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Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 20, 1875
The Coleraine Murder
The Coleraine Murder - As briefly stated in our last issue, Daniel Dwight, supposed to be one of the murderers of Joseph R. Farnsworth, was arrested Sat. night at the door of his father’s house on Catamount Hill, Coleraine, where he had come 5 days after the murder. There were 6 men, under Deputy Sheriff John Gould, stationed around the house, and between 10 and 11 o’clock, they saw a man coming up the road, which proved to be young Dwight.
They allowed him to approach near the house, when a signal was given, and they stepped from their hiding places. Dwight ran around the house in the direction of the barn, but he was then surrounded and forced to surrender. When taken into the house before his father, he fainted.
Dwight was confined in the lock-up at Shelburne Falls, and on Mon., Trial Justice Brainard of Greenfield held a court at the office of H.M.Puffer, Esq., and had the young man brought before him. A large gathering of people were in attendance, and among them Dwight’s wife, father and mother.
He pleaded not guilty, and the magistrate, without having a hearing of evidence, arraigned him on the charge of murder and continued the case to Mon. the 17th. Officers Swan and Gould then brought the prisoner to Greenfield,where he is now confined in jail. Dwight appears quite calm and is not disposed to talk much about the affair. He accounts for his absence and his whereabouts during the 4 days as follows:
"I had some trouble with my wife on Tues. aft., which had ended by my saying I was going off, and her replying that she hoped I would, and what was more, that I would stay away. She then started to go to father’s house, which is only a short distance from mine, and I started for a pasture where some of father’s cattle were grazing.
On the way I met Herbert Davenport, and together we went to Farnsworth’s house, and afterward went down the lane to the road leading to Shelburne Falls. Herbert wanted a cane, so we stopped and cut one, I bending the tree over while he cut it; but he did not carry it long before he threw it away.
From there we went through the fields directly to my house, where I changed my clothes and gave a suit to Herbert, as his were all patched and dirty. We left home about 5 o’clock, and went down the mountain to Heath, and then through Hartwellville down to North Adams, getting there on Wed. aft.
We walked all Tues. night.Wed. night we slept on the hills near North Adams, and on Thurs. morning, after staying a while in North Adams, we walked to Pownal on the railroad track. At Pownal we got on board a train which was returning with the firemen from the muster at North Adams that day.
At Petersburg Junction Herbert got left with some Salem, N.Y. firemen, because the train started so quick, and I could not get off, it was going so fast. That night I stopped at Greenwich, N.Y. and registered my name in the hotel book in full - Daniel J. Dwight, Coleraine, Mass. I remained there that night, but had nothing to eat, as I only had money enough to pay for my lodging.
[For more information on this area, see the Internet Archive’s "Williamstown, the Berkshire Hills, and thereabout"]
The next day I walked to Troy. I did not remain there long because I was hungry and sick, and thought I would go right home and go to work for father, and let my wife do as she chose. Coming back I got a ride part of the way on a freight train, and got to N. Adams Sat. aft.,and walked to central shaft in the tunnel, and from there I rode to the east end on the workmen’s train and walked to Zoar, where they let me ride on a hand car to Charlemont. From there I rode with a Mr.Wells as far as his house, and then went across the fields home".
A portion of Dwight’s story has proved to be true. Bradley Davenport and Wesley Woodard, sent to Petersburg Junction, sent back that two men answering the description of Dwight and Davenport had been there. At Greenwich, N.Y., Dwight’s name was found registered in full, as he had said, and there is nothing to show that Davenport was with him at the time.
The Davenport boy arrested - Search was continued for Davenport and finally he was tracked to Williamstown, and Thurs. aft. was found there by a Mr. White. He made no efforts to escape, but on the other hand seemed glad to give himself up.
He was brought through the tunnel to Shelburne Falls Fri. morning, and Trial Justice Brainard of Greenfield held a preliminary trial, arraigned him for murder, and continued the trial until the 27th. The Davenport boy’s narrative is substantially the same as that given by Dwight, but he does not deny that they killed Farnsworth.
