USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > History of the town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890, Vol. I > Part 19
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In 1865 an active temperance movement was started in Rochester. Union meetings were held by the two principal churches. Citizens' meetings were also held, and lecturers obtained from abroad. In addition, one or two special town meetings were called to consider the matter. One of the results was the guaranteeing of a good fund by subscription to close up the liquor saloons, and the appoint- ment of a citizens' prosecuting committee consisting of Frank McDuffee, Robert McIlroy, Charles K. Chase, Charles W. Brown, and J. F. Place. Any one now living who remembers the time will doubtless remember that that committee was very active in its work, and that it was pretty effectual. The "Courier " took a hand in this work, and supported the movement heartily, and of course came in for a good share of abuse. The paper, however, continued to thrive; its independence now counted in its favor; and in spite of a libel suit in 1866, the vicissitudes of politics and the constant opposition and hatred of the saloons, it paid a comfortable income.
Mr. Place sold the "Courier" and job printing office May 31, 1867, to George C. Foster of Acworth, N. H. Mr. Foster a few months afterwards sold half of the establishment to Charles W. Folsom, who on Oct. 1, 1868, bought his partner's remaining half interest.
Mr. Folsom " was born under the shadow of Mt. Chocorua, the only mountain in New Hampshire that has a legend, but came to Rochester when less than a year old." He received an academic education at West Lebanon, Me. His father, David J. Folsom, was one of " the thirteen who signed the original 'Hale' call, when John P. Hale came out of the Democratic ranks and formed the Free Soil party of New Hampshire."
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Mr. Folsom continued editor and proprietor of the "Courier" for nearly eighteen years. His special forte was local news, and he made his paper in that respect one of the best in New England. Edwin E. Small at Farmington, Charles E. Drayton at Gonic, and Miss Addie Cowell of Lebanon, Me., were the local correspondents for a long time. Edward F. Ricker was assistant in the office for several years; afterwards Thomas C. Hennem had charge of the office, where he still remains.
In 1871 the office was removed from the Dodge " Bank building" (so called, next to Dodge's Hotel) to the second floor of D. Hanson's building on Central Square, corner of Hanson's street, where it now is. The paper was enlarged to a seven-column paper in 1870. A Fairhaven cylinder power press was put in in 1872, and soon after a steam engine. In 1878 the paper was 'again enlarged to its present size- eight columns to a page. The "Courier " during Mr. Folsom's management was invariably on the moral side of every question. Mr. Folsom twice represented the town in the Legislature, and was a member of the State Senate in 1883, where he introduced and advocated earnestly the passage of the bill providing for the compulsory teaching in the public schools of the effect of the use of narcotics on the human system.
Mr. Folsom sold the "Courier" and its printing office Dec. 4, 1885, to Dr. I. W. Lougee, for $3,500. Dr. Lougee still conducts the paper, which maintains its reputation for local news, so well earned under Mr. Folsom's management.
The first number of the " Anti-Monopolist," a greenback news- paper, so called, was issued Oct. 19, 1878, by George G. Berry & Co. - a politician named Moses Hull being the " Co." Hull did the editorial work, and Berry the mechanical work and looked after the " locals."
Hull, prior to this, owned a small printing office in Boston, and Berry had been carrying on a job printing office for several years in Rochester - his office being in the Ela building on Market street. Hull's materials were moved from Boston, and the two combined formed the " Anti-Monopolist" office, which was located in Mc- Duffee block. In a few months after the paper was started, Hull retired and turned over his interest in the concern to his brother, Dr. D. W. Hull of Michigan. In August, 1881, Dr. Hull sold his interest to Mr. Berry, and Frank H. Berry (son of George G.) was
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then taken into partnership, and the paper has since then been pub- lished by Geo. G. Berry & Son. Mr. Berry, senior, died Oct. 25, 1885. He was a native of North Strafford, and above forty-five years of age at time of his death.
The " greenback party " was made up from that extreme wing of the Democratic party known as "soft money" Democrats, who favored the payment of all government bonds and obligations in paper money, or United States paper currency, bearing no interest and not redeemable in coin. The " Anti-Monopolist" was started to represent and advocate the opinions of that political class. The paper has also given considerable attention to local news. It has been much improved in this respect, and as a newspaper of general interest, since Mr. F. H. Berry has conducted it.
It is issued every Saturday, its subscription price being one dollar a year. The paper has been twice enlarged, and is now an eight- column newspaper, 26×39 inches in size. For the first three years it was printed in the "Courier" office, afterwards in McDuffee block on a Washington hand press. The office is now in Went- worth block, on the second floor, and the paper is printed on a Whitlock cylinder press, run by steam power.
