Wilbraham Town (part 5 of 8)

From these small beginnings the institution was at once encouraged by unexpected success which has continued with more or less variations. To assist indigent students, by making the institution, as far as means wotdd allow, a manual-labor school, a mechanic shop was erected, and incipient arrangements were made for an agricultural department. This experiment did not prove successful, however, and the mechanic shop was soon enlarged and converted into a laboratory, with recitation rooms, museum, and cabinet for the department of Natural Science.

Dr. Fisk, the principal, at first lived on the Work's place, a mile down street. This was on the site of the first house south of Federal Lane, on the east side of our Main Street, now owned by Wm. T. Eaton. A house was built for the principal in 1827-28 on the site of the present house and used as the residence of the principals for twenty-eight years, until 1856, when it was removed a short distance to the west and fitted up for students, and the ne.w one was built.

In 1851, the building known as Fisk Hall was erected; and in 1854 the old laboratory was removed and Binney Hall took its place. On the 4th of January, 1856, the boarding-house took fire and was entirely consumed. A substantial brick building was begun in August of that year and completed in 1857, when it was^again destroyed by the flames.. After nearly two years' delay, another building to take its place was commenced, and was ready for students at the fall term in 1861, and has been in use since that time. It was named "Rich Hall" in honor of one of the principal donors of the fimd for its erection.

In 1896, the Smith Memorial Gymnasium was erected, at a cost of about $45,000, given by Horace Smith, or his estate, for that purpose. In June, 1911, the school was closed as a co-educational institution, and . extensive changes and alterations were made in Rich Hall, and some improvements in other buildings, and was opened in September, 1912, as a School for Boys. The present principal, or "head master," is Gaylord W. Douglas. We hope the Academy will be as successful in its new field of labor, as it has been in the past.

Catalogue Wilbraham, Mass

The catalogue contains the names of 202 males, and 198 females who attended the school, making a total of 400. But, the names of 43 males and 52 females are marked with a dash, to show that they had left the school. Probably some who attended the svimmer term, did not attend in the fall, and some who attended the fall term, did not attend in the summer.

74 males and 97 females boarded, or had rooms, in private houses, the names of the places being given. 18 females made their home with Miss Allen, 12 with Mrs. Potter, 8 males and 3 females with Mrs. Moody, 10 males with Rev. E. Otis, and in smaller numbers at other places. In all, the names of 32 places are given where the students boarded, or had rooms; many probably boarded themselves, and that custom was continued down to quite recent times.

"The year is divided into four Terms, corresponding as nearly as possible with the four Seasons. The Winter Term will commence on the first Wednesda,y in December, and the Spring Term on the first Wednesday in March. The Winter and Spring Terms will each be preceded by a vacation of one week.

"The price of board, exclusive of washing, fuel and lights, $1.50 per week. Washing, 25 cts. per doz. Board may be obtained in private families for from 11.50 to $2.00 per week.

"In no case, however, shall the charges for regular instruction exceed $5 per Term, except for Music, the Ornamental Branches, and Lectures in Book-Keeping."

"In the minds of the committee, Calvin Brewer's place, next the store had the preference. - Sixty-five acres in that beautiful locality for $3,500, was not high. - ^They made further search in the vicinity, coming back each time to this spot. The committee is ordered to close the bargain. The papers are drawn up. - The bargain was nearly closed, the owner thought it was closed, when the committee began to hesitate and inquire. They looked at the Brown farm and the Merrick farm with some longing, only to return to the Brewer place. The board ordered the deeds ' to be executed and placed in the hands of a third party until April when the trustees may have the option of taking them and paying therefor, should they be unable, meantime, to effect a purchase of the Merrick farm.' 'The purchase of the Merrick farm was not effected. The Brewer trade also failed, which proved so great a grief to the owner that he applied to the trustees for damages.

It is a matter of interest to us today, as to the location of those places. The Merrick farm was about one fourth of a mile south of the present location of the academy. The place is now owned by Mr. M. C. Wade, but was owned by the Merrick family for more than one hundred and fifty years.

The Brewer farm included the land on both sides of Main Street, now occupied by the Methodist parsonage and my own home, on the west side, and by the store and house of F. A. Gumey on the east side. The farm was about 21 rods wide and extended easterly to the "middle road," and westerly to near Pole Bridge Brook. Bounded southerly by Springfield Street, part of the way, and northerly by the north line of the road leading up the mountain.

Town Loan And Surplus Revenue

From the Deacon Warriner will, a copy of which will be fotmd on another page, it will be seen that he left a legacy of £200 to the town, the income to be used for the support of schools. There were also two school lots, each containing about 145 acres, which were sold about 1772. The school lots were about half as large as the ministry lots, and probably sold for about 1416. There was also some overplus land, the sale of which may have increased this sum.

The Surplus Revenue

In 1836 the United States had a surplus of money in the treasury, and on June 23, 1836, Congress passed an Act that all -money in the treasury above $5,000,000 should be deposited with the states in proportion to their representation in Congress,

In the Acts of the Massachusetts Legislature of 1837, Chapter 109, it was "Provided that the several towns in the State shall receive their proportional share" of the fund, subject to be called back by the State Treasurer, if required by the United States Treasurer. Section 4 provided, "The several towns aforesaid shall apply the money SO deposited with them, or the interest upon the same, to those public objects of expenditure for which they may now lawfully raise and appropriate money, and to no other purpose." The Act further provided that "$2,500.00 of the money should be retained by the State and loaned, and the income to be paid annually as follows: The income from $1,000.00, to the treasurer of the District of Marshpee. One half of the income from 11,200.00, to the guardian of the Chappequiddick and Christiantown Indians, and one half to the benefit of the Indians at Gay Head; And to the treasurer of the Herring Pond Indians, the income of 1300.00. All of the income to be used for the support of schools in said places." I have copied this last section to show some of the wards the state had seventy-five years ago.

The State Treasurer informs me that there was paid for the town of Wilbraham as follows: "On May 17, 1837 there was paid to Hon. John Howard $2,965.65." And, "on July 27, 1837, there was paid to C. Sprague Esq. $1,146.10." Making a total of $4,111.75. The State Treasurer says : " It is apparent that in 1837 these checks were drawn to individuals. I assume that Messrs. Howard and Sprague must have been designated by the town to receive this money." I do not find that there were any such men as "Hon. John Howard," or, "C. Sprague Esq.," then living in this town, or in any of the surrounding towns, at that time. But evidently the town received the money. The town treasurer's account for many years, shows that he received "$56.09, interest on the town loan" each year,

Beginning with 1838, the sum received for interest is much more, sometimes more than $300 in one year. On March 29, 1839, the treasurer credits himself, "Cash paid for Blank Book for Committee on Loans, $1.25."

Probably the several funds were placed with the Loan Committee, and loaned by them to individuals, and when the interest was paid to the committee, it was handed over by them to the town treasurer. The first definite reference in the treasurer's account to the surplus revenue, that I have found is, "Mar. 28, 1838, By Cash Surplus Revenue for Bridge $300.00." Probably this $300 was used in building the bridge over the Chicopee River, called "Red Bridge." For, on April 6, 1837, the town "Voted to unite with the town of Ludlow in rebuilding the bridge over Chicopee river near Jonathan Burr's, and chose "John Carpenter and Abel Bliss a committee to carry the same into effect." The next reference is, "Apr. 2, 1838, Voted that when the town receives the residue of the Surplus Revenue the selectmen 'be instructed to take $450.00 of the same to pay monies they have borrowed."

It does not appear that the town ever received any surplus revenue from the state, after July 27, 1837. On April 26, 1837, "Luther Brewer, Wm. S. Burt and John Carpenter were chosen a committee to take care of all Loan Money belonging to the Town," and instructed to loan no man more than five hundred dollars at one time." As I have said, the town had the right to use this Surplus Revenue fund for ordinary expenses. But it was loaned out for some years. As near as I can ascertain, it was probably used as follows (Copied from treasurer's account of receipts) :

Then there was the Town Loan, which would include the Deacon Warriner legacy of $666.66, and the amount derived from the sale of the two school lots, about $416, total $1,082.66.

These accounts do not quite balance, and the remainder was doubtless received by the treasurer and entered with the "interest from loan Com."

The town, having used the funds, to pay various expenses, the selectmen gave a note to the Loan Committee, probably in 1866. The note probably was for $1,705.17. The yearly interest on that note, at 6 per cent, would be $102.31, and that sum was paid each year as interest on the "Town Loan" up to March 15th, 1878, when the South Parish was set off as the Town of Hampden, and I suppose they assumed their proportion of the town debts, according to the respective valuation of the two parishes, which was, North Parish, about 8-13, South Parish about 5-13 of the entire valuation of the town, which was, $950,649.

