USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Newport > Tales from the history of Newport > Part 9
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
108
TALES FROM THE HISTORY OF NEWPORT
ever, for the purposes of this summary this may be cited as our fifth brush with the Governorship.
This long series of near-misses was continued in 1937, with Francis Parnell Murphy, a native of Winches- ter, New Hampshire, but long-time resident and indus- trialist in Newport. Mr. Murphy was a life-long shoe manufacturer, but in later years became interested in organized baseball, and still later in broadcasting. In all these ventures he was very successful, but was never too thoroughly immured by business to take an interest in any Newport activity.
He became a son-in-law of Newport by marrying Miss Mae Herrick, and not only maintaining but greatly improving the fine old brick Herrick homestead on Spring Street, which his family still owns.
Inclusion of Mr. Murphy in our list of "almosts" comes about through the decision, midway through his business career, of his removal to Nashua, where he bought on the northern border of the city one of its handsomest residences. So, when he became a candi- date, Mr. Murphy was listed as coming not from "New- port" but from "Nashua." Newport, however, gave him a rousing popular vote. Although elected as a Re- publican, Governor Murphy co-operated well with the Roosevelt administration's New Deal policies. Upon the death, by accident, of his eldest son, Walter, he caused a very beautiful addition to St. Patrick's Cemetery to be created, and here is to be found the final resting place of the Governor and his wife, as well as other members of the family. He also created a $10,000 trust fund for its maintenance.
The Murphy episode recalls that of Ralph Metcalf, almost a full century before, the resemblance even run- ning to the circumstance that each of them married a Newport woman.
To this list, must be added the name of Governor John Henry Bartlett, of Sunapee, who, though never a resident of Newport, was born and lived so near as to give Newport a bit of reflected glory. He was a class- mate and Dartmouth friend of Harry B. Metcalf, Argus
109
TALES FROM THE HISTORY OF NEWPORT
editor and for a long-time contributed a column to this paper. Besides his term as Governor, Mr. Bartlett was Assistant Postmaster General of the United States, was a heavy real estate owner in the City of Washington, and, though a man of many interests, found time to write a history of Sunapee and a "Synoptic History of New Hampshire" which contains many unusual facts. His political resemblance to Governor Murphy is rein- forced by the circumstance that he too, later in life, be- came a Democrat.
Let us close this chapter of "almosts," "nearlies," and "near-misses," with the hope that before too long there wil emerge into the sunlight of a full uncontested term in the Governorship a Newport man.
But, on second thought, why does it have to be a man? The memory of the great Sarah Hale suggests that after all, New Hampshire, sooner or later, is sure to select a woman for this job and when it does, the really appropriate thing would be to select a Newport woman to justify the faith of our first and greatest feminist.
One thing leads to another in this, our rambling his- tory, and mention of Sarah reminds one that we haven't sufficiently emphasized the fact of women in politics. Right now (1963) we have two notable examples in Elsie Cora Bailey, who, though a native of Sunapee and a Democrat, has not only been elected as one of Newport's four members of the General Court, but when that num- ber was re-apportioned to three, was still re-elected and scored a vote next to high man Maurice J. Downing, now in his sixth term as our representative.
Mr. Downing received the biggest vote in a field of six and thus may be known as our most popular vote- getter. He also is imported, hailing from far up in Maine, a condition that seems never to have affected his vote- bearing potential. He also is a heavy investor in New- port real estate. So we must say, "He has confidence in us, and we in him."
Bernice Sawyer MacWilliams, Register of Probate for many years, is a native of Warner and a Republican, but scores a big vote on both sides of the political ticket,
110
TALES FROM THE HISTORY OF NEWPORT CHAPTER XX WRITERS Newport Has Turned Out Many
We've already given you some account of the spec- tacular career of our early townswoman, Sarah J. Hale. Others representing her day and age might be men- tioned. Maybe the first of these, although a native of Goshen, would be Mary Dwinell Chellis Lund. This good moralist and prolific writer turned out a total of 28 story books - a notable stunt in anybody's record. They were great favorites among the Sunday School libraries of her period. In fact no Sunday School library would be caught without a full set. The moral of her stories was always good, and the triumph of the poor little boy over his neighboring rich boy was sure and well deserved.
The names of Joseph Parmelee and Edmund Wheeler occur often in this work. Parmelee, grandson of two of our very first settlers, was a more graceful writer than was Wheeler. Wheeler, however could cover more ground in less pages, and was a bit the more careful historian. The great number of facts contained in his History of Newport are emphasized rather than diminished by an occasional lapse - as when he showed himself married to his second wife before the death of his first. Cold type is notoriously slippery stuff, as the writer well knows.
Political controversy was the one theme in which the lawyer-editor Edmund Burke excelled, and his poli- tical essays-"Bundlecone Papers"-achieved national celebrity as the ablest of his period. Burke's remains also repose in our Maple Street Cemetery, on the right as you go in. In his lot also rest those of his grandson, Frank Dana, also a Newport lawyer, who turned out two or three novels, which have enjoyed considerable vogue.
Ann Parmelee, daughter of Joseph, was a writer of charm. She was first librarian of Richards Free Library. Her "Newport's Guest Book" was a much used volume of the nineties. Edward Jenks, editor of the Concord Statesman and well bearded writer, turned out some of the most charming poetry of his day. His house, burned in the great storm of the eighteen-nineties, stood where Dr. Robert Phillips now lives - part of the original
111
TALES FROM THE HISTORY OF NEWPORT
Jencks estate.
