History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 16

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 16
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 16

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

KEENE-( Continued).

MISCELLANEOUS.

Masonie-Odd-Fellows-Other Societies-Public Library- The Press-The Sentinel-The Cheshire Republican-The New England Observer-Keene in 1831-Post-Office- Court-House-The King's Cannon-Manufacturing In- terests-Members of Congress-Governors-War of the Rebellion-Soldiers' Monument-Physicians-City of Keene-First Charter Election-Officers Elected- Mayors, Aldermen, Councilmen and Clerks to Present Time-Present Officers.

SOCIAL FRIENDS LODGE, F. AND A. M. was chartered June 8th, 1825; but in 1827 the Morgan troubles began in Western New York, resulting in a strong Anti-Masonic party, which spread over the whole northern part of the country, continuing for ten years, when it ceased to exist. During this time Social Friends Lodge, with most of the other lodges in this part of the country, wound up its affairs and ceased to exist.

In 1855 a few brethren having the interest of the craft at heart, began to talk up the matter of reviving Freemasonry in this town ; so they met for rehearsals in Delige Engine-House, only one of them being able to answer a word of the lectures. They soon applied to the Grand Master for a charter ; he told them he could not give them a charter, because there was one already in existence. In the course of time John Prentiss succeeded in finding the old charter of 1825, when they were allowed by the Grand Lodge to go to work. Accordingly, the first stated communication was hekl AApril 9, 1856, in Odd-Fellows' Hall, where the meetings continued to be held until 1860, when the lodge leased and occupied the apartments in the cast end of St. John's building.

In 1868 the rooms were found to be too small for the growing order of Freemasonry, when the building was enlarged, and the lodge moved into a larger hall in the west end of the building, using the old hall for an armory and banquet hall.

In 1869, owing to the rapid growth of the order, several of the older members, thinking it would be for the good of the craft to start an-

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other lodge, applied to the Grand Lodge, and a charter was granted for the Lodge of the Temple.

In 1874 the Masonic apartments in St. John's building were again enlarged, by increasing the size of the lodge-room and adding a large ban- quet hall in the third story of the building.

The following is a list of Past Masters :

A. S. Carpenter was elected W. Master June 11, 1856.

Barrett Ripley was elected W. Master April 26, 1858.

A. S. Carpenter was elected W. Master again April 11, 1859.

R. H. Porter was elected W. Master April 2, 1860. T. J. French was elected W. Master April 22, 1861.

Don H. Woodward was elected W. Master April 14, 1862.

Edward Gustine was elected W. Master April 18, 1864.

S. S. Wilkinson was elected W. Master April 10, 1865.

S. A. Carter was elected W. Master April 23, 1866. Horatio Colony was elected W. Master April 15, 1867.

C. S. Coburn was elected W. Master April 6, 1868.

L. J. Tuttle was elected W. Master April 11, 1870.

O. M. Holton was elected W. Master March 18, 1872.

F. L. Howe was elected W. Master March 30, 1874. F. K. Burnham was elected W. Master March 29, 1875.

H. W. Hubbard was elected W. Master March 20, 1876.

Elisha Ayer was elected W. Master March 26, 1877. O. M. Holton was elected W. Master again March 4, 1878.

George A. Gordon was elected W. Master March 3,1879.

S. M. Ray was elected W. Master March 7, 1881.

George H. Eames was elected W. Master March 6, 1882.

George G. Dort was elected W. Master March 2, 1885.

LODGE OF THE TEMPLE received a dispen- sation April 6, 1869, from the Most Worship- ful Grand Master Alexander M. Winn, who appointed Brother A. S. Carpenter the first Master, Brother D. W. Buckminster as the first Senior Warden, and Brother Edward Farrar as the first Junior Warden. This new lodge was an offshoot of Social Friends Lodge. But little work was done by the lodge while under dis- pensation. At the annual meeting of the M. W. Grand Lodge, the June following, a petition

was presented asking the Grand Lodge to grant a charter to this new lodge.

There was opposition from some members of Social Friends Lodge to granting this charter, not in a factious spirit, but doubting the expe- diency or necessity of another lodge at Keene ; and it was argued with considerable force, by some Masons, that two lodges would be an in- jury instead of a benefit to Masonry.

