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 II > Part 48
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Again the bells tolled and from the chimes floated the dead march
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Franklin Pierce Monument.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
as the body was borne from the chancel and placed in the hearse. The long procession moved slowly up State street to the old burying- ground, where the last rites were said over the grave in the Minot cemetery. The pall bearers were Onslow Stearns, Jonathan E. Sar- gent, Ira Perley, Ira A. Eastman, Asa Fowler, Lyman D. Stevens, J. Stephens Abbot, and Benjamin Grover, and the carriers were William L. Foster, James F. Briggs, Anson S. Marshall, William M. Chase, Arthur Fletcher, Daniel Barnard, John H. George, Sylvester Dana, Mason W. Tappan, John Y. Mugridge, and John M. Shirley.
In August, 1872, Concord welcomed as a guest a distinguished son of New Hampshire, then in nomination for the presidency of the United States, Horace Greeley. It was in the midst of that exciting campaign that Mr. Greeley arrived under the escort of Governor Weston and Waterman Smith of Manchester. Railroad square was filled with spectators who mingled their cheers with the firing of cannon as the train rolled into the station. A committee of recep- tion, consisting of A. W. Ladd, Thompson Rowell, John H. Pearson, E. S. Nutter, Timothy Haynes, Daniel F. Secomb, William M. Chase, Elijah Knight, John Y. Mugridge, E. P. Prescott, James R. Hill, Anson S. Marshall, George S. Dennett, and John McNeil, met the distinguished gentleman and escorted him to a carriage in waiting. The procession, under the marshalship of Josiah B. Sanborn, with Mr. Greeley, Mason W. Tappan, Mayor John Kimball, and Waterman Smith in the first carriage, followed by a score or more of barouches, moved through Main, Franklin, State, and Pleasant streets to the state house, where Odlin's band played " Hail to the Chief." Calling the assemblage to order, Colonel Tappan made a speech complimen- tary to the state and its honored son, and then introduced the great editor. Mr. Greeley's remarks were congratulatory in tenor, with no allusion to current politics, and were greeted with shouts of approval by the people. A short reception followed, and after dining at the Eagle Mr. Greeley departed for Bradford on a visit to his old friend, Colonel Tappan.
President Hayes, Vice-President Whecler, Secretary of State Evarts, Postmaster-General Key, and Attorney-General Devens arrived in Concord on Wednesday, August 22d, 1877. The visit of the distin- guished party having been announced, appropriate preparations were made for their reception. Concord had taken on a holiday appear- ance, decorations and flags were displayed from residences and busi- ness blocks, and special trains brought to the city many spectators.
Governor Prescott and Mayor Pillsbury, with the citizens' com- mittec, met the presidential train at the station. The mayor then welcomed the president and his friends, and escorted them to the
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carriages. In the first barouehe, drawn by four blaek horses and driven by William K. Norton, were seated the president, the viee- president, the governor, and the mayor.
The procession, under the marshalship of General Joab N. Patter- son and aids, was composed of Brown's Cornet band of Penaeook, Pillsbury Light Guard, eaptain, W. A. Happney, State Capitol Drum Corps, E. E. Sturtevant post, W. I. Brown post, Coneord Brass band, eitizens in earriage, and the fire department, led by James N. Lauder, chief engineer. After marehing through Main and State streets the procession ended in front of the Eagle, where dinner was served. During the afternoon the president and his associates passed the time in driving and sight-seeing. Later, the party, ineluding Mrs. Hayes and ladies, repaired to the residenee of ex-Governor Stearns, where tea was served, after which they at- tended the grand reception tendered by the eity at the opera house. The receiving party consisted of the president and Mrs. Hayes, the vice-president, members of the cabinet, Governor Preseott and Mrs. Prescott, the mayor and Mrs. Pillsbury, ex-Governor Stearns and Mrs. Stearns, the Misses Wadleigh (daughters of Senator Wadleigh), and Messrs Webb and Burchard Hayes, sons of the president. The good nature of the president and Mrs. Hayes was impressed on all, for none passed without pleasant recognition. The reception eon- tinued two hours, and during that time forty-two hundred ladies and gentlemen shook hands with the president. The reception elosed with speeches which delighted the audience, particularly those made by Postmaster-General Key and Seeretary Evarts.
