History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 8

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 938

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The Gazette and Chronicle continued to be published in the old Read building until March, 1841, when the office was removed to the upper story of the wooden Miller building, corner of Main and Mill streets. (This building was nearly destroyed by fire in 1872, and the following year the present imposing brick block rose from its ruins.) The ac- commodations there were better, but they were not sufficient. In the summer of 1849 the late Amos M. Read (father of Mr. A. T. Read, the present owner of the block), tore down the old wooden building, or the part of it in which the Gazette first saw the light, and put up the present brick block at the corner of Main street and Jenks avenue. In March, 1850, the Gasette and Chronicle establishment was removed into the upper story of this new building, where it remained until

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

March, 1866, when it was removed to its present quarters in Manches- ter Hall, on Mill (now North Main) street.

July 26th, 1850, the paper appeared in a new dress of types through- out, and presented a very neat appearance. January 5th, 1855, it was enlarged to seven columns to a page, and June 29th, 1860, it was en- larged to eight columns to a page. January 2d, 1863, during the dis- mal, depressing days of the civil war, the paper was reduced to its previous size of seven columns to a page. The publishers promised that whenever circumstances would warrant it the paper should ap- pear in its former size. On the 5th of January, 1866, it did so appear, there being eight columns to a page again. July 1st, 1870, it was en- larged to nine columns to a page, and April 18th, 1873, the columns were lengthened to their present extent.

Up to May 4th, 1855, the Gazette and Chronicle was printed on a hand press. The paper bearing that date was printed on a " Guern- sey Improved Patent Cylinder Press," made by Francis & Clary, of Pittsfield, Mass. This was superseded when the paper was enlarged July 1st, 1870, by a Potter Country Cylinder Press, made by C. Potter, Jr., & Co., of New York. After a faithful service of 16} years, the Potter cylinder was superseded on December 6th, 1886, by a new printing machine, made specially to order by the Babcock Printing Press Manufacturing Company, of New London, Conn. The Guern- sey press was run by hand, motive power coming from the "twist- ings " given the crank on the large driving wheel by Michael Finne- gan, a powerful and " fine ould Irish gintleman " of peculiar physique, who died in March, 1879, and had a better obituary than oft falls to the lot of greater men. On Thanksgiving morning, November 29th, 1866, the Gazette and Chronicle appeared for the first time printed by motive power. The proprietors were the first to introduce a power press in Pawtucket, and were the first to introduce power into a print- ing office. The power was supplied by a caloric engine, which was made in Providence. Subsequently a steam engine took its place, the caloric proving a miserable failure. This engine is still in the office, and can do duty in an emergency. Since November, 1873, power has been transmitted by a " rope pulley " from the old LeFavour mill, now the electric light plant of the Pawtucket Gas Company. In 1884, for several weeks, the fact was demonstrated that the pressure (100 lbs. on office floor) from the water works would operate a small water motor that would run all the machinery. The cost of running the motor was too great to warrant its continuance, and it is held in re- serve in case of accident.

For many years prior to January 1st, 1866, the imprint on the first page stated "The Gazette and Chronicle is published every Friday morning by Robert Sherman, simultaneously in Pawtucket, R. I., and Pawtucket, Mass." (The east side was in the state of Massachusetts until March, 1862.) January 1st, 1864, Ansel D. Nickerson, who en-

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE. COUNTY.

tered the office as apprentice in April, 1846, purchased a quarter in- terest, and on January 1st, 1866, the firm name was changed to R. Sherman & Co., and so remained till January 1st, 1870, when Ansel D. Nickerson and John S. Sibley became the proprietors, the latter pur- chasing Mr. Sherman's half interest and the former Mr. Kinnicutt's quarter interest. The paper was published from that time until April 1st, 1875, by Nickerson & Sibley, when Charles A. Lee, who began work in the office November 30th, 1863, purchased an interest from the senior partner, and the firm name was changed to Nickerson, Sibley & Co. Three years later, April 1st, 1878, Mr. Nickerson dis- posed of his entire interest to Mr. Lee, and January 1st, 1879, the firm name was changed to Sibley & Lee, and so remains to the present time. Prior to Mr. Sibley's death in September, 1883, he disposed of his entire interest in the office and newspaper to his partner, by whom the business has since been conducted. In May, 1869, the Gazette and Chronicle appeared in the suit of types that it wore until January 1st, 1891, a fact that speaks volumes in praise of the type founders, Messrs. Phelps, Dalton & Co., of the Dickinson Type Foundry of Boston. January 2d, 1891, the paper appeared in quarto form, clad in a new and handsome dress of types and with a fine engraved heading.

