USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Hartford > Pictorial history of the town of Hartford, Vermont, 1761-1963 > Part 6
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THE METHODIST CHURCH
There is evidence of Methodist membership in town as early as 1811, although no church existed within the township until 1845. This first church was in the Jericho district and originally had twenty-five members. The church continued services until about 1874 when membership had fallen away by death and other causes so that further efforts to continue were apparently useless, and the building was sold and removed to North Hartland where it was used for business purposes.
In White River Junction in 1877 Methodist services were held in the hall of the Junction House by Rev. A. J. Hough. On August 10, 1878 the hotel burned. The members then immediately set about building a meeting house of their own. The building was completed in the autumn of 1878. The church had a seating capac- ity of 400 members and was erected at a cost of $2,700. On Decem- ber 10, 1885, the church was dedicated at services conducted by Bishop Harris. At the time of the dedication the church was en- tirely free of debt.
A parsonage was added to the church property in 1891. The resi- dence is located on Maplewood Terrace. Electric lights were in- stalled in the church in 1892 and for a period thereafter continual improvements were made to the property annually.
Complete remodelling of the church was done in 1915 and during that year a bell was purchased and installed in the church steeple. On February 7, 1915 the church was rededicated by Bishop Ham- ilton.
The church celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary with special services and activities on Sunday, May 18, Tuesday, May 20, and Sunday May 25, 1952.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
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METHODIST CHURCH BUILT IN 1878
Starting in November of 1962 remodelling of the entrance and the steeple of the church was undertaken. The top of the steeple was lifted from the church on December 24, 1962, and the bell was lowered and suspended in the remaining portion of the tower. Instead of a central entrance, two side entrances have been created by widening the front of the church. The stairways have been built completely under cover and protected from the weather.
Battle of the Wickets
"Dr. Hoffman and a few others have hired the vacant lot east of the Methodist Church and are fitting it up for a croquet ground. Why not form a club ?" "Croquet is all the rage now and terrible war is waged upon the grounds by the church every eve- ning."-The Landmark, July 22, 1882.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY
The building now used by Myrtle Lodge No. 27 I. O. O. F. was originally erected as a church for the First Universalist Society. A plaque on the wall inside the building gives a brief account of its history :
FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VERMONT ORGANIZED IN 1878 CHURCH BUILT IN 1878 ON LOT DONATED BY ASAPH T. TAFT TRUST FUND CREATED BY ORREN A. TAFT IN 1898, BY WILL, FOR PREACHING SERVICES CARRIED ON UNTIL 1945 THE TAFT HEIRS WHO WERE REVERSIONARIES TO THE TITLE SOLD THEIR INTEREST IN THE LOT, AND THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY CONVEYED THE BUILDING TO MYRTLE LODGE NO. 27 I.O.O.F. WHO ASSUMED CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPERTY, THE SOCIETY RESERVING RIGHT TO CONDUCT RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS AS PROVIDED IN DEED FROM SOCIETY TO MYRTLE LODGE
This plaque is Erected by the Society as a Perpetual Memorial to the Founders and is to be on Display at all Times in the Auditorium Near the Entrance
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
ONE OF THE EARLY CANAL LOCKS ON THE CONNECTICUT
THE WILDER STORY
There is evidence that a wing dam existed at the White River Falls, near Olcott, as early as 1785. The water was used by small mills for grinding grain, sawing wood and similar purposes. In 1795 the Vermont Legislature granted a charter to "The Proprie- tors of White River Falls" containing the right to build a canal and bridge.
No work was done along this line until a company was incor- porated under a New Hampshire Act in 1807 entitled "An Act Granting to Mills Olcott the Privilege of Locking White River Falls." This was followed in 1810 by the erection of a dam and two separate canals with locks. After the building of the Passumpsic Division of the Boston & Maine Railroad about 1849, use of these canals was discontinued. A few years later high water carried away the dam.
