USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Woodsville > History of Woodsville, N.H. > Part 2
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It has been suggested that the town buy the entire stock of the Aqueduct Company, which Is valued at more than $100,000, and which is now practically owned by the railroad.
At present the village of Woodsville, which styles itself as the live town of the North Country, Is prac- tically without suitable drinking water free of charge. Action was taken at the last precinct meeting and a committee appointed to look Into the matter. This committee will report about September first, and It Is hoped something definite will be planned. The stand pipes were again opened in April. 1919, but people use the water at their own risk.
Woodsville Fire Department
The Fire Department was organized soon after the installation of the present water system, and for some time the hose cart and equipment were kept in George F. Lyons' barn; he being chief of the company. Soon after, the old hose house near the Woodsville garage was built, and is still in use as a storehouse for sand. Later the present Central Fire Station was built with tower for drying hose. The equipment is kept on the ground floor, with a Commissioners' room and hall on the second floor. Soon after the building of Stone's mill a small hose house was erected in that vicinity.
The present department has twenty-one men and three substitutes, and is divided into two companies, namely, Hose Campany No. 1, consisting of a captain, lieutenant, and eight men, and Hook and Ladder Com- pany No. 2, consisting of captain, lieutenant, and eight men, superintended by a chief.
The equipment consists of four hose carts, two in the central house, one in the old house near the Woodsville garage, and one in the house in Stoneville, and a hook and ladder wagon. Each hose cart carries six hundred feet of hose, and the department has over two thousand feet in reserve, making it possible to lay as many as eight streams to any of the larger build- ings that are centrally located, and the ladder wagon carries two twenty-four foot roof ladders, two twenty- eight foot wall ladders, and a fifty foot Bangor exten- sion ladder, and other necessary equipment.
The department has always been considered a very efficient one, and is considered one of the best equipped and manned in the state for a place of its
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HISTORY OF WOODSVILLE
size. Each member is insured in the New Hampshire State Fireman's association, and the organization is entitled to send three delegates to the annual con- vention, and has had one president of the association.
Prominent Men of Woodsville
The first record of any account concerning promi- nent men of this vicinity dates back as far as 1773. This man was Samuel White, a practicing physician. Samuel White was highly educated, in comparison with men of his time. He studied medicine for sev- eral years with the noted Dr. Brackett of Haverhill, Mass. Dr. White was the only doctor in this part of the country at the time and so he covered a great deal of territory, going as far north as Lancaster and fifty to sixty miles south. During the Revolution he en- listed in the army, but made only one trip into Ver- mont with them.
A few of the inany doctors succeeding Dr. White, who are worthy of note, are Erza Bartlett, John Mc- Nabb, C. R. Gibson, Charles Newcomb and Dr. Perkins.
At present Woodsville has three practicing physi- cians and an osteopath. All of these men are highly educated and thoroughly qualified for their business. Dr. Dearborn is a graduate of the Medical department of Dartmouth and one of the first of his class.
Dr. Miller has practiced medicine in Woodsville for many years and is at present the district physician. Although he is expert as a physician and surgeon, his specialty is optics.
Dr. Speare is a young physician in the history of Woodsville, coming from Lisbon only a few years ago. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont in the class of 1902.
Each of the above doctors take turns at practicing surgery at the Cottage hospital.
Dr. Edson is the first and only osteopath in the his- tory of Woodsville.' He came here about six years ago and has carried on a very successful practice since.
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LAWYERS
This place has had its full quota of lawyers since settlement. At present there are three of the most prominent lawyers of the state located in this village. They are C. H. Hosford, F. S. Wright, and R. U. Smith. G. E. Cummings, superintendent of the White Mountain division for years, E. B. Mann, druggist, and William F. Whitcher, (now deceased) News editor. have been the three most prominent citizens for the last two decades. F. Earl Thayer is now editor of the "Woodsville News," our flourishing weekly.
Cy Hobart, our eminent photographer, is well known in the North Country, and J. F. Leonard, our amiable postmaster.
Everybody remembers young Cy Young of big league fame, and "Cuddy" Murphy, who doubtless has the makings.