He says their only object was to obtain money, that he had no enmity or ill will towards the murdered man. He and Dwight had made up their minds to go West and hoped to get enough money from Farnsworth to pay their expenses, but he says they only got about $4.
There were 2 sticks cut, he says, a walnut and a maple. It was with the latter that Farnsworth was knocked down. He says that he did not do the striking, though he was there. After he was left at Petersburg Junction, he wandered from place to place, working for something to eat when he could get employment, and was endeavoring to get back home.
Davenport is not of ordinary intelligence. He was dull at school, and has since been lazy and shiftless. Want of mental responsibility will be entered as a plea in his behalf. His mother says that he has always been a "strange boy". She has another son and a daughter who are bright, active and industrious.
Davenport was brought to Greenfield and lodged in jail on Fri. by Deputy Sheriff Swan. Both boys, who are allowed to be together when not locked in their cells, do not appear to be cast down or afflicted much with remorse. They will be brought before the Grand Jury at the November Court and if bills are found against them the trial will be before a special session of the Supreme Court.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Catamount Hill Reunion
Catamount Hill Reunion - The sun never shone upon a jollier band than was gathered on Catamount HiIl at the Reunion on Sept. 1. The day was all that could be expected, and everyone seemed to partake of its joyousness. The company from Adams, together with a delegation from the west, preluded the occasion by riding though the Hoosac Tunnel and viewing the wonderful work thereof.
Then on up the mountain they went, stopping ever and anon to hear an old time story, from Paul, Henry, or Chauncey, and maybe from the Dr., to say nothing of the Professor from the Hub. At the old school house they halted, and the story of whipping out the muster was triumphantly related.
When they reached the picnic ground, such a hurra of welcome as came from the Catamount Hill boys, one could hardly imagine, but it made the old hills ring, and the rocks their silence seemed to break, for "Uncle Bill’s" enthusiasm was fearfully contagious.
But to the programme first, reading of the 90th psalm from Mr. Benjamin Farley’s old family Bible; then prayer from one of the old time residents, after which "Coronation" was sung and the chronological history read by Dr. A.. Davenport (a copy of which appears in this paper).
Family histories were also read by Miss Emma Farley and Miss Nellie Ives beautifully worded and well worthy of print would space be allotted. "The Old Oaken Bucket" with appropriate remarks by Mr. David Cary were listened to with interest.
Then too, the picnic part of the programme must not escape mention, which was basket in every sense of the word - a group here, another here, and so all around the rocks and ledges were seated, the happy families partaking of the good things brought to sustain the inner man.
And last, but not least, the miscellaneous, of which there is not room to speak in detail; reminiscences of bygone years.
"And jokes that cracked a bit (etc.)
One did, perchance,call forth the tears
The other shouts and cheers (etc.)"
Then there were notes from C.J. Davenport and Levi Davenport; poems from "Q in the Corner"; and "Mrs. M.D."; speeches from many, etc. too numerous to mention. In short, many appropriate and spicy things were said; one was "Once I was young, but now I am old; never have I seen a Catamounter forsaken or his seed begging bread". [Kind of ironic considering the murder that would take place there a week later]. Estimated number present, 700.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Hoosac Tunnel
Hoosac Tunnel - The enlargement of the little tunnel, to meet the requirements of the increased travel, was begun Mar. 1, and it is hoped to finish the work in two months’ more. The objects of the undertaking are to lower the grade 8 ft., to widen the roadway so as to accommodate two tracks, and to alter the direction in order to lessen the sharp curves of the road at both approaches.
The new tracks will curve slightly through the tunnel, and the curves at the entrances will be reduced. The new width at the level of the tracks will be 24 ft. B.N. Farren took the contract for the whole job and sublet the work of deepening, which requires an excavation of 10 ft., to Michael Ryan of New York. Mr. Ryan is now setting an 8 horse power steam engine and will begin running it for hoisting and for the steam drill next week.
