USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > North Providence > Annals of Centerdale : in the town of North Providence, Rhode Island : its past and present, 1636-1909 > Part 10
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FREDERICK M. BARNES, JOHN LARKIN, GEORGE H. SWEET.
Frederick M. Barnes and John Larkin enlisted as privates in Battery A, and George H. Hill in Battery B, First Regiment, Light Artillery, Rhode Island Volunteers, June 6th, 1898, and soon after entered camp duty at Quonset Point, R. I.
The destruction of the Spanish fleet off Santiago by Admiral Schley and the subsequent victories by the United States troops on land soon brought an end to hostilities in Cuba, and caused the United States Govern- ment to discontinue forwarding additional troops to the island; in consequence of which the First Light Artillery Regiment was ordered disbanded, and October 26, 1898, was mustered out, much to the disappointment of the officers and men, many of whom had, from patriotic motives, sacrificed good positions in civil life to enter into the service of their country.
GEORGE H. SWEET.
George H. Sweet enlisted in the United States Navy, June 24, 1898, and was assigned to the United States receiving ship "Constellation," stationed at Newport, R. I., the old "Man-of-War" being at that time used as a training ship for the United States Navy. He remained there until the end of the war or until August 27, 1898, when he was honorably discharged.
UNION LIBRARY.
CHAPTER XVII.
A. W. HARRINGTON, F. C. ANGELL, M. M. JOSLIN.
IN the summer of 1868 Frank C. Angell, Marcus M. Joslin, and Alexander W. Harrington initiated the movement to establish a free public library in Centerdale.
At that time Centerdale was a small country village of less than 200 inhabitants, and somewhat isolated from Providence and other large towns where the advantages of the public library were enjoyed. There were no means of communication with Providence excepting by the slow and cumbersome stage-coach, which made but two or three trips each day; for the locomotive engine had not then penetrated the Woonasquatucket valley, nor were the swift and mysteriously moving electric cars known at that time. Under these conditions but few could spare the time or afford the expense of a journey to Providence for the much coveted book.
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At first the project of establishing a public library, even upon a small scale, in Centerdale seemed like too great an undertaking for them to carry through successfully, they being at that time young mechanics working in one of the workshops of the village for daily pay, and realiz- ing that there were no men of wealth in the community to come forward and aid them in their undertaking; so whatever was done must be accomplished by their own efforts. It did not take long to interest the young people in the movement. An informal meeting was called to consider the matter and devise some way of providing the money for the undertaking.
By general assent the three promoters were considered a committee to inaugurate the movement, and decided to appeal to the public, through a series of local entertain - ments, to raise the first installment of one hundred dollars toward the two hundred which they hoped to be able to secure with which to purchase the books for a nucleus or foundation for the library. The question of a building, or room, to contain them had not then been considered.
The drama selected for the initial performance was entitled "All is not Gold that Glitters." A fac-simile of the programme is here given with the cast of charac- ters.
The first entertainment was given in Armory hall, October 31st, 1868, and passed off very successfully. The attendance was not large, but the workers were not dis- couraged, and gave a second representation of the drama, November 28th. This was followed by other entertain- ments of like character, until, February, 1869, after work- ing for four months, they succeeded in raising their first installment of one hundred dollars.
Grand Exhibition
Armory Hall, Centredale, -
Saturday Eve'g, Oct. 31.
The public are respectfully invited to attend an Exhibition as above, where will be performed the comic Drama, entitled
All is not Gold That Glitters !
Jasper Plum,. Mr. J. Marsh
Stephen Plum, A. W. Harrington
Frederic Plum,. F. C. Angel!
Toby Twinkle,. M. M. Joslin
Sir Arthur Lovelle, . H. J. Turner
Harris,. .
. Mr. J. Nichols
Lady Valeria, Miss A. F. Westcott
Lady Leatherbridge, Miss. S. Lapham Martha Gibbs,
Miss I. M. Burlingame
SONGS, by . . C. E. TUTLOW.
To be followed by the side splitting farce, entitled
Betsey
Baker !
Mr. Marmaduke Mouser,.
Mr. J. Marsh
Mr. Crumny, . M. M. Joslin
Mrs. Crumny, Miss I. M. Burlingame
Miss A. F. Westcott Betsey Baker,
The whole to conclude, with Celebrated CLOG DANCE By C. E. Tutlow.
