Greenfield City

Sesqui-Centennial

THE PUBLICATION of this little Souvenir is made possible by the assistance of the Publishers of The Boston Globe, The Gazette and Courier and The Greenfield Recorder, and that of other friends and the cordial co-operatiori of the Business Men of Greenfield. It has the indorsement of the Coaching Club and the Board of Trade.

By Hon. Francis M. Thompson, Historian Of Greenfield

Between 1630 and 1640, more than 20,000 settlers had gathered about the shores of Massachusetts Bay. In 1635 a few daring people had settled upon the lower Connecticut river and the richness and beauty of the river bottoms soon attracted many people searching for homes. Springfield was settled in 1635. Settlements at Northampton, Hadley and Hatfield soon followed and by 1662 the population had become sufficient for the organization of Hampshire County. Deerfield was purchased from the Pocumptuck Indians in 1667, and in 1669 vSamuel Hinsdale had built on the rich meadow his log cabin and plowed his field. Greenfield, Conway, Shelburne and Gill were originally a part of Deerfield.

The first settler of Greenfield, or that portion of Deerfield now Greenfield, was Joshua Pumry. His grant, made in 1686, included land in Cheapside, where now stand the office and car barn of the Greenfield and Turners Falls street railway company and the Greenfield, Deerfield and Northampton street railway company.

Mr. Pumry's grant ran west to Green river and north to the little brook just north of the lower bridge over Green river. His house was standing on it when the grant was made. Quite a number of settlers had taken up land before the breaking out of Father Rasle's war in 1722, but all were forced to flee to the protection of the Deerfield forts.

Within the territory which became Greenfield, occurred the fight of May 19, 1776, between 141 men, under Captains William Turner and Samuel Holyoke, and a large body of hostile Indians gathered at Peskeompscut (now Turners Falls). The Indians were surprised while sleeping in their huts, and nearly or quite 300 were slain or drowned in passing over the falls.

Some white prisoners who escaped to their friends, circulated the story that King Philip and a thousand warriors were in close pursuit of the retiring soldiers. A sharp attack upon the rear of the column giving evidence of the truth of the report, a sudden fright arose and the retreat be came a running fight, Capt. Turner receiving his death wound as he forded Green river at the mouth of Mill brook. The English were followed in their retreat as far as the ruins of Deerfield village, and lost in killed and prisoners 39 men. Evidences were found that several of the cap" tured were burned at the stake, north of the swamp near Four Corners. The wonderful escapes of young Jonathan Wells and Rev. Hope Atherton, from the perils which surrounded them, sire vivid reminders of the dangers besetting the frontier settlers in the early times.

In 1686, the present Main street was fixed upon for the Green river village, although the plan was not put upon record until 1749. Twenty "Home Lots" of eight acres each were laid out to persons who would agree to live in town for three years and pay taxes thereon. Twenty acres of farm land was assigned with each home lot.

In 1 714, the Green river grist mill was built by Capt. Jonathan Wells, and a mill has been sustained there ever since. About 1718 the meadow lands lying on the west side of Green river were apportioned among the proprietors of Deerfield.

During Father Rasle's war June 24, 1724, three men were ambushed and killed upon the farm now owned by J. W. Riddell, a half mile northeast of the village common. During the few years of peace succeeding Father Rasle's war, settlers took up land with much rapidity, and quite a population was scattered over the rich meadows along the Green river.

The General Committee

. The Court House { uow the Gazette buildiugj is seen with a small spire, on the left; the first building northward was the Greenfield Bank (now the First National). The Second Congregational Church (the Old Brick) is seen on the right; the High School for Young Ladies, established in 1828, is a short distance to the south, while north of the Church is the Roger Newton House, moved back upon Newton Place when a new Court House was built.

