USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Plymouth > Twenty decades in Plymouth, New Hampsire : 1763-1963 > Part 12
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THE GRADE SCHOOL
The population of the town was increasing. The four rural schools were becoming crowded, and a new grade school building was necessary. Wells, Hudson and Grainger, architects of Hanover, were employed to draw plans to accommodate all of the grades. The building, containing twelve school rooms and offices, with a connecting auditorium that will seat a thousand people and serve as a gymnasium, was dedicated on October 7, 1939. This stands opposite the High School, facing High and Summer streets. Hard surfaced playgrounds between the Memorial and High School buildings and beside this new school building have improved the surroundings.
In 1941, the four rural schools were closed and the pupils are transported to the village grade schools.
The Model School was named in honor of the many pupils who during the past seventy years had served in the Armed Forces of the nation; "The Memorial School." The new grade school building received the name of the Director of the Training Department of Plymouth Teachers College: "Guy E. Speare School." Mr. Speare was a member of the faculty from 1921 until his death in 1945.
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WORLD WAR II
Although the nation realized that the forces of Hitler in Germany threatened the United States, yet the sudden surprise attack upon Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 by the Japanese Air Force shocked and aroused this country to a fighting spirit.
To comprehend the part that the citizens of Plymouth incurred one should study the records of the 392 young men and women who participated in the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.
Mr. Gordon M. Clay served as Chairman of the Local Draft Board. Men of military age were listed and their status determined. After reading clippings from newspapers that describe the personal experiences of scores of the services that the men and women performed who had been pupils in the schools within a few months, one is filled with astonishment at the courage that lies innate in our midst.
Twelve gave their lives, scores were wounded, others endured hunger and cold or heat in all parts of the globe. Certainly careful watch should be kept over these scrapbooks lest these records disappear.
The War ended on September 28, 1945. Then the Cold War began with the knowledge that two atom bombs had devastated two cities in Japan.
O. A. MILLER TREE FACTORY
A competing firm in the manufacturing of sporting goods, The P. Gold- smith Sons Company of Cincinnati, purchased the Draper-Maynard Com- pany's business in September of 1937. An auction in October disposed of the stock and Mr. Harry A. Ronan became owner of the building.
After five years, in April, 1942, the factory was bought by the O. A. Miller Shoe Tree Company that operated under this name until September, 1962 when the name of the business was changed to O. A. Miller, Inc., of Rochester, New York.
ADAMS MARKET
The chain grocery companies were competing for the trade of housewives. During the war years, the Adams Market, an independent local business was opened on Main street by Mr. W. Carlton Adams with a stock of brands of proven quality and local products. After twenty-five years of operation with constantly increasing trade, this store has demonstrated that local enter- prise wins patronage.
GASOLINE STATIONS
Almost imperceptibly, big business gradually invaded Main street with gasoline stations occupying the lots that fires cleared of old wooden build- ings. The horse and buggy days disappeared before this decade. The gaso-
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line engine transformed trade and transportation, crowded the narrow streets with parking, and endangered the lives of pedestrians.
Between Warren street and Tobey road, a dozen gasoline stations were sandwiched among the business blocks within a decade. A station was very different from the former type of trade. A deep excavation admitted enor- mous fuel tanks. Above these was a wide, hard-surfaced area with brightly painted pumps displayed. In the rear was a garage and store to supply tires and accessories for automobiles. The village street lost its shade trees and its formerly quieter atmosphere to speed, honking signals by cars, and crowded traffic. The former era and its pace had disappeared. Only the Village Green saved the individuality of Plymouth.
SUMMARY
Changes created a new face for Plymouth with the Village Green and Boy Scout fountain and the old covered bridge supplanted, and repairs to the Smith Bridge. Flood and hurricane depleted the shade trees, a new postoffice and school buildings appeared. World War II disturbed everybody. New trading at Adams Market, and Gasoline Stations opened to transform the Main street.
The lattice bridge of 1874 over the Baker River in the Village.
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LA COM
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Methodist Church, 1872, Kidder Block, 1888, and Howe House, 1800 - 1932
1943- 1953
This decade will always be remembered. The second World War was a period of scientific surprises with radio communications, super airplanes and radar. Then the marvels of the Atomic Age astonished a world that can never enjoy the former peaceful existence again. Values changed, and inflation reduced the buying power of the United States dollar. Another era began.