'Tickets.
Children, -
25 Cents. - 15
Doors open at a quarter to 7 o'clock. Performance to commence at 7.30 o'clock
An Orchestra will enliven the occasion under the leadership of Mr. James Olney.
The proceeds to be devoted to the raising of a Public Library for the village of Centredale.
A. Crawford Greene, Printer, Railroad Hall, Providence, R. I.
11
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
A subscription paper, dated February 9, 1869, was now prepared, and the hard-earned hundred dollars was placed at the head of the paper. Various sums, ranging from one dollar upwards, were subscribed, and in due time four hundred dollars were secured, which was double the amount they at first anticipated.
The magic key seemed to have been touched, for the public, generally, now were alive with interest for the success of the library.
April 21st, 1869, a meeting was called inviting all people interested in the movement to assemble at the schoolhouse; the object being to form a society, or organization, to carry on the work in a business-like and systematic manner. The work thus far had been done informally by the young people connected with the dramatic club, but now that the establishment of the library was assured it seemed a proper time to perfect a permanent organization. At eight o'clock the meeting was called to order, and John Marsh was elected chairman and Frank C. Angell. sec- retary; the chairman stated the object of the meeting. giving a brief account of the work accomplished thus far, and spoke encouragingly of the future of the library. Various committees were appointed to attend to and prepare the preliminaries attendant to the permanent organization. This was but one of the many meetings held by the society before the permanent organization was perfected. May 13th, 1869, the constitution and by-laws were adopted, and at this meeting it was voted that hereafter the society should be called by the name of "The Union Library Association."
After the adoption of the by-laws, the following were elected as the first officers of the association: President,
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John C. Budlong; Vice-Presidents, Alexander W. Har- rington, John Marsh, James C. Collins, and Harrison J. Turner; Treasurer, George W. Remington; Secretary, Frank C. Angell; Corresponding Secretary, Alexander W. Harrington; Librarian, Frank C. Angell; Directors, John C. Budlong, George T. Batchelder, Benjamin Sweet, Marcus M. Joslin, Israel B. Phillips, John Marsh, George W. Remington.
The library association being now duly organized, and with a balance of four hundred dollars in the treasury, the pioneers in the work might well feel proud of what had been accomplished. The older and more influential citizens had now become interested in the movement to establish the library, and with their encouragement it was determined to continue the work until a sum sufficient had been secured to provide a suitable building to contain the books.
The fourth of July, the anniversary of American in- dependence, was approaching, and it was decided to im- prove the opportunity and observe the day in a manner befitting the glorious occasion, and by combining patriot- ism with the laudable desire to promote intelligence and the public good, they would make this the occasion for increasing the library fund; and certainly no two objects could more appropriately be combined.
Under the direction of various committees, the prepara- tions for the celebration progressed rapidly, and soon the village began to assume a gala day appearance. A mammoth awning was erected upon the village common, a platform built for the band and orators of the day, the old liberty pole, which had failed to do duty for several years on account of being disabled, was put in condition
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to hold aloft the glorious emblem of American independ- ence.
In due time all of the details of the arrangements were completed, and all anxiously waited the dawn of the com- ing day. Suddenly the booming of the artillery and the ringing of bells resounded through the valley, proclaiming to the people that the anniversary of the nation's birthday had dawned, and calling upon them to assemble and celebrate the day as only true patriotic Americans can do. It seemed as though God was pleased to smile upon their efforts, for a more beautiful day could not be desired. It would be a difficult task to describe the enthusiasm that was awakened or the pleasure enjoyed by all who par- ticipated in the celebration that day.
During the evening a display of fireworks enlivened the scene and closed the festivities of the day. Everything passed off in the happiest possible manner, making the event a complete success.
The success of the celebration increased the library fund sufficiently to warrant some steps being taken towards erecting a library building. A desirable site on Mineral Spring avenue was obtained on a ninety-nine years lease, and plans were drawn for a building, of wood, 20 x 26 feet, and one story in height. The contract for erecting the building was awarded to Messrs. Brown & Sweet, contractors, for eight hundred dollars, and in March, 1870, ground was broken for the foundation. Although the building was small, it provided ample accommoda- tions for the books at that time.
