Electric Power Comes to Fitzwilliam©
PART II
Snippets of Progress from the Monadnock Breeze
Jan. 6, 1912: “The so-called ‘Boston crowd’ has purchased a lot of land from A.F. Wilson for a transformer station.” [Note: see Vol. 364, Page 351, for this tract; also see Vol. 364, Page 593, for an adjacent tract; these deeds were actually recorded a year later, in 1913, at the Cheshire County Register of Deeds.]
Jan. 20, 1912: “R.L. Pond, Boston, of the N.H. Water & Electric Co., has been in Fitzwilliam and Jaffrey this week.”
Mar. 2, 1912 [re: money necessary to repair and equip the Spaulding house (library)…]: “Among our subscriptions are several which are given for special things. One is to be used for wiring the building for electric lights… These subscriptions must be used for the purpose given and no other.”
April 20, 1912: “The awful disaster to the great ten million dollar ocean palace by which more than twelve hundred persons lost their lives, last Sunday night, shocked the world. It is the most dreadful accident known to this generation. In the mad rush to make time and the reckless disregard for proper safety appliances, hundreds of souls have been thrown into eternity. At this distance it looks no better to us than wholesale murder.”
“Many great and noble heroes were found on the Titanic, but most of them are dead, and great lessons are being drawn from this greatest horror of our day.”
“The great ocean tragedy was the subject in many churches last Sunday.”
“There is a big red scar on the ‘White Star’ line.”
“In the Majestic Titanic story is a Satanic mystery.”
“It is reported that a Finn family on its way to this town was lost on the Titanic, also Charles Salander, who at one time lived with Matti Karki in the Albert Hayden house was on his way back here and has not been heard from.”
April 27, 1912: “Added to the awfulness of the great Titanic disaster comes the news that vessels are finding scores of dead bodies floating about in the water and make no attempt to bring them to land. Is this humane? It would seem that the White Star Line would use every known method for sweeping the ocean for any body that might be returned to friends.”
May 11, 1912: “A settlement has been effected by compromise between the Keene Gas & Electric Light Company and the N. H. Power and Electric Light Company. Surveys have been made as far as Fitzwilliam Depot. Work is already underway in Winchendon and will begin in New Hampshire as soon as the requirements of the Public Service Commission are met. It is expected that the town will enjoy electric service next September.”
May 25, 1912: “It is reported that the company that is to furnish us with light and power will take its ‘juice’ from the Keene company at Marlboro and run a power line through Troy, Fitzwilliam, and Winchendon, and that they have already contracted to furnish Messrs. Norcross Brothers 200 horse power in Troy. It begins to look like business.”
Aug. 24, 1912: Public Announcement by JTELCO & NHW&ELCO of their proposed petition to the PSC regarding a lease arrangement of facilities & operations; Public Notice by NH PSC of hearing scheduled Sept. 16, 1912.
Aug. 31, 1912: Second public announcements of same.
Sept. 7, 1912 [advertisement/announcement, for Fitzwilliam]:
Figure 13. Solicitation for business; electrical service expected to begin Oct.15, 1912.
Announcement appeared in the Breeze, Sept. 7, 1912.
Oct. 19, 1912 [advertisement, for Fitzwilliam]:
Figure 14. Announcement of unavoidable delay in availability of electrical service.
Placed in the Monadnock Breeze, Oct. 19, 1912.
Nov. 16, 1912: “An electric bell has been installed at the grain elevator.”
“The electric light people are rushing the work on their transformer station. The roof is nearly completed. They are to furnish a light at the depot and one in the village, free until town meeting time – just as soon as work is completed, which will take about three weeks.”
Figure 15. Exterior of the Fitzwilliam Depot Electrical Transformer Station, Postcard image c. 1914.
Figure 16. Interior of the Fitzwilliam Depot Electrical Transformer Station, Postcard image c. 1914.
Nov. 23, 1912: [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “A large electric light pole has been set at the lower end of the park and will doubtless soon hold one of the new lights.”
Public Filing: The Finding of the Board [NH PSC]: Approves NHW&EPCo. Request to do business in Fitzwilliam. Full text was published.
Nov. 30, 1912 [essentially the same message was posted thrice, with embellishments; we may take this as an understandable display of genuine enthusiasm]: “The first electric light to shine in Fitzwilliam was turned on Thursday night [Thanksgiving, November 28, 1912] in the square and in the post office. It was a welcome sight. The men have been very busy early and late in getting the line completed. Now we shall not be entirely happy until it extends over the entire town.”
“There was enthusiasm enough to cover the whole town when the electricity was “turned on” for the first time in this town on Thursday night in the post office and at the foot of the Park. The Church has been wired, also the houses of Mrs. Beebe and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wilson.”
“The electric light was turned on in the Post Office at the depot Thursday night and also in the square at the foot of the Park.”
Dec. 7, 1912: Full-Page Ad placed by the New Hampshire Water & Electric Power Company, soliciting new customers in Fitzwilliam, Troy, Jaffrey, and Rindge.
Figure 17. Full-Page advertisement in the Monadnock Breeze, Dec. 7, 1912,
placed by the New Hampshire Water & Electric Power Company,
soliciting new customers in Fitzwilliam, Troy, Jaffrey, and Rindge.
