A history of Walpole, New Hampshire, Volume I, Part 11

Author: Frizzell, Martha McDanolds, 1902-
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: Walpole, Walpole Historical Society
Number of Pages: 786

USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Walpole > A history of Walpole, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 11

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).

In 1931 Arthur Whitcomb had a new power shovel and was prepared to do contract road work. F. A. Whitcomb had a gravel crusher. In De- cember they formed the F. A. Whitcomb and Son Company. In addition

TOWN OFFICERS: H. E. Smith, Treas .; L. W. Graves, Select .; L. S. Ballam, Select .; M. M. Ballam, Clerk; H. T. Killeen, Select.

(Baker)

NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE COMMISSIONERS: M. W. Edson, D. Shaughnessy, H. Bushway

(Baker)

WALPOLE VILLAGE OFFICERS: J. A. Hubbard, Comm .; E. E. Houghton, Supt .; F. E. Aldrich, Clerk; H. J. Larsen, Comm .; H. S. Putnam, Treas .; O. H. Woodward, Comm.

OLE FIRE DISTRICT

ENGINE 122

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ALPODER

MEMBERS WALPOLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

(Baker)

WALPOLE FIRE DISTRICT ENGINE HIM

VILLAGE FIRE HOUSE AND APPARATUS

(Baker)

MEMBERS NORTH WALPOLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

(Baker)

NORTH WALPOLE VILLAGE HALL

(Baker)

MAZEPPA FIRE COMPANY AT WENTWORTH HOTEL before 1880

WALPOLE TOWN HALL about 1925

WALPOLE INN about 1950

(Harris)

OCKS

BASEBALL IN 1908: Back: Nickerson, . . .. , . . ., Hawks, Sawyer, C. Farns-

worth, G. Farnsworth; Front: Hall, Warn, R. Warren, L. Warren; Boy: Williams

FERRYBOAT RIDE TO PUTNEY about 1910

VALPOLE JOLY KILBURN'S DIAN FIGHT SUMMER OF 1755

WALPOLE FLOAT IN BELLOWS FALLS BICENTENNIAL PARADE, 1953 People on the Float Were Descendants of John Kilburn

AMERICAN LEGION AT SERVICES ON THE COMMON about 1943

THE AUDIENCE AT THE

CANTERBURY PILGRIMS", Aug. 11, 1909

SAVINGS

SCHOOL FAIR PARADE, Walpole Village, 1950

SCHOOL FAIR FLOAT about 1940

WESTMINSTER STREET, Fred A. Lebourveau about 1910

MR. CHICKERING FILLING THE LAMPS in 1903

(Hastings)

WALPOLE, N.

THE VILLAGE SQUARE about 1950

GRANT AND COLFAX FLAG RAISING, 1868

WENTWORTH HOTEL, before 1880 (#9)

RED MILL INN, about 1910 (6#)

THE VILLAGE STORE as it was about 1895 (#6)

RAYMOND GALLOWAY AT THE DRUG STORE about 1910 (#6)

THE LEAF AND LENS, about 1950 (#8)

(Harris)

PUBLIC LIBRARY, WALPOLE, NIH, 18,

BRIDGE MEMORIAL LIBRARY about 1930 (#111)

GUEST'S STORE about 1950 (#90)

(Harris)

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SAVINGS BANK OF WALPOLE in 1962

(Baker)

to washing gravel, they had ordered a compressor for drilling, blasting and crushing trap rock for road construction.

In February 1933 a branch of the N. H. League of Home Industries (Arts & Crafts) was organized with Mrs. Jessie Dearborn as president, Miss Dorothy Woodward vice-president, Mrs. D. W. Harris secretary- treasurer. In May a shop was opened at the Woodward flower shop with Miss Dorothy in charge. In 1934 the shop was at the Historical Society property, Mrs. Carl Dennett in charge, later Miss Vera Kenrick. It was considered a success and was continued at the same location.

