USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Brookline > History of Brookline, formerly Raby, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire : with tables of family records and genealogies > Part 35
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Voted that the Grange be called Brookline Grange No. 211.
The following were appointed a committee on Constitution and By- Laws: C. A. Stickney, D. S. Fessenden, M. A. Rockwood. Voted that the next meeting be held at this place on Saturday evening, March 24, 1894, at 7:30 P. M. The following committee was chosen to fix the time and provide a place for the meetings of the Grange: Joseph A. Hall, Eliza A. Hobart, Susie E. French.
After remarks by the Deputies and some others, the Grange was closed in due form by Deputy H. O. Hadley as Master and Deputy E. C. Hutchinson as Overseer."
A true record attest H. O. Hadley, Secretary.
The first three meetings of the Brookline Grange were held on Satur- day evenings in the small vestry of the Congregational Church. The fourth meeting, on April 11, 1894, was held in Tarbell's Hall, which place has ever since been the Grange's home. The evenings of its regular meet- ings are the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, except July and August, when meetings are held on the fourth only.
A good literary program is assured at each meeting and, at the close, marching, games and other pastimes are enjoyed.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
During its existence here the Grange has exerted its influence for good among the citizens of the town. It has thrown open its doors to the public on many occasions to enable the citizens to recieve the benefit of lectures, meetings of the State Board of Agriculture, Pomona meetings, and children's nights. It has held several very successful fairs, and to it the Old Home Week Association in Brookline owes its existence.
Eight of the charter members of the Brookline Grange have died since its organization, viz; Mrs. Eliza Hobart, Joseph Hall, Martin Rock- wood, Mrs. Mary Rockwood, David Hobart, David Rockwood, William Rockwood, Mrs. Clara Stickney; and two;, viz Charles Stickney and Mrs. Abbie Barrett Prescott, have withdrawn from the order. Another member, Mrs. Hattie Williams Carruth, at the present time (1914) is living in Houston, Texas. The remaining ten were present at its twentieth anni- versary.
Besides the charter members who have died, the Grange has lost ten others by death: Miss Grace N. Nye, Charles W. Currier, Mrs. Harriet A. Baldwin, Mrs. Fannie E. French, Mrs. Nettie M. Rideout, Mrs. Mary LeClaire, John H. B. Pierce, Edward W. Smith, Mrs. Emily C. Swett, Mrs. Augusta J. Smith.
The membership at the present time (1914) is one hundred and eight, of whom forty-four are men and sixty-four women. Since its organiaztion the Grange has had ten Masters, as follows: David Rockwood, one year; Clarence Russell, four years; William Bailey, three years; Martin Rock- wood, two years; Albert Pierce, one year; Clara Russell, one year; Orville Fessenden, one year; George Tarbell, one year; Fred Hall, three years; and Edward Pierce, the present worthy master, who is serving his fourth year.
Twentieth Anniversary.
The Grange observed its twentieth anniversary March 11, 1914, by a day meeting under the direction of the Charter Members. The morning session at 11:15 was the regular meeting; literary program, accordion solo by Arthur Goss, short addresses by Frank P. Fisk and Clarence L. Trow of Milford, Master and Lecturer, respectively, of Hillsboro Co. Pomona Grange, Fred C. Willoby and Andrew H. Spalding, Master and P. M., re- spectively, of Hollis Grange, Mrs. Emma F. Seaver, Master of Townsend Grange, Joseph D. Batchelder and John Smith, Master and P. M., re- spectively, of Fruitdale Grange, Mason; piano solo, Miss May Pierce. Dinner was served at the banquet hall above at 12:30.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
The afternoon session, which occurred at 1:30, was public, and a good sized audience listened to the following program :
Anniversary Song,
Grange Choir. Mrs. Mary A. Barber.
Welcome and Poem,
Music, piano and cornet,
Mrs. Louise Bailey, Bernard Slocomb.
Grange History,
Mrs. Clara E. Russell.
Song, Mrs. Maude Greeley and Miss Ethel Taylor.
Address, H. O. Hadley of Peterboro, P. M. of N. H. State Grange.
Piano Duet, Misses May Pierce and Alice Whitcomb.
Addresses, by Wesley Adams and Mrs. M. N. Adams of Derry, Master and Ceres of the N. H. State Grange, and George B. Drake of Manchester, Secretary State Grange.
Farce,-Scarlet Bonnet-Characters, Mrs. Hattie Pierce, Mrs. Catherine Cady, Mrs. Della Hall, Miss Blanche Hall, Miss Lila Barnaby and Miss May Pierce.