Dec. 7, 1912 [ed.]: “Mr. Sargent of Laurel Lake Inn reminds us of our error last week in saying that the first electric light in Fitzwilliam was turned on Thanksgiving Day. In sharing the enthusiasm over the light we did forget for the moment all about our hustling friends at the Lake. But just wait till we do get the electric cars and then you’ll see us grow.” [Note: see Section “Who’s ‘On’ First?” regarding Laurel Lake Inn, June-July, 1907, above.]
“Dear Brother Breeze: I see that you refer to the electric light being ‘turned on’ for the first time in Fitzwilliam, last Thursday night. Permit me to extend my hearty congratulations. It is simply great, but do not forget that it is not the ‘first time.’ I have been making ‘juice’ down at Laurel Lake Inn, summers, for the past six years, also furnishing Mrs. Whipple with the current. You will have to ‘run in’ trolley cars to get ahead of us down there.
Yours for a Merry Christmas,
E. P. Sargent, Jr.”
[Fitzwilliam Depot]: “The electric light wires are to be run on telephone poles as far as the upper village. The fixtures are now being put up and the line will soon be at work. Poles are being set for electric light as far as the home of A.F. Wilson. People seem to prefer to get their mail here in the evening now so they can ‘see the light.’”
“The tenement occupied by C.L. Williams is being wired for electric light.”
[ed.]: “All this talk about asking the electric light people to forfeit $5000 seems to be ridiculous. Had the franchise been given at the time asked for, matters would have been different, but under present conditions who will stand up and ask for a forfeit. All we want now is light and power and the sooner the better. It is expected that lights will be turned on in this village in about a week.”
“Poles for the electric light are being distributed along the line by E.R. Fisher and R.F. Cudworth.”
Dec. 14, 1912 [ed.]: “For the benefit of those who are kicking because the electric lights were not here sooner it might be well to state that had the company waited for the discussion of the Public Service Commission Fitzwilliam would still be in the dark.”
“The Electric Light people tell us they will furnish current free of charge for three years for the purpose of illuminating a big sign near the railroad station announcing – Progressive Fitzwilliam – provided our people furnish the lumber and build the sign.”
“Patrons of the late train appreciate the electric light these dark nights.”
“Veazie’s store and Frank Wilson’s residence were lighted by electricity Thursday night.”
“The long looked for electric light has arrived and Fitzwilliam is now on the map. The new transformer station is completed and equipped with all that goes to make an up-to-date plant. A few lights have already been turned on and our people are having an opportunity to enjoy them.”
“Mr. Spring showed his gumption last Saturday night. When he found darkness coming on, he turned the search lights on his auto to good use, turning their glare upon the poles; the hustling men were able to connect the two villages and the juice was turned on before 9 o’clock.”
“Electric lights were turned on in the Tavern Thursday night.”
“Our people were a little bit surprised last Saturday night, especially those who have not been particularly friendly to the Electric Light Co., to look out about 9 o’clock and see four electric lights burning in the square. The men who did the work deserve a lot of credit. It was a case of real hustle and hard work.”
Dec. 21, 1912 [ed.]: “So far as we can learn the majority of our people are not in favor of asking the electric light people to forfeit $5000, and why should they?”
[Fitzwilliam Depot]: “W.A. Amidon is now lighting his store with electricity. The juice was turned on last Friday night for the first time.”
“The selectmen had a long session Wednesday afternoon on the subject of asking the N.H. Water & Electric Co. to forfeit $5,000. The result of their session was a warrant for a special town meeting to be held Jan. 3 at 8 o’clock p.m.”
“Electric lights were turned on in the new library Tuesday night for the first time.”
Dec. 28, 1912 [ed.]: “Of course you will attend the special town meeting and of course you will vote to release that $5000 to the Electric company. It appears to us that this company has acted in good faith, that they were not allowed to start in with the work when they wanted to do so and that to rob them of their cash now would indicate a desire to take an undue advantage. We can hardly expect the best of service from these people if we do not meet them in a friendly spirit.”
[Fitzwilliam Depot]: “Did you notice those beautiful colored lights in Veazie’s Christmas trees this week.”
“At the Christmas tree in the M.E. church the usual good time took place Monday night. The electric lights were turned on for the first time.”
Two missing issues of the Monadnock Breeze in the microfilm archives, Jan. 4 & Jan. 11, 1913, with [presumably] Fitzwilliam town meeting results on the $5000 forfeiture request. No mention of this meeting or of a $5000 financial item is found in the relevant Fitzwilliam Town Record. Thus, we are left to surmise that the forfeiture effort was successfully quashed by the electric company and its “friends” at the Breeze.
Jan. 18, 1913: “The Baptist church and vestry have been wired for electric light. The fixtures are all up and ready for the juice.”
“Charles Haskell and Dr. Emerson are to have electric lights in their houses.”
Jan. 25, 1913: [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “A gang of choppers is at work cutting out a right of way for the electric light company between here and Jaffrey.”
“W.A. Arthur, who has been with the Electric Light people here, has severed his connection with the Company and accepted a similar position with the Keene Gas and Electric Co. of Keene. Mr. Arthur put in what was known as the Citizen’s line in Keene a few years ago and the ground is a familiar one to him. Our people liked him and wish him success.”
“Electric lights were turned on in the Baptist Church last Sunday night.”
