Pilgrim Edward Winslow – writing under an alias – was the presumed author of the only contemporary account of Plymouth colony’s first harvest festival, or Thanksgiving, which took place in early October 1621. (We are now but two years short of the four-hundredth anniversary of that first Thanksgiving).
Winslow’s brief account appeared as a part of the 1622 publication Mourt’s Relation. Edward Winslow and George Morton are thought to have been its joint authors, with George Morton arranging for its publication. (Morton did not immigrate from Holland to Plymouth colony until 1623, where he died in 1624).
Mourt’s Relation was intended as a promotional or advertising tract to impress the colony’s English investors, and to persuade other would-be settlers to join them, and painted perhaps a picture that was rosier than reality. They were, in fact, in a rather desparate condition.
Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men on fowling; that so we might, after a more special manner, rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruit of our labours. They four, in one day, killed as much fowl as, with a little help besides, served the Company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our Arms; many of the Indians coming amongst us. And amongst the rest, their greatest King, Massasoyt, with some ninety men; whom, for three days, we entertained and feasted. And they went out, and killed five deer: which they brought to the Plantation; and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain, and others.
The Pilgrim feast’s menu included fowl, which might have included turkey, the garden fruits of their labors, likely including “Indian” corn (as opposed to ordinary corn (the general English term for grain), and their Indian guests supplied venison.
One may note that the colonists exercised (i.e., drilled with) their European arms, which would have been pikes, swords, muskets, and cannon, as a part of the recreations. They likely sought to impress their Indian guests with their defensive capabilities. The Pilgrim group had recruited “Captain” Myles Standish as their military advisor in Holland. He had served there in some capacity during the Eighty Years’ War (the Dutch Republic’s war of independence from the Kingdom of Spain). The Plymouth colonists formally elected him as their militia commander in February 1621.
Half of the original 102 Pilgrims had died during their first winter of 1620-21. (They were buried secretly to conceal the extent of their losses from the Indians). The Plymouth colonists struggled dreadfully to make ends meet from the time of their 1620 arrival, due partly to the demands and neglect of their investors, and partly to a religiously-inspired collectivism that they imposed upon themselves.
The Plymouth colony never prospered really until the colonists shook off their collectivist notions, which they began to do several years later in 1623. Governor William Bradford explained the transition to greater economic freedom in several passages of his journal (1630-51), entitled Of Plimouth Plantation:
The experience that was had in this commone course and condition, tried sundrie years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanitie of that conceite [idea] of Plato’s and other ancients, applauded by some of later times; that the taking away of propertie, and bringing in communitie into a commone wealth, would make them happy and florishing; as if they were wiser then God. For this comunitie (so farr as it was) was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much imployment that would have been to their benefite and comforte. For the yong-men that were most able and fitte for labour and servise did repine that they should spend their time and streingth to worke for other men’s wives and children, with out any recompence. The strong, or man of parts, had no more in devission of victails and cloaths, then he that was weake and not able to doe a quarter the other could; this was thought injuestice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalised in labours, and victails, cloaths, etc., with the meaner and yonger sorte, thought it some indignite and disrespect unto them. And for men’s wives to be commanded to doe servise for other men, as dresing their meate, washing their cloaths, etc., they deemd it a kind of slaverie, neither could many husbands well brooke it. Upon the poynte all being to have alike, and all to doe alike, they thought them selves in the like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not cut of [off] those relations that God hath set amongest men, yet it did at least much diminish and take of [off] the mutuall respects that should be preserved amongst them. And would have bene worse if they had been men of another condition. Let pons [persons] objecte this is men’s corruption, and nothing to the course it selfe. I answer, seeing all men have this corruption in them, God in his wisdome saw another course fiter [fitter] for them.
Whille no supply [English resupply] was heard of, neither knew they when they might expecte any. So they begane to thinke how they might raise as much corne [corn] as they could, and obtaine a beter crope then they had done, that they might not still thus languish in miserie. At length, after much debate of things, the Govr (with the advise of the cheefest amongest them) gave way that they should set corve [corvée, i.e., conscript] every man for his owne perticuler, and in that regard trust to them selves; in all other things to goe on in the generall way as before. And so assigned to every family a parcell of land, according to the proportion of their number for that end, only for present use (but made no devission for inheritance), and ranged all boys and youth under some familie. This had very good success; for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corne was planted then other waise would have bene by any means the Govr or any other could use, and saved him a great deall of trouble, and gave farr better contente. The women now wente willingly into the feild, and tooke their litle-ons [little-ones] with them to set corne, which before would aledg [allege] weaknes, and inabilitie; whom to have compelled would have bene thought great tiranie [tyranny] and oppression.
To be corvéed, or conscripted, to provide for one’s “owne perticulars” – apart from any wishes and demands of the collective – set Plymouth households free to pursue their own interests. The Plymouth colony began to recover and prosper after 1623 to the extent that it was not only able to sustain itself, but to buy back its charter from its English investors and to set its own destiny.
All of which begs the question: How “thankful” should we be towards those in the present day that promote collectivism, actively and unashamedly, and who seek to impose it on us to the extent that they can?
To the extent that misguided collectivists are stymied, and that we are free to seek and enjoy our “owne perticulars,” we should rejoice and be thankful indeed.
By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 25, 2019
Dance pavilions became a popular attraction from the mid-1920’s. The Bay View pavilion at Alton Bay in Alton, NH, opened in 1924, the Pineland Park (later Frolic Haven) pavilion in Milton, opened in or around 1925, Rand’s pavilion at Meaderboro Corner in Rochester, NH, opened in 1929, the York Beach Casino, the Riverside pavilion in Portland, ME, and there were likely others too.
These dance pavilions were seasonal affairs, open usually between May and October. (Stephen Lynch of the Lynch Brothers’ Bay View pavilion did run a series of winter dances in the Farmington Town Hall over the winter of 1931-32).
The original Bay View Pavilion, at Alton Bay, NH. prior to the fire of March 1930
Alton’s Bay View Pavilion was a two-story building whose footprint measured 100 feet by 75 feet. It had a dance hall, a soda grill, and scores of booths. It also had a moving picture playhouse, with three projectors. This edifice burned to the ground on Sunday, March 2, 1930, which likely resulted in an increase of customers for Frolic Haven, at least until Bay View’s one-story replacement was erected.
Milton’s Pineland Park Pavilion would seem to have begun with the 1925 season, as the first printed notices of 1926 mention the prior season as having been a quiet one and that a new owner and manager had taken over the pavilion. It was originally called the Pineland Park pavilion, but took on the name Frolic Haven, or Frolic Haven at Pineland Park, in a naming contest of June 1927.
Dances mentioned included the Black Bottom, the Charleston, the Monkey Dance, foxtrots, and waltzes. One supposes also the Lindy Hop, especially after a Lindbergh Night, but it was not specifically mentioned.
Named orchestras were Carl Broggi and His Palm Beach Orchestra (of Sanford, ME), Joe Carlo’s Royal Serenaders, Alfred L. “Al” Colby’s Orchestra (of Rochester, NH), Orin M. Edney’s Star Orchestra (of Rochester, NH), Everett E. “Vick” Firth and His Orchestra (of Sanford, ME), the Foss Singing Orchestra (of Dover, NH), Billy French and His Orchestra (of Rochester, NH), Al Hodgdon’s Orchestra, Kent Jackson’s Orchestra, Kent Jackson and His Hot Travelers, Loretta LaBonte and the Ten Nevadans Orchestra, McEnnelly’s Orchestra, Ed McQuillan’s Orchestra, the Melody Boys (of Sanford, ME), the Metronome Orchestra, the Midnight Revelers (of Farmington, NH), Ted Pierce, Roane’s Pennsylvanians, Paul Ross’ Orchestra, Ross and His Gang, Val Reno’s Orchestra, and Bobby Williams and His Broadway Troubadors.
Guy H. Chamberlin – 1926
PINELAND PARK PAVILION MILTON. The opening of Pineland Park at Milton Three Ponds, under the new management of Guy H. Chamberlin, was a big success, after its quiet season last year. The Charleston contest prize for the gentlemen was carried away by Mr. Hurd of East Rochester, son of Garfield Hurd, the reporter. Mr. Hurd has some fine stunts in his dance and is a very good imitator of the southern Charleston. The ladies contest was a big whiz and the money was in Miss Katherine Trafton’s hand at the end of the dance. Miss Bertha Beaudoin of Sanford, Me., was second and challenged Miss Trafton to a return contest next Saturday, June 26, at Pineland Pavilion (Farmington New, June 25, 1926).
PINELAND PARK PAVILION. Guy H. Chamberlin, who recently purchased Pineland Park Pavilion, is creating a sensation with his dances at this well known resort on the shore of the ponds at Milton His weekly program of dances has been changed to Wednesday and Friday nights and on every date some novelty feature will be produced. This Friday evening, July 2, a real live baby with light hair and blue eyes will be given to the holder of the lucky ticket. Orrin Edney’s Star orchestra will furnish music (Farmington News, July 2, 1926).
[Orchestra leader] Orin M. Edney, a woolen mill spinner, aged thirty-six years (b. CO), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eleven years), Helen M. [(Mills)] Edney, aged thirty-two years (b. ME). Orin M. Edney owned their house at 19 Green Street, which was valued at $2,000. They had a radio set.
PINELAND PARK PAVILLION SOLD. Pineland Park Pavilion, the well-known dance resort on the shore of Town House pond in Milton, has been sold to the Lynch Brothers, owners and manager of Bay View Pavilion at Alton Bay. Transfer of the property to this reliable source is a guarantee of success for another season for whatever disposition the Lynch Brothers make of their acquisition, the public may rely on the grade of entertainment it will furnish, as anything undertaken by the well-known management of Bay View Pavilion is guaranteed as thoroughly reliable and of the highest order. Between now and next Spring quite extensive improvements are likely to be made at Pineland. However, it is assured that a general cleaning up will take place on the premises and throughout the lovely grove so that absolute sanitation will be observed (Farmington News, November 12, 1926).
Stephen P. Lynch, a grocery store proprietor, aged forty-one years (b. NH), headed an Alton, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of two years), Helen F. Lynch, aged thirty-five years (b. MA), his brothers, Martin A. Lynch, a grocery store proprietor, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and Daniel J. Lynch, a grocery store clerk, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), and his boarder, Mary J. Willette, a tea shop proprietor, aged thirty-four years (b. Austria). Stephen P. Lynch owned their house, which was valued at $3,500. They had a radio set. Mary J. Willette was an alien, who had immigrated in 1911.
Clark H. Morrell – 1927-28
On Saturday, June 4, 1927, the existing dance pavilion at Pineland Park in Milton opened under new management, that of C.H. Morrell of Fall River, MA.
PINELAND PARK. C.H. Morrell, owner and manager of Pineland Park and its beautiful grove property at Milton, announces a gala dance and costume party at the pavilion on Saturday evening, June 4. Every kind of character is expected to be represented and valuable prizes will be awarded for the best and funniest costumes. Saturday evening, June 11, the management is featuring “Gift Night,” which will be a novel sensation on the New England dance circuit. The pavilion opened last Saturday night with a big swing of popularity and a large patronage. Carnival novelties and noise-makers added much to the gaiety of the occasion and the balloon elimination dance for which season tickets were awarded to the winning couple, was a big hit. The new name contest also elicited much interest and over 50 names were submitted. The announcement of the new name for Pineland will be made next Saturday. Improvements to the property and novel ideas that will appear in the programs will offer patrons something entirely new every week (Farmington News, June 3, 1927).
Charles Tanner of Milton won $10 in a naming contest for his entry of “Frolic Haven.”
NEW FROLIC HAVEN PINELAND PARK. By the announcement of the winner of the new name contest and the award of a new $10 gold piece to Charles Tanner of Milton, last Saturday night, Pineland Park succeeded to the new title of “Frolic Haven,” under which banner every indication points to success under the administration of its new owner, C.H. Morrell of Fall River, Mass. Despite bad weather, last Saturday night furnished a large crowd. Music was excellent and everyone indulged in a good time. Costumes did much to enliven the occasion and prizes were awarded for the prettiest and most ridiculous. Next Saturday evening patrons may be assured of some surprise features. Go to Frolic Haven for the best of associations and a good time (Farmington News, [Friday,] June 10, 1927).
FROLIC HAVEN. Saturday evening, June 25, will be “Lindbergh Night” at Frolic Haven and a big novelty program of dancing will be in order. Come and match your dancing with the cleverness and speed of the national hero and the “Spirit of St. Louis.” Those who patronize Frolic Haven may be assured of some special novelty feature every Saturday evening and from time to time complete surprises will be sprung that are guaranteed to furnish some of the cleanest and most wholesome amusement to be found. Lucky number dances last Saturday night went to Norman Trafton of Union and Miss Gladys Moore of Farmington (Farmington News, June 17, 1927).
FROLIC HAVEN. Frolic Haven at Pineland Park in Milton has everything ready for Lindbergh night. The Spirit of St. Louis and Lindbergh will be in the air and this night in their honor is calling you to join in merrymaking. Frolic Haven will start the summer schedule Wednesday evening, June 29, after which date the public will be entertained with special frolic nights every Wednesday and Friday. Next Wednesday, Al Hodgdon’s orchestra will furnish music for dancing and there is no end to the good time planned. The Fourth of July will be ushered in with a celebration that will start at 12 p.m. midnight. There will be peppy music and a peppy time for a peppy crowd. Let nothing keep you away from Frolic Haven for the big frolic (Farmington News, June 24, 1927).
FROLIC HAVEN, PINELAND PARK. Frolic Haven will provide its patrons with a big thrill on Friday evening, July 1, with another of its regular dance programs and peppy music by Al Hodgdon’s orchestra. A special holiday frolic will start at 12.15 a.m., July 4th, and continue until daybreak. All the patriots will join this dance. Dancing every Wednesday and Friday evening during the summer. Ladies week will be observed with the events of Wednesday, July 6, and Friday, July 8. On these dates all lady patrons will be admitted free. Plenty of partners are guaranteed (Farmington News, July 1, 1927).
FROLIC HAVEN. Frolic Haven features for Saturday evening, August 13, are old-fashioned and rotary dancing with good music by Foss Singing orchestra of Dover. This program will provide a fun fest for old and young and no lover of music and dancing should miss it (Farmington News, August 12, 1927).
FROLIC HAVEN. At the popular dance at Frolic Haven Friday evening, September 2, one of the features will be a black-bottom exhibition by Alice Demers. Saturday, February [September] 3, will provide a dance that will attract young and old. Modern and old-time dances will be accompanied by a confetti battle and there will be a generally gala time. Labor day will be ushered in by a midnight dance that will open with a confetti jubilee, with all the fixings, at 12.05 a.m. and continue until 4 a.m. Not often do we have a week-end holiday and this occasion will be a big time for Milton Three Ponds and vicinity (Farmington News, September 2, 1927).
FROLIC HAVEN. This popular dance and camp resort at Milton Three Ponds, which enjoyed such a successful season under the management of C.H. Morrell last year, will open this Friday evening, June 29, with a big welcome dance, to be followed Saturday, June 30, with another dance date, both of which should recall all the old patrons and bring some new ones. Many improvements have been made at the pavilion and the Metronome orchestra has been secured to furnish music for the season. July 4 will be a big date at Frolic Haven. Double header dance from 8 p.m. till daylight July 3 and 4. The summer schedule dates are every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening. Do not miss the fun at Frolic Haven (Farmington News, June 29, 1928).
FROLIC HAVEN, MILTON 3 PONDS. SERIES BEAUTY CONTEST. STARTING FRIDAY JULY 13TH. Seven Nights, Seven Queens, Seven Towns. Concluding with Carnival Celebration. See the First One, New and Old Dances, Every Saturday Night. Two Ladies Admitted on One Ladies’ Ticket Wednesday Nights. General Admission 50¢. C.H. Morrell, Proprietor (Farmington News, July 13, 1928).
FROLIC HAVEN. The grand beauty contest being conducted under the auspices of this popular resort was ushered in last Friday evening with “Rochester Night,” and a large crowd of dance fans witnessed the rivalry of several candidates for the election of :Miss Rochester.” The honor was won by Miss Mildred Emerson, 152 Charles street of that city, who not only carried off the title, but the valuable prizes contributed by 17 Rochester merchants. The opening of the contest was a big hit and dancing was of the peppiest order imaginable. This Friday evening, July 20, will be “Sanford Night,” and already merchants of Sanford and Springvale are enrolling for the contribution of prizes, and patrons of Frolic Haven are boosting their favorites. The campaigns for the selection of beauty queens have spread to the towns of Milton, Sanbornville, Dover, Somersworth and Farmington, all of which will be successfully represented in this big contest Friday evening, August 31, the contest will culminate with the selection of “Miss Frolic Haven,” who will be chosen from among the ensemble of seven beauty queens (Farmington News, July 20, 1928).
FROLIC HAVEN. Advertising is out announcing Farmington night at Frolic Haven, Milton Three Ponds, Friday, July 27. On this date Miss Farmington will be chosen to compete with the seven other beauty queens in the grand carnival contest for the title of Miss Frolic Haven on August 31. Merchants of this town have come to the fore and offered several valuable prizes that will be awarded in addition to the title of Miss Farmington, and it is up to Farmington people to turn out on this date and boost their favorites. These contest are proving the hit of the pavilion season and Frolic Haven is miles ahead of all others in this particular. Friday night should be the big local date of the season and dance fans should register in full numbers. Good music and other features will be down on a program calculated to give all patrons a good time (Farmington News, July 27, 1928).
FROLIC HAVEN. On Farmington night at Frolic Haven, Milton Three Ponds, last Friday night, Miss Diane Fisher was awarded the honor of beauty queen and drew the title of “Miss Farmington,” together with the valuable prizes offered by Farmington merchants. Despite the bad weather, this dance resort that has come tremendously to the fore with its series of unique beauty contests, was packed and several local candidates were on the floor. The trick balloon feature was one of the big hits of the evening. Already three queens have been selected in the series of seven Friday night contests. This Friday night will be Sanbornville night. On Friday night, August 31, the grand finale of the contest will be staged with an elaborate carnival ball and from among the seven beauty queens, “Miss Frolic Haven” will be chosen and awarded a beautifully engraved loving cup (Farmington News, August 3, 1928).
This same page had also an advertisement for an August 15 afternoon appearance at the Dover Opera House by Lt. Commander John Phillip Sousa and His Band. Tickets were $1.50, $1.00, and, for the second balcony, 75¢.
FROLIC HAVEN. Last Friday night featured another big success in the Frolic Haven beauty contest. The date was Sanbornvllle night and the title of “Miss Sanbornville” went to Miss Olida Dyer of that town, who is the popular waitress at the Central House in Farmington. Next Friday will be Milton night. Beauty queens already chosen and their followers will be present and may be identified by silk sashes. The campaign is on for the selection of “Miss Frolic Haven” and each town is anxious that its candidate should be elected, to this honor (Farmington News, August 10, 1928).
FROLIC HAVEN. This Friday evening, August 17, at Frolic Haven will be Milton night and in the selection of a beauty queen to represent this locality, Milton Mills and West Lebanon will be included. Interest in the contest is growing as the final event of the season. “Frolic Haven night” on August 31, approaches. At that time “Miss Frolic Haven” will be chosen from among the seven beauty queens and will be presented with a beautiful loving cup. In addition to the attraction of the beauty contest this Friday, a large number of balloons will be liberated during the dancing. Some of these balloons will contain dollar bills and there will be a mad scramble in order that everyone may secure a balloon The management will not be stingy in preparing the balloons, so it is assured that several patrons will secure a prize. As usual, good music and a good time will be guaranteed (Farmington News, August 17, 1928).
FROLIC HAVEN. Frolic Haven at Milton Three Ponds has become a great social center and every engagement calls larger numbers of dance fans and those who enjoy the features that the management presents. On Wednesday night balloons and other novelties contributed to a Novelty night that was rich in color and gaiety. This Friday night features the seventh night in the series of beauty contests and on this occasion the queen of Dover will be chosen. Dover night will be the last contest before the grand finale, Carnival night on August 31, when “Miss Frolic Haven” will be named from among the seven queens already carrying the honors for their towns (Farmington News, August 24, 1928).
FROLIC HAVEN. This Friday evening Frolic Haven chooses its title queen for the season 1928. Carnival novelties will be among the features Friday night. August 31 will be the biggest resort feature date in southern New Hampshire. Don’t miss it. The 1928 carnival frolic will be held on the holiday beginning at five minutes after midnight and continuing until 4 o’clock Monday morning with a big dance and a greased pig contest. Join the big parade, all roads will lead to Frolic Haven on that date. Frolic Haven will remain open for Saturday evening dances and possible feature dates until further notice (Farmington News, August 31, 1928).
Clark Hibbard Morrell was born in Rochester, NH, July 2, 1891. son of Charles H. and Minnie E. (Hibbard) Morrell.
Clark H. Morrell, a Navy Yard machinist, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Kittery, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Gladys H. [(Durgin)] Morrell, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), and his daughter, Dorothy E. Morrell, aged five years (b. ME). They resided in a rented house on Whipple Road.
Clark H. Morrell (with his wife Gladys H.) appeared in the Fitchburg, MA, city directory of 1925, as a teacher at the State Normal School, with a house at 531 North street.
Clark H. Morrell died in Bradenton, FL, September 28, 1974.
THREATENING FIRE AT ALTON BAY. Departments Of Four Cities Towns Called To Fight Blaze. Alton, March 3. – The Bayview Pavilion, a dance hall overlooking Alton Bay, a mile from here, was destroyed by flames last evening in a fire of unknown origin. The postoffice, a hotel and residence of Martin and Stephen Lynch, owners of the dancing resort, were threatened but escaped the flames as the combined efforts of Laconia, Alton, Rochester and Farmington firemen directed efforts to saving these buildings, located in the vicinity of the doomed pavilion. The structure, 100 by 75 feet, was erected seven years ago and was considered one of the most up-to-date in the Lake Winnipesaukee region. A moving picture playhouse, a dance hall, a soda grill and scores of booths formed part of the building. There were three moving picture machines in the pavilion at the time. The first alarm was rung in at 9.30 o’clock and when Alton firemen reached the scene, another alarm was sent in and telephone calls were sent to Rochester, Laconia and Farmington for help. The building was beyond salvation when the firemen arrived. A strong breeze fanned the flames and ignited the home of the Lynch brothers, located in the immediate vicinity of pavilion. Firemen succeeded in saving this house from utter destruction, but estimated damage to it was close to $1000 while a loss of $25,000 was suffered by the pavilion’s destruction. The building was a roaring furnace by the time the out-of-town help arrived and it was impossible to save the structure (Portsmouth Herald, March 3, 1930).
