USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Walpole > A history of Walpole, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 49
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In 1919 the agricultural course was reorganized to meet federal re- quirements to qualify for aid under the Smith Hughes Act.
In 1921 the first year of high school was added to the offerings at North Walpole, in 1924 a second year.
In 1924 the hot lunch program began with the domestic arts girls preparing hot cocoa and/or bouillon for those pupils who brought their lunches. It was financed by contributions from the pupils and others. In 1949 the work was hired done. In 1958-9 67,040 meals were served at a cost of $22,244.41, apparently self-supporting.
In 1926 the school year was three terms of 12 weeks each.
In 1926 the town had accepted the Hooper bequest and the new build- ing was erected, on the site of the second meeting house, for use in the agricultural courses. The recreation room came to be used for monthly socials by the student body.
Beginning 1924 the agricultural and domestic arts students held an annual fair at the Town Hall, now at the new school.
In 1949 a commercial course was added to the high school curriculum, in 1955 driver education and physical education. In 1959 a full time guidance director was added to the staff.
In 1926 the Warbler, a yearbook, was initiated. The Business Depart- ment mimeographs the monthly school newspaper Chick's Chirps.
The village elementary and high school operated under conditions which became progressively worse with time and increase in enrollments. A committee of citizens working in cooperation with the school board made a thorough study of the school needs. "Both buildings were erected during the early period of the town's history and undoubtedly met the full needs of that time. They are now, however, antiquated, and are entirely inadequate for development of a modern educational program." (Supt. Dalzell's report 1944.)
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In 1948 completed plans and specifications for a new elementary and high school building were submitted to the voters. Action was taken to continue the committee. The contributions to the capital reserve fund started by the town in 1945 were continued at the rate of $10,000 per year.
In 1949 the district voted the new school, authorizing a bond issue for $250,000. When estimates for the project were studied it became evident that the appropriation, though generous for the size of the town, would be inadequate without sharp cutting of corners. The most obvious place to cut was the elimination of the auditorium-gymnasium.
"At this point the Hubbard family came forward with the statement that as a memorial to Mildred Hubbard Phipps, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Hubbard, and sister of the four brothers, Oliver J., Austin I., Leslie S., and Donald E. Hubbard, the family as a unit would provide all funds for the gymnasium-auditorium. In accepting this unusual and generous offer the members of the School Board and the Building Com- mittee feel that in so doing they were expressing for everyone in town not only appreciation, but the thanks of not only the adults, but also the generations of boys and girls who will daily see and use this expression of generosity and thoughtfulness for the good of the home town of this notable family." At about the same time the committee received notice of a gift of $1000 from Hervey L. Smith Jr. to be used in connection with the development of the playground side of the proposition. Robert Gallo- way came forward with a gift of all the basketball goals and equipment (1949 Town Report pp. 100-102. There is also a complete description of the new school.)
The total bonds and interest amounted to $202,500, the total receipts for the project $351,457.34. Of this $41,151.34 was from the capital re- serve fund. (1950 Town Report p. 95.) The school was completed 1950.
In 1952 need for a new school building at North Walpole began to be apparent. Plans were approved at the annual meeting in March 1953, but bids did not come within the appropriation, and adequate funds could not be raised under limitations set by existing state law. In 1954 $175,000 was voted for the school, and the building was occupied January 3, 1955 (Town Report p. 104 for description). Following is the financial report on the North Walpole building: Notes or Bonds $160,000; Dividend and Interest $733.60; Capital Reserve Funds $15,680.56; Other Receipts $21.96. Total cost of the project $176,436.12. (1955 Town Report p. 99.)
In 1955 Walpole Village schools were again in a crowded condition. There had been an increase of 25% in three years. "There is a real need
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now for four more additional classrooms at the Village School and a real need for additional space for vocational agriculture and seventh and eighth grade shop classes. ... The increase in the agricultural course will make it necessary to have three sections next year as compared with two sections this year and the size of two of these sections is too large for the facilities now available at the Hooper Building." (Town Report 1954 p. 105.)
