USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Ludlow > History of Ludlow, Vermont > Part 9
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CARPENTERS
The first carpenter that moved into town was Ephraim Dutton, who came from Westford, Mass. in 1785. He built the first frame house in town for Josiah Fletcher in 1790. It stood on the site now occupied by the residence of the late J. W. Kimball. The house was appraised at five hundred dollars on the town grand list, at the first appraisal of property in town. In 1806, he built the first Congregational church, fully described in the history of that church. In 1800, Ephriam Warren, the second carpenter, moved into town. He built many houses which are described in the general description of Ludlow village. It would require too much space to give the names of all the carpenters that ever lived in Ludlow, but many of their names will be mentioned in the description of the houses in town. A description of how carpenters had to build houses in the earlier days, will suffice for this place.
When the two carpenters above mentioned went to work to build a house, the lumber and other building material was not worked out by machinery as at the present time. The dimension stock, or square timbers for the frame, was, in most cases, hewed on the ground, as the tree was felled from the stump. At that time, there was but one saw-mill in town, and sometimes the boards for covering the houses were split, from the log by hand, then trued up with the broad-axe. There were no planers and matchers in town, or even in the state, to dress lumber for the car- penters. The first planing machine was brought to Ludlow in 1835, and was used on the ground when the first Baptist church was built, for dressing the lumber for that building.
All the finishing lumber was planed by hand, and the doors and window-sash were all made by hand. Window glass was scarce and high-priced, none being obtainable nearer than Boston, Mass. The panes were six by seven inches, or seven by nine, and, in most cases, only four or six panes were used in a window. The nails were all made by the local blacksmiths. They were clumsy, and hard to drive into place. As they were expensive, as few were used as possible. About 1835, the cut nails were introduced,
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and were used till 1890, when wire nails came into gen- eral use.
In those days, when a farmer built a barn, the posts must all be hard wood, hewed eight by eight inches at the small end, and ten by twelve at the butt. Usually, red beech ยท was used, as beech was considered a non-conductor of electricity, and therefore made the building safer from lightning. Hard wood was used for the braces, and the frames, when put together, were as strong as Noah's Ark. The plates used in the barns, had a groove about an inch deep and an inch and a half wide on the under side, so that the top end of the boards used in boarding up the sides, could be set into the groove, and so nails could be saved.
In those primitive days, carpenters had to work from sunrise to sunset for a day's work, and received from "four and six-pence" to six shillings per day, or, in our modern currency, from seventy-five cents to a dollar. Charles P. Chapman was the first carpenter to protest against the fourteen and fifteen hour system in 1870, and demanded that ten hours should constitute a working day. For some time it was the standard for a day's work, but at the present time, the standard is eight hours.
With the advance of time, there has been a demand for better residences, and finer and more commodious business blocks, and great skill has been developed in the carpen- ter's trade. With the aid of our modern, highly perfected wood-working machinery, a large residence can be built in half the time it took to build one of the rudely construc- ted houses of a hundred years ago. The first house built in Ludlow, with the modern balloon frame, was built by Al- bert Chapman in 1856. The house was later owned by Mrs. Susan Flanders, and stands on Pond street.
