History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 195

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 195
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 195

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).

The general make-up of the "Belknap," from its primitive nature, was rather uncouth in appearauce, aud very much unlike any of our modern constructed boats, especially above the water-line. A striking peculiarity was her engine, of the horizontal pattern, of high pressure. The exhaust could be distinctly heard, in calm weather, a distance of ten miles. There were many different compartments all built upon the lower deck, like so many small houses. The pilot-house was a small, elevated " coop," the entrance being effected by a flight of stairs upon the outside. The ladies' and gents' cabin, captain's quarters, etc., were of small size and ill-shaped. The model of the hull was rather out of proportion, the width being greater in proportion to the length (ninety feet) than it ordinarily should be in boats of her size. The "Bel- knap" did not run but three or four years, being cast away upon a sand-bar near what is now Steamboat Is- land. From that event the island takes its present name. The mishap was caused by a misunderstand- ing on the part of the engineer. The "Belknap" was towing a large raft of timber from Centre Harbor

to Alton Bay. It was in early spring-time, and the lake was very rough. Through some mismanage- ment, the boat was drifting toward the island with the fury of the wind and wave. The signal given to back the boat was understood by the engineer to be that for going forward, which resulted in the boat striking a sand-bar with such force as to be unable to get off. Subsequently the steamer "hogged," which opened several seams below the water-line, and she soon filled with water. Several unsuccessful attempts to get her off the bar were made, without effect, however, the last being on the Fourth of July of that year, when the efforts of forty men failed to move her, and she was left to her fate, and after removing her en- gine, boiler and iron-work generally, she finally went to pieces. Thus ended in disaster and evil forebod- ings the career of the pioneer steamboat on the lake. The "ribs " and other portions of the hull are still to be seen to-day upon the sand-bar where she went to pieces, and affords the curiosity-seeker an interesting object for investigation.

A few years afterwards a charter for the Winnipe- saukee Steamboat Company was obtained through the Legislature, which resulted in the construction of the "Lady of the Lake," about the year 1848. This boat was designed to run between Weirs, Centre Harbor and other places about the lake. Her first captain was William Walker, of Lake village. Not long after, she fell into the hands of the B., C. & M. R. R., in whose interest she still remains. During her ca- reer she has undergone some changes, and suffered numerous tinkerings from time to time, none of which have been more thorough and complete than the re- pairs made in the year 1882, when nearly a new hull was added, and extensive improvements were also made, both above and below the lower deck. At present she is regarded as being as stanch and fleet as at any time since the original construction. Since the days of Captain Walker she has been commanded by Eleazer Bickford, of Meredith, Stephen Cole, of Lake village, Winborn Sanborn and J. S. Wadleigh, of Laconia, the latter being her present captain. Her route during the season lies between Weirs, Centre Harbor and Wolfeborough, several trips being made daily in connection with the time-table of the Boston and Lowell Railroad at Weirs.

Next on the list came the " Long Island," built by Perley R. & George K. Brown, of Long Island, with a carrying capacity of about one hundred passengers. This boat was designed for general commerce about the lake, and is still in existence.

About this time Langdon Thyng constructed the "Jenny Lind" (at first a horse-boat) at Lake village, whose carrying capacity was about the same as that of the "Long Island."

This brings us down to the building of the "Red Hill," by the "Red Hill Steamboat Company," at Lee's Mills, in Moultonborough, with Allen Bumpus as her captain. This boat was of a rather uncouth