In May, 1884, the Union Mission Band commenced the publication of a small monthly paper called "Missionary Echoes," 13×22 in size. It was edited by Mrs. J. G. Harvey, the president of the organization, and was printed in the " Courier" office. Its object in the main was to raise funds for the establishment of a public Reading Room. The paper was continued for a year, and the pro- ceeds turned over to the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and used for the above purpose. It was a very creditable work by the young ladies of the "Band," and the editing by Mrs. Harvey compared favorably with much more pretentious publications.
A weekly newspaper called the " Rochester Leader " was started Dec. 2, 1885, by H. L. Cate and Irving E. Horne, under the firm name of Cate & Horne. Horne soon after retired, and the paper has since been published by Mr. Cate. It is an advocate of the labor interest. Mr. Cate is a native of Reading, Mass., and was twenty-seven years old when the "Leader" was first issued. He learned the printing business under Mr. Folsom in the " Courier " office, where he served for ten years.
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The " Leader " is 26×40 inches in size, and the subscription price is $1.25 per year. It is printed in the " Anti-Monopolist" office in Wentworth block on Main street.
The newspaper business of Rochester has one peculiar feature -it has been largely conducted by native talent. Both Furber and Place - the first the pioneer of the " Review," and the latter the founder of the "Courier" -were born in Gonic, and went to the district school in that village. Henderson was a native of Rochester, and learned his trade with S. J. Varney, another "Rochester boy," who was at that time publishing the " Gazette," at Methuen Falls, Mass. Mr. Varney learned his trade in the "Dover Gazette " office, and thus gave the name "Gazette" to his new venture at Methuen. This was years before the great manufacturing city of Lawrence was thought of, which has since grown almost around the little village at Methuen Falls, and was before Mr. Place was born, who a quarter century later learned the business in the " Lawrence Courier " office, about a mile or so from Methuen, and afterward gave the name " Courier " to his individual enterprise at Rochester. Mr. Varney after leaving Methuen established the "Vox Populi " at Lowell, which is still continued by some of his family. Mr. Fol- som who conducted the "Courier " for eighteen years, was raised " above the bridge," as that part of Rochester village is still known. The Berrys of the " Anti-Monopolist," both father and son, were born close to the Rochester line.
Among others who have been identified with the business, may be mentioned J. T. S. Libby, for many years connected with the "Dover Enquirer," who was born in Rochester. Hon. J. H. Ela, so long a resident of Rochester, and a native of the town, learned the print- ing business in Concord, and did eminent service on the "Herald of Freedom," in molding public opinion which finally resulted in the formation of the Republican party and the overthrow of slavery. Edwin A. Fernald now of the "Detroit Tribune," and George E. Place, a Directory publisher in Los Angeles, Cal., are both proteges of the "Courier " office, and natives of Rochester. Mr. Fernald was the founder, and for several years publisher, of the " Great Falls Journal."
CHAPTER XI.
ROCHESTER IN THE REBELLION.
" Hark ! I hear the tramp of thousands, And of armed men the hum; Lo! a nation's hosts have gathered Round the quick-alarming drum - Saying 'Come, Freemen, come !
Ere your heritage be wasted,' said the quick-alarming drum.