The present Town Loan Committee, Mr. J. M. Perry, informs me that the note which he now has is dated March 31, 1911, and signed by F. W. Green and G. L. Rindge, selectmen, and was given to replace one that had become dilapidated. The amount of the note is $1308.40, and the interest, $78.50, is

1780, Legacy from Deacon Nathaniel Wamner, $666.66 1772, Sale of 2 School lots, 8-13 of same, about, 256.00 Other Sources, perhaps some from surplus revenue, 385.74

It is quite probable that within a few years the town will be reqtaired to restore this fund, and place it on deposit, so that there will be an actual income received from it, which will be applied to the support of schools. The state authorities are looking up such matters in the towns throughout the state, and in some cases have found that such funds have disappeared, probably through carelessness in bookkeeping, and the source from which the fund was derived, or the names of the donors of it, have been forgotten. In the case of Wilbraham, the town borrowed the money from the Town Loan Committee and gave a note for it. The interest has been paid yearly and added to the amount appropriated for schools. If it is restored, as I expect it will be, I hope it will be deposited in a savings bank and called. The Deacon Warriner & School Lot Fund.

Since the foregoing was written, eight reports of the Town Loan Committee have been found among btindles of old papers in the town clerk's ofHce. They are for the years ending April 1st, 1842, '43, '44, 1852, '53, '54, '55, '57. In the eariier reports the accounts of the "Old Town Loan" and of the "Surplus Revenue" are kept separate. In 1843, the total amount of the "Old Town Loan" is reported to be $934.61, and the "Surplus Revenue" as $4,111.65. These figures vary but a few cents trom those which I have previously given. In 1852, the "Committee on the Town Loan and Surplus Revenue" report, "That agreeabel to a Vote of the Town last April, we have collected the amount required, on obligations notes and bonds due the town, the sum of $2,334.00, and have paid the same to the Town Treasurer." As I have already said, most of this last sum was probably used to build the bridge over Chicopee River, at North Wilbraham. Judging from these reports, the figures which I have previously given are substantially correct.

Bridge Over Chicopee River At North Wilbraham The Millerite Excitement

The history of the times, from about 1840, to about 1860, would hardly be complete without some reference to the weird and startling teachings of a class of preachers who proclaimed, with great earnestness and -zeal, that the end of the world was swiftly approaching.

The "Stebbins History" says: "Then came the Millerites, or 'Adventists' as they are now called, and awakened great interest and not a little terror in some minds, by their ' demonstrations ' from the horns of Daniel's beasts, and the 'time and times and half a time' of his prophecies, that the world would be burned up in April 1843. Fortunately or unfortunately, the consuming fire did not descend nor the watching saints ascend, and the ' demonstrations ' failing, a large portion of the interest failed with it." But the interest continued to some extent. About 1854, I remember hearing Dr. Abial Bottom, of South

Wilbraham, telling my great-uncle, Dr. Gideon Kibbe, of an experience of his, while driving along our Main Street towards his home, a little south of "The Green." It was in the early evening and suddenly his horse stopped, apparently half frightened at something he saw up in a tree close at hand. The doctor himself looked and saw a shape resembling a human figure, up among the branches and he asked, "WJiat are you doing up there, this time of night? " A woman's voice answered, substantially, "Before the morning sun shall rise, the fires from heaven will descend and this earth will be melted in the fierce heat. I have on my ascension robe, and am waiting to be wafted to the realms of light beyond the skies." The sound of the woman's voice relieved the anxiety of the horse, and the doctor drove on to his home without giving any advice.

About 1854, a bam was burned on the east side of our Main Street, just north of the Soldiers' Monument lot. I heard it told that a meeting was held in a near-by house, an evening or two afterwards, and one of the speakers, in a state of great excitement, was discussing the imminent conflagration of the world, and he went on to tell how the trial of fire had already commenced, and said, "Before another week shall pass, the fires shall descend and destroy another building here in Wilbraham." Sure enough, within the week, the bam next to the other took fire and was entirely destroyed.

One of these bams stood in the rear of the house now owned by F. A. Gurney, and the other in rear of the old "Virgin House" which was torn down a few years ago. I do not remember which burned first. I was then about ten years old and, with other boys, ran to each fire, when the alarm bell sounded.

I remember attending a camp meeting, in the grove on the hill easterly of Grace Church, in 1854, or 1855, when the Crimean War was being fought, and the speaker referred to the conflict then being waged in the Far East, and went on to say that the war in the Crimea wotild spread over the entire earth, and that every nation of the world would become involved in it, and, "THEN THE END WILL COME."

In these days, it is hard to realize the state of mind of those persons who believed in that doctrine. But I believe that most of them were sincere.

Pastor Of The Church

"But can ye not discern the signs of the times ?" - Matt. 16:3. . . . . " It is not my present design to go into a general consideration of the signs of the times.

"My course is determined by recent strange doings in the conmiunity. A class of men have arisen, who by means of papers, books, and public lectures, are attempting to alarm the public mind, with the idea that some unusual crisis is at hand. They boldly maintain, that the signs of the present time are such as the scriptures inform us shall immediately precede the second coming of Christ, and the dissolution of the world.

"The awful nature of the subject forbids, that in handling it, I should have any regard to personal feelings or prejudices. .... (He then speaks of some interesting phenomena in those times, and says) : "Our only course, therefore, is to look back, and to compare the present with the past. Go back, then, in imagination, one hundred years, and look around upon the prodigies then taking place. . . . (He then mentions an earthquake of prodigious extent in Europe and Africa which) .... has shaken half the globe, buried cities in ruins, split the earth into hideous chasms, which have swallowed many thousands of mankind .... and tossed the ocean into an unusual ferment for thousands of miles. . . . Strange meteros, .... a fiery bloody-colored sky .... three unusual circles intersecting the sun and each other. . . . This is a description given by an eye-witness, of events which took place about the middle of the last century. So far is it from being true that the present time is distinguished by such events, that you can fix on no period since the beginning of the Christian era, when they have been less frequent. ... So far, therefore, as these signs are concerned, we should suppose that we were on the eve of the reign of imiversal peace, rather than of the world's dissolution. I must then ask. What think ye of the men, who in the face of these facts, presume to taUc in the following manner? 'Who is so blind as not to be able to see in the present age a fulfillment of the above-mentioned signs. . . ' ?* .... Think again of that strange compound of reason and madness, Emmanuel Swedenborg, the learned Swedish nobleman. What was the main element of his delusion ? It was, that in 1757, Christ came to judgment, and began the new heavens.

and the new earth ! That strange community the Shakers, had their origin also, in the same thing. Anna Leese, their mother, maintained that her coming was the second coming of Christ! And the Mormons - the abhorrence, and the laughing stock of the world, interweave the same doctrine into their abominable system. . . .

"How vmhappy for their cause, then, is the metaphor which these men employ, when they say 'The gospel, like the sun, arose in the East, and "will set in the West!' .... They maintain with the boldest effrontry, that the restilt of their speculations upon the prophecies, has the same claim to our belief as any doctrine of revealed truth. . . . The natural result of such a representation, I need not describe. When yonder little girl said, 'Mother, I want to die this summer - I don't want to live next year and be burnt up,' she gave a better view of it than could be obtained from any lengthened description of mine. And now it is proclaimed to the world, that God does 'own and bless' the preaching of this doctrine. .... Now my friends, I place myself in imagination forward beyond the year 1843. ... I see the sun as usual rolling around the world, and men engaged as they now are, in the pursuits of life. I pause and listen to the talk of different classes of men. Yonder I see a club of infidels, and as they make merry, and fill the air with profane jests, I hear such expressions as these : 'Aye, I knew it was so. The Bible is proved a lie, and its religion priestcraft.' I see them - with new zeal scatter the books of Voltaire and Paine, and with them ' The Midnight Cry ' I I look again, and I see another circle, who talk in the following manner; 'Aye, I knew it was so. The notion of a general judgment is a bugbear; the necessity of conversion is a mere dogma; revivals of religion are all a farce.' .... Oh, tell me not that this will do no harm. I therefore feel called upon for myself, and in behalf of the friends of truth, now beforehand, solemnly to protest, that we disown all participation in this scheme, and we disclaim all responsibility for its results. . . . And to the man, who, in 1844, shall attempt to turn this scheme and its results against the Bible, and against religion. I say Hold! This scheme is no part of the Bible. . . . . It is a scheme of wicked or deluded men ; and to their account place its results. . . . Let nothing which I have said lead to the icjea, that I have any feeling of animosity toward the men, who are engaged in propagating this scheme. For if they are under a delusion, I do most sincerely, and deeply pity them. . . . But if my fellow men will not hear this message.

which God has bid me deliver, I may not resort to cvmningly devised fables: for the moment that I do, I place myself on the same level with the priest of the heathen temple, and the minister of the man of sin. The gospel which we preach commends itself to every man's conscience; and God forbid that I should forsake this and turn to fables. . . . May God give me grace never to fear to speak the whole truth, when duty demands it, even though I shall thereby drive from me my nearest friends."

The Civil War

In introducing the subject of the Revolutionary War, Dr. Stebbins said: "The epic of this period yet remains to be recited. ... In this hour of our country's trial and peril, when the continent trembles under the tread of contending armies, and the air is torn with the thunder of cannon, and the war shout."

If the Revolutionary War was the epic of that period, then the account of the times which we are approaching, may be called the story of the tragic days of 1861-1865.