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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

architecture, and built for the trade between the "Mills" and Alton Bay. The hull of this boat was modeled something like that of a scow. She was very laborious in her movements. The "Red Hill" was finally sent "up in a balloon" one fine day, by the bursting of her boiler. Remnants of her hull can still be seen on the shore at Alton Bay, just below the bridge that crosses the Merry Meeting River. Charles Brown, of Lake village, next came out with the "Nau- gatuck," afterward sold to Sweet & Morrison, of Wolfe- borough, which is still in existence, though a little the worse for wear. About this time William Guptil, of Wolfeborough, built the "Dolly Dutton.". Both the last- named boats had a carrying capacity of about one hundred passengers. We have next to speak of the "Seneca," of about the same size as the two boats named which finally went ashore on the "Goose Egg," a dangerous rock on the Moultonborough "coast," which terminated fatally, and the end came. Uriah Hall was her captain, residing at Melvin village. Hall subsequently constructed the "Ossipee," a similar craft, another specimen of the laboring craft. Ansel Lam- prey built the "Gazelle"at Tuftonborough, a little later on, which subsequently came into the possession of Dearborn Haley.

In those days came the introduction of the steam yachts, such as the "Pinafore," "Nellie" "Bristol," etc., the " Nellie" being the first propeller ever introduced to the waters of the lake. The "Nellie " was origin- ally a steam launch and used at Portsmouth, from whence she was taken to the lake by George Dun- can. Soon after she became the property of Dear- born Haley, at Wolfeborough. Later on she was owned by a Mr. Waldron, at Farmington, but still remained in the lake, being used by the summer boarders at the Winnipesaukee House, at Alton Bay, under the management of A. O. Philips & Co. A few years previous to this epoch came the "Union," Captain John Tabor, of Wolfeborough, a craft with eminent renown and always a constant attendant at the Alton Bay camp-meetings in their early stages. The " May- flower",built at Wolfeborough, with several owners, put in an appearance about this time as a freight-boat more particularly, did good service, and was quite a favorite with small excursion parties to different parts of the lake.

At the time of the completion of the "Cocheco Railroad," some thirty-five years since, between Dover and Alton Bay, it became advisable to open commu- nication with the various towns which lined the shores of different parts of the lake, and for that purpose a steamer was constructed at Alton Bay called the " Dover." This was about the year 1852. Captain Winborn Sanborn, of Gilford, was her first captain. Augustus Wiggin, of Tuftonborough, at that time acted as captain's clerk, and some time after- ward the ".clerk" became the captain. Owing to some oversight in the location of the Dover's engine and boiler when placed in her native element, she

settled at the bow, and large quantities of stone were placed in the stern to counteract that influence and make her assume a natural position in the water. Later on it became necessary to increase her size, and an addition of about twenty feet was made in the centre. Thorough repairs were made otherwise, and her name changed to the "Chocorua," with Captain Wiggin still master. The " Chocorua" did good service for several years, but it soon became necessary to have a new boat, and the present "Mount Washing- ton " was constructed. This was about 1872. Cap- tain Wiggin assumed command, and with a popular notion of "what to do and how to do it," has suc- ceeded in making his route one much sought after by tourists and pleasure-seekers. The "Mount," as she is familiarly termed, is a model of neatness and work- manship, and said to be the fastest boat on the lake. Following the advent of the "Mount Washington," the " Chocorua " lay in the dock at Alton Bay that season, and underwent the process of "decomposi- tion" to a certain extent. The apartments compos- ing her upper decks were sold to various parties there- abouts, principally those connected with the camp- meeting association, and utilized for lodging-rooms, being located mostly about the vacant space near the passenger depot. The pilot-house was secured by " Aunt Mary" Ryan, of the "Alton Bay Cottage," who set it up on the lawn for a sort of a summer house, or "lover's retreat."

The first horse-power craft ever on the lake was built and owned by Captain David Parsons in 1838, at Long Island. About the year 1875, Dearborn Haley, of Wolfeborough, built the " Maid of the Isles," a propeller, with an engine of one hundred and twenty horse-power, and capable of carrying five hundred pas- sengers. The " Maid" was of a very fine model, with up- per and lower decks, and calculated to be very fast. "Tis said that her owner intended that she should be a sort of " mediator" between the "Lady" and "Mount." She was used only a part of two seasons, and subse- quently lay "moored " in the " offing" near Wolfe- borough, until last season, when her cable-chain wore a hole through her hull below the water line and she sank. She was raised afterwards and towed to a position on the back side of Long Island, where she lies at present in her wonted useless condition. She is said to have cost about twenty thousand dollars. The failure of this craft was due to her immense draught of water, which was about seven and a half feet. Her captain was Auson Lamprey, of Long Island. Since that time has come to " Mineola" a fine little steam yacht ; the "Maud S.," of South Wolfe- borough ; the "Gracie," of Meredith village; the "Undine " and "Laconia," of Lake village; and several other crafts of this class, as among the batch of steam-yachts.

