USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > History of Concord, New Hampshire, from the original grant in seventeen hundred and twenty-five to the opening of the twentieth century, Volume I > Part 62
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On the 26th of December, 1891, died Mrs. Abigail B. Walker, widow of Timothy Walker,-a son of Judge Timothy Walker, so prominent in the history of the town, leaving to the New Hamp- shire Asylum for the Insane, the Rolfe and Rumford Asylum, the Free Lecture Course, and other public institutions of Concord, about one half of her estate. Under the bequest of the Timothy and Abigail B. Walker Free Lecture Course to the Citizens of Concord, courses of free lectures upon historical, scientific, literary, and other subjects have been given each winter since that of 1896-'97. They are supported upon the income of thirty thousand dollars left by Mrs. Walker. The drawing of seats for these courses has become an event in the life of the city, and the crowded audiences usually attending the lectures do honor to the intelligence of the people.
Nor was Music, as a science and an art, neglected. Progress in this department of culture was marked and constant during the five last decades of the century. In the church choir, vocal music-with or without organ accompaniment-reached high artistic excellence. It became, too, an indispensable constituent of the public school cur- riculum, while pianoforte instruction came to be deemed almost an essential feature of woman's training. Bands and orchestras flour- ished in mecting the demands of a music-loving community, and musical entertainments, offered by the best talent of the times, were reccived with merited zest.
In the early Sixties, the idea of organizing a State Musical Festival was conceived by three Concord teachers of music- John H. Morcy, Benjamin B. Davis, and John Jackman. The festival, or conven-
576
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
tion, open to the attendance of singers from all parts of the state, was to be held annually at the capital. The idea met with favor, and at length ripened into a successful enterprise. On the 26th of Janu- ary, 1864, the first festival convened at Eagle hall, and continued in session four days. The people of Concord welcomed with ready hospitality the numerous visitors in attendance, and thus, as well as otherwise, expressed their high sense of the value of musical culture. The convention was a busy one, with its daytime rehearsals and evening concerts in which a chorus of more than five hundred voices participated. L. O. Emerson, of Boston, was director ; Mrs. Minnie Little, of the same city, vocal soloist ; and John H. Morey, pianist, with Mrs. Martha Dana Shepard, of Holderness, accompanist. The successful beginning had been made ; and twenty-two festivals fol- lowed in as many successive years,-all held in Concord, and in Eagle and Phenix halls, save the last, which came off in April, 1886, in the Granite State Skating Rink Building on Pleasant street. All the festivals had competent directors, well-trained choruses, talented soloists, and skilful pianists. The "Temple Quartette " and the "Mendelssohn Quintette," both of Boston, often lent eclat to con- certs by fine vocal and orchestral efforts. In the later years, the three originators of the enterprise were assisted in the management of the conventions by Henri G. Blaisdell, who organized an Orchestra and thus helped to train home talent in that branch of musical art.
Though the annual convention was discontinued, yet its influence in developing musical talent and cultivating musical taste could not perish, and the chamber and symphony concerts occasionally pre- sented by Mr. Blaisdell helped to keep in healthy life the public interest. Within a few years, the Concord Choral Union was formed to associate the singers of the city for thorough study and drill in sacred and classical music, and to present the results of their efforts in occasional public entertainments. In this work Mr. Blaisdell was prominent, as also was Charles S. Conant, who had come into charge of the department of music in the public schools. During the latter days of April, 1892, a grand festival was held at the opera house, with Henri G. Blaisdell as conductor, and Miss Ada M. Aspinwall, the accomplished pianist of the organization, as accompanist. Five concerts were given, at the last of which was presented, in climax of success, Mendelssohn's "Oratorio of Elijah." Though artistically .successful, the festival, unfortunately, left a debt upon the associa- tion, and the Choral Union attempted afterwards but little.