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PHYSICIANS
For the first twenty-seven years after the first settlers came to Ludlow, the town was without a practicing phys- ician. The early pioneers gathered and kept on hand, a supply of barks, roots, and herbs, and the good housewives
Dr. Bryant
Dr. Cooledge
compounded and administered these simple remedies in times of need, or, in severe cases, Dr. Asaph Fletcher of Cavendish was called in. In 1810, Luther, son of Josiah Fletcher, commenced the practice of medicine, and re- mained till his death which occurred Apr. 6, 1821. He was forty-one years of age, and was called as able a physician as Ludlow ever had. In the same year in which Dr. Flet- cher died, Dr. Joshua Warner located in town, and re- mained till 1835. Some of the time he had a partner, Dr. Hall. Adrian G. Taylor practiced medicine from 1827 to 1846, Daniel Jones, from 1838 to 1854, Wm. B. Weatherbee from 1819 to 1861, Samuel P. Danforth from 1851 to 1853, Wm. H. Chapin from 1850 to 1870. Putnam Burton began practice in 1842, and continued nearly forty years. Augus-
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tus Ross practiced from 1844 to 1855, L. Chase from 1856 to 1861, Harry H. Palmer from 1854 to 1872. Dr. Palmer was a very able physician, and but for the intemperate use of strong drink, would have ranked with the best phys- icians of his time. He died in Ludlow, Aug. 9, 1872. J. H. Putnam practiced from 1868 to 1876, S. H. Morgan from 1876 till his death in 1888, Geo. E. Lane from 1878 till his death which occurred Nov. 7, 1895. Dr. Lane was born in Westminster, Vt., Feb. 3, 1834. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1859, and for three years after was principal of Leland and Gray seminary at Townshend. In 1863, he commenced the study of medicine at Williams- town, Vt. His death was very sudden, caused by heart disease. His loss was deeply felt by the entire community, as he was a man of genial disposition, broad charity, and active Christianity.
D. F. Cooledge commenced practicing medicine in Lud- low in 1868, and died Sept. 11, 1911, W. N. Bryant came to Ludlow in 1887, and continued here till 1928. Carleton H. Bonney came in 1895, died in Springfield, Mass. July 10, 1929, C. A. Browne in 1896, A. Kilmer in 1893, Chas. H. Bates in 1897, and John Lyston in 1905. Other physicians who practiced in Ludlow for a short time only, are H. S. Boardman, A. F. Moore, W. C. Chandler, Pliny B. Parker, Martin J. Love, S. H. Buteau, J. G. Murphy, George Rus- tedt, S. Gillette, George Works, and Winfred H. Lane. John E. Galvin practiced from 1923 to 1925, and died June 9, 1925. M. D. Cary, E. B. Holmes practicing in 1931.
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LAWYERS
The inhabitants of Ludlow settled their disputes by arbitration for thirty-one years, but in 1814, Nathan P. Fletcher began the practice of law in this place, and the settlement of difficulties by rule began. Mr. Fletcher con- tinued in his profession till 1825, in which year he was succeeded by Judge Reuben Washburn. Sewall Fullam, Jr. became a law student in Mr. Washburn's office in 1828, and about 1832, opened an office of his own. These two lawyers did all the business pertaining to their profession in town till 1839, when Peter T. Washburn, son of the judge, opened an office, and remained till 1844, when the people of Ludlow had become so well disciplined that Mr. Washburn concluded to remove to Woodstock. In 1844, Frederick C. Robbins and Daniel A. Heald opened law offices in Ludlow. Mr. Heald continued here till 1857, and removed to New York City. Mr. Robbins remained here till his death, which occurred Apr. 21, 1888. People in general are not apt to be too credulous of the honesty of lawyers and none of them escape the spite of unsuccessful litigants, nevertheless, both Mr. Heald and Mr. Robbins left in Lud- low unsually fair reputations for truth and integrity.
In 1849, Clark H. Chapman and Reuben H. Washburn, Jr., opened law offices here, and remained till 1854. Volney, son of Sewall Fullam, began the practice of law in Ludlow in 1852, and remained till the breaking out of the Civil War, when he joined the rank of his country's defenders, and was mustered out of the service with the rank of col- onel.
Wm. H. Walker came to Ludlow in 1862, and continued in the practice of the law till 1884, when he was made judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont. He was a man of sound judgment, with a thorough understanding of his profession, and was looked upon as authority in all matters of a legal nature. He was a hard worker, but his health failed him, and the last few years of his life were those of an invalid. He died Aug. 11, 1896.
In 1869, Martin H. Goddard commenced the practice of law in Ludlow, and continud till the time of his death in 1891. He was for several years in partnership with Wm.
