USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Walpole > A history of Walpole, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 45
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Tramps were a common sight. In 1877 P. Murray was allowed to keep what was called the "Connecticut River Hotel" in the old toll house at the Village Bridge, for the accommodation of tramps.
In 1875 the moderator was paid for his services, for the first time-$10. The amount was later reduced to $5. A 4% discount was allowed on taxes paid by November 1.
1876 They were still electing (or in case not elected, appointed by the selectmen) Sealer of Weights & Measures, Pound Keeper, Fence Viewers, Surveyor of Lumber, Measurer of Wood, Cemetery Commission, Superin- tending School Committee, Railroad Police Officers according to law. They allowed 20¢ per hour for work on the road, reduced to 15¢ in 1878.
In 1879 refused to pass a bylaw regarding dogs; voted to exempt from taxation for five years a steam saw and grist mill that would locate in town; voted not to prohibit the sale of cider, lager beer and other malt beverages in accordance with Chap. 109 of the General Laws of New Hampshire.
In 1879 George Aldrich proposed to the town "to furnish historical matter relating to the history of Walpole, sufficient to make an octavo volume of four hundred pages and sell the same to the inhabitants of the town for seventy five cents per copy,-provided the town will raise the sum of Five hundred dollars to be expended in printing and binding as many copies as can be provided for the above named sum." The pro- posal was accepted and $500 appropriated.
VILLAGE BRIDGE. In 1870 Voted "That the town authorize their selectmen to unite with the selectmen of Westminster in purchasing the real estate, casement of franchise of the Walpole and Westminster Bridge Company if in their judgment the public good requires a highway at or near the place occupied by such Bridge now or recently; the vote standing, Affirm- ative 218, Negative 9". The appropriation was $3000, to which was added another $3000 in June. A fine of $2 was to be charged anyone
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driving or riding over the bridge faster than a walk (later increased to $3), and Christian B. Lucke was the agent for enforcement.
How early Walpole had sidewalks is obscure. The first highway money to be used for sidewalks was in 1876, but there were sidewalks before that. In 1873 when Ephraim Barker's horse died in the winter the cor- respondent wondered "What shall we do now for paths on the sidewalk?" In January 1874 there was a severe snowstorm and Mr. Maynard had to drive two horses tandem to break paths on the sidewalks. In 1879 "Side- walks are a disgrace. Cows are grazing on the Common contrary to law."
Each year during the 1880's there was an article to see if the town would accept the provisions for licensing dogs, but the article was voted down. Dogs were taxed.
Tax exemption was extended to manufacturing concerns that would settle in town and employ ten or more hands, later raised to fifteen hands.
1880 Voted selectmen not to exceed $300 for repairing town house; build platform, purchase lights, chairs, provide for ventilating, build an outhouse, etc. In 1883 voted to consult an architect on whether to repair town house or build new. In 1884 the voters turned down a proposition to alter the town house, but then voted 173-142 against building a new brick town house. Another attempt was made at a special meeting in April but without success. The subject was brought up again in 1886. The proposal to build new was again turned down, but vote carried to appropriate $8000 for repairing the old house. The vote was unanimous to raise $1000 by taxes, borrow the balance. Following is the account rendered 1887:
Repairs on Town House, Heating and Lighting and Furnishing Same:
To Smith & Allen, contractors
$7950.00
Due when roof and steps are completed
50.00
To W. P. Wentworth, architect
125.00
Amount for heating, lighting, furnishing
1216.52
$9341.52
In 1888 it was proposed to build a lock-up in the Town House base- ment; November 1888 voted to buy piece of land and build a lock-up, $300.
1880 saw the beginning of fall biennial elections, electing Supervisors of the Checklist and Representatives to the General Court.
1881 voted $100 to construct a reservoir north of the Town House for
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fire protection; instructed selectmen to mail town reports to all voters three days before town meeting; and to confer with other towns on free- ing Tucker Bridge.
1882 Passed over an article to allow residents to fence the Common. In 1887 voted to discontinue the crossroads over the Common from end of Middle Street northwest, from Westminster Street at northeast corner, southwest, and diagonally by the Town House; and to prohibit baseball on the Common.
1883 A Fire District was set off in North Walpole, but apparently action was not completed, repeated 1886. (See Town Records P. 146.)