Turning to the editors, we have Cyrus Barton, early pilot of the New Hampshire Spectator, and powerful political writer, Capt. Olin H. Chase, native of Spring- field. Spanish War officer and editor of the Republican Champion, whose diction was always notable; his con- temporary, Hubbard Barton, for 28 years editor of The Argus, and George Bancroft Griffith, newspaper corres- pondent and editor, who was constantly heard from in the press - usually through the use of poetry. And a more recent contributor, Aria Cutting Roberts, a native but not a resident of Newport, also a poet of excellence, as was Willis Edwin Hurd whose contributions were al- ways timely, though seldom brilliant.
Augusta Cooper Bristol of Croydon was often heard from in verse during her years, and Harry B. Metcalf was one of the most musical of poets, although in later years, he allowed editorial duties to obscure his talents as a poet.
Kenneth Andler, Newport lawyer, is one of those who gave up writing for the law. Nevertheless he con- tributed some very charming pieces - the best one on Newport Common - before he let go. A similar record was that of D. Sidney Rollins, Newport industrialist whose tendency to versify continued with him all his life, often with very pleasant results.
And so we come to our present crop of writers. These have passed from the category of pleasant occa- sional scribes, those whose pen has replaced the former citizen's pitchfork or hoe. I mean whose labors have be- come their profession. Chief of those would be Raymond Holden, poet and naturalist, who has revolutionized the Newport Library by organizing "The Friends of the Library," giving the place new life through new re- sources. Mr. Holden is the author of many books. The best known one here is "The Merrimack" one of the stan- dard series on The Rivers of America. Mr. Holden has represented Newport in the legislature. He is also author of "The Last Fire-Haunted Spark." Through this effort he may be called the "Sarah J. Hale of Modern New- port."
Also outstanding as a writer is Evan Hill, frequent
112 TALES FROM THE HISTORY OF NEWPORT
contributor to The Saturday Evening Post. When you find something especially good in the Post it may actual- ly be the work of Evan Hill, for his work isn't always signed. He does considerable "ghost writing" as well as making investigations for the Post, mostly along so- ciological lines. Evan lives in a charming spot at South Newport (Pollard's Mills to you), Raymond Holden's home is in an equally charming spot, out back of North Newport. A recent replacement on our literary front, is Ed DeCourcy, now editor of The Argus. He has re- vived "The Spectator," featured department of the paper, recalling the original name of Simon Brown's old paper, imported from Claremont.
Remains what was probably the hardest working writer of all, Henry Harrison Metcalf, ("HH") who, as Capt. Chase once remarked "has done more work for the State he never was paid for, than any other man." The following was contributed to this review by his grand- daughter, Mrs. Helen M. Park, now a resident of Gov- ernor's Island, Lake Winnipesaukee.
Henry H. Metcalf By Helen M. Park, Granddaughter
"The strongest incentive to future progress is know- ledge of past achievement, in individual, state or nation- al life.
"Familiarity with local, state or national history de- velops civic pride, which is the basis of true patriotism and the surest guaranty of the citizenship."
These above statements were written by the late Henry Harrison Metcalf, and published in his book, "New Hampshire in History," in 1922. Little did Henry H. Metcalf realize that these statements would ap- ply to him some 40 years later, when published in high tribute to his memory, during the bi-centennial celebra- tion at Newport, N. H.
"H.H." as he was known to his wide circle of friends around the state, spent a great deal of time in Newport, especially after his son, the late Harry B. Metcalf, be- came owner and publisher of The Argus-Champion.
Henry H. Metcalf was born in Newport, N. H. April 7, 1841. He attended Mt. Caesar Seminary, (Swanzey, N. H.) and the Law Department of the University of Mi- chigan, from which University he received an LLB de-
113
TALES FROM THE HISTORY OF NEWPORT
gree in 1865. Mr. Metcalf received an honorary A.M. degree from Dartmouth in 1913.
He married Mary Jane Jackson Dec. 18, 1869, and they had two sons and one daughter, Harry Bingham, Edmund Burke, and Prudence Metcalf Pearson of Con- cord.
Mr. Metcalf was active around the state during his life time. He was an author of note, among his publi- cations being: "New Hampshire Women," "New Hamp- shire Agriculture," "Harry Bingham Memorial", "One Thousand N. H. Notables," "New Hampshire in His- tory," "Sullivan" and "Sullivan County Recollections." Mr. Metcalf was also editor of the "White Mountain Re- public" of Littleton, N. H .; The State Press, (Dover) ; The Union-Manchester; and People and Patriot, (Con- cord).
He also founded the Granite Monthly at Dover in 1877, and edited the same at various times throughout his career.
Mr. Metcalf was appointed state historian in 1913 and as such edited three volumes of early laws of the State of New Hampshire.
He was president of the New Hampshire Old Home Week Assn. for 15 years, and lecturer of the State Grange for six years. A delegate from Concord in N. H. Constitutional Cenvention in 1920-23. He was a dele- gate from New Hampshire in the Democratic National Convention at St. Louis in 1876; past president of the New Hampshire Society of Sons of the American Revolu- tion.
He also completed lengthy, historical research to preserve the heritage of New Hampshire. As a young man he was a great mountain climber.
Due appreciaton should be mentioned here to Mrs. William E. Spaulding (Caroline Pearson), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harlan C. Pearson of Concord, and grand- daughter of Henry H. Metcalf. Mrs. Spaulding did re- search and contributed some of the valuable data men- tioned. Mrs. Spaulding vividly recalls her maternal grandfather mentioning that he traveled extensively around the state with Carrie Chapman Catt during the campaign to secure "Votes for Women," and he was so proud to receive a letter from her on his 90th birthday.
MAY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.