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June Chandler
HISTORY OF,
WOODSVILLE, N. H.
COMPILED BY AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS OF 1919
HENRY ROWDEN, REGINALD DOWNING
EDITORS
HISTORY
OF
WOODSVILLE, N. H.
Compiled by AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS OF 1919
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HENRY ROWDEN, REGINALD DOWNING EDITORS
Woodsville, N. H. WOODSVILLE NEWS PRESS 1919
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PREFACE
This publication is the result of a meager attempt to make the study of Local History and Government seem practical, to stimulate initiative, individuality, originality and to promote general interest.
Although it is extremely imperfect and the material is exceedingly inadequate we hope that the endeavors of the Class of 1919 will meet general approval.
KATHERINE BRIGGS.
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CONTENTS
Situation, Early Settlements
Florence Bassett and Ethel Nelson
Manners and Customs Henrietta Kugleman Schools Marion Gale
Cottage Hospital
Rolland Ball
Public Library
Julia Lang
Court House
Agnes Walbridge
Bank, Factories, Mills, Stores, Churches, etc.
Marion McClay and Dorothy Smith
Railroads Carrol Chandler V
Woodsville Band
Henry Rowden
Telephone System
Stanley Burbeck
Waterways and Electric Lights
Reginald Downing
Men of Woodsville Archie Griffin
Relation of Woodsville to Neighboring Villages
Elva Walbridge and Paul Dye
Woodsville and the World War Rolland Ball
Fire Department
Reginald Downing
History of Woodsville up till July 1, 1919.
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Geographical Situation, Early Settle- ments and Settlers of Woodsville
Woodsville, located on a plateau, lies at the extreme north west corner of the town of Haverhill, at the junction of the Ammonoosuc and Connecticut rivers.
In 1754 an exploring party, under Capt. Powers, came here from Hollis, searching for Indians. They saw no Indians, but found many evidences of them, such as cleared lands, corn fields, and Indian burying grounds, where bodies were buried in a sitting pos- ture. The Indians were supposed to be of the St. Francis tribe. The names Ammonoosuc and Connec- ticut are derived from Indian names: Ammonoosuc meaning Great-Deer Place, or Namaos Auke, Connec- ticut meaning Great-Fish-Place, or Quinne-Attuck Auke.
Fearing their source of supplies would fail they were obliged to return. Although they gave a fine report of this part of the country it was not settled until many years later.
The lands about Woodsville are mostly meadow lands, with many growths of fine trees. Early set- tlers found hunting grounds abounding with bear, deer, moose and fowl, as well as rivers supplied with salmon and streams with trout. Tall, luxurious grass was growing abundantly, making plenty of fodder for the cattle. There were also many fine pasture lands.
Woodsville is named from John L. Woods, who, in 1829, was the owner of the land on which it now stands. He owned and operated a mill for the manu- facture of lumber where the present bridge stands on Ammonoosuc river. The mill was first owned by Mr.
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HISTORY OF WOODSVILLE
Cotton, but was not so extensively operated as by Mr. Woods, who also started the first store in Woodsville.
The birth of Woodsville actually occurred in 1853. when the Boston and Maine opened an easy route here and made Woodsville a rallroad village.
The first settlers of Haverhill had tracts of land which they had to cultivate for five years under pen- alty of forfeiture. They were obliged to pay one shilling for every one hundred acres on every 25th of December. All pine trees that were fit for masts and the like for the English navy could be cut only by a license from the king.
As soon as a town had fifty families it could have two fairs every year, and a market for one or more days each week. Besides the shilling every settler had to pay an ear of corn for every one hundred acres. This was done in order to pay the officers at Plymouth.
In 1830 a steamboat ascended the Connecticut river as far as Woodsville, and In 1832 five boats made daily trips from Hartford to Woodsville. They gave it up after a few years as the river was so uncertain.
Russell King came from Charlestown in 1836, and, In company with his brother, Hiram, bought 300 acres of land, where Woodsville now stands. The Kings cut off the heavy plnes on the land, and sold them to "Jack" Woods, receiving $3 per 1000 feet.
Inter, the brothers divided the farm, Russell taking the south end, where he ralsed sheep, which were then the chief farm resource. The house which he bullt on hls farm Is still standing and occupied by his de- scendants Russell King died In IS74.
