<>. O * e , ' ..-£>■ -6. O *•'■>* A, [5°^ ADDRESS AT THE CENTENNIA U n OF THE Towi\ of T^itclfbui! c c Ay, friend, all different. Think you we shall see Ever a time when Christians shall agree, — Foregoing tithes of anise, cummin, mint, To follow Christ and serve Him without stint ?" He paused, — that relic of an ancient time, — And raised his finger with a glance sublime. " Not here, not here," he said, " is perfect day, But there all darkness shall be rolled away." Twas all he said, 'twas all that he could say. We walked on silent. Suddenly his eye Espied a placard as we sauntered by. His leathern spectacles he slowly drew From his huge pocket, spelt a word or two, (The type to him, you see was strange and new,) Then started back, blank wonder and surprise Mingling incredulous in his asking eyes. •' ' A call for volunteers !' — what means that, pray ? 3* I thought they got through fighting in my day. Another muss with England, I suppose; Hang her! she's always poking in her nose Just when she isn't wanted ! What's up now ? Has old King George kicked up another row ? But bless me ! I forgot ! He must be dead Long years ago ; who's reigning in his stead ?" " Good Queen Victoria," I replied, — amused, Spite of myself, to hear John Bull abused, Yet wishing, as was natural, to acquit The gracious Queen from any share in it. " Good Queen Victoria; but my ancient friend, — I beg your pardon, — all that's at an end. We conquered England, you remember ? well, She let our folks alone for quite a spell ; In eighteen twelve we had a little fuss, But since, she's kept her hands quite off of us. It doesn't pay, you see ! but now and then She tries to dip her fingers in again And gets them burnt; and so I calculate. In time she'll learn her lesson ; we can wait." " That's so," replied the stranger, " but do tell What's in the wind ? as well as I could spell That notice yonder, it read something so : ' A call for Volunteers' — who is the Foe ? And what's the quarrel ?" " Stranger," I replied, " The Southern States are seeking to divide This blessed Union which they all abhor And so they've plunged us into civil war." " War, civil war!" he shrieked, " It cannot be! What ! brothers of one common family ? — Sons of the sires who stood up, side by side, Where Stark and Allen fought, where Warren died !" His stout frame shook, and o'er his furrowed cheek Tears wrote the anguish words could never speak ! " 'Tis even so" I said ; " They spared the root, In your time, friend ; we eat the bitter fruit !" 3 2 "What mean you ?" quoth he. " This .•" I stern replied " When Slavery triumphed, Freedom, Union died. The cursed hydra ! ah, friend, in your day You might have plucked the blasted thing away, At one stout wrench ; you only, here and there, Hacked it a little, mouthed a muttered prayer That nothing bad might come of it at last; — You see the issue !" " What is past is past," The stranger moaned, " but God forgive us all ! That such a fearful reckoning should befall Our children's children! Verily, God is just ; I do repent me in the very dust ! But pity me, and tell me, if you can, That out of this unhallowed wrath of man, God yet brings praise to His most holy name, Since, by this fiery baptism of flame, The land at length is purged of its dark shame.'' " Nay, nay, not yet," I answered, " All too deep This cursed evil, for a breath to sweep From out its strong foundations, though that breath Be the Sirocco, sweeping to hot death A host of- braves the hissing shell beneath, Or fiery shot, or cannon's smoky wreath ! And yet — heaven send our hopes be not in vain. — From out these fearful throes of mortal pain God grant the nation may be born again." A deep " God grant it !" and a low " Amen !" Burst from the stranger's lips — and then we talked, In sobered, softened accents as we walked, Of all the changes Time had wrought since he, A strong, hale man, had roved in company With those he loved, these streams and hills beside; — " I shouldn't know the dear old place, " he cried. " What with your town-house and your churches tall, Your crowded buildings, school-houses and all, 33 I'm clean turned upside down; — and then, and then, Such monstrous women ! and such bearded men !" " As for the women" I replied, " we shine In borrowed feathers — alias crinoline ; The men — well, they've a notion. I suppose, A man is handsomer the less he shows Of his own doubtful phiz, and so he grows Moustache and beard and what-not ! To be plain, Men have their weaknesses ; they are quite as vain As any of us women, I maintain." There was no answering such an argument, The stranger offered none, and on we went Until we reached the Cemetery gate And entered ; Said the stranger, " Soon or late We all shall enter here ; — oh, blessed fate !" He read a name or two, then sadly said, "All strangers, all ! — -the Living and the Dead! What do I here ?" I turned to answer him ; — Lo, he had vanished. Every thing grew dim Around, beneath, above me ; I awoke, And found myself, — dear reader, 'tis no joke — Sitting by my own fireside. Husband spoke : " My dear, you've had a comfortable nap ; But see, your book has fallen from your lap ; Pussy is playing tricks with your crochet, And things are having mostly their own way." A mild rebuke. I took it whence 'twas sent, Put things " to rights," then, for a punishment, Inflicted on him my uncanny dream ; Would you believe it ? — strange as it may seem, — Before I finished he was napping, too ; And sure as I am living — so are you. Jud^e Chapin's speech was in response to a sentiment complimen- tary to the Heart of the Commonwealth, as follows : J) 34 JUDGE CHAPIN'S SPEECH I have been in doubt most of the day as to my right to be here, with a sort of uncomfortable impression that I have been occupying a seat which belonged to somebody else. I was not born in Fitchburg. 