“Electric lights were turned on in the house of Dr. Geo. S. Emerson and Charles Haskell this week.”
“Joseph Hickey of Fitchburg takes the place of Mr. Arthur with the N.H. Water & Electric Power Company.” [Note: some later references indicate his given name as “James.”]
“The Congregational church is to have new cushions and a new carpet. Estimates have also been made for wiring for electric lights.”
“Electric light poles have been set on the upper road as far as Mrs. A.R. Esdaile’s.”
“Until further notice the Town Library will be open Wednesday afternoon, Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening.”
Feb. 1, 1913 [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “A telephone has been installed in the electric light sub-station.”
“Fred Starkey has put electric lights in his market.”
“We are all proud of our new library, and glad that it is to be open more hours than formerly.”
Feb. 8, 1913: “Bemis’ blacksmith shop has electric lights.”
“The electric light people have ordered a 2 1-2 ton motor truck to use in their business here.”
“W.E. Barrus has had his house wired for electric lights this week.”
“The new motor truck for the electric light company arrived in town soon after midnight Sunday morning, 2 o’clock after spending a part of Saturday and half the cold, windy night three miles below town in the mud.”
“It is reported that all the men working on the electric light construction job struck Thursday for their wages and at time of going to press are still out.”
Feb. 15, 1913: “Friends of Geo. B. Spring, manager of our electric light plant, will be sorry to learn of the serious illness of his wife, who is in a hospital in Boston.”
Feb. 22, 1913: “None Such Hall is to be wired this week.”
“R.F. Chase has electric lights in his blacksmith shop. He has also invented a lamp holder that he can instantly attach to his tool box.”
Mar. 15, 1913 [ed.]: “We are glad to note that Fitzwilliam has made a start towards lighting her streets. It is right to go slow but when a town does a little each year it is gradually getting into line with the times. It is not economy to go floundering around in the dark and in the mud year after year and never have anything to show for our money.”
Town Meeting, budget items voted included: “electric light in town hall, $200; street lights $300.”
“We are told that the rumor affecting the standing of our electric light company is not true and entirely without foundation.” [Rumor? What rumor? We haven’t heard any rumor...]
Apr. 5, 1913 [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “Electric lights were turned on in the club hall Saturday evening for the first time.”
“E.H. Bowen has had his house wired for electric lights.”
Apr. 12, 1913: [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “A telephone has been installed at Webb’s Quarry, on the hill.”
Apr. 19, 1913: “The Congregational church is to be wired for electric lights. At time of writing the contract has not been let.”
Apr. 26, 1913: “It is reported that Laurel Lake Inn has been leased for the season to R.L. Pond of Boston and that it will be opened to the public about May 1st.”
“The frogs have been singing for a week.”
May 3, 1913 [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “Electric lights were turned on in J.M. Derby’s residence this week.”
“W.A. Amidon has had his house wired for electric lights.”
“Plans have been made to spend $650 in repairs on the Congregational Church, to include electric light, new carpets and general repairs.”
May 17, 1913: “Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Bartlett of Texas, who have rented the William Davis house for six months, are at the Tavern until renovations are completed at the Davis home. Electric lights are being installed.”
“L.W. Ingraham has bought a Stanley Steamer.” [See Aug. 16, 1913, and Sept. 5, 1914.]
“Mrs. Wm. Davis has put a new bath room in her home, also an electric pump. The place has been leased for the season by Henry W. Bartlett of Texas.”
“Electric light poles have been set on Richmond road as far as the home of W.E. Barnes.” [sic: was “Barrus”]
May 24, 1913: “Electric lights were turned on in the home of W.E. Barrus Wednesday night.” [Note: W.E. Barrus was the tax collector in Fitzwilliam at this time.]
May 31, 1913: “The wiring for the lights in the town hall and Congregational church has been completed and is ready for the juice.”
June 7, 1913: “There are signs of new life around the lake. The inn is open for the season. The Inn is at the lake and the ‘Pond’ is at the Inn.” [Refc. to R.L. Pond, Boston banker & official of the NH Water & Electric Power Co., who leased the Inn for the 1913 Summer Season.]
“Electric lights were turned on in the Congregational Church Wednesday night.”
June 14, 1913: “Mr. Pond is about to put in an electric and steam laundry at the Inn that will produce a completed and dried wash in 20 minutes.”
“Electric lights are on at the Town Hall.”
June 21, 1913: [Advertisement]:
Figure 18. Mr. Pond, of the Electric Company, was Proprietor of the Laurel Lake Inn for the summer of 1913.
This ad appeared repeatedly in the Monadnock Breeze, throughout the summer.
“L.M. Willard, who has been wiring some of our buildings for electricity, has the contract to wire the post office building in Rochester.”
July 12, 1913 [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “Mr. Byran, the night operator at Power station, has returned from his vacation and will move with his father and mother into William Lynch’s house.”
“The man who runs the motor truck for the electric light company, had plenty of advice Thursday as to how to make it go, but what he seemed to need was power.”
“R.L. Pond was in Boston Thursday.”
“E.L. Williams has a new power ice cream freezer and electric motor, and has had forty years experience. He uses the very best of Fitzwilliam cream and makes it up new every day, and is able to please the most delicate palate. On sale at house afternoon and evening. See ad.”
“Owing to the fact that some of the telephone lines were down our usual editorial Thursday night that [sic] had to be ‘wireless’ this week.”
