USA > Rhode Island > The "Old Stone Bank" history of Rhode Island, Vol. III > Part 32
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freely discussed in his hearing by both men and women; all angles of town gossip helped him to understand men and their ways. And, so it happened that Franklin, Horace Mann's birthplace, but twenty-seven miles from Boston, only twenty from Providence, and the same distance from the home of Samuel, John and John Quincy Adams, produced a population of earnest thinkers and vigor- ous debaters. It became a remarkable community, distinguished for its ex- changes of opinions and its appreciation of the finer things of life. Young Horace Mann was a good listener and his mind, like the minds of many of his playmates, was kindled by the torch of genius.
Furthermore, the church had great influence in shaping the life of Horace Mann. The minister of the church, at- tended and enthusiastically supported by the Manns, was Dr. Nathaniel Emmons, a figure of outstanding importance in the life of the community, a keen student, a great thinker, and a convincing speaker. He read widely, thought with vigor and thundered the doctrines of Calvinism into the minds of his hearers. Dr. Emmons' methodical habits, his disposition to master every subject to which he turned and his tendency to study one book thoroughly before he should lay it aside, made him so effective a teacher that Horace, at the age of ten, knew consider- able of the many theological arguments of the times, pro and con. However, it was this same Dr. Emmons who, following a tragic episode in Mann's young life, dis- illusioned the latter from strict adherence to Calvinistic dogma. His spiritual teacher had revealed the high values of discipline in learning but he also had freed him from the bonds imposed by ecclesiastical authority. Thereafter, this youthful student of men and books was free, free to think and feel.
His intellectual life was fed in no small degree from the little library in the town, the recipient of a gift of books, valued at £25 and presented by Benjamin Franklin, in whose honor the place had been named, in 1778. Thomas Mann, father of Horace, was a subscribing member of this library association and the son acquired from this little collection of books the founda-
tion of his acquaintance with history, government and economics. The Mann family received a set-back when the father died and the mother was forced to gather her little family about her and devote herself to their support. There- after, there was work in the home and on the farm for all, and most of the funds available for home expenses were secured from braiding straw for the nearby hat factories. In spite of financial difficulties, Mrs. Mann struggled to give her children the benefits of schooling. Every winter Horace and his brothers and sisters were sent to the neighboring school, only a few weeks, perhaps, but it served to keep them in touch with the life of the community and to keep alive the sacred fires of knowledge. The school was taught by some traveling teacher who paused to spend a few months in the winter to in- crease his scanty income. These teachers were generally honest, well-meaning per- sons, but few of them had either the background or the knowledge to fit them for their adopted profession. However, once in a while a gifted journeyman teacher would find his way into Franklin, and one of these rare individuals was Samuel Barrett, weak in temperance but strong in the classics. Horace Mann's mind struck fire when he met Master Barrett.
In six months, Mann was actively pre- paring to enter Brown University, largely through the inspiration of his new teacher, but that does not mean that he was in- fluenced in his selection of a college by Master Barrett. At that time the current of travel was from Franklin toward Providence, rather than toward Boston. Besides, Mann's friends were in Brown. Of the twenty-four young men of his community named as college students in the few years preceding, more than half had gone to Brown. In the words of Pro- fessor George Allen Hubbell, biographer of Horace Mann, "Brown was the school for the self-respecting and self-independent young man. Such was Horace Mann and he sprang to his opportunity as do only those who have undertaken a work by the laying of hands and the prayers of the saints. To him this opportunity came like the blessing of a sacrament."
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Dr. Asa Messer had been called to the presidency of the college, in 1802. Under his strong and economic hand, the institu- tion steadily grew in resources. He gave the best education that he could, and he made it as inexpensive as possible. To Brown University, a great school with its fine moral purposes, its determination to make the most of its opportunities, and with its priceless fellowship of strong and earnest young men, came Horace Mann, eager to rush along the paths of knowledge shortly before revealed to him by his inspiring teacher, Master Barrett.
