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 72
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2. Samuel B. Larkin.
.
3. Moses Humphrey.
4. Asa McFarland. Reuben G. Wyman.
5. James Sedgley. John Kimball.
6. Napoleon B. Bryant. George B. Wallace.
7. William G. Whitney.
1859.
Ward 1. Albert II. Drown.
2. Samuel B. Larkin.
3. Elbridge Dimond.
4. Asa McFarland. Reuben G. Wyman.
5. John Kimball. Gilbert Bullock.
6. Napoleon B. Bryant. George B. Wallace.
7. Charles E. Thompson.
1860.
Ward 1. David A. Brown.
2. John L. Tallant.
3. Elbridge Dimond.
4. Samuel Coffin. Charles H. Herbert.
5. Gilbert Bullock. Henry S. Shattuck.
6. David J. Abbott. Lyman D. Stevens.
7. Charles E. Thompson.
1861.
Ward 1. David A. Brown.
2. John L. Tallant.
3. Ira Rowell.
4. Samuel Coffin. Charles HI. Herbert.
5. Henry S. Shattuck. Enos Blake.
6. David J. Abbott. Lyman D. Stevens.
7. Benjamin Green.
1862. Ward 1. John Whitaker.
2. William Pecker.
3. Ira Rowell.
4. John Y. Mugridge. William L. Foster.
5. Enos Blake. William E. Chandler.
6. Charles P. Sanborn. Henry T. Chickering.
7. Benjamin Green.
1863.
Ward 1. Samuel Merriam.
2. William Pecker.
3. Hiram Farnum.
4. John Y. Mugridge. William L. Foster.
5. William E. Chandler. Henry P. Rolfe.
6. Charles P. Sanborn. Henry T. Chickering.
7. James Thompson.
1864.
Ward 1. Samuel Merriam.
2. Samuel IIutchins.
3. Hiram Farnum.
4. Isaac Elwell. Cyrus W. Paige.
1365
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF CONCORD.
Ward 5. William E. Chandler. Henry P. Rolfe.
6. Steplien Webster. Charles W. Davis.
7. James Thompson.
1865
Ward 1. John Batehelder.
2. Samuel Hutchins.
3. Daniel Holden.
4. Isaae Elwell. Cyrus W. Paige.
5. Henry C. Sherburne. Nathaniel G. Upham.
6. Charles W. Davis. Lewis Downing.
7. Daniel Knowlton.
1866.
Ward 1. John Batehelder.
2. Sylvester Stevens.
3. Daniel Holden.
4. Joseph B. Walker. Ezra Ballard.
5. Nathaniel G. Upham. David A. Warde.
6. Lewis Downing. Lyman D. Stevens.
7. Daniel Knowlton.
1867.
Ward 1. John S. Brown.
2. Sylvester Stevens.
3. Stephen Carlton.
4. Joseph B. Walker. Ezra Ballard.
5. David A. Warde. James E. Larkin.
6. Lyman D. Stevens. George Hutehins.
7. Robert Hall.
186S.
Ward 1. John S. Brown.
2. Charles Smith.
3. Stephen Carlton.
4. John A. West. Benjamin E. Badger.
5. James E. Larkin. Augustine C. Pierce.
6. George Hutchins. Joseph W. Prescott.
7. Robert Hall.
1869.
Ward 1. William H. Allen.
2. Charles Smith.
3. Henry Farnum.
4. John A. West. Benjamin E. Badger.
5. Augustine C. Pieree. Ephraim W. Woodward.
6. Joseph W. Preseott. Calvin C. Webster.
7. George F. Whittredge.
1870.
Ward 1. William H. Allen.
2. Harrison Bean.
3. Henry Farnum.
4. Ira Perley. James N. Lauder. Samuel M. Griffin.
5. Ephraim W. Woodward. George A. Cummings.
6. Calvin C. Webster. Benjamin A. Kimball.
7. George F. Whittredge.
1871.
Ward 1. Robert B. Hoyt.
