Wilbraham Town (part 6 of 8)

In 1791 the town appropriated £100, to be divided among the school districts in proportion to the money they paid into the treasury, to assist in the erection of school houses. This appropriation was continued for three years.

In order to give better opportunities to those who were aspiring for more instruction, the town appropriated, in 1792- '93, £12 each year, "to the School District in which lives Samuel F. Merrick, Provided they keep a Gramar School six months from the present time/and the Inhabitants of the whole town have Liberty to send scliollars to said School, said School to be under the direction of the selectmen." The town furthermore voted "that the scholars of such parents as did not furnish one quarter of a cord of wood cut fit for the fire before the first of January, should not be taught at school, and if any teacher violated the rule no order should be given for wages." Dr. Stebbins further says:

' ' Our schools have been constantly improving. A geography with an atlas was introduced as early as 1820. Dabol superseded Pike; and Smith, Dabol. It is only in very recent times that boys generally have been rash enough or bold enough to study grammar and geography, or girls hardy and courageous enough to study arithmetic. I remember the first boy who was presumptuous enough to venture on fractions. ... I believe I was myself the first person who taught Colburn's Intellectual Arithmetic in town; it was in 1828. Gradual improvement has marked them from the beginning. . . . Posterity will be more grateful for nothing you leave them than for good public schools."

Besides the public schools, there were men in town who taught private schools, where better instruction was given. Rev. Mr. Witter had such a school. He lived on the west side of our main street, just south of the lane that leads off to the west, directly opposite Federal Lane, where Mrs. Thompson now lives. Mr. Witter was pastor here from 1797 to 1814. Rev. Ebenezer Brown taught a grammar school. He was the minister here from 1818 to 1827. In the Glendale, or Colton Hollow district. Elder Alvin Bennett had private scholars, and sometimes taught a public school. Rev. Mr. Warren, of the South Parish, had private scholars until his death. He was pastor there from 1788 until 1829. "By these means, the children of the town," in those early days, "were enabled to obtain a very respectable edifcation without leaving its limits."

On November 8, 1825, the Wesleyan Academy, now known as Wilbraham Academy, was opened for the reception of students, and has furnished an excellent opportvmity, for such of our children as desired a higher education than could be obtained in the public schools. Probably we do not half realize the great benefit the Academy has been to our town, in many ways. The closing of the Academy as a co-educational school in June, 1911, was a distinct loss to many of our young people. But the opening of the Academy under its new name of Wilbraham Academy, in 1912, restored to the boys the opportunities of a high school education near their own homes, and we have every reason for wishing this institution a prosperous future.

The voters in each district held an annual meeting and elected a Prudential Committee, who had charge of the selection of teachers and all other matters in connection with the carrying on of the work. The bills which they presented, after being approved by the town school committee, were paid by the town.

If a new schoolhouse was built in any district, the expense was met by a tax assessed on the residents and property in that particular district. The district system was 'abolished in 1875, the town purchasing the property of the twelve school districts, at the appraised value of 116,531. The tax rate that year was 128 on $1,000. But of the 127,979 raised, $16,547 was remitted to the taxpayers of the several school districts. In 1872, drawing was first taught in the public schools. The school committee, in their report to the town for that year, say, "What a revolution ! instead of a child being punished for acting out his nature in drawing pictures in school, as 'in days of auld lang syne,' he is now commanded to do it." And they also say, that in accordance with the law, "we have introduced Bartholomew's Drawing Cards, during the winter term."

The instruction in drawing was given by the teachers in the different schools until 1896, when the town made an appropriation for that purpose of $100, and also an appropriation of $150, for the teaching of music, and a special teacher was employed in each branch, who gave instruction in all the schools, which practice has been continued to the present time. In 1892, the people in the several districts, acting with the school children, procured flags for every school building.

As the children care for these flags and raise them over their buildings, they will be reminded of the great achievements which have been made in our cotmtry, and we trust they will be an inspiration to them, to do well their part, as they enter into the larger life which increase of years brings to us all. In 1893, the town began to pay the tuition of the high school pupils at the Wesleyan Academy, twelve attending in the fall term, and fifteen in the winter. In the same year, Miss Mary L. Poland began her long service as superintendent of schools, in a district consisting of the towns of Ludlow, Longmeadow, Hampden and Wilbraham, giving to the schools of each town the benefit of skilled supervision, and her work has proved generally successful and satisfactory. Since the closing of the Academy as a co-educational school, the girls of our town, who desire a high school education, find it necessary to attend the high schools in Springfield, Palmer or Ludlow, as most convenient for them, and some of our boys are attending the schools in those places. During the past year, twenty-six have attended the schools in those towns, and five have attended the Wilbraham Academy. The total expense for high school and academy tuition for the past year has been $2,468.50. About one-half of this expense will be refunded by the state.

The following table shows the amounts appropriated by the town for school purposes, the amounts expended, and the number of scholars for the years mentioned.

In th« historical address, delivered here in 1831, by Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, after speaking of the small amounts allowed by Springfield for schooling in the Mountain Parish, previous to 1763, he says, substantially, "Those insignificant sums, do not compare with the seven hundred and fifty dollars we are spending this year for schools." And Dr. Stebbins said in his centennial address, "Never, probably, were the public schools in better condition than today. Gradual improvement has marked them from the beginning. There is yet, however, abundant room for improvement, and you will make it. This year you pay seventeen hundred and forty-two dollars for the support of your schools, in the midst of a terrible civilwar, while only twenty years ago, in 1840, in a time of profound peace you paid not half as much - only eight hundred dollars. Onward! the path grows brighter and brighter."

It is interesting and of value, to recall these items from the past, and compare them with conditions as they exist at the present time, and feel assured that we have made some progress, and that the path towards a higher education for our children, has grown "brighter and brighter."

I copy- another message that comes from the past. In an account book, kept by one of our school teachers, of her receipts and expenses, while teaching school in another town in 1834, I find that she received $150 for the year's salary. After deducting the amount she paid for board and other expenses, she writes,

"Settled with Mr. Smith my whole accovmt being 149.85. I have now after paying Mr. Smith and the money also I paid for necessary expenses $52.26, but $81.40 is what I should have had now, if I had not expended any."

In 1881, a law was enacted by the legislature, giving women the right to vote for members of the school committee upon the payment of a poll tax. Mrs. S. F. White has the honor of being the first woman to be elected a member of the school committee in our town. She served for the years 1890 and 1891.

In anticipation of the approaching anniversary of the incorporation of the town, the school committee, assisted by the district superintendent, prepared an interesting historical exercise for the occasion. Scenes from the ancient life of the town were presented by the great-great-great-grandchildren of those early settlers. Clad in "y^ ancient garb," there appeared representatives of the "Worthy and ReV* Noah Mirick," "Good Deacon Warriner," "Faithful Teacher Mary Newell," and others who have won our esteem and affection because of the work they wrought here in those days of long ago.

Class In Ancient History Of Wilbraham The South Wilbraham Academy

About 1850 an Academy was started at South Wilbraham, with George Brooks as first principal. With some interruptions the school was continued for thirty or forty, years, having at times forty or more students, but was discontinued several years ago, and the building is now the Town House.

Representatives From Wilbraham To The General Court At Boston

The following is a list of the Representatives sent to the General Cotirt from 1786 up to the present time. From 1763 till the Revolutionary War, the town voted with Springfield for Representatives : -

It appears, that from about the year 1800 to 1839, the town of Wilbraham was entitled to send two representatives to the legislature each year; from 1839 to 1857, one each year; from 1857 to 1877, one every other year. Since 1877, the opportunity to send a representative has been gradually diminishing until the present time, when we are permitted to nominate a candidate only once in about ten years.

Division Of The Town

In ordinary life, about half the population of the world are privileged to change their names at least once, and a great majority of such persons accept that privilege, and seem to enjoy the experience. And so it came about in the history of our town, that the south part wished to change its name. It was nothing new.

In 1766, and again in 1768, there was an article in the warrant for the town meeting as follows: "To see if the Town will give Liberty to the Inhabitants of the South part of Wilbraham that they have Two Months Preaching in the winter season upon their own Cost." The article "was passed in the negative." But those who desired a change were not discouraged, and the question came up again and again. In 1772, a petition was presejited, and as it gives some light on the conditions which then existed I insert it.

July 20'h 1772 Petition by Asa Chaffee and in behalf of others. Presented to the town to set off the south part of the town as a town by itself, says (very much condensed) "We have 47 families in the part asked for and 20 young men - ekclusive of Wales as it is called which borders upon us - tis not any dissatisfaction with our Rev. Pastor or offense taken with y= Ci*" - our distance from meeting is so great, y« season a great part of ye year difficult, and we so unable to keep Horses & Furniture that it is truly y= case that far y= greater part of our Families are obliged to stay at home. - and well knowing what a tendency staying from Public Worship has to indispose people therto - tis a continual greaf to us. that so many in our families are obliged to stay at home on Sabbath days."