were filled with lurking savages sunt furili b\- the French in Canada to devastate the frontier settlements of New England. For five years farming operations could be carried on in comparative safety, only by keeping soldiers on guard while the settlers worked in a body, changing from farm to farm. The women and children were congregated in the fortified houses, and were in constant peril and alarm. As early as 1739 the people of (Treen river had asked the mother town to let them be set off as a District by themselves, and that the Deerfield river be the southern boundary of the distrtct. Deerfield refused. DifTerenccs as to the support of schools and provision for preaching at Green river arose with the mother town, and Deerfield frequently refused what the Green river people thought reasonable requests. Again in 1742 Deerfield refused to let the Green river people go, but the settlers persisted in bringing the matter before the town, always insisting that the Deerfield river should be the dividing line. At last in January, 1753, Deerfield voted "that the town are willing and do consent that they should be set off into a Separate District or Precinct" with the 8000 acre line as the south bounds. The Green river people refused to accept this. Again they demanded separation. March 5, 1753, the Deerfield record reads, "Green River Petition being heard and considered, voted to dismiss the same." The petitioners compelled a new town meeting to be held April 2, 1753, when a committee of able men from Southern Hampshire was agreed to, who should hear the parties and fix the south line of the new district. The committee decided to make the 8000 acre line the south boundary of the new town, but attached some conditions beneficial to Green River.

June 9, 1753, the Legislature pa.ssed a bill organizing the DISTRICT OF GREENFIELD. The first town meeting was held July 3, 1753, and a full board of District officers were elected.

Almost the first duty undertaken by the new town was the selection of a minister. New England was then in the midst of the Jonathan Edwards excitement. The Rev. Mr. Ashley, minister at Deerfield, was strongly against Mr. Edwards. The men who were to organize the Greenfield church were his firm supporters. Rev. Edward Billing, lately the minister of Cold Spring (now

Helcherto\vn\ had just lost his parish because, without the consent of his parish he had attended and voted to retain Mr. Edwards in the council which had dismissed him.

Mr. Billing was known to the Greenfield people, as he had kept school in Deerfield and had preached at Green river. They determined to ask him to be their minister. When the council assembled to pass on his settlement. Parson Ashley appeared with three delegates, while he had been invited to bring but one. After two days' session the council dissolved without transacting any business. Another council, more carefully selected confirmed, Mr. Billing in the pastorate.

When the eleven members of the Deerfield church applied for letters of dismissal from that church recommending them to the new church at Greenfield, Parson Ashley wrote them, " We let you know we cannot recommend you or anybody else to that church."

In 1767 Conway was set off from Deerfield and then it was discovered by Greenfield that there had been inserted surreptitiously in the organic act, sentences which deprived Greenfield of the enjoyment of one-half of the income from the land sequestered for the use of the church, which up to this time Greenfield had enjoyed, according to the report of the committee on the division of the town. The citizens of Greenfield arose in arms. Deerfield, in pursuance of her claim, and by the organic act, proceeded to harvest the crops grown upon the sequestered land, and while so doing there appeared a force of men with carts and tools, who after a pitched battle succeeded in dispersing the Deerfield men and capturing the harvested crops. But Deerfield had the law on her side and Greenfield at the end of a lawsuit had to pa}' for her trespass.

For 150 years Greenfield semi-occasionally appeared before the Legislature and besought the law makers to grant to her the Cheapside territory which she always claimed as hers by right. But not until 1896, when every taxpayer in the disputed territory petitioned for such action, did the General Court grant her request. In 1793, that part of Greenfield now Gill was by amicable agreement set off from Greenfield as a separate town.

company to the front the next day after the Lexington alarm, and later on another company to Ticonderoga and the support of the northern army. In 1782 another company was raised to reinforce Washington's army.

In 181 1, leading men of Greenfield, aided by men of the northern towns, succeeded in getting the old county of Hampshire, nearly fifty miles square, divided, and Greenfield made the shire town of Franklin County. Great efforts were made to have the county buildings located at Cheapside, then a flourishing hamlet, because of its shipping facilities upon the Connecticut river, and considerable excitement was the result. Happily the Legislature condemned the effort and Greenfield from this time began a slow but sure growth in importance and population. In 1792 a weekly newspaper was started in Greenfield, which is still published as the Gazette & Courier, and has been of great benefit in the upbuilding of the town. The coming of the railroad in 1846 gave a greater impetus to business than anything which had ever before occurred in Greenfield.

Later History

Great changes took place in business property along the Main street, new buildings were erected, old stores were rebuilt, manufacturing increased and the town fairly jumped to importance.

In 1839 M^- Henry W. Clapp made a proposition to the town to build a town house for the share of the "surplus money" which the general government had recently apportioned to the towns.

