USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume II > Part 35
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After the lapse of years the project of an extension or connection with existing roads to Boston was revived and prosecuted with better results. A branch of the New England railroad was located through Woonsocket, and November 16th, 1863, trains began running on schedule time from the town to Boston. A direct mail by this route was soon after established, and the advantages for which the town had longed so many years were in a measure attained. An extension of this line westward was begun and carried forward to the grading of the road, when work was discontinued. The framework of the bridge across the Blackstone was swept away by the great freshet in March, 1876, and the stone piers left standing were carried off by the flood of Feb- ruary 11th, 1886. It is proposed to use the grading of this line in the construction of a branch road, which, being done, Woonsocket will
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have at last a western outlet and also become a station on an " Air line."
The traffic of the New England road has steadily increased and is much heavier than in former years, and while the passenger patron- age is comparatively light, this direct line is a great convenience. In 1889 there were seven trains to Boston daily. Since March, 1878, Thomas B. Holden has been the station agent, succeeding D. Law- rence.
A history of the public houses of Woonsocket would be incomplete without an account of the pioneer inns of Union Village, which for nearly a hundred years was the real Woonsocket. For that space of time nearly all the important business of this section was transacted within the narrow limits of that now quiet hamlet. Where are, at present, only suburban residences, once were a bank, the post office, mechanic shops, two stores and two taverns. The latter, after the custom of the times, were the centers of business and social life, and their reputation extended to the utmost limits of the lines of travel on which they were located, and which carried the name of Woon- socket abroad. There courts were held, and those in attendance en- tertained: town business transacted and a general interchange made of the news of the day with the travelers and the neighbors assem- bled from miles around, for to the Woonsocket Cross Roads went all classes of people.
These taverns were kept in the oldest buildings in the place. The one first opened, November 26th, 1733, was in the original dwelling house of Hezadiah Comstock, which was built about 1703, and was the second residence at this point. The license was granted to Joseph Arnold, who leased the house from the Comstock family until 1744, when it passed to him by purchase. It was a long frame build- ing with the end standing toward the street, and had a spacious yard. In the latter were erected stocks for the punishment of condemned prisoners, sentenced by the court, sitting in the tavern. Joseph Ar- nold died in 1745, but the tavern continued to be kept by his widow, Patience (whose maiden name was Wilkinson), until the fall of 1763. The landlord appears to have been a man of great prominence, and had many good qualities. He is said to have so thoroughly abhorred slavery, that on his yearly visits to the Newport meeting of Friends he would not stop at the houses of those who held slaves. One of his sons was the esteemed Doctor William Arnold.
The second tavern was opened September 15th, 1739, by Thomas Arnold, a brother of the first landlord. He occupied the house on the opposite side of the street, which was the first residence in the place, having been built in 1690, by James Arnold. This landlord was also prominent, and was known in the later years of his life as Judge Thomas Arnold. He died in 1765. In 1780 this house was ·enlarged by one of his sons, Peleg Arnold, and was kept by him many
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years. Like his uncle and his father he was a controlling influence in public affairs of this section, and was also influential in state mat- ters. He was widely known as Judge Peleg Arnold.
In the present century there were also two inns at this village, sustaining the relation of rivals for patronage. The one on the east side of the street was built by Marcus Arnold, and Amasa Bagley was the first landlord, keeping the house one year. George Aldrich pur- chased the property and moved into the house on Christmas Day, 1807, and kept the tavern until 1832, when it became a private resi- dence. The house on the west side of the street was built by Walter Al- len, and the tavern keepers in the line of succession were Paul Draper, William Ayers, Nathan Mowry, Seth Allen, Walter S. Allen and Otis Bartlett. Of these the Allens are best remembered as landlords. This tavern was also devoted to private use after business was trans- ferred to the " Falls."