The "James Bell " was built and owned by Messrs. Wentworth & Sweet, of Centre Harbor, in 1859, who some years since sold her to the B., C. & M. R. R.,

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since which time she has been used as an excursion boat with headquarters at Lake village. Stephen Wentworth was her first captain. Clarence W. Adams, of Lake village, is her present captain. The " Bell" was thoroughly repaired during the sum- mer of 1882, and is now regarded to be in first-class condition.

The " Winnipesaukee," Captain Robert Lamprey, Jr., formerly on the line between Lake village and Long Island, makes her headquarters at Tufton- borough and is run mostly for freighting purposes. This brings us down to the " Belle of the Wave," which was built at Long Island by Arthur H. Lam- prey (a son of Uncle Robert). The " Belle" was a propeller, carried a forty horse-power engine and rated for one hundred and twenty-five passengers. Her model was perfect for attaining speed.

The " Belle" was burned at Long Island in the fall of 1884, and the next year was replaced with a larger and better boat of similar build, called the "Lam- prey," and commanded by Captain George Lam- prey.

CHAPTER V.

LACONIA-(Continued). Manufacturing Interests-Post-Office-Banks.

Manufacturing Interests .- GRANITE HOSIERY- MILLS .- The Granite Hosiery-Mills were established by the late John W. Busiel in 1847, and after the death of Mr. Busiel the business was continued by his sons, Charles A., John T. and Frank E., under the firm-name of John W. Busiel & Co. They manufacture men's, women's and children's hose, employing about one hundred and seventy-five hands. Their mills are built of brick, and are the best buildings for the purpose in the town.

WHITE MOUNTAIN MILLS .- Lewis F. Busiel, pro- prietor of the above-named mills, commenced busi- ness in Laconia in 1853, and at first only manufac- tured hosiery yarn. Machinery for the production of hosiery was added in 1855. Mr. Busiel is said to be the oldest living manufacturer (of power-loom pro- duction) in the country.

GILFORD HOSIERY COMPANY .- Incorporated in 1864. Capital stock, seventy-five thousand dollars. About one hundred and twenty-five hands are em- ployed by this company in the manufacture of hosiery. Hon. John C. Moulton, the treasurer and largest owner in the corporation, is identified with the growth and prosperity of the town in a large measure, having taken a prominent part in nearly all the large enterprises.

PITMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY. - Estab- lished by the late Joseph P. Pitman. Manufacture ladies' and children's hose. Employ about one hundred and fifty hands. Have been established in the mill they now occupy since 1875.

WINNIPISEOGEE MILL .- In 1872, Mr. Frank P. Holt started in the paper box-making business in Laconia, with a capital of less than one hundred dollars. About five years later he went in company with Mr. James T. Minchin, under the firm-name of Minchin & Holt, and commenced the manufacture of underwear and hosiery. After three years Mr. Min- chin retired, and the business has since been con- tinued by Mr. Holt alone. About one hundred and seventy-five hands are employed. Annual product, one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars.

ABEL MACHINE COMPANY .- Established by the late William H. Abel. Manufacture all kinds of knitting-machinery and bobbin-winders. The Abel machines have a world-wide reputation, and are used in all parts of the United States and also in some foreign countries.

O'SHEA BROTHERS .- In 1875, Messrs. Dennis and John O'Shea, Jr., rented a small store on Bank Square and started in the dry-goods business. To-day the firm of O'Shea Brothers is one of the best known in New Hampshire, occupies the largest store and does a larger business than any other concern in the State.

