USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Wentworth > History of the town of Wentworth, New Hampshire > Part 9
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Another development in means of travel impends. Airplanes are now seen as often as automobiles were thirty years ago. Their use is bound to increase. A
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THE FINAL FORTY YEARS, 1890-1930
public landing field will become a necessity in every town.
It is quite possible the diversion of much passenger traffic and light transportation to the air routes will go far to relieve the congestion on our highways.
The wise old crack "That there is more room up in the air than anywhere else" is in a way to get a hard jolt in years to come, it being safe to predict that the use of the airship as a means of transportation is des- tined greatly to increase in the near future, with the end not yet in sight.
The town in 1910 was credited with a population of 595 and almost held its own for the ten years, 1900 to 1910.
One of the events of public importance deserving mention in the history of our town was the establish- ment during the year 1910 of Camp Pemigewasset, a summer camp for boys, at Baker's Pond.
The association was duly incorporated on Septem- ber 10, 1910. The articles of incorporation stated the "purpose was to maintain a boys' summer camp for the promotion of education, physical culture and so- cial recreation." Edwin Fauver of Swarthmore, Pa., Edgar Fauver of Teachers College in New York, and Dudley B. Reed of Rochester, N. Y., were among the founders of the corporation and may perhaps be con- sidered the promoters of the enterprise.
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HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
The proprietors of the camp have acquired suffi- cient land on the shores of the lower Baker's Pond to carry out their designs. They have from time to time added to their original holdings of real estate in the vicinity until, at the present time, they own or control the larger part of the shore of the pond.
The camp proper is located on the lakeside furthest from the highway. The grounds around the camp are well kept and laid out with tennis courts and ball grounds. The lake furnishes ample chance for water sports of all kinds, boating, canoeing, swimming and bathing. Most of the modest camp buildings are located in the grove that skirts the southerly shore of the pond.
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The camp has been apparently a success in all re- spects from its inception and appears to be a pros- perous-going concern. The camp boys come occa- sionally to the village and are a familiar and welcome sight in the region roundabout.
Singers and musicians from among the camp people have frequently taken part in church services and also entertainments at the village.
The establishment of this camp has been a very substantial addition to the material and social re- sources of the community.
One thing will probably not fail to escape the at- tention of one observant of town affairs, namely, that
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THE FINAL FORTY YEARS, 1890-1930
a new generation of men and women are now in offi- cial charge of the public business.
The veteran postmaster, James B. Brown, was suc- ceeded in that office by Mrs. Virginia R. Eaton. On the Board of Selectmen about this period we find, among others, Harry A. Whitcher, Walter S. Libbey, Charles T. Gove and Ben B. Foster. Hiram Bowen, an active, stirring man, was prominent at this era in political and business circles. W. D. Stinson was in business at Colburn's Mills. It must be admitted, however, that production in town was in a decline which, we regret very much to have to admit, has con- tinued.
From a historical standpoint perhaps the part taken by the townspeople in the World War, 1914 to 1918, is the outstanding event of the decade.
At the outbreak of the war in July, 1914, a feeling of gratitude that our own country was not involved, prevailed. It was at first believed the war would not be a prolonged conflict. This belief proved to be a mis- taken one. The war dragged on its bloody, gloomy and indecisive course during the years 1914, 1915 and 1916.
The people of New Hampshire at least, and prob- ably of the country as a whole, grew to scorn neu- trality and freely admitted and even proclaimed their sympathy for the Allies. During 1916 it became in- creasingly evident that the United States would be
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HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
involved in the conflict, the only question being when would the hour come.
This question was answered on the sixth day of April, 1917, when President Wilson, supported strongly by Congress, proclaimed the United States to be at war with Germany and her associates.
There was no display of the Jingo spirit. But it is not too much to say the people were as a whole united and resolved to see the war through to a finish, come what might.
Grim preparations for the war were rapidly made. Almost the first of these was the so-called Selective Service Act which in effect mobilized the entire man power of the nation for military purposes, and from the hour of the adoption of this Act by the United States, the German cause was lost.
* The first registration under this Act was on June 5, 1917. This covered the ages 21 to 31.
The second registration, a year later, included those who had become 21 since the first registration.
The third and last registration on September 12, 1918, extended the age limits downward to 18 and upward to 45 years.
