A history of the town of Sullivan, New Hampshire, 1777-1917, Volume I, Part 4

Author: Seward, Josiah Lafayette, 1845-1917
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: [Keene, N.H., Sentinel printing Co.]
Number of Pages: 888

USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Sullivan > A history of the town of Sullivan, New Hampshire, 1777-1917, Volume I > Part 4

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CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.

refreshments, and the gentlemen favored the company with speeches. There was a spirit of true loyalty everywhere. While the young men were enlisting and laying down their lives for the nation, the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and those whose lovers were in the war, were very busy making garments and providing comforts for the soldiers. Just consider, for a moment, what this town did for the soldiers-this little town ! The ladies knit and sent out five hundred and seventy-two pairs of stockings and forty-one pairs of mittens. They made and sent fifty-seven quilts and blankets, one hundred and thirty sheets, one hundred and forty-six cotton and flannel shirts, three hundred and ten towels and handkerchiefs, thirty-five pillows, one hundred and six pillow cases, fourteen bed sacks, thirteen dressing gowns, besides many slippers and other comforts. They sent hun- dreds of pounds of dried apple, cherries and blackberries, and scores of bottles and jars of wine, cordials, jellies, pickles and preserves, and great quantities of lint and band- ages. And, during this time, they raised five hundred and fifty-three dollars in money.

After the war was over, their good work was still con- tinued. They gave their attention to the memory of the fallen martyrs, our beloved young men, who had gone from our midst and offered up their lives, a precious sacrifice.

They raised three hundred dollars more in money, and in addition received subscriptions ranging from fifty cents to a hundred and fifty dollars [the largest being by Dauphin W. Wilson, Esq., whose heart had been deeply moved by the loss of his beloved nephew], from about twenty more individuals, afterwards paid, amounting in all to six or seven hundred dollars, which enabled them to purchase the first monument publicly dedicated in this State to the memory of fallen soldiers. [A monument in Washington had been put in place, but not dedicated until later. ]

On it are inscribed the names of nine young men, whose lives and blood were given to their country's cause. On the east side are inscribed the names of the two who

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were killed in battle, and one who died of disease. These are the names of Henry McDonald, who was killed in the second battle of Bull Run, Charles C. Wilson, who was killed in the battle of Opequan, and Edwin T. Nims.

On the north are the names of the three Spauldings, the two brothers, Dauphin and Henry Dexter, and their cousin, Orland K.

On the south are the names of three who were from the more Easterly part of the town; Silas Black, the first of them all who died, Andrew J. Rugg, and Russel T. Holt.

Gladly would we dwell upon the separate lives of these heroes, but time forbids. They were a costly gift. They were bright, energetic, industrious, and honorable young men. ' They would have made useful citizens had their lives been spared. The unselfish spirit which characterized their parents was wonderful. Heavily as they were weighed down with this load of grief, they did not murmur. They were not heard to say that they wished the boys had not gone ; that they had remained at home and avoided danger. When one of these good men, who had lost two of his sons, heard of the death of the second, he exclaimed, "I would even be glad if I had another such son." Such was the spirit of the parents of these boys.

We shall never forget the tender love and sympathy displayed, when the bodies of these soldier-boys were borne home. The whole town was in mourning. I well remem- ber how sadly the news was received of the death of the first, Silas Black ; and, later, how we gathered in the church, till every seat was taken, to pay our tribute of sympathy to the memory of Andrew J. Rugg. And a like sympathy was shown for the friends of the Spauldings, and Russel T. Holt, and Edwin T. Nims. Words cannot express the ten- der sympathy which all felt for those parents who could not recover the bodies of their sacrificed sons. One was buried at Memphis, one upon the battlefield of the second Bull Run, and another, whose education had fitted him for a higher station, upon the field of the Battle of Opequan, in

of ha ar te Cu of

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a grave with many more, over which our native State has erected an appropriate and durable monument. While we honor the fallen martyrs, let us not forget that natives of Sullivan fell in battle, who had lived so long in other places that they were not reckoned as Sullivan men at the time. Among them was Edwin B. Frost, who was killed at Cold Harbor, and others, whose names we hope sometime to gather together.