At the latter place the first record of a public house appears in connection with the granting of a license to retail strong liquors, March 3d, 1734, to William Arnold, Esq. This house was on the hill near the present Globe Mills, and appears to have also been a small store. It may be that the entertainment of the public was only an in- cidental feature of its business. The dwelling house of James Ar- nold, below the " falls," was properly made the first tavern in the present city of Woonsocket, and Caleb Adams was the first landlord. Cephas Holbrook succeeded him and built a larger house on the same site, about 1829. The enterprise proving too great for him, the prop- erty passed into the hands of a hotel company, and there were a num- ber of landlords, among them being Willard and Luke Whitcomb, Charles E. Richards and Reuel Smith. April 14th, 1846, Cook & Bal- lou took charge of the hotel as the owners, and not long afterward Otis D. Ballou became the sole proprietor. He kept it many years. and it was favorably known as " Ballou's Temperance Hotel." The business netted him a competency and he retired, selling out to Cook, Mason & Co. Under their direction the place again became known as the Woonsocket Hotel, and earned a fine reputation, which has been retained with increasing favor until this day. In June, 1870. the old frame building was removed from its site to a rear lot, and the present hotel edifice erected thereon by the proprietors. It is of brick, 45 by 66 feet, with an ell 45 by 58 feet, four stories high, and has a mansard roof. More recent refittings have supplied the modern appliances, and under the continued management of Cook, Mason & Co. it is one of the most popular hostelries in this part of the state.
In the northern part of the town the " Mechanics Hotel " was kept during the late war by Albert C. Jencks, who sold out to Lysander W. Elliott April 1st, 1867, after having achieved a fine reputation as an exemplary landlord. In 1869 the new proprietor removed the old house across the street and erected a new hotel on the site, the origi-
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nal structure being a frame 42 by 110 fect, three stories high and sur- mounted by a Mansard story. This has since been enlarged by the addition of a brick block on the north ; and in 1888 the capacity of the hotel was still further increased by the use of several stories in the Opera House Block. The modern conveniences have been ein- bodied in this hotel's arrangements since its completion in July, 1870. At that time it received the name of Monument House, from the location of the soldiers' monument, near by, and has since been ably conducted by the popular landlord and proprietor, L. W. Elliott.
In addition to these two principal houses there have been other inns which, in their day, accommodated the public well. In 1857, John Livesy kept a tavern opposite the Harris Block, which he called the Central Hotel, but which has long since been given up to other uses. On the Globe side was kept a tavern, of some note, in a build- ing which was afterward transformed into a boarding house for the mill near which it stands.
Among the other public buildings in the city the old Rathbun Block, erected in 1832, stood a prominent business place more than a quarter of a century. In April, 1867, it was sold to Charles H. Fletcher, who erected a new block, bearing his name, on this site. In 1886 he remodeled his Music Hall at an outlay of $15,000, and opened it to the public the following year. It is a fine place of amusement, having a stage 60 feet square, which is provided with elegant scenery.
The old Armory Hall. on Bernon street, was the next place in point of age, which was erected for public gatherings. It was built in the summer of 1845, at a cost of $3,000, one-third of which was paid by the state, in consideration of the fact that part of the building was to be used for military purposes. When the hall was dedicated it was made the occasion of a grand ball, at which the music was furnished by Dodworth's celebrated New York band, and many distinguished people from abroad attended. In 1884 the town appropriated $10,000 to pur- chase this property and refit it for public uses. . In 1889 most of the building was occupied by the city fire department, the other city offices being in buildings more centrally located.
In 1846 S. S. Waterman erected a large three-story brick block, in what is now the central part of the city, which was for many years an attractive public building. In 1865 the property was purchased by S. S. Foss and the name changed to Patriot Block, which it still bears. This building was the most conspicuous objeet in that part of the town for ten years.
In 1856 Edward Harris erected the block which bears his name south of the above building, and gradually, since that time, this part of the town has become the center of trade. The block is 62 by 96 feet and is three stories high, the material being brick and iron. In the lower story are business rooms: the second story is devoted to the use of the Free Library; and the third story forms Harris Hall. It is
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25 feet high, perfectly ventilated and seats 2,000 people. For many years it was the finest hall in the state. It was opened to the public December 23d, 1857, and the Reverend Doctor Cheever was the first speaker, under the auspices of the Lyceum, to occupy the rostrum. Wendell Phillips spoke in this hall soon after. On the 8th of March, 1860, Abraham Lincoln addressed a large assemblage of people here, many being brought from Providence by special train. While in Woonsocket he was the guest of Edward Harris. Since that time the hall has been used by many of the prominent public men of the country, and it is replete with historic associations. In 1863 this property, valued at $90,000, was deeded to the trustees of the Harris Institute, by whom it has since been controlled so judiciously that it has appreciated in value.