1884 Fish and Game Wardens were added to the list of elected town officers; in 1888 Agent for Town House; in 1889 Board of Health (may have been previously, but not noted). It became the custom now to elect the selectmen, and leave to them the appointment of the rest of the town officers. Adopted provisions allowing selectmen to deliver inventory blanks before March 20. Began appropriating $50 for decorating the graves of those who died in the Rebellion, under charge of selectmen. In 1921 this became Memorial Day and appropriation made for exercises.
1889 $300 voted for improving streets and protecting property from surface water North Walpole.
1888 "Voted that the selectmen be instructed to investigate the subject of breaking winter roads, and, if the interest of the town requires it, to purchase one or more rollers." 1890 15¢ per hour allowed for man and team on the highway.
1892 voted tax exemption for three years to any manufacturing concern coming into town, employing not less than ten hands; licensed Dennis Brennan to keep pool table "to be used for hire, gain or amusement, but not for the purpose of gaming for money or other property. Said table not to be used between the hours of ten P.M. and seven A.M. to be located in the basement of the house owned by John Pierce. ." Fee $10, same for a billiard table.
1893 Committee appointed to confer with the railroad authorities as to the best method of protecting highway crossings . .. Josiah G. Bel- lows, Horace A. Perry, Patrick E. Griffin, Albert F. Nims, Timothy Bowen; Board of Health with approval of Selectmen ruled that no swine should be kept in or about slaughterhouses May 1 to December 1, and during that period all offal and refuse from slaughtering must be buried within 24 hours.
1895 Adopted rules and salary schedule for town officers: Board of Se- lectmen $500 plus expenses, to meet monthly, the one residing in village
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to have charge of Town House; Treasurer $30; Collector $100; Super- visors $75 for two years; Road Agent 25¢ per hour, to furnish his own transportation, to render account monthly; School Board $140; Superin- tending School Committee $20; Moderator $5 for each meeting at which he presides; to have one road agent instead of three voted to bor- row on the credit of the town in anticipation of taxes; to use the Austral- ian Ballot system of voting; to allow discounts on taxes of 6% before July 1, 51/2% before August 1, 5% before September 1, 41/2% before Oc- tober 1, 4% before November 1; to issue and distribute through the mails the Town Reports at least five days before town meeting. Part of the cemetery appropriation was to be used at Drewsville.
1896 North Walpole Fire District adopted Chap. 53 Public Statutes of New Hampshire; voted to borrow $3000 for construction of sidewalks.
1897 Selectmen authorized to accept cemetery legacies. Only heads of families and owners of homesteads in the town were entitled to select Lots in Village Cemetery, but selectmen might extend privilege to all residents of the town upon request. N. A. Wheeler was appointed town liquor agent. Adopted Chap. 78 Laws of 1897 "An Act in amendment of the Public Statutes relating to the manner of conducting caucuses and elections" for town officers as provided in Sec. 8.
1898 The committee appointed to investigate the utility of a stone crusher for use in repairing highways reported favorably and it was voted to instruct the road agent to build a short piece of road with crushed stone, purchasing the same, as an experiment. The above committee also reported their investigation of the efficacy of snow-rollers and other means of breaking roads in winter, so it was voted to instruct the select- men to purchase two snow-rollers for the use of the town. (They used as many as six pairs of horses to draw a roller over Ramsay Hill.)
1900 Selectmen were to see about putting a pump in town house kitchen and repair vane. Selectmen's salaries were raised from $500 to $600. Treasurer and tax collector were being appointed regularly, rather than elected.
1901 Voted to see about enlargement of Village Cemetery; to divide town into old highway districts; to seed down Common north of Middle Street. Vaccinating physicians appointed were E. W. Johnson, John T. Rudden, F. H. Connor.
1902 Prayer was offered at opening of town meeting and became the practice for many years.
1903 Voted to exempt from taxation the proposed Walpole Electric Light and Power Company; $200 for Old Home Day, 150th anniversary
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of settlement of town; $400 to buy road scraper; to eliminate grade cross- ings North Walpole (See Records Secretary of State's Office, Concord); for liquor license 210-102. Adopted resolution: That it is the sense of this meeting that all telephone and telegraph wires used along the highways in the village district of Walpole be attached to trees and buildings wherever it is practicable to do so without detriment to good service. Wherever it is necessary to erect poles within the village district it is the desire of this meeting that the selectmen shall consult with the Village Commissioners as to the location and quality of the poles erected.