In 1955 Supt. Keach reported that in the six years since the erection of the new Village School the enrollment had increased 36%, that the building planned for a maximum efficiency at 433 was accommodating 469 with an additional 30 expected the next year.
At the annual district meeting the voters authorized a bond issue for $130,000: $124,000 for a new elementary school and $6000 to accomplish alterations, additions and improvements in the present building. There were delays in building operations, but the school was ready for occu- pancy in September 1957, dedicated March 1958. A six room school, it was originally planned to accommodate the first three grades, but the addition of kindergarten for the south part of town (North Walpole had had it for years) made some changes necessary. For complete financial statements see 1957 Town Report p. 90 and 1958 Town Report p. 86.
Ever since the turn of the century there had been an article in the school warrant "To see if the district will authorize the school board to enter into a contract with the school district of Rockingham, Vt., for pay- ment of high school tuition."
In 1957 instructions were voted for a study of North Walpole pupils attending Bellows Falls High School as tuition pupils. Three public hearings were held by the State Board of Education, at which "a large majority of the citizens of Walpole were in favor of continuing the pres- ent procedure." However, the State Board reported that by law it was compelled to advise that it would approve tuition grants for a five year period beginning with the school year 1958-9, provided that all Walpole school pupils in grade 9 for the school year 1959-60 attend Walpole High School and that successive grade 9's attend Walpole High School until all students of high school age in Walpole School District are attending Walpole High School. (1957 Town Report p. 96.)
In 1962 the problem is still unresolved.
LIBRARY
In 1795 there was in Walpole an unusual number of gentlemen of out- standing talent and reputation. Residing here for a brief period in the
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practice of law was the Hon. Jeremiah Mason, subsequently a leader of the bar in Portsmouth and Boston. He, with others, was instrumental in establishing the Walpole Proprietary Library and served as its first li- brarian. (In 1907 his grandchildren presented his portrait to the library, and his granddaughter, Mrs. Robert C. Winthrop Jr. of Boston, a memoir of her grandfather.) He was succeeded in 1797 by Joseph Dennie, editor of the Farmers' Museum.
The Proprietary Library flourished for many years. According to tradi- tion, Rev. Pliny Dickinson was the last librarian, his over-zealous buying of theological works being a cause of discontent among the members.
This association was succeeded in 1823 by The Walpole Library Asso- ciation, incorporated in the names of William G. Field, Henry Foster, Isaac Redington, Ebenezer Morse, Frederick Vose, et al., for the purpose of purchasing and holding a library and making all necessary rules and by-laws. They were authorized to hold property to an amount of $2000.
This association continued for 30 years, accumulating a collection of some 500 or 600 volumes. Through the years most of the prominent citi- zens were members, but the person who prepared the by-laws, served in important offices and was responsible for book selection was the Hon. Frederick Vose. It was undoubtedly through his influence that so high a standard of excellence was maintained.
To encourage the town to establish a public library, on December 10, 1853, the members of the association voted to present their book collec- tion to the town on certain conditions. At the March town meeting 1854, it was voted to accept the proposal of the owners of the Walpole Library to take the library by raising $200 in two years, to be expended in books for the use of the town and "to choose a committee of three to make rules and regulations for the management of the town library".
Frederick Vose, Thomas G. Wells and Thomas Bellows were chosen as the committee and $100 appropriated. Except for a difficult financial period during the War of the Rebellion, the town continued for many years to appropriate $100 annually. In later years the amount was gradu- ally increased until at the present time the appropriation is $2290 (1959). There is something over $700 income from trust funds.
The interest which Judge Vose felt in the library association he trans- ferred in full to the town library. He not only tendered valuable service as member of the committee, but at town meeting was always ready to defend the library against the opposition which sometimes arose.
Col. David Buffum was the first librarian of the new library, the books
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being placed in his store where they remained until the building was destroyed by fire February 1859. The library was rescued with the loss of a large number of volumes which were, however, fully made good by in- surance.
Subsequently, for a series of years the library was kept in the store later owned by C. C. Davis.
