Springfield City (part 7 of 8)

One may be pardoned for introducing into such a limited review as this some of the conspicuous contributions which Mr. Bowles made to the business of newspaper-making. He presented the sense and kernel of things, and spared no pains to himself and others in stripping meaningless words and husks from the current news of the day. His sense of proportion was admirably developed, his taste was delicate and true, his art a noble simplicity. The fact that a piece of news came by telegraph did not confuse his judgment of its value. He edited the Associated Press, and matters whose transmission cost money, with the same remorseless intelligence that condensed the beginner's column into a crisp line or two. His paragraph was clone with the completeness of a sonnet; and his editorial, clothed in the language of the people, was full of sharp purpose. He made his writers master their work before the people got it. He recorded the local life intimately and as a pioneer, - witness the early-begun review of the news of all New England, - but made religion, art, literature, charity, and social affairs the field of the journalist, no less than politics. He was the first to recognize religious news as a regular feature of the daily paper. The department of correspondence was magnified, and individuality in all departments was encouraged. Bright young writers who had studied out something were encouraged to turn their labors over to -' The Republican ; " and in its pages Professor Perry's " Political Economy," Washington Gladden's first books, Adeline Traf ton's "American Girl Abroad," and Edward King's "My Paris," came to the public. " Warrington " made himself famous through his Boston letters ; Bret Harte wrote California letters ; Kate Field, Mary Clemmer, "Dunn Browne," "John Paul," and "Van," all gained an audience in this paper. The list might be greatly extended, but these names illustrate the editor's sagacity and generalship in the front of journalism. He was a master-mechanic, the versatile spirit that dominated the countingroom, the press and composing floors. "Warrington" (the late William S. Robinson) was coming out of the " Republican " office one day, and met the late Editor Fisk of Palmer on the steps. " There," said Robinson with emphasis, " is Sam. Bowles inside, striving after unreasonable perfection. He will sit up all night to save a turned letter from appearing in his newspaper, that is too good already ! " " The Republican " has always been regarded as one of the best schools of journalism accessible to voung men, many of whom it has trained, and launched upon successful careers. Its graduates are scattered throughout the country ; and some of them, like Charles R. Miller, editor of " The New-York Times," and Robert G. Fitch, editor of " The Boston Post," have risen to leadership in the profession.

Between the years 1853-72, a large miscellaneous printing business and bindery were connected with "The Republican," all conducted under the firm name of Samuel Bowles & Co. In 1858 the business was first housed altogether in the block on the corner of Main Street and Townsley Avenue, now occupied by D. H. Brigham & Co.'s clothing-store. Ten years later, the firm having outgrown its quarters, another and larger building for it was put up on the opposite corner of the avenue, by the Second National Bank. In 1872 the business was divided; Mr. Bowles retaining "The Republican," and selling out his other interests to his partners, Messrs. Bryan and Tapley. In 1878 the present handsome quarters of the paper, planned by Mr. Bowles only a short time before his death, were occupied by " The Republican."

Our people are familiar with the paper as it is to-day. Its latest business improvement is a Hoe perfecting-press, which prints, cuts, folds, and pastes, - "the best." Its old ideals of public service are not lowered, and

"The Springfield Union" never before so satisfactorily filled its mission as an evening newspaper. Every candid journalist must admit that it ranks high among papers of its class, both in enterprise, news arrangement, and editorial sense. The management see their field and opportunity clearly, and few evening papers anywhere surpass " The Union " as a piece of careful, intelligent newspaper- work. " The Union " dates from the late war days, having been founded in January, 1864, by Edmund Anthony of New Bedford, who conducted it until December, 1865, when it passed into the hands of "The Union" printing-company. During the next few years the paper changed owners several times ; but in 1872 it had become a paying property under the ownership of Lewis H. Taylor, who made the evening paper one of our institutions. When the firm of Samuel Bowles & Co. was dissolved in 1872, and the Clark W. Bryan Company was formed by the men who withdrew from the former firm, the new company bought " The Union," and incorporated it with their printing and binding business. William M. Pomeroy, who had been managing editor of "The Republican," was made editor of "The Union;" and he retained that position until March, 1881. He was succeeded by the present editor, Joseph L. Shipley, who began his newspaper life on " The Republican " in 1863, and became connected with "The Union" a few weeks after it changed hands in 1872. Mr. Shipley held the position of editor under the ownership of the Springfield Printing Company, which had succeeded the Clark W. Bryan Company, until May, 18S2, when he bought the paper, and transferred it to a stock company, retaining a majority interest, and assuming the responsible management of the paper. He has placed it upon a solid and substantial financial basis. It is the only evening paper in New England, west of Worcester and north of Hartford, which has the Associated Press franchise ; and its present management aims at giving its constituency the promptest and completest news service, both in the local and general field, which it is possible for an evening paper to accomplish. Never so much as now has " The Union " seemed to realize the distinctive features which characterize successful evening journalism, and working out that line of journalistic effort is proving advantageous for both the owners and readers of the paper.

" The New-England Homestead " occupies a field peculiarly its own, and under the direction of Edward H. Phelps, who received his journalistic training during nearly ten years of service with the late Samuel Bowles, is a conspicuous business success. " The Homestead" was, until Mr. Phelps bought it, a purely agricultural paper. It was founded in 1867, as a monthly, by Henry M. Burt, now of "The Newton Graphic," and began its career at Northampton, but was soon moved to this city. Mr. Burt continued to pub- lish "The Homestead'' until October, 1S78 (meantime printing in turn " The Saturday Evening Telegram *' and " The Sunday Telegram," local papers, both now dead), when Mr. Phelps and Herbert H. Sanderson, then employed on " The Evening Union," bought the " Homestead " plant ; in 1880 Mr. Phelps purchased his partner's interest, and established the Phelps Publishing Company, a corporation which he controls. "The Homestead" has had a remarkable growth since 1878, mounting in circulation from 1,350 copies to more than fourteen times that figure ; and its agricultural edition is edited with a freshness, vigor, and point novel in journals devoted to the fanning interest. The editor's training in daily journalism gives him an obvious advantage over competitors who have become wonted to slower methods, and he is assisted by many practical and successful farmers who contribute to " The Homestead." To utilize his familiarity with local news, Mr. Phelps added a city edition to his agricultural paper : and that is what Springfield knows as " The New-England Homestead." The farm matter is replaced by the social chat of the town ; the paper ranging with freedom over all fields, taking many matters which the dailies do not care to glean, and sampling life in every circle. The editor makes a strong point of musical criticism, and has introduced original caricatures as a weekly feature.

" Farm and Home " is a sixteen-page monthly, which was begun in 1880, and has gained a circulation of 30,000 through its price of fifty cents a year. It is a compilation from the agricultural edition of "The Homestead ; " and it, too, is published by the Phelps Publishing Company mentioned above.

" The Daily News," the first penny daily in the field, and edited by E. and C. J. Bellamy, - favorably known as writers of fiction, - was begun in February, 1S80, and in May of the same year came out every evening. In September the proprietors bought a double cylinder press. The establishment was practically burned out Dec. 9; but it did not miss an issue, and the paper was soon enlarged. " The Sunday News " was begun Jan. 28, 1883, and has since been changed to "Every Saturday." "The News" is now commodiously quartered on Worthington Street, in the building so long occupied by the Morgan Envelope Company. It employs a force of 20 in all departments, and is a four-page paper of 28 columns, measuring 21 by 36 inches when unfolded. Its editor says, "'The Daily News' has made its more particular aim to interest and entertain its public, always keeping a full record of the news of the day. than to attempt to set forth in its limited space the opinions of the editors, and the tedious homilies of moralizing contributors."

"The Daily Democrat " was founded in September, 1883, to meet the demand of local party men for a Democratic paper. Its stockholders include prominent Democrats in various parts of Western Massachusetts, and Lawson Sibley of this city is president of the Democrat Publishing Company. The paper is sold for a cent, and it displays more ambition in the collection of news than is common in low-priced dailies. The editors of "The Democrat " are B. F. Arrington, formerly of " The Salem News," and W. T; Tucker, who has had newspaper experience as correspondent of " The Boston Journal " and " The Boston Advertiser." " The Democrat," of course, takes an active hand in politics.

"The Herald of Life " has been published here since 1872, with Rev. W. N. Pile as editor, and is now in its 21st volume. It is the organ of the Life and Advent Union, that branch of the Advent body which believes in no resurrection for the finally impenitent. Rev. Mr. Pile is one of the ablest men of his denomination.

"The Weekly Evangelist" is published by S. G. Otis & Co., from the Evangelist Building on State Street; and among its contributors are some of our Congregational clergymen.

"The Springfield Herald," formerly published by John C. O'Hara in the Union Block, gleans thoroughly the Catholic Church and secular news of this region. Its management, in the latter part of 1883, passed into the hands of Philip J. Ryan.

"The Domestic Journal" is an unsectarian religious, family, and temperance monthly, sold at 50 cents a year, and published by S. G. Otis & Co.

Solomux Dclkley Griffin

THE growth of Springfield in institutions of capital and credit follows the law which has characterized all its development: it has been indigenous to its own soil, and entirely independent of aid from other communities. It has leaned upon no other centre of business, but on the contrary has been itself metropolitan to a surrounding circle of communities, one of which has already become a thriving city. Before the introduction of banks, the moneyed men of the town loaned to a large extent upon land and mortgage. The names of the Dwights, who were the rich merchants of the early part of the century, recur frequently in the old records of real-estate transactions and pledges.