The citizens accepted his offer and he erected the building now known as "Fireman's Hall," which served the town until 1854. When the town was first organized, town meetings and all other business meetings were held at the taverns. When the meeting--house was finished all public meetings were held there, until the court house was erected in 1813, when the town by the payment of $500 secured the right to meet in that building. This arrangement not proving satisfactory, the county returned the town's money and for a short time the town meetings were held in a hall over the school house in School street. In 1844, Washington Hall was built ; it being called at the time one of the best halls in Western Massachusetts.

The establishment of the manufactory of John Russell & Co. in 1836, proved of the greatest benefit to the growth and prosperity of Greenfield. From a small and struggling industry, it grew to be the largest manufactory of cutlery in the world. The removal to town in 1853 of the Conway Tool Co. which was soon transformed into the Greenfield Tool Co. was an event of mucli importance to the town. While the concern did not finally prove a financial success, its removal

No town in the Commonwealth has a richer memory of its conduct during the trying times of the o-reat rebellion than Greenfield. It was the headquarters of the county during the war, and its patriotic officers saw to it that its example should be one worthy to be followed. Its quota was always kept full, and provision was made for the further call of the authorities at all times. The authorities were lavish in expending sums necessary for the care of the soldiers' families while their bread-winners were facing the enemy. Noble-hearted men of means were ready at all times to supply .the funds necessary to sustain the credit of the town. The fine .Scotch granite monument erected by the citizens of Greenfield upon the village common, evidences the gratitude of the citizens of the town to the memory of the men who helped to save the Nation.

The introduction of a sufficient water supply for fire and culinary purposes, accomplished in 1870 under the auspices of the town in the name and under the control of P''ire District No. i, proved to be one of the wisest actions ever taken by our citizens. The income of the system, at the lowest rates of any town in the Commonwealth, fully supports the works, with its rapidly increasing extension, and besides that the expense of sustaining a most efficient fire service, and a fire alarm system reaching to all parts of the Fire District. The value of the plant and franchise is in the vicinity of §300,000. The Fire District has practically no debt. Following the introduction of the Glen water came the necessary construction of a sewer service, which serves the needs of the village at the present time.

Greenfield is celebrated for its natural beauty, for its fine elms and other beautiful shade trees, for its travelling facilities, for the charm of its society, for its good schools, for its beautiful churches, its ample and pure water supply, gas and electric lights, excellent side walks, its good drainage, its well-managed hotels and its hospitality, and more than all else for its moral and lawabiding men and women, giving the town the best New England citizenship.

Edward Strecker & Son

The total banking capital of the town is $10,933,518.75. This is greaterper capita than any other town in the world. The bank clearances for the year ending May 14, 1903, were $16,435,358. Manufacturing-.

The number of hands employed in the principal manufacturing industries is 1200; the yearly pay rolls amount to $575,000 ; manufactured goods sold, over $2,000,000. These goods are sold all over North and South America and all the civilized world. Railroad Business.

The number of tons of freight received in Greenfield yearly is about 276,000 ; there are shipped yearly about 121,000 tons; there is transferred at the Greenfield freight station for other points about 168,000 tons yearly ; in addition there is set off and made up into trains about 240,000 tons ; there are about 50 passenger trains that pass through Greenfield every week day, going north, south, east and west.

There are 42 miles of local electric trolley lines controlled and managed by Greenfield men and capital ; there are 2,000,000 passengers carried on these lines yearly ; the number of car miles run is 500,000 yearly. The Greenfield and Turners Falls system, connecting Greenfield with Turners Falls, Millers Falls and Montague, was opened in 1895 ; the Greenfield, Deerfield and Northampton system was fully opened in March, 1903. It connects (jreenfield with Deerfield, South Deerfield, Whately, Hatfield, Northampton and points beyond.

The total receipts for 1894 were $17,000 ; the total receipts for 1903 were $26,000; average increase $1000 per year. One of the first two Rural Free deliver}' routes established in the United States was started in Cireenfield in 1S97 ; the total number of pieces of mail collected and delivered in that year was 42,873 ; the total number of pieces collected and delivered in 1902 was 68,266. Tax Rate.

Hon. Dana Malone

This Drug .Store has established this record by fair dealings with its patrons; giving them a large assortment of the best selected stock and prompt attention. We solicit a continuation of your patronage, and assure courteous treatment, as in the past, to all. ::::::

Formation

Down Main south side, to Fort square West, around Fort square to Main, Main to Chapman, Chapman to Pleasant, Pleasanfto Federal, Federal to Maple, Maple to Franklin, Franklin to Main, Main to High, High to George, George to Orchard, Orchard to Crescent, Crescent to Grinnell, Grinnell to Russell, Russell to Congress, Congress to Main. Main to Chapman, Chapman and disperse.