July 19, 1913: Ad for L. M. Willard, electric wiring and supplies:
Figure 19. Advertisement placed in the Monadnock Breeze
by L. M. Willard, for electrical services and supplies.
“Frank Amidon, J.M. Derby, and A.F. Wilson are trying to start a water company for this village.”
Aug. 9, 1913 [Re: old home week]: “… never has an attraction appeared upon the boards of the Town Hall even comparable with the monster combined vaudeville and minstrels which will be presented before our new electric foot-lights on Saturday evening, August 16.”
Aug. 16, 1913 [see May 17, 1913, and Sept. 5, 1914]: “L.W. Ingraham met with a serious accident last Saturday while working under his motor. In connecting up the mixing tubes his hands and arms became covered with gasoline, the fumes reached the burning pilot, and the result is two very badly burned hands. That he did not lose his life is due to the fact that his sleeves were rolled up and the gasoline did not reach them. He will be under the doctor’s care for several weeks.”
Aug. 23, 1913: “Electric light wires have been extended to Laurel Lake, and will be in service to-night.” [Note: R.L. Pond, Treasurer of NH W&EP Co., who leased the Laurel Lake Inn for the summer of 1913, was instrumental in having this done. Mr. Sargent’s electric plant of 1907 had served only the Inn, itself, and the Whipple residence; now, the entire Laurel Lake area would be grid-connected.]
Aug. 30, 1913: Non-Resident Tax List, largest levy upon ‘NH Water & Elect. Co., $608.00’
Sept. 20, 1913 [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “The Western Union has rebuilt its lines through here. The B & M station now has two railroad lines and one commercial wire.”
“Most of the cottages at the lake are closed.”
Oct. 11, 1913: “The lights are nearly all out in the summer homes and we shall soon be as lonesome as ever. But we hear that nearly everybody is coming again next year.”
Nov. 15, 1913: “The electric lights went out Sunday night about 7:30 and church services had to be continued by lamp light.”
“The rain storm on Sunday was the most severe of the season. Trees were blown down and streets badly washed.”
Nov. 22, 1913 [General interest]: “‘Say, Pa,’ said a young lad the other day. ‘Are you going to put electric lights in our hog pen?’
‘Why do you ask such a question, my boy?’ said the father.
‘`Cause I heard a man up the street say his electric lights were on the hog,’ and speaking of electric lights reminds us that they have greatly improved during the last few days.”
Nov. 29, 1913: “Mr. Bemis has installed an electric blower in his Blacksmith shop.”
Jan. 17, 1914 [ad.]: “William A. Hill; Electrical Contractor; Court House Block; Gardner, Mass.; Rooms 7 and 8; Telephone”
“Clark McKinnon is at work at the electric power station.”
“The Selectmen have posted notice forbidding all improper dances in the Town Hall.”
Jan. 24, 1914: “J.A. Cross has been appointed as sub agent for the Ford automobile for the towns of Fitzwilliam and Richmond.”
Jan. 31, 1914 [ed.]: “A lot of people are wondering where we are at in regard to street lights.”
Feb. 14, 1914 [ed.]: “Jaffrey will take steps this year to own its electric light. Much dissatisfaction has been expressed over the way matters have been handled and it might be well for Fitzwilliam to wake up pretty soon and see where she is at.”
Feb. 21, 1914: “The Finnish Hall has been wired for electricity by Earl and Vaughn Derby. These young men are very much interested in things electrical. They have also wired Homestead hall, also some wiring at the Valz Stone Sheds.”
Feb 28, 1914: “Miss Elsie Greenwood has installed a telephone at her home with her sister, Mrs. L.E. Gibson, on Rindge road.”
March 7, 1914: “The Electric Light Company is hustling to have the forty street lights ablaze before next Tuesday.” [Town Meeting Day.]
March 14, 1914 [Town Meeting]: “Appropriations: street lights..... $300”
“The matter of establishing a town electric light plant was postponed.” [See related issues, concurrently, in Jaffrey and Troy.]
“The selectmen were authorized to make contact with the N.H.W.& E.P. Co., to light the two villages and $300 was voted in addition to amount raised last year.”
[Jaffrey Town Meeting]: “It was voted to appoint a committee to investigate the question of acquiring the Jaffrey and Troy electric light plant and to report at an adjourned town meeting to be held in Union hall on the evening of June 22.”
[Troy Town Meeting]: “A.C. Dort made chairman of the committee to see about purchasing electric light plant.”
“The forty new street lights were turned on Monday night, twenty in each village.”
March 21, 1914: “The ‘Squire’ [Amos J. Blake] was missed from the councils of town meeting day – the first in 50 years. His absence was due to a severe cold.”
April 4, 1914: “Earl Derby, who took one year’s course in electrical engineering at the Pittsburg [sic] Carnegie Institute of Technology, will renew his work next year at Renvensaleer [sic; “Rensselaer”] Polytechnic, Troy, N.Y.”
“The ‘Old Creamery’ has been transformed into a very pleasant, neat hall with a seating capacity of 120. The walls are in green with a red dado, it is well curtained, lighted by electricity and has hardwood floor and toilet conveniences. It has been named Socialist Hall, and is owned by the Finnish people of Troy and Fitzwilliam.”
