USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Uxbridge > Uxbridge year by year, 1727-1927 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
(3II)
THE WATER WORKS
May The question of increasing the water supply still agitated the town meetings. "There is a strong feeling abroad in the town that this water business is not being handled in a proper manner."
THE SIDEWALKS (312)
Jun. The Town voted the sum of $500 to construct con- crete sidewalks, the expense to be divided between the Town and the abuttors.
(313) THE UXBRIDGE AND BLACKSTONE STREET RAILWAY COMPANY
Jul. The railway extended its tracks to the Whitins depot.
THE GENERAL HANCOCK CANNON (314)
Jul. 4. "For a number of years it has been the custom to take this historic old cannon out of its quarters in the G. A. R. hall on Douglas street on the night preceding the 4th and on the stroke of midnight and a couple of hours after, use it as a herald to announce the anniversary of our country's birth, its detonations vibrating through the valley and causing untold misery to the sleepy beings devoid of patriotism. Last Friday evening William L. Whitmore, Charles G. Salmon, and Justin Shippy, members of the Sons of Veterans' camp, con- veyed the cannon to the top of Carney Hill, permission having
[85]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
been obtained from the G. A. R. post. the last charge fired caused the old gun to burst with a report that shook things up considerable and filled the air with hundreds of pieces of flying iron, one of which struck near a shed on the land of Rufus Lee about one thousand feet away and which, when weighed, tipped the scales at exactly 74 pounds. When the cannon burst Messrs. Whitmore, Salmon and Shippy were within 15 feet of it and it is a miracle that they were not torn to pieces by the flying iron."
1904
(315)
THE SHUTTLE SHOP
Gideon M. Aldrich purchased the remains of the Shuttle Shop and set up a building where L. S. Aldrich later had an iron and woodworking business. The building is now Howard Ramsey's shop. The mineral spring which Dr. Willard used for his patients is under this building.
(316)
MOVING PICTURES
The first mention of moving pictures was an account of an exhibition given by the Belmont Moving Picture Company on the evening of Memorial Day.
(317)
MALARIA
The townspeople were still afflicted with malaria. Dr. L. D. White was still urging that stagnant ponds be drained or covered with oil.
(318)
THE WHITINSVILLE TRANSCRIPT
Jul. 22. The first issue of the Transcript was published. Edward T. McShane was editor. The paper was financed by business men of the Town.
[86]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(319)
THE UXBRIDGE CREAMERY
Aug. The company, as it was no longer a profitable con- cern, went out of business.
(320) THE DEBORAH WHEELOCK CHAPTER, D. A. R.
Sept. 30. The chapter was incorporated.
THE WATER WORKS (32I)
Sept. A water committee, consisting of James Daley, Arthur R. Taft, Everett E. Albee, Gideon M. Aldrich, Waldo E. Rawson, and Samuel F. Scott, was appointed early in the year. The committee was instructed to find a source from which the whole Town could be supplied with water. James A. Daley was chairman and Arthur R. Taft, secretary. The members spent much time searching for an abundant pure supply of water. Many samples of water were examined by state experts. At last in September the hard months of work were rewarded with success.
"The investigations made by the water committee on the land of Charles A. Henry in the east part of the town, have proven to be the best of all, quality of water and quantity, the two essentials. The state board of health puts the quality of water taken at this place almost on an equal with that used by the fifteen hundred people supplied from the present reservoir. The test for quantity as far as made is also good. The committee feels much encouraged over the findings. The location was suggested by S. F. Scott. From various points of view the solving of the water question takes on a decidedly pleasing aspect."
(322)
THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Oct. 19. In 1904, the Catholic population in the north part of the Town and the southern part of Northbridge had
[87]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
become so large that the Church of the Good Shepherd was established with the Rev. A. Henry Powers as rector. The first service was held in the old electric power station that had been fitted for the purpose.