THE PLYMOUTH RECORD
A newspaper is a necessity in every community. After Mr. Thomas J. Walker began to publish the Plymouth Record in 1887 at Railroad Square, the important events of each week were preserved for posterity. (See Decade 1883-1893)
Eight years later, Mr. Edward A. Chase and Mr. Charles Wright edited the Record in a partnership until Mr. Wright went to Washington to become secretary to Senator George H. Moses.
Mr. Chase was the son of Hanson Chase of Russell street where Mrs. Chase is living in 1963. After Mr. Chase decided to join the firm of the Chase Grain Mill, Mr. Richard McLean was the publisher, a man who is remembered for his ability and loyalty to his town.
A partner in the office was Miss M. Suzanne Loizeaux, the daughter of a prominent dentist, a young woman who broadened the scope of the paper by her participation in both the community and a wider radius of public rela- tions. At the death of Mr. McLean, Miss Loizeaux was sole editor until 1943.
Mr. Harold E. Wilkins, a veteran of World War I, purchased the paper and admitted members of his family into the business. His sister, Mrs. Doris Wherland, is now editor and another sister, Mrs. Herbert Houghton, is office manager. This is a newspaper that promotes the best interests of the town in news, advertising and assistance in every improvement in the religious and civic affairs of the area. Copies of its files since 1900 may be read at the State Library in Concord.
KIDDER BLOCK FIRE
Five days after this decade began, on January 5, 1943, at 4 A.M. the morning air was filled with the sound of the fire siren and Main street was red with light. Crowds rushed hurriedly to discover that the Kidder block
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At left, John Gill Fletcher, 1852 - 1943, glove manufacturer and police- man over 25 years, and Felix McCarthy, 1866 - 1952, policeman for 40 years. Mr. Fletcher furnished mittens and leather for harnesses for Richard Byrd's Antarctic Expedition.
was a furnace and the Methodist Church was burning briskly, the steeple a torch of flame, beautiful but disastrous.
The origin was believed to have been an explosion in the basement of the block which spread the flames with such rapidity that the tenants in the third floor apartments were obliged to flee immediately for their lives. De- stroyed were the Kidder Music Hall, O'Brien's department store, Peaslee's Drugs, Stevens' hardware, Ayer's Insurance, Robert Wakefield's law office, and the Masonic Hall. Within the Methodist Church were all of their furnishings, their fine pipe organ, the Gill bell, and the records of the Pemi- gewasset Woman's Club.
But for a sprinkler system recently installed by the Plymouth Record, its plant and other buildings on North Main street would have been consumed in the morning wind. Thus the name of the benefactor of Plymouth, Mr. Amos M. Kidder, disappeared, yet his memory should be cherished by the Congregational Church for his financial gifts of thousands that erected the chapel and by the banks that he was instrumental in establishing.
Mr. O'Brien went, on the previous day, to enter service in the war where
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he loyally stayed until the Armistice. The owner of the Kidder Block rebuilt a modern structure. Mr. O'Brien reopened his store in 1946, Guyer's Drugs replaced Peaslee's with Fracher's hardware located in the north end. Fracher's Diner, a snack-bar for students, and a filling station occupied the site of the Methodist Church. The vacant lot at the corner of Main and Court streets, belonging to the College, solved the most necessary requirement of this decade: a place to park automobiles.
Old Main street no longer existed. Only the Blake and Rollins Blocks were two stories in height. Both were ravaged by fires a few years later and renovated.
THE HONOR ROLL
On the evening of September 28, 1945, by the light of torches, an evening ceremony of memorial import dedicated a large plaque on the Courthouse Green. The names of three hundred ninety-two men and women who entered the war service of World War II were inscribed. Nine gold stars marked those who gave their lives and four others were then missing. General Frank D. Merrill of Lincoln, hero of the Burma Campaign in Asia, was the speaker. At the close, Mr. Harold C. Freeman sounded Taps.
A NEW METHODIST CHURCH
The members of the Methodist Church, after long consideration, decided to purchase a lot on Highland street that was of sufficient dimensions to allow expansion in the future. The edifice contains a sanctuary that seats about four hundred people, its walls embellished by memorial stained glass windows and a rose window in the gable of the chancel, choir stalls, Hammond organ with chimes, and several small rooms on the street level. Beneath is a chapel and dining room combination, large modern kitchen, and the heating plant.