The weight of the evidence presented to the Grand Lodge convinced them that the good of Masonry would be promoted by granting a charter. Therefore a charter was granted to the new lodge, to be called The Lodge of the Temple, to be numbered 88 and assigned to District No. 3. Soon after the formation of Lodge of the Temple business throughout the country became prostrated, and the effect was such that very few petitions were presented to the lodge; under the circumstances, the lodge became financially embarrassed, so much so that its future life, prosperity and usefulness were anything but encouraging ; but by strict econ- omy during the prosperous times that followed, the lodge is now placed upon a solid foundation financially, having a membership of over ninety and every indication of a long and useful career. The relations that exist between Social Friends Lodge and Lodge of the Temple are of the most fraternal and pleasant character, and the idea that two lodges are not needed at Keene has, it is hoped, long since passed away.

The following is a list of the Past Masters :

A. S. Carpenter was appointed W. Master April 6, 1869.

Thomas E. Hatch was elected W. Master Decem- ber 25, 1869.

Edward Gustine was elected W. Master April 5, 1870.

E. E. Lyman was elected W. Master April 4, 1871. Francis Brick was elected W. Master April 1, 1873. Daniel McGregor was elected W. Master June 5, 1875.

John G. Stone was elected W. Master April 4, 1876.

George J. Appleton was elected W. Master April 3, 1878.

F. H. Whitcomb was elected W. Master April 6, 1880. George W. Flagg was elected W. Master April 4, 1882.

O. G. Nims was elected W. Master March 28, 1884.

HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

CHESHIRE ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER .- This chapter was reorganized Oct. 12, 1859. The High Priests have been : H. M. Streeter, 1859 ; Bar- rett Ripley, 1861; T. E. Hatch, 1863; J. H. Elliot, 1865 ; E. Gustine, 1867; S. A. Car- ter, 1869; E. Ayer, 1872; L. J. Tuttle, 1875; O. M. Holton, 1879; Geo. W. Flagg, 1881; J. B. Fisher, 1883 ; M. V. B. Clark, 1885.

The chapter is in a flourishing condition ; its financial standing is sound, and its membership is about one hundred and fifty. More than five hundred members have been enrolled upon the books of this association of Masons since May 4, 1816, at which time it commenced to work in Keene under dispensation. The charter was granted to the Hon. John Prentiss, founder of the New Hampshire Sentinel, and Rev. Brough- ton White, of Westmoreland, the latter becom- ing its first High Priest. The meetings were then held in Prentiss' (now Whitcomb's) block, in the attic of which may be found, to-day, a part of the old chapter furniture. The par- aphernalia, however, was taken to Iowa, and used in a chapter there by the late General James Wilson, who was High Priest of Cheshire Chapter for a number of years previous to its dormancy, which was brought about prior to 1835, by the Morgan excitement. The charter of Cheshire Chapter bears date of May 1, 1819, and was signed by Thomas Smith Webb, Dep- uty-General Grand High Priest, whose name is familiar to Free-Masons throughout the country and whose " Masonic Monitor" has found a place in every Masonic library. One hundred years ago Thomas Smith Webb was a book- binder on Main Street, Keene. He was ini- tiated as an Entered Apprentice December 24, 1790, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft December 27, 1790, and raised to the sublime degree of Master-Mason December 27, 1790, in Rising Sun Lodge, No. 4, Keene. Subse- quently he became very prominent as a Masonic author and ritualist. He elaborated the ritual of the Order of the Red Cross, and, by borrow- ing from the esoterie rituals of both the lodge and chapter, connected it with Masonry, and thus the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross became a part of the so-called American York Rite of Free-Masonry. The charter of Che-

shire Chapter was declared forfeited and ordered to be stricken from the Grand Chapter books, June 14, 1843, the chapter having failed to make return since 1835. It was restored Octo- ber 12, 1859. The early records are not extant, but are complete since the revival of the chap- ter, October 12, 1859, since which time the meetings have been continuous.

There is also a council located here called St. John's Council, No. 7, with Josiah L. Seward, T. I. M.