The contribution made by our town to the military forces of the United States during the war can be stated as follows:
*Hobart Pillsbury.
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THE FINAL FORTY YEARS, 1890-1930
Fay Boardman was serving in the regular army, having enlisted in 1914, and served until his discharge in 1920.
Before the Selective Service Act was in effect, there were from town the following enlistments:
Elwin O. Clough, Navy, enlisted May 7, 1917. Hubbard E. Howard, National Guard, enlisted April 3, 1917. Philbrook X. Wright, National Guard, enlisted April 14, 1917. Ray A. Wright, National Guard, enlisted April 14, 1917.
After the Selective Service Act was in effect, the following men entered the service by induction or enlistment:
Ray O. Clough, entered service, Dec. 20, 1917. Lorenzo G. Currier, entered service, Oct. 15, 1918. Charles G. Estes, entered service, March 9, 1918. Arthur H. Fellows, entered service, Sept. 3, 1918. Carl J. Fellows, entered service, April 26, 1918. Leonard L. Fellows, entered service, July 8, 1917. Lester K. Gove, entered service, July 24, 1918. Lewis W. Gove, entered service, Sept. 21, 1917. Martin L. Gove, entered service, Oct. 2, 1917. J. Edward Mackey, entered service, Aug. 2, 1917. Elias R. McGinnis, entered service, July 24, 1918. Joseph L. McGinnis, entered service, Oct. 21, 1918. William A. Morrison, entered service, Dec. 17, 1917. Henry F. Ramsdell, entered service, June 15, 1918. Frank E. Robinson, entered service, Oct. 21, 1918. Fred E. Russell, entered service, May 20, 1918. Raymond C. Smith, entered service, June 30, 1918. Charles A. Wright, entered service, Oct. 21, 1918. In all, twenty-three men.
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In the roster of soldiers will be found the extended official record and serial number belonging to each of the above men, showing their service in detail. It is with a feeling of pride that we can record that all the above were honorably discharged. Desertions from the service were few as a whole; none are recorded to discredit the records of the men from Wentworth.
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An examination of the foregoing list discloses that Hubbard E. Howard was the first man from town to enter the ranks after war was declared. He was nearly two years in the army and saw plenty of service.
The next men to enlist were the brothers Phil- brook X. and Ray A. Wright, who entered the army April 14, 1917. Both were overseas.
Philbrook Wright while serving in Company G, 103rd Infantry, was wounded severely on September 22, 1918. He was able in time to get home, but never recovered from the effects of his wounds and died the following summer, and is buried in Warren.
Philbrook Wright was Wentworth's only casualty during the war.
The people of the town during the war period sup- ported the Government loyally in its war measures. They ate the war bread, accepted rations of many articles, such as sugar and wheat, bought liberty bonds, and war savings stamps, and in all ways per- formed cheerfully and willingly their share.
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THE FINAL FORTY YEARS, 1890-1930
There were no slackers in the town, and neither was there flourish of trumpets. The sentiment of the peo- ple was that all they held most dear was in great peril. That if Germany won, nothing they now possessed would be of any value and that nothing else mat- tered now except to insure the defeat of the Central Powers.
All ages, sexes and conditions worked to this end quietly, but with a stern and fixed resolution that prevailed in the end, as history will for all time relate.
An incident of this period was the removal from town of the Lyon family.
John W. Lyon succeeded to the tin shop business formerly conducted by Alfred Page. The family was highly regarded and quite prominent while in town. Mr. Lyon was selectman several years, serving as chairman of the Board in 1899 and 1900.
The daughter, Virginia R. Eaton, served a term as postmaster, being succeeded in 1912 by Joseph A. McLeod, who held the office until 1924. It was a mat- ter of genuine regret to have the Lyon family leave the town to settle in Louisiana.
The Rev. Frank C. Bradeen, a man of much per- sonal charm as well as ability, was a resident of the town nearly ten years. He was popular and active in church as well as public affairs during his pastorate. He was representative in 1917, being elected almost
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HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
without opposition, and served with credit to the town.
In the war summer of 1918, there was through the country a devastating outbreak of the so-called Spanish Influenza, generally called, for short, the "Flu."
This disease raged especially in the army camps, and cost the lives of many of our soldiers in training. The very young and people over fifty were as a rule not affected by the disease. The victims were largely men and women in the early prime of life, and the most robust stood apparently the poorest chance of recovery if attacked.
