8^T. ^*-lfTilW ^ 5emi QIIO IbXillDlllOll. ©liiiWIliiiiiil. New Bedford Semi-Centcnntal Souvenir. Providence Belting €o. MflNUFHCTURERS ©F OAK-TANNED LEATHER BELTING Folded Twist Belting. Sole Manufacturers of the Folded Twist Belting. our^ace v icw oi our Capper Wire Sewed Oak Leather Belting. Water Proof Copper Wire Sewed Datber Belting Sectional View. All Sizes of Belts. OFFICK AND WORKS: Nos. 37 to 39 eharles Street, PROVIDENCE, R. I. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. CIRCULATING LIBRARY. BOOK BINDERY. TJhe jCar^fesi ^ook Store ...in... Oouth^ O astern ilfassachusetts J'illed with the... oCar^est and SSost Stock of... BOOKS, STAT/ONERY PICTURES, MUSIO PE RIOD IOALS f PIOTURE MOULDINGS Jif.S. J^utchmson dc Co.j ARTISTS' MATERIALS IS THAT OF 198-200^202 "Union St. 9/ew Bedford, TT/ass. Reliable Insura nce GEO. N.ALDEN, Office, i^oom 205, Cor. William & Purchase Sts., New Bedford, Mass, COMPANIES REPRESENTED: Hartford Fire iMsui'uiicc i '>>.. Hartford. Connectkilt Fire liisuruuee ('0., Hartlnrd. Merchants Insurance Co.. I'rovidem r. Equitable Fire & Marine InN. ( " . l'r..M(l,]H Springtield Fire &■ Marine In- ' ■> . ^pin Insurance Co. of Nurtl] .\inri 1. a. Ili ime Insurance Co., New Vorli. Continental Ins. Co., New York. German American Ins. Co., New York. re Ins; Co., New York. .1 . New York. II' r I ,. . London. \ Mil I untile Ins. Co., London. III-. I 'I . Limited, London. I \ Miinicli Fire Ins. Co., Germany. chlmrg Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Fitchburg. Dorchester Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Neponset. New York Plate Glass Ins. Co., New York. Travelers Ins, Co., Hartford. business Soii'ciioct. jCosses iPromptly Adjusted and SPaid. HENRY P. WILLIS. Batter, and ...CORRECT... * * * furrier haberdasbery. SPECIALTIES :— EASTMAN KODAKS, PHOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLIES, MONARCH BICYCLES. 13 PLEASANT STREET, New Bedford, Mass. II New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. l\/loRSE Twist J^rill a.o /\^achine (^o NEW BEDFORD, MASS., U. S. A. INCORPORATED J864 E S. TABER, MANUFACTURERS OF Machinists' Tools, i:. §mn M L n CONTAINING A Review of the History of the City TOGETHER WITH Accounts of the Whale Fishery, the Early Industries, the Great Growth in the Cotton Manufacture and the Social and Economic Changes. ALSO PROGRAMME OF THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL EXERCISES, LIST OF COMMITTEES, ROUTES OF PROCESSIONS, LIST OF EXHIBITORS AT THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION, ETC. ILLLLSTI{/\TEI) IW OVEI^ 100 PHOTO- ENGKAVING5. EDITED BY ROBERT GRIEVE Author of ''An Illustrated History of Paivtucket, Central Falls and Vicinity" etc. Copyright 1897, by Journal ok Commerce Co. PUBLISHED BY THE Journal of Commerce Company ^^S^fcto"*'"^ PROVIDENCE, R. I., U. S. A. :T 21 1897 li ^:^ '-i^ CONTENTS. O. Q. I.— New BedforIj — A Review of the Origin, Life and (irovvth of the City — Introductory II. — The Foun hng and Growth ok the City III. — Origin, Progress .and Decay of the Whale Fishery IV. — Social and Economic Conditions — The Changes of jiie Years V. — Manufacturing, Its Beginning, Growth and Development VI. — Gkowiti of the CoiTox AJanlmacturic VII.— Hanks and Bankin.,. VIII. — The City of To-D.\y — Points of Interfsi' — Public Imi'kon'e.mln is The French in New Bedford. The Semi-Centennial Celebration pages. 1-3 3^ 6-9 9-15 15-18 18-24 24-29 73-76 63 77-79 Historic and Descriptive Articles. PAGE. Charles S. Ashley. . . 76 Armour & C.'s Bull William Baylies.... The A. L. Blackmer Company. . 42 44 56 Blossom Brothers . . . 59 45 S5 56 I'.ra.lfor.l D.Tripp.. hapman. . . Mills . HaU-hSp, I ,'auk M. LJoUi;lass '. . . 39 David DuH ivi Son 59 I'ournier & Nicholson 84 (lifford&Co.. 65 ( Ireene & Wood 60 Mrs. Hetty Creen, Pedigree of 65 Nathan P. Hayes 50 Hedge, Lewis Manufacturing Co 81 \V. S. Hill Electric Co .... ." 45 Albert W. Holmes 54 U.S. Hutchinson & Co So C. S. Jordan S2 Stephen C. Lowe 62 Mansion House 41 Morse Twist Drill & Machine Co 17 New Bedford C.as & Edison Light Co.. 36 New Bedford Institution for .Savings..- 27 New Bedford Rubber Co 64 New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Co. 25 \< w ^^.tK M.iikci 67 WiHunii I . \\. 46 S. ^. I'liii. .\ r.iMlhrr 33 Th, l'.in|,.,uit Manufacturing. Co... .. 51 Charles S. PaisK-r 37 Parker House 43 Frank R. Pease 72 Philadelphia & Reading Coal X- Iron Co. 57 Pope's Island Manufacturing Co.. 70 William F. Potter & Co 55 S. T. Rex S7 Hon. George B. Richmond 32 W. A. Robinson & Co 39 Sanders it Barrows Clothing Co. 29 Sanford S: Kcllcy 31 Na.i. ' '. Slirniian ,V .Son ?.S E. & K.C. Terry S4 Tichon& Foster 86 Union .Street 34 Wamsutta M ills i .S C. V. Wing (.S j. & W. R. Wing cV C 66 "F. W. WentworlhCo 34 List of Illustrations. Acushnet Mills 16 Mayor Cli.nl' - \ I'l' ■■ 76 William I'.i i II. 44 Steamship W iM;. Mil l;.iNlh-, S Bennett Mills 19 A. L. Blackmer Co.'s Specimens of Glassware 56 Blossom Bros. Planing Mill 58 11. E. Borden Boston Beef Co.'s Stores Charles O. Brightman's Building. F. S. Brightman's Building Bristol Mill Brooklawn Park Carriage Factory of George L. Brc Hon. Stephen A. Brownell, portr; Buttonwood Park Cape Verde Islands Packets E. T. Chapman, portrait and intc Citizens National Bank City Manufactii ng ' Mi ibia Spinning Mi A \'itw on County Street Court House Hon. W. W. Crapo, portrait Cununings Building Custom House Dartmouth Mills David Duff & Son, coal pockets Davis & Hatch Spice Co.'s Building. . . Benjamin Daws.,,, ,\ s,„,\ r,„il, lings . . George Delano' ^ s,,,,- i nl \\ ,,iks Denison, Plunnm , 1 ■ . '. \lilK E. M. Douglass- 11, ml; s1"1c Exhibition Building.: First National Bank Five Cents Savings Bank F'ournier & Nicholson's Planing Mill. .84, Gilford & Co., interior Greene & Wood's Lumber Yards and Docks 60, Grinnell Mill "The Hacienda" Hathaway Mills Nathan P. Hayes' Building and portrait Hedge, Lewis Manufacturing Co.'s plant and office 1 1 igh .School W.' S. Hill Electric Co A. W. Holmes' Coal Yard Ilowland Mills 1 1. S. 1 lulchinson S Co., interior C. S. Jordan's Photograph Gallery Lilirary, interior ( )ld 'I .ongshoremen Mansion IIoum- MasklMs\ llorslull.. Providence Belting Ci Dr. H. A. Razoux.. lames E. Reed .n & I-'. W: Weston C. \augluui, C. 11. Waite..; Henry P. Willis Wallace B. Wilson.. John A. Wood &• Co. NEW BEDrORD Sehi-Centennial Souvenir. New Bedford, Mass. 1847 — OCTOBER — 1897. Price 25 Cents. Journal of Commerce go., Publishers. J. D. HALL, Pres. & Mgr. GEORGE A. WILSON, Treas. ROBERT GRIEVE, Sec. lot SABIN ST , PROVIDENCE, R. I. TO OUR READERS AND PATRONS. It has not been the object of the publishers of this Souvenir of New Bedford's Semi-Centennial to pre- sent at this time an elaborate or exhaustive history of the city, but rather to depict in as popular, graphic and comprehensive a manner as the circumstances would permit, the life and growth of the community. The time at our disposal has been so limited — the work on the publication having all been done since the first of September — that no great amount of elabo- ration or originality has been possible in the text, and the editor has, therefore, been compelled to cull from readily accessible sources the information and facts contained in these pages. Nevertheless, we feel confident that the summaries of the various phases of the history of the city here printed will afford a fairly accurate idea to the reader, at a slight cost of time and attention, of the salient features of the story of its development, and of the influences that have made the community what it is. The General Committee of the Semi-Centennial Celebration, on Aug. 23, voted to endorse and recognize this publication as the olTicial souvenir of the Celebra- tion, with the proviso that it be a creditable production. The publishers have lived up to this agreement, as the illustrations and text amply prove; but owing to a marked division of sentiment among the business men and the people of the city as to the wisdom of holding the Celebration at this time, they have not received the financial support that their own exertions, the excellence of the publication, or the importance of the occasion merited. Still, notwithstanding many dis- couragements, they have persevered, and with the assistance of the committee and the public-spirited men and firms, whose patronage they have recei\'ed, they have succeeded in producing the present book. With diffidence, but yet with a certain amount of confidence, they present this publication to the people of New Bedford and the friends of the city, with the hope that it will aid in some small measure in still further promoting the growth and progress of the city in all essentials. Journal of Commerce Co., Providence, R. I. NEW BEDFORD. A REVIEW OF THE ORIGIN, LIFE AND GROWTH OF THE CITY. Introductory. AT EW BEDFORD cannot trace her history back 'tj N ^° '■^^ ^'^^^ settlements by the white men in New England, and cannot boast of an early colonial experience. Notwithstanding this lack of an historic background, the story of the evolution of the community has in it so many incidents and changes manifesting energy and resource, that it rivals in interest the narratives of many of the most noted of the old colonial towns and cities, and exceeds in attractiveness the majority of them. In a more perfect manner, probably, than any other American seaport, New Bedford connects the com- mercial era that, in its exclusive features, has passed away, with the manufacturing era that now is. These two great phases of industrial life have been mani- fested in her experience during the last fifty years, and she has thereby been— in a much greater degree than the majority of places in New England — an epitome of the industrial progress of the times. In these respects, because of the quick growth and rapid changes, the city has