It is a curious fact, that the first bank of discount was established in 1S14, when the country was in the midst of the war with Great Britain, which, up to that time, had resulted only in national disaster and damage, It must have taken a hardy spirit, at such a time, for the corporators to gather in Uncle Jerry Warriner's tavern to proceed to the organization of a bank, whose capital should be "$200,000 in gold and silver," paid in in four instalments. This was March 24, 1814, when our entire coast was blockaded, and five months before the capture and burning of Washington. Springfield then included a much larger territory than now, and had about 3,000 inhabitants.

The founding of the bank at that time is a strong illustration of the light thrown upon the history of the nation by the history of the town. It was, in fact, part of a general movement throughout the country for the expansion of banking facilities. In 1811 the first United-States bank had been refused a re-charter by the casting-vote of Vice-President George Clinton. A great impetus was thus given to the development of State banks. The war, and the interruption of commerce on the ocean, had had two important results, - to drain the country of specie, and to protect native industry. New England, which was opposed to the war, nevertheless experienced a powerful stimulation in all her manufacturing interests : the Legislature of Massachusetts, under the Federalist Gov. Strong, chartered numerous cotton and woollen manufacturing companies ; and, at the same session chartered the Springfield Bank, about 30 other banks were chartered in this State, which then included Maine. On the 1st of January, 1811, there were 15 banks in Massachusetts, with a capital of $6,292,144; in four years the number had increased to 21, and the capital to $11,050,000; on the 1st of January. 1S14. the six banks of Boston held nearly $5,000,000 in specie, and had out notes to the amount of only $2,000,000. New-England banking then established its high character for conservatism, and continued to redeem its notes, while the banks throughout the rest of the country all suspended specie payments about the time of the capture of Washington.

The Springfield Bank, now the Second National Bank, had as its corporators the two Jonathan Dwights, father and son, James Byers, John Hooker, Moses Bliss, jun., James S. Dwight, George Bliss, Justin Ely, Edward Pynchon, and Oliver B. Morris. The first list of directors included the first five of these. Pynchon was the first cashier, and Jonathan Dwight the first president. The subsequent cashiers were. Moses Bliss in 181 ;. at $500 salary, and Benjamin Day, both serving for short terms, until in 1823 John Howard was chosen, and paid a salary of $1,000: he retained the office until Lewis Warriner took it in 1836. Mr. Warriner served for over 45 years. The presidents were as follows: Jonathan Dwight, 1S14-17: John Hooker, 1S17-19; James Byers, 1833-36; John Howard, 1836-49; Benjamin Day, 1849-56; E. A. Morris, 1856-59; Henry Alexander, 1859-78. John Howard was with the bank, as cashier and president, 38 years. During a large portion of this time the bank owed much to another director, William Dwight.

Mr. Morris was one of the ablest men ever at the head of the bank. and during his brief term did much to repair its fortunes. A leading bankofficer of our city, who received his first tuition in "the old bank," entered upon service there in 1838. In those days, under the Suffolk-bank system, the bank kept a deposit of specie with the Suffolk Bank at Boston, to redeem its bills when they were presented there for payment. It was the custom for each bank to collect the bills of other banks, as a balance against its own, and send them to Boston by trusty citizens whenever business called them that way. Periodically. Mr. Howard would go to Boston by stage, and return with perhaps $100,000 of the bank's notes in his valise. His clerk recalls more than one occasion in which he had taken charge of this precious baggage, of an evening, from Mr. Howard's house (James D. Brewer's present residence), down to the Bank Building on State Street.

One of the first acts of the bank, upon its organization, was to buy a site for the building, which Jonathan Dwight had already purchased, on State Street, in his own name, from Rufus Colton. The building was erected immediately, and was a handsome two-story brick structure, with a Grecian porch of pillars. It has now been enlarged and remodelled out of all resemblance to its original form, and is occupied by Wilder & Puffer as a grain-store. The bank had difficulty in getting all its stock subscribed, and in 1816 reduced its capital to $100,000. This was increased in 1S19 to Si 50.000, and in 1828 to $250,000, and would have been raised at a later period to $400,000 if the starting of other banks had not forestalled its action. Notes were circulated, and were destroyed when finally redeemed ; so that none are now in existence, so far as is known. No interest was paid on deposits, to any extent, until after the last war. Forty and fifty years ago the manufacturers in this vicinity, instead of drawing cash for their pay-rolls from their deposits, were accustomed to make six months' drafts on their Boston agents. These drafts were discounted by the banks, thus affording the ready funds for the payment of help. The risks thus taken required banking ability of the first order to prevent loss. In 1839, for instance, a vote of the directors was passed requiring D. & J. Ames to reduce their indebtedness to the bank to $100,000, - a risk upon one firm which no bank at the present time in the city would be disposed to take, even if it were not forbidden by law. Several years after, the Ameses, indeed, failed, and spread wide ruin over this section of the country; for they were the Spragues of their day, at least in the paper manufacture. The Springfield Bank was not, however, seriously crippled by their failure, as it had been inevitable for some years. It lost much more heavily by the total and unexpected failure of Ben Jenks, the great manufacture of Jenksville, about 1853. The bank lost $100,000 at that time, and the stock went down to about 70. The habit of the bank to loan heavily to large manufacturing concerns in Western Massachusetts had given occasion for criticism in stockholders' meetings, and for the organization of other banks ; and it took some years to recover from the effects of this policy. Yet it may be questioned, whether the old bank did not follow the course best calculated to develop the manufacturing interests of this section of the State at that period, though it was done at a loss to itself.

The Second National Bank is the Springfield Bank, re-organized in 1863 under the National Bank Act, and was one of the first to apply for organization. It was managed with great ability through the whole period of the war, and subsequently, by its president, the late Henry Alexander. Lewis Warriner, the late cashier, served the bank over 50 years as clerk of the corporation, and cashier. The present building, on the corner of Main Street and Townsley Avenue, called Franklin Block, was erected in 1866. The present organization of the bank is as follows: President, Alfred Rowe ; directors, Alfred Roue, Horace Kibbe, Gurdon Bill. Hinsdale Smith, Albert T. Folsom, Henry M. Phillips, Virgil Perkins. I'. I'. Kellogg, W. H. Wright, Emerson Wight, William 1'. Porter; cashier, Charles

The Chicopee National Bank was started as "The Chicopee Bank," 22 years after the Springfield Bank, by the class of small traders and mechanics whose needs were looked upon with some disdain by the aristocracy of the old bank, whose funds were all absorbed in carrying the great manufacturing enterprises of the time. Its first president was George Bliss; first cashier, Henry Seymour ; and among its early patrons and directors were

Dr. Edwards, James Brewer, and Henry Fuller, for the last 15 years president. Mr. Fuller's place of business, as a tailor, was on the corner of Elm and Main Streets, in a wooden building then used in part for postoffice. About 1834 James Byers built the sober and now rather old-fashioned brick blocks, extending from the same corner on Main Street and on Elm Street. The Chicopee Bank soon took quarters on the same corner where it has since remained, and has always continued to be the favorite place of deposit of retail traders, and of loans to people of small means. It became a national bank in 1865; and had for its cashier, for many years, Thomas Warner, jun., whose death is announced as these pages are being prepared.

The present organization of the bank is as follows: President, Henry Fuller, jun. ; directors, H. Fuller, jun., James D. Brewer, Horace Smith, Henry S. Lee, Varnum N. Taylor, Andrew J. Mackintosh, George L. Wright ; cashier, A. B. West; teller, Edward Pynchon ; bookkeepers, Myron E. Chapin, G. H. Kemater, E. C. Knapp; clerk, L. W. White.

The Agawam National Bank was organized in 1846, with $100,000 capital, as a State bank, and accommodated the upper end of the town, then created by the advent of the railroad. It included in its directors the lead- ing railroad and steamboat men, - namely, Chester W. Chapin, John B. M. Stebbins, Roderick Ashley, and J. B. Vinton. Mr. Chapin was the first president, and was succeeded in 1850 by Albert Morgan, who continued until his decease. Since then the presidents have been Theodore Stebbins and Marvin Chapin, who resigned in 1869, when the present president was elected. It became a national bank in 1865. In May, 1865, the bank was re-organized as a national bank, with $600,000 capital, $300,000 of which was paid in. Subsecmently the capital called in amounted to $200,000, making the capital now $500,000, with a surplus and an undivided profit of $130,000. At this time its president and active manager is Henry S. Hyde, a leading member of the Wason Car Company, and of numerous and varied business enterprises. He is interested in telephone stock, and an active director of the American Exchange, London. Frederick S. Bailey has been cashier ever since the organization of the bank, 37 years. The corporation erected, at the corner of Main and Lyman Streets, its fine banking-house opposite the Massasoit House, in 1870, this site having been occupied by the bank ever since it began. In the basement is a large fire and burglar proof safe deposit vault for the storage of valuable property. Like the Chicopee Bank, the Agawam has always been noted for its attention to local patrons and its own customers. It has New-York and Boston correspondents, and also draws on the American Exchange in London, furnishing small drafts or letters of credit to any reasonable amount. The directors are: Marvin Chapin, John H. Southworth, Charles A. Nichols, Timothy M. Brown, Peter S. Bailey, Lewis J. Powers, Henry S. Hyde. Andrew J. Wright, and Benjamin F. Hosford; cashier, F. S.Bailey; assistant cashier, W. M. Willard ; teller, Sanford Lawton ; bookkeeper, C. L. Robinson ; assistant bookkeeper, A. L. Spooner.