Manners and Customs
The first settlers of Woodsville were a brave and sturdy class of men and women, not afraid to encoun- ter hard labor in their endeavor to found a new and prosperous home.
During the first years, the settlers lived in rude huts and log cabins with few conveniences and comforts. In the year 1773 farm houses began to be built. These houses were of two sizes, the half-house about 20 feet square, a small and low building, and the double house usually about 25 by 40 feet. In these homes there was one family room with an immense chimney and fireplace. The fireplace served as heat, light, cooking stoves, and places for social gatherings. The fire was kept over night by covering up the embers with ashes. Sometimes when it went out a few coals or brands were borrowed from a neighbor. The house was always kept neat and clean by the housewife. Hem- lock brooms were used. The walls were bare and rough and the floor was sprinkled with clean, white sand.
In 1815 chairs, wagons, stoves and clocks were in- troduced. The food was simple but wholesome. Meat was plentiful, both domestic and from the forest. Barley cake, rye, Indian bread, pumpkin pie and Indian pudding were the common articles of food.
Although there were hard labor and long hours for these first settlers there were also many pleasures. Chopping bees, which made way with the minister's wood pile, quilting bees and husking bees were com- mon frolics. But the two great events of the year were the "sugaring off" and the June training. The June training was when all the male inhabitants of .
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HISTORY OF WOODSVILLA.
the village got together and gave a military pageant. All along the parade ground there were tents and booths where gingerbread, candies and rum were sold, and it was a general good time for everyone.
Before the Revolutionary War there were no roads in the town. The chief means of travel were over blazed trails through the forests. About the time of the Revolution a road was laid out from Woodsville to Plymouth.
The first settlers got their mail by travelers, who were going and coming through the town. By the time of the Revolutionary War there was a regular post driver, who brought the mail from Portsmouth to Woodsville, and back again to Portsmouth by way of Charlestown. It usually took the post driver two weeks to make a trip. It cost twelve and one half cents to send a letter forty miles, for less than that distance it cost eight cents.
In 1814 there was a permanent stage coach which brought the mall from Concord over the Turn Pike road three times a week. Soon they had another coach coming from Plymouth, and by the time the railroad was built there were six or eight stage lines which brought the mail and passengers from all direc- tions. All along these stage coach lines there were Road Houses or taverns. It is said that the different taverns in town used to put up from 75 to 100 people each night. These stage coach taverns were the cen- ter of attraction in the town. When the stage came in, all would gather at the tavern to learn what the news of the day was Then again in the evening the men, young and old, would go to the tavern and have their glass of rum and talk. It is interesting to note the prices that were asked in those days. For lodg- ing ten cents was charged, twelve and one half cents for a bite, and twenty-five cents for a regular meal. The meals consisted of cold meats, sausages, bean
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HISTORY OF WOODSVILLE
porridge, brown bread, pies, cake, and cheese. These taverns were distinguished for their homelike hospi- tality.
When the railroad was built in 1852 to Woodsville there was a great change. While before, the southern part of Haverhill had been the center of the town, now Woodsville became the principal village. Schools, dwellings, and stores were rapidly built.
Railroading has always been the chief occupation of the people of Woodsville; nevertheless Woodsville has always been a progressive and lively town. It has some of the best schools in Northern New Hampshire, rural free delivery, and many modern improvements, besides being quite a commercial center.
Woodsville is prominent in clubs, lodges and amuse- ments. The Mt. Gardner Grange was instituted at Woodsville in 1894, being the fourth Grange in the town. Haverhill is the first town in the United States which had four Granges. There were thirty-eight charter members.
The Moosehillock lodge, No. 25, I. O. O. F., was es- tablished in 1876. In 1882 the lodge bought the prop- erty on Pleasant street. The buildings burnt and the splendid block which now stands was erected. On the second and third floors the lodge has a nice set of rooms. The lodge has property and investments amounting to over $23,000.
The Mt. Gardner lodge, K. of P., was instituted at Woodsville in 1895 with twenty-six charter members. It has lodge rooms in the Tilton block.
The Moose lodge was instituted in 1917. At present they have a large membership with a fine hall in the Davison building.
Mary A. Glidden Rebekah lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F., was established in 1892 by John A. Glidden with ten charter members. The lodge was named after Mr.
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HISTORY OF WOODSVILLE
Glidden's wife. At present it has a very large mem- bership.
There are four or five labor organizations with many members.