The Guay Brothers – 1930-31
FROLIC HAVEN. MILTON THREE PONDS. Frolic Haven is open under the old name and new management at Milton Three Ponds. This is good news to the dance fans of this vicinity. This week’s event will take place on Friday evening, August 8, with a grand dance fest, waltz contest, fireworks and music by Al Colby’s orchestra. The best couple will be chosen by William McDermott of the State Ballroom, Boston, and a valuable trophy will be awarded to the winners. Saturday, August 9, will be a special date at Frolic Haven with Joe Carlo’s Royal Serenaders as the musical performers. This is the first appearance of this famous orchestra in this section. Frolic Haven is the coolest ballroom for miles around and is featuring bigger and better novelty dance programs every week (Farmington News, August 8, 1930).
Carrie J. [(Goodwin)] Colby, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her husband, Joseph R. Colby, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), and her children, Alfred L. Colby, a musician (own orchestra), aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), and Louis R. Colby, a band & orchestra musician, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), her daughter-in-law, Veronica Colby, aged thirty years (b. N. Ire.), and her grandson, Alfred L. Colby, aged ten years (b. NH). Carrie R. Colby owned their house at 17 Mill Street, which was valued at $2,000. They had a radio set.
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. Rose night, this Thursday, August 21, promises a novel and highly entertaining event at Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds. Music will be furnished by Al Pare and his nine-piece band, the sensation of York Beach. Among the features of this team of musician is a singing trio that is in a class alone. This Friday, August 22, Frolic Haven will draw a big crowd with its blonde contest and Al Colby and his orchestra furnishing music. Each week features alluring specials at this famous ballroom and the crowds grow bigger and bigger (Farmington News, August 22, 1930).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. This Friday evening, August 29, will be a big night at Frolic Haven, and all the fans will be there. One of the attractions will be a prize waltz and it is expected that the contest will be a beautiful spectacle of graceful motion. On this date, “Miss Rochester” is to be named from among the young ladies present from that city. The judges for this event will be the young ladies recently named “Miss West Lebanon” and “Miss Frolic Haven.” Music will be furnished by Al Colby’s orchestra. Directly after midnight, September 1, from 12.05 to 4 a.m., Frolic Haven will entertain a pajama party and prizes will be awarded for the best suit and the worst suit. The Melody Boys’ orchestra of seven pieces will be the musical team. From 8 to 12 on the evening of Monday, September 1, Al Colby and his orchestra will return for “Santa Claus” night. Everyone will received a souvenir of this occasion (Farmington News, August 29, 1930).
FROLIC HAVEN. This Friday night at Frolic Haven will draw a big crowd to witness the selection of Miss Somersworth. Al Colby’s orchestra will furnish music for dancing. On Wednesday evening September 17 Frolic Haven will be the scene of an outing of the Chamber of Commerce. This will be a novelty night and among the features of entertainment will be gifts presented to the holders of lucky numbers. The Melody Boys of Sanford, Me., will be the musicians. Everyone is enthusiastic over the good times at Frolic Haven this season (Farmington News, September 12, 1930).
FROLIC HAVEN. This Friday, September 19, will be “Dover Night” at Frolic Haven, Milton’s popular dance hall. The contest for “Miss Dover” is open to all Dover girls and the winner will be presented with a silver loving cup. The keen competition for the coveted honor is sure to result in a big turn-out and a gala time for all patrons. Besides the crowning of Dover’s beauty queen, a prize will be awarded to the holder of the lucky ticket. Colby’s band will furnish music for dancing (Farmington News, September 19, 1930).
“FARMINGTON NIGHT” AT FROLIC HAVEN. “Farmington Night” will be observed at Frolic Haven, Milton’s popular dance hall, Friday evening, September 26. The battle of music between Ross and His Gang and Al Colby’s orchestra will be the big musical sensation of the season in this locality. Farmington’s most beautiful girl will be chosen and awarded a silver loving cup on this occasion. Gifts to everyone from the big gift box, lucky numbers, and novelties will round out a full evening of attractions that will induce the patronage of one of the largest and most vivacious assemblies of dance fans ever gathered in this section. Friday evening, October 3, will be Milton, Milton Mills, Union and Lebanon night (Farmington News, September 26, 1930).
FROLIC HAVEN. Happy days are coming again with a grand carnival frolic and barn dance to be held at Frolic Haven, Milton Three Ponds, this Friday evening, October 3. Everybody will wear costumes and compete for the best make-up prize. Music by Al Colby’s orchestra guarantees the whoopee and everybody is assured a good time. Frolic Haven is all ready to stage a new mystery feature on Friday evening at the barn dance. “Around the Corner – Follow Me.” The most popular girl in the park – Ann Howe. For the luva Pete – don’t muff this one! (Farmington News, October 3, 1930).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. MILTON THREE PONDS. ACTIVITIES OF SEASON OF 1930. July 25 marked the grand opening of Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds under new management: the Guay Brothers. That occasion drew the largest attendance from suburban towns and cities of any similar resort with a radius of 80 miles. George Fuller of the Ethel Barrymore company, with Miss Eleanor O. Weeks, Dr. William McDermott and Mr. McHugh, director of the show, were hosts of the evening. A large and colorful display of fireworks was a feature of the event. On August first, a prize waltz was the attraction and Miss Helen Pierce of Rochester and Leo Gagnon of Somersworth were the silver cup winners. Friday evening, August 8, offered a beauty contest and a gold-piece was given to Miss Muriel Hagerman of West Lebanon, Me., as the most beautiful girl present. Silver cup winners were Miss Lillian Miomi of Dover and Mr. Van, manager of Central Park ballroom at Central Park. The following evening, August 9, opened with a large display of fireworks which heralded a dance conducted by members of a Montreal hotel. A purse of $45 was given to the tallest man in the hall. Music was furnished by the hotel members. On August 15, another prize waltz was announced and in this event Dan Buckley of Dover received a gold-piece, while a modern compact went to Miss Mary Parsons of Milton. Miss Beatrice Hermon of Dover was chosen as “Miss Frolic Haven” for 1930, and Eddie Pay of Somersworth also won a prize. On August 21, a large crowd of insurance men were in attendance, and music was by Al Pare of Quincy, Mass. August 22 featured a blond contest and a silver cup was given to Miss Virginia Sewall of East Lebanon, Me., a natural blond of rare beauty. August 29 was Rochester night and Miss Priscilla Lemire, as “Miss Rochester” for 1930, won a silver cup. Miss Lemire is a beautiful brunette and was selected from a large number of beauties. August 31, a midnight dance, with a pajama contest and the selection of “Miss Sanford,” filled the ballroom to its capacity. Three prizes were awarded for best costumes. The first prize, a beautiful three-piece pajama set, went to Miss Eleanor Weeks of Portsmouth; second prize, a three-piece pajama set, was awarded to Miss Tibbetts of Philadelphia; third prize, a green gold compact, went to Miss Gladys Walsteadt of Lynn, Mass. The three male partners of these ladies were awarded fountain pens. September 1 was another big time, Santa Claus night. Santa Clause was sent out from the Boston Novelty company to give away 600 gifts in the hall. Waltz and fox-trot prizes were offered and awarded as follows: Miss Dorothy Torr of Farmington; Frank York of Newmarket, cigarette lighter; Miss Ruth Hartford of Union, green gold compact; Harold Smith of Sanbornville, cigarette lighter; Miss Alice Ward of Center Ossipee, white gold compact; John Varney of Center Ossipee, cigarette lighter; Miss Talmadge Grey of Alton Bay, silver cup; Al Quinn of Alton Bay, fountain pen; Mrs. Salvage of Milton Mills, silver cup; J. Salvage of Miami, Fla., pen and pencil set; Miss Ruth Young of Milton, silver cup; Edgar Poore of Milton, pencil set. Music was by Al Colby’s band. On September 5, prizes were given for the best dressed couples, as follows: Miss Estella Guyer of South Berwick, Me., with Norman Strafton of North Rochester, first prize of $10 gold-piece, Mr. and Mrs. John Silver of Portsmouth, second, $5 gold-piece. September 12 was Somersworth night, with fireworks. Miss Lillian Roberge was chosen “Miss Somersworth,” and received a large silver cup. Mr. King of Somersworth received a smoking set. September 17 was the date of an outing of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, with a big dance. Paper hats, novelties, confetti, and prizes added to the joy of the event. September 19 drew a large crowd from Dover who were interested to see who would be “Miss Dover.” The lucky lady was Miss Marguerite Conway of Dover and she received a silver cup. Music was furnished by Kent Jackson and his band. September 24 presented an old-fashioned dance. An unusually large crowd enjoyed this dance, with music by the Lynn boys. September 26 was Farmington night and a large crowd came to see who was to be “Miss Farmington.” Miss Rubie Chase was chosen and awarded a beautiful silver cup. Also on this night there was a battle of music between Ross and His Gang and Al Colby’s orchestra. Santa Claus night was repeated on this date, everyone in the hall received a gift. Valuable merchandise, from pins to Fords, was found in the packages. On October 3, a big barn dance, like no one ever saw before, was held. It was a real time on the farm. “Aunt Rosie” was there with her niece “Rosie.” Among the animals were ducks, geese, chickens, hens, roosters, turkeys, Parisian pigeons, carrier pigeons, cats and a pig. This dance was such a success that another one was called for. October 10 presented an old-fashioned dance and prizes were given for best and worst dressed, as follows: Miss Columbus of Milton received first, a rooster went to a girl who said she had no name, a goose was given to a Rochester girl, another rooster was won by a Rochester girl, a turkey went to Miss Folloner. Many others took home with them, squashes and pumpkins. Corn on the cob was served at this time of year. The corn was grown on Plummer’s Ridge, Milton. On this date, Miss Audrey Hagerman was named “Miss Milton Mills,” her partner was Willis Waterhouse of Sanford. Miss Dorothy M. Lyons was chosen “Miss Union,” with Kimball Hayes of Danvers, Mass. Miss Muriel Hagerman was “Miss West Lebanon,” with Frank Thibault of Milton. Miss Ruth Leeman was “Miss Milton,” with H. St. Hillaire of Somersworth. Each lady received a silver cup and the men were given fountain pens. October 17, Frolic Haven came to a grand closing out, with dancing from 8 to 2 a.m., with something doing every hour of the night. One of the largest crowds ever seen here before made a big success of it. There was fun, laughter and screaming that will ring for many months in the ears of all present. Miss Alice Grenier of East Rochester received a silver tea set for having 58,000 votes as “the most popular lady.” Miss Frolic Haven for 1931 is Miss Muriel Hagerman of West Lebanon, Me. A balloon shower took place just before intermission and many lucky ones got prizes of valuable merchandise. Prizes of $150 were give to lucky ones. No prize amounted to less than $5. Gifts were passed to everyone in the hall. There also were five prizes for the best looking men. Between 12 and 2 a.m., paper hats, confetti, noise-makers, hundreds of horns, novelties, fireworks, etc., made it like the big world war. It was a real farewell dance, and nothing more could have been done. The Guay Brothers, manager and proprietor of Frolic Haven, are planning a grand opening for the next season to show their appreciation for the great success of the past summer. Something entirely different will be staged for the many patrons and anticipation will be keen until the 1931 activities are revealed (Farmington News, October 31, 1930).
GRAND OPENING AT FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds is going to be one of the high spots of amusement during the coming season. It has announced its grand opening to take place on Friday evening, May 8. Everything about the place is being remodeled and the old patrons will hardly know the place with its recent changes. The only feature that remains unchanged is the management who became so popular last season with the big crowds who flocked to Frolic Haven. Al Colby and his orchestra are featured for the season and the dance lovers know what that means. Beginning Friday evening, May 8, Frolic Haven will be open for the season and no effort will be to great for the management to undertake for the pleasure of the patrons (Farmington News, May 1, 1931).
CEDAR CHEST GIVEN AWAY AT FROLIC HAVEN OPENING. Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds holds its grand opening of the season this Friday evening, May 8, and the well=known management will greet its friends amid surroundings that have been renovated and remodeled until the interior seems like a new place. All the old patrons will be on hand to renew associations with the management and many friends who have been separated temporarily during the suspension of dances through the winter. Al Colby and his orchestra have been engaged to open the season of gaiety at Frolic Haven. and as an added feature someone will be presented with a genuine Tennessee cedar chest as a souvenir of the opening date (Farmington News, May 8, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. Milton Three Ponds has become one of the attractive spots in this vicinity since Frolic Haven Ballroom made it famous. Every Friday night finds a large crowd there and Al Colby’s orchestra is furnishing just the kind of dance music that keeps them coming. The management is doing everything possible to please the patrons and has stimulated interest with the presentation of some choice gifts. This Friday evening the holder of the lucky ticket will be rewarded with the gift of a 16-jewel wristwatch. There is dancing and a jolly good time every night at Frolic Haven (Farmington News, May 15, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. There is going to be a big powwow at Frolic Haven ballroom, Milton Three Ponds, this Friday evening, May 22. Kent Jackson and his Hot Travelers will warm the trail for the dancers, and chocolates and souvenirs will be distributed for good measure. There is dancing every Friday night at Frolic Haven and the features that the management is advertising every week certainly are novel and there is something to entertain every individual preference (Farmington News, May 22, 1931).
ALL NIGHT DANCE AT FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. The end of this week promises a big time at Frolic Haven The fun will start Friday evening with the usual dance date and will continue all night [with] Jackson’s Racketeers, a seven-piece team of snappy musicians, will furnish music, and added attractions will be a large chest of chocolates and ten other free prizes. Saturday night at eight o’clock, the K.J. seven-piece orchestra will take charge of the festivities and will furnish good music until midnight. The next big date at Frolic Haven will be Friday evening, June 5, when Al Colby, just returned from the beaches, will bring his orchestra to Milton Three Ponds A big surprise awaits the lucky ticket holder on this occasion (Farmington News, May 29, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. Al Colby’s orchestra, just returned from the beaches, will be at Frolic Haven ballroom this Friday evening, June 5, and preparations are being made for a record attendance. Frolic Haven was crowded at its last week-end dances and it is expected that many of the new friends acquired over the holiday will be on hand for the regular Friday date. The lucky ticket holder will receive a surprise. The special features the management has been offering have been very alluring and no doubt the “surprise” will be a delightful souvenir for the lucky one. Frolic Haven, in the pines of Milton Three Ponds, is one of the gay amusement spots of the locality and the crowds grow bigger and bigger (Farmington News, June 5, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. The Frolic Haven forecast for this week, Friday, June 12, indicates a grand frolic at this noted ballroom on the shores of Milton Three Ponds. Every Friday night the crowds flock to the delightful Pineland Park and enjoy the fun provided by the management and the excellent dance music furnished by Al Colby’s orchestra. Some lucky one this Friday will receive a cedar chest containing a souvenir which is to be a secret until the chest is opened by the winner. The weekly dance dates find at Frolic Haven a colorful ensemble of gay dancers, blazing lights and alluring music (Farmington News, June 12, 1931).
BATTLE OF MUSIC AT FROLIC HAVEN. A volunteer army of dancers is expected to engage in action at Frolic Haven this Friday evening, June 19, when the Midnight Revelers of Farmington and Billy French and his orchestra of Rochester will wage a battle of music. The dancing will start at 8 o’clock and will be continuous until midnight. These orchestras have a large following and it is expected that Friday night will find an overflow delegation from all quarters. Frolic Haven in the pines at Milton Three Ponds is the ideal place to meet your old friends and make new ones and thoroughly enjoy yourself every Friday evening (Farmington News, June 19, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN. Frolic Haven, Milton’s popular summer ballroom, announces the opening of its regular Monday night dances on June 28. Kent Jackson’s orchestra will be the musical attraction and will give the fans their money’s worth with a music fest that will put everybody on tiptoe. Two prizes will be given, for first admission and for the lucky ticket, and you may be one of the winners. Try your luck on the best dance floor and with the best crowds that congregate at any pavilion in this vicinity. Watch for announcements for the night before the Fourth (Farmington News, June 26, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN. Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds is all set to celebrate the week-end in true holiday style. Friday evening, July 3, Vick Firth and his orchestra will furnish music for dancing which will start at 8 o’clock and continue until 4 a.m. There will not be a monotonous moment in the whole eight hours, for the occasion will be enlivened with a ballroom shower, gold pieces to lucky ones, and ten other prizes. Dancing will be suspended during the daylight hours of the Fourth, but will start with a bang on Saturday night at 8 o’clock, when a big display of fireworks will herald the appearance of Al Colby and his orchestra. This will be a gift night and dancers at Frolic Haven will be glad to receive these souvenirs of an event that promises the best of fun. On Monday evening, July 6, Kent Jackson’s orchestra will be the attraction, and some lucky person will receive a candle lamp as a prize. There is dancing at Frolic Haven every Monday and Friday night (Farmington News, July 3, 1931).
Joseph E. Firth, a plush mill finisher, aged sixty-two years, headed a Sanford, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his [second] wife (of sixteen years), Mary E. [(O’Hearn)] Firth, aged thirty-seven years, his adopted daughter, Gertrude M. Firth, aged thirteen years (b. ME), his son, Everett E. [“Vic”] Firth, an orchestra musician, aged thirty-six years (b. ME), and his daughter-in-law, Rosemary [(Scandura)] Firth, aged twenty-seven years (b. Italy). Joseph E. Firth owned their house at 8 Tibbetts Avenue, which was valued at $1,800. They did not have a radio set.
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. There are not many open-air pavilions where you can dance with such entire enjoyment as you find at Frolic Haven ballroom. The beautiful Pineland park, aired with breezes off Milton Three Ponds, is an ideal spot for this popular summer pastime. Monday and Friday of every week are big nights at Frolic Haven. Al Colby and his orchestra furnish music on regular dates and the crowds are satisfied with this part of ‘the entertainment. Many other features are added to create new Interest and to express the appreciation of the management for the tremendous patronage (Farmington News, July 10, 1931).
MILTON AMERICAN LEGION ANNUAL DANCE. On Wednesday, evening, July 29, Oscar O. Morehouse Post, American Legion, of Milton, will bold its annual dance at Frolic Haven ballroom, and as a special attraction will hold a beauty contest. The girl or woman adjudged the best looking will enter the state bathing beauty contest at Hampton Beach, August 8. What town has the prettiest girl? This will be one of the biggest attractions ever attempted in a little town, with a big reputation for a famous dance pavilion. The nights will be bright, the music by the Pirate’s orchestra of Portsmouth will be of the best, and the butterflies will be there (Farmington News, July 24, 1931).
FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF FROLIC HAVEN. Frolic Haven in the pines at Milton Three Ponds has completed a very successful year under the present management and will celebrate its first anniversary date with a huge birthday party on Saturday evening, July 25. Frolic Haven will forget every idea of financial profit on this occasion and will join with a merry crowd of patrons in a rousing good time. Gifts valued at $200 will be distributed, among which will be a $20 gold-piece for the lucky balloon captured among a flock of them floated over the grounds; a china tea set for the second balloon prize, and a $2.50 gold piece for the third. Every person who enters the hall will receive a gift, and special carnival features will include confetti, noisemakers, paper hats, horns, novelties, souvenirs and other attractions. Over all a grand display of fireworks will cast a colorful illumination. The Leader shoe organization will be present in full force. A pirate group will hold the center of the scene and will furnish music for dancing. If you do not know the Pirate orchestra, take advantage of this occasion to get acquainted (Farmington News, July 24, 1931).
SECOND ANNUAL BARN DANCE, FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds s all ready for its second annual barn dance, which will be held this Friday night, September 25. The hall is all dressed up for the event and Joe Sands and his popular broadcasting orchestra will furnish dance music. The musicians include some of the world’s famous artists, who played last week to 30,000 people. This barn dance will have a few old-fashioned dances along with the modern numbers, and nearly all of the dancers will be in rural costumes. Live prizes will he given for the best and funniest costumes. Every Friday night there is dancing at Frolic Haven from 8 to 1 o’clock. A big midnight dance will be held here October 12 (Farmington News, September 25, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN. There is mystery in the air concerning the dance at Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds this Friday evening, October 2. The only thing the public really knows Is that it will be a good time for everyone, but it is assured that the friends of this famous ballroom will be curious enough to be there and find out for themselves just what new thing the management has planned for this date. The announcement for October 12 is very definite, with a grand midnight dance starting at 12.05 and continuing until 6 a.m. on Monday, October 12. Among the many prizes for this occasion will be a $20 gold-piece for the lucky balloon captured on the grounds, a china tea set, second prize, a $2.50 gold-piece, third prize. One hundred dollars’ worth of prizes will be distributed among the patrons in the hall. Confetti, noisemakers, hat, horns, novelties, souvenirs, etc., will add to the thrills of the event (Farmington News, October 2, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN. Great preparations have been made for the midnight dance to be held at Frolic Haven ballroom to usher in Columbus day. Beginning at five minutes after midnight and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, October 12, there will be a gay time at this famous ballroom on the lake shore at Milton Three Ponds. A colorful feature will be the release of countless balloons over the grounds, and one of these balloons will be lucky for someone, as it will bring $20 to the one who captures it. A second prize will be a china tea set, and third prize, a $2.50 gold-piece. One hundred dollars’ worth of other prizes will be distributed in the hall. Everyone gets a souvenir. Confetti, noisemakers, hats, etc., will make up a grand ensemble of jolly amusements and excellent dance music is promised (Farmington News, October 9, 1931).
