USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Dover > Dover, N.H., its history and industries issued as an illustrated souvenir of...twenty-fifth anniversary of Foster's Daily Democrat, descriptive of the city and its manufacturing and business interests > Part 3
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situated on the line of the Union Electric railway, and containing twenty acres taste- fully laid out as pleasure grounds is much frequented, good boating being obtainable at Willand's Pond. In the course of nature, resting places for the dead must be set apart. Pine Hill Cemetery was granted to the city for burial purposes, March 29, 1731, and is at present under the careful man- agement and solicitous care of a board of five trustees, one of whose members is elected annually by the board of trustees
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and board of aldermen in convention, the mayor being a member ex-officio. The other cemeteries are St. Mary's old ceme- tery, on Stark avenue, and the new ceme- tery of St. Mary's on the Dover Point road.
HISTORICAL, LITERARY AND SOCIAL INSTITU- TIONS, ETC.
Among the most prominent of these may be mentioned the Dover Historical Society, the Public Library, the Young Men's Catholic Literary Society and the Bellamy Club. In the matter of secret, benevolent, fraternal and social societies the various degrees of Masonry, Odd Fellowship, Knights of Pythias, Elks, Red Men and others are lib- erally repre- sented, a n d have a large m e m bership. There are several social clubs, and numerous musical, labor, legal, frater- nal, press, medical, tem- perance, po- litical, military and school organizations, Y. M. C. A., G. A. R., Sons of Veterans, Women's Re- lief Corps, etc.
THE MASONIC TEMPLE.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The buildings of the Wentworth home for the aged have recently been completed at a cost of $15,000. The home is named for Hon. Arioch Wentworth, of Boston, whose birthplace is in the immediate vi- cinity, and who generously donated $10,000 for its erection and equipment and sub- sequently gave $20,000 towards a per- manent fund. It contains twenty-three sleeping apartments, and seven other rooms used as parlors, dining-room, pantry and matron's 100m. The Hayes hospital, for the endowment of which Mrs. Clara A.
L. McD. Hayes left $50,000 will shortly be in operation. The Children's home re- cently completed at an expenditure of $ 15,000 will accommodate forty homeless orphans and destitute children. There is also the Orphan's home under the control of St. Mary's parish church and in charge of the Sisters of mercy. For those less fortunate than their fellows the county farm provides accommodation at the city's expense, and is also used as a reformatory.
POLICE.
The police force of the city is under the control of the Mayor and City Councils and is under the direction of a marshal and assistant mar- shal. The pa- trol consists of two day, and six night men, placed in the business and residential sections to the best ad- vantage. Al- though the tenure of the entire force is upon an an- nual basis, changes are rarely made, the services of most of the officers a n d the patrul ex- tending over a period of years. The able and unbiased work for which the force is noted has its reward in continued in- cumbency of office.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department is thoroughly efficient, and reflects much credit upon the city. It is under the control of the city councils, who elect a chief engineer and two assistants. There are three hose companies, a hook and ladder company, and the hydrant service is augmented by three steamers, one of which is always in
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commission. There are also three hose wagons, one hose reel, one supply wagon, and one hand engine which is located at the city farm. The city is covered with the fire alarm telegraph system, twenty- nine alarm boxes, three tower strikers and one steam gong being placed at con- venient points throughout the city. There are thirteen hydrants for steamers, and twenty-six reservoirs and the water supply is adequate to any demand made upon it, ranging from 60 to 125 pounds pressure.
THE DOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Back in the days before the Declaration of Independence, when New Hampshire was still an English colony, there existed in Dover a Social Library which numbered among its membership the best citizens of the town. This Library was incorporated in 1792, the only year that the Legislature ever convened at Dover, and was the first incorporated Social Library in the State. It was the predecessor, if not the ancestor, of the circulating libraries which later served the reading needs of the people and of the corporate body known as the Dover Library, which was formed in 1850.
As early as 1856,-the Boston Public Library was founded only six years earlier, -the suggestion was made in the librari- an's annual report, E. J. Lane being then librarian, that the library should be made public and " worthy of the city." Similar suggestions followed as years went on and public sentiment in favor of the change increased until January, 1883, when in his inaugural address as mayor of the city, Dr. James E. Lothrop brought the matter ac- tively before the city government. Action was at once taken. A contract was made by the city, with the Dover Library, under the terms of which the city agreed to pro- vide for the necessary expenses of the Library perpetually, and the Dover Li- brary turned over to the city about 5000 volumes and $2432.10 in cash. The money was the principal and interest of a bequest made by Mr. William N. Andrews, a merchant of this city, who had hoped that the gift might aid in the establishment of a Public Library. . The legacy was placed in the hands of Mr. James W.