In Memoriam,
Mrs. Alice Kendall. Letter of Andrew D. Rockwood of Chico, Cal., read by Miss Blanche Hall. Dutch Selection, William J. Bailey. Supper was served in the banquet hall from 6:30 to 7:30 At 8 o'clock the following program was presented:
Piano Duet, Misses May Pierce and Alice Whitcomb. Song, Mrs. Maud Greeley and Miss Ethel Taylor. Piano Solo, Miss May Pierce. Song, Recitation, Velma Taylor. Miss Mattie Kent. Miss Alice Whitcomb.
Piano Solo,
Piano duet, Misses May Pierce and Alice Whitcomb.
Coon song. Edward Taylor and Wallace Jenness.
Original sketch, written by A. Starr Barnaby. A. Starr Barnaby and Wal- lace Jenness.
Marching and dancing followed, which closed the exercises of the twentieth Grange Anniversary."
1894. At the November town meeting, Orville D. Fessenden pre- sented the town with an ebony gavel suitably inscribed, to be used by the moderator at town and school meetings.
The Brookline Improvement Company.
1896. This company was incorporated March 2, of this year. The company owed its existence to the Brookline Board of Trade, which had
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
been organized the previous year; but which, by the organization of the Improvement Company, ceased to exist as an independent organization, and became merged into the latter company.
The company, as set forth in its articles of association, was formed -"To promote the growth and prosperity of the town."
The names of its original members were as follows: Walter F. Rock- wood, Frank L. Willoby, Charles W. Smith, Orville D. Fessenden, Samuel Swett, Imla M. Williams, Charles W. Currier, Charles L. Willoby, Henry G. Shattuck, George H. Nye, Edward C. Tucker, Herbert S. Corey.
By the terms of its charter, its capital stock was fixed at three thous- and dollars, divided into 120 shares, at a par value of twenty-five dollars each.
On the twenty-second day of January of this year the company held its first meeting for the organization under its charter, and elected its first board of officers, consisting of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and three directors.
The board of directors was constituted as follows: Albert W. Corey, Charles S. Dunbar and Frank L. Willoby.
May 1, 1897, the company made its first annual return to the Secre- tary of State as follows:
"Capital stock authorized, $3000 00
No. of shares issued,
62
Par value of shares, 25 00
Paid in, 1550 00
Debts due company, 37 50
Debts due from company
. 550 00
Amount of property, including real and personal estate, 2350 00"
Soon after its organization, the company purchased a tract of land located on the south side of Bond street and adjacent to the railroad track upon which it erected a commodious one story wooden building and in- stalled therein an engine. This building when completed was rented to John Ridge of Nashua. Mr. Ridge took immediate possession of the premises and commenced the business of manufacturing horse shoe files, under a patent which he claimed to own, or to have the right to use.
For several years following the business was carried on with indiffer- ent success. Then trouble came. Certain parties in Boston, Mass., set up a claim of priority of rights of ownership in Mr. Ridge's patent, and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
instituted proceedings to deprive him both of the patent and the right to use the same. Mr. Ridge opposed the suit, but in the end was compelled to surrender his claim both to the patent and its use; soon after which he closed out his business and left town.
With Mr. Ridge's departure the company's plant was closed down never to be re-opened. Its building remained unoccupied until Nov. 15, 1903; at which date it was sold to the New England Type Company. With this sale the company closed out its affairs and ceased to exist.
The New England Type Factory.
1897. This company established its plant in Brookline during this year, coming here from Boston, Mass., where it was originated by Harry and Henry Marshall, brothers, soon after the close of the Civil War. Its business was the manufacture of wooden printing type. At the time of its location in this town, it was said to be, with one exception the only company of its kind in the United States.
For several years after coming to Brookline the company conducted its operations in a small building located on the east side of the highway to Milford about one mile north of the village. In the month of April, 1899, Henry Marshall sold his interests in the plant to his brother Harry, who from that time forward until the company ceased to exist, carried on the business alone; Henry Marshall having in the meantime acted as the company's agent until his death, which occurred in 1907.
Nov. 13, 1903, the company purchased the factory building of the Brookline Improvement Company located on Bond street in the village, and soon after its purchase moved into and established its plant in the same.
During the last few years of its existence, the company, in addition to its regular business, engaged somewhat extensively in the manufacture of children's toys, and also of various kinds of wooden implements.