LAST DANCE OF THE SEASON AT FROLIC HAVEN. Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds will close a very successful season with a grand flourish next Thursday evening, October 15. The events planned for this closing date will give the patrons something to keep Frolic Haven in happy memory until the famous pavilion opens another season. There will be a marvelous exhibition of dancing and singing, and prizes – there are quantities of them. Twenty lucky tickets will be found in the balloon showers. There will be a prize waltz and fox trot, six prizes for the best dressed ladies and gentlemen, and lucky admission tickets. This will be a big gift night for all, and chocolates will be among the distributions. Novelties, confetti, horns, noisemakers, hats, etc., will be some of the features that will keep in motion a continuous round of gaiety. Everyone will be there to enjoy to the last minute the fun promised at the farewell dance at Frolic Haven (Farmington News, October 16, 1931).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. MILTON THREE PONDS. Another season at Frolic Haven Ballroom at Milton Three Ponds will open this Friday evening, May 13, and the gayest, newest craze from gay Paree is announced for the date. Eddie McQuillan and his famous broadcasting orchestra, who have been engaged all winter in South Carolina, will furnish music for dancing from eight o’clock to 1 a.m., and what a time is promised! Gifts will be awarded to lucky ones and everyone will receive a novelty souvenir. A special treat is announced for the girls. A large following of regular friends of Frolic Haven will welcome the news of this opening. This famous resort, just off the White Mountain boulevard, is ideally located for the entertainment of dancing parties and never fails to draw big crowds. The management is returning – full of ideas for a grand season (Farmington News, May 13, 1932).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. Frolic Haven at Milton Three Ponds opened the season last Friday night with a good attendance and such a jolly time was enjoyed that a big crowd is looking forward to the event for this Friday, May 20. Ed McQuillan and his famous artists have been engaged to furnish dance music every Friday night during the season. Very soon, there also will be dances on Monday and Wednesday nights, and for special occasion announces a Monkey Night dance for an early date. At the dance this Friday night a banjo electric clock will be given away. You always have a good time at Frolic Haven, and usually bring home some attractive souvenir (Farmington News, May 20, 1932).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. This Friday evening, June 10, Ed McQuillan and his artist orchestra will entertain again at Frolic Haven ballroom, Milton Three Ponds and the date is announced as a spot dance. From 8 to 1 o’clock the dancing will be attended with many unusual pleasures, and over all will hover a fascinating “spot.” This is just one of the attractive features the management has arranged for this season – there are many more in the bag. Everyone is wondering about the “monkey dance” which is announced for an early date. Every Friday night big crowds at the famous Frolic Haven for the weekly dance program (Farmington News, June 10, 1932).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. This Friday, June 17, evening is the regular dance date at Frolic Haven ballroom in the pines at Milton Three Ponds. Beginning June 20 there will be three dances a week at Frolic Haven, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Next Monday, the music will be furnished by the Ten Nevadians, featuring Loretta LaBonte, and dancing will be enjoyed from 8 to 1 o’clock. On Wednesday evening, June 22, Tony’s Rhythm Boys, an eleven-piece broadcasting orchestra, will furnish music, and an added attraction will be Ted Pierce, soloist, with his latest hits. Keep in mind the monkey dance, which soon will be here (Farmington News, June 17, 1932).
Peter Labonte, a washing machine salesman, aged fifty-six years (b. Canada (Fr.)), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-six years), Victoria Labonte, aged fifty-four years (b. Canada (Fr.)), and his children, Frederick Labonte, an automobile salesman, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), and Loretta Labonte, aged eighteen years (b. NH).Peter Labonte owned their house at 27 Hill Street, which was valued at $3,000. They did not have a radio set.
Loretta Labonte sang on daytime-only radio station WHEB (740-AM) in Portsmouth, NH, at 3:00 PM, November 4, 1932 (Portsmouth Herald, November 4, 1932). Loretta Labonte appeared in the Dover directories of 1935, as a musician, resident n her parent’s home at 27 Hill street.
FROLIC HAVEN AT MILTON THREE PONDS. Frolic Haven, the dance pavilion of unmistakable choice for those who seek a good time, comes forward with announcement for a full week of Big Time entertainment. Watch the everchanging program of amusements at Frolic Haven. Dancing 8 until 1 a.m., Friday evening, June 24th, Ed McQuillan’s Orchestra; Monday evening, June 27, Loretta’s ten-piece orchestra bringing its inimitable program; Wednesday, June 29th, Tony with his eleven-piece orchestra. On Monday evening, July 1st, just before the holiday, Girls, Oh Girls, the monkey dance. Come and see what it’s all about. Meet your friends by appointment at Frolic Haven. If you haven’t an appointment, you will find them here (Farmington News, June 24, 1932).
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds will start its season of 1933 with a grand opening this Friday evening, May 26, and music will be furnished by Bobby Williams and his night club band, the Broadway Troubadours. The ballroom has been put in first-class condition and this event is expected to introduce an entertainment that will assure the friends of this favorite dance pavilion of a season of attractions second to none. From now on there will be dancing every Friday night. A big all-night dance is announced for next week, beginning at 9 o’clock, May 29, the eve of the holiday, and continuing until 3 a.m. All the fans will welcome the opportunity to renew friendships at Frolic Haven (Farmington News, May 26, 1933).
DANCE. TONIGHT = FRIDAY & EVERY FRIDAY. FROLIC HAVEN. MILTON THREE PONDS. TONIGHT: CARL BROGGI and His Palm Beach Orchestra. Admission 35¢ (Farmington News, June 16, 1933).
FROLIC HAVEN. MILTON THREE PONDS. DANCING EVERY FRIDAY NITE. ADMISSION 35¢ (Farmington News, June 23, 1933).
McENNELLY AND HIS ORCHESTRA. Tomorrow Nite. FROLIC HAVEN, MILTON THREE PONDS (Portsmouth Herald, July 27, 1933).
TONIGHT. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4. ROANES PENNSYLVANIANS. FROLIC HAVEN. MILTON THREE PONDS. Always a great time, Always a big crowd. Admission 50c (Farmington News, August 4, 1933).
Prize Waltz Tonight, Friday, August 11. FROLIC HAVEN. MILTON THREE PONDS. ROSS and His Gang. Admission 40¢ (Farmington News, August 11, 1933).
Frolic Haven, MILTON THREE PONDS. DANCING EVERY FRI. EVENING. FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 18. ROSS and HIS GANG. The favorite dance orchestra at a nominal price, Admission 40¢ (Farmington News, August 18, 1933).
Frolic Haven, MILTON THREE PONDS. TONIGHT! FRI., AUG. 25. RETURN ENGAGEMENT, ROANE’S Sensational PENNSYLVANIANS. Admission 50¢ (Farmington News, August 25, 1933).
PRIZE WALTZ and Costume Party Tonight, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM, MILTON THREE PONDS. Prizes for the Best and Worst Costumes. Admission 40¢. Big Time for Everyone. Music: Ross And His Gang. | Midnite Dance, SUNDAY MIDNITE, SEPT. 3 till 4 a.m. Admission 40¢, Prize Waltz, Follow the crowds (Farmington News, September 1, 1933).
FROLIC HAVEN. From July 13 to October 12, Val Reno’s orchestra will furnish music for dancing every Friday evening at Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds from 8.30 to 1 AM, eastern standard time. This Friday will feature a prize waltz. There will be something new on every dance date and all may be assured of meeting their friends and making new ones at this attractive resort in the place near one of these famous ponds (Farmington News, July 13, 1934).
FROLIC HAVEN GIVES BENEFIT TO CHURCHES. Tickets are being sold for the benefit of St. Peter’s church of Farmington and the Sacred Heart church of Milton, of which Rev. Robert Bellefeuille is pastor. The tickets are being sold in advance of the dance program, which will be held at Frolic Haven ballroom, Milton Three Ponds, Monday evening August 27. The holder of the lucky ticket will be awarded $25 worth of groceries. These tickets will give all holders a chance on the 100-piece dinner set, valued at $50, to be given away at the Labor day night program, September 3. The appeal of these tickets obviously is one of the most worthy, since their sale will assist the work of the Catholic churches of this locality. They are being sponsored by Rev. Fr. Bellefeuille (Farmington News, August 24, 1934).
Hank Lawson – 1935
FROLIC HAVEN OPENING. Like renewing acquaintance with an old friend, comes announcement that Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds will be reopened, commencing Saturday evening, May 25. This resort will be managed for the season by the well known “Hank” Lawson, a former Milton resident, and the season will be ushered in by Paul Ross and his orchestra. Frolic Haven has been put in the best possible condition and convenience to patrons and announcement of special programs will be released as soon as bookings are made (Farmington News, May 24, 1935).
UNION. A picnic for the church and Sunday School is being arranged for Saturday. It will be held at Frolic Haven, Milton, and its hoped that a large number of the older people, as well as the children, will attend (Farmington News, July 19, 1935).
UNION. A picnic at Frolic Haven, Milton, was enjoyed last Saturday by the church and Sunday School attendants. Cars carried grownups, while most of the children went in David Burroughs’ truck. Bathing was indulged in by those that cared for it, games were played and everyone enjoyed the day (Farmington News, July 26, 1935).
Jack Howard – 1937
BEANO AT FROLIC HAVEN. Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds will be the mecca of attraction this Thursday evening, June 24 The event will be the biggest beano party ever attempted in this locality. The main drawing prize will be a barrel of dishes, 100-piece set that will be awarded at 10 p.m. The winner must be in the hall. Nearly fifty other prizes are offered. No admission will be charged and everybody is invited to join in the fun. This jollification is sponsored by the well known Tanner brothers of Milton (Farmington News, June 25, 1937).
LOCAL. Raymond Abbott and Myrtie Derby of this [Farmington] town captured the prize waltz for the championship of Strafford county at the dance which concluded the season at Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton Three Ponds last Saturday night. They were awarded a silver loving-cup as the trophy offered to the championship couple by Manager Jack Howard (Farmington News, September 10, 1937).
JACK HOWARD TO CONTINUE DANCES AT FROLIC HAVEN. In connection with an item published in this column last week concerning the award of the championship trophy in the prize waltz contest at Frolic Haven ballroom at Milton, it was stated in error that Manager Jack Howard closed the season at this resort with the holiday week-end programs. However, dances will be continued regularly every Saturday night until further [notice] (Farmington News, September 17, 1937).
By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 24, 2019
In this year, we encounter the Salem Shoe company in a labor negotiation, an auto fatality, a Townsend club meeting in West Milton, a drowning death, a Salem Shoe company factory purchase, some volunteer assistance, Rev. Frank H. Snell accepting a call, and relocation of the Town Pound.
Unionized shoe shops in Salem, MA, including the Salem Shoe company, faced again the same union 15% wage increase demanded in 1935. Milton’s branch of the Salem Shoe company was an “open” shop, i.e., a non-union shop, which the Salem union planned to picket if Easter work were redirected here.
NINE SHOPS HOLD UP SHOE PAY INCREASE. Four in Lynn, Five in Salem Still Negotiating. Five shoe shops in Salem and four in Lynn, which have not granted a flat 15 percent increase to their employees, were still dickering with William B. Mahan, general organizer of the United Shoe and Leather Workers’ Union, last night. The wage increase has been granted in other unionized shops. The conference with the Salem Shoe Company was postponed until Monday after the workers were reported to have refused a compromise offer of 7½ percent now and 7½ more July 1. Meanwhile the union officials were considering a rumor that the Salem Shoe Company, which operates an open shoe shop plant in Milton, N.H., might be able to complete its Easter orders at the New Hampshire factory. Plans were under discussion for picketing the New Hampshire plant if the company should inaugurate such a move. The Maxwell Shoe Company in Lynn indicated yesterday that it might go out of business but if enough orders are on hand, the shop will run, granting the workers the flat 15 percent increase (Boston Globe, February 27, 1937).
SALEM SHOE FIRM GIVES 10 P.C. RAISE. SALEM, March 13. The Salem Shoe Company today granted a 10 percent wage increase to 275 workers, who had returned to work 19 days ago, following the general leather strike. Arbitration proceedings are now going on in three other companies here, the Becket, Tarlow and Harbor Shoe Companies. It is reported that employees of those firms are seeking a 15 percent raise. They have been offered a 10 percent increase now and 5 percent in July. Those three concerns employ some 105 persons (Boston Globe, March 13, 1937).
Spaulding mill laborer Napoleon “Paul” Marcoux died in a head-on collision with a truck during a snowstorm. The collision occurred in Rochester, NH, on April 2, “on road from Milton to Rochester,” i.e., on the White Mountain Highway in north Rochester.
Napoleon O. Marcoux, a fiber mill laborers, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of six years), Hazel M. [(Downs)] Marcoux, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), his children, Edna Marcoux, aged six years (b. NH), Archie Marcoux, aged five years (b. NH), and Joseph Marcoux, aged three years (b. NH); his father-in-law, Fred Downs, an odd jobs laborer, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and his brother, Alcid Marcoux, a fibre mill laborer, aged twenty-two years (b. NH). Napoleon O. Marcoux rented their house on Spaulding Avenue, for $8 per month. They did not have a radio set.
Napoleon O. Marcoux appeared as a Spaulding employee, with a house in Milton, in the Milton business directories of 1930 and 1936-37. His wife Hazel Marcoux appeared with him.
New England Briefs. Milton, N.H., April 3 (AP) – Nine children were left fatherless today with the death of Paul Marcoux, 39, mill worker, instantly killed when his auto and a heavy truck collided during a snowstorm (North Adams Transcript, April 3, 1937).
Rochester death records gave the cause of his death as a “fractured skull caused by collision of his automobile with an auto truck.”
(See below the November article in which forty-four Milton men helped his widow with house repairs).
One of Boston’s Townsend Clubs traveled by bus to West Milton for a lunch outing at the Canney Farm.
Dr. Francis E. Townsend was founder of those clubs, which had a national membership. (There is no known connection with the Townsend family of Milton).
Francis E. Townsend, a lecture hall pension lecturer, aged seventy-three years (b. IL), headed a Los Angeles, CA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Minnie [(Aldrich)] Townsend, aged seventy years (b. WI), his son-in-law, James E. Shevling, a gas station manager, aged fifty-two years (b. SD), his daughter, Irene Shevling, aged forty-nine years (b. NE), and his granddaughter, Heloise Shevling, aged twenty-one years (b. CA). Francis E. Townsend owned their house at 227 New Hampshire Street, which was valued at $5,700.
Dr. Townsend proposed an elaborate scheme of an Old Age Revolving Pension Plan that would be funded by a Federal sales tax. He put forward the usual wild claims of economic stimulus to be expected from increased spending (drawn from decreased savings). Townsend clubs formed as social and political organizations in and after 1935 to advocate for Federal old age pensions. Their number would grow to 4,552 clubs.
TOWNSEND CLUB OF BOSTON ON WEST MILTON OUTING. WEST MILTON, N.H., July 5. Members of the Townsend Club No. 2 of Boston held their second annual mass meeting and outing this afternoon at the Canney farm here, and the gathering was also attended by members of the organization from New Hampshire. The Boston club members came here in busses, and despite the intense heat had an enjoyable time. Among the speakers were Rev. Thomas Laite of Nashua, general manager for New Hampshire, and John Doyle Elliott of Boston. Luncheon was served at the conclusion of the speaking program (Boston Globe, July 6, 1937).
A version of Dr. Townsend’s Old Age Revolving Pension Plan would be implemented in 1937 as the Social Security benefit program. Dr. Townsend was dissatisfied with the basic pension amount of $35, and other features of the Social Security Act. He was accused, probably unfairly, of profiting personally. (The Federal Department of Justice prosecuted him successfully for Contempt of Congress in 1936).
Social Security’s funding mechanism was certainly inadequate. It set up a sort of Ponzi scheme, whereby active workers paid for retired workers (whether those retired workers had ever paid into the system or not). It assumed that the growth in numbers of active workers would outpace always the growth in retired workers. That assumption was incorrect and unsustainable. The Social Security system is scheduled to outpace its Ponzi funding mechanism by 2035.
The U.S. Treasury Department issued the first Social Security benefit check, in the amount of $22.54, to Ida May Fuller of Brattleboro, VT, on January 31, 1940. (She had paid into the system for three years only). Her check would have a current value of about $413.18.
A South Eliot, ME, guest of the Portsmouth Fire Department drowned while attending their Milton outing.
Herman P. Dixon, a Navy Yard plumber, aged twenty-seven years (b. ME), headed an Eliot, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of four years), Alice M. Dixon, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), and his child, Lois Dixon, aged two years (b. ME). Herman P. Dixon owned their two-family house on Main Street, which was valued at $3,000; his tenant, William E. Gerry, a plumber’s shop plumber, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), rented the other portion of the two-family house, for $15 per month.
Drowned at Milton, N.H. At Milton, N.H., the fourth drowning within two weeks in that vicinity occurred yesterday afternoon when Herman P. Dixon, 38, of South Eliot, Me., lost his life in the channel connecting Depot and Town-house Ponds. Company 2 of the Portsmouth Fire Department was having an outing there and Dixon was their guest. He went for a swim and when he did not appear, a search was made. Staton Curtis found the body and brought it ashore. Efforts to revive Dixon failed. He was employed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, and is survived by a wife and two children. Two prostrations were reported to the Boston police. One was that of Frederick Parker, 13, of 6 Baxter place, Quincy, who collapsed from the heat in the grandstand at the double-header at Fenway Park. He was removed to the City Hospital where he was later discharged. Charles Baxter, 63, of Newport, R.I., collapsed from the heat in the Hay-market subway station while on his way to the ball game at Fenway Park. He was treated at the Hay-market Relief Hospital and released (Boston Globe, August 9, 1937).
Polish native and Salem Shoe company president John A. Kuczun purchased the former Kennebunk Manufacturing company factory in Milton, after an occupancy of two years.
SALEM SHOE COMPANY PURCHASES MILTON FACTORY. The purchase of the large shoe factory at Milton by the Salem Shoe Manufacturing Company Inc which took place recently furnishes gratifying news not only to the town of Milton but to surround communities where the occupancy of the purchasers for the past two years has contributed one of the most important employment resources of the region. The new owners acquire title from the Milton Holding Corporation. The Salem Shoe Company is no experiment in its field of enterprise and has demonstrated at this very location its ability to manufacture shoes. This concern has been on a steady production basis nearly all of the time it has occupied the Milton factory. The organization In its present form is recognized as one of the pioneer manufacturers of American welt dress shoes of men and boys and is at present maintaining a daily production basis of about 2,000 pairs. Figures of the organization best known to the people and interests of this locality are John Kuczun, president and owner, and Charles Moren, general manager (Farmington News, August 27, 1937).
John A. Kuczun, a shoe shop foreman, aged forty-two years (b. Poland), headed a Salem, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eleven years), Antonina Kuczun, aged thirty-three years (b. Poland), and his children Chester J. Kuczun, aged ten years (b. MA), Bertha C. Kuczun, aged eight years (b. MA), and Olga L. Kuczun, aged three years (b. MA). Both John A. Kuczun and his wife were naturalized aliens, who had immigrated to the U.S. in 1913. John A. Kuczun owned their house at 49 Dunlap Street, which was valued at $10,000. They did not have a radio set.
Spaulding Brothers supplied materials and forty-four Milton men volunteered to repair the modest home of Mrs. Hazel M. (Downs) Marcoux, whose husband Paul had died in an automobile accident in April (see above).
Odd Items from Everywhere. Mrs. Marcoux of Milton, N.H., was left a widow with nine children last Spring when her husband was killed in an automobile accident. Her modest home was sadly in need of repairs until last week when 44 Milton men got together and with material furnished by the local plant where her husband had been employed shingled the roof and walls, attached 11 storm windows and installed a new door. Then just to give good measure, they cut nine cords of wood enough for the entire Winter and piled it neatly in the shed (Boston Globe, November 16, 1937).
Rev. Frank Herbert Snell of the Milton Mills Baptist church accepted a call to the Green Street Baptist church in Melrose, MA. (He had auditioned unsuccessfully for such a call in other places in 1935).
Melrose. Rev. Frank H. Snell has assumed the pastorate of the Green Street Baptist Church, succeeding Rev. Frank M. Holt, who retired recently. Mr. Snell is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lysander F. Snell, Tiverton, R.I., and received the degree of BD from Gordon College. For seven years he has been pastor of the Milton Mills, N.H., Baptist Church. He is married and has a 4-year-old daughter, Joan Mildred (Boston Globe, December 4, 1937).
Frank H. Snell, a church minister, aged thirty years (b. MA), headed a Melrose, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Doris H. Snell, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), his child, Joan M. Snell, aged six years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Florence Hapgood, retired, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and his grandfather-in-law, Coleman Kelly, retired, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH). They resided at 14 Farwell Avenue. They had all resided in Acton, ME, in April 1935, except Florence Hapgood, who had resided in Whitefield, ME.
The Milton Town Pound was formerly closer to the White Mountain Highway and the original townhouse than it is now.
ODD ITEMS From EVERYWHERE. Early in the 19th century, when the town of Milton, N.H., was incorporated, a town pound was established opposite the town meetinghouse, but now, to make way for the straighter roads of progress, the pound has been removed backward 25 feet from its original location (Boston Globe, December 10, 1937).
A recent letter to the editor in a local paper sparked my interest. It concerned HB664, which would have mandated that “No insurance company, agent, or adjuster shall knowingly fail to pay a claim to the claimant or repairer (my emphasis) to the extent the claimant’s vehicle is repaired in conformance with applicable manufacturer’s procedures.” The writer of the letter complained bitterly about the governor’s veto of this particular bill because it undercut support for “your local auto body shop.” In other words, it is the job of government to “help” businesses and make sure they “survive.”
No, not really. The last time I checked the federal and state constitutions, there was nothing in there about helping businesses and guaranteeing their survival. I don’t always agree with the governor’s decisions, but in this case, he was right in butting out of this issue. Forcing insurance companies to pay for steps in the repairing process that they deem unnecessary is an intrusion and would only increase insurance costs to consumers. So, who cares if consumers pay more for car insurance?
Certainly not the hordes of repair shop owners and employees and related repair shop associations that made it a point to lobby in Concord earlier this year in support of the bill. In hours of testimony before legislators, they complained in earnest that they were unfairly getting stuck paying for repairs that were necessary for safety that the insurance companies wouldn’t pay. In other words, greedy BIG INSURANCE was squeezing out little repair shops and not reimbursing them for important repair-related steps that manufacturers deemed necessary for safety. Thus, this David vs. Goliath battle waged at the State House all centers on consumer safety.
Or does it? Let’s look at the big legal case cited the most as the basis for the necessity of HB664. It is Seebachan v. John Eagle Collision Center and came out of Texas. In this tragic car crash, a couple was trapped in their 2010 Honda Fit after being hit by another car, and they suffered severe injuries because the roof collapsed. The roof had been repaired earlier from damage due to hail, and the manufacturer’s procedures spelled out that the roof was supposed to be welded back together, but John Eagle Collision Center used adhesive bonding instead. In sworn testimony in court, a John Eagle Collision Center manager implied that it was due to pressure from the insurance company that corners were cut. In other words, finger pointing.
A good ambulance-chasing lawyer will never waste a good opportunity to go after BIG _______ (fill in the blank: BUSINESS, CORPORATIONS, TECH, OIL, TOBACCO, PHARMA, INSURANCE, SODA, etc.), so after the Seebachan’s won their $31.5 million lawsuit against John Eagle Collision Center, their lawyer wasted no time in filing suit against State Farm on behalf of the plaintiffs. Had there been any merit to John Eagle Collision Center’s allegations against such big pockets, you would have heard about it. As it turned out though, the lawsuit was withdrawn, and both sides agreed to pay their own legal costs. So, in fact the big case cited as “proof” that “There ought to be a law” was an instance where a repair shop that had been I-CAR certified in proper repairs failed miserably in its obligation to its customer (the Seebachan’s). Ironically, it was these same businesses (repair shops) lobbying against BIG INSURANCE that were nevertheless lobbying now for BIG GOVERNMENT. But I guess it’s different when the government will help your business.