·
And they answered, hoping, fearing, Some in faith, and doubting some, Till a trumpet-voice proclaiming, Said, ' My chosen people, come !' Then the drum Lo! was dumb; For the great heart of the nation, throbbing, answered, 'Lord, we come !' "
THE election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency in 1860 was regarded by the South as threatening to their interests in the triumph of freedom over slavery. They therefore proceeded to execute the threat of dissolution which they had so long bran- dished over the terrified politicians of the North. The passage of ordinances of secession, the establishment of the Confederacy, the resignation of Southern officers in the United States naval, mil- itary, and civil service, the Peace Congress, the various compro- mises proposed and rejected or abandoned, the warlike attitude hastily and angrily assumed by the South, the gathering of troops at Charleston, the hesitation of the government, the bombardment and capture of Sumter by which war was fairly inaugurated, are now familiar events in the general history of our country. In them Rochester took her due proportion of interest, and manifested her full share of political and patriotic ardor. At the presidential election this town had cast 376 votes for Lincoln, 268 for Douglas, and 22 for Breckenridge. Thus the party which had elected Lincoln was strong here at the beginning of the crisis, and when
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war actually burst upon the land, and the question became one of maintaining the government against its deadly enemies, party differences were for the time laid aside, and all were of one heart and soul. Who that was then living has forgotten those carly days in the war? the wild excitement when news reached us that Beauregard had opened his batteries, and each mail for two days told us that the brave Anderson still held the fort? Hopes were raised only to be blasted with consternation when the little band of 70 surrendered at last to 7000. Then still more thoroughly were the people aroused at the President's call for 75,000 troops. And as news came of hundreds of thousands of men with money and munitions of war quickly offered to sustain the government, daily and hourly the excitement grew. The riot at Baltimore, the telegraph cut, the first bloodshed, made the people wild with patriotic frenzy. The present generation cannot understand it. But who then living has forgotten that terrible Sunday ? As if the truth itself were not bad enough, the air was filled with most astounding rumors from the telegraph office at Great Falls, whence couriers were continually arriving. " Baltimore on fire." "The city shelled from Fort McHenry." " Gen. Butler shot dead on the street." Then the people were ready to believe anything. But after a while telegrams became a by-word of untruthfulness, to be received with distrust, or like dreams to be interpreted by contraries.
In this crisis what was Rochester doing? When the battle of Lexington opened the revolution ninety years before, the energy and alacrity of Rochester in raising and forwarding volunteers calls forth our admiration. Did the spirit of the fathers still survive ? Our record shows no diminution of patriotism or zeal. Immediate steps were taken to raise volunteers. But some could not be persuaded to wait a single day. A young man at Gonic, named Joseph D. Horne, upon learning the fall of Sumter, started the same afternoon for Lawrence, Mass., where he volun- teered to fill a vacancy in the 6th Regiment, which started early the next morning for Washington. In the Baltimore fight a comrade (Needham) fell by his side. This was the first full regi- ment that reached the capital, and Rochester was honored with a worthy representative. Horne proved himself a brave soldier and died in the service of his country.
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On reception of the President's proclamation a public meeting was at once summoned at the town hall. The call for this meeting was signed by a large number of the leading citizens without distinction of party. A reduced fac-simile of this call is seen on the following page. At the appointed hour the hall was crowded. The meeting was called to order by Jacob H. Ela. James H. Edgerly was called to preside, with a list of vice-presidents and secretaries chosen alternately from each political party. The fol- lowing resolutions, presented by Mr. Ela, breathe the same spirit of lofty patriotism which pervaded those passed at the dawn of the revolution. (Page 52.)
" Whereas, after numerous acts of war upon the government, which if perpe- trated by a foreign power would have been promptly redressed, and after for- bearance which would be characterized as imbecility, war exists and has been wantonly urged against the government and its authority, and upon principles which lead to anarchy and despotism, therefore
" Resolved, that we will sustain the administration in the most vigorous prose- cution of all the means necessary for maintaining the authority of the gov- ernment, protecting the public property, and maintaining the honor of the na- tional flag.
" Resolved, that the Selectmen be requested forthwith to call a town meeting for the purpose of appropriating and authorizing the Selectmen, or a committee of citizens, to use at their discretion such sums as may be necessary, not ex- ceeding two thousand dollars, for the purpose of securing the pay of all such persons as may volunteer, until otherwise provided for, and for the benefit of such families as may need it.
" Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed to receive the names of vol- unteers, and make such arrangements as may be necessary to secure prompt compliance with the requisition of the government."
These resolutions drew out eloquent and patriotic speeches from many citizens. A few thought that since the banks had made liberal offers of loans for war purposes, it was not necessary to call a town meeting at once, and proposed an amendment to the effect that a committee be appointed to have a town meeting called if it should prove necessary. The people, however, were in no mood for delay, and promptly voted down the proposed amendment. The resolutions were then adopted with unanimous enthusiasm. The firing of a cannon was agreed upon as a signal to summon the people to the town hall, and from this time spir- ited meetings were held nearly every week. Men of both parties from this and other towns addressed these meetings in the most fervent manner, making earnest speeches upon the duty of sus- taining the government. At one meeting N. V. Whitehouse
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PUBLIC MEETING
E PLURIBUS
UNUM
Fellow Citizens !
The time has come when by the
bombardment of its Forts and organized resistance to its authority-War exists against a Government which has conferred only benefits. The President calls upon the country for aid to maintain that Government and its authority. In this trial hour which tests our capacity for self government-when an armed conflict is upon us-political differ- ences should give way to patriotism, and all who recognize the ballot box as the rightful means of revolution in a Free Government --- who prize the blessings of LIBERTY over usur- pation and anarchy --- should unite together to sustain the Government. All citizens anima- ted by such a purpose, are invited to meet at the
Town
Hall
In Rochester, Thursday Evening, April 18th,
to take such action as they may deem proper.
