USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Pawtucket > The lower Blackstone river valley; the story of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, and Cumberland, Rhode Island; an historical narrative > Part 9
USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Central Falls > The lower Blackstone river valley; the story of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, and Cumberland, Rhode Island; an historical narrative > Part 9
USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Lincoln > The lower Blackstone river valley; the story of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, and Cumberland, Rhode Island; an historical narrative > Part 9
USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Cumberland > The lower Blackstone river valley; the story of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, and Cumberland, Rhode Island; an historical narrative > Part 9
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MANVILLE
The village of Manville, located on the Blackstone River, near the Woonsocket line, is practically in Lincoln, although the new Manville Mill, so-called, erected in 1872, is situated on the Cumberland side of the river. At the time it was erected, it was said to be the largest mill under one roof in America. As the story of this village was recounted in that part of this book that is devoted to Lincoln, readers are referred to the same for further details of the develop- ment of this community.
CUMBERLAND HILL
Cumberland Hill, about one mile east of Manville and only a comparatively short distance from the boundary line between Cumberland and Woonsocket, has an ancient history, a Baptist Church having been erected there in 1800. It was for many years the seat of the town govern- ment, but after the extreme northwesterly portion of the town was on January 31, 1867, set off and incorporated as the Town of Woonsocket, as previously alluded to, the Town Councils held their meetings at Valley Falls and gradually that locality became the seat of the town govern- ment. At this place the Cumberland Bank was organized in 1823 and under various names continued in business till
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1885 when its charter expired. Not far from Cumberland Hill is Sneech Pond, which for a number of years had been considered as a possible source of supply for water works for the town, but as the Pawtucket Water Works furnished adequate service to the more populous sections of the town, nothing developed along this line until at a Town Meeting on April 30, 1929, $70,000 was appropriated for the establishment of the Cumberland Hill Water Works. As a result, the present water supply for Cumberland Hill was established, the water being taken from Sneech Pond and pumped into the water tower located at Cumberland Hill east of the Mendon Road. The service is now being extended into Albion, which was not served by the Pawtucket Water Works.
DIAMOND HILL
Diamond Hill, previously mentioned in this history, is located in the northern part of Cumberland, west of the Diamond Hill Reservoir, and is a rocky eminence noted for its rugged appearance and unusual height, as compared with Diamond Hill Plains to the south of it. In the past here was to be found the largest mass of crystalized quartz in New England as well as distinct traces of a number of metals. Formerly the Diamond Hill quarry was located here, and the water gate of the Diamond Hill Reservoir, which was begun in 1884, is made of granite taken from this quarry. At the time of this writing in 1936, a roofing company, operating under a quarry lease, is removing the face rock on the westerly side of the hill which is ground up and mixed with rock or ore taken from the famous Copper Mill, so-called, located north of Sneech Pond Road and between Mendon Road and the Diamond Hill Road, for use in the manufacture of fire proof shingles and roof coverings, these materials giving various colors thereto.
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In 1936, at the time of this writing, negotiations are under way, and partially completed for the acquisition by the State and Town of a considerable tract on the western side of the Diamond Hill Road at this locality, and on the northerly side of Diamond Hill, for use as ia State park for recreational purposes. Here a skiing course is being constructed and it is proposed, as soon as certain formalities can be complied with, to construct toboggan slides, swimming pools and various other outdoor and athletic facilities.
The village of Diamond Hill, located south of Diamond Hill, and extending southerly to include what is known as the Diamond Hill Plains section, formerly contained a hotel and stores, but now excepting for a store or so and a gasoline station, is for all practical purposes almost entirely resi- dential, the surrounding territory being devoted to farming or included in the domain of the Pawtucket Water Works.
ARNOLDS MILLS
Arnolds Mills, formerly called East Cumberland, was, before the creation of the Pawtucket Water Works, a place of considerable industrial activity, but is now primarily residential, although a grist mill is still operated there. At the present time, it has a dignified Methodist Church building as well as the ancient cemeteries previously alluded to.