In January, 1899, some, who had been leaders in the Union's good work, uniting with others of kindred spirit, carried out a well-matured purpose in establishing a new organization, named the Concord Ora-
577
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
torio Society, with William P. Fiske for president; George D. B. Prescott, vice-president ; Augustus D. Ayling, secretary and treas- urer ; Charles S. Conant, director; and Ada M. Aspinwall, pianist. A large membership was at once gained, and a promising chorus was soon engaged in the study of Haydn's "Oratorio of the Creation," under the direction of Mr. Conant. In May, 1899, was made a pub- lic presentation of the oratorio, at which Blaisdell's Philharmonic Orchestra and several acceptable soloists from abroad assisted. The venture proved so satisfactory that other entertainments followed in 1900; while the Society proceeded to initiate a system of annual festivals, the first of which was held the next spring. The signal success of this experiment, of which Handel's " Oratorio of the Mes- siah " was a prominent feature,-due credit being given for the assist- anee rendered by outside vocal soloists,-was essentially a triumph of home talent, to the winning of which the efforts of Blaisdell's Orchestra of twenty-five pieces, the piano concerto of Milo Benedict, and the crowning work of the chorus of one hundred sixty members, all but ten of whom were of Concord, notably contributed.
Such facts as these, in their briefest statement, afford gratifying historic proof that music has found in Concord a congenial home of progress, and of culture even the highest. Other organizations, particularly those designated as Bands,1 reached a degree of artistic excellence, honorable alike to themselves and to the community whose musical demands they helped to satisfy, and whose interest in good music was further signified by providing, in later years, for " Open Air Concerts," supported by municipal appropriation.
It will be remembered that in the early Fifties the Concord Young Men's Christian Association was organized, but did not long continue in active operation. Fifteen years later, in the autumn of 1868, the thought of re-establishing the institution took actual embodiment in a permanent organization, in which Dr. Ezra W. Abbott, Luther P. Durgin, and Charles W. Moore were prominent, the last mentioned serving as president.
The first quarters of the Association were in what afterwards came to be known as the Fraternity rooms, in White's block, but subse- quently they were changed to a rear room in the second story of Exchange building, on the east side of Main street. The care of this room, lighted at night by only one gas jet, was entrusted to Dr. Ab- bott, at the compensation of two dollars a week. Within two years -or about 1870-a city missionary was put into the field, but from lack of funds the scheme was short-lived, and the indebtedness in- curred thereby "almost made a family jar." Books, however, soon
1 See Bands, etc., in note at close of chapter.
38
578
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
began to accumulate, a book-case was procured, and, in 1872, from lack of a librarian, keys were furnished those who desired access to the library. Upon the erection of the Board of Trade building in 1873 the Association removed thither, and an employee took care of the rooms at five dollars a week, but funds were collected slowly, and usually the year ended with a debt. Afterwards, before 1900, the Association twice changed its home, returning to Exchange block, and thence removing to desirable and well-arranged quarters in a new building, bearing its name, and situated at the corner of State and Warren streets.
In November, 1873, the state canvass began, and was continued seventeen years. Two other associations were organized within the limits of Concord : one, at Fisherville, in 1875; the other at West Concord, in 1877. These, in course of time, were discontinued. In 1879,-or a little later,-when the condition of the Association was decidedly unpromising, a Mr. Watkins, coming from New York, received a pledge from zealous members to pay a general secretary for three months. The experiment proved satisfactory ; and thence- forward the general secretaryship became a vital feature of organiza- tion. From that date, too, more prosperous years ensued.
The Woman's Auxiliary, which was indeed to be an effective helper, was established in 1887 ; and, in January, 1888, the Concord Young Men's Christian Association was regularly incorporated. On the 31st of March, 1895, the Boston & Maine Railroad Department was organized, with a chairman and other officers, and with its own special work ; the final jurisdiction being in the directorate of the elder organization. Its comfortable quarters were located on Railroad Square, opposite the station. This department also had its Woman's Auxiliary ; and though celebrating in 1900 only its fourth anniver- sary-with its chairman, John F. Webster, presiding-yet it could report its fair share of successful effort contributed towards promot- ing the object of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which it was a part,-that object being the physical, mental, and spiritual upbuilding of young men. This was what the Association sought to accomplish through the gymnasium, the reading-room, educational classes, lectures, entertainments, socials, debates, Bible classes, reli- gious services, and other methods, recreative, social, and religious. All along, the organization was trying to furnish recreation to the 'young men of Concord without temptation to evil.