2. Stephen Clark.
3. Benjamin F. Holden.
4. James N. Lauder. Samuel M. Griffin. Benjamin S. Warren.
5. George A. Cummings. George A. Pillsbury.
6. Asa Fowler. Samuel B. Page.
7. Lyman T. Flint.
1872.
Ward 1. Robert B. lloyt. John A. Holmes.
2. Albert Stevens.
3. Benjamin F. Holden.
4. Benjamin S. Warren. Jacob II. Gallinger. George W. Emerton.
5. George A. Pillsbury. Parsons B. Cogswell. John II. Albin.
6. Asa Fowler. George E. Todd. Charles P'. Virgin.
7. Lyman T. Flint.
1366
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
1873.
Ward 1. John A. Holmes. C
David A. Brown.
2. Albert Stevens.
3. Did not send.
4. Jacob H. Gallinger. George W. Emerton. Charles P. Blanchard.
5. Parsons B. Cogswell. John H. Albin. George E. Jenks.
6. George E. Todd. Charles P. Virgin. IIenry C. Sturtevant.
7. Daniel Wyman.
1874.
Ward 1. Nathan Chandler. William II. Bell.
2. Charles W. Blake.
3. Augustine C. Carter.
4. Charles P. Blanchard. Luther P. Durgin. Ebenezer S. Towle.
5. George E. Jenks. Dutton Woods. Nathaniel White.
6. Henry C. Sturtevant. Charles P. Moore. Samuel F. Morrill.
7. Daniel Wyman. Daniel S. Webster.
1875.
Ward 1. Nathan Chandler. David Putnam.
2. Charles W. Blake.
3. Daniel Holden.
4. Luther P. Durgin. John Ballard. Horaee A. Brown.
5. Dutton Woods. Charles P. Sanborn. Moses Ilumphrey.
6. Charles P. Moore. Samuel F. Morrill. John Y. Mngridge.
7. Daniel S. Webster. Benjamin F. Gale.
1876.
Ward 1. David Putnam. William II. Bell. 2. Cyrus R. Robinson,
3. Abijalı Hollis.
Ward 4. Horaee A. Brown. John Ballard. Oliver Pillsbury.
5. Charles P. Sanborn. Moses Humphrey. . Stillman Humphrey.
6. Moses W. Diekerman. Joseph C. A. Hill. Jolın C. Kilburn.
7. Benjamin F. Gale. John HI. Lamprey.
1877.
Ward 1. Rufus Cass. Timothy C. Rolfe.
2. Cyrus R. Robinson.
3. Wyman W. Holden.
4. Oliver Pillsbury. George A. Young. William E. Stevens.
5. Stillman Humphrey. Jonathan E. Sargent. Edward Dow.
6. Moses W. Diekerman. Joseph C. A. Hill. John C. Kilburn.
7. Jolın H. Lamprey. Andrew S. Smith.
1878.
Ward 1. Timothy C. Rolfe. William W. Allen.
2. Henry F. Campbell.
3. Wyman W. Holden.
4. George A. Young. William E. Stevens.
5. Jonathan E. Sargent. Edward Dow. Charles R. Corning,1
6. Joseph Wentworth. Charles C. Lund. Jonathan L. Piekering.
7. Andrew S. Smith. Moses Critehett.
1879.
Ward 1. William W. Allen.
2. Ilenry F. Campbell.
3. John Thornton.
4. William D. Ladd. Henry Robinson.
5. Charles C. Danforth. Edgar H. Woodman.
6. Charles C. Lund. George E. Lawrence.
7. Jolın B. Flanders.
1 Did not qualify.
1367
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF CONCORD.
1SS1.
Ward 1. Nathaniel S. Gale.
2. Rufus Virgin.
3. Did not send.
4. Henry Robinson. Enoel Gerrish.
5. Howard A. Dodge. William E. Chandler.
6. Walter Harriman. Leland A. Smith.
7. Jeremiah S. Abbott.
Ward 3. Jolin E. Gay.
4. Jolın F. Webster. Henry J. Crippen. George M. Fleteher.
5. James II. Rowell. Converse J. Smith.
6. Joseph H. Lane. Gardner B. Emmons. Frank G. Edgerly.
7. Charles E. Thompson, Jr.
1SS3.