1 was not even born in the north part of Worcester County. You must bear in mind, however, that it was not my fault that I did not have the choice of my birthplace, for if I had, I might as soon have been born in Fitchburg as any other place in the County. I did not marry a wife in Fitchburg, a fact for which no one is in fault that I am aware of. I did not settle here as a lawyer, for the fame of Torrey & Wood, and the various other legal luminaries in this vicinity was enough to threaten any limb of the law with starvation if he should have attempted it at the time when I commenced the practice of the law. Why, then, am I hert ? Until the sentiment to which I am to respond was handed to me upon the platform, I supposed that I came here merely to see how you managed centennial celebrations in the north part of the County. I know how such things are done in the south part of the County. I had no sooner taken my seat in the cars than I found that the modus operandi was very nearly the same in both sections of the County. As- friends met from various sections, on their way to this municipal reunion,. the greetings were earnest and heartfelt. There was the grasping of the hands, the kind words of welcome, the kiss upon the lips, which,- by the way, was confined to the ladies, and in this respect probably differed trom centennial greetings in the south part of the County, and through the whole of this joyful occasion things have been managed so pleasantly and naturally that it has seemed to me that I have been in the midst of those whom I have always known and loved. But I am asked to respond for Worcester. Have you any doubt of the interest of the city of Worcester in the town of Fitchburg ? Haven't we become bound to each other by bands of iron ? Haven't we given you the privilege of having a jail and a jailor, just as much as ourselves ? Haven't we been chasing you to Boston and elsewhere, winter after winter, zealously as a lover folluws his sweetheart, when she threatens to break her connecion with him? Haven't our mutual affections at last resulted in a compromise which promises to keep the good old County intact and unbroken, with the town^of Fitchburg one of the brightest 35 jewels in her coronet ? I sincerely hope and believe that it is so, and while I remain Judge of the Probate Court, 1 trust that I shall have jurisdiction of the settlement of the estates of all of you who shall have occasion for my services. But brevity is the order of the day, and hard though it be, I must close. The day has been to me one of unalloyed enjoyment. As I have looked upon the beaming countenances, and watched the earnest greetings of the friends who have gathered here. I have known the feelings of their hearts, and have felt the influence ot the friendly atmos- phere which has surrounded me. I have listened with deep pleasure to the beautiful address of my friend, the orator, and have followed with wrapt attention the happy dream-like effusions of the poet and poetess of the occasion. If they will excuse me, I will take the libeity to add to them a single appendix : We've seen them iu your thrilling dreams, These fruitful hills and flowing streams, And listened with a half-drawn sigh To mtlodies of days gone by. But now there soundeth loud and clear A voice we must not fail to hear, There pomteth with unerring hand, An augel to the stern command, — The past must bury up its dead, The future comes with earnest tread, It crowds each moment of to day, And drives the cherished past away. RESPONSE BY HON. STEPHEN T. FARWELL, OF CAMBRIDGE, A NATIVE OF FITCHBURG. How joyfully the pilgrim greets the home that gave him birth, To him in life's young morning the sunny spot of earth, As from his lengthened wanderings, his toils and traveis o'er, He enters the old homestead to wander never more. x6 Familiar voices welcome him, and loving arms embrace ; Light beams from every dewy eye and joy in every face; Yet on this gladsome picture there falls a deepening shade, As memory notes the changes the flight of time has made. Alas! among our households of few can it be said — The loved ones all are living and none's among the dead ; — The golden chain unbroken, no missing link is there; Around the dear old hearthstone there is, no vacant chair. For change, decay and dying, we cannot but discern On all things earthly written, whichever way we turn ; The household may continue, the church, the town, the state, But the members all are mortal, and missing soon or late. To-day, we who aforetime to make our homes elsewhere, Left these pleasant hills and valleys where first we breathed the air, Come back to clear old Fitchburg, the mother of us all. As true and loving children responsive to her call. And some of us are thinking — at least one is, I know — How few had built their homesteads here one hundred years ago. Along the river's margin the dwellings might be seen Like the visits of the angels, few and far between. Few then had thought the Nashua gave-promise of much good — It might do to turn a gristmill to grind the people food, But would bring them heavy burden in taxes raised to pay The cost of numerous bridges by her freshets swept away. That in the noisy waterfalls and silent moving stream Lay her future growth and riches, they did not even dream ; But facts spoiled all their logic as facts have done before, With the wheel and spindles' music soon heard along the shore. 