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Judge F. A. Walker
Judge Reuben Washburn
Hon. William Walker
Hon. Martin Goddard
J. G. Sargent
W. W. Stickney
H. Walker, and, like him, was a hard worker. The firm had an extensive business, and at one time, ranked as one of the foremost law firms in the state.
S. A. Giffin practiced law in Ludlow from 1876 to 1880. He then removed to Boulder, Col., where he practiced his profession till his death.
At the present time (1931) there are four practicing lawyers in Ludlow: Wm. W. Stickney, J. G. Sargent, Paul Chase, and Ernest E. Moore.
Homer L. Skeels studied law with Stickney and Sargent, and became a member of the firm. When he resigned, he was succeeded by Paul Chase, and the firm became Stick- ney, Sargent, & Chase.
Ardain G. Humphrey studied law with Frank A. Walker, was admitted to the bar in 1899, and opened an independent office in 1905. He died Mar. 28, 1907.
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BLACK RIVER LODGE, NO. 85, F. A. M.
Some of the first settlers of Ludlow belonged to the Mas- onic fraternity before they immigrated to this town. Nov. 7, 1812, the first lodge of this order in Ludlow, called Green Mountain Lodge, was organized. The meeting was held at the house of Avery Dennison, who lived at the time in a house that stood south of the road, directly opposite the George Johnson place, now owned by Plumley & Sargent. John Chipman, grand master of the state lodge, was present at the meeting, and granted dispensation to the following charter members: Oliver Gurney, Nathan P. Fletcher, Dar- ius Green, Luther Fletcher, Jennia Parker, Jr., Zacheus Bryant, Daniel Shaw, Avery Dennison, Asa Briggs, Daniel Goddard, John Crowley, Nathan P. Sprague, Simeon P. Read, John Parker, Edwin Ingalls, James Stiles, Jabez Proctor, Solomon Proctor, Salmon Dutton, Jr., Jonathan Atherton, Salmon Dutton, Sr., Joseph B. Wheelock, Joseph Dodge, John Dodge, Samuel White, Urial Hatch, Jesse Fletcher, Willard Tenney, and John Goddard.
At a meeting held at the same place on Nov. 25, 1812, the following officers were elected : Avery Dennison, master, Nathan P. Fletcher, secretary, Jesse Fletcher, treasurer. The lodge received its charter in the early part of 1813. Asahel Smith was the first man initiated into the order by this lodge. During 1813 and 1814, the meetings were held at Jesse Fletcher's house, on the second floor of the house now standing. The masters elected in this lodge up to 1840 were: Daniel Shaw, Jonathan Gossing, J. Read, Joseph Patterson, Silas Warren, Joshua Warner, Asa Wheeler, and Abel Baldwin. This lodge went out of existence about 1840.
The present lodge was organized June 11, 1868, with the following charter members: Gilman Gay, Chas. E. Smith, Henry D. Foster, Rufus S. Warner, James Roberts, Geo. S. Redfield, Nelson M. Pierce, A. H. Lockwood, A. L. Gould, S. S. Johnson, Edward A. Rock, Geo. F. Mayo, M. V. Clark, Hiram Johnson, W. A. Chapin, W. A. Patrick, J. P. Sher- win, A. F. Hubbard, W. B. Hoskinson, H. C. Pingrey, Wm. Graham, Robert Hoskinson, Dr. J. H. Putnam, Isaac Wad- leigh, J. S. Wheeler, A. C. Heselton, Ed. Holden, and J. O.
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Pelton, Gilman Gay, Master, C. E. Smith, First Senior War- den, Henry D. Foster, First Junior Warden.