1904 Rockingham having voted $25,000, Walpole voted not to exceed $45,000 to purchase from the Bellows Falls Canal Company real estate, easement and franchise of the Tucker Toll Bridge and to build a new iron highway bridge between North Walpole and Bellows Falls above the dam of the Canal Company. Voted to furnish state with map of roads when called upon; $200 to repair town hall; license to Walpole Water & Sewer Company to dig trenches, lay water and sewer pipes and to occupy the streets of Walpole Village for any reasonable purpose for the con- struction of its system; to wire town hall for electricity.
1905 Voted to erect and maintain watering trough at Cold River; to widen Church Street in North Walpole from River Street to Merchant Street underpasses; to build stonewall between street and railroad and demand railroad pay proportionate share; to repudiate action of select- men in accepting underpasses and demand that they be properly con- structed, drained and ventilated before acceptance (North Walpole); se- lectmen to meet at North Walpole and Walpole regularly. Adopted town seal for bonds.
1906 An unsuccessful attempt was made to raise liquor license fees. Adopted Chap. 93 Laws of 1905 Political Caucus and Conventions. Voted to elect tax assessors 1907 (rescinded 1908). Town clerk's salary was raised from $50 to $100.
1907 Selectmen were to borrow $7000 to pay floating debt of the town, at 41/2%, to be repaid October 1908 $1000, then $1500 each year. Fore- seeing extensive street changes in North Walpole by the railroad, voted a committee of five to work with the selectmen on all railroad matters, em- powered to procure suitable counsel to represent the town on all railroad matters, and authorized to draw on the treasurer to pay for same (Charles H. Slade, George W. Roland, James Hartnett, Robert Howard, Daniel Connors). Cold River Bridge burned on the night of May 18-William I. King, P. E. Griffin, John W. Prentiss, George E. Sherman, Daniel Connors
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were the committee to work with selectmen "to take the manner of re- building."
1908 Voted to have a policeman in North Walpole on duty 1 P.M. to midnight, to be health and truant officer and paid $50 per month; $100 for Old Home Day; to establish line between Walpole and Vermont.
1909 After refusing for several years, accepted state highway aid.
1910 Voted not to accept state highway aid. Selectmen were authorized to borrow in anticipation of taxes; to go to court over care and main- tenance of subways at North Walpole. The Village Bridge between Walpole and Westminster burned. At special meeting April 21 chose com- mittee of five (selectmen Daniel Connors, Charles H. Slade, Harry Jenni- son; and John W. Prentiss and Clifford Sturtevant) to work with a similar committee from Westminster to get specifications and bids for a new bridge. John W. Prentiss was chosen chairman, John P. Holmes vice chairman and Clifford L. Sturtevant clerk of the joint committee. Re- ported at a special meeting June 4 comparative costs for concrete bridge, steel truss bridge, steel girder bridge, covered wooden bridge. In regard to the last they reported that one could be built for about $21,000 but "unable to find any old-time bridge contractor who would make an estimate on a wooden, covered bridge, or agree to construct." The com- mittee reported that the west pier was plumb, but that the east pier was tilted 6 inches to the west. When it was built more than 50 loads of rocks were said to have been dumped around the crib forming the foundation, but on the west side of the east pier all had washed away.
Of the 665 legal voters in town 333 cast their ballots with only two opposed the reconstruction of the bridge, steel girder type, appropria- tion-$24,000. Consideration was given to eliminating the grade crossing at the depot, but this problem was not solved, although it seemed that an overpass below the depot would be preferable to an underpass to the north.
First Direct Primary.
1912 Voted to give up road agent system and adopt district system of maintaining highways.
1913 Voted to raise $5000 each year to cover cost of Canal Company suit. Selectmen granted petition to lay following sewers in North Wal- pole: from residence of John Aylward on Elm Street, westerly on Elm Street to land of Mrs. Alfred Godsoe, on land of International Paper Company to Connecticut River; from residence of Lawrence Delaney on Church Street northerly to Elm Street. Old town records sent to Con- cord to be copied.
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1914 Building of state road from Tucker Bridge to Alstead line, known as South Side Boulevard. Voted $500 for suppression of Brown Tail Moth and Tent Caterpillar on highways and public places; $600 for building vault for storage of records; to buy cook stove for Town Hall; Town Hall to be free to school children; to contract with Keene hospital for care of indigent.
1915 Voted $350 for piano for upper Town Hall.
1916 Warren D. Knowlton, Herbert D. Gale and William J. Hall took oath of office as Trustees of Trust Funds, thereafter one was elected each year for three year term. Notice of claim for damages by Bert Tufts for automobile accident on Middle Road (Rt. 12).