Tuesday, March 17, 1936, flood waters rose with the breaking up of the ice, lowered slightly immediately following the passing of the jam (near Cheshire Bridge), then increased all Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with heavy rains up and down the valley continuing into the evening. More than 100,000 cubic feet of water per second was going over the dam. Late Wednesday morning the water surged across the road at Cold River, depositing large ice cakes, covering the road with four feet of water, the bridge submerged; and by late afternoon there was two feet of water over the railroad. The afternoon train from Boston was forced to return to Walpole. The west approach to Vilas Bridge was washed away.

The Watkins Hill Road was impassable from the bridge at the foot of the hill to Nial Bemis' farm (Petrie). The River Road was open, but slimy and covered with water. There were minor washouts in the Tif- fany section. Huntington Hill was badly washed as were also the Valley Road and Ramsay Hill Roads although the latter two with less damage. The oiled roads held better than the gravel. Students and teachers had thoughts of a mud vacation.

Some North Walpole families were evacuated, the children being cared for at the schoolhouse for two days. The river cut a new course around the Vermont end of the Village Bridge; the east end of the Arch Bridge was under water; and at the mill pond the flood was up to Mathers' doorstep. Herbert Woods' two and one-half story barn was sub- merged to its eaves for several days and there was mud and water to the second story of his house. The animals were saved and were stabled at the Homestead. The Ballam and Boudrieau farms were washed and littered with debris. Thomas Ashcroft's house was carried away by the flood, and Hermon O. Woodward suffered heavy damage at his plant in Westminster. Milk shipments to Boston were impossible for three days and then they went by truck.

In March 1939 Napolian Boudrieau, Charles M. Moore, Samuel J.

Chickering, Robert L. Blood, Arthur Christian, Hermon O. Woodward and Arthur Chickering brought suits against the Bellows Falls Hydro- electric Company on the basis of negligence, unreasonable use and opera- tion of a nuisance; but all of them lost.

After the financial crash of 1929 resulting in the Depression, Walpole had certain phases of the various recovery plans. In October 1933, there being no Chamber of Commerce, the Men's Club organized the Na- tional Recovery Act (NRA) committee to hear complaints: Rev. R. L. M. Holt, Rev. J. H. Allen, H. J. Stowell, George Jeffrey, L. O. Thompson, H. S. Van Demark, John K. Whittemore. In November the relief road work program began with 16 men working, straightening the curve on the hill near St. Peter's cemetery. In January 1936 there were about 20 men working on the road under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In 1937 there was WPA money available for sidewalk construc- tion, again in 1938.

In September 1934 women from Drewsville, Alstead and North Wal- pole were working in two shifts of twelve, three days each week, in St. Peter's Hall, North Walpole. Bolts of cloth, thread and cotton batts were furnished by the state to make 600 quilts to be distributed to the needy. There were two quilting frames and two sewing machines in use. The women were paid for the work which was under the direction of Mrs. William Lane.

In January 1936 there were weekly meetings of World Fellowship In- stitute at the Congregational Church; October 1937 Vera Micheles Dean spoke on Peace by Cooperative Action; in 1938 Prof. Rupert Emerson and Prof. Karl Friedrich of Harvard spoke on Foreign Policy; Armistice Day (November 11) a meeting was held at the library to pray for World Peace; in September 1939 "Union Now" (for peace) was meeting bi- monthly.

In late May 1937 North Walpole celebrated the opening of the new Nims Field. The land had belonged to the Nims estate, the family allow- ing its use to the school. Then they made it available at a reasonable price and the School Board bought. The celebration included burning of the last village mortgage, a baseball game with the Italian Boys' Club of Rutland, followed by a dance and bazaar at Russell Hall.

In September 1937 an oil tank truck plunged into the river about 350 yards north of the Standard Oil yards and sank into 20 ft. of water, the driver escaping. The air in the tank held the rear end up for sometime. Edward Naski dove from Norman Parrott's motor boat and attached a

chain to the front. There was great excitement among the onlookers while the Smith Auto Sales wrecker, using the railroad track as an anchor, pulled the truck back up onto the road. The cable broke once, damaging a passing car. After that, traffic was detoured by the Missing Link Road. The performance moved the track out of place by four inches.

