USA > New Hampshire > The statistics and gazetteer of New-Hampshire. Containing descriptions of all the counties, towns and villages statistical tables with a list of state officers, etc. > Part 61
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The permanent funds of the Institution are derived as follows ; Adams fund, $ 1,200; Conant fund, $ 6,000; Chandler fund, $ 25, 000; Fisk fund, $ 11,699 ; Kent fund, $ 150,000; Kimball fund, $6,753 ; Rumford fund, $15,000 ; Sherman fund, $ 5,000; making a total of $ 221,552. It is expected that this amount will be in- creased $ 20,000 by a legacy from Miss Arabella Rice, of Ports- mouth.
The total number of patients in this Institution in June, 1873, was 276-139 men and 137 women ; 23 men and 10 women have died within the year ; number recovered in the same time, 61.
Although the Asylum, for the past thirty years, has been con- stantly undergoing exterior changes, both in size and convenience, still its architectural beauty has always been kept in view, and as
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OFFICERS OF THE INSTITUTION.
now arranged, the buildings present a fine and imposing appear- ance, excelled by few like institutions in this country.
There is connected with this Institution, one of the best farms in the State. The farm, together with the Asylum grounds, contains an area of one hundred and twenty-five acres. There is also a pas- ture, about one mile south-west from the home farm, which con- tains fifty-four acres. In 1871, the Legislature appropriated
$ 7,000 to remove the old, and erect a new farm barn.
The
buildings, as repaired and improved, cost $ 10,940, and consisted of a farm barn, horse barn, carriage house, barn sheds, carpenter and machine shop, &c. The barn is 110 feet long, 45 feet wide and 22 feet post. A driveway goes through the center, so that teams can pass through without difficulty. In all its appointments it is a model barn. There are twenty-six cows, eight horses, twenty-eight fatting hogs and some thirty others of different ages. Some of the most important products, one year with another, are 80 tons of hay, 400 bushels of corn (in the ear), 300 bushels of oats, 300 bushels of potatoes, 9,500 gallons of milk, 30 pigs sold, 15 calves sold, 9,000 pounds of pork, 400 heads of cabbage, 92 bushels of tomatoes, 80 bushels of onions, 500 bushels of apples, &c. Everything around the farm and farm buildings indicates that it is under the manage- ment of husbandmen who understand their business, and the exam- ple shown here is worthy to be imitated by hundreds of farmers in this State who idle away one half of their time, complaining of the hard lot of a farmer's life.
OFFICERS OF THE INSTITUTION.
BOARD OF VISITORS. (Ex-officio.) His Excellency Ezekiel A. Straw, Hon. Samuel P. Dow, Hon. John J. Morrill, Hon. William P. Newell, Hon. Dexter Richards, Hon. Joseph Powers, Hon. Charles H. Campbell, President of the Senate, Hon. Asa Fowler, Speaker of the House of Representatives. "
BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Hon. Isaac Spaulding, Nashua, Presi- dent, Joseph B. Walker, Esq., Concord, Secretary, Hon. Charles A. Tufts, Dover, George B. Twitchell, M. D., Keene, Hon. John W. Sanborn, Wakefield, Hon. E. A. Hibbard, Laconia, William G. Perry, M. D., Exeter, Hon. Denison R. Burnham, Plymouth, Waterman Smith, Esq., Manchester, Hon. Dexter Richards, New- port, George W. Haven, Esq., Portsmouth, Henry Colony, Esq., Keene.
RESIDENT OFFICERS. J. P. Bancroft, M. D., Sup't, Treasurer
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.
and Physician; J. P. Brown, M. D., Assistant Physician ; J. C. Cockburn, M. D., Second Assistant and Apothecary ; Mr. W. T. Mc Lam, Steward; Miss H. W. Moore, Matron.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MECHANIC ARTS.
This college is a State Institution, established expressly for the promotion of the industrial interests of New-Hampshire.
In July, 1862, Congress passed an act to establish colleges of ag- riculture and the mechanic arts in the several States, and made a liberal grant of public land for the support of any such institution which might be established.
In June, 1866, the legislature of this State accepted the provis- ions of the congressional act, and established the College of Agri- culture, to be located at Hanover, and to be connected, by a spe- cial arrangement, with Dartmouth College.
The college is under the direction of nine trustees, of whom five are appointed by the governor with advice of the council, and four by the trustees of Dartmouth College. The fund of the college de- rived from the sale of 150,000 acres of land, amounts to $ 80,000 and is securely invested in six per cent. New-Hampshire bonds.
