Leominster City (part 2 of 2)

In 1874 the New England Toy Company, consisting of W. S. Reed, Seymour Lyman & F. A. Whitney, was organized. The company manufactured a few styles of children's blocks, and |)ublished one or more primers of the same general character. But as the business was never able to earn its own living, it died at the age of eighteen months.

In July, 1876, W. S. Reed, having secured several patents upon inventions of his own, began the manufacture i>{ toys in a building owned by the Whitney Carriage Company. In 18711 he purchased the Lane & Prescott shop and soon after, to accommodate his rapidly increasing business, built the present brick factory.

In 1881 the present corpuration was formed, with W. S. Reed as president and C. E. Dresser as treasurer. All the stock is owned by these gentlemen, which fact possesses at least this advantage, that the whole corporation can hold office.

The company manufacture toys, games and novelties of every description ; many of these are among the most attractive in the market and have an extensive sale, reaching even beyond the limits of the United States. They make also several styles of tables and other goods not included under the general term of toys. These last are among the best and most convenient of household articles.

In 1886 the company began the manufacturiugof a case used to transport liquids through the mails. These cases are of wood, lined with cork and to one end is fitted a tight screw-cap cushioned with rubber. A glass bottle is placed inside this case, holding the liquid to be transmitted. This is one of the best mailing cases in the market and said to be the only one having the approval of the Postmaster-General.

Leather Board. - Among the industries which have been established within the past twenty years and are now at home in Leominster, this is one of the most important. It is located on the Nashua River at the site occupied by the grist-mill erected by Major Amos Haws at the request of his fellow-citizens. The property was purchased and the business established in 1868. The company is known as the Harwood Jlanufactiuinj; Company, and the owners are J. A. Harwuod, of Littleton, and Nahum Harwood, of Leominster.

As first stated the busine.ss consisted of the manufacture of leather board, but the making of boot and shoe stiffenings and chair-seats has been added, and the capacity of the plant increased from one to three tons i)er day. In 1883 the buildings were wholly destroyed by fire ; liut the ruins were removed and new buildings erected with no unnecessary delay. These buildings have all modern appliances for the accommodation of the business and the comfort of the workmen. The factory has both water and steampower, and employs about sixty men. This biisinass has been prosperous from the beginning, and by furnishing constant employment to so many skilled mechanics, has been and is an important agent in quickening the growth of the town. It is a strong and staple busine.ss.

Manufacture of White Shirts. - Less than nine years ago this whole business was foreign to the thought and knowledge of Leominster. Probably no one at that time had the least idea that Leominster would ever be known in the State, much less in the country, for its manufacture of white shirts. Still the business is evidently here to stay, and has already attained most ample proportions. Its beginnings and history may be briefly stated.

In September, 1880, G. F. Morse & Co. purchased a few machines and a small (juantity of cloth and were preparing to start this business, when C. E. Dresser and D. C. Nickerson, either because it was a new business or because it promised success, bought the material and began the work. With these gentlemen Mr. F. A. Whitney was, soon after, associated. This infant industry was put in the care of George A. Gane, at the time a manufacturer of custom shirts in Fitchburg, for none of the partners had any practical knowledge of the business. This is the opening chapter of its history. It may be doubted if any ot the gentlemen engaged in starting the work had any clear idea of what was to come of it all. The whole thing seems to the writer as in some sense an accident, or, at most, an experiment in its starting.

The first owners continued the business until May, 1881, when it wa.s sold to E. A. Buffinton, of Detroit. It has never been known in what ratio the first owners divided the profits. Mr. Buffinton was as thoroughly fitted for this business as a man could be who had been sujierintendeut of a large nhoe factory and had never made a shirt in his life. But he had energy and business ability, and these answered until ''he experience could be acquired. Under the management of Mr. Buffinton the business began to increase and assume a more permanent form. The beginnings were small, twenty machines and a single floor in a corajiaratively small building; but in the second year a laundry was added and another room. At the end of five years the whole business was moved to a new and much larger building erected by Mr. A. W. Williams for its accommodation. This building has since been enlarged. The company has at the present writing a contract with the Superintendent of the Women's Reformatory Prison at Sherliorn, and a branch factory at Provincetown, Mass. They sell, also, the goods made by the Bay State Shirt Company. This, in brief, is the history of the Leominster Shirt Company. In 1887 Mr. C. C. Foster became associated in the business.