Ward 1. Did not send.
2. John P. Loeke.
3. Moses H. Farnum.
4. Frank E. Brown. Samuel C. Eastman. Charles H. Jones.
5. Charles R. Corning. Wentworth G. Shaw.
6. John H. Carr. George Cook. Ebenezer B. Hutehinson.
7. Jacob E. Hutehins.
1SS5.
Ward 1. Did not send.
2. Jolın G. Tallant.
3. Charles L. Rowe.
4. Jonathan P. Kittredge. Frank S. Streeter. Charles T. IIuntoon.
5. Lyman Jackman. Preseott F. Stevens.
6. George Clough. Henry W. Clapp. Robert A. Ray.
7. Leonidas H. Clough.
1887.
Ward 1. John E. Marden.
2. Elbridge Emery.
3. Walter S. Lougee.
4. John W. Bourlet, Jr. Valentine C. Hastings. Luther S. Morrill.
5. George A. Foster. Henry W. Stevens.
6. Hiram O. Marsh. George L. Theobald. James P. Ring.
7. Isaae N. Abbott. 1SS9.
Ward 1. Edward Campbell.
2. David A. Morrill.
Ward 1. Edmund H. Brown. William II. Raymond.
2. Frank P. Tallant.
3. Henry II. Farnum.
4. John M. Mitehell. Frank H. George. Samuel C. Eastman. James O. Lyford.
5. George F. Underhill. Albert B. Woodworth.
6. Francis L. Abbot. Franklin L. Badger. James T. Gordon.
7. William W. Flint. Frank P. Quimby.
1895.
Ward I. George W. Abbott. Henry Rolfe.
2. Ross W. Cate.
3. Jolin Swenson.
4. Henry T. Coombs. Ira C. Evans. James O. Lyford.
5. William B. Durgin. Charles R. Walker.
6. Lysander HI. Carroll. Reuben E. Walker.
7. George W. Chesley. Joseph W. Robinson.
8. Howard F. Hill,
9. William J. Ahern.
1891. Ward 1. Abial W. Rolfe. Jolın MeNeil.
2. John E. Frye.
3. John E. Gay.
4. Jacob H. Gallinger. George F. Page. George F. Durgin. James R. Hosking.
5. Loren S. Richardson. William Mason.
6. Isaae S. R. Sanborn.
7. Mark T. Ladd. Daniel B. Smithi.
1893.
1368
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
1897.
Ward 1. Henry E. Chamberlain. John II. Moore.
2. Daniel B. Sanborn.
3. George Partridge.
4. James O. Lyford. Myron J. Pratt. Timothy P. Sullivan.
5. Frank Battles. Benjamin C. White.
6. Samuel F. Patterson. Charles C. Nutter.
7. Horace L. Ingalls. James W. Lane.
S. Howard F. Hill.
9. William J. Ahern.
1899.
Ward 1. George W. Abbott. John E. Marden.
2. George A. Hoit.
3. James W. Welch.
4. Fred S. Johnson. John G. McQuilken. Granville P. Conn.
5. Frank Battles. Ferdinand A. Stillings.
6. Edgar A. Clark. Walter E. Darrah.
7. Henry E. Conant. George T. Abbott. 8. Oliver J. Pelren.
9. John Jordan. 1901.
Ward 1. Harvey Campbell. Jolın B. Dodge.
2. Charles II. Sanborn.
3. Abial C. Abbott.
4. John G. McQuilken. James K. Kennedy. Harry H. Dudley.
5. Ferdinand A. Stillings. Harley B. Roby.
6. George O. Dickerman. Arthur II. Britton. David D. Taylor.
7. Forrest L. Wellman. Joseph Brunel. Arthur W. Head.
8. Edson J. Hill.
9. Ola Anderson. William J. Ahern.
1903.
Ward 1. Eddie C. Durgin. Joseph E. Symonds.
Ward 2. Ross W. Cate.