37 Won by their swelling cadence the day of railroads came; And now our town's a city in every thing but name. For much of this later increase it is but truth to say We are thankfully indebted to our President of the day. The hundred years ended, as history doth recite. Began with the great struggle of our fatheis for the right, And the record shows that Fitchburg with heart and purse and hand Did her full share in driving its assailants from the land. In the present greater conflict she has given to the strife Her heart's best, choicest treasures to save the nation's life, Bv traitor hands imperiled, who in the madness of the hour, Would blot it out forever — it they but had the power. Shall Slavery be triumphant when the mighty struggle ends, And Liberty in her coffin by the weakness of her friends ? Forbid it, heavenly Father, and give us in thy might Peace that to all brings freedom and victory to the right. And when our childrens' children the next centennial day Come back to our good mother, the fealty to pay, May they find a thriving people, prosperous on every hand, And Union, peace and plenty through all the goodly land. Now we give her kindly greeting, and right good hearty cheer On rounding out so nobly her first one hundred year ; May other centuries follow, each better than the past, Until earth's drama ended, the curtain falls at last. The Medical Profession — " The people of Fitchburg are indebted to their forbearance that they are alive to celebrate their centennial." REMARKS BY THOMAS R. BOUTELLE, M. D., OF FITCHBURG. Mr. President — In response to the sentiment just read, so flattering to our fraternity, I will forbear wearying your patience by much talking, and only try to give some facts in relation to the older physicians in this 3§ town. In 1772 or '73 Dr. Thaddeus McCarty moved into this place, a young man, and the first physician who resided here. He was the son of the Rev. Thaddeus McCarty, of Worcester, married the daughter o Thomas Cowdin, Esq., the proprietor of the noted " Cowdin Tavern,' which 'stood where the^ American House now stands. He was a man of good education, and reputed to have been skilful in his profession. This opinion is strengthened by the fact that out of about five hundred cases of inoculated small pox treated by him and his associate, Dr. Israel Atherton, of Lancaster, in their hospital in this town, only five died. For this marked success, and for his incessant labors to alleviate the sufferings of his patients in this loathsome disease, and to allay the fears of those who were well, we are informed that the people showed their appreciation of his services by propagating a report that he or his friends introduced the disease to give him a good business. So long as he remained here he had great influence in public affairs. He removed to Worcester in 1781. About 1782 he was succeeded in this place by Dr. Peter Snow, who lived for a number of years in a house, known as the Gen. Reed house, on a spot now covered by this Town House. Dr. Snow was highly respected, both as physician and citizen; he lived to a good old age, and died in the harness in 1824, leaving a family of four sons, the oldest, Peter Stearns Snow, and the youngest, Charles, he left practicing in the field he had so long and so honorably occupied. The younger of the two soon moved to Alabama and went into other busi- ness; the elder still remains with us, having retired from the labors of his profession years ago. His son is our orator to-day. Before Dr. Snow came here Dr. Jonas Marshall settled in the easterly part of the town, on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Mr. Abel Marshall # The first notice I find of Dr. M. is in 1785, when he was chosen a del- egate to attend a Convention to take measures to procure a division of the County. He continued to practice occasionally, and died at an advanced age. A grandson of his, Jonas A. Marshall, M. D., my friend and brother, has been a practicing physician here during a space of forty years, is still one of us, and may he long remain so. He was elected Town Clerk for twenty-four successive years. Associated with him was Otis Abercrombie, M. D., under the firm of Marshall & Aber- crombie. They were held in high estimation. Dr. A. left the town and practice on account of impaired health about 1836 or '37, and died in 39 Lunenburg much lamented. In 1830, Charles VV. Wilder, M, D., moved into this town from Leominster, where he had lived two or three years, having practiced a number of years previously in Templeton, and continued here as a physician until 1S33, when, on account ot family relations, he moved to Leominster, changing places with your humble servant, who has been attending to the duties of' his calling, more or less thirty-one years. Dr. W. was a man of great energy of character, a strong advocate of temperance, and highly respected, both as a phy- sician and as a man. His memory is yet fresh among us. He was re- peatedly elected Representative from Leominster. He died at the age of sixty years. During the last twenty years our population has been steadily increasing, requiring additional force in our profession. Our reinforcements have been volunteers, some of whom have been and are an honor to our town ; and I am happy to be able to say that we live together in great harmony. In the early history of the town, Dr. Stone, afterward a prominent physician in Harvard, and after him, Dr. Ball, practiced medicine a few years in the west part of the town, now called Deanhill. Not being burthened with professional business, Dr. B. is said to have in- dulged in some rather sharp practice with his landlord. Having bar- gained to be allowed a certain sum, to be deducted from the price of his board, for each meal at which he might be absent, it so happened that when the day of settlement came, the landlord proved to be some- what in debt to the boarder. To settle the matter tradition says that the parties left it out to referees, whose judgment was that it was a fair bargain, and therefore the landlord must pay the balance to the doctor ; which of course proves that the doctor was all right. 