Relation of Woodsville to Neighboring Villages
In the northwestern corner of the town of Haverhill at a distance of but ten miles from Haverhill Corner is the village of Woodsville, but in methods and man- ners these two villages are as far apart as the poles. One represents the old and the other the new features of life and custom. Haverhill is full of historical as- sociations and Woodsville of business activity. The one is as quiet as a country churchyard while the other is noisy with the puffing of engines and the shifting of trains. One is wealthy and aristocratic, the other has a free and easy swing, with a cordial greeting for a visitor, be he prince or peasant.
Much jealousy and prejudice arise between these villages. Haverhill is jealous of the extensive business carried on in Woodsville, and the popularity of that village, while on the other hand, Woodsville is also jealous of Haverhill for its wealth and historical asso- ciations.
At town meetings it may be noticed that many op- positions are made to the motions brought forth by the opposite sections of the town. As these villages are so widely different, they should be separated into different towns and have laws which would satisfy each.
Wells River is situated just across the Connecticut river from Woodsville and like Woodsville it is chiefly a railroad town, but upon a somewhat smaller scale because it can in no sense be termed a railroad ter- minal except for the little road called "The Montpelier & Wells River."
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Many of the men who live in Wells River are em- ployed In Woodsville, principally on the railroad, and of course there Is more or less intercourse between the two towns.
Wells River is a much older village than Woodsville and was a full grown town before Woodsville even was thought of. The railroad as we all know was the mak- ing of Woodsville and when her growth started, she far outstripped her rival. These two towns have in the past, are now, and probably always will be, business rivals for the trade and prosperity of the surrounding country. Even to a casual observer this rivalry is clearly demonstrated at the Wells River depot. He will hear: "Hotel Wentworth-Hotel Wentworth"- and like an echo comes back: "Hale's Tavern-Hale's Tavern."
And thrown in on the side, so to speak, there is much exchange of hot glances back and forth between the two drivers, one from Woodsville and the other from Wells River.
This rivalry was due, in a great measure to the toll bridge that has until quite recently, interrupted to no small extent the Intercourse between the two respec- tive towns.
The selectmen of these two towns got together and decided to put In a free bridge. It was completed in the fall of 1917 and it was an occasion of much rejoic- Ing and merry-making.
Speeches were made by Governors Keyes and Gra- ham of New Hampshire and Vermont respectively. Mr. Raymond U. Smith was among those present and contributed his part of speaking.
Since this free bridge has been installed I think I can perceive a more amlable and brotherly feeling growing up between these little hamlets. Let us hope so at any rate.
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Woodsville in the Great World War
When war was declared on Germany in 1917, not many boys answered the first call, but later in the summer when a number of men came through Woods- ville and stopped for enlistments many of the town fel- lows volunteered for service. Later on in two or three drafts many more boys went to the several camps.
Only one boy who went from Woodsville died while in service. He was William Libby, a former clerk in Field's store in Woodsville. Many of the boys who went from here received commissions. They ob- tained the offices of lieutenant, senior lieutenant and corporal.
Daniel Ashley, Harold Davison, Mortimer Leonard and Harold Miller held the highest positions. Morti- mer Leonard was superintendent of all wireless sta- tions in the Second Naval district.
Two fellows, Roy Boemig and Harold Davison, won the French war medal. The name of Miss Hazel Carr will be put on the Honor Roll of Woodsville as the only girl to go from this village into the service of her country.
Not all of the boys had the chance to go "Over There." Some were glad they did not, while others were much hurt in feelings because they were not taken.
There are other things to mention also in connec- tion with the war. The Red Cross has done excellent work in making bandages and other articles to be used for the wounded. It raised money by giving enter- tainments, pictures and dances. In all of its drives the people responded willingly and were glad to help.
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The people not only aided the Red Cross, but in every Liberty Loan campaign the townspeople responded very freely by stinting and saving in every way in or- der to purchase Bonds. During the food shortage the people learned to eat many foods which before the war they had not dreamed of trying.
Other organizations in town helped, too. The Camp Fire Girls and the Boy Scouts solicited in the Liberty Loans. Many of the Scouts earned medals and some of them earned additional bars for their services in the campaigns.
Woodsville co-operated very well with Wells River and North Haverhill in many attempts to help the gov- ernment. At the time of the armistice on November 11, 1918, a great celebration was held to show the joy of many hundreds of people not only in Woodsville but everywhere.