3. Joseph E. Shepard.
4. James K. Kennedy. Eben M. Willis. Samuel J. Matson.
5. Almon W. Hill. Harley B. Roby.
6. Frederick T. Woodman. Howard A. Kimball. Warren E. Emerson.
7. Albert P. Davis. William W. Critehett. Horace O. Mathews.
8. Edson J. Hill.
9. William J. Ahern. James J. Donegan.
DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
1775-'76.
Timothy Walker, Jr.
1778-'79.
Timothy Walker, Jr.
1781-'83.
Timothy Walker, Jr.
1791-'92.
Timothy Walker, Jr.
1850-'51.
Franklin Pierce (president).
Nathaniel G. Upham.
Cyrus Barton.
George Minot.
Nathaniel Rolfe.
Jonathan Eastman.
Moses Shute.
1876.
Ward 1. John S. Brown. Daniel W. Fox.
2. Jolın L. Tallant.
3. Abijah Hollis.
4. Ai B. Thompson. Jaeob H. Gallinger. Benjamin E. Badger.
5. Jonathan E. Sargent. Jolın Kimball. William E. Chandler.
6. Josephi Wentworth. Benjamin A. Kimball. Lewis Downing, Jr.
7. William W. Critchett. Isaae W. Ilammond.
1369
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF CONCORD.
1839.
Ward 1. Did not elect.
2. George Il. Curtis.
3. Benjamin T. Putney.
4. Joseplı B. Walker. Amos Hadley. Luther P. Durgin.
5. Charles C. Danforth. Edgar II. Woodman.
6. George H. Emery. Benjamin A. Kimball. James L. Mason.
7. Isaac P. Clifford.
1902.
Ward 1. David F. Dudley. Charles E. Foote.
2. Fales P. Virgin.
3. Abijah Hollis.
4. Frank S. Streeter (president). James O. Lyford.1 John M. Mitchell.
5. Edward C. Niles. William A. Foster.
6. Benjamin A. Kimball. Reuben E. Walker. De Witt C. Ilowe.
7. Moses T. Whittier. Maitland C. Lamprey. Horace L. Ingalls.
S. William E. Chandler.
9. Michael Casey. Joli Jordan.
JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT.
1819-'40. Samuel Green.
1833-142. Nathaniel G. Upham.
1849-'59. Ira A. Eastman.
1850-'64. Ira Perley, C. J.
1855-'61. Asa Fowler. 1859-'74. Jonathan E. Sargent, C. J.
1859-'73. Henry A. Bellows, C. J.
1861-'67. William H. Bartlett.
1869-'74. William L. Foster.
1876-'81. William L. Foster.
1881-'98. Alonzo P. Carpenter, C. J. 1891- William M. Chase. 2
1901- Reuben E. Walker.2
LAW REPORTERS.
1850-'55. William L. Foster.
1855-'59. George G. Fogg.
1859-'65. William E. Chandler.
1865-'71. Amos Hadley. 1877-'84. Edward A. Jenks.
CLERKS OF COURT FOR MERRIMACK COUNTY.
1824-'33. Moses Eastman.
1833-'46. Stephen C. Badger.
1846-'52. Nathaniel B. Baker.
1860-'68. Jonas D. Sleeper.
1869-'82. Luther S. Morrill.
1SS2- Amos J. Shurtleff.3
COUNTY SOLICITORS.
1849-'56. John H. George.
1861-'65. Asa Fowler.
1870-'74. Lyman T. Flint.
1887-'89. Nathaniel E. Martin.
1889-191. Reuben E. Walker.
1891-'95. Daniel B. Donovan.
1895-'97. Walter D. Hardy.
1897-1901. George M. Fletcher.
1901-'05. David F. Dudley.
SHERIFFS OF MERRIMACK COUNTY. (Appointed by governor.)
1823-'28. Richard II. Ayer.
1828-'33. Jacob B. Moore.
1842-147. Richard Pinkham.
1852-'55. Perkins Gale.
1857-'62. Nehemiah G. Ordway.
1872-'74. Frank S. Dodge.
1876-'78. Frank S. Dodge.
(Elected by the people.)
1878-180. Frank S. Dodge.
1880-'82. Jonathan L. Pickering.
1882-'90.
William K. Norton.
1804-1900. Frank G. Edgerly.