ABBOTT RUN
This locality just south of Arnolds Mills, while formerly of some industrial importance, is now mostly residential or devoted to farming and dairying. The same may be said of the other former hamlets that existed on the Abbott Run stream prior to the acquisition of the same by the Pawtucket Water Works.
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CONCLUSION
The population of Cumberland in 1748 was 806 and in 1930 was 10,304. It should be borne in mind that in 1748 a large part of the present City of Woonsocket, as pre- viously shown, was included in the Town of Cumberland. In 1934, the total Real Estate Tax Valutaion was $9,822,703, and that of Personal Property $3,141,191, the rate on Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property being $2.43 on each $100.00. With the passing of the years-the greatly increased population, the rise and decline of various industrial enterprises and the development to the modern way of living, with automobiles, motion pictures, radios and the like-it was inevitable that the original character of the town should change to and become somewhat as it is at present, with its successful past behind it and an unknown future, which all hope will also be as successful, before it.
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APPENDIX
OLD SLATER MILL ASSOCIATION
One of the most important, if not the most important, historic buildings in Pawtucket is the Old Slater Mill, located on the westerly bank of the Blackstone River and fronting on both Slater Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue (originally Mill Street, and later for years known as North Main Street, and only recently changed to Roosevelt Avenue). This building, although from time to time altered and enlarged to some extent, was built in 1793 as a result of the success of Samuel Slater in reproducing, in 1790, at Pawtucket the famous Arkwright machinery for spinning by water power and thus starting, as it were, the textile industry in America.
Before that time, all spinning in America was, for all practical purposes, done on spinning wheels in the homes or other buildings connected with the homes. This achievement of Samuel Slater opened up a new era in this country.
Originally spinning machinery only was installed in this mill, but in 1817 looms were installed and both spinning and weaving machinery were operated therein, until finally when steam power, not only rivaled, but in large measure supplanted water power, this mill was gradually used for other purposes, and finally for years housed various enter- prises, the enumeration of which is not essential at this time.
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In the latter part of 1920 and the first part of 1921 (which latter date marked the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Pawtucket by Joseph Jenks, Jr.) this historic building was threatened with possible destruction as the settlement of the estate of Job L. Spencer, the owner thereof, seemed to demand a sale of the same. At this time, a group of business men in Pawtucket, knowing full well the historic value of this old mill, resolved to acquire the same, and restore, preserve and ultimately maintain it as a memorial to Samuel Slater and to the establishment here in Pawtucket by him of the cotton industry in America. Accordingly, S. Willard Thayer, now deceased, "posted his own check" and took title to the premises for the purpose of transferring title to a corporation to be formed for the above purposes.
Thus it was that the "Old Slater Mill Association" was incorporated and held its first meeting March 29, 1921, with the following incorporators, who each contributed one hundred dollars, to wit:
S. Willard Thayer Henry C. Dexter
Charles O. Read
Frederic R. Mason
Benjamin C. Chace
Darius Goff
E. Russell Richardson
Albert A. Jenks
George T. Greenhalgh
Lyman B. Goff
James R. MacColl
J. Richmond Fales
Kenneth F. Wood
Harold C. Barnefield
(At this time, 1936, it is worthy of note that all of the above incorporators have deceased, excepting Benjamin C. Chace, George T. Greenhalgh and J. Richmond Fales.)
This corporation was organized as set forth in the Articles of Association for "historical and educational purposes and for the purpose of acquiring, restoring and preserving the Old Slater Mill at Pawtucket, in the State of Rhode Island,
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the first cotton mill in America, founded and established by Samuel Slater, and of maintaining the same as a museum of cotton machinery, equipment and appliances, and for such other purposes as may be connected therewith and incidental thereto."