HUGH DE PAYENS COMMANDERY.1-In 1863 the matter of having a commandery of Knights Templar at Keene was agitated by the Masons of Keene and vicinity. At that time there were but a very few Knights Templar in New Hampshire. The Grand Commandery of the State had been formed. The Masons of this section were informed that it would be nec- essary that a certain number of Chapter Masons should take the Templar degree, then apply to the Grand Commandery for a dispensation or charter. It was found necessary to have the recommendation of some Sir Knight, who be- longed to some commandery and resided in this vicinity. Only one could be found. That was Sir Knight Oliver G. Woodbury, of Westmore- land. He was a member of Vermont Com- mandery, No. 4, Windsor, Vt. By the request of some Chapter Masons of Keene, Sir Knight Woodbury made arrangements with this com- mandery to confer the Templar degrees on the following Masons (as the records show) : Don H. Woodward, H. M. Streeter, Barrett Ripley, Elisha F. Lane, Edward Gustine, William S. Briggs, John H. Elliott, Edward Farrar, John A. Chamberlain.

November 30, 1863, they started for Ver- mont to receive the degrees. On arriving at Windsor they were informed that the Grand Commandery of Vermont considered it essential that the council degrees should be taken before receiving the Templar degrees. By a dispen- sation they received the council degrees in As- cutney Council, at Windsor, Vt., November 30, 1863. After receiving the council degrees they continued their journey to Hartford, Vt., where

1 By Hon. E. Gustine.

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the meeting of the commandery was held at that time. At that carly day of Templar Ma- sonry they had no particular place in the dis- trict for holding meetings. The officers desig- nated where and when the meetings should be held. Under such circumstances they did not always find suitable accommodations. On this occasion the meeting was held in the attic of the hotel. One window in the gable end, the rough boards and bare rafters were calculated to impress on the minds of the candidates the rough habit and course fare of our ancient Sir Knights. The kind and cordial greeting that was extended to them by the Sir Knights made the surroundings appear very pleasant. After two days of pilgrimage they returned to their homes, well pleased with the Sir Knights whom they had met and the Templar degrees.

In 1866 the Sir Knights applied for a dis- pensation, which was granted by Eminent Grand Commander Charles A. Tufts, August 20, 1866, to Thomas E. Hatch, Edward Gustine and their associates. Sir Knight Hatch was ap- pointed by Grand Commander Tufts as his proxy to organize this new commandery, which was done September 7, 1866. It received its charter at the annual conclave of the Grand Commandery, September 25, 1866.

Thomas E. Hatch was appointed its first Commander, and held the office one year. After procuring suitable jewels and regalia, on De- cember 4, 1866, the officers of Hugh de Payens Commandery, of Melrose, Mass., under the command of Eminent Sir Knight L. L. Fuller, visited this new commandery (of the same name) and assisted in conferring the degrees.

At the annual assembly in 1867, Simon G. Griffin was elected Eminent Commander. In 1876, Solon A. Carter was elected Eminent Commander. In 1878, Solon S. Wilkinson was elected Eminent Commander. In 1880, Don II. Woodward was elected Eminent Com- mander. In 1883, Frank L. Howe was elected Eminent Commander, and is its present Com- mander. The several Commanders have been very efficient and satisfactory officers. The commandery was chartered in 1866 with nine charter members ; in 1884 it had a membership of one hundred and fifty.

ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE was organized August 7, 1884, under the authority of " The Supreme Grand Council, Sovereign Grand In- spector-General, 33d and last degree, for the United States of America."

Bodies meet jointly, in St. John's Hall, third Thursday of each month. New Hampshire Consistory : Frank H. Whitcomb, Ill. Com .- in-Chief. Cheshire Chapter Rose Croix : Frank L. Howe, M. W. P. M. Monadnock Council, Princes of Jerusalem : Brainard T. Olcott, M. E. S. G. M. Ashuelot Lodge of Perfection : Frank H. Whitcomb, T. P. G. M. ; George W. Flagg, Deputy for New Hampshire. Active members of the Supreme Council for New Hampshire,-George W. Flagg, 33º Deputy ; Frank H. Whitcomb, 33º; Brainard T. Olcott, 33º.

The membership of these bodies is large, and the funds rate second in amount among the Masonic organizations in this city.

KEENE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY was organized October 23, 1871, and incorporated May 31, 1880. George A. Wheelock, presi- dent ; Samuel Wadsworth, vice-president ; D. W. Gilbert, secretary and treasurer; C. F. Rowell, I. J. Prouty, W. R. Dunham, E. J. C. Gilbert and H. Blake, executive committee; Ira D. Gates, custodian.