In 1880 the water rights were acquired by the Wilder Brothers, paper manufacturers of Boston, and a cribwork dam was built at the Upper Falls. Work on this dam was started August 10, 1882. The dam was 808 feet in length, and was built at a cost of $50,000.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
PAPER MILL-WILDER, VERMONT
The work was completed on January 10, 1883. Also in 1883, a sus- pension foot-bridge was built across the river at Olcott Falls which was first put into use April 21st.
A pulp mill was completed August 26, 1883 at which time the lower falls were blasted out. The mill specialized in the manufac- turing of paper for the city news publishers.
Olcott was designated as a railroad station on the Passumpsic Division in December of 1885, and a post office was established in the village two years later.
In conjunction with the development of Olcott a new road was built from White River Junction to the village by way of Taft's Flat. The road formerly ran from White River Junction and ended at the Orrin Taft farm on the Flat. The only route to Olcott at the time was by way of Christian street. The new road connecting the two villages was completed November 25th, 1882.
Shortly after assuming control of their new property, in 1882, the Wilder brothers opened an old boarding house adjacent to the mill for the use of their employees. The company announced that
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
CHARLES T. WILDER
they were prepared to offer board for their help at a rate of $3.50 per week. Wages offered to common hands at the time was $1.50 per day. The Wilders were very considerate of their employees. They provided them with good working conditions and rewarded them with gifts and bonuses on special occasions.
In 1883 the Olcott Falls Company erected a new two and a half story boarding house.
After moving into the sparsely settled community of Olcott, Mr. Charles T. Wilder took a pioneer's interest in the development of his newly adopted village. He set about planning the streets, contributed both time and money to civic, social, and educational projects, and aided the residents in establishing the Congregational Church in the community.
As the village grew the need for a carriage bridge across the Connecticut River at this point seemed more and more essential to the local residents. In August of 1896 some of the leading citizens drafted and circulated the following petition which was signed by residents of Lebanon and Hanover, New Hampshire and Hartford, Vermont :
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
"Your petitioners represent that for the accommodation of the public there is occasion for a new highway in the town of Lebanon beginning on the Easterly bank of the Connecticut river at a point near the Northeasterly end of Wilder & Co.'s dam; and thence in a Southeasterly direction to connect with the highway leading from the river-road, so called, to Olcott Falls; also beginning at a point near the Northeasterly end of said dam and thence in a Westerly direction on and over said Connecticut river to the Vermont line in the town of Hartford."
After receiving the petition the County Commissioners of Grafton County, New Hampshire, scheduled a hearing at Sargent's Hotel, West Lebanon, New Hampshire, on January 19, 1897. At this meeting they listened to the pros and cons concerning the proposed new highway and bridge and stated that they would take the matter under advisement and report their findings at the April session of the Grafton County Court.
An article was included in the warning for the Hartford Town Meeting of March 2, 1897, requesting an appropriation of $3,000 to defray Hartford's portion of the expense for the building of such a highway and bridge.
This appropriation was approved by the voters.
A similar article was included in the warning for the Town Meet- ing in Lebanon, New Hampshire. The Lebanon voters rejected the proposed expenditure.
In April the Commissioners reported that they "examined the land set forth in the foregoing petition and all other lands requested by counsel, and in our opinion public necessity does not require the laying of said road."
Apparently the project was defeated.
The village was saddened by the death of Charles T. Wilder, the following August, shortly after the bridge project was defeated. In September the executors of his estate made known benefits the Town of Olcott would receive in accordance with the last wishes of the deceased :
Bequest of Charles T. Wilder
"If the Town of Hartford, and the village now called Olcott, in Vermont, shall within two years from the time of my decease, bring about the change of name of said village from that of Olcott, so that the said village and the postoffice and R. R. station shall be called Wilder, then in token of my regard for and interest in the
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
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THE WILDER BRIDGE
welfare of that vicinity, in which I have expended so much of my life's efforts and activity and in promotion of such welfare, I direct my executor to construct an iron bridge across the Connecticut river opposite said village at a cost not to exceed $12,000."
With little doubt as to the sentiments of the citizens, a contract was awarded to The Boston Bridge Company on November 19, 1897.