To the year 1900 the presidents of the Association were Darius L. Guernsey, Moses B. Critchett, Luther P. Durgin, Charles H. Thorn- dike, Howard L. Porter, Charles T. Page, and William P. Fiske ; the general secretaries, l'erley A. Griswold, Willard E. Waterbury,
579
TEMPERANCE REFORM.
Edward F. McIntosh, Walter B. Abbott, H. M. Purington, William J. Chadbourne, W. A. Fairbanks, and Albert B. Smith.
The moral and social activities from 1880 to the end of the cen- tury were well marked and progressive. In the work of promoting temperance by means of moral suasion, the labors of individuals and societies continued to be constant and effective, so that at one time there were eight local organizations engaged in this cause. Among these the Woman's Christian Temperance Union wielded a wide and beneficent influence. The remarkable work done by the Reform Club in the Seventies had now become manifest, not only among individuals, but in public life. That movement was started by Joshua K. Osgood, of Gardiner, Maine, who, coming to Concord in December, 1875, organized the first Reform club at that time. The club, from the first, met with success, and accomplished widely- spread and lasting good throughout the period of its activity. Prom- inent among the supporters of the movement were Nathaniel White and his wife, Armenia S. White, who gave liberally of their abun- dant wealth and personal influence to promote the work of the organ- ization. Charity and moral suasion were the means employed to increase the membership, and so potent did these prove, that within a month of the first meeting more than three thousand persons had signed the pledge. Meanwhile the Concord Temperance Reform Club had been formed, with Jacob H. Gallinger as temporary presi- dent, who, shortly afterward resigning, was succeeded by John W. Drew, one of the recent signers of the pledge. Under Mr. Drew's leadership the club attained a rapid and remarkable success.
It was but natural that the influences of work of this character should permeate society and leave more than a transient impress on the community. Such proved to be the fact. Personal restraint began gradually to show itself as the years progressed. Official efforts, however, to restrict the sale of liquors, continued with vary- ing result ; but those efforts were supplemented by the vigilant aid of the Anti-Saloon and Law and Order League, a strong state society which approached the liquor question through prohibitory statutes rather than through moral suasion.
In Concord, as in every city and large town throughout New Hampshire, open bar-rooms had been for many years common sights. While the number of saloons had not been allowed to increase, there yet remained up and down Main street, during much of the period under narration, no fewer than fifteen public drinking places. But in 1888 Nathaniel E. Martin, solicitor of Merrimack county, admin- istered a lasting shock to the liquor business by bringing to bear the whole force of the law, and for the first time in a generation Concord
580
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
did not have within her limits an open bar-room. Ten years later Mr. Martin, as mayor of Concord, continued the rigorous measures that had distinguished him as solicitor, and inaugurated that policy of sup- pression which eventually tended to rid the city of the open saloon.1
Among the important social movements of the last twenty years must be mentioned the Woman's Club. This organization, formed on a broad and inclusive plan, soon became a strong and influential factor in the social and intellectual life of the city. The plan laid down and strenuously followed was the forming of a club which should include many women of widely differing characteristics in a common purpose, by widening their sympathies and enlarging their interests in various phases of life, by increasing their knowledge of current matters, and by stimulating their education through discus- sions, lectures, and concerts. Mrs. Lillian Carpenter Streeter, with her associates, Mrs. Lydia F. Lund, Mrs. Julia R. Carpenter, Mrs. Frances C. Stevens, Mrs. Ella A. J. Hill, and Miss H. Maria Woods, introduced the idea of such a club early in 1893, and in April of that year, Mrs. Strecter called a meeting at her residence for purpose of formal organization. A constitution and by-laws were considered and adopted, and twenty-seven members were enrolled. Mrs. Streeter was chosen president, and the club began its work. At first the number of active members had been fixed at seventy-five, with ten associate members ; but so popular did the club become that the waiting-list soon presented a reason for enlarging the limitation im- posed by the constitution. Accordingly this was done several times, so that in 1900 the active membership reached two hundred twenty- five, with forty associate members. Meanwhile the annual dues had been increased to three dollars, thus enabling the various committees to offer, year after year, to the club and sometimes to the public, the choicest series of lectures and entertainments. From the begin- ning the board of management has always aimed at securing the best talent and keeping constantly in touch with the best thought of the day. The work of the club is distributed among nine commit- tees of three members each, comprising Art, Literature, Education, Current Topics, Economics, Science, Philanthropy, Music, and Social Entertainments. In 1894 the club became a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, and has exercised much influence in its wider field of action. Succeeding Mrs. Streeter as president were Mrs. Susan C. Bancroft, Mrs. Mary P. Woodworth, and Mrs. Alice Nims, whose term of office ended in 1900.