During the War of the Rebellion interest in the library fell off. Many volumes were lost or allowed to get out of repair for lack of funds. Soon after the close of the war interest revived. The library was put into good order, replenished by voluntary contributions of books from Rev. Dr. Bellows and many others, and placed in the care of Miss Jennie M. Ball as librarian in a convenient room in Buffum's Block.
In 1868 the annual appropriation was resumed and the library came into a new period of growth, usefulness and prosperity.
In 1872-73 Louisa A. Pierce was paid for serving as librarian and pro- viding a room. In 1873 the library was moved into rooms in the rear of the post office in the store of Ransom L. Ball. This was a convenient ar- rangement, since it appears books could be borrowed or returned when- ever the store was open.
In 1877 the committee reported, "We have endeavored to select such novels and light reading as will not vitiate the morals of our young people."
In 1886 a branch library was established at Drewsville in care of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Putnam who continued their supervision and interest as long as they lived. After Mrs. Putnam's death in 1913, Mrs. Charles Whit- man took over. In 1887 the Drewsville Book Club donated its collection to the library.
The library report for 1891 is well worth quoting: "The number of volumes now on the catalogue is 4691 of which 573 have been added since March 1, 1891. Of these 65 have been purchased by the town and 508 have been presented by various donors. ... The past year has been an important one in the life of the library, having witnessed the erection of the Bridge Memorial Library building and the removal of the books to their new permanent home. As is well known, the building was erected by our fellow citizen, Mr. Hudson Eliot Bridge, as a memorial to his father, Mr. Hudson E. Bridge, who was a native of this town and was for many years an honored citizen of St. Louis. The cornerstone was laid May 17 and the completed building dedicated with appropriate services in the town hall August 20. ... Upon the acceptance of the building the town
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will come into possession, free of all expense, of one of the most beautiful and most convenient library buildings in the state. It comprises a book room large enough to accommodate the library for many years to come, and a reading room furnished in the most substantial manner, and sup- plied with the best weekly and monthly periodicals. The furniture, lamps, portraits, clock and all other articles necessary for a complete outfit have been provided without cost to the town. ... The periodicals in the reading room have been provided by a fund raised by subscrip- tion. . . .
"The labor of arranging and covering the books called for additional help and the number of the library committee was increased from three to twelve by the selectmen. With this enlarged force and the aid of volun- teers outside of the committee the work of classifying the books and plac- ing the entire library in good order was completed and the library re- opened in the new building October 3 in the charge of Miss Annette Brown as librarian. .
"At the suggestion of Mr. Patrick E. Griffin, a member of the commit- tee residing at North Walpole, a branch of the library, consisting of about 225 volumes, has been established there. By changing these volumes as often as necessary the citizens of that part of town will thus enjoy the benefits of the use of the books of which they have been heretofore de- prived by distance. In connection with the books there will also be a reading room, supported by the citizens."
After giving the library to the town Mr. and Mrs. Bridge took an active interest in it. Mr. Bridge served on the board until shortly before his death in 1934. After his death Mrs. Bridge was made an honorary mem- ber of the board.
In 1876 Miss Jennie Ball and Miss Mary Aldrich had arranged the catalog which was subsequently printed, followed by supplements from time to time. It was found that the work and cost of preparing catalogs was prohibitive and that they soon became obsolete. Consequently in the fall of 1891 the committee voted to prepare a card catalog, little realizing the cost or extent of such an undertaking. Ten thousand cards were purchased from the Library Bureau of Boston and, no funds being available, Thomas B. Peck began the preparation of the catalog after studying the rules adopted by other libraries. After a time Miss Louisa B. Hayward and Miss Mary Tobey came to his aid. At the end of three and one half years (Fall 1895) it was estimated that about three-fourths of the volumes were catalogued on 5500 cards. In 1896 $100 was appropri- ated to hire a professional to complete the task.
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In 1911 the library had become so crowded that it became necessary either to enlarge the building or discard some books. The committee hired a professional to re-catalog the books under the Dewey decimal system of classification and the Browne system of charging was inaugu- rated.