Vernon L. McIntire, a fireman on the railroad, who lived with his family in the place formerly for many years the home of the venerable Mark Aiken, died on October 5.
Allan F. Downing, the youngest son of Cyrus Downing, a highly respected and successful business man in the village, died on October 4. He had been in trade for some time in the old James B. Brown store building. Allan Downing was at the time he died town treasurer and a useful, all-round citizen. Both these deaths were greatly regretted in the community.
The population in 1920 was 507, and the number of schools in town were five, or half as many as formerly.
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THE FINAL FORTY YEARS, 1890-1930
An important event in the town's history during the World War period, was the presentation to the towns- people of the very useful and substantial Webster Memorial Library.
The ceremonies attending the formal presentation and dedication of this edifice are set forth in detail in another chapter.
About all that now remains to record in this narra- tive is an account of the disastrous fire of September 5, 1921.
Wentworth has suffered greatly from time to time from the effects of flood and fire. The greatest single disaster was probably the flood of 1856.
The largest loss by any one fire up to this time, let us hope for all time, was caused by the fire in the vil- lage that broke out Monday evening September 5, 1921. The night was cloudy and dark with little wind.
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A dance at the town hall was in progress during the evening. About 10:30 P. M. it was noticed by some who had been attending the dance but were then out- side the hall, that the store building occupied by H. F. Pero was on fire, in and around the basement. This was the building formerly owned for a long time by James B. Brown, now the property of John P. Cur- rier.
What followed is well described by the Editor of the Plymouth Record in his paper of that week.
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HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
As his article was written shortly after the fire and while its ruins were still smoking, it is more vivid and realistic than one written years after can be made to seem.
Hence it is given below, verbatim and in full, by courteous permission of the Editor.
DISASTROUS FIRE
About 10:40, Monday night, fire broke out in the basement of H. F. Pero's store, which spread along that side of the street, and, aided by a slight breeze drawing up the valley, jumped across the street. Be- fore it was conquered it destroyed eight buildings and badly damaged another. The town has no water sys- tem or fire-fighting apparatus, so help was summoned from Warren, Plymouth and Fairlee. The motor en- gine from Warren arrived first and, pumping from the . river, quickly had a stream on the fire.
The fire had reached the property of H. M. Bowen, and the Warren boys held it there until the Plymouth engine arrived with two streams, and the three streams did the trick, though the ell of Mr. Bowen's house was gutted and one side of the main house badly damaged before the flames were stopped. Mean- time the chemical apparatus from Fairlee had arrived and taken their station on the knoll near Major
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DISASTROUS FIRE
Rhoades's house, where the fire, sweeping through the trees, had burned the small barn and set fire to the roof of the unoccupied dwelling. They stopped its traveling in that direction, and the situation was un- der control. The buildings burned included the store building owned by John Currier and occupied by H. F. Pero, who lived in rooms above the store. Noth- ing was saved here, and in the stable E. J. Bailey lost a valuable driving horse, carriage, sleigh and harness. The barn belonging to J. A. Davis, and full of hay, was totally destroyed, but a horse stabled in it was saved. Charles Sprague's house and the house owned by George Webster and occupied by Superintendent of Schools, Carl T. Rhoades, were burned, though the occupants saved nearly all their personal effects. Mr. Rhoades lost eight tons of coal and several cords of wood and a new fur coat. The fireproof construction of the beautiful library building prevented further spread here. On the other side of the street, the house and store, with a long connecting shed, all belonging to J. A. Davis, were utterly destroyed with all their contents, except the outgoing parcel post matter, which was made up in bags. The dwelling house was occupied by Mr. Davis and his family, and his son-in- law, Joe McLeod, lived over the store. Mr. Davis is 89 years old, blind and feeble, and his wife is also aged and none too strong. Mr. McLeod's son Earl is
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HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
helpless, so that all efforts of these families and their friends were devoted to securing the safety of the fee- ble and helpless ones, and property was not to be con- sidered. The building next the store, owned by Mrs. Ray Bailey of Woodsville, in which Charles Estey, Mrs. Shepard and Mrs. Mooney, the telegraph oper- ator, had rooms, went up in flames completely, but the occupants were able to save their belongings. At the other side of the Davis property, the house be- longing to Mr. Lyons and occupied by John Kenney caught fire twice, but was saved. On the knoll, Major Rhoades's small barn burned, but not the house. One thing Wentworth folks all agree upon and that is unstinted praise for the fire fighters who came to their aid and doubtless saved a number of other buildings.