WATSON HAYES, NICHOLAS R. VARNEY, BENJA HOBBS, CHARLES K. CHASE, JOHN MANSON, IRA DOE, DAVID AUSTIN, JOHN STOTT, J. WESLEY HORNE, W. K. KIMBALL, S. D. WENTWORTH, JOSIAH B. KIMBALL, JOHN FOLSOM, JOHN W. SANBORN, JOHN CORSON, SAMUEL JELERSON, E. J. MATHES, E. L. GLIDDEN, DAVID J. SANBORN,
BENJA BARKER, DANIEL McDUFFEE, F. McDUFFEE, JOHN LEGRO, J N WILKINSON, J O HOWARD, R McDUFFEE, JR B FLETCHER, T C DAVIS J FARRINGTON, JACOB H ELA, JAMES H EDGERLY, EDWIN WALLACE, E G WALLACE, J WENTWORTH, 'T BROWN,
S H FEINEMAN, GEO F GUPPY, F FEINEMAN,
SIMON CHASE, GEO B ROBERTS, M H WENTWORTH, WALTER B K HODGDON, CHAS E BLACKMAR, CHAS W FOLSOM, HARRISON HALE, J D PILLSBURY, JABEZ DAME, EPHRAIM HAMMETT, DAVID J FOLSOM, J D EVANS, JOHN McDUFFEE,
G D PLUMER, SILAS HUSSEY JB, CHAS DENNETT, REUBEN TILTON, THOS S HUSSEY, CHAS HENDERSON ..
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ROCHESTER IN THE REBELLION.
displayed a piece of a rebel flag which he had obtained in Boston, and offered to give a bounty of twenty dollars each to the first five who would enlist from Rochester. The highest degree of enthusiasm prevailed. Processions marched through the streets to the stirring sound of fife and drum, frequently meeting other processions coming in from different parts of the town. A com- mittee was appointed to present each Rochester volunteer with a revolver, and to furnish such personal comforts as might be needed. It was voted to revive the Rochester Phalanx as a company of minute men if called for. April 30th a committee of women was appointed to provide each man with two flannel shirts, two pairs of woolen drawers, two pairs of woolen stockings, and a supply of handkerchiefs, towels, etc. Mrs. Anna Hanson, in her 94th year, offered her services and made up half-a-dozen shirts. Her memory of the revolution doubtless increased her patriotic zeal. In a very few days the above-named articles were furnished to our soldiers then about leaving Dover. Meanwhile young men were continually enrolling themselves. The first volunteers enlisted at Dover, and went daily to that place for drill, receiving free passage on the railroad.
When the call for 75,000 troops was first received, and one regiment assigned to New Hampshire, it was thought that our town's proportion would be eight or ten, and the question was often asked, Who will go? War was a new thing, and though there was much enthusiasm and people loved the old flag, yet visions of battle, blood, and death would intrude themselves. Who would go? The question was speedily answered. It was no longer asked what our proportion was, but men pressed in so rapidly that the first regiment was organized and sent forward leaving many enlisted men behind who saw no service. The first legal action of the town was on May 11th, when three thousand dollars was appropriated to procure whatever was needed for the comfort and safety of the soldiers and for the support of their families during their absence. The selectmen were instructed to pay for the revolvers presented to the first twenty volunteers, and to provide all necessary articles of clothing. J. H. Edgerly, Richard Cross, and C. K. Chase were appointed to distribute what sums should be needed for the support of soldiers' families. The people largely shared in the sanguine expectations of Secre-
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tary Seward, that thirty, sixty, ninety days, or at most a few months would suffice to crush the rebellion. These hopes were very soon blasted, and it is no wonder that some few began to falter. The flush of the first glorious excitement had passed. Such as had more emotion than sturdy principle proved recreant when brought face to face with continued sacrifices and persistent struggles. But these were comparatively few. The people as a whole in Rochester stood loyally and magnificently by the old flag. They were ready to do and to suffer all that the heroes of '76 had done and endured for their country. The second battle of Bull Run had taught both government and people that they had no holiday task before them. Volunteers again pressed forward in larger numbers than before. During August about forty, and in September many more Rochester recruits hastened to the field. And their enthusiastic support at home was by no means lacking. The Sanitary Commission had now become thoroughly organized for its beneficent work, and the women of Rochester were sending frequent supplies for the comfort of their brave volunteers, and the necessities of the sick and wounded.