1905
(323)
THE WATER WORKS
Feb. The estimated cost of constructing the new water works as submitted by F. L. Fuller, the engineer, was $75,790.
THE PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY (324)
Mar. 28. The cemetery was incorporated and at the organization meeting Arthur R. Taft was elected president. A committee was appointed to confer with "Henry Capron, C. C. Capron, and Charles E. Seagrave, the committee who now control the cemetery for the transfer of the title". In June the latter committee transferred their interest in the cemetery to the new corporation.
(325)
THE CALUMET WOOLEN COMPANY
Apr. The Calumet and Hecla mills were sold at auction; the company liquidated, and went out of business. Since the panic of 1893, these mills had not run steadily. Arthur Wheelock purchased the Calumet, naming the mill the Stanley Woolen Company. The American Woolen Company purchased the Hecla. The tenement houses belonging to the Calumet corporation were sold at auction to real estate agent, who later sold to individuals.
(326)
THE UXBRIDGE WORSTED CO.
May This company was formed by Louis Bachmann of New York and Charles A. Root, occupying part of what is now the Waucantuck Mills.
[88]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(327)
THE WATER WORKS
Jun. 24. The Town voted to install a new system of water works to be located on the Henry land and constructed under the direction of F. L. Fuller.
(328)
TRAMPS
A state law passed this year regarding the harboring of tramps except in buildings especially provided, where sanitary conditions had been approved by the state board of health, freed Uxbridge from what had long been a nuisance.
(329)
THE C. A. ROOT COMPANY
The company was incorporated. Later the name was changed to the Waucantuck Mills, Inc., when W. J. Brady became treasurer.
(330)
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY
A Sketch of the History of the First Congregational Society of Uxbridge was published by the Rev. Cyrus A. Roys.
1906
A GREAT FIRE (33I)
Jan. 7. A fire destroyed S. B. Taft's block, built on the former Gredig location, and the Goldthwaite block. This was the third building lost by Mr. Goldthwaite. The fire was controlled by the home department. The loss was about $40,000.
(332)
BASEBALL
One of the many baseball teams, named The Heclas, played winning games this season.
[89]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(333)
THE HECLA BOARDING HOUSE
The American Woolen Company built a boarding house on Bailey street, Hecla village.
THE WATER WORKS (334)
The water works were completed. "The pumps had a capacity of about three hundred gallons in ten hours. As the reservoir full held over five hundred gallons, it required about three days of ten hours pumping to fill it. The reservoir filled gave not far from one hundred and twenty-five pounds pressure to a square inch, a pressure that will send a clean inch and a half stream over every steeple or tower in town if the hose will stand the pressure. "
(335)
THE EDWARD C. THAYER FUND
Oct. The Town received from the executors of the will of Julia B. Thayer $17,000. The income from the fund was to be used for school purposes.
(336)
THE LIBRARY LITERARY CLUB
Nov. 6. The first of a series of literary courses, conducted by this club, began on this evening. The club was conducted in connection with the free public library. Meetings were held in library hall. The librarian acted as secretary. The club continued for fourteen seasons, the last literary course being given in the season of 1920-192I.
THE TELEPHONE (337)
There were one hundred and twenty-six telephones.
[ 90 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1907
(338)
THE ORION CHAPTER, EASTERN STAR
Feb. 13. The chapter was organized with Mrs. Harriet Whitmore as matron and William Waterhouse as patron.
(339)
THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Jul. The edifice of the church, located on Church street, North Uxbridge, was completed.
THE COMMERCIAL COURSE (340)
The course was introduced into the high school in the fall term. The expense was met by the Edward C. Thayer Fund and later by the additional money received from the Thayer School Fund.
(34I)
LABOR LAWS
The mills ceased to employ minors under eighteen and women between six P. M. and six A. M.
1908
THE THAYER SCHOOL FUND (342)
The Town was paid $22,600 from the residue of the estate of Julia B. Thayer. The amount was gained by the return of property given to the Town of Keene, N. H., for a library building by Edward C. Thayer.