The officers elected at its first meeting were as follows:
President
HENRY C. DEXTER
First Vice President
S. WILLARD THAYER
Second Vice President
E. RUSSELL RICHARDSON
Treasurer
CHARLES S. FOSTER
Secretary .
ROSCOE M. DEXTER
-
BENJAMIN C. CHACE
Directors .
FREDERIC R. MASON
It is not feasible to give in detail the accomplishments of this Association from its organization up to the present time and only a brief outline can be given, further details being contained in the records of the corporation. Suffice it to say that at the Third Annual meeting held March 25, 1924, the President, Henry C. Dexter, "reported that the Old Slater Mill Estate had been acquired by purchase and deed placed on record in the Pawtucket Registry of Deeds." It is only fair to say that the acquisition and restoration of this mill property to its original condition, so far as possible, has only been possible through the munificence of Mrs. Horatio Nelson Slater, who contributed a very substantial amount, and the contributors to Founder Memberships of one thousand dollars each by various persons throughout the county interested in the enterprise.
The names of such founder members to date are as follows:
Mrs. H. N. Slater William Gammell Jesse H. Metcalf
New York City, N. Y. Providence, R. I. Providence, R. I.
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Stephen O. Metcalf J. Arthur Atwood Mrs. Frank A. Sayles S. Parker Bremer Charles T. Main William Arthur Gallup Charles P. Cottrell Marsden J. Perry Samuel T. Hubbard Henry B. Sprague Whitin Machine Works United Piece Dye Works Walter E. Parker William P. Bancroft Arthur J. Draper Charles O. Read William Whitman
Providence, R I. Providence, R. I. Saleholme, Pawtucket, R. I. Boston, Mass. Boston, Mass.
North Adams, Mass. Westerly, R. I.
Providence, R. I.
Hanover Sq., New York
Swampscott, Mass. Whitinsville, Mass. Lodi, N. J. Lawrence, Mass.
Wilmington, Del. Charlotte, N. C. Pawtucket, R. I. Boston, Mass.
Crompton & Knowles Loom Works
Worcester, Mass. Pawtucket, R. I.
James R. MacColl
Fales & Jenks Machine Co.
Pawtucket, R. I.
H. & B. American Machine Co. Hemphill Co.
Family of Hezekiah Conant Parkhill Mfg. Co.
George H. McFadden & Bro.
Alfred M. Coats
Providence, R. I.
Lorraine Mfg. Co.
Pawtucket, R. I.
New York City, N. Y.
Dearborn, Mich.
Pawtucket, R. I.
Lesser-Goldman Cotton Co.
St. Louis, Mo.
New Bedford, Mass.
Pawtucket, R. I.
Pawtucket Mfg. Co.
Pawtucket, R. I.
Pawtucket, R. I.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Baltic Mills Co.
Baltic, Conn.
Webster, Mass.
Anderson, Clayton & Co.
Boston, Mass.
Steward Hartshorn Co.
Pawtucket, R. I. Pawtucket, R. I. Pawtucket, R. I. Fitchburg, Mass. Philadelphia, Pa.
John Claflin Henry Ford
J. & P. Coats (R. I.) Inc.
William W. Crapo
U. S. Finishing Co.
Lebanon Mill Co. A. G. Thatcher
H. Nelson Slater
New York City, N. Y.
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Charles B. Rockwell Pacific Mills, Lockwood, Greene & Co. Boston, Mass.
Bristol, R. I.
E. Russell Richardson Sayles Finishing Plants Albert Farwell Bemis
Pawtucket, R. I. Saylesville, R. I. Boston, Mass.
Henry D. Sharpe Greenhalgh Mills
Providence, R. I.
Pawtucket, R. I.
Howard W. Fitz
Pawtucket, R. I.
John Nicholas Brown
Newport, R. I.
Samuel A. Salvage
New York City, N. Y.
General Electric Co.
Schenectady, N. Y.
DuPont Rayon Co.
Buffalo, N. Y.
E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
Wilmington, Del.