had some qualities in common with the new towns and cities of the West, which grow to large proportions in a few years. While the city cannot claim antiquity, her citizens have been markedly distinguished for the qualities that may almost be justly called "American," namely, courage to enter new fields and engage in new enter- prises, coupled with abounding vim, vigor and fertility of resource. Starting originally as a small fishing hamlet, on the shore of a primeval forest, a few years before the revolution, the place grew vigorously for a few years. Then the war wave swept over it and almost destroyed it. Slowly it revived, and after peace came, the village increased to such a size that in 1787 it was set off from the town of Dartmouth, and became an in- dependent town under its present name. From that time on it grew rapidly in importance, and became the greatest whaling port on the American continent. This business attained its maximum in 1857, when New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. New Bedford's fleet consisted uf 324 vessels, manned by 10,000 seamen and representing an invested capital of ^ 1 2,000,000. In addition, many industries having to do with making supplies for the ships or with the manufacture of oil, were carried on in the place. From 1857 the whale fishery began to decline in importance, so slowly at first as to be almost imper- ceptible. Meanwhile, however, ten years before — in 1847 — the cotton manufacture had been started. Although no one then dreamed that such would be the fart, yet the event proved that this latter industry trolling business. Indeed, the city now ranks second in the United States as a cotton manufacturing centre, and is only exceeded in this line by Fall River. The progress and growth of New Bedford under these circumstances was phenomenal, and has not been rivalled by any Eastern city. With its main means of livelihood slowly dwindling in importance, instead of drifting into a condition of decay, as some of the old seaports have done, it sprang into a new life. Its citizens proved equal to the occasion, and turned what appeared to be a defeat into a \-ictnry. The NEW BHDFORD CITY HAI.l. was to take the mainstay of tht ]ilacc ol the whale lislicry as the coiiimuiiity. Many ycais passed before this new state of things was realized. The new order of things indeed was working itself out without being perceived by many, but years elapsed before the adjustment was comjileted. The period during which this change took place may be said to have been from 1857 to 1880. The whale fishery steadily declined in importance ; manufacturing as steadily increased, especially after 1870. Now, in a very large measure, the whale lislicry is a thing of the past, and the cotton iiichislry has become the con- people of tJie city at the present day arc justified in feeling [)roiul of such an achievement, and the com- munity will be benefited and inspired by celebrating it. In 1847, at the height of her importance as a whaling port, and at the time when the first cotton mill was started, New Bedford was incorporated as a city. The celebration of the Semi-Centennial of this event in October of the present year will afford a splendid opportunity to commemorate and illustrate the dif- ferent phases of the unfolding of the life of the city, as here briefly outlined. The industrial, the social, the educational, and all other lines can be illustrated; the effect of thus dwelling on the past and present New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. achievements will be that a greater impetus will be given to all worthy endeavor in the direction of pro- gress ; the young will be inspired with a desire for emulation, and the whole community will be infused with new life. The Founding and Growth of the City. The founder of the original community, out of which the city of New Bedford ultimately developed, was Joseph Russell, who, about the middle of the last the industry started, Joseph Russell meanwhile carry- ing on his farm on the hill, from which a cart path led down to the wharves and try-works. As a part of his business he began the manufacture of candles from spermaceti, and it is claimed he was the first to engage in this industry. In consequence of Mr. Russell's enterprise, a little seaside hamlet gradually came into being, ancl other men of industry were soon attracted. The names of some of these pioneers that have come down to us are : John Loudon, a caulker ; Benjamin Taber, a boatbuilder and block- century, established himself on the shores of the Acushnet River, near the present foot of Union street. The land in the vicinity was covered with the primeval forest, and within the limits of the city of to-day there were no houses except those of the Russell family, in whose possession the territory had been for several generations. Joseph Russell engaged in the whale fishery. At that period whales were plentiful in near-by waters, and could be readily caught with small vessels and crude appliances. The blubber was cut up and brought ashore, where a try-works had been erected to care for it and extract the oil. In this primitive way Whaff. Whaling Barks Rouseau and Commodore Perry, lands Packets. Bark Mornrng Star— Hove Down. maker ; John Alden, a house carpenter ; Brazillai Myrick, a ship carpenter; Elnathan Sampson, a black- smith, and Gideon Mosher, a mechanic. The man, however, who is credited with having given the greatest impetus to the growth of the place was Joseph Rotch, who came to the shores of the Acushnet in 1765. He was possessed of some capi- tal, was a native of Nantucket, and had obtained some experience in the whale fishery in his native island, which was then the headquarters of that industry. He introduced better methods, and under his direc- tion, as well as influenced by his example, the fishery was gradually extended, industry increased, and the Mam Portion ol the Water Front, New Bedford Harbor, from the Pier ol little hamlet became a Hourishing and busy village. L'ntil after the arrival of Joseph Rotch from Nan- tucket the village had no name. This fact is in itself sufficient to show of what little importance the locality then was. Soon, however, with the increase in busi- ness and population the necessity of distinguishing the place from the rest of the town became apparent, and Joseph Rotch is said to have suggested the name "Bedford," in honor of the Russell family, who bore the same family name as the English Duke of Bed- ford. This name was accordingly adopted, and con- tinued in use until the incorporation of the town, when, to distinguish it from another place of the same name in the State, the word "New" was prefi.xed. The village of Bedford was within the limits of the old town of Dartmouth, which was incorporated in 1664, and included the present towns of Dart- mouth, Westport, Fairhaven, Acushnet, the city of New Hedfcird and a strip of Tiverton and Little Comptun, K. I. This region had been purchased from the Indians in 1652, on behalf of the Plymouth colony, by John Cooke and Kdward Wmslow, for "thirty yards of cloth, eight moose-skins, fifteen a.xes, fifteen hoes, fifteen pairs of breeches, eight blankets, two kettles, one clock, £2 in wampum, eight pair stockings, eight pair shoes, one iron pot, and ten shillings in another commndity." The deed was signed by Wamsutta, the son of Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoags, whose headquarters were near the present town of Warren, R. I., and who figures so consjMcuously in the accounts of the dealings of the first colonists with the Indians. Part of this territory had been apportioned to some of the first settlers of Plymouth by the general court as early as 1639, and Capt. Miles Standish had a right to a "plantation" here. I'"ew of the Pilgrims, however, removed to Dartmouth, but the settlers were mainly (Juakers and Baptist, who were able to influence the local legislation to such an extent "that the town, as a town, never once levied or paid a tax to support a preacher or to build a house of worship, or elected a preacher who would receive any part of his support from the public treasury." This is a notable record, in view of the fact that in the Old Colony and in Massachusetts there was a practical union between church and State, which, whatever its original justification, ultimately worked disaster and oppression. The inhabitants of the new village of Bedford were of this independ- ent, free thinking, freedom-loving class of people, and their influence on the development of the place was marked and salutary. From 1765 to the time of the Revolution the village grew rapidly for the times, and many people settled in the immediate vicinity. All this was changed by the war. The whale fishery was suspended; some of the merchants fitted out their vessels as privateers, and the harbor became a rendezvous for private armed ves- sels. Although the leading inhabitants, being Quakers, had not countenanced this, the British forces, in re- taliation, made a raid on the village Sept. 5th and 6th, 1778. Major-General Grey, under orders from Sir Henry Clinton, landed at Clark's Cove on the after- noon of Sept. 5th, with between four and five thou.sand troops, which had been brought up the bay by the British frigate, "Carysfort," and several transports. Marching up the County road to the village, the troops there burned thirty-four vessels, ten dwelling houses and about twenty-five other buildings, and on their way killed three citizens — Abraham Russell, Thomas Cook and Diah Trafford. The troops then marched to the head of the inlet, through the present town of Acushnet, and down along the east side through Fairhaven, and re-embarked on their vessels from Sconticut Neck. The value of property destroyed on this raid amounted to ;f 96,980, about half a million dollars, which