The Women's club is the most important club in town. It was formed in 1894 as a Women's Reading ciub, but joined the federation of Women's clubs in 1912. It has done much good for the community by getting important speakers to come here to ad- dress the women. The Sunshine club was instituted in 1910. It is made up of young girls who have fur- nished a room at the Cottage hospital. There are two organizations of Camp Fire Giris in town, the Moose- hillock and Nita Anokr. The Boy Scouts also have a strong organization. A Bird chib was instituted in 1918 and has a large membership today. The Amer- ican Red Cross has a branch in Woodsville with most every man, woman and child belonging. It has done splendid work during the recent World War. There is also a branch of the Daughters of the American Rev- olution in Woodsville, which was started in 1912 with fourteen charter members. There are two important men's clubs here, the Board of Trade and the Railroad Men's club. The Board of Trade was instituted in 1913 and has done splendid work in behalf of the com- munity. The railroad men organized a Y. M. C. A. in 1595, where Dr. Speare now lives on Court street. In 1914 the Y. M. C. A. was given up and the Railroad Men established a club room on the third floor of the Opera block.
Dancing and moving pictures are the principal amusements in Woodsville. The first moving pictures were in Davison hall, where a man from St. Johnsbury showed pictures once a week. In 1908, Richard Hen- derson started pictures in "The Palace Theatre," and then in 1914 the Henderson Theatre was erected. In
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1918 Henry Rowe started a new moving picture house in the Opera block. At present it runs regularly and gives now and then a few special features.
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Schools
Woodsville's first schoolhouse is still standing in its original position at the end of South Court street. It has been transformed into a dwelling house, as there has been no school there for over forty years.
In 1786 the town of Haverhill was divided into four school districts. Woodsville was a part of district four, later known as the Pine Plains district, until 1840 when it was changed into a separate district numbered thirteen. The first meeting of the new district was held May 20, 1840, at the store of John L. Woods, for whom the village was named. The following officers were elected: Moderator, Jonathan B. Rowell; clerk, Win- throp Biake; prudential committee, Jonathan B. Row- ell. Russell King, Nathanlel Dickenson and J. B. Rowell were chosen a committee to report a plan for a schoolhouse and the expense of building one. There is no record of the report of that committee.
On November 10, 1840, at a special meeting, it was voted to have school three months a year and that the master board with the scholars. Where the school was, or the schools for the next six years, is not men- tioned In the records.
On March 26, 1847, a committee composed of G. Withereli, R King, and A. Hall was elected to see whether we should join with the Bath district, or whether we should furnish a place in our own district for a school. It was decided to build a new school- house In Woodsville. Mr. Witherell was appointed to choose a good location, while Mr. Hali and Mr. King should esthnate the expense and report at the next meeting.
On October 9, 1847, the district voted to raise two
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hundred and twenty dollars for the expenses of a school building and location. It was discovered that there had been informalities at former meetings and it was doubtful if legal action had been taken, so a new beginning was made. November 4, a special meeting was held, and it was voted to build a new schoolhouse and to raise money for the expenses of the schoolhouse. The same committee as before was chosen, and the same number of dollars raised.
A schoolhouse was built by John L. Woods, and in January, 1848, a committee was chosen to examine the house to see if it was suitable and fit for a school. The committee reported that the seats and writing desks were too narrow and too high and were imper- fectly put up and finished; the window casings were too narrow, and in many places the lathing was im- perfectly put on. The committee thought it would cost twenty-one dollars to make those repairs, and they recommended that Woods make twenty-one dol- lars' reduction on his price, or else repair it himself. Woods consented to reduce the price twenty-one dol- lars. It was then voted to accept the new school- house. Russell King was appointed to make the re- pairs recommended by the committee.
Even then the question was not settled. There was much discussion at the meetings and in the homes, for the tax payers did not intend to spend their money foolishly. The entire cost was two hundred and fifty- five dollars. It was not an elaborate affair, but it was a school and the citizens paid for it without the issue of notes or bonds.
About 1870 it was found that Woodsville was a rap- idly growing village, and the number of school children was increasing each year. The first schoolhouse was not large enough, so it was decided to build another on the place where the graded school building now stands. The same building remains today, although
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it has been moved now and Is known as Davison's hall. This building was finished in the early part of 1873. In 1874 the school report for the town of Haverhill said: "No. 13 has erected a beautiful building at the cost of $6,000, which is very creditable to the enter- prise and taste of the inhabitants of that prosperous village. It is designed for a graded school, and is fitted up with all the modern improvements for con- venlence and comfort."