By the death of Mr. Waldo F. Hayward September 8, 1897, the com- mittee was deprived of the services of a valued associate who had served since 1880. A constant reader and well-informed about books, his opin- ion was especially valuable in the selection of purchases.
Numerous gifts to the library are listed in the annual reports, many from summer residents, such as 203 volumes of popular fiction from the General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York, secured by a member of the society, John E. Nicholson. In 1937 there were 326 volumes given through Yale University in memory of Charles P. Howland.
In 1930 the request for funds was increased "to carry out the work already started in the children's department and to enlarge our number of reference and other books directly connected with school work. ... " In 1936 a marked increase in juvenile circulation was reported. In 1938 a story hour was started in connection with Children's Book Week and the Christmas Festival.
In 1935 the old delivery window was removed, the partition opened and a new counter built. Through the years the addition of shelves for books has been an almost continuous process.
In 1918 250 books were sent overseas to the American Expeditionary Forces, through the American Library Association.
Except for a slump in the early forties circulation has steadily in- creased. In 1961 the circulation from the Bridge Memorial Library was 13,976, including the North Walpole branch. In 1921 there was a spec- tacular increase at North Walpole of 36%, 5% at Walpole Village.
In 1928 the library received assistance from the State Library in culling its book collection. Through the years assistance has increased. More and more books have been borrowed directly from the State Library and through the Bookmobile. Since 1956 the library has been in a cooperative plan with neighboring libraries. At first the group of five libraries (Walpole, Charlestown, Acworth, Alstead, Langdon) was given a grant for buying books cooperatively. Now the libraries meet bimonthly for book selection and purchase at a discount through the State Library.
In 1946 many of the North Walpole library books were lost when Russell Hall burned. In 1952 a special appropriation was made to replace
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these books. The library was temporarily housed at the Kilburn School. In 1955 the library was established in a new room in the building erected to replace Russell Hall.
Since the Bridge Memorial Building had become very crowded, the voters approved an appropriation at the Town Meeting in March 1961 of $8,500 for an additional room and new heating plant. This was com- pleted in September of 1961. Mr. David Allen Reed gave his services as architect and donations of money from Mr. Arthur Bunker, Mr. Cum- mins Catherwood and Mr. William Willard were used for furnishings.
During the first years of the Bridge Memorial Library members of the committee were appointed by the selectmen and usually served for life. Beginning in 1926 trustees were elected in compliance with a state law. The Board usually consists of nine members, elected in groups of three for three year terms.
WALPOLE FIRE DEPARTMENT by Margaret Williams
The records of the Walpole Fire Department began in the year 1781. At that time the records of "The Firewards" disclose that on April 6th of that year the New Hampshire Legislature passed: "an Act to Regulate the proceedings for Extinguishing fires that may be accidentally or other- wise kindled among Buildings, to prevent the keeping of fires in unsuit- able homes and places, to preserve goods, endangered by such fires, and to remove or demolish Buildings judged to be dangerous to the Public Safety."
The above Act was amended in 1794 to include "fires in pitch pots".
Section 2 of the 1781 Act provided that a "suitable number of persons of approved ability and fidelity should be nominated as firewards and have for a distinguishing Badge of their office, a staff five feet long painted red and headed with a Bright Brass Spire six inches long, and the firewards, aforementioned, are hereby required upon notice of The Breaking out of fire to take with them the Badge of their office and im- mediately repair to the place where such fire may be and do everything possible to extinguish and contain the fire and prevent plundering and disorders."
The previous acts had not provided for control over fire engines, so in 1818 it was provided that firewards were to "have at all times entire con- trol and direction of all fire engines, fire hooks, hose and other imple- ments now in use or that may hereafter be used."
It was voted to adopt these acts at the annual town meeting in Walpole held on March 9, 1819. Two years later, in 1821, Engine Company #1 in
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Walpole and Engine Company #2 in Drewsville were formed and by-laws were drawn up and approved .. These by-laws were signed by the five original firewards: Thomas C. Drew, Thomas Redington, Thomas Bel- lows II, William G. Field, Martin Butterfield, and Joseph Bond. From then on regular monthly meetings were held at Holland's Tavern from March to October.