was a great sum for as poor a com- munity as Bedford then was. After the war the village of Bcdfonl iccovcrcd rap- idly from the great disaster of the iiritish raid, and increased to such an extent that, by an act passed Feb. 23, 1787, it was separated from the old town of Dartmouth, and started on its career as an independ- ent ]3olitical corporation, under the name of New Bedford. Its territory then included the present towns of 1-airhaven and Acushnet. l'"airhaven was incorporated as a separate town elphia &. Reading Coal &. Iron Co. to the Neighborhood of the Bridge. under an act passed Feb. 22, 1812, but it had long been a considerable village. In i860 the territory of Fairhaven was divided and the northern portion became the town of Acushnet, where a village had e.xisted by that name at the "Head of the River," half a century before New Bedford was founded. Oxford Village, on the east side of the river, just before and after the Revolution, rivaled Bedford in size and im- portance. The village of Bellville, on the west side, between Bedford and Acushnet, was likewise, at the same period, about the same size. Thus, there were five villages on the Acushnet River — Bedford, Fair- haven, Oxford, Acushnet and Bellville — all apparently with an equal chance in the race for supremacy. Bedford, however, proved to be the most favorably situated, and after the Revolution, steadily forged ahead. One circumstance that probably first gave ]5edford village an advantage over its rivals was the fact that Joseph Rotch was unable to buy land on the water front in Fairhaven, and was consequently obliged to content himself with the ten acre lot he bought from Joseph Russell in 1765, on which he located, and thus all his capital and enterprise were centered in Bedford. This circumstance, combined with better natural opportunities, made Bedford the central place, and ultimately resulted in her becoming the metropolis of the region. The leading merchant in New Bedford at the be- ginning of the century was William Rotch, the son of Joseph Rotch. He had remained in Nantucket when his father located on the shores of the Acushnet in 1765; from 1785 to 1793 he carried on his business at iJunkirk, France; but in 1795 he came to New Bedford. His son, William Rotch, Jr., continued the family busi- ness, and his son-in-law, Samuel Rodman, was also a whaling merchant. Among the conspicuous names in this line during the active period of the whale fishery, which followed in the next half century, were the Russells, the Howlands, the Hathaways, the Tuckers, many of whom amassed great wealth. The growth of New Bedford after the revolution is well illustrated by the statistics of the shipping in the vicinity in 1803. The total tonnage was 19,146, and the number of vessels were 59, all belonging in the town of New Bedford except four — two of which were owned in Westport and two in Dartmouth. At that date Fairhaven was included in New Bedford. Of the total number of vessels, 20 ships and 8 brigs be- longed in the village of New Bedford, and 12 ships and 9 brigs in Fairhaven. Of these, about 20 vessels were engaged in whaling and thirty as merchantmen or packets. New Bedford had the larger number of whaling craft, but Fairhaven was the port of the majority of the freighting vessels. Thus, both sides of the river were growing together at nearly an equal rate. After the division into two towns. New Bed- ford was but little larger than Fairhaven, and in 1820 the population, respectively, was: New Bedford, 3,947; Fairhaven, 2,733. The war of 18 12 and the embargoes antecedent thereto crippled the commerce and fishery of the port, so that at times many vessels were laid up at the wharves inactive ; but with the close of the war a revival set in, which resulted in a constant and healthful growth. This growth was greatly acceler- ated between 1820 and 1830, owing to the noticeable increase in the demand for oil, resulting from the development of manufactures throughout New Eng- land, as a consequence of the introduction of the power loom, which rendered possible the rapid extension of the cotton and woolen industries. From 1830 until i860 the population increased at the rate of about 5,000 each decade. P'or the next decade it remained stationary — in fact, decreased slightly — but beginning with the erection of the fourth mill of the Wamsutta corporation in 1868, there has been a constant increase at very much more than the old rate, and since 1880, with the multiplication of the cotton mills, the population has more than doubled. In 1847 the town of New Bedford was incorporated as a city, and on April 28 of the same year the first municipal government was inaugurated. The first mayor was Abraham Howland, who served four years— 1847-51. His successors in the oflRcehave been: William J. Rotch, 1852; Rodney French, 1853-54; George Howland, Jr., 1855-56; George H. Dunbar, 1857-58; Willard Nye, 1859; Isaac C. Taber, 1860-61, and to Sept. 29, 1862; George Howland, Jr., New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 1862 from Sept. 29, and 1863-65; John H. Perry, 1866-67; Andrew G. Pierce, 1868-69; George B. Rich- mond, 1870-72; George H. Dunbar, 1873; George B. Richmond, 1874; Abraham H. Howland, Jr., 1875-76; Alanson Borden, 1877; George B. Richmond, 1878; William T. Soule, 1879-80; George Wilson, 18S1-84; Morgan Rotch, 1885-88; Walter Clifford, 1889-90; Charles S. Ashley, 1891-92; Jethro C. Brock, 1893; Stephen A. Brownell, 1894; Uavid L. Parker, 1895-96; Charles S. Ashley, 1897. Origin, Progress and Decay of the Whale Fishery, For the first hundred years of her history, the life of New Bedford depended uixin and centered around the whale fishery. Her citizens brought this hazardous real origin on the island of Nantucket. At first the whales were caught near the shores by primitive methods, and the "Off Shore" whaling continued to be followed until about the middle of the last century. As the whales became scarce or more timid, vessels were fitted out to pursue them to more distant waters, but the blubber was brought home and the oil ex- tracted in try works on shore. Larger vessels were built and more extended voyages made, as the fish- ermen gained in experience, until the Nantucket sailors had penetrated every sea. The island became the home of the whale fishery, and in 1775, 1 50 whalers sailed from the port, manned by 2,500 seamen. The War of the Revolution practically wiped out the business, but just previous to the war of 18 12, there were 40 ships from the island engaged in the fishery. occupation up to the |)i)siliini dI i ^icit n ition d m dustry. They developed the methods of citchin^ the gigantic mammals of the sea to a surprising pcitcc tion, and as a result secured great rewards and wide I mown in their chosen vocation. Whale fishing is said to have been piacliL'ed by the ancient Greeks and Phenicians. The Norsemen, the Danes, the inhabitants of the Low Countries and the natives of Great Britain engaged in the pursuit dur- ing the middle ages and in more recent limes. With- out doubt, some of the first white settlers in the New World had taken part in whale hunts off their native shores before coming to America, so that it is not surprising that in early Colonial times .some of the pioneers should have started this fishery. As early as 1640 whales were caught by the settlers off the shores of Long Island. The whale fishery in America had, however, its er, decreased ■half b i)eace .tUUHl Ihe t\i erieiK-e and skill of the Nantucket whale- men were brought to New Bedford by Jo.seph and William Rotch, but the village on the Acushnet did not rival the island home of the fisheiy until after 1812. After that period New Ik'dford became the leading whaling port, but Nantucket continued a very important port until between 1840 and 1850. In 1841 the island had 100 ships manned by 4,000 men, and employing a capital of $9,000,000. The fisheiy is said to have been started in New Bedford about 1755 by Joseph Russell. Ten yearslater, at the time when Joseph Rotch arrived, the whaling lleet consisted of four small sloops of from 40 to 60 tons burthen. Ai first it was only necessary to send the \-essels a little distance out into the sea. Gradu- ally the game disappeared from the near-by waters New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 7 and could only be found in distant seas, so that a whaling voyage which, in the early times, had been an undertaking of a few days or weeks, finally consumed months or years. The staunch ships of New Bedford penetrated into every ocean. They went into the ice fields of the north; they rounded Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, into the Pacific and Indian Oceans; they sailed into far southern latitudes, and found their way into every remote region of the globe. Since the beginning of the village many of the ves- sels hailing from the port have been built here. The first ship built was the "Dartmouth," launched in 1767. She belonged to Francis Rotch, son of Joseph, and her first voyage was to London, Eng., with a cargo of whale oil. She was one of the vessels from which the tea was thrown overboard in Boston harbor in New Bedford, with an average of a whaleship arriving every day in the year, was a busy seaport, whose life and character can hardly be realized to-day unless aided by an imagination instructed by the recitals of some of the old sailors or residents of that period. During the War of the Rebellion, the whaling interest suffered severely. The "Alabama" burned many whaling vessels in 1862, near the Azores, and other rebel cruisers added to the destruction at other times and places. The "Shenandoah," in June, 1S65, captured in Behring Straits 27 whaling vessels, burn- ing 24 of them, and of these 17 belonged in New Bedford. The loss to New Bedford was about a million and a