Worcester City (part 24 of 58)

August 6, 1870, the question again came before the town. A preliminary resolution " that this Town is in favor of the introduction of water from some source," was introduced and carried by a vote of one hundred and ninety-six to six. A ballot was then taken on the question whether the town would assume the provisions of the charter, which was carried in the affirmative by a vote of four hundred and nineteen to one hundred and twenty-six. '

In accordance with the provisions of the act, the selectmen appointed the first Board of Water Commissions, consisting of Jabez Fisher, Joseph Cushing, Alpheus P. Kimball, Thomas Palmer and Lucius Aidrich, and this board was duly organized August 17, 1870.

April 5, 1871, a contract was signed with George H. Norman, of Newport, R. I., for the construction of the water-works. As soon thereafter as the weather would permit work was begun, and at the end of the season Overlook and Marshall reservoirs were completed, about nine and a half miles of cement-lined watermains laid, and seventy-one gates and ninety-four hydrants set. Hydrant water was first used at a fire on Summer Street, January 5, 1872.

In the early part of 1872 a second contract was made with Mr. Norman for water-main extension. This contract was completed before winter, and on December 1, 1872, there were a little over fourteen miles of water-mains laid, and one hundred and thirty hydrants

Mr. Norman's work was well done, and the Water Commissioners were entirely satisfied with the manner in which both his contracts had been carried out.

A sufficient account has already been given, in the section on the history of the city, of the extension of the water supply during the p;ist fifteen years. Statistics of this department, November 30, 1887, show the following: Fourteen miles of cement mains, twentyone miles of iron-mains, twenty-seven miles of servicepipe, two hundred and fifty-six hydrants, five hundred and forty-five meters, two thousand nine hundred and seventy-eight families, stores, manufactories, etc., supplied with water, and a total cost of the works to date of $621,701.32.

Two more reservoirs have been constructed since 1873 - Scott and Falulah - making four in all, with a total capacity of over 300,000,000 gallons. The height of these several reservoirs above the tracks of the Fitchburg Railroad at Water Street is : Scott, 450 feet; Overlook, 405 feet; Falulah, 236 feet; and Marshall, 216 feet.

The Board of Water Commissioners, as at present constituted, consists of three members. The term of service is three years, and one member is elected in January of each year by the City Council in joint convention. The members of the board for 1888 are Charles H. Brown, Thomas C. Lovell and Samuel D. Sheldon.

Thomas C. Lovell, the present superintendent of the water-works, has held the position since 1875, and has also been city engineer since 1880. Arthur W. F. Brown has held the position of water registrar since January, 1885. Both these officers are elected by the Board of Water Commissioners.

Fitchburg Fire Department. - Most of the facts in the following account of the Fire Department are taken from a very instructive pamphlet entitled, " The Fire Service of Fitchburg,'' which was published early in 1888 by the Fitchburg Firemen's Fund Association.

The first fire-engine, as was stated in a previous chapter on the early history of the town, was purchased by vote of the town In 1823, and was located on what is now Day Street. A few years later a second engine was purphased - probably the old " Fitchburg " - and was located in a house on what is now Academy Street. These two " tubs " appear to have answered the purpose of the town for several years.

About 1835 a new engine was purchased, and the " Fitchburg" given to the youth of the town, who formed a company and, by the aid of subscriptions from the citizens, ran it for some years. This was in the boyhood days of some of our present citizein who belonged to this company, and can relate pleasing reminiscences of the by-gone days when they attended " firemen's musters," or carried the " whiskey-pan," which was as much an essential to the proper working of the " Department '' as were the buckets with which the old hand-machine was fed with water.

About 1845 two more engines were bought, which were built exactly alike and were the pride of their respective companies. One of them was called " Conqueror, No. 1,'' and was located on West Street, and the other, " Washingtonian, No. 2," replaced the old machine on Day Street.

In the spring of 1851 what was then considered a very extravagant purchase was made. A new and large engine was bought, costing $1500, of which amount the town paid $1000, and $500 was subscribed by the citizens. This was named " Mazeppa, No. 3," and a new engine-house was built for its accommodation in Factory Square. One of the old machines had been placed in West Fitchburg and another in Crockerville, so that at the time the act establishing a Fire Department in the town of Fitchburg was approved, in April, 1851, the fire apparatus of the town consisted of five hand-engines, named as follows: Conqueror, No. 1 ; Washingtonian, No. 2 ; Mazeppa, No. 3 ; Alert, No. 4, West Fitchburg ; Veteran, No. 5, Crockerville.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act relating to Fire Departments, the selectmen of Fitchburg, on April 12, 1851, appointed the first Board of Engineers of the Fitchburg Fire Department. It consisted of twelve members, as follows : Kilburn Harwood, Ebenezer Torrey, Jonas A. Marshall, John H. Wheeler, Chedorlaomer Marshall, John Caldwell, .John Clark, Alpheus Kimball, Ivers Phillips, Levi Sherwin, Salmon W. Wilder and Alvah Crocker. One week later this board was duly organized by the choice of the following officers : Kilburn Harwood, chief engineer; Ivers Phillips, first assistant engineer; Jonas A. Marshall, second assistant engineer ; John Caldwell, third assistant engineer; Ebenezer Torrey, clerk of the board.

No special changes occurred in the apparatus for some years, except that the name of engine No. 2 was changed from Washingtonian to Fire King. In 1868 Alert, No. 4, was put out of service and a new engine, Undine, No. 4, was purchased at a cost of ten hundred and twelve dollars. In the same year a small hose-carriage, made by Charles Fessenden, was pur-

In 1865 the first steam fire-engine, Wachusett, No. 1, was purchased at a cost of about four thousand dollars, and a year or two later a second steamer, Eollstone, No. 2, costing nearly five thousand dollars, was bought; and in 1809 steamer Wanoosnac, No. 3, costing four thousand dollars, was bought and placed in its new brick house in West Fitchburg. The handengines were gradually replaced by hose-carriages built by the Union Machine Company of this city.

In 1870 the Gamewell fire-alarm was introduced at an expense of eight thousand dollars. It was a twocircuit repeater, and strikers were placed on three bells in town, - the Unitarian, Baptist and Rollstone Church bells. In 1888 a new system was ordered, which was put up during the summer of 1888. It is a six-circuit repeater of the Gamewell pattern.

Firemen's musters have frequently been held in Fitchburg, and on October 10 and 11, 1871, one of the largest musters ever held in New England occurred here.

The apparatus in service at the present time consists of two steam fire-engines, one two-horse hose-reel, one two-horse hose-wagon, two one-horse hose-reels, two two-wheeled hose-tenders, two two-horse hook-andladder trucks, one exercise sleigh, and one large sled for Hook-and-Ladder No. 1, in active service ; and one second-class steamer, one two-horse hose-reel and two two-wheeled hose-tenders in reserve.

The value of this department is, and has been, fully appreciated by our citizens, and ample provision is willingly made for all its needs. At the present time, the numerous hydrants in all parts of the city, the forty fire-alarm boxes, and the promptness and efficiency of the engineers and firemen, render it difficult for afire to get much headway in Fitchburg. In the following table are given statistics in regard to the fires with which the department has had to contend during the last quarter century where the damage was $10,000 or over :

The Board of Engineers consists, at the present time, of a chief, four assistants and the superintendent of the fire alarm, who are chosen annually by the City Council in convention in November. The members of the Board for 1888 are, David W. Tinsley, chief; Geo. H. Kendall, first assistant; Boardman Parkhurst, second assistant ; James N. Whiting, third assistant ; Geo. E. Wellington, fourth assistant; and John W. Rand, superintendent of the fire-alarm telegraph. There are upwards of sixty firemen attached to the several companies.

December 12, 1879, the Fitchburg Firemen's Fund Association was incorporated for the purpose of mutual aid and relief in cases of accident or injuries received by its members while discharging their duties as firemen. Every member of the department belongs to it, and the funds in the treasury now amount to about $1500. Frank C. Foster, foreman of Hose 1, is now its president.

Police Department. - About 1839 there was organized in Fitchburg a "Society for the Detection of Thieves." Ebenezer Torrey was then president, Samuel Willis, treasurer, and Asa Partridge, secretary, of this society. There was a standing committee of twelve members and a " pursuing committee," also numbering, twelve. This society lasted some time, and did good work in breaking up several bands of thieves.

Up to the year 1869 all police work in Fitchburg was done by a few constables and private enterprise ; but on September 23, 1869, a Police Department was regularly organized, consisting of a chief and five police officers. Charles E. F. Hayward was the first chief of police.

During the first six months of the existence of this department one hundred and thirty-one arrests were made, and during the next year (ending March 31, 1871) three hundred and ninety -one arrests were made, showing conclusively the need of a police force.

Under the city form of government the chief of police and members of the department are appointed annually in January by the mayor and aldermen. For 1888 the 2)olice force consists of Sumner P. Lawrence, chief; Asahel Wheeler, captain ; and fourteen patrolmen. This is by no means a large force considering the population of the city ; but it is in an excellent state of discipline and has always proved amply sufficient to maintain public order.

Fitchburg has always been singularly free from crimes of a serious nature, and the number of arrests made annually is not much larger now than it was fifteen years ago, though, in the meantime, the city has nearly doubled in population.

During the past few years the temperance sentiment has predominated among our citizens, and the police officers have done good work in suppressing the sale of intoxicating liquor.

The following is a list of those who have served in the office of chief of police since the organization of the department: Charles E. F. Hayward, 18G9-71 ; M. Edwin Day, 1872; Russell O. Houghton, 1873-74; Alpheus P. Kimball, 1875; Aaron F. Whitney, 1876- 81 and 1883-85; William Gilchrist, 1882; Charles H. D. Stockbridge, 1886-87; Sumner P. Lawrence, from January, 1888, to the present time.