The first question that comes to mind is why any insurance company would take a chance on being responsible for sending unsafe cars back on the road when it could be held liable for any damages, deaths, or injuries that might occur. Of course, as the narrative goes, BIG INSURANCE is only out for BIG PROFITS, but where would the profits be if your company has to pay out millions in claims? This doesn’t make sound business sense. In fact, cost cutting to the point of sacrificing safety would make poor economic sense precisely because it would lead to BIG EXPENSES, not profits.
But let’s suppose for argument’s sake that an insurance company behaves foolishly and refuses to pay for repairs the manufacturer recommends that are safety-related. What can and should be done? The bill’s proponents have one simple solution: mandate the repair and make the insurance company pay for it, whether it likes it or not. A better solution of how the free market would (and does) correct the situation actually came from one of the comments I read from a repair shop employee who was very critical of insurance companies. She remarked that when her repair shop informed the car’s owner that their insurance company refused to pay for repairs the shop felt were necessary, the consumer took issue with their insurance company and sometimes changed insurance companies after the incident. Thus, unscrupulous and non-profit minded insurance companies would lose business, and if they do this often enough to their customers, they’d soon run out of customers and go out of business.
This clarifies the proper relationship between the three parties. The consumer pays a premium to his/her insurance company to restore their car back to its former state after an accident, and the insurance company fulfills its obligations by paying for repairs following an accident. The contract is between the consumer and his/her insurance company. The only proper role for the repair shop is to follow generally accepted repair standards and repair the car—not to race to the State House to rally for more laws on the books, which by the way would absolutely guarantee more revenue for repair shops. If the insurance company is unwilling to pay for repairs the shop deems necessary for safety, it should simply refuse to do the job—or at the very least inform the consumer what repairs it recommends and then let the consumer decide how to proceed. As the lady from the repair shop who complained bitterly about the insurance companies noted, consumers when informed are not shy about taking matters in their own hands and don’t need BIG GOVERNMENT to protect them like children.
By the way, a footnote to the vetoed bill says, “The (Insurance) Department is unable to predict the volume of additional queries and complaints, but believes it could be large enough to require an additional staff position.” So, between the vagueness of some of the language in the bill and the eagerness of repair shops to secure as many repairs as possible, that’s a virtual guarantee of yet another useless government bureaucrat with which taxpayers would be forever burdened.
I also checked how Milton’s reps voted on this bill. Sadly, Senator Bradley was a co-sponsor of the bill, but fortunately Abigail Rooney and Peter Hayward voted against it. The next legislative session is just around the corner, and you can be sure we haven’t heard the last of this bill. Pressuring politicians to pass a mandate and guarantee more business in the name of “public safety” never goes of style.
By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 21, 2019
In this year, we encounter a skunk dispatched neatly, the river’s victim, Robert E. Jones in Hollywood, farewell to Mrs. G.A. Stevens, an unfortunate bride, seeing the elephant, an auto injury, farewell to the Town Clerk, a burglars’ party, and the two fire-blackened chimneys of the Ephraim Plummer house.
Nonagenarian Mary Nutter of Milton Mills remained feisty enough to take out a skunk with a single blow.
WOMAN OF 95 KILLS SKUNK WITH CANE. Milton Mills, Feb. 11 – Although she is 95 years old, Mrs. Mary Nutter, demonstrated yesterday she was a match for a skunk. Finding, the unwelcome visitor on her woodpile, she dispatched the animal with a single blow of her cane (Portsmouth Herald, February 12, 1936).
Aldrege Edward “Ed” Custeau of Lebanon, ME, drowned while removing flashboards from a Salmon Falls River dam, March 13.
Aldrege Custeau, a gravel bank laborer, aged fifty-three years (b. Canada (Fr.)), headed a Lebanon, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-five years), Clesilde D. [(Blouin)] Custeau, aged forty-eight years (b. Canada (Fr.)), and Arthur G. Custeau, a shoe factory heeler, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Aldrege Custeau owned their house, which was valued at $500. They had a radio set. The enumerator recorded their house between those of Charles C. Rhodes, a general farm farmer, aged seventy years (b. NY), and Ira W. Jones, a civil engineer, aged seventy-five years (b. NH).
N.H. DROWNING VICTIM’S BODY IS RECOVERED. MILTON, N.H., March 16 (AP). A searching party recovered today the body of Edward Custeau, 60, who drowned in the Salmon Falls river Friday while removing flashboards from a dam. The body was caught on a plank on an old dam a quarter mile below the spot Custeau fell from a rowboat. He leaves a widow and three children (Rutland Daily Herald (Rutland, VT), March 17, 1936).
The widow was Clesilde D. “Lizzie” (Blouin) Custeau, and the three children were Emma P. (Custeau) Vachon, Delia A. (Custeau) Eldridge, and George A. Custeau.
Surviving daughter Emma P. (Custeau) Vachon later married Edward E. Ramsey, becoming thereby Emma Ramsey. Yes, that Emma Ramsey.
Milton native and theatrical designer Robert E. Jones’ birthday was noticed in the previous year. Here is described some of his Hollywood color work for Hollywood movies.
Robert E. Jones
NEW ENGLAND IN HOLLYWOOD. Home Town Folk Who Are Making the Movies. By Mayme Ober Peak, Staff Correspondent in the Movie Capitol. Robert Edmond Jones, Film Color Expert, from Milton, N.H., and Harvard. Until the arrival of Robert Edmond Jones, Natalie Kalmus was the only color expert out here. He is the color designer at Pioneer Pictures, and is the genius behind the first all-color two-reeler, “La Cucaracha,” and the color captain of “Becky Sharp,” the first all-color feature. He is currently at work on “Dancing Pirates.” Here he is with Lloyd Corrigan, right, director of the picture. Jones was born on a farm in Milton, N.H. He prepared for Harvard at the local High School and earned the tuition for his freshman year by teaching in a small country school. During his last three years in Cambridge he earned his way by teaching in the department of fine arts. The first stage designing he did was for “Salome,” put on for an audience of six in an undergraduate’s room. Kenneth MacGowan, one of the six, later persuaded a New York producer to give Jones a chance. He became noted for his novel stage settings, and soon the movies beckoned. He was the color designer for “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” the first all-color outdoor picture, now showing at the Metropolitan Theatre in Boston. In this scene from the film are, left to right, Fred Stone, Henry Fonda and Sylvia Sidney. On the right Fonda is on the receiving end of Fred MacMurray’s punch (Boston Globe, March 25, 1936).
Robert E. Jones and Lloyd Corrigan
Here we bid farewell to Mrs. Martha A. (Miller) Stevens, who we have seen traveling often (in 1933 and 1934) from Northfield, VT, to visit her husband at his work residence in Milton Mills. (He was superintendent of the Miltonia Mills there).
MRS. G.A. STEVENS Northfield Falls Resident Dies of Pneumonia – Funeral Sunday. (Special to the Free Press). NORTHFIELD FALLS, April 24. Mrs. George A. Stevens died last night after a four days’ illness of pneumonia. Mrs. Stevens accompanied a funeral party to Hinesburg Monday afternoon and was taken ill with pneumonia Monday night. She died last night at 10:45. The former Miss Martha Agnes Miller, daughter of Elias and Mary Miller, she was born in Acton, Me., April 5, 1867. March 22, 1890, she was married to George A. Stevens at Milton Mills, N.H. They lived at Milton Mills, N.H., Hinsdale. N.H., and Lebanon. N.H., for a time, and came to Northfield Falls in 1911, where they have since resided. In the 25 years spent in this village Mrs. Stevens has endeared herself to many in the community by her willingness to help in times of trouble and her house was always open to any social events. At her home she cared for her son after his wife died, and two grandchildren. Her son died in August, 1933. She was a loyal member of the Methodist Church, Ladies’ Aid Society, William H. Boynton Circle, No. 6. Ladies of the G.A.R. and the Eastern Star at Hinsdale, N.H. She is survived by her husband, three grandchildren, Elwin, George and Elliott Stevens; three sisters, Mrs. Albert Simes of Milton Mills, N.H., Mrs. Elizabeth Rhodes of Rochester. N.H., and Mrs. Frank Hammond of Nantasket, Mass. Funeral services will be held at the home Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock (Burlington Free Press, April 25, 1936).
Her gravestone inscription includes the phrase “Watching and Waiting.” Perhaps watching for G.A. Stevens to return home from work?
An unfortunate newlywed bride from Kittery, ME, died suddenly in a Milton hotel while on her honeymoon.
Charles E. Woods, a public school janitor, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Kittery, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Julia E. Woods, aged fifty-two years (b. ME), his children, Dorothy E. Woods, aged eighteen years (b. ME), and Eldridge B. Woods, aged seventeen years (b. ME).
BRIDE OF WEEK DIES SUDDENLY Cause of Milton, N.H., Death Undetermined. MILTON, N.H., July 3. Mrs. Dorothy Woods Warren, the bride since last Saturday of Town Clerk Kenneth C. Warren of Cornish, Me., died suddenly this morning at a hotel here where the couple had been spending their honeymoon. The cause of death is undetermined and an autopsy is to be performed. Mr. and Mrs. Warren were married last Saturday at the First Congregational Church at Kittery Point, Me., the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Woods. Mrs. Warren had been a teacher for the past five years at the Farragut School, Portsmouth, N.H., and previously taught for one year at Madison, N.H. She was graduated from the Robert W. Trait Academy, Kittery, and Portsmouth Training School. She was a member of the Piscataqua Chapter, O.E.S., having held office in that organization, and also a member of the Portsmouth Training School Alumni Association. Besides her husband and parents she leaves three brothers, Myron and Eldridge Woods of Augusta, Me., and Phillip Woods of Medford, Mass.; also two sisters, Mrs. George Metrolis of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. John Hamm of Kittery (Boston Globe, July 3, 1936).
Milton death records attributed her death to “probably” acute gastritis, which she had endured for several hours, along with anemia and “probably” some form of heart disease. Forrest L. Keay, M.D., Strafford County medical examiner, reported the death. (It would have been one of the last recorded by long-term Milton Town Clerk Harry L. Avery (see below)).
Miss Estelle Geyer of Milton was part of a Young Republican trio that named a real live elephant as a Republican (or G.O.P.) election mascot. (The use of an elephant as Republican mascot dates from an 1874 Thomas Nast cartoon).
REPUBLICANS GREET ELEPHANT, ARRIVING FOR FALL CAMPAIGN. “Baby” Mascot Weighing 1200 Pounds Christened Susannah Aboard Ship at Charlestown Dock – Thorough Training Planned. There were “big” doings aboard the German steamer Frankenwald this morning at pier 46, Mystic docks, Charlestown. The reason was the arrival from Ceylon, India, by way of Hamburg, Ger., of a “baby” elephant. It was no ordinary animal. It was, in fact, a very special elephant for it made the long 14-day journey to become the mascot of the Republican party in New England. And for that reason, it received a welcome as should be given a mascot. There was a reception committee on hand of Republicans and there was a “christening” of the 1200-pound, three-year-old baby, which is valued at $700. As the contents of a bottle of California wine was poured over the “gentle” animal’s head (he was especially selected for that quality), it was officially christened Susannah by Mrs. Charles Coleman of Rochester, N.H., vice chairman of the Young Republicans of New Hampshire, in the presence of Leverett Saltonstall, Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Massachusetts. Mrs. Coleman, together with Miss Estelle Geyer of Milton, N.H., and Miss Priscilla Boynton of Portsmouth, N.H., came as the representatives of Gov Bridges of New Hampshire and as representatives of the state committee. They were up about 5.30 this morning in order to get down from West Lebanon, Me., in time for the party. They drove down in an automobile equipped with loud speaker which is to be used in the Republican campaign. Also present for the ceremony was Representative Horace T. Cahill of Braintree. Susannah, which on the way over was called Joombo by the German crew, made the trip on deck over one of the hatches. She was docile enough when standing on deck but when attempts were made to place her in a large wooden crate to be hoisted out on the dock she voiced her displeasure in no uncertain terms, grunting and trumpeting, and actually getting down on her knees. That unpleasant bit of work was postponed for her when it was decided to have the christening on board. On one other occasions she made herself loudly heard and that was at exactly the moment that Mr. Saltonstall began to walk up on the covered hatch to join the christening party. The elephant is to receive special training during the Summer, in accordance with the desire of the New England Republicans, who plan to use Susannah in their Fall campaign throughout New England. And so, she is to be taught how to walk up staircases of hotels and public halls, and how to walk gracefully into hotel dining rooms without upsetting the composure of the diners, and how to ride in trucks over the road, without being jumpy all over. She is also, so it was rumored, to be taught how to hold a contribution box in her ample trunk. The animal was especially selected by the Hagenbeck Circus people of Hamburg for John T. Benson, famous animal trainer, who operates an animal farm in Nashua, N.H. The elephant was taken by truck to his farm, there to be trained by Carl Neusser, elephant trainer. Susannah was cleared through the customs by Joseph V. Lane, who represented John A. Conkey & Co, custom house brokers (Boston Globe, August 4, 1936).
Gov. Alf M. Landon and his running mate, Col. John Knox, were the Republican presidential candidates running against incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his running mate, John N. Garner. Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt won New Hampshire with a plurality of 108,460 votes (49.73%), while Republican Alf Landon received 104,642 votes (47.98%), Unionist William Lemke received 4,819 votes (2.21), and Communist Earl R. Browder received 193 votes (0.09%).
ELEPHANT FOR G.O.P. ARRIVES. Susannah to Be Trained for Campaign. Met by Leaders – McGrath Has His Joke. The arrival of a live “baby” elephant from India in Boston yesterday to be used by the Republicans of New England as their mascot in the coming campaign, did little to upset the composure of Democratic leaders, who saw in it a chance to have a little fun with their political opponents. Said Chairman Joseph McGrath of the Democratic state committee with a laugh: “In order to satisfy the Republican rank and file in Massachusetts who desire to actually see their candidate for President, the Republican leaders here have gone pretty far afield when they went into the jungles of India to produce a substitute.” Republicans took a different view of the matter. Three attractive young women, active in the work of the Young Republicans of New Hampshire, arose about 5:30 yesterday morning, in order to reach the German steamer Frankenwald, tied up at Pier 46, Mystic Docks, Charlestown, in time for naming the animal. They drove up from West Lebanon, Me, where they were stopping at a camp. They came in an automobile especially fitted out with sound amplifying equipment and a campaign sunflower sign with the slogan, “Landon and Knox,” affixed to their car. The group comprised Mrs. Charles Coleman of Rochester, N.H; Miss Estelle Geyer of Milton, N.H., and Miss Priscilla Boynton of Portsmouth, N.H. The group were joined later by Leverett Saltonstall, Republican candidate for Lieut. Governor in this state, and by Representative Horace T. Cahill of Braintree. In due time a bottle of California wine was produced, and Mrs. Coleman, pouring its contents over the elephant’s head, Christened it “Susannah.” “Susannah” is to go in to training at the Benson animal farm at Nashua, N.H., in preparation for the coming political campaign. She is to be taught, among other things, how to climb stairs, how to make an appearance in hotel dining rooms, and how to hold a contribution box in her trunk, it was said (Boston Globe, August 5, 1936).
Mrs. Marian E. (Grant) Morton of Lynn, MA, suffered laceration injuries when her husband drove their car into a Milton roadside ditch after a blowout.
Henry M. Morton, a shoe-shop shoe manufacturer, aged fifty-nine years (b. Canada), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-three years), Marian Morton, aged fifty-five years (b. Canada). Henry M. Morton rented their house at 38 Rockaway Street, for $28 per month. They did not have a radio set.
LYNN WOMAN INJURED BADLY AT MILTON, N.H. ROCHESTER. N.H., Sept. 28. Mrs. Henry N. Morton, 38 Rockaway st., Lynn, Mass., was badly cut about the face and chest today when the car in which she was riding, operated by her husband, went into a ditch rear Milton when a right front tire blew out. She was treated by Dr. M.A.H. Hart of Milton (Boston Globe, September 29, 1936).
Milton merchant and long-term Town Clerk, Harry L. Avery, died of a sudden cerebral hemorrhage, on Wednesday night, September 30.
Harry L. Avery was born in Milton, January 28, 1864, son of Brackett F. and Susan V. (Varney) Avery. He married in Milton, November 17, 1894, Hattie L. Pinkham, both of Milton. Rev. Frank Haley performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, January 28, 1859, daughter of Nathaniel G. and Emily E. (Corliss) Pinkham. (She died in Milton, May 21, 1922).
Harry L. Avery appeared as Town Clerk in Milton business directories of 1898, 1901, 1904, 1905-06, 1909, 1912, 1917, and 1930. He appeared also as a partner in the lumber and building supplies firm of Avery, Jones, and Roberts or just Avery and Roberts.
Harry L. Avery, a retail dry goods merchant, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his child, Louise P. Avery, aged thirty-two years (b. NH). Harry L. Avery owned their house on Charles Street, which was valued at $1,200. They did not have a radio set.
TOWN CLERK FOR 40 YEARS, DEAD. Milton, N.H., Oct. 1. – The many friends of Harry A. Avery of Milton will be sorry to learn of his sudden death at his home here Wednesday night at the age of 72. Mr. Avery was serving his 40th year as town clerk of Milton and is one of the oldest town clerks in point of service in the state. For many years he was a member in the business firm of Avery-Roberts company. He is survived by a son, Theron, a daughter Louise, with whom he lived, and a sister, Miss Sally Avery, all of Milton. He was a member of Masonic bodies (Portsmouth Herald, October 1, 1936).
TOWN CLERK DIES. MILTON. N.H., Oct 1. Harry L. Avery, 72, Town Clerk here for 40 years died last night. He had lived in Milton all his life (Berkshire Eagle, October 1, 1936).
M.A.H. Hart, M.D., reported the death. Avery’s deputy clerk, Ruth L. Plummer, recorded his death information.
Burglars broke into two stores and stole cigarettes, beer, and cash, before sitting down at the scene of the crime for a bit of a party. Cigarettes were then 14¢ per pack or 27¢ for two packs ($90 / 0.14 = 642 packs of cigarettes).
MILTON AND LEBANON STORES BURGLARIZED. MILTON, N.H., Nov. 4. Burglars broke into a store here early today and also across the river in Lebanon, Me., and then staged a party with part of the loot. At the store of Nick Sarkes, on Main st. here, $90 worth of cigarettes and $10 in cash was taken after the burglars broke in a window and released the door catch. Going into Maine, they removed four cases of beer, from the Tanner store, then sat on the steps and drank part of the beer and smoked some of the stolen cigarettes. The break here is being investigated by Chief Fred Downs and Deputy Sheriff Stanley Tanner, and in Lebanon Deputy Sheriff H.S. Hall is being assisted by Deputy Tanner (Boston Globe, November 5, 1936; Portsmouth Herald, November 5, 1936).
The Ephraim Plummer house, dating from circa 1786, burned to the ground in November 1936. The reporter retold also the rather peculiar legend of one of its residents, who had died there twenty-four years before the fire.
FLAMES DESTROY PLUMMER HOUSE. Son Stayed in Bed 50 Years After Row Over Girl. WEST MILTON, N.H., Nov. 23 (AP) – Only two fire-blackened chimneys remained today of the 150-year-old Ephraim Plummer farmhouse, where Joseph Plummer stayed in bed for 50 years because his father objected to his love affair. Tradition has it that Joseph, then a young man of 22, talked one night with his father about a girl on a neighboring farm with whom he was in love. The father told him to stop talking and go to bed, and Joseph walked immediately to his bedroom. From that night until he died at the age of 72. Joseph never left his bed. He died Aug. 15, 1912, with a white beard reaching to his waist (Boston Globe, November 23, 1936).
Samuel Plumr, a farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Eliza Plumr, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), Joseph Plumr, a farmer, aged twenty years (b. NH), Ephraim Plumr, a farmer, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Samuel Plumr, Jr., aged ten years, and Stephen Wentworth, a farm laborer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH).
Joseph Plummer appeared in 1870 as being “at home,” while his father was a “farmer” and his two brothers were “farm laborers.” In 1880, only his aged father appeared as a working “farmer,” while Joseph and his two brothers were all said to be “at home.” In 1900, with both parents now passed and only the three brothers in residence, Joseph Plumer’s occupation was given as “invalid,” while his two brothers were “farm laborers.”
West Milton. Joseph Plummer passed away at the old homestead last Wednesday after a lingering illness covering thirty-five years, the last thirty-one of which he has been confined to his bed the greater part of the time. He was 72 years of age and death which was hourly expected the last two weeks was due to a complication of diseases. Mr. Plummer was born in 1840 In the ancestral home where his death occurred and was the second son of Samuel and Eliza (Rocker) Plummer, both residents of this town. He received his education in the district schools and displayed unusual ability as a scholar. As the eldest son died in childhood, it was the parental decree that in Joseph should repose the power of administration of their prospering possessions. But a fatal destiny was there to play its deadly part and rob them of their heart’s desire. When in the pride of early manhood disease laid its hold upon him before those parents should be required to relinquish the responsibilities of life to him in whom they had placed their confidence. The parents soon died and the two younger brothers, Samuel and Ephraim, fell the duties that had been planned for Joseph, and also the care of their unfortunate brother, a duty which they have performed with an untiring devotion during [years] of a helpless illness.
Joseph’s mother, Eliza (Ricker) Plummer, died of “dropsy” in Milton, June 21, 1873, aged sixty-two years and four months. (Dropsy is the older name for what is now termed edema). Joseph’s father, Samuel Plummer, died of pneumonia in Milton, July 13, 1881, aged seventy-four years, six months, and nineteen days.