half of dollars. A great disaster over- took the whaling fleet September, 1871, "when in a single day 33 ships were abandoned in the Arctic Ocean, hopelessly crushed or environed in the ice." VIEW OF NEW BEDFORD, LOOKING SOUTHWARD, FROM TOP OF ODD FELLOWS BUILDlNt 1773. Her cargo consisted of 114 chests, or about one-third of the entire amount that the "Boston Tea Party" destroyed. The ship "Bedford," the property of Joseph Rotch, was the first American vessel to display the Stars and Stripes in Great Britain. She arrived in London, Feb. 23, 1783, the day of the sign- ing of the preliminary treaty of peace, with a cargo of 587 barrels of oil. New Bedford, with her admirable advantages as a port — a lengthy water front, deep water up to the wharves, and a commodious harbor, easily accessible at all conditions of wind and tide — ultimately ab- sorbed nearly all the whaling business on the Atlantic seaboard, until in 1857 her fleet consisted of 324 vessels, worth more than $12,000,000 and requiring the service of over 10,000 seamen. In the decade from 1850 to i860 the business was at its height, and Of these vessels, 22 belonged in New Bedford, the loss on which, exclusive of oil and bone, was $1,090,- 000. In 1876, 12 New Bedford ships were abandoned in the Arctic, entailing a loss of 50 lives and $660,000 worth of property. August 3, 1888, five whalers were lost in a gale off Point Barrow in the Arctic Ocean, three of them being New Bedford ships, the loss on which was about $60,000. The most recent disaster was the loss of the steam whaling bark, "Navarch," in the ice, 120 miles northeast of Point Barrow, together with 35 of her crew, on July 29, 1897. About the year 1857 the whale fishery began to decline, but New Bedford has always continued to be the chief port. During the last fifteen or twenty years a considerable number of the New Bedford vessels, composing the North Pacific fleet, have been transferred to San PVancisco, and that port now 8 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. rivals New Bedford. January i, 1897, the New Bed- ford whaling fleet consisted of 19 ships and barks, one brig and 12 schooners, of a tonnage of 6,410, while at the same date San Francisco had 21 steamers and barks and one schooner, of an aggregate tonnage of 6,49s. The constant and gradual decline of the whale fishery is due to two main causes, namely, the increas- ing scarcity of whales from year to year, necessitating \oyages into more remote seas at a largely increased cost, and the discovery of petroleum, the use of which supplanted whale oil for many purposes. The cost of securing whale oil was thus increased, while its price in the market was lowered, with the neces- sary result that capital found it unprofitable to con- tinue in the whale fishery. This movement was checked liy a fortuiuUe rise in the price of whalebone, which increased in market value seven or eight times its former figures. The price of sperm oil per gallon in 1855 was ;^ 1. 77. and of whale oil 71 cents. In 1857 s]K'rin oil hr.-u-ht <;i.2S, and from that time until 1877, alth.nigh it llnctualcd considerably, it did n.)t fall below the dollar limit until 1878, when it averaged about 90 cents. Since then it has steadily declined, and during 1896 the average price was 40 cents. Whale oil has fluctuated in value very much less, as it averaged 35 cents a gallon in 1896. The price of whalebone in 1835 was 42 cents a iiound; in 1857, 97 cents; in 1875,51.12, while in i89()its average ])rice was $3.95. The constant impro\emenls in the manufacture of mineral and vegetable oils during the last quarter of a century have resulted in the production of lubricat mg oils that take the place of sperm at a \ery much less cost. They do not wholly supplant sperm, but they have deposed it from its old place of sole prominence as a lubricator, a place it will never again fill. At the same time there will always be a considerable demand for it, and the whale fishery is not likely to wholly die out so long as a limited market remains for the oil, and there is a great demand for whalebone at the large prices that now prevail. In the common life of New England, New Bedford has always cut a much larger figure and has been much more widely known than other places of equal population and business. The young men from the remote farms, the rugged hillsides, the inland towns or cities, moved by a desire to see something of the world and its wonders, made their way to the wharves of the whaling city, and from thence set forth on their quest after adventure and fortune. That they did not always realize either, in the man- ner or in the degree that fancy led them to e.xpect, did not pre- \ent others from following in their footsteps. But the experi- ences they did achieve, although perhaps somewhat severe to most of those who ventured, still had elements of romance, especi- ally when viewed, seated in a pleasant home, through the haze of memory. Scarcely a place in the limits of the Atlantic sea- board but furnished, one or two generations ago, some adven- turous son, who either went by consent or ran away to New Bedford and shipped on a whaler. In how many books of biography and newspaper obitu- aries are accounts even now found of men who thus began " ^ life l)y shipping from the old whaling port ? l'>y how many cosy firesides, in lonely farm houses, in village homes, in city dwellings, have the seafaring adventures of friends and rela- tives been discussed, and with what all absorbed interest have the hearers followed the details of the narrative, especially if the narrator had himself been a participant, and possessed the sailor's usual gift of "spinning a yarn .'" Although New Bedford is shorn of her old glory as a port, her harbor presents many picturesque reminders of the past in the shape of old whaling ships, lying dismantled in the docks. Then, too, occasionally the din of the hammers of the ship car- penter and the caulker is heard on her wharves, when one of her small remaming fleet is being prepared for sea. But she has more than made up for her losses by the phenomenal growth of her manufactures ; her water front is dotted with vessels of a coastwise com- New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. merce bringing supplies to her manufacturers, and she has taken a front rank as a textile manufacturing city, in this way sustaining her reputation as a leader in whatever she undertakes. ♦The Stone Fleet. — So many whalers were obliged to tie up to the wharves at the beginning of the civil war, that when the Govern- ment wished to secure a number of vessels for the purpose of sinking them, loaded with stone, at the entrances to Southern harbors, the \ew Bedford merchants were willing to dispose of many of their ships at almost any price. Of the "Stone Fleet," of 45 vessels, that was used in this manner to blockade Southern ports, 24 were New Bedford crafts. The illustration of these vessels, shown on this page, was made from an old engraving, and represents the fleet in New Bedford lower harbor on Nov. 16, 1861, on the eve of sailing. About 7,500 tons of stone were carried out by them from New Bedford, and most of them were sunk in the harbor of Charlestown, .i. C, and effectively blockaded thai i.uit al I'lrsi. In time, it is said, however, the effect was a decided l.lL-,xiiig t.. Charlestown, as the immense mass of stone formed a jctly, which directed the currents in such a manner as to form a much deeper and better channel than formerly. The list of vessels, and the order in which they appear in the engrav- ing, beginning at the left, is as follows; Bark "Garland," Capt. Rodney French, 243 tons, 190 tons stone; ship "Maria Theresa," Capt. T. S. Kailey, 330 tons, 320 tons stone; revenue cutter "Varina," Capt. Sands; bark "American," Capt. \V. A. Beard, 320 tons, 300 tons stone; pilot boats "Rescue" and "Richmond;" ship "Rebecca Simms," Capt. J. F. Willis, 400 tons, 425 tons stone; bark "Harvest," Capt. W. W.Taylor, 314 tons, 400 tons stone; bark "Leonidas," Capl. J. Rowland, 231 tons, 200 tons stone; bark "Amazon," (apt. J. S. Swift, 318 tons, 328 tons .stone; ship "South America," (\\y<. Havid (',. Chadwick, 646 tons, 550tons stone; pilot boat "KlT-ii: l,i-l. ■■Cossack," Capt. Childs, 250 tons, 250 tons stone; ,liip ■ ■Ai. h. 1 , ' ' Capt. Worth, 321 tons, 280 tons stone; pilot boat "\ i^iuil; " aliip "Courier," Capt. Shubael F. Brayton, 381 Ions, 350 tons stone; bark "Francis Henrietta," Capt. Michael Cumisky, 407 tons, 381 tons stone; ship "Potomac," Capt. Brown, 356 tons, 350 tons stone; ship "Kensington," Capt. B. F. Til- ton, 357 tons, 350 tons stone; bark "Herald," Capt. A. H. Gifford, 274 tons, 240 tons stone; ship "L. C. Richmond," Capt. Malloy, 341 tons, 300 tons stone. A second fleet of seven vessels sailed from New Bedford, Dec. 9, 1S61, consisting cf the following vessels: Ships "America," Capt. Henry B. Chase; "William Lee," Capt. Horace A. Lake; barks "India," Capt. Avery F. Parker; "Mechanic," Capt. Archibald Baker, Jr.; "Valparaiso," Capt. William Wood; "Margaret Scott," Capt. Henry F. Tobey; "Majestic," Capt. Joseph Dimmick. 