“The Derby Moving Picture Co. is something new in Fitzwilliam. The Derbys have installed a Powers’ Cameragraph 6 A motor drive, with automatic loop setter. This first-class machine is the same as those used in the moving picture theatres in Keene, and only licensed, high-class pictures, 6x8 feet, will be shown. An asbestos booth makes for safety; 5000 feet of films will be used at each show, and a change in films each week. There will be two shows each week, one in the Socialist hall at the Depot, the other in town hall, Fitzwilliam. Popular prices of admission. Hours 8 to 10 p.m. Earl Derby is the operator. [Notice repeated 4/11/1914.]
April 11, 1914: “M.E. Gates of Ashburnham has installed a 15-horse electric motor in the J.M. Parker Co. grain elevator.”
April 18, 1914: “The Derby movies were seen in the new hall last evening. They are much enjoyed.”
May 2, 1914: “The C.L. Williams electric motor froze 14 gallons of ice cream on Friday for use in Fitzwilliam and Richmond.”
“M.E. Gates has the contract for wiring the residence of J.M. Parker.”
May 9, 1914: “M.E. Gates has wired the residence of A.T. Byam for electric lights.”
May 16, 1914: “The J.W. Gilman cottage has been completely equipped with copper lightning rods, an expensive up-to-date protective measure.”
[E.P. Sargent bought Laurel Lake Inn from the owners’ group, of which he was a member.]
“The Emile Plantes have installed a telephone, 18-14.”
“Frank D. Holman has bought a new Ford car. It came yesterday and will be used in his livery business.”
May 23, 1914: “D.M. Volz [sic: was “Valz”] has recently put in a 15-horse electric motor and a compressor, with a capacity of 78 feet a minute.”
June 6, 1914 [ad.]: This notice began to run weekly, as a teaser:
Figure 20. This small advertisement ran weekly in the Monadnock Breeze, as a teaser...
Until August 22, 1914 [below].
June 13, 1914: “The Derby and Perry cottages have been wired for electricity by the Derby Electric Co.”
“The following property holders have had their houses and barns equipped with the most scientific lightning rods: the estate of Frank Amidon, Mrs. A.G. Beebe and A.F. Wilson.”
July 18, 1914: “Don’t forget to fill your lantern. It may be dark before you get home.”
July 25, 1914: “The severe electrical shower of Tuesday put some of the telephone wires out of commission.”
Aug. 8, 1914 [General interest]: “LIGHTING OF OUR STREETS: Rapid Change in Respect to Illuminants Throws Municipal Engineers Into Quandary. Municipal engineers who find themselves confronted with the renewal of city lighting contracts are just now in somewhat of a quandary. A rapid and extensive change is going on with respect to illuminants, and it brings with it the possibility of extremely radical changes in street lighting. For the first time there is now available a highly efficient lamp of a thoroughly practical character in units of moderate size. The tungsten lamp as used in the last few years is an excellent small unit, but not for a moment comparable in efficiency, that is in candlepower per dollar, with the modern arcs which came into use about the same time. At the present the nitrogen lamp is beginning rapidly to push out the older tungsten form of incandescent and will probably end by displacing as well all except the higher grade of arc lighting. – Engineering Record.”
Aug. 15, 1914: Fitzwilliam Tax List – Largest Non-Resident Taxpayer is “N.H. Water & Electric Co.... $672.00”
Aug. 22, 1914: “Earl Derby regretted the failure to produce ‘Hiawatha’ at his picture show on Thursday evening, as advertised. The disappointment was due to a misunderstanding ‘higher up.’ ”
“Vaughn Derby, while cleaning his rifle on Saturday of last week, received an injury to his left hand that has made it temporarily a useless member.”
Figure 21. “Figure This Out” – New advertisement by the electric company begins running
weekly in the Breeze, with examples of what “a nickel’s worth of electricity will” do.
Sept. 5, 1914: “ ‘Captain Kidd’ was the attraction at the movies Thursday evening.”
“L.W. Ingraham made two trips to the Rockingham Fair, with his auto, this week.” [See May 17, 1913, & Aug. 16, 1913.]
Oct. 24, 1914: “The ‘movies’ in Fitzwilliam have been a real success. Earl Derby has reason to feel satisfied with the popularity of his business venture. The summer people patronized them and the resident people have been very loyal to this local recreation and amusement.”
“The electric street lighting should now be extended so as to leave ‘no dark valley’ between the two villages.”
“R.G. Kennett has a new Studebaker 1915 model.”
“Axel Exel has a new Ford.” [Note: sure it’s not an “Edsel”?]
“The electric service is being extended in the Royalston Road as far as John Lyndall’s.”
“The W.E. Blodgett house is being wired this week and the Ethan Blodgett house next week, by the M.E. Gates of Ashburnham.”
Oct. 31, 1914: “The houses of Miss Pope and R.F. Chase are being wired for electricity this week.”
Figure 22. M. E. Gates advertised his electrical [and other] services.
Nov. 21, 1914: “Miss Lillian Haseltine, Central’s prompt ‘number’ girl, has had a two weeks’ pleasant vacation with friends at Harvard, Mass.”
[ed.]: “The Globe says: ‘Eleven states have gone for woman’s suffrage.’ Perhaps the ‘leven will leaven the whole camp.”