The laws of Rhode Island at that time provided that all companies or societies desiring to hold real or mixed property in the name of the company or society, and
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receive the protection of the laws of the State, should petition and receive from the General Assembly a charter, or act of incorporation.
At the January session of the legislature, in 1870, the Hon. James C. Collins, a representative to the Assembly from North Providence, presented a petition requesting that an act of incorporation be granted to the Union Library Association of Centerdale. The petition was duly granted at the same session, and the Union Library Association was now a legally constituted organization, and under its charter was empowered to have and use a common seal, and to have, hold, and convey real and personal property to an amount not exceeding ten thousand dollars.
The members of the library society might well feel congratulated upon the results of their labors; they had succeeded in erecting the library building, had about four hundred dollars in money with which to purchase books, and had become a chartered corporation under the laws of the State.
It must not be supposed that the ladies had been idle all this time. In July, 1869, in response to invitations extended, the ladies assembled at the residence of Mrs. Nathaniel Angell and organized the Ladies' Union Sewing Society. Weekly sessions were held, and their skillful hands soon fashioned many useful and fancy articles. A sale, or fair, as it was called, was held in Armory hall, under their auspices, December 24 and 25, 1869. The fair was a success and netted a handsome sum.
After the completion of the library building, the ladies of the sewing society requested that they be allowed the pleasure of furnishing the library room. Of course this
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
was readily granted, and under their direction the room began to take on a neat and attractive appearance. The walls were tastefully decorated, the floor was neatly carpeted, comfortable chairs and tables were provided : also ample provisions were made for heating and lighting.
It was now decided to formally open and dedicate the library upon the fourth of July, which was near at hand, at which time it was proposed to hold another celebration like the one held the year before. It is sufficient to say that the second celebration was as successful as its prede- cessor.
UNION LIBRARY.
At 12 o'clock noon, July 4th, 1870, the door of the library was thrown open to the public. The librarian, Frank C. Angell, received the visitors informally during the afternoon and evening. Upon the shelves were 350 volumes, all neatly covered and numbered; the appear-
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ance of the room received many pleasant commendations from the visitors.
The library now being formally dedicated, it was de- cided to open the room for delivering the books every Tuesday and Saturday evenings from seven until nine o'clock.
At the time of the opening of the library it was thought not advisable to make it a free library, in the strict sense of the word, until some means were provided for its main- tenance, but free to all members of the Union Library. Association and the Ladies' Union Sewing Society; this virtually including nearly all of the people of the village. But the association desired to extend its privileges to others who might reside here at a future time and all others who lived within a radius of three miles; to all such people a charge of six cents per week was made; but the desires and hopes of the association were that at no distant day it might be made free to all, and in this they were not disappointed.
April 15th, 1875, a free library act was passed by the General Assembly, giving authority to the cities and towns of the State to appropriate money, under certain restric- tions, to establish free public libraries. The State Board of Education at the same time was authorized to pay for such books as might be approved by them for such libraries. The amount apportioned to each library varied according to the number of volumes they contained. Fifty dollars was allowed the first 500 volumes in the library, and twenty-five dollars for every additional 500 volumes; but the limit of any library was five hundred dollars a year. Any town establishing or accepting a free public library was required to appropriate for its use at least as much
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as the amount received from the State. Without doubt this legislation encouraged the establishment of many public libraries throughout the State.
The Union Library Association now saw an opportunity to carry out the original and long-cherished plan of making it a free library, and at a meeting of the association held February 17th, 1877, it was voted to make and declare Union Library a free public library; and an application was made to the State Board of Education for the privileges allowed by the act. The library since that time has grad- ually increased in the number of volumes, until now it contains about 5,000 volumes.
It has always been under the care of Frank C. Angell. who has served as librarian from its opening day, in 1870. until the present time (1909), excepting two years, 1871 and 1872, a total of thirty-seven years. The library at the present time is in a flourishing condition, and well deserves the support it receives from the State and the town.
CHAPTER XVIII.
FRATERNAL ORDERS AND MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
ROGER WILLIAMS LODGE, NO. 32, A. F. AND A. M.
T THE origin of Roger Williams Lodge, No. 32, of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons was largely due to a desire of the members of the fra- ternity living in and around Center- dale for better accommodations in the matter of Masonic privileges, where- by they might more fully enjoy the benefits of fraternal brotherhood and promote a more mutual acquaintance and social intercourse with the breth- ren.