Nor must we forget the gratitude we owe to the sur- vivors among the heroes. Those who died or were killed, of course, are mentioned first ; but all who took their lives in their hands ; all, and they were many for so small a town, all who fought for freedom are deserving of our lasting gratitude and remembrance.

I would gladly speak of the old training days, and the martial spirit of former times, of the old Sullivan company and her officers, and their many eccentric and mischievous frolics on the old muster and training days ; but that must be told today by older men.

I would gladly speak of our schools, which have sent nearly two score of educated men into the learned profes- sions, and that, too, in a town which never had six hundred inhabitants, or many more at least. But this subject will be treated this afternoon. It would be a very tempting theme, to enter upon the biographies of the excellent men who have lived in this town and who have helped to make her history ; and I should especially like to enter upon the lives of those, both living and dead, who have attained to such eminence in the medical profession, who have gone from this place ; and of those who have distinguished themselves at the bar, and who have honored the sacred calling of the ministry ; of those who have become eminent scientists ; of those who have been pioneers in our great west; of those, both men and women, who have honored the calling of the school- teacher ; how gladly could I spend hours and days in dis- cussing the lives of these many worthy sons and daughters of Sullivan, but time forbids.

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Beloved fellow-townsmen of the past, the present, and the future : I hope that the facts which I have so briefly stated have enabled you to realize that the little band who incorporated this town, one hundred years ago, laid a worthy and solid foundation. I hope I have shown that we

have been true to our trusts. There is sadness today in the thought that so many of the old homes are gone; that so many more are only the shadow of what they were. Some feel that they must all, sooner or later perish, but I do not believe it. I believe that there is a brighter day coming for Sullivan. Many a town in this State which bid fair to go to ruin a few years ago is in prosperity today. Old residents are returning to their native towns and building fine homes or repairing old ones. City people of wealth are going back, even upon the distant and high, out-of-the-way hills, to build houses where they can obtain good views. This will sooner or later lead to a renewed life in Sullivan. There is no finer scenery anywhere. Whatever else may perish or go to ruin ; these dear old hills, these noble views will re- main. The works of God are enduring.

And something else will remain. That character which was conspicuous in our forefathers; their regard for truth and honor, which has given to this town so great a name for good morals and uprightness on the part of the citizens ; these foundation-stones of character are enduring. The town meeting, the church, and the school are, as De Toc- queville declared, the corner stones of an American town. They have been pre-eminently so of Sullivan. The citizens have been intelligent and their town meetings have been miniature republics. Their churches have been honored and supported and there has been a prevailing spirit of religion and of religious life. The schools of Sullivan have been well-sustained and have sent out men who have honored the ministry, who have been eminent physicians, who have been distinguished at the bar, and who have honored the halls of Congress.

Among the physicians I find two professors in medical

est

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colleges ; another, who is the superintending physician of an important asylum for the insane, has honored this occasion by serving as the President of the Day; of another I heard a man say, two weeks since, "He is one of the leading physicians in eastern Massachusetts"; and still another, who served with honor during the Rebellion, in the United States Navy, has won an enviable record in his profession in New York City. I find two lawyers, still living, who are winning laurels in other states, and there was another, not many years deceased, who was one of the first among his equals at the bar in Boston. Of those who devoted themselves to the sacred calling of the ministry were devout and consecrated souls. Sullivan has furnished seven or eight men for this profession. Of those who have achieved remarkable success as business men, Keene, Winchendon, and Grand Rapids can point to conspicuous examples, and the town has sent forth one young man who is certainly destined to be known as not only a good scientific scholar, but as an artist and portrait painter of merit.

A good library has been started at East Sullivan, which reflects credit upon the little girls who first labored for it, and upon their older friends who aided them in accomplishing their object. A commandery of the Golden Cross has been instituted at East Sullivan, with Leslie H. Goodnow as the Commander.

Sullivan may also be justly proud of her musical talent. It is certainly an honor to the town that the excellent musical compositions rendered upon this occasion, with such accuracy and good taste, are given by musicians who live in the town to-day, as well the vocal as the instrumental selections.

Dear friends, long may this intellectual and moral spirit, this musical taste, the desire for good reading, and all elevat- ing and ennobling influences, animate, bless, comfort, and adorn your homes.