Mr. Plummer was a character to whom much interest was centered and it always was a source of wonder to those who came in personal touch with him how, in his circumscribed life, he could be so well posted on current events. He was a great reader and possessed a rare faculty of gleaning and summarizing from his literature those facts and thoughts that were of the most intellectual value. He was also a very keen observer and throughout the narrow confines of his window he daily watched the process of tilling the farms on the hillside across the valley. Though his eyes and the occasional callers were his only couriers, from them he posted himself with amazing thoroughness. He delighted in relating to visitors the incidents of the active period of his life and from this indulgence it could be seen that his youth had not passed without its touch of romance. The absence of the cheery light that shown from his window as a beacon through the long nights of many years, reminded those whose homes lay across the valley of a true sense of the loss of the patient sufferer who had watched them at their labors. Mr. Plummer is survived by the brothers referred to, who for years have been almost his sole companions. The funeral was held at home Sunday at 2 o’clock, many friends and relatives attending. Rev. S.D. Church of Rochester officiated with Charles Fox in charge. Bearers were George Canney, John Haynes, James Johnson and Thomas Corson. Interment was in the family lot on the farm (Farmington News, August 1912).
Joseph Plumer, own income, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his brothers, Ephraim Plumer, a general farm farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), and Samuel Plumer, a home farm helper, aged sixty years (b. NH).
It would seem to be largely true that Joseph Plummer did spend much of thirty-one years in bed as an invalid. As for the reason having been a thwarted love affair, the census has nothing to say.
By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 18, 2019
In this year, we encounter an attraction committee, the snowy death of a former iceman, Rev. Frank Snell auditioning, the death of Fred M. Chamberlain, hiring at the Salem Shoe company, a fall from a height, an auto fatality at Laskey’s Corner, and the death of a former Milton teacher.
Milton was said to have lost several shoe companies, a paper mill, and an ice house (due to a fire) during these recent Great Depression years. A committee formed for the purpose of “attracting” new industries. Milton’s NH state representative, Stanley C. Tanner, chaired the committee, which was reported variously to be a either a Town committee or a citizens’ committee.
The Salem Shoe company, of Salem, MA, indicated its interest in taking over the Milton factory of the Kennebunk Manufacturing company. The Salem Shoe company was one of several Salem shoe companies seeking to relocate their operations – lock, stock, and barrel – out of Salem, due to a recent wave of strikes there.
The Salem Shoe company’s major wage and strike issues were resolved when 250 its “former” employees – that is to say, its striking employees – assented to a 15% wage cut. The Salem Shoe Company remained in Salem, MA, for the most part, but opened also a satellite operation in Milton. Other Salem shoe companies solved their problems by relocating their plants to sites in Maine and New Hampshire. Milton’s primary “attraction” was the naturally lower wage structure of “Country” mill towns. (See also the Milton Mills Shoe Strike of 1889).
MILTON MAY GET MASS. SHOE FIRM. Milton, Jan. 11. – A committee formed to attract new industries to the town of Milton announced last night that the Salem Shoe company, established for the past 18 years in Salem, Mass., planned to locate its plant here. Representatives of the company yesterday inspected the plant of the Kennebunk Manufacturing company, part of which one of its owners, Roland H. Sawyer [Rolland H. Spaulding], former governor, said would be available for the Salem firm, The town committee said the company was represented as willing to transfer here if it could obtain an entire plant (Portsmouth Herald, January 11, 1935).
The Spaulding brothers purchased the Kennebunk Manufacturing company, of Kennebunk, ME, in 1902 and moved its operations to Milton. It remained in operation here through 1936. Thereafter, it transferred its activities as a new division in its plant at North Rochester, NH.
Roland H. Spaulding, a leather-board factory president, aged fifty-nine years (b. MA), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Vera G. [(Going)] Spaulding, aged forty-eight years (b. MA), his children, Virginia P. Spaulding, aged nine years (b. MA), and Betty R. Spaulding, aged seven years (b. MA), his cook, Mary Wakefield, a private family cook, aged fifty-three years (b. MA), and his servant, Rachel Houle, a private family maid, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Roland H. Spaulding owned their house at 76 Wakefield Street, which was valued at $200,000. They had a radio set.
INDUSTRY AND FINANCE. Gets Shoe Plant. MILTON, N.H. A committee formed to attract new industries to the town of Milton announced the Salem Shoe Company, established for the past 18 years in Salem, Mass., planned to locate its plant here (Berkshire Eagle, January 11, 1935).
NEWS GATHERED OVERNIGHT. (By the Associated Press). MILTON, N.H. A committee formed to attract new industries to the town of Milton announced the Salem Shoe Company, established for the past 18 years in Salem, Mass., planned to locate its plant here (North Adams Transcript, January 11, 1935).
INDUSTRY AND FINANCE. Shoe Plant To Move. ROCHESTER, N.H. – State Representative Stanley Tanner, chairman of the citizens committee of Milton, a town eight miles from here, announced negotiations had been completed for the removal of the Salem Shoe Company from Salem, Mass., to Milton, N.H. (Berkshire Eagle, January 15, 1935).
Mary [“Molly” (O’Hare)] Tanner, a widow, aged sixty-three years (N. Ire.), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her children, George L. Tanner, a garage mechanic, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), Stanley C. Tanner, a garage mechanic, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Charles E. Tanner, a house carpenter, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and Hervey C. Tanner, a barbershop barber, aged twenty-five years (b. NH). Mary Tanner rented their house on Charles Street, for $11 per month. They had a radio set. The three older sons were all W.W. [World War] veterans.
SALEM SHOE CO. CHANGES PLANS. SALEM, Jan. 17 (A.P.) The Salem Shoe Manufacturing Company, which planned to remove its plant to Milton, N.H., today accepted the offer of 250 former employes to take a 15 percent wage reduction and decided to retain its Salem plant. The plant will reopen tomorrow. Company officials, however, said plans for a New Hampshire plant had not been abandoned. They said a subsidary plant would be opened in Milton, but details of the number to be employed were not made public. Retention of the Salem Shoe Manufacturing Company plant, which has operated here for 18 years and has a $250,000 annual payroll, was assured when company officials and a committee of workers signed a labor agreement containing the 15 percent wage reduction, which was voted at a workers’ mass meeting last night. Mayor Bates, who directed the conferences to retain the industry for this city, today also sought to halt the plans of the Gable Shoe Manufacturing Company to move its plant to Raymond, N.H.. The Philco Shoe Company moved to Bangor, Me., where, as in New Hampshire, it was claimed manufacturing costs were lower. The proposed transfer of the Salem plant to Milton, N.H., had heartened residents of that town, which in recent years had lost other shoe factories, a paper mill and an ice plant. Citizens helped clean and renovate the. empty factory building. Money, lumber for work benches and other donations were made to assist Milton’s new industry (Boston Globe, January 17, 1935).
Benjamin Franklin “Frank B.” Tasker, formerly a proprietor of the Union Ice company, collapsed into a snowbank on Market Street in Brighton, MA, January 23.
SNOW DRIVEN BY GALE BLOCKS EASTERN PART OF BAY STATE. [Excerpt:] A 40-mile wind was blowing along the coast in mid-evening and increasing hourly. Tasker, Brighton victim of the storm, was found by Miss Gertrude Mallonphy of Freshman road, Brighton. While walking home, she saw the man in the snowbank. She helped him to his feet and brought him to a nearby garage from which police took him to the hospital. Mr Tasker had attended a meeting of the Brighton Men’s Club at the Brighton Congregational Church. His son, Lyman, who lives in Allston, had attended the meeting with him and had left him a few minutes before he collapsed. Mr Tasker was a former proprietor of the Union Ice Company at Milton, N.H. Besides his son, he leaves a wife (Boston Globe, January 24, 1935).
Frank B. Tasker, retired, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-five years), Florence L. Tasker, at home, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), and his sister-in-law, Bertha L. Smith, at home (retired), aged sixty-six years (b. NH). Frank B. Tasker owned their house at 29 Bentley Street, which was valued at $6,000. They had a radio set.
BRIGHTON DISTRICT. The funeral of Frank B. Tasker, 74, of 29 Bentley st, who was a victim of Wednesday night’s storm, will take place Sunday afternoon at the home. Mr Tasker had been a resident of this district for 40 years. He formerly owned the Union Ice Company at Milton, N H, but had been in retirement for the past several years. He was a member of the Brighton Congregational Church and the Men’s Club of that church. He was returning from a meeting of the club Wednesday evening when he collapsed on Market st. (Boston Globe, [Friday,] January 25, 1935).
Frank B. Tasker was preceded in death by Milton ice magnates Jeremiah R. Downing in 1911, Mial W. Chase in 1922, and John O. Porter in 1924.
Frank H. Snell settled in Acton, ME, as pastor of the Milton Mills Baptist church in 1930 and was ordained there in 1931. Here we find him auditioning, as ministers were wont to do, for his next parish. He also received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Gordon College, which was situated then in Boston, MA.
NORTH BENNINGTON. Rev. Frank H. Snell, pastor of the Baptist church of Milton Mills, N.H., will conduct the Sunday morning worship service at the Baptist church. Mr. Snell is a candidate for the pastorate of the local church (Bennington Evening Banner (Bennington, VT), May 17, 1935).
CHURCH NOTICES. North Bennington Baptist. Sunday, Mav 26 – A meeting of the membership of the church will be held at the close of the morning service to vote on the two candidates who occupied the pulpit on May 11 and 18. Rev. John Maxwell of Randolph and Rev. Frank Snell of Milton Mills, N.H. (Bennington Evening Banner (Bennington, VT), May 20, 1935).
GORDON COLLEGE DEGREES BESTOWED. Graduation Exercises in Park-St. Church. The annual graduation exercises of the Gordon College of Theology and Missions were held last evening at Park Street Church, and were attended by a gathering of friends and relatives of the graduates, which filled the church and balconies. Dr. Nathan Robinson Wood, president of the college, presented the diplomas. The degree of Doctor of Theology was conferred upon Carleton Leroy Feener, Frank Theodore Littorin and Eugene Sumner Philbrook. The degree of Master of Sacred Theology was conferred upon Lester William Kellie; the degree of Bachelor of Divinity on Mary Evangeline Clarke, Ralph Earle, Jr., William Lincoln MacDuffie, Pearl McCoy, Henry Clay Mitchell and Frank Herbert Snell. The degree of Master of Religious Education was conferred on Luther Marion Fuller and Ruth Eloise Worthington. [The] degree of Bachelor of Theology in the four-year theological course at the college was conferred on: Adam Z. Arnold, Forrest D. Banta, Earl W. Beal, David W.N. Buzzell, Priscilla I. Conley, Dorothy E. Covell, Foster G. Crane, Leslie G. Deinstadt, William E. Douglas, Leonard P. Edwards, Lando Eitzen, Isabelle G. Empet, Aldine L. Foskett, Jack Grenfell, Irma D. Groves, Richard J. Hanson, George H. Hart, Robert W. Holcomb, Dorothy A. Huff, Joseph C. Hunt, Maeville E. Jordan, Arthur W. Kennan, Henning T Landstrom, Merton E. Libby, Norman C. MacLean, James C. Marshall, Leland L. Maxfield, Cecil M. Miller, Theophilus Ringsmuth, Alvin D. Rogers, Frederick Schelander, Robert O. Seely, Ernest D. Sillers, Pauline C. Stradtman, Isabella D. Taylor, Luretta I. Trumbull, Daniel C. Tuttle, Verne T. Vincent, Cecil L. Witham (Boston Globe, June 6, 1935).
Frank H. Snell, a church minister, aged thirty years (b. MA), headed a Melrose, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Doris H. Snell, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), his child, Joan M. Snell, aged six years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Florence Hapgood, retired, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and his grandfather-in-law, Coleman Kelly, retired, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH). They resided at 14 Farwell Avenue. They had all resided in Acton, ME, in April 1935, except Florence Hapgood, who had resided in Whitefield, ME.
Fred M. Chamberlain, former proprietor of Milton’s Phoenix Hotel, and more recently a state road inspector died in Union, Wakefield, NH.
IN MEMORIAM. Fred Chamberlain. Fred Chamberlain of Milton, aged 77, passed away at Union last Thursday evening. The deceased was a native of Milton Mills, the son of Samuel G. and Mary E. (Fall) Chamberlain. He was well known in this section where he served as state road patrolman between Milton and Sanbornville. He is survived by one son, Guy Chamberlain; a sister, Mrs. Charles Lowee of Union, a brother, Moses Chamberlain of Milton Mills, and twelve grandchildren living in Milton and Boston. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the Congregational church. Bearers were Fred Foster, Ed Jordan, Charles Tanner and Martin Eaton (Farmington News, June 7, 1935).
The newly-established Milton branch of the long-established Massachusetts-based Salem Shoe company began hiring shoe workers.
FEMALE HELP WANTED. WANTED – Vampers, folders, closers and fancy stitchers. Apply SALEM MANUFACTURING CO., Milton, N.H. 2t au13 (Boston Globe, August 13, 1935).
Leroy “Bob” Whetnall of Milton fell from a height of twenty-five feet and landed flat on his back – on a pile of boards. Ouch.
Leroy Whetnall, a construction co. bridgeman, aged thirty years (b. OH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of five years), Eleanor [(Tanner)] Whetnall, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and his child, Ruth Whetnall, aged three years (b. OH). Leroy Whetnall rented their house on North Main Street, for $8 per month. They did not have a radio.
WORKMAN INJURED IN HINSDALE, N.H. Leroy Whetnall of Milton, N.H., Falls 25 Feet Striking on Back – Brought to Hospital. (Special to The Reformer.) HINSDALE, N.H., Aug. 14. Leroy (Bob) Whetnall of Milton. N.H., employed on the construction of the 250,000-gallon storage tank in this town, was injured yesterday afternoon when he slipped and fell 25 feet, landing on his back on some boards. It was at first feared that he might have sustained spine fractures; but x-rays taken at the Brattleboro Memorial hospital revealed no fractures. Whetnall was first attended by Dr. Edmond Lachaine of this town, who ordered him removed to the Brattleboro hospital, where be was examined by Dr. Philip Wheeler. Paralysis, which extended from the waist down, suggesting the possibility of a serious spinal injury, was clearing up this noon. Dr. Wheeler said. A slight injury to the spinal cord was the extent of the injury, he stated. Whetnall, employed by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co., has a wife and several children in Milton. He has been living at the home of Harry Bruce since coming to town. Harry Walker, superintendent of the construction, was out of town at the time of the accident (Brattleboro Reformer, August 14, 1935).
Mrs. Eleanor (Tanner) Whetnall was a sister of garage mechanic (and NH State Representative) Stanley C. Tanner. Leroy Whetnell of Dover, NH, was employed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME, by 1940.
Automobiles driven by Michael J. O’Brien and Clarence Herbert, both of Quincy, MA, collided at Laskey’s Corner (where Applebee Road joins the White Mountain Highway). Herbert’s passenger, J. Percy Lee, was killed instantly.
John P. Lee, a rivet factory electrician, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), headed a Quincy, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of less than a year), Adrienne [(Kelcourse)] Lee, aged twenty-three years (b. MA). John P. Lee rented their house at 2 Fifth Avenue, which for $35 per month. They had a radio set.
BODY OF WOLLASTON VICTIM OF AUTO CRASH SENT HOME. MILTON MILLS, N.H., Sept. 15. Michael J. O’Brien of 16 Dale av., South Quincy. Mass., held for questioning last night in connection with an automobile accident which cost the life of J. Percy Lee of Wollaston, was released by police today. According to Motor Vehicles Inspector Frank D. Manning, O’Brien said he stopped his car in the rain to adjust a blanket about his legs and had just started again when the crash happened. Lee was killed instantly when his head crashed through the windshield. His body was taken to Wollaston today. The driver of the other car, owned by Robert T. Bushnell, president of the Republican Club of Massachusetts, was Clarence Herbert, an employe at the Bushnell Summer home in Wolfcboro. Mr. Bushnell was not in the car at the time of the accident (Boston Globe, September 16, 1935).
John Percy Lee’s Milton death record explains that he died suddenly at Laskey’s Corner on the State Road, September 14, 1935, “when his head came into contact with the windshield when automobile in which he was riding was in head-on collision with another automobile.”
QUINCY. The funeral of J. Percy Lee, 30, of 21 Oval road, Wollaston, died Saturday night in an automobile accident at Milton Mills. N.H., was held yesterday morning at St. Anna Church, Wollaston. High mass of requiem was celebrated at 9 o’clock. Burial was in Mount Wollaston Cemetery (Boston Globe, [Thursday,] September 19, 1935).
Grace E. (Grenell) Farmer, a Milton teacher of 1893-95, died in her Montclair, NJ, home.
William W. Farmer, a notions proprietor, aged fifty-nine years (PA), headed a Montclair, NJ, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-two years), Grace E. Farmer, aged fifty-nine years (b. NY), his children, Burt G. Farmer, a wholesale dry goods salesman, aged twenty-seven years (b. NJ), Grace C. Farmer, an airways typist, aged twenty-three years (b. NJ), Ruth C. Farmer, a librarian, aged twenty-one years (b. NJ), his servant, Mildred N. Donoghy, a private family housekeeper, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), and his boarders, Waitstill Donoghy, aged eight years (b. NH), and Gwenyth Donoghy, aged six years (b. MA). William W. Farmer owned their house at 8 Draper Terrace, which was valued at $15,000. They had a radio set.
MRS. FARMER DIES; MISSIONS LEADER Headed State Board; Active in Church Groups; Lived Here Forty Years. Mrs. Grace Grenell Farmer of 8 Draper Terrace, a farmer State president of the New Jersey Woman’s Board of Missions, died Sunday morning at her home. She was sixty-five years old. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Home for Services, 56 Park Street. Born in Kingston, N.Y., the daughter of a Baptist minister, Mrs. Farmer early became interested in church work. She was graduated from Wellesley College in 1893 and after teaching for two years at Milton, N.H., came to Montclair to teach in the high school. In 1898 she was married to William H. Farmer and the couple made their home at the Draper Terrace address, residing there ever since. Mrs. Farmer had been an active member of the First Baptist Church where for seven years she taught the Women’s Bible Class. She organized mission study classes in Montclair and in several other communities and was a lecturer and mission study leader at the Northfield Summer Conferences. From 1923 to 1926 Mrs. Farmer was State president of the Woman’s Board of Missions and for several years was a member of the Baptist Board of Education. In 1918 Mrs. Farmer, with the late Mrs. James M. Speers and other church women, organized the Missionary Union of Montclair and Vicinity, and was its first president, (Continued on Page Two) serving for six years. She was also one of the past presidents of the International Relations Council. For five years she was an editorial writer for the “Missionary Review of the World” and also wrote for other missionary publications. Surviving Mrs. Farmer are her husband, William H. Farmer; four daughters, Mrs. Alexander H. Kemp, wife of a medical missionary in Angola, Africa, Mrs. George E. Dean and Mrs. Robert S. Ringland of Montclair, and Mrs. W.I. Lincoln Adams Jr. of New York City; one son, Burt G. Farmer of Montclair; a sister, Mrs. Lindsey R. Goss of Kalamazoo, Mich.; and two brothers, Burt B. Grenell of La Grange, Ill., and Arthur F. Grenell of Montclair (Montclair Times (Montclair, NJ), December 24, 1935).
The Milton Board of Selectmen (BOS) have posted their agenda for a BOS meeting to be held Monday, November 18. The BOS intend to begin their Public BOS session at 6:00 PM.
The Public portion of the agenda has New Business, Old Business, Other Business, and some housekeeping items.
Under New Business are scheduled four agenda items: 1) Request to Purchase Vehicle (N. Marique), 2) Action on Tax Anticipated Note, 3) School District November 15th, Vote Update, and (at approximately 7:00 PM), and 4) Public Hearing – RSA 31:95-b, To accept and expend unanticipated revenue from the State of NH in the amount of $74,990.03.
Request to Purchase Vehicle (N. Marique). Fire chief Nicholas Marique negotiated the purchase of a fire engine from the Town of Gray, ME, and here will seek authorization from the BOS to complete the purchase.
(One may note with satisfaction the simple mathematical fact that $85,000 < $500,000).
Action on Tax-Anticipated Note. Huh?
School District November 15th, Vote Update, and (at approximately 7:00 PM). The BOS Workshop meeting of October 28, included a School Board Anticipated Revenue Discussion. (“Discussion” usually signifies a spending proposal).
The School District was offered $361,003 in “anticipated” revenue from the State, while the Town was offered $74,990.03 in “unanticipated” revenue. The School District sought ballot authority in a special election to spend their “anticipated” revenue on an air handler system and fire alarm systems. (These systems appear already in their CIP plan).
Evidently, the BOS will be briefed by the School District on the outcome of its authorizing vote taken yesterday, i.e., in the School Board Special Election.
Public Hearing – RSA 31:95-b, To accept and expend unanticipated revenue from the State of NH in the amount of $74,990.03.
31:95-b Appropriation for Funds Made Available During Year. – I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any town or village district at an annual meeting may adopt an article authorizing, indefinitely until specific rescission of such authority, the board of selectmen or board of commissioners to apply for, accept and expend, without further action by the town or village district meeting, unanticipated money from the state, federal or other governmental unit or a private source which becomes available during the fiscal year.
Such an action requires prior passage of an authorizing warrant article, such as featured in the School Board Special Election. It would seem that Milton taxpayers may have been deluded enough in the past to have granted an indefinite spending authority to the BOS in advance.
Even with prior authority, unanticipated amounts larger than $10,000, as in this case, require that a hearing must be held. You know, the pro forma kind of “hearing” in which the BOS will “hear” what it wants to hear. It invariably favors increased spending for the Town, rather than lower taxes for the townspeople.
Current voters should consider rescinding their perpetual standing authorization at their earliest opportunity. Until that can be accomplished, they should take special note of exactly who votes to spend, rather than return, their “unanticipated” money.
Under Old Business is scheduled but one item: 5) Budget Progression.
Budget Progression. The budget process “progresses.” With apologies to Yeats:
And what rough increase, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Milton to be born?
Other Business That May Come Before the Board has no scheduled items.
There will be the approval of prior minutes (from the BOS Meeting of October 21st, 2019, the BOS Meeting and Workshop Meeting of October 28th, 2019, the BOS Workshop Meeting of October 30th, 2019, and the BOS Workshop Meeting of November 4th, 2019), the expenditure report, Public Comments “Pertaining to Topics Discussed,” Town Administrator comments, and BOS comments.
The BOS meeting is scheduled to end with a Non-Public session. That agenda has one Non-Public item classed as 91-A3 II (l).
(l) Consideration of legal advice provided by legal counsel, either in writing or orally, to one or more members of the public body, even where legal counsel is not present.
The BOS had a similar item on the agenda of its previous Non-Public meeting. It would seem that the Town faces still – or faces again – litigation by someone who does not agree unanimously.
The NH court filings database contains the following entry: “New Hampshire Supreme Court, Report on Status of Cases, As of September 30, 2019. Case 2019-0278. Three Ponds Resort, LLC v. Town of Milton. 05/15/2019 – Case Filing. 06/04/2019 – Accepted.”