He lived in University Hall, room 30, and his roommate was Ira Barton who later became a judge in Worcester; and it was said that this particular room became a popular gathering place for the students. Mirth was dispensed, cheer was sent forth and questions of moment for the growth of liberty and for the advancement of the country were dis- cussed with a seriousness and an insight that promised well for the future.
Since this account was compiled for the especial purpose of outlining the relation- ships of Horace Mann with Rhode Island, without attempting to cover the wide subjects suggested by the life of this man and his immortal works, material herein will be limited to his early life and to his training for the active career which lay ahead of him. At Brown he became a member of a literary society, the United Society of Brothers, and entered the study and discussion of the great questions of history, government and philanthropy. His life in college differed but little from that of scores of other men, the ambitious type, thorough-going, earnest, who must secure an education at their own expense. He was popular, and had considerable influence with his companions.
Among many Horace Mann anecdotes, Professor Hubbell relates the one about the students who wished to celebrate the fourth of July in the college chapel, but the administration forbade such a cele- bration. A majority of the students de- cided to resist the decision and to have the celebration in spite of the ban. Horace Mann had been chosen the orator of the occasion, and when the students assem- bled in a body, marched to the chapel and
forced the door, he went in and delivered his oration amid great applause. He was fined for insubordination, but he seemed to lose standing neither with the students nor with the college heads. He graduated in 1819, and delivered a commencement address on the progressive character of the human race bearing the title "The Gradual Advancement of the Human Species in Dignity and Happiness."
Following a period of occupation at Brown as a tutor, Mann turned to the profession of law and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar, in 1823. He estab- lished himself in Dedham and soon became a leader among the active citizens, continually striving in the cause of good government. In 1830, his college debts were paid, and shortly he married Char- lotte Messer, daughter of his friend and counselor, President Messer of Brown. Unfortunately, she died not long after the marriage, and, crushed with grief and disappointment, it was a long while before he could turn his mind back to thoughts of life and duty.
In 1827, he was elected as representa- tive for the town of Dedham to the General Court of Massachusetts; and, later, he was appointed as Secretary of the Board of Public Education. He served as Representative in Congress from the ninth district following the death of John Quincy Adams. He was married the second time to Mary Peabody of Boston. In 1853, he went to Ohio to establish a college with the foundation principles of the co-education of the sexes and non- sectarianism in religion.
Writing briefly of the things contributed by Horace Mann, things that may be recognized and measured, we find that his idea of state support of hospitals for the insane has spread from commonwealth to commonwealth, until no state in the Union fails to make such provision for the mentally ill. Then there was his service to the cause of education in Massachu- setts, a plan of liberal public school educa- tion that first established the type of schools which have become the national ideal. In this respect, one writer said in part, "In the annals of American educa- tors, the name of Horace Mann leads all the rest ... no one has equalled him in
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touching the heart of the common people of the state, and in awakening in their minds an enthusiasm in behalf of popular education."
Last, but not least, the sacred remains of Horace Mann, educator, are interred in Rhode Island soil. Near the corner of Eastern and Linden Avenues, in North Burial Ground, stands an imposing shaft erected in memory of Horace Mann and
dedicated by his second wife, Mary. He died in Yellow Springs, Ohio, on August 2, 1859, at the age of sixty-three. It is hoped that the foregoing account will suggest further reflection upon the life and works of a great American who found inspira- tion, knowledge, and happiness in a State that has since adopted, supported and honored his noble contributions to the cause of mankind's welfare.