On May 14, 1919, a grand jubilee was held in Woods- ville in honor of the returned soldiers. A supper was served for them, and a very good entertainment was given them, to which the public was invited.
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Business Enterprises and Public Buildings
THE COTTAGE HOSPITAL
The Cottage hospital, which is situated about a mile or more below Woodsville on the road to North Haver- hill, was formerly a tavern or Inn where the stage horses were changed on the route from Boston to Lancaster. It was only a small building when pur- chased.
Rev. W. A. Loyne of the Methodist church was the organizer. Through his influence several men formed an association for the establishment of a hospital. The first meeting was held in the Directors' Room of the Woodsville National Bank, on October 19, 1903.
The hospital building was enlarged in 1910. It cost six thousand dollars in all. Three thousand dol- lars were paid for the old building and three thousand for the addition.
At present the hospital has twenty-one beds, a men's ward of six beds and a women's ward of three beds, besides twelve private rooms. There are five special rooms, one endowed by the wife of Dr. Stearns in his memory, one endowed by Mrs. Mary Carbee, the Tarle- ton Club room furnished and endowed by members of Tarleton Club, the T. C. C. room, furnished and en- dowed by a club of girls. Some of the members are Madge Barbour, Pauline Kitteridge and Hazel Carr; and another room furnished by the S. S. club of girls in Woodsville.
Up to four years ago the hospital had a heavy debt, which has been raised by the efforts of a few inter-
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ested persons. A permanent fund has since been started.
All doctors from Woodsville, North Haverhill, Hav- erhill and Wells River practice at the hospital, each one taking his turn as house doctor. All of the doctor constitute the medical staff. Any doctor who is in good standing can take patients there.
The hospital is surely a need, as can be seen from the fact that the full capacity is twenty-five and during the influenza epidemic thirty-five patients were under care and many more turned away.
The hospital has a staff of a superintendent and eiglit nurses, who are training. The present superin- tendent is Mrs. Nellie A. Banyea. The hospital has graduated thirty-four nurses since its history began.
A staff of twenty-five directors, with Mrs. Mary Ran- dall as president, and a staff of sixteen trustees, with Mr. Dennis Ronhan as president, constitutes the ruling power of the hospital.
WOODSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Woodsville Public Library is a medium sized, square brick building situated on School street. It was built in 1893 and was the gift of Ira Whitcher. The expense of construction, which included the cost of excavation, foundation, stone work, building ma- terials, construction, grading, furniture, and fixtures amounted to about one thousand dollars.
Mr. Whitcher, in connection with W. F. Whltcher and Mary E. Whitcher Abbott, gave books valued at two thousand dollars. About six hundred dollars were raised by the town for the purchase of books. The library was opened in October, 1894, with Charles Griswold as librarian. It contained about two thons- and volumes.
In 1901 the Library became entitled to one third of
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the sum raised by the town of Haverhill for library purposes. Additional appropriations must come from the Woodsville district. It contains a large supply of books at present and new ones are added every year.
THE COURT HOUSE
The County records and court proceedings were held originally in North Haverhill village. The build- ing erected for this purpose was a two-story structure and cost one thousnd, nine hundred and thirty-one dollars. This building remained in use only twenty years, when the records were moved to Haverhill Corner.
However, this was not to be their permanent home, for ninety years later, in 1889, it was voted in Legisla- ture to build a court house in Woodsville and twenty thousand dollars were appropriated for the purpose. The lot on which it stands was presented to the town by Hon. Ira Whitcher, one of the members of the building committee. It is situated in the business section of the village, on Court street.
The offices in the court house are those of the Clerk, Register of Deeds, Register of Probate and the County Commissioners. Upstairs there are a large court room and also several small rooms. In the very tower of this building there is a large bell, the largest in the town of Haverhill. It was rung for the first time on November 11, 1918, to celebrate the laying down of arms of the Germans and the Allies.
The original officers of those first to occupy the new court house were: Myron H. Richardson, Register of Deeds; Charles B. Griswold, Clerk of the Court; and William F. Westgate, Register of Probate. At present the Register of Deeds is R. T. Bartlett; the Clerk of Court, D. D. Dow; and the Register of Probate, W. J. Randolph. Court is generally held three times a year.
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HISTORY OF WOODSVILLE
FACTORIES, MILLS, ETC.