KEENE HUMANE SOCIETY was organized December 18, 1875, and incorporated June 3, 1879. President, Charles H. Hersey ; Vice- Presidents, C. T. Buffum, E. A. Webb, A. B. Hayward, E. A. Renouf, S. G. Griffin, Hora- tio Colony, Mrs. C. S. Falkner ; Directors, Horatio Kimball, A. B. Skinner, Mrs. C. T. Buffum, Mrs. S. D. Osborne, Mrs. C. Bridgman, Mrs. A. S. Carpenter, James Marsh, Mrs. O. G. Dort, Dr. G. B. Twitchell, Mrs. W. P. Wheeler ; Secretary, Miss. E. Henderson ; Treasurer, Clark F. Rowell ; Prosecuting Attorney, John T. Abbott.

INVALIDS' HOME was incorporated Novem- ber, 1874. President, Mrs. A. S. Carpenter ; Directors, Mrs. G. D. Harris, Mrs. E. C. Thayer, Mrs. R. H. Porter, Miss E. J. Faulk- ner, Mrs. K. C. Scott, F. F. Lane ; Secretary, Miss B. M. Dinsmoor; Treasurer, I. N. Spencer. PUBLIC SCHOOLS .- The following gentlemen

HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

compose the board of officers for Union School District : Rev. Edward A. Renouf, chairman of the Board of Education ; Wilton H. Spalter, see- retary of the board ; Henry S. Martin, treasurer of the district ; Wilton H. Spalter, agent of the district; Ira D. Gates, janitor of High School building.

The Board of Education is composed of the following : George Tilden, term expires March 1885; George A. Wheelock, term expires March, 1885 ; Henry S. Martin, term expires March, 1885: Wilton H. Spalter, term expires March, 1886; Joseph B. Abbott, term expires March, 1886 ; Ira J. Prouty, term expires March, 1886; Rev. Edward A. Renouf, term expires March, 1887 ; Charles H. Hersey, term expires March, 1887; John W. Sturtevant, term expires March, 1887.

High School, Winter Street .- The High School building, completed in 1876, at a cost of fifty thousand dollars, is a model in architectural design, and will accommodate over three hun- dred pupils. In addition to the High School proper, there are four grammar schools, of the first, second and third grades, kept in the build- ing.

The instructors are Middlesex A. Bailey, A.M., principal; William F. Gibson, sub- master; Miss E. M. Taft, assistant ; Miss Alice M. Whitcomb, assistant.

Grammar Schools .- First Grade : High School building, Miss M. A. Wheeler, S. Liz- zie Green (assistant).

Second Grade : Room 1, High School build- ing, Miss Julia D. Hatch ; Room 2, High School building, Miss Helen M. Howard.

Third Grade : Room 1, High School building, Miss Lizzie M. Nims; Room 2, School Street, Miss Carrie R. Hutchins.

Fourth Grade : Room 1, Centre Street, Miss Carrie E. Whitcomb ; Room 2, School Street, Miss Fannie M. Rhan ; Room 3, Church Street, Miss Sarah L. Bixby.

Secondary Schools .- Lincoln Street, Flora E. Sargeant ; Main Street, Harriet A. Hemenway ; Pearl Street, Annie M. O'Connor ; School Street, Gertrude E. Stone; Washington Street, S. Annie Strong; Fuller School, Anna F. Downer.

Primary Schools .- Lincoln Street, Jennie A. Tuttle ; Main Street, Anna E. Bates ; Pearl Street, Nan L. Hart; School Street, Nellie M. Towne ; Washington Street, Hattie M. Metcalf ; Centre Street, Jennie S. Abbott ; Fuller School, Mary A. Conroy.

Suburban Districts .- The schools not belong- ing to the Union District are ten in number, and are placed under charge of a superintendent. The superintendent of suburban schools is Gardner C. Hill.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS- Beaver Brook Lodge, No. 36 .- Eugene M. Keyes, N. G .; D. H. Dickerson, V. G. ; Frank M. Davis, Rec. Sec .; A. W. Dickinson, Treas .; Frank E. Joy, Per. Sec.

Friendship Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 6 .- Elsie M. Fay, N. G .; Ella M. Griffith, V. G .; Kate C. Ward, Rec. Sec. ; Abby J. Roby, Treas .; Carrie L. Geer, F. Sec.