JUDGES OF PROBATE FOR MERRIMACK COUNTY.
1823-'28. Samuel Morril.
1856-'71. Ilamilton E. Perkins.
1874-176. Warren Clark.
1883-'90. Arthur W. Silsby.
1899- Charles R. Corning.3
REGISTERS OF PROBATE.
1814-'46. Joseph Robinson.
1846-'51. Calvin Ainsworth.
1851-'56. William P. Foster.
1856-'74. Isaac A. Ilill.
1874-'76. William Yeaton.
1876- John P. Nutter.3
1 Delegate from Canterbury to convention of 1876. 2 Present member supreme court. 3 In office in 1903.
1370
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
REGISTERS OF DEEDS.
1881-'83. Frank D. Woodbury.
1823. Samuel Morril.
1823-'28. Jacob M. Moore.
1828-'33.
Samuel Coffin.
1833-'36.
John Whipple.
1836-'37. Joseph Robinson.
1839-'45.
Mitchell Gilmore.
1830-'39. Jonathan Eastman, Jr.
1845-'47.
Reuben T. Leavitt.
1846-'48. George Minot.
1852-'55.
Paltialı Brown.
1877-'79, James H. Rowell.
1893-'95. Franklin P. Kellom.
1856-'58.
James Fellows.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
1858-'62.
Nathan W. Gove.
1862-'63.
William A. Clough.
1872. Carlos G. Pressy.
1863-'64.
Joseph II. Mace.
1875-'78.
John S. Thompson.
1864-'67.
William A. Clough.
1881-'83.
Joseph C. A. Hill.
1869-'71.
Thomas M. Lang.
1887-'91. William J. Ahern.
1871-'74.
Harvey Campbell.
1891-'95. David D. Taylor.
1874-'76. Jonathan E. Lang.
1895-'98. Loren S. Richardson.2
1876. Frank S. Dodge.
1898-'99. George A. Foster.3
1876-'77. William W. Hill.1
1899-1901. Jolın E. Robertson.
1877-'79. Charles II. Alexander.
1901-'05. Daniel W. Sullivan.
1 Appointed to fill vacancy, then elected. 2 Resigned. 8 Appointed by eourt.
1883-'92. Charles H. Ordway. 1893-1905. Samuel N. Brown.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
1823-'30. William Pickering.
1851-'52.
Reuben T. Leavitt.
1850-'52. Mitchell Gilmore.
1855-'56.
William F. Savory.
CHAPTER XL.
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE NEW CITY BUILDING.
For many years the need of a new city building and the separation of the city's and the county's interest in the lot and building now used jointly had been agitated, and several mayors during the last twenty years had advocated the subject. In 1901 Mayor Sargent not only brought it to the attention of the city council in his inangu- ral, but by personal effort enlisted the interest of the county delega- tion of the legislature then in session.
In January, 1901, a legislative committee of the city government was appointed for the purpose, among other things, of conferring with a similar committee representing the county delegation of Mer- rimack county to ascertain if a separation of interests in the present lot and building were feasible. The conferences of these committees resulted in an agreement and legislation by which the city was to dispose of its interest in the lot and building to the county for the sum of twenty thousand dollars, the land in the rear of the building to be forever kept open by the county as a public park.
The committee representing the city consisted of Mayor Harry G. Sargent, Aldermen Eben M. Willis, Frank Cressy, and Henry B. Colby, Councilmen Edward C. Niles, Frederick E. Webster, and Henry Rolfe.
The county delegation of Merrimack county adopted resolutions approving of the action of their committee and the price to be paid to the city, and authorized the county commissioners to make the necessary contract with the city. The committee representing the city submitted a report to the city council, which was accepted, and on November 12, 1901, the city council, by a practically unanimous vote, passed a joint resolution providing for a sale of the city's inter- est in the city hall building and a portion of the lot, and for the purchase of a new lot and erection of a new city hall building. This joint resolution was subsequently modified by resolutions passed by the city council December 31, 1901, and January 14, 1902.