Under the law passed by Congress, no part of this fund could be expended in the erection of any buildings. About this time the ยท late David Culver bequeathed to Dartmouth College fifteen thous- and dollars for the promotion of agricultural science. This be- quest the trustees of Dartmouth College offered to contribute, with an additional sum of ten thousand dollars, of their own funds, be- queathed to them by Mrs. David Culver, together with a fine lot for the erection of a suitable building, provided the State of New- Hampshire would increase the fund to forty thousand dollars. This generous offer the legislature of 1869, accepted, and the college building called "Culver Hall" was erected. It is pronounced by competent judges one of the finest educational structures in New- England. It is a plain, imposing brick structure of four stories, having a length of one hundred and a breadth of sixty feet, cover- ed with a lofty Mansard roof. The basement is to be reserved for an extensive collection of agricultural implements and models of machinery. The other stories afford rooms for lecture, recitation, library, museum, weighing room, and laboratory, furnished with
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE ORPHANS' HOME.
all the modern appliances for the practical study of chemistry, &c.
In connection with the college is a farm of nearly 400 acres, 162 acres of which was purchased and presented to the institution by . the late Hon. John Conant, of Jaffrey. This farm will afford the student an opportunity of seeing the practical application of the theoretical knowledge which he is acquiring in the college.
There are two terms in the year, covering the time from the 1st of September, to the 19th of April, excepting a vacation of four weeks in mid-winter. The tuition is $ 15 per term. It has a course of study covering a period of three years, in which science and its application to agriculture and other manual industries are made especially prominent.
Twelve free scholarships, one for each senatorial district, estab- lished in connection with the congressional grant, are designed to aid young men of limited means in educating themselves for the practical avocations of life. During the past year a scholarship has been established by the Hon. JOHN CONANT for each town of Ches- hire County. Young men desiring a State scholarship, should make application to the senators of their respective districts ; those desiring one of the town scholarships, should apply to the selectmen of the town in which they reside. There are other scholarships available to worthy applicants from any part of the State.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE ORPHANS' HOME.
The New-Hampshire Orphans' Home and School of Industry is a benevolent institution, chartered by the State, but relies entirely upon the voluntary contributions of the people for the funds nec- essary to meet the expenses of its establishment and maintenance and belongs equally to all denominations who aid it by their con- tributions. Congregationalist, Methodists, Baptist, Unitarians, Universalists, Christians, Freewill Baptist, and Friends are repre- sented, upon its Board of Trustees as visitors.
It receives as its beneficiaries all promising children of want, without regard to social status, complexion or nationality.
It is for orphans and those that are worse than orphans, render- ed so by the dissolute character and poverty of their parents.
The object of the institute is to extend the hand of sympathy to those waifs upon the rough sea of life, who have been deprived of good homes either by misfortune or neglect, and instead of leaving
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE ORPIIANS' HOME.
them to graduate in crime, draw them to comfort and safety, and send them on their way to true success, to a rational happiness and a . useful life. While the children remain at the institution, they are to be well cared for, morally, intellectually and physically, a school being in session, through the year, for their special benefit, also on Sunday Divine Service, and a Sunday school. When plac- ed in families, the parties that receive them are bound to exercise over them a kind and paternal care-1st by furnishing them with proper food and clothing, in sickness and in health, 2d. by securing to them the advantages of a good common school education, and at all times using their influence, both by precept and example, to train them to habits of industry, economy, self-reliance, temperance and morality, that they may be fitted, in due time, to take their places as honorable members of society. The boys as well as the girls, are to receive, when eighteen years of age, their time, an extra suit of clothing and such compensation in money as they may reasonably deserve.
Location. The location of the Home is one of the finest in New- England, rich in historical associations-where was brought to maturity one of the greatest intellects America, or even the world, has ever produced. The "Webster Farm," upon which this insti- tution is located, is two and a half miles below the flourishing vil- lage of Franklin, and about sixteen miles above the city of Con- cord, on the right bank of the Merrimack, on the line of the North- ern Railway, and presents a home view of as fine country scenery as can be found in the central portion of this State. Relative to the " Webster Farm," Webster and his mother the poet has well said.
" What hallowed memories arise Within our hearts and dim our eyes. We think of him without a peer, Who spent his happy boyhood here, And with his brother brave and true, Ate honest bread and earned it too. We call to mind that mother dear, Whose precious dust lies buried near- Her record is preserved on high, In characters that cannot die."
New-Hampshire has the honor of establishing the first Orphans' Home, outside of city limits, in New-England. The first voluntary State Convention ever held in the United States, for this purpose, was held in Eagle Hall in the city of Concord, February 21, A. D.