Walter P. Chrysler
New York City, N. Y.
General Dyestuff Corp.
New York City, N. Y.
Harvey S. Firestone
Akron, O.
John Johnston
Pawtucket, R. I.
Forrest W. Taylor
Worcester, Mass.
Stein Hall & Co., Inc.
New York City
Myron C. Taylor
New York City
In memory of Darius L. Goff, Lyman B. Goff
Pawtucket, R. I.
Blackstone Valley Gas & Electric Co.
Pawtucket, R. I.
In memory of Dr. William Grosvenor William H. Vanderbilt
Providence, R. I. Newport, R. I.
The corporation has been exempted from taxation up to $100,000.00 and contributions to it are deductible as charitable contributions under the U. S. Income Tax Laws and Inheritance Tax Laws.
In 1928 a bronze tablet was erected in the mill by the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers in honor of John Thorp, of Providence, R. I., inventor of ring spinning, commemorating the centennial of the granting of a patent therefor to him by the United States Government and appropriate exercises were held in the mill to mark the occasion.
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It seems fitting at this time to pay tribute to some of the active proponents of this Association. Mention has already been made of S. Willard Thayer, "who posted his check," to purchase the property, and while modesty somewhat. restrains me, yet as the author of this account, I feel obliged to pay due tribute to one who was equally effective in saving the Old Slater Mill for ourselves and for posterity, my own brother, Henry C. Dexter, who was President of this Asso- ciation from 1921 to April 13, 1935, the date of his death. He, as well as Charles S. Foster, who served as Treasurer from 1921 till his death on January 31, 1933, E. Russell Richardson, Vice President and Director, who died January 24, 1931 and Howard W. Fitz, Director, who died June 23, 1936, are entitled to great praise for their part in accom- plishing the "acquisition, restoration and maintenance," thus far, of this Old Mill.
The present officers of the Association are as follows:
President
ROBERT R. JENKS
First Vice President
GEORGE A. STINESS
Second Vice President
ALBERT E. NOELTE
Treasurer
CHESTER C. FOSTER
Secretary
ROSCOE M. DEXTER
-
HENRY A. STREET
Directors
HOWARD W. FITZ* *(deceased)
It is hoped that in future years, and even at the present. time, others will be found interested enough to carry this project forward to its ultimate conclusion and thus fulfill the idea of the original incorporators.
ROSCOE M. DEXTER,
Secretary
November 3, 1936
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-
Main Street from North Main Street, in 1840. In 1840 North Main Street was called Mill Street
CHARTERGERO'S
DR.JOYCE DENTIST GAS H
-
AT
Main Street, looking west, 1936
Railroad Station on Broad Street, 1880
Railroad Crossing at Broad Street after introduction of electric cars. The cars were drawn across the railroad by horses.
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Prior to the establishment of The Memorial Hospital, all cases of sickness or injuries arising in the Lower Blackstone Valley and requiring hospital treatment necessarily had to be sent to the Rhode Island Hospital or other hospitals in Providence or elsewhere. Although the need for a local hospital and "at least an emergency hospital" was long recognized, yet beyond the dreams of such persons as were particularly interested in advance of the times, nothing seems to have been done, or attempted, to make any material progress in the matter until, in 1900, Mr. Frank A. Sayles, whose father, William F. Sayles, had died in 1894, and by his will had provided for the building by his son of a memorial to his deceased wife, Mary Wilkinson Sayles, and his deceased daughter, Martha Freeman Sayles, consulted Dr. James L. Wheaton, Jr., and a number of other citizens of Pawtucket, and asked their advice as to what kind of a memorial he should erect in compliance with his father's wishes.