Two things, the bicycle and the street railway, contributed greatly to club and out-of-door life during this period, and had much to do with those social organizations which have been so prominent
1 See Liquor Agencies, in note at close of chapter.
.
581
CLUB HOUSES.
a feature of later Concord. This was seen early in the Nineties, and continued without abatement to the end of the decade. The old-fashioned custom of going into the country for a day's picnieking was superseded by the newer custom of resorting to some lovely spot conveniently accessible, upon which a club house had been built. So popular did this kind of recreation become, that toward the close of the Nineties half a score or more of elub houses, delightfully located, might be counted within the city's limits. To strangers visiting the town, this feature of social life at once arrested attention and received favorable comment. The custom was by no means confined to men, for two among the largest and best known clubs were organized and conducted by women. One of them, the Outing Club, formed in 1896, is said to be the pioneer club of its kind. Fondness for snowshoeing and wheeling, together with love of nature studies, prompted the members to form this organization, and to build for themselves an attractive club house on a sightly spot near Bow Mills, overlooking the valley of the Merrimack and the distant mountains to the North. To the house was given the name "Camp Weetamoo," in memory of a famous aboriginal princess of the tribe of Penacooks.
The charming scenery along the Contoocook, now rendered easy of access by the street railway and the river boats, at once caught the attention of pleasure scekers. By the close of the century, that locality had become the most popular and frequented of any in the city, both for brief outing and for permanent club-house settlement. There, in the course of the Nineties, were built several club houses and many summer camps and residences. In the spring of 1897, twenty-five ladies organized under the name of Country Club, and built a handsome house on the left bank of the river, near the Horse Hill bridge. The first president of the club was Ella R. Holden. Not far below, on the same side of the river, close to thic water, was built the house of the Canoe Club, in July, 1895, when that organiza- tion was formed. The membership was limited to fifteen, and com- posed of lovers of canoeing and athletics. The original officers were Isaac Ilill, president; Henry C. Holden, vice-president ; Allen Hollis, treasurer and secretary. Above the railroad bridge, on the right bank, stands the modest Bank Clerks' Club, and still further up are several smaller club houses, and not a few well-constructed camps.
But among the organizations owning houses, the most famous and widely known is the Snowshoe Club. The beginning of this club may be traced to the love of snowshoe tramping on the part of Dr. Edward French, Edward W. Batchelder, Henry B. Colby, and a few companions, who, during the winter of 1888, had formed them- selves into a little company for that purpose. The sport became
582
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
popular, and with the inerease of snowshoers eame the talk of putting up some kind of shelter, merely for rest and refreshment. The site finally ehosen was admirably adapted. Montvue park, just to the north of Little pond, had been recognized for many years as remark- ably favored in commanding an extensive view of the serrated moun- tain ridges to the north and west. There it was that the members built their unpretentious house. From that time, the history of the elub was one of constant progression and development, so that the original house became transformed into a handsome and attractive structure, thoroughly fitted for social life and residenee. The membership, limited to twenty-five, eom- prises the leading pro- fessional and business men of the city, many of whom frequently pass the night at the elub, and nearly every one of whom is pres- ent, with guests, at the regular Saturday dinner. The hospital- View of Great Bend from Passaconaway Club. ity of the "Snowshoe" is known far beyond New Hampshire, for eounted in the number of its guests have been distinguished men in every rank of life; states- men, governors, famous edueators, judges, literary men, artists, and many others known to fame.