The dedication of the building was celebrated by a dance, which people from all over the town attended. Such a large schoolhouse was not known in this part of the state.
The school consisted of two rooms down stairs and a hall overhead. The primary school was held in the hall as there was no room down stairs. In the two rooms on the first floor were the intermediate and grammar grades. A high school was started later. The first teacher of the grammar grades was MIss Mary Stevens; Intermediate grades, Miss Josie Fole: and of the primary grades, Miss Addie Ramsey, who also had some classes in the other two rooms.
Sunday services were held In the school hall nearly every Sunday. The Wells River Congregational min- Ister, Mr. Ranslow, preached there, and also the Epis- copal, Methodist, Advent, and Baptist ministers.
In the year 1877 a tultion school was started by a Mr. Greely. It was held In Davison hall and lasted only one term.
In 1885, there were one hundred and four puplls and only room for seventy-elght. The school certainly required more room. March 7, 1885, the school was organized Into a high school district and since then has had charge of Its own school affairs. The follow- Ing board of education was elected: Ezra B. Mann, Al- bert Lelghton, Herbert Remilch, Samuel Page, James Sawyer, and Seth Stickney. District number ten In
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HISTORY OF WOODSVILLE
Bath was united with Woodsville Union High School district. The funds for the use of the district amounted to about $1,000. Three hundred and fifty dollars were raised to finish an additional room for the high school. The high school was put in charge of Bernard V. Child. Mr. Child kept this position for three terms.
In 1896, Samuel W. Robertson became principal of the high school. At that time it consisted of about twenty girls and boys. The high school was then di- vided into grades or classes. Eugene Dow was a lone senior, and was the first graduate of Woodsville high school.
The pupils rapidly outgrew this schoolhouse, so the old one was moved and a new brick schoolhouse was built on the original lot. When Mr. Robertson left in 1905, the high school numbered fifty pupils, and had two assistant teachers. Norman J. Page took Mr. Robertson's place and kept the position until 1907, when he was succeeded by Frederick Wallace. Mr. Wallace was here only one year. After him came Elbert E. Orcutt, a graduate of Yale University, who raised the school's standard very high and kept it high all the time he was there. He stayed until 1918. He was very influential in helping to convince the peo- ple of the need of a new high school building.
A splendid high school was built on King's Plain, and first occupied at the beginning of the spring term in 1914. This is a large, modern building with a study room, five recitation rooms, chemistry and physics laboratory, library, assembly hall, office, teachers' rest room, and domestic science laboratory.
The high school rooms in the graded school were made into two rooms so that each grade would be in a room by itself.
Special features of the high school social life have been the sports of base ball and basket ball, the Ly-
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ceum or Debating club, the orchestra, prize speaking, social dances and the senior plays.
When Mr. Orcutt resigned and went to Plymouth, V. H., Mr. McGaw became principal, with four assist- ant teachers. Through the help of the history and Latin teacher, Miss Briggs, the auditorium was fitted out for basket ball, especially for the girls, but the boys played there also.
At the present time there are one hundred and thirty members of Woodsville high school and the study room is more than crowded. Probably before many years it will be necessary to enlarge the building.
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HISTORY OF WOODSVILLE
WOODSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE FLAG
1. Ashley, Daniel
31. Large, Robert
2. Bailey, George
32. Leighton, Philip
3. Bailey, Harold
33. Leonard, Mortimer
4. Baird, William
34. Libbey, William
5. Boemig, Karl
35. Little, Lee
6. Boemig, Roy
36. Lord, Henry
7.
Brown, Roy
37. Lowe, Burton
8.
Carr, Hazel
38.
Martel, Fred
9.
Chamberlin, Edwin
39.
McClintock, Elmer
11.
Cochran, Frank
41. McIntire, Clarence
12.
Cook, Roscoe
42.
McMeekin, Norman
13.
Davison, Harold
43.
Miller, Harold
14.
Desautels, Louis
44.
Miller, Lynn
15.
Eastman, Burns
45.
Moulton, Hiram
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Fields, Gerville
46.
Noyes, Christine
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Gale, Errol
47.