In those early days the average number of firewards for each company numbered about twenty. The meetings were held principally to elect officers and new members, and for holding drills. Each member was paid thirty cents for attending and fines were imposed for not doing so. At each meeting a Chairman was elected to preside, and a Secretary. The record does not list the names of the Captains of the fire company until 1855 although the by-laws state that a Captain, Assistant Foreman, Clerk and Treasurer would be the officers to be elected annually.
In 1855 a significant development took place-the formation of the village precinct. Upon the petition of the town's 67 legal voters, it was finally voted and approved. The boundaries of the precinct covered, ap- proximately, the present heart of the town. Aaron P. Howland acted as moderator for the meeting and William Ruggles as Clerk. Augustus Faulkner was elected Chief Engineer with Aaron P. Howland and David Buffum assistants.
It was in this same year that the town voted to raise $500 for the "pur- chase of a site for an engine house, building same, constructing reservoirs and supplying them with water; for the purchase of hose, ladders, fire hooks, buckets and pails, and such other apparatus as the engineers may think necessary, and for repairs of the existing fire apparatus". This was the beginning of the expansion of the Fire Department.
Interest in the fire company rose and fell and for the next several years the annual meetings were just routine until 1858. In the record for that year appears an interesting item. Apparently someone cut the hose dur- ing a fire and one of the actions taken at a meeting following this vandalism reads, "the engineers will use every exertion to ascertain who cut the hose on the night of the burning of the Buffum store". This fire was in what was then known as the "brick block" and traces can still be seen in some of the beams of the present Bemis IGA store.
During this period the engine house was located at the back end of the old Town Hall. The equipment consisted of hose carts, hand pumps, buckets and pails, ladders and fire hooks.
In 1871 $800 was voted by the town to purchase an engine and four hundred feet of linen hose. An additional $900 was voted to build one
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or more reservoirs and for purchasing a hose carriage. The following year $300 was appropriated for another reservoir and for firemen's badges, rubber coats and hats. The pay for a fireman at this time was $1.50 per year!
Again there is a lapse in the records for several years. It was not until April 1886 that the first mention of the "Mazeppa Engine Company" is found in the minutes of the annual meeting of the Fire Department. However, in other town records it was noted that at the annual meeting in April 1876 it was voted to buy new uniforms for the Mazeppa Engine Co. These were to consist of "blue jackets trimmed with red, red belts, with hook and ladder design in white enamel on front, 'Mazeppa' be- hind." (Quite different from no uniforms of today!) There were 31 firemen at this time with officers as follows: George H. Flemming, Clerk; H. A. Perry, Treasurer; Henry C. Podwin, Foreman; Frank H. Proctor, First Assistant; Elmer Powers, Second Assistant; Dennis Griffin, Suction Hose- man; Bartholomew Driscoll, Steward.
In 1886 the Engine House was moved from the Town Hall site to a building behind the present (1962) McDonald's store on High Street where it remained until the modern fire house now in use was built in 1954.
During all the years recorded from 1821 to 1904, there are reports of a Grand Ball or Festival being held each year to raise funds for the fire department. There was also dancing, band concerts, auctions, and sales of home-made products.
After 1904 records are lacking until 1928 when, under the leadership of George Jeffrey as Chief, a second-hand Cadillac passenger car was acquired through donations. Jeffrey, being a mechanic, converted this car into a fire truck. An old horse-drawn fire pump and tank were found in another town and mounted on the Cadillac chassis together with hose racks and other customary items of equipment, such as fire buckets, hooks, hose, axes, etc. This truck enabled the firemen to reach a fire quickly by motor instead of on foot. This improved the effectiveness of putting out fires and marked the beginning of the motorization of the Walpole Fire Department.
A further addition to the equipment was made in 1934 with the pur- chase by public subscription of a new Dodge Fire Truck. This truck was equipped with a 250-gallon pumper and a 100-gallon booster. This second piece of motorized equipment is still in service.
In 1942 the Walpole Fire District was formed to take the place of the old precinct. The new district comprised the entire townships of Wal-
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