This petition brought an article into the warrant as follows: "Art. 3'*, To see if the Town will vote off the South end of the Town as far north as the south side of Othinel Hitchcocks lot (on the west to Middle Road, then on north side of Abel Kings lot to Monson) to be a Town by ourselves." The town clerk adds, "an unintelligible article." No action was taken on it. The division of the town into two parishes in 1782, relieved the situation for a time. In 1840, there was an Article, "9"* To see if the Town will vote to divide the Town on the line of the parishes in case they do not build a Town House." "Voted not to divide the Town." But at last, after more than a hundred years from the time when a division of the town was first presented, on November 6th, 1877, the town again voted on the question. The vote was taken by roll-call, and was at a town meeting held in South Wilbraham. Out of 203 votes cast, only 19 voted against division. On March 28, 1878, the Legislature passed an Act incorporating the present town of Hampden. Good-bye, old friends. There was many a wordy battle between the two sections at different town meetings, but, considering the nature of man, and all the conditions which surrounded us, we worked fairly well together in those by-gone days. At the town meeting held April 1st, 1878, three days after the passing of the Act, "The new town of Hampden was invited to participate in the meeting in all but voting for town officers." Showing that harmony and good-will prevailed between the two sections. The same feeling of good-will has continued through all the years since then.

The. Memorial Town Hall

THE. MEMORIAL TOWN HALL I have no desire to revive, or to keep alive, any of the feeling which existed in different sections of the town on this subject, some twenty-five or more years ago. But I feel that a brief statement of some of the facts should be made, as part of our town history.

The question of building a Town Hall had been considered by the voters for many years. I have found articles in the warrant for town meetings in 1838, 1840 and 1844 relating to that matter. The article in the warrant calling the meeting ia 1840 reads : "To see if the Town will vote to locate the Town House, if they agree to build one, on the Green so called near the house of John Adams.", At the April meeting in 1885, the following article was in the warrant :

"Art. 16, To see if the Town will vote to erect a monument to the memory of the men of Wilbraham who died for their country in the war for the preservation of the Union, and make all necessary appropriations, and choose a committee to carry the same into effect."

A committee of five was chosen to consider the matter and to report at a later meeting. About a month later the committee reported in favor of building a Memorial Town Hall, and that it be located on the lot where the Soldiers' Monument now is, which is very near the exact centre of the town.

The town accepted the report, voted to build and chose a committee of five to proceed with the work. At that time the lot was owned by James B. Crane of Dalton, whose mother was daughter of Gaius Brewer, who had lived on the lot for many years and until his death in 1843, when the place was occupied by his son John, tintil his death in 1860. The committee purchased the lot of James B. Crane for S500, his brother, Zenas M. Crane, also of Dalton, paying one-half of the price, as a present to the town.

But there were some in town who desired a different location, and a petition was presented to the Court, asking for an injunction to restrain the committee from going on ynth the work, claiming that the action of the town was illegal.

The hearing on the petition delayed matters until about the first of January, 1886, when the Supreme Court declared that the action taken by the town was legal.

A meeting of the building committee was held January 21st, 1886, and three bids were received for doing the work: One from Joseph Hayden of Springfield for $10,000; one from the

Flynt Building & Construction Co. of Palmer for $9,060; a bid which I presented was lower than these, and the contract was awarded to me for $8,475. The winter of 1886 was verymild, and the excavation for the walls and basement was soon completed. The walls were to be of red sandstone, rough ashler work, to about four feet above the ground and then of brick.

The stone for the foundation was drawn from an abandoned quarry on the west side of West Street, about opposite where Dr. James M. Pease now lives.

The stone for the rough ashler work, above the ground, was procured from the quarry at Sixteen Acres. The walls were all completed to four feet above the surface of the ground early in April. At the April town meeting, after a long discussion, the town voted to accept the work that had been done and to go on and complete it.

The meeting was continued to about nine o'clock in the evening when, some of the voters having gone home, a motion to reconsider prevailed, and it was voted not to build.

Weary with the long strife, those who favored the project gave it up, and we have no town hall yet. A lawsuit was necessary before the contractor received pay for the work he had done, and it was about three years before the matter was settled.

The Electric Railway

In March, 1870, the first horse-car was run on the street railway in Springfield, and in 1890, part of their system of street railways was equipped with electric motor cars and the use of horse power was discontinued as rapidly as possible and the "trolly" system adopted. The lines were gradually extended and, on September 17th, 1901, the electric cars began running regularly through the north part of our town. Efforts have been made by our citizens to have the line extended along Springfield Street to our centre village, and thence to North Wilbraham to connect with the present line there, but without

The Telephone

A private telephone line was constructed from North Wilbraham to our centre village by Dr. S. Foskit and the Wesleyan Academy, and was in use in 1880. About 1884, Dr. H. G. Webber made use of the line. The charge at first was about $30 per year, but about 1886 the price was raised to $100 per year. The subscribers declined to pay the charge and the telephones were removed.

On the 1st of January, 1914, there were about 106 subscribers on the several lines radiating from the "Collins House" at North Wilbraham, and the welcome tinkle of the "telephone call" is now heard in many of the homes throughout the entire territory of Wilbraham.

The California Adventurers

From about 1849 to about 1855, the excitement caused by the discovery of gold in California spread over the country like wildfire, and thrilled in the hearts of the young men of that time, until they saw visions of great wealth waiting for them on that far shore, if they only had the courage to go and gather it.

Here and there, one with the wanderlust more strongly developed, determined to make the attempt, and small companies from many communities pledged themselves to go. Public meetings of neighbors were held to wish them Godspeed.

A shooting match was held in East Longmeadow, in a field about 75 rods southwest of the Baptist Church, where the adventurers might test their newly acquired rifles. And when the shot of some adventurer rang out, and the signal showed that the bullet had hit the mark, cheers went up and the air thrilled with excitement.

A song, "The Golden Lure," was sung and shouted to a rollicking "hurrah, boys" time. The chorus and several lines of the song have been told me by one of those who used to sing it, and I have reconstructed some of the verses.

The Golden Lure

We've heard a tale of a western land, Where gold is found in the river's sand, And all one needs is a spade and pick, To take out chunks as big as a brick.

We've formed our band and our trip is planned. To journey far to that promised land. For the golden ore is now in store. On the banks of Sacramento's shore.

With pick and shovel and iron bar. We'll probe the hiUs in that land afar; We'll dig all day with all our might. And weary not till the stars are bright.

We'll make our beds on the cold wet ground. And when the wolves come a-howling 'round. We'll give them a shot from our rifles true. And we'll bring their pelts back home to you.

Oh, soon afar, on that shining shore. We'll turn the sands for the golden ore; We'll work with a will and all our pull. And we'll come back with our pockets full.

Jones, Walter Hitchcock, George McGregory, Franklin Stebbins, Darwin Chaffe, Carson Cone, Charles Hancock, Gilbert Stacy, John Bradway, Otis Lincoln, Joseph Baldwin. Perhaps a few others, whose names I have not learned. I have learned some of the details of the journey there, from my uncle, Horace G. Kibbe, of East Longmeadow, now of Sonora, Cal. Most of them went by way of the Isthmus of Panama. The demand for passage was so great that it was necessary to secure tickets several weeks in advance.

The fare for steerage passengers was S200 from New York to San Francisco, which included meals while on shipboard. Most of the men walked across the Isthmus, their baggage being carried on pack mules. They were twelve days on the Atlantic Ocean, three or four days crossing the Isthmus, and were seven days sailing up the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco.

Nearly all of those whose names I have given returned to their homes here, after a few years. I heard it told around at the time that S. F. Merrick said that he was "going to show the men of Wilbraham how to build a bam." The stone bam on the west side of our Main Street, some 20 or 40 rods north of the Tinkham Road, is the result of his efforts. It was an ambitious undertaking.

Not all of the men who felt the call of the "golden lure," travelled as far as California, in their search for it. About the time of the California excitement, there were persistent rumors in many of our New England towns that some of "Captain Kidd's gold" was buried within their borders. There was a man here who "dreamed," or conceived, or believed, that some of it was hidden on the top of our mountain, in an old cellar hole, a little east of the Ridge road and a little north of the road to Monson. Two or three others became interested in the subject, and for several nights they visited the place and turned the sod, the soil and the sands, in and around that old cellar, in their eager search for the buried gold.

During all the digging, not a word must be spoken, for they believed that if their efforts should be successful and the iron case containing the golden treasure should be vmcovered, and if at the same time the sound of a human voice should vex the spirits of the midnight air, the object of their quest would glide a hundred or even a thousand feet down into the bowels of the mountain and be lost to them forever. A boy about eight or ten years old learned something of what was going on, and, like many other boys, he wanted to know more about it. So when the men gathered with their picks and shovels near his home, in the late evening, to journey to the abandoned cellar, he followed on after them, keeping a discreet distance in the rear, and was able to observe their operations. He survived the experience and has related the incident to me.

Fraternal Organizations

A Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars, under the name of Freedom's Guide Lodge No. 163, I. 0. of G. T. was established here about 1866, and was quite successful as a social organization for a few years, holding meetings in the vestry of the Congregational Church, and doubtless doing some good for the temperance cause. The society went out of existence about 1870.

There was also a society of the Sons of Temperance in the centre, and one at North Wilbraham, a little later, but both have ceased holding meetings. And, earlier than these, there was a society of ' ' Know Nothings ' ' here. But we know nothing of what it accomplished, although I think I have a copy of its printed ritual, which I found among the Wm. W. Merrick papers.