Highway Department. - Enough has been said in the chapters on the history of the town to showthat from the very first the people of Fitchburg have had more than ordinary difficulties to contend with in keeping their streets, bridges, etc., in a tolerable state of repair. The selectmen had charge of all these ' aflairs up to January, 1873 ; and since then five subcommittees, appointed annually from among the members of the Board of Aldermen and Common Council, have had the general charge of the various portions of the work of the Highway Department. A superintendent of streets is elected annually by the City Council, who has the immediate control and direction of all thje work done in the Highway Department.

The following is a list of those who have held the position of superintendent of streets since Fitchburg became a city: George W. Holman, 1873-74; Joel Davis, 1875-77; F. W. Aldrich, 1878-82; Abram G. Lawrence, 1883-86 ; Thomas Larkin, Jr., from January, 1887, to the present time.

Poor Department. - The selectmen acted as overseers of the poor up to within a few years of our incorporation as a city. During the last few years of town government a Board of Overseers, consisting of three members, was chosen at the annual town-meeting. Under the city form of government, the Board consists of the mayor and j'resident of Common Council, ex officio, and three members chosen in January by the City Council, in the same way as the water commissioners are chosen.

The Board for 1888 is as follows: Hon. Eli Culley, mayor ; Henry F. Rockwell, president of the Common Council ; Samuel S. Holton, Isaac C. Wright and Aaron F. Whitney.

The city farm is very pleasantly located in South Fitchburg, and has, for several years, been under the efficient supervision of Mr. Norman B. Stone, superintendent, and Mrs. E. T. Stone, matron. The value of the city farm and personal property thereat is now over thirty-three thousand dollars, and there are between fifty and sixty inmates.

Chapter Xlvii Organizations And Societies

In this section will be given short accounts of the most important of the many organizations and societies of various kinds at present existing in the city.

The Fitchburg Military Band. - The origin of this band dates back to January 4, 1868, when eight gentlemen met in an unfinished room in the then new Belding & Dickinson's block, and organized "The Musical Club." Through the eftbrts of these gentleman was organized, on March 26, 1868, the Fitchburg Cornet Band, with thirty-three members, and Mr. George Rich, leader and director.

The first public appearance of this band was on May 27, 1868, with the Fitchburg Fusiliers. During the balance of that year thirty-one engagements were filled. The band prospered and improved until Mr. Rich left his position, January 16, 1871.

March 11, 1871, Ira W. Wales, of Abington, was elected leader of the band, but held the position only about a month, and on April 19th, owing to some trouble or other, it was voted to discharge the leader and disband the organization ; but on the 3d of the following May nine of the members met and reorganized the band, and chose Mr. Rich leader. For some reason matters did not go on satisfactorily, and in the latter part of 1871 the band went to pieces and came near utter extinction. Five plucky members were resolved to have a band in Fitchburg if it were a possibility, and through their efforts Mr. Warren S. Russell, a gentleman of well-kuown musical ability, was secured as leader. The band was again re-organized January 11, 1872, and under the faithful and skilful management of Mr. Russell, attained almost the highest rank among the musical organizations in New England. In the course of a few years the name of the band was changed to the " Fitchburg Military Band."

For thirteen years this band filled engagements for the summer at Lake Pleasant, near Greenfield, Mass., and was one of the chief attractions of the place. During the two past seasons it has been engaged to furnish music for the Carnival Club at Cottage City, Martha's Vineyard, for the entire summer, and has won the highest praise of the many musical critics there assembled.

In March, 1884, the city, and especially the Fitchburg Military Band, suffered a very great loss in the death of Mr. Russell, who was then in the prime of life. His funeral occurred March 18, 1884, and was very largely attended. Business was generally suspended in town during the afternoon of that day, and all united to pay honor to the dead musician. Mr. D. W. Reeves, always a warm friend of Mr. Russell, was present at the funeral, with his well-kuown American Band of Providence, R. I., whose members voluntarily tendered their services for the sad occasion gratuitously, and there were many beautiful floral tributes from musical organizations throughout New England.

After Mr. Russell's death the business management of the band was put into the hands of a committee of five, chosen annually by the active members, from both active and honorary members. In June, 1884, this committee, very fortunately, secured as leader and director Mr. G. A. Patz, formerly leader of the celebrated Gilmore's Band, of Boston, and under his leadership our band has maintained its former high standing, and become widely known and appreciated- The band has a very large and complete library, containing the works of all the noted composers.

In the spring of 1888 some changes were made in the band, and at the present time all the active members of the organization are residents of Fitchburg. Mr. J. L. Miller was chosen agent and treasurer, and the general management of the business of the band was placed in the hands of a committee of three. At the present time the band consists of G. A. Patz, leader, and twenty-three active members, each one of whom is a musician skilled in the use of his own special instrument. Connected with the band is an orchestra of high standing, and named, out of respect to the former director, the Russell Orchestra.

December 27, 1887, the band suffered a serious loss in the death of Charles A. Dadniun, who played the tuba and was the efficient agent and treasurer of the organization.

The Fitchburg Military Band is now one of the permanent institutions of the city, and is held in the highest esteem by our citizens, who, by their generosity, have enabled the organization to maintain its high reputation; and the fine open-air concerts wliich the band gives from the band-stands on tlie Upper and Lower Commons during the early summer and autumn evenings, as often as engagements permit, amply repay the citizens for all they have done to assist the band.

Edwin V. Sumner Post 19, Geand Army of THE Republic. - This was organized as an encampment August 16, 1807. It was later called a post, and the name Edwin V. Sumner was adopted September 8, 1868.

Charles H. Foss was elected the first commander ; since then thirteen members have held the position, the present commander being Charles H. Glazier.

The post has been active in all good works, and by means of the fund that has accumulated during the last twenty years has accomplished much for the relief and benefit of its members, the amount expended for relief and sick benefits, from its organization to the present time, being about ten thousand dollars. In order to maintain and increase its fund for this charitable work the post has held fairs, had lecture

At the time of the establishment of the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea, a few years ago, it gave more than any other post, in proportion to its numbers and means, - $1,083.18.

In 1883 the post moved into its present elegant and commodious rooms in the Rollstone National Bank building. At some future time the members hope to have a building of their own ; and witli this idea in view, the Edwin V. Sumner Building Association was incorporated a few years since for the purpose of holding real estate, and now owns a " cottage" in the city.

This post has always been rated high at department headquarters, and has had its share of State and National honors. Two department commanders of Massachusetts have been taken from its ranks, - John W. Kimball and Charles D. Nash - and a commander of the Department of Ohio, Daniel C. Putnam, a native of Fitchburg.

In the latter part of 1877 the post appointed a committee to consider the matter of inviting the ladies to form a Relief Corps, and as a result the Edwin V. Sumner Relief Corps, No. 1, was organized in January, 1878, and has since then effectually aided the post on many occasions.

In July, 1883, Clark S. Simonds Camp, No. 28, Sons of Veterans, was organized, and one of its past captains, Colonel Nathan C. Upham, of this city, has already attained prominence in the State and National organizations.

There was, for a short time, in Fitchburg an organization which may fairly be regarded as the origin of the present widespread and powerful Grand Army of the Republic. Its name was

Taylor Union, No. 1, Army and Navy Veterans. - One evening in the latter part of May. 1865, five army veterans - Richard Tucker, Robert Elliott, W. A. Hardy, S. W. Harris and W. S. Hersey - met casually on Main Street, and in the course of conversation the subject of forming an association for taking care of sick or disabled comrades was broached. The result was that a few nights later a meeting was held in Washington Hall, and the " Army and Navy Veterans' Union '' was organized. At a subsequent meeting it was voted to change the name to "Taylor Union, No. 1, Army and Navy Veterans," in remembrance of George C. Taylor, Company B, Fifteenth Regiment, who fell at Ball's Blulf, and was the first Fitchburg volunteer killed in battle.

A purchasing agent from Illinois was in Fitchburg during the latter part of 1865, and became much interested in Taylor Union. He carried a copy of its bylaws home with him, and soon after sent for five more copies ; and in February, 186(3, Dr. Stephenson, of Illinois, suggested the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic. Whether or not the idea was obtained from the copies of the by-laws sent there is not known, but it is, to say the least, a remarkable coincidence.

The Worcester North Agricultural Society was organized in 1852 and includes the city of Fitchburg and the towns of Leominster, Sterling, West Boylston, Princeton, Lunenburg, Ashburnham, Westminster, Gardner, Templeton and Royalstou, in Worcester County, and the town of Ashby, in Middlesex County, though persons in any part of the State may become members.

This society formerly owned fair grounds on Summer Street comprising some ihirty acres of land, and provided with a half-mile track, suitable exhibition buildings, sheds, etc. The annual fair is still held on these grounds the last Tuesday and Wednesday in September, though for the past year or tsvo the property has been owned by

The Fitchburg Park Company, which was organized May 18, 1887, with a capital of eleven thousand dollars, for the purpose of purchasing these grounds and improving them for use as a park.

The Fitchburg Agassiz Association. - This is Chapter 48 of the National Association, and was formed in January, 1886, by the union of four chapters of the Agassiz Association and the Young American Industrial Society. It is doing a good work among the young people in the city, by training them to become careful observers of natural phenomena^ Many valuable papers, on various scientific subjects, have been prepared by the members, and some have been published. In April, 1888, this Association began the publication of a monthly journal, Tlie Scientist.

The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in October, 1886, and, December 27, 1886, took possession of their present convenient and pleas, ant rooms in Twitchell's block. The membership is upwards of three hundred, and the association is doing much good among the young men of the city. A monthly organ is published, The Beacon Light. Some twenty years ago there was a Young Men's Christian Association, which flourished for a time, but disbanded after a few years' existence.