Bartlett as trustee and kept for the pur- pose the giver desired.
The Board of Trustees of the Dover Public Library as first organized was as follows :- James E. Lothrop, Mayor, Trus- tee ex-officio. John C. Pray, President of the Common Council, Trustee ex-officio. Jeremiah Smith, Joshua G. Hall, Z. S. Wallingford, T. B. Garland from the Do- ver Library. Joshua I .. Foster, John T. Welch, Martin S. Hutchings from the city. President, James E. Lothrop ; Secretary, John T. Welch ; Treasurer, Frank Freeman.
The first librarian was Mr. T. B. Gar- land who after five months service resigned, and his daughter, the present librarian, until then acting as assistant, was ap- pointed. Miss Beatrice M. Jenkins, who had been temporary assistant was made first assistant, a position which she still holds. In 1887 the growth of the Library demanded a second assistant, and Miss Stella Smith received the appointment. She was succeeded by Miss Alice O. Fol- som, and in September, 1889, Miss Ida F. Hollingworth, the present cataloguer, took the place. A third assistant has now be- come necessary and Miss Bessie I. Parker has been promoted from temporary to permanent assistant.
The story of the Library is a story of steady growth. When it opened to the public in January, 1884, it contained about 5000 volumes. It has now 23,000 vol- umes. During its first year 50,200 books were loaned for home use, a number then far in excess of any other library in the State. Last year 73,500 books were given out, and the proportion of fiction and juvenile reading had decreased from 78 to 65 per cent. Systematic co-opera- tion is kept up between the public schools and the library, and in many schools pupils are now trained to an intelligent use of books as part of their education.
The Library has always been dependent upon the city for its maintenance and each year the City Councils reckon it in among the necessary expenses and give to it as large a sum as possible. In 1888 a be- ; quest of one thousand dollars came to it by the will of Dr. T. J. W. Pray and in 1896, one of two thousand by the will of Mrs. Elizabeth Hale Jaques. Nearly four
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hundred volumes of the Law Library were the gift of the estate of Frank Hobbs.
The Historical room contains the local history that the Library has been collect- ing, comprising files of early newspapers, nearly all the town histories of the State, the Provincial Papers and many works of great historical and genealogical value. The Reading Room has on its tables about a hundred periodicals and papers and to- gether with the Reference Library and the Law Library is open to all.
The Board of Trustees have always been men of high standing in the community. They have made as few restrictions as possible in the use of the Library, deem- ing it for the best interests of the city that a policy of wide freedom should prevail. Free access to books, excellent catalogue facilities, and willing service are the prin- ciples upon which the Library has been conducted, and which will insure its use- fulness in the future.
DOVER COMMERCIAL CLUB.
The Dover Commercial Club was or- ganized in 1896, with a membership of 125, its first president being Colonel A. T. Peirce. It is a body of representative citizens who will gladly communicate with those having unemployed capital and who are interested in the establishment of manufactories, and will aid all new enter- prises of sterling worth that will advance Dover's commercial prestige, increase her population and benefit the community. Seldom, if ever, has such an earnest de- sire been expressed to direct capital and manufacturing industries here as at present. The objects of the Commercial Club are to inculcate just and equitable principles in trade ; to acquire, preserve and dissem- inate valuable business information ; to protect and foster the mercantile and manufacturing industries ; to promote the commerce of Dover and its general pros- perity by the solicitation of manufacturing and business enterprises to locate within its boundaries ; the continuous promulga- tion of the advantages possessed by Dover as a desirable place for the employment of capital ; the extension of facilities for transportation and the protection of the trade of the city. They have actively and
practically encouraged the location of manufacturing enterprises of all kinds by offering to have exempted from taxa- tion for a period of five years all manu- facturing industries locating here. All that is essential is that those who avail themselves of these inducements be men possessing thorough practical and techni- cal knowledge of the business they propose to undertake. The present officers of the Commercial Club are :- President, Thom- as H. Dearborn ; Directors, Jas. E. Lo- throp, Valentine Mathes, A. C. Place, Henry Law, J. Frank Seavey, Frank N. French and George E. Buzzell ; Secretary, George D. Barrett.