At the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town, speaking of the work which had been wrought here by our ancestors. Rev. Dr. Stebbins, near the close of his address, said:

"As they nobly bore their share in' the burdens and perils of the war of invasion, and of independence, so now you rise in the glory of your strength to crush rebellion and vindicate freedom. If Warriner, and Warner, and Merrick, and Bliss, and Brewer, and Chapin, and Langdon, and Stebbins, and Morris, rushed to the field to throw off the yoke of British oppression, and wring from royal lips the confession of our independence and nationality, their sons, not less patriotic, not less heroic, have left home and wife and child, to ' preserve ' the sacred ark of liberty and the holy standard of freedom. The blood of the loved and the brave has been poured out like water that the sin of oppression may be attoned for; and the cry for help from the struggling country .... will not be disregarded. . . . The hour of God's eternal purpose has struck. Not sprinkled with the blood of lambs, but with the blood of men, does he now keep his people's passover. The flaming sword of the

When they were spoken here, the War of the Rebellion was at its worst. The battle of Gettysburg had not been fought, and Vicksburg had .not fallen. The tide of battle, of victory and defeat, flowed backward and forward in an irregular line across the continent, from the Atlantic to beyond the Mississippi, in an awful sea of blood.

At that time, about one hundred and fifty of the men of Wilbraham, with sword or musket in their hands, offered their bodies as a breastwork to stay the on-rushing forces of disunion and disintegration. And today, because of their heroic service, and that of the hundreds of thousands who served with them, we have a reunited, and a United country. It is practically impossible, at this time, to convey to the minds of the generations bom since those eventful days, any conception of the feeling of intense anxiety and suppressed excitement which pervaded the entire North during the early part of 1861, and for several years previous.

The question Of the extension of slavery into the new states, then being settled in the West, kept the entire country in a turmoil of excitement. A special committee of Congress' was appointed to investigate the ' ' Troubles in Kansas. ' ' A minority of the committee reported in 1856. Their report fills a volume of more than twelve hundred pages. On page 445, I find that Edmund Jones voted at an election held in their town of Lawrence on March 30, 1855. Edmund Jones was a Wilbraham man. How long he remained out there I do not know. But late in the autumn of 1855 or 1856 he came back to Wilbraham, and one evening quite a large company of his friends and neighbors gathered in the old First Church (the one which was moved down from Wigwam Hill), while he told some of his experiences in that hastily settled state. "Bleeding Kansas," it was then generally called.

As I remember the occasion, the incidents he related were mostly concerning the numerous street brawls and fights which occurred among those early pioneers, drawn there by the allimportant question of whether Kansas should be a free or a slave state. We may well believe that, through him, Wilbraham had a voice, or a vote, in settling that important question. Mr. Jones lived for a good many years in the house on the west side of Main Street, opposite the road which leads up to the Woodland Dell Cemetery. It is the house with the colonial pillars. He built it.

The question of the extension of slavery had agitated the country for a long time, and was regarded by different sections of our union of states in such an entirely different way, that none of the compromises attempted were sufficient to settle the difficulty, and one sad day, April 12th, 1861, the voice of the cannon demanded the surrender of the United States forces at Fort Sumter, S. C. On April 15th, only three days later. President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers for three months. On April 20th, 1861, Charles E. Buell, of this town, enlisted in answer to that call. He was the first man to enlist from Wilbraham, and when the three months were completed, he reenlisted into the 10th Massachusetts Infantry, which was then gathering on Hampden Park in Springfield. His home was about one mile north of our Center village, on the west side of Main Street, where Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Knowlton lived imtil a short time ago. The place is now owned by Mr. O. L. Millard. The cannon at Fort Stmiter aroused the North as from a trance, party distinctions were for a time swept away, and there was but one party worth the name - the party for the Union. In Wilbraham, "War Meetings," usually addressed by local speakers, were held every few weeks, in one of the churches, and the principal thought in each address was, "The Union, It Must And Shall Be Preserved." And the young men were importuned and entreated to give their lives, if need be, to preserve the Union established by the fathers. And - the young men responded. About sixty enlisted dtiring the remainder of the year of 1861, and before the war was ended the town of Wilbraham had furnished 228 men for the army and navy, as shown on the Rebellion Records of our town. The "History of Massachusetts in the Civil War," published by William Schouler in 1871, gives us credit for "two hundred and twenty three men for the war (and adds) which was a surplus of twenty-six over and above all demands. . . Four were commissioned officers. . . . The whole amount of money appropriated and expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, was thirteen thousand two hundred and fifty-five dollars. ($13,255.00).

"The amount of money raised and expended by the town for State aid to soldiers families during the war, and which was repaid by the Commonwealth, was ten thousand eight hundred six dollars and ten cents. ($10,806.10)." The same History says: "The ladies of Wilbraham contributed liberally of their time and means to the comfort of the soldiers. One lady made two feather-beds into pillows for them."

The pillows were probably sent to some hospital. They would have been comfortable in camp but very inconvenient to carry while on the march.

No bounties were paid to those who enlisted until after July 1st, 1862. On July 26th, 1862, "The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one htmdred dollars to each volunteer for three years' service, when mustered in and credited to the quota of the town, the number not to exceed twenty. On August 28, 1862, the town voted to pay a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each voltinteer for nine months' service, and about one month later this amount was increased to two htindred dollars. On July 28, 1864, the treasurer was authorized to borrow, not exceeding eight thousand dollars, "to be called a recruiting fund," and to be used to procure men to fill the quota of the town under the recent call of the President for more men. It having been reported that some of the men who had enlisted from Wilbraham had been credited to other towns. Porter Cross and Sumner Smith were chosen "to investigate the matter at Boston," and have the rolls there corrected.

"Resolved, That a vote of thanks be tendered to General B. F. Butler for his services in the United States military department during the present civil war."

The injustice of paying bounties to the soldiers who enlisted in the second, third, or fovuth years of the war, and not paying anything .to those who enlisted during the first year, has been considered for a long time, until the legislature of 1912 passed "An Act to provide for suitably rewarding certain veteran soldiers and sailors." Chapter 702, Acts of 1912: "For the purpose of promoting the spirit of loyalty and patriotism, and in recognition of the sacrifice made both for the commonwealth and for the United States by those veteran soldiers and sailors who volunteered their services in the civil war a gratuity of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each veteran (then living), is hereby authorized to be paid from the treasury of the commonwealth. (To those not having received any bounty from the state or any town, and not being intended as meritorious service, such as the commonwealth may rightly give, and such as her sons may honorably accept and receive." So far as I have learned, there are only two veteran soldiers of Wilbraham now living, who are entitled to this gratuity, James S. Morgan, and

The war ended in the summer of 1865, and the flags which the different regiments had borne in that conflict, some of them in' many battles, were returned to the custody of the state on December 22, 1865.

"The Adjutant General of Massachusetts, in his report for that year, addressed to the Governor, says: 'The most interesting State military ceremony at the close of the war, was the reception, by your .Excellency, of the colors of the different regiments and batteries at the State House, on the 22nd of December, the two hundred and forty-fifth anniversary of the landing of the 'Pilgrim Fathers,' at Plymouth. It was a ceremony which can never be repeated, and will forever form an interesting part of the written and performed history of the war.' Nearly every Massachusetts regiment was represented in the column of veterans which bore the battle flags to the State House. The head of the procession reached the Capitol about one o-clock. As the regiments arrived, the color-bearers deployed upon the steps in front of the edifice, while the remainder gathered in the yards on either side. A prayer was offered; then Major General Darius N. Couch, the ranking officer of volunteers in Massachusetts, addressed Governor Andrew (in part) as follows:

" 'May it please your Excellency: We have come here to-day as the representatives of the army of volunteers furnished by Massachusetts for the suppression of the rebellion, bringing these colors in order to return them to the State who intrusted them to our keeping. You must, however, pardon us if we give them up with profound regret. - It is, sir, a peculiar satisfaction and pleasure to us that you - ^who have been identified with every organization before you, are now here to receive back as the State custodian of her precious relics, these emblems of the devotion of her sons. May it please your Excellency, the colors of the Massachusetts Volunteers are returned to the State. ' Gov. Andrew replied in the following brief but beautiful and eloquent address : ' General : This pageant, so full of pathos and of glory, forms the concluding scene in the long series of visible actions and events, in which Massachusetts has borne a part, for the overthrow of rebellion and the vindication of the Union. These banners return to the Government of the Commonwealth through welcome hands. Borne, one by one, out of this Capitol, during more than four years of civil war, as the sjnubols of the Nation and the Commonwealth, under which the battalions of Massachusetts departed to the field - they come back again, borne hither by surviving representatives of the same heroic regiments and companies to which they were intrusted. . . . Proud memories of many a field; sweet memories alike of valor and friendship; sad memories of fraternal strife; tender memories of otu: fallen brothers and sons, whose dying eyes looked last upon their flaming folds; grand memories of heroic virtues sublimed by grief ; exultant memories of the great and final Victory of our Country, our Union and the Righteous Cause; thankful memories of a deliverance wrought out for Human Nature itself, unexampled by any former achievement of arms; immortal memories with immortal honors blended, twine around these staves, weave them- selves along the warp and woof of these familiar flags, warworn, begrimmed and baptized with blood. . . . General: I accept these relics in behalf of the people and the Government. They will be preserved and cherished, amid all the vicissitudes of the future, as mementoes of brave men and noble actions' .... The immense throng then dispersed, and the colors were placed in the Doric Hall of the State House."