1886, and includes in its membership many of the benevolent and philanthropic citizens of Fitchburg. It is entirely unsectarian, and its object is to distribute charity wisely and to help the poor to help themselves.

The Fitchburg Home for Old Ladies sprang from the " Ladies' Union Aid Society," and was made a corporation in 1883. A house on the corner of Summer and Beacon Streets was purchased and furnished for a home and was opened for use in June, 1886. The bequest of Mrs. Elizabeth Boutelle Robinson, a life-member of the corporation, who died in August, 1885, rendered it possible to purchase this house. The president of the corporation, Dr. A. W. Sidney, has also done much to establish the home.

The Union Aid Hospital of Fitchburg was incorporated March 26, 1885. The need of a hospital in this city has been evident for some years, and the object of this corporation was to arouse public sentiment and accumulate enough money to start a hospital on a small scale. The late Gardner S. Burbank appreciated this need and left an ample sum, which, at some future time, will establish here a large hospital.

Of the many other organizations existing in Fitchburg for the public good or social intercourse we have space merely to mention the names of a few.

The Park Club and Windsor Club are both social organizations; the Chapin Club, a social and literary society connected with the First Universalist Church ; the Arlington Club, social and beneficial ; Fitchburg Congregational Club ; French Literary Club ; Fitchburg Harvard Club, composed of graduates of Harvard College residing in the city; Railroad Men's Relief Association ; Railroad Men's Christian Association ; Fitchburg Teachers' Association and the Fitchburg Woman's Suff'rage League.

Temperance Organizations. - The Fitchburg WomanH Christian Temperance Union began its existence in January, 1875, and has ever since kept up its practical temperance work, which, though quietly done, has proved very efiective. Among the most important results achieved by the Union was the formation, in January, 1876, of

The Fitchburg Reform Club. - By invitation of the Union, Dr. Henry A. Reynolds visited Fitchburg and organized this club, its object being to reclaim men who were addicted to the use of liquor and make them respectable citizens. This work the club has faithfully performed during all the years of its existence, and with a fair degree of success.

The Fitchburg Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in November, 1885. It is composed of young ladies belonging to the various religious societies in the town and accomplishes much in aid of the temperance cause.

burg are the Unity Temperance Society, connected with the First Parish ; St. Bernard's Temperance Lyceum ; St. Bernard's Total Abstinence and Mutual Aid Society ; Monadnock Temple of Honor, No. 17; Aquarius Council, No. 10, Select Templars ; Falulah Lodge, No. 11, I. 0. of G. T. : Henry A. Reynolds Lodge, No. 81, I. O. of G. T.; Wendell Phillips Division, Sods of Temperance and Silver Spray Temple of Honor, No. 3.

Secret Societies. - Five of the largest and most wide-spread strictly secret organizations have flourishing representative bodies in this city, - the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, American Mechanics and Red Men.

The Order of United American Mechanics, a strictly American secret organization, is represented in town by Wachusett Council, No. 21, O. U. A. M., instituted February 21, 1883.

The Masons have very fine lodge apartments in the Fitcliburg Savings Bank Block; the Odd Fellows' lodge-rooms are in the Rollstone National Bank building; the Knights of Pythias hold their meetings in Pythian Hall, Crocker Block; and the American Mechanics and Red Men hire Pythian Hall of Alpine Lodge, K. of P., and use it as a council chamber and wigwam respectively.

Fraternal Insurance and Mutual Benefit Orders. - Of these there are a great many in Fitchburg, and we have space only to mention their names, as follows :

Fitchburg Associates, No. 22, N. M. R. A. ; Fitchburg Lodge, No. 797, K. of H. ; Roumania Lodge, No, 312, K. andL. of H.; Overlook Council, No. 972, A. L. ofH. ; Fitchburg Council, No. 777, Royal Arcanum; Caslle Fitchburg, No. 195, Knights and Ladies of the Golden Rule; Local Branch, No. 390 and Sisterhood Branch, No. 595, Order of the Iron Hall; Plymouth Colony, No. 97, United Order Pilgrim Fathers; Watatic Lodge, No. 31, New England Order of Protection ; Union Assembly, No. 170, Royal Society of Good Fellows; Shakespeare Lodge, No. 121, Sons of St. George ; Georg Loge, No. 538, German Order of Harugari ; Society St. Jean Baptiste de Fitchburg ; Wachusett Division, No. 191, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; W. A. Foster Lodge, No. 216, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen ; Fitchburg Lodge, No. 1, Brotherhood of Section Masters, and E. A. Smith Division, No. 146, Order of Railway Conductors.

No attempt has been made in this chapter to give a complete list of the multitudinous societies in town ; but we have tried to speak of all the more important organizations, which is all there is room for in this history.

Chapter Xlviii Professional

The pastors of the various religious societies in Fitchburg have already been spoken of in the ecclesiastical history and no further mention of them will be made in this chapter. There remain the dentists, lawyers and physicians to be spoken of and we shall give only a mere catalogue of those now in practice here, with perhaps a brief account of some of the more prominent lawyers and physicians of past time.

Dentists. - Dr. Thomas S. Blood is the senior dentist in town. He was born in Sterling, June 23, 1810; studied dentistry in Worcester with his brother. Dr. Oliver Blood, who was the first dentist settled in that town ; at the same time took a course at the Harvard Medical School, where he graduated in 1838; practised dentistry for a short time at Nantucket and in New York City; came to Fitchburg in 1840, and since then has been in active practice here.

Dr. Blood has always been identified with temperance work in Fitchburg and has been, in years past, quite closely connected with our educational aflairs.

brick "octagon house" on Main Street, where he has since lived and been engaged in the active practice of his profession. For the past sixteen years his son, Dr. Joseph W. Palmer, a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1872, has been associated with him under the name of Palmer & Palmer.

The other dentists in town who have begun practice more recently are Drs. F. H. Joy, A. E. Horton, E. G. Dwyer, F. A. Damon and the firms of Parker & Ross and Stone Brothers.

Lawyehs. - Of the many legal practitioners who have lived and practised in Fitchburg in past time, we have space to speak of but four of the most prominent.

Hon. Nathaniel Wood was barn in Holden, Mass., August 29, 1797 ; graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1821 ; studied law in Boston, and was admitted to the bar; came to Fitchburg, and in February, 1827, formed a partnership with Ebenezer Torrey, and for many years the firm of Torrey & Wood took high rank among the prominent legal firms of the Worcester County bar. Mr. Wood, however, attended to most of the legal business. In 1818 Goldsmith F. Bailey became a partner with Mr. Wood under the firm-name of N. Wood & Co.

Mr. Wood was for fifty years prominent in the town affairs and business interests of Fitchburg. He was often chosen moderator at town-meeting; was postmaster for sixteen years ; president of the Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company twenty-six years, and its treasurer twenty-four years, besides holding other positions.

In politics Mr. Wood was a Democrat, and wag elected to the lower branch of the Legislature in 1839, '47 and '60. He was once chosen Senator, and in 1841 was the candidate of his party for Congress.

Mr. Wood was a strong Unitarian, and took an active interest in the First Parish during his long life in Fitchburg. He died August 3, 1876, after an illness of nearly two years.

Hon. Ebenezer Torrey was born in Franklin, August 16, 1801 ; graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1822 ; came to Fitchburg and studied law with John 8hepley, then a leading lawyer here, but who soon after removed to Maine. Mr. Torrey was admitted to the bar in 1825, and two years later entered into partnership with Nathaniel Wood. Mr. Wood conducted most of the firm's cases in court, while Mr. Torrey turned his attention more particularly to financial matters, and acquired a very high reputation as a safe and skilful financier. His connection with our banking interests has been already spoken of. For thirty successive years Mr. Torrey wa.s town or city treasurer, declining further re-election in January, 1874.

In 1829 he was chosen a director of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which position he continued to hold during the rest of his life ; and from 1879 was president of the same company.

Mr. Torrey, in politics, was opposed to his partner, Mr. Wood. He was a strong Whig, and later, as strong a Republican. He was in the lower branch of the Legislature in 1831 and 1847, and in 1849 was one of the five Senators elected at large from Worcester County. In 1853 and 1854 he was a member of the Governor's Council.

Mr. Torrey was a life-long Unitarian, and to the last a most constant attendant at the First Parish Church, in which he took great interest.

He died September 3, 1888, after a few days illness, leaving a widow, a daughter, the wife of Hon. Hiram A. Blood, of this city, and a son, George A. Torrey, of Boston, corporation counsel fur the Fitchburg Railroad Company.

Hon. Charles H. B. Snow was a son of Dr. Peter S. Snow, and was born in Fitchburg, August 7, 1822 ; graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1844; studied law with Torrey & Wood, and was admitted to the bar in 1848 ; was for some years a law-partner with Hon. Amasa Norcross, but for the last eleven years of his life was with Judge Thornton K. Ware, under the firm-name of Ware & Snow.

Mr. Snow was elected to the Legislature, and was State Senator from this district at the time of bin death. He was prominent in the educational interests of his native town, and her chosen centennial celebration orator. He was a very active and zealous member of Christ Church.

Hon. Goldsmith F. Bailey was born in East Westmoreland, N. H., July 17, 1823, and his widowed mother removed with her family to Fitchburg three years later. In 1845 he began the study of law, completing his course with Torrey & Wood. In 1848 he was admitted to the bar, and became a partner in the firm q^ N. Wood & Company. He was Representative from Fitchburg in 185(i, and State Senator in 1857 and 1859. In the fall of I860 he was chosen by the Republicans of the Ninth Congressional District to represent them in Congress. But that terrible disease, consumption, had fastened itself upon him. He went; to Florida, and on his return took his seat in Congress during the extra session. In December, 1861, he went back to Washington, but was soon obliged to return to Fitchburg, where he died, May 8, 1862. His widow, who wasoneof the well-known Billings family, of Woodstock, Vt., is now the wife of Hon. Rodney Wallace, of Fitchburg.