“Someone said that all that was going on Thursday night was the ‘movies’ and a prayer meeting.”
Nov. 28, 1914 [ed.]: “We are not apparently engaged in war but there are 7500 men making guns down in New Haven to shoot men.”
“The country is talking about the high cost of living, but isn’t that better than the high cost of dying that is being experienced across the water?”
“ ‘Don’t talk war – talk business,’ read new signs in enterprising offices. After all, business is business, and war is – .”
“The Derby Motion Pictures were especially good on Thanksgiving afternoon and evening. The matinee was planned for the children.”
“Delight Valz has had his house and barn wired for electricity by Vaughn Derby.”
Dec. 12, 1914 [re: competition for Earl Derby’s movies, from Troy? Must be those chocolates!]: “Doris Piper drew the 7 lb. box of chocolates given away at Kimball’s moving picture show Dec. 3, Thursday night. The lucky number being 334. Another box was given Thursday, Dec. 10.”
Dec. 19, 1914: “Four boxes of chocolate were given away at Kimball’s Moving Picture Show, Thursday, 17 Dec. Frederick Lawrence, C.H. Dustin, C. Shackett, S. Hale were the lucky winners.”
Dec. 26, 1914: “Earl Derby and some of the other boys, will give a New Year’s dance in Town Hall. A fine orchestra furnished music.”
“An effort will be made at the next town meeting to have the system of street lighting completed between the two villages.”
Jan. 9, 1915: “Hereafter in using 10 cent telephone calls the name of the person desired must be given and a record kept at the Fitzwilliam office.”
Jan. 16, 1915: “The shade tree at the Richmond road corner of the Tavern was blown down Wednesday morning about quarter past one, by the fury of the elements, one portion reaching the piazza, the other falling upon the Richmond road. The only injury suffered was to the telephone and electric wires, which were all in restored order by Wednesday noon. The tree was at once sawed up into wood lengths and the debris cleared up. This tree had been living a hazardous but useful life in spite of a big hole in its vital parts since 1900. In spite of its ‘chains,’ in spite of its age, uncertain, but fairly venerable, it was a good tree to look at and make an ornamental corner.”
Jan. 30, 1915: “M.E. Gates made record time in wiring the residence of C.J. Dunn. He started in Monday morning and in the evening the Electric Company had connected the wires and the lights were turned on.”
“L.W. Ingraham [owner of that Stanley Steamer] will soon move to East Jaffrey where he will open a garage.”
Feb. 15, 1915 [ed.]: “The Breeze has been asked to give the ‘etiquette’ of a telephone call. Some people say they feel embarrassed when called upon, to know who should ‘hang up’ first. Why, the one who calls, of course, just the same as in making social calls, the caller ends the call by going. Speak in a low, distinct tone with the lips almost in the receiver. First of all say – ‘this is the National Biscuit Company, Mr. Jones speaking.’ If when you tell the caller who you are he does not tell you who he is, say, ‘Who is speaking?’ Don’t say, ‘Who are you?’ or ‘What do you want?’ ‘Callers’ who refuse to give their names are entitled to no consideration.”
Feb. 20, 1915: “The new owner of the Old Red Blacksmith Shop will build a new twelve foot front and make other improvements. Work will begin very soon. This building will be used as a store for electrical supplies and a garage.”
Feb. 27, 1915: “Courtney Guild and Miss Sarah L. Guild, Boston, brother and sister of ex-Governor Curtis Guild, are at the Tavern for the weekend.”
“Mrs. C.B. Mills’ recent informal talk on India, with interesting views projected from the Balopticon, were given before a good sized appreciative audience in Library Hall. Refreshments followed.”
Figure 23. A “Balopticon.” The word ‘balopticon’ is generally lost to history.
A balopticon is sort of an early to mid-twentieth century missing link
between a magic lantern and a more modern-day overhead projector.
You could place an object, such as a print, on the balopticon, and its image
would be projected up on the wall or on a screen so one could view or copy it.
Powered electrically, it was made by the Bausch and Lomb Co., hence the name “B-A-L-opticon.”
March 6, 1915: “Owing to the cold wave the attendance at the Congregational Church supper was not as large as usual. The ‘Balopticon’ showing ancient photos and western views was the entertainment.”
“Republican caucus in the Lower Hall tonight and the ‘Balopticon’ in Library Hall for the young folks. Views on Colorado.”
Figure 24. Ad placed March 6, 1915, and subsequent issues of the Breeze,
offering electrical generators for people located “off the grid.”
March 13, 1915: “Jacob Koskella has an automobile.”
[Fitzwilliam Town Meeting]: “$600 was voted to be raised for lighting streets, but the motion to light the Depot road was lost. There seemed to be a desire to cut out every possible thing, but the five or six lights asked for by Mr. Bigelow were granted after the attention of the meeting was called to what Mr. Bigelow had done to help the town and to the fact that he has kept about every available man in town busy for a long time. … Voted not to have moving pictures in Town Hall.”
March 20, 1915: “Miss Levine of Troy sang very acceptably at the Derby movies on Thursday.”
[ed.]: “Woman suffrage has been defeated in N.H., although it has made a gain over the vote of two years ago.”
“Mrs. Nora F. Flagg, West Berlin, Mass., spent last week in town with friends while she was arranging for improvements in her cemetery lot when the ground is suitable.”
