Worcester County, Massachusetts - Chapter 47, 1889

Organizations And Societies

In this section will be given short accounts of the most important of the many organizations and societies of various kinds at present existing in the city.

The Fitchburg Military Band. - The origin of this band dates back to January 4, 1868, when eight gentlemen met in an unfinished room in the then new Belding & Dickinson's block, and organized "The Musical Club." Through the eftbrts of these gentleman was organized, on March 26, 1868, the Fitchburg Cornet Band, with thirty-three members, and Mr. George Rich, leader and director.

The first public appearance of this band was on May 27, 1868, with the Fitchburg Fusiliers. During the balance of that year thirty-one engagements were filled. The band prospered and improved until Mr. Rich left his position, January 16, 1871.

March 11, 1871, Ira W. Wales, of Abington, was elected leader of the band, but held the position only about a month, and on April 19th, owing to some trouble or other, it was voted to discharge the leader and disband the organization ; but on the 3d of the following May nine of the members met and reorganized the band, and chose Mr. Rich leader. For some reason matters did not go on satisfactorily, and in the latter part of 1871 the band went to pieces and came near utter extinction. Five plucky members were resolved to have a band in Fitchburg if it were a possibility, and through their efforts Mr. Warren S. Russell, a gentleman of well-kuown musical ability, was secured as leader. The band was again re-organized January 11, 1872, and under the faithful and skilful management of Mr. Russell, attained almost the highest rank among the musical organizations in New England. In the course of a few years the name of the band was changed to the " Fitchburg Military Band."

For thirteen years this band filled engagements for the summer at Lake Pleasant, near Greenfield, Mass., and was one of the chief attractions of the place. During the two past seasons it has been engaged to furnish music for the Carnival Club at Cottage City, Martha's Vineyard, for the entire summer, and has won the highest praise of the many musical critics there assembled.

In March, 1884, the city, and especially the Fitchburg Military Band, suffered a very great loss in the death of Mr. Russell, who was then in the prime of life. His funeral occurred March 18, 1884, and was very largely attended. Business was generally suspended in town during the afternoon of that day, and all united to pay honor to the dead musician. Mr. D. W. Reeves, always a warm friend of Mr. Russell, was present at the funeral, with his well-kuown American Band of Providence, R. I., whose members voluntarily tendered their services for the sad occasion gratuitously, and there were many beautiful floral tributes from musical organizations throughout New England.

After Mr. Russell's death the business management of the band was put into the hands of a committee of five, chosen annually by the active members, from both active and honorary members. In June, 1884, this committee, very fortunately, secured as leader and director Mr. G. A. Patz, formerly leader of the celebrated Gilmore's Band, of Boston, and under his leadership our band has maintained its former high standing, and become widely known and appreciated- The band has a very large and complete library, containing the works of all the noted composers.

In the spring of 1888 some changes were made in the band, and at the present time all the active members of the organization are residents of Fitchburg. Mr. J. L. Miller was chosen agent and treasurer, and the general management of the business of the band was placed in the hands of a committee of three. At the present time the band consists of G. A. Patz, leader, and twenty-three active members, each one of whom is a musician skilled in the use of his own special instrument. Connected with the band is an orchestra of high standing, and named, out of respect to the former director, the Russell Orchestra.

December 27, 1887, the band suffered a serious loss in the death of Charles A. Dadniun, who played the tuba and was the efficient agent and treasurer of the organization.

The Fitchburg Military Band is now one of the permanent institutions of the city, and is held in the highest esteem by our citizens, who, by their generosity, have enabled the organization to maintain its high reputation; and the fine open-air concerts wliich the band gives from the band-stands on tlie Upper and Lower Commons during the early summer and autumn evenings, as often as engagements permit, amply repay the citizens for all they have done to assist the band.

Edwin V. Sumner Post 19, Geand Army of THE Republic. - This was organized as an encampment August 16, 1807. It was later called a post, and the name Edwin V. Sumner was adopted September 8, 1868.

Charles H. Foss was elected the first commander ; since then thirteen members have held the position, the present commander being Charles H. Glazier.

The post has been active in all good works, and by means of the fund that has accumulated during the last twenty years has accomplished much for the relief and benefit of its members, the amount expended for relief and sick benefits, from its organization to the present time, being about ten thousand dollars. In order to maintain and increase its fund for this charitable work the post has held fairs, had lecture

At the time of the establishment of the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea, a few years ago, it gave more than any other post, in proportion to its numbers and means, - $1,083.18.