2-W IV. Social and Economic Conditions — The Changes of the Years. The phases of life that have been presented in the experience of New Bedford have been so varied, that the social and human sides of her history have thereby many more points of interest than is usually the case with a small community situated away from the great main currents of the world's affairs. This was at first owing to the unique nature of the calling her people have depended on for their livelihood, which attracted men from all parts of the country and brought in men of all nations ; and, second, its con- tinuance is due to the fact that the rise of man- ufacturing by introducing again people of many nationalities has intermixed and superimposed other influences on the existing social peculiarities. "Going down to the sea in ships" brought to her inhabitants a wide knowledge of other countries and peoples, and contributed to make them broader in view, more tolerant in judgment and to give them a certain amount of culture. These characteristics were by no means at the same time found in the same degree in less favored communities. That this is not a fanciful assumption is borne out by the facts. The high character of many of her leading merchants and of her common citizens is well exhibited by the institutions they created, and by their life and works in many lines. The early inhabitants of New Bedford were Quak- ers. The Russells, the Rotchs, most of the leading merchants and many of the mechanics and permanent citizens were of this persuasion. The influence of the sect for a long time dominated the community; and the high standard of living enjoined, the austere manners inculcated, and the clear and wholesome views of doctrine taught, all contributed to give a 10 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. nounce that a very large number of fugitive slaves, aided by many of our most wealthy and respectable citi- jl zens, have left for Can- l| ada and parts unknown, 1 ^Ninpathy lii\ prevails - class of our healthful tone to the Hfe of the conimunity, while the crudities and peculiarities in some particulars of the Friends were overconie by the wider experience of life brought to the community by commerce and the influx of new life. Tiie Quakers opposed slavery, they freed their own slaves abt)Ut the time of the rcnolution, and the New Bedford I>'riends were both theoretically and practically abolitionists in the middle years of the century, when they res- negroes and helped them to liberty by the clandes- tine means known by the nameof theUndergroun.l Railroad. Daniel Ricket- son says : " In the eaiiy years of the century theie was hardly a house in the ])lace which had not given shelter and succor to a fugitive slave." The Fugitive Slave law passed in 1850 evidently had few supporters in New Bed- ford, as the following |)aragraph from the JAv- ciiry of April, 1851, indi- cates : '• ExTKADrnoN Kxtkaokih- NAKV.— We are pleased lo aii- Hon. Frederick Douglas.the great anti - slavery ora- tor, and the most eminent man the colored race has yet produced in this country, found refuge in New Bedford, where he worked as a mechanic, and laid the founda- tions of the edu- cation that after- wards enable d him toaccomplish so much for his people. \-S IIUILUING. ' ' ^ ,, ,, A contrast to the events and sentiments just recorded is presented by the scenes of dissipation that, during this same period, were happening in the lower part of the town. Like all seaports it had its dens of iniquity, and fre- quently outrages occurred. Incited by a murder which had been committed in the neighborhood, a mob of citizens, in v\ii";ust, i8j6, Inu'ned a numlier ■.,\I)ING KOdM, I'fliLIC New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. U of houses tenanted by abandoned characters, at a locality known as "Hard Dig," on Kempton street, a little west of the present base ball park. The next night the mob burned "The Ark," an old whaler which was beached on the spot where Charles S. Paisler's brick building now stands on North Water street. A house had been built on the hull of the ves- sel, and it was a low resort of the worst possible character. A second "Ark" was soon after built, also on the hull of a whaler, and was located in the same neigh- borhood as the first had been. "It was occupied by the worst classes, and was the abode of debauchery and evil doing. Citizens were in dady fear, not only of their property hut of their lives. Any attempt to posed persons. Nor was this confined to Howland street for South Water street and other intersecting streets partook of the generally bad reputation. They abounded in dance halls, saloons, gambling dens and brothels. When our ships came in from their long voyages ^hese abodes of iniquity were in high carnival, fights and brawls were of frequent occur- rence, and it was dangerous to pass through this section after nightfall. It was no uncommon occur- rence for persons to be knocked down and robbed. Matters grew steadily worse and more uncontrollable, when a climax was reached in a murder." The rioters destroyed two houses by fire on that occasion, and effectually fiightened the degraded denizens of the neighborhood. COUNTY .STREET, •HE MAIN RESIDENCE banish the scourge failed, and it soon became evident that law was held in effectual defiance." When affairs had reached this pass, an organized band of disguised citizens took the matter up and burned the second "Ark" Aug. 27, 1829. Leading citizens, in order to prevent any further destruction of property by mob violence, organized a vigilance committee, which finally became the "Protecting Society," now the oldest part of the fire department. The Howland street riot occurred on the evening of April 19, 1856, and was similar in its intent and purpose to the "Ark" riots of 1826 and 1829. A murder had been committed in the south part of the city on Howland street. This neighborhood in the years previous, and especially at the time of the riot "was a noted resort for drunken sailors and evil dis- The life of the town in those days necessarily revolved around the whaling interest. The arrival of a whaler was always an interesting event. By a system of signals, the approach of an incoming ship was ascertained before it entered the bay. Boats immediately put out to meet the vessel, crowded with boarding-house keepers, ship agents and other inter- ested parties. On the wharf a crowd had collected by this time, as from the lookouts it had been definitely learned who the vessel belonged to, and its landing place therefore ascertained. Soon the ship was brought into the dock, tied up, and immediately the work of unloading the oil and stripping the vessel of her sails and outfit began. Meanwhile the sailors were the object of much solicitude to the various boarding-house keepers, especially if the voyage has J2 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. ,4 MILM MI\sCHRI^II\N \ss()U\lIiNlllII)I\( been a successful one. In the palmy days of the fishery their revenues were large, as they not only l)oarded and lodged the seamen, but advanced money to them on their shares, and acted as shipping agents. The sharp practices of which this class were guilty gained for them the name of "sharkers" or "land sharks," con\eying the idea, which was unfortunately too often true, that the poor sailor was shown as little mercy by many of them on land as he would be by the " tiger of the sea" if at his mercy in the water. The manner of conducting a whalhig voyage was to give each participant a certain lay or share in the oil or bone obtained, in proportion to their rank or value of service. In addition to the scarcitv of whales and the introduction of petro- leum, other causes con- tributed to the decline of the business. Some of these are recountetl as follows by George F. Tucker, in his article on New Bedford, in the A'c'ci' Etiglaud Maga- zine for .September, 1896: " Another cause of the decline was the de- terioration of the sea- men. The foremast liaml of fifty years ago was a farmer's boy. He carried homespun gar- ments, and was rarely the debtor of the shi|). I ic was ambitious to advance, and, if he never became a master, he was reasonably sure of becoming an officer. In later years an unre- liable element dominated the forecastle. There was baldly a sailor who was not a debtor of the ship for his outfit ; improvident and indifferent, he entered upon his labors with little of the zeal of his hardy predecessor." The American sailors, not finding the business ptofitable, sought other fields and occupations, and the crews of the whalers were either recruited from the class Mr. Tucker refers to, or were composed of men of other nationalities, content with small returns. The effect of all this was to bring about new social md industrial conditions. Many of the new sailors weie men of Portuguese descent, natives of the \zores, or Western Islands. They began to ship as sailors in the prosperous days of the fishery, and the ships still in commission are manned largely by them. At present the people of this nationality form a con- sideiable proportion of the population, and reside chiefly on South Water street and its neighborhood. While all these changes were taking place, the fundamental character of the people was finding ex- pression in the establishing of schools and institutions that aided materially in social growth. There were no public schools, e.xcept for the poor, until 1821, when action was taken that resulted in an excellent school system that was developed to a great degree of efficiency as the years passed. The High School was first opened June 11, 1827, and the present fine edifice was erected in 1876. The Friends' Academy, founded by William Rotch, dates from 1810, has al- ways been an excellent institution, and is now a day school for teaching boys and girls ancient and modern languages, matheniMtics, .md iiatui-.;! .md iinn.il s,-i- New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. J 3 ence. The Swain Free School, started Oct. 25, 1882, in the Swain family mansion, bequeathed for that purpose by William W. Swain, is an excellent insti- tution for the teaching of the classics, history and literature. The " Aimwell " is an excellent private school, es- tablished in 1861, by Mrs. D. P. Knight. It is now conducted in the Young Men's Christian Association building, by Miss Mary R. Hinckley, who was a faith- ful and capable teacher in the public schools for many years. The school is easily accessible from every direction, and the surroundings, both within and without