4o The following poems were contributed by ladies of this town on the occasion of the Centennial Celebration : CENTENNIAL SONG OF THE NASHUA. BY MRS. L. P. COMEE. Gorgeously as now, at even, Golden banners gleamed and burned On the western walls of Heaven, As the day to darkness turned, Brilliantly as now, at morning, Did my crystal waters glow In the red light of a dawning, Just One Hundred Years ago. Just the same the sky is bending Now, as then, o'er hill and plain ; Just the same my waves are tending, Ever constant, to the main. But around me there remaineth, In the landscape wide unrolled, Scarce a feature that retaineth Tint or shape it wore of old. Then my dancing waves descended Through a valley lone and dim, Oft where tangled woods extended Darkest shadows o'er my brim. Then the wild cat's cry was swelling, And the fox's lair was made Where are now the church and dwelling, And the crowded mart of trade. Then old Rollstone, robed and crested In unsullied beauty, stood Fair as when his Builder rested 4» And pronounced creation "good;" Towering grandly and serenely- All the circling highlands o'er, With his forest garment greenly Sweeping downward to my shore. Still a king he stands invested With the majesty of yore, Though the spoiler, man, has wrested Many a treasure from his store, And a king he long will tower, Though with scarred dismantled breast, Ere the human insect's power Lower his proudly lifted crest. Where a savage wild extended, Under culture's magic hand, Orchard groves, with grain lands blended, Make a garden of the land Where was once the quiet dingle, And the meadow, green and still, Sounds of saw and hammer mingle With the buzzing of the mill. Places, once by peace pervaded, Picturesquely wild and sweet, Now are nicely trimmed and graded, For the iron courser's feet. Hark ! he comes — his neighs awaken, Trumpet-like the echoes nigh, And the solid hills are shaken, As he grandly thunders by. All around bespeaks mutation, But the wizzard, where are they ? 'Neath whose hands, this transformation E 4 2 Grew like magic day by day. All are changed — in shape's immortal, Hundreds dwell in that fair clime, Far beyond the Death-watched portal Opening out from earth and time. Many here are still remaining, But their silvered temples show That the sands of life are waning, And will shortly cease to flow. Change on change is still the story, Old things pass and new have birth. Youth's bright locks grow thin and hoary, And at last return to earth. Change on change beyond expression, Over all, in all appears, Footmarks of the long procession Of a hundred passing years. But the same blue sky is bending. Now as then, o'er hill and plain, Just the same my waves are tending, Ever constant to the main. A HYMN OF THANKSGIVING. BY MRS. C. M. LOWE. To the God whose hand hath brought us Safely to this blessed hour, Who hath guarded, saved, and taught us, We ascribe all praise and power. Let the souls, who now in glory, Smile on ways their feet once trod, Sing with us the grateful story Of the goodness of our God. 43 For the dear homes in the valley, For the hills we call our own, Foi the changing wondrous beauty Which a hundred years have shown. For the blossoms and the harvests, For the sunshine and the rain, Flows our praise to Thee, O Father ! In a never ending strain. For the music of the waters, For the songs of breeze and bird, For the deep and hidden heart springs, By these sweet home-echoes stirred. For the waking after sleeping, For the peace that follows strife, For the smiling after weeping, And the deaih that leads to life. For the smiles of little children. For the bowed and silvered head, For the friends who are still with us, And the memory of our dead. For the young souls counted worthy, Of a hero's great reward, For the young lives given for freedom, Here we thank Thee, O, our God! For the true, and brave, and faithful, Whom we miss or mourn to-day, For the love that brings them near us, Let us bless Thee while we pray. And we leave our past and future, And the years that are to come, In the hand that holds our country, And will lead its children home. 44 SONG. BY MRS. CAROLINE A. MASON. Air ; " Fine Old English Gentleman." Come listen, friends and neighbors all ! a story I'll relate About a famous little town in Massachusetts State. I hope I shan't be tiresome now ; I'll try to do my best ; And if I say a stupid thing, just take it for a jest. Tra, la, la, &c. There's that about the people there is very strange to view : They eat and drink, for all the world, as other people do ! They know the way from hand to mouth ; indeed, I've heard it said, They know an oyster from a goose, and ham from baker's bread. Tra, la, la, &c. This simple folk in politics have such a funny creed ; They all believe in Uncle Sam, and vow they won't secede. Nay, on the other hand, they swear they're ready all to strike A sturdy blow 'gainst those who do ; who ever heard the like ? Tra, la, la, &c. This honest people, it is said, have churches, six or seven ; Each claims, — though all take different paths, — one only leads to heaven, And that's the one they're walking in ; of course it must be