The John Hancock National Bank was organized as a State bank in 1850, with $100,000 capital, and located on "the Hill," in the building now occupied in part by C. C. Merritt's drug-store. The building bore in the pediment of the front, for many years, a white bust of the celebrated first signer of the Declaration of Independence, carved in wood. The bank, however, moved down town about 1857, and is now at 288 Main Street. Roger S. Moore has been its president since 1863; and among the members of the original board of directors is Col. James M. Thompson, who was president from 1850 to 1863. Edmund D. Chapin has been its cashier from the first. It became a national bank in 1865, with $150,000 capital, subsequently increased to $250,000. The present organization follows : Directors, R. S. Moore, W. H. Wilkinson, John Kimberly, J. M. Thompson, E. C. Rogers, William Merrick, E. D. Metcalf ; cashier, Edmund D. Chapin ; teller, E. Dudley Chapin; clerk, F. W. Russell.

The Pynchon National Bank was organized in 1853, to serve the south end of the town especially ; and it was designed that it should be as far south as the corner of State Street. The site of its present building, which was immediately erected on the west side of Main Street, between Elm and State Streets, proved, however, the most eligible. Up to that time the corner of State and Main Streets had been the business centre of the town; the Western Railroad offices having been in the upper stories of the bookstore block which had been erected by the Ameses, and which was then occupied by the Merriams. Upon the bookstore corner were disbursed the large sums paid out monthly by railroad-contractors ; and across the street, where Homer Foot's block now is, was Warriner's tavern, where a good deal of the same money was consumed in drinks. Among those interested in the Pynchon Bank were Willis Phelps, " Gov." Beach, Homer Foot, J. B. Rumrill, George and Charles Merriam, the late Samuel Bowles, and William Stowe. Col. H. N. Case was the first president, and is the present executive head, having served during the whole history of the bank except four years. Henry Alexander was the first cashier, and Frederick H. Harris and J. D. Safford have served in that capacity. Charles Marsh has been the cashier for 17 years. The bank has paid 312 per cent in dividends in 30 years, and has never passed a semi-annual dividend. The present directors are : H. N. Case, Homer Foot, Ephraim W. Bond, N. W. Talcott, James Abbe, Lawson Sibley, Charles Marsh ; cashier, Charles Marsh ; teller, George R. Bond; bookkeeper, W. C. Marsh.

Washington first, but its number is 14. It was also the first child in Spring' field of the financial era of the war, and has been managed from the first by its present head, James Kirkham. Dustin A. Folsom, the cashier, has held his position for 11 years. It occupies the first story of its own fine threestory granite bank building, No. 455 Main Street, opposite Court Square. The directors are: James Kirkham, Henry Morris, Orrick H. Greenleaf, George E. Howard, Henry J. Beebe, Eliphalet Trask, Walter H. Wesson, John Olmsted, John S. Carr, John West, B. Frank Steele ; cashier, D. A. Folsom ; assistant cashier, J. W. Kirkham ; teller, F. L. Safford ; bookkeeper, C. P. Johnson.

The Third National Bank was the second outgrowth of the national system, having been organized in 1864, and having already secured a renewal. Its originator and first president was George Walker, former bank-commissioner of Massachusetts under the State system, and now our consul-general at Paris. It has averaged somewhat over 10 per cent dividends since its organization, and is a United-States depository. Joseph C. Parsons of Holyoke is president; but the active manager of the bank is Frederick H. Harris, cashier since its organization. Its massive iron-front block, at the corner of Main and Hillman Streets, is a recent construction. The directors are : Joseph C. Parsons, Charles R. Ladd, A. B. Forbes, E. C. Taft, H. A. Gould, N. A. Leonard, C. L. Covell, J. S. McElwain, Frederick H. Harris; cashier, F. H. Harris; assistant cashier, Frederick Harris; teller, C. C. Haynes ; bookkeepers, G. A. Buckland, A. F. Hitchcock; clerk, S. H. Chamberlain.

The Chapin National Bank, at the corner of Main and Lyman Streets, was originally the Chapin Banking and Trust Company, organized in 1872, as a banking adjunct of Chester W. Chapin's large interests. It became a national bank in 1878, having as president William K. Baker, who had been for many years the confidential business adviser and right-hand man of Mr. Chapin. The directors are: William K. Baker, James A. Rumrill, Charles O. Russell, Azariah B. Harris, E. S. Bradford, Ethan S. Chapin, John Mulligan, William Whiting ; cashier, W. F. Callender; teller, C. M. Shedd; bookkeeper, G. R. Yerrall ; clerk, J. C. Kemater.

The City National Bank, on the corner of Main and Worthington Streets, was organized in 1879, with James D. Safford as president, and is the newest of the local banks. The directors are: James M.Thompson, John B. Stebbins, Marcus P. Knowlton, Nelson C. Newell, George B. Holbrook, Elisha Morgan, James D. Safford ; cashier, Henry H. Bowman ; teller, E. A. Carter; bookkeeper, C. C. Morgan; clerk, Frank Coenen.

The Savings Banks have had a development quite as interesting as that of the banks of discount, and are the Best monuments of popular industry, sobriety, and thrift. There are three savings banks, and none of them have ever asked advantage of any stay-law to meet the full demands of depositors. They all pay the same rate of interest, and are of equal standing for soundness. It will be observed that the number of depositors in these banks is equivalent to more than three-fourths of the entire population of the city. The observant reader, also, cannot fail to note the number of fiduciary officers, in all these banks, who have held their terms for remarkable periods. Several have been in office more than 25 years, and will probably remain so long as they continue to serve their institutions with equal fidelity. During all the period from the crisis of 1857 down to the present time, no defalcation of any magnitude, embezzlement, or breach of trust, has occurred, to bring loss and misery to those who commit their investments to these institutions. There have been cases of petty dishonesty in subordinates ; but they have been early detected, the losses have been made good by bondsmen, and the perpetrators have been turned out of their opportunities to prey upon the public.

The Springfield Institution for Savings, which was organized in 1827, is the oldest of these. It was the tenth organized in the State, dating 11 years after the first, " The Boston Provident." The meeting for organization was at the court-house, Aug. 2, 1827; and its purpose was declared to be "to provide a safe and profitable method of enabling the industrious and economical to invest such part of their property and earnings as they can conveniently spare, in a way which will afford security and profit." This purpose has been nobly fulfilled, all by the management of an uncompensated board of trustees, and by faithful service from its fiduciary officers. Josiah Hooker was the first president ; the vice-presidents were George Bliss, Jonathan Dwight, jun., David Ames, Roswell Lee, John Chaffee,

Marshall Blake, a lad who had earned $20 driving the village cows to pasture, was the first depositor. He is now a well-known friend of President Arthur, and United-States collector of internal revenue for New-York City. John Howard was the first treasurer, and Samuel Raynolds secretary. For the year 1829 the deposits amounted to $1,130.42, and up to 1837 they were only $29,689. In those days the bank's office was with the Springfield Bank (as above described); and the funds were deposited with that institution, which paid 4 per cent interest. In 1844 the deposits reached $49,- 401 ; and the Springfield Bank issued a notice to depositors to withdraw their funds, as it wished to relinquish them. This was a crisis in the history of the institution, but fortunately there were not lacking men with the courage to place it upon an independent foundation. A committee consisting of William Dwight, John Howard, Theodore Bliss, James Brewer, and Samuel Raynolds, advised '-that the institution be continued." Henry Sterns was chosen treasurer, Dec. 24, 1849, thus separating the administration from that of the bank of discount: the office was then removed from the Springfield Bank Building to Foot's Block. Mr. Sterns remained treasurer till May, 1858, when the deposits reached $614,907. Henry S. Lee was then chosen treasurer, and has continued in the office. During his 25 years of service he has received in deposits $27,615,000, and paid 54.674.000 in dividends; thus passing over S32,ooo,ooo to the credit of depositors. The bank has owed much to the fidelity of its presidents, John Hooker from 1827 to 1844; Theodore Bliss and William Dvvight for short terms; Josiah Hooker from 1847 to 1870; and since then, Col. James M. Thompson. Since 1862 Judge Shurtleff has been secretary, and examiner of titles. The bank has never closed its doors, or failed to meet a depositor's demand. The rate of interest was at first 4 per cent, subsequently 5 per cent, with occasional extra dividends, and is now 4 per cent.

Of the 20,170 depositors, 10,415 are women, with $3,572,850 to their credit; 5,870 deposits are of sums less than $50; 1,940 between #50 and $roo; 2,490 between $100 and $200; and 3,516 between $200 and #500. The bank formerly had agents at Chicopee to receive deposits. The organization of savings banks at Chicopee, Holyoke, and other points within its original district, as well as in this city, has not seemed to check its growth. It erected its fine building in 1867. The present officers are: James M. Thompson, president ; John B. Stebbins, vicepresident ; Henry S. Lee, treasurer; William S. Shurtleff, secretary; trustees, James M. Thompson, John B. Stebbins, Horace Smith, Elisha Gunn. Charles Marsh, Julius H. Appleton, Lawson Sibley, William H. Haile, Henry S. Lee; auditors, Homer Foot, James D. Brewer, James D. Safford. Deposits are received up to #1,000, and principal and interest may accumulate to $1,600 for each depositor.

The Springfield Five Cents Saving Bank was organized in [854. Its presidents have been Willis Phelps and Dr. Joseph C. Pynchon. Daniel J. Marsh has been treasurer since 1858. Trustees, James E. Russell, R. O. Morris, Charles A. Nichols, H. Q. Sanderson, Oliver Marsh, Henry M. Phillips, T. D. Beach ; vice-presidents, E. W. Bond, W. L. Smith, William Rice; clerk and treasurer, D.J. Marsh; teller, W. R. Hetherington ; bookkeeper, F. M. Lander. The fine granite block occupied by this bank and by the United-States Post-office, on the corner of Main and Court Streets, was completed in 1876. The bank also erected and owns the adjoining granite building known as the Republican Block, occupied by " The Springfield Republican."