About a year later than the organization of the Leominster Shirt Company, Mr. G. A. Gane, who had left the employ of Mr. Buffinton, started what is called the Wachusett Shirt Company. It was cradled in a small room in Paton's Block, and in its infancy had only eight machines. In .luly, 1882, Mr. F. A. Whitney took part in this busine.ss. From its first quarters the business moved to the shop of W. D. Earl & Co., and from there to the upper story of a building owned by the Whitney Carriage Company. It soon spread from this single floor all through the building and began to foel cramped even in its larger quarters. Under these conditions Mr. Whitney planned and erected extensive additions, which were finished and dedicated December 5, 1885. This building is a model of convenience and comfort, every way admirably adapted to its purpose. This buihling accommodated the business for something more than a year, but in June, 188t!, Mr. Whitney determined to erect another and still finer factory, and the work was finished the following year. This new building is of brick and is without doubt the most complete and elegant manufacturing building in any town of this size in the State. Nothing (hat would improve the sanitary condition, the convenience for doing business or increase the comfort of the employes is omitted. The structure is an ornament to the town and, accidents apart, will remain for many generations a permanent addition to the business possibilities of Leominster. The company is doing, and has every facility for doing, an extensive and profitable business. It is not easy to see how better accommodations could be planned or desired.

The Bay State Shirt Company was organized in October, 1885, by A. G. Morse, of Leominster, and George H. Priest, of Sterling. Mr. Priest soon withdrew, and it is now a stock company. The business has been twice enlarged, uses about a hundred ma-

After this review, it will hardly be claimed that the manufacture of white shirts is not an important industry in Leominster. It is young, but certainly very large of its age. With facilities for making a thousand dozen of .shirts in a day, Leominster is not likely to fail in any demand made upon her in this direction.

Tjeomiuster has other important industries, some well under way and others in process of development. The rattan works, now only fairly commenced, promises to add to the permanent forces of the town. A. W. Colburn & Co. employ some twenty-eight men in the manufacture of musical merchandise. Aldrich Cook has a factory for doing all kinds of enamel work. Tenney & Kenney are manufacturers of builders' supplies, as window-frames, doors, etc. A. A. Tisdale & Co. manufacturers of reed goods, carriage-bodies, etc. The Union Desk Company located here in 1887, manufacturing all kinds of desks and library tables. But as the history is substantially complete, perhaps the enumeration has proceeded far enough to show that the claim was a just one, that Leominster could afford to be judged by the character and extent of her manufacturing industries.

No town can be exempt from the action of those forces which affect trade and currency. Business will have its times of depression in any community. Nor is there any wish to state the case for Leominster any more favorably than the fact.s will warrant. But considering the extent of her industries and their variety, the general character of the employes for skill and intelligence, it may fairly be claimed that Leominster will suffer as little from labor depressions or labor troubles, will offer as constant employment and at as favorable wages to her mechanics as any other town in this Commonwealth. If to this be added the considerations which would naturally come from her pleasant surroundings, healthy location, superior advantages of education, of social culture and religious training, who will say that the two questions, standing at the opening of this chapter, do not here find so favorable an answer as to make Leominster a most desirable place for a home?