Mica powder is used in the sides and roof, and glycerine in the bottom. The debris is taken seven or eight miles down the road and used for rip rapping. The rock is mica slate and needs no arching.
The Governor and Council are about closing another contract with B.N. Farren to continue the work on the big tunnel under the appropriations of the last Legislature. The old and new contracts amount together to about $600,000. The work is progressing at the rate of about 275 feet a month, and consists of enlarging, both in width and height, and arching with brick where the stone is soft and liable to fall.
Mr. Farren found the bore 24 ft. wide and 20 ft. high, and leaves it 30 ft. wide and 23 high. The work will probably be done in about a year from now, it being expected that the new appropriation will finish it up...
[One more long article follows, containing reports on budget items].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 13, 1875
Mr. Beecher and Lake Pleasant
Mr. Beecher and Lake Pleasant - Your correspondent, induced by feelings of regret at Mr. Beecher’s announced visit to Lake Pleasant, called upon him during the week, at his summer home, the Twin Mountain House, and by a personal interview learned that your article of last week did him great injustice. Having a letter signed by all the clergy of this immediate vicinity, I found ready access to Mr. Beecher, though he must be often annoyed by visitors who, from their position, have more claim upon his attention than I. Further, the letter expressing, as it did, the Christian sentiment of this vicinity, found a quick response in Mr. Beecher’s heart, and a long conference revealed the following facts which are quite in antagonism to those published by you last week.
First - that Mr. Beecher was led to feel, that by a visit to Lake Pleasant, he would confer a favor upon his numerous friends in all this region - that there were many to whom it would be a lifelong pleasure to have once listened to him, so he should declare the Gospel unto them. Among the recent gatherings at Lake Pleasant, and their gala day character he knew nothing. When he learned that these gatherings in the past, had predjudiced [i.e. prejudiced] the Christian mind against a similar meeting there under similar conditions, though it should be in the interests of the Gospel, Mr. Beecher with true nobility of soul replied "In all matters where my own conscience will not be violated I defer most heartily and readily to the convictions of my ministerial brethren, and shall do in this".
Second - that as far as Mr. Beecher was concerned, there was no "stroke of business" at all to the arrangement. The inference in your article, that it was the compensation offered that had led him to accept the invitation to speak at Lake Pleasant, needs correction and emphatic denial.
In the course of the arrangements when compensation was spoken of, Mr. Beecher replied that "he had never taken a penny for outside work, save for his lectures, never a penny for charity addresses, never a penny for sermons preached during his vacation, never a penny for campaigning in support of political doctrines, as he did in 1856 when he made 3 addresses a week, sometimes of 3 hours each in the open air, during which campaign he even insisted upon paying his own expenses, that he might be above all criticism"; and then in substance added, I shall not accept anything for this service more than careful provision for my personal comfort.
Later, an excursion to the Tunnel having been proposed in connection with his stay here, he declined even this, in part because it would have the appearance of being a return for services rendered. It would seem therefore that the only parties interested in this as a worldly matter of dollars and cents are the railroads; and it is certain it was not from love to any of these, nor from a desire to fill their purses that led Mr. Beecher into this arrangement, but other motives, pure and noble, influenced him.
As to Mr. Beecher’s views concerning the sanctity of the Sabbath and the way in which it should be observed, I need say nothing, as last Sabbath in the course of a reply to certain criticisms upon his course that had appeared in the Vermont Chronicle, he announced that he should soon engage in the discussion of the Sabbath question.
I believe however, that he differs not so much from many of us in relation to Sabbath observance in our rural districts. He affirms that he is not settled about excursion trains in general, but when the possibility of his speaking in Greenfield on the 19th was referred to, his answering question was "How can you stop the trains?"