Lastly a look back. The BOS workshop meeting of October 30, 2019, had a Non-Public session that should not go unremarked. If only because that agenda had, for the second time in recent weeks, a Non-Public item classed as 91-A3 II (a).
(a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted.
Promotion and pay raise would be the safe bet again. The BOS’ budgetary arrow points only one way.
A correspondent informs us that the Town of Gray, ME, in its Town Council meeting of Tuesday, November 12, 2019, voted to sell one of its fire engines to the Town of Milton, NH, for “$” [$85,000].
Another 1997 Ferrara Spartan 75′ Aerial
The relevant correspondence from the Town of Gray website follows:
October 31, 2019 Deborah Cabana, Town Manager, Henry Pennell Municipal Complex, 24 Main Street, Gray, ME 04039 Dear Ms. Cabana, Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday in reference to your community’s listed tower truck. I greatly appreciate the time Chief Elkanich, Deputy Chief Hutchins and their staff spent with both my Deputy Chief on Tuesday and myself and our department’s EVT yesterday. I was able to meet with the Milton Board of Selectman and the Milton Town Administrator yesterday afternoon and subsequently received permission to move forward with an offer to purchase the Town of Gray Maine’s 1997 Ferrara 75’ Tower Truck. As I indicated in your office when we spoke there were a few mechanical concerns and a few items that would need repair before we placed the vehicle in service for our community. With that being said these are items that would be expect in a vehicle of this age and it is evident the firefighters of your community take good care of their equipment. In preparing this proposal we reviewed cost estimates of items that need repair and have determined an additional $20,000 will be needed above the purchase price. The following items were noted as deficiencies
Broken rear leaf spring- noted in Ladder testing report.
Leaf springs front and rear need replacement –See Figure 1 and 2 attached.
Exhaust needs replacement as indicated by several exhaust leaks -See figure 3 and 4 attached
Coolant leak was noted in the area of the radiator
Frame corrosion and tunnel corrosion was noted-See figures 5-8
A few leaks were noted in the pump including a long-term leak around the pump packing- See figure 9
Other hydraulic small hydraulic leaks where noted which present an unknown risk and cost- See Figure 10 and 11
The above list was noted by Milton’s certified Emergency Vehicle Technician and corroborated by the latest ladder test report completed in September. In preparing a cost analysts based on the useful life of the vehicle, the needed repairs and the budget, which the Town of Milton must work with, we are prepared to offer $75,000 for the Town of Gray Maine’s 1997 Ferrara 75’ Tower Truck. Please contact me if you have any questions. Nick Marique Fire Chief Nicholas
From: Nick Hutchins <e-mail omitted> Sent: Monday, November 4, 2019 7:58 PM To: Deb Cabana e-mail omitted
Subject: RE: Truck 44
Deb,
Here is the recommendation you requested after reviewing the Town of Milton’s proposal. Some of the noted items were going to be fixed when the new ladder truck went into service, allowing the truck to be stored serviceable and in good shape for resale or use. To fix everything Chief Marique mentioned with parts (not including time) would be in the vicinity of $5,600, providing the town doesn’t purchase or repair the radiator which at this time seems unnecessary. These are reasonably obtainable repairs that are not open ended on how the Town of Gray would want them done, verse how the Town of Milton might expect them done. This point of discussion needs to be at the for front of thoughts when talking about repairs made to a truck this age. Items like rust repair come with a level of expectation from each party on how they would want it to be fixed, which can cause an open-ended price tag that the Town of Gray probably should avoid.
I have attached my answers to the proposal as well in this email. If you need more information on anything that I can help you with, please reach out to me. If it is urgent, I can be reached at phone number omitted.
I hope this helps you out and look forward to hearing back from you on the direction you’d like us to go.
Stay safe.
Deputy Chief Nick Hutchins Operations and Equipment GRAY FIRE RESCUE Phone: phone number omitted
“Protecting Life and property at the Crossroads of Maine since 1880”
From: Deb Cabana
Sent: Tuesday, November 5, 2019 11:08 AM
Thank you for your interest in the ladder truck and your thoughtful offer. I have had an opportunity to have our mechanic review the associated costs that you have identified for the ladder truck. t have attached his opinion regarding the pictures that you sent, as well. The Town of Gray can fix the leaf springs and exhaust leak with a good wash and grease of the ladder itself. Additionally, we can offer ladders and one length of hard suction, all maintenance records, one set of filters for the first filter change, spare tires for both fronts and one side on rear and grease for the ladder itself. We are also willing to offer training from a department member with your department, if you so desire.
I have placed an item on the Town Council agenda for next Tuesday night (November 12) regarding the potential sale of this vehicle. (Please see Item #65-20 in the copy of the attached agenda.) As I indicated to you earlier, my Council was anticipating a sale price of $100K for this truck. I believe that I could convince my Council to a price of $85,000. If this counteroffer is acceptable, we will need to keep the current truck in service until the new one is fully in service and operational and the repairs agreed upon are done. l am told that we should have the new truck in about a week. Of course, the crew will need to be trained on the new truck.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Deborah Cabana
Town Manager, Town of Gray
24 Main Street, Gray ME 04039 Phone: phone number omitted Fax: fax number omitted e-mail omitted e-mail omitted
Agenda – Gray Town Council – November 12, 2019
#65-20 To Review and Act Upon a Proposed Sale of the Ladder Truck. 5 MINS.
Proposed motion:
Ordered, the Gray Town Council approves the sale of the ladder truck to the Town of Milton, New Hampshire for a purchase price of $.
By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 14, 2019
In this year, we encounter further episodes of the mill superintendent’s long-distance relationship, the deaths of Milton natives John R. Swinerton and Capt. George A. Ham, a housekeeper situation wanted, a retirement to Milton Mills, the death of Milton native Capt. Frank I. Jones, Miss Nutter teaching at Nute High School, some cats enjoying fresh milk, N.B. Thayer & Co. going out of business, some audacious pignappers, and Robert E. Jones’ birthday.
Miltonia Mills superintendent George A. Stevens was ill enough to draw his wife from their home in Northfield, VT, to his work-residence at Milton Mills.
NORTHFIELD FALLS. Mrs. G.A. Stevens was called to Milton Mills, N.H., Monday by the illness of her husband G.A. Stevens (Burlington Free Press, January 25, 1934).
Milton native John Robinson Swinerton died in Newport News, VA, February 8, 1934, aged ninety-three years. He was the son of early Milton Mills doctor and postmaster, John L. Swinerton and his wife, Anna A. (Robinson) Swinerton. Dr. Swinerton died in Wakefield, NH, November 2, 1882.
John L. Swinerton, a physician, aged forty-five years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1950) Federal Census. His household included Anna A. Swinerton, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), Ann F. Swinerton, aged twelve years (b. NH), and John R. Swinerton, aged ten years (b. NH). Dr. Swinerton had real estate valued at $800. The census enumerator recorded their household between those of Bray U. [“B.U.”] Simes, a trader, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and Charles Pinkham, a farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH).
Dies At Age 93. SWINERTON RITES TO BE AT 4 TODAY. Body of City Pioneer Will Be Taken to Union, N.H., Old Home, In Spring. Funeral services are to be held at 4 this afternoon for John Robinson Swlnerton, vice president of the First National Bank and one of the city’s pioneers, at the family residence. Death came yesterday morning to the widely known bank and hotel man at the residence he built before the turn of the century at 2115 Chestnut Avenue slightly less than two months after he had celebrated his 93rd birthday, Dec. 18. His health had not been good for a year or more, but his mind had retained with clarity incidents of the early days In Newport News. He came into this city from Old Point in a wagon with two other men Jan. 2, 1883 to become manager of the old Lafayette Hotel, then on Lafayette Avenue (now Huntington) and Twenty-seventh Street. Shipping of walnut logs and staves to Europe was the town’s main industry at that time, he said recently. A few months after he came here Henry P. Stevens, his first wife’s father, acting for the Old Dominion Land Co., opened the Warwick Hotel. Stevens left soon after the opening and Swinerton assumed management of both institutions. The Lafayette later became a hospital and after that a business building was erected. He was a member of the Pioneers of Newport News and Unity Lodge, No. 62, A.F. &A.M., of Union, N.H., where interment will be made in the spring. The body will be placed in the vault at Peninsula Memorial Park Cemetery temporarily. He was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. John L. Swinerton of Danvers; and was born Dec. 16, 1840 at Milton, N.H. He spent his boyhood in Boston, spent some time in New York, and then came to Newport News. His ancestors in America date from 1628, when Jobe Swinerton settled at Salem, Mass. The funeral services today will be conducted by the Rev. E.T. Wellford, D.D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, assisted by the Rev. T.H. Dimmock, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church. The family has asked that flowers be omitted. Active pallbearers will be: Dorsey L. Downing, H.W. Chandler, B.G. Roy, Homer L. Ferguson, Jr., J.C. Watson, Harvey T. Parker. William S. Parker and Willard M. Marks. Pioneer Club members and friends will be honorary pallbearers. His second wife, formerly Miss Annie H. Newton of Greenfield, Mass., and niece, Mrs. Thomas A. Tirrell, Lynn, Mass., survive. His first wife was Miss Mary R. Stevens, also of Greenfield. Mr. Swinerton was a charter member of the Pioneers Club, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church since it was organized in 1884. He assisted in organizing the First National Bank in 1891 and has been a vice president since 1895. He also was a vice president of the Security Trust and Savings Bank during its existence (Daily Press (Newport News, VA, February 9, 1934).
NORTHFIELD FALLS. Mrs. George A. Stevens returned home from Milton Mills, N.H., on Monday, where she was called four weeks ago on account of the illness of her husband. He has sufficiently recovered to resume his work (Boston Globe, February 24, 1934).
Milton native Capt. George A. Ham died in Braintree, MA, March 4, 1934. He was renowned for his 1903 rescue of thirty-one crewmen from their sinking ship during a winter gale.
Mark Ham, a blacksmith, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. Ham, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Martha A. Ham, aged eleven years (b. NH), Mary E. Ham, aged nine years (b. NH), George A. Ham, aged four years (b. NH), Charles E. Ham, aged one years (b. NH), and Mary A. Carter, aged nineteen years (b. VT).
FUNERAL OF CAPT. HAM WEDNESDAY. Services for Sea Hero at East Braintree. BRAINTREE, March 5 – The funeral of Capt. George A. Ham, who rescued the crew of the steamer Kiowa in 1903, and who was later honored by Boston for his feat of seamanship, will take place at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Asa L. Phelps, 6 Atherton st., East Braintree, Wednesday afternoon, at 2. He died last night. Burial will be in Eliot, Me. Capt. Ham was born in Milton, N.H. His wife, the late Ellen J. Tucker, died several years ago. The rescue for which Capt. Ham was honored occurred Dec. 26, 1903, in a howling gale, which caused the city tug Cormorant, which Capt. Ham commanded, to stand on her beam ends. Capt. Ham was proceeding up the harbor with a barge in tow when he heard the distress cry of the Kiowa. He found the doomed vessel inside Thieves’ Ledge rammed by the Dewey, a steamer in the Jamaica trade. Although encumbered by a tow, the tug ran along the lee side of the sinking vessel and the crew jumped from the rail of their craft to the deck of the tug. Capt. Ham was given a gold watch by the Clyde Line, a letter of commendation by the late Mayor Patrick A. Collins and a gold medal by the Massachusetts Humane Society. He retired 15 years ago (Boston Globe, March 5, 1934).
Rockingham County Superior Court granted a divorce for Mrs. Margaret O. (Newell) Corbett, of Newington, NH, from her husband of twenty-six years, June 30, 1933. Here she sought a housekeeper’s position, using the Milton address of her brother-in-law, Charles O. Stillings.
WANTED. WANTED. Housekeeper’s position for middle-aged man. No objection to 1 or 2 children. Mrs. Margaret Corbett, Box 75, Milton, N.H. Care C.O. Stillings. 1w m19 (Portsmouth Herald, March 19, 1934).
Charles O. Stillings, a fibreboard mill oiler, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Susie [(Newell)] Stillings, aged sixty-four years (b. Nova Scotia), his children, Harold A. Stillings, a fiberboard mill sample clerk, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Elmer E. Stillings, a machine tender, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and his sister-in-law, Margaret O. Corbett, a private home house maid, aged fifty-seven years (b. Canada). Charles O. Stillings rented their house, for $13 per month.
Milton Mills acquired Boston’s oldest hay and grain broker when he retired and bought a retirement home there. His recollections include interesting details of how horse-drawn stage-coaches operated in a snow-covered landscape.
Herbert P. Nickerson, a hay and grain salesman, aged seventy-two years (b. NH), headed a Boston, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his [second] wife, Mabel E. Nickerson, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH). He rented their part of a two-family house at 11 Teele Avenue, for $45 per month. They had a radio set.
HERBERT P. NICKERSON, SOMERVILLE, RETIRES. Herbert P. Nickerson of 11 Teele av., Somerville, the oldest man in Boston who has been actively connected with the hay and grain brokerage business, retired from service last Saturday. He was born in Madison, N.H., Nov. 21, 1857, and came to Charlestown in 1876, where he engaged in various pursuits. In 1882, he was employed by J.H. Hawthorne to drive one of the old stages. His route started at Northampton st., to Washington, Court, Scollay sq. Causeway, Warren Bridge, Main st., Charlestown to Salem st. He was required to work 16 hours a day, and received $1.50 for his day’s work. In Winter the stage was placed on runners, and rode on top of the snow. Then it was not an uncommon thing to see a stage tipped on its side in the gutter. Two horses were usually used on the stage, except in the Winter, when a spiked team with a leader horse was used. In 1884 he went to work for Gilman Cheney & Co, 35 Congress st., brokers in hay and grain, where he had charge of the Boston end of the business for six years. In 1890 he became connected with Lord & Webster, brokers in the same line of business, and had been connected with them until last Saturday, 43 years of continuous service, and approximately 50 years in that kind of business. Many of his customers from far and near came to express their regrets at his retirement, but he felt that a man who has reached his age should cease to be actively engaged in business. Mr. Nickerson, a deacon in the Advent Christian Church of Somerville, and Mrs. Nickerson, a deaconess, were presented with an electric clock and a floor lamp by the church group in a surprise at the home of Dr. I.F. Barnes, pastor of the church. Mr. Nickerson has purchased a small farm in Milton Mills, N.H., and will make his residence there (Boston Globe, April 24, 1934).
Herbert P. Nickerson, a six-year resident of Acton, ME, died in the Goodall hospital in Sanford, ME, June 13, 1939, aged eighty-one years, six months, and twenty-two days. Mabel E. ((Lovell) Durrell) Nickerson, a fifteen-year resident of Milton Mills, died in Portsmouth, NH, December 29, 1950, aged seventy-nine years.
West Lebanon-native Capt. Frank Irwin Jones, who had worked for many years in the Boston Police Department, died in Boston, MA, and was buried in Milton.
FUNERAL IN MILTON, N.H., OF CAPT JONES. Commanded Back-Bay Station Four Years. Capt. Frank I. Jones, retired from the Boston Police Department as commander of the Back Bay division in the Summer of 1912, was buried today at Milton, N.H. Funeral services were conducted yesterday afternoon by Rev M.F. Allbright, pastor of the Allston Congregational Church. Capt. Jones was born in West Lebanon, Me., came to this city, was appointed a policeman in 1881 and did work at Brighton. His efficiency was quickly brought to the attention of his superiors and he was promoted to sergeantcy in 1898, remaining at Brighton. The following year he was transferred to Back Bay and later served at La Grange st. In 1901 he was made lieutenant and continued at La Grange st. until Feb. 8, 1908, when he was promoted to captain and given command of the Back Bay Division. The manner in which he protected the property of the people in that section won for him many commendations. His insistence on constant patrol of the alleys in the Back Bay stopped the breaks in that section, which were numerous when he took command. He was the proud possessor of a bronze medallion presented him by His Eminence William Cardinal O’Connell for the manner in which he handled the centennial celebration of the Archdiocese of Boston. In the Summer of 1912, he retired from the Police Department. He was suffering from a stomach ailment at the time and it was feared that he would not live long. However he was 76 years of age at the time of his death. Recently he lived at 332 Center st. in Jamaica Plain (Boston Globe, May 21, 1934).
George A. Stevens and his wife, Martha A. (Miller) Stevens, continued to visit back and forth between Northfield, VT, and Milton Mills, as they had for a couple of years. But Mrs. Nellie (Coburn) Greenwood was taking care of the Northfield side of things.
NORTHFIELD FALLS. George Stevens, who is working in Milton Mills, N.H., was at home over Memorial Day (Burlington Free Press, June 1, 1934).
NORTHFIELD FALLS. Mrs. George A. Stevens went to Milton Mills. N.H., on Monday to visit for a time with her husband and sister in that place. Mrs. Nellie Greenwood is keeping house for her (Burlington Free Press, July 7, 1934).
NORTHFIELD FALLS. Elwin Stevens and John and Howard Lyon went to Milton Mills, N.H., Tuesday (Burlington Free Press, July 19, 1934).
NORTHFIELD FALLS. George A. Stevens and grandson, Elwin Stevens, of Milton Mills, N.H., were in town over the week-end. Mrs. Stevens, who has been visiting in Milton Mills for the past month, returned home with them (Burlington Free Press, August 2, 1934).
NORTHFIELD FALLS. Mrs. George A. Stevens was called to Milton Mills, N.H., Tuesday to attend the funeral of her sister’s husband, Charles Rhodes (Burlington Free Press, August 9, 1934).
Leroy J. Ford, a farmer, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifteen years), Ella M. [(Bliss)] Ford, aged forty-five years (b. CT), and his boarder, William Court, an odd jobs laborer, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Leroy J. Ford owned their house on the Teneriffe Mountain Road. They had a radio set. And cats, prior to the fire, they had two Angora cats.
TWO MILTON, N.H., CATS RECEIVED MILK DIRECT. The Ford farm here in Milton, before the recent fire caused by lightning which completely wiped out the entire stand of farm buildings, was before that lamentable occasion the scene at milking time of an unusual and amusing daily occurrence. Mr. Ford, who is, incidentally, one of the most progressive farmers in this vicinity, keeps a large herd of cows and does a thriving retail milk business. His place was formerly equipped with a private electric lighting plant, which not only furnished lights for his buildings, but had provided current for operating his milking machines and for other uses. Mr. Ford has a decided fondness for animal pets and had supported, before his misfortune, several cats, two of whom, it is understood, were of the Angora breed. These two cats, said to have been lost in the fire, were endowed with unique and interesting characteristics and were a source of much amusement and pleasure to their owner and others. As is customary, after the milking by machinery had been done, the process was completed by “hand stripping.” Each evening, while the milkman was engaged in this finishing process, one of the two cats referred to, which may be here designated as cat No. 1, would approach near the scene of action, and, raising itself on its haunches, with rapid movement of its paws, would “beg” for a share of the fruits of the milkman’s efforts. Such a display of animal intelligence and implied requirement was not lost on the milkman, who would promptly and with dexterity born of experience, direct a stream of the life-giving fluid into the cat’s open mouth, the cat, meanwhile, maintaining its erect position. When its appetite had been amply satiated, cat No. 1 would retire to a nearby point, where it would proceed to neatly perform its ablutions, when cat No. 2, who had been a patient observer of the aforesaid operation, would come to the front and perform the same act of solicitation as had its predecessor, and it would also receive its portion of sustenance in a like manner. Reader can you beat it? – Rochester Courier (Boston Globe, August 15, 1934).
Leroy J. Ford appeared also in the Milton directory of 1930, as a milk farmer. One of the most “progressive” farmers in the vicinity would have been one that used the latest methods and machinery. Note that the cats are farm machines of a sort too, although less progressive. They earned their keep through their prowess as mousers. Their names, assuming they had names, were not mentioned.
NORTHFIELD FALLS. G.A. Stevens and grandson, Elwin, and Scott Bumford of Milton Mills, N.H., were in town Saturday, returning home Sunday. They brought Mrs. Stevens home from attending the funeral of a relative (Burlington Free Press, August 16, 1934).
Miss Beatrice M. Nutter joined the staff of Nute High School for the 1934-35 academic year.
Beatrice Nutter
Beatrice Nutter of Rochester, NH, appeared in the University of New Hampshire yearbook of 1933. She was a graduate of Rochester High School, a member of the Kappa Delta, the Commuters’ Club, and for two years of the Riflery Club. She was a “cadet” teacher at New Ipswich, NH, during the 1933-34 academic year.
NEW IPSWICH. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Smith returned from Rochester, N.H, to be ready for the opening of school today. Miss Beatrice Nutter, who was cadet teacher last year, will teach in Milton, N.H., high school this year (Fitchburg Sentinel, September 4, 1934).
Chester C. Nutter, a farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Catherine F. [(Quinn)] Nutter, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), his daughter, Beatrice M. Nutter, a high school teacher, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and his sister-in-law, Margaret A. Stevens, a shop factory fancy stitcher, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH). Charles C. Nutter owned their farm at 60 Leonard Street, which was valued at $4,000.
NORTHFIELD FALLS. G.A. Stevens and grandson, Elwin Stevens of Milton Mills, N.H., were at home over the week-end and holiday (Burlington Free Press, September 7, 1934).
The N.B. Thayer & Co. shoe factory in East Rochester closed its doors and the company itself went out of business.
ROCHESTER SHOE PLANT TO CLOSE. Rochester, Sept. 10 – A record of 28 years in the manufacture of shoes in this city and 62 years in New England will be closed within a fortnight when the N.B. Thayer Shoe Co. at East Rochester will go out of business. Real grief was shown by employes Wednesday when many of the workers, including women, cleared up their benches and cleaned the machines in the factory preparatory to leaving. Others will complete their duties soon and all will look for employment in other shops. The company was founded in 1872 by Nathaniel [Noah] B. Thayer and was later conducted by his son, Frank H. Thayer, who moved the business from Roxbury, Mass., to Milton, N.H.. in 1887. Mr. Thayer died several years ago after turning the business over to a stock company, which he formed. The factory has been operated in East Rochester since 1906. Competition became keen in the retail trade in which the factory supplied goods and recent reduction in the retail price, with a corresponding reduction in the manufacturing price, caused the Thayer company to decide to retire. Ross Harrison, president of the company, severed his connection last week, and Wednesday John Conathan, superintendent for several years, left for St. Louis, where he has secured a position. Several companies are reported to be seeking the factory, which will be sold to the highest bidder (Portsmouth Herald, September 10, 1934).