Chapter Clviil Military

Leominster haa an honorable war record. She would, indeed, be unworthy both of her ancestors and the times of her birth, if in all the struggles for liberty, she had not made full proof of her patriotism. It is true that the first settlers of the town had no personal experience of the tomahawk and the scalping-knife; but the story of what their fathers had suffered was a close remembrance ; and these hardy pioneers had barely time to build their rude homes, " establish God's house in the wilderness," connect the hill-tops by roads and erect here and there a mill to grind their corn and saw their logs, when the alarm of war sounded at the North, and the sword did not, for the next ihirty-and-five years, rest easy in its scabbard. The origin and the early environments of the town were favorable for the growth of patriotism : and so it is no surprise to find that in all wars, where the records can be obtained, Leominster was at the front.

Leominster hardly knew herself to be a town when King George's War began in 1744. If any requisition was made upon Leominster for this war, there does not appear to a record of the fact; but as the chief event was the siege and taking of Louisbourg, and as the burden of this expedition rested upon New England, and particularly upon Massachusetts, it may well be that Leominster was represented at that famous siege. Possibly some son of hers learned there that which was practiced thirty years later for England's benefit. But the past must be allowed to keep its secret as regards this war.

The French and Indian War, so called, soon followed, and in this contest we are able to find the work of Leominster. Her quota of troops was thirty-six, and these name* make a part of the list:

The following muster-roll, also, shows that a company marched from Leominster in answer to a special case of alarm. The taking of the fort was no doubt the cause of the return. Whether all were Leominster men or not cannot now be ascertained. The roll is of interest.

A muster Roll of a foot Company, commanded by Tliumas Wilder, of Leominster, detached out of Col. Oliver Wilder's Regiment, that marched on the .\Iarm for the relief of Fort William Henry .as far as Springtield. Gone 14 days.

ally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above roll that each person set thereon served the whole term and took nothing on account of the Province but what is there set forth.

Mr. Wilder, in liis history, says, that of those who were drafted, some went willingly, and others furnished substitutes : and, what is still more remarkable, all lived to return and unite in the general thanksgiving over the conquest of Cauada. This thanksgiving occurred October 9, 1760. Leominster was thus happily through the first severe war after her incorporation. Through the more serious troubles just at hand she was not to pass without the stain of blood.

If one could, in imagination, enter a Leominster home anywhere between the years 17i!5 and 1775, he would find, as the evening came on, the family gathered about the immense fire-place, discussing the darkening prospects of the Colonies and their relation to the mother country. It is likely that little mention would be made of absolute separation from England. But the spirit was only waiting motive and direction. Leominster was not disloyal; but there was liberty in her blood. England, in her selfishness, taught her Colonies to think, to organize, to pay and to fight, and they bettered the instruction. It was pleasant music to Englioh ears when, on June 17, 1745, New England men beat the triumphal march into Louisbourg; but when, on June 17, 1775, thirty years after, the same drums were heard at Lexington, the music was less agreeable. Still, it was the same old tune.

What the town did in these years of preparation may be briefly summarized. The people of Leominster were loyal to King George while King George was loyal to the Colonies ; but their allegiance to him was held within the larger feeling of liberty, - a determination to maintain their equal and just rights of freemen, to secure which they had braved exile, danger and death. In witness of this, the closing words of an address, adopted March 3, 176(3, may be quoted. The people of Boston were suffering under the laws of the British Parliament. The address was one of sympathy, and closes with these words : " We part with our creation right. We are obliged forever to iissert it, as it is our glory to be in subjection to that Supreme Power which made us free."

It appears from the spirit and temper of tliis address that the people of Leominster were not one whit behind the rest pait of Massachusetts in their love for liberty and in their willingness to take any risk for its possession. There is clear proof that this interest did not fail or become feint. For example, in September, 1768, a committee of three was appointed to meet other committees in Boston and to consider questions relating to the public good. About four years after, Leominster took occasion, in townmeeting, to approve the doings of Boston in regard

In the above list the etitry " no election " means that Leominster was part of a Representative district, and the election in those years went to some other town in the district. The dates given refer to the time of election. The service was the following year.