These courageous people emphasized the old saying, "Where there is a will, there is a way." A group began to serve Smorgasbord Saturday evening suppers with their slogan, "All you can eat for a dollar." Their reputation for quantity and quality spread throughout the cottages of summer residents until patrons were turned away occasionally.
During the interim, the Sunday School met in the store of Mr. Louis Richelson in space that he kindly loaned, and the services were held in the Episcopal Church on Sabbath afternoons.
On October 9, 1947, dedication of the new sanctuary was celebrated, and during the following week a program of worship services was enjoyed in which the churches and ministers of the other denominations in the community participated. Nearly $100,000 has been contributed for this religious plant and the mortgage was burned within the following decade.
The Methodist denomination has been influential in the religious life of
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The Methodist Church-1947.
Plymouth since 1800 at the time when the Circuit Riders visited in West Plymouth. The first of their church services was held in the barn belonging to Eben Blodgett in 1807. Their brick chapel on the Yeaton Road and two churches on Main street since 1833 have included many of the prominent families of the town. Women are faithful workers and four should be remem- bered with reverence: Miss Caroline W. Mudgett, Mrs. Alvin Burleigh, Mrs. George Adams and Mrs. Charles J. Ayer.
A WOMAN LEGISLATOR
Since the Women's Suffrage Amendment to the Federal Constitution was adopted in 1919, gradually women voters have gained recognition. The influence of women in party politics has resulted in their election to national and state positions. In 1949, Plymouth elected its first woman legislator, Miss M. Suzanne Loizeaux, who immediately excelled because of her sound judgment. The Speaker of the House appointed her a member of the Appro- priations Committee in company with our veteran legislator, Kenneth G. Bell.
As soon as this area was eligible, by a political agreement, to choose a senator, Miss Loizeaux served a term in the State Senate, then returned to the House until 1963 when she refused reelection.
THE SCEVA SPEARE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Another clerk in the Russell store came to Plymouth from Chelsea, Ver- mont in 1882, Mr. Sceva Speare. In the next twelve years, Mr. Speare was
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active in the business and in the Congregational church as a deacon. Then he accepted a position with Brown and Durrell as a traveling salesman. Later he established a dry goods store in Nashua, New Hampshire and another in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was a director in the Indian Head Bank of Nashua and in many philanthropic offices. He did not forget Plymouth, as the story about the hospital will tell.
While calling on a long-time friend, Mr. Speare saw the necessity for a modern hospital building. Immediately, he offered $50,000 toward a new hospital if this amount were matched. World War II thwarted the efforts of Mr. Fred W. Brown and Mr. Harl Pease in their canvass for the extra thousands.
After the war, Dr. Ernest L. Silver became President of the Board of Directors of the hospital. He immediately revived the project. Assisted by Rev. Edric A. Weld, Rector of the Holderness Boys' School, as Chairman, thousands in generous gifts accumulated. Because of failing health, Dr. Silver resigned and Rev. Adrien Verrette succeeded him.
At this period, the Federal Government appropriated funds to assist in spreading modern hospital facilities. Plymouth was in a position to qualify for federal aid, but a time limit created a problem. The Women's Auxiliary organized a team of eighty women who solicited from everybody a sufficient amount immediately to meet the requirements of the federal agency in New Hampshire. Mrs. Loys A. Wiles was the chairman, and Mrs. Guy E. Speare, treasurer, with Mrs. Herbert Lamson, Mrs. John S. Smith, and Mrs. James S. Conway as co-workers on the committee.
Architects of experience in hospital construction were engaged. Mr. Watson A. Rand, the chairman of the building committee, constantly supervised every detail of the construction. To his thorough and expert observation, this modern plant is credited.
Beds for fifty patients, a children's ward and maternity department fill the second floor. Operating rooms, drug closets, X-ray rooms, laundry, kitchen, storerooms, heating plant, offices for the staff, administrator, and business division and a lobby cover the first floor. The plans allow for a third floor, should this become advisable. Since this beginning, an addition on the north enlarged the bed space and the director's rooms.
Ex-Governor Adams was the speaker at the dinner after the afternoon ceremony to lay the corner stone on February 9, 1950. By April, 1951 open house days preceded the dedication on May 2, 1951. A portrait of Mr. Speare was presented for the lobby in the name of the Women's Auxiliary.
Approximately $800,000 is invested in this plant. Several physicians, mentioned on the staff previously, have moved and Dr. Leon M. Orton died.
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The Sceva Speare Memorial Hospital-1951.
