELTING-HOU ..
OF THE
APPENDIX.
MAYOR'S OFFICE, HAVERHILL, MASS.,
July 26, 1800.
AF 11 .. DANIEL GURTELA, JR ..
Haverhill, Engi ul. Dear Sir. -
The satisfaction that your recent visit to our city afforded our De ist and particularly those of us who had the pleasure of meet- ing you personally and forming an acquaintance that we sincerely bige may be a lasting one, has prompted the members of the City Coated and others to prepare for you, its a personal token of their toma d and esteem, an album, that, upon opening, you will see con- tan, the laves of many of the gentlemen with whom you came in contact while you were with us. First you will notice the City Council, followed by the heads of departments and city officers, the trustees of the different institutions that you inspected during your visit. together with gentlemen prominently connects I with our two Honderd and fiftieth anniversary celebration, and others.
there are those whom you may miss from the collection that it could have given us pleasure to have added, but they could not w il, be obtained in the short time devoted to making the col-
W. trust, sir, that you will accept this gilt a, a s mivenir of your wait to the new Haverhill, and look upon it as cor crying in some saudi degree of appreciation of the pleasure it for led our citizens that the mother town was represented at our anniversary celebration
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HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.
by so able, courteous, and dignified a gentleman ; and let us hope, sir, that your visit to us may not only inspire wanaer and more cor- chal feelings between the two Haverhills, and cause them to know each other better, but, on a broader plane, may it contribute its influ- enee to cement more closely the fraternal relations of the two nations, speaking a common language, with common interests, and from a common origin.
Permit me, sir, in behalf of the City Council, to extend to you their most hearty good wishes for you and yours, to which I take great pleasure in adding my own.
With the highest respect and esteem, I am, sir, Sincerely yours, THOMAS E. BURNHAM, Mayor.
On July 31, 1890, in joint convention of Aldermen and City Council, His Honor, Mayor Burnham, in the Chair.
The City Clerk read the following communication, to wit : -
HAVERHILL. MASS., July 81, 1890. the , U mất of the City Council,
We have the honor to inform you that Hon. Da id thirteen, Jr., who was present during the ceremonies commemorating the two hun- dred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Haverhill, as a representative of the town of Haverhill in England presented to the die: cf Haverhill an illuminated address from the citizens of his native town to the people of our city.
During the literary exercises in the Academy of Music, the Mre's was formally accepted, in behalf of the city, by the Mayor of Haverhill ; and you are hereby respectfully informed that the same has been deposited in the vaults of the City Treasurer, and now awaits final disposition by the City Council.
Very respectfully yours, [signed ] THOMAS E. BURNHAM, Chairman of the 230th Anniversary Committee. EDWARD B. GEORGE,
Secretary of the Committee.
Alderman Frank E. Watson then mtroduced the following Order. lo wit : ---
Ordered, - That the report of the Chairman ail Secretary of 1 250th Anniversary Committee be accepted and spread upon
METING OUT JUSTE L.
CHIEES IN COONOIL.
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APPENDIX.
the records of the city of Haverhill, and, further. that the address from the citizens of the town of Haverhill, England, be spread upon the records of the city.
Passed unanimously.
Alderman Frank E. Watson then introduced the following, to wit : -
CITY OF HAVERHILL.
IN JOINT CONVENTION, July 31, 1890.
Whereas, The City Council has been informed by the Chair- who and Secretary of the Committee having in chang . the celebra- un of the two lunatred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement Haverhill, that the citizens ot Haverhill, England, have presented an ad hess to the people of this city ;
And Whereas, It is eminently fitting and proper that some appropriate action be taken by the municipal authorities in regard thereto ; therefore,
Last: That the address from the citizens of Haverbid. Eng Lund, presented by Hon. Daniel Guteen, Jr., Chairman of the Local Board of the Town Government, is hereby formally received and copted.
Second : That the thanks of the City Council are due, and the sure are hereby tendered, to the Local Board of Haverhill, England, for their beautiful gift, and for their expressions of kindliness and po nl-will; and that we unite with them in a de fire for the con- united prosperity and well-being of the municipalities we represent, . well as for the enduring peace and friendship between the gov- ermitaents to which we respectively owe allegiance.