The town has also been well served by its town officers. Below are given the names of the moderators at each of the annual town-meetings, the town clerks, selectmen and town treasurers for each year since the town was incorporated. Such a list is both interesting and valuable:

1749, - Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb ; Clerks, Jonathan Wilson and Jonathan White; Selectmen, Joseph Wheelock, Nathaniel Carter, Philip Swelser and Jacob Peabody; Treasurer, Jonathan Wilson.

1753. - Moderator, Bt-njamin Whitcomb; Clerk, Nathan Bennett; Treaamer, Nathan Bennett; Selectmen, Jonathan White, Nathaniel Colburn, Oliver Carter, Thomas Wilder and A. Houghton.

1759. - Moderator, Abijah Smith ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Benjamin Whitcomb, Abijah Smith, A. Houghton and Joseph White ; Treasurer, Israel Nichols.

17G2. - Moderator, Abijah Smith ; Clerk, Oliver Hoar; Selectmen, .lonathan Wilson, Benjamin Whitcomb, Israel Nichols, A. Houghton and Oliver Hoar; Treasurer, V'm. Bennett.

1849.- Moderator, Solon Carter ; Clerk, J. C. Allen ; Selectmen, Wm. A. Nichols, Solon Carter and Charles W. Wilder; Treasurer, Artemus Gates.

1850. - Moderator, Wm. A. Nichols; Clerk, J. C. Allen; Selectmen, Charles W. Wilder, J. Q. A. Peirce and Joseph Darling ; Treasurer, Charles H. Colburn.

1851 - Moderator, Leonard Burrage ; Clerk, J. C. Allen ; Selectmen, J. Q. A. Pierce, Augustus Morse and Merrit Wood ; Treasurer, Caleb C. Field.

1852. - Moderator, Leonard Burrage ; Clerk, J. C. Allen; Selectmen, J. Q. A. Pierce, Augustus Morse and Merrit Wood ; Treasurer, Porter Piper.

1853. - Moderator, Solon Carter; Clerk, J. C. Allen ; Selectmen, William A. Nichols, J. Q. A. Peirce and Joseph S. Darling; Treasurer, Porter Piper.

1854. - Moderator, Leonard Burrage; Clerk, J. C. Allen; Selectmen, William A. Nichols, J. Q. A. Peirce and Merrit Wood; Treitsurer, Porter Piper.

18G0. - Moderator, Daniel R. Haynes; Clerk, J. C. Allen; Selectmen, Charles Joslin, Manson D. Haws and ,\lau6on Richardson ; Treasurer, Porter Piper.

18(i5. - Moderator, Manson D. Haws ; Clerk, J. C. Allen ; Selectmen, William F. Howe, A. L. Burditt and Samuel Putnam; Treasurer, Porter Piper.

1868- - Moderator, Charles L. Joslin; Clerk, J. C. Allen; Selectmen, Alanson Richardson, Stephen A. Miller and Cei>haB Derby ; Treasurer, J. C. Allen.

Fire Department. - There was no provision by the town for protecting property from fire before the year 1846. At that time the town purchased a "water engine" ]<aown as " Torrent, No. 1." This was in the care of a private company until 1848, the date of the first legal organization. About this time a second engine was purchased, and named " Union, No. 2." It was stationed at North Leominster. A few years before the introduction of water the town added a steamer to its fire apparatus. The department has always been in excellent condition, and was never more efl3cient than now. With its large supply of water, and its well-organized and disciplined Fire Department, Leominster is well protected against loss from fire. Emory Tilton was the firat chief of this department. The others have been: Henry Stearns, D. B. Stratton, James Skinner and George R. Damon. The present chief is William H. Spaulding.

Railroads. - The Fitchburg Railroad was the first within the limits of the town. It was chartered in 1842 ; two of the chief movers in the matter, Abel Phelps and Alvah Crocker, were natives of Leominster, although not at the time residents of the town. This road passes through North Leominster, and connects the town with Boston direct, with the North by means of the Cheshire and Central Vermont, with New York and the West by the Tunnel. The standing and business of this road is well known.