The Free Masons

In 1870, Rev. Edward Cooke, D.D., and eighteen other Masons in Wilbraham, were granted a charter for Newton Lodge, and Brother Cooke was elected the first master.

The first meeting of the Masons of Wilbraham to consider the matter of forming a lodge was held at the office of Dr. Stebbins Foskit, October 6, 1870. Other meetings were held there and at the office of Rev. Dr. Cooke, principal of Wesleyan Academy. The first meeting in the present lodge rooms was held January 4, 1871. The charter members were: Rev. Dr. Edward Cooke, Dr. S. Foskit, C. G. Robbins, W. H. Day, J. W. Green, J. S. Morgan, E. Jones, E. B. Newell, W. F. Morgan, L. J. Potter, W. L. Collins, A. Boothby, C. M. Parker, W. M. Green, W. Kent, D. A. Atchinson, H. H. Calkins, and W. F. Eaton. About one-half of the charter members withdrew from Hampden Lodge of Springfield to form Newton Lodge. One night in 1875, there was considerable excitement in Newton Lodge, caused by a fire in the bam of one of the charter members. Dr. Foskit. The bam was near the lodge rooms and the fire threatened to spread to the near-by buildings. About forty brothers were in the hall at the time and most of them were excused at once, and rendered efficient service in putting out the fire. After they had withdrawn, the lodge was regularly closed in form with only the traditional number present.

In 1891, about twenty-seven of the members withdrew to form Brigham Lodge of Ludlow. In 1894, one of the members of Newton Lodge was appointed Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge, and served for seventeen years, visiting the lodges throughout the state to instruct them in the ritual. He declined a reappointment for the year 1911, because of some historical work he had been selected to do. He is now, (1914) Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge. Newton Lodge has now about 55 members.

The Wilbraham Grange

was organized in 1888, and for about twelve years held their meetings in the Chapel of the Congregational Church. By the kindness and munificence of Mrs. Lucia S. Foskit, the presentcommodious and convenient Grange Hall was erected in 1900, and first used in 1901, and has since served as a meeting place for the order, and for many social gatherings. The membership of the Grange is about 80. The ladies of the town have a Study Club, which meets

Grange Hall The Wilbraham Farmers' Club

This society was formed under the name of "The Agricultural Lyceum of Wilbraham." The first meeting was held in the basement of Fisk Hall on December 22, 1854, and Nelson Mowry was elected chairman and Henry M. Bliss secretary. An address was given by Prof. Oliver Marcy, a teacher at the Academy, and Horace M. Sessions, of South Wilbraham, spoke on the subject of peach growing. In 1861, the name was changed to Wilbraham Farmers' Club, and quite regular meetings were held at the homes of different members, and occa- sionally at one of the churches, until about the year 1900. The secretary, Henry M. Bliss, was statistical correspondent for the U. S. Department of Agriculture for many years.

A Young Peoples' Literary Society

Was formed in the Centre village about 1870, and gave a drama, or an entertainment of that character, nearly every year, for about twenty-five years. The first was a selection from the poem written by Dr. J. G. Holland, entitled "Bitter Sweet," in 1870.

One of the most popular was the " District School," given in 1892, and as the mention of it brings to mind so many familiar names and interesting incidents, I give a copy of the program.

Deestrict Skule On Ye Main Rode

Ye Master of ye Skule House with ye Children of ye Deestrict, will open ye doors and commence to reade and spell their lessons at half past seven by..ye Towne Clock. Ye good people of ye big Towne will please get ye chores done earlie and put on ye Meeting Clothes so as not to be late. Ye Young Men and Maidens will want to heare these lessons and see how ye children are getting their Eddication.

Parte First. Ye Towne Skule Committee will meete Mr. Jabes Epaphroditus Quackenbush, and see if he has laming enough to teach Ye Younge Men and ye Maidens of ye Stony Hill Deestrict.

Parte Seconde. Ye SchoUares in all ye Deestrict of Stony Hill will begin to lam their A B C's, also to figger and rite, and get an eddication such as was never seen in the Deestrict skule on Stony Hill.

Parte Third. Ye examination of ye skule wiE be held, showing what laming and eddication will do for our Younge Folke, so that every Farm House in ye

The Woodland Dell Cemetery

This is very pleasantly located, near and east of the Center Village. The grounds now occupied by this association, containing ten and a half acres, were first purchased by R. R. Wright, H. Bridgman Brewer and J. M. Merrick, "at the cost of eleven hundred dollars.

The officers are, Chauncey E. Peck, president; Charles N. Mawry, vice-president; Frank A. Gumey, treasurer; Carrie A. Moody, secretary. 184 lots have been sold up to the present time.

Slavery In Wilbraham

From what I can gather from old records and traditions, there were at least five families who owned eight or more slaves in Wilbraham along about the years 1745 to 1780. The "Worthy" Rev. Noah Merrick had three, Mr. David Merrick had one, and Capt. John Shaw had one. There were probably a few more. The slaves of the Rev. Noah Merrick are supposed to have been inherited by his wife, from her father's estate in Haddam, Conn. Dr. Samuel F. Merrick had two, but they may have come to him from the estate of his father (Rev. Noah Merrick.)

There is a strange and almost tragic incident in connection with those slaves of Dr. Merrick, which has been told me by members of the family and, while I have clothed the story in language of my own, I have endeavored to give a description of it which will convey a true idea of the incident, and still conform to the truth, as regards the principal event.

The names of Dr. Merrick's slaves were Luke and Luc (Lucy). Luc was a plump, kind-hearted creature, of the good old negro mammy character, and assisted in the household duties. Luke was generally of the same kindly disposition and very valuable as a worker on the farm. But he had a most violent temper, and when crossed in his wishes, or sometimes without any apparent cause, he would fly into a dreadful passion, showing no more reason than a wild beast. In an hour or two the fit would pass off, the sxmshine in his heart woidd assert itself, and he was kindly and genial as usual.

When one of these "tant-trums," as Luc called them, came on him, and the men folks were all away, the women of the family would usually manage to coax him out of the house, lock the doors and let Lttke wear away his "tant-trum" by throwing himself against the trees or buildings, in an insane fury.

On a day when the men folks were all away, perhaps haying in a distant meadow, Luke was sent up to the house to fetch some water. Luc was sweeping out the kitchen and, for the moment, had set a chair in the doorway. Luke sprang at the chair, insane with passion, and flung it far out in the yard, but Luc slammed th6 door in his face and locked it. All the other doors were quickly locked and Luke drifted away toward the bam, venting his spite upon everything that came in his , way.

The time for the mid-day meal was approaching and Mrs. Merrick went into the pantry to select the materials. While looking among the shelves, with her back toward the open window, she heard a noise in that direction and turning around, she saw the passion distorted face of Lvike at the window, with his hand resting on the shelf within, as if he were about to spring in. Screaming with fright she ran out into the kitchen, where she was comforted by the faithful Luc.

When the state constitution prohibiting slavery was enacted about the year 1780, it is said that some of those slaves were invited to accompany "Massa" on a visit to Hartford, and were privately sold and invited to go on board a sloop lying at the wharf, to have a good time, and while fiddling and dancing, the sloop dropped into the stream, spread sail, and disappeared down the river. They were never heard of again.

The phrase, "Underground Railroad," is rarely heard in these day$, and may be meaningless to many persons now. But jfifty to one himdred years ago it was carefully whispered around that there were in many towns certain havens of refuge, where the escaped fugitive slave from the Southland, seeking for a home of freedom in far-off Canada, might find a hiding place from the htmters pursuing their human prey across the states. And when the hunters, hot on the trail, had come and passed on, and the shadows of night had fallen over the earth, the shrinking fugitive would be taken in a team, or might be directed to another place, ten to twenty, miles away, where he would find shelter and a hiding place from the officers of the law.

It was an unlawful thing to do, but then, as now, there prevailed in the hearts of men an ujiwritten law, far above the decrees of courts, or the enactments of legislatures; and it is a well established fact that the fleeing fugitive slaves were sometimes helped in that way.

A house in our center village, directly across the street from the one in which I reside, was torn down about 1907, when it was discovered that there were two cellars under it. One of them was quite small, entirely separate from the other and larger one, and entered by a trap door in the pantry. The story quickly spread that the house had been a "station" on the "Underground Railroad."

The house was owned and occupied by Rev. Mr. Virgin for several years, about 1838, and wheii the report of the "Station " was being circulated, I wrote to his son, also a clergyman, to learn if the story could be verified, but he answered that he "would neither confirm or deny it," but he knew that in those days, if anyone in want, whether it was a homesick student, seeking for a shelter, in whom there might be the making of a Methodist bishop, or a fugitive slave fleeing from the man hunters, with his face set toward the promised land of freedom, "Mother" Virgin, as she was familiarly called, would not have turned him empty away.

More than one embryo Methodist preacher, presiding elder or bishop, found a motherly, welcoming woman in what was then called the "Virgin Hollow Hotel," and it is quite within the bounds of probability that some hunted fugitive slaves may have been hidden there for a time. A severe struggle once took place at Mr. Edward Morris's, where two fugitives had taken refuge. Their masters or hunters came after them, and a fight ensued, in which one escaped to the woods, and the other was taken, bound, and carried away. I have no knowledge that any assistance was ever rendered to the hunter when he sought his human 'prey.