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE ORPHANS' HOME.
1871, and resulted in the inauguration of the New-Hampshire Or- phans' Home. It was dedicated with appropriate and impressive ceremonies, October 19, 1871, and on the third day of November following, the first beneficiary was received. Since that date, sev- enty-one children of want have come under the sheltering care of this institution, representing seven nationalities, viz. France, Ire- land, Scotland, Germany, Africa, America .and England. Ten are orphan children of soldiers.
The financial condition of the Home to November 1st A. D. 1873. During the first year of its existence, the institution fed, clothed, furnished medical attendance and instruction to fifty-six orphan and homeless children ; paid for fitting up the Home, and furnish- ing the farm with tools and stock, and laid aside a fund of $ 5,000, and had twenty-six hundred dollars in the treasury at the close of the year.
During the second year of its active existence, which ended Nov. 1, A. D., 1873,
It kept its permanent fund good, using nothing but its interest, raised a building fund of over ten thousand dollars, paid out over $ 700. for personal property for the institution, increased the num- ber of children to 71, met all of the current expenses, which were increased by sickness, and still finds itself-with an unexhausted exchequer. And we take pleasure in adding that the Real Estate belonging to the Home and free from debt has increased in value ten thousand dollars.
There has been paid to the Treasurer at Concord, N. H., $ 31,061.37 To the Hon George W. Nesmith in Franklin, N. H., 5,000.00
Donations in bedding, clothing, furniture &c.,. 1,500.00
In the Treasury and on subscription. 2,500.00
$ 40,061.37
ASSETS OF THE INSTITUTION.
The Webster Estate, including the ancestral Home, Man- sion House, Farm House, out-buildings, and 180 acres
of land, with the new building, partly completed ...... $ 25,000.00 Furniture of the Home, stock, farming tools and produce ... 5,500.00
Permanent fund invested for the Institution. 5,000.00
$ 35,500.00
The following are the individuals and churches, who have gener- ously donated $ 500 and over, for the establishment and mainten- ance of this benevolent institution. Space will not permit us to
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON.
give the names of hundreds of others, who have bestowed their lesser gifts, and who doubtless are quite as deserving of reward as those who are blessed with larger worldly means.
The Hon. George W. Nesmith, of Franklin
$ 1,000.00
Mrs. Betsey Whitehouse, Pembroke.
1,100.00
Levi Lyman, Esq., Walpole.
1,000.00
Nathaniel White, Esq., and Family, of Concord.
1,000.00
H. H. Ladd, Esq., and Mother, of Portsmouth.
680.00
Hon. Frank Jones, of Portsmouth. 600.00
J. G. Graves, M. D., Nashua. 500.00
Hon. Dexter Richards, Newport. 500.00
John C. Morrison, of Fisherville
500.00
CHURCHES.
Franklin St. Congregational Church Sunday School Man- chester 1,110.00
South Congregational Church, Sunday School and Orphan Helpers, Concord. 1,000.00
Hanover St. Congregational Church and Sunday School, Manchester 700.00
First Congregational Church, Portsmouth, nearly. 700.00 First Congregational Church, Sunday School, Nashua, over 600,00
Olive St. Congregational Church Sunday School, Nashua. nearly. 500.00
Mrs. Frances M. Farley, Bradford, N. H.,
500.00
Unitarian Society and Sabbath School, Keene 519.00
Congregational Church and Society of Amherst, over 500.00 Churches and citizens of Peterborough, over. 500.00
Churches and citizens of Rochester, over 600.00
Churches and citizens of Littleton, nearly.
500.00
Churches and citizens of the city of Dover.
500.00
Churches and citizens of Lebanon
1,000.00
Churches and citizens of Franklin. 3,000.00
Middle St. Baptist Church, Portsmouth.
550.00
OFFICERS OF THE HOME.
Hon. George W. Nesmith, Franklin, President; Hon, O. W. Fowler, Bristol, Vice President; Hon. John Kimball, Concord, Treasurer; Rev. D. A. Mack, Franklin, Superintendent; Mrs. A. R. Mack, Matron; Miss Jennie Mack, Teacher.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON.
This Institution is situated in Concord, and located on State Street about one third of a mile north of the State House. The dark, heavy, stone walls, together with the antique architecture of this building, do not present a very imposing appearance from
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON.
the Street, and, in imagination, remind one of an old French Bas- tile, or an ancient Englishman's castle, built more as a defence to guard against attacks from without, than for any beauty or taste, which in these days are frequently combined with strength.