SCHOOL SAVINGS (343)
A system of savings was established in the grade schools by Mrs. Arthur Wheelock. Within a period of six years thereafter the children had deposited $5,000.
[9] ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(344)
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
This committee to take charge of the Town expenditure was first established.
(345)
THE TELEPHONE
The office of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company was moved to S. B. Taft's block. One hundred and seventy-two subscribers were listed.
(346)
OLD HOME WEEK
Sept. 21. "What a delightful week Uxbridge had. The weather was good. The preparations were complete. Bunt- ing was profuse. Never was a country town more profusely or skillfully decorated. The Agricultural Fair was a brilliant success, and it is hoped the Macomber Day was highly ac- ceptable. The parade was way above the high water mark. But over and above all the souvenir should be mentioned. It was without doubt a great success. One hundred and twelve portraits, of these there were eighty-one different family names. . I heard one adverse criticism on the work. That was that the ladies including the wives of three men were omitted. Mrs. Macomber stands alone. One thing in Judge Putnam's address struck me as an important matter. The valuation of the property in the town a third of a century ago was less than $1,900,000 while the last valuation was more than $2,900,000. An increase in thirty years of a full million and more. That speaks well for the intelligence, industry and prosperity of the town."
[ 92 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1909
(347)
THE UXBRIDGE WORSTED COMPANY
Apr. The company, managed by Charles A. Root, purchased the mill at the center owned by J. R. and C. W. Scott. This mill is still a part of the company's plant.
(348)
THE UXBRIDGE INN
Apr. Charles C. Ames bought of John R. Sayles Hotel Windsor. Mr. Ames throughly renovated the hotel and reopened it under the name, The Uxbridge Inn.
FIRE ALARM WHISTLE (349)
A whistle was placed on the electric light station. The Unitarian bell was no longer rung for fires.
THE LAUREL BROOK CLUB (350)
A farm in South Uxbridge was purchased by some hundred Boston men for a fish and game club. The club own about three hundred acres of woodland. Several ponds are stocked with trout. In 1921 the first club house burned. Later a new building was constructed.
(35I) THE WORCESTER AND BLACKSTONE VALLEY STREET RAILWAY
Dec. 31. The Uxbridge and Blackstone Street Railway Company was consolidated with the above company.
THE PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY (352)
The cemetery association purchased a plot of one and one half acres of land from Henry Capron to gain an entrance to their property. The town still owns the old part of the ceme- tery into which the main entrance leads. The association has a right of way over the Town's land but decided to have an
[ 93 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
entrance of its own. The Fund of the corporation at this date was $35,000.
PRESIDENT WILLIAM H. TAFT (353)
April 3. President William H. Taft, enroute for Millbury, stopped at the railway station and greeted about two hundred people, while standing on the rear platform of his private car.
"Uxbridge! I suppose I have more relatives here than in any other place in this Country! As the cheer from the throng subsided, he said, 'Aren't there any Tafts here?' The response, 'Plenty of them,' came from the crowd and little Myrtice Taft, six year old daughter of W. J. Taft and wife, exclaimed, 'Here is one,' The President reached down and shook the little girl's hand and spoke kindly to her. As the train left the station the President remained upon the platform and was still standing there when the train rounded the curve north of the station. He was gazing off on the hills which surrounded Uxbridge, the ancestral home of his fore- fathers. "
On August 19th, the President made a hurried visit to Mendon and Uxbridge from his headquarters with Gov. Eben S. Draper in Hopedale. The principal object of the trip was to view the George Z. Taft place on South Main street. This was the ancestral farm of his great, great, great- grandfather, Joseph Taft. (Peter Rawson Taft, the Presi- dent's grandfather, was born in Uxbridge.) Mr. and Mrs. George Z. Taft had the honor of shaking hands with their kinsman, then the President of the United States. Upon this trip, the Taft Tavern in North Uxbridge was also visited.