From the date of the establishment of the plant in Brookline, the company's business prospered; and it was constantly and steadily improv- ing when, at noon time on the 19th day of November, 1909, its factory with its contents, was destroyed by fire caused by a spark from a loco- motive of the Boston and Maine railroad company.
At the present time, (1914) the factory has not been rebuilt, and the business, like many another of the town's enterprises in the past, has van- ished in the smoke of the flames by which it was destroyed, apparently never to return.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
July 17, the Congregational Church was struck by lightning. The Bolt tore off one of the faces of the clock on its tower, and then passed into the interior of the house; where it raised havoc with the steel ceilings, walls and furniture; causing damages to the extent of several hundreds of dollars.
1898. March 8, the town voted to remove the public library into the Grammar schoolhouse on Milford street.
June 5, the John Sanders house and the barber's shop connected with the same were destroyed by fire.
1899. March 14, the town voted to buy a new hearse at an expense not exceeding five hundred dollars; and elected Charles S. Dunbar, Walter F. Rockwood and Charles E. Shattuck as a committee to purchase the same.
The Murder of Adelbert Parker.
On the night of Sunday, September 28, of this year, near the midnight hour, occurred the first and so far as is known the only murder ever com- mitted in this town. The scene of the murder was in the old dwelling house known as the Lemuel Hall place, located on the east side of the high- way to Oak Hill in Pepperell, Mass., and about two miles south of Brook- line Village.
The murderer's name was Frank Worby. His victim was Adelbert Parker; a native of, and at the time of his death a resident in, Pepperell, Mass .; a young man of excellent family and up to the time of this event of good reputation.
Worby, who was a mulatto, was a comparative stranger in this town; he having resided here but a short time when the murder was committed. His reputation was bad. He was reputed to be a horse thief, and known to be an ex-state prison convict. For about two months preceding his brutal act, he had occupied the premises in question for the purpose of carrying on a road-house; which under his management had acquired an evil reputation.
On the night of the murder the house was visited by a party of young men from Oak Hill, among whom was the murdered man. In addition to the party from Oak Hill, there were present also other young men; the loafers and idlers usually found about such places. As the evening wore on the entire party indulged in intoxicating drinks; and with the usual results. About midnight Parker and Worby became embroiled in an angry dispute over a female inmate of the house, and finally came to blows and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
clinched. They were separated by the bystanders, and Worby passed out of the room into an adjoining bed-room; from which, however, he immedi- ately returned with a loaded revolver with which he shot and killed Parker in his tracks.
Immediately after committing the murder, Worby disappeared. For several days subsequently the county and town authorities made diligent but unsuccessful search for him. He was finally located in Lee; where, having in the meantime added the crime of bigamy to his list, he completed his criminal record before he could be arrested, by committing suicide.
Old Home Week-Celebrations of.
Old Home Week was first observed in New Hampshire; where it was instituted in 1899 by Governor Edward W. Rollins. Gov. Rollins' idea was to make it a carnival week. A week when every native born son and daughter of the State should return to the place of his or her nativity and -"See what he or she could do to assist in improving and beautifying the place and its general uplifting and upbuilding."
The idea met with immediate success. The week's first celebration in 1899 was formally observed by about fifty of the cities and towns of the State, among which number was Brookline.
For the three first years, 1899, 1900 and 1901, the celebration in Brookline was confined to the holding of basket picnics at the grove on the shore of Muscatanipus lake. These picnics were attended by the citi- zens generally, and to some extent by its sons and daughters from abroad.
But the town's first general and elaborate celebration of the events occurred in 1902; when an entire week, commencing Saturday, August 16 and ending August 23, was devoted to its observance.
The week was ushered in and closed by special religious services. On the evening before the opening day of the festival, bon-fires were lighted on the hill-tops-Big Muscatanipus hill being especially noticeable for its huge cap of flame,-and by the ringing of the church bells. During the week, the streets, public buildings, and many of the dwelling houses were decorated with the national colors. Hundreds of the towns' absent sons and daughters returned to their old homes, and many of them remained throughout the week.
The exercises for the week were planned and carried out under the supervision of an association of citizens known as "The Brookline Old Home Week Association"; of which the officers were as follows: President, Clarence R. Russell; vice-presidents, OrvilleD. Fessenden and Rev. H. E.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Coville; secretary, Mrs. Ella W. Tucker; treasurer, Albert W. Corey; ex- ecutive committee, Dr. Charles H. Holcomb, Frank L. Willoby, Samuel Swett.
Friday, August 22, was observed as Old Home Day. Music for the occasion was furnished by the Ashby, Mass., Band.