NORTHFIELD FALLS. G.A. Stevens and grandson, Elwin Stevens, who have employment in Milton Mills, N.H., were at their home over the week-end (Burlington Free Press, October 5, 1934).
Snatch-and-grab thieves stole Walt Cheney’s pet pig from his Plummer’s Ridge farm. His children must have been inconsolable.
Walter L. Cheney, a fibre mill laborer, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Census. His household included his wife (of eight years), Velena [M. (Ellis)] Cheney, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and his children, Mary Cheney, aged six years (b. NH), Phyllis Cheney, aged five years (b. NH), Alice Cheney, aged four years (b. NH), and Robert Cheney, aged two years (b. NH). Walter L. Cheney rented their house on Plummer’s Ridge, for $10 per month. They had a radio set. The census enumerator recorded their household between those of George W. Ellis, a laundryman, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), and Rolf A. Osterman, a theatrical house manager, aged thirty-nine years (b. MA). (See Milton and Ye Ragged Robin Tea Shop).
Flashes of Life. MILTON, N.H. – This little piggy went – nobody knows where. The pig pet of Farmer Walt Cheney was cavorting in the yard when strangers drove up and asked for some water for their car. Cheney gave them the water and went into the house. As he closed the door he heard a squeal and turned. Both the pig and the strangers were gone (Brownsville Herald (Brownsville, TX), October 13, 1934).
Shortly after this Walter L. and Velena M. (Ellis) Cheney moved to Lebanon, ME. That is to say, they chose a location less accessible to White Mountain Highway-men.
NORTHFIELD FALLS. Elwin Stevens is at home for ten days from his work at Milton Mills, N.H., the mill there being closed for repairs (Burlington Free Press, November 8, 1934).
The forty-seventh birthday of Milton-native and well-known theatrical designer was noticed in various papers around the country.
Fred P. Jones, a lumberman, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Emma C. [(Cowell)] Jones, aged sixty years (b. ME), and his children, Charles Jones, YMCA Physical education work, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), Robert E. Jones, a theatrical costume designer, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), Elizabeth Jones (b. NH), aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Alice V. Jones, aged twenty-three years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their farm on the Plummer’s Ridge Road. The census enumerator recorded their household between those of Charles E. Perkins, a lumberman teamster, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), and Bard B. Plummer, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH).
Today’s Birthdays.Robert E. Jones, New York theatrical designer, born at Milton, N.H., 47 years ago (Kokomo Tribune (Kokomo, IN), December 12, 1934).
NORTHFIELD FALLS. G.A. Stevens was home over the week-end from his work in Milton Mills, N.H. He and his grandson, Elwin Stevens, returned to Milton Mills Christmas day (Burlington Free Press, December 28, 1934).
By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | November 10, 2019
In this year, we encounter Charles J. Berry’s ninety-sixth birthday, some rare wildlife, the deaths of two Milton Mills nonagenarians, hoarders suppressed, State Road inspectors, a missing Ossipee child, a voluntary exchange, the mill superintendent’s long-distance relationship continued, a patent nostrum, a pedestrian hit by a car, some fish tales (and fish poetry), ice for sale, a golden wedding anniversary, and the end of an error.
Charles J. Berry of Milton Mills celebrated his ninety-sixth birthday in Wollaston, MA, as he had his birthdays in 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, and 1932. He is here identified again as one of the last three members of Milton’s Eli Wentworth Post of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Civil War veterans’ organization.
CHARLES J. BERRY MARKS HIS 96TH BIRTH DATE. QUINCY, Feb. 14 – Charles J. Berry, G.A.R. veteran, observed his 96th birthday anniversary today at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William M. Burrell, Beach st., Wollaston, with a dinner party scheduled this evening. Mr. Berry is in remarkably good health for a man of his age. He belongs to Eli Wentworth Post, G.A.R., of Milton, being one of three surviving members. He was born in Milton Mills, N.H., Feb. 14, 1837, where he still resides except in the Winter, when he visits his children. Mr. Berry was a member of the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry during the war of ’61. He is president of the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry Association with which he has been affiliated for 52 years. Friends relate the story that he purchased his mount on his discharge following the Civil War. At the end of this week Mr. Berry will go to Portland. Me., to spend the remainder of the Winter with his son, Arthur L. Berry (Boston Globe, February 14, 1933).
The tracks of bears, deer, turkeys, and other creatures, are common enough in Milton, but a correspondent for the Rochester Courier reported that the tracks of the lillapolagus, hoppognoctus, and whiffenpoof had been seen here also. There was no mention of any heffalump tracks.
Flora and Fauna of New Hampshire. The Milton correspondent states that North Strafford seems to be the only habitation of the Lillapolagus. That is not exactly so. The beast is a roamer and it has been reported that its tracks have been seen not far from the famous Three Ponds Village in the Chestnut Hills District. Moreover, the strange creature that devoured the bushel of carrots and several pumpkins and squashes and the bachelor’s savory stew, might have been the Hoppogonoctus that has visited this locality several times. However, we hope the Whiffinpoof will keep away from this place. North Strafford correspondence in Rochester, N.H., Courier (Boston Globe, March 7, 1933).
The whiffenpoof at least may be identified, or at least its tracks may be. Boy Scouts used to drag a nail-embedded stick or log to simulate the trail of a whiffenpoof.
Here we bid farewell to Milton Mills nonagenarians Charles J. Berry and Thomas J. Cutts, who died within days of each other.
DEATH IN PORTLAND OF CHARLES J. BERRY. Charles J. Berry of Milton Mills, N.H., died at the home of his son, Arthur L. Berry, in Portland, Me., last night, after sickness of three weeks. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at Milton Mills, N.H. He was 96 years old and a Civil War veteran, serving in the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry. He was a member of Eli Wentworth Post, G.A.R. of Milton, N.H., and president of the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry Association of the Weirs, N.H. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. William M. Burrell of Wollaston, and two sons, Arthur L. Berry of Portland, Me., and Clifford A. Berry of East Weymouth; also a sister, Mrs. Luther B. Roberts of Milton Mills, N.H. Mr. Berry spent the first part of the Winter at the home of his daughter in Wollaston, and was in good health when he celebrated his 96th birthday anniversary on Feb 14, with all the family present. Returning to Portland, Me., with his son, he enjoyed usual health until stricken with bronchitis about three weeks ago (Boston Globe, March 18, 1933).
Albert Hale, a box shop machinist, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of five years), Mamie [C. (Day)] Hale, aged forty years (b. ME), his daughter, Margaret R. Hale, aged three years (b. NH), and his boarder, Thomas Cutts, a widower, aged ninety years (b. ME). Albert Hale owned their house on Main Street [in Milton Mills], which was valued at $2,000. They did not have a radio set.
MILTON MILLS. Odd Fellows services were held for Thomas J. Cutts here Saturday with Rev. E.H. Young of Rochester officiating. Mr. Cutts was born in North Berwick, Me., July 6, 1839, the son of Thomas J. and Hulda (Chadman) Cutts. He was a twin and the next youngest of twelve children. In 1862 he married Minnie M. Jewett, and there was one child Alberta who died about 15 years ago. He had lived in this town 7[5?] years. When he first came to Milton Mills from Berwick, Me., he began work in the woolen mills as a blanket napper. He owned a large farm and when out of work at the mill worked on his farm which afterwards was the home of the late Henry Townsend. He will be greatly missed, not only in the I.O.O.F. lodge of which he was the only remaining charter member, but in the town where many enjoyed dropping in to visit with him or when the weather was good to sit with him on the piazza at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hale, his home of late years. He was of a cheerful disposition and his motto was “Don’t Worry.” He is survived by great great grandchildren, a [great] granddaughter, Miss Juanita Hargreaves of Boston, who took the best care of him in his last illness, and a niece, Mrs. J. Frank Farnham of Milton. He was laid to rest in Milton Mills.
William M. Burrell, a railroad station agent, aged sixty-one years (b. MA), headed a Quincy, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Antoinette P. [(Berry)] Burrell, aged fifty-five years (b. MA), and his father-in-law, Charles J. Berry, a widower, aged ninety-three years (b. NH). William M. Burrell owned their house at 114 Beach Street, which was valued at $5,000. They had a radio set.
Charles Berry, who was born here February 14, 1837, and was the oldest man in town, died in Portland, Me., last Friday at the home of his son, Arthur Berry. He was a well-known Grand Army man in the state. He was educated in the local schools and at Tilton academy. He served in the Civil war in the First New Hampshire cavalry. He was a member of the Eli Wentworth Post, G.A.R., of Milton. He was the president of the First New Hampshire Cavalry association, with headquarters at The Weirs, and he had not missed a reunion in over 50 years. He was of erect carriage and optimistic, often doing the clog dance at gatherings. Major Berry will be missed by the community, as well as in Quincy, Mass., where he spent winters for more than 20 years with his daughter, Mrs. William M. Burrell, who with his two sons, Clifford A. of Weymouth, and Arthur of Portland, survive (Farmington News, March 24, 1933).
Thomas J. Cutts died in Milton Mills, March 15, 1933. Charles J. Berry died in Portland, ME, March 17, 1933.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued his Executive Order 6102 on April 5. By its terms, a citizen’s own gold money, retained in that citizen’s own pocket, would henceforth constitute the crime of “hoarding,” and its continued retention by that citizen would be punishable by a term of ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
NEW DRIVE AT HOARDERS OF GOLD. ROOSEVELT SETS $100 AS LIMIT. Eases Restrictions Now Imposed on Trade. WASHINGTON, April 5 (A.P.) President Roosevelt today ordered the return of all gold over $100 held by individuals to the Federal Reserve System before May 1. In the same executive order, the President authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to issue licenses permitting the use of gold in necessary domestic and foreign trade transactions. For violation of the order the President decreed a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment of 10 years, or both. The order was issued to get such gold as is still in hoarding and to ease the national embargo to permit legitimate transactions under Federal license. List of Exceptions. The following exceptions are made: “Such amounts of gold as may be required for legitimate and customary use in industry, profession or art within a reasonable time, including gold prior to refining and stocks of gold in reasonable amounts for the usual trade requirements of owners mining and refining such gold. Gold coins and gold certificates in an amount not exceeding in the aggregate $100 belonging to any one person, and gold coins having a recognized special value to collectors of rare and unusual coins. Gold coin and bullion earmarked or held in trust for a recognized foreign Government or foreign central bank or the bank for international settlements. Gold coin and bullion licensed for other proper transactions (not involving hoarding) including gold coin and bullion imported for reexport or held pending action on application for export licenses.” To Issue Licenses. The lengthy Executive order also provided: “The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and empowered to issue such further regulations as be may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this order and to issue licenses thereunder, through such officers or agencies as he may designate, including licenses permitting the Federal Reserve Banks and member banks of the Federal Reserve System, in return for an equivalent amount of other coin, currency or credit, to deliver, earmark or hold in trust gold coin and bullion to or for persons showing the need for the same for any of the purposes specified in these regulations (Boston Globe, April 5, 1933).
Fred M. Chamberlain, formerly proprietor of Milton’s Phoenix Hotel, is here identified as one of fifteen NH State Highway district patrolmen, i.e. road inspectors.
Fred Chamberlain, a State Road road commissioner, aged seventy years (b. NH). headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his grandchildren, Howard Chamberlain, aged fifteen years (b. MA), Pearl Chamberlain, aged thirteen years (b. MA), and Muriel Chamberlain, aged twelve years (b. MA). Fred Chamberlain owned their house on North Main Street, which was valued at $1,000. They had a radio set.
TO SUPERVISE ROAD WORK. The work of the State Highway located in Division 7 has been allocated to 15 district patrolmen. With this new system N. Sherman Rand road agent in Rye for a number of years has supervision of construction and repair of the state highways in New Castle, Newington, North Hampton, Portsmouth, and Rye and Earl Caswell of Greenland has charge of the main state highways in Greenland and Stratham and the back roads in Newington and Portsmouth. These men will have charge of construction, repairs, hiring of men and other work connected with the state highways and in towns where their work overlaps they will work jointly, one man taking the main roads and the other the less travelled back road. The 15 district patrolmen appointed for District 7 are: J.P Garvin, Sanbornville; F.M. Chamberlain, Milton; A.F. Emerson, Farmington; Arthur Jalbot, Somersworth; M.T. Malone, Dover; Lewis Walker, Newmarket; Earl Caswell, Greenland; N. Sherman Rand, Rye; Earl Spear, North Hampton; Fred Gallant, Exeter; James Eaton, Seabrook; John Hilliard, East Kingston; Clarence Green, Plaistow; Eugene Kimball, East Kingston; John Dudley, Exeter (Boston Globe, April 20, 1933).
Sarah Anne Walker, the two-year-old daughter of Reginald G. “Guy” and Edrie E. (Gouin) Walker, disappeared from her Ossipee home on May 1, 1933.
At noontime on the first of May one year I had a call from Guy Walker at Leighton’s Corner on Fogg’s Ridge in Ossipee. He said their little two-year-old girl, Sarah was lost, and would I come and bring some men to search. The family had been hunting all forenoon (Welch, 1960).
Carroll County Sheriff James Welch developed a theory that the child had been struck and killed by an automobile, and her body hidden to hide that fact.
BELIEVE BODY OF MISSING OSSIPEE GIRL WAS MOVED. Searchers Find Shallow Excavation Thought to Be Original Grave of 2-Year-Old Sarah Walker. Center Ossipee, May 15 – Authorities searching for Sarah A. Walker, two- year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Guy Walker, who has been missing from her home two weeks, yesterday found a shallow excavation which they believe to be a grave from which body of the child had been removed since the rain of Saturday. Officials said the grave was in a clearing beside a boulder answering the description of the spot where a Westbrook, Maine, clairvoyant, a relative of the Walker family, had said the body of the child would be found. The spot where the 12-inch excavation, was located, is a quarter of a mile from the home of William Myron and below the home of Mrs, Albertina O’Brien, neighbors of the Walker family. State, county and local officials today started an extensive search of the woods between the spot where the grave was found and Leighton’s Corner, where the Walker home is. They will be assisted by an Indian guide from Milton, N.H., who has expressed the belief he could locate the body of the child (Portsmouth Herald, May 15, 1933).
Several weeks later, Sheriff Welch’s search had reached as far south as Milton Three Ponds.
DRAG POND FOR BODY OF MISSING CHILD. Ossipee Girl Believed to Be Auto Victim. Special Dispatch to the Globe. OSSIPEE, N.H., June 4. – Still holding to the theory that two-year-old Sarah Walker, who disappeared from a roadway near her home on May 1, was killed by an automobile and her body disposed of by the motorist, Sheriff James Welch, assisted by a crew of five men, today began dragging operations in the Milton Three Ponds. The crew worked throughout the day and until late in the evening on the pond bordering the East Side trunk line. The waters of the pond, along both sides of the road, will be dragged in the next two days. Sheriff Welch declared that he has two local persons, one of them a woman, under suspicion in connection with his theory. He stated that an arrest might follow the finding of the body. The sheriff said that Dr. George Burgess Magrath, medical examiner of Suffolk County, Mass., who conferred with him on Friday, also inclines to the theory that the child was killed by an automobile and the body secreted. The two persons under suspicion drove over the road on the day the child disappeared but deny having had anything to do with her disappearance, Sheriff Welch said. Carroll County and the town of Ossipee have posted a reward of $500 for the recovery of the Walker child or her body with the result that many volunteer searchers were engaged in hunting the woods today. The mother of the missing girl, Mrs. Guy Walker of Center Ossipee, is at the Hutchinson Hospital, Wolfeboro, awaiting the birth of another child (Boston Globe, June 5, 1933).
Whether little Sarah A. Walker was struck by a car or not, her body was never found. Mrs. Edrie E. (Gouin) Walker gave birth to a son on June 18, 1933. She died of peritonitis at Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro, NH, just a year later, June 16, 1934, aged thirty-six years.
“A voluntary exchange will take place when each party values the good to be received more than the good that he gives up. The expected – but by no means guaranteed – result is a total higher satisfaction for both parties.”
ROOSTER TRADED FOR TRUCK. MILTON, N.H., June 12. A farmer here recently traded a rooster for a second-hand truck. Both parties apparently were satisfied (Noblesville Ledger (Noblesville, IN), June 12, 1933).
“Several observations can be deduced from the above explanation. It is not possible for a third party to direct this exchange in order to create a more satisfactory outcome. No third party has ownership of the goods to be exchanged; therefore, no third party can hold a legitimate subjective preference upon which to base an evaluation as to the higher satisfaction to be gained. Furthermore, the higher satisfaction of any exchange cannot be quantified in any cardinal way, for each party’s subjective preference is ordinal only.
“This rules out all utilitarian measurements of satisfaction upon which interventions may be based. Each exchange is an economic world unto itself. Compiling statistics of the number and dollar amounts of many exchanges is meaningless for other than historical purposes, both because the dollars involved are not representative of the preferences and satisfactions of others not involved in the exchange, and because the volume and dollar amounts of future exchanges are independent of past exchanges.” – Patrick Barron
The Miltonia Mills superintendent of the previous year returned from a visit to his wife, Martha A. (Miller) Stevens, who resided still in Northfield, VT.
NORTHFIELD FALLS. George Stevens returned to Milton Mills, N. H., on Monday where he will resume his work as superintendent of the Miltonia Mills (Burlington Free Press, June 29, 1933).
Mrs. Florence M. (Day) Buzzell lent her name to an advertisement for Renton’s Hydrocin Tablets, a supposed remedy for arthritic and other pains.
George Buzzell, a general farming farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Florence Buzzell, aged fifty-one years (b. ME). George Buzzell owned their house on Main Street, which was valued at $4,600. They did not have a radio set.
STOP THE PAINS OF ARTHRITIS.New Hampshire Woman Tells How to Get Relief. There is positively no sense in suffering the agonizing pains of Arthritis and Rheumatism caused by excessive uric acid, when Renton’s Hydrocin Tablets will give you the relief you long for. Mrs. G.A. Buzzell, Milton Mills, N.H., has this to say: “I cannot say too much for your wonderful tablets. I don’t know what I would have done without them, as I have been a great sufferer from Sciatic Nerve and Arthritis. I could not walk or move without screaming. Only those who have suffered the same can tell the terrible pains. You may be very sure I have told my friends about Renton’s Hydrocin Tablets. You are at liberty to use my testimonial in any way, for the tablets did wonders for me.” Hundreds of others have bad similar experiences. Don’t go another day without the relief. Renton’s Hydrocin Tablet can give yon. Get a bottle from your drug store immediately. Take it regularly according to direction, and you will be amazed and delighted with the results (Bennington Evening Banner (Bennington, VT), August 9, 1933).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Medical Association cast a jaundiced eye, so to speak, on Renton’s Hydrocin Tablets. They claimed the tablets had a negative affect on the liver and were dangerous. At best, they would be effective only for ailments arising out of an excess of uric acid, such as gout. To use them for any ailments that were not so caused was unnecessarily dangerous.
The Commission simply instructed the manufacturers to qualify their advertising claims by limiting them exclusively to cases of rheumatism caused by excessive uric acid. This order, misleading as it is to the consumer who doesn’t know whether rheumatism is caused by uric acid or sunspots, would be enough if the theory that rheumatism is caused by excess acid had been established. On the contrary, the causative role uric acid is today more obscure than ever. When Renton’s Hydrocin Tablets came on the market in 1929, the Food and Drug Administration clamped down on them immediately, for in common with Sisson’s Tablets they contained cinchophen, a drug which dangerously affects the liver. The manufacturer had to revise his labels but was required only to restrict his advertising claims to those conditions caused by uric acid. The Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly pointed that “it is the consensus of present day medical opinion that none of these conditions, with the exception of gout, is due to uric acid.” The Commission knew the Administration’s stand. What has been the inevitable result of such forbearance? The American Medical Association reports that in 1932 Renton’s Tablets caused at least six deaths. And in a letter to Periodical Publishers, dated December 27, 1933, the National Business Bureau reports that when information concerning the AMA’s investigation of this death-dealing product was conveyed to the manufacturer, “the company replied that it was conducting its advertising in accordance with a stipulation executed with the Federal Trade Commission (U.S. Government Printing Office, 1937).
Other Milton ladies had recommended medical practitioners or medicines in the past. Miss Sadie M. Merrill recommended Dr. J. Cresap McCoy’s “Almyr System” in 1895, and Miss M. Augusta Berry recommended Dr. William T. Vail’s Granite State Health Institute in 1864.
Edwin S. [reported as Edward] Chipman of Main Street in Milton was struck and killed by a truck operated by a Massachusetts driver.
Edwin Chipman, a fibre mill finisher, aged sixty-three years (b. MA), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Bertha D. [(Drew)] Chipman, aged sixty-two years (b. NH). Edwin Chipman owned their house on North Main Street, which was valued at $800. They had a radio set.
BAY STATE MAN’S TRUCK KILLS MILTON RESIDENT. MILTON, N.H., Sept. 13 – Edward Chipman was fatally injured here today when he was struck by a light truck driven by Elwood N. Danforth of Waltham. Mass. Police said Chipman stepped from behind a parked car into the path of the light truck. He sustained a fractured skull and internal injuries. He is survived by a wife and three daughters (Boston Globe, September 14, 1933).
Dover death records state that Edwin S. Chipman died in the Wentworth hospital after a stay of three hours, September 13, 1933, aged sixty-six years and twenty days. The cause of his death was a fractured skull, which injury he had sustained when “He was crossing road and was hit by an auto in Milton, N.H.” (He was buried in the Silver Street cemetery in Milton).
Mrs. Martha A. (Miller) Stevens returned her husband’s June visit (see above) as part of an itinerary that included Lynn, MA, Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA, and Milton Mills, NH.
NORTHFIELD FALLS. Mrs. F.S. Hammond, Mrs. H.A. McCauIey, Mrs. G.A. Stevens, motored to Lynn, Mass., last Thursday, to take Mrs. Frances Legier to her home, after visiting several weeks with Miss Harriet Legier. Mrs. Stevens visited her sister at Nantasket Beach, and will come home by the way of Milton Mills, N.H., and spend a few days with her husband and sisters in that place before returning home (Burlington Free Press, October 12, 1933).
Milton and its ponds – Meeting House, Northeast, and Depot – appeared twice in a relatively-new Boston Globe fish and game column. The first column below complains of different rules for a Milton-side fisherman, as compared to a Lebanon-side fisherman.
Fish and Game Chat by Lyin’ Bill.