OIL USED ON THE STREETS (354)
Jul. The dust on the main streets was laid by oil. W. E. Hayward furnished a new cart constructed to distribute oil.
[ 94]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(355)
THE CHESTER HOUSE
The building, now in part occupied by the co-operative store, was built for a boarding house by Miss L. Annie Fisher.
THE HAPPY HOLLOW MILL (356)
Sept. I. The mill used by Jerome E. Farnum to store his products from the Lee mill was burned.
(357) THE DEBORAH WHEELOCK CHAPTER HOUSE
Oct. The former Simeon Wheelock house was given by Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hayward to the Deborah Wheelock Chapter, D. A. R., for a Chapter House. The chapter restored the house.
(358)
ELECTRIC LIGHTS
Nov. The incandescent street lights were changed to Tungsten lights.
(359)
THE RED CROSS SEALS
Dec. The seals were first sold this year, the proceeds being used in tuberculosis work. At this time the sales were managed by the Samaritan Society, Dr. M. R. Griswold distributing the stamps to the school children who peddled them. Later the County Health Association sold the seals under the direction of the resident Unitarian minister. The proceeds are used to support the general work and to help Uxbridge children. Mrs. Ida A. Mansfield later acted as an agent, assisting in the county work and providing for Uxbridge needs.
POPULATION (360)
The population was 4,67I.
[95]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1911
(361) THE WORCESTER SUBURBAN ELECTRIC COMPANY
This company, recently formed, opened a new office in S. B. Taft's block. The plant was enlarged. Twenty-two villages in seven towns were being supplied with light and one hundred miles of streets lighted. The Millbury Electric Light Company had been purchased and a sub-station estab- lished on Riverlin street.
(362)
THE UXBRIDGE COUNCIL, K. OF C.
May The council was instituted.
(363) THE WORCESTER CONSOLIDATED STREET RAILWAY COMPANY
May II. The Worcester and Blackstone Valley Street Railway Company was consolidated with the above company.
LABOR LAWS (364)
May 27. A Massachusetts law limited the work in the mills of women and children to fifty-four hours per week.
(365)
THE WASHINGTON TRIP
The senior class of the high school first went to Washington.
AN AGRICULTURAL AGENT (366)
The first county agent, Charles H. White, was appointed to work with the farmers of Worcester county.
(367)
A PRIMARY ELECTION
The first primary election, for the nomination of candi- dates, was held in the lower town hall. At this time, W. A. L. Bazeley was a candidate for representative.
[ 96 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1912
THE D. A. R. TEA HOUSE (368)
Jul. The tea house was conducted for the first time this season. The success of the innovation was beyond the ex- pectations of all. Over four hundred dollars was cleared, which money was used to pay off the debt incurred by reno- vating the chapter house.
(369)
THE WHEELOCKSVILLE SCHOOL HOUSE
An addition was built to the school house.
1913
(370) THE WORCESTER SUBURBAN ELECTRIC COMPANY
At this date, the power station was in the hands of the above company and both were controlled by C. D. Parker and Company of Boston.
SHADE TREES (37I)
In the spring the Town entered a tree planting contest arranged by the Massachusetts Forestry Association. Ux- bridge planted five hundred and sixty trees and stood fifth in the list of competing towns-not high enough to win the prize of a mile of shade trees.
(372)
A TREE SPRAYING APPARATUS
An apparatus to use on the elm trees was bought.
THE UXBRIDGE COMPENDIUM (373)
Apr. I. In 1912, L. H. Balcome had sold the Compendium to William J. Kelley. One morning in July the plant of the paper was found wrecked and its proprietor missing. Mr.
[ 97 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
Balcome, who held a mortgage on the property, had to resort to legal measures to get possession of his printing equipment. That was the last of the old Compendium, which since 1873 had furnished the news of the Town.