The central part and south wing of the prison were built in 1812, at which time the Institution went into operation, having one pris- oner, the number in 1813 being increased to twelve. In 1833, the north wing was added, to correspond with the improvements of the age. In this building is a hall with 120 cells for the convicts. It is lighted by gas, and warmed by steam, but all men of humane judgment who have visited this prison hall, acknowledge that the cells are one third too small for human beings to sleep in, and en- joy good health, without great inconvenience to the overseers, and continuous watchful care as to sanitary regulations. The individual convenience of convicts should never be consulted only as to their physical health, but no law, formed either by legislative act or long continued practice, has any moral right to inflict punishment on any person, however great his crime, that will impair his health, especially when a fair day's work is demanded at his hands. The whole number of convicts in the prison, April 30, 1873, was 88- white males 78, black males 6, and 4 females. 16 were under 20 years of age when committed; 40 between 20 and 30; 20 between 30 and 40; 5 between 40 and 50, and only 7 over 50 years. Of this number, 23 were married and 65 single. 28 convicts claimed to be temperate men in their habits before their commitment, while 60 acknowledged themselves to have been intemperate, and were under the influence of wine when they committed the deeds for which they are now paying the penalty. 77 can read and write ; 7 can only read, and 4 can neither read nor write. 6 were committed for murder, 3 for murder in the second degree, and one for man- slaughter. The rest were convicted of various crimes, but the larger portion for stealing in different forms, but in such small sums, as not to be in keeping with the moral sentiments of the day in relation to stealing. .
Rockingham County furnishes of the present number of convicts, 8; Strafford, 11; Belknap, 2; Carroll, 3; Merrimack, 14; Hills- borough, 29 ; Cheshire, 8 ; Sullivan, 1; Grafton, 7; and Coos, 5.
The prison yard including about two acres, is inclosed on three sides by a heavy granite wall. Within this inclosure, is one of the finest brick work shops in the State, and no doubt is the saving
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON.
grace for the dilapidated prison buildings at the present time. The manufacturing of bedsteads is the only mechanical employment of the convicts, who are let under contract to George T. Comins. It is doubtful if there is an equal number of men in the State, who turn off more work than the convicts in this bedstead shop. 10,000 feet of lumber of various kinds are daily cut up for bedsteads.
The discipline is very strict but not cruel. A vigilant eye is kept on the convicts every moment, and they are soon fully con- vinced that no chance will be offered them to make their escape. Consequently they are more contented and cheerful than a lax dis- cipline can make them. Their food is wholesome and ample. No better wheat and brown bread can be made than the bread furnish- ed for these convicts. Their cots and cells are kept clean, well aired, and are as large as the State furnishes. The State went to the expense of sending Mr. Allen Folger to the International Prison Congress, held in London in July 1872, as commissioner from New- Hampshire, and in his report made to Governor Straw, he says the cells in the English prisons, compared to New-Hampshire State's Prison cells are very large, being seven feet wide by eight feet long, and eight feet high. This is quite a contrast to cells less than four feet wide, seven long and seven feet high. It is to be hoped that the expense of sending Mr. Folger to London, will not be wholly lost to the best interest of the State.
A six inch main water pipe has been laid the entire length of yard, with two hydrants set at convenient distances, and having two hundred feet of hose to guard against fire.
Under the present management of the Warden, J. C. Pillsbury, this Prison has become a paying institution, instead of a bill of ex- pense to the State. In the three years that Mr. Pillsbury has had charge of the Prison, it has earned over and above all expenses, in- cluding repairs &c., $ 20,035.11. This amount has been passed to the credit of the Prison account with the State, and eventually will be used to make extensive repairs of the old buildings or erect new ones.
There is a library of fifteen hundred volumes connected with the Prison, for the use of the convicts.
Within a few years, a law has been established which orders that all persons convicted of murder and sentenced to be executed, shall be confined in the State Prison not less than one year prior to the day of their execution, which shall take place within the walls of
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON.
the prison, the sheriff of the county in which the deed was commit_ ted acting as executioner.