The first meetings of this lodge were held in the upper part of Dr. D. F. Cooledge's house. Later, they removed to John Barretts block, which stood on the site now occupied by the Brown block. The building was destroyed by fire, Dec. 25, 1883. The block was rebuilt in 1884, and another hall was fitted up for the use of the lodge. This was the place of their meetings until 1896, when T. S. Dailey's block was built, and the third floor was fitted up for a Masonic hall. It is finished with North Carolina pine, filled to show the natural grain of the wood. It is one of the finest Masonic halls in the state, and was dedicated Apr. 22, 1896, with a memership of ninety-seven.
KEYSTONE CHAPTER, NO. 5, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR
This chapter was organized April 22, 1896, with forty- one charter members. First board of officers: Mrs. R. E. Hathorn, Worthy Matron, Dr. W. N. Bryant, Worthy Pa- tron, Mrs. W. D. Ball, Associate Matron, Mrs. N. G. Ham- mond, Secretary, Mrs. M. R. Chase, Treasurer, Mrs. W. W. Stickney, Conductress, Mrs. H. O. Maxham, Associate Con- ductress, Mrs. Max Buchold, Adah, Mrs. A. H. Lockwood, Ruth, Mrs. H. E. Phelps, Esther, Mrs. F. H. Holden, Martha, Mrs. J. B. Bradley, Electa, Mrs. C. E. Johnson, Warder, M. R. Chase, Sentinel, Mrs. C. F. Meacham. Chaplain, N. G. Hammond, Marshal, Mrs. C. H. Raymond, Organist.
This order has five degrees to be worked on its members, to complete the work of the order. The purpose of the or- ganization is to help one another on through the walks of life. Their meetings are held once in two weeks in the Masonic hall. The order is very popular, and its membership neary doubled in the first year.
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ALTIMONT LODGE, NO. 30, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was organized by Deputy Grand Master Henry W. Hall, Dec. 17, 1887, with the following charter mem- bers: A. Bixby, C. L. Johnson, M. M. Tarbell, Freeman H. Fuller, E. A. Merchant, A. J. Aubrey, William Parker, D. W. Clement, E. O. Pratt. First officers : E. O. Pratt. N. G., M. M. Tarbell, V. G., A. Bixby, Sec., C. L. Johnson, Treas. The lodge held its meetings in G. A. R. hall in Hammond's block.
Jan. 17, 1895, a lodge of Daughters of Rebekah was or- ganized in Ludlow, and named Mizpah Rebekah Lodge, No. 29.
In 1893, J. S. Gill built the house on the table-land east of Checkerberry hill, at a cost of $15,000. It was intended for a summer hotel, but was never opened to the public for that use. July 2, 1895, Mr. Gill donated this house with fourteen acres of valuable land, to the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of Vermont, to be used as a home for any member of the order who became needy, and dependent upon the fraternity for care. This was a very generous and lasting gift, for which the entire community will always hold Mr. Gill's name in grateful memory. The receivers of this valuable gift have remodeled the premises to fit their needs, at a cost of $10,000, and it is now one of the best Odd Fellows' Homes in the country, and an honor to the fraternity represented in Ludlow. The only resident trustee was L. G. Fullam, who was also treasurer.
In addition to the Home, this organization has also a fine hall in the A. F. Sherman block, built in 1895. This hall was dedicated Feb. 12, 1896. Dr. W. N. Bryant of Ludlow delivered a very appropriate address at the dedication cere- monies. The Home was dedicated May 20, 1896. It was a gala day for Ludlow, to which Dame Nature contributed one of her finest days, with pure air, blue skies, and sun- lit landscapes, to brighten the picturesque view from the grounds. Upwards of three thousand people assembled to witness or take part in the exercises. The addresses were well rendered and inspiring. Hon. Hugh Henry of Chester was the first speaker, followed by Dr. W. N. Bryant, who delivered the address of welcome in well chosen words,
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and his usual happy style. Interesting speeches were made by several Grand Masters of the order of Odd Fellows, rep- resentatives from adjoining states. Grand Master Clinton Collins of New Hampshire spoke befittingly in behalf of Friendship, Love, and Truth, the motto of the brotherhood, illustrated in the three links of their badge. Grand Master Pinkerton of Massachusetts, ably expressed his views bear- ing upon the same subject. Grand Master Guthrie of New York, was the last speaker, but by no means the least in ability. It was fitting that the Empire state should lend us the chief speaker of the day. Any state in the Union might well feel proud of such a son to represent its interests in any part of the globe.