The reception committee consisted of David S. Fessenden, Charles E. Shattuck, Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Rockwood, Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Tucker, Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Dun- bar, Miss Myrtie L. Shattuck, Mr. and Mrs. Alpha A. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Swett and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence R. Russell.
The literary part of the day's programme occurred at eleven o'clock A. M. in the auditorium of the Congregational church. The meeting was called to order by Clarence R. Russell, president of the day. The order of exercises was as follows:
Prayer, Selection, Selection, Choir.
Rev. H. E. Covell. Band.
Address of welcome, Song, Choir.
Clarence R. Russell.
Oration, Song,
Judge Edward E. Parker Choir.
At the close of the exercises in the church, the audience formed in procession and, led by the band, marched to Tarbell's hall, where dinner was served to over four hundred guests. The dinner was followed by post prandial exercises; during which brief addresses were delivered by citizens, invited guests, and old residents of the town.
The afternoon was devoted to family and other reunions, and to ath- letic games for the young folks. The day closed with fire-works, and a grand reunion and ball in Tarbell's hall in the evening.
During each of the years succeeding 1902, up to and including the year 1909, the town continued its annual observance of the week. In 1910, its observance was omitted. Its omission, however, was not the result of any dimunition of interest and enthusiasm either on the part of the citizens or that of the outside public. For as to the former, they were fully sensible of the benefits which had accrued to the town from its observance in the past, and equally desirous of its continuance in the fu- ture; and as to the latter, its interest was exemplified from the fact that the attendance of strangers at the Old Home Day exercises of the previous year had been fully equal to that of any similar occasion in the past.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
The omission was owing, rather, to the fact that the care and labor of preparing for the celebration, which, (as is apt to be the case in such affairs), had devolved upon the few rather than the many, began to wear upon those upon whom the burden fell; and, also, of the apparent danger that the week, from its continued annual observance, would eventually lapse into something in the nature of a-"Continuous Performance," and thereby lose its significance and attractiveness. It was therefore decided by the Association and the majority of the citizens that celebrations of Old Home Week in the future should occur biennially rather than annually.
The following are the names of the officers of The Old Home Week Association and the programmes of the Old Home Day exercises for each year from 1903 to 1909 inclusive.
1903. President, Clarence R. Russell vice-presidents, Orville D. Fes- senden, Rev. George A. Bennett; secretary, Mrs. Ella W. Tucker; treasurer, Samuel Swett; executive committee, Albert W. Corey, Frank L. Willoby, Frank P. Kennedy, John F. Hutchingson.
Old Home Day Exercises, Friday August 21.
Invocation,
Song,
Rev. George A. Bennett. Choir. Clarence R. Russell.
Address of Welcome,
Oration, Hon. John F. Hutchingson, Lexington, Mass.
Dinner, Tarbell's Hall.
Reunion and Ball in the evening.
1904.
President, Clarence R. Russell, Esq .; vice-presidents, Alpha A. Hall, Rev. George A. Bennett; secretary, Mrs. Ella W. Tucker; treasurer, Sam- uel Swett; executive committee, Frank L. Willoby, Frank P. Kennedy, Walter F. Rockwood.
Old Home Day Exercises, August 26.
9:30 A. M. Concert by the Ashby, Mass., Band.
11:00 A. M. At the Congregational Church;
Selection, Invocation, Address of Welcome, Response,
Band. Rev. George A. Bennett. Clarence R. Russell, Esq. Morton A. Klein.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Song, Choir. Oration, Rev. George L. Perin, D. D. of Boston, Mass. Choir.
Song,
Poem,
Hon. Edward E. Parker.
Song,
12:30 P. M. Dinner, Tarbell's Hall, followed by remarks.
3:00 P. M. Ball Game. 5:00 P. M. Band Concert.
8:00 P. M. Reunion and Ball in Tarbell's Hall.
POEM.
Brookline's Welcome Home. By HON. EDWARD E. PARKER
Once more old Brookline welcomes home her erstwhile sons and daughters Who left her pleasant home-farms in the happy long ago:
And joys to hear their voices, like the sound of many waters, Resounding o'er her hillsides as with faces all aglow
They tread once more their native soil, and breathe the crystal air Which sweeps above its wooded heights and o'er its verdant meadows, Just as they did in childhood days, when, free from doubt and care, Life's pathway wound its sunny course through scenes undimmed by shadows.