The Centennial of the Nation, July 4th, 1876, furnished Con- cord with a celebration such as the people had never seen. Half a century had passed since the seleetmen of 1826 had for the last time spent publie money in celebrating the birthday of the nation, there- fore everyone felt that the event should be made a grand holiday. Accordingly, in May, a call was issued, inviting citizens to a meeting in city hall, where the projeet might be discussed. Inspiring remarks were made by Dr. Bouton, Asa MeFarland, Moses Humphrey, Colonel E. S. Nutter, Major Ai B. Thompson, and others. It is interesting to know that the first two gentlemen who spoke that evening took part in the famous celebration of fifty years before. The city government voted one thousand dollars and publie subserip- tion raised much more. Preparations went on with promising activ- ity. Young and old entered into the spirit of the occasion. Every- body pushed along the work. Even the people of Loudon, Chichester, Bow, and other towns made preparations for the Concord celebration. It was seasonably made known that the observance of this Fourth
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
should begin at daybreak, and end only with the hour of midnight. Morning, noon, afternoon, and evening were to be wholly devoted to various parts of the elaborate plan of entertainment and exhibition. No sooner, therefore, had the final strokes of twelve rung out on the silent night of the third than the whole town was awake and ready for fun.
Fire-crackers, shot-guns, revolvers, rifles, fireworks, drum corps, May-horns, singers, promenaders, and masqueraders performed their allotted parts. Never before in Concord had the possibilities of tumult and chaos been so comprehensively tested, or exercised so lavishly as on that memorable morning. As if by secret signal flashes of gun- powder, reports of firearms, and deafening din arose instantly from every street, lane, and alley, from one end of the city to the other.
All were forced to acknowledge that the unpatriotic silence of half a century had been superbly avenged. At 5 o'clock the Cali- thumpian parade was formed in Railroad square. Soon were assem- bled that motley and mirthful throng which proved one of the most popular features of the day. Several hundreds were there, the grotesque and comical; some. on horses, some on foot, some in vehicles defying description or classification. Premiums offered by business men had greatly stimulated the sense of the ludicrous, for in that droll and farcical procession were many leading citizens who, masked or unmasked, entered heartily into the hilarity of the occasion. It was a remarkable masquerade, such as few had ever beheld, and such as those that saw it have never forgotten. An hour later the conglomerate army began to unreel itself into Main street. Stretching in picturesque irregularity, with ridiculous attempts at order, the quaint and diversified line extended more than a mile in length. Main street, State, Thompson, and Main again was the route taken, with a countermarch on Thompson in honor of Margaret Evans, a native of Concord, who, more than one hundred years of age, was seated at her window, and witnessed the humorous exhibition.
After parading two hours the grotesque array halted in front of the state house park, and listened to an oration peculiarly adapted to the occasion delivered with rare humor and emphasis by Howard A. Dodge, a merchant of the town. Notwithstanding celebrations elsewhere, many visitors came in by rail and private conveyances, so that the streets suggested an old-fashioned election day. Early in the morning and throughout the day, church bells were rung and St. Paul's chimes pealed merrily with patriotic airs. A platform in the state house park was filled with school children who gave a concert, after which followed an oration by ex-Governor Walter Har- riman and a prayer by the Reverend William V. Garner.
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POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
The most important feature of the celebration, however, was the parade in the afternoon. In organizing and arranging it, money and labor had been expended most liberally; each detail received atten- tion, for everybody felt bound to do his utmost to make the grand procession a success. Few persons up to that afternoon had any idea of the extent and diversity of Concord's business houses and work- shops, or of its trades, callings, and industries, until they beheld that splendid panorama illustrating the city's wealth and resources. Two miles long was the pageant, portraying in impressive and attractive manner the industrial and material progress of the people.
At 3 o'clock the first division moved up Main street, and the sev- eral divisions falling in, the procession was formed in this order :
Colonel John H. George, Chief Marshal, and aids.
Concord Brass Band.
Merrimack Guards, 46 men, Captain True Sanborn.
Chief and Assistant Engineers of the Fire Department.
Kearsarge S. F. E. Co., Captain Lovejoy.
Eagle Hose, Captain Morse.
Alert Hose, Captain Chesley.
Good Will Hose, Captain Colby.
Hook and Ladder, City of Concord, Captain S. W. Shattuck.
Cataraet Engine Co., West Concord, Captain Crowley.
Old Fort Engine Co., East Concord, Captain Potter.
Carriages containing Mayor Pillsbury, city officials, ex-mayors, and invited guests.
Officers of the day and committee of arrangements.
Tableaux ear, representing Goddess of Liberty, Army and Navy, Indian and Continental Soldier.
SECOND DIVISION.
Colonel William E. Stevens, Marshal, and aids.
Suncook Band.