The Hampden Savings Bank was organized in 1852, with Albert Morgan as its first president. Its present president is Eliphalet Trask ; and its treasurer is Peter S. Bailey, who has served in that capacity since 1872. Trustees, Lewis J. Powers, Charles O. Russell, John Mulligan, J. M. Stebbins, Timothy M. Brown, William H. Wright, Arthur I. Bemis, Hinsdale Smith, I. B. Lowell, John Olmsted, Richard F. Hawkins, Samuel Bigelow: vice-presidents, J. A. Rumrill, Marvin Chapin, H. S. Hyde, Frederick S. Bailey : secretary and treasurer, Peter S. Bailey ; teller, John B. Phelps : clerk, C. E. Snow. The banking-quarters are under the Agawam National Bank, at the corner of Main and Lyman Streets, and have unusual facilities for safe deposits.

The Springfield Clearing-House was organized in 1873. Since that date, clearings have taken place daily at the Chicopee Bank, all the national banks being members of the association. Its officers at present are as follows: President, Charles Marsh of the Pynchon Bank; secretary, Henry H. Bowman of the City Bank ; manager, A. B. West of the Chicopee Bank.

Clearings At The Springfield Clearing-House

The Springfield Co-operative Bank was incorporated April 13, 1882, and commenced business May 9, 1882. At the end of 18 months' business (Oct. 31, 1883), there are 1,757 shares in force, $22,600 loaned on first mortgage on real estate, and #2,625 loaned shareholders on their shares in the bank. It is intended especially for the benefit of all whose income is received at stated times, as weekly or monthly. Its operation teaches the value of the constant and regular saving of even small sums, and, by its plan of working, aids in the formation of the "saving habit." By the aid of this bank, any industrious person may become the owner of his own home, either by building, purchase, or the removal of an existing mortgage. Its plan is as follows: The capital stock of «r,ooo,ooo is divided into 5,000 shares of an ultimate value of $200. Any one desirous of receiving the benefits of the bank takes as many shares (not exceeding 25), as he is able to save dollars monthly; that is, if he is able to save $5 per month, he will take five shares of stock, as the shares are to be paid for at the rate of one dollar on each share each month. These payments on shares are called dues, and are continued till the shares have reached their ultimate value of $200. It would, of course, take 200 months for the shares to reach their ultimate value, were it not for the profits which are added to the value of the shares as often as divided (usually each six months), and are in no case to be drawn till the shares mature ; this reduces the time so that the average age of shares at maturity in similar institutions has been eleven years. The profits for the year ending Oct. 31 were 5 per cent for the actual time the money was in the bank, as each dollar begins to earn profit from the time it is paid in. Each month all money which is to be loaned is put up at auction, and sold to the bidder who will pay the highest premium for it, premium being what is paid above the regular rate of 6 per cent. Each shareholder is entitled to borrow $200 on each share he owns, provided he can give satisfactory security, and is a successful bidder. In case payments cannot be kept up, the money paid in can be withdrawn, together with three-fourths of the profits, after one year, by giving one month's notice. Its officers are as follows : Oscar S. Greenleaf, president ; Edward H. Phelps, vice-president ; Francke W. Dickinson, secretary; Charles H. Churchill, treasurer. Directors, F. A. Judd, H. E. Durkee, P. P. Kellogg, E. A. Hall, W. F. Cook, John Sharrocks, E. D. Metcalf, N. J. Benjamin, R. H. Smith ; auditors, F. E. Cooper, G. H. Bleloch, R. H. Cleeland.

J. G. Mackintosh & Co. are private bankers; but no account of banking as at present conducted in Springfield would be complete without a notice of this house, which was started at Holyoke in 1876, and came to Springheld in 1878. The head of the house was formerly treasurer of the Germania Mills at Holyoke. The house is the largest dealer in commercial paper between New York and Boston, and has led to something of a revolution in the manner of obtaining credit among the leading manufacturers of this section. Formerly they obtained their stocks and materials on five or six months' time, and went to the banks directly for any discounts needed: now they pay cash for their supplies by making commercial paper, which is placed with Mackintosh & Co., and is disposed of by them to banks all over New England. It is, in short, the adaptation to this locality of methods of credit long in use in Boston and New York; and the immediate effect of its introduction was to reduce materially the current rate of discounts in this vicinity. Mackintosh & Co. have at times handled #5,000,000 of commercial paper in one year. They have a branch house in Holyoke, under the management of Thomas Shepard, which has about $100,000 in deposits, and does a large discount and banking business. They do also a general commission business in stocks and other securities for a large patronage, and the house has the reputation of a conservative counsellor in the management of investments.

The Active Banking Capital of Springfield in 1883 is thus about $5,000,- 000; deposits in national banks, $4,000,000; circulation, $2,640,000; deposits in savings banks, $11,600,000, secured by assets good for $12,400,000. In short, the banking interest of the city commands over $20,000,000. The clearings at the clearing-house rank in magnitude with those of cities much larger in population, being only exceeded in Massachusetts by those of Boston and Worcester.

Wilaiot Lillie Warren

petual by Act of June 3, 1856. The following extract from the charter explains the kind of business done : " That, \\hen the sum subscribed by the associates to be insured shall amount to $50,000, said corporation shall then be authorized to insure, for the term of six years, any dwelling-house or other building in the county of Hampden."

By an Act of June 3, 1856, authority was granted to insure in the New- England States and in the State of New York; and by Act of March 17, 1883, "to insure personal property against loss or damage by fire to the extent and in the same manner as they are now authorized by law to insure real estate." The mutual plan aims to provide insurance at cost to the members. That this has been successfully done by this company, the table of the percentage of its dividends returned will show : Five years ending 1838, average dividend 80 percent; five years ending 1843, average dividend 76 per cent; five years ending 1848, average dividend 80 percent; five years ending 1853, average dividend 73 per cent: five years ending 1858, average dividend 86 per cent; five years ending 1863, average dividend 79 per cent; five years ending 1868, average dividend 86 percent; five years ending 1873, average dividend 88 per cent; five years ending 1878, average dividend 75 per cent; five years ending 1883, average dividend 75 per cent.

In 1849 the company moved into the offices now occupied on the second floor of the old brick building at the south-west corner of Main and Elm Streets. The present officers are : President, Warner C. Sturtevant ; secretary and treasurer, Frank R. Young ; directors, Warner C. Sturtevant, Henry Fuller, Alfred Rowe, Henry S. Lee, James Kirkham, Eliphalet Trask, Henry Morris, Charles L. Shaw, and V. N. Taylor; auditors, Col. James M. Thompson and Charles Marsh. The condition of the company, as shown by the last annual report to the corporation, is as follows : Risks outstanding, Sept. 30, 1882, $3,886,200; market value of the assets, $124,502; total liabilities, $30,239 ; cash surplus over all liabilities, $94,263.

The Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company was incorporated by the legislature of Massachusetts, in the year 1849, with a capital stock of $150,000, and with permission to commence business whenever a third of that sum should be paid in. The persons named in the act of incorporation were Edmund Freeman, George Dwight, and John L. King; and the first board of directors consisted of Edmund Freeman, Daniel L. Harris, Chester W. Chapin, Marvin Chapin, Andrew Huntington, Edward South worth, John L. King, Jacob B. Merrick, Albert Morgan, and Waitstill Hastings. These gentlemen, with the exception of Marvin Chapin and Waitstill Hastings, are all dead. Mr. Hastings is not now a stockholder, and Mr. Chapin is the only director who was a member of the original board. The company commenced business in 1851, with Edmund Freeman president, and William Conner secretary. The company was fortu- nate at the start in the selection of its officers and directors, and in having for stockholders the best and most substantial men of this community. Mr. Conner continued secretary until 1866, when he resigned to take the vice-presidency of a New-York company ; and he, was succeeded by J. N. Dunham, who held the office for two years, when he resigned, and was succeeded in 1868 by Sanford J. Hall, the present incumbent. Mr. Freeman held the office of president until ill-health compelled him to resign in 1874, and was succeeded by D. R. Smith, who had held the office of vice-president for the preceding six years. Mr. Smith died in 1880, and was succeeded by J. N. Dunham, formerly secretary ; and he continues to hold the office of president. Andrew J. Wright, the present treasurer, became connected with the company as bookkeeper early in 1864, and in 1872 was elected treasurer (which office had previously been combined with that of the secretary). The capital stock has been increased from time to time until it is now $1,000,000, and the assets are over $2,500,000. This company stands at the head of all the Massachusetts fire-insurance companies ; having the largest capital, largest assets, greatest amount at risk, and the largest yearly business. Moreover, it stands at the head of all the companies in New England, excepting only some of those at Hartford. It is doing business from Maine to California, and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico; having 2,500 agents scattered throughout the United States. It has paid losses" of $10,000,000 since its organization. The fact that it passed unshaken through the Chicago fire, though suffering a loss of $525,000 ($25,000 greater than its then cash capital), and the Boston fire, paying $250,000, sufficiently attests its financial integrity and vitality ; for many strong companies went down with those disasters. The income of the company for the year 1883 was over $1,500,000. The company has built up its immense business in its own quiet way, with the utmost conservativeness, without pressing, and without any attempt to crowd out competitors. It has avoided every attempt to get business on any other than remunerative basis, and has taken care to invest its assets so that they could be immediately utilized in case of need. Its management has been successful in getting as agents men who were respected in their respective localities, and has retained them as long as possible. In Eastern Massachusetts, for example, the representatives in Boston have been Reed & Brother, for nearly 30 years; the office being over a quarter of a century in the historic Old State House at head of State Street. It is the only local joint-stock fire-insurance company, and has, like the Massachusetts Mutual Life, been of inestimable value to Springfield, in providing trustworthy indemnity, in making the city known to the business men all over the country, and in bringing here a great amount of capital. Its directors have always comprised men recognized as being among those foremost in business standing. At present, the board includes J. N. Dun- ham, Marvin Chapin, William Birnie, C. L. Covell, Frederick H. Harris, N. A. Leonard, William H. Haile, Azariah B. Harris, Sereno Gaylord of Chicopee, H. E. Russell of New York, and Marshall Field of Chicago. The company for many years has had its offices at the corner of Main and Fort Streets, in its own brick building called the " Fort Block," by reason of its occupying the site of the old Pynchon house and fort (illustrated on p. 15). In the early history of the company, some very large dividends were paid to its stockholders ; although it always aimed to keep a large surplus for contingencies, such as the Portland, Chicago, and Boston fires. The stockholders at the time of the Chicago fire were assessed 65 per cent, and at the Boston fire 30 per cent; but, notwithstanding these disasters, the company was never so large or prosperous as to-day. A Massachusetts law now limits the cash dividends of fire-insurance companies to 10 per cent annually. This is an excellent law, - good for the assured and well for the company, as it tends to increase its assets and add to its solidity. The " Springfield " has always paid all just claims in full, and has a list of stockholders who have great faith in its future; and it is constantly increasing its premium receipts.