In Milton, N.H., there’s a lake called the Meeting House Pond, that runs across the line and into Maine. There is no line to show fishermen where the Maine section of the pond begins, nor anything to show the Isaac Walton’s with New Hampshire licenses where the New Hampshire section ends, so this is what happens. You go out in a boat and after playing around for a little while with a nice pickerel you find that he only measures 11 inches. You throw him back. The fellow with the Maine license is right in back of you, and he angles around for the same fish, catches him and keeps him. All they have to be careful of is to make sure they land their boat in the State where they secured their license. Can you blame the New Hampshirites for feeling sore (Boston Globe, October 21, 1933).
Izaak Walton was the seventeenth century English author of The Compleat Angler, and his name is here applied to any ardent fisherman.
Mrs. Martha A. (Miller) Stevens completed her trip and arrived home in Northfield, VT.
NORTHFIELD FALLS. Mrs. George Stevens has returned from a trip to Nantasket, Mass., and Milton Mills, N.H. (Burlington Free Press, October 27, 1933).
The second Boston Globe fish and game column in which Milton was mentioned included the fish tale of one Puttynose, whoever he may have been, and his fish poem.
Fish and Game Chat by Lyin’ Bill.
At Meeting-House Pond he fished and he fished. But no luck! Nary a bite; He was told that fish were bountiful, But there wasn’t a fish in sight. So up he goes and travels to Cooler regions where, In Northeast Pond he sinks his line And meets with better fare. Four pickerel that measured more than fourteen Were hooked from the watery mass; And what is more, he topped the day With this beautiful four-pound bass. – Puttynose.
We’ve heard plenty of stories of fishermen who slap their own backs and throw their arms around themselves when they make a nice catch, but this is the initial appearance of the poetic fisherman who dashes off a few lines of verse on the memorable occasion. Puttynose, he was called, and what a fisherman he turned out to be! It was up in Milton, N.H., that the whole thing happened, and two of the Milton Three Ponds afforded the site. Puttynose spent a whole day fishing in Meeting-House Pond, but couldn’t get a nibble, and as the verses remark he tips and goes to Northeast Pond. He had scarcely been on the pond five minutes when he got his first nibble, and about 15 minutes later he had four pickerel and then the fun began. He got a nibble, a tug, and for 40 minutes or so he just reeled out, and reeled in, and there was a big four-pound bass (Boston Globe, October 28, 1933).
An unidentified Massachusetts-based ice company had ice for sale at Milton for 60¢ per ton.
FOR SALE. ICE FOR SALE. 11 INCHES, out of water, 60¢ per ton, car-load lots, shipping point Milton, N.H. Tel. Concord, Mass., 570-W. dSu3t* d22 (Boston Globe, December 22, 1933).
Milton natives Charles A. and Eliza E. (Twombly) Gilmore celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary at their house on South Main Street in Milton.
Charles A. Gilmore married in Rochester, NH, December 19, 1883, Eliza E. Twombly, both of Farmington, NH. He worked with shoes and she was a lady. They were both natives of Milton, and both aged twenty-three years. Rev. Henry S. Kimball, of Rochester, NH, performed the ceremony.
Charles Gilmore, a house painter, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eliza Gilmore, aged seventy years (b. NH). Charles Gilmore rented their house on South Main Street, for $12 per month. They did not have a radio set.
MILTON, N.H., COUPLE 50 YEARS MARRIED. Friends and Relatives Fete Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Gilmore. MILTON, N.H., Dec. 23. Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Gilmore celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding at their home on Main st. by keeping open house. Many friends and relatives called. They were married in Rochester, N.H., Dec. 19, 1883, by Rev. Henry Kimball, pastor of the Congregational Church. They started housekeeping in Farmington, N.H., where they resided about 11 years, when they came to Milton, N.H., and have resided in Milton since that time. Mrs. Gilmore was the daughter of the late Lieut. and Mrs. Stephen E. Twombly and Mr. Gilmore was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George A. Gilmore, all of Milton. Lieut. Stephen E. Twombly, was active in military circles in this vicinity during the Civil War, and was in charge of a company of men who were guarding Chain Bridge, in Washington, D.C., the night President Lincoln was shot. Rev. and Mrs. Bannister, pastor of the Community Church, with many of the parishioners, called to extend congratulations. Mrs. Gilmore has always been a very active member of the Sewing Circle connected with this church. The arrangements for the anniversary were in charge of Mrs. Clara B. Finegan, Mrs. Mabelle Lougee, Mrs. Fred Downs and Mrs. William Dickson, assisted by Mrs. Harry T. Wood of Danvers, Mass. The punch bowl was in charge of Mrs. O.T. Wood of Haverhill, Mass., Mrs. Gilmores sister. There were many guests from out of town, including Mrs. O.T. Wood, Mrs. Gilmore’s sister, of Haverhill, Mass., and Mr. and Mrs. Harry T. Wood, Mrs. Gilmore’s nephew and wife, of Danvers, Mass. They were the recipients of many beautiful gifts, including a purse of money from the neighbors. Mrs. Gilmore also received a check from Minnewawa Council,. D. of P., and Mr. Gilmore received a check from Madokawando Lodge, I.O.R.M. Mrs. Gilmore is a member of the Woman’s Relief Corps and of Minnewawa Council, Daughters of Pocahontas. Mr. Gilmore is a past sachem of Madokawando Lodge, I.O.R.M., and has been very active in local dramatics. Mrs. Fred Downs made and presented them with a large anniversary wedding cake, beautifully frosted, and decorated by Mrs. William Dorr (Boston Globe, December 23, 1933).
Eliza E. (Twombly) Gilmore died on Main street in Milton, November 10, 1936, aged seventy-seven years. Charles A. Gilmore died on Main street in Milton, November 29, 1936, aged seventy-five years, eight months, and five days.
The U.S. Congress proposed the Twenty-First Amendment, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment – Prohibition – on February 20, 1933. New Hampshire was the thirteenth state to approve it, on July 11, 1933. The repeal took effect with Utah’s passage on Tuesday, December 5, 1933, at 5:32 PM EST. Those twenty-nine states that lacked their own state-level prohibitions were immediately free to take a drink.
New Hampshire remained among a distinct minority of states that clung to their own state-level prohibitions for a time. Its population was not free to participate in the jubilant national celebration.
In fact, State police and regulatory officials strove mightily to keep New Hampshire an island of prohibition. Federal and local police officers aided them. Here may be found news of raids in Dover and an agglomeration of Federal officers, whose services being no longer required in between the “liberated” states, were set up instead on the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. (Maine had its own prohibition restriction in its state constitution).
DOVER POLICE MAKE RAIDS. Five to Face Court Today on Liquor Law Violations. Dover police and state prohibition officers combined in several raids in Dover on Wednesday, arresting five persons on charges of keeping for sale and sale of intoxicating liquors. They will be arraigned in Court today. Donat Valliere and William Cornellier of St. John street will be charged with keeping for sale. Three and one-half quarts of alleged alcohol and a number of empty cans and bottles were seized. A quantity of alleged beer was seized at the home of Arnie Gagne on the Rochester road and he also will appear on charges of keeping for sale. Beer and alcohol was also found at the home of Frank Meserve on Spruce Lane and he will be charged with keeping for sale. Bums A. Bolstride was also arrested at the Meserve home and will be charged with the illegal sale of intoxicating liquor (Portsmouth Herald, December 14, 1933).
WILL INCREASE DRY OFFICERS IN THIS STATE. According to reports prevailing on Tuesday, a number of federal prohibition-officers will be sent to New Hampshire to stop liquor crossing the border line. The present organization was increased by one with the reappointment of Augustus P. Buttman of Derry, to the position he held previous to the drastic curtailment in the number of investigators. With only four officers to protect the state under Webb-Kenyon act, it appeared certain that several more men will be assigned to New Hampshire from eastern “wet” states. Federal and state enforcement officers have been stationed in the southern section of Hillsborough and Rockingham counties to check any move to illegally transport liquor across the boundary line. If Vermont and Maine decide to change their liquor laws, New Hampshire will be the only dry spot in New England (Portsmouth Herald, December 20, 1933).
The Department of Justice announced in July of the following year that it would be dropping charges against 250 persons in 87 Massachusetts liquor cases.
Berlin, NH, Police Chief Peter Morency, then President of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in January 2008 against HB 1623, a bill to reduce penalties for marijuana possession. NH Representative Timothy Robertson (D-Keene) asked the Chief, or President, or President of Chiefs, if he would be in favor of reinstating alcohol prohibition. The Chief replied, “I certainly would consider it.”
“Five years of Prohibition have had, at least, this one benign effect: they have completely disposed of all the favorite arguments of the Prohibitionists. None of the great boons and usufructs that were to follow the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment has come to pass. There is not less drunkenness in the Republic, but more. There is not less crime, but more. There is not less insanity, but more. The cost of government is not smaller, but vastly greater. Respect for law has not increased, but diminished.” – H.L. Mencken, 1925
U.S. Government Printing Office. (1937). Congressional Record. Appendix of the First Session of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=_LO-ScHa_KYC&pg=PA1595
Welch, James. (1960). High Sheriff: Being the Reminiscences of James Welch, Former Sheriff of Carroll County, New Hampshire. Tamworth, NH: Tamworth Historical Society
NEW FROLIC HAVEN PINELAND PARK. By the announcement of the winner of the new name contest and the award of a new $10 gold piece to Charles Tanner of Milton, last Saturday night, Pineland Park succeeded to the new title of “Frolic Haven,” under which banner every indication points to success under the administration of its new owner, C.H. Morrell of Fall River, Mass. Despite bad weather, last Saturday night furnished a large crowd. Music was excellent and everyone indulged in a good time. Costumes did much to enliven the occasion and prizes were awarded for the prettiest and most ridiculous. Next Saturday evening patrons may be assured of some surprise features. Go to Frolic Haven for the best of associations and a good time (Farmington News, [Friday,] June 10, 1927).
BATTLE OF MUSIC AT FROLIC HAVEN. A volunteer army of dancers is expected to engage in action at Frolic Haven this Friday evening, June 19, when the Midnight Revelers of Farmington and Billy French and his orchestra of Rochester will wage a battle of music. The dancing will start at 8 o’clock and will be continuous until midnight. These orchestras have a large following and it is expected that Friday night will find an overflow delegation from all quarters. Frolic Haven in the pines at Milton Three Ponds is the ideal place to meet your old friends and make new ones and thoroughly enjoy yourself every Friday evening (Farmington News, June 19, 1931).
Joseph E. Firth, a plush mill finisher, aged sixty-two years, headed a Sanford, ME, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his [second] wife (of sixteen years), Mary E. [(O’Hearn)] Firth, aged thirty-seven years, his adopted daughter, Gertrude M. Firth, aged thirteen years (b. ME), his son, Everett E. [“Vic”] Firth, an orchestra musician, aged thirty-six years (b. ME), and his daughter-in-law, Rosemary [(Scandura)] Firth, aged twenty-seven years (b. Italy). Joseph E. Firth owned their house at 8 Tibbetts Avenue, which was valued at $1,800. They did not have a radio set.
FROLIC HAVEN BALLROOM. MILTON THREE PONDS. Another season at Frolic Haven Ballroom at Milton Three Ponds will open this Friday evening, May 13, and the gayest, newest craze from gay Paree is announced for the date. Eddie McQuillan and his famous broadcasting orchestra, who have been engaged all winter in South Carolina, will furnish music for dancing from eight o’clock to 1 a.m., and what a time is promised! Gifts will be awarded to lucky ones and everyone will receive a novelty souvenir. A special treat is announced for the girls. A large following of regular friends of Frolic Haven will welcome the news of this opening. This famous resort, just off the White Mountain boulevard, is ideally located for the entertainment of dancing parties and never fails to draw big crowds. The management is returning – full of ideas for a grand season (Farmington News, May 13, 1932).
Prize Waltz Tonight, Friday, August 11. FROLIC HAVEN. MILTON THREE PONDS. ROSS and His Gang. Admission 40¢ (Farmington News, August 11, 1933).
One of Boston’s Townsend Clubs traveled by bus to West Milton for a lunch outing at the Canney Farm.
REPUBLICANS GREET ELEPHANT, ARRIVING FOR FALL CAMPAIGN. “Baby” Mascot Weighing 1200 Pounds Christened Susannah Aboard Ship at Charlestown Dock – Thorough Training Planned. There were “big” doings aboard the German steamer Frankenwald this morning at pier 46, Mystic docks, Charlestown. The reason was the arrival from Ceylon, India, by way of Hamburg, Ger., of a “baby” elephant. It was no ordinary animal. It was, in fact, a very special elephant for it made the long 14-day journey to become the mascot of the Republican party in New England. And for that reason, it received a welcome as should be given a mascot. There was a reception committee on hand of Republicans and there was a “christening” of the 1200-pound, three-year-old baby, which is valued at $700. As the contents of a bottle of California wine was poured over the “gentle” animal’s head (he was especially selected for that quality), it was officially christened Susannah by Mrs. Charles Coleman of Rochester, N.H., vice chairman of the Young Republicans of New Hampshire, in the presence of Leverett Saltonstall, Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Massachusetts. Mrs. Coleman, together with Miss Estelle Geyer of Milton, N.H., and Miss Priscilla Boynton of Portsmouth, N.H., came as the representatives of Gov Bridges of New Hampshire and as representatives of the state committee. They were up about 5.30 this morning in order to get down from West Lebanon, Me., in time for the party. They drove down in an automobile equipped with loud speaker which is to be used in the Republican campaign. Also present for the ceremony was Representative Horace T. Cahill of Braintree. Susannah, which on the way over was called Joombo by the German crew, made the trip on deck over one of the hatches. She was docile enough when standing on deck but when attempts were made to place her in a large wooden crate to be hoisted out on the dock she voiced her displeasure in no uncertain terms, grunting and trumpeting, and actually getting down on her knees. That unpleasant bit of work was postponed for her when it was decided to have the christening on board. On one other occasions she made herself loudly heard and that was at exactly the moment that Mr. Saltonstall began to walk up on the covered hatch to join the christening party. The elephant is to receive special training during the Summer, in accordance with the desire of the New England Republicans, who plan to use Susannah in their Fall campaign throughout New England. And so, she is to be taught how to walk up staircases of hotels and public halls, and how to walk gracefully into hotel dining rooms without upsetting the composure of the diners, and how to ride in trucks over the road, without being jumpy all over. She is also, so it was rumored, to be taught how to hold a contribution box in her ample trunk. The animal was especially selected by the Hagenbeck Circus people of Hamburg for John T. Benson, famous animal trainer, who operates an animal farm in Nashua, N.H. The elephant was taken by truck to his farm, there to be trained by Carl Neusser, elephant trainer. Susannah was cleared through the customs by Joseph V. Lane, who represented John A. Conkey & Co, custom house brokers (Boston Globe, August 4, 1936).
They came in an automobile especially fitted out with sound amplifying equipment and a campaign sunflower sign with the slogan, “Landon and Knox,” affixed to their car. The group comprised Mrs. Charles Coleman of Rochester, N.H; Miss Estelle Geyer of Milton, N.H., and Miss Priscilla Boynton of Portsmouth, N.H. The group were joined later by Leverett Saltonstall, Republican candidate for Lieut. Governor in this state, and by Representative Horace T. Cahill of Braintree. In due time a bottle of California wine was produced, and Mrs. Coleman, pouring its contents over the elephant’s head, Christened it “Susannah.” “Susannah” is to go in to training at the Benson animal farm at Nashua, N.H., in preparation for the coming political campaign. She is to be taught, among other things, how to climb stairs, how to make an appearance in hotel dining rooms, and how to hold a contribution box in her trunk, it was said (Boston Globe, August 5, 1936).
Dies At Age 93. SWINERTON RITES TO BE AT 4 TODAY. Body of City Pioneer Will Be Taken to Union, N.H., Old Home, In Spring. Funeral services are to be held at 4 this afternoon for John Robinson Swlnerton, vice president of the First National Bank and one of the city’s pioneers, at the family residence. Death came yesterday morning to the widely known bank and hotel man at the residence he built before the turn of the century at 2115 Chestnut Avenue slightly less than two months after he had celebrated his 93rd birthday, Dec. 18. His health had not been good for a year or more, but his mind had retained with clarity incidents of the early days In Newport News. He came into this city from Old Point in a wagon with two other men Jan. 2, 1883 to become manager of the old Lafayette Hotel, then on Lafayette Avenue (now Huntington) and Twenty-seventh Street. Shipping of walnut logs and staves to Europe was the town’s main industry at that time, he said recently. A few months after he came here Henry P. Stevens, his first wife’s father, acting for the Old Dominion Land Co., opened the Warwick Hotel. Stevens left soon after the opening and Swinerton assumed management of both institutions. The Lafayette later became a hospital and after that a business building was erected. He was a member of the Pioneers of Newport News and Unity Lodge, No. 62, A.F. &A.M., of Union, N.H., where interment will be made in the spring. The body will be placed in the vault at Peninsula Memorial Park Cemetery temporarily. He was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. John L. Swinerton of Danvers; and was born Dec. 16, 1840 at Milton, N.H. He spent his boyhood in Boston, spent some time in New York, and then came to Newport News. His ancestors in America date from 1628, when Jobe Swinerton settled at Salem, Mass. The funeral services today will be conducted by the Rev. E.T. Wellford, D.D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, assisted by the Rev. T.H. Dimmock, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church. The family has asked that flowers be omitted. Active pallbearers will be: Dorsey L. Downing, H.W. Chandler, B.G. Roy, Homer L. Ferguson, Jr., J.C. Watson, Harvey T. Parker. William S. Parker and Willard M. Marks. Pioneer Club members and friends will be honorary pallbearers. His second wife, formerly Miss Annie H. Newton of Greenfield, Mass., and niece, Mrs. Thomas A. Tirrell, Lynn, Mass., survive. His first wife was Miss Mary R. Stevens, also of Greenfield. Mr. Swinerton was a charter member of the Pioneers Club, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church since it was organized in 1884. He assisted in organizing the First National Bank in 1891 and has been a vice president since 1895. He also was a vice president of the Security Trust and Savings Bank during its existence (Daily Press (Newport News, VA, February 9, 1934).
Milton native Capt. George A. Ham died in Braintree, MA, March 4, 1934. He was renowned for his 1903 rescue of thirty-one crewmen from their sinking ship during a winter gale.
HERBERT P. NICKERSON, SOMERVILLE, RETIRES. Herbert P. Nickerson of 11 Teele av., Somerville, the oldest man in Boston who has been actively connected with the hay and grain brokerage business, retired from service last Saturday. He was born in Madison, N.H., Nov. 21, 1857, and came to Charlestown in 1876, where he engaged in various pursuits. In 1882, he was employed by J.H. Hawthorne to drive one of the old stages. His route started at Northampton st., to Washington, Court, Scollay sq. Causeway, Warren Bridge, Main st., Charlestown to Salem st. He was required to work 16 hours a day, and received $1.50 for his day’s work. In Winter the stage was placed on runners, and rode on top of the snow. Then it was not an uncommon thing to see a stage tipped on its side in the gutter. Two horses were usually used on the stage, except in the Winter, when a spiked team with a leader horse was used. In 1884 he went to work for Gilman Cheney & Co, 35 Congress st., brokers in hay and grain, where he had charge of the Boston end of the business for six years. In 1890 he became connected with Lord & Webster, brokers in the same line of business, and had been connected with them until last Saturday, 43 years of continuous service, and approximately 50 years in that kind of business. Many of his customers from far and near came to express their regrets at his retirement, but he felt that a man who has reached his age should cease to be actively engaged in business. Mr. Nickerson, a deacon in the Advent Christian Church of Somerville, and Mrs. Nickerson, a deaconess, were presented with an electric clock and a floor lamp by the church group in a surprise at the home of Dr. I.F. Barnes, pastor of the church. Mr. Nickerson has purchased a small farm in Milton Mills, N.H., and will make his residence there (Boston Globe, April 24, 1934).
FUNERAL IN MILTON, N.H., OF CAPT JONES. Commanded Back-Bay Station Four Years. Capt. Frank I. Jones, retired from the Boston Police Department as commander of the Back Bay division in the Summer of 1912, was buried today at Milton, N.H. Funeral services were conducted yesterday afternoon by Rev M.F. Allbright, pastor of the Allston Congregational Church. Capt. Jones was born in West Lebanon, Me., came to this city, was appointed a policeman in 1881 and did work at Brighton. His efficiency was quickly brought to the attention of his superiors and he was promoted to sergeantcy in 1898, remaining at Brighton. The following year he was transferred to Back Bay and later served at La Grange st. In 1901 he was made lieutenant and continued at La Grange st. until Feb. 8, 1908, when he was promoted to captain and given command of the Back Bay Division. The manner in which he protected the property of the people in that section won for him many commendations. His insistence on constant patrol of the alleys in the Back Bay stopped the breaks in that section, which were numerous when he took command. He was the proud possessor of a bronze medallion presented him by His Eminence William Cardinal O’Connell for the manner in which he handled the centennial celebration of the Archdiocese of Boston. In the Summer of 1912, he retired from the Police Department. He was suffering from a stomach ailment at the time and it was feared that he would not live long. However he was 76 years of age at the time of his death. Recently he lived at 332 Center st. in Jamaica Plain (Boston Globe, May 21, 1934).
The forty-seventh birthday of Milton-native and well-known theatrical designer was noticed in various papers around the country.
DEATH IN PORTLAND OF CHARLES J. BERRY. Charles J. Berry of Milton Mills, N.H., died at the home of his son, Arthur L. Berry, in Portland, Me., last night, after sickness of three weeks. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at Milton Mills, N.H. He was 96 years old and a Civil War veteran, serving in the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry. He was a member of Eli Wentworth Post, G.A.R. of Milton, N.H., and president of the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry Association of the Weirs, N.H. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. William M. Burrell of Wollaston, and two sons, Arthur L. Berry of Portland, Me., and Clifford A. Berry of East Weymouth; also a sister, Mrs. Luther B. Roberts of Milton Mills, N.H. Mr. Berry spent the first part of the Winter at the home of his daughter in Wollaston, and was in good health when he celebrated his 96th birthday anniversary on Feb 14, with all the family present. Returning to Portland, Me., with his son, he enjoyed usual health until stricken with bronchitis about three weeks ago (Boston Globe, March 18, 1933).
Fish and Game Chat by Lyin’ Bill.
The U.S. Congress proposed the Twenty-First Amendment, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment – Prohibition – on February 20, 1933. New Hampshire was the thirteenth state to approve it, on July 11, 1933. The repeal took effect with Utah’s passage on Tuesday, December 5, 1933, at 5:32 PM EST. Those twenty-nine states that lacked their own state-level prohibitions were immediately free to take a drink.
Milton Observer 