On December 10, 1897 notice was received from the Post Office Department in Washington that the name of the post office at Olcott was being changed to Wilder, Vermont, and henceforth would be known by that name.
Work was started on the bridge in January of 1898, and at the Town Meeting, March 4, 1898, Article IV of the warning brought to the consideration of the voters changing of the name of the village of Olcott to Wilder. The voters gave this article their unani- mous approval.
At their Lebanon town meeting the voters were requested to approve an appropriation for the care and maintenance of the bridge and building of a highway to it. This measure they again rejected.
The bridge became the object of much friction between the villages and received only token care during its existence. It served
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
the people for over half a century, being removed at the time of the building of the new Wilder dam in 1950.
In February, 1899, the Olcott Falls Paper Company sold their property to the International Paper Company. In 1926 a new con- crete dam was located slightly downstream from the original one. The plant at that time consisted of a dam with a spillway about 635 feet long and a canal along the Vermont shore leading to the power- house. One of the powerhouses, constructed in 1910, furnished elec- tricity for the paper mill. A second powerhouse was originally a grinder room but as the manufacture of paper decreased electric generators were connected to the grinder wheels from time to time. Eventually there were five generating units in the two powerhouses. The paper mill discontinued operation in 1927. After the closing of the paper mill the Olcott Falls Power Company operated under a trust agreement for the International Paper Company until it was sold to the Bellows Falls Hydro-Electric Company in October of 1942.
The New England Electric system built a new dam at Wilder in 1950. At this time the old dam was destroyed and the Wilder bridge removed. This new dam was built at a cost of $16,000,000 and is located three-quarters of a mile below the original dam. The new power plant commenced operation December 1, 1950.
SNOW ROLLER ON PASSUMPSIC AVE., WILDER, VT.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
WHITE RIVER PAPER CO.
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PAPER COMPANY BLOCK-LOWER FLOOR NOW OCCUPIED BY GREYDON FREEMAN, INC.
THE WHITE RIVER PAPER COMPANY
The White River Paper Company, one of White River Junction's few remaining home-owned organizations, opened for business April 19, 1881. The directors were Alma C. Farman, George W. Smith and Samuel L. Farman. The firm was located in the base- ment of the Smith & Son building.
Samuel L. Farman brought to the business a good knowledge of the paper industry having worked in a book publishing concern in Claremont, New Hampshire, for thirty years. He came to White River Junction in 1879 and carried on a small paper products business which was the forerunner of the White River Paper Com- pany.
Shortly after its organization the paper company engaged facili- ties in the Union freight depot for storage of its stock. On Tuesday,
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
January 2, 1883, the depot was destroyed by fire. The paper com- pany suffered a loss of over $4,500 in paper goods.
The firm prospered under the Smith and Farman management and, at the time of Mr. Smith's death in 1905, Mr. Farman assumed control of the thriving concern. In 1907 the firm moved into the Barnes building on the corner of North Main and Currier streets.
J. Pratt Kimball of West Lebanon, New Hampshire, and George G. Nichols of White River Junction, Vermont, entered the employ- ment of the firm in the 1890's. Both men, actively associated with the paper company, assumed ownership when Mr. Farman died in 1911.
The townspeople, recognizing Mr. Nichol's business ability, elected him Selectman in 1916. Mr. Nichols was re-elected con- tinuously and, when he relinquished the position, had served the town for 21 years.
Mr. Nichols died in October of 1943 and Mr. Kimball retired in 1946. Two members of the firm, Robert Whitney and Lawrence Nichols, son of the former owner, George G. Nichols, purchased controlling interest in 1946 and are operating the firm at the present time.
Mr. Nichols joined the paper company in 1930 and Mr. Whitney in 1936. Robert Whitney and Lawrence Nichols are both lifetime residents of the town.
In 1957 the paper company moved into the building on Gates street formerly occupied by Cross-Abbott Company. The firm pro- vides employment for nineteen persons, nearly all of whom are local residents. These employees have served the paper company for many years and are thoroughly acquainted with all phases of the paper business.