He had considered a library and various other kinds of public buildings but finally the establishment of a hospital seems to have been decided upon. All with whom he con- sulted, including Dr. Wheaton before mentioned, Dr. Julian A. Chase, Lyman M. Darling, President of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, and other leading citizens of that time, were enthusiastic about the project of establishing a hospital and, at a special meeting of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, held on April 15, 1901, it was voted to authorize President Darling and the Secretary, James L. Jenks, Esq., to proceed at once to secure a charter for a hospital to be called "The Pawtucket General Hospital." However, at a later meeting of this Association, held on May 6, 1901, this vote was amended and
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a committee of seven was appointed with full power to alter the name and to proceed with the matter of securing a charter for a hospital.
Accordingly, Articles of Association to incorporate "The Memorial Hospital" were prepared under date of May 25, 1901, and the first meeting of the incorporators for organi- zation was held in the rooms of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, on May 29, 1901. As stated in the Articles of the Association on file in the office of the Secretary of State, "The Memorial Hospital" was organized "for the purpose of erecting, establishing and maintaining in the City of Pawtucket and State of Rhode Island a hospital for the treatment of the sick and of those who may be suffering from accidents or injuries."
The first officers to be elected were as follows:
President, Lyman M. Darling.
Ist Vice President, Frederic W. Easton.
2nd Vice President, William P. Dempsey.
Treasurer, Eben N. Littlefield.
Secretary, James L. Jenks.
Trustees (including the above) :
Pardon E. Tillinghast, Darius L. Goff,
George M. Thornton, Henry B. Metcalf,
George L. Littlefield, Charles O. Read,
James R. MacColl, Andrew J. Currier,
J. Milton Payne,
Henry H. Sheldon.
After the organization meeting of this corporation on May 29, 1901, nothing was done and seemingly no meetings held for a number of years (during which President Lyman M. Darling died), pending the development of Mr. Sayles'
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plan to build and equip the proposed hospital as a memorial in accordance with his father's will.
Finally, however, Mr. Sayles, having built and thoroughly equipped the original hospital building on the so-called "Dunnell Estate," located on the easterly side of Prospect Street in Pawtucket, deeded the land, building and equip- ment on June 29, 1910, to "The Memorial Hospital." At a special meeting of the hospital corporation held March 16, 1910, it had been voted to seek authority to hold property up to the value of $500,000. At a special meeting of the Trustees, held in the hospital, on September 19, 1910, the President announced that on Saturday, October 1, 1910, "The Memorial Hospital" would be ready to open its doors to the public.
The following is an extract from the deed of gift of the hospital estate:
"Said granted premises and personal property together with all additions and accretions hereafter made thereto shall be forever occupied and used by the Memorial Hospital as a hospital where the rich and the poor who may be suffer- ing from sickness, accident or injuries, may receive medical and surgical care and treatment, paying therefor such amounts, if any, as they respectively may be able to pay, and the said corporation may from time to time require. But no person shall be refused care and treatment in said hospital merely because of inability to make compensation thereof, if the resources of said corporation for the time being are sufficient to enable it to receive, care for, and treat persons without charge. All sums received from the patients for care and treatment shall become a part of the general funds of the corporation to be used for the purpose of defraying its running expenses or otherwise used for
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supplying the needs of the hospital and increasing its efficiency as an instrument of public good."
It is important to note that, although the initial gift of land and original building, together with endowment, was made by Mr. Sayles in fulfillment of his father's will, the name of this hospital, "The Memorial Hospital," implies that it may be used as a means to memorialize other persons than those referred to in the will of William F. Sayles. In fact this has repeatedly been done through the years by the many gifts, such as the Isabella Goff Nurses Home, the MacColl Maternity and Infants Wards, and the many other gifts, devises and bequests that have been received by this corporation in memory of various persons.