The Fitchburg and Worcester road, now a part of the Old Colony system, was next, its charter bearing the date of 1847. Dr. Charles W. Wilder, a resident of Leominster, was one of the principal movers in this enterprise. He was its first president and a lifelong director. The road connects the town directly with leading points to the South. The Old Colony Northern Division is the last of the railroads passing through the town. It connects Leominster Centre directly with Boston, Taunton, New Bedford and points along the Cape. The railroad facilities are, therefore, ample both for business and for pleasure.

began business with John H. Lockey as president, and Joel C. Allen as cashier. The capital was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, afterwards increased. When the charter expired, in 1884, the bank closed up its affairs and the present institution, The Leominster National Bank, began business with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Hamilton Mayo is president; A. L. Burditt, cashier; Directors: Hamilton Mayo, Charles L. Joslin, John M. Lockey, F. A. Whitney, Geo. L. Rice, Nahum Harwood, A. L. Burdelt, A. W. Williams.

The Leominster Savings Bank was incorporated under the laws of the State in 1865. John H. Lockey, Leonard Burrage and James H. Carter were the original charter members. Dwight B. Look is president of the bank, and A. L. Burdett, clerk and treasurer. The banking interests of the town are well conducted. Its commercial affairs, also, are in the hands of honorable and capable men and women, and are generally conducted with energy and success. The scope of the present article docs not require separate and detailed mention.

Printing. - The first paper known to have been printed in town was the Sural Kepository. It was a weekly paper, published by Charles Prentess, and lived to be eighteen mouths old. The Political Focus, by Charles and John Prentess, was commenced June, 1798, and continued until November 28, 1799. John Prentess was the founder of the Keene, N. H., Sentinel. The Telescope was published by Adams & Wilder from June 2, 1800, to October 14, 1802, when it died of starvation.

Charles Prentess published several books, among which may be mentioned a volume of his own writings in prose and verse; a poem and a volume of Dramatic Dialogues, by Rev. Charles Stearns, of Lincoln, Mass. Dr. Adams published two or three editions of his Scholar's Arithmetic and his Understanding Reader, Mental Arithmetic, Book-keeping and Measuration.

The Scholar's Arithmetic was sold to John Prentess about 1806. It was several times revised, and large editions of it sold as late as 1848. Another edition was issued still later by J. W. Prentiss & Co. This last book was the first written arithmetic which the writer ever used. It was the common text-book of his district school days. It does not appear that any attempt was made to publish a paper in Leominster after the death of the Telescope until June 2, 1872, when The Leominster Enterprise was started by F. N. Boutwell. This paper was conducted by him until January, 1884; from that time till January, 1885, it was managed and edited by A. G. Moore, since which time it has been conducted by Joel D. Miller, the present owner.

Leomin.ster Gas-Light Company. - The streets and public buildings have been lighted by gas since October, 1873, at which time the Leominster Gas- Light Company put its works in operation. The capital stock of the company is fifty thousand dollars, and since 1879 the works have been managed by Howard M. Lane, as lessee. The company furnishes oil gas of twenty-eight candle-power, and pays an annual dividend of five per cent, on the capital stock.

The Leominster Electric Light Company have nearly finished their plans and expect soon to furnish light and also to operate a street railway. Still, the company can hardly be said to have a history at the present writing.

Perhaps two other topics might find a word of mention at the close of this sketch. It seems fair to say that Leominster is justly distinguished for the number and character of her homes. It would not be hard to find towns with more costly buildings and more spacious grounds; but it may be doubted if there are many within the limits of this Commonwealth where so large a proportion of the houses and grounds are kept with care. There is a thrift and neatness in all the surroundings which speaks of comfort, culture and peace for all who dwell beneath the roof. Leominster is a town with many comfortable homes, but very few, if any, mansions ; she cares most carefully for her poor, is disfigured by very few unkept places and rejoices in a sober and industrious population.