THE CHEPACHET ELEPHANT
ADIES and gentlemen - right this way to see the most curious creature on the face of the globe, weighing nearly six thousand pounds, yet is as gentle as a little lamb. Brought from her jungle home on the other side of the earth to America, at a terrific expense, my good friends here in Chepachet are now invited to pass inside the tent and behold a living, breathing monster, the like of which has never before been seen by mortal man in this part of the world. Step lively my friends and purchase your tickets to see the elephant on exhibition inside the tent - show going on all the time. This re- markable beast stands nearly eight feet high, and she measures nineteen feet from the end of her trunk to the tip of her tail. Each and every spectator will not only have an opportunity to view this splendid specimen of the largest member of the animal kingdom, but will also have the added privilege of seeing the elephant per- form many astounding feats. She will remove the cork from a filled bottle, drink the contents before your very eyes - then present the cork and the bottle to her keeper. She will lie down, sit up, and rise at command. And, among other tricks, she will pick up a coin from the floor and return it to her keeper. Don't miss the elephant that takes food and drink with its trunk and whose hide is so thick that it positively cannot be pierced by a bullet." That might have been a small portion of the circus ballyhoo that spellbound the folks in Chepachet more than a century ago when the first elephant ever seen in Rhode Island traveled in
these parts, attracting young and old from far and near who came to see "the learned elephant which, for sagacity and docility, exceeds any one ever imported into this country." The sight of an elephant alone in those days was exciting enough, but it was the showman's positive statement concerning the toughness of the creature's bullet-proof hide that caused considerably more excitement in the quiet hamlet of Chepachet.
A century ago, Chepachet was the commercial, cultural and agricultural center of the northern section of Rhode Island. People came from all the sur- rounding countryside to patronize the dozen or more stores that lined the main street of the village. Exhibitors of wild animals and other traveling showmen often included the town on their itiner- aries, for it was generally found to be a good "show town." The circus, in its modern form, was unknown early in the last century, but animals from foreign lands were still a great curiosity, and exhi- bitions of wild animals invariably at- tracted great throngs of people who lived in the neighborhood of Chepachet. There- fore, it was with no small amount of en- thusiasm that the good people of that town looked forward to an exhibition of an elephant advertised in advance for July 31, 1822.
It takes but little imagination to picture the small boy state of mind throughout the town previous to the arrival of the pachyderm. Mothers had little difficulty with the daily problems of errands, sup- plies from the wood pile, and other house-
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hold chores. A. ticket to see the elephant was probably the most highly prized re- ward for any sacrifice or any household task during that particular July; and, it is quite likely that the general average of behavior among the youth of Chepachet went higher than usual with the approach of the day when the "show was coming to town." Then too, the bizarre posters that heralded the forthcoming exhibition were undoubtedly read and reread by the thrilled townspeople who may have been a bit skeptical over the high-sounding words of the announcement but who, neverthe- less, intended to take a look at the beast, even though it turned out to be "just another fake." Without any question, many of the folks who lived back in the country arranged their weekly trading trip to town on the day of the exhi- bition which, as usual, was to be held on the lot adjoining Cyrus Cooke's inn on Chepachet Street in the center of the town.
Early Wednesday morning, July 31, 1822, the "largest and most sagacious animal in the world" arrived in Che- pachet, from which the beast was never destined to leave alive. The weather was typically July, and typically "circus." A great crowd had assembled from far and near, and the box-office began to do a brisk business immediately after the tent was opened for spectators. The admis- sion price for adults was 12} cents, and children were allowed to see the show for half price. The elephant was on display from nine o'clock in the morning until five in the afternoon, and the performances were given continuously throughout the day. It was said that the curious animal "excited the admiration of every be- holder," and that no one complained that the show was not all that was promised in the advance advertising. Many people took advantage of the opportunity to mount the elephant's back by standing upon its extended right foot, while others, less venturesome, were content with a minute examination of the huge beast that could "lie down, sit up, and rise at command."
During each performance the owner gave a lecture on the characteristics and peculiarities of the elephant. In addition
to being the largest animal ever brought to America, the lecturer stated for the edification of his interested audience that "from the peculiar manner in which the pachyderm takes its food and drink of every kind with its trunk, it is acknowl- edged to be the greatest natural curiosity ever offered to the public." During his lecture he laid particular emphasis upon the thickness of the elephant's hide. "This," he said, "could not be pierced by a bullet, and it was, therefore, practically impossible to kill the beast." The final performance brought out the largest au- dience of the day. At the conclusion, many persons gathered to congratulate the owner and thank him for the oppor- tunity to witness the surprising spectacle. The tent was taken down, and prepara- tions were completed for the journey to the next town.