Monadnock Encampment, No. 10 .- Clinton Collins, C. P. ; R. W. Ward, S. W. ; C. Pressler, H. P .; Walter W. Glazier, Scribe ; Sylvester Spaulding, Treasurer.

UNITED ORDER OF THE GOLDEN CROSS. -Keene Commandery, No. 90, and Ashuclot Council, No. 833, Royal Arcanum, are situated here.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS. -Refuge Lodge, No. 59, was organized Janu- ary 20, 1882.

KEENE LIGHT GUARD .- Company G. : Cap- tain, Franeis O. Nims ; First Lieutenant, Edward P. Kimball ; Second Lieutenant, Charles W. Starkey ; Sergeants, Charles E. Joslin, D. H. Dickinson, William H. Reyoum, E. O. Upham, C. H. Clark.

Company H .- Captain, George W. Fisher ; First Lieutenant, Jerry P. Wellman ; Second Lieutenant, Frank Chapman ; Sergeants, E. A. Shaw, F. E. Barrett, O. G. Nims, Sumner Nims.

Battalion .- This organization was organized October 17, 1877, and comprises Companies G and H of the Second Regiment. The follow- ing are the officers of the Battalion: Com- mander, Lieutenant-Colonel Fred. A. Faulkner ; Major, Albert W. Metcalf; Clerk, J. C. Reed ; Treasurer, Oscar G. Nims; Executive Commit-

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tee, Frank Chapman, Jerry P. Wellman, E. M. Keyes; Committee on Arms, Equipments and and Uniforms, Captain G. W. Fisher, Cap- tain F. O. Nims, Lieutenant C. W. Starkey ; Armorer, W. W. Ross.

A Post of the GRAND ARMY OF THE RE- PUBLIC was organized here in 1868 ; reorganized January, 1880. L. W. Foskett, Commander : L. H. Starkey, Senior Vice-Commander ; Ambrose A. Stiles, Junior Vice-Commander ; William W. Ross, Adjutant ; L. D. Darling, Quarter- master ; H. W. Eastman, Officer of the Day ; J. S. Warner, Officer of the Guard ; Dr. G. B. Twitchell, Surgeon ; E. E. Bissell, Chaplain.

ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS was or- ganized April 5, 1874.

FIRE DEPARTMENT, 1885 .- The officers are : Chief Engineer, George D. Wheelock ; Assist- ants, J. A. Batehelder, H. H. Barker, William H. Reyoum, C. L. Kingsbury, H. W. Harvey ; Clerk, C. L. Kingsbury.

Keene Steamer and Hose Company, No. 1 .- E. S. Foster, captain ; H. H. Haynes, lieutenant ; J. P. Wellwan, foreman of hose ; G. H. Piper, engineer ; D. E. Ladd, assistant engineer ; H. W. Keyes, clerk ; M. V. B. Clark, treasurer.

Deluge Hose Company, No. 1 .- O. P. Applin, foreman ; Charles Balch, first assistant ; George F. Howe, second assistant ; Edward Stone, elerk; Charles G. Gilmore, secretary and treasurer; Fred. H. Towne, steward.

Phoenix Hose Company, No. 4 .- M. L. Lan- ders, foreman ; Wm. R. Wiggett, first assistant ; Charles S. Carkin, second assistant ; F. F. Stearns, clerk ; Frank P. Gaynor, secretary and treasurer ; F. N. Woods, steward.

Washington Hook-and-Ladder Company, No. 1 .- Joseph E. Griffith, foreman ; George Blais- dell, first assistant ; E. A. Seaver, second assistant ; A. E. Fish, secretary and treasurer; Fred R. Smith, steward.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.1-In the old " Annals of Keene," under date of 1815, we find this para- graph,-

" We do not now stand apart from the rest of the world; neither our position, nor the circumstances that surround us, present any features, grand, remarkable or romantic. . .. The deeds of our an-

cestors are interesting to us, not merely because they were the deeds of our ancestors, nor because they are viewed through the long vista of past time, but prin- cipally because they were performed by a few men of stout hearts and strong wills, amid perilous and re- markable circumstances ; and are appreciated by the vast importance of their consequences. Individuals are lost in the multitude, and a multitude excites no interest."

And what is true of individuals is also true of institutions,-they have a history interesting to none, perhaps, outside of their own immediate vicinity, and yet the annals of a town or county would be incomplete without this record. Hence, this sketch of the Keene Public Library.