The resolution as modified provided for the construction of a new city building of brick and stone, containing an administration portion sufficiently large to accommodate present and prospective needs for city offices, a city hall of a capacity sufficiently large to be capable
1372
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
of seating sixteen hundred people, and that the total expense, in- cluding cost of lot and the erection and furnishing of the building, should not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars. A committee to have in charge the selection and purchase of a suitable site' and the ·
erection of the building was appointed January 14, 1902. This com- mittee consisted of Mayor Harry G. Sargent, Aldermen Eben M. Willis, George W. Bunker, Charles A. Richards, and Charles J. French, and Councilmen J. Wesley Plummer, Irving T. Chesley, Edward C. Niles, and Bartholomew J. Collins, and of citizens, Henry McFarland, Harry H. Dudley, William J. Ahern, George H. Moses, and John E. Robertson. On November 11, 1902, Charles R. Corn- ing, mayor-elect, was added to the committee by the city council and made chairman thereof. The committee, after long and careful con- sideration during which some sixteen different lots were considered, selected, March 25, 1902, by a practically unanimous vote, the "Ford lot," so-called, situated on Green street, between Prince street and Ford's avenue, nearly opposite the post-office building and extending westerly a distance of about one hundred eighty-five feet. In con- sidering the selection of sites and in the result finally reached, the committee had the advice of H. Langford Warren of Boston, an emi- nent architect. The lots comprising the sites selected were pur- ehased by the city at a total expense of twenty-five thousand three hundred fifty dollars.
The project of erecting a commodious city hall in connection with the new city building met with opposition, and on April 3, 1902, a petition for an injunction was filed to prevent the carrying out of the project, and a temporary injunetion was granted by the superior court. A long hearing before the court was held, and on April 28, 1902, the superior court rendered a decision dissolving the injune- tion and leaving the city authorities at liberty to go ahead with the building. Legal exceptions were taken to the decision of the court which were transferred to the law term of the supreme court. On June 30, 1902, the supreme court sustained the decision of the supe- rior court, overruled the cxeeptions taken, and sustained the right of the city to proceed with the erection of the building as planned.
In May, 1902, the building committee invited the following archi- teets to submit in competition plans and specifications for the new building : Peabody & Stearns, Warren, Smith & Biseoe, and William . Hart Taylor, of Boston ; A. I. Lawrence, Berlin ; James E. Randlett and M. F. Oliver, of Coneord. In the consideration of the plans sub- mitted in competition the committee employed R. Clipston Sturgis, of Boston, an architect of high standing, who rendered valuable advice and assistance. The plans of Warren, Smith & Biscoe were selected
1373
NEW CITY BUILDING.
by the committec, and they were engaged as the architects. Plans prepared by them were submitted to contractors, and on September 29, 1902, the general contract for construction was awarded to the Hutchinson Building Co., of Concord, the lowest bidders, for the sum of seventy-nine thousand three hundred fifty dollars.
The heating and plumbing contracts were awarded to Lee Broth- ers of Concord for the sum of eleven thousand twenty-five dollars.
The houses standing on the "Ford lot" were sold at public auction on July 26, 1902, and were immediately taken down and removed. Work on the foundation of the new building was begun October 30, 1902, and since then has proceeded as rapidly as weather conditions permitted. The walls have been erected above the second story. The contract requires that the building be completed for occupancy by Janu- ary 1, 1904.
In the location of the building the com- mittee had in view the surroundings, as it forms an addition to the group around a centrally located square. Here are sit- uated the state cap- itol, the state library, the high school, the post-office, and sev- eral churches. It will stand at the head of Capitol street, in a New City Building. prominent position where it can be readily seen from all points. Owing to the preponderance of entire granite buildings in this local- ity, the architects have used the colonial style, carried out in color tones by the use of rusticated brick work on a Concord granite base, panels, window quoin and cornice. A very steep copper roof, sur- mounted by a graceful spire, will add to the effectiveness of color and dignity of line. It is expected that these æsthetie qualities will enhance the beauty of the square.
At the rear of the administration building, and separated from it by a fire wall, is a large auditorium. This building, with its two galleries, has a seating capacity for about sixteen hundred people, and ample provision has been made for fire protection and exits.