The first industry of any kind was a saw and grist mill, bullt on the site where the light plant now stands, by a Mr. Cotton in 1811. Lumber was sawed from the plne which stood In abundance where the village now stands. This mill was run by several, but most successfully by John Woods, after whom the village was named; It was later bought out by C. B. Smith, who manufactured shovel handles. A few years later It was destroyed, being washed away by high water.
Q. A. Scott ran a small establishment for a while, making uniforms, costumes, banners, and lodge para- phernalia.
C. F. Carr manufactured mouldings, house furnish- ings, doors, sashes, blinds, etc., for several years.
Ira Whitcher owned a large saw mill just south of Mrs. Randall's coal sheds. Part of the chimney still stands. This was one of the largest and best equipped saw mills In this section at the time and hired many hands. About the middle of 1906 the mill burned, causing a large conflagration which will be long re- membered. The effects of this blaze may be noticed on the coal shed at the present day.
A shirt walst factory was established, in the build- Ing where the laundry was about 190S or 1909, but It was unsuccessful, not lasting over seven months.
A grist mill was bullt at the top of the hill on Smith street, and Is now run by L. C. Butler.
The bullding that is now known as the Palace Bowl- ing Alleys was once across the street from where it is now and dealt In coal, cement and many other things.
D. S. Stone built a mill on the site where his mill now stands in 1908. This was very successful and the most of what Is now known as Stoneville was bulit by Mr. Stone. This mill burned about three years ago and another was bullt on this site on a smaller scale.
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STORES
The first store in Woodsville was built and run by John L. Woods, in what is now the 1. K. George house. Edward Childs and Ezra Kimball successfully ran this for a few years after Mr. Woods. Then for some years Woodsville had no store. Charles Weeks opened up in the old stand in 1859 and later built the Weeks block. In 1875 Albert Leighton and Q. A. Scott went into partnership and set up a clothing and dry goods business in one part of this block. The store was later run by I. K. Stearns, who was bought out by Stahl. The store is now run by Kugelman. A Mr. Miller started a grocery store in the other side of the block and this has been run by F. M. Astle and now by M. Fields. The first fruit store was in the Weeks block and was owned by Jasper Police. He was bought out by Va Garni and it is now run by Charles Christopher. In 1875 the first watch and jewelry store was opened in the Weeks block by William Wal- lace. This was run for fourteen years and was bought by Frank Kittredge in 1889. It is now run by R. E. Boemig.
The building now known as the Sargent block was a small structure. It was owned by Burton Brothers and successively by Barrows and Prey. It was prac- tically rebuilt into a fine brick block by Sargent, who now runs it.
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In 1886 Henry Ramsey and Charles Joy built the Brick store and sold flour. The store was later run by Stickney Brothers, who ran a general store. They were bought out by Charles Whitcher, who was un- successful, and it was closed until bought by Hosford. Cyrus Cameron ran a furniture store there for years. It is now run by Rhett Scruggs, who runs a hardware store and plumbing business.
In 1889 Bittinger Brothers built the Bittinger block.
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The place had two stores, one run by E. D. Carpenter, and the other by the Woodsville News. The stores are now occupied by the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Com- pany and Bassett's barber shop, with the News office in the back part. The News has been managed by several, and is now in the hands of F. Earl Thayer. Fred Battis once ran a pool room and lunch counter where the A. & P. store now is.
The first drug store was situated where Hiram Smith's harness shop is located. It was built by George S. Cummings, who opened a drug store, with C. B. Drake as partner. In 1872 Mr. Drake sold his interest to E. B. Mann and the firm name became E. B. Mann & Co. Mr. Cummings retired, selling to Al Wil- loughby, and he sold to Ira Mann. In 1890 the Opera House was built and the drug store moved into this building. The bank has been situated in the Opera Hlouse since it was bullt. An addition was built onto this section a few years ago. In another part is a general store, which has been run by Howe & Gorden, llowe alone, Mann & Mann, Fred Mann, and E. B. Mann successively. The postoffice was once in this block, but has been moved to the I. O. O. F. block. The vacancy was occupied by Doe Brothers, and is now run by C. Tabor Gates. There are several offices, a club room, and a fine theatre upstairs.