so, But how to reconcile it all, it puzzles one, you know ! Tra, la, la, &c. I'm told this famous little town, for just a hundred years, Has had a name and place on earth, but, strange as it appears, Not one of all the dozen men who settled here at first Has come to-day to see the place his youthful fancy nursed ! Tra, la, la, &c. 45 And stranger still, not one of us, — unless we live till then, — Will ever see another day like this come back again ; At least, I'll venture to assert this much, if nothing more, The most of us will not be here in Nineteen Sixty-four / Tra, la, la, &c. That being so, it but remains to do the best we can To emulate the good old times, and each one to a man Revere, and love and cherish well this famous little spot; I think I needn't tell its name ; you've guessed it, — have you not ? Tra, la, la, &c. '^•SS^iS'^'^^Ss^ilta; Correspondence. LETTER FROM REV. C. B. BARTON. Woodburn, III., June 21, 1864. Mr. John Farwell, — Dear Sir — I have just received au iuvitatiou sent by you to attend the Cen- tennial Celebration of the incorporation of the town of Fitchburg on the 30th instant. Your " very distinct remembrance of many of your childish days being spent with me and my youngest sister," cannot be more so than mine. Since those days I have traveled far, resided in many places, pissed through many impressive scenes, and formed many intimate acquaintances that have long since been literally forgotten ; but the name and person of John Farwell, the most intimate companion of my childhood, remains uneffaced and undimraed on my memory. How often have I goue back to those brief, happy years and lived them over again in imagination. There is no one desire of an earthly nature, that I have so long and ardently cherished as to visit again the place of my nativity. I cannot believe there will be present at your approaching celebration an individual to whom it will be a more eventful day than it would be to me were I permitted to be present. But circumstances render it im- practicable. Fifty-four years have passed away since I was born in that beautiful village ; and though I left it at seven years of age, yet are the re- membrances of its situation and surroundings distinct and impressive. Were I set down at the hour of midnight in the midst of the town, I could easily (I imagine) find my way to the dear old home, on the slope of the hill, at the foot of which stands, or stood, the church where my father preached. On passing up, another church I could go to, Haskel's store, on to the bridge, over upon the common, where you and I witnessed the muster drills of those days, wondering if ever we too should be men. And there, too, is Rollstone hill (was not that the name)? where we gathered blue berries, and up the river, the pond where we, with older brothers, fished in summer and skated in winter. I still see everything as it then was ; every turn in the river, the brooks winding through the meadows, the fields, the orchards, the stone walls (what I have not seen since), and all the buildings, dwelling houses, barns, stores, shops, &c, &c. 47 But more distinct than all else is the -dear old homestead. There Is the tvall below and back of the house filled to the top with earth; on the upper side, the great pear tree, and grape vine under it, and the barn further up the hill, and the orchard still beyond. And there is the garden and grass below, through which ran diagonally a little path for little feet, your home and mine at the two ends of it. And now I am looking into the house itself; every room from cellar to garret is familiar. In the front entry, fifty years ago the first day of September next, I yashed my thumb with the new Barlow father gave me as a birthday present, and to this day the scar remains. And from the other entrance goes up the long broad flight of stairs, down which I once came (you remember) so precipitately as to raise a large bump of caution, the mark of which I have ever since carried on my forehead. Bump of caution, I said, but how I forget ! Why ! there was no such thing in those days as the science of Phrenology ; no, nor anything else that is the order of the day now. Those were the times of customs, habits, thoughts and pursuits that later improvements have rendered obsolete. Young Ameri- ca was then undeveloped. Do you not remember how we took off our hats to superiors and strangers? and how all the stores and shops were shut up at sundown Saturday night, and the Sabbath began at that hour in more true earnest with all (lasses than is manifested in any of its homes by many now. Sermons then were meas- ured by hours, now only by minutes. Then, too, the churches had pastors who were privileged to preach the truth, answerable alone to God. Now they have stated supplies restricted to preach only what will not offend trans- gressors. But again I forget, for doubtless the march of improvement has left its heavy footprints on your village and its environs. O, this age of improve- ment, what havoc it makes with our old cherished associations. Literally, " The hills are brought low and the valleys are exalted;" and were I to come back to Fitchburg I fear it would not be Fiichburg to me. The tooth of time, and the tools of art have doubtless so destroyed and so created anew that I should find little remaining in correspondence to the picture paiuted on mem- ory's imperishable tablet. How could I bear to find Rollstone hill removed to make way for your Rail- road, and all the other hills and slopes brought down into the valleys, and the very river made to run up stream in order to keep pace with the march of improvement. But I am confident