Mr. Mason was born in Dublin, N. H., June 3, 1810 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1834, came to Fitchburg in September, 1842, and has since resided here; has practised law and latterly has been interested in insurance business; was secretary of the Fitchburg

Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 1864-69 ; representative to the Legii-lature in 1849 and 1851, and a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1853.

He has always been deeply interested in education, and was for some years chairman of the School Committee of the town. He was also active in starting and sustaining the Fitchburg Athenteum. He has preserved a very complete collection of town and city reports and documents, from which much of this present history has been compiled.

Judge Ware is a native of Cambridge ; graduated at Harvard in 1842 ; came to Fitchburg in 1846 ; has been in partnership with Hon. C. H. B. Snow and George A. Torrey ; was representative in 1850 and 1854; postmaster, 1861-06; justice of the Police Court since it was established and a trustee of the Public Library since its establishment, with the exception of one year, and chairman of the trustees since 1875. He is president of the Fitchburg Savings Bank and a director of the Fitchburg National Bank.

The firm of Norcross, Hartwell & Baker consists of Hon. Amasa Norcross, a native of Rindge, N. H., the first mayor of Fitchburg ; representative in 1858-59 and 1SG2 ; State Senator, 1874; representative to Congress, 1876-82. He has been prominent in financial and educational interests, and in many other public positions.

The second member of this firm, Hon. Harris C. Hartwell, is a native of Groton ; graduated at Harvard in 1869 ; since 1874 a partner with Mr. Norcross i representative, 1883-85, and State Senator, 1887-88 . city solicitor of Fitchburg from 1877 to 1886.

The third member, Charles F. Baker, Esq., is a native of Lunenburg ; graduated at Harvard in 1872; in the office of Norcross & Hartwell since 18ft, and became a member of the present firm January 1, 1887.

Hon. David H. Merriam is a native of Essex, N.Y., where he was born July 3, 1820; came to Fitchburg in July, 1829; in 1847 began the study of law with Torrey & Wood ; representative in 1861 ; provost marshal of the Ninth District of Massachusetts 1863- 65; special justice of the Fitchburg Police Court since 1868; city solicitor of Fitchburg 1874-6; mayor in 1877 and 1878.^

The other lawyers in tawn are Stillman Haynes, Esq., a native of Townsend, who has practised here since 1868, and served several years on the School Board; Charles S. Haydeu, Esq., a native of Harvard, read law with Wood & Torrey, and has practised here since 1871, and has been special justice of the Fitchburg Police Court since 1879 ; Samuel L.

Graves, Esq., a native of Groton, graduated at Amherst in 1870 ; read law with Wood & Torrey, and has been in practice here since 1873 ; Harrison Bailey, Esq., a native of Fitchburg, graduated at Amherst in 1872, and at Harvard Law School in 1874, read law with George A. Torrey, Esq., and has practised here since 1874; James H. McMahou, E.sq., a native of Ireland, read law with E. B. O'Connor, of Boston, and James M. Woodbury, of Fitchburg, has practised here since September, 1877 ; Edward P. Pierce, Esq., a native of Templeton, graduated at Harvard Law School in 1877; has practised here since; in 1882 formed a partnership with James A. Stiles, Esq., under the firm-name of Pierce & Stiles, Mr. Stiles, having an office of the firm in Gardner. Mr. Pierce has been city solicitor of Fitchburg since .January, 1887 ; Thomas F. Gallagher, Esq., a native of Lynn, graduated at University of Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1876, read law with Hon. William D. Northend in Salem; has been in practice here since December, 1881 ; Charles H. Blood, Esq., a native of Fitchburg, graduated at Harvard in 1879, read law with Attorney-General Marston and at Boston University Law School, in practice here since 1883, and since 1884 has been in partnership with David K. Stevens, Esq., under the firm-name of Blood & Stevens, Mr. Stevens maintaining an office of the firm in Boston; Charles A. Babbitt, Esq., began practice here in the spring of 1888.

Physicians. - A brief mention will be made of a few of the former physicians of the town, which will be followed by a summary of those now in practice here and an account of medical organizations in this vicinity.

Dr. Thaddeus McCarty was the first settled physician, and came here from Worcester prior to the Revolution. He was a skilful physician, but remained here only a few years, returning to Worcester in 1781.

Dr. Jonas Marshall settled here soon after the Revolution on the same farm now occupied by his grandson, Mr. Abel Marshall. He practised here many years.

Dr. Peter Snow succeeded Dr. McCarty, coming here in 1782. For over forty years he was a leading physician here, and also held important town offices.

Dr. Peter S. Snow, eldest son of the above, began practice in 1815, but retired in 1831 on account of poor health. For many years thereafter he was a valuable member of the School Committee. He died here November 25, 1884, aged ninety-two.

Dr. Jonas A. Marshall was for forty years a physician here, and served the town also for twenty-four successive years as town clerk. He died in Charlestown, February 25, 1887, aged nearly eighty-seven years.

Dr. Thomas R. Boutelle graduated at the Medical Department of Yale College in 1819, and soon began practice in New Braintree ; removed to Leominster in 1824, and to Fitchburg in 1833, where he practised the rest of his life. He was a physician of high standing, and was honored with many oiHces in medical and other organizations. During the War of the Rebellion he was chainiKin of the Relief Committee of the town, and labored incessantly for the comfort of soldiers' families. He died, universally lamented, July 13, 1869, aged seventy-four years.

By far the most widely-known and remarkable member of the medical profession ever settled in Fitchburg was Dr. Alfred Hitchcock. He graduated at the Dartmouth Medical College, and later received a diploma from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He settled in Ashby in 1837, but .at the written request of many prominent citizens of Fitchburg, came here in April, 1850, and spent among us the balance of his useful life.

As a practitioner of medicine and surgery Dr. Hitchcock had no peer in this vicinity, aiid his medical brethren far and near sought his services in all doubtful and severe cases. Of what he did in the war period we have not space to tell ; we can only say that during the whole course of the war nearly onequarter of his time was given to the care of the sick and wounded Massachusetts soldiers in the iield and at home.

Dr. Hitchcock was prominent also in public affairs, and held various offices of trust, which we have not space to enumerate. Perhaps the most important was his position in the Executive Council of the State, to which he was elected three times in succes- ^ion, - in 18G1-62-63. He was also on the Board of Overseers of Harvard College from 1857 to 1865.

In addition to his skill, knowledge and good judgment, Dr. Hitchcock possessed those finer qualities of mind and heart characteristic of the true gentleman. He was entirely free from dogmatism and pride of the schools, and his uniform gentleness and courtesy endeared him to the people of Fitchburg - rich and poor. His death occurred March 30, 1874, at the age of sixty years, five months and thirteen days. His funeral at the Rollstone Church, April 3d, was very largely attended.

Dr. Alfred Miller graduated at the Vermont Medical College, and began practice in Ashburnham in 1845. In 1863 he removed to Fitchburg to remain permanently.

He was a good physician and genial gentleman, and was prominent in school matters. He was also a Representative to the Legislature from this city at one time.

All the above-named physicians were members of the Massachusetts Medical Society, with the exception ot the very first, who practised before the society came into existence.

Members of the Massachusetts Medical Society. - Dr. Levi Pillsbury is the senior practising physician in Fitchburg. He graduated at the Dartmouth Medical School in 1842, and settled here May 1, 1844 ; is at present a member of the United States Examining Board for Pensions.

Dr. George Jewett graduated at the Berkshire Medical College in 1847, and coutinued his studies for a time at the Harvard Medical School, being a pupil of Dr. Jacob Bigelow. He practised in Templeton and Gardner, and came to Fitchburg in 1858 ; was surgeon in the army, and from 1864 to 1886 was examining surgeon for pensions ; is at present vicepresident of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He is a trustee of the Public Library, beside holding other public offices.

Dr. George D. Colony graduated at Dartmouth College in 1843 ; studied medicine with Dr. Amos Twitchell, of Keene, N. H. ; graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1846, and immediately began practice at Athul ; removed to Fitchburg in May, 1861, where he has since continued in active business.

Dr. Austin W. Sidney began practice as an eclectic physician in Sterling in 1860; came to Fitchburg in 1866; later took a course at the Dartmouth Medical School, graduated there, and joined the Massachusetts Medical Society. He is president of the Old Ladies' Home corporation.

Dr. Charles H. Rice graduated at the Harvard and Dartmouth Medical Schools ; settled in Fitchburg in 1866 ; is surgeon of the Sixth Regiment, M. V. M., a member of the School Committee, and a trustee of the Public Library ; was city physician 1873-75.

Dr. Frederick H. Thompson graduated at the Harvard Medical School in 1870 ; settled in Lancaster ; removed to Fitchburg in May, 1874 ; was city physician in 1877, and has been on the School Committee and a trustee of the Public Ijibrary ; was surgeon on General Kimball's staff in 1877-78.

Dr. Dwight S. Woodworth graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1876 ; has practised in Fitchburg since ; was city physician 1879-81, and 1884-86 ; is prominent in various fraternal orders ; has been medical director of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid Society for some years ; and on the School Board, 1879-82.

Dr. Ernest P. Miller, son of Dr. Alfred Miller, graduated at Harvard College in 1872 and at the Harvard Medical School in 1876, and has practised in Fitchburg since; has been medical examiner since 1877 and was city physician in 1880 and 1883; is one of the United States E,xamining Board for Pensions.

Dr. Herbert H. Lyons graduated at Boston College in 1878 and at the Harvard Medical School in 1881 ; has practised in Fitchburg since September, 1881 ; is the third member of the United States Examining Board for Pensions in this citv.

Dr. Atherton P. Mason, a native of Fitchburg, graduated at Harvard College in 1879 and at the Harvard Medical Scliool in 1882; has been in practise in Fitchbura; since March, 1884; is secretary of the Worcester North District Medical Society.