"As a fitting finale to this grand pageant, I place on record the noble lyric addressed to your Excellency by a gentleman who has borne a brave and noble part in this great war; - one who, when the war begtm, was chief of your personal staff, and who afterwards resigned that position and went to the war as Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Regiment Massachusetts Cavalry, afterwards promoted to Colonel, and who, wounded and broken in health, came home after three years active military service, with the stars of a Brigadier General upon his shoulders, earned by meritorious conduct and conspicuous gallantry. . . . Severe domestic affliction prevented Brigadier-General Sargent from appearing in the procession. He saw it from his window pass along. The sight filled his heart, and he wrote this lyric: - "

"Hark to the fife and drum! Look at them ! How they come ! Horse and foot, how they come ! All of them? No! for some - Some of the best of them - Azrael tested them - Did not come back.

Where are the rest of them, Some of the youngest. And bravest, and best of them? Ask parlor strategists. Wont to make jest of them ! Azrael, Azrael, Azrael tested them.

Hush ! Look at the flanks of them ! See those dim ranks of them ! Violet banks of them ! All the command! As it loomed in the old time From fog of Sea Islands And black whirlwinds of sand.

"Ah I That fierce gathering ! Quivering! Quivering! Qoud rack, all feathery, Against the wind shivering ! Sabres bend trembling. In hands of the dead ! Like fog meeting headland, These spectres from Deadland, These ghosts of the red-hand. From over the Border, Break ranks in disorder. And melt against shadows Of sunlight and shade.

"The startled air quivers; The pageant has fled. Their presence but seeming ! The soldiers are dreaming. In the graves where they lie, That they rise from the dead. Where guidons are streaming. Where trumpets are screaming. And cannon's flash gleaming. And sabre points beaming. The soldiers are dreaming The dreams of the dead. All their effort is seeming. All voiceless their screaming; In uneasy graves dreaming Nightmares of the Dead.

As you march up the hill, Men feel their eyelids fill, - Women's warm pulses thrill. As the ghosts mute and still. Breathe on them icy chill ; And the guns thunder, till All fades away. Till the century's pageant Has faded away."

In these days of peace, when it is my privilege, as it sometimes has been, to pass with uncovered head, through that beautiful Doric Hall in ovir noble State House which adorns Beacon Hill, and. view those battle-worn banners of the Massachusetts organizations which nobly did their part for the preservation of the Union, and when I gaze again, as in those distant days, upon the loved and cherished colors of my own regiment, now preserved and guarded there, there comes rushing into my memory an outline of the forms and features of the four different "chums," with whom I was the most intimately associated, as we marched, and camped, and fought during those more than three eventful years. Three of those " chimis " died in the service. Two of disease and exposure, and one was shot to death on the night of the 3d of Jime just fifty years and two weeks ago tonight, while we were carrying a despatch from Sulphur Springs to Warrenton, Va. One only of the four was permitted to return with me to our dear New England homes. And a few years since, in a western state, he too surrendered to the impact of the hurrying years. I recall how, when the hard day's march was ended and we had orders to "Dismount! and go into camp," one would take the canteens of both, and hurry off across the fields in search of water, sometimes half a mile away, while the other would gather bits of wood and dead branches of trees and start a little fire and begin frjdng the salt pork, and when the water came, we wotild boil the coflEee in our tin cups, feed our horses from the oats which they had carried all day on their backs, and while they were eating their supper, we would eat ours, and then we would spread a blanket or two on the ground, lie down on them, cover ourselves with other blankets, and with our saddles for pillows, and our weapons by our sides, sleep through the night. There wasn't much variety in our food. We usually had salt pork, hard-tack, coffee for breakfast, coffee, salt pork, hard-tack for dinner, and hard-tack coffee, and salt pork for supper. Sometimes, a chicken would fly into our arms or - ^be secured in some other way - and then we would have a feast.

One evening we had boiled a chicken in our tin cups, over our little camp-fire for an hour or more, until it was about half cooked, intending to finish the cooking while we were feeding and caring for our horses in the morning. About eleven o'clock the bugle rang out the call, "Boots and saddles," and the Orderly Sergeant came running along among the sleeping men, crying, ' ' Saddle up ! mount up ! everybody ! everything ! ' ' While sitting on our horses, waiting for the order to "Fall in!" we devoured that half-cooked fowl. It was pretty tough, but it was tougher to lose it. After some minutes' waiting, the order came, "Dismount, unsaddle, and go into camp." We did not have any chicken next morning for breakfast.

On a May morning in 1863, my company was on the skirmish line charging through the town of Culpeper, Va., driving the enemy before us as fast as their horses could gallop, and occasionally getting a shot at some of the fleeing foe. When we were about through the village the bugle sounded the order "Halt." We tinderstood that the order meant that we were getting too far in advance of the rest of our forces, and might have to wait a half hour or so for them to come up. It so happened that a comrade and myself were in the main street and halted directly in front of a neat cottage- by the side of the road. While we were keeping a close lookout for the enemy down the road, we were soon aware that someone was watching us through the windows from the inside of the house, and presently the door slowly opened and a girl, about our own age, came careftdly out. We had scarcely seen a girl for almost two years, and oh! she looked good to us home-hungry boys. I suppose her investigation through the window had convinced her that we boys did not look very dangerous, especially to a girl. We soon got into conversation, which quickly drifted to the war and its probable results, and my comrade remarked, "That it seemed a pity for the South to waste so many lives and so much effort in a contest in which they were almost certain to be defeated in the end." And the young woman answered in words that I have always remembered, "Oh!" she said, "To me the cause of the South looks as bright as the sun." That bright, impulsive girl, filled with love and enthusiasm and zeal, as she stood there that May morning, has been a bright spot in my memory for more than fifty years.

For the two dreadful years following, she was compelled to watch the bright sun of her hope slowly descending, until it finally set in total darkness and the welcome night of rest from sectional strife brooded lovingly over the land. And oh ! I hope she has lived to see the dawning of this better day, when "Yank," and "Johnny Reb," shake each other's hands in true brotherly affection, and we are all glad that we are now members of one prosperous and united country; something which could never have been, if her dream had come true. Fifty years ago last night, in company with the rest of my regiment, and other regiments of our brigade, we camped on the field where, nearly a year previous, the second battle of Bull Run had been fought. We slept on the ground, with our horses fastened to our wrists, as we did on many nights, when there was no other means of securing them. Next morning, after breakfast, (with the details of which you are already familiar) we moved off in a northwesterly direction towards the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It was just fifty years ago this very day, and was to be the most trying day in the history of the First . Massachusetts Cavalry, during our more than three years of war. After marching some fifteen or twenty miles we encountered the enemy just beyond the village of Aldie, about mid-aftemoon. The 2nd New York Cavalry was in the advance, and commenced the engagement. General Kilpatrick, who commanded our brigade, rode in front of our regiment and said, pointing to some hills in front, "1st Massachusetts I want you and the 2nd New York to gain those hills." I shall not attempt to give a detailed history of the battle, only of the results. We went in on the right and not finding the enemy very strong at first drove them nearly a mile, when we came against three regiments of Virginia Cavalry who charged us in earnest. A regiment sent to our assistance failed to arrive and we were scattered and overwhelmed. About fifty or sixty of our regiment, all that were left there, sprang from our horses, and with our carbines, partly sheltered by a stone wall, held the hills we had been ordered to gain. While the bullets were whistling through the air, General Kilpatrick rode clear up to our position and taking off his hat said to us, " Men of the 1st Massachusetts, you have done all your duty, but I must ask you to do something more. If you will hold this ground fifteen minutes longer I will have the 1st Maine here to relieve you."

After such an address, at such a time, soldiers, worthy of the name, would hold their ground if they knew that a thousand bullets would whistle through their worthless bodies.

At such supreme moments, the cheek may blanch and the knees tremble, but the immortal soul of man, rising on the mountain tops of inspiration, commands its quaking tenement to do its will. We held that ground until relieved. Near the close of the day, when all of the scattered ones were gathered in, out of the 294 who went into that fight, only 96 answered the roll-call. 30 were killed, 66 wounded, and 102 were prisoners, on their way to the prison pens of the South.

At this time the entire Army of the Potomac was on the march northward, towards Gettysburg. On the evening of July 1st we went into camp about twenty or thirty miles south- easterly of that now famous town. We had hardly stretched ourselves upon the ground to sleep, when the bugle rang out the call, "Boots and Saddles," and we mounted our horses and marched away, until about one or two o'clock in the morning, when we again went into camp in an open field. There were a lot of cobblestones on the ground, and I began to clear them away from the spot where my chum and I must make our bed. We were all tired, and he said, "Oh! never mind about those stones, let's get to sleep."

He had been married in the early summer of 1862, and life with him was one glad sweet song in his happy home in Ashfield, Mass. But, the call of his country in distress, came sounding across the states .from the far south-land, saying to him, "Come ! Come ! Come, ! " and, he heard the call, and tore himself away from that atmosphere of love and luxury, and was plunged into the hard discipline and privations of life in camp, and the awful excitement of battle. The next morning, July 2nd, 1863, while we were preparing our breakfast of "hardtack," etc., I thought he was more quiet than usual, and looking at him closely, I saw there were tears on his cheeks and asked him what was the matter. He answered that he had been thinking about what we were to have for breakfast, and it made him homesick.