DOVER NAVIGATION CO.
The Dover Navigation Company was organized in 1878, with a capital stock of $13,121.92 which was increased from time to time until in 1889 it reached the sum of $212,626.73. The company was formed for the purpose of building vessels and engaging in the coasting trade, and their ships have since been carrying car- goes between ports on the Atlantic sea- board, the Gulf of Mexico, the West Indies and South America. The original board of management consisted of Colonel John Bracewell, President, C. H. Trickey, Thomas B. Garland, J. Frank Seavey and B. Frank Nealley. A new vessel was built each year until the company owned ten. Of these three were sold, two lost and five are still engaged in the coastwise carrying trade, carrying mostly lumber and coal. The capital stock of the company is at present $104,522.21, and between July 1878 and July 1898, $238,110.66 has been returned to the stockholders in divi- dends. Of the original capital, $62,600 has been returned. The company has done much to promote and stimulate the commerce of the city which has derived decided advantages from the success of the undertaking.
DOVER IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.
The object of this institution, in brief, " is the promotion of the welfare and pros- perity of the city by bringing to it valuable industries which can not fail to be of in- estimable value in building up its com-
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mercial supremacy. Through its labors two large shoe shops have been added to the manufactories already in operation. The pay rolls of these companies alone amount to several thousand dollars a month, and employment is given to a large number of persons, thus adding consider- ably to the prosperity and well-being of the city. The Association had its incep- tion in 1885, when it was organized with a capital of $50,000. Hon. J. E. Lothrop is president and Thomas B. Garland Sec- retary and Treasurer. In 1885 the Asso- ciation built the large five story brick factory measuring 200x45, now occupied by J. H. Ireland & Co. of Newburyport, Mass., who hold it rent free for a term of
circumstances to arrest its growth, either as a place of business or residence. The past of Dover having furnished a record of continuous and sustained growth it is a fair presumption that the future will pre- sent results of proportionate advance or even accelerated expansion. In the util- ization of all the resources which nature has furnished or science unveiled, there is every reason to believe that Dover will be fully abreast with the most progressive cities. It has no lack of men with busi- ness sagacity equal to the improvement of every opportunity, and it is safe to pre- dict that the industries of the future will be able to point back to those of today as the auspicious beginnings of a greater
STRAFFORD COUNTY JAIL.
ten years. The second factory was built in 1894, and is a four story wooden struc- ture measuring 150x45, now occupied by Charles E. Moulton, shoe manufacturer, at a very low rental. The establishment of this Association is an instance of the pro- gressive and enterprising spirit which pre- vails among our citizens, who are ever on the alert to materially advance the city's best interests and offer inducements of a substantial nature to manufacturers and capitalists to locate their business in Dover.
PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE.
The location of Dover is one which ren- ders it impossible for any combination of
and brighter destiny. The present of Dover is magnificent and full of promise. Its natural advantages were never better supplemented by its acquired resources for the development of its progress than they are today. It is the home of intel- lectual vigor, wealth, manufactures and commerce, with a past full of interest, a present full of earnestness and a future full of brightness and continued prosperity.
Wentworth Home for the Aged.
The Wentworth Home for the Aged, that new and beautiful edifice, a most modern structure situated in the northern
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extremity of Central avenue, was dedi- cated on Saturday afternoon, June 25th, 1898, with due ceremony and exercises befitting the occasion. It will stand as a monument for generations to come to memory of that distinguished philanthropist, Mr.
Arioch Wentworth of Boston, whose munificent gift it was. The citizens of Dover may well feel proud of such a worthy institu- tion, second to none of its kind in the State where her citizens when homeless and helpless, with the infirmities of old age creeping upon them, will have as their home a place where they can rest assured they will be well cared for. Located as it is upon a health- ful elevation, a spot where no better at- mosphere can be desired, looking down from its majestic height and in its absolute quietness upon the busy city with sur- roundings most delightful to the eye, it is safe to say that a more a p propriate site could not have been se- lected. Lands cape gardeners through the generosity of Hon. Frank Jones have, with skilled hands beau- tified the grounds and added much to their gen- eral appear- ance. The Home in it- self is a modest yet imposing structure every room of which is now elaborately furnished and ready for inmates.