The semi-centennial of the Chronicle was celebrated November 12th, 1875, by the issuing of a fac simile of the first number. The semi- centennial of the Gazette was celebrated August 3d, 1888, by the publi- cation of a souvenir sheet containing a fac simile of the first page of the initial number, portraits of publishers, editors and correspond- ents, pictures of the earlier and later presses, biographical sketches, etc. Only two of the ex-publishers of the Gazette and Chronicle are living-Messrs. Sherman and Nickerson. The latter, and Mr. Lee, the present editor and publisher, both "learned their trade" in the office, under Mr. Sherman. The paper has always borne an enviable reputation as a family journal, and is quoted to-day as a model in typo- graphical appearance and in the vigor and tone of its editorial columns.

During the 65 years since the establishment of the Chronicle, numerous weekly sheets came into existence only to pass quickly into obscurity. Among these were The White Banner, Truth's Advocate, John the Baptist, Pawtucket Herald, Midnight Cry, Rose and Lily, Spark- ling Fountain, Battle Axe, Temperance Regulator, Mercantile Reporter, Business Directory, Pawtucket Observer.

The first mentioned was started in the interest of Free Masonry, and was absorbed by the Chronicle establishment in 1827. Many of the others, as their names indicate, were temperance publications. The Battle Axe was published by Benjamin W. Pearce, who at the present time at the age of over 70 years, is editor and publisher of the Newport Enterprise. He gave rumsellers a severe drubbing in each issue, and one night some of them went into his office and pitched his press and type into the river. The Business Directory was printed and published gratuitously by Alfred W. Pearce, a brother of Benjamin's,

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

for several years, the office finally passing into the hands of the proprietors of the Gasette and Chronicle.

In June, 1860, George O. Willard, a young printer who had learned his trade in the Gazette and Chronicle office, issued the first number of the Pawtucket Observer. It was republican in politics, and although the party won its first national victory in that year, the paper did not receive substantial support, and its publication was abandoned in March, 1861. From that date until April, 1885, the Gazette and Chronicle held the field without a rival-a period of nearly a quarter of a cen- tury-and covered it ably and successfully.

April 10th, 1885, the first daily paper ever printed in Pawtucket was issued from the Gazette and Chronicle office. It was called the Evening Chronicle. Charles A. Lee was the editor and publisher. It published news of the United Press Association received by special wire, with telegraph operator in its editorial rooms. Its projector did not say that it had " come to stay," for the field was nominally pos- sessed by another. The experiment as weighed against the old established weekly, was too hazardous, and the last number bore date of May 2d. It gave Mr. Lee and the office the " honor" of starting the first daily newspaper in Pawtucket.

April 30th, 1885, the first number of the Pawtucket Evening Times, George O. Willard, editor and manager, made its appearance. Its editor and manager had been connected with the Providence Press for a quarter of a century, and on its death came to Pawtucket and secured sufficient encouragement to start the Times. For two years Mr. Wil- lard had a hard struggle, but he overcame many obstacles, and the Times became prosperous. It has a large circulation and a paying advertising patronage, and is the largest penny daily in New England. Mr. Willard's editorial assistant is Mr. William C. Sheppard. Mr. Sea- bury S. Tompkins, a " Chronicle graduate," is the local editor. Janu- ary 31st, 1890, the Times was sold to David O. Black, formerly of the Providence Telegram, and since March 26th, 1890, it has been published in quarto form by the Times Publishing Company, of which Mr. Black is the head and Peter Trumpler the business manager.

September 15th, 1888, the first number of the Evening Tribune was issued by Martin Murray, editor and manager. Mr. Murray had from the start been city editor of the Evening Times. The paper is democratic in politics. It is also a penny daily, and has a goodly run of patronage.

In January, 1886, a monthly trades paper called the Pawtucket and Central Falls Real Estate Record was issued from the Gazette and Chroni- cle office for Mr. H. H. Sheldon, an enterprising real estate broker. Its publication was continued monthly, with several enlargements, until January, 1887, when it began to make its appearance weekly, its title having been changed to the Pawtucket Record. In November, 1890, the Record was purchased by David J. White, and January 6th, 1891, the Central Falls Weekly Visitor was consolidated with it, under he name of Record-Visitor.

CHAPTER II.

THE TOWN AND CITY OF PAWTUCKET-(Continued).

Bridges .- Business Blocks .- Trading .-- Woodlawn .-- Hotels .- Stages .- Banks .- Churches. -Public Library .- Post Office .- Fire Department .- Education .- Societies.