LIBERTAS At the time of the formation of Roger Williams Lodge there were about thirty members of the order residing in or within a convenient distance of Centerdale, belonging to different lodges throughout the State who were obliged to travel many miles over country roads to attend a meeting of their home lodge.
By mutual agreement those interested assembled at the Union Library rooms on the evening of September 15th, 1875, to consider the advisability of forming a new lodge to be located in Centerdale. The meeting was well at- tended, and James H. Angell, a member of Temple Lodge, No. 18, was asked to preside; and Frank C. Angell, also
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of Temple Lodge, was chosen secretary. The object of the meeting was briefly stated by the chairman, and after considering the expediency of forming a new lodge a committee was appointed to obtain information in regard to methods of procedure in such cases. Other meetings were held at the same place during the succeeding months, to hear the report of the committee and to perfect the work of organization.
At a meeting held December 27, 1875, the subject of a name for the proposed lodge was considered. Various names were suggested: among them was the name of Roger Williams, proposed by James H. Angell, and after some discussion it was decided to name the new lodge Roger Williams Lodge.
A petition signed by twenty-six Master Masons, and recommended by Temple Lodge, No. 18, of Greenville, was presented to Most Worshipful Nicholas Van Slyck, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, asking permission to open a Lodge, under dispensation, in Cen- terdale. The dispensation was granted under date of January 27, 1876, the Grand Master appointing Thomas Wilmarth, Worshipful Master; Alexander W. Harrington, Senior Warden; and Charles P. Walker, Junior Warden, to serve until the lodge was duly constituted.
The first meeting of the Roger Williams Lodge, under dispensation, was held in Railroad Hall building, March 4, 1876. At this meeting James Halsey Angell was ap- pointed Treasurer; Frank C. Angell, Secretary; Rufus W. Harris, Senior Deacon; A. Jarvis Smith, Junior Deacon; George F. Angell, Senior Steward; William F. Allison, Junior Steward: George E. Olney, Chaplain; James V. Dawley, Marshal; George W. Capron, Musical
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FRATERNAL ORDERS.
Director; and Asel S. Angell, Tyler; these being the first officers of the new organization.
At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge held May 15th, 1876, a petition for a charter was presented, and after due consideration was granted; and upon the twenty-seventh day of May, 1876, The Most Worshipful Grand Master Nicholas Van Slyck, assisted by the officers of the Grand Lodge, duly constituted Roger Williams Lodge, No. 32, in ample form, with all the rights and privileges of a subordinate lodge of the jurisdiction of Rhode Island. An address appropriate to the occasion was delivered by Judge George M. Carpenter, of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, who was also a member of the Grand Lodge.
After the impressive ceremonies of constitution the fol- lowing were elected as the first officers of Roger Williams Lodge, No. 32, A. F. & A. M: Thomas Wilmarth, Wor- shipful Master; Alexander W. Harrington, Senior Warden, Charles P. Walker, Junior Warden; James Halsey Angell, Treasurer; Frank C. Angell, Secretary; George E. Olney, Chaplain; Rufus W. Harris, Senior Deacon; A. Jarvis Smith, Junior Deacon; George F. Angell, Senior Steward; William F. Allison, Junior Steward; James V. Dawley, Marshal; Daniel O. Angell, Sentinel; Asel S. Angell, Tyler.
It is worthy of note at this time to observe that Frank C. Angell, who was chosen secretary at the first preliminary meeting of the organization, was appointed secretary while the lodge was under dispensation, and under the charter has held the office continuously to the present time, 1909, making a continuous service as secretary for over thirty- three years.
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
The lodge held their meetings in a small hall in Railroad Hall building until October, 1885, when they moved to rooms especially arranged for them in Angell block, No. 2005 Smith street, where they are now located The lodge at the present time numbers 112 members and is in a flourishing condition.
WOONASQUATUCKET LODGE, NO. 53, I. O. OF G. T.
In 1870 the wave of temperance reform agitated the country throughout its length and breadth, stirring the cities and country towns to a furore of temperance ex- citement to an extent never known before in the country's history. Meetings and rallies were held in all of the village halls, encouraging the organizing of temperance societies and lodges to carry on the temperance work. Cen- terdale, like the neighboring villages, was caught in the swirl of the reform wave, and soon public sentiment was enlisted in the popular reform movement.