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The Mclaughlin house; Mrs. Burnham and Mrs. Briggs cheered the firemen with plenty of doughnuts and coffee during the night.
The J. A. Davis and McLeod families are at Albert Davis's.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowen and Mrs. Taplin are at F. H. Brigg's.
Superintendent Rhoades and family are at Mrs. Sturtevant's.
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DISASTROUS FIRE
Mrs. Mary Thomas, Mr. Sprague's housekeeper, has gone to Lisbon and Mr. Sprague is at the hotel.
No one knew anything about the gallant rescues re- corded in one daily paper.
The post office is in the Lyons building.
The safe in the Davis store saved its contents, among which were the post office accounts, money and stamps.
The blackened smoking embers, the burned shade trees and the burned knoll made a sad sight of the heart of Wentworth village when the Record man visited it Wednesday afternoon. The people seemed to him to be still a little dazed by the calamity, and he could learn of no plans for rebuilding being made then; but looking at the situation from the outside, it might be worse. Aside from the shade trees and the wooded knoll, nothing has been destroyed but what the hand of man built and can rebuild. The valley is just as beautiful and the location as fair as ever. The possibilities as a trading center still exist and the Record man confidently expects before long to hear of plans and activities looking to rebuilding a better and, if that is possible, a fairer heart in Wentworth Village.
The fire gave one more opportunity to demonstrate the value of the light motor fire truck with pump. They are almost invaluable to any village where a water hole is or can be available and, where one is owned, any farmer for miles around can have fire
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158 HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
protection by damming a nearby brook. They travel fast and do their work well.
Fifty thousand dollars seemed, to those inter- viewed, a conservative estimate of the loss, and the reporter did not learn of anyone who did not have some insurance.
The fire made a scene of ruin in the heart of the village.
On the spot where the John A. Davis store was located, an oblong, two-story building with a flat roof was built as soon as practicable after the fire.
This building has ever since been used as a store by the John A. Davis Co., and also for post office pur- poses.
Across the street and about on the site of John P. Currier's store building has been built a substantial garage and service station, owned and operated by C. H. Evans. This garage is of stucco construction and well kept. A new bungalow for the use of the Evans family has been built near the garage on the same side of the street.
The John A. Davis residence and the old pictur- esque Deacon Dean house have never been rebuilt. -. The H. M. Bowen house was thoroughly repaired after the fire, and is now the home of Mr. Bowen's daughter, Mrs. Taplin.
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OLD HOME DAY
This fire dealt a staggering blow to the village, from which it has not yet recovered, except in part.
The years up to 1927 were not eventful. In 1924 the town voted to discontinue a large portion of the old road leading from Sanders Hill to Ellsworth Hill. At the same meeting the town voted to instruct the selectmen to inspect the dam at Brown's Mills. We are not advised what the voters expected, or perhaps feared, the selectmen would find there at the time of this inspection.
The use of oil or tarvia, now all but universal on graveled roads, began in Wentworth in 1925, as that year we find the first mention of an appropriation for that purpose.
After another fire in the village which burned two more sets of buildings, they being the ones formerly owned by the late Frank Webster, a special town meeting was held on October 6, 1925, to consider the matter of providing fire equipment for the town.
As a result of these efforts the town voted, in 1926, $2,500 for this purpose. The money was expended for a good-sized chemical engine with accessories, which has so far proved quite satisfactory.
In 1927 the town made a small appropriation for the celebration of Old Home Day. The ceremony was on August 17. There was music and speaking upon the Common, with ball games and sports on the
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HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
intervale back of the library and near the old swim- ming hole.
In order to show the scale that highway expenses have now attained would simply cite the appropria- tion in 1928 of the sum of $2,800 for snow removal equipment.
Fifty years earlier the town, with a far larger popu- lation and real valuation, spent a total of $410.70 for highway purposes; this was, of course, in addition to the regular highway tax, which was not paid in money but in labor, by the owners of property, as was then the custom.
The devastating flood of November, 1927, is memo- rable and historic, but is fully described in another chapter.