I T was more than half a century after the settlement of the western village before a bridge was thrown across the Pawtucket. At that time the colony of Rhode Island invited Massachusetts to join with her in providing such a convenience. A committee seems to have been appointed by the latter colony in 1712 to consider whether the bridge should be built. On May 29th they made the fol- lowing report:

" We are humbly of opinion that a place called Pawtucket Falls, near the Iron Works on said river, is the most suitable place to erect said bridge, and when built (it) may be of benefit to some part of this Province. Especially it will be of service for travelling into the Nar- ragansett Country, Connecticut and New York at all times of the year, particularly in the winter season, when by rising of the water and great quantity of ice coming down the river, it is very difficult and hazardous, which if there be a bridge will make travelling more easy and safe.

" ISAAC WINSLOW and four others, Com."

Massachusetts Colony records, Vol. IX., pp. 273, 274.

The first bridge was accordingly built at the expense of the two colonies in 1713. Probably it was a fragile structure, for in 16 years the general assembly voted to rebuild it, provided Massachusetts would pay half the expense. In 1741 it was rebuilt. In 1746 a new boundary line, under the royal permission, was run, and from that time Massachusetts refused to pay anything for maintaining the bridge over the Pawtucket. The first bridge stood a little south of the place where the stone bridge now stands, but afterward the present site was chosen. Part of this bridge was swept away by the great freshet of 1807, but it was speedily rebuilt. In 1817 it was again replaced, largely at the expense of North Providence. In 1832 the work was done anew. In 1839 it was repaired at the expense of the state. In 1843 the old bridge was torn down and a new one built. Fourteen years afterward this bridge was found needing repairs, and it was re- solved to build a stone bridge. On the 6th of July, 1858, travel was

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

suspended. The new bridge now standing there was built and opened for travel on the 4th of November. The occasion was fitly celebrated by a public procession, a dinner at Manchester Hall, and other tokens of gladness.

The bridge across the north end of Mill street was built over 60 years ago. Mr. John Kennedy, of Central Falls, was the most active promoter of it, and he carried around the subscription paper, chiefly among the citizens of that village. The bridge was commenced in 1826 and completed in the following year. In 1871 an iron bridge was made to take the place of the old one, built at the expense of Pawtucket and Smithfield.

The next bridge was built from what is now Central avenue. A wooden bridge was thrown across the Blackstone at this point in 1853. Owing to the increase of population in this neighborhood, and the old bridge being deemed unsafe, on September 4th, 1868, it was voted at a town meeting in Pawtucket that " A sum of money not to exceed $6,000, be appropriated by this town for building one-half of a bridge across the Blackstone river at Pleasant View." On April 7th of the following year $1,000 more was appropriated. The other part of the cost for the iron bridge thus constructed was paid by the town of Smithfield.

* 14. The growing population demanded more conveniences. The stone bridge was often crowded. It was desired on both sides of the Black- stone, that a bridge be built opposite Exchange street. North Provi- dence and Pawtucket voted to construct such a bridge, and it was built during the winter of 1871-2, and the early spring of the latter year, and was opened for travel on May 3d, 1872. This is constructed of iron also, and cost $30,000.

At a town meeting held on March 1st, 1875, the town council were authorized to build a bridge from the foot of Division street across the Pawtucket river, of such materials as they deemed most suitable. They accordingly decided to build of stone, and a massive structure was erected.

The following is a list of the principal blocks erected in Paw- tucket: The LeFavour Block and the Hotel Block in 1812 or 1813; Ellis Block about 1820; the Manchester Block in 1848; the A. M. Read Block in 1849; the John B. Read Block in 1850; the Almy Block in 1854; Dexter Block finished in 1866; the Miller Block in - ; the G. L. Spencer Block in 1874; Littlefield Block, west side of North Main street, 1875; Union Block, by Dexter Brothers, in 1874; Walter Block in 1887; Record Building in 1888. There are many other buildings also worthy of mention. The lot for the Union Block was appropri- ated in 1822. The building was erected by Ebenezer Tyler, David Wilkinson and Mr. Slater. Till 1844 it was used for stores and offices, when it was bought by Mr. Enoch Adams, and converted into a cot- ton mill. 'In 1851 it was purchased by Captain Dexter and used by

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

him for the same purpose. After his decease his sons continued to run the mill. The building of the First National Bank was erected in 1875. Tyler & Wilkinson also erected the Pawtucket Hotel building in 1826. The stores of Mr. Dana and Mr. Phillips are both in this building, and were used first for offices. It was in Mr. Phil- lips' room that William Bailey opened the first drug store in Pawtucket. Doctor Niles Manchester resided on the grounds now occupied by Music Hall building. Moses Jenks, father of Pardon Jenks, was living on grounds now occupied by the post office building in 1820. It was an old fashioned gambrel roofed house, an elegant structure for that day. Seekonk Plains in 1839 contained only three houses. A hundred houses are now on that side of Pawtucket.