Cook's Block, opposite the above, is a three story brick, with man- sard roof, and was built in 1867. It is substantial, containing several banks. Greene's Block, on the north, was built in 1873. About the same time the Hope Block, a fine three story brick, was built at the intersection of Main and Clinton streets. Unity Block, opposite, was erected in 1886. Both buildings are largely used for office purposes. The Foss Memorial Building is farther south, on Main street, and was erected in 1887 to the memory of S. S. Foss, by his estate. Its orna- mental front is constructed of pressed brick and tile, and it is very attractive. On this site was a building in which was opened the first exclusive wholesale store in the city, by D. M. Cook & Co., in April, 1867.
On Main street, north, the Lapham and Miller blocks gave charac- ter to the business interests of the town before 1875, and the hand- some Opera House Block, completed in 1888, is not excelled in the state. The Linton Block, near by, built the same year, is also very attrac- tive. An earlier fine public building, on North Main, was the Priv- ilege Store Block, erected by Edward Harris in 1865. It is of brick, 50 by 106 feet, and affords the largest business rooms in the city. The upper story forms a hall, but as the building is too remote from the center of the city, it is but little used.
Eastward, on Social street, the Social brick block was completed in 1873, but the fine hall in the third story was not dedicated until May 15th, 1874. It also affords spacious rooms for stores and offices.
For many years the principal stores of the town were kept in con- nection with the mills, and most generally in their localities. But with the growth of the town came a separation of these interests, and several good stores were opened by parties not interested in the mills. About 1840 Darling & Thayer and the firmn of Glackin & Mason had stores in the Rathbun Block; and Ballou & Mason were also in trade. Near the same time Josiah Perkins was the bookseller, and William J. Holder was a dealer in tinware and stoves. The firm of Darling & Thayer continued many years, and Gilbert Darling of
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that firm is still connected with the mercantile interests of the city, in another line of trade. After 1850 there were also in trade Michael Feeley, John Wales, Jr., George Lapham, Charles W. Filmore, James Helme, C. E. Aldrich, F. S. Weeks and the Woonsocket Baking Com- pany, the latter continuing in business until the present time. After the war for the Union there was a great expansion of the mercantile interests, and since that time hundreds of firms have been engaged in business. In 1889 there were 8 apothecaries, 12 dry goods stores, 3 book stores, 15 boot and shoe stores, 6 clothing stores, 40 groceries, 3 hardware stores, 6 furniture dealers, a number of furnishing and notion stores; and every department of trade was fully represented in the business interests of the city.
The history of the mail service of Woonsocket begins with the establishment of the post office at Union Village, where all the people in these parts received their mail many years. After the fashion of those days, it was first carried on horseback to and from the principal points, but about 1815 Abner Cooper put a one-horse vehicle on the route from Providence to Worcester, which made the trip weekly. This arrangement he continued about five years, and, as he was some- what of a poet, his announcements were usually made in rhymes, like this couplet:
" Abner Cooper informs his friends That April next his quarter ends."*
Regular mail coaches began to run between the above cities about 1820, which made the supply of a daily mail possible, as the routes were so arranged that Woonsocket was upon two lines which had tri- weekly coaches. Six years later there was a daily stage line from Providence to Worcester, and thereafter the service was no less than twice per day. Christopher Almy was the postmaster many years at the Union Village office, which was discontinued in July, 1844. Mean- time the office at Woonsocket proper had been established, in 1830, and was kept in a building erected that year by the first postmaster, Daniel A. Daniels. This house stood on the corner of Main and Ber- non streets, and the post office was kept there until July 1st, 1867, when it was transferred to the Harris Institute building. At this place rooms were especially fitted up for that purpose, and have since been finely maintained for the convenience of the public. In 1889 it had 179 lock and 400 call boxes in addition to its general and carrier delivery. The latter system was inaugurated July 1st, 1887, with three deliveries per day, and Oscar E. Haskell was the first superin- tendent of the carriers. In this service he has continued, and there were in all seven carriers, one of whom was mounted. For the quar- ter ending July 1st, 1889, they delivered 64,648 pieces of mail.