the building, are such as to directly aid in the moral and mental development of the pupils. One of the first organizations in the United States to engage scholarly and eminent men to lecture on literary and scientific subjects, was the New Bedford Lyceum, founded in 1828, and it continued to do so until the decadence of lyceum lecturing. The chief enterprise, however, that manifested the inclination and desire of the people of New Bedford for intellectual culture, was the establishing of the Free Public Library, by a city ordinance passed July 20, 1852. It was first opened to the public on March 3, 1853, and was one of the first free public libraries in the United States. The library building was finished in 1857, and a large addition was completed and opened in 1886. From the opening of the library Robert C. Ingraham has been librarian. To his skill as an organizer and administrator, his acquirements as a scholar, and his thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the books in his care, much of the credit of the effectiveness of the library is due. The library has exercised a very potent influence on the life of the city, and has been, in the best sense, a dispenser of light, and a source of mental and moral growth. Organizations for benevolent and charitable work are numerous in New Bedford. One of the earliest and best known of these is the New Bedford Port Society established in 1830, which maintains a Bethel and a Seamen's Home on Second street. The New Bedford Ladies' City Mission originated in 1846 as a tract society, and for more than thirty years has main- tained a mission at the South Elnd on South Water street. The Union for Good Works was incorporated in 1872 for the promotion of religious, educational and charitable purposes, and had commodious quarters in the Hicks Building on Purchase street, comprising a reading room with a good library, and an amusement room with suitable appliances for many kinds of games, until 1895, when it moved into a beautiful new building of its own on Market street, opposite the City Hall. The rooms here contain all the old time attractions and others in addition, and the association is also engaged in effective charitable work. The Orphan's Home, corner of Cove street and French avenue, at the southern extremity of the city, was established in 1843, and is supported by contributions and the income of invested funds. The Association for the Relief of Aged Women formed in 1866 for the purpose of affording "assistance and relief to respectable, aged American women," distributes several thousand dollars annually. The city has two excellent hospitals, St. Luke's on Fourth street, estab- VIEW ON PURCHASE STREET. lished in 1884; and St. Joseph's on Plea.sant street, started in 1872. They are both admirably conducted and the latter is under the control of the Sisters of Mercy. The Young Men's Christian Association of New Bedford was first organized in 185 1, but soon lapsed for lack of interest. It was revived in 1867, and since then has had a constant and prosperous existence. The present beautiful building of the association, cor- ner of William and Sixth streets, was erected in 1 890- 1. The oldest church in New Bedford is the iMrst Congregational, originally an orthodox society that worshipped at Acushnet, but which became Unitarian early in the century. The present substantial stone edifice on Union street, near County, was erected in 1838. Among the preachers of this church have been several eminent men. Dr. Samuel West was the minis- 14 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. ter from 1760 to 1803, and in the latter years of his pastorate the church was removed to New Bedford. Orville Dewey was the minister from 1823 to 1834. Ralph Waldo Emerson supplied the pulpit for six months during Dr. Dewey's pastorate. John Weiss was the preacher from 1847 to 1858. William J. Potter was the minister from 1859 until his death a few years ago. He was a man of great intellectual powers, a true preacher of righteousness and truth, and his in- fluence and example on the community was marked and wholesome. The North Congregational Church, which is an orthodox body, is an offshoot of the First church, and the present stone edifice on Purchase street was erected in 1836. The Trinitarian Church is the child of the North Congregational, and its fine edifice on Fourth street was erected in i8gi. The pastor of this church is Matthew C. J ulien, an unusually powerful and eloquent preacher. The North Christian church, a large wooden building with pillars in front. their ideas, manners and modes of life differed in many particulars. These observations apply particu- larly to the English, Scotch and Irish immigrants, who formed the bulk of the original factory popula- tion. Hut if the points of difference between them and the natives were great, how much greater were they in the case of the F"rench Canadians and other peoples that speak a foreign language, who coming in at a later period than the first Pau'opean immigrants had little in common either with them or with the native inhabitants. Under such conditions it was difficult for the various elements of the population to understand each other. Timeand experience togetherhasbrought a measure of mutual comprehension, and allayed race and national prejudices. The freedom of political inter- course has also contributed to break down the barriers, and the new inhabitants have taken hold eagerly and hopefully in the struggles of our "fierce (but free) Democracy." They have thereby been educated, and ha\-e become good citizens, the equals of the old guard. W.^MSUTT.^ JIILLS. and a tall spire, is situated on Purchase street; it was erected in 1833, and is known as the "White House" from its color. One of the handsomest edifices in the city is Grace church, Episcopal, on County street, which was dedicated in 1881. The Methodists have eight churches, the Baptists have four, the Catholics have five — two English speaking, two P'rench and a Portuguese church. There are over thirty places of public worship in the city. The first building for wor- ship was the I-'riends' Meeting-liou.se, built in 1785, which gave place to the i^resent brick edifice, erected in 1826. The new population brought in by the increase of the cotton industry alter 1S70, found all these institu- tions and advantages ready to hand, and many made use of them. They used the library, joined the societies, united with the churches, and their children attended the schools. Hut still the new comers formed a class apart from the old inhabitants. Although the majority of them were of the same race and had inherited the same body of tradition as the city's people, they were natives of other countries and The result of the fraternizing that has by this means been brought about has been the dwindling of old pre- judices, and a greater tendency to accept each man for his "sense and worth" and not for his ancestry, his wealth or his connections. While in a large way this growth in understanding each other is an undeniable fact, yet the factory peo- ple have been to many of the old inhabitant an alien race, of whose life and struggles they knew as little as they did of those of the inhabitants of some far off country, for whom their sympathy might occasionally be excited by an act of oppression or a talc of wrong. In reality it was difficult for the well housed, cultured natives with their manifold advantages to' realize that the uncouth, poorly dressed and ignorant factory hands were human beings of like passions and aspira- tions with themselves, and that the differences were more superficial and apparent than real. This lesson has, however, been learned in the school of experience where so many that were first are now last and those that were last are first. In our country it has been said "there are only three generations from shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves." The ex|)eriences ot this community for the past quar- ter of a century gives color to this generalization, for the direction of the industrial energies has, with the New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 15 growth of the city, passed in many instances into new hands. Many who were rich are now poor, and some who were poor are now rich. These results were accidental in numerous instances, poor investments being the cause in the one direction, and the rise in the value of land the means in the other. Yet thereby new social combinations have been evolved. New Bedford, on account of her varied industrial e.xperien- ces,has exhibited more social flux and reflux than most contemporary communities. The end is not yet ; but the changes that have taken place have made tor progress, and for a social structure adapted to the new conditions. rianufacturing, Its Beginning, Growth and Development. While the whale fishery for the first hundred years of her history was the main source of New Bedford's wealth, yet during this period progress was made in the first manufacturer, converting the blubber of the whales his little vessels had caught, into oil in his try works on shore. Joseph Russell also manufactured candles from spermaceti previous to the revolution, in a building which stood near the corner of Centre and Front streets, employing as superintendent a Capt. Chafee, at the then enormous salary of $500.00 per annum. All the principal whaling merchants had their oil and candle factories. William Rotch & Son are said to have built the old " Marsh Candle Works," which occupied the site on which the gas works now stand, and where Francis Rotch and Charles W. Morgan subsequently carried on the manu- facture. The factory of Samuel Rodman was on the corner of Water and Rodman streets. Humphrey Hathaway and Isaac Howland, Jr., had factories on School street. John James Howland