The times have changed since we went forth; the old familiar faces Of those we knew in other days have passed away forever; And strangers now perform the task, and fill the vacant places Where we and ours in days of yore were wonted to foregather. Full many a vacant cellar-hole, by clambering vines concealed, Now serves to mark the spot where once a modest farm-house stood, Whose inmates, in their simple lives and daily walks, revealed The sacredness of family ties and human brotherhood.
And yet, in spite of time or change, our minds, in freedom ranging Above this sordid present life, its cares, its hopes, its charms, To where on memory's wall engraved, unchanged and aye unchanging, Are limned the pristine glories of those now deserted farms, While gazing on its varied scenes, unite in true thanksgiving That in our hearts we feel once more the glow of home-love fires, And ken that earth affords no spot where life is worth the living, To be compared with that where first we learned to lisp our prayers.
The homestead roof, the homestead walls, 'neath Time's rude touch decaying, May fall in ruins, and the winds in wild derision sweep O'er its deserted barren greens, where, in our childhood's playing, We woke on Rament's rocky sides the echoes long and deep; The rains may beat, the snows may fall upon it, and, untrammelled
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
By sentiments of love or fear, the strangers feet may tread Its sacred soil, but still, like scenes on ancient walls impanelled,
Our hearts will bear its impress 'till we're numbered with the dead.
Now, as of old, on rainy days, the mist-clouds, lightly dancing Before the east wind's humid breath, sail o'er the river's tide; Or, at the twilight's peaceful hour, in ghostly ranks advancing. Move upwards from the meads which skirt Potanapo's steep side; Until, beneath their envious folds, the village, disappearing, Is lost to sight, and in its place a sea of snowy foam. Through which gigantic forms move on like ships at sea, each steering Its course to where in radiance glow the beacon-lights of home.
Still on the maple's topmost bough, in sweet abandon swinging, The robin trills his welcome to the coming of the dawn; E'er yet the night in tardy flight its westward course is winging, Or morning's whispering winds have kissed the tassels of the corn; And at the midnight's solemn hour, like cloistered monks intoning Their liturgies, among the pines resound the wind-harps' strains; The same as when in childhood days, their magic influence owning, Unconsciously we passed into the dream-god's weird domains.
At sunset hour, departing day, its flaunting banners streaming High o'er the western mountain-tops, lights up with radiant glow The upland fields, the lakes and streams, whose light, reflected, gleaming In softened radiance, illumes the village far below; And, as the daylight softly fades into the shadowy gloaming, In plaintive notes the whippoorwill his song insistent sings, And through the gloom the swallows make their evening flights of homing, "Till softly o'er the sleepy town Night spreads her drowsy wings.
Still o'er the surface of the pond the west-wind, blithely sweeping, Impels the rippling waves to break in music on the shore; And o'er its moonlit surface rings, in song or joyous greeting, The merry voices of the crews who ply the flashing oar. And still the boisterous winter winds, on angry pinions rushing, Sweep round the corners of the house with weird and mournful wails, The summer showers dance on the roofs, and summer roses, blushing, Bloom in the wayside hedge, and shed their fragrance on the gales.
These are the scenes which Memory shows, responsive to our gazing Upon her pictured walls; and which, in rolling years to come, As in the past, whate'er of Fortune's gifts our future lives is phazing, Will draw as magnets draw the steel, our wandering foot-steps home. The vacant chairs, the darkened hearths, the vanished friends now sleeping. Beneath the flowers which bud and bloom on hillside and on plain, Though silent, in their silences continually are speaking,
In tones which thrill our hearts, the words-"Come home, come home again!"
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
1905.
President, Dr. Charles H. Holcombe; vice-presidents, Alpha A. Hall, Esq., Rev. George A. Bennett; secretary, Mrs. Ella W. Tucker; treasurer; Samuel Swett; executive committee, Frank P. Kennedy, Walter F. Rock- wood, George H. Nye.
Old Home Day Exercises, August 24.
11:00 A. M. At the Congregational Church;
Invocation, Selection,
Rev. George A. Bennett. Band. Choir.
Song,
Address of Welcome,
Address,
Song, Oration,
Dr. Charles H. Holcombe. John H. Klein. Choir. Hon. Edward E. Parker.
12:30 P. M. Dinner at Tarbell's Hall. 5:00 P. M. Concert New Ipswich Band. 8:00 P. M. Reunion and Ball at Tarbell's Hall.
1906.
President, David S. Fessenden; vice-presidents, Rev. George A. Ben- net, Frank H. Jenness; secretary, Mrs. Ella W. Tucker; treasurer Samuel Swett; executive committee, John B. Hardy, Walter E. Corey, Albert T. Pierce.
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