“Axel Exel [owner of that new Ford automobile, Oct. 14, 1914] has moved to the Salo house on the Troy road.”
“Automobiles and crows are becoming quite common.”
April 17, 1915: “There is a good opportunity every Saturday evening for everyone to see the views and hear the talks at Library Hall.” [Re: “Balopticon.”]
May 1, 1915: “Charles C. Carter of Troy united with the Derby movie films for the Thursday evening show.” [Note: Mr. Carter was, for some years, proprietor of the Monadnock Hotel in Troy. He had, upon multiple occasions, gotten into trouble for “violating the liquor laws of the state” by making alcoholic beverages available there, without a license, as Troy was officially “dry.”]
May 8, 1915: “The Albert Henry Haydens have wanted a telephone for 2 years. Recently they have erected 16 poles running from the Royalston road to their house, the telephone company has accepted them, and they will soon be on the telephone map.”
May 15, 1915 [ed., re: Lusitania sinking, May 7]: “The great American finger points with righteous scorn to that nation found guilty of wholesale murder of hundreds of innocent people upon the high sea. ... Nothing has so stirred our country from end to end as the willful destruction of a great ocean liner with hundreds of lives. A nation guilty of such an act should expect to get nothing but the contempt of the whole world.”
June 26, 1915: “Additions and changes are nearly completed at None Such Hall. When finished it will have a good stage, good dressing rooms and much additional floor space. With its electric lights and steam heating plant it will be an up-to-date little hall.”
July 3, 1915: “About 12:40 last Sunday afternoon while a brisk shower was in progress, the big 66000 transformers at the Depot were burned out. The loss is a serious one and consumers are asked to be as economical and patient as possible. Power was taken Sunday night from Farrar’s mill at Troy. On Tuesday morning after a continuous rush of 24 hours without even stopping for meals, connections were made with the Webb Construction Company’s transformers, which will be used till repairs can be made.” [Note: a brief informative technical description was given in the Breeze a year later, Aug. 26, 1916]:
“The sub station at Fitzwilliam has a 66000 voltage transformed to 13200 volts and sent out to Fitzwilliam, Victoria and Webb Quarries and Troy with 2300 voltage. The Jaffrey circuit is not transformed, it has a 13200 voltage.”
“Mr. Kenney, the superintendent of our electric light system [Note: for the affiliated Jaffrey & Troy Electric Light Company], urges all consumers to be as economical as possible until damage done by lightning at the Fitzwilliam transformer station can be repaired. The loss is a serious one to the company and is of such an unusual nature that some time will be required. Arrangements have been made with the Webb Company to carry the ordinary load till the transformers can be repaired.”
“Kerosene lamps are fashionable in town.”
“J.H. Kenney, Superintendent of the electric light plant, asks all users of electricity to be as economical as possible until repairs can be made. The Company is doing all that can be done to hasten the work.”
July 10, 1915: “The new telephones in town are: H.M. Flagg, 19-21, Sebastian 19-22, and Willard 4-11.”
“The F.P. Chandler telephone has been installed at the A.L. Chandler house.”
July 17, 1915: “Better street lights are expected in a few days.”
July 24, 1915 [ed.]: “They tell us that the crack of a big German gun can be heard 140 miles, but the crack in the old Liberty Bell reached from Phila. to Frisco.”
Aug. 7, 1915: “Some one asks why shut off the street lights on a dark night in order to run the ‘movies.’ We passed the question along and were told that the superintendent told the moving picture man that the power would be all right for Wednesday night, and to ‘go ahead.’ He did so and when the time came the juice didn’t. Hence the result. Incidentally we might say that patrons are getting anxious and think it about time the normal service was restored.”
“Telephone service on account of the gale and torrents of rain on Wednesday was very poor and the line men have been busy every minute.”
Aug. 14, 1915: “The terrible storm of Sunday afternoon swept over this section with great fury, leaving destruction and flood behind it. At Laurel Lake electric lights and telephones were burned out. At Troy the damage to the streets was the worst ever known. The old road leading to the Lewis farm was entirely washed away and will probably never be rebuilt. The state road from the village to the sand bank, going towards Fitzwilliam, is a bed of rocks and in some places the entire road bed is washed away to a depth of four feet. Repairs are going on as fast as possible.”
“Travel to the mountain is quite impossible, and one must travel four extra miles in order to get from the village to the Yeatman place. In the western part of Jaffrey no such washouts were ever known. The damage is estimated at $3000. Direct communication between Jaffrey and Fitzwilliam was entirely cut off. Teams and autos have been stuck in the mud and one man who tried to save his team got in himself nearly to his neck. The B. & M. track near Wheeler’s ledge was so badly washed that the late train Sunday night was sent via Greenfield. Trains were able to get over Monday morning, but a force of 50 men has been at work all this week in putting the roadbed in shape.
These cloudbursts, coming at a time when the ground was filled with water, recognized no bounds. Fields were flooded. Crops damaged. Hay that was cut was floated off and in some places men were seen wading to their waists in water to save it.
Fitzwilliam roads escaped with a few washouts, but the general loss throughout this section was the greatest ever known.”
Sept. 11, 1915: “Horace Firmin, a 1916 [sic; was “1915”] alumnus of Hebron Academy, will have charge of the electric and heating plant of that institution for the coming year. Mr. Firmin has decided to work one year before he enters upon his college course.”