The Massachusetts Mutual Life-Insurance Company was organized in 1 85 1, by a few of Springfield's citizens, who, with very little notion of the size the business was destined to reach, still had the idea that a local institution might supply the life-insurance that was wanted by their fellowtownsmen. It was chartered by special Act of Legislature in May, 1S51, and began to issue policies in the following August. The original guarantv capital stock was divided into shares of $ 100 each, and taken by some thirty different persons, several of whom mortgaged their homesteads for the purpose. The early records of the company give some curious hints of how little its founders knew of the nature or the size of the structure they had begun. After accepting their charter, they appointed a committee of two " to visit Boston and other places, to collect information on the subject of insurance.'' And the directors from time to time authorized such venturesome things as the borrowing of $400, and the engaging of a clerk to assist the secretary in doing the necessary office-work, which he had before done alone.

The Hon. Caleb Rice was the first president of the company ; and for nearly 22 years he served it as president and treasurer, with a faithfulness that became enthusiasm and an integrity absolutely unquestioned. He was a prominent citizen in various ways, was chosen first mayor ' of the city, and had a promptness and decision of character that fitted well with the title of "Colonel," by which he was commonly known. At his death, in March, 1873, vice-president Ephraim W. Bond was chosen president and treasurer, and still fills those offices.

For nearly as long a term was the secretaryship filled by F. B. Bacon, who had no small hand in the work of building up the company. He served from 1851 until February, 1870; when, having been stricken with the illness that terminated his life in the following year, he was succeeded by Charles McLean Knox, who had been one of the company's general agents. Mr. Knox was promoted to the vice-presidency in March, 1873; at which time Avery J. Smith, assistant secretary, was made secretary. Mr. Smith continued in the office for eight years, and was followed by John A. Hall, who was elected Feb. I, 1881, and is the present incumbent.

The vice-president since January, 1874, has been Henry Fuller, jun., who has been connected with the company from the beginning; and the company's actuaries have been James Weir Mason from 1869 to 1872, and Oscar B. Ireland since that time. M. V. B. Edgerly, the second vice-president and manager, is a well-known and long-experienced life-insurance officer.

This record shows a remarkably small number of changes ; and, even of these, a considerable proportion were merely promotions in natural order, a state of things, that, it has been remarked, "speaks volumes for the integrity of the men chosen to the positions of trust, and also of the care and fidelity with which the directors of the company discharged the duties of selection." The following list of directors shows a group of men who have fairly earned the positions of trust for which they have been chosen: Ephraim W. Bond, Henry Fuller, jun., Gideon Wells, Warner C. Sturtevant, James Kirkham, D. P. Crocker, Homer Foot, Julius H. Appleton, Lewis J. Powers. Henry S. Lee, Nelson C. Newell, Alfred Lambert, John A. Hall, all of Springfield; William A. Tower and F. A. Brooks of Boston; William Bross of Chicago, 111.; William McGeorge of Philadelphia, Penn.; H. S. Walbridge of Toledo, O.; G. W. Bentley of New London, Conn.; C. W. Stanley, P. C. Cheney, M. V. B. Edgerly, and George B. Chandler, of Manchester, N.H.; George C. Kimball of Grand Rapids, Mich.; James M. Warner of Albany, N.Y. ; Martin A. Knapp of Syracuse, N.Y. ; John R. Redfield of Hartford, Conn. ; Remington Vernam and John F. Anderson of New York : and John K. Marshall of Brookline, Mass.

The office of the company was in rented rooms in Foot's Block from 1851 until early in 1868, when it was removed to the company's own handsome and well-known building on Main Street. The next move was a sudden one ; for on the evening of Feb. 5, 1873, a ^re broke out in the lower part of the building (which was rented for mercantile purposes), and raged all night, destroying all the rear and much of the front part of the structure. The company's safes, and most of its books and papers, were preserved ; and business was transacted, with but little interruption, in temporary quarters in the Hampden House Block on Court Street. By December of the same year the company's own building had been rebuilt, re-arranged, and im- proved, under the supervision of George Hathorne, the New- York architect, and its own offices were re-occupied. The lofty brown-stone front and iron mansard roof form a handsome and conspicuous feature of the street: while the Masonic lodges and other organizations that occupy the floors over the company's offices, and the stores that are on the ground floor, make the inside of the building familiar to a great number of people.

It will probably be a surprise to many, even of its neighbors, to know that the business of the Massachusetts Mutual at the home office gives constant employment to three officers and fifteen clerks, besides janitor, real-estate man, and the local agency force ; while, in nearlv all the Northern States it has a force of agents at work securing new business. Rut when it is remembered that accounts have to be kept with over 14,000 separate policies ; that perhaps a tenth as many cease, and a sixth as many new ones are added, in a year: that some $7,000,000 are to be kept safely invested and accounted for: and that 19 separate State departments have to be furnished with an elaborate annual statement of the company's affairs. - it will be seen that there is plenty of work for all.

If we look into the business that is the mainspring and motive power of this institution, we find much that is interesting and gratifying to its friends. When the company had been three years in operation, the whole number of policies in force was 502, insuring $720,780: and the accumulations, not including the guaranty capital, amounted to $16,704.79. Yet, even in that little time, it had paid death-claims on 14 policies, amounting to Si 2.1 50, and so illustrated the nature of the good work it had begun. At the end of the year 1S83, the thirty-second annual report showed 14.313 policies in force, insuring $32,860,164, and gross assets of $7,588,727.32: while the payments for death -claims, since the foundation of the company, had amounted to $6,189,178.65, and for matured endowment policies to $92o.8go more.

To realize the amount of good thus done by what may be called a great collecting and distributing agency, one should be familiar with the circumstances of those to whom claims are paid, and realize in how large a proportion of cases the insurance money is the principal part of what is left for the heirs, and how generally it is true that neither the premiums paid to the company, nor the interest they have earned, would have had any visi bitexistence in a man's estate if he had invested or spent his money in any other way. The interest account of the Massachusetts Mutual for the 32 years shows earnings of over $5,000,000: it is not easy to believe that more than a small portion of this would have been earned by the same principal if it had not been applied by its owners to the purchase of life-insurance.

The laws of Massachusetts, no less than the disposition of the managers of this company, have favored conservative methods of doing business, and an economical expenditure of money. The companies chartered by the State have been few; but not one of them has failed, and their members have had the protection of law to a greater extent than any other class of insured persons in the country. The celebr; ted non-forfeiture law of the State, that went into effect April 1, 1861, provided that the lapsing policyholder, the one on whom the disappointments and hardships of the business had fallen, should receive a return for what the company had gained by his membership, in the form of an extension of the time during which his full amount of insurance should be in force and valid; and a great many thousands of dollars have been paid, and will hereafter be paid, by the mere force of that law, after the failure of the insured to pay his stipulated clues. The law that took the place of this, with reference to policies issued after 1880, was for the same general purpose, but gave the return in the form of a smaller amount of insurance, good for the whole time covered by the original policy, and allowed the insurer in some cases to collect the surrender value of his policy in cash. It also revised the mathematical basis of the law, and adapted it to more modern theories, and more modern forms of business. It can hardly be doubted, that, the more widely the nature of the Massachusetts laws becomes understood, the greater will be the demand for insurance in Massachusetts companies ; for it is only to the members of Massachusetts companies, wherever they may live, that the protective laws above described apply ; residents of this State who are insured in other State companies are not, as is sometimes supposed, included in their provisions.

It is a matter of no small gratification to those interested in the Massachusetts Mutual, that during the years 1880, '81, '82, and '83, it did over 34 per cent of all the business done in this State by the five Massachusetts companies, when it insured #4,254,155 out of a total of $12,472,134; and that in each of those years its total receipts were handsomely ahead of that of either of the four other companies.

The Hampden Mutual Fire-Insurance Company was organized at the close of the year 1883, to insure, "against loss or damage by fire or lightning, manufacturers', city, and village property, real and personal." The charter received on Jan. 1, 1884, bears these names as incorporators : Stephen C. Warriner, William Patton, A. N. Mayo, Emerson Wight, E. W. Ladd, Gurdon Bill, James Abbe, Edwin D. Metcalf, W. C. Newell, W. H. Wilkinson, and Benjamin Weaver. The officers chosen are Emerson Wight, president; Gurdon Hill, vice-president ; P. P. Kellogg, treasurer; John R. Hixon, secretary. It has secured the $500,000 of insurance requisite under the State statutes, and has entered the field of the mutual fire-insurance companies. It will probably enjoy that long-lived and prosperous career for which Springfield institutions, and especially her insurance-companies, have become so widely and so justly noted.