Fragments Gathered From Various Sources

In 1837, Delos D. Merrick of this town attended the Medical School at Pittsfield, Mass. The following is part of a letter written to his brother, William W. Merrick.

"Pittsfield Oct. 1837 "Dear Brother Last sabbath I took a walk out to the Lebanon Shakers, having heard much in regard to their late mode of worship, and for the first time was out of New England, it being just over the line in the state of New York, and certainly it is very mountainous as we go west from this towards Albany. The proceedings of the Shakers during their services were truly rediculous. They conducted themselves very much as they do at enfield for nearly one half hour then throwing aside aU decency cut all manner of shines that you could imagine. Turning upon their heels until so dizzy that some even fell upon the fioor & others would have fallen had not they been so thick as to hit some one as they were falling. One woman turned upon her heel 84 times without stopping & another 100 checking herself for about a minute when she had got 50 turns accomplished. They would all spat their hands stamp their feet & hallow at the same time. Oh! what a noise. You imagine 220 making as much noise as possible & you think what we had. They acted precisely like crazy people.

One would start from one end of the house and run around in a ring turning her hands about her head & like lightening go around 5 or 6 times cutting as large circle as the house would allow. Another bending backwards & forwards as far as possible & not fall. I declare I expected every moment to see them tumble flat. Another would run and take hold of some one and both would wheel about 2 or 3 times and then run to another and perform just so again until he had gone to 10 or 12 & then he would leap up & down & spat his hands. They had one girl probably just joined them, I was pleased to see her trudge about. She could not begin to keep up & when they moved their hands up & down, as you have seen them at E. they would get hold of hers & help the poor thing. They also had a very noble looking man about 28 years of age I should think, he had not taken off his velvet vest & broadcloth pants, but he beat the Shakers themselves. He would cut around like the mischief. He would hug one and kiss him then another & and so on, & I'll be bound he got hold of a bluberliped negro. How sweet. I saw him upon the floor at length & I concluded that the fellow had got the apoplexy from his exercise & almost begun to feel for my lanech. But in a few minutes up he hopped and at it again. I wonder the men and women did not hug & kiss each other But I never saw a bit of the thing. No sport in this. I should have made a mistake and kissed a young girl for they had 2 or 3 very pretty looking girls. Perhaps you may think I exagerate the proceedings. N: I fall far short of it. You can have scarcely any idea of their conduct. They do more injury to their health in an hour this way than a months hard work, for what is like getting drunk by turning and tumbling about thus."

In 1837 or 1838, Antoinette C. M. Bliss, went to Louisiana to visit her aunt, Mrs. Susan (Brewer) Thomas. Susan Brewer was daughter of Charles Brewer of this town. She was the second Preceptress of Wesleyan Academy, 1827-1829, and married Capt. David Thomas of Louisiana in 1834. About 1838, her niece, Antoinette C. M. Bliss (afterwards Mrs. Speer) made Mrs. Thomas a visit. The following is a copy of part of a letter she wrote to her aunt (Mrs. Thomas Merrick) of this town.

"I have just been out in the ironing house and it is a real curiousity. 4 nursing babes and 8 others from creeping up to 3 or 4 yrs of age. I dont know what Asdll be when summer comes; 6 cradles, and they make the larger ones rock the least now. No one need to say, but that uncles niggers have an easy time."

The Warner Papers'

James Warner was conductor of the mail stage between Boston and New York for a few years, about 1790. The stage line was owned by Pease & Sikes.

"A Recight to make a good ointement for B ruses and maney Sorts of Lamenes - ^Vis. take spear mint and mutton tallow Simer them togather till Looks green then as much Beas Wax as tallow and as much Rosam as Each of the others and Simer them well. Set it by till it is as Cold so you may have your finger in it then poor in Rum and Stir it to gather till it is Could.

One Hundred Thousand Dollars in old Continental money, One Hundred and Twenty one Dollars in New York new issue ? Money and Twenty Dollars in Pensilvania Do. Five Dollars New Jersey Do. All of which I promise to deliver to Mr Ebenezer Thayer in New York."

ReC* from Amor Bull 24 peices of Gold weight 135 dw= which I promise to deliver Mr James Cummings No. 1 William Street New York immediately on my arrival next Wednesday

Received of Prosper Wetmore a ticket in the second Class of Massachusetts State Lottery No. 2865 which has drawn a prize of one Hundred Dollars, which I promise to receive, and bring on to said P. Wetmore or return the ticket, to receive for my trouble one per Cent commission

"Rec"* of Norman Butler one small tied Bundle said to contain Two South Carolina State Notes amounting to One Hundred fifty five pounds U-s Sterling which Bundle is directed to Daniel Pomfret Merchant Water Street New York and which I am to deliver S"' Pomfret on my arrival in New York with the next mail. Hartford B"" Sep. 1790, for Levi Pease.

"Be it enacted &c that Whenever aney Dog Shall Kill or Wotmd aney Sheep and proof Be made there of Before aney of his magistes Justes of y= pees for the County whare such Damig is Don y' S"*) Justis is Reg spedily to Notify y= oner of S"* Dog of such Damig and if y' Dog be not Kill"* within 48 ours after such notis given y= oner shall forfit y^ sum of five pounds to be recovered."

"ReC' Wilbraham April 14"" 1774 of James Warner his promissory note of hand for the sum of £6. 18s. when paid, in full for my services in teaching a Singing School the Winter past also for the Bass Viol which I made in that time. Witness my hand George Allen."

When Sol from high meridian had finish"* his carear A Lively semicircle in the West then did appear With a dark shady mantle the Globe all round was drest And over the Blue Canopy the Stars were interspersed

They told me the four Brethering wear & from Jeraslam came In Solomans time the porters ware aU round the temple of fame there was Solam Highman & acib their names I did enquire and talman a So Jomer wear and came from mount Moria

They ordered me for to Repair all with a Cemely Grace IJnto the mount of Horab to view that holy place Talman he Gave orders & bid me not refuse Upon that holy mountain for to take off my shoes

Then to the Mount moriah Side a pilgrim I did Repair With Cherubims & palm trees the walls all Cover^ wear When in a trembleing poister I knocked at a door - Resolvd if I admittance found to See the thrashing floor -

What glorious things I then did see I mean for to Conceal To none But such as I am I Ever will Reveal I then Got orders for to proceed & leave that holy mountain Straitway I was Conducted Back to Jordons Christal fountain

Over Jordans Stream we passed as I must tell you true Of Ephramites at once they fell thousands forty two Yet I was Resolv'' once more to See moriahs holy Ground When I came there such Raps I gave as made the solemn' sound

Then Back to Enochs Building to view that Lovely town - He was a son to Lamach a Craft of high Renown - I understand you are a Craft By what you tell to me And finer in mettle you are Skil<i so you may Enter free

Then to the East of Eden to view that holy ground - You was a son. Lamach A Craft of high Renown - Of him I friendship found I thought myself secure - And a master Builder I was made on aroijis threshing floor

All round the PaUies I was Brought to wisdoms temple door Conducted I was to the East of Aarons threshing floor - Five noble orders I was taught all round this temple of fame Sudenly I then awoke & found it was a dream -

This "dream" was probably written about 1790, as it was with papers of that date. What meaning the letters, "SO M," were intended to convey, I am not able to tell. They may have meant, Son Of Massachusetts. But, considering the scenes, and the characters presented, it is more likely they meant. Son Of Moriah, or. Son Of Melchizedek, or any other of many titles which may be imagined.

A Relic Of Stagecoach Days Diary Of Jane Rindge

I have had an opportunity to read that diary, and as it illustrates the difference in the methods of travel, then and now, I insert a few lines.

"Left Springfield in the Steam Boat Agawam with a pleasant company on board most of whom were strangers. . . . When at Ware House point there were four more added to our little company one of which we Judged to be an Episcopal Minister. .... Arrived at Hartford about eleven .... put up at Treat's the Temperance House. . . Visited Charter Oak memorable for depositing the British Charter in the trunk at the time of the British, (visited friends in Hartford).

"July 17"" Rose at 5. o. clock - ^we went aboard at six. - reached the Sound between ten and twelve o clock. . . Reached New York about six at eve. . . . July 19, left New York at 6 in the morning for Philadelphia in the Steamer P. - to Amboy where we left the boat took the Cars to Bumington, then took the Steamer Philadelphia on the Delaware river, landed at Philadelphia about two."

The Toll Gate On The Boston Road

As near as I can learn, the toll gate was located on the hill east of Eleven Mile Brook (sometimes called twelve mile), and about four rods west of where the present road (which I have called East Street), leaves the Boston Road, and runs by the underpass, beneath the railroad. It was probably established about 1814, and discontinued about 1847. Adna Bishop was gate keeper for several years, beginning about 1831. His house was on the north side of thd Boston road, near the bam which has passed its usefulness and is now fallen into ruins. I have been told that this bam was first erected in Holyoke, and after doing some service' there, was taken down, brought on sleds in the winter time and re-erected here. A daughter of Adna Bishop married Albert Bliss, and she told her son, Ethelbert Bliss, about the location.