Words cannot describe the havoc wrought by the hurricane which struck Walpole Wednesday, September 21, 1938, about 5 P.M., following five days of rain which had so moistened the soil that trees fell prey to the onslaught of the wind.

Thursday morning showed roofs crushed, chimneys gone, sections of roofs torn away; whole groves of pines and hardwoods broken and twisted as though enemy batteries had shattered them to remnants. At the same time the river was steadily rising, threatening to add its menace to that of the wind.

From outside the village reports came that at Hubbard Farms a large portion of the roof was torn from the laying house under construction, other damage at the home farm and at the Huntington farm, at Everett Rhodes Jr.'s his large henhouse partially destroyed; at J. B. Cobb, Richard Graves, Lawrence, and several others brooder houses upturned with consequent loss of birds.

In the village not a street was passable-strewn with large elms and maples with splintered tops broken to the ground or uprooted. The cemetery was a shambles beyond belief. Out along the County Road the Bunker 100 acre lot of heavy pine was but a mass like jackstraws; along the north skyline H. J. Stowell's pines stood like toothpicks, now and then one with a feathery tuft of branches at the tip. At Maple Grove half of the famous maple orchard was down, fit only for working into fire- wood. At the Ballam and Angier farms north of town there was a large barn and silo down, a full tobacco barn, and another barn, chimney at the house and barn roof damaged. At Nelson's a barn was blown down. Nelson Boudrieau had 30 acres of corn under flood waters from Wednes- day night-a loss. Fred Bailey had his barn cupola and several brooder houses wrecked. Jacob Koson lost a chimney and had damage from a tree falling onto his house. Nearby Adam Rock lost six acres of corn. E. George Edwards lost a silo, and the ell of the house was blown off its foundations. William Burrows found his woodshed in small pieces down the hillside, while his father, Henry Burrows, lost a chimney and had roof damage. At the Hooper School building on Prospect Hill, the forge shop, built of cement blocks, was completely demolished. F. A. Ramsay

on Ramsay Hill found great damage to the glass in his east windows, with consequent loss from wind and rain inside.

At C. A. Moore's the buildings were not injured, but large trees near the house were uprooted, taking sidewalks and everything near with them. Across the street Mrs. Clifford Bellows' house barely escaped from falling trees, the front fence being demolished. Miss Mary Maynard's cottage had the roof badly damaged by falling trees. The Chimney on the high school building was blown away, while close by the three large elms at the W. C. Foster place were completely destroyed. On School Street trees fell on W. W. Shackley's barn, partially caving in the roof. Portions of the house were also damaged. Across the street Oliver Hub- bard lost every tree on his grounds. On North Street Warren Colburn's little brick house was caught under the dangling mess of a large tree blown across its roof with a smaller tree caught in the fall. John Warren sat calmly reading his family Bible until a neighbor told him that a tree at one side had crushed a portion of his roof. A portion of the roof at the rear of Mrs. George Quincy's house landed across Main Street. Miss Grace Canfield lost a chimney in the ell of her house. At Wallace Graves' a chimney tore a six-foot hole through the roof and the wind scattered the pieces about the landscape.

A large elm standing between the Peck Drug Store and Mrs. Libby's drygoods store crashed into the end of the R. G. Graves block and de- molished Everett E. Houghton's sedan which had just been parked there; carried a whole sash from a window of Clyde Jeffrey's apartment over the drug store and barely missed another car parked in front of the building. Just back of this a section of the front of the Graves building used by R. N. Johnson as a warehouse was torn away by the blasts. Walter Felch had his shed taken up bodily and set askew on the hillside. A number of miles away Jesse Laurie watched his poultry house rise in the air and land off its foundation. Few chimneys and roofs were left un- harmed. At least two roosters who had weathered many an ordinary storm were the worse for the buffeting-Mrs. George Holland's and Mrs. A. Harley Rogers' weathervanes.

All transportation and communication were at a standstill. Housewives with electric stoves were left to improvise ways of providing meals for their families, some resorting to the limited amount of sterno to be had, some to the old-time fireplace, some dragging out discarded oil stoves. Most difficulties were overcome with a stock of good nature.