In April, 1871, the Woonasquatucket Lodge, No. 53, of the Independent Order of Good Templars was organ- ized, and soon upwards of 200 members were enrolled. Armory Hall was secured and transformed into a com- modious lodge room, and great enthusiasm was mani- fested on all sides, and Woonasquatucket Lodge, No. 53. received the high honor of being the banner lodge of the State in the good work it accomplished and its perfection in the ritual work.
The lodge continued to prosper and succeed in the work of temperance reform they had undertaken; and without doubt succeeded in alleviating temporarily. if not in all cases permanently, the evils of intemperance. But
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FRATERNAL ORDERS.
like most reformatory movements that depend somewhat upon constant agitation and exciting of the public mind, the interest began to subside, and, not unlike the returning tide, the wave of temperance reform began to ebb, and gradually the members began to withdraw from active work, and ere long the lodge was obliged to resort to the inevitable; and in the summer of 1877 the Woonasqua- tucket Lodge, I. O. of G. T., once the banner lodge of the State, surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge and rested from its good work.
THE TEMPLE OF HONOR.
Soon after the formation of Woonasquatucket Lodge of Good Templars a lodge of the order of the Temple of Honor was organized. This, too, was also a temperance order, but, unlike the Good Templars, only admitted male members over eighteen years of age.
The Temple was instituted August 3d, 1871, under the name of Enterprise Temple, No. 26, with thirty-five charter members; the following being the first officers: Charles P. Walker, Worthy Chief Templar; Arnold Hawkins, Worthy Vice Templar; Frank C. Angell, Worthy Re- corder; Moses Claflin, Worthy Assistant Recorder; George F. Angell, Worthy Financial Recorder; George G. Cozzens, Worthy Treasurer; George W. Gould, Worthy Chaplain; Marcus M. Joslin, Worthy Usher; Charles J. Hawkins, Worthy Deputy Usher; William Smith, Worthy Guardian; Asel S. Angell, Worthy Sentinel.
They, like the Good Templars, held their meetings in Armory hall and enjoyed several years of prosperity, and
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numbered about 150 members. The meetings were always well attended and considerable fraternal interest manifested. They were often the recipient of many fraternal visits from neighboring Temples from Provi- dence and other places, who would always come in a body, and the return visits were always hailed as occasions of much interest, for Enterprise Temple was particularly strong in literary and musical talent, making visits especially enjoyable.
But as the interest in the temperance reform movement subsided the interest in the Temple began to wane, and, like the Good Templars, it was obliged to submit to the inevitable, and in June, 1879, surrendered its charter to the Grand Temple.
But in justice to the two reformatory orders it must be admitted that they did not labor in vain, that their efforts did carry joy and sunshine into many desolate homes and left a permanent impression of good upon the community.
MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
The first musical organization in Centerdale was the Centerdale Cornet Band, which was organized May 6th, 1861. Unless the village choir is taken into consideration, in the early days of the church in this place, the church organ was but little known in country churches. Here the music was furnished by two violins, a bass-viol, flute, and clarionet, and a little later a small melodeon was added. This was many years after the time when the church people denounced and declared the violin an instrument of the devil, and to play upon one, or on any musical in- strument, during church service would be positively sacri-
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legious; the singing always being done without musical accompaniment.
Soon after the breaking out of the Civil War, in 1861, martial music was heard throughout the land. Nearly all of the country towns and villages, to show their patriotism, proceeded to organize a military company or a brass band. Accordingly, on the evening of May 6th, 1861, those in- terested in music assembled in the hall of the Centerdale hotel and organized the Centerdale Cornet Band, con- sisting of fifteen members, as follows: Edward Reynolds, John Widup, Thomas Whitworth, George G. Cozzens, George F. Angell, Albert Mowry, Bela Edwards, Henry Hunt, Edwin A. Capron, Albert F. Gleason, James Barnes, Daniel H. Capron, Charles Hudson, Cornelius M. Capron, and Charles Thornton. Edward Reynolds was elected leader, and John Widup, assistant leader. Gideon Goodspeed, a noted bandmaster, was secured as instructor; and in due time the band was able to render music in a very creditable manner. The band continued its organization until 1864 when, from various reasons, principally that so many of the members had moved to distant localities, it was decided to disband the organiza- tion.
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