During recent years Benjamin B. Foster, Charles H. Brown, C. Earl Gove and Eugene C. Downing have seen much service on the Board of Selectmen, the mantle having passed from our older leaders to a younger generation. The representative at the last session of the legislature was Frank H. Colby, one of the Colby family who have been residents of Went- worth for a hundred years and more.
The work of building state roads in town still goes on. The present year (1930) will, it is expected, see the road to Orford completed, at least all of it that lies in our town.
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ENDING THE NARRATIVE
This year, too, marks the passing of the old covered bridge across Baker's River at the Rolfe place. This bridge, a landmark for 65 years, has outlived all simi- lar bridges in the region, and is staunch, yet a credit to its builders.
A new cement arch bridge is now being built which, when finished, will replace the old wooden lattice so- called Stevens bridge.
As the first list of town officers was given in full, it would be no more than fair to give the last, to convey to all interested an idea of the latest official staff in charge of the public affairs of the town.
The list is for the year ending March 1I, 1930, and given in full for future reference. It furnishes a starting point for the next historian of our town.
TOWN OFFICERS, 1929
C. Earl Gove
Selectman for one year
C. H. Pease
Selectman for two years
C. H. Brown
Selectman for three years
Clarence H. Pease
Town clerk
Ardella F. Blodgett
Town treasurer
Grover C. Breck
Collector of taxes
Harold Matava
Road agent
James P. Osborne
Road agent
Grover C. Breck
Constable
William Morrison
Police officer
William Morrison
. Health Officer
David L. Goodwin
Town trustee, one year
A. R. Eames
Town trustee, two years
E. C. Downing
Town trustee, three years
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HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
Ben B. Foster
Auditor
Raymond E. Downing Auditor
John E. Currier
Auditor
ELECTION OFFICERS
Harry M. Turner
Moderator
Walter S. Libbey
Supervisor
Lester C. Hutchins
Supervisor
Fred W. Blodgett
Supervisor
Elias McGinnis
Ballot clerk
Frank A. Downing
Ballot clerk
John E. Currier
Ballot clerk
Leslie Belyea
Ballot clerk
Hard as it may be to begin a work of this kind, it is perhaps even harder to find a place where we can lay down the pen.
Much still remains unsaid. No one can realize more fully than does the writer the imperfections in the account of which this is the closing word.
Such as it is, it may, let us humbly hope, help to preserve and perpetuate a part of the traditions, names and achievements of the people who have, dur- ing the past hundred and sixty years, made the his- tory of the town of Wentworth what it is.
PART SECOND-TOPICS
CHAPTER I
ROADS OF ALL KINDS - SURVEYORS WARRANT OF 1804 - BUILDING OF THE BOSTON, CONCORD AND MONTREAL RAILROAD
ROADS OF ALL KINDS
The study of the progress of the means for trans- portation is of great interest. Perhaps the facilities for travel or movement of commodities for purposes of trade and commerce is a fair test by which to gauge the progress of any region or even any nation. With- out roads, there can be no real degree of civilization.
The first traveled way through our town was the ancient Indian trail leading from the valley of the Merrimack River towards the upper portion of the valley of the Connecticut River, thence to what is now Canada. This trail followed rather closely along the Baker's River as far as Wentworth Village. Here the trail left the river and followed up the Pond Brook, thence going probably via Lake Tarleton through Piermont to the valley of the Connecticut and be- yond.
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HISTORY OF WENTWORTH, N. H.
In 1754 the Governor sent Major Tolford with Captain Page of Dunbarton to explore the "Cowass Country" and locate and mark a road leading to it. John Stark, later famous as a general in the Revolu- tion, was a guide for this expedition. This party spotted the trees along the route, as outlined above, of the ancient Indian trail.
This was the "marked way" referred to by Capt. Peter Powers, who followed it with his company in his expedition later in the same year.
After the grant of the township to the proprietors in 1766, one of their first acts was to arrange for a road in the town.
Early in 1768 it was voted by the proprietors that Colonel Greeley, Phillips White, Esq., Jacob Hook, Esq., Samuel Page, Ensign Jacob Gale, Lieut. Joseph Page and Mr. Enoch Page be constituted a com- mittee to "Get a road cleared out through said township." .
That the committee did so is shown by a vote in 1769, "To pay those who had worked on the road through the township, five shillings per day for every day they had worked."
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