built candle works at the corner of Second and Middle streets, which were in operation as early as 181 5. The build- , :% L.. it ^^^Qftfei ■11' ^""^^ POTOMSKA MILLS. developing various manufactures. The whale fishery necessarily attracted certain industries. Ships, boats and supplies were required, and the village which grew up around the wharves of Joseph Russell and Joseph Rotch was formed of mechanics and dealers who catered to these demands. Consequently the first inhabitants were shipbuilders, riggers, sailmakers, carpenters, blacksmiths, painters, boatbuilders, caulk- ers, coopers, blockmakers, rope and chainmakers, etc., and store keepers dealing in ship chandlery and sup- plies. Thus from the very beginning there was a great diversity of industry, — unusual for a community of its size, — the effect of which was to produce a readi- ness of resource and an adaptability among the inhabitants that enabled them and their descendants in after times, when necessity demanded, to turn their energies readily into other channels. The manufacture and refining of oil was the first industry carried on in an organized way, in factories, and has continued to the present one of the most important. The founder of the city was in reality ing, a substantial two story stone structure is still standing. For many years it was utilized as a soap factory by Otis Sisson and others, and is still the scene of that industry, under the management of Brett & Simpson. George Husseyand James Henry Howland established the factory at the Smoking Rocks, soon after the elder Mr. Howland had started his factory on Middle street. William W. Swain built a factory on the north side of Middle street. Andrew Robeson built a factory on Ray street, which subse- quently came into the possession of Edward Mott Robinson. George Howland had a factory on How- land's wharf and William T. Russell engaged in the manufacture on Third street. Charles W. Morgan carried on oil works on South Water street. One of the older factories was on First street, and was estab- lished by David Coffin. As the whaling business increased during the first quarter of the century the manufacture of oil and candles became specialized, and a number of factories were erected in what is now the central and south 16 New Bedford Se mi-Centennial Souvenir. parts of the city by firms which devoted their entire attention to this business. The largest oil refiner at the time when the whale fishery was at its height, was Samuel Leonard, who established the factory on Leonard street, east of Water street. Other factory on Prospect street, now conducted by George S. LL)mer A number of the old factories still e.xist in a dismantled condition, but the majority of them have been converted to other uses. The refining and distillation of coal oil was begun VIEW OF THE ACUSHNET AND HATHAWAY MILL.S FROM THE WATER FRON'l refiners who carried on large businesses were Nehe- miah Leonard, a brother of Samuel; Sydney Howland; George T. Baker, who established the factories now carried on by George Delanos' Sons, and W. A. Robinson & Co.; Cornelius Grinnell, who had a factory about the year 1857, by the New Bedford Coal (^il Co., the works of Joseph Ricketson being utilized for the purpose, and the claim has been made that petro- leum was first successfully refined in this establishment in i860, by Weston Howland, the secretary of the 'f" 1 J , ^ ^J -J ^jiiiT^^ MM ^hIh ^^^^^^KilLMi9i^fi,i\,iMM'M>i^ - ■ J^^^^^^l ^^1 \ ii':\\ (II- rill', \c I MiMi, iiA I I on the corner of l'"irst and South streets; Joseph Ricketson, who built a factory corner ni (Irinnell and First streets; Hastings & Co., with works on the wharf foot of (irinnell street, and which at one time was one of the largest fish oil refineries in the couii try; S. Thomas & Co., who built about 1855 the lany. He at ileum in the once began the manufacture of 1(1 oil works on I'"ish Island, and arried on the industry for many years. A petroleum efinery was also erected at Willis Point at the north nd of the city. The cit)' still has a number of concerns engaged in New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. J7 the refining of sperm and whale oil. These are George Delanos' Sons, W. A. Robinson & Co., George S. Homer, oil and candles, and William F. Nye, maker of sewing machine and watch and clock oils. A rope walk was in operation in the village previous to the revolution, but was burned by the British soldiers in 1778. Probably another took its place after the war. The New Bedford Cord- age Co., which has remained until the present one of the leading industries, was established in 1842. Its plant now covers four acres in the west part of the city and employes about 250 hands. The Morse Twist Drill & Machine Co. is one of the largest industries, and to it belongs the credit of founding and developing the manufacture of the well known " Morse Twist Drill." Mr. S. A. Morse, the inventor of the " Morse Patent Straight-Lip Increase Twist Drill," in 1864, so interested some few of the New Bedford business men in his patents, that they organized a company for the purpose of manufactur- ing under these patents. A start was made with a capital stock of ^30,000, in a modest two-story wooden building, 30 X 60. From year to year the business has steadily increased, and additions have been required to both capital and plant, until to-day, after a lapse of thirty- three years, the corporation has a capi- tal stock of $600,000, and its buildings cover nearly a square. The main building is of brick, three stories in height, 390 x 35, while the total floor area of all the buildings is nearly two acres. About 350 people are em- ployed. The reputation of the " Morse Drills " has not been confined to the United States, but a large export trade has been built up, and the goods go all over the world, being distributed through export merchants in this country, or through the agencies maintained in England, PVance, Germany and Austria. Mr. Edward S. Taber is president and treasurer, to which offices he was elected in 1868. The carriage manufacture was begun in New Bedford during the first quarter of the century. Among the pioneers of the industry were Ayres R. Marsh and Joseph Brownell, the father of J. Augustus Brownell, of the present firm of Brownell, Ashley & Co. George L. 3-H 18 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. Brownell started in business in the early forties. Other leading industries are the New Bedford Cop- per Co., incorporated in i860, and at present employ- ing 100 hands; the Pairpoint Manufacturing Co., silver plated ware and glass, established in 18S0, but which is also the owner of the Mount Washington VI. Growth of the Cotton Manufacture. The Wamsutta Mills. In the middle years of the century, when the whaling business was at its height, Thomas Bennett, Glass Works, started in 1869, the combined plants now employing 900 hands; Taber Art Co., dating from 1847, employing about 250 hands; New Bedford Iron Foundry established in 1847 ; Hathaway Soule & Harrington, shoe manufacturers, established in 1S65, and employing at present 300 hands. MILL OF THE PIERCE ^L\M■ lAClT' KING CO. Jr., a young man, a native of Fairhaven, who had had some experience in a cotton mill in the South, con- ceived the idea of establishing a cotton factory on his own account. He came to New Bedford in an endeavor to raise capital, and ultimately succeeded, mainly through the assistance of Joseph Grinnell, in The diveisilicd character of the city's industries can be realized by the enumeration of some of the princi- pal lines of work. Besides those mentioned there are boiler works, brass foundries, a rocket manufactory, candle and soap factories, picture frame shops, planing mills, boatbuilding yards, and other shops and indus- tries too numerous to mention in detail. organizing a comixiny. The task of getting the people of New Bedford interested in the enterprise was a difficult one, as a manufacturing enterprise of this description was entirely new to them, and they pre- ferred to continue along the lines to which they were accustomed. Most of the subscriptions to the stock New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. t9 were obtained by Edward L. Baker. Nearly all the leading men took shares, but in small amounts. The principal stockholders were Gideon Rowland, Sylvia Ann Howland, Thomas Mandell, Ward M. Parker, Thomas Mandell, Joseph Delano and Pardon Tilling- hast. The first mill of the W'amsutta Corporation, a stone structure 212 by 70 feet, was commenced in 1847 and MILLS OF THE COLUMBIA SPINNING CO. David R. Greene, Latham Cross, and Grinnell, Min- started the next year. A second mill, a little larger turn & Co., of New York. The Massachusetts than the first, was erected in 1854, and a third, legislature granted a charter to the new corporation which was a duplicate of the second, was built in i860. i April 8, 1846, under the name of the Wamsutta Mills. The capital stock was $160,000. The first officers were: President, Joseph Grinnell; Treasurer, Edward L. Baker ; Directors, Joseph Grinnell, David R.Greene, LS OF THE BENNETT M.