Across the Pembroke bridge, at a point on the river road, some three miles from the eity, was built, in 1895, at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars, the Passaeonaway elub house. The site selected is singularly beautiful. On the high bank, where the Merrimack makes a broad bend, stands the attractive house with its view of the river for miles as it flows along the meadows and the wooded shores; of the distant city almost hidden, save the church spires and the state house dome, in thiiek foliage; of the shapely Kearsarge, and the far- away amphitheater of hills becoming more and more remote until ยท confused in the mountain ranges to the north. The members of this club have made it a distinctive social faetor. The membership, limited to thirty, has from the beginning been kept filled, and the danees and suppers of the elub are a feature in the society life of the eity.
The oldest elub in Concord is the Webster, organized in Sep-
583
CLUBS.
tember, 1868. The membership comprises gentlemen in every eall- ing. While the purpose of the elub is wholly social, its influence has been exereised beneficially on many publie oeeasions, and its rooms have often been thrown open for the reception of distinguished strangers. The rooms at first were in the Cyrus Hill building, remaining there until the completion of the Woodward bloek, some eight years later, where more convenient quarters were provided. Among the presidents have been James N. Lauder, Edward L. Whit- ford, Gen. Michael T. Donahue, Edgar H. Woodman, and Jonathan Ware Butterfield. John A. White served as first seeretary and treas- urer for two years, and was sueeeeded by Charles C. Danforth, whose term of office has been unbroken sinee 1870.
Another of the old elubs, whose existence was prolonged from its formation in 1874 to its dissolution in 1899, was the Independent Club. The membership, limited to fifteen, was composed of Irish- Americans, and ineluded some of the representative citizens of that raee. The Independent was purely a social club. Among the mem- bers were singers and aetors of rare ability, who frequently gave publie entertainments for various charitable objeets. Exeursions formed another feature of the elub life, and some of the largest and most remunerative exeursions ever sent from Coneord originated within this organization. The rooms remained in Central bloek during the whole period of the elub's existenee. Among the original members were William A. Happny, Cornelius E. Sullivan, James Ahern, William J. Ahern, John J. MeNulty, Patriek H. Benson, Thomas Gallagher, James F. Kelly, and Michael H. Donovan.
The Wonolancet, the largest club organization in the city, was founded in 1891. The membership, starting with eighty-nine, rose to two hundred and fifty-one by 1900. The first president was Frank W. Rollins. From the beginning of the organization to the comple- tion of the elub house, the home of the club was in Chase bloek. Athleties were a prominent feature, and the gymnasium was exten- sive in its appointments. Soeially the club oeeupied a foremost posi- tion in the city. The need of a house becoming apparent, the Fuller property was bought in 1898, and a handsome structure ereeted two years later at a total cost of twenty-six thousand dollars.
The University Club, composed entirely of college graduates or of men liolding college degrees, was formed in 1901, its offieers being : President, John F. Kent; vice-presidents, Benjamin A. Kimball and Frank W. Rollins ; treasurer, John M. Mitchell. The membership, inclusive of non-residents, soon reached upward of one hundred sev- enty. During the first year it occupied rooms in the New Hampshire Savings Bank building, whence it moved to the Stickney house,
584
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Prominent among the clubs of the city is the Beaver Meadow Golf Club. Having for its sole object an out-of-door sport, it occupies a distinct place among other club organizations. Another distinction attaches to the club in that it was the first organization of the kind to be established in central New Hampshire. The beginnings of golf in Concord were simple and inexpensive. It was during the early autumn of 1896 that Miss Mabel Hill, Miss Harriet L. Huntress, Paul R. Holden, and a few friends, began playing over the old ball ground near the fork of the highway at West Concord cemetery. Here were set a few holes, but with little to suggest the regulation links. The novelty of the sport, however, began to attract players, so that by the end of the year golf had made an impression. The following spring a meeting was called to form a permanent golf club. The eall was signed by the three persons above mentioned and by
SNOWSHOE
GOLF
COUNTRY"
UNIVERSITY
Adam P. Hol- den, and a club of one hundred twenty mem- WONDLANCET bers was organ- ized. Frank W. Rollins was clected presi- dent and Ed- ward C. Niles secretary. A WEETAMOO PASSACONOWAY course of nine NOE holes was laid out on land owned by the Club Houses. Sewall's Falls Company, and bunkers and hazards were constructed. In 1899 the club house was built and the course improved. The popularity of golf has made the Beaver Meadow Club one of the larg- est in the state.
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