The building is a three-story brick structure with granite trimmings, and re- sembles somewhat the colonial mansion so common in this part of New England.
ARIOCH WENTWORTH.
The architect, Alvah T. Ramsdell of this city, designed the building with spec- ial reference to insuring the ease and comfort of aged peo- ple. The building is 70 by 53 feet in dimension and contains 30 rooms, besides toilet and bathrooms. A hallway extends through the entire length of the building and opens on to broad, sunny verandas at either end and in front.
On the left of the main en- trance is the matron's room and library. This is furnished by Miss Caroline Wendell. On the right are the reception and sitting rooms, furnished re- spectively by the daughters of the late Hon. Wm. S. Stevens and Mrs. Judge Durell. On the further side of the hall are the dining room and kitchen, each 16x12 feet, and pantry.
There are three sleeping rooms on the first floor, and II each on the second and
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WENTWORTH HOME.
third floors. The fur- nishings of the sleep- ing rooms are all of the same pattern though o f different shades of carpets and up holster- ing. They were all fur- nished by residents as m e m orials to departed relatives.
The build- ing is fin- ished in oak and sycamore and the walls are tinted in warm colors. In the hall is an old fashioned tall clock, presented by C. W. Demeritt, and a piano, the gift of Mrs. J. E. Lothrop.
Col. Daniel Hall in his introductory ad- dress outlined the history of the movement
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for establishing a home for aged people in this city. He said in part, that through the efforts of Col. Everett O. Foss an act was passed by the legislature of 1883 in- corporating " The Dover Home for Aged Women." The first contribution was made on Christmas day, 1885, when 14 mem- bers of the Bachelor club gave $1 each as a Christmas offer to start a fund. Since then gifts have been made by individuals and societies, and one or two bequests. In 1897 a gift of $10,000 was made by Mr. Wentworth for the purpose of building a suitable home, and in recognition of this generous aid the association voted to name the building in honor of the donor, calling it the "Went - worth Home for the Aged."
Before c o ncluding his address Col. Hall announced that the as- soci ation has just re- ceived from Mr. Went- worth an - other gift of $20,000. to be used as a fund for the support of the home. The news was received with the greatest enthusiasm.
CHILDREN'S HOME.
The contributions to a Permanent Fund are as follows : Mr. Arioch Wentworth, Bos- ton, $20,000 ; Mrs. S. E. W. Creighton, Newmarket, $1,000; Mrs. Elizabeth W. Stevens, Boston, $500; Mrs. Sarah E. Drew, Dover, $500 ; Miss Martha E. Han- son, Dover, $500 ; Mrs. Deborah Dunn, Dover, $100.
Mr. Arioch Wentworth was born in Rollinsford, just over the Dover line, his birthplace being less than a mile from where the new home is situated.
The officers of the association in charge of the home are : Joseph B. Sawyer, pres. ;
Harrison Haley and Thomas B. Garland, vice pres. ; Charles S. Cartland, sec. and treas. ; Daniel Hall, auditor. :
There is a board of twenty trustees of which Elisha R. Brown is chairman, an ex- ecutive committee of one hundred mem- bers and a board of managers.
The Children's Home.
Few fathers and mothers situated in beautiful and commodious homes with their children playing about their knees think of the many little waifs in this city who know nothing of the pleasures of even the most meagre home. For their bene- fit and in their honor the beautiful build- ing on Io- cust street was con- structed and the cit- izens of this 5: city realize the grand work that the manag- ers of the Children's Home have been doing for the past few years. The edifice is beautiful in both ex- terior and interior, ar- ranged in accordance with the best sanitary models, commodious in 100m and handsomely fin- ished. The Home contains dining and reception rooms, nursery, boys' and girls' dormitory, matron's room and boys' and girls' play rooms, bath rooms, and several large sleeping rooms. On the third floor a room has been finished so that in case of any contagious disease breaking out among the children it can be closed up and the patient kept from the other children. This room has been nicely fitted up for sickness and has a bath room and many other conveniences.
Several of the rooms at the Home have been furnished by the following persons :
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Reception room, Mrs. John P. Hale ; as- sembly room, Mrs. John S. Glass ; dining room, Miss Caroline Wendell. The nur- sery room has been furnished by the Miz- pah club of the First church. Many other articles have been donated by generous persons for the other rooms.