I did not know it then, but I learned later, that that morning, while we were preparing our frugal meal out there in that barren pasture, there was a baby boy in his home at Ashfield whom he had never seen, and would not see for more than another year. Oh ! when we think of the hardships the soldiers endured, we are apt to consider only the physical side of their nature, and forget that they have emotions and affections.

I shall not attempt to give any account of that dreadful war between the states, and have mentioned these few incidents to illustrate some of the experiences of a soldier's life in active service.

Crowded with such experiences the three years of our enlistment dragged away, the day of our deliverance dawned and to our surprise found some of us upon the earth. The flowing waters of the James River, winding through historic Virginia, where, in the early dawn of this great nation, the untutored Indian maid stayed the red man's hand, bore us on its swelling bosom east and northward to the sea. An occasional friendly Monitor, with never-dying fires and guns full loaded for an ever-raiding foe, stood sentinel along that liquid highway, and with sotmding whistle, which our ship answered, bade us Godspeed on our homeward way. Our souls exulted in this new freedom. The dear "North," which had lived in our hearts, fair as the "Promised Land?" and which many of those whom we had known would never see again came at last within our vision. On a beautiful morning in November, after more than three years' absence, I entered my home. My mother, coming down from upstairs at the sound of the opening door, met her boy, still under age, standing in the center of the kitchen floor.

After the close of the Civil War, the town found that they were owing quite a large sum of money. On May 8th, 1865, it was "voted to raise $23,000.00 to pay the debts of the town." On May 31st, "Voted to rescind the above vote." "Voted to raise $15,000.00 for the debts."

The total valuation of the town in 1865, was $802,774. The tax rate that year was $33.50 on $1,000. The total amount of the tax was $27,927.60. In 1868 the tax rate was $28 on $1,000 of valuation. And so, in those few years, the "War Debt" was paid, and it was much easier to do it then than it would have been ten or fifteen .years later, owing to the depreciation of the paper money in circulation at that time. A few years ago, there were some towns in our state that were still paying interest on their "War Debt," and there may be some now.

Spencer Magazine Carbine And Sabre Hilt

Made by C. M. Spencer, Hartford, Conn. One of the first made. It was carried through the Civil War in Company F. 1st Mass. Cavalry, as follows:

The Sabre Hilt is part of a sabre taken from a Confederate prisoner, captured in a skirmish near Pocotaligo, S. C, May, 1862, When we got into camp, the blade was broken into four pieces and each of the captors had a piece. The hilt was my^ share. The separate pieces were wrapped in newspapers and sent home. The other pieces of the blade are probably in Mass. today.

Soldiers Of Wilbraham In The Civil War 1861-'65

SOLDIERS OF WILBRAHAM IN THE CIVIL WAR 1861-'65 With name of Regiment, time of service, number of engagements, and if killed or died in the army.

In July, 1863, fifty-six men were drafted to fill the town's quota, and on May 18th, 1864, and on five other dates twentynine others were drafted; making eighty-five in all. Of this number, five went into the army, four sent substitutes, twenty paid what was called "Commutation" of $300 each, thirteen were exempt, being aliens, thirty-nine were exempted for disability, one "Run away," of one it is recorded, "No such man in town," of one other, there is no record; and of the last name on the list it is recorded "Not called for," indicating the dawn of that delightful day when the awful struggle between the states of this great nation would cease, and the Angel of Peace would again dwell in our land.

There is a printed "List of persons enrolled in the Town of Wilbraham liable to Military Duty. Class First. Comprising all persons subject to do Military duty between the ages of Twenty and Thirty-five years, and all unmarried persons subject to do Military duty above the age of Thirty-five years and under the age of Forty -five." Then follows the names of 183 persons. But six of them are endorsed as "already in the army," leaving a total of 177. "Class Second. Comprising all Married persons subject to do Military duty above the age of Thirty-five." Then follows a list of the names of 98 persons, but one is endorsed, "already in the army," and one as "over age," leaving 96, which with the 177 of the First Class, makes 273 in both classes. This "List" is signed by "H. M. Morehouse, Captain and Provost Marshal 10th District Mass. Nov. 25th 1863."

There is also a printed list, not dated, called, "New Enrollment," as follows: "Names of Men Enrolled in the Town of Wilbraham" which contains the names of 140, subject to military duty.

"The Rebellion Records'' in the town clerk's office are very incomplete in many details. They show that six Wilbraham men were killed in battle, and that twenty-three others died in the service. Probably there were more. The records give a list of the battles in which a few of the men took part. When the soldiers returned from the war, the town clerk asked some, perhaps all of them, to furnish him such a list. He asked me, and I did so, and they are recorded. But probably many of the others did not, and so there is no record of them. But I think that most of the men in the earlier, three-years regiments, up to and including the 37th, were in many of the great battles of the war.

To Company

The following song illustrates the spirit of the time. TO COMPANY E 10th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers By Mary J. Melvin Air - " Wait for the. Wagon."

When the war was ended, and the soldiers who had survived the terrible conflicts had returned to their homes, to resume the occupations which the war had interrupted. Dr. Stebbins Foskit, a physician who had lived his life among us in the noble effort to relieve the ills of men, conceived the idea of erecting a momunent which should preserve their memory to future . generations. He was not permitted to see his desire erected in enduring granite. But his widow, Mrs. Lucia S. Foskit, who is still with us, in full sympathy with his plan, carried the idea to a successftd and appropriate consumftiation. The monument was dedicated on July 4th, 1894, by E. K. Wilcox Post G. A. R. of Springfield, W. P. Derby Commander, and the address was made by our honored Pastor, Rev. Martin S. Howard ; after which a free collation was served to about three htmdred persons in the Congregational Church Chapel.

In The Name Of Her Husband

The "Crane Park," where the monument stands, was the birthplace and early home of Lucinda Brewer, who married Zenas Crane, the original paper manufacturer of Dalton, in 1809. She was the grandmother of our honored guest, Ex- Governor, and now Ex-Senator, W. Murray Crane, who has graced this occasion with his presence, and we appreciate his kindness. The park where the monument stands is practically the exact center of the town. Within recent years, I have heard the question asked, "Who wrote the inscription on the monimient?" As the matter may come up again, I will say, Mrs. Foskit invited several persons to present an inscription for it, and she selected the one that I prepared. It is not copied from, but is something like the one on the Soldiers' Monument on Boston Common.

In October, 1869

"The great storm of the 3rd and 4th of October, 1869, will long be memorable. Beginning before daylight on Sunday, it rained in torrents through that day and night, and not till the middle of Monday afternoon was there any cessation. During much of this time the water fell, as it were in sheets, instead of drops, and a more powerful storm would seem almost impossible. The weather records of the last quarter century have been searched in vain to find its parallel.

"The rain gauge of the United States armory in this city, showed that from 2 o'clock, Sunday morning till 7 o'clock, Monday morning, a period of twenty-nine hours, four inches of water fell, or an amount equal to the average monthly rain fall. In the tremendous rain of Monday morning (from 7 a.m. till 1 p.m.) 3.34 inches more of water came, and about threequarters of an inch more (.71) before the sun broke through the clouds, shortly after 3 o'clock. Thus the total fall of water during the storm, from Sunday morning till Monday afternoon, reached the extraordinary and wholly unprecedented amount of 8.05 inches. Mr. Weatherhead has kept a record since June 1, 1847, and the greatest quantity of rain in any storm, during that time, was June 12 and 13, 1858 when 4.35 inches fell and the militia encamped on the island opposite the city was drowned out. The average quantity per month for the past 22 years has been about 3.75 inches; thus in 37 hours we received the amount due for two months.

"We had no trains at all from Albany yesterday, but trains ran as usual between this city and Boston until noon. The afternoon express train for the east left at a quarter before 2, expecting to make its customary trip to Boston, but was stopped at Wilbraham, where information was given of a bad break in the road, half a mile beyond the depot. A brook, which is usually, insignificant, was swollen by the rain to a mighty flood, and throwing off the slight restraint imposed upon it by the culvert through which it usually flows, tore up the track for a distance of 200 feet, and giallied out a chasm in some places 50 feet deep. Conductor Whitney accordingly ran his train back to this city. Last evening a construction train with several big head lights for illiimination was run out to the break, to see what could be done to fill up the chasm. There are reports of other serious damage to the railroad near Palmer. No through trains were started from Boston, Springfield or Albanyafter the extent of the damage, east or west had been ascertained."

"The first train for Boston from this city, since Monday morning, left at 2.30, yesterday afternoon, and was composed of thirteen cars, conveying probably not less than 700 passengers. At North Wilbraham, omnibuses were in readiness to transfer the passengers overland beyond the great break, carrying them around about a mile to Butler's crossing. By far the larger part of the passengers, however, preferred to walk, and also to take the worst and nearest way, directly up the track to the great chasm, instead of following the highway.

The crossing of the brook, down the steep, shifting side of the embankment across the smaller brook at the .bottom, which is almost a river, on single planks and sticks of timber and up the equally steep eastern bank, was successfully accomplished, and with skill worthy Alpine travelers.