In November there was a meeting at the town hall for an explanation of the Federal plan for salvage of hurricane timber. Plans were made for

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storing the logs in Mathers' Pond, John Graves' Pond and two other small ponds, but these plans were not carried out. It was actually stored on that part of the Amory farm opposite where Hubbards had had their turkeys.

In mid-afternoon Saturday, May 6, 1939, a forest fire started on Fall Mountain, shot up to the top, and spread in all directions. The C.C.C. brought it under control, only to have it flare up again on Sunday. The fire hazard was especially great after the hurricane.

DECADE 1940-1950

There was a great deal of busyness in connection with the war effort (World War II): May 21, 1940 a workroom was opened at the Congrega- tional vestry for knitting and sewing, a branch of the Keene chapter of the Red Cross, Mrs. Ralph Wood and Mrs. A. S. Lewis in charge; there was a drive for funds for European war refugees; school children in the six grades made scrapbooks for War Relief; Mrs. Charles P. Howland held a garden party for war relief benefit; in July two sewing groups were formed, at the Congregational and Unitarian Churches, in August a Catholic group; Walpole Committee to Defend America formed (organ- ization started by William Allen White); a flower show and a dance were for Red Cross benefit; in February 1941 a surgical dressing group started meeting at the bank Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. (34,220 dressings made in a year); in March the food stamp plan was inaugu- rated; in June 1941 United Service Organization (USO) was started, a canvass for funds; August 1941 a complete First Aid course was given, another in October for men; Red Cross membership drive in 1941 was the highest ever, $400; December 1941 Civil Defense crews were organ- ized, office at the town hall; there was a collection of aluminum utensils, a pile of 20 tons of metal on the Common; 150 took seven lessons for air raid wardens; there were test air raid warnings and blackouts in March 1942 and other times.

In May 1942 it was reported that since Red Cross organization two years earlier the following had been completed: 542 sweaters, 10 baby shirts, 30 rompers, 14 helmets, 57 pairs socks, 46 knitted suits, 1 pair gloves, 3 pairs rifle mitts, 23 baby jackets, 5 pairs pajamas, 10 baby slips, 30 baby dresses, 20 baby kimonos, 26 girls' dresses, 3 pairs overalls, 43 baby blankets, 3 pairs mittens, 6 bathrobes, 89 children's skirts, 25 surgical gowns, 25 layettes; since February 1941 43,915 surgical dressings. In January 1943 the workroom was closed because of a shortage of material and fuel.

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From 1942 to 1945, in seven war loans, some $750,000 was the share of Walpole to subscribe.

Rationing began in April 1942 with sugar, followed in May by gaso- line. By October B ration books were cut to 378 miles per month. Rubber goods, particularly tires, were restricted. Oil, coffee, butter, meats were added to the list. In August 1945, after three years, Mrs. Lillian Smith closed the ration office at the town hall, any future business to be done through Keene.

The first service flag at North Walpole had 166 stars in 1943. In 1944 the center of the flag had worn out, was remodelled with a new white ground with one star, with a total of 220. Before it was flown there were 239 men in service. On Memorial Day 1945 a new honor roll was dedi- cated near the east end of the Arch Bridge.

October 7, 1942 a new pole and flag were dedicated at the north end of the Common in Walpole Village. Homer G. Wallace, father of the first casualty in World War II raised the flag. There were 145 in service from Walpole at that time. By 1943 when the American Legion Auxiliary raised a service flag over Main Street by the library there were 179. This flag was replaced in February 1944, for 270 men and women.

In July 1942 there was a gala benefit for Walpole War Relief, raised over $1000. There were a baby parade with 50 entrants, pony rides, horse show, games, fortune telling, food and gift sales, fifth annual flower show, Grange dance with Ralph Page of Keene calling. In 1943 a card party at Old Colony Inn and Mrs. Butler's home was substituted.

There were more home gardens than in years. In 1943 there were nine entrants in the Victory Garden contest: Clyde Jeffrey, Charles D. Dalzell, H. O. Pierce, Mrs. Edward Parsons, Langdon Bellows, Mrs. R. U. Bunker, Mrs. S. Malcolm Wood, Mary Clark, Grace Graves. Mrs. Wood and Mr. Dalzell tied for first place.