Since this law, one person has been executed, and another is under sentence to be hung the third Tuesday of February, 1874. The first victim of his crime was Josiah L. Pike, thirty-one years of age, a native of Portsmouth, but at the time of the deed, was making his home in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Mr. Thomas Brown and wife were an aged couple, residing in Hampton Falls, and living on a small farm with other sufficient means for their maintenance. Josiah L. Pike was a young man, of loose habits, and frequently assisted Mr. Brown on his farm, always receiving fair compensation for his services ; besides he was many times the object of charity from the motherly hands of Mrs. Brown. In the fall of 1867, he assisted Mr. Brown, and when he left was paid the full amount for his labor and also received, as a gift from Mrs. Brown, a pair of new woolen feetings. Through the following winter he led a dissolute life, frequently being under the influence of liquor. This conduct naturally brought him into straitened circumstances, by spring, and very much in want of money. Through some source he learned that Mr. Brown had sold a yoke of oxen and had received his pay for them in money. On the night of May 7, 1867, he went secretly to the house of Mr. Brown and inhumanly murdered him and his wife, who had so many times befriended him in time of need .. For this dark and bloody deed, Pike was arrested, and in due time, convicted of the murder. He paid the penalty of his crime by being hung in the south-west cor- ner of the prison hall, November 9, 1869, Joseph P. Morse, of Portsmouth, acting as his executioner.
Franklin B. Evans is a native of Strafford, and at the date of the crime for which he stands convicted, and sentenced, was living in Northwood, and sixty one years of age. Georgianna Lovering, a niece of Evans, and only fourteen years of age, lived with her grandparents, in North wood near the Strafford line.
Evans for many years had lived a wandering life, sometimes traveling through the country as a physician, pretending to effect wonderful cures ; while at other times he would be dressed in a sanctimonious garb and assume the profession and duties of an itinerant preacher, but through all his various professions there never was a more evil designing and hypocritical heart, than beat in the breast of Franklin B. Evans. He had long watched Geor-
540
NEW-HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON.
gianna with evil intent, and deeply laid his plans whereby he could ruin her, and no one but himself and his God know it. Near the abode of Georgianna was the edge of a deep forest, and the largest tract of wood-land in Rockingham County, covering an area of nearly 2000 acres. In these woods Evans had placed some snares with the pretension of catching partridges, but doubtless, for no other purpose than to lure his victim into his lecherous grasp.
After these plans had been consummated, he commenced his sophistry with Georgianna by telling her simple stories about snar- ing these beautiful birds, which naturally attracted her childish curiosity, and one morning she accompanied him to the traps, but no birds had been secured. In this visit, Evans had finished his second act in this great tragedy. He had shown the innocent girl where these snares were concealed, so that she could go alone into the forest and find them. A few mornings after this adven- ture, October 25, 1872, he requested her to accommodate him by visiting the snares, that morning, alone, as he was obliged to go another way and be absent nearly the whole day. She hesitated about going, but at length, reluctantly, consented to comply with his request, and he started, apparently, on his way to fulfil his day's engagement, but, doubtless, went directly and concealed him- self near the woods to watch the movements of his intended victim. She put on her shawl and hat, kissed her grandmother good bye, and started out of doors to go to the forest as she had promised her uncle, which was the last time that Georgianna Lovering was ever seen alive by any human being, save Evans.
Her prolonged absence from the house caused her grandfather to go to the forest and call for her; but no response came. He returned to the house, and he and the mother of the child went again to the woods for a more thorough search, and, in a short time, found the girl'sapron, and, still farther in the deep forest, near a brush fence, they found her comb; but all other traces relative to the whereabouts of the child were lost. The neighborhood was at once alarmed, and a general search was made that day and night and through the next day, but all their efforts were of no avail.
Suspicion, at once, strongly pointed to Evans as knowing some- thing about the loss of Georgianna, as it was ascertained that he had not been, that day, where he told the girl he was going, but in an opposite direction, and, further, could give no account of himself for several hours of that day. He was arrested and tried
541
NEW-HAMPSHIRE STATE PRISON.
before a justice court, and the evidence being so strong against him, he was bound over to the higher court to be holden at Exeter. Evans, seeing his critical situation, made a partial confession, but his statements, in detail, were base falsehoods. He acknowledged he knew where she was, but said she had been carried away by a man living in Kingston or vicinity. The Sheriff soon found these statements to be false, but he was more fully convinced that Evans knew all about the whereabouts of the girl, and he determined to resort to stratagem to induce him to make a true confession. He accordingly made Evans to understand that he would save him harmless if he would tell the truth where the girl could be found. With this assurance, on Thursday, about midnight, six days after her disappearance, he told the Sheriff he would go with him and show where the girl was. Through this dark forest, at midnight, they silently pursued their way, over rocks and decayed logs, through swamps and glades, and there, in the recess of this deep wood, beneath the roots of an upturned tree, this worse than crim- inal pointed to a pile of dried leaves, and coolly said " there she is". The Sheriff gently moved away the leaves and by the dim light of his lantern were revealed the mutilated remains of Georgi- anna Lovering, who came to her end by deeds too revolting in character to be recorded and too inhuman to be committed by any person born and brought up beneath the shades of the granite hills of New-Hampshire.
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