In the basement of the building is a large store room and place for the coal. At the rear is a well arranged laundry with set of boilers and laundry heaters. The building is heated by steam, there being a radiator in every room. A. T. Ramsdell was the architect who designed the build- ing, the corner stone of which was laid on Saturday, Oct. 9, 1897, with appropriate ceremonies. The contract was given to E. H. Frost on Aug. 30, 1897, for $9,849. He has done an excellent piece of work on
sponded in accepting the keys. There was then reading of the Scripture by Rev. E. A. Hoyt, pastor of the Pierce Memo- rial church, and singing. Rev. I. W. Beard then formally dedicated the build- ing using the Episcopal service provided for such occasions. Prayer was offered by Rev. George E. Hall, D. D., followed by singing by the children of the home.
Appropriate remarks were then made by Rev. D. C. Babcock and Rev. R. E. Gil- key, and the service closed by singing the Doxology.
Among the gifts to the Children's Home have been $5,000 from Mr. Arioch Wentworth of Boston, $5,000 from W. H. Morton, wife and daughter of Salmon Falls, $500, from Mrs. David L. Drew of
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the structure. The building commit- tee who have had charge of the work have attended to their duties faithfully and are deserving of much praise. The committee is as follows : W. S. Bradley, J. Herbert Richardson, Hon. James E. Lothrop, Mrs. Susan E. Young, Mrs. Lydia E. Jones, Mrs. Ellen F. Carter and Mrs. Elizabeth G. Williams. The dedi- cation occurred Saturday afternoon, May 28, 1898, and the exercises were very ap- propriate, being of a religious character.
At four o'clock the exercises opened with invocation by Rev. W. H. S. Hascall. The keys of the house were then delivered to the president of the society by W. S. Bradley, the chairman of the building committee, in a few appropriate remarks. The president, Mrs. Susan E. Young, re-
Dover, and numerous lesser gifts from persons interested in the institution. The home is now in complete working order, about thirty children being cared for and trained to careers of usefulness. The benefits of such an institution as this in the community cannot be over-estimated and it is safe to assert that the children who spend their early lives in the Home will acquire habits of thrift and honesty which cannot fail to exercise a most salu- tary effect upon their future lives.
The urgent need of such an institution as this has long been felt in the city and the carrying out of the project to erect and maintain the Children's Home is one which reflects the greatest credit upon our citizens who have so liberally contrib- uted towards this humanitarian work.
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VIEW OF DOVER FROM PINE HILL.
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Foster's Daily Democrat. GEO. J. FOSTER & Co., Proprietors.
DOVER, N. H., JUNE 18, 1898. .Twenty-five years ago to-day, the first issue of Foster's Daily Democrat appeared in Dover. It was a small four page sheet 22X25, a tiny beginner with a somewhat dubious future before it, but plucky and courageous, defiant and confident in the face of all obstacles and determined to succeed. It started with 140 subscrib- ers and 150 copies were sold to those who chose to buy them,- 290 copies comprised the total circula- tion. But the editor, Joshua L. Foster was not without newspaper ex- perience and he thought he could see ahead clearly enough a much : better condition not a great way in the distance, and the result has been no disappoint- ment. The editor's salu- tation to the public in the first issue June 18, 1873, was as follows :
JOSHUA L. FOSTER, EDITOR.
" We have very little to say in ventur- ing this daily experiment in Dover. It is a new thing here, but not a new business with us who take the risk and the respon- sibility. It is an experiment which may or may not prove a success, as this de- pends upon the energy and ability mani- fested in its conduct, and the alacrity and persistenc y with which the people come
up to its support. We shall strive to fulfill our part, and expect the public to sustain our efforts with their patronage. Dover is the only city in New Hampshire that has hitherto had no daily paper. Concord, Nashua and Portsmouth each have about the same population as this city, and each supports two daily papers. It is certain that Dover and its immediate vicinity ought to support one. There is nothing that can give so much life, pleasure and real, substan- tial good character to a place as a lively and well conducted daily news- paper. We shall devote these columns mainly to the material and vital interests of Dover and vicinity. Whatever may tend to bene- fit this people and enhance their prosper- ity, will re- ceive our warm and en- thusiastic sup- port. This paper starts with very flat- tering pros- pects, and if we receive the continued en- courageme n t which ought to be given to a properly conducted en- terprise of the kind, we shall make this daily an enduring institution in Dover. It is for the people to say how this shall be. Our weekly is a success. Shall this be the same? "
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