"Men, women, children, babies and birds, besides innumerable bags and bundles, were carried safely over, and soon the whole party of hundreds were enjoying and diverting themselves on the green fields around Butler's. The first hour or two passed very pleasantly in grand picnic fashion, but after sunset the "chilly night air made fires indispensable and they were not much sooner needed than provided. The farmer's fences were pressed into the service for the public good, and soon three mighty pyres were blazing, illuminating the heavens and comforting and cheering the weary passengers.

"For all this while they were waiting for the arrival of the train which left Boston at 3 p.m., and which was to transport them eastward on its return, and when that long train of fourteen cars and two engines did drive up, at 8 o'clock p.m., perhaps it was'nt received with cheers on cheers !

"There never was a more joyous meeting of strangers; the westward bound passengers were quickly loaded into the omnibuses; the eastward gladly entered the cars; and the parting was no less pleasurable than the meeting.

"The work on the trestle bridge, spanning the departed embankment, is progressing very rapidly, and trains will probably cross it, today. Coimection was made, last night, and foot passengers came over safely. The route thence to Palmer is only passable, and the north track is only used. Beyond Palmer to West Brookfield both tracks are made to do service alternately, neither being entirely sound. The seven freight trains which were stopped by the flood, between Warren and Brimfield, all arrived at Palmer, Wednesday afternoon, and are now waiting a chance to come further west."

"The reconstructionists who have been building the trestle work at the Wilbraham break, completed the structure, yesterday afternoon at half-past-12 o'clock, sufficiently to permit the passage of trains. An engine and platform were run across to test it, just as Conductor Whitney's train hove in sight from Boston. The train passed over safely, and arrived in this city only about an hour later. Trains are now running both east . and west, with few if any delays."

In Regard To The Business Of The Town

"Value of boots and shoes manufactured $8,498.75. "Value of straw bonnets and straw braid manufactured $2,000. "Palm leaf hats manufactured 7,145 valued at $1,000.30. "4 churches in the town, 2 Congregational and 2 Methodist. "In 1837 the Academy had upwards of 300 pupils, 190 males, in 1845. It was rented and operations commenced by Levi Bradford and Eleazer Scripter; in April 1846, with one set of machinery for the manufacture of satinet. In 1847 there was a change in the firm, more machinery added, and increase of power obtained by the purchase of the carding machine privilege on the same stream. The manufacture of satinets, tweeds, cassimeres, and doeskins was carried on by this company until 1856 when a new company was formed with a capital of twenty thousand dollars called 'The South Wilbraham Manufacturing Company.' E. Scripter acted as agent and treasurer until 1860 when William V. Sessions was appointed in his place. In 1862 a large addition to the mill was built and another set of machinery added.

"Below the 'South Wilbraham Co.' the "Ravine Manufacturing Co." started in 1856 making two thousand yards of doeskins a week. Two factories on Eleven Mile Brook made low grade satinet about three thousand yards a week."

All of these mills are now out of commission, and most of the buildings have been destroyed. About 1790, an attempt was made by Capt. Joel Pease to erect a mill about 80 or 100 rods north of the Tinkham road, and about the same distance west of West Street, on Pole Bridge Brook, on the farm formerly owned by Roswell Phelps, and now owned by Mrs. O'Leary, and a dam was constructed; but the country was so flat that the overflow of the pond was very objectionable and the project was given up. In 1764 the town gave Caleb Stebbins of Wilbraham and Joseph Miller of Ludlow a deed of four acres of the Ministry lot on Eleven Mile Brook as a site for a grist mill. And in 1803, a carding machine was placed in a building erected by Jonathan Kilbom, on the same brook, near Stebbins Mill.

The large amount of wood burned by the early inhabitants gave an overplus of ashes, and William King manufactured potashes in the south village near the old meeting house, and Paul Langdon by the Potash Hill. I have learned from old deeds, that there was a potash works on the north side of the road leading up the mountain from the stone church, probably near the small brook which crosses the road. Thomas and Henry Howard erected a tannery at an early day on the north side of Springfield Street, by the brook near the place where

THE COLLINS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, at North Wilbraham, was incorporated in 1872 as the Collins Paper Company. The name was changed in 1876, and the capital increased to $300,000. The company, with some changes in stock ownership and business control, has since been in active operation,, and its works comprise one of the principal industrial enterprises of eastern Hampden County. The plant now forms a part of the Whiting system of paper interests, and has been the largest factor in the growth and development of the northern part of our town.

The grain and milling business now conducted by the CUTLER COMPANY, also at North Wilbraham, was estabished at Ashland, Mass., in 1844, by Henry Cutler, where it utilized the water power of the Sudbury River, and was one of the first concerns in New England to grind western com. In 1877 the city of Boston took that river as part of its water supply, and the business was transferred to our town, Mr. Cutler being attracted here by favorable railroad facilities and water power.

The business has grown from year to year, necessitating the building of several storehouses and the addition of new equipment. The average daily shipments being about eight carloads of grain and feed. The making of milling machinery is also carried on to a considerable extent, and from the North Wilbraham office of The Cutler Company are managed several retail grain stores in other places in New England. Like the Collins Paper Company, the Cutler Company has contributed much to the growth and prosperity of our town.

THE LUDLOW MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATES, located in Ludlow near the northwest comer of our town, have contributed largely to the growth of the town in that section. A manufactoiy was first established there about 1815, and on December 31, 1821, was organized as the Springfield Manufacturing Company, and a stone building was erected at the north end of the bridge, and a little west of the road, on the north side of the Chicopee River. The bridge was formerly called "Put's Bridge," in honor of the builder, Eli Putnam. A grist mill was conducted in the northeast comer of the stone mill, and a sawmill was operated on the south side of the river, in our town, for a good many years. I have tak^n grain to the grist mill and logs to the sawmill. In 1848 the company failed, and the business was conducted by Wood & Merritt until 1856, when the business was merged into the first Ludlow Manufacturing Company. In developing the village of Ludlow, the directors found that they were acting beyond the powers granted them as a manufacturing corporation. Which was one of the reasons for changing the form of organization to that of The Ludlow Manufacturing Associates.

In December, 1891, the company purchased a mill site just above "Red Bridge," and in 1900 commenced work on the present dam at that point. The power is conducted to the mills by electrical transmission. In 1905, a bridge was built across the Chicopee River near "Moran's Crossing," and tracks were laid so as to give the company a direct freight connection with the main line of the Boston & Albany Railroad. In recent years, a large number of dwelling houses have been erected in that part of our town, by the company, which, with the plant at Red Bridge, have added much to our valuation, as well as to our population.

In the year 1900, the old covered structure which had done duty at "Red Bridge" since about 1838, was removed, and the present iron bridge was erected.

The raising of tobacco was considerable of an industry from about 1850, to about 1880, especially along West Street. And many of the farmers set out from one to five acres, with quite satisfactory results.

time, in the late autumn, and arrange with each grower for the purchase of his crop, to be delivered at the place of business of the dealer. And, at that time of the year, it was no uncommon sight to see two or three two-horse loads of the product, wending their way in company, towards the place of delivery.

I remember to have once gone in such a train, either to Warehouse Point or Windsor Locks. The general color of the tobacco grown here was quite dark, and in time the demand was for a lighter shade, for wrappers for cigars, and as our fields did not produce that shade, the demand gradually fell off, until the production of .it entirely ceased.

About the year 1866, a cheese factory was erected on the south side of Springfield Street, a few rods east of the first branch of Pole Bridge Brook, where it crosses that street, on land then owned by Edwin B. Brewer, now owned by Mrs. F. A. Gumey.

The business was carried on for a few years, furnishing a market for a large amount of milk from the surrounding territory. But the business was not profitable, and was abandoned after a few years, and the building burned some years later. A cheese factory was also started at North Wilbraham a few years later than the other, with about the same result, as far as the business part was concerned. A building standing on the same site is now occupied by the general store of F. A. Fuller. The upper part of the building was used as a public hall until about 1890.

After the failure of the cheese manufacturing industry, an increasing amount of milk was furnished to the "Springfield Milk Association" for ten or fifteen years, until about twelve hundred quarts were taken daily, mostly from West Street. The number of cows in town increased from 475 in 1881 to 654 in 1890. Since then the number has gradually decreased" until the town report for the year ending March 15th, 1913, shows but 398. Some milk is still furnished to the Springfield market, and the demand from our own villages is supplied from local sources.

The Peach Industry

The land lying along the western slope of our mountain range seems to be peculiarly adapted to the production of that luscious and beautiful fruit. And npw about twenty persons in this town, as well as several in Hampden, have orchards of from several hundred to several thousand trees, and "Wilbraham Peaches" are not only known all over New England, but in other parts of our country, as having the best color and finest fiavor of g,ny peaches sent to market, and commission merchants assure our growers that there is no danger of over-production, because the excellence of the fruit wins a place for it in any market. Probably the largest crop produced in any one year, so far, was in 1911, when about thirty or forty thousand baskets were sold. Of course, this amount does not compare with the much larger crops gathered in the states further to the south, but it is a very respectable beginning for our town, which we expect will be increased in the years to come. In that year, 1911, I think Lee W. Rice had the largest crop, amounting to 9,600 baskets. Among the other growers who raised good crops that year may be mentioned, beginning at the south, E. Bliss & Son, James Powers, J. J. Lyons, J. L. Rice, J. W. Rice, C. P. Bolles, C. C. B.eebe, D. H. Eaton, M. C.Wade, W. H. McGuire, and others who 'raised smaller crops. An account of the beginnings of this industry may be of interest today? and will be of especial interest in the future, if the business is continued.