The proscenium arch is twenty-six by twenty-eight feet. The heat-
45
1374
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
ing, ventilating, and plumbing plants have been arranged with great care, and it is expected that the system will be the most complete in the city.
The building was begun under the administration of ex-Mayor Harry G. Sargent, and will be dedicated by Charles R. Corning, the present mayor.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
Of the carly military companies of Concord Major Henry McFar- land has this to say in his " Sixty Years in Concord : "
" The annual militia trainings in May and the autumnal regi- mental musterings were interesting events which assembled the Con- cord Light Infantry [dating back to at least 1797], Captain David Neal, with blue coats, white trousers, and waving plumes of red and white; the Columbia Artillery, Captain Thomas P. Hill, clad in patriotic blue; the troop with red coats and horses of every color, led by the redoubtable Cotton K. Simpson ; and the Borough rifle- men, Captain Timothy Dow, with a front rank of pioneers dressed like Indians and bearing big tomahawks. Nothing precisely like these is likely ever to go through our streets again. The more numerous train bands without uniforms but provided with muskets, cartridge boxes, knapsacks, and of course canteens, obtained in some way the rather queer name of ' string beans.' There was also before the Civil War a company called the Granite Guards.
"These militiamen, such as were left of them, made their last appearance in 1861 as Home Guards, not to leave town except in case of an invasion, with Josiah Stevens, captain, Asa McFarland as lieutenant, and Hamilton E. Perkins as sergeant."
The Governor's Horse Guards was another famous military organ- ization of the Civil War period, of which a detailed account will be found in the appendix of volume one of this history.
For a decade or more following the Civil War Concord saw but little of militia spirit. This was owing, in a great measure, to public indifference and want of state support. But in the eighties there began to be a revival of military interest, of which Concord quickly became sensible. Prominent among those having the improvement of our militia system at heart, and who, having been soldiers them- selves, realized the necessities of the situation, and set about to . accomplish something, were Augustus D. Ayling and Joab N. Pat- terson, both Concord men. General Ayling was adjutant-general of the state, and General Patterson had been colonel of the famous Second New Hampshire volunteers throughout the Civil War, and had received the brevet of brigadier-general. Under the law exist-
1375
TELEPHONE AND ELECTRIC LIGHT.
ing in 1881 the National Guard formed a brigade comprising a battery, two companies of cavalry, and three regiments of infantry, of which the third was under command of General Patterson with headquarters at Concord. Here also were two companies of that regiment-Company C, the Rollins Rifles, and Company E, the Pillsbury Light Guard, the one named in honor of United States Senator Edward H. Rollins, and the other in honor of George A. Pillsbury, a former mayor, and a most generous benefactor of the city. It was not until 1881 that brigade encampments succeeded the old-fashioned custom of regimental encampments. This change had the immediate result of making Concord the National Guard headquarters for the state, and to give the city an importance in military affairs. The first of the brigade encampments was held in Concord in September, 1881. The selection of the camp was fixed on the property of the Merrimack County Agricultural society, com- monly called the fair grounds, on the east side of the river, where extensive preparations were made to accommodate the new occu- pants. The brigade, under the command of General Joseph M. Clough, went into camp in September. The Third regiment, con- taining the two Concord companies, as has been noted, was com- manded by General Joab N. Patterson, who a few years later was to succeed General Clough. Great improvements have been made on the state camp ground since the first encampment in 1881, both in the enlargement of the grounds and in the erection of com- modious quarters and stables. Water from Lake Penacook was introduced, and in 1886 the brick arsenal was built.
TELEPHONE AND ELECTRIC LIGHT.
It is historically interesting to mention the opening of the first telephone exchange in Concord. While the commercial importance of this invention was in its infancy, and the utility of the telephone hardly demonstrated, a small exchange was opened in Foster's block on Warren street. The managers and operators were Don W. Cow- dery and Peter D. Beyet, both practical telegraph men, and fresh from the offices of the Western Union. Naturally the exchange, up two flight of stairs, was modest and unassuming, being in keeping with the uncertainties of the undertaking, which at that time scemed largely experimental.
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