About midnight, the caravan set out from Chepachet with the elephant and its owner leading the way. In those days it was necessary to cross a little wooden bridge that spanned the Chepachet River, a much smaller stream than it is at present. At the northern end of the bridge there was an old grist mill, in front of which stood an ancient elm. This great tree was so close to the mill building that its trunk touched the platform which was used for loading and unloading grain. A brilliant summer moon shed its silver glow upon the narrow, deserted bridge, but the nearby mill, shaded by the tower- ing elm, faded away into the darkness in sombre contrast to its clearly revealed sur- roundings.
Reaching the southern end of the bridge, the elephant cautiously extended its right foot, as if to test the structure before trusting its six thousand pounds to the wooden beams and planks. Ap- parently satisfied, the huge beast took a step forward when - crack - the sound of a shot rang out in the still of the night. The elephant faltered, swayed and crum- pled to the earth - dead. A bullet had entered its brain through one of the tiny, bead-like eyes - a chance shot, but a fatal one for the animal which was "prac- tically impossible to kill." Neighbors awakened by the startling shot, rushed to the bridge, beheld the tragedy, and then
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made a hasty search for the culprits who had ended the life of the little troupe's one and only attraction. They were quickly apprehended behind the grist mill elm, on the very spot from which the fatal shot had been fired. They were boys, five of them, who had doubted the claims that the elephant could not be killed by shooting. It was their intention to test the bullet-proof hide; so they procured a rifle, hid behind the elm tree, and fired when the huge moving bulk appeared before them in the moonlight.
It was purely a matter of chance that the bullet entered one of the animal's vulnerable spots. The youngsters who had a part in the planning and execution of this amateur elephant hunt were ar- rested, found guilty, and forced to pay equal shares of the court's award for damages. It was several years before the
full amount of the bill, $1500, was paid, and then a receipt was given releasing "all parties of their responsibility." In regard to the disposition of the dead elephant, some said that the flesh was taken to a nearby tannery where the fat was tried out, and that the hide was removed to a Boston museum. Others claimed that the beast was stuffed and taken to a Buffalo museum. Several original papers and documents pertaining to this Chepachet elephant affair are today cherished his- torical treasures in the possession of local collectors, and not a few present or former residents of that quaint old village in the northern end of the state are proud to lay claim to direct descendancy from those Chepachet boys who made up their minds to find out for sure whether or not "the hide of an elephant was so thick that it could not be pierced by a bullet."
DR. JOHN WILKES RICHMOND
TE THIS is a monument erected on Connec- ticut soil, having definite Rhode Island association. It stands in memory of Dr. John W. Richmond, his wife Henrietta, and his son, John H. Rich- mond, and, on one side of the stone is the following inscription: "When Rhode Is- land, by her legislature from 1844 to 1850, repudiated her Revolutionary debt, Dr. Richmond removed from that state to this Borough and selected this as his family burial place, unwilling that the remains of himself and family should be disgraced by being a part of the common soil of a repudiating state." Elsewhere is the following: "A trust fund is given the town of Stonington to keep this ground, walls, etc., in good repair forever." " "See town records 1850 & 1851." What biting sarcasm there is in that sentence, what disgraceful implications against a State that has been noted for its patriotism and for its justice to all throughout its history. Who was this Dr. Richmond; what was his grievance; and why did he choose to immortalize his personal prejudices against his native State by having such a vicious denunciation of Rhode Island indelibly
transcribed, so that future generations could read and draw their own conclu- sions? Why was Dr. Richmond "unwill- ing that the remains of himself and family should be disgraced by being a part of the common soil of," as he called it, "a repudiating state"? This is the story.