Concord Lodge, No. 8, Knights of Pythias, 45 men, D. B. New- hall, Chancellor Commander.
School children filling seven carriages.
Car and type, case and printing-press in operation, from Repub- lican Press Association.
THIRD DIVISION.
Captain R. P. Staniels, Marshal, and aids. Concord Drum Corps. St. Patrick's Benevolent Society, 70 men.
Tableaux car representing Ireland and America.
Ancient Order of Hibernians, 28 men.
French Canadian Society, 42 men. Tableau car, Early America.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
FOURTH DIVISION.
E. S. Nutter, Esq., Marshal, and aids.
Centennial Drum Corps.
Cheney & Co.'s Express, 3 loaded wagons.
Gust Walker, 1 wagon, hardware and agricultural implements. Antique Carriage.
Deaeon Benjamin Farnum of West Coneord, wagon with farm products.
FIFTH DIVISION.
Captain D. A. Macurdy, Marshal, and aids.
Uniformed Patriarehs, I. O. O. F., 40 men, Captain D. D. Stan- yan. C. F. Hildreth, General Patriarch, and J. W. Saul, R. W. Grand Junior Warden, were present in the procession.
Brown's Band of Fisherville.
White Mountain Lodge, I. O. O. F., 52 men, C. S. Morrison, N. G.
Rumford Lodge, I. O. O. F., 40 men, John H. Sanborn, N. G.
Past Grand Officers, and Grand Master, G. A. Cummings, in carriages.
SIXTH DIVISION.
Captain John T. Batchelder, marshal, and aids.
Cavaleade of 37 butchers in white frocks.
Four-horse carriage containing 14 veteran butchers.
Juvenile butchers in carriage.
The grocery trade representatives as follows : J. F. Hoyt, Batch- elder & Co., Brown & Foote, Fisherville, Woodworth, Dodge & Co., Amos Blanchard, one team caeh ; E. D. Clough & Co., three teams ; Cummings & Larkin, two teams; C. C. Webster, one team; J. C. Linchan, Fisherville, one four-horse team ; D. A. Maeurdy, Murphy & Reen, Carter Brothers, and H. C. Sturtevant, one team each.
J. C. Norris & Son, bakers, two teams.
South End Bakery, one team.
E. B. Hutchinson, builder, three teams, thirty workmen, and cxhi- bition of work.
Miller & Sanborn, builders, two teams, fifteen workmen, exhibition of work.
Ordway & Ferrin, masons, one team.
F. G. Proctor, milk team.
Critchett & Sons, soap, one team.
W. H. Keniston, tinwarc, one team.
Farnum & Blanchard, stone team, with block of cut stone, drawn by seven yokes of oxen.
Norman G. Carr, jeweler, one wagon, with spectacles and watch sign. Humphrey, Dodge & Co., hardware and cutlery, one team.
James Moore & Sons, one wagon, hardware and agricultural im- plements.
Prescott Organ Co., two wagons, with employees and organs.
Ford & Kimball, one wagon loaded with car wheels.
D. C. Allen & Co., one wagon, with belt, saw, and planer.
Augustus Bean & Co., one team, with adjustable bed planer.
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POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
Henry W. Clapp, one wagon, sewer grating and trap.
H. Thompson, one wagon, Corinthian monuments.
Porter Blanchard's Sons, one wagon loaded with churns and dec- orated with flags and mottoes.
F. D. Batchelder, one wagon, with pictures and frames.
Geo. T. Comins, one team, bedsteads.
Vogler Brothers, one team, chamber sets.
H. H. Amsden & Sons, Fisherville, one team, pine furniture.
Concord Axle Works, D. Arthur Brown & Co., Fisherville, one team, axles and hubs.
Moses Humphrey, West Concord, one team, mackerel kits.
Penacook Mills, Fisherville, one team, cotton in all stages from raw to cloth.
H. H. Brown & Sons, Fisherville, cotton mill, display of cotton. Boyce, one team, excelsior.
Geo. L. Theobald, one wagon, building mover's implements.
TRADES.
G. S. Locke, ice, one team.
Car representing the engineer department of the Northern Railroad, on which was a stationary engine and lathe in operation.
Abbot-Downing Co., Concord, mail coach drawn by six horses, driven by the veteran whip, Peter Hines. Riding were employees. On back of the coach was the following card: "Veterans of the Abbot-Downing Co., total years of service, 614."