1917 Voted to go back to one road agent; $800 to patrol state road. Adopted resolution commending President Wilson's course to protect the lives and property of fellow citizens against attacks upon the sea. Elected Public Safety Committee: Frank A. Spaulding, William J. Cor- bett, William H. Kiniry, Edward M. Holden, Charles H. Barnes. Voted extension of time to 1921 for completion of the road of the Walpole and Alstead Street Railway Company approved March 30, 1911, amended Chap. 313 Laws of 1915.
"Thursday, June 14, 1917, the Town Hall was struck by lightning and burned on this day and was a total loss as far as the building was con- cerned. The old bell was badly broken. The full insurance of $9000 was allowed on the building and $718 on the furniture."
July 5 Special town meeting: Voted 58-31 to build a new two-story building; elected Fred O. Smalley, Edward M. Holden, Willie G. Leon- ard and the selectmen a committee to bring in plans and estimates at an adjourned meeting in two weeks.
October 4 at a special meeting in St. John's Hall a resolution was pre- sented to appropriate the insurance money and $15,000 to rebuild and furnish the Town Hall complete and ready for use, to modify the plans as necessary to keep within the appropriation. Balloting proceeded at this meeting, at an adjourned meeting October 6 at Russell Hall, North Wal- pole, October 8 at the school house in Drewsville, October 10 at Russell Hall where it was finally concluded with a total of 331 votes cast, Yes 324, No 7. (It was necessary to have a majority of the legal voters voting.) Miss Fannie Mason paid for the plans for the building. It was voted to sell the old bell.
1918 Voted to transfer Connecticut River Bridge rights to state if state will maintain. License voting has ceased-Prohibition.
1920 Voted $1048 for Soldiers' Bonus; $700 for reshingling toll bridge;
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to limit weight of loaded auto trucks and 4-horse teams crossing bridge; uncollectable poll taxes prior to 1919 to be abated and all soldiers' poll taxes prior to 1919; to rescind manufacturer's tax exemption (new mo- tion failed of passage); not to give Chautauqua free use of Town Hall; $500 for bronze plaque to honor those who served World War. F. A. Ramsay of Walpole, C. J. Newell of Alstead and Mr. Hale of Langdon appointed a committee to report at a future meeting on the best method of repairing the Langdon Bridge at Drewsville; Annette Bowman and Maude R. King appointed Ballot clerks, first women to serve in office in Walpole, other than on library committee. Voting district was set up at North Walpole, for biennial elections only.
1921 Selectmen had been elected each year, now one to be elected each year for three year term. Voted $400 for oiling streets, equally divided between Village and North Walpole; to reconstruct road through Lang- don Bridge $1000. Margaret Sparhawk appointed Deputy Town Clerk.
1922 Accepted provisions for Monadnock Road (Rt. 12) maintenance. Voted to pay freight on cannon and balls to be placed around Memorial Tablet on Common; to build curbing to protect library lawn from autos.
1923 "Mr. Philip H. Faulkner Town Counsel explained the contro- versy which the town has had for years with the Bellows Falls Canal Com- pany over the matter of taxation. In 1912 taxes were paid under protest, on an increased valuation, and an appeal made to the Superior Court. Through an agreement with the town the valuation was reduced, but the question was raised as to whether the tax should be paid by the Canal Company as owners of the water rights or by the Bellows Falls mill owners who lease those rights. As a result of the failure to agree four suits were pending against the town of Walpole at this time. Mr. Faulk- ner submitted a proposition which was acceptable to the Canal Com- pany and the State Tax Commission and favored by the selectmen. The proposition was: That the 1923 tax remain as it was, 1924 the valuation should be reduced to $600,000, and the Canal Company would drop all suits against the town. After next year the town could begin with a clean slate." Voted $400 for white pine blister rust control; liquor permit for druggists; to erect scales; hearing on establishment of Bird & Game Sanctuary on land of Copley Amory; $140 for street lights in Drewsville; to let road agent decide about buying truck.
1926 Voted $45,000 to complete Monadnock Road in Walpole. Elected library committee for the first time, for three, two and one year terms.
1927 Treasurer and tax collector now elected. This was a period of extensive road improvement, not only trunk line and/or state roads, but
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graveling and draining other roads. These improvements were covered by articles in the warrants, the warrants becoming longer and longer.