The Keene Public Library had its beginning in 1859 in a joint stock-company, represented and sustained by an association of stockholders, each holding one or more shares at five dollars per share, subject to assessment annually. An- nual subscribers, by the payment of two dollars, were entitled to all the privileges of the library.

In 1859 by-laws and a constitution were drawn up and subscribed to, as follows :

"We, the undersigned, hereby associate ourselves together for the establishment of a library in Keene, under the corporate name of the 'Keene Public Li- brary,' agreeably to the preceding Constitution and By-Laws, for the objects and upon the conditions there- in expressed; and we hereby adopt said Constitution and By-Laws as a part of our articles of agreement. And we further agree that our first meeting be held on the 3d day of May, 1859, at the Town Hall in Keene, at 73 o'clock P.M., and be organized as the majority shall decide.

" Wm. P. Wheeler. Geo. Cook.

Farnum F. Lane. D. H. Sawyer.

Leonard Bisco. Edward A. Webb.

Geo. B. Twitchell. Gilman Joslin.

John Henry Elliot.

Wm. Henry Thayer."

William S. Briggs.

At the first annual meeting of the stockhold- ers a board of twelve trustees was elected, con- sisting of the same persons, with the addition of John Bowker. George B. Twitchell was chosen chairman, and William H. Thayer sec- retary (whose duty it should be to prepare a catalogue), and Leonard Bisco librarian, "the Trustees agreeing to pay him the sum of fifty dollars for the use of the room and the care and delivery of books, including all the duties of Librarian for one year."

1 By Mrs. M. R. Osborne.

HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

"On the opening of the Library, Sept. 3d, the Secretary read a brief address, which the Board agreed to publish in the Newspapers, with some alterations." The first sum voted for books was one hundred dollars. At the first annual meeting, in May, the treasurer's re- port represented the sum of two hundred dol- lars. Of the twelve gentlemen elected trustees, only four have departed this life. Those who remain hale and hearty to-day are F. F. Lane, Rev. William O. White, William HI. Thayer, M.D., John Henry Elliot, George Cook, John Bowker, William S. Briggs and George A. Wheelock.

In 1862 the following vote appears on the records: "Voted to appropriate two hundred and five dollars for the expenses of the ensuing year,-Ninety dollars for the purchase of books, Ninety dollars for the salary of Libra- rian and Twenty-five for rent, gas and inciden- tal expenses."

Valuable gifts of books and public docu- ments were received from time to time. One hundred and fifteen dollars was the largest sum expended in any one year before the vote to transfer the library to the city, in 1875. A meeting was called September 19, 1874, to hear the report of the committee previously chosen by the stockholders (consisting of William P. Wheeler, George A. Wheelock and F. S. Strat- ton) to confer with a committee chosen by the city, in relation to surrendering the shares of the stockholders to the city, and take any action deemed necessary to transfer the library and any other property of the association to the city. The committee chosen by the city were William Dinsmoor, Asa Smith (councilmen), S. S. Wil- kinson (alderman), with full authority to con- summate the transactions ; and on February 1, 1874, F. S. Stratton and George A. Whee- lock, on the part of the association, and William Dinsmoor, on the part of the city, met and for- mally transferred the library to the city, under the following conditions and regulations, viz. : " The city shall furnish suitable apartments, and for five years shall expend the sum of not less than three hundred dollars, and after that a sum of not less than five hundred dollars, for the purchase and repair of books, until such

time as the Library shall receive an income of not less than one thousand dollars per annum." The city also voted to maintain " a free public library, which should be well equipped with standard, historical and general works, constitu- ting an armory in which our young men might furnish themselves weapons for the intellectual contests of the day, and every care should be exercised in its formation to guard its shelves strictly from worthless books." They also decreed that the joint standing committee should have charge and management of said library, appoint a librarian and define his duties and make all such rules and regulations as they shall deem proper. Alderman Wilkinson and Councilmen Dinsmoor and Smith constituted that committee, and leased the rooms of the Social Union, and the books recommended, 433 in number, were purchased, which, with the 2644 received from the association, made a total of 3077 volumes. The first librarian was Cy- rus Piper, who reported at the annual meeting valuable gifts of books, reports, public docu- ments, etc., and not a book lost during the year.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 16

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200