Concord Harness Co., Messrs. J. R. Hill & Co., representing the different working departments of the establishment in six large teams. First, the cutting department, with the motto, "There's nothing like leather," and signs of the firm, representing the leather being cut from the side of the proper length and width for the different kinds of harness, and we are of the opinion that the motto is correct, as this is one of the most imposing displays of any of the different trades.
The second team, drawn by two horses, showed the fitting depart- ment. On the sign was a picture of a fine horse named with motto, "Perseverance always wins." There were six men in the team, working upon different parts of harness. The third team contained nine men, representing the stitching department, with motto on the sign, " We'll stick to our awl." The fourth team contained the collar department, represented by four men making "The Concord Collars." Motto, " In 1776 our 4-fathers collar-ed the British Lion. In 1876 we collar horses," the lion and horses being in character. The fifth team contained the salesroom, in which were fine single and double harness, gold, silver, nickel, and Japan metal, with the picture on the sign of the poorest and most used-up looking horse we ever saw. Over it the letters " C. O. D.," and underneath, " Old Trust ruined our friend," representing that giving of time has ruined many. The sixth, the store and retail department, containing a large load of trunks, valises, ladies' and gents' traveling bags, halters, whips, with a large elephant on the end of the sign, with words, "One who carries his own (trunk)."
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Concord Carriage Manufacturing Co., six teams, one having men at work in the various departments of the trade.
Page Belting Co., one team, displaying hides of tanned leather and roll of belting, and another boxes of goods. Motto, "There's nothing like leather."
One car, Wm. B. Durgin, silversmith, decorated with red, white, and blue bunting, flags and mottoes, with silver and gold in various forms-bricks, bullion, and rolled metal ready for cutting. In the center of the team was the large rolling mill with the costly dies used in turning out the fancy patterns. This is the finest and most expensive machine used in the works. In the rear of the car the various stages in the manufacture of tableware were illustrated by several of the employees. Here also was noticed the process of electroplating, gilding, and burnishing in operation. A pair of highly polished brass scales were flanked on each side by pretty tables, at one of which the articles were being ornamented by an engraver. Below was the motto, "Engraved on our memory is the event we celebrate to-day."
The procession excited genuine admiration, and the material history of Concord presented on that memorable centennial was a lasting inspiration to all that beheld it. One of the beautiful spec- tacular scenes along the route was in front of St. John's church, where hundreds of children, beautifully attired and carefully drilled, sang sweet songs of patriotism as the procession passed by. Lovely tableaux, representing historic scenes in the nation's life, were also given by the children. The only dark spot on so bright a scene was the treachery of the skies. As evening deepened rain began to inter- fere with the fine display of fireworks in Railroad square, so that the exhibition was only partly carried out.
When night finally closed over the smoky streets the weary citi- zens could congratulate one another on having observed the hun- dredth anniversary of the nation's birth in a manner commensurate with its importance and in keeping with the traditions of their fathers.
Those having official charge of that holiday have now every one passed away, but they were leaders in their day, and although well advanced in years, they comprehended the duties of the occasion and spared no efforts to perform them. George A. Pillsbury was presi- dent, and the vice-presidents were: John S. Brown, Ward one ; John . L. Tallant, Ward two; Daniel Holden, Ward three ; Asa McFar- land, Ward four; William Kent, Ward five; Hiram Tebbetts, Ward six ; Jeremiah S. Noyes, Ward seven.
Among public gatherings in Concord the dedication of the Web- ster statue was noteworty for the interest it attracted and for the dis- tinguished men it brought to the city. The beginnings leading to
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POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
the erection of this statue may be attributed to an address delivered before the Webster club of Concord by Colonel John H. George. The Webster club was a social organization composed of professional and business men, who, when the centenary of Daniel Webster's birth drew near, resolved to observe the day with appropriate cere- monies. The meeting took place in White's opera house, January 18th, 1882. In the course of his address Colonel George laid spe- cial emphasis on the fact that the state of Webster's nativity had no statue of its greatest son. Prominent among New Hampshire men dwelling without the state was Benjamin Pierce Cheney of Boston, and to him those words of the orator came with forceful suggestion. Mr. Cheney forthwith determined that New Hampshire should be no longer without a statue of Daniel Webster; accordingly a commission for a bronze statue was at once given to a well-known sculptor, but the death of the sculptor compelled Mr. Cheney to make another choice, and it was not until February, 1885, that Mr. Cheney by deed of trust appointed George W. Nesmith of Franklin, and John M. Hill and John H. George of Concord as trustees to carry out his intention. Happily, the generous donor of this statue was permitted to see his gift appropriately dedicated, and to receive the thanks of a grateful people. The sculptor was Thomas Ball, of Florence, Italy. During the session of 1885 the legislature, in view of the coming event, appointed a joint committee, with General Gilman Marston as chair- man, to arrange for the dedication of the statue on June 17th, 1886.