Let the spirit of the fathers inspire their descendants. Let us go away from this glorious centennial anniversary of our town's incorporation, feeling proud that we have an inter- est in the welfare of her future as well as of her past. Yes ;

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the character of our forefathers is enduring. We shall always carry some of Sullivan with us. Wherever we go, we shall have Sullivan blood in our veins; we shall have Sullivan counsels and Sullivan precepts and Sullivan virtues in our memories ; we shall dream of our old Sullivan homes in the night and we shall speak of her to our friends by day. We cannot forget our homes. And, when another hundred years have past, I believe there will be another great gathering on this spot ; and, while I would not unduly boast of the good- ness or greatness of our modest, unpretentious, little town, yet I can only hope that, with the greater opportunities open- ing to coming ages, in the light of greater learning and wis- dom, surrounded by all the improvements and inventions which the next one hundred years will bring forth, I can only hope that our successors of the next century will be as true to their trusts, as devoted to duty, as much self-conse- crated to truth and righteousness, as have been the inhabi- tants of this town in the past century.

Following the oration, the East Sullivan Brass Band finely rendered a "Fantastique," by C. W. Dalby. The poem for the occasion was written by Mrs. Ellen S. (Keith) Edwards, of Morton, Pa. Her many friends of former days deeply regretted her inabilily to be present. Rev. J. L. Seward accepted the invitation to read her

POEM

FOR THE SULLIVAN CENTENNIAL, SEPTEMBER 27, 1887.

I'm with you all in heart to-day, O, friends of years gone by ! I hear your voices, clasp each hand, As in your midst I seem to stand, While swift the moments fly.

I gaze again upon the hills, And watch the purple glow Of autumn tint, with many a gleam, Each sunny slope and purling stream, As in the long ago.

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.

Afar, Monadnock, fair and grand, Of all our hearts the pride, Lifts toward the sky his sun-kissed crest, While vale and lake, in beauty drest, Lie slumb'ring at his side.

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I turn to where a shady path Leads through the whispering trees, And catch a glimpse of marble white, Where sleep loved forms that from our sight Passed like the summer breeze.

Have they forgot, amid the joys Of those celestial spheres, The old-time friends? - the grave-the gay-

Who've come to celebrate to-day The flight of five score years.

Perchance, could we but lift the veil That hides their home from ours, We'd see them mingling with us here, Our fathers, mothers, brothers dear, Crowned with immortal flowers.

Through summer's heat and winter's snow, They toiled, these hills among ; They laid the towering forest low, They watched the grain and grasses grow, As rolled the years along.

Humble their homes, but strong and brave Each heart and toil-worn hand; Cheery their songs that rose and fell And echoed through the mossy dell - Songs of their native land.

Dear native land ! sweet home beloved ! Though far away I've turned From haunts I loved, from hill and stream, I've wandered back in many a dream, And ever for thee yearned.

Beyond Sierra's lofty heights, Beside the Western Sea, 'Neath sunny skies of sapphire hue, 'Mong roses bright with Heaven's clear dew, My heart turned back to thee.

And oft as, sunset's mellow gleam Shone o'er the "Golden Gate," Thy robin's song came back to me, As, perched on blooming orchard tree, He sang unto his mate.

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No bird-song ever yet so dear, So tender, clear and sweet -

No blossoms fragrant as thine own, On spring's soft zephyrs gently blown And falling at my feet.

When all my labors here are o'er, When earth recedes from sight,

And beck'ning, shining through the mist, Hands that I've pressed and lips I've kissed Gleam with immortal light,

Backward, one lingering look I'll cast, To where thy mountains stand,

And bless the Fate that gave me birth Among the fairest scenes of earth - My loved, my native land.

The Rev. H. W. L. Thurston, of Goshen, N. H., then offered the

CONCLUDING PRAYER.

Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the records of this town, which have been unfolded to us at this gathering. We thank Thee for the past history of the town. We thank Thee, our Father, for the record which has been made for Christ and His ever-blessed religion. We thank Thee for the records of the church which have been given to us this morning. We thank Thee, our Father, for the blessing that has come to this town in moral worth, founded upon the basis of scripture, teaching knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank Thee for the temporal prosperity of this Christian- ized town, and may the records of the future reveal as great a degree of both material and spiritual prosperity as those of the past have done ; and in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit, help us to seek Thy blessing and the life everlasting. Amen.