At the annual town meeting, March 11, 1862,
" Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to hire $5000 to furnish necessary aid to wives, children, or parents of volunteers in service from Rochester, and that the aid rendered families shall be to the extent which with their own reasonable efforts shall maintain them in comfortable circumstances."
With such noble and loyal support of the citizens at home, no wonder patriotic young men were ready to march to their coun- try's defence.
In June four soldiers returned wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks :- Stephen D. Avery who had been shot through the body and taken up for dead, Charles H. Bliss badly wounded in breast and thigh, Charles W. Gilman whose right thumb had been shot off, and James W. Blaisdell who had lost his right fore-finger in the same way. Every such return helped to stimulate and con- firm the determination of the people. In a few days came the President's call for 300,000 more three years' men, followed a month later by the call for the same number of nine months' men. If there were less of outward excitement and noisy demon- stration than a year before, the people were more deeply aroused,
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ROCHESTER IN THE REBELLION.
and more thoroughly imbued with a firm-set purpose to conquer the rebellion at whatever cost. N. V. Whitehouse offered $100 to be divided among the first twenty who should enlist. Enthu- siastic war meetings were now occurring daily all over the state. Scarcely a week passed without a crowded meeting at our town hall, many not being able to get in. Stirring speeches were made by men of both political parties from this and neighboring towns. At one meeting thirty enlistments were made, and at every gath- ering rousing and repeated cheers for the Union testified to the de- termined loyalty of the people. The women were actively engaged in making lint, bandages, etc., and soliciting funds from every quarter with great success, for "none could withstand their ap- peals." The last week in July they sent two large boxes to the Sanitary Commission. The "Dover Enquirer " for Aug. 14, con- tained the following item : -
" Forty-seven recruits from Rochester went up [that is to Concord] Monday for the 9th N. H. Capt. C. W. Edgerly raised in a short time thirty-five young men, some of the best in town, some of whom never used intoxicating drink, and not even tobacco."
By this time the ranks of young men were becoming depleted, volunteering flagged, prices for substitutes began to advance, and the government ordered a draft to begin Sept. 15. This was deferred, however, for nearly a year. Two special town meetings were held in August, at which $200 bounty was voted to each volunteer, and the selectmen were instructed to hire $8000 for
this purpose. Samuel Jones, Daniel McDuffee, Daniel Young, Charles Chisholm, and Rufus Clark were appointed a committee to assist in raising volunteers. The prospect of a draft roused the people to still deeper earnestness. The 9th of September was devoted to a military drill of the citizens at large, all the mills and places of business being closed, and the evening was spent in speech-making and other patriotic demonstrations.
September 22d, the President's preliminary proclamation of Emancipation was issued, and three days later the citizens of Rochester met to express their views on the subject. J. D. Sturte- vant was chosen to preside. Resolutions introduced by J. H. Ela were adopted by an almost unanimous vote. They declared that
"with profound satisfaction we hail the proclamation as a measure calculated to cripple the rebellion, defeat the intrigues of foreign intervention, and bring
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the war to a speedy and triumphant close, and that these and all other consti - tutional measures meet our approval, and we pledge the President our hearty support," etc.
The meeting was largely attended, harmonious, and enthusiastic, though not so crowded as previous war meetings.
October 25th valuable swords and sashes were presented by the citizens to Capt. G. E. Pinkham, and Lieuts. A. M. Kimball and L. F. Place. Charles S. Whitehouse presided, and spoke of the ready liberality of the citizens in presenting swords, not only at this time but previously to Capt. C. W. Edgerly, and Licuts. Henry W. Locke and Samuel F. Varney, saying that Rochester had done her duty nobly and was willing to do it till the Stars and Stripes should wave in peace over the whole country. Cyrus K. Sanborn culogized the zeal and energy of Capt. Pink- ham in encouraging men to enlist and now going himself with the confidence and respect of his men, and the best wishes of his fellow citizens. He said that Lieuts. Kimball and Place had already done honor to the town; leaving home a year ago as Sergeants, their, faithfulness, courage, and ability had won their present position. Presenting the swords in behalf of the citizens he said he committed them to good hands of loyal men who had taken them in defense of a righteous cause, and hoped the splen- did gifts would inspire them with renewed exertions in crushing out the wicked rebellion. The recipients responded in fitting words amid repeated applause.
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