Third : That as a token of our love for the mother town, and in appreciation of the honor done as by her, there be forwarded to the Is a Board of the Town Government a medallion, consisting of 1. . following device, to wit :
A shield in the form of the coat-of-arms of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, made from oak grown on the birthplace of John Greenleaf Whittier ; in the centre, the seal of the city of Haverhill, in be uze; underneath, the motto of Massachusetts, " Ense petit platilor sub libertate quietem ;" in the corners thereof, the follow- ing curved medallions : One, Public Library ; two, City Hospital; daten, City Hall : four, Buthplace of Whittier. And that a duly authenticated and attested copy of these proceedings be sent there-
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HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.
with to Aldermen Edward A. Fitis, Moses II. Dow, and District Attorney William HI. Moody, now sojourning in England, and that they be authorized and empowered, in the name of the city of Haverhill, to proceed to Haverhill, England, and formally present the same.
Passed unanimously by a rising vote. THOMAS E. BURNHAM, Mayor. DAVID B. TENNEY, City Clerk.
[Seal.]
Unfortunately the testimonial did not reach the committee who were to present it, during their stay in England, and they ther fore were obliged to return to Amener without having made the presentation. Consequently the following correspon- dence ensued : -
HAVERHILL, MASS., September 30, 1890.
DANIEL GURTEEN, JR., ESQUIRE, Haverhill, England.
We have the honor t . forward, herewith, certain resofations of the City Council, Haverhill, Massachusetts, adopted i joint con- vention, July 31, 1890. By those resolutions it appears chat an ad- dress had been received by the City Council from the citizens of Haverhill, England, presented by yon as Chairman of the Local land co do Town Government.
By those resolutions there was directed to be forwarded to the 1.05.1 Board of the Town Government of Haverhill, England, ? medalhon, and thereby the undersigned were : uthorized and en. powered, in the name of the city of Haverhill, to proceed to Have hi !!. England, and formally present the same. By's ene fault of the mail service, knowledge of these proceedings of the City Council of our city did not reach us during our presence in England, although the medallion, we are informed, arrived there dat ny that time.
That we have been denied the honor and pleasure of presenting mi person this token of esteem of our city to the mother town is a source of deep regret to us individually, and we can assure you that our people feel the loss of anything that could ouphasize the cordial esteem which they all feel to the people of the old town. We deaire, however, as best we may, to execute our commission, and in the mune and behalf of the city of Havermail, we a I the accept- we by the Local Board of the Town Government of the town of Hlavabill, of the medallion now said to be in your poste sion,
WHEELER & WILSON
ur-1
WILLIMANTIC COTTON F. = C .
325
APPENDIX.
diego l to us or one of us. We can assure you that the best wishes @ @Dour citizens for the health, prosperity, and well-being of your 1 Wi., and of every person within it, accompany this gift.
We send, herewith, a letter from His Honor, Thomas E. Burn- I am, mayor of our city, to you personally, and with it an album containing the photographs of many of our people whom you met a hile here ; and we trust that the album may, in the future, be associ- ated with pleasant memories of your sojourn among us. We also forward to you a certified copy of a vote of thanks to Mr. Stokoe, and a collection of views of places of interest in our city, which we ask you in our behalf to present to him.
We confidently hope that we shall, at some future time, find an opportunity of visiting the mother town, and we can assure you ther way it wasman of old Haverhill who may come to our shores will find in new Haverhill a cordial welcome and an abundant hos- inudity
We have the honor to be, sir,
Very respectfully, Your obedient servants, EDWARD 1. FIITS. Moses HL. Dow WILLEM II. MOODY.
THE DUDDERY, HAVERHILL. ENGLAND,
Jaummary 15, 1891.
ID MUL. HONORABLE, THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, Haverhill, Mans.
I beg most gratefully to acknowledge the receipt of vour beanti- iul gitt, in the shape of an album, containing the portraits of so many of your distinguished citizens, and to thank you, also, For the kind expression towards me, in the letter accompanying it.
Ineeded nothing to remind me of the happy time I spent in your Reputable city. The memory of the splendid entertainment and kindness my daughter and I received at the hands of the citizens of Hay chil will never be forgotten.