Whatever his view may be, it is certain that he is unwilling to violate the consciences of his brethren, if he can yield to them without violating his humor. Withal, I am convinced that Mr. Beecher in the matter referred to in your article last week, is deserving of no censure from the Christian public, but rather is worthy of imitation by them in the frankness in which he considered and recognized the judgment of those whom he felt to be better qualified than himself to judge, because of their better knowledge of fact involved; and also worthy of imitation in the promptness with which he acted in the matter.
The criticisms that have been so freely passed by many of us upon Mr. Beecher’s connection with the affair, have been criticisms of a misinformed man and hence Christian courtesy demands that we recall them. But while we draw the arrows let us apply as well the balm to heal. F.A. Warfield.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
(Greenfield) There was a strike among the laborers under contractor Munson on the Tunnel road last week, their wages having been cut down to $1.25 per day. We understand, however, that the difficulty has been adjusted and that work today has been resumed.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, September 6, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Our long continued suspense in reference to the location of the railroad is at last ended. At a meeting of the Governor and Council on Wed., it was determined to adopt substantially the route known as no. 2 in the report of the Corporators of the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western Railroad, in the relocation of the Troy and Greenfield Railroad between Bardwell's Ferry and the village of Greenfield.
Manager Prescott was authorized to purchase an engine and repair train at an expense of $4000 and to submit to referees the question between the Troy & Greenfield and the Connecticut River roads, relative to depot and crossings in Greenfield. The contracts for building the new roads have been awarded.
Sections 1 and 2, which take the road east from Bardwell's, have been given to John A. Green & Co. of New York; sections 3 and 4, the portion of the road leading into our village, and including the bridge across Green River, to N.S. Munson of Shirley, who has had extensive contracts on the road east of the Tunnel.
Work is to be commenced as speedily as possible, and until August 1, 1876, is given the contractors to complete the road. The committees appointed by the town are now engaged in fixing the amount of damages with individual land owners. Where a satisfactory price is agreed upon, the land is bonded, but where owners are disposed to take advantage of the condition of things and demand more than the committee think is right and fair, the question will be left to the commissioners for adjustment.
But we hope there will be few cases of this kind. Every inhabitant of Greenfield should see the great benefit to the village that is to result from the location, and be willing to do all they can afford to help the matter. they should understand that it is the town, their tax paying neighbors, who are to bear the burden, which they should make as light as possible. This is a turning point in the affairs of the town, and we have reason for great rejoicing.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 30, 1875
A gathering of cousins
Seldom has there been a reunion of more downright pleasure to the parties interested than attended the gathering of 13 cousins last week at the farm house of Sardis Skinner in Dana. They assembled on Mon. and continued their visit until Thurs. These cousins are the descendants of Captain Ely Strong of Granville http://www.cartania.com/history/ancestors.html and are scattered over the State from Plymouth Rock to the Hoosac Tunnel.
The pleasant farm has many attractions, and the party during their visit were entertained with an unceasing round of enjoyment. One of the circle, a photographer from Boston, took an excellent picture of the group, which will be retained as a pleasant reminder of the joyous occasion, and the parting was with many earnest wishes for a repetition of the good time.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 9, 1875
Shelburne
Uncle Ruel Severance, Uncle Joseph Sweet and Capt. Fellows have gone to Saratoga, by way of the Hoosac Tunnel, for health and partly for pleasure. May they find both. Rev. Mr. Marsh went a week before. We hope he will return much refreshed.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 9, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Conductor Johnson did not get through the Tunnel with his train Sat. morning. Soon after the Fri. night freight passed through, a quantity of rock, that had been braced up with timbers west of the Central Shaft, fell in, completely obstructing the way. The timbers had been taken away preparatory to arching. We understand that the track had been cleared and there will be no further interruption to the passage of trains. The difficulty was not half as serious as reported.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 9, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Conductor Holden has been assigned, temporarily, to duty at Lake Pleasant. Conductor Miller takes his place on the Boston train, and Conductor Johnson is running through the Tunnel.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 9, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
It has been suggested that there is a possibility of making Greenfield the termination of the Green Mountain Narrow Gauge Railroad which is being surveyed by John Sprague of Conway, and which the Vermont towns propose to subscribe to and build as soon as possible. It is to run through the State of Vermont from Jacksonville to North Troy. It was proposed to connect with the tunnel line at Shelburne Falls, some 11 miles from the Vermont line, but just as feasible a route is found over an old survey made up the valley of Green River during the early days of the tunnel project.