As a response to the prayer, the Hubbard Quartette sang " Father, hear," arranged by C. Henderson. The benediction was then pronounced by Rev. H. W. L. Thurs-

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ton ; and, while the guests were preparing for luncheon, the Goodnow Orchestra played Bouillon's "La Belle de la Ville."

The chairman of the committee of arrangements, D. W. Rugg, then announced that

LUNCHEON

was ready. He invited all to partake freely. He said that tables were spread in the Town Hall, which would im- mediately be filled by those who had taken part in the ex- ercises or who had been especially invited. As soon as these had left, the tables would be filled again and would continue to be refilled until all had been served. If those who were waiting should prefer to be served upon the lawn, he announced that the food could be immediately served to them. This appeared to be the unanimous preference, and all were served simultaneously, some in the hall and others upon the lawn. The food, tea and coffee were abundant in quantity and luxurious in quality. The food which was not consumed, together with the lumber which had been used, was sold at auction the day following.

After the luncheon had been served, the East Sullivan Brass Band performed a spirited selection, which had the effect to bring the audience once more around the grand stand. It was considerably past two o'clock, the appointed hour, when the President of the Day rapped the assembly to order, and the

POSTPRANDIAL EXERCISES

began. As soon as order had been restored, the President read the

FIRST SENTIMENT :

THE DAY WE CELEBRATE - Sullivan welcomes her sons and daughters, who have been true to the lessons taught by their ancestors, who have honored industry

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.

who have dignified agriculture, who have prospered in business, who have graced the learned professions, and who have borne an honorable record in state legisla- tures and on the floor of the Congress of the United States.

In response to this sentiment, the following letters were received from former citizens of the town. Hon. C. C. .Comstock, the writer of the first, represented the 5th Mich- igan district in the 49th Congress.

LETTER FROM HON. C. C. COMSTOCK.

To D. W. Rugg, Amos Wardwell, Fred. A. Wilson, Almon P. Tyler, and Henry C. Rawson, Committee of Arrangements for the Centennial Anniversary of the Incor- poration of Sullivan, N. H.

GENTLEMEN : Your kind favor, inviting me to attend your meeting on the 27th inst., received, for which please accept my thanks. It being now apparent that I cannot be with you at that time, I hasten to reply. The inhabitants of Sullivan are as dear to me to-day (in memory) as when I left them, more than fifty years ago. My happy days were spent among them, and I embrace this opportunity to ac- knowledge my obligations for the lessons there taught in the days of my youth.

With scarcely an exception, the people were intelligent, sober, honest, and in- dustrious, and cultivated true economy. This was the inheritance bequeathed to the sons and daughters of Sullivan by their ancestors, and of more value than great worldly possessions. To this I attribute whatever of success I have achieved in life. No language of mine can fully express my reverence and esteem for the in- habitants of Sullivan as I once knew them. There were those for whom I had the greatest admiration, and it has never abated. Their example and deportment ap- peared to me like models of human perfection. Among these were my father's nearest neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Selim Frost. Such influences made an impression on me never to be lost, and, by reason of them, I feel that I have been a better man from my boyhood. The young men were energetic, manly and true. Their equals as a whole, for usefulness in the avocations of life, I have never met in any com- munity since. The young ladies were the idols of society. They were fitted to make the hearts and homes of their loved ones happy. From among their number I gained the affections of one who became my devoted wife, was the pride of my life, and adorned my household for nearly a quarter of a century, till death sepa- rated us in 1863. When in prosperity, or when the fierce winds of adverse fortune stormed my pathway, she was the same patient, hopeful, and confiding wife and mother.

What wonderful events have transpired in this half century, since we sat in the old church upon the common, where congregated the aged, those in the prime of life, and the young, pictures of health and beauty'! The greatest war of which the world has a record, and between sections of our own country, desolating so many homes, has its place in history, and, although long past, the mourners are yet upon the streets. But thanks to the bravery of our soldiers and the fortunes of war, we are again one nation, and those who stood face to face in battle are now friends. In justice to the people of the South, I will say that my associations with them during the last few years have assured me that they are, with scarcely an ex-

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.

ception, satisfied with the results of that war, pleased with the riddance of slavery, attached to the union, and as patriotic to-day as we at the North. I fear no evil from that source; but, in casting your eyes over this broad land, you will discover that growing hate between classes which portends greater dangers than we have yet seen. Men of great wealth have often forgotten to do justice to their fellow-men ; and, upon the other hand, anarchists are stirring up the ignorant and malicious to deeds of violence, rapine, and murder. The most pernicious political doctrines are fearlessly advocated by eloquent men, seeking to control. I place my reliance in that great middle class, such as were the sturdy men of Sullivan, to long perpetuate our form of government. Pardon me for drifting from the purpose of this letter. I will not do it again.