In matters of temperance and good order, too, Leominster challenges comparison. By this it is not meant that, when the use of liquor was universal, Leominster was for prohibition. In the days when New England rum was considered necessary both to settle a minister and to raise a barn, no doubt this town took its share and paid for it. What is meant is, that in .all stages of the temperance reform, since it has been a reform, Leominster has been at the forefront; that to-day, by a very large majority, she is with the most advanced sentiment on this subject. Leominster is and long has been a decided and persistent temperance community. She believes in prohibiting the traffic. She has been, also, noted in all her history for the good order on her streets and in her public assemblies, for the intelligence and enterprise of her people, for the faith and integrity of her public doings. Leominster is not ashamed of her industries or their management, of the opportunities for education, for social and religious culture which she offers ; she is not ashamed of the men who have represented her on the field or in the administration of aflkirs.

We recall the old report : " The district is mountainous and poorly supplied with meadow," and add this : To the peace of the valley the hills round about add strength and beauty, and Leominster abides by her history.

Biographical Hamilton Mayo

Among her citizens, there is not one whom the people of Leominster hold in higher esteem for integrity, good judgment, business and professional ability than Hamilton Mayo.

Mr. JIayo is the only son of William and Maria JIayo, of Westminster, Mass., where he was born February 26, 1S51. From the schools of his native town he entered the Meriden Academy, Meriden, N. H., and graduated in 1869. The next four years were spent at Dartmouth College, from which institution he graduated in 1873, and from the Albany Law School in 1874. He was immediately admitted to the bar and in February of the following year (1875) opened an office in Leominster.

Since that time Mr. Mayo has devoted his energies to the practice of his profession and to such financial duties as naturally come to a man in his position. As a lawyer, Mr. Mayo is careful, correct and painstaking ; a very safe counselor, one who gives advice with a sufficient reason back of his advice. His analysis of whatever comes to his hand is very clear and eminently satisfactory ; he would win a case rather by clearness of statement and justness of argument than by fervor of appeal. His mind and temper are distinctly judicial.

Mr. Mayo is also a careful and successful financier, and holds, with credit to himself and profit to others, important trusts in this direction. He is president of the Leominster National Bank, a trustee and one of the board of investment of the Savings Bank and has in charge valuable estates.

In all the duties and the relations of a citizen, Mr. Mayo bears an honorable part ; he is willing to give both time and effort for the permanent and healthy growth of the town. He has taken active part iu civil affairs, both in shaping the policy of the town ami in matters of administration. He is now a member of the Water Board and for .some years he served the town as one of the School Committee. After the death of Dr. C. C. Field, Mr. Mayo was elected chairman of the board. Although not an active director of work in the school-room, he gave the town most excellent and efficient service in this office, and his retirement from the board was a distinct and positive loss to the schools of Leominster.

As a public speaker Mr. Mayo does not often come before the people, but when occasion does bring him out he is listened to with marked respect and attention. His speeches show a sharp analysis of the subject, a full mastery of principles, and a clear statement of essential points - things which in themselves make for conviction.

November 20, 1878, Mr. Mayo married Florence G. Curtis, of Portland, Maine, a most estimable lady, whose death within the past year ended a home life of much promise.

Joel Smith

Mr. Joel Smith was born in Leominster, Aug. 23, 1812. He was a son of Joel and Abigail Smith, and was one of four brothers, of whom only the oldest is now living. At an early age he was left to the care of an uncle, Mr. James Divoll, whose residence was on Prospect Street, North Leominster.