Weather Report-Wet and Breezy
"Our park is to be enlarged three times its present size, a walk through the center. A fountain squirting on one side and a massive statue of our Senator on the other. Thus the park will have a pair of squirts-a water squirt and a wind squirt." -The Landmark, April 7, 1883.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
THE LANDMARK.
VOL. I. NO. 1,
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT .. SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1882.
A. A. EARLE, Publisher.
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FIRST ISSUE OF "THE LANDMARK"-1882
VILLAGE NEWSPAPERS
The first newspaper in Hartford was "The White River Adver- tiser and Vermont Family Gazette" published by Dr. Ira Davis of Norwich in association with Mr. E. Southworth. This paper was started in October of 1852. The following year the office was destroyed by fire and the paper was discontinued.
On January 1, 1878 the "Republican Observer" made its appear- ance with Thomas Hale owner and publisher. This paper continued until June 1, 1880 at which time it was transferred to Keene, New Hampshire.
The next attempt at news publishing in the Junction was "The Sun". This paper was started by Royal Cummings on December 9, 1881. Three months later, March 12, 1882, this paper was pur- chased by A. A. Earle and converted into "The Landmark."
On January 18, 1884, Royal Cummings again entered the news- paper field when he started the "Valley Sun". This paper was reduced in size in July of 1885 and shortly afterwards publication was suspended.
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TRONE CHISENY ATEDENTS
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
1882
The Landmark
1952
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VERMONT THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1952
Green Mt. Sportsmen's Show Opens Today With More Than 100 Acts And Attractions
Local Attorney, Henry F. Black, Enters Vermont GOP Race For Governorship Against Emerson
Alumni Banquet *** * town House
Sunday, June 15
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** ** * * weiterday to xeIt the LANDMARK.
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With thìn ine, the LANDMARK, after more than arventy years of service to White River Junction and surrounding communities, ceases maxxwww . now publication as a weekly newspaper.
Purchaser of the LANDMARK wgood will, circu- ber fareidar of Musk depre frawn "lation and other amets is the Valley Publishing Han Laundry on June
" > www.stampany of West Lebanon, publishers of the the present har woo recital Valley News. The News will continue the coveragejenach in father of Music hall. of the White River area news which the LAND-
Valley News Daily Publishes June 4
HARK has given its readers. In addition, the Valley Methodist Church News will houer LANDMARK subscriptions on a valne bravis.
To Dedicate New
The Rights Printing Co, will continue as a White Ant ally River Junction Judustry in its present quarter- Chancel Furnishings
I Envis at law use am putting full emphasis on its job printing business.
We trust the good fellowship we have enjoyed White house Mates[ --- through years with the people of this community
ENhewas will be printed by tejwill be extendedin the Valley New ..
LAST ISSUE OF "THE LANDMARK"-1952
Mr. Earle published "The Landmark" for six years. In December of 1888 he sold the paper to Charles R. Jamason. "The Landmark" was a weekly paper and during the period when the paper was owned by Mr. Earle and Mr. Jamason each issue was published on Saturday.
The paper remained in the ownership of the Jamason family until 1922. Horace Jamason, son of Charles Jamason, then sold the paper to Alfred T. Wright. During the time of Mr. Wright's ownership the paper was issued on Thursday.
Mr. Wright operated the newspaper until his death, April 27, 1949. The management of the company was then assumed by Mrs. Wright with the assistance of a son, Alfred T. Wright, Jr.
In its issue of May 29, 1952, "The Landmark" announced the sale of the newspaper to The Valley Publishing Company of West Lebanon, New Hampshire, publishers of the daily paper "The Val- ley News."
During its seventy years of publication "The Landmark" re- corded for the local residents many of the major events in Hart- ford history. Crowded into these years was the transition from
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The Right Printing Co. reached a decision yer
Local Drive-In Theatre Announces Grand Opening Soon
HISTORY OF HARTFORD
the horse and buggy days to the age of the automobile. It saw the introduction of the electric light, the telephone, the phonograph, the moving pictures, the aeroplane, the radio, the television and many other major inventions. During its existence its pages con- tained accounts of three wars, two floods, and a hurricane. It served the townspeople well and the news of its sale was received with regret by its many local subscribers.