The thousands of useful inventions, the ease with which labor is performed, the purchase of California and New Mexico, and finally Alaska, the building of railroads and the great cities of the West, the improvements in the states, and the opening up of new territories, which, in another fifty years, will place half our pop- ulation beyond the Mississippi ; the finding of gold and silver in our own country ; the discovery of oil in the bowels of the earth; the perfection of the telegraph ; the invention of the telephone ; are all wonders of our age. Ingenuity, persever- ance and science have brought all these wonderful agencies, and many more, into the service of man, since I was a resident of Sullivan. Still our people are not so contented and happy now as then. Neither are their wants so well supplied, for they have departed from that old-time economy, and let extravagance more than keep pace with the increase of individual wealth. These considerations should cause us to realize our debt of gratitude to our ancestors for their teachings and example. True riches and independence consist more in good and economical habits than in the amount of worldly goods possessed. Fearing that I have already wearied your patience, I will close by reasserting what I have before stated, that my admiration has not abated for my old associates, my teachers, our ancestors, and their descendants.

I most sincerely regret that I cannot be with you on that interesting occasion, and take by the hand the remaining few, and join with all in sorrow for the departed whom we knew so well in life. Still, it is honor enough for me to be counted among the natives of Sullivan. Yours forever,

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 19, 1887.

C. C. COMSTOCK.

LETTER FROM DAUPHIN W. COMSTOCK, ESQ.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 22, 1887.

To the Centennial Committee, Greeting :

It was with the fathers of most of you that I walked the paths of childhood and youth, when I knew every homestead and its inhabitants, I think, in the bounds of the township whose age you will call in remembrance at your celebration. It was when your grandfathers were in the prime of life, with their children around them (in many families more than half a score of them), that I stepped into the slippery paths of childhood and looked out upon the great world (of which Sullivan seemed to me to be the center and Keene the metropolis), to make my way to the school-house, where I learned many things that I could understand and many which I could not comprehend. Among my early teachers I remember Miss Emily

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.

Muzzy, a daughter of the minister of the town, who taught me, among other things, the rudiments of grammar. Of this teaching the most which I remember to-day is that a verb is a word which signifies " to be, to do, and to suffer." The last part of this definition I seemed to understand.

There is one thing that I remember with satisfaction in connection with that seat of learning of my early days. It was the Muzzy well and "the old oaken bucket, the iron bound bucket, that hung in the well." I there learned that good water would quench a man's thirst ; perhaps I should say, a boy's thirst. That is an important lesson to learn and should be learned early. An incident occurred but a few days since which illustrates my meaning. I was laying a sidewalk in front of my house (we make plank sidewalks here), when a man, on his way to his work, accosted me in a surly manner, and asked me why I was doing that work myself. I replied that I had nothing but what I had worked for, and that it was not and never was disagreeable to me to work, and as there was a plenty of work for all who are willing to do any, I claimed that I was doing no one any injustice by doing this job myself. He replied that he had always worked hard, but he had no house in front of which to build a walk. I told him that five cents saved from the earnings of each day that I had labored since I began to work for myself, would, if put at interest at the end of each year, at the rate of seven per cent., amount, by this time, to a sum which would make a pile of silver dollars a hundred and five feet high, there being, at the present time, eight such dollars to an inch. As he was a man who used both beer and tobacco, he went off pondering.

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A history of the town of Sullivan, New Hampshire, 1777-1917, Volume I, Part 4

Author: Seward, Josiah Lafayette, 1845-1917 Publication date: 1921 Publisher: [Keene, N.H., Sentinel printing Co.] Number of Pages: 888

Author: Seward, Josiah Lafayette, 1845-1917
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: [Keene, N.H., Sentinel printing Co.]
Number of Pages: 888