Immediately after the closing of the exercises, the doors of the Home were thrown open, and an invitation was ex- tended to all visitors, to go through its rooms. Many accepted the invitation, and were well rewarded for the time spent.
Owing to ill-health, Mr. Gill was unable to be present at the dedication ceremonies. Had he been there, he would doubtless, have been much gratified by the many expres- sions of admiration for the gift, and gratitude to the gener- ous giver. By this act of beneficence, he built a monument of praise, higher than is the fortune of many to attain, whose inscription will be the grateful remembrance of many who will profit by this act of Christianity and brotherly feel- ing toward this grand order, of which Mr. Gill was not a member. So long as Gill's Odd Fellows' Home stands, his memory will be cherished, not only by the members of this community, but by every Odd Fellow within the state, who looks toward this place as a possible city of refuge, and it will be a continual reminder that man can not live within himself, but must clasp hands with his brother, to obtain the best blessings of this life. As the ways of this life's journey are treacherous, it is a consolation to any member of this order, to know that so pleasant and comfortable a home has been provided for the unfortunate one who fails to garner in a sufficient supply of this world's goods, to bridge over the needs of old age.
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Good Templars
In all ages, and among all classes of mankind, intoxicat- ing drinks have worked ruin to the users. From the days when Noah "planted a vineyard", to the present time of boasted civilization in the homes of culture and refine- ment as well as in the huts of savages, man has sacrificed his best gifts for the gratification of his appetite for strong drink. So common, indeed, was this vice among our an- cestors, that it was scarcely considered a vice at all, and when Ludlow was settled, the jug of rum was considered an essential in every household. At raisings and log-rolling bees, intoxicating drinks were considered indispensable, and such gatherings often ended with what, in these days, would be called a drunken carouse. The more serious minded soon saw the necessity for checking the tendency to intemperance, and the movement was begun which, is referred to in the history of the Congregational Church. The members of the first temperance organization, were called Sons of Temperance, and through their efforts, many were induced to sign the pledge to abstain from the use of intoxicating beverages. This society was after a time dis- banded, and later, a society for a similar purpose was or- ganized, called the Independent Order of Good Templars. The first lodge of this order in Ludlow, No. 57, was organ- ized Aug. 27, 1867, with thirty-three charter members. The following officers were elected : H. W. Albee, W. C. T., Miss A. L. Dornin, W. V. T., D. Palmer, W. S., W. H. Pratt, W. F. S., J. O. Pelton, W. T., N. M. Pierce, W. D. T., Or- lando Osborn, W. M., Miss E. J. Burton, W. I. G., A. Gibson, W. O. G. The officers were appointed for the two ensuing months, when the following yearly officers were elected : Mrs. N. M. Pierce, R. H. S., Mrs. J. H. Putnam, L. H. S., Miss Nellie Pelton, W. A. S., Mr. Praddex, W. C., Mrs. H. W. Albee, W. D. M.
The lodge at one time attained a membership of over fifty, but some of the members losing their interest in the work, and others becoming discouraged because of the inefficiency of the civil authorities in executing the pro- hibitory laws, enacted by the state, the lodge in Ludlow was disbanded in 1874
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THE RAILROAD
In 1847, the surveying for this branch of the Rutland division of the Central Vermont rail-road commenced, and three routes were surveyed, one from Brattleboro up West River to Weston, then over the mountain to Rutland. But this route did not seem to furnish an easy grade over the mountain. Another survey was made from White River Junction up the Ottaquechee River to Sherburne, then across the mountain to Rutland. This route also proved to give a high grade, so still another was surveyed from Bellows' Falls to Proctorsville, where the road was even- tually built.