In 1891 H. H. Whittier started a bakery. The build- ing was burned, but was rebuilt by Dave Mitchell, who sold to C. A. Butson, who runs a meat market there.
Mr. Lovejoy built the Lovejoy block. He ran a meat market in one part, and a millinery store was in the other side. The market was later used by W. Hart- well until he moved where he now is. The Atlantic and Pacific Tea store was there a while. The mil- linery store has been run by several. Both are now vacant.
The Tilton block was built by S. D. Tilton. Harry
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Hibbard had the first shoe store in one part of the building and Ed. Lother ran a hardware store in the other part. Lother is still in business at the old stand. The shoe store was sold to Wilson Beattie and then to Lampher. It was closed for a while, and re- opened by Batchelder & Libby.
The Mulliken block was built by A. F. Mulliken. It was divided into three stores; a grocery store was started by Earnest Craig, who sold to Cadwell, and after a few years Mr. Cadwell sold out to Lynn Miller. A. F. Milliken & Son started a hardware store in the middle of the block and Doe Brothers a clothing store in one end. Doe Brothers sold out to Batchelder & Libby, who kept the clothing store until the block burned in 1915. A portion of the block was saved. This part was rebuilt by A. Lorenzo, who runs a shoe store and does repairing. He had another store in the part opposite him. This was a meat market for a time and is now used by a wholesale fruit establish- ment.
Music Hall was built by the Music Hall association, composed mostly of Odd Fellows. It was consumed in one of the worst fires the village ever experienced, and a new brick block was built on this site by the I. O. O. F., and is known as the I. O. O. F. building. Rouhan's furniture store and the postoffice occupy the ground floor, and there are several offices on the second, the lodge room being on the third.
T. Rowden built a small block where the Central house stood. This is now occupied by F. H. Mann and W. H. Hartwell.
George Smith built the Variety store and sold out to V. L. Carpenter & Son in 1903. This store has been successful ever since. The Henderson block was erected in 1914 and is one of the most modern in the place. A hotel and several offices are upstairs. The theatre is on the ground floor. A store was put in on
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one side and has been run by Kugelman. Stahl now occupies it. Opposite this a restaurant has been established since the block was built.
The first restaurant was a hinch cart, situated be- tween Balley's garage and the express office, and was owned by Johnson.
The second restaurant was owned by Charles New- ell in a building where the Odd Fellows' block now is.
The hinch cart opposite the Tilton block was moved and bullt into a restaurant at the top of the hill lead- ing to Wells River.
The restaurant under Sargent's store has been con- chucted by several.
When the Henderson block was bullt St. Jock had a restaurant there and he has been succeeded by Mr. King, Henderson, and Schaeffer.
The restaurant on Beech street has been conducted by Mr. Colby, Michell, Wood & Wood, Wood alone, and now by R. H. Wells.
Fred Battis had a restaurant where the Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company has their store.
The latest restaurant to be built has just started in a little room between the Tilton block and the cob- bler's. It is conducted by Ernest Belle.
HOTELS
Among the early hotels of Woodsville was the Mount Gardner house, which was situated near where the blacksmith shop is now, and which was burned.
The Parker house was built by E. G. Parker In 1872. where the Henderson block now stands. This was also burned.
1. K. George built a hotel where the Rowden block now stands. It was known by several names-John- son house, Tremont house and Central house. This was also burned a few years ago.
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The Wentworth house was built by A. H. Leighton in 1890.
The Henderson hotel is situated in the Henderson block and is the newest in the village.
BANKS
The Woodsville Loan and Banking Company was or- ganized in 1891. The officers were C. R. Gibson, pres- ident; C. B. Griswold, vice-president; R. A. Horner, treasurer. Whitcher was treasurer after Horner, and resigned in 1896. Mr. Allen was Mr. Whitcher's suc- cessor. He stayed until he was succeeded by Jerry Abbott, then Horace Knight became treasurer.
The Woodsville Guaranty Savings bank was or- ganized in April, 1890, with a guaranty fund of twenty- five thousand dollars. E. B. Mann was the first pres- ident, Isaac M. Smith was vice-president, R. A. Horner, treasurer. Until the Opera block was built the bank did business in a room in the freight depot, but in 1891 it was moved to its present location. It is provided with a fireproof vault, and a burglar-proof safe.
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