(374)
THE TROLLEY FREIGHT
Apr. 23. The Worcester Consolidated Street Railway Company began to run freight cars through the Town.
SCHOOL GARDENS (375)
The Public School Association for a number of years offered prizes of books for the best gardens cultivated in each grade of the public schools, one for the boys and one for the girls. Mrs. W. A. L. Bazeley was the promoter of the work.
(376)
MEDICAL EXAMINATION IN THE SCHOOLS
The town records contain the first reports of the school physicians.
(377)
THE WATERING TROUGH
Arthur R. Taft presented to the Town the granite watering trough now in front of the railroad station. The trough was to replace the old granite tub that long stood in the center. ` It was necessary to remove the latter to make room for the car tracks.
(378)
THE IRONSTONE SCHOOL
Aug. The school house in this district was burned.
THE TOWN ACCOUNTING (379)
Oct. Upon the recommendation of the state auditors, a . new system of accounting for the Town books was begun.
[ 98 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(380)
THE SCHOOLS
A large addition was built upon the center school building.
THE STARLINGS (38I)
These birds, a European species, first appeared in Uxbridge.
1914
(382)
A BRIDGE OVER THE MUMFORD
Mar. 2. The Town voted to build a concrete girder bridge on Mendon street over the Mumford.
(383)
THE NEW ENGLAND POWER COMPANY
Mar. 13. The control of the power station passed from the Worcester Suburban Electric Company to the New England Power Company. The electric company became a distributing company. Since this date there has been a relay station on the New England Power transmission system located in Uxbridge.
(384)
THE BANK BUILDING
Jun. 15. The Blackstone National Bank and the Uxbridge Savings Bank opened for business in their new building. Safe deposit boxes in a fire-proof vault were a valuable addition to the service of the National Bank.
MALARIA (385)
A member of the state board of health visited the Town in response to a petition signed by more than four hundred and fifty Uxbridge people, asking that something be done towards the prevention of malaria. The state board reported that the complete eradication of the mosquitoes would be most ex- pensive and difficult. Dr. W. L. Johnson, Dr. George T.
[ 99 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
Little, and Dr. W. J. Ledbury, the Town board of health, in May, 1915, had many of the ponds and set backs of the rivers oiled, cleaned up dumping places, and made every effort to free the citizens from the menace of the disease.
THE COMMON (386)
The Common was improved by grading, setting a curb about the lot, and laying a granolithic walk along the east side. The W. C. T. U. erected a new drinking fountain at the south end.
THE BAND STAND (387)
Oct. The old band stand upon the Common was taken down. Uxbridge no longer had a brass band.
STREET LIGHTING (388)
The Town voted to light the whole Town all night and every night from January Ist to April Ist.
(389)
A FIRE WHISTLE
A new fire whistle blown by compressed air was placed in the tower of the town hall. The system was to be operated from the local telephone exchange. Cards with numbers for the several districts were printed for distribution. The dis- carded whistle that was removed from the Worcester Suburban Electric Company's plant had been given by the Hon. Win- field Schuster. The electric company could no longer blow the whistle because an arrangement was being made to get power from the New England Power Company.
(390)
SCHOOL CHILDREN
The schools had nine hundred and fifty-seven children registered.
[ 100 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1915
(391)
SIDEWALKS
Granolithic sidewalks were laid in the center to replace the concrete ones.
BASKET BALL (392)
For several seasons previous to this one basket ball had been played in the town hall by the high school teams. This season the school had a champion team. Albert Tracy, George McDermott, Merton Pennell, Ernest Wood, and Herbert Cook.
(394)
A COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE
The first tree of the kind was illuminated on the Common free of charge by the Worcester Suburban Electric Company on Christmas eve. A musical and speaking program was given and a Santa Claus distributed popcorn and candy to the children.
(395)
THE IRONSTONE SCHOOL
A new school building was erected.
POPULATION (396)
The population was 4,92I.