In 1942 there was great excitement one night when signals were seen on Fall Mountain. Military police were called, only to find that hikers were finding their way down the mountain with flashlights.

V.E. Day, May 8, 1945, was observed rather than celebrated in Walpole, quietly with an air of reverence. For some it was a day of renewed sad- ness, for others a day of expectation and hope; for all a feeling of relief that one phase of the war was over, but with the realization that there was still a long road ahead before the capitulation of Japan.

When the news came over the radio at 7 P.M. August 14, 1945, of the end of the war, there was relief and enthusiasm not seen since Armistice Day. The fire alarm went on a rampage, church bells were rung, the long

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silent bell in the fire station took up the chorus, sirens blared, the fire truck added to the din with its siren open full blast while Chief Shackley took a truck-load of shouting boys for a tour of the village. Wednesday there was a complete shutdown of business. Official V.J. Day was observed with a community service of Thanksgiving at the town hall, with the evening services at the churches Sunday, August 19th, in charge of the American Legion.

Those from Walpole who gave their lives in World War II were Hud- son E. Bridge, William T. Burrows, Bruce A. Gilbo, Philip Harris, For- rest Kimball, Edward J. Nachozski, Donald Parrott, Hoyt Wilson, Ray- mond Wallace, Edward Kiniry, Harold Lorange, William Weeks, Maurice Pelton, and Harold G. Parks.

On March 18, 1946, the North Walpole people welcomed their men home with a turkey banquet. Charles Grignon, Chairman of the Village Committee, was master of ceremonies. There were one hundred in at- tendance. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4427 was soon organized in North Walpole.

Walpole Village held its official welcome home May 23rd with a turkey dinner and dance at the town hall under the auspices of the American Legion.

This was a decade of much activity and many changes. In August of 1940 the County Road was completed, ending a twelve-year project. In 1936 zoning had been inaugurated in Walpole Village and in 1940 there was a building boom, the next such boom not being until 1962. Also, in 1940 there was general reconstruction and refurbishing at the Congrega- tional Church, putting in new acoustic tile ceiling, installing a new organ with its dedication in May. In 1941 a set of chimes was presented to the church by the choir.

In June 1941 the Rev. Robert L. M. Holt resigned after serving as pastor of the Unitarian Church for nearly twenty years. That summer Mrs. Holt accidentally drowned in Kings Canyon, California, and he died December 23, 1942 (71).

An amount of $1,392.35 was netted by the Grange over a period of four years from dances which it sponsored. Out of this fund the Grange gave $242.50 to the Red Cross, $107.35 to Community Hospital, $200.00 to the Boudrieaus after their fire; $35.00 to the Infantile Paralysis Fund, and $35.00 to the Cheshire Fair Association.

R. N. Johnson was at this time probably the largest potato grower in the state, having 115 acres under cultivation. Other potato raisers were

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Bant H. Morgan, Stuart Graves, Josiah Graves, Joseph Cobb, Louis Ballam.

In January 1945 the "Cheshire", which started its runs November 13, 1944, from White River Junction to Boston, was wrecked at Walpole but with slight injury to the passengers. A housing near the front of the train dropped, causing the train to split a switch and enter a short sidetrack. The sidetrack curved into the Walpole freight house; and as the train rounded the curve, it was derailed, first striking a Hubbard Farms' store- house and ending by plowing a few feet into the freight house. A regula- tion train took the passengers to Boston.

In March 1945 North Walpole, at its precinct meeting, voted to set aside $1000 toward a new fire truck and to extend the water main from the Green Company to the Packing Plant (which paid $500 toward the cost). The meeting waxed hot over the proposals for the new fire truck and for a swimming pool. It was finally voted to work with Walpole Village on a Cold River pool.

There was considerable misunderstanding about the conditions neces- sary to comply with the building code when Gerald K. Sweet set up his diner in Walpole Village. At a large public hearing it was made clear that the rules applied only to what he added to the complete diner which he had wheeled into place.