From Proctorsville, the survey followed up the north side of Black River to the Bailey bridge above Ludlow village. At this point it was intended to cross the river, follow the west bank as far as the west branch, then follow that stream to where the crossing known as the Mt. Holly crossing now is. This route, like the preceding ones, did not seem practicable, and another survey was made from Proctorsville to the Mt .. Holly crossing, where the road now runs. This route gave an average grade from Bellows' Falls to "the Summit," of about seventy feet per mile.
At first, the only objection to building the road where it is, was the difficulty in spanning Jewell Brook. The idea of building the road here would have been given up, had it not been for the "Hog-back", a peculiar, natural eleva- tion of earth, extending nearly from the east end of the high bridge to the culvert opposite the mill-yard of the Ludlow Mfg. Co's Box-shop, where a small stream passes under the railroad. Considering the aid of this natural fill- ing, this route was decided to be the most practicable, and work was begun on the road in February, 1848.
The first shovelful of earth moved in Ludlow, was on the "Hog-back". This natural ridge was originally about fifteen feet higher than the present road-bed. On the west side of Jewell Brook, the road-bed from the bridge to where it crosses the West Hill highway, had to be filled and graded. This filling was all done with teams, (horses or mules and carts) and the frozen earth was broken by drilling holes, and blasting with powder. The rails were
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distributed along the line from Ludlow to "the Summit" with mule teams. The teamsters would race their teams from Bailey bridge to Main street, some by the way of Pond street and others by the "dug-way" road, to see which would reach their destination first. Usually, those who chose the "dug-way" were victorious.
As spring advanced, and the frost got out of the ground, several gangs of workmen were stationed along the line, each gang having its foreman, and more or less jealousy existed among these gangs. Rum was plenty, and used freely, especially on Saturday nights. There were frequent riots, and not a few were injured. Many arrests were made, but the verdicts did not always bring peace to the better class of inhabitants.
The greater part of the help employed in bulding the rail-road, were Irish direct from the old country, and their children being very numerous, made it difficult for the teachers to manage public schools. A great many men were employed in opening the stone-cut in Section Eight, yet it took nearly two years to cut through the rocks. It was more difficult to drill and break the ledge then, than it would be now, as dynamite was unknown, and common blasting-powder was used in large quantities.
Several small shanties were built near the rail-road, to accommodate the families of some of the laborers, and the railroad company had a powder-house just west of the cut, where, at one time, there were a hundred kegs of powder stored. One Sunday afternoon in September, 1849, some of the Irish boys were at play around this storage house, strewing powder along in the grass in zig-zag lines, then setting it on fire to see it burn. In their trips from the power-house, where a loosened board gave them access to the supplies within, they accidentally dropped small quantities of the powder which they were carrying, till a train was formed from their play-ground to the main supply, and the fire, catching in this, ran to the store-house causing the most terrible explosion ever known in these parts. The report was heard in all directions for a distance of more than twenty-five miles. Buildings were moved on their foundations, and the concussion broke the windows of the Sawtelle house, where L. W. Barton now lives.
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Services were being held in the several churches in the village, and the congregations rushed out, thinking there was an earthquake. There were eight boys at play, and three of them were blown to pieces beyond recognition. These were Michael Sullivan, William Canhill, and James Orake. The remains were put into one box, and buried together. One limb was blown about sixty rods, and was found in the road in front of the John Pinney house. A timber was thrown nearly a mile, to the farm on West Hill, where Joseph Warren once lived. On the morning of the day of the explosion, the mother of one of the boys told him to go out of the way, and that she did not want to ever see him again. She never did, and her sorrow was beyond description, when her loss was made known to her. The hole in the earth caused by the explosion, is still to be seen.
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