Dr. John I). Kielty, a native of Fitchburg, graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Boston, in 1883, and from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1884, and in June, 1884, began practise in Fitchburg. He has been city physician since January, 18S7.

Dr. Clarence W. Spring graduated at Dartmouth College in 1880 and at the Harvard Medical School in 1884. He began practise in Fitchburg in February, 1885.

Dr. Henry W. Pierson, though not a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, is a regular physician and has been in i)ractise in West Fitchburg since 1884.

Homceopatliic Pliyslclans. - Dr. Daniel B. Whittier studied at the Harvard Medical School and later at the New York Homreopathio College in 1863. He soon settled in Fitchburg, where he has since been in active business. He has been president of both the State and County Homoeopathic Societies, and has served the city as a member of the School Committee.

Dr. HoUis K. Bennett graduated at the Pennsylvania Medical University. He practised in Hartford, New York, and in Whitehall, and came to Fitchburg in October, 1872, where he has since continued to practise. Dr. Bennett is a member of all the principal homreopathic societies.

Dr. Ellen L. Eastman graduated at the Bo.ston University Medical School in 1880. She began practise in Fitchburg, but, in 1884, removed to Wollaston. In the autumn of 1887 she returned to this city and resumed practice here.

Dr. J. Everett Luscombe graduated at the Boston University Medical School in 1885, and settled here the same year; is a member of the Worcester County Homoeopathic Medical Society.

Dr. Hubljard H. Brigham is an eclectic physician, a graduate, in 1855, of the Worcester Eclectic Medical College. He has practised in Fitchburg since 1845.

Medical Societies. - The Worcester North District Medical Society was chartered by the president and councillors of the Massachusetts Medical Society May 28, 1858, and organized on the 5th of the following June. Dr. William Parkhurst, of Petersham, was elected its first president.

Its membership comprises all Fellows of the Massachusetts Medical Society practising in Fitchburg and towns in the northern part of Worcester County and in the towns of Ashby, Shirley and Townsend, in Middlesex County.

Meetings are held at Fitchburg on the fourth Tuesday of January, April, July and October, the annual meeting being in April. The society now has over forty members.

The Fitchburg Society for Medical Improvement was organized in July, 1874, and includes in its membership Fellows of the Massachusetts Medical Society residing in Fitchburg and towns adjoining.

This society holds meetings the third Tuesday of each month at the houses of the members. It is the hope and intention of the society, in conjunction with the district .society, to obtain rooms, in the near future, and fit them up for the purpose of holding both local and district meetings therein, and also for accommodating the library of the district society.

The Worcester North Eclectic Medical Society was organized in July, 1801. Meetings are held at Fitchburg on the last Tuesday of each month, the annual meeting being held in July.

Chapter Xlix Literary And Artistic

Rev. Asa Thurston was born in Fitchburg in 1787. He took a course of study at Yale College and the Andover Theological Seminary, and in 1819 sailed for the Sandwich Islands as a missionary. He remained there till his death, March 11, 1868, and the value of his life-work for humanity can never be estimated. He compiled a valuable dictionary and grammar of the Hawaiian language.

Hon. Rufus Campbell Torrey was a younger brother of Hon. Ebenezer Torrey. He was for some years a resident of Fitchburg, editing a newspaper and teaching in the Fitchburg Academy. In 1836 he wrote the " History of Fitchburg." He afterward removed to Alabama, and became prominent as a lawyer. He died in Claiborne, Alabama, September 13, 1882.

former Courier office, and the next week a slightly smaller paper was issued, called the Filchburg Worcester County Courier. Mr. William S. Wilder was engaged as editor, and the paper flourished until the winter of 1838, when, during Mr. Garfield's absence from town, the editor converted the paper from a neutral to a Democratic sheet. This appears to have been disastrous, for the publication of the Courier ended March 9, 1838. Mr. Garfield continued to occupy the office for job-printing and for a few months issued a small weekly paper called the Times.

During the four or five months preceding December, 1838, there was no paper published in town ; but on the 20th of December, 1838, a new and prosperous era was begun in the journalism of this town by the starting of

The Fitchburg Sentinel. - On the date abovementioned the first number of this newspaper appeared. John Garfield printed it, and Ezra W. Reed was the editor. In politics it was neutral.

About this time there were in town several writers who contributed to the columns of the Sentitiel enlivening and spicy articles. Prominent among them was a lad of sixteen, who afterward became wellknown as an author and poet. This was Augustine Joseph Hickey, an apprentice in the Sentinel office. He was born in 1823, and, owing to a separation between his parents and the death of his mother soon after, was placed in an orphan asylum in Boston at an early age. In 1839 John Garfield, of Fitchburg, then proprietor of the Sentinel, took him from this asyluur, and he went to work in the printing-office. He soon developed aii extraordinary love for books, and began to write anonymously for the Sentinel. He soon wrote a poem, entitled " Slander," which was duly printed in the paper. This poem had a Latin quotation prefixed, and was signed " Julian."

"About this time one Patterson, an employe of the woolen-mill, under the signature of ' Syphax,' criticised 'Conrad,' another local literary light, for misquoting Byron, whereupon 'Julian' took a hand in the discussion, creating an unusual interest for several weeks."

Hickey wrote the communications signed "Julian," and his intimate friend. Goldsmith F. Bailey, copied them and dropped them into the post-office ; so the identity of "Julian '' was wholly unknown even to the proprietor of the Sentinel. These communications showed a considerable amount of geniui and learning, and were generally ascribed to some of the professional, educated men in town at that time.

When about twenty-one years of age Mr. Hickey left Fitchburg and went to Boston, and not long after removed to New York City, where he remained the rest of his life.

His mother, who was the daughter and heiress of a wealthy French family, but was disowned after her clandestine marriage to Mr. Hickey, left her son a dying request that he should assume her maiden name, and in accordance with this request his name was changed, by act of the New York Legislature, to Augustine J. H. Duganne.

He was very active during the war and raised several regiments. He was colonel of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth New York Regiment, went to the front, was captured, and for some time held prisoner by the rebels.

Let us now return to the Sentinel. It continued to prosper and was published by Mr. Garfield until March, 1841, when William J. Merriani purchased the office and paper. During his proprietorship the Sentinel was twice enlarged, and in February, 1849, the office was removed to its present location, in what is now known as the Sentinel building and was then owned by Crocker & Caldwell.

In December, 1850, Elisha and John Garfield bought out Mr. Merriam. In September, 1852, Mr. James F. D. Garfield bought John Garfield's interest and, with his brother, Elisha, published the paper until October, 1860; and for the fdlowing three and a half years Elisha Garfield conducted the business alone. In April, 1864, John Garfield again purchased half the interest, and in September, 1864, became sole owner of the paper. Six months later Mr. James M. Blancbard became his partner and continued so until MarchJ 1867, when Mr. Charles C. Stratton, who has ever since been connected with the paper, succeeded him as partner.

In January, 1870, Mr. Bourne Spooner bought onethird of the interest, and in January, 1871, Mr. Garfield sold his interest to Messrs. Stratton & Spooner. In March, 1873, the Sentinel Printing Company was formed, and Mr. John E. Kellogg admitted as partner in the new firm. In July, 1873, Mr. Thomas Hale, formerly editor of the Keene Sentinel, purchased Mr. Spooner's interest and continued a member of the firm for about two years. Since 1875 Messrs. C. C. Stratton and J. E. Kellogg have constituted the Sentinel Printing Company, and have conducted both the weekly and daily Sentinel.

During all these years the paper prospered and was enlarged as occasion required ; and early in 1873 the proprietors resolved to make a venture, which proved to be entirely successful, by starting the Filchburg Daily Sentinel. This has always been an evening paper, and the first number was issued May 6, 1873, and its size was twenty-one by thirty inches. Since then it has been enlarged three times, and is now twenty-seven by forty-four inches, the same size as the weekly edition. The Daily Sentinel has made a prominent place for itself, and has a large circulation in town and many subscribersoutsideof Fitchburg.

In January, 1845, the Wachuselt Independant was started. The first issue was dated January 18, 1845, and was printed by E. R. Wilkins in Mark Miller's old printing-oifice. William S. Wilder, formerly of the Courier, was the editor. The office was .soon removed to the building now called the Citizens' Housei and was the first printing-office established in that part of the town. The Independant lived only six months.

January 21, 1852, appeared the first issue of the Fitchburg News, Dr. Charles Robinson, editor and publisher. It was printed in an office in the old Rollstone block, formerly occupied by the Fitchburg Tribune, a paper published by Mr. George A. White for a few months in 1847.

Under Dr. Robinson's management the News prospered, but in January, 1853, he sold the paper to the firm of Rollins & Knowlton, of Winchendon, and its publication was suspended during the following June. Dr. Robinson soon removed to Lawrence, Kansas, and later became Governor of Kansas.

March 31, 1852, appeared the first number of the Fitchburg i2evei?/e, a semi-weekly paper, printed in an office in the upper story of Central Block. Mr. John J. Piper was editor and publisher, and for nearly seventeen years he conducted the Reveille with signal success and made it well-known as a stanch Republican newspaper. It was three times enlarged, and in April, 1869, was a thirty-two column paper, twentyseven by forty-one inches. Up to October, 1861, it was a semi-weekly, but after that was issued weekly.

John J. Piper died February 3, 1869, and the publication of the Reveille was continued by his two brothers, Joseph L. and Henry F. Piper, who soon after removed the office to the new Rollstone National Bank building. In May, 1874, J. L. Piper retired and the paper was conducted by H. F. Piper alone till May, 1875, when Frank L. Boutelle became a partner. The firm of Piper & Boutelle was dissolved in August, 1876, and the Reveille was for a few months longer published in the old Rollstone Block Printing Office by Col. Ezia S. Stearns, who at that time published the Daily Chronicle there. February 15, 1877, the publication of both papers was suspended. The existence of the Reveille covered a period of almost a quarter of a century, and during the major portion of this time it was a prominent paper not alone in Fitchburg, but also in Worcester County, and its decline and suspension were much regretted.