1916
(397) THE LADIES' AID TO THE FATHER MATHEW TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY
Jan. 10. The Ladies' Aid was formed.
(398)
THE HIGH SCHOOL CADETS
Feb. Military drill was introduced as a part of the cur- riculum.
1
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(399)
THE BOOSTER
Feb. 10. This newspaper, edited by Carlton W. Taft, was started. The paper was later called the Blackstone Valley News.
(400)
THE BOY SCOUTS
Apr. The first troop of Boy Scouts was started in con- nection with the free public library. Roy B. Huddleston, until he enlisted in the navy, was scout master.
(401)
THE DISTRICT NURSE
The Uxbridge Samaritan Society hired a nurse to act as a Town nurse. Patients were to receive her services free or for a nominal fee. The society paid the expense of the nurse by soliciting funds from business firms and from individuals. Mrs. George Z. Taft was president of the society.
THE TOWN PARK (402)
The park was given to the Town by Mrs. Arthur R. Taft in memory of her husband. The gift included about one hundred and fifty acres of woodland and a fund of about $10,000. The income from the money was to be used to improve the property. Three trustees, Charles A. Barton, Theodore A. Southwick, and Charles E. Cook were appointed. Upon the death of a trustee, the vacancy was to be filled by either the president of the board of the Uxbridge Free Public Library or the treasurer of the Uxbridge Savings Bank. A third trustee, when needed was to be selected by the other two. The work of beautifying the park was retarded by the ice storm of 1921. Much of the income from the trust fund since that date has been used to clean out the broken trees.
[ IO2 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1917
THE WORLD WAR (403)
Apr. 16. The first patriotic meeting was held in the town hall. The chairman of the selectmen, Robert H. Newell, presided. The assembly showed the greatest enthusiasm during the musical and speaking program. A committee of some fifty or sixty people was appointed to choose sub-com- mittes to work for the public safety.
(404)
THE MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD
Mar. 27. A meeting of the guard was held in the town hall to recruit for enlistments. The guard was to be raised to full strength. Jefferson Rawson, Earl H. Seagrave, George Sea- grave, Francis Leonard, Roland J. Graves, Elma A. Mc- Farland, and John Davis offered themselves for active service and were accepted.
ยท THE MANAWA TRIBE, A. O. R. M. (405)
Mar. 12. The tribe was organized with Oliver E. Wolcott as sachem. Of the thirty-five charter members, eighteen saw service in the World War.
(406)
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
Previous to the declaration of war, the members of the Deborah Wheelock Chapter organized under the Massa- chusetts Preparedness Committee to make dressings for any emergency. After the war was declared, the chapter organi- zation became merged in the Uxbridge Branch of the American Red Cross. Miss Catherine D. Sessions was secretary of the branch and Mrs. Ida I. Mansfield, treasurer. The work rooms were in the upper story of the Thayer Memorial Building and in the Chapter House. In North Uxbridge, a section worked
[103]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
in the old Rogerson hall under the direction of Mrs. James Whitin. The branch made 2,516 sewed articles, 1,894 knitted articles, 3,233 surgical dressings, and raised the money to carry on its work. Drives were held for Red Cross funds. One very fine parade was staged.
(407)
THE LIBERTY LOAN CAMPAIGNS
May. The Liberty Loan campaigns were started by Charles A. Barton, who acted as a chairman to encourage the sale of bonds in Town and in the vicinity towns. In 1918, Charles A. Root managed the bond sales. Mass meetings and a parade stimulated the campaigns.
(408)
THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE GUARD
May II. A meeting was held under the auspices of what was then known as the Home Guard in the lower town hall. Forty men enlisted for service. Later in the month the guard organized with Daniel H. Reese, captain, and Edward T. McShane, Ist lieutenant, Arthur E. Seagrave, 2d lieutenant. In October, the battalion of which Uxbridge was a unit mobilized on the grounds of the American Woolen Company under the command of Col. John F. Hurley.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.