1928 Voted up to $2000 for oiling streets; 4 burner oil stove for Town Hall kitchen; $500 for snow fence (first).
1929 Voted to widen stone arch bridge over Cold River; $100 to trim shade trees in the village, moderator broke the tie; to take money from Quinton fund for stage improvement in Town Hall. Con Harty appointed Forest Fire Warden and moderator appointed 12 to Budget Committee.
1930 Appropriation made for white pine blister rust control as re- quired by law. Tucker Bridge declared unsafe, court granted petition for special town meeting to act on a replacement. Voted selectmen be au- thorized to enter into a contract to replace the Tucker Bridge if Rock- ingham will pay one-third and the State of New Hampshire three-fifths of two-thirds of the cost, and to raise $30,000 as Walpole's share. This was later covered by a gift in memory of Charles Nathaniel Vilas and it became the Vilas Memorial Bridge.
1931 Voted curtain and other necessities for Town Hall stage; $5000 for tractor for highway. The budget committee was dismissed; the moderator and selectmen to appoint fifteen members from different parts of town.
1932 Voted $1500 to oil improved town roads; to accept Chap. 156 p. 176 Laws of 1931 in regard to Sunday Sports; in August to have joint Washington Celebration and Old Home Day. Court granted petition for special town meeting to vote emergency funds for pauper relief. Voted to borrow money from state without interest for permanent improvement of County Road.
1933 Voted 10% reduction of salaries of all town officers except Town Clerk, Treasurer, Tax Collector; property taxpayers to be given prefer- ence when work is available. Court granted permission for special town meeting to act upon repair of Village Bridge over Connecticut River, the State Highway Department having declared that it must be repaired to be safe for travel. At a special meeting October 10 voted $20,000 for project. Adjourned meetings were held every two weeks until February 23 when the town accepted an agreement whereby the United States Gov- ernment would grant 30% of the cost of labor and material, not to ex- ceed $9000; adjourned meetings continued to be held every two weeks until December 18, 1934, when "All transactions in regard to building of the bridge having been completed, this meeting was dissolved."
1934 Town officers' salaries were restored to former level; laborers were working for the town at 40¢ per hour. 234-90 voted in favor of state liquor store; 181-102 in favor of sale of beverages.
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1935 Voted $7000 for oiling streets and roads; $500 for protection of shade trees (became custom); turned down Municipal Budget Act.
1936 Voted to match funds for Class V Roads; to erect building for town equipment. First absentee ballots received. There were stirrings for a professional audit.
1938 Voted $750 to repair brick shop for jail, after votes to sell and build elsewhere; $365 to Monadnock District Association for advertising; selectmen to sell property for non-payment of taxes; $500 for WPA ma- terial and equipment, and further sums from 1937 surplus; not to hold town meeting at North Walpole in odd years; Old Age Assistance $2500.
1939 State road aid was available on a matching basis, 50-50, Walpole continued through 1940 to take this aid rather than aid for Class V in which the matching was much more advantageous to the town. This year and the next the town refused to pay rent for the land for storage of logs and lumber of the Timber Salvage Administration (hurricane). Voted $500 to replace public trees lost in the village by the hurricane, to be equal number of maple and elm; to appropriate a like sum for the care of the trees.
1940 Voted $2000 for Mousley Hospital, later $200 for Elliot Hospital, Keene, and $800 for Rockingham Hospital, Bellows Falls, for a few years.
1941 Committee studying erosion at North Walpole reports readings annually. During this period the warrants were comparatively short.
1943 Polls usually closed at 6 P.M., this year were kept open until 9 P.M. for war workers.
1944 Committee of women was appointed to study need for new range for Town Hall kitchen and report to selectmen, to be paid for out of Quinton fund or other available money. Voted $200 to pay selectmen at $5 per day for appraising wood and timber land separately. Oliver Hub- bard reported that Walpole had exceeded its War Loan Drive quota of $252,000 by $64,000.
"In honor of more than 280 men and women now serving in the armed services, and in memory of the five who have given their lives, there was a reverent moment of silence while everyone stood at attention. Gone, but reverently remembered, were Raymond Wallace, Philip B. Harris, Hoyt Wilson, Bruce A. Gilbo, Edward Naski."
Perambulation of Westmoreland line found that old markers were not all in a straight line. The Selectmen had assistance of two surveyors. Finally they decided to go by the ones on the Henry Houghton road and near the River Road in Chickering pasture, others not too important.
1945 Voted “. . . To support United States membership in a general
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