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New members are Dr. William M. Thompson, Dr. Henry D. Crane, and Dr. Eugenia Hurme-Kirk. Affiliation with the Mary Hitchcock Clinic of Hanover permits a hospital service of unusual efficiency for this area of approximately 20,000 population.
Looking backward to realize that appendicitis was a discovery at the period in 1890 when the Emily Balch Cottage Hospital opened, the advance in medical and surgical practice is phenomenal. In the future, the birthplace of distinguished persons cannot be enshrined because probably the hospital where they were born will be forgotten or demolished. To those women of three-quarters of a century ago who decided that Plymouth should establish a hospital, let us pay thankful tribute.
SUMMARY
The beginning of the atomic age distinguished this decade. The Ply- mouth Record, the Kidder Block and Methodist Church fire, the Honor Roll for World War II, Miss Loizeaux-First Woman Legislator, and building the Sceva Speare Memorial Hospital-all important events.
The Flood of 1936 on the same site as on page 151 with the two covered bridges replaced by steel spans.
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1953-1963
The final decade was one of progressive activity: industrial, commercial and educational advancement. On the other hand the old, yet familiar, disappeared.
The covered bridge at the "wading place" at the Baker River in West Plymouth fell into the stream with a roar that disturbed the slumbers of the neighborhood. The structure was old and condemned. Probably it was erected about 1820, since its trusses were of the same design as the Smith and Blair bridges.
END OF PASSENGER SERVICE
A greater loss was passenger service on the railroad through competition with automobiles. One hundred and ten years ago the first train was wel- comed with shouts of joy. Now a passenger train rolled from the station without a paying ticket. On a September evening, the last train left for Concord without drawing a crowd to wave farewell in 1959. The rails between Plymouth and Woodsville were removed in 1960.
GATE POST AT WEST PLYMOUTH
Between the village and West Plymouth, Route 25 was widened and a traffic circle connected with the highway to Bristol, the old Mayhew Turn- pike. Since 1806 the gate post for the toll gate has remained at the "Head," so called, these many years.
At the request of Miss Loizeaux, a member of Asquamchumauke Chap- ter, D.A.R., the Superintendent of the highway construction kept this old landmark in his barn in Holderness. After the post was re-set on the same old site, the D.A.R. placed a bronze plate, inscribed with its history, upon the post.
A meeting of the Chapter dedicated the plaque with a brief program that was highlighted by the story about the Merrill Tavern that only recently was removed because of age from the roadside near by. Mrs. Carl A. Hall of Concord and Rumney told about the life of the Merrill Family at the tavern and about the original tavern sign that hangs in her summer home in Rumney.
The selectmen, Mr. Harl Pease and Mr. William J. Driscoll, graciously represented the Town of Plymouth at this ceremony. Both these officials are actively retaining these intrinsically valuable relics of the past in the town.
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Dedication of the bronze tablet at the Gate Post of the Mayhew Turnpike, 1955, by the Asquamchumauke Chap- ter, D.A.R. Selectmen William Driscoll and Harl Pease are shown at the right.
NATIONAL GUARD AND ARMORY
Since World War II did not result in actual victory, but rather created fears for future troubles, national defense became important. In 1950, after an address before the Chamber of Commerce by General Charles Bowen, then Adjutant General of the State of New Hampshire, a National Guard Unit was organized by men from this area of towns.
The following year, federal recognition for this Battery C, 210th AAA Unit was received. Drills were conducted at the Shank Mill. In 1957 a huge armory was constructed beside the Daniel Webster Highway. In addition to a drill floor, a large gun, trucks, radar equipment and all necessary facilities for the functions of the Unit are provided.
On the 22nd of February, 1957, several hundred citizens enjoyed the Open House program when Brigadier General Francis B. McSwiney, Adjutant General of the New Hampshire National Guard, presented the keys to the Commanding Officer, Captain George H. Bartlett.
A surprise feature of the program was the presentation of the spurs, saber, and four Guard pictures by Selectman Fred C. Tobey, Jr., on behalf
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of his mother, mementoes of her father, Captain George H. Colby, one of the first New Hampshire Guardsmen in 1888, and Captain of the first unit in Plymouth. Captain Colby was accidentally killed many years ago. These gifts will be preserved in the Armory.
The local defense value of this Unit was demonstrated in October of 1957 at midnight during a heavy rainstorm that suddenly swelled the rivers. The siren called the Guards to rescue the people on River street from their flooded homes. Searching for lost children and hunters and fighting forest fires are other services that the Guards have willingly performed.