In March, 1857, appeared the first issue of a small monthly advertising sheet called The Inkstand. It was published at the furniture store of Sidney D. Willis and was continued only a few months. Mention is made of it because it was the pioneer of the large number of advertising papers that have been printed here since.

In January, 1881, the Fitchburg Tribune was started by William M. Sargent. It was a weekly paper of good appearance and was printed in an office in Goodrich Block. A daily edition was begun in the following March, which will be noticed further on. The Tribune was continued under several diflerent proprietors until February, 1885, when Albert G. Morse, then the publisher, changed the name to Fitchburg News. In May, 1885, Mr. Joseph H. White became the publisher of the News and continued it until February, 1886, when he changed it to a monthly paper with the name Monthly Visitor. Mr. White has continued its publication, but the name of the paper now is the Ladies' Home Visitor.

In December, 1880, Thomas C. Blood started an advertising paper, called the Fitchburg Enterprise. Since then it has been published about once in three months. It is well patronized by advertisers, and contains some interesting reading matter in each issue. The paper is printed at the Sentinel office, and about three thousand copies are struck off each time.

In June, 1885, Hubert C. Bartlett began the publication of a monthly paper, devoted to temperance, health and the home, and having the name United States 3Ionihly. This paper has continued to be published since, and has done good work for the temperance cause. It is a well printed and ably conducted sixteen-page paper, and since February, 1887, its price has been twenty-five cents per year.

Since September, 1887, the Young Men's Christian Association have issued a small monthly paper, devoted to the work of the association. Its name is The Beacon Light.

The Scientist is the title of an eight-page monthly, issued by Chapter 48, Agassiz Association of Fitchburg. The first number appeared in April, 1888. E. Adams Hartwell, A.M., and Mr. William G. Farrar are the editors.

The five last-named publications were the only ones, beside the weekly and daily Sentinel, published in Fitchburg until recently, when the Evening Mail was started.

Daily Papers in Fitchburg. - The first attempt to start a daily paper here was made in October, 1854. The Fitchburg Daily was the name given it by the publishers, Messrs. Plaisted & Baxter. It was printed in the office in Rollstone Block, was eighteen by twenty-four inches in size, and had an existence of just three days.

the Fitchbtirg Daily Press. This was an evening paper published by Piper & Boutelle, in connection with the Reveille. Its size was twenty-one by thirtyone inches. It lived less than a year, the last issue being early in August, 1876.

The Fitchburg Eoening Chronicle took the place of the Press, being issued from the Reveille office under the editorship of Colonel Ezra S. Stearns, who continued to conduct both this paper and the Reveille until February 1.5, 1877, when both papers were suspended, as has been previouslj' stated.

In March, 18S1, Mr. W. M. Sargent, publisher of the Fitchburg Tribune, began the publication of a daily paper, the Daily Evening Tribune. It was eighteen by twenty-five inches in size, and in the following summer was enlarged to twenty-two by thirty inches.

Mr. Sargent sold his interest in the paper to J. W. EUam, of Clinton, in July, 1882, who continued both daily and weekly. He was succeeded by Mr, E. A. Norris, in April, 1883, who published both editions until September, 1884, when Albert G. Morse became the publisher. Mr. Morse discontinued the Daily Tribune in February, 1885.

The first issue of The Evening Mail, the new daily paper, appeared October 3,1888. It is a well-printed and very readable sheet, a trifle smaller than the Sentinel.

It is published by the Evening Mail Company, of which Mr. H. L. Inman, formerly of the Keene Observer, is president ; Dr. G. D. Colony, treasurer ; and M. F. Jones, secretary.

The company has purchased the plant of J. H. White, on Day Street, added new presses, type, etc., and hopes to make the new daily a permanent and prosperous enterprise.

Chapter Li

It seems fitting to close this sketch with a chapter on the cemeteries of Fitchburg, - the " restingplaces " where have been laid the mortal remains of those men and women whose energy and good works have contributed so largely to the growth and prosperity of the town.

It is a matter of regret that sufficient attention is not devoted to caring for and beautifying our cemeteries. At least two of them are finely located and capable of being made much more attractive.

Let us once more return to the past and note briefly the provisions made by the early settlers of Fitchburg in regard to the interring of the dead.

During the first three years of its corporate eiistence there was no burying-ground within the limits of Fitchburg, the dead being carried to the graveyard in Lunenburg, nearly seven miles distant. December 12, 1764, however, the town took steps towards securing a burying-ground of its own by choosing Amos Kimball, Ephraim Kimball and Thomas Dutton a committee "to provide a Bueering-yard." This committee did not report until November 21, 1765, when the report was accepted. , March 3, 1766, this vote was reconsidered, and the town voted " to accept one acre of land of Amos Kimball for a Buering-yard." This spot is now known as the South Street Cemetery, and has not been used as a burialplace for many years. For over a quarter of a century it was the only cemetery in town, and in it are the tombstones erected over the graves of many of the early citizens of prominence in the town.

Although the town voted to accept Deacon Kimball's gift in 1766, the deed of the land does not appear to have been passed over until the latter part of 1769. In the mean time the town voted. May 11, 1767, to purchase an acre of land belonging to Thomas Cowdin " lyeing on the north side of the Meetinghouse for a buering-yard."' On December 16, 1767, it was voted " to give back the deed of the acre of land deeded to the town by Thos. Cowdin for a buryingyard." The few bodies there buried were exhumed and reinterred in the spot given the town by Deacon Kimball.

In 1775 Solomon Steward was chosen to dig graves. May 13, 1800, the town voted to purchase of Jacob Upton an acre of land for a burying-ground. This was used as a cemetery by the people in the westerly part of the town for many years. It is located not far from the present Dean Hill School-house, and is now pretty well overgrown with trees.

In the latter part of 1800 a committee was chosen to select a place for a new burying-ground in the middle of the town. In accordance with the recommendation of this committee, the town purchased, within a year or two, the plot of ground which now forms the easterly end of Mount Laurel Cemetery. Additional land has been appropriated to burial purposes from time to time, and this cemetery now covers nearly the whole hill, forming a veritable city of the dead overlooking the city of the living. More care and a larger outlay of money would make this naturally picturesque situation still more beautiful and attractive.

In 1856 the town purchased of Charles Gerry, Silas Hosmer and Levi Downe about fifty acres of land situated on Mt. Elam Road, in the southerly part of the town, at a cost of a little over two thousand dollars. Work was soon begun upon clearing and laying out the grounds, and at the present time Forest Hill Cemetery, as it is named, is an attractive and well-kept burial-place.

St. Bernard's Cemetery, on St. Bernard Street, in the easterly part of the town, is owned by St. Bernard's Parish, and has been in use for some years.

In concluding this sketch, the writer desires to express his thanks to all who have, in any way, assisted him in its preparation. To the librarian of the Fitchburg Public Library, Mr. Prescott C. Rice, and his assistants, the writer feels especially indebted for their uniform courtesy and efforts to aid him in collecting material from the manifold resources of the library.

The sketch is necessarily condensed and incomplete. Doubtless some facts of importance and deserving of mention have been inadvertently omitted ! for, to condense the history of a place like Fitchburg, for a period of a century and a quarter, into the space allowed in this volume, without making some omissions, would be almost an impossibility.

It is to be hoped that the writer's intention of giving, in the foregoing, a fair account of the history of Fitchburg, from its incorporation to the autumn of 1888, has been accomplished, and that the future historian of the city may obtain from it numerous facts never before published, which are well worth elaborating in the more ample space that will be given to the " History of Fitchburg " which, sooner or later, must be forthcoming.

Alvah Crocker

Alvah Crocker, of Fitchburg, Mass., was born at Leominster October 14, 1801. His father, Samuel Crocker, was born March 22, 1774, and his mother (n£e Comfort Jones) on the 23d of August, 1777. Mrs. Crocker was a descendant of the celebrated Adams family, and inherited all its self-reliance and independence of character. Nobly struggling under adverse circumstances, and unwilling to receive assistance not absolutely necessary, she aided to nurture the children in habits of honest industry, and to accustom them to exertion, not only from necessity, but also from choice. Such an education as they received proved to be a greater instrument of temporal success than large fortunes in the hands of numberless children of luxury and ease.

In his father the spiritual element was more pronounced than the secular, and revealed itself in a remarkably unselfish, devoted and consistent life. An earnest Christian, of the Baptist denomination,

With such a nature, developed under such influences, worldly success was simply a question of time to the aspiring boy. Its beginnings, like those of most American monarchs of industry, were sufficiently humble.

His father's occupation was that of a vatman, in the employ of Nichols & Kendall. He himself was sent to work in the mills at the early age of eight years. Being of studious turn, and eager to avail himself of every opportunity of acquiring useful knowledge, he gladly utilized the privilege of access to Mr. Nichols' library, and stored up in bis memory, for future use, many facts and principles ; thus laying, broad and deep, the foundation for a coming superstructure of imposing grandeur and usefulness.

Having once tasted " the Pierian spring," Alvah Crocker's thirst became insatiable. All his energies were taxed, that he might earn and accumulate enough money to defray the expenses of a coveted collegiate education : a plan in which he received no encouragement from his father. At the age of sixteen he had saved the sum of fifty dollars, with which he entered Groton Academy. There he remained for several mouths until necessity obliged him to resume labor for the acquisition of further funds. He did not, however, relinquish his studies, but prosecuted them in the evening as diligently as he attended to business during the day, and triumphantly kept pace with his class in the academy.