Rev. Charles H. Gates, who celebrated his ninety-first birthday last March, spent his boyhood days in this vicinity and remembers the location. Also, Henry M. Bliss, who remembers that the charge for a single team was a "fo-pence, ha penny," (nine cents).

The Wilbraham Turnpike

Among the papers left by Abel Bliss, Jr., now in possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Sarah (Bliss) Gillet, I have found a copy of an Act of the Legislature of 1820, which I have condensed slightly.

"Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "An Act to establish the Wilbraham Turnpike. "Be it enacted .... that Abel Bliss Junior, William Clark, Aaron Woodward, John Adams Junior, Ebenezer R. Warner, Moses Burt, Pynchon Bliss and John Glover (with others who may associate with them, etc.), are hereby made a Corporation for making a Turnpike Road through Wilbraham, to the line between this State and Connecticut, beginning at the west end of the First Massachusetts Turnpike, and extend- ing thence, in a southerly course, through Wilbraham Street, near to the house of John Adams Jun"', in said Wilbraham; thence south, about twenty eight degrees west, or generally in that direction, as shall be found by the Committee appointed to mark said Turnpike Road, in the most convenient place for the public, through said Wilbraham and a part of Longmeadow, to the line between the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut, in a direction for the house of Calvin Hall, in Somers, .... Shall have the powers and privilegs, and subject to all duties &c, contained in an Act passed March IG"" 1805.

"Provided however, that the said Turnpike Road, from the First Massachusetts Turnpike, to the house of John Adams Jun"', may be only three rods in width : . . . . If they neglect to complete the road for the space of five years, the Act to be void.

It is interesting to know that part of the "First Massachusetts Turnpike" was in Wilbraham. Probably the west end of it was near the present railroad station at North Wilbraham. (Probably nothing was done to build the "Wilbraham Turnpike.").

A Strange Accident

He was the son of Charles Brewer, and grandfather of Charles A. Brewer, now living in Wilbraham. He lived in the first house south of the first Methodist meeting house, in the house now owned by F. A. Gtimey. The accident happened about 100 rods east of our Main Street, in the cart-path which leads off from the road running up the mountain, south of the stone chtirch. I heard the story at the time, substantially as follows : There is a very steep pitch in the cart-path just beyond the stone wall, and Mr. Brewer was coming. down the path with his horse and wagon. He unhitched the horse from the wagon, took hold of the shafts himself, and attempted to guide the wagon down the hill. In passing through the bar- way, near the foot of the hill, he was pushed against the post on the south side, and one of the shafts pierced entirely through his body, near the chest.

I have heard the account told, that he was leading the horse down the hill and was caught against the bar-post and his body pierced by the shaft. This account seems more likely to be the way the accident happened than the other. But the result was the same. He was killed there. He was 78 years and eight months old, and it seems very strange that he should have attempted to hold the wagon back himself, and much more likely that he was leading the horse.

to learn the art, trade or mystery of housekeeping. Her master & mistress she shall faithfully serve, his or her secrets keep, & his or her lawful commands everywhere, at all times readily obey - at cards, dice or any other unlawful game she shall not play - ^nor matrimony contract, dining the 's^ term." (Till she was 18 years old.)

Jan. 6, 1833, the selectmen agreed to pay Samuel Beebe $690.00 "to care for, and to Bury any who may die, all the Paupers of Wilbraham for one year."

"Dec. 2'«* 1833, Sold to Samuel Beebe the Poor of the town - ^by Vendue he being the lowest bidder at ten htindred and ninety nine Dollars for two years from the first of April next."

"I have gathered from various sources the following facts and traditions, which may be of interest to the curious in such matters. They are mostly obtained from the papers left by Calvin Stebbins and John Bliss, Esqs.

"Agriculture. - The first potatoes were brought to toAAm by Dea. Nathaniel Warriner, about 1754, or about twentythree years after the town was settled. There was but a peck of them. Broom-corn was first raised by Thomas Jones or Joshua Leonard. At a later period, Paul Langdon and Calvin and Sylvanus Stebbins raised it in considerable quantities and manufactured it into brooms. About 1859 it was raised by Daniel Atchinson on West Street and made into brooms on the place.

"Calvin Stebbins brought the first plough with iron mouldboard into town; and, probably Daniel Isham used the first cast-iron plough some ninety years ago.

"Hops were cultivated about eighty years ago, by Calvin Stebbins. The mulberry fever raged eighty years ago, much to the pecuniary damage of many speculators.

"Grafted fruit took the place, at about the same time, of the old varieties or cider apples. Flax ceased to be cultivated at the same time. Hemp was raised by a few farmers in the war of 1812.

"Piscatory. - It was considered disreputable in early times for farmers to go after shad. They were said by their neighbors to be 'out of pork.' Hence, persons, going for shad, went in the morning before their neighbors were up, and did not return till they were in bed. Shad were so abundant, and farmers were so tinwilling to take them, that the fishermen required that so many pounds of shad should be taken for every pound of salmon. About seventy-five years ago bull-heads or hornpouts made their appearance in the Scantic, and the trout all disappeared, much to the mortification of the anglers. A few years after, the 'pout' disappeared, and the 'trout' returned. There was a furor ran through the country at one time of obtaining pearls from fresh-water clams. Some of respectable size and value were found in the clams in the Scantic.

"Conveyances. - Lieut. Paul Langdon brought the first wagon into town. In 1784 there were but two two-horse wagons and five two-horse sleighs. In 1804 Jesse or Pliny Bliss introduced a one-horse wagon. First buffalo robe brought from Montreal, 1805; cost 5.00.

nap of cloth. Edwin Chaffee, a native of this town, invented the use of India-rubber preparations for cloth. Probably this is the most important invention made by any of the natives of the town.

"Vermin. - David Chapin brought the first rat to the town in a sack of wool from Rhode Island, and permitted it to live. Hence, rats in Wilbraham.

"Stock. - Capt. Charles Sessions introduced Merino sheep, and had a large flock. Capt. Joseph Lathrop and sons introduced Saxon sheep and kept a large flock of several hundred. Improvement was not made in cattle till a later date. The breed of swine received earlier attention.

"Names of Places, Mountains, Brooks, etc. - The North East Village long since outgrew its name of 'Sodom;' and the South Parish that of 'Pokeham;' and the South Village that of ' the city.' The Goat Rocks were so called as being the favorite resort of William King's goats, one of which got entangled there, and was found dead. These rocks are a ledge about thirty feet perpendicular, at the south end of the North Mountains. Rocky Dundee was raany years ago the name of the region south of Burt's mill. Pole Bridge Brook was so called from the bridge flrst built over it; it was also called Beaver Brook, because the beavers had built a dam in it ; Twelve-mile Brook, because twelve miles from Springfield ; Nine-mile Pond, because nine miles from Springfield; Rattlesnake Peak, because a rattlesnake was killed there; Wigwam Hill from the Indian squaw's wigwam near it; Stony Hill, because it was stony; Peggy's Dipping Hole, because Peggy, in her desire to attend upon the means of grace furnished at Springfield, ventured, in her pilgrimage thither, to cross some recently-frozen ice and went through into the water."

"An alarm was once raised in Wilbraham that the Indians were coming. It was on this wise: One Kibbe went into the woods on Sunday, to get his cow, and not having the fear of either God or the law before his eyes, he took with him his gun in case he should meet any game. Not long after he left home, the report of two guns was heard, and Kibbe came running back in great apparent trepidation, saying that he had been fired at by two Indians, and that there were more lurking in the woods. The whole country was alarmed, and the woods were scoured in search of the 'salvages.' None were foimd, nor were any traces of them discovered. Suspicion began to be excited that all was not right with Kibbe. A more particular examination of his shirt was instituted. He declared that he received one shot in his breast, and when he turned to run, another shot took him in his back. Lo, it was even so; a bullethole was made through his shirt before; another through his shirt behind. But alas for Kibbe's veracity, not for his comfort, there was no hole into or through his body, where the bullet went ! He saw he was caught, and made confession that seeing game, he was tempted to fire ; that he at once bethought himself that he was exposed to prosecution for violating the Sabbath, and took off his shirt and fired through it, to make his neighbors believe that the Indians had attacked him. So originated and ended the only alarm of an attack on Wilbraham.