We were much charmed with many things we saw and heard; bat nodang delighted us more than the kind expression of good-will towards the old country of our birth. This good-will, we beg to assure you, is most cordially reciprocated here.
Hapag that you, in Haverhill, as a commerci dort industrious people. mey gros in everything that is noblest, highest. audb st. and
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HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.
that the two great nations to which we each belong gary ever lead the world in the path of civilization and progress,
I am, dear sirs, yours very sincerely, DANIEL GURTEEN, SUNR.
THE DUDDERY, HAVERHILL, ENGLAND, October 17, 1890.
F A. Frrrs, EsQ. Da. Sir,.
Youts of September 30th is duly at hand this day ; for which I thank you.
1. to a, regret very much that you did not visit ie as you intended. I nos th aenghly at a loss to know the cane, ina much as I was ssped by our mutual friend Mr. George How, that you were in Europe and might be expected any hour.
Had I known your address I would certainly have communicated with you. As it was,- fearing illness or some mishap, -- I wrote to the senders of your two letters for explanation. And this was all
However, it is in the crying over the matter, now. We will take the visit as still due, hoping you will come to old Iw. allt at . me future time
Kindly do me the favor, also, of communicating to your friends, ils . Dow and Moody, the same sentiments, hoping they may live open this well.
The box still stands in my factory, unopened. The contents will. I top sure, give us munch pleasure and be gratefully received.
I will take an early opportunity of bringing the official commu- ia ations and gifts before the Local Authorities and others concerned ; and an official acknowledgment will be forwarded in due course.
A week or two may elapse before you hear again, as it is likely the public presentation will be made openly before a large gathering them citizens ; which will be duly arranged.
Enclosing the two letters, and with kind regards to all friends, mal atte more thanking you, I am, dear sir,
Youis very sincerely, DANIEL GURTLEN, JUN.
At a htting time, Mr. Gurteen delivered the present to the town of Haverhill, England, as shown by the following; extract from The Southwest Suffolk Echo :
CUSTOM TAILOR
TRADE FLORES.
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APPENDIX.
OLD AND NEW HAVERHILL.
HANDSOME PRESENTS FROM THE AMERICAN ( ITY.
Reception at the Town Hall.
The Town Hall, Haverhill, on Tuesday evening, was the scene of Le of the most interesting gatherings ever held in this neighbour- hond. The occasion, which was unique in the annals of the town, by the reception and entertainment by Alderman and Mrs. D. Hatteen, J. P., of upwards of one hundred and twenty-five ladies and esthemen connected with Haverhill, and the object of the assembly was to witness the presentation of several gifts from the Mayor and City Council of Haverhill. M.s. U. S. A. Few of our readers will red a minding that in July of last you Alderman Giunteen, accom- panied by Miss Chace Gurteen, represented the town at the two linked and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of the ne y llaver- il, and that he was the bearer of a beautiful illuminated address onthe dying the congratulations and good wishes of the oll Haver- int. bange hi visit to America M. Gantern and his lighter We're minst hospitaly entertained, .. il thereby great honour was done to las fellow-townsmen, who on a previous occasion - the bright given to Mi. Gurteen on his return home gave expression to their a preciation of this honour in a very marked manner. Shortly after' Is arrival lame. M. (imteen received a box from Hvalail, Mass., die ted to his care, and was subsequently informed by a visitor f. ma that city (Mr. How) that three delegates had left America Le the purpose of formally, but personally, acknowledging the address on making a presentation in return. Circumstances -- to which W. Gurteen referred during the evening - however, prevented the delegates lidlilling then intention, and they were oldig: I to return to America without having visited the mother town. Explanations, of contse ensued, and Mr. Gurteen was given authority to open the box, and ade pt the best means for making the presentation. The means he adapted were eminently satisfactory, and he may rest assured that they were worthy of the occasion. The gathering took the formed a reception, and it was certainly a most successful one. Not only had Mr. and Mrs. Gurteen and family done everything necessary for the pleasure and comfort of their guests, but the com- pug. which was of the most representative character, was dis- tingaished by the kindly and social feeling which it displayed.
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