I should find much to gratify me in more important matters than material things. I should fiud in your town, as in almost all your commonwealth, a gigantic growth and development in the great principles of truth and righteousness. It is gratifying to know that where my father faithfully ministered the truths ot God's word touching <>tir relatious to man as well as our Maker, there the fruit is abundant. There are doubtless among you those who remember how he endured for the truth 's 48 sake, and such will rejoice with me in the fact that those principles for which he so earnestly and manfully contended, have prevailed. He fell before he saw the triumph of truth, before the yokes of oppression in our land were completely broken. But it pleased God to suffer his mantle to fall on me, and taking his place in the pulpit for near a quarter of a century, it has been my aim to stand in my lot as he stood in his, fearless of consequences, and amidst scorn and reproach I have plead for Jesus in the person of his suffer- ing and despised poor ; and I live to see the dark cloud lifting from our national horizon, and to join in the general shout to God who giveth us the victory, that the power of the oppressor is broken. 1 should be greatly pleased to hear from you, to renew in the decline of life the intimacy of our childhood. And it may be that in the good Providence that has watched over us so long, and so far separated, we may yet look upon each other and speak face to face. Yours in long and happy remembrance. C. B. Barton. LETTER FROM J. R. BRIGHAM. Milwaukee, June 17, 1864. Alvah Crocker, Esq., Chairman; Ebenezer Torrey and others, Commit- tee of Arrangements, — Gentlemen — I have received your invitation to attend the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Fitchburg on the 30th iust. It is not possible for me to be present, but I heartily thank you for the note of invitation, with which you have honored me. As I read it and note some fami iar names on the Committee, my native town is brought vividly back to recollection, as it was twenty- five years ago, and more when we spelt its name without the final h; before your chairman, with others, had succeeded in put- ting the locomotive, with its iron track and thuu lering train in the place of the " big teams " that U9ed to crawl their way to Boston and return, making a quick trip in six days ; when the " old city " was little else than the " stone f tctory " and a farm; when bovs, and men, too, played ball on the Common, which was then a waste of sand (well covered with granite blocks and chips), from the Unitarian '• Meeting House" to the " Lower Tavern " and without enclosure or improvement of any kind, except the town pump and a huge sign post; when the old yellow " town school-house " held a prominent place at the head of the street, aud the orchard next, which, I think, one member of your Committee and all of the boys of that period will remember, had no other fence at its front, on the main street of the village, than u rough stone wall, containing, I verily believe, more stones than can be found in any one place in all Wisconsin. But I suppose they— both the school-house and the 49 stone wall -have, before this, yielded to some modern i nprovement. Indeed, I am not sure, so rapid is the march of progress, but that people now g a m ir- ried in Fitchburg without being " publishe I " over th • well rem «mber d auto- graph of the D >ctor, who must excuse me for s lying that [ am hardly fre • yet from my boyish belief, that he w.is created Clerk of the Town and Captain of the Fusiliers. Other names tint I see before me I remember well, and with pleasa it asso- ciations; but one. Mr. Wood's, brings to my mini his late associate in business, my old play fellow, school mite and friend, Goldsmith F. Bailey. My acquaint- ance with him dating back to the time when he was a shop boy in Mr. Crocker's book bindery, and which was in imate while we were together, did n it p with my leaving Fitchburg, but continued through the printing office, the law- yer's office, and the Legislature, and until he died, a member of Congress; and if I were adte 1 for a sentiment at your celebration, and might give the one most in my heart, I would choose this : The late Goldsmith F. Bailey — " A good specimen of a Ne sv England man. Beginning life a poor and orphan boy, with no special aid or advantages, ex :ept the precepts and prayers of an excellent mother, by his own industry and faith- fulness, he became a learned and successful lawyer, and a wise and useful legislator, respected and beloved alike by his clients and his c mstuuents, by his brethren at the bar, and hi* associates in legislative l> > li^s. His life was a wortiiy example of which his naive town may w dl be proud, his eirly death was a public calamity." Very truly your fellow citizen and obedient Servant, J. R. Brigham. LETTER FROM JAMES E WHARTON. Farkersburg, W Va., June 23, 1864. Gentlemen of the Committee of Arrangements— [ hiv • re • >ived y >ur invita- tion to attend the Centennial Celebration of th • birth of yon;- '"cuii'ul town, and I earnestly hoped that I should be able to be with you, an I once more s e the hills and valleys of my nativity, and greet the tew remaining friends I have among you; but. duties have bee i imposed on ine connected with our State Sanitary Fair, which I cannot neglect, as they are so intimately associated with the welfare of our brothers and sons I . i the army. I feel that I have no right to enjoyment until I have given my mite towards the quelling of this infamous and unnatural rebellion. With the e invent hop • fiat your