Greenfield is some 15 miles from Jacksonville, and it is thought that the road can be built for about $10,000 to the mile. As Vermont cannot build the road out of her limits, and there is a little lukewarmness over the matter at Shelburne Falls, it is possible that an effort will be made to bring the road here.
[This railroad was eventually built, called the West River Railroad, and was nicknamed "36 miles of trouble"].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 2, 1875
Harrington Putnam
Harrington Putnam http://www.mlaus.org/archives/library/1331.pdf of the Columbia Law School, and formerly of Worcester, walked from Saratoga to Pownal, Vt., 48 miles on Mon., thence to Montague, 49 miles, lighting himself through the Hoosac tunnel with a lantern, Tues., and on Wed. reached Worcester, 55 miles distant.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 2, 1875
Walter Shanly
Walter Shanly [often seen as Walter Shanley] late of the Hoosac Tunnel, has accepted the position of consulting engineer on the Georgian Bay branch of the Canada Pacific railway, and of the Canada Central railway extension.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, August 2, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
Ex Governor Talbot and family were guests at the Mansion House last Tus. night, and on Wed. W.R. King, U.S.A., wife, nurse and child, en route for the Tunnel. [William R. King, former vice President].
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
Work on the road at Bardwell’s Ferry
Between Shelburne Falls and Bardwell’s Ferry, the place covered by the Farren contract, lies the most difficult and important work on the entire line, which was sublet by Mr. Farren to a number of parties, D.B. Beaumont taking the earthwork for 3 miles east of Shelburne Falls and Hogan Brothers the masonry over the same distance, while the greatest work of all, the strip of a mile and 3/4 long, including a high bridge over the Deerfield just west of Bardwell’s Ferry station, and a vast excavation of earth and rock near the same point, was taken, both masonry and earth-work, by Wards & Hogan, a couple of Irishmen, and a short piece of excavation still further east by Sherwood & Elliot.
This part of the work, owing to its unexpected magnitude, is very much behindhand, and can now hardly be completed before next spring, though Mr. Farren mentions December as the time when he hopes to see it done. For the first 3 miles east of Shelburne Falls the task of rebuilding the road is a comparatively easy one, merely widening the bed, building a few small culverts and perfecting the grade.
At the end of this distance a new bridge over the Bear River is to be built, requiring two piers and two abutments, making together 2000 yards of masonry. The foundations for the bridge are not yet even begun. East of Bear River the work is light until a point about half a mile from the station at Bardwell’s Ferry is reached, where the serious business begins in full earnest. First is a heavy bank wall of the most substantial character, 1000 ft. long, and requiring 10,000 lbs. of masonry, which is now building. This is on the south side of the track, from which a bank on the other side descends abruptly to the river, and this will have to be rip-rapped.
Beyond the bank wall comes a deep cut through a small mountain, the most stupendous task of all, which will very much reduce the curvature of the road, although at enormous expense. This excavation is to be some 700 ft. long and 36 wide, and will require the removal of 150,000 yards of earth and 50,000 yards of rock, according to the estimates. A huge steam shovel has already dug its way deep into the hill from above, the dirt being carried off by a train of dump cars which are dragged up the hill, on a grade of 6 ft. in the hundred.