"The collectors found it very difficult at times to get the taxes for the support of the gospel. In the early days of the precinct and town, the money for the support of religious services was raised by a tax assessed on the property of the precinct town or parish when there was but one church society. But as other denominations began to be formed, their members objected to paying any part of the expenses of the 'standing order;' and no little cunning, as well as spunk, was sometimes displayed in escaping payment. Abraham Avery was a prominent man in the town, a tanner and saddle and harness maker; a man of great energy, indomitable persistency, pious and plucky to admiration; from hair to heel a Methodist. He was cunning withal, and liked a practical joke, so be it was worthy of his religious profession. He owed a tax. He wouldn't pay it. The collector of the parish determined to have it. ' Get it then' said Avery. Now Avery could make a good saddle, - one that the Queen's horse-guards would be proud of in finish, and whose strength would have carried any one of the six hundred through the immortal charge of Balaklava. So, in his meditations, Avery determined to make a saddle to pay his tax withal. He selected the pieces of leather which best pleased the eye, and fitted them together as he well knew how, being a skilful worker in leather, and mounted it with shining metal, so that it was very tempting to look upon, like the forbidden fruit of Eden. Avery knew that the strength was not equal to the beauty thereof; but as it was not for sound doctrine he made it, so he delighted in correspondency. The collector came; the shop had been cleared of most of the finished work besides, and when he cast his eye upon the saddle he did covet it much for his taxes, and was much delighted when Avery declined to pay them. 'I must take this nice saddle, then,' said the publican. ' Take it then,' quoth Avery gruffly. It was taken. Avery's face was sparkling all over with delight as the constable put the prize in his wagon and drove off. It was sold at auction and brought a great price, far above the amount of the tax; for it was known that Avery's saddles were of the best. The constable offered the excess of the sale over the tax to Avery, but he would not take it. The constable tendered to him the balance in gold; Avery said he would have nothing to do with it. The saddle was purchased by a man from Belchertown. He was tempted to try it early. It looked magnificently on his horse's back. He sprang upon it. Out came one stirrup ! down broke the seat! out came the bridge! off dropped the sides ! and he spake words of Avery and the saddle which were not lawful to be spoken, and should not be written. He came to Avery in great wrath, and asked him if he did not warrant his saddles. 'Certainly,' said Avery. 'Well, then,' he replied, 'look at this saddle.' 'Ah' said Avery 'that is the "Presbyterian saddle," I have nothing to do with that.' And, with a relish of satisfaction, he again drew his strong waxed-end through the leather upon which he was at work, for he enjoyed hugely what had come to pass."

Abraham Avery lived about a mile north of the center of our center village, where Ira G. Potter formerly lived, in the house now owned by Mr. Torrey. The tannery was at the next house north, formerly the Nathaniel Knowlton place, and now owned by 0. L. Milard. The harness shop was at the first house south, where Arthur Smith now lives.

Paintings Of The Scenery In Wilbraham

been charmed by the two paintings described below, in an article taken from the Zion's Herald, Feb. 10, 1864. They are all that the critic describes them to be. I have also seen two others, just finished, of equal, if not greater, beauty. One is an auttrniti scene, taken from a little lower down the mountain than the first two were, and looking out over the plains to the Western Motmtains. The foliage -is admirably tinted, and the autumnal haze lies on the distant plains and mountains. The other is taken from the north end of Nine-mile Pond, the view being toward the south, the mountains forming the distant background of the picture. The execution is admirable.

"Wilbraham has many lovers of her scenery no less than of her school; but she has hitherto found no way of revealing her beauties to other eyes than those that have been fastened upon her. But she need lament her lot no longer. Two paintings, at Williams & Everett's gallery, in this city, proclaim her beauty to every eye. They were painted for Abraham Avery, of Boston, by Mr. Bricher, a young artist of great promise, and, judging from these works, of great achievement. The views are taken from a spot well-known to every Wilbraham student, - at the head of the upper grove that contains ' the pulpit ' on the road winding up the motmtain, behind the church. It is across the street from the little red cottage of the Goody Blake, of that neighborhood, whose 'hut was on the cold hill-side.' On the left of the picture are these favorite woods, the scene of many a prayer-meeting, oratorical explosion, lounging, reading, or musing solitaries, or of the law-breaking trysts of love's young dream. The trees are superbly painted, being full of rich color and shade. One could almost transport himself thither, they are so life-like and enchanting. But the eye must not linger in their gothic greenness, nor dwell too long upoii the truthfully-rough fields under the feet or on the little old cottage aforesaid, snugly tucked away in the hillside in the opposite comer. More familiar scenes below allure it. There creeps the street, its few houses sprinkled among the many trees, like white flowers blossoming on a green river. No stiller in the picture than in the fact is the pleasant old road. With pre-Raphaslite faithfulness the artist puts upon it no living creature, though he might have painted the aged grey postman with his aged grey horse, and still had it void of life, so ghostly is that sole animator of the seemingly-deserted village. The immense and not inartistic pile of the boarding-house, most inartistic though it be in location, is partially hidden by the

"Beyond lie the plains, patched with herbage, ploughed fields, trees and houses, and flecked with the shade and sunshine of a midsummer day. A lover of nature could gaze on it for hours without weariness, a lover of Wilbraham with everincreasing pleasure.

"The companion picture gives us the north-western view from the same spot. The foreground is fictitious, in order to avoid repetition, though the rock in the left-hand comer is a veritable copy of the boulder perched upon the hill back of the house of J. Wesley Bliss Esq. (now the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gillett.) The woods in the foreground are more beautiful, if possible than those in the first picture. The outlook is true to the fact. The broad champaign, beautifully toned and varied, and relieved of its flatness, gathers to the gorge between Mounts Holyoke and Tom. These mountains are perfect even to the bits of houses that mar their summits. Through the opening is seen Northampton. The mountains rise behind her, and conclude the scene.

"We understand that others are on the easel, representing the Nine-mile Pond, Glen, etc. The paintings attract much attention, and have been highly commended in the Transcript and the Gazette. We hope they and their forthcoming kindred will be engraved. The first, at least, should be as many a child of the Old Wesleyan will wish it, on his walls. The thanks of all her ten thousand children, more or less, will assuredly be given to the munificence of the gentleman who ordered the works, as well as to the artist who executed them."

The Wilbraham Celebration

The newspapers of Springfield and Boston gave generous space, both before and after the anniversary, to the accotuits of the celebration, and published many illustrations of historical places and of the floats that appeared in the pageant.

Many Old Residents Return

Wilbraham, Tuesday June 17, 1913. "Not one of the inhabitants of Wilbraham or any of the hundreds of outsiders who visited the town today will ever forget the day or the place. It was the real official opening of the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of Wilbraham as a town and every one from far and near turned out to do justice to the day and its significance. The population of the town for the day was swelled to double its normal size and not a single person can doubt for a moment but that today was the biggest, best and busiest day in the whole history of Wilbraham and, indeed, it may be safely asserted that no other New England town of its size has ever held an affair that could surpass it. Beginning early in the morning, when the long parade first formed, and lasting until the last speech had been delivered in the late afternoon and the farmers had filed over the hills to their homes in their wagons and automobiles, there was not a single untoward incident to mar a perfect day.

"Wilbraham truly "did herself proud.' To many of the visitors it seemed inconceivable that a comparatively small town could arrange and execute such a program as that of today. It would have been a credit to any city, irrespective of size. Perhaps, though, the lack of inhabitants was more than made up for by the feeling of comradeship and town pride that has ever distinguished this little fastness among the Wilbraham mountains. The difficulties of the big cities in arousing universal enthusiasm were unknown to Wilbraham. Here every man, woman and child turned out for the celebration, and, what is more, has been working steadily for weeks in preparation for it. It was a magnificent spectacle and example of what community feeling can do when it once sets itself about it.

"Yet the credit must not go wholly to the town of Wilbraham itself, no matter how deserving it may be. Part of it belongs to the sister community of Hampden, which but a few short years ago, reckoning years in comparison with those of the town's existence, was an integral part of Wilbraham. When Hampden separated from Wilbraham her inhabitants did not lose their feeling for the older community and today they showed their gratitude, and feeling of kinship by joining in with the celebration heart and sovil. Many of the floats in the big parade were engineered and gotten up by Hampden people.

"Then, too, there must be credit given to the former inhabitants who came for many miles in trollies and automobiles to see the old town once more and renew acquaintance with old friends. Court square in Springfield was a general meeting place for these, and the Palmer and Worcester cars were packed with people, each exclaiming, 'Why, there's George. I haven't seen him since we went to the Glendale school together,' or 'You haven't changed a bit, Mary, since we were in Mr. Howard's class at the old Sunday-school.' When these people had reached the point where they had to leave the cars it was a different Wilbraham and yet the same Wilbraham that met their gaze from that which they had last known. There was hardly a house but boasted gay streamers and decorations of red, white and blue in honor of the big day. The road from North Wilbraham to Wilbraham Street was a blaze of color, rivaling, if not surpassing, any attempts at decoration in the big cities on a 'safe and sane' Fourth of July. Wilbraham street, as the Center is called was perhaps the brightest as indeed it had good reason to be. Today's celebration was for the benefit of this part of the town. Tomorrow will see the festivities move to North Wilbraham and Thursday, the closing day of the carnival will give Glendale, the third section, a chance to show what it pan do.

"It was promptly at 9 o'clock in the morning that the Wilbraham-street section of the parade formed for its trip to North Wilbraham. Soon it had reached that point and was joined by the floats that had formed at North Wilbraham. Then the parade retracing the way to Wilbraha.m street, down to the ' Mile Tree ' and back, and ending at the judges' stand in front of the Methodist church, almost opposite Rich hall of Wilbraham academy. All along the way, in front of the houses gay with bunting, sat family groups, many of which had not been reunited for years, but the biggest crowd was around the judges' stand where several hundred people had gathered to witness the parade from the most advantageous point possible. "When the procession did come in sight it was worth any kind of a wait. Down the long street, well in advance, came the automobile of the marshal, J. M. Perry of the Cutler company, and directly behind him appeared the Brightside band of 31 pieces, each small boy tooting away for dear life and helping to create a decidedly favorable impression. Then on horse-back came the assistant marshals, Harold BoUes, William V. Baldwin, Peter Gebo, and Mr. Stevens, with the aid of their prancing horses, holding the floats at the proper distance apart, and generally superintending the affair to see that all went well. And then came the great body of the parade, decorated automobiles in the lead, and followed by the historical floats, decorated floats, decorated carriages and some miscellaneous floats. Truly it was a great sight.