The town of Pawtucket contained a population of 27,630 souls in 1890. The business carried on here is surprisingly great. There are over a hundred large firms and corporations in the place, some of which are very extensive. By actual count from the city directory there are 134 dressmakers, which exceeds the limit of any other class of enterprises. There are 120 grocers, 22 physicians, 12 lawyers, 18 clergymen, 23 churches and missions, 12 hotels, 6 banks, 6 news- papers and magazines, and other enterprises in proportion. Manu- facturing is the chief industry, and not a few of the corporations give employment to hundreds of hands each.

Ebenezer and Otis Tiffany were early residents of the place. Ebenezer Tiffany, the elder brother, had a store on Main street, front- ing North Main, as early as 1802 or 1803. The site is now occupied by Amos Read's Block, erected in 1849. Originally a little building stood here which was swept away by the freshet, when Mr. Tiffany erected the second structure and continued trading until the great revulsion of 1829. He carried on business quite extensively, and as was customary in those days, kept a good supply of West India goods. Mr. Gideon L. Spencer in 1824 set up in the tailoring business, his shop being in the second story of Mr. Tiffany's store. After one or two years' stay in that place Mr. Spencer went farther up on Main street, where Lee's Block is now, and continued his business till 1845.

Otis Tiffany kept the post office in the building where Mr. Slater lived. His room was the one now occupied by Mr. Freeman's book store. He afterward moved up Main street one door west of the post office, in the building now occupied by Doctor C. E. Davis & Son, registered pharmacists, and kept the office there. Jonathan Niles Spencer afterward occupied the stand at Freeman's for a shoe store. He was an elder brother of Gideon L. Spencer, and began trading earlier than he. The sons of Otis Tiffany became wealthy. Their names were George and Henry. Ebenezer Tiffany had two sons, both now dead.

In 1829 there were a number of merchants in Pawtucket. Of these Josiah W. Miller kept a grocery store for a long time on Main

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

street, near the bridge. It was next west of John Read's block. At that time Ebenezer Tyler owned most of the property in this locality, and he was in trade also a number of years.

In 1829 Bennet Whipple had a store where the post office is now, in an old building of his own. It was of wood, and was later taken down and a brick building erected by David Wilkinson and Ebenezer Tyler. That building was torn down and the present structure erected. The brick was used by the North Providence Bank, by the Pacific Bank, by Charles Pierce and others. The second story was used for a boarding house, the third as the Masonic Temple. The old building was sold in 1829 to Enoch Adams, who used it for a cot- ton mill for a number of years.

In 1829 George Jenckes was doing a trading business on the cor- ner of Maple and Main streets. Albert C. Jenckes, his son, suc- ceeded, and he is now dead. The building is still used as a store.

James Weeden at that time owned a bakery on Main street. He afterward went down on Pleasant street, where his house is now.

The business established by these firms was of a general charac- ter, carrying groceries, dry goods, etc. About this time, however, a division of the trade was made, and special lines only were carried.

Among the many then engaged in the grocery business may be mentioned the firm of A. & A. Parks, who not only dealt in groceries but in hay, grain, straw, etc. They began over 60 years ago, and were succeeded by John Crane, and he by Messrs. Long, Pearce & Larkin, and in 1879 the style of the house was changed to Ellis, Pearce & Co., Mr. Peter Lennon being a member of this firm, who succeeded to the business in 1885.

Mr. Smith Grant established a grocery trade many years ago, which subsequently passed into the hands of Messrs. John Tingley, Clark & Brown, B. P. White & Co., Moore & Blaisdell, John H. Moore, Moore & Carpenter and O. F. Currier, who succeeded to the business in March, 1881. The firm of Lemuel Whitney, dealer in meats, vegetables and provisions, was established soon after the war, and was afterward carried on by: E. Darling & Co., A. H. Ford, Mr. Wood- ward, Laban Adams, N. F. Whipple, in 1875, and by the present pro- prietor since 1883. The business of Nicholson & Thackray, whole- sale and retail grocers, was started by the Nicholson brothers in 1878, and in 1885 reorganized by the admission of Mr. Thackray. The Crawford Brothers founded the business now carried on by George Crawford in 1861. In 1866 George Crawford came in possession. In 1880 J. W. Mooney established the trade now carried on by the Mooney Brothers.