In 1820 the persistent youth went to work in a paper-mill at Franklin, N. H., and three years afterward removed to Fitchburg, Mass., where he entered the employ of General Leonard Burbank, who was the pioneer of the paper manufacture in that section of the State. The mill was situated where the works of the Rollstone Machine Company are now located, and in the midst of surroundings marvelously different from those which encircle the latter establishment.

Conscious of his own powers and laudably ambitious to create, direct and acquire on his own account, he next determined to embark in independent enterprises. In 1826, aided by borrowed capital, he erected a paper-mill in a birch swamp in that part of West Fitchburg subsequently known for many years as Crockerville.

Hopeful, prudent and pertinacious, he never lost courage, but toiled with unflagging energy and zeal until he had accomplished his purposes. From this epoch until 1830 life was a continuous struggle to meet his many obligations. The times were hard ; he W.1S in debt; a freshet injured his mill ; the mode of paper manufacture changed from manual to mechanical; machinery was required for successful competition with his rivals, and the necessit.ited outlay demanded increased caiiital. Difficulties gathered

Keen to perceive in what measures his own interests lay, and prompt to act upon clear convictions, Mr. Crocker soon abandoned the practice of consigning his products to commission merchants for sale, and took the whole of affairs into his own hands. Sending his paper by his own teams into Boston, he also sold it directly to customers. In truth, his financial situation was such as to demand the clearest foresight and the shrewdest economy. He was still owing twelve thousand dollars of the sum borrowed for the original investment, and also four thousand dollars to his commission merchants ; ten thousand dollars more must be obtained for the purchase of machinery to put him on equal terms with his competitors. The great majority of men would have despaired under such circumstances; but his strength was equal to the burden, and the possibility of failure was not allowed to number in the factors of his calculations. The capital desired was secured, business prospered, debts were paid, the shoals and rocks were passed, and his bark rode gallantly on the deep waters.

Continuous prosperity and enlarging business induced Mr. Crocker to build additional paper-mills, and also to increase and diversify his activities by entering into the construction of railroads. In 1850 the firm of Crocker, Burbank & Co. was organized. This firm - of which the son of Mr. Crocker is a prominent member - owns, at the present time, seven paper-mills, and produces about fifteen tons of paper daily. The Snow, or Upper Mill, was built in 1839, and, after passing through several hands, came into possession of Crocker, Burbank & Co. in 1862. The Cascade Mill was erected in 1847, and was purchased by the firm in 1863. The Upton Mill was built in

1851, and was purchased in 1859. The other mills belonging to the firm were built in the following order, - the Whitney Mill in 1847, the Hanna Mill in

Of brilliant practical endowments, ])ublic-<pirited, and prone to large undertakings, Mr. Crocker clearly identified his private interests with the welfare of his adopted town. He thoroughly understood that whatever would increase the population, the wealth, or the resources of Fitchburg, would directly or indirectly be of service to each of its citizens, and would amply repay the expenditure of time and money in cordial, intelligent co-operation. The town had entered upon a career of substantial prosperity about the year 1833, and was proud of its mills, its academy, its newspapers, its three churches, and prouder still of a goodly number of wise and enterprising men. The immense advantages of railroad transportat^/ were more or less appreciated, and by none more tl / than by Mr. Crocker, who bent all his disciplined ea .gies to the construction of a railroad from Fitchburg to Boston. This was in 1834, at which time he prepared the way for himself, and for many others, to distinction and fortune. Being employed by the town of Fitchburg to build a road farther up the Nashua Valley, he found the land-owners on the proposed extension opposed to it, and demanding exorbitant prices for the ground required ; but, nothing daunted, he bought the whole Nashua Valley as far as the Westminster line at the prices asked, gave the necessary land for the new road, and reaped for himself and the public the benefits afforded by new and improved means of communication.

Such services as these very properly commend him who renders them to the good graces of his fellowcitizens, and distinguish him as a fitting repository of public trusts. The sharp-sighted electors of Fitchburg, with these convictions, elected Mr. Crocker to the lower house of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1835. His beneficent action in that body justified the sagacity of his constituents. In 1836 he voted tor the subscription by the State of one million dollars to the completion of the Western Railroad. But for his zealous advocacy, it is more than probable that the subscription would not have been made - certainly not at that time. Returning home, he began to arouse the people of Fitchburg and the contiguous towns to the incalcuable importance of direct railroad communication with Boston, and did not cease to agitate the subject until his wishes were realized in the finished structure. His abiding conviction was that Northern Massachusetts must have communication by rail with the tide-water, or pale into utter insignificance. At first he aimed simply to secure a branch road from either Worcester or Lowell ; but wider kuowledge impelled him in 1842 to boldly advocate an independent route from Fitchburg to Boston. His pecuniary resources were laid under liberal contribution for necessary surveys, and both the routes he then selected have since been followed by railroads.

In 1842 Mr. Crocker was again elected to the popular branch of the Legislature, and again toiled with wonted zeal and efficiency for the accomplishment of his favorite project. A charter was finally obtained, in the presence of much ridicule and opposition, and work on the Fitchburg Road was speedily begun. While the new enterprise was in progress of construction, he went to England to buy iron and other materiaW, and in different ways to foster its interests. His interest in the orogress of the work, from the hour that the first pick was struck into the earth until its completion, was unfailing, and on the 5th of March, 1845, he enjoyed the pleasure of riding into Fitchburg on the first locomotive that ever passed over the road. That was one of hi-i proudest and happiest journeys. His election as first president of the railroad company fittingly followed. In June the same year he resigned his ofiice to enter upon the presidency ofthe Vermont and Massachusetts Bailroad Company, which he continued to hold until the completion of the road to Brattleboro', Vermont.

The fortitude, the heroism, the generalship of former years had brought him rich substantial reward. The construction of the Fitchburg Railroad, in particular, greatly benefited both himself and the town. The massive stone depot, built on thecompletion of the road, was placed on land owned by him in what was known as Old City. This was contrary to the expectation of a large number of people, who had supposed that it would be located on higher ground, and that, because of the heavy grade, the road could not be extended farther to the West. The citizens of the upper part of the town had also desired to have the depot in their neighljorhood, and were by no means pleased with its location in the Old City.

"Crocker, you can never get your road out of Fitchburg," his friends were wont to remark. But little was said in reply. He quietly continued to labor, and in less than three years work was commenced on the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad from Fitchburg to Greenfield. The latter artery of social and commercial life was duly perfected ; and, as we have seen, he had the honor of being its first president, and held that office two years.

Mr. Crocker was afterward largely engaged in railroad operations in different parts of the State, and was especially interested in the Troy and Greenfield Railroad and in completion of the Hoosac Tunnel. In their behalf he delivered several hundred lectures in the years 1847 and 1848, and probably did as much or more than any other man in Massachusetts to make the piercing of the Hoosac Mountain an engineering and transportational success. When the latter work fell into the hands ofthe State he was one of the commissioners charged with its administration. Nothing likely to conduce to the public good seems to have escaped his notice. He was prominent in bringing before the citizens of Fitchburg the importance of a complete system of water-works, and contributed in no small degree to the embodiment of his own recommendations. He also raised buildings for the manufactures diverse from his own specialty, and thus established new branches of industrial art in the town, thereby adding to its population, wealth and resources.

The leading ambition of Mr. Crocker's life, so far as corporate growth is concerned, was, however, less in Fitchburg than in Turner's Falls. The prosperity of the latter town was what he desired more than that of any other. Without loving the first less, he loved the latter more. He wished to see it rival Lowell, Holyoke and other manufacturing cities in size and commercial importance, and even to excel them; and to that end he spared nothing in his wonderful genius and manifold resources. While searching for a more direct route between Miller's Falls and Greenfield than the one pursued by the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, he had been called to observe the magnificent water-power possessed by the Connecticut River at Turner's Falls. Charmed by its natural advantages, and perceiving the possibilities of a great manufacturing city around the spot, he conceived the project of converting possibility into actuality, and, with the characteristic promptitude and decision, threw himself into its execution. Thenceforward this gigantic .scheme took almost exclusive possession of his mind. In company with other capitalists, whom he invited to join him, he organized the Turner's Falls Company in 1866. The new corporation purchased the rights and franchises of an old organization, known as "The Proprietors of the Upper Locks and Canals on the Connecticut River, in the County of Hampshire," and proceeded to carry out their plans. They also purchased largely of the lands in Montague, lying on the river front, near the falls. A dam having a fall of thirty feet and a capacity of thirty thousand horse-power, was next constructed, and the water-power thus rendered available for use.

From 1866 until the time of his death the daring projector worked hard for the prosperity of the new town, spending large sums of money in the promotion of its interests, and enlisting the aid of others in the great undertaking.

What Mr. Crocker would have achieved in the wise and energetic prosecution of his plans at Turner's Falls, had his life been spared, is matter of probable conjecture. Reasoning from the great results he had effected in the few years devoted to the task, he would doubtless have left it a splendid monument of his genius and creative power. But in the midst of his hopes and ambitions, and while contriving and striving to compass his end, he was suddenly cut down, and the realizalion of his schemes devolved upon his associates. The plan of a public library and of similar beneficent institutions had taken definite shape in his mind, and was prevented from passing into concrete form by his lamented death. There are two banks in Turner's Falls, - the Crocker National Bank and the Crocker Institution for Savings, - both of which he was instrumental in organizing. In the Crocker National Bank, his son, Charles T. Crocker, is a director, and of the Savings Institution he is a trustee.