Dr. Harold E. Hyde at the closet where slaves were concealed.
SILVER HALL
The dilapidated N. P. Rogers' residence was removed to clear the site for a combination gymnasium and art center for the Teachers College in 1954. An auditorium, named Silver Hall, a fitting honor to Dr. Ernest L. Silver, serves for gymnasium purposes, also accommodates an audience of twelve hundred people. A stage is equipped with fixtures for lighting and scenery for dramatic performances that vary from Shakespeare and Ibsen to modern authors. On the north side are studios for the music department that presents both choral and instrumental programs.
Silver Hall is open to organizations in the town for dancing and concerts,
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a compensation of value because no other auditorium has replaced the loss of Music Hall in the Kidder Block.
This structure, with a modern architectural design surrounded by the old elms and a wide lawn. adds a beauty spot along Main street as well as a center of cultural additions to the curriculum of Plymouth Teachers College.
ASQUAMCHUMAUKE VILLAGE
As soon as the D.A.R. learned that the Armory was to be located on the bank by the Baker River, a request was sent to General McSwiney that he instruct his workmen to watch for Indian fireholes while they were excavating for the foundations. This brought interesting results.
Evidently a group of archeologists heard about this letter. They sought for permission to search about these meadows. The report of their borings stated that ashes at least 2.000 years of age were discovered.
Children have found many Indian arrow heads as they played in these fields. On the top of a crag to the west of the river, peculiar figures have been chipped into the granite. A long wooden paddle of unusual design was taken from the bank of the river on the Spencer farm. Prehistoric sites are worthy of investigation within the vicinity of Plymouth.
Indians' landmarks on a cliff in the north section of Plymouth.
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CAPTAIN HARL PEASE, JR.
The new Air Force Base at Portsmouth was named, on September 7, 1957, Pease Air Force Base in honor of Captain Harl Pease, Jr. because he attained the highest record of any deceased aviator in New Hampshire.
Captain Pease was born on April 10, 1917 in Plymouth. After his grad- uation from the University of New Hampshire in 1939, he immediately enlisted in the Air Corps and received his advance training at Randolph and at Kelley Fields in Texas.
He was assigned to the 93rd Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombard- ment Group, that flew the Pacific to blaze the trail for future fliers. In the Philippines at the time of Pearl Harbor, then in Australia, he was not with his Squadron when this group was stranded at Corregidor.
Planes in the Pacific were called "crippled old crates." Captain Pease with his own know-how serviced a plane and flew back and forth over the ocean until he rescued every man off Corregidor. Again, in another plane that he repaired, he joined his Squadron in the Battle over Rabaul in New Britain on August 6-7, 1942. Attacked by many Japanese planes, his plane caught fire and probably fell into the sea.
The 19th chose Captain Pease to receive the second Congressional Medal of Honor that was presented to his parents by President Franklin D. Roose-
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velt, posthumously, which was the third honor bestowed upon him for his outstanding bravery in the Air Service.
At the date of the dedication of the Base, Mr. and Mrs. Harl Pease, and their daughter, Charlotte, with officials of the Town of Plymouth and hun- dreds of citizens were present when Selectman Fred C. Tobey, Jr. presented a portrait of Captain Pease to the Base from the citizens of the Town of Plymouth.
A detailed account about Captain Pease may be found in the Plymouth Town Report Book for 1957.
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH
Christian Science was introduced into Plymouth in 1945 at evening meetings in a private home. Then a room in the Fox Block on Main street was obtained for Sunday morning services and the lending library.
The Plymouth Christian Science Society was formed on January 8, 1948 as a branch of the Mother Church in Boston. Two years later, services were held at noon in the Congregational Church and Sunday School classes were started.
With the financial assistance of the Mary Baker Eddy Trust Fund and other friends, a lot was purchased on Emerson street in 1955. A Christian Science church in Tamworth was moved here and was completed for the dedication service on August 25, 1957.
The reading room remains at the Fox Block that is well supplied with the literature of the Society including the Christian Science Monitor.
THE NEW BANK
The Pemigewasset Bank and the Plymouth Guaranty Savings Bank sold their building of 1885 to the New Hampshire Electric Co-Op., Inc. in 1955, then moved to their modern quarters. Their new structure was ready for occupancy on the site of the former Tufts Block.
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