Nutter, Joseph
18.
Gale, Linn
48.
Park, Bernard
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Gale, Morris
49.
Randall, George
20.
Gates, Frederick
50.
Rowden, Henry
21.
Haley, Harold
51. Sanborn, Roy
22.
Hatch, Harold
52. Stimson, Erville
23. Hatch, Lewellyn
53. Stimson, Raymond
24.
Hosford, Larkin
54.
Sutherland, Robert
25. Howe, Luman
55. Titus, Earl
26. Keyser, Ray
56. Titus, Paul
27. Keyser, Roland
57. Walker, Maurice
28. Kinder, Rolland
58. Ward, Leon
29. Klarke, Perley
59. Ward, Reymer
30. Kugelman, Robert
60. Wilson, Frank
61. Wright, Freeman
10.
Clark, Harold
40. McGreal, Michael
The Water System and Electric Lights
Before the Civil War most of the inhabitants of Woodsville obtained water from a cistern on their own premises since the railroad pumped what they needed from the river. As the railroad pushed north it was seen that the place would be a terminal and probably would become a large village. It was seen also that a water system was needed badly. The best site appeared to be some natural spring in back of what is now known as the Howland farm, about two miles northeast of the village. The people appropri- ated sufficient money so that the system was laid down during the summer of 1864.
No provision was made for fire protection at this time. The lead pipe ran from Howland's house straight down the track, through the cut, and was originally piped into the houses of the town. Some people still have this water in the house. As the town grew, more people took advantage of the system.
Woodsville began to increase in size rapidly and it became apparent that good fire protection as well as a sewerage system was needed. The old system could supply neither of these necessitie .. Then the railroad people agreed to cooperate and in 1$$5 the Woodsville Aqueduct Company was organized. A plant was bullt on the site of the old Woods saw mill, where it now stands. Bonds were sold and a capital of $30.000 was secured. This capital has grown to $100.000.
Two thirds of the stock was taken up by about thirty citizens and the Boston and Maine railroad took the rest. Ira Whitcher was elected president and G. A Davison secretary of the Woodsville Aqueduct Com- pany.
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The water system is considered sufficient for fire protection and domestic uses. It has a pressure of eighty-five pounds and can supply a place with a pop- ulation of 10,000.
At a stockholders' meeting in January, 1891, it was decided to extend operations and furnish electric lights. An addition was built on the pumping station and this was equipped with a 600 light brush dynamo. The dynamo could be connected to a large water wheel or to a steam engine which was installed for use in case of high water.
Within three years the place outgrew the power and a 1000 light dynamo was installed. The dynamo was of the Fort Wayne alternating current type, the best at the time, and was capable of supplying both arc and incandescent lights. This new system was a great success.
After the Aqueduct Company laid its pipes, the old water was taken out of the houses and several stand pipes were installed. This had to be done, because the river water was unfit to drink. Until about four years ago the stand pipes were not kept open in the winter, and people were forced to buy drinking water if they wanted any which was fit to drink.
A well was dug at the new engine house, and for about two years, the railroad men got their water there. When the house was enlarged this well had to be given up.
During the winter of 1912-13 the pumping station got on fire, and before it was extinguished the electric light system was destroyed. For about four months the town was without lights. Some of the stores connected with the Wells River system, but their sup- ply was limited. The owner of the movie theatre bought a small dynamo and furnished his own power for over two months.
HISTORY OF WOODSVILLE
The building was gradually reconstructed. It was an exceptionally hard winter and the work progressed slowly. When the work was nearly finished a severe freshet delayed the work nearly a month. For about 48 hours the water system was out of commission en- tirely. By the first of May everything was in opera- tion once more. The electric system was enlarged and a building of fire proof material was completed.
About four years ago Mr. Dearth had anartesian well driven for his own benefit. It was driven about one hundred and seventy-five feet before sufficient water could be found. The next summer Mr. Sargent also had a well driven. This one went down over three hundred feet. His water supply was considerably larger than that of Mr. Dearth. This well could sup- ply the town with drinking water for an indefinite time if necessary.
In the fall of 1918 the stand pipe water which had run Into a lead pipe for over fifty years was con- demined, and the stand pipes were closed. At this time Mr. Sargent put up a stand pipe on his own prem- Ises and he sells water to people at cost. A water team went on a route, and a new effort was made to purify the water by chlorine gas.
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