The earth to be dug out on one side of the hill was some 65 ft. high, and the work of excavating is hardly more than half done. The bridge over the Deerfield River, upon which the track will run directly as it leaves the cut, is located 200 ft. below the old wooden structure, and will rest on 4 abutments and 2 piers, requiring 1000 yards of solid masonry. It will have 3 spans of 145 ft. each over the river, and 3 of 50 at the ends. The sub-contractors, Wards & Hogan, who have this great undertaking in charge, are doing their work with admirable care and thoroughness, and when completed it is likely to improve the most notable feature on the line aside from the tunnel itself.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
The tunnel road has engaged to transport 40,000 bushels of corn for parties that are to export it from Boston. The road is to furnish 25 carloads each train.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
J.B. Richardson has painted some very neat signs for the office of Manager Prescott of the Hoosac Tunnel Railroad, in the Mansion House Block. The rooms used by the Manager and the engineers have been fitted up with an eye to comfort and good taste.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 26, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
The tide of summer travel is perceptibly felt by our railroad men. The daily average of passengers through the Tunnel is about 25, which would be greatly increased if better connections could be made.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 19, 1875
The Odd Fellows [or Oddfellows] at Lake Pleasant
Seldom have fairer skies lured the picnicker to the Lake than shone last Thurs., upon the occasion of the fourth annual picnic of the Connecticut River Valley Association of Odd Fellows. http://www.ioof.org/ The river towns were well represented, many coming from Northampton, Holyoke and Springfield to the south; From Shelburne Falls and North Adams via the Tunnel, to the West; from Fitchburg and Leominster, with intermediate towns to the east, while from Keene, N.H. and Brattleboro, Ct., good delegations were sent. The no. of lodges present was 19, and encampments, 3; estimated to have been 1200 members of the Order, and with their ladies and friends, from 3000 to 4000 persons at the Lake during the day.
The general exercises were begun with the band concert in the Grove, the Hartford City Band leading, following which, the Brattleboro and Keene Brass bands kept the air resounding with melody. The first named band seemed to be the favorite, and executed some very fine pieces, among which an overture, "The Golden Crown" and "Potpourri" from Bellisario were the best, while "Concert Polka" by the Keene Band, with a solo by Will Allen, was decidedly applauded.
The exercises at the speaker’s stand were of the first order; the principal thing being the address by the orator of the day, Rev. A.H. Sweetser of Springfield, who was introduced to the audience by H.A. Bowen of Shelburne Falls, President of the Association. The speaker in opening, referred to the symbolism of Odd Fellowship as being in consonance with everything around us; as light symbolizes heaven, darkness hell; flowers of fragrance, and all nature as of God; so the "clasped hands", the "three links", etc. of the Order, spoke of great truths, and symbols were right if they had truth behind them.
The system of Odd Fellowship came, not as an interloper upon earth, but it was formed to fill a need, and it came to stay, as long as irreligion and want were abroad among men. by association, which as the name implied meant strength - they would apply their principles to the wants and needs of life. Friendship, love and truth were the threefold cords which they were to use, and for which they should labor with their united strength. If you obey the principles of our order, said the speaker, you have no need of liturgies or dogmas, but you have enough to carry you through life and into the gates of the Celestial City.
He next referred to the need of sympathy; on the need of extending it to every man; for no man lived but what had a heart and a spark of God within him. Our present social and educational fabric was characterized as wholly wrong. Social life was shoddy; the ill educated were put forward, and to "shine well" without "being well", was the curse of the world. Odd Fellowship was to correct this; it found alone the man, and whatever his cost; it discerned true worth and gave to it its true respect.
The speaker next passed to the feminine branch of the Order, if it may be thus called, and dwelt with words of praise on the "Sisterhood of Rebecca". He said they found no time to mount the rostrum and to proclaim their duties and rights by noisy words, but in the quiet paths of home and the sphere in which their branch of the order furnished them, they performed the noblest duties of life. In closing, he said that the great duty of the fraternity was to bring people together, to root out sectarian feeling in the churches, and to teach all the true spirit of humanity and brotherhood.