In 1841 John Burnham, later more familiarly called " Uncle John," was appointed postmaster, and by his courtesy and strict attention to * Vide Richardson, p. 175.
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his duties had so endeared himself to the community that he was con- tinued in service long after the opposite party came in power, in 1861. In the latter year, William Lindsey was appointed his successor, but, after serving only a month he died, when Burnham again became the postmaster. Thus he continued through the war and until President Grant appointed Stephen H. Brown as his successor. After several terms of very acceptable service, the latter was succeeded by George S. Read, also an excellent postmaster who, in turn, gave place to the present efficient incumbent, Frank A. Campbell. At the time of his appointment by President Cleveland, January 21st, 1888, the salary of the office was $2,300. For a number of years Moses R. Newell has been the assistant postmaster.
Since July 1st, 1865, Woonsocket has been a money order office. In 1889 there were nine mails in and an equal number of mails out, and the business of the office as compared with former years shows a steady increase.
The Woonsocket Opera House Company was organized under a charter granted in June, 1887, with an authorized capital of $100,000, and was authorized to erect and maintain a place of amusement in the city of Woonsocket. Its official members were: President, Edwin B. Miller; vice-president, F. L. O'Reilly; secretary, Willard Kent; treas- urer, F. G. Gillson: directors, E. B. Miller, H. A. Jenckes, George W. Cumnock, F. L. O'Reilly, L. B. Pease, F. S. Weeks, Jr .. and Charles W. Talcott.
In the spring of 1888 the erection of the opera house was begun, on an eligible site, on North Main street, adjoining the Monument House. Willard Kent was architect and Horace A. Jenckes the builder, and the work was so actively pushed that the building was ready for occupancy in the fall of the same year. In its general ap- pearance and appointments it is the finest public building in the city, and one of the finest in the state. The entire length is 150 feet and the front, which is four stories high, is 70 feet wide. This part, ex- cept a grand entrance way, 20 feet wide and 38 feet long, is fitted up for stores, offices and hotel purposes. The style of architecture is Romanesque, with a castellated finish. In the massive front are Gothic arches and cathedral windows, which give it an imposing appearance. The walls are of brick, very strong, and rest on a granite foundation. The trimmings are of brown stone. The interior is finished in the best style of modern theater construction, and there are a number of easy exits, making it possible to empty an audience of 1,500 people into the street in a minute's time. The parquet floor is 56 by 59 feet. and there are a balcony and a gallery, each of easy access. The stage is 54 feet deep, 65 feet wide and 64 feet high; and it is provided with all the most approved means for producing scenic effects. The fres- coing and the scene paintings are extremely beautiful, the richness of the decoration being excelled by no other theater in the New England
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states. The opera house cost complete about $80,000, and is not only creditable to the good tastes of its builders, but is an honor to the city. It was opened to the public September 20th, 1888. the initial perform- ance being " Ingomar, the Barbarian," by Miss Mand Banks and her company. The receipts were $1,200 and there were 1,700 people present. F. S. Weeks, Jr., is the efficient manager.
The banks of Woonsocket are highly regarded in the city and the state for their solidity and the conservative manner of their manage- ment. They represent a large amount of capital which is so judi- ciously handled that good returns are realized.
The oldest of these monetary institutions was chartered in Febru- ary. 1805, with a capital of $50,000, and was called the Smithfield Union Bank. Its place of business was at Union Village, where a building, standing on the cross roads, was occupied. The vault for the valuables was in the cellar and was opened to the touch of pond- erous keys. Being the only bank at that time in northern Rhode Island, a large business was here done, from which circumstance the hamlet was often called Bank Village. The directors were represent- ative business men of that period, and the first board was composed of Peleg Arnold, Stephen Whipple, Enos Mowry, Baruch Aldrich, William Buffum, Duty Winsor, Jesse Brown, Walter Allen, Thomas Mann, Simon Whipple, Thomas Aldrich, Elisha Olney and Joel Ald- rich. Peleg Arnold was the first president and Eliab Wilkinson was the cashier. On the 17th of February, 1852, the bank was moved to the village of Woonsocket, to the building since occupied by it, and the capital was increased to $100,000. This arrangement conduced to the prosperity of the bank. There was a further increase of capital to $150,000 when the bank was reorganized July 29th, 1865, as the National Union Bank, which name it has since retained.