LACONIA AND LAKE VILLAGE WATER-WORKS .- This organization was chartered by the Legislature of 1883. Capital, fifty thousand dollars. The first annual meeting was held June 1, 1885, and the following board of officers was elected : Clerk, J. W. Ashman ; Treasurer, W. L. Melcher; Directors, John C. Moul- ton, W. L. Melcher, B. J. Cole, E. A. Hibbard, B. F. Drake, Gardner Cook, H. B. Quinby. John C. Moul- ton subsequently elected chairman of the board of directors. The pipes were laid in the summer of 1885 by N. W. Ellis & Co., of Manchester, N. H.

G. COOK & SON .- Gardner Cook, the senior mem- ber of this firm, established himself in the saw-mill and sash and blind business here in 1852. Some forty hands are now employed, and a large quantity of first-class work is produced annually. The entire factory was destroyed by fire in 1883, but immediately rebuilt.

MEREDITH COTTON AND WOOLEN COMPANY .- The first meeting of this company was called July 1, 1811, and the warrant for the meeting was signed by Stephen Perley, Daniel Tucker and John A. Harper. The shares of stock were issued and sold to the citi- zens of Gilford and Meredith, land was purchased of Stephen Perley and a large wooden mill erected on the site of the present Belknap brick mill. This was one of the first mills for the manufacture of cot- ton goods in the country. Considerable of the ma- chinery was built in a machine-shop near by, operated by John Chase. The mill was not fairly in operation until 1813. Daniel Avery, a prominent citizen at that time, was the first agent, and accumulated con- siderable property and did much to advance the in- terests of the village.

CARDING-MILL .- About 1800 a carding-mill was

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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

established by Samuel & Nathan Bean on the lot now occupied by J. W. Busiel & Co. The building in which the business was carried on was torn down and replaced by Messrs. Busiel in 1882.

PAPER-MILL .- About 1800 a paper-mill was built on Mill Street by Aaron Martin. The rags were ground to a pulp with water-power, but most of the other labor was performed by hand, and a coarse paper was turned out until 1834, when the building was destroyed by fire.

BELL-FOUNDRY .- In 1810, George Holbrook, who served an apprenticeship in Boston with the famous Paul Revere of the midnight ride, established a bell- foundry at Meredith Bridge, near the site of the present Belknap Mill. The foundry was, of course, a small affair; sleigh-bells, door-knockers and church- bells were cast. In 1816 the concern was removed to Medway, Mass., where it is still in operation, and the Holbrook bells have a world-wide reputation. The bell now in use at the Belknap Mill was cast at the foundry in Meredith Bridge, and bears Holbrook's name and the date of casting.

In 1808, Daniel Tucker purchased land of Stephen Perley where the present mill of L. F. Busiel now stands, and erected the first machine-shop in Meredith Bridge. The shop was equipped with a small trip- hammer, forges, anvils, etc., and almost all tools used by farmers and carpenters were manufactured. Mr. Tucker lived in the small yellow house on Mill Street, opposite F. P. Holt's office, until 1813, when, having accumulated considerable property, he erected what is now known as the Mansion House in the rear of the Unitarian Church. When erected, this was the largest house and one of the best houses at the Bridge, and a handsome lawn extended in front of it to Main Street. Mr. Tucker went out of busi- ness in 1832, outside competition proving too much for the industry.

Postmasters .- Following is a list of the different postmasters and the date of their appointment up to the present time :

MEREDITH, STRAFFORD COUNTY, N. H .- Stephen Perley, April 1, 1805; Jonathan Ladd, July 1, 1807 ; Stephen Perley, July 13, 1813; John Langdon Perley, May 7, 1829; Stephen Perley, July 15, 1830. Dis- continued February 22, 1833.