Several days prior to the dedication the base had been set in place and the statue mounted and concealed with heavy canvas. The base was cut by the Granite Railway company, under the supervision of Superintendent Joseph H. Pearce. The location of the statue had been left by the legislature to Governor Currier and his council, who appointed Councilor Benjamin A. Kimball to select and prepare a site for the statue.
Special trains were run on the 17th, bringing to Concord one of the largest and most representative crowds ever attracted to the city. Unfortunately the skies were unpropitious, and the day did not end without rain, but the morning continued clear, offering the fullest opportunity for the procession, which formed under the chief marshal- ship of General A. D. Ayling.
It so happened that it was the week when the National Guard of New Hampshire was holding its annual encampment, consequently the presence of the entire brigade added largely to the interest of the occasion.
After parading the streets the procession halted at the main gate- way of the state house, where through the opened ranks of the Man-
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
chester Cadets and the Amoskeag Veterans the governor and invited guests procceded to seats on a great platform covering the steps and extending far into the park.
At 2 o'clock General Marston opened the exercises and announced as officers of the day George W. Nesmith, president, Gilman Marston and Harry Bingham, vice-presidents, Henry O. Kent and George WV. Stone, secretaries. The audienee uncovered while the Rt. Rev. William W. Niles, bishop of the Episcopal diocese of New Hamp- shire, offered prayer. The venerable president of the day, Judge Nesmith, a lifelong and intimate friend of Daniel Webster, then delivered a short address. At its conclusion the statue was grace- fully unveiled by Miss Annie B. George. Mr. Cheney then formally presented the statue to the state, the governor accepting it with a brief responsc.
The oration was delivered by Dr. Bartlett, president of Dartmouth, and following it were speeches by distinguished guests. Among the speakers were Governors Robinson of Massachusetts, Hill of New York, Robic of Maine, and Pingree of Vermont. John A. Bingham of Ohio elosed the speaking in an address remarkable for eloquence and felicity. An original poem by William C. Shepard was read, and the open-air exercises ended with the singing of Integer Vitæ by the Handel society of Dartmouth college.
The governor subsequently entertained the state guests at a ban- quet at the Eagle, where letters of regret were read but no formal speeches were made. In another part of the eity the Dartmouth alumni convened to dine and to listen to speeches. This feature was one of the pleasantest of the day, and has remained among the eher- ished annals of the college. Under the marshalship of Albert S. Batchellor, the alumni marched from the state house to the large skating-rink on Pleasant street, on the lot now occupied by the Church of the Sacred Heart, where dinner was served. Within the skating-rink that afternoon were heard speeches and oratory of the highest order, one of the most inspiring being that of James W. Patterson, who spoke in response to the toast, "To the Perieles of later Dartmouth."
The Webster statue did not long remain the only memorial to New Hampshire's famous sons, for measures were soon taken towards the · erection of a memorial to General John Stark. The germ of this movement, like that of the Webster statue, may be traced to words uttered by a public speaker, who criticised New Hampshire for not having a monument commemorative of the great serviees of the hero of Bennington. The man who uttered that criticism was Professor John Taylor, of Andover seminary, in the course of a sermon deliv-
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POLITICAL AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT THE CAPITAL.
ered in the South church in the early summer of 1889. It so hap- pened that on the following day the New Hampshire Society of Sons of the Revolution was formed, and a committee was appointed to lay the matter of a Stark statue before the legislature then in session. The committee was as follows: Charles R. Morrison, Concord ; Joshua G. Hall, Dover ; James A. Edgerly, Somersworth ; William W. Bailey, Nashua ; George C. Gilmore, Man- chester ; John M. Hill, Concord ; Thomas Cogs- well, Gilmanton ; Henry O. Kent, Lancaster. So well did these gentlemen urge their cause that the legislature passed an act appropriating twelve thousand dollars and directed the gov- ernor and council to cause a statue of General Stark to be made and placed in the state house grounds. Edward G. Shirley and Frank C. Churchill of Governor Goodell's council were appointed a committee to procure the statue. The sculptor selected Cơm. STRAX. was Carl Conrads, of Hartford, Conn. The cost of the statue it- self was eight thou- sand dollars. A year
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Statues of Hale, Webster, and Stark in State House Park.
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