The Springfield Board of Underwriters was organized in January, 1883. It was started by the "New-England Exchange" of Boston, which, by means of the combined experience of leading underwriters, advises and controls this and other local boards, and assists them intelligently to fix rates on the numerous kinds of insurable property. The board is in fair operation, and maintains the fixed rates, although they have been somewhat advanced. Regular meetings are held monthly, for adjusting rates and furthering insurance interests. Almost all the large and conservative companies are represented in the board. The officers are : Joseph C. Pynchon, president; S. C. Warriner, vice-president; F. A. Judd, secretary and treasurer.

Agencies of life and fire insurance companies are as numerous here as anywhere; the leading fire-companies regarding Springfield as a very desirable place in which to take risks, and the life-companies knowing that a thriving and prudent community like this is one in which much effort can profitably be spent to secure patrons. For these reasons, as well as the allpowerful one that business is here to be had, there are many agents, representing many companies, and putting forward their utmost energy and

Co-operative Life-Insurance and Mutual-Benefit Associations have made inroads into this community ; but, as societies offering their peculiar class of protection can hardly be recognized as legitimate life-insurance companies, they will be found noticed in the chapters on " The Sociability of the City," and " The Charities and Hospitals," where they seem most appropriately to belong.

pany has built cars for almost every important railroad in the United States, and has also supplied railroads of other countries. Many of the contcacts taken for home and foreign governments have been very extensive, among which was one from the Egyptian government, finished in [860; $300,000 being received for the work. In 1869 seventy-five coaches were turned out of these workshops for the Central Pacific Railroad Company, which, with 2,600 freight-cars constructed about the same time, represented in value $1,700,000. This company has furnished the Central Railroad of New Jersey, since the year 1862, over 240 coaches (passenger, baggage, mail, and express cars), the total value of which has amounted to over $1,500,000. This is probably the largest number of coaches ever constructed for one railroad-company by one concern. On the 1st of March, 1884, ten passenger-coaches will be completed for the Ferro Carril del Sur railroad of Chili, South America, some of which have exteriors of solid mahogany.

The Wason works were established in 1845, by Thomas W. and Charles Wason, and were carried on in a small way until 1851, when Thomas W. Wason became sole owner. From that time, under his management, the works increased rapidly; and in 1853 a company, with a capital of $20,000, was formed; and in 1862 the Wason Manufacturing Company was incorporated, with an increased capital of $150,000. This was afterward increased to $300,000. Thomas W. Wason was the first president. From a small shed, which was too small in which to manufacture the first freight-car, the works were at times added to, until they included a large brick manufactory on Lyman Street, which, in time, became too small. Then a sixteen-acre tract of land at Brightwood was selected, and the extensive works of to-day were erected. The property is bounded by Plainfield and Fairfield Streets, and Birnie and Wason Avenues. The transfer was made in 1873; and since that time a flourishing little village has sprung up at Brightwood, the place having derived its name from the residence in that vicinity built by Dr. J. G. Holland as his home, and now occupied by George C. Fisk. The founder of the business, Thomas W. Wason, died in 1870; and his successor as president has been George C. Fisk, who began in the workshops, and has been connected with the Wason Company from its earliest days. He is thoroughly a self-made man, and prides himself upon the fact that his business success is due entirely to personal efforts ; but he never forgets Mr. Wason's kindly aid. Mr. Fisk is thoroughly familiar with the smallest details of the workshops, as well as counting-room and business departments. As truly said by one of his business associates, " he carries the Wason Manufacturing Company in the palm of his hand.1' Henry S. Hyde is treasurer of the company. He is a son-in-law of Mr. Wason, and represents a large portion of the company's stock. He is recognized as one of the most thorough business men and successful financial managers in the city, and, aside from his position with the Wason Company, is treasurer of the Springfield Steam-Power Company, and also president of the Springfield Club, the Agawam National Bank, and the City Hospital. He is also treasurer of the Springfield Electric Light Company, vicepresident of the Hampden Savings Bank, secretary of the Riverside Paper Company, besides holding they are running to their fullest capacity, 35,000 feet of lumber is used per day, 700 workmen have been employed at one time at the manufactory, and $1,500,000 worth of cars a year have been turned out. It is easy to see that a large amount of room, as well as a vast deal of material, and a great quantity of machinery, must be brought into use at the Wason works. The buildings, constructed of wood and brick, are commodious, and complete in every particular. They are said to be the best arranged of any of the sort in the United States, if not in the world. The offices are by themselves, in a neat wooden building but a few rods north of the Brightwood railroadstation, on the line of the Connecticut-river Railroad. The railroad-supply rooms are in the same building with the offices. Back of these are the workshops and lumber-yards. Here every part of the car is made. The workshops are arranged in two parallel structures, extending the entire depth of the grounds, each side of a wide-gauge railway. This forty-feet gauge track is traversed by a steam-engine and carriage. By this arrangement the cars, when completed, are transferred from the shops to the tracks, and thence, by the means of switches, to the tracks of the Connecticutriver Railroad. The dimensions and capacity of the shops are as follows : Foundery, 170 by 62 feet, with a daily capacity of 100 car-wheels, and 10 tons of other castings; machine-shop, 96 by 45 feet; smith-shop, 150 by 45 feet; passenger-car shop, 117 by 75 feet; wood-working and cabinet shop, 200 by 62 feet; lumber-shed, 420 by 40 feet; passenger-car paint-shop, 500 by 75 feet; freight-car erecting-shop, 250 by 60 feet; freight-car paint-shop, 250 by 45 feet; tire-and-bolt-cutting shop, 50 by 40 feet: this, with the building where the upholstering, seat-trimming, and varnishing is carried on, is of two stories. The truck-constructing room is 60 by 45 feet; engine-house, 50 by 20 feet, the upper floors being used for veneering rooms. There is one double dry-house 42 by 35 feet, together with one having four compartments furnished with the Foss Patent Exhaust method of drying lumber. This makes an aggregate of nearly 1 50,000 square feet, and over 6 acres of flooring. The lumber-yards cover 12 acres of space, and during the busiest times 4,000,000 feet of lumber are kept in stock. The arrangement of detail in all the various departments of the manufactory seems to be as near perfection as present times will admit.

Smith & Wesson represent one of the greatest, most important, and widely known of the diversified interests which characterize the industries of Springfield ; and none deserve more prominent mention, or have been more closely identified with the growth and prosperity of the city during the past quarter of a century.

In 1874 Mr. Smith retired from the business ; and Mr. Wesson continued alone until Jan. 1, 1882, when he associated with himself his son Walter H. Wesson as a partner, the original style, however, always remaining unchanged. From a small beginning in 1856, when no more than 75 men were employed, and the annual production amounted to only a few thousand revolvers, the enterprise has grown to be the largest of its kind on the globe, employing from 400 to 500 men, and producing yearly from 80,000 to 90,000 of these arms.

The plant of the firm is one of the most extensive in the city, and is remarkably complete in every department. The main factory, which fronts on Stockbridge Street, is a four-story brick building 150 by 40 feet, with an L 100 by 40 feet; and besides a two-story blacksmith-shop 150 by 45 feet, there are a number of smaller buildings. The works are equipped with about $250,000 worth of machinery, a large part of which was invented by this house for its own special work; and it is all operated by a 135-horsepower engine.

This remarkable industry seems to owe its development to inventive and executive ability of high order. Previous to 1856, there was no fire-arm in which any form of metallic cartridge was fired other than the " Flobert," a French cartridge, which consisted of a small copper shell containing fulminate, and a small ball, used only in the so-called " Saloon " pistol, a single-barrelled arm made in France. On the 8th of August, 1854, Smith & Wesson patented a rim-fire metallic cartridge ; and a little later they conceived the idea of constructing a revolver that should use some such style of cartridge. On such an arm they obtained patents in July, 1859, a"d December, i860.

At first two styles of arm were made, but some 40 or 50 models have since been formed. At present seven models only are made. The revolver produced here for military purposes is a superior article. To make this improved arm, the firm purchased certain patents of other inventors, which gave them the automatic cartridge-shell extractor; thus obviating the necessity of the detachment of the cylinder, either for this purpose or for loading. A recent new model is a navy revolver. The automatic extractor applies to all models. No revolver yet invented consists of comparatively so few parts, and accomplishes so much ; its operations are largely automatic. The proprietors claim that it is "unequalled in excellence of material and workmanship, force, accuracy of firing, safety, simplicity of construction, and convenience in loading." As evidence of the superiority of the Smith and Wesson military revolver, it may be stated that it was recommended for adoption by the United-States troops, by the commission of which General Schofield was president, and has been extensively adopted by the Russian and other governments. About the time our war of the Rebellion closed, the firm were producing nearly 60,000 revolvers annually. The demand for them in the United States was such, that, up to 1867, Smith & Wesson made no effort to sell them abroad. At the Paris Exposition in that year, a case of their various models was exhibited, which at once attracted attention, and created a foreign demand which has constantly increased, resulting in large shipments to Japan, China, England, Russia, France, Spain, Peru, Cliili, Brazil, Cuba, and, in fact, to almost every nation on the globe. They made for the Russian government alone, 150,000 of this arm. They received the highest awards at the International Expositions held at Paris in 1867, at Moscow in 1872, at Vienna in 1873, at Philadelphia in 1876, and at Australia in 1880. Agencies are established in all important parts of the globe, the most noteworthy being Birmingham, England ; Paris, France ; Germany ; Havana, Cuba; Mexico City, Mexico; Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic; Shanghai, China; Tokio, Japan; St. Petersburg, Russia; Toronto, Canada; Turkey, India, and Australia.