"Among the automobiles that led the procession were those containing the guests of honor, former Senator W. Murray Crane of Dalton, members of the town governments of Wilbraham and Hampden, and for the city of Springfield, the mother colony, five members of the city government. Alderman Henry Lasker and John G. Maxfield and Councilmen George W. Pike, William B. Sleigh and Nelson W. Haskell and also Emmett Hay Naylor, secretary of the Springfield board of trade, and Charles C. Spellman of the board of Hampden CoTinty commissioners. There were about 20 of the automobiles in the parade, each decorated with paper streamers and flowers and with the chauffeurs sitting up straight and stiff in the hope of doing what they could to win the prizes that the judges awarded to this part of the exhibition. The first award for decorated automobiles went to J. M. Perry, whose car presented a beautiful appearance with streamers and festoons of light blue with wreaths of blue and white flowers drapedalong the side. Almost as lovely as this was the appearance presented by the car owned by Ernest Thompson, which was handsomely decorated along the same lines with pink and white. Not one of the cars but stood a good show for a prize, and it was only after long deliberation that the judges arrived at their decision.

"It was the aim of the historical division of the parade to trace the history of the town of Wilbraham and incidentally of Hampden by the floats used. This they succeeded in accomplishing in excellent manner. At the head came an automobile containing Anson Soule in the guise of an old town crier, and the executive committee. Mr. Soule's six feet three inches of hight, 230 pounds of weight, and eighty-two years of age, all clad in the garb of an ancient pilgrim, and his constant ringing of a big bell and proclamation of 'Hear ye, hear ye' attracted to him the considerable notice and appreciation that was his due. A mere glance at him carried one back 300 years and it was only the sight of the automobile that made one remember that this is the 20th century and not the 17th.

" 'Purchasing the land from the Indians,' the first float in the division of the parade, represented the purchasing of the mountain part of the town from the Indians. It was a masterpiece from start to finish, and no one could have raised a dissenting voice against the opinions of the judges who awarded it the first prize. Myron Luther Bruuer conceived the float, which was drawn by six horses driven by Raymond Pease. In the background stood a realistic wigwam surrounded by pines and in front of this were grouped a number of men in colonial clothes, clinching the bargain with several Indians, all of whom looked good enough to be real. The hand of the old blind chief was guided by his daughter as it tracpd the characters giving the land to the settlers, for tradition says that the chief was blind and that his daughter was both his hand and his eye. Among those who were on the float were F. A. Gumey, Miss Katherine Beebe, Allen Robb, and Wilbur Gebo.

" 'The first settlers,' the next float in line, depicted the first settlers of 1731, their rude log cabin with the pot containing the dinner steaming away in front of the hut. Two men were just returning from their work, and their wives waited for them in front of the cabin, while a small child played on the ground, apparently oblivious of anything except the fact that he was really and truly the child of those early inhabitants who built the foundations for the Wilbraham of today. Charles Hitchcock was the originator of this float, and one of the women on the float was Mrs. Charles Hitchcock.

" 'The last of the race' came directly behind 'The first settlers' and contained the old squaw who made famous Wigwam hill by living there long after her race had taken the long trail to the West. C. C. Beebe was the squaw and acted the part in realistic fashion. He sat crouched in front of his wigwam, his eyes turned to the ground and brooding over the glories of the dead past. Round after round of applause greeted this float, for it was well known that Mr. Beebe had conceived and carried out the idea almost at the last moment, when everyone else had given up the problem, despairing of getting anything that would be adequate to what was wanted. The setting was worthy of a professional stage manager, and Mr. Beebe showed himself an accomplished actor in his part. Back of the wigwam were the skulls of two steers, and in front was all the paraphernalia that goes to make life in an Indian camp. Very deservingly the judges awarded the second prize to this float.

" 'The first meeting house' came next. This float was the work of Edwin C. Powell and was a triumph of itself. The meeting house stood at the rear of the float and in front of it was the good old parson, who on ordinary days is George Capen, exhorting his flock, which consisted of Mrs. F. A. Bodurtha, Mrs. Mandana Moseley and Mrs. John Pease. A little behind this float, came another 'flrst minister' the r61e being taken by Henry Green, who was driving to church with a chaise that looked every day of 1000 years old, but only guaranteed some 100 years or more.

" ' Past and present,' the next float, represented the 17th century and the 20th. Nearly everything was found here, including all industries from the old hand spiiming to the modem methods of today. The Puritan women aboard found themselves in strange company for beside them was a Wilbraham academy youth in striped blazer coat and white flannel trousers making ardent love to a debutante of the date of 1913. Among those on the float were W. H. McGuire, Mrs. Eva Gumey, Miss Maud Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy and Miss Marjorie BoUes.

"One of the most interesting floats was the one depicting the old home industries with a cheese press and shoemaking establishment going at full speed, and women engaged in the old arts of knitting and braiding at the sides of the wagon.

"Wilbraham academy likewise had an interesting one with the goddess of learning in the guise of Mrs. Alfred Gustafson, wife of one of the -teachers, mounted on a purple throne and disseminating knowledge to two youthful pupils in cap and gown.

"Every school in Wilbraham and Hampden was represented. District No. 7, once taught by A. J. Blanchard, had an excellent float and a number of Mr. Blanchard's old pupils had gathered from far and near to ride in it, and thus do honor to the memory of their old master. On the side was an old blackboard 75 years of age which was the only one used in the early days. Mary Newell's school was also represented by a fine float, and No. 5; 'the smallest but most important' and the second oldest in the town, had a placard on the side stating that it had been taught by Master Ezra Barker.

"There were several old chaises dating back as far as 1793, and 1811. One labeled 'Ancient Days' enabled the Day family to act out a pun on their name, for in the old carryall sat Clinton C. and Morton L.' Day and Mrs. Elvira C. (Day) Blanchard.

"The manner in which wives used to ride behind their husbands was represented by two boys riding a pony, Wallace Ripley and EUery Gebo in the guise of the first minister and his bride on their way to church.

"One of the best was that of the Ludlow mantifacturing associates which won first prize, by a float with a 'breaker card ' machine in full operation showing how sacking and other products are mantifactured from jute.

" ' To Church - 1741 - Wigwam Hill.' Oxcart, driven by Amos Merrill with gtm over his shoulder, carrying Florence Lee, AUena Kibbe and Melba Moore.

" ' Dec. 16, 1773.' The British ship Dartmouth, with William Vyne Sessions, Robert and Paul Sessions, and Robert Vizard throwing the tea overboard, all descendants of Robert Sessions, South Wilbraham's representative at the Tea Party. Driver E. J. Thresher.

" ' The First Schoolhouse.' Arranged by Kenia Carew after the plan of the first Scantic school; teacher, Herbert H. Thresher; pupils, Kenia Carew, Ruth Pike, Hazel and Mildred Pease, Austin Harris and Neil Kibbe; driver, Arthur Pease.

" ' Dividing the Town - March 28, 1878.' Third prize winner; prepared by C. L. Kibbe; Russell Kibbe and Harry Lyons sawing a log in two. before a map of the two towns; driver, Ralph Lyons.

" 'Old Agriculture' prepared for the Hampden Grange by Mrs. McCray and Mrs. Sessions; drawn by two yoke of oxen; driver, D. L. McCray: other participants, Mrs. Lena Keeney, Willie McCray, J. J. Flynn.

" 'New Agriculture' a grange float prepared by Mrs. Bolter and Mr. Wait ; a small orchard planted on one of W. J. Mackay's Mt. Vision fruit farm wagons ; attendants Mrs. Bolter and Mrs. Dickinson; driver, Harry Dickinson.

"Two floats with Grammar School children carr5dng the flags of Hampden's 42 college graduates. Float for No. 2 decorated with daisies by Miss Fay and Grace Pease. Driver W. W. Leach. The other schools were carried by E. P. Lyons.

"Primary children on F. T. Kellogg's auto truck. A. G. Corey's store planned by Frank Perry; Mr. Corey in charge; clerks, Mabel Davis, Arlene Howlett, Mary Williams, Esther Bradbury, Frank Perry, Eddy Leddy and Raymond Kibbe; driver, C. N. Whittaker.

"Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Kibbe in an old two-wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. C. I. Burleigh in Deacon Sumner Session's old carriage, and Francis Eldridge and Florence Loomis and Helen Kibbe in

"At 12.30 o'clock dinner was served to about 500 in the academy gymnasium by the Barr catering company. As guests of honor, on either side of Chairman C. C. Spellman, sat former Senator W. Murray Crane and Principal Douglass of the academy. Also at that table were the Springfield City officials and the anniversary committee.