In the year 1876, Albert Bliss and his son Ethelbert, set out one hundred peach trees, on the farm made famous by the tragedy of 1761, and the fourth year afterwards had one good crop of fruit. The land was then seeded to grass with the

Peach Orchard Clover Mowing In Blossom

About the year 1882, William R. Sessions set out two hundred or more peach trees, on his farm, about half a mile south of the farm of Mr. Bliss, and in 1886 had a profitable crop of peaches. In the autumn of that year, he sowed the land with grass seed and the trees soon wasted away.

Mr. Ethelbert Bliss was not discouraged, but gave a good deal of thought and study to the subject, and became convinced that with proper care the growing of peaches could be made a financial success here in Wilbraham, as well as in some other parts of New England. In the spring of 1894, he set out 1,400 peach trees and in the autimm of 1897 he gathered over 1,000 baskets of choice peaches, and in 1898, 2,500 baskets, and the next year 4,500 baskets. He continued to set out trees until he soon had about twenty-five acres of peach orchards.

So the commercial peach industry of Wilbraham dates from the setting out of the 1,400 trees in 1894. Beautiful and wellcared for orchards may now be seen in many parts of our town, and many rocky pastures and neglected fields have become beauty spots, producing a substantial revenue. We hope the good work may be continued.

The following table gives the valuation of the Town of Wilbraham, and of some of the manufacturing industries, showing the increase in thirty years. , % '-

United States Calendar For The Year Of Our Lord

"Every letter composed of a single sheet of paper, conveyed not above 40 miles, 8 cents; over 40 miles, and not exceeding 90 miles, 10 cents; over 90 miles, and not exceeding 150 miles, 123^ cents; over 150 miles, and not exceeding 300 miles, 17 cents; over 300 miles, and not exceeding 500 miles, 20 cents; over 500 miles, 25 cents.

"Every letter composed of two pieces of paper, double those rates. Every letter composed of three pieces of paper, triple those rates. Every letter composed of four pieces of paper, weighing one ounce, quadruple those rates; and at the rate of four single letters for each ounce any letter or packet may weigh.

THE "CLARK" WARNER RECORD I copy a few items from the record kept by Samuel Warner, the precinct "Clark," as he was called; The first entry was made "March y^ IS"" 1734," the last "Aug. 28, 1783." For forty-nine years and five months the faithful "dark" performed his labor of love, and twelve days after the last entry, he laid down his pen forever.

"July 3'', 1750, there was a thunder storm which struck Moses Burt's house in Springfield and tore the southwest comer almost to pieces, two children lying on a bed on the same comer of the hous Reseved no Damig, his wife at the window, was So niunbed att first she new not what it was - Nor Can she give any account of the Claps only By what she see afterwards.

No. 84: "Timothy Mirrick the son of Thomas and Mary Mirrick was bit by a Ratal Snake on August the 7"', 1761, and died within about two or three ours, he being 22 years, two months and three days old and vary Near the point of marridg.

No. 93: "One tramp as we sopose was found Ded on the road that Leads from Na" Blisses to William King's Soposed to have fit of the appoylex he was found Wensd 16"^ Day of May, 1764.

No. 101: "William Simons a hed of a family in this town froas to Death a-going from Daniel Hancock's to his own hous on Saturday, January 19"' 1765, and lay until Monday Before he was moved. He left a family of ten children with his Wife.

one a goumy to Hartford Came to the misfertin of Being Drownded in agawam river So called as she and a young gentleman her Loveyeur ware a riding in a Chais a Cross Sd. River. Sweet is love if soon parted.

May the P' 1778: "there was the Body of a Man found in the Riwer between Lodlo and Wilbraham and a Jurey of inquest set on it and brought in was some sarpint laid on him was the casion of his Death 1778 - .

No. 254: "Dea. Nathaniel Warriner Dyed January 10''', 1780, he being in the 77"^ year of his age; he gave 400 pounds to the use of the gospil and Schooling."

With the record is an Almanac for the year 1748, one hundred and sixty-five years ago. Then as now' it was sought to brighten the long list of dates, and hours for the rising of the sun and moon, the signs of the zodiac and prognostications of the weather probabilities, by inserting a verse for each month. That for January reads :

"Nectorian Cyder now, with Pork and Beef, Gives many an aching Stomach great Relief. And he that hasn't these, nor Money in his Purse, His case is bad, and's likely to be worse."

"Now wild Ingredients are together cramm'd. And into cloudy Cannons closely ramm'd : At whose dread Roar fierce Balls and Fires are hurl'd. Omens of that that must calcine the World."

This was twenty-eight years before the Fourth of July was immortalized by the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It would seem that the day, or the month, had been observed as a time for noisy demonstrations long before the nation's natal day in 1776.

The First Baptist Church In Wilbraham

Some of the early records of that church, were discovered in an old desk, a few years ago, by Mrs. Warner Chapin of Hampden, and were copied by Rev. C. B. Bliss in 1908. I have made a few extracts from the copy, which has been loaned to me.

"Aug. 31st. 1767. "These are the record appointed by a certain niimber of men that was scattered up and down in the world, as sheep without a shepherd. Being something acquainted with each other's mind in matters of the greatest concern, we did appoint this thirty first day of August as a day of conferring upon matters of faith and practice, which was held at Capt. Zachariah Eddy's at Belchertown. After the meeting was opened by prayer, we made choice of brother Matthew Smith to lead the meeting; then chose brother Seth Clark to keep the records for us."

"The Articles Of Faith," were agreed upon at a meeting held October 1, 1767, and "The Brotherly Covenant of the Baptist Church in Wilbraham," was adopted March 12"-, 1768, and at that meeting they "agreed that Br. Seth Clark has the gift of teaching, and have invited him to improve, and likewise find that Br. James Eddy has the gift of a Deacon, and have likewise invited him to improve in that place."

At the meeting held in "Wilbraham, Aug. 26, 1768," Elder Noah Alden, Elder Joseph Meacham, and Elder Ewings, with delegates, were present, "and they all agreed that we were a

"Wilbraham, June 13, 1770. "At the request of the Baptist church of this place, the following elders met in coioncil, for to assist the Baptist chttrch in Wilbraham in setting apart Mr. Seth Clark as pastor over them in the Lord. . . The churches sent to, and now present are - Gloucester, Elder Windsor. - Bellingham, Elder Noah Alden. - Leicester, Elder Nathaniel Green. - Sturbridge, Elder Ewings. - Montague, (no Elder, but two delegates) - Enfield, Elder Meacham."

Each Elder was accompanied by two or three delegates. I have omitted their names to save space, but I am surprised, and pleased, to find the name of my great-great-grandfather, (on my mother's side), Israel Kibby, as a delegate from the church at Enfield. The day of June 13"" was taken up with the preliminary work connected with the ordination and, "Then adjourned to June 14, 1770, at seven o'clock in the morning."

"July 7, 1770. At a conference meeting held at Br. James Eddy's - Brother Clark mentioned the difficulty of all the church coming down from Granby to this place to the sacrament every time; requested the fellowship of the church, for him to administer the sacrament occasionally at his house, as he shall see fit. The chiu-ch gave him fellowship."

Wright, "then proceeded to look into each others minds as to our present standing, and after a due consideration, agreed to join in worshiping with them occasionally, at the house of Noah Clark, and so far to keep up a free worship . . . " It would seem, from the above, that at first, some of the meetings were held in other places besides Wilbraham. There is one pathetic incident mentioned in the records which I copy.

"August 12, 1769. Brother Ephriam Wright being under weak and languishing consumption, requested a day to be set apart for prayer for himself and his family ; the church granted his request. - ^he appeared before the church with his family, and gave up his children to the church, leaving a charge with them, (Viz. - Ephraim and Lydia)."

The names of one hundred and sixty persons are signed to the Covenant. Among them are twelve of the name of Butler, five men and seven women, the first being Joseph Butler. The one hundred and twelfth and one hundred and thirteenth names are. Patience Atchinson and Tabitha Atchinson. Tabitha Atchinson was bom in Wilbraham in 1749, daughter of Benoni Atchinson, who lived on the east side of West Street, about one-fourth of a mile north of Springfield Street, nearly opposite where F. A. Bodurtha now lives. Probably, Patience was her sister, bom before the family moved to Wilbraham.

"Tabitha Atchinson own'd y' Cov^" in the First church in Wilbraham, "Dec. IS"" 1767." It seems strange that she shovdd have gone so far from her home, to join another church. Perhaps a case of discipline, in which she was concerned in 1767, may have had something to do with the change.

The Stebbins History says that the Baptists erected a meeting house in 1779. It was located some fifty to one hundred rods northwest of the cemetery at East Wilbraham, and for a time the Society prospered. "From 228 members, reported in 1802, the church diminished . so that in 1807 it is reported to have "lost its visibility." The meeting house was destroyed by fire in 1833. Some of the foundation stones are still in' existence. The starting of the Baptist church at "Colton Hollow" in 1794,

The Glendale M. E. Church

After the removal of the Baptist church at Colton Hollow, to South Wilbraham, in 1854, there was no stated place for religious services in that portion of our town, now called Glendale, but such services were held quite regularly in several private houses and the schoolhouse. It is said that a colored man. Rev. J. N. Mars, who had been a slave, preached there for some time about 1850.