GILFORD, STRAFFORD COUNTY, N. H .- Horatio G. Prescott, April 3, 1824; Francis Russell, July 24, 1829; Hugh More, March 19, 1830; L. B. Walker, August 23, 1830; Jacob G. Foss, February 3, 1841 ; Benjamin Boardman, December 2, 1843 ; J. C. Moul- ton, July 31, 1845; Caleb P. Smith, June 25, 1849; Coryden W. Cook, December 6, 1850; Andrew C. Wright, November 7, 1851; Charles S. Gale, January 12, 1853; John C. Moulton, April 1, 1853. Changed to Laconia July 26, 1855; J. C. Moulton continued ; S. W. Sanders, July 10, 1861 ; Joseph E. Odlin, Octo- ber 4, 1861; Perley Putnam, 1874.

Tremont Hotel .- In 1810, Horatio G. Prescott

erected a large building on the corner of Main and Lake Streets, as a tavern, known as the "Tremont." The building was three stories high and had one hun- dred and fifteen feet front on Main Street. The "Tremont" soon passed into the hands of Lyman B. Walker, Esq., and was destroyed by fire in 1872.

Laconia Savings-Bank was incorporated in 1831, as the Meredith Bridge Savings-Bank. Its first treasurer was John T. Coffin, who died in 1860, and whose portrait adorns the trustees' room at the pres- ent time. John T. Coffin, Jr., shortly afterward assumed the position. In 1864, Woodbury L. Melcher was elected treasurer, and remains such at this date. A portrait of Mr. Melcher's father, who was the president of the bank for many years, hangs upon the wall in the banking-room. In 1869 the name of the institution was changed to that of Laconia Sav- ings-Bank. The first deposit was received March 27, 1832. The only one of the original members of the corporation now living is Dr. John L. Perley. Its assets amount to over eight hundred thousand dol- lars, with a surplus of over forty thousand dollars.

The present officers of the bank are Albert G. Fol- som, president ; W. L. Melcher, treasurer; Edmund Little, clerk ; trustees, Daniel A. Tilton, Jas. S. Hoit, Ellery A. Hibbard, Ebenezer Stevens, Almon C. Leavitt, Samuel B. Smith, Noah L. True, W. L. Melcher.

Presidents : George L. Sibley, 1831; Stephen W. Mead, 1843; John L. Perley, 1847; Woodbury Melcher, 1862; Albert G. Folsom, 1871.

Treasurers : Stephen C. Lyford, 1831; John T. Coffin, 1833; John T. Coffin, Jr., 1861; Woodbury L. Melcher, 1864.

The Laconia National Bank has a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. President, J. C. Moulton ; Cashier, O. W. Tibbetts.

CHAPTER VI. LACONIA-(Continued).

CIVIL HISTORY.

Incorporation of Town-First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-List of Town Officers from Incorporation of Town to 1886.

LACONIA was incorporated in 1855.

The following is a copy of the warrant for the first town-meeting :

"To the inhabitants of the town of Laconia, in the county of Belknap, in said state, qualified to vote in town affairs :

"You are hereby notified to meet at the Freight Station of the B. C. & Montreal Railroad, near the house of Stephen Gale, in Laconia, on Thursday, the second day of August next, at nine of the o'clock in the forenoon, to act upon the following subjects :

" 1st. To choose a moderator to preside in said meet- ing.

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LACONIA.

" 2d. To choose all necessary town officers for the year ensuing.

"Given under our hands and seal, this seventeentlı day of July, eighteen hundred and fifty-five.

" H. N. BURNHAM,

" STEPHEN GALE,

" JOHN C. MOULTON,

"SAM'L W. SANDERS,

Authorized to call said meeting.

" A true copy.

"Attest B. P. GALE, Town Clerk."

" LACONIA, August 2d, 1855.

" We hereby certify that we gave notice to the in- habitants within named to meet at the time and place and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up an attested copy of the within warrant at the place of meeting within named, and a like attested copy at the Store of George W. Weeks, being a public place in said town, on the seventeenth day of July, 1855.