The dry goods trade was opened up in Pawtucket as a separate commercial interest of trade by Horace Miller in 1824. He first opened where H. N. Wilkinson's book store is now, at 108 Main street, but after a few months moved into Union Block with Luke

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

Parmenter. Mr. L. E. Trescott, the only dry goods merchant in the place during those earlier years, and now living, was clerk for Miller. The revulsion of 1829 played financial havoc with Mr. Miller, as it did with many others. In 1825 Samuel Jacobs & Co. opened a dry goods store in the Brick Hotel, where Mr. Dana's drug store is, and ran it till 1829.

About this same time, or a little later, Edward Mason & Co. car- ried on the dry goods business where the Dexter Block now stands. They, too, failed in 1829. Edward Mason, however, continued till about 1847. In 1826 Lowdon & LeFavour kept dry goods where the Union Block is now, but in 1827 they gave up the enterprise. About this time James Wardlaw began trading, and also the firm of Walcott, Parmenter & Co. was formed, and business commenced at the east end of the bridge, where N. Bates' shoe store is. Of this firm Parmen- ter died, and Wardlaw bought out the stock in 1827, and kept there till 1832. Then Alanson Thayer bought him out, and kept there till Whitman & Bates began business in 1835. In 1837 N. Bates es- tablished his shoe store. In 1867 the firm became N. Bates & Son.

In 1841 L. E. Trescott began in a store where the Miller Block is now, and kept till 1850, and then retired. He was suc- ceeded by J. W. Nicholas. Nickerson Nicholas also traded in the Old Hotel building on Main street, beginning about 1845. Also Daniel Miller, who was a brother of Horace, kept a store next to Bates, where Crawford's grocery store is now. Mr. Miller continued trading at this stand from 1845 or 1846 till 1856 or 1857, when it was turned into a grocery store.

Richard & Andrew Palmer in 1856 began the business in the Le Favour Block, and continued there till about 1860. Burton & Horton, who succeeded Samuel Jacobs, traded here before 1841. John W. Lowdon also traded here. He was succeeded by Frost & Almy in 1843. This last firm only sold goods two years, and then united with the firm of N. Bates & Co. A. Ellis, Job Almy and others were identified with the dry goods trade at that time.

Of those who are trading now in this line may be mentioned the names of Deahy Brothers, who began in 1882; J. H. Clark & Co., who traded some 16 years ago in Central Falls, but moved here in 1883; David Harley & Co., in 1878; F. W. Westcott, and others of later date. The new building erected by David Harley & Co. in 1883 has a frontage of 148 feet and a floorage of 11,000 square feet. They give employment to 75 clerks.

The shoe trade in Pawtucket had its beginning with the enterpris- ing Jonathan Niles Spencer, who drove pegs for custom work as early as 1819. Becoming tired of a cobbler's life, he threw down his awl, went to Providence, and laid in a stock of boots and shoes to the amount of about $100, on credit, and established himself in a little store where Freeman's book store now is, and traded there till about

HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.

the year 1830, when he died. Ira D. Ellis was probably the next con- siderable dealer in the village. He began soon after this, and con- tinued trading about 40 years where the Pawtucket shoe store is now. He was succeeded by Ellis & Read in 1883, who have continued to this time. The members of this firm are A. L. Ellis and W. W. Read.

In 1852 Job L. Spencer bought out the boot and shoe store of S. W. Baker, No. 7 North Main street, and traded there 12 years. He sold to Stephen A. Cook, who sold to Mr. Winchester, who failed in the business. The building was then torn down by Gideon L. Spencer, and the Spencer Block erected in 1874. In 1837 N. Bates began the business of selling boots and shoes, and, with his son Frank M., is still trading. George C. Gates, a native of England, came here from that country in 1852, and two years later began a specialty of making fine custom made shoes. Later he added to his other busi- ness that of dealer in leather and shoe findings. W. H. Taylor es- tablished himself here in this business in 1870, and soon after this time the Standard Boot and Shoe store was started on Main street. A. A. Cohen, an extensive dealer in the place, began here in 1871; and many others of more recent date have boot and shoe stores also.

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History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Part 8

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed Publication date: 1891 Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 938

Author: Bayles, Richard Mather, ed
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: New York, W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 938