The address was well written and delivered in an excellent manner, occupying about 40 minutes, during which time the vast crowd remained quiet, listening with evident satisfaction. The various exercises at the stand were interspersed by several good songs by J.A. Maxam of Keene, and glees by a male quartette from the same place. Billy Fisher of Springfield amused the people considerably by rendering one or two comic pieces and the delivery of a stump speech.
During the afternoon, the lovers of the "light fantastic" crowded the Pavilion, tripping to the notes of Southland’s Orchestra of Springfield, while a majority of the balance pressed the borders sof the Lake to catch a glimpse of the boat and tub races. For some reason, the contestants for the prizes of the athletic sports rather held back, and for a time it seemed as this part of the programme would have to be omitted; but champions at last were found, and the races had, with the following results:
Boat race for men, 3/4 of a mile with turn, 3 entries, prize, a gold-lined silver goblet, won by Henry Howell of Springfield; boat race for ladies, half mile and turn, 2 entries, first prize a silver butter dish, won by Miss Mary Mehony; second prize, a gold lined silver cup, won by Miss Nellie Malone, both of Springfield. the tub race, 100 yards with turn, 3 entries, prize a gold lined silver spoon holder, won by John McHanna of Springfield. The sack race, 200 yards with turn, two entries, prize a silver napkin ring with stand, was also won by John McHanna.
The general exercises, except the dancing, closed with a dress parade in regalia, by the Agawam Oasis and Monadnock encampments. While the crowd were enjoying the public programme, the knots of hundreds were equally interested by the semi-public amusements of boating on the lake, swinging in the grove, eating and drinking and marveling at the talking wonders of Punch and Judy. quiet and good order reigned, and all interested voted it the most successful picnic of the Association.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 12, 1875
Spiritualists’ and Liberalists’
Spiritualists’ and Liberalists’ [See the Google book "Arcana of Spiritualism] Second annual camp meeting and picnic, at Lake Pleasant, Montague, Massachusetts, Aug. 4 to Aug. 30, 1875. Tents will be ready on the 4th. Prices - $10 for 4 weeks, $8 for 3 weeks, advance payment. Public exercises begin on Sun. the 8th; address each weekday at 11:30 a.m. conference meetings Mondays; two addresses each Sunday, and a sacred concert of music.
Picnic days will be Thursdays. Dancing every aft. and eve, Sundays excepted. Music by Russell’s Orchestra. The Fitchburg Band and Russell’s orchestra of 23 pieces will arrive on the 12h and remain till Aug. 30 . A choir of singers will give vocal music, assisted by J. Frank Baxter of Plymouth.
Railroad fares - Call for the Lake Pleasant campmeeting tickets, to which are attached free return tickets. Excursion trains to the Lake will run on the 15th, 22nd and 28th, from Fitchburg, Springfield and Hoosac Tunnel. Special train from Boston on the 15th. Boarding - Mr. Dunklee of N.H. and Mr. Austin of Springfield will furnish table board for $6 per week.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 12, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
North Adams is disturbed because State Manager Prescott of the Tunnel road and his Secretary, Hamilton, have located at Greenfield instead of North Adams.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 12, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
The first regular passenger train came through the Tunnel from North Adams Thurs. morning. Mrs. B.S. Parker of this town was among the 27 passengers who shared the honor of the first trip. The train was 27 minutes in making the Tunnel. The car is attached to a freight train, and leaves Hoosac Tunnel station on the arrival of the 4 p.m. train from Greenfield and North Adams at 6 a.m. for Greenfield and Boston.
Gazette & Courier - Monday, July 5, 1875
News about home: Greenfield items
We should have said last week that William L. Day was chosen Vice President of the Connecticut Valley Musical Association instead of Secretary. The latter office is filled by Samuel Squier. It is hoped, on the occasion of the Association's Lake Pleasant picnic on the 30th, to run an excursion train through the tunnel from North Adams, and another from Marlboro.
- Mon, Jan 18, 2010