Lorenzo Kibbe, who lived on the east side of our Main Street, where Mr. J. A. Calkins lives now, (the Noah Alvord place) was appointed leader of the class, which nimibered twenty-nine at first. Mr. Kibbe was a very large, portly man, full of enthusiasm and religious zeal, very fond of singing and with a voice like a trumpet. He walked from his home, to attend the meetings at Glendale in the eveniags, and when the services were concluded, walked home again. And, on his homeward journey, after having climbed the eastern slope of the mountain and commenced the descent on the western side, he would break forth into song, and the sotind of his voice rolled far down the mountain side and could be heard for quite a distance along our Main Street. I have heard it many times in the late evening, when I was returning to my home from some gathering in the village, along about the years 1853 to '58. Mr. Kibbe finished his work as leader of the class in 1867. From a record kept by Mr. Kibbe, I quote the following:

"About the month of July, following the organization of this Class, as many of its members had not enjoyed the rite of baptism, and as there was a difference in the minds of the subjects, as to the manner in which it should be administered, it was agreed to procure the services of both a Methodist and a

Baptist minister. Accordingly Dr. Miner Raymond and Elder Pratt were engaged. - the preaching services were held in a grove, east of the school house. Dr. Raymond preaching in the forenoon and Elder Pratt in the afternoon, after which the baptism took place. Dr. Ra}nniond baptizing one, and then Elder Pratt one, until all were baptized."

The place of baptism was the brook, or pond, northwest of the house of A. M. Seaver, then owned by Jason Stebbins, and the pond has since been used for the same purpose. Rev.

Mr. Haskell was assigned as pastor to this people in 1867, and it was at his suggestion that the locality was called Glendale. In 1868, a meeting house was erected at a cost of about $2,000, above the foundation, which was put in by the members of the society. The site selected, was on land o^ Chauncey Bishop, which was formerly part of the farm of Deuty Partridge, and his house must have been near where the church now is. The

Rev. Edward Cooke, D.D., Principal of Wesleyan Academy 1864-'74, attended to supplying the pulpit for some time, sending students to preach when unable to come himself.

Many of the students who preached their first sermon in Glendale have since filled prominent places in the New England Conference and elsewhere. At least two have been Presiding Elders, George Whitaker and Jphn Galbraith.

The people, realizing that those young men, who came, "Over the Mountain to preach to the heathen," must have a place to begin somewhere, were kindly disposed towards them, and testify that, with their enthusiasm and zeal, they did much good in the community. For a number of years the pastor who has supplied the pulpit has also had another charge, either in Wilbraham centre or at Hampden. The present pastor is Rev. H. G. Alley, who was pastor there for three years, more than twenty years ago. A Sunday school was organized about the same time as the church, and a library was gathered, with some assistance from Roderick Burt, who was a Wilbraham man, and a bookseller. Until the meeting house was built, the books were kept in a cupboard in the old red schoolhouse, and were afterwards transferred to a bookcase which was presented to the church for that purpose.

The Grace Union Church At North Wilbraham

Previous to about 1874, religious services were held occasionally at private houses. Many of the residents attended preaching services at the Congregational Church in the Centre village. A "buss," or stage, ran regtilarly every Sunday for a few years, to carry, the worshipers who did not have teams of their own. In 1874, as the population of the neighborhood increased, services were held in Liberty Hall, over the old cheese factory, where the store of F. A. Fuller now is, on Stinday afternoons. Rev. Martin S. Howard, pastor of the Congregational Church at the Centre, conducted the services most of the time. A Sunday school was organized about the same time. In 1876, those who worshiped in the hall formed the Grace Chapel Society of Collins Depot, and the erection of the present meeting house was commenced. The land on which the building stands was given to the society by Warren

The Chapel was dedicated March 11th, 1877, with sermon by Rev. M. S. Howard, who was assisted in the other services by Rev. J. F. McDuffie of Ludlow. Previous to about 1878 the services were held quite late in the afternoon, as Mr. Howard preached in the forenoon and afternoon at the church in the Centre village. But, beginning with the year 1878, arrangements were made, so that the afternoon services at the centre, were transfered to the church at North Wilbraham, and the Grace Chapel Society contributed 1300 annually towards Mr. Howard's salary, he serving both churches. This arrangement was continued for eight years, or until the year 1886, when Grace Union Church was organized. It was started as a union church with 48 members, representing Congregational, Methodist, Baptist and other Christian denominations. In these last twenty-seven years of its history it has been a power for good in the community, and has received into its fellowship onehundred and seventy-two members. Of the original members, eighteen are still living and eleven of them are residents of Wilbraham. The membership of the church at the present time is ninety- three.

The Methodist Society At North-East Wilbraham

Previous to 1881, a Methodist church society was organized in that neighborhood, and a meeting house erected and services held in it for a number of years until about 1893, when the building was converted into a dwelling house and is now owned by Mrs. Inez Perry.

The Christian Union Society At North-East Wilbraham

On April 18, 1868, the present society was formed and the present meeting house was erected in that year. The land on which it stands was given to the society by Col. Benjamin Butler, and James K. Butler, a son of Colonel Butler, has been clerk of the society for many years. The services have been conducted by ministers of different denominations, including those of the Advent faith, and in recent years, for part of the time, by the pastor of Grace Church at North Wilbraham.

The Church Of Saint Cecilia At North Wilbraham

A society of the Catholic faith was gathered at North Wilbraham, and services were held in the Liberty Hall, until 1890, when the present church edifice was erected. Services have been conducted regularly since that time by Rev. William Hart, pastor of the church at Palmer.

Church Of Saint Cecilia The Public Schools

As early as 1737 the Town of Springfield "Granted to the Inhabitants at the Mountains on the East Side of the Great River for supporting Schooling there three potinds and to be paid as it becomes due to Nathan' Warriner."

This appropriation was increased from year to year until 1749, when it was £ 35. But the apparent increase was probably due to a depreciation in the paper money, which was then at about seventy-five per cent discount. For, in 1750, the amount appropriated was £4. 13s. 4d. "Lawful Money," (or coin). This amount was increased in 1755 to £6-16-7-1. On November 8, 1752, Springfield "Voted that Mr. Jacob White Mr. Nath" Burt & L'= Samuel Mirick be a Com" to Examine the Circumstances of the Inhabitants of the Mountain Parish with Respect to the Towns Granting them a sum of money towards Defraj^ng the Charge of building the School House already built in said Parish & make Report to this meeting." On November 25, 1754, there is "Granted the sum of £6. To be paid to Ens" James Warriner For and Towards the Charge of Building the school House lately built at the Moimtain Parish so Called and to be by him repaid to the Several persons who were at the Expense of building the same." So it seems our first schoolhouse was built previous to 1752. It stood on the west side of our Main Street, about opposite the present Congregational Meeting House.

After the town was incorporated they voted, on December 1, 1763, "£15. for the support of Schooling." In 1775, the town was divided into ten districts and about one hundred and twenty-six dollars was raised for the support of schools. There were but two schoolhouses in town at that time, the one opposite the Congregational Church, already mentioned, and one on the "middle," or Ridge Road, about where the schoolhouse of District No. 5 now is. The schools were mostly kept in rooms in private houses.

The teachers "boarded round," remaining at each house where there were scholars from three to twelve days. In the Wilbraham History, Dr. Stebbins says:

"This system was continued down to a recent period, - into my own days of school-teaching, and perhaps since. It was a great occasion, for the children especially, to have the schoolmaster come to their house to board. The goodies were to be arranged in tempting richness and abu^idance upon the table.

"With what bewitching grace of mingled fear and delight would the little girl, her face all rosy with modesty, her eye sparkling with expectation, stammeringly, half-curtesying, half -hesitating, announce to you the thrilling news that all things were now ready, and that 'mother wants you to come and board to our house next week.' And when you gave the welcome reply, ' I shall be happy to go, ' how lightly and jocundly she bounded away to announce the news to the envious group of her companions !

"From that night on, what a stir was under that roof! The candlesticks are scoured, the andirons put in order; the best bed, which had not been occupied for half a year, perchance.

overhauled; the best knives and forks taken out of their quiet resting-place and polished; the baby's dresses looked after and ironed out; in short, there was a universal brushing up and smoothing down of the whole premises. Especially did Jemima experiment on the possibility of an unaccustomed curl or crimp in her auburn hair. And when the time came for the master to make one of the household, how many benedictions did he pronounce on the extra rye-and-indian bread; the luscious sparerib; the smoking cakes; and above all on the sweet, darling baby ! And with what earnest importunity did the proud mother insist upon his taking one more piece of the cake redolent of the molasses coating, and making refusal impossible by insinuatingly announcing that Jemima made it! Ah, those were halcyon days, - the elysium of schoolmasters!"

They were good days for the children too. It brought them into a closer and more intimate relation with the teacher and did them good. I can speak from experience, for I remember when the school teacher boarded, for a week or more, in my own home.