In 1883 the post moved into its present elegant and commodious rooms in the Rollstone National Bank building. At some future time the members hope to have a building of their own ; and witli this idea in view, the Edwin V. Sumner Building Association was incorporated a few years since for the purpose of holding real estate, and now owns a " cottage" in the city.

This post has always been rated high at department headquarters, and has had its share of State and National honors. Two department commanders of Massachusetts have been taken from its ranks, - John W. Kimball and Charles D. Nash - and a commander of the Department of Ohio, Daniel C. Putnam, a native of Fitchburg.

In the latter part of 1877 the post appointed a committee to consider the matter of inviting the ladies to form a Relief Corps, and as a result the Edwin V. Sumner Relief Corps, No. 1, was organized in January, 1878, and has since then effectually aided the post on many occasions.

In July, 1883, Clark S. Simonds Camp, No. 28, Sons of Veterans, was organized, and one of its past captains, Colonel Nathan C. Upham, of this city, has already attained prominence in the State and National organizations.

There was, for a short time, in Fitchburg an organization which may fairly be regarded as the origin of the present widespread and powerful Grand Army of the Republic. Its name was

Taylor Union, No. 1, Army and Navy Veterans. - One evening in the latter part of May. 1865, five army veterans - Richard Tucker, Robert Elliott, W. A. Hardy, S. W. Harris and W. S. Hersey - met casually on Main Street, and in the course of conversation the subject of forming an association for taking care of sick or disabled comrades was broached. The result was that a few nights later a meeting was held in Washington Hall, and the " Army and Navy Veterans' Union '' was organized. At a subsequent meeting it was voted to change the name to "Taylor Union, No. 1, Army and Navy Veterans," in remembrance of George C. Taylor, Company B, Fifteenth Regiment, who fell at Ball's Blulf, and was the first Fitchburg volunteer killed in battle.

A purchasing agent from Illinois was in Fitchburg during the latter part of 1865, and became much interested in Taylor Union. He carried a copy of its bylaws home with him, and soon after sent for five more copies ; and in February, 186(3, Dr. Stephenson, of Illinois, suggested the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic. Whether or not the idea was obtained from the copies of the by-laws sent there is not known, but it is, to say the least, a remarkable coincidence.

The Worcester North Agricultural Society was organized in 1852 and includes the city of Fitchburg and the towns of Leominster, Sterling, West Boylston, Princeton, Lunenburg, Ashburnham, Westminster, Gardner, Templeton and Royalstou, in Worcester County, and the town of Ashby, in Middlesex County, though persons in any part of the State may become members.

This society formerly owned fair grounds on Summer Street comprising some ihirty acres of land, and provided with a half-mile track, suitable exhibition buildings, sheds, etc. The annual fair is still held on these grounds the last Tuesday and Wednesday in September, though for the past year or tsvo the property has been owned by

The Fitchburg Park Company, which was organized May 18, 1887, with a capital of eleven thousand dollars, for the purpose of purchasing these grounds and improving them for use as a park.

The Fitchburg Agassiz Association. - This is Chapter 48 of the National Association, and was formed in January, 1886, by the union of four chapters of the Agassiz Association and the Young American Industrial Society. It is doing a good work among the young people in the city, by training them to become careful observers of natural phenomena^ Many valuable papers, on various scientific subjects, have been prepared by the members, and some have been published. In April, 1888, this Association began the publication of a monthly journal, Tlie Scientist.

The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in October, 1886, and, December 27, 1886, took possession of their present convenient and pleas, ant rooms in Twitchell's block. The membership is upwards of three hundred, and the association is doing much good among the young men of the city. A monthly organ is published, The Beacon Light. Some twenty years ago there was a Young Men's Christian Association, which flourished for a time, but disbanded after a few years' existence.

1886, and includes in its membership many of the benevolent and philanthropic citizens of Fitchburg. It is entirely unsectarian, and its object is to distribute charity wisely and to help the poor to help themselves.