In May, 1889, the bank reported a circulation of $89,595, and had a surplus fund of $36,000. George S. Read was the president and, since March, 1878, James S. Read has been the cashier. In addition to the two already named the cashiers have been, in order indicated, John Osborne, Charles Osborne and Elisha Thornton Read. There have been six presidents, viz .: Peleg Arnold, Walter Allen, John Osborne, Willis Cook, Bradbury C. Hill, and, since September 23d, 1885, George S. Read. The present directors are Peleg W. Lippitt, J. S. Read, Arlon Mowry, W. D. Aldrich and G. S. Read.
The Woonsocket National Bank was incorporated in 1828, as the Woonsocket Falls Bank, and its office opened, on the west side of Main street, near the Ballou mill. In a few years, room was found in the second story of the brick building, on the corner of Main and Bernon streets, in the first story of which was the post office. The authorized capital was $75,000, which, prior to 1856, was increased to $150,000. In 1865 the bank was reorganized with its present name and the capital fixed at $200,000. Two years later the location of the
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bank was changed, the present spacious offices in the new Cook Block being occupied. Here it has become one of the most substantial in- stitutions in the state. In 1889 its accumulated surplus fund was $120,000, and the undivided profits were $12,560. Its bank notes in circulation were $176,690.
Dexter Ballou was the first president, serving until 1849. From August, that year, until July, 1863, Ezekiel Fowler held that office. Lyman A. Cook succeeded him, being followed by Ira B. Peck, and he, in turn, by the present, J. W. Ellis. The first cashier was Hiram Allen, but, in 1850, the Hon. L. W. Ballou was elected to that position, which he has since most acceptably filled. In recent years he has had the assistance of younger men-Henry L. Ballou, and, since his death, the present, E. C. Francis. The last board of directors con- sisted of Albert Jenckes, Latimer W. Ballou, H. L. Ballou, John W. Ellis, Cyrus Arnold, W. O. Burdon, Frederick Cook and George Reuter, Jr.
The National Globe Bank was organized as the Providence County Bank and its first place of business was near Lime Rock, in the town of Smithfield. At the first meeting of the directors, held at the house of Jeremiah Smith, in that locality, August 1st, 1831, Daniel Angell was chosen president, and Daniel C. Jenckes, cashier. On the 25th of October, 1834, the officers reported a paid up capital of $5,000, circula- tion of bank notes to the amount of $500, and the profit out of the business was $45.73. In March, 1844, the capital was increased to $50,000 and the name changed to the Globe Bank of Smithfield. At the same time the bank was moved to the Globe part of the village of Woonsocket, occupying a building near the Globe Mills. June 19th, 1851, the capital was again increased, the amount being fixed at $100,000. Six years later, in August 1857, the bank was moved from the Smithfield side to Doctor Allen's brick block, opposite the Har- rison Mill. It became a national bank June 23d, 1865, when the name was adapted to the change, becoming the present title. The handsome building in which the bank is now located was occupied in October, 1874, and is the first building in the city erected by a bank for its own use. It stands on the site of the old Cruff house, one of the pioneer buildings of Woonsocket, and the building preceding the bank was known as the Coe Block. When it was demolished, in June, 1873, the walls fell down, killing a boy and John Sheffield, a man aged 70 years, who were at that time in a store in the lower part of the building. The bank block is three stories high, with a Man- sard roof and tower at the south end, and has an attractive and sub- stantial appearance. The material is brick, trimmed with marble. It is valued at $18,000.
Spencer Mowry became president of the bank in 1844, and served until his death, in August, 1887, when he was succeeded by Arlon Mowry, now the president. There have also been but a few cashiers.
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