In 1945 instead of the usual flower show, visits were arranged to the following: Mrs. John Babbitt's garden; Mrs. Clifford Bellows' house and garden; Mrs. Guy Bemis' house; Mrs. Leighton Bridge's house and garden; Mrs. Arthur Bunker's house; Mrs. R. U. Bunker's house and garden; Mrs. Edward Cutter's house and garden; Mrs. Thorndike Endi- cott's house; Mrs. Dana Hooper's garden; and Mrs. David Reed's house and garden. Over 100 attended.

In May 1948 the Garden Club was organized with the following officers: President Mrs. Leighton Bridge; Vice-Presidents Langdon Bel- lows and Mrs. George R. Harris; Secretary Mrs. Paul M. Savi; Treasurer Mrs. Robert Mensel; Executive Committee Mrs. Ernest L. Mitchell, Mrs. Robert E. Harrington, Mrs. Guy H. Bemis. After a few years this club became inactive and was recently officially dissolved.

In August 1948 a Blue Cross-Blue Shield meeting was held at the Grange and community Blue Cross became effective Sept. 1, 1948.

This same year Rev. Samuel Maxwell suggested that the history of Walpole be brought up to date and the following committee was formed: Mrs. Marion Weymouth, Mrs. Edith Tiffany, Mrs. Thorndike Endicott,

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Mrs. A. M. Bragg, Dr. Charles Houghton, Donald E. Hubbard, Herbert R. Tucker, and Mr. Maxwell.

Sunday, August 22, 1948, the Mr. and Mrs. Earl Lee Settler Program was presented at the town hall. President Houghton of the Historical Society presided, opening the program with interesting and entertaining anecdotes of early Walpole. The Rev. Samuel Maxwell, as Parson Fessen- den, opened with his 28thly while H. O. Pierce as tything man rapped nodding men with the knob on his pole or swung the furry end under the bonnets of nodding sisters. The William Billings hymn (he was Mrs. Oliver Hubbard's great-grandfather) and the Walpole hymn, taken from an early volume filled with hymns named for various towns, were sung. Jessie Graves prepared the script for the Quilting Bee, being actual hap- penings about 1812. John P. McGee formally and pompously, complete in frock coat and high hat, presided over the singing school, trained by Mrs. Charles Houghton. Mrs. Homer Wallace, stepping out of Godey's Book, presided over her class of blue-jeaned boys and frilled and panta- letted girls, scared in anticipation of the visit of the school committee, this time John W. Prentiss who was a teacher in the 1870's. With Mrs. Wallace at the piano and Homer fiddling, George Jeffrey called for a quadrille that was danced by a younger group. The program closed with the Walpole Song, written by George S. Harris, sung by the hallful of people. In the lower hall Mrs. A. M. Bragg had arranged an antique exhibit.

August 30, 1948, the 25-year-old men were required to register for the first Peace Time Draft.

On Sunday, August 27, a fire broke out on Fall Mountain near the erection site of the new power line and lasted four days but burned only brush and slash. One hundred men fought this. On September 7th it again broke out and spread over the south end of the mountain. Fred Carman was engaged to fly over the area every few hours until rain came. Eight hundred acres were burned over, most of it not visible from the Bellows Falls side. A week later they were still fighting the fire with George Porter of Langdon in charge. The fire was particularly stubborn in a gully back of Table Rock.

In 1948 the school was running the first district-owned school bus. Lyle Jeffrey drove the Watkins Hill, County Road, Fletcher District. Beyond there R. N. Johnson transported his own children. The Houghton bus covered the River Road District and Mrs. R. G. Graves' man drove the Cold River, Drewsville, Valley District.

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In January 1949 heavy rains for two days caused Cold River to over- flow its banks near its mouth and flood the road for a few hours.

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A history of Walpole, New Hampshire, Volume I, Part 11

Author: Frizzell, Martha McDanolds, 1902- Publication date: 1963 Publisher: Walpole, Walpole Historical Society Number of Pages: 786

Author: Frizzell, Martha McDanolds, 1902-
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: Walpole, Walpole Historical Society
Number of Pages: 786