celebration may be all th it yo.i would de- sire, and for the prosperity and happiness of all yourp -ople, I am truly your obe Kent servant, Jas. K. Wharton. F 5° LETTER FROM CHARLES LYMAN GARFIELD. Albany, N. Y., June 29, 1864. J. T. Farwell, for the Committee, Fitchburg, Mass., — Dear Sir— I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your complimentary card to the "Dinner for the Ceuten lial Celebration, at Fitchburg, June 30, 1864," as well as your circular a few days since. It would afford me gre.it pleasure to be pre&e.nt, to recall the see ies of my childhood, to congratulate you person- ally, a id to parti lerally in the celebration. It is over forty years since I visited my friends at Fitchburg, and I regret exceedingly that my business engagements are such, at this writing, as to pre- clude my acceptance ol'y >ur kind invitation not only, but to preclude even a sketch of my early recollections both of the plr.ee and the good old families there. If Sheriff Calvin Will ml (that model old gentleman) shall be one of your guests, whom I have ha I ihe pleasure of welcoming at my father's, in Troy, as well as enjoying his cordiality at Worcester, within twenty years, give him the right hand of fellowship, and bear my good wishes and that of my mother, now living in Troy, for his continued health and prosperity, and when I take an excursion eastward I will call on you and reciprocate the favor. My father, Lyn Id, was gathered to his fathers a year since, in green old age, honored every hour of his life, leaving a legacy of integrity, patriotism and piety to his children, which makes his name precious, and "rather to be chose/ " and he was among the pit i'i>ts of your city during the last war. He i the better land, where I trust we may all be wheat our descendants shall assemble to commemorate the enterprise aud virtues of their honored sires, to whose immediate skill and enterprise, as well as liberality and loyalty, they shall be so much indebted for what Fitchburg is, and what she may be, in our good old Republic. And may our Heavenly Father add his blessing aud give you all prosperity for two worlds, is the humble and hearty prayer of Your obedient servant, Charles Lyman Garfield, Albany City Bank, Albany, N. Y. DISPATCH FROM GOV. ANDREW Boston, June 30, 1864. Hon. Alvaii Crocker,— I deeply regret that imperative necessity keeps me away from Fitchburg to-day. Accept my c >r tial wishes for the success of your Celebration and prosperity of your town. John* A. Andrew. \! REV. RI Pembe To Alvaii Crocker, Esq., Chairman, Ebenezer Ti lnd others, Members of the Committee of Arrangements f< ebra- tion of the town of Fitehburg, Mass., — Gentleman — Your kind and cordial invitation to ion of the one hundredth aniversary of the incorporation o1 n duly received, and I have answer for some ti that I might (if a gracious Providence should * • say to you, " Yes, I will gladly come;" but I find m bodily infirmities so many, and it is so difficult an mo to manage myself away from home, that I feel obliged, on the whole, to give up the idea of being with you on the proposed occasion. reluctance that I have come to this conclusion. It d me a great deal of pleasure to re-visit the endeare I I lab >rs in the ministry of Christ; to renew old acquaints i v ry dearly beloved friends who still remain on earth, while others have gone, I tru a better world; and to recall, in some measure, the vai and precious intercourse of hearts and mind Liters' welfare in years long gone by. You will have my a your celebration may be attended with every circumstance i in pleasure, which the occasion is adapted to bring my ardent prayers to Heaven for your future prosperity in a ; a civil and religious community. rs, &a, very respectf Putnam. ' KR FROM REV. WM. P. Til ;ton, June 29, i Mr. Crocker,— Dear Sir— I thank yon and the Committee of Arr for your very kind and cordial invitation to the Cen row. I should be glad to hear the many good words tli ; id if I should not be present do not attribute my absence " interest in the occasion, or in the good town where I sp i of my life, and formed friendships that are fondly and grati l- Hoping and believing you will have a happy occasion, m yours fraternally, YV. P. TlLDE.V. LETTER FROM ALANSON BIGELOW. Boston, Juuc 28, 1864. Hon. Alvaii Crocker: My Deal" Sir — I have tho honor to acknowledge the receipt of your invita- tion to attend "the Celebration of th ' One Hundredth Anniversary of the in- corporation of the Town Df : itchburg," on the thirtieth instant. Thanking you for kindly remembering in •, I ii ive to regret, most sincerely, that other engagements will deprive in.' of the greit pleasure of being with you ou that occasion, which I hope may prove a season oi unalloyed enjoyment to all con- cerned. That your beautiful town, on the completion of this first century of her exist jnce, is fairly entitled to the congratulations of her friends, is manifest in her proud position to-day, attained, let me say, through the intelligent energy and enterprise of her citizens. May the achievements of the past prove the earnest of a prosperity as enduring as die streams which move her mauy- sided industries, or the granite frame in which her picture is set. Most respectfully and truly, your friend and servant, A I.ANSON BlGELOW. LETTER FROM LUTHER STONE. Worcester, June 25, 1864. A. Crocker, Esq., Chairman Committee ot Arrangements, — Dear Sir— Your kind note of invitation to attend your Centennial Celebra- tion, and the enclosed tickets to the dinu r were duly received. It would give me great pleasure to be present on that occasion, but business engage- ments in Boston on that day will prevent my doing so. Please accept my grateful acknowledgments for your kind invitation, While I remain, yours truly, Luther Stone. LETTER FROM GEN. ROBERT COVVDIN. Boston, June 29, 1864. J. T. Farwell, Esq., Chairman of Committee, — Dear Sir — Your kind invitation, with tickets for Mr s. Cowdin and myself, to attend the Centennial Celebration at Fitchburg, June 30th, has been received and is highly appieciated, but the uncertainty of the fate of my only sou will prevent our acceptance. As a descendant of Fitchburg it would have given ine great pleasure to have been with you. With sentiments of the highest respect, I am, my dear sir, Your obedient servant, Robert Cowdin. 