Nearly all the Smith & Wesson improvements have been patented both in this country and in Europe, and are owned by the firm. For the purpose of securing a perfect interchangeability of all parts of every arm made at this establishment, a system of inspection has been adopted of the most rigid character. Only the very best wrought steel is used, and great attention is paid to the smallest details. The system of inspection adopted is such that the least imperfection in material or workmanship is detected, and causes the piece to be condemned. The very best skilled labor is employed, and almost every department is let out under contract to old and long-experienced workmen who are the heads or superintendents. When it is known that no fires or serious accidents have ever occurred on these premises, the care and precaution of the firm will be understood. An explosion took place, however, at one time when they made cartridges, and several men were injured. But this department was abandoned when the centre-fire cartridge was adopted. One secret of the success of the firm, and the popularity of their revolvers, lies in the fact that they have never been slow to take advantage of all new inventions and suggestions: they have kept pace with the demand for an increased perfection in small firearms.

The Powers Paper Company, ever since its business was begun, has had a steady growth, until to-day it stands in the foremost rank among houses of the sort in this country. Lewis J. Powers, its founder as well as proprietor and active manager, has devoted the whole of his business life to the paper-trade. Beginning as a newspaper-carrier in 1845, when but eight years of age, in the employ of L. B. Brockett, then in business on Sanford Street, in this city, young Powers, by integrity and strict attention to busi- ness, became a partner in the newspaper-house of Marshall Bessey & Co., who had succeeded to the business of Brockett. This was in 1857. In 1 861 Mr. Powers, with his twin brother Lucius H. Powers, bought Mr. Bessey's interest in the concern ; the firm then adopting the style of L. J. Powers & Brother. Mr. Powers was born in this city, Jan. 15, 1837, and is one of its most popular and public-spirited citizens. He has often held, and continues to hold, many positions of trust among the money-making, public, and charitable institutions of the city. During the years 1862, 1867, and 1869, he was a member of the common council, and in 1874 and 1875 he was an alderman. In 1878 he was elected mayor of Springfield, an office which he held two terms. He was the youngest executive officer ever elected in the city. Mr. Powers was one of the prime movers in organizing the Hampden-park Association ; and as a mark of appreciation of his successful management, he was presented with a magnificent timepiece, which was made to order at a cost of $1,000. He still retains his interest in fine horses, and is now treasurer of the National Trotting Association. He is also a director of the Agawam National Bank, the Hampden Savings Bank, the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Springfield Telephone and Electric-light companies, the Wason Car Manufacturing Company, and various other enterprises. His residence, on Pearl Street, is one of the most artistic and well-appointed homes in the city. Mr. Powers's first extensive business speculation came in 1862, when he put into his store, under the Massasoit House, a magnificent line of holiday goods. It was a daring move ; and no local dealer had ever undertaken to carry such a stock of costly books, engravings, and the like. He sold $50,000 as the result of his venture. In 1863, finding the Massasoit-house store too small, he fitted up a large store in Goodrich Block. As in the past, he continued to prosper financially ; but too close attention to business caused a general breakingdown in health. At the advice of his physicians, he secured a farm at Northfield, and remained there during the summer. Again returning to business, he saw that an avenue for speculation and trade was opening in the sale of photograph-albums. These goods were manufactured by Samuel Bowles & Co., and the books of that house show that in 1864 Mr. Powers bought over $90,000 worth of albums. This same year the firm became the selling-agents for the Glasgow Paper Company ; their annual sales amounting to over three-quarters of a million of dollars. In 1872 they again moved, this time to the Agawam Bank Building, and again, in 1875, to the building erected for them on Lyman Street. This establishment is extensive and complete. It is a splendidly built business structure, four stories high above a fine basement. It is of brick, with granite trimmings. Here all kinds of business papers, papeteries, envelopes, blank-books, and miscellaneous stationery are prepared for the market. Here the firm have one of the largest envelope-manufactories in this country, and the numerous machines are constantly rolling off millions of envelopes of all varieties. The United-States Pencil Company, of which Mr. Powers also has control, have headquarters on the fourth floor of the building, and the book-bindery and notion department are very extensive. Mr. Powers's private offices, on the first floor, are exquisite in design and finish, and perhaps as costly as any private office in the country. The newspaper and periodical business is still carried on by the firm in the basement of the Massasoit House, and this branch by itself reaches the sum of $100,000 a year. The Powers Company have offices and agencies in New York, San Francisco, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Chicago, and have men travelling throughout the United States.

The Morgan Envelope Company is another of those great local corporations with national reputations. It is a striking example of what one man can accomplish when he has ability combined with ambition. Twenty years ago Elisha Morgan gave up his position as general freight agent of the Connecticut-river Railroad, and came to Springfield, and in a small way began to manufacture envelopes in the building on Hillman Street now occupied by the National Papeterie Company. Later, the business was moved to Taylor Street; and from time to time portions of other buildings were added, until the factory included a group of structures extending from Taylor to

The Morgan Envelope Company

Worthington Street, with the offices on the Worthington-street side in the rooms now occupied by " The Springfield Daily Union." In the latter part of 1883 a removal was made from this jumble of buildings to what is the equal of the finest manufacturing establishment in any industry in America. The new building is on the north side of Harrison Avenue, east of Main Street. It is a solid brick structure, 230 feet long by 55 feet wide, with six floors including the basement. The front is ornamented with cut brick and terra-cotta work. Up just a few easy steps, one enters, through the main door of the building, one of the lightest and pleasantest counting-rooms in this country. To the left are the offices of the president and treasurer; and everybody is at once impressed with the fact that these men realize, that, as they spend the greater part of their wakeful hours in their places of business, it is philosophical and sensible to make these places as comfortable and cheerful as possible. Here is where the money is earned, and here may wisely be spent a portion of it. But in going through the factory, one may also at a glance perceive that these employers are mindful of their employees as well as of themselves, and have provided for them workrooms that cannot be surpassed for ventilation, light, warmth, and all reasonable conveniences ; and when it is remembered that employment is given constantly to from 225 to 275 hands, it will be seen that this establishment is entitled to considerable praise. The building was put up by this company expressly for its use. The basement is used for packing, clippings, storage, and workshops. The main floor contains the counting-room, the samplerooms, the general wareroom for finished stock and shipping-rooms; and in the rear part the 200-horse-power engine, to the right of which, on a lower floor, are the two immense boilers made in Springfield by R. F. Hawkins. The second floor is chiefly the box-shop, where boxes of all conceivable kinds are made. The third floor presents a lively appearance when its long lines of envelope making and printing machines are in operation: here, when running to their full capacity, one and a half millions of envelopes a day can be made. The two upper floors are used for the storage of flat and finished papers, boxes and envelopes, and materials. Besides these premises, the company still retain for woodwork some of the shops in their former buildings.

To utilize all this property requires an enormous business. This the company has enjoyed for many years, and it is constantly increasing. It is generally known that the Morgan Envelope Company had the original contract for making the postal cards, and at that time finished and delivered fifty-one millions in three months. The envelopes and papeteries made here are shipped to all parts of this country, and are sold to stationers, printers, jobbers, and consumers of large quantities. Of its papeteries, several brands are known everywhere in the trade; particularly the "American Artistic made a specialty. Here the finest line of covered buttons in the country are manufactured. The coverings of soutache, velvet, lasting, mohair, are imported, and pure dye sewing-silk braid is of American manufacture. The third floor of the main building is used for drilling and finishing the vegetable-ivory buttons. The second building, which is directly across the street, and reached by a bridge from the main building, has the same excellent arrangement. The first floor is devoted to the dyeing of vegetable-ivory buttons ; the second floor, to the ornamenting and chemical departments ; the third, to carding, and to the packing of the buttons ; and the fourth, to the manufacture of boxes. The average amount of work turned out by the company is 3,000 gross a day.

The W. G. Medlicott Company, manufacturers of full-fashioned knit goods, have their mills on Morris Street. Since the business was established in this city, the company have prospered and grown so that to-day they stand among the leading industries of the valley. They are now the only mills in Springfield where textile goods are manufactured; and, while there are many in the country that are larger, there are none better equipped or appointed. The machinery is all of the most approved patterns, and the goods which these mills put upon the market are acknowledged of superior make and finish. The products of the mills are men's, women's, and children's underwear, all grades of Shetland Scotch wool, white merino, white Scotch wool, scarlet wool ; fancy colored merino goods also being made. The market is supplied through the company's selling-agents, - Brown, Wood, & Kingman, who have houses at New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The W. G. Medlicott Company was established in 1S81, by

William G. Medlicott, a pioneer of woollen manufacture in this country, and a gentleman whose sterling integrity and fair dealing, together with his admirable business qualities, placed him in the foremost rank of knitgoods manufacturers. His kind heart and many social qualities made him hosts of friends among both rich and poor. A stock-company with a capital of $100,000' was formed, and the founder became president and manager. This position he held until the time of his death in 1883. when his son, William B. Medlicott, was chosen as his successor. The other officers of the company are : William B. Wood, treasurer; H. M. Morgan, secretary; and W. Tansley, superintendent. The mills are pleasantly and centrally located, the original building having been added to from time to time as the business increased, until now they extend from Morris to Central Street, witli a frontage of 250 and a depth of 120 feet. The buildings are five in number, four stories in height, two being built of brick, and three of wood. The mills are divided into four general departments, they being devoted to the scouring and dyeing, the carding and spinning, the knitting, and the making and finishing rooms. The machinery of the mills, which is driven by an 80-horse-power engine, includes at present four sets 48-inch cards, 42 divisions of wrought knitting-frames, 40 heads of circular knitting-machines, and four spinning-mules. About 150 operatives are regularly employed.