" H. N. BURNHAM. " STEPHEN GALE.

" JOHN C. MOULTON.

"SAM'L W. SANDERS.

" A true copy of the original.

"Attest B. P. GALE, Town Clerk."

First Town-Meeting .- "At a legal town-meeting, duly notified and holden at Laconia in the county of Belknap, on Thursday, the second day of August, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-five, the legal voters of said town, by major vote and by ballot, chose Horatio N. Burnham moderator to preside in said meeting, who, being present, took the oath of office by law prescribed.

"Chose Benjamin P. Gale Town Clerk, who, being present, took the oath of office by law prescribed.

" Chose Samuel W. Sanders, John Davis (2d) and Ebenezer S. Cate Selectmen of said town, who, be- ing present, severally took the oath of office by law prescribed.

" Chose Elijah Beaman Town Treasurer.

"Chose John K. Young Superintending School committee of said town.

"And the inhabitants of said town, legal voters therein, present at said meeting, by major vote

"Chose John W. Robinson, Hugh Blaisdell and John C. Moulton Auditors.

"Chose Harrison Sibley, Thomas Wilder, Moses B. Gordon and Benjamin P. Gale surveyors of wood.

"Chose Nathan B. Wadleigh, John Davis (2d), Joseph Ranlet and Moses B. Gordon surveyors of lumber.

" Chose Noah Robinson town Agent.

"Chose Horatio N. Burnham weigher of hay.

"Chose James S. Hoit Sealer of weights and meas- ures.

"Chose David Blaisdell, Pound-Keeper.

"Chose Ebenezer S. Cate, Charles Smith and Jo- seph W. Robinson fence-viewers .;

"Chose Charles Gould, Charles S. Gale, Moses Sar- gent and Westley Maloon hog-reeves.

" Chose Edward Baron surveyor of highways for dis- trict number one.

"Chose Lewis W. Boynton surveyor of highways for district number two, who, being present took the oath of office by law prescribed.

"Chose Lucian A. Ladd surveyor of highways for district number three.

"Chose Reuben P. Smith surveyor of highways for district number four.

"Chose James R. Gray surveyor of highways for district number five, who, being present, took the oath of office by law prescribed.

"Chose John C. Folsom surveyor of highways for district number six.

" Chose Nathaniel Sanborn surveyor of highways for district number seven.

"Chose John L. M. Swain surveyor of highways for district number eight.

"Chose Jacob Smith surveyor of highways for district number nine.

" Chose John M. Robinson surveyor of highways for district number ten.

"Chose James Gordon surveyor of highways for district number eleven.

"Chose Ebenezer S. Cate surveyor of highways for district number twelve, who, being present, took the oath of office by law prescribed.

" Chose James S. Hoit, Hngh Blaisdell, Angustns Dow, Horatio N. Burnham and John C. Moulton con- stables.

"Voted, that when this meeting adjourn, it adjourn to last Saturday in Angust.

" Voted, that this meeting stand adjourned to the last Saturday in August, two of the clock in the af- ternoon, at this place.

" A true record, " Attest B. P. GALE, Town Clerk."

1855 .- First town-meeting, second Tuesday of An- gust, 1855. Elected B. P. Gale, town clerk ; S. W. Sanborn, John Davis (2d), Ebenezer S. Cate, select- men; Elijah Beaman, town treasurer; John K. Young superintending school committee.

1856 .- B. P. Gale, town clerk ; J. S. Hoitt, repre- sentive; John Davis (2d), D. A. Farrington, J. W. Robinson, selectmen.

1857 .- B. P. Gale, town clerk; G. W. Stevens, representative ; David A. Farrington, J. W. Robinson, E. B. Prescott, selectmen ; K. S. Hale, superintending school committee.

1858 .- B. P. Gale, town clerk ; G. W. Stevens, repre- sentative; Joseph W. Robinson, E. B. Prescott, James Pike, selectmen ; John Davis (2d), super- intending school committee.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 195

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520