The Wright printing establishment continues in business as the "Right Printing Company, Inc." The firm specializes in job printing of all descriptions.
THE CIRCUS ON NUTT'S MEADOW
On August 11th, 1882, Barnum and London Shows made its appearance in White River Junction. Notice of the advent of this entertainment was given well in advance. Barnum's advertising car appeared in the vicinity on June 24th. On July 1st it was an- nounced in the local paper that the great Barnum had contracted with the railroads to draw fifty-five cars into the area. This was followed by his displaying over 700 feet of billboard material in the village.
Prize exhibit of the show was "Jumbo", the famous elephant. This elephant measured 11 feet 2 inches high at the shoulders. The massive beast was killed in a railway accident in Canada in 1885, at about 25 years of age. The skeleton is mounted in the National Museum in Washington, D. C. and his stuffed hide is preserved at Tufts College near Boston.
During mid-morning of August 11th, thousands of eager people filled every available spot along the route to witness the circus parade of "The Greatest Show on Earth." No circus could ever boast of a larger menagerie of African wild beasts, a finer array of elephants, or a more complete collection of the more gentle ani- mals such as zebras, llamas, giraffes, and camels. The cages of the wild beasts were drawn by beautiful horses and spans of dainty ponies. The band, the horseback riders, and the clowns thrilled young and old alike and the large steam calliope with its loud but pleasing music told the world around it, as only this instrument could, that today is Circus day.
Early afternoon found the crowd wending its way to the circus grounds where all the tinsel and glamour of the show world was
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
BARNUM AND LONDON CIRCUS
on exhibition. The afternoon performance was attended by 17,000 persons and 20,000 witnessed the evening show.
A newspaper editor wrote the following concerning the show:
"Of course we went. How could we stay away? There is an attraction about this circus to average humanity which is unfathom- able, and when an aggregated, consolidated-amalgamated-dozen- shows-in-one like this furnished the magnetic power, no one but a Spartan can withstand its allurements; and, resigning all opposi- tion to its fascinations, men, women, and even children feel in duty bound to take in the show. About twenty thousand people thought so yesterday, and at one o'clock the rush began. The nimble ticket gatherers quickly and quietly admitted the multitude; and, when the proportions of the great and only Jumbo, looming above the other elephants, was discerned, no one expressed disappoint- ment. He was the great elephant of the age, a whole show in him- self. His royal highness is about twelve feet tall, and in all respects a generally well-behaved elephant. He feeds on cookies, buns, cakes, candy, peanuts, etc .; at least, that is what we fed him. And, as his appetite was not appeased when we left him to the tender
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
mercies of his several hundred caterers, the tradition that 'he occasionally eats hay' may not be a myth."
Although Barnum is credited with having originated the expres- sion that "A sucker is born every minute" the local editor closed his editorial with the following statement :
"The show was Barnum's, which accounts for the fact that all that was advertised to be showed, was shown, and all that was advertised to be did was done. No humbug about it. Of the whole thing there was but one voice-'the best thing ever seen'."
THE VILLAGE HALL
Prior to 1890 the gathering place for all political and social activities in the village of White River Junction was the well- known Village Hall.
Located on South Main Street, the hall occupies the second floor of the Lang Hardware building. Although its age cannot definitely
W.H.LAIRD & C.
THE VILLAGE HALL
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
be determined, this building existed long before the railroads came to the Junction.
On town meeting day this hall must have been the scene of many heated debates as such important issues as the building of the first bridge across the White River at the Junction, and the location and erection of the first high school in the village were only two of many major projects brought before the voters for consideration.
Votes during presidential elections were also cast here and, in this hall, many citizens helped to elect a fellow townsman, Samuel E. Pingree, Governor of Vermont.
The hall has also served as a meeting place for many lodges and societies and was the scene of local shows and entertainments. Today it serves as storage space for Mr. Lang's hardware. Time has taken its toll on both the building and the hall although the hall still shows evidence of its former beauty. When it was papered and painted and in good repair it must have been a very suitable place for the village to hold its political functions.
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