53 LETTER FROM LUMAN BOYDEN. Boston, Juno 28, 18G4. J. T. Fahwell, Esq., — Dear Sir— The Committee will please accept my thanks for the kind invita- tion to be present, also fur a ticket to the dinner, at the contemplated Centen- nial Celebration, the 30th inst. Imp irtant duties will deprive me of the privilege of berny present, yet rest assured that it is my wish that the occa- sion may be pleasant and profitable to the great congregation that will doubt- less assemble. It is my prayer that God who has so greatly blessed, may give continued blessings for centuries to come. Yours respectfully, LUMAN BOYDEN. LETTER FROM A. O. BIGELOW. Boston, June 29, 18G4. Hon. Alvah Crocker, — Dear Sir — I received a few days since a complimentary ticket to attend the festivuies at Fitchburg tomorrow, and till this moment fully hoped I might be able to thank you in person. I now find myself obliged to forego the pleas- ure I had anticipated, and beg to thank you and o:her members of your com- mittee most heartily tor so kindly remembering me. With my best wishes that the celebration may be an entire success, and that the affairs of your noble town may move as smoothly another huudred years a* they have the past, I am, my dear sir, Very tru'y yours, A. O. BlGELOW. LETTER FROM CHARLES H. CRAGIN. Georgetown, D. C, June 26, 18G4. Gentlemen — I greatly regret that I shall be prevented by duties here from accepting your cordial and kind invitation to be present with the sons of Fitchburg at their Centennial Anuiversary, next Thursday. The two years I passed in your beautiful and hospitable and prosperous town, are reckoned among the pleasantest my of life. I assure you hardly anything would be pleasanter to me than to be present with you at the " fe.tst ot reason an 1 flow of soul." With thanks that so humble a name as my own in your annals his been re- membered so kindly, I am gentlemen, yours most truly, Ciias. II. Cragin. 54 LETTER FROM ELLERY I. GARFIELD. Detroit, July 27, 1864. J T. Farwell, Secretary, — My Dear Sir— I am in receipt of your invitation to attend the Centennial Celebration, on the 30th of June. Nothing would be more gratifying to me than to be present, aud be among old friends who will be present on that oc. casion. Fitchburg has always had the honor of Deing one of the most enter- prising and public spirited towns in the State. And it makes those of us who are far away from home, to see aud hear of the high positions takeu by he sons, as proud of them as we are for those of our adopted ones. God bless the Old Bay State and her noble sons and daughters, who always stand in the foremost rank in every cause which is good aud iust. Ellery I. Garfield. LETTER FROM SUSAN HARRINGTON. Lexington, July 1, 1864. Mr. Farwell, — Dear Sir — We received your very kind invitation to the Centennial Celebra- tion. We had made arrangements to accept. With much regret we were un- avoidably detained. Please accept many thanks from us. Yours, very respectfully, Susan Harrington, Henry A. Turner. LETTER FROM MARTHA GOODRICH. Seminary Hospital, Georgetown, D. C, June 25th, 1864. Mr. J. T. Farwell, — Dear Sir — The card — complimentary — forwarded by you in behalf of the committee of the Fitchburg Centennial Celebration, is received. In reply I have to state, that it would give me the greatest pleasure to be present on that occasion, but my duties at this hospital — with which I am connected — will render my attendance impracticable. Thanking you for kindness, and hoping you will have, as I believe you will, a pleasant patriotic Celebration, I am, Most respectfully yours, Martha Goodrich. 55 LETTER FROM E. A. HUBBARD. East Hampton, June, 28, 18G4- Alvah Crocker, Esq., and others of the Committee, — Gentlemen — Your favor was duly received inviting mc to the Celebration in your town the present wesk. The pressure of business renders it impossi- ble for me to be with you. 1 regret this the more as I lose the opportunity of renewing my acquaintance with your citizens, and especially of greeting those who sustained very intimate, and to me at least, very pleasant relations for several years in the forming period of their lives. May your town still make progress in everything essential to its prosperity. Accept my thanks for your kind invitation, and believe me, Yours truly, E. A. Hubbard. LETTER FROM J. S. EATON. Andover, May 31, 1864. To Hon. A. Crocker, E. Torey, Esq., and others,— Gentlemen — Your circular inviting me to attend the Centennial Celebration at Eitchburg, June 30th, was received a few days since. I thank you for your kind remembrance, and as it will not probably be convenient to me to attend the next Centennial at the same place, I gratefully accept the invitation and ehall endeavor to be present on the occasion. With great respect 1 am Very truly yours, J, S. Eaton. JUN 13 1907 PD X8 I * « * *\J V s • • » o *?7^ 4 o v o_ *o . » * <\ DOBBS BROS. LIBRARY BINOING ST. AUGUSTINE ^v FLA.