From this beginning in 1910, the hospital has steadily grown from the original plant, consisting of land, building and equipment given by Mr. Sayles, with 30 beds and a daily average of 21 patients to its present dimensions with 166 beds and 30 bassinets and a daily average of 128 patients. Its operating expenses in 1910 were $28,302.77, and in 1935 were $221,153.46. The physical growth of the hospital since 1910 may be briefly set forth as follows: Gift of Mrs. Daisy B. Goff, widow of Lyman Thornton Goff, of the "Isabella Goff Dormitory for Nurses," in 1911; and first addition to same in 1914; gift by Darius L. Goff of the "Farnsworth Estate" at south easterly corner of Prospect and Pond Street, in 19 -; new Out-Patient Department building and new central heating plant in 1916; Private Patients Wing in 1918; Service Building in 1924; later addition to the Nurses Home in 1927; MacColl Memorial for Maternity and Children's Wards in 1931; New Nurses Home and Auditorium, begun in 1931 and completed in 1932.
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On December 20, 1922, it was voted to seek authority to hold property up to $1,500,000.
Space will not permit much statistical data but mention should be made of the fact that in 1910 the hospital had only one interne and in 1935, six; and in 1910 only nine pupils in training while in 1935 "The Memorial Hospital School of Nursing" had fifty-six pupils in training. In 1910 there were 449 patients admitted to the hospital while in 1935 there were 2,937, and in the Out-Patient Department in 1910 there were 2,790 as compared with 23,319 in 1935. At the present time the main corridor from the MacColl addition to the present private ward is 418 feet in length and there are underground tunnels from building to building of 585 feet in length which, with cellar passage ways of 880 feet, makes 1,465 feet of underground passageways from building to building, thus making it possible and con- venient for doctors, nurses, internes and other officials or employees, regardless of weather conditions, to travel from one part of the establishment to any other.
The yearly printed reports of the corporation should be referred to for more minute details.
ROSCOE M. DEXTER, Assistant Secretary.
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Chronology of Historical Events in Pawtucket, Central Falls, and the Lower Blackstone Valley
BY MRS. HERBERT GOULD BEEDE
PAWTUCKET
1636. Roger Williams settled in Providence.
1637. Roger Williams obtained deed from Miantonomi and Canonicus, confirming a previous verbal agreement. This territory included Pawtucket, west of the river.
1638. Roger Williams conveyed to twelve associates equal rights in this land for a total sum of £30.
1644. Colony of Providence Plantations Chartered.
1663. Rhode Island Colonial Charter granted.
1669. Joseph Jenks, Jr., came to Warwick from Lynn, Massachusetts, and built a saw-mill on the Pawtuxet River.
1671. Joseph Jenks, Jr., purchased sixty acres of land lying near Pawtucket Falls, established forge, and built first house, on site of Pawtucket Boys' Club.
1676. Canonchet, Chief of the Narragansetts, captured near Pawtucket Falls.
1676. Forge of Joseph Jenks, Jr., destroyed by the Indians. King Philip killed. Forge and homes rebuilt.
1679. Joseph Jenks, Jr., sent to Newport to represent Providence in the General Assembly, in which body he served as "Assistant" for thirteen years.
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1685. The Daggett House, in Slater Park, built by John Daggett.
1695. The first postal route between Rhode Island and Massachusetts established.
1713. First highway bridge built at Pawtucket Falls, connecting Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to settlement on the east, then a part of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Joseph Jenks, 3rd, and Major Nathaniel Jenks were appointed by the General Assembly to superintend the construction.
1714. Sargeant's Trench built as a passage for fish around Pawtucket Falls.
1718. Present lower dam built at Pawtucket Falls, the first dam built by Joseph Jenks, Jr., extended three-fourths across the river from the west side.
1720. Deputy Governor Joseph Jenks, son of Joseph Jenks, Jr., sent to England to bring the boundary disputes between Rhode Island, on the one hand, and Connecticut and Massachusetts, on the other, before the King.
1727. Joseph Jenks, 3rd, the first Governor to be chosen outside of Newport.
1727. The Ballou Tavern built on the site now occupied by the Sheldon Building.
1750. The Eleazer Jenks house was built at what is now 277 Main Street. The house was long known as the Jones Schoolhouse.
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