On a farm located off this street, as it turns toward.s Shirley, Mr. Smith spent his boyhood up to the fourteenth year, and received his education in the public schools of the town. At the age of fourteen he went to Wilton, N. H., for the purpose of learning the carpenter's trade. His reason for giving up this plan may be stated in his own words : " My weight at that time was ninety pounds. After eleven months' service my weight was reduced to eighty pounds. Taking the advice of my uncle and elder brother, I returned to Leominster and served an apprenticeship with Jonas Colburn for the comb business." That this change was a wise one Mr. Smith's skill as a workman and success as a manufacturer of these goods is sufficient proof. When his trade was learned, after the manner of those times, Mr. Smith worked for some years as a journeyman comb-maker, and in ISS-t went to Willington, Conn., remaining two year.''. Returning to Leominsterin 1830, he began business for himself in company with Geo. W. Smith and John Nourse. The shop where they manufactured combs stood just south of the spot now occupied by the " Leominster House." Some years later Mr. Smith was in business with Abel Chase and Oliver Patch, in a building which stood on the site of what was afterwards the Union Comb Shop, now the Richardson Carriage Company's Works. When the building was enlarged and the Union Comb Company formed, Mr. Smith became president of the company, the other members being Oliver Patch, Stojihen Tisdale, John Bates and .lames Gallup. Mr. Smith was president (if this company for five years, from 18(57 to 1872.

The property was wholly destroyed by tire in 1872, and after the shop was rebuilt the company was changed and Mr. Smith withdrew. He soon started again for himself in a part of the Lockey Piano Shop, which then occupied the site of Valpey & Anthony's shoe factory. Here, in 1879, Mr. H. R. Smith, a son of Isaac Smith, was received into the business with his uncle.

The firm was known as Joel Smith & Company, and continued business until 1885, when Mr. H. R. Smith withdrew. During this time the firm met with a severe loss in the fire which wholly destroyed that part of the Lockey Piano Shops which stood south of the railroad. After the fire the business was again started in a shop connected with the factory of W- D.

Earl & Co. Here Mr. Joel Smith continued to manufacture horn goods after Mr. H. R. Smith left the firm, until he moved (within the pi'esent year) to more convenient quarters in a part of the comb shop of Mr. A. W. Williams, on Water Street.

The circumstances attending the death of Mr. Smith were as follows : As usual, Mr. Smith had witnessed the annual parade of the Fire Department, in the work and good name of which he was greatly interested. He was, so far as is known, in his usual health. Late in the afternoon he had spent some time in conversation with Mr. Gardner Morse, as to matters of mutual interest and memory. As the early evening was cool, Mr. Smith said he would go to his home and warm himself before it was time for supper in the town hall. He was present at the supper, and took part in the speaking as usual. Previous to the supper he and Mr. F. A. Whitney had made this agreement : that Mr. Whitney should call upon Mr. Smith for a speech, and upon its delivery should pay a certain sum - to be named by Mr. Smith - to the Fire Department. This arrangement, so pleasantly conceived, had just been as happily conpleted, and at the conclusion of his speech, which had been a very apt and pleasant one, he turned to leave the hall and died almost instantly.

Some mention should be made of Mr. Smith's work outside of his own private business. He was a man who never thought that all his time and energy ought to be consumed for his own personal profit. So far as town matters go, Mr. Smith was a liberal and public-spirited citizen. Of this his whole history is ample proof. Nothing which would in his judgment aid the town was foreign to his thought or eflbrt. Mr. Smith was one of the original corporate members of the Leominster Savings Bank, and a member of the board of trustees rom its first organization in 1867 ; also a member of its investment committee from 1873 until his death. He was appointed a director of the First National Bank of Leominster September 20, 1875, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his former ]):irtner, Oliver Patch, and was elected president in 1884. He was a director in the Leominster National Bank from its organization in July, 1884. During the more than thirteen years while he was director - with the exception of the time when he was a member of the Legislature - he was absent from the regular weekly meetings of the board only ten times. Mr. Smith often served and honored his town in places of public as well as private trust. It must suffice to mention in this connection his services in the Legislature in 1882-83. As a representative he did faithful and efficient service, honoring himself and the office which he held. Any mention of Mr. Smith would seem incomplete which did not make prominent his connection with the anti-slavery reform and the cause of temperance.