Dr. John Wilkes Richmond was born in Little Compton, Rhode Island, on September 25, 1775, and his father, Ben- jamin Richmond, was, like himself, a successful and highly respected physician. He graduated from Rhode Island College (now Brown University) with the class of 1794, and he practised medicine in Provi- dence from 1826 to 1852. One of his class- mates on the hill was Samuel W. Bridg- ham, the first mayor of Providence. He also practised his profession in Newport, and was one of the original members of the Rhode Island Medical Society. Ac- cording to the story, Dr. Richmond did not limit his activities to the curing of bodily ills, since he became very successful in various business activities, important among which was his building of a steam- ship for the transportation of passengers
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and freight between Providence and New York. Prominent in his profession, well- known through his profitable business enterprises, Dr. Richmond then elected to become the champion of certain claims made upon the treasury of his native state for services rendered in the Revolu- tionary War. Right or wrong in his con- tentions, Dr. Richmond evidently labored long, tirelessly, ingeniously, but vainly, to secure the official recognition that he sought, and he lived to sign his name to a statement published in the Boston Courier of March 1852 that "The State of Rhode Island is a Repudiating State." Dr. Richmond died in Philadelphia on March 4, 1857, on the day when President Buchanan was inaugurated, and he lies buried in Stonington, Connecticut, his long-forgotten and discarded claim against Rhode Island still proclaimed to the world in letters graven in granite.
From the first shot at Lexington to the surrender at Yorktown, Rhode Island was kept very busy with the other original Colonies attempting to throw off the tyranny of Great Britain. To help pay for this war, the Colony of Rhode Island not only raised subscriptions among her cit- izens, but also offered to pay for the loss of wages suffered by any Rhode Islanders who volunteered to serve under the colors. In return for such war-time subscriptions and other public contributions for military purposes, the Colony issued notes. It was over the non-payment of these Revolu- tionary notes by Rhode Island that Dr. Richmond distinguished himself in life, and after death. After the close of the War, and when Rhode Island finally entered into the Union of the other Colo- nies, in 1790, the last of the thirteen to become a State faced the prospect of having to pay these war notes which totalled, it was estimated, more than $200,000, quite a substantial amount of money at that period in history. Partial payments were made with the State's paper money which was none too valu- able, and more notes were issued for the unpaid balances. The years dragged by and no more payments were made; the holders of the notes could gain no satis- faction through demands and inquiries, and the notes appeared to be just so
many pieces of paper, until Dr. Richmond came forth as the defender of the rights of Revolutionary soldiers and their heirs. Tactful, skilful, a good speaker, and a man of forceful presence, Dr. Richmond demanded, in the name of justice, that the State honor what he declared were just debts owed to those who had sacri- ficed blood and substance for the success- ful conduct of the war. Some veterans and descendants of soldiers promptly welcomed him as their friend and cham- pion. He won others by expressions of sympathy and promises of aid. It is said that he secured the cooperation of some other persons who were presumed to exert a controlling influence in the counsels of the State by means that were whispered, rather than spoken aloud. Not only did Dr. Richmond become an agent for some of the note-holders, but he also found time to write two books, "The History of the Registered Debt of Rhode Island," in three chapters, published in Providence, in 1848, and "Rhode Island Repudiation or the History of the Revolutionary Debt of Rhode Island," also in three chapters, and published in 1855.
Feeling ran high over the issue for ten years after 1840. The notes had been issued originally to those who had owned slaves and who had entered the military; to those whose livestock had been taken for the army; to those who had suffered a depreciation of wages while in the serv- ice: and to those who had lost their relatives in the war. Many of the notes had been bought up by wealthy men in the State who believed that the obliga- tions should be met. Before long, Dr. Richmond represented most of the people who held the notes at the time.
By numerous petitions, the soldiers' champion sought to have the General Assembly honor the notes, but the conten- tion of the majority of that body was that the nation had waged the war, not Rhode Island, hence the United States should pay, and not Rhode Island. He attempted to get the matter into the courts but the General Assembly frustrated this move. In support of the legislators' attitude in the matter it might be well to note that Rhode Island performed more military service and furnished more money and
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