South Deerffeld, Mass

Will open about June 20th. It has been supplied with all the latest conveniences for the comfort of travellers, and will be conducted in a liberal manner at popular prices.

Greenfield, Mass Program

91. 1 prompt Coaeliiiig^ and Floral Parade Avill leave the head of Main Street. Arrival of Oov. Bates and Party. Xhey will be escorted to the Mansion

Concert on the Main Street School House Vard by the Fitchburj; Band. Short Addresses by Ciov- Bates and Senator Lodge at the Main Street School

In The Real Estate Business

Our method of doing business has caused a complete revolution in the real estate business in Franklin County- First, because it is entirely different from methods heretofore existing; second, because it is thoroughly practical and up-to-date; and third, because it is wonderfully successful. It is the result of expert specialism and the application of modern ideas. Summer homes, Countr)- Property and New England Farms; also a few Springfield Properties for sale. Send for our lists.

Coaching And Floral Parade

The order of the parade as nearly as it can be given in advance will be as follows: Platoon of Police from Greenfield, Springfield, etc. Fitchburg Band of 25 pieces, A. Geoffrion, leader. Chief Marshal and Aids. Equestrians.

Misses Georgia Bruce, Margaret Ackerman. Freda Schick and Miss Williams, will be of the number. Company L, Second Regiment, M. V. M., Capt. L. W. Griswold. Edwin E. Day, Grand Army Post, Charles Parsons, Commander. Col. George D. Wells Camp, Sons of Veterans, D. E. Wonsey, Captain. Carriages containing invited guests. County Officers, Town Officials, etc. Greenfield Fire Department with equipment, Philip Partenheimer, Chief Engineer. Veterans of the Fire Department, wearing red flannel shirts and helmets. Old hand engine drawn by horses.

School Floats

Merritt Perkins, James Harrington, Adolph Stark, Katherine Burke, Julia Taft, Eleanor Fisk, Edith Thomas, Ellie Dunnigan, Mollie Purcell, Ruth Carson, Edith Bonneville, Bertha Jones, Perry Stearns, Henry Allen, Clarence Wright, Charles Allen. Float 1903 - Description : A pyramidal carriage occupied by representatives of the public schools, grade one to nine inclusive, each grade distinguished by its own banner and colors : Grade I - Herbert S. Davenport, Henry O'Brien, Clarice Hutchins, Marion P. Ballou. Grade H - Arthur Dwyer, Thomas Grogan, Lilia Parker, Elsie Ballou. Grade HI - Joseph Cain, William Woodlock, Victorine Corsiglia, Grace Koonz. Grade IV - Richard Allen, Ruth Hodges, Louise Johnson, Olive Snow. Grade V - Catherine Bulman, Adelard Chevalier, Robert Powers, Charlotte Spaulding. Grade VI - Lora Boucher, Jean Parker, Delina Boucher, Harold Apphauser. Grade VII - Edith Marsh, Harold Forbes, Harriet Irving, James Burke. Grade VIII - Nina Day, Clarence Shackle)-, Ethel Handforth, George Davis. Grade IX - Dorothy Wells, Richard Lee, Mildred Fuller, Philip Merriam. Flo.'VT - Description : High School float, carriage carrying canvasses upon which are painted the four elevations of Greenfield's new high school building. The canvasses are placed together to give the appearance of a building and around this the members of the Senior class of the High School wearing caps and gowns are seated :

Office, Mansion House Block

Coach - Dorothy Ouincy Hancock Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution : Mrs. R. O. Stetson, chaperon, Misses Lucy Robbins, Lena Stratton, Harriet Yonng, Mary Ward, AUys Browne, Elizabeth and Ruth Bangs, Mildred Hoyt and Nellie Pond. Charles Hall is to be the buglar. The coach is to be accompanied by two out riders, W. C. Bacon's son and May Clark. Two Private Carriages. Float - Description : Greek carriage representing Greenfield, the tutelary divinity of the town and the mistress of the valley seated on a throne overlooking the Garden of the Hesperides. At the feet of Greenfield are seated four ligures representing the patronesses of the industries and the professions which brings prosperity and happiness to the favored community, manufactui-es, agriculture, handicrafts and learning. Greenfield, Miss Fanny Billings.