Memorial M. E. Church

J. M. Perry introduced Charles C. Spellman, chairman of the County Commissioners of Hampden County, as the presiding chairman. Mr. Spellman spoke briefly in appreciation of the honor conferred upon him, paying tribute to former Senator Crane, who, while himself a native of Dalton, has always taken an interest in Wilbraham, because his grandmother, Lucinda Brewer, was born here. Prayer was offered by Rev. Martin S. Howard. Then the school children sang 'The Breaking Waves Dashed High.'

"Alderman Lasker, in behalf of Mayor Denison of Springfield, who was unable to be present, brought the greetings of the Mother Springfield to her Daughter Wilbraham. He pointed out that the interests of Springfield are the same as those of the towns roundabout. Wilbraham he deemed to be one of the most beautiful of these, and it was with due appreciation of the privilege that he counted himself among those present. Brief remarks of a congrattilatory character were made by one of the selectmen of Hampden, and by William R. Sessions. The chairman then, with some complimentary remarks, introduced the chairman of the historical committee, to give the Historical Address, which occupied more than one hour and a half, and is included in the foregoing History. "The Address closed with these words;

"We enter upon a new period of fifty years. Let us so live that those who come after us will honor our memory as we honor that of our fathers'. Let us strive to make ourselves better, to make Wilbraham better, and so help to make the world better.

"Columns of appreciation and description might be written about the loan exhibit which was held in Grange hall where a number of old and interesting relics were displayed. Communion sets used at the Congregational Church from the very earliest times. One presented by Dea. Nathaniel Warriner, and loaned by Mrs. Brewer. There were also sets used by the Methodist church, the Glendale church and Grace church at North Wilbraham. Old china loaned by Mrs. Nesmith, a compass belonging to Mr. Newell of Hampden which was used in 1729, a watch, still ruiming, dated 1638, owned by G. S. Atchinson, collection of old firearms dating from the 16th century and loaned by W. A. Newton, Indian relics picked up in Wilbraham by B. F. Green, and a raised map of Hampden made by Rev. C. B. Bliss. There was a fine collection of rare old quilts and coverlets, homemade linen and flax, oil paintings, a chest 200 years old, a wooden shaving case dated 1767, a hand trunk 200 years old owned by Myron L. Bruuer's grandfather, faficy work, china and old books, a part from Hampden; an old tea chest brought here in 1776, a very old and exceedingly valuable copper luster teapot, and a hymn book dating from 1780, loaned by Mrs. C. E. Pease, a collection of ancient Bibles and other books from Rev. M. S. Howard, a leather pouch used in the Revolutionary War, two old drums, one carried in the war of 1812, owned by George Knowlton, and the other by Almond Laird, a hand netted tester used on a four-posted bed, and several chairs dating back more than a century.

"During the day Rich hall of Wilbraham Academy was thrown open for inspection and many took the opportunity to view the changes that have been made there'. Principal Gaylord W. Douglass was on the premises most of the day and several of the academy boys were delegated to show the visitors around. The new dining room, library and sleeping rooms for the boys were all looked over and all the visitors expressed great admiration at the changes that had been wrought.

Cantata Is Given

"Wilbraham, June 18, 1913. - Ideal weather again greeted Wilbraham residents, present and past, on the second day of the 160th anniversary of the incorporation of the town. Today's celebration was held in North Wilbraham, where the Cutler public library was publicly dedicated and formally opened with thoughtful addresses by Librarian Wilcox of the Holyoke City Library and by Rev. Dr. William R. Newhall of Lynn. An address by J. T. Bowne of the Y. M. C. A. college faculty on 'The Indians in and about Wilbraham,' the presentation of the floral cantata, 'The Floral Queen,' in the gardens of Mrs. H. W. Cutler, and a loan exhibition in the library building were other features of the day.

to participate in the annual outing of the Springfield Automobile club in Wilbraham. The Brightside band again gave several concerts during the day.

"The North Wilbraham library, which was formally opened today, is a handsome two-story house, with French roof, the gift to the town of the late Henry Cutler, who came to Wilbraham in 1877 and was one of its most enterprising and public-spirited citizens and business men.

Public Library

"Rev. William Lewis Jennings, pastor of Grace Union church, presided at the opening of the building at 11 o'clock, first introducing the aged pastor of Wilbraham street. Rev. Martin S. Howard, who, in his prayer of dedication, besought Providence to look with divine favor upon this endeavor to provide young people with the lofty companionship of books and magazines of the best type.

own country, among the most beneficial of which he classed the public library, now considered indispensable even in the small town, which will have a traveling library even if it cannot afford a permanent one. It is a pleasing t"hought that in these country and social centers, boys and girls are meeting with the army of noble men who through their written words have helped to develop the world's life. One of the best adjuncts of a library is its reading room, where young people gather to read and study.

"Turning to Dr. A. L. Damon, one of the trustees, Mr. Jennings presented the key of the building in behalf of the heirs of Mr. Cutler, the donor, expressing the fond hope that the building would be placed to the best uses.

"Librarian Wilcox, the first speaker on the program, said that he could not see what he could add to the joy of those who were now about to enjoy the use of this beautiful building. He said that the happiness, comfort and joy of a good library can only be known by those who have experienced it; this is an unfailing blessing lasting from early days until the close of life. Mr. Wilcox then pictured what North Wilbraham will be 50 years from now, on the occasion of another centennial anniversary. In closing the speaker said that he knew that every librarian in the state will be thrilled as he reads that another small town is rejoicing in the progress of its library, entering into a building of its own. He said that North Wilbraham was indeed forttmate, for not all larger places are equally blessed; for example, his own town did not have a library building of its own until it had attained a population of 40,000.

"Miss Ida F. Farrar, assistant at the Springfield City library, brought greetings from the Springfield library and told of the benefits derived from libraries in some of the towns that she had visited. She advised the children to look forward in appreciation of what the library might do for them.

"Rev. H. F. Legg of Wilbraham Center created applause by his fervid sentiment that 'Wilbraham is the best town in the best state of the best country in the world.' He said that he was more proud each day of the fact that he lived in Wilbraham and he was thoroughly confident that a bright future awaited the new library.

and was heard with pleasure. In opening his address on 'The Place of the Library in the Country Town,' Dr. Newhall expressed his delight to be home again and to look back over the old trails with his friends and former neighbors. He said that he thanked God that the history of a New England town is always essentially a religious history and instanced as one of the best types of a New England town, the late Henry Cutler, donor of the library, whose compact figure, keen eye, pleasant smile and kindly sympathy, he said came before him. He was a good neighbor and a public spirited citizen and this

"Coming to his subject. Dr. Newhall said he was glad of that most New England institution, the covintry town. He loved the country, he said, and particularly old Wilbraham, which decorated with her 150 years, never looked so beautiful. The public library is to have a permanent place here because the country town is to have a permanent place in the land. The great changes that have come are not altogether for the worse nor peculiar to the town. True the children who play over the stone wall perchance now speak a language learned over the sea and everywhere there is change, but the immigrant is our guest, and is to be welcomed. The country town will be able to maintain its place. For example Wilbraham has maintained in the 150 years of her existence certain institutions indispensable to a free people - the school which stands for instruction, the church which stands for righteousness, the state which stands for rights and the home which stands for affection. Here, the speaker referred to the leadership of the veteran pastor. Rev. Mr. Howard and his leadership in righteousness.

"The library is the institution of intelligence. It does not compete with the church, the school, the town meeting, the home. The library in modem life is an indispensable institution; it is not the fifth wheel in the coach but like the fifth wheel in the auto, it must necessarily be provided. All four institutions reach their best life as the library is opened. The library does largely help the schoolhouse. It reaches out a helping hand to the school and as the pupil reads the best books he wins promotion in study. The library helps the home and the man who studies books along his line of work is fitting himself thereby for a higher, more lucrative position.

"Tracing the growth of the library, Dr. Newhall reminded that the modem library is a Yankee notion and the effort of Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia to start a real library for the good of the people was. described and praised. Libraries were scarce indeed up to 1800 and about that date in Hartford gifts for a public library were asked because books helped and should be circulated. The American library leads the world and two great words stand out prominently in its vocabulary - accessibility and accountability.

"In closing Dr. Newhall said that while the North Wilbraham library was not a pretentious building and not crowded with books, it was a modem library and better fitted to quicken the intelligence than the old libraries such as were found on the banks of the Nile.

"At 12 o'clock in a large tent across from the library the Barr catering company served dinner to about 200 persons, and at 2 o'clock Prof. J. T. Bowne spoke on 'The Indians of Wilbraham.' In his address Dr. Bowne used as illustrations for accurate descriptions of the implements and articles made by the Indians, a large case of collections of Indian relics gathered for the most part by B. F. Greene of Wilbraham, who for many years has been collecting curiosities of this character. Dr. Bowne described the life that the Massachusetts Indian led nearly 300 years ago along the old Bay path where he had his villages or camps. An interesting description of a journey undertaken by John Winthrop, Jr., from Boston westward in 1645 was given, and the kindliness of the Indians met with. Their houses or huts, apparel, ornaments, food, utensils, weapons, hospitality to strangers were all accurately portrayed and also the astonishment with which they must have witnessed the evidences of civilization as given by the whites.