The Taylor & Tapley Manufacturing Company, although incorporated in the early part of 1884, is practically the consolidation of several old and well-known establishments ; and the owners and chief officers are among the most respected and successful business-men of this city. The company started in 1882 under its present name, but without being incorporated. It succeeded to the business of Brigham & Co., founded in 1863; Ray & Taylor, in 1865; George W. Tapley, in 1866; The Ray & Taylor Manufacturing Co., in 1874. By these several consolidations, this company has become the owners of many of the most valuable patents, dies, moulds, trade-marks, and patterns in the paper collar and cuff industry. It has brought together several of the leading and most experienced manufacturers, and has secured many of the most skilful workmen in this line. It has also made this establishment, if not the foremost, certainly the equal of any in this industry in this country. The factory is a substantial five-story brick building, as shown in the accompanying illustration. It is owned by the president of this company, and is occupied in part by the Milton Bradley Company. It is situated on the east side of Willow Street, and was built only a few years ago, especially for its present uses. It is equipped with the most modern machinery in its line, the patents on much of which are owned by this company. The business comprises, not merely the making of paper, or, rather, cloth-faced, collars and cuffs, but also the making of the cloth-faced paper, which is sold in large quantities to other manufacturers of collars and cuffs, and to many printing-houses everywhere, for tags and other purposes, where a durable, strong, and cheap flexible material is desired. Upwards of 100,000 collars and cuffs are made daily, in upwards of forty different styles ; and these are sold in all parts of the United States, British, Central, and South America. Although most of the work is done by automatic machinery, employment is given constantly to more than fifty operatives. The president of the company is George W. Tapley, and the treasurer is Varnum N. Taylor. The Taylor and Tapley families will be found mentioned in any account of the development of Springfield enterprises ; for, during several years past, they have been identified with many of them. Elsewhere mention is made of Mr. Tapley as the owner of the oldest house now standing here, and of Mr. Taylor as the president of the Business Men's Association, and Mr. Tapley of the Milton Bradley Company. Both Mr. Taylor and Mr. Tapley have been mentioned as directors of several financial and other institutions. This is another of those many industries which have done so much to bring the city of Springfield so prominently before the eyes of the business men of this country.

The Milton Bradley Company is the lineal successor of the lithographing business established in 1S60 by Milton Bradley, who, two years later, was joined by Clark W. Bryan and J. F. Tapley, and still later by Lewis Bradley, all under the firm name of Milton Bradley & Co., - a name that has become familiar to households throughout North and South America, Europe, and Australia. The business now comprises three extensive departments, each one of which would ordinarily constitute a noteworthy establishment. These are, (1) lithographic department, (2) game and toy department, and (3) educational department. In lithography the firm employ a corps of the best artists, and aim to do better work than is done anywhere else than in the largest cities. Work is done here for firms and corporations all over the country, and is everywhere admired by reason of the superior quality of designs and printing. In games and toys this firm surpass every other establishment in the United States in magnitude as well as variety and quality of work; the catalogue at present containing about 150 items. In educational supplies, the firm now manufacture kindergarten material, and primary-school aids and apparatus, and are also preparing a line of physical apparatus for graded schools and seminaries not caring to invest in the more elegant and costly apparatus now in the market. The wide-spread and enviable reputation of this concern has been well earned. No footsteps of other enterprises were followed, but all three departments were pioneers in their respective lines. When the firm began, they were the only lithographers between Boston, Providence, Albany, and Hartford. When they began the game and toy business, they were the only house making a specialty of this work. When they began with kindergarten materials, they were not only the first to make the supplies, but also the first to print a guide to the method in the English language, - a fact which was duly credited to the firm in the award made by the Centennial Commission; and this same guide, entitled "Paradise of Childhood," is to-day the only complete guide. It will be a surprise, even to many Springfield people, to know that there is no similar establishment in the United States, - excepting perhaps one in New- York City, - where all the various operations are done by one firm, under one roof. There are many competitors now; some making one class of goods, and some another class, but not one who makes all the classes, and none solely manufacturing their own lines and handling nothing else. The firm make many things for jobbing-houses whose imprint is put upon the goods. In this line the Milton Bradley Company have been very successful in satisfying their customers, who demand the best style and the finest quality at reasonable figures. The first quarters were at No. 184 Main Street, over Tinkham & Co.'s store. Jn 1865 larger accommodations were found on Main Street, opposite Court Square, where the firm's games and miscellaneous goods were sold at retail, as well as a goodly assortment of stationery, pictures, and art supplies. In 1869 the property on the corner of Dwight Street and Harrison Avenue was bought, and a large four-story brick block was added to the small building then standing on the rear of the lot. In 1882 a removal was made to the extensive brick buildings on Willow Street, owned by George W. Tapley, and occupied in part by the Taylor & Tapley Manufacturing Company previously described. In 1884 the firm was incorporated as the Milton Bradley Company, with George W. Tapley as president, and Milton Bradley as treasurer and general manager. Lewis Bradley, now 74 years old, is at the head of one of the departments. No one can estimate the good influence that this concern has had, by means of its millions of toys and games which have been used to instruct and entertain children all over the world.

R. F. Hawkins's Iron Works is one of the most noteworthy of the local industries; and, having been established in 1840, it is also one of the oldest. Owing to its specialties, there were many reasons for its prosperity in a railroad-centre like Springfield. In fact, its existence is due to the success of the railroads ; for, coincident with their introduction into this country, naturally arose builders of the roads and their appurtenances, and among the needs of 1839 was a good railroad-bridge. " Necessity is the mother of invention;" and William Howe, then a master-builder at Warren, Mass., appeared as an inventor of what has since been everywhere known as the Howe truss bridge, - a combination of wood and iron on a plan that has not yet been supplanted for its purpose, and on which nine-tenths of the railroad-bridges of this country have been constructed. Mr. Howe sold his patents to firms in various parts of the country ; and the Hawkins establishment is the successor of Stone & Harris as the owners of the patent in the New-England States, who commenced their business in 1840, and, with Azariah Boody and William Birnie, built some of the first bridges, engine-houses, masonry, etc., required by the early railroads. For a short time the firm was Harris & Hawkins ; and Mr. Hawkins, who became in 1867 the sole proprietor, entered the employ of the old firm in 1853, and has always remained in the same concern, doing the same business as his predecessors. These works now manufacture not only the Howe truss bridge, but build all kinds of iron bridges and turn-tables, as well as operate a large iron-foundery and extensive boiler-works and machine-shops. These varieties of work, with the business extending throughout the New-England and New-York States, make up quite an important item in the manufactures of Springfield, and give employment to from 125 to 150 men at the shops, and at times to several hundred men in the field erecting bridges and building-work. The establishment justly commands a high reputation for firstclass and trustworthy work, which will, no doubt, long continue. For 20 years Mr. Hawkins has been assisted by William H. Ikirrall as civil engi- neer, and Charles H. Mulligan as superintendent. He aims to keep a large corps of tried and experienced mechanics; and his success is attested by upwards of one thousand bridges, five hundred boilers, many pieces of building fronts, columns, bolts and forgings, engine-houses, bridge foundations and piers, switches, frogs, turn-tables, etc., scattered over the New- England and adjacent States. The plant of the works covers about two acres, upon which are erected seven spacious buildings, divided into the foundery, machine-shop, boiler-shop, bridge-shop, and carpenter-shop. The equipment embraces nearly all the latest improved machinery and tools known to the iron-working trade, operated by two steam-engines of 50-horsepower each ; and at the rear of the works are the Boston and Albany Railroad tracks, affording the most complete facilities for loading cars direct from the workshops. It would not be possible to give in detail the important work done here; but a few of the noteworthy structures may readily be mentioned, such as the iron-work and roofs of the stations on the Boston and Albany at Springfield, and on the New-York Central Railroad at Buffalo and Rochester. Mr. Hawkins, in 1867, extended the piers on the Connecticut River for the Boston and Albany Railroad, - a great engineering feat. He also built all the bridges on the extension of the New-York and New-England Railroad from Waterbury to Fishkill, and completed others on the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad in Northern New York, and also a series of bridges over Lake Champlain for the Lamoille Valley Railroad. No bridge built by this concern has ever gone down, although many have been subjected to most extraordinary strains resulting from the derailment of trains and other causes. The offices and buildings are on Liberty Street, and any one will always be interested in a visit to the R. F. Hawkins Iron Works.

The Springfield Steam-power Company was organized in September, 1881, for the purpose of supplying power to manufacturers. The capital stock of the company is $200,000. About the time of organization, the company bought the old plant of the Wason Manufacturing Company, only a stone's-throw from the Union Railroad Depot. The extent of the purchase, for which they paid $400,000, is 160,000 square feet; and it is bounded by Taylor, Dwight, and Lyman Streets. Six brick buildings, one of four and two others of five stories, each several hundred feet long, have already been erected, principally for manufacturing purposes. Others will be erected as rapidly as desirable tenants demand them. About half of the land purchased is at present unoccupied by buildings. In the spring of 1884, $25,000 will be expended in new buildings. While most of the occupants on Lyman Street are wholesale merchants, those on both sides of Taylor Street are manufacturers. The company also furnishes power for several concerns outside its own buildings. The engine is a double Harris-Corliss of 400- horse power. Steam is generated in three Pitkin and one Hawkins boilers. The directors of the company are : George C. Fisk (president), H. S. Hyde (treasurer), and Charles A. Nichols, with J. W. Hyde as assistant treasurer.