And Resetting In Cemeteries

Large Stock of MONUMENTAL WORK in both Granite and Marble to select from. Wreaths, Vases. Bouquet Holders, Chairs and Settees. LETTERING, CLEANING AND RESETTING IN CEMETERIES.

No. 120 Main Street

of A. J. Mealand. Address by His Excellency the Governor, John L. Bates. Singing of the opening chorus from " Woodland Voices." Historical address by Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge. Singing, " Music of the Bells." Reading of a letter from Hon. John E. Russell of Leicester, a native of

THE ARCH NEAR THE COMMON ON MAIN STREET. Description - White Columnswith bracketsand scrolls in gilt; trimmed with garlands and wreaths of laurel. The seal of the town will be represented on top of the arch. The figures 1753 and 1903 will be on the columns near the top. The base of the columns 8.X9 feet ; neck of the columns 6x7 feet ; height of columns 29 feet; the opening of the Arch will be 29 feet high and 26 feet wide. The frieze and cornice and pedestals for the town seel will be seven feet. The extreme width of the structure is 42 feet. The height of the seal will be five feet. The total height will be 41 feet.

Arch At Railroad Station

There will be two large Water Color paintings by Williams. One will be on the Mansion house and will represent the first house built on Main street. The other will be at Fort Square West and will represent the old fort which stood on Fort Square.

Greenfield Board Of Trade-1903

We don't have to put on fancy profits to meet big expenses. We allow no accumulation of old stock or styles. All departments complete with new, fresh goods, at the very lowest prices commensurate with quality.

Fire-Works

TO BE GIVEN ON SANDERSON LOT, NORTH OF SUNNY DELL GREEN HOUSE. Signal shells, on the firing of which an instantaneous illumination of the whole grounds by

Motto, Welcome Home, Sons & Daughters. A line of Union Batteries. A flight of Japanese Sun Umbrellas. Mammoth Bomb Shells, a whole display in themselves. Set Piece. Illuminated Wheels. Magic fires open and discover an arena of large wheels propelled by magic fires with such rapidity as to form beautiful rain-bow circles producing quick successions of brilliant colors. 9. Flight of Saucessions.

A design of an old-fashioned windmill consisting of large revolving arms and scrolls of colored lance jets, forming a figure of great beauty and design.

Whalom Inn. Whalon Park

21. Triplet Bombs bursting in air with heavy detonations, instantaneously changing into fantastic form which again assume different colors and effects.

For All Throat Troubles It Is Indispensable

We positively guarantee it to cure every sore of every nature, after all other treatments have failed and they are pronounced incurable by physicians, and will furnish any quantity on approval, guaranteeing a cure or no pay. Try Toiletine first. Toiletine Instantly Relives Every C.^se of Piles.

Hou. Jolin E. Russell wrote of Toiletine: - "It is one of the cleanest and most agreeable lotions I have ever used." Wherever you live demand your druggist to carry Toiletine in stock.

THOSE who don't care for their money after they are dead can obtain a Iarj<e rate of interest as long as they live l)y the use of National Annuities.

NR dollar eighty-six cents a w^ek will cover the annual deposit required to buy a National Annuity of fcoo per year for life, beginning at age 55, if you are the right age now.

IF you are interested, it is not enough that you simply look up ANNUITIES. Until you investigate NATIONAL ANNUITIES, you have not compassed the subject. '

Massachusetts

W. G. Cady, the senior member ot the firm, was formerly one of the piuiiecr and successful shoe manufacturers of North Adams. N. S. Cutler is also widely known as a manufacturer of shoes. He was formerly a manufacturer in Bernardston, but has been located in Greenfield for many years. The specialties of the firm are Bovs', Youths' and Little Gents' Shoes. The capacity of the Cady & Cutler Factory is from 2000 to 2500 pairs per day. Lee J. Calley, selling agent, with office at 1 1 1 Lincoln Street, Boston.

Greenfield, Mass

Till-: C()\'I%R of this Souvenir shows the ( )1(1 Coninion and some of the Buildings near it, the Soldiers' Monument of the present, the Hollister House and a picture of the late Henry Wells Clapp. Mr. Clapp made his home in Greenfield from 1834 until his death in 1869. He was one of the most enterprising and public spirited citizens the town has ever had.