[re: Fitzwilliam Town Fair]: “The cattle show will be held on the Tavern field just south of the village.”
Sept. 18, 1915: “ ‘Let me do it,’ said three-year-old Doris Whiting to her grandma Hayden who was husking sweet corn on a recent day. She was given an ear and very soon there was such a pretty sigh of satisfaction as she passed it back saying, ‘Now it’s all undressed.’ ”
Sept. 25, 1915: “A change in ownership of our electric light business is reported – and some improvements are predicted.”
“The streets are recovering from the recent heavy washouts.”
Oct. 16, 1915: “The first real hard frost came here Monday a.m. when ice formed in the rain barrel.”
Nov. 6, 1915: “A party of young people went in autos [Note: from Fitzwilliam] to Athol on Wednesday evening to see the ‘Birth of a Nation.’ ”
Dec. 4, 1915: “The old grinding machinery at the Parker Grain Elevator has been removed and a complete line of up-to-date grinding and cracking machinery has been installed. It took three weeks to make the change.”
“A large and appreciative audience gathered at Library Hall on Tuesday afternoon to listen to the illustrated talk given by Mrs. George S. Emerson on her recent trip across the continent and visit to the California Exposition. The balopticon was operated by Kendall Rand. The views included Niagara, Chicago, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Royal Gorge, San Francisco, San Diego, Mexico, Grand Canyon and many others. Mrs. Emerson received the exclusive attention of her audience during her very natural and pleasing presentation. The talk was under the auspices of the Library Sewing Circle.”
“Baby Bemis has been sick with a severe attack of the croup.” [Note: this is believed to be Dan Bemis.]
“The hour for the Christmas carols on the common has been changed to 7 o’clock. David Bigelow will be glad to receive contributions to help defray the expenses of lighting the tree by electricity. Joseph Hickey, the local manager of the Electric Light plant, is much interested and will have full charge of the lighting. The company will give the power. The promised event is full of interest to everyone in town.”
Notice posted by the NH PSC, of a hearing scheduled in Concord for January 4, 1916, to consider the proposed acquisition of the New Hampshire Water & Electric Power Company and the Jaffrey & Troy Electric Light Company, by the Derry Electric Company, with authority to issue $150,000 of six percent preferred capital stock.
Dec. 25, 1915 [Fitzwilliam Depot]: “Miss Rachel Hind is being gradually introduced to the mysteries of the telephone switch board.”
Notice repeated by the NH PSC.
Jan. 1, 1916: “The Christmas exercises at the Congregational church included a glistening tree with lovely ornaments lighted by electricity …”
“The town’s first Christmas tree and carols on the common are now pleasant history, ‘thanks be’ to Mr. and Mrs. David Bigelow, inspirers of the idea, and all the others who assisted. It requires an optimistic spirit, much persistence, some brains, and some money to start, then to direct to a successful climax a new idea in a small country town. It all happened just that way in Fitzwilliam. The picture left upon the minds of each one is of a beautifully shaped spruce tree radiant with myriad colored lights topped by a 100 watt Mazda lamp; this tree was in a reserved section of the Common which had been outlined by small evergreen trees…”
“The Municipal tree in all its glory has attracted much attention during the week. It has cast its brilliant rays over our village and has seemed to speak a cheering word to every passer by. It has completed its work and is about to pass on. It must fade now ‘like the stars of the morning,’ but we shall not forget it.”
“Trees were blown down Sunday near State Line and all traffic was stopped on the main highway; wires were broken and communication with Winchendon cut off for several hours.”
Jan. 8, 1916: “The ‘bulbs’ were taken off the municipal tree on Thursday. People all over the town, and especially those living about the Common, have enjoyed every minute of its lighted life. Just after the snow storm the brilliant lights and the lacey effect of the snow made it look like Fairyland.”
Jan. 22, 1916: “J. William Saunders is favorably placed at Fitchburg with the Connecticut River Power company.”
A Balopticon presentation at Library Hall is favorably mentioned.
Feb. 5, 1916: “Brown and Miller of the Red Garage, have finished wiring the Nutting house, and are working on the Harry Holman house.”
“An effort will be made to continue the street lighting system to the Depot this season.”
“Twenty four electric lights have been installed in the house and barn of Edward Nutting.”
March 18, 1916 [East Jaffrey Town Meeting]: “street lights, $1500…”
[Jaffrey (Center) Town Meeting]: “The article in reference to the moving picture shows was passed over.”
[ed.]: “The only argument (?) against lighting the depot road was that ‘we want people to come here in the day time!’ It has been the custom, however, for guests to suit their own convenience, and there are those that stay here all the time that do not prefer to be in the dark.”
[Fitzwilliam Town Meeting]: “Street Lights, $850”
April 8, 1916: “Supt. Jas. Hickey, who has been with the old Electric Light Co. for the past three and one-half years, concluded his work in Fitzwilliam on Wednesday. W. J. Smith, who has been with the Derry Electric Company for eight years, will be district agent and will locate at Troy. Jas Hickey will have charge of the construction work of the new transmission line being built between East Jaffrey and Troy. This new line will give an increased efficiency in the light service. Mr. Hickey has made friends in Fitzwilliam who are glad he will not be far off.” [Note: previous references indicate gi