The Fitchburg Home for Old Ladies sprang from the " Ladies' Union Aid Society," and was made a corporation in 1883. A house on the corner of Summer and Beacon Streets was purchased and furnished for a home and was opened for use in June, 1886. The bequest of Mrs. Elizabeth Boutelle Robinson, a life-member of the corporation, who died in August, 1885, rendered it possible to purchase this house. The president of the corporation, Dr. A. W. Sidney, has also done much to establish the home.

The Union Aid Hospital of Fitchburg was incorporated March 26, 1885. The need of a hospital in this city has been evident for some years, and the object of this corporation was to arouse public sentiment and accumulate enough money to start a hospital on a small scale. The late Gardner S. Burbank appreciated this need and left an ample sum, which, at some future time, will establish here a large hospital.

Of the many other organizations existing in Fitchburg for the public good or social intercourse we have space merely to mention the names of a few.

The Park Club and Windsor Club are both social organizations; the Chapin Club, a social and literary society connected with the First Universalist Church ; the Arlington Club, social and beneficial ; Fitchburg Congregational Club ; French Literary Club ; Fitchburg Harvard Club, composed of graduates of Harvard College residing in the city; Railroad Men's Relief Association ; Railroad Men's Christian Association ; Fitchburg Teachers' Association and the Fitchburg Woman's Suff'rage League.

Temperance Organizations. - The Fitchburg WomanH Christian Temperance Union began its existence in January, 1875, and has ever since kept up its practical temperance work, which, though quietly done, has proved very efiective. Among the most important results achieved by the Union was the formation, in January, 1876, of

The Fitchburg Reform Club. - By invitation of the Union, Dr. Henry A. Reynolds visited Fitchburg and organized this club, its object being to reclaim men who were addicted to the use of liquor and make them respectable citizens. This work the club has faithfully performed during all the years of its existence, and with a fair degree of success.

The Fitchburg Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in November, 1885. It is composed of young ladies belonging to the various religious societies in the town and accomplishes much in aid of the temperance cause.

burg are the Unity Temperance Society, connected with the First Parish ; St. Bernard's Temperance Lyceum ; St. Bernard's Total Abstinence and Mutual Aid Society ; Monadnock Temple of Honor, No. 17; Aquarius Council, No. 10, Select Templars ; Falulah Lodge, No. 11, I. 0. of G. T. : Henry A. Reynolds Lodge, No. 81, I. O. of G. T.; Wendell Phillips Division, Sods of Temperance and Silver Spray Temple of Honor, No. 3.

Secret Societies. - Five of the largest and most wide-spread strictly secret organizations have flourishing representative bodies in this city, - the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, American Mechanics and Red Men.

The Order of United American Mechanics, a strictly American secret organization, is represented in town by Wachusett Council, No. 21, O. U. A. M., instituted February 21, 1883.

The Masons have very fine lodge apartments in the Fitcliburg Savings Bank Block; the Odd Fellows' lodge-rooms are in the Rollstone National Bank building; the Knights of Pythias hold their meetings in Pythian Hall, Crocker Block; and the American Mechanics and Red Men hire Pythian Hall of Alpine Lodge, K. of P., and use it as a council chamber and wigwam respectively.

Fraternal Insurance and Mutual Benefit Orders. - Of these there are a great many in Fitchburg, and we have space only to mention their names, as follows :

Fitchburg Associates, No. 22, N. M. R. A. ; Fitchburg Lodge, No. 797, K. of H. ; Roumania Lodge, No, 312, K. andL. of H.; Overlook Council, No. 972, A. L. ofH. ; Fitchburg Council, No. 777, Royal Arcanum; Caslle Fitchburg, No. 195, Knights and Ladies of the Golden Rule; Local Branch, No. 390 and Sisterhood Branch, No. 595, Order of the Iron Hall; Plymouth Colony, No. 97, United Order Pilgrim Fathers; Watatic Lodge, No. 31, New England Order of Protection ; Union Assembly, No. 170, Royal Society of Good Fellows; Shakespeare Lodge, No. 121, Sons of St. George ; Georg Loge, No. 538, German Order of Harugari ; Society St. Jean Baptiste de Fitchburg ; Wachusett Division, No. 191, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; W. A. Foster Lodge, No. 216, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen ; Fitchburg Lodge, No. 1, Brotherhood of Section Masters, and E. A. Smith Division, No. 146, Order of Railway Conductors.

No attempt has been made in this chapter to give a complete list of the multitudinous societies in town ; but we have tried to speak of all the more important organizations, which is all there is room for in this history.