Mr. Crocker was also one of the originators of the Rollstone Bank at Fitchburg, in 1849, and held the office of director from that time to the day of his death. In 1870 Mr. Crocker was elected president ofthe bank. Throughout the whole of these terms of valuable service he labored incessantly for the adoption of measures intended to develop the resources of Northwestern Massachusetts. His conspicuity in this particular suggested the propriety of his being chosen to fill the unexpired term in Congress of the Hon. William B. Washburn, who had been elected Governor of the State. Mr. Crocker - a Republican in politics - was accordingly elected to the vacant post, and took his seat in the National House of Eepresentatives on the 2d of January, 1872. He was re-elected to the Forty-third Congress, - receiving 14,919 against 4,588 cast for his Democratic competitor, - and served from January 14, 1872, until December 26, 1874, on which day he died, very unexpectedly, at the age of seventythree years, two mouths and twelve days. The ordinary bound of human life had been passed, and yet there were strong probabilities of fruitful years to come. But on the 19th of December - a week preceding his decease - he was seized by a peculiar kind of cold, epidemic at Washington, and left the capital for the home in which he was so soon to die. The funeral services were celebrated at Christ Church, in which an appropriate sermon was delivered by a former pastor, the Rev. Henry L. Jones, of Wilkesbarre, Pa.

Mr. Crocker was married three times. His first wife, nee Abigail Fox, and he were united on August 14, 1829. She died August 21, 1847, leaving five children. Miss Lucy A. Fay became his second wife on the 9th of April, 1S51, and died on the 29th of January, 1872. On the 20thof November of the same year he was again married, to Miss Minerva Gushing. Of his four daughters and one son, children of his first wife, only one daughter and the son are now living.

Ebenezer Torrey was born at Franklin, Mass., August 16, 1801, and died at Fitchburg September 3, 1888. He was the son of John and Sally (Richardson) Torrey. He fitted for college at the academies at Leicester and Lancaster, Mass.. and entered Harvard University at the age of seventeen years, graduating in 1822. He then went to Fitchburg and studied law with John Shepley, a leading member of the Worcester County bar, and was admitted to the bar in 1825. In 1827 he formed a partnership with the late Nathaniel Wood, which continued for nearly fifty years, and was one of the leading firms of lawyers in the county. In 1832, upon the incorporation of the Fitchburg Bank, Mr. Torrey was chosen cashier, and, although he still continued his connection with the firm of Torrey & Wood, he devoted the greater part of his time to the business of the bank. In 1859 he was elected president of the bank, which otflce he retained during the remainder of his life.

The Fitchburg Savings Bank commenced business in 1846. Mr. Torrey was its first treasurer, and afterwards became its pre-ident. In 1831 he was chosen a director of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and served in that position during the remainder of his life, having been elected president of the company in 1879. He was treasurer of the town and city of Fitchburg continuously from 1840 to 1874, inclusive, when he declined are-election, and was the first treasurer of the Cashing Academy of Ashburnham. In 1831 and 1847 he represented the town of Fitchburg in the Legislature, and in 1849 was one of the five Senators from Worcester County. In 1852 he was chosen a Presidential elector, and voted for Gen. Winfield Scott. In 1853 he served in the Executive Council with Governor Cliflbrd, and during the succeeding year with Governor Emory Washburn. In 1825 he married Frances Houghton, of Fitchburg, who died in 1831, leaving two daughters, the elder of whom was the wife of George A. Cunningham, of Boston, and the younger is the wife of Hiram A. Blood, of Fitchburg. In 1832 he married Sarah Arnold, of Uxbridge, who, with their only son, George A. Torrey, of Boston, survives him.

In the words of Rev. Mr. Pierson, who preached his funeral discourse, "The key-note of Mr. Torrey's character was personal honor and uprightness. He was a man to be depended upon. You could trust him in all relations and emergencies. His lite and action moved on like clock-work - the regulation and routine of good habits. From early manhood to old age he scarcely took an extended vacation. More than many men he seemed to have the capacity for continuous work. His was a busy, active, industrious life.

" Another secret of Mr. Torrey's sanity of mind and body was his commingled intelligence and humor. He had at once wisdom and wit. This humor was not occasional with him. It was habitual. It was ingrained in his temperament. He saw the ludicrous as well as the sublime side of things. He chose the sunny, rather than the shady paths of life."

Eugene T. Miles

Hon. Eugene Temple Miles, second mayor of the city of Fitchburg. familiarly known in Fitchburg as Captain Miles, was born in Framingham, Mass., August 26, 1826. He was the son of Jonas M. and Anstis (Kendall) Miles.

His father, Dea. Miles, was a resident ofShrewsbury for many years, but the family were temporarily residing in Framingham at the above-named date. The name of Miles, or Myles, as it frequently appears upon the ancient records, belongs to a family of honorable mention in the annals of the Commonwealth. John Miles, the emigrant ancestor, was a resident of Concord as early as 1637, and in that town, or immediate vicinity, he was succeeded by his son Samuel, while his grandson Samuel removed in 1729 to Shrewsbury, from whom the deceased was the fifth generation in descent, and the seventh generation since the emigration to New England.

In early manhood Mr. Miles was several years in the hardware trade in Worcester, as clerk, and for a short time the junior partner of Poole & Miles. In January, 1856, he removed to Fitchburg, where he continued to reside until his death. During the first few months of his residence here he w.ts associated in business with A. G. Page at West Fitchburg, but in

July of the same year (1856) Mr. Papesolrl his interest to Augustus Whitman, and the firm of Whitman & Miles entered upon a long and highly .successful career. The business, as is well known to all our resident readers, was the manufacture of cutting-knives, including a variety of edge tools and kindred wares. Under skillful management the business constantly increased until an annual business of from $100,000 to $250,000 has been done, and in a few instances the larger sum has been exceeded.

In 1869 extensive branch works were established in Akron, Ohio, and in 1864 the firm was succeeded by a stock company, but the name was little changed, and the name of the deceased has been honorably and prominently connected with the business for twenty years, being president of the company from the date of its incorporation until his death.

Large and intimate as have been his business connections with Fitchburg, Mr. Miles has been intimately associated with the civil and monetary afi'airs of the town for many years, and has frequently been chosen to positions of responsibility and trust.

He was a member of the Board of Selectmen in 1864, '65, '66 and '72, and mayor of the city in 1875. He was one of the directors of the Fitchburg National Bank, and one of the trustees of the Fitchburg Savings Bank.

He was also president of the Worcester North Agricultural Society, and a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and one of the vice-presidents of the Fitchburg Board of Trade since its organization.

In all these positions of trust he evinced rare good judgment and executive ability. It has been remarked by a gentleman who knew him intimately, that whatever he did, he did well.

In habits of thought he was rapid but exact, and much of his influence and ability to put into successful operation what would be mere day-dreams in the minds of others were the result of a faculty of swiftly weighing and passing judgment upon questions of moment that claimed his attention. His impulses were generous and lofty, his manners urbane, and his treatment of his associates kind and considerate.

He enlisted early in the war, but the health of his partner failed, which left the sole management of a very extensive business entirely to his care, compelling him to resign his commission as captain of Company A, Fifty-third Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, before the regiment left its quarters in New York for active service in the field. At the close of the war he was captain of the Fusileers one year.

His labor in connection with the soldiers' monument and the beautiful square in which it stands, and the admirable report which in behalf of the committee he made at the time it was formally presented to the city, are subjects of record, and will long remain an enduring inscription to his memory, announcing at once his patriotic interest in the work, and his ability to give efficient shape to lofty impulses.

In the very meridian of his manhood and in the midst of usefulness he was called from the scenes of this life. He died very suddenly at his residence on Blossom Street, June 26, 1876. Better known to all the citizens of Fitchburg, both rich and poor, than almost any other man, and bound up as he was with so many of the mercantile interests of the city, his loss was severely felt.

His characteristics were a devotion to the welfare of his adopted city, honesty of official life as well as integrity in business affairs of every description, and the exercise of those estimable qualities that go to make up the companion and friend ; and it may be truly said of him that in his death the poor man, the soldier and the soldier's family lost a sincere friend.

Gardner S. Burbank

The subject of this sketch was born in Montpelier, Vt., July 22, 1809. He was a son of Silas and Bathsheba (Egery) Burbank, and the youngest of a family of eleven children.

Mr. Burbank was educated in the schools of his native town, but at a comparatively early age entered upon an occupation that seems to have been hereditary in the family - that of paper-making.

His grandfather, Abijah Burbank, lived in Millbury, Mass., and erected and operated in that town the first paper-mill in Worcester County, and one of the first built in this State. Almost all of Abijah Burbank's children and grandchildren were paper manufiicturers. General Leonard Burbank, who operated the first paper-mill in Fitchburg, was his grandson and a cousin of Gardner S. Burbank.

Gardner S. Burbank began paper-making in Montpelier, Vt., but in 1827 went to Millbury, Mass., where, for seven years, he was associated with his uncle, (xeneral Caleb Burbank, in the paper business. He then went to Worcester, where, for eleven years, he operated a paper-mill, formerly owned by another uncle, Elijah Burbank.

In 1846 he moved to Russell, and formed a partnership with Cyrus W. Field and Marshall Fales. The firm erected a large paper-mill and ran it for about five years, at the end of which time Mr. Burbank, being in poor health, withdrew from the firm, and in October, 1851, came to Fitchburg. He then formed a partnership with the late Hon. Alvah Crocker, at whose earnest solicitation he came to this town, under the name of Crocker & Burbank. C. T. Crocker was admitted to the firm in 1855, and G. F. Fay and S.

E. Crocker in 1S63, and the paper manufacturing firm of Crocker, Burbank & Co. developed into the leading one in Fitchburg during Mr. Burbank's fifteen years' connection with it.

In 1866 he disposed of his interest in the firm and retired from active business; but his sterling integrity and sound judgment made him the recipient of many offices of trust. In addition to many important private trusts, he was a director of the Fitchburg National Bank from 1871 till his death ; a director of the Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company since July, 1876; a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank since June, 1875; and a member of the board of investment of that institution from 1875 to 1885.