\NUFACTURINU CO. These three were all built of stone. A brick mill 495 feet long by 75 feet wide, five stories high, was erected in 1868. In 1875 another brick mill was erected 433 by 93 feet, five stories in height. In 1882 20 New Bedford Semi-Centcnnial Souvenir. a mill 570 feet long 95 feet wide and three stories in height was put up, and in 1893, the last of the series, No. 7, which is however only a weaving mill and con- tains no preparatory machinery, was built. These seven mills are in one group on the shore of the Acush- consequently, justly be called the father of the cotton manufacture in New Bedford. Under Mr. Bennett's management nothing but sheetings were manufac- tured, and they held the first place in the market and commanded the highest price. Since that time, -mSsmffM^ii^MM. *';-C-i..V^:/5iif ^-fi ^*»^-c~w; net River, at the north part of the city, and at the while the Wamsutta sheetings are still standard goods, present time contain 230,000 spindles, 4,450 looms, in response to the demands of the jjeriod, cambrics, and give employment to 2,100 persons. The present lawns, and fancy cottons have been made in great capital is $3,000,000. The products manufactured variety. are fine and fancy cottons, sheetings and yarn. Mr. Bennett was succeeded as superintendent and From 1847 to 1874 Thomas Bennett, Jr., was the agent in 1S74 by lulward Kilburn, who held the posi- active manager of the Wamsutta Mills, first as super- tion until 1887. Then for a few months lulward R. intendent and then as superintendent and agent. He Milliken filled the oflice ; January, iSSS, William J. was a man of marked tinned success of the due to his enterprise. .\ecutive al)iht\ ictuie wa rhe mills made mil l^ MANl and thi very 1. money rgely from the start, and paid over 10 per cent, per annum (ni the invested capital during the entire ])eriod of Mr. Bennett's administration, while some of the new mills were in addition built out of the profits. He may, Kent became agent and held the pusitioii until his ^-c^^- — ''''~'^TYr'f.. 7-; ' u^^f^^^^l^i^ '^si^ri'm?^'-' k.^ '"i ,E L. L:K0\VXELL, hearses. In 1863 the business had increased to such an extent that further accommodations were required, and he bought the stone building at the corner of Third and Cannon streets, formerly occupied by Samuel Leonard & Son in the manufacture of oil. This building was refitted, and was ready for occupancy Nov. 12, 1863, on which date Mr. Brownell enter- tained 1,500 of his friends and fellow townsmen at a public dedication of the establishment. The original stone building is a two-and-a-half story structure of stone, 100 feet long by 60 wide. But the constant increase in the business soon ren- dered additional buildings necessary. First an addi- tion, two stories high and thirty feet wide was built, extending from the main structure, a distance of 130 feet, on Cannon street. Then a second wing was built, and two large buildings were erected in the S-H foreign countries. Since the business was established, over $5,000,000 worth of carriages have been sold. Notwithstanding his advanced age, Mr. Brownell is still to be found at the works every day, giving his personal attention to the various details of the im- mense business. S. S. Paine & Brother. One of the oldest, if not indeed tlie very oldest merchant now engaged in business in New Bedford is Samuel S. Paine, the senior partner of the firm of S. S. Paine & Brother, dealers in brick, lime, cement and builders' materials. He is a native of Bristol, R. I., came to New Bedford in 1830 when a boy of 16, and went to work in a grocery store conducted by a man from his native place. Returning home in 1833, he remained in Bristol a few months, working 34 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. in his father's store, but in response to the invitation of Captain John P. West, to whom his first employer had recommended him, he returned to New Bedford and became Captain West's clerk. This position he held for five years when Captain West took him into partnership, and the firm became known as West & Paine. In addition to the building material business they were also whaling merchants, and were agents for two vessels. About 1845 the partnership was dissolved, Captain West taking the whaling business as his share and Mr. Paine the building material busi- ness. In i860 Mr. Paine's younger brother, George W. Paine, became a partner, and the style of the firm thereafter was .S. .S. Paine & Brother. The business of the firm is now carricil on at the old location on Front street and connected with thejiremises is a commodi- ous dock and wharf. Mr. Paine is a man i>l ni:n kcd stiiMij;1li nl character, strictly honorable, consistent and upright in all his dealings, and lias always manifested the best traits of t la- New luigland Puritan, without the harsJi ness and sternness that are sometimes unjustly ascribed to that type. Acushnet River, Union street has been the centre of the business of the place. At first a cartpath leading from thefew houses on the hill to the shore, it became a village street lined with stores and shops. The houses of the leading mer- chants were on the ujijier parts of the street and their business places on the lower portions. The "P"our Cor- ners" at the inter- section of Union and Water streets, was in the early years of the century the centre of the town. The street still maintains ASANT STREET. "^"^^^ °^ ''^ °''' importance, and the illustration below shows its present appearance at the junction with Purchase and I-'ourth streets, which is now the centre of the city. The Masonic Building at the corner of Union and Pleasant streets, and the bank building of the New Bedford Institution for Savings, at the corner of Union and Purchase streets, are among the finest structures in the city. These, together with the Opera House and a few other new buildings, have very much improved the appearance of Union street, as well as enhancing the value of property. Inion Street. .Since the tablished 1 lime wiien Jose])h iniself on the shores Russell of the New Bedford Semi-Centcnnial Souvenir. 35 F. W. Wentworth Co. One of the finest and best appointed of the first- class retail establishments in New Bedford is that of the F. W. Wentworth Co., occupying the first floor and basement of the Masonic building, corner of Union and Pleasant streets. The company carries a fine line of ready-made clothing of the very best grades, and is sole agent in New Bedford for Rogers, Peet & Co., whose reputation as makers of high-class and well fitting garments is not surpassed by any other agent for the celebrated and popular Dunlap hats. In the basement a trunk department is conducted, which is well stocked with a full line of ladies and gentle- men's trunks, hand bags, valises, dress suit cases, etc. The F. W. Wentworth Co. was established three years ago. With a new business, new goods, and new fi.vtures, it was the first tenant to occupy the quarters in the new Masonic building that are still the head- quarters of the company. From the first the business has been a success. INTERIOR OF THE F. W. WENTWOTII CO. M.isonic Building, corner of Union and Plcisanl Sir. house in the country. The store is divided into various departments. A special feature is made of children's garments, suits, overcoats, reefers, etc., and this department is very popular and does a large business. The men's furnishings department is stocked with the latest novelties for men's wear, including all varieties of underwear, shirts, hosiery, neckwear, etc., all of the best style and material. Special attention is paid to the hat department, in which the latest styles are constantly kept in stock, and the company is sole The policy of the house has always been to maintain a high standard, to carry the best goods obtainable, to sell strictly for one price, and money is cheerfully refunded when a customer is dissatisfied. By follow- ing these principles a constantly increasing trade has been secured, and the reputation of the house has thereby become firmly established for honorable and fair dealing. The company is incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts. F. W. Wentworth is presi- dent of the company and manager of the busines.s, and H. W. Wentworth is treasurer. 36 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Co. The New Bedford Gas Co. was incorporated in 1850, with a capital of ;^50,ooo under a charter granted by the state of Massachusetts. The principal projectors were a number of Philadelphia capitalists, but two well known New Bedford men were associated with them — Abraham Howland, first mayor of the city, and James B. Congdon, city clerk. In a short time the interests of the Philadelphia gentlemen were bought out by local cajMtalists, and a [lermanent organization their respective positions, Mr. Congdon until his death, and Mr. Taber resigned a year or two after his associate passed away. Gilbert Allen was elected to fill both positions and remained in office until i8go. The Gas Company having been granted permission by the State Gas Commission in March, 1888, to man- ufacture and sell electricity for light and power, it purchased the property of the New Bedford Electric Light Company, which was then furnishing arc lights to the city from a station at the foot of School street. To provide for this purchase and make subsequent improvements the capital stock was increased to $300,000. Four Westinghouse incandescent dynamos J was effected, with William C. Taber as president, and James B. Congdon as treasurer. The construction of a plant was at once begun, and on P'eb. 14, 1853, the works were completed and the gas turned on. As first erected the entire ]ilant occupied but a small part nl the present lucatinn, between Water .street and tiie harhoi-, at the font "f Madison, then called Bush street, and consisted of a brick retort house, a small gas holder of the capacity of 35,000 cubic feet, an office and a coal shed. Ad- ditions and enlargements lia\e been made until over four acres are occupied, and tiie storage capacity of the three holders is about 200,000 cubic feet, the annual sale being over 70,000,000 cubic feet. To meet these expenditures the capital stock was gradually increased up to the year 1888 to S225.000. l'\)r o\er 30 years Messrs. Congdon and Taber lield of a capacity of 2,600 lamps of i6-candle power were added to the plant a few )'ears after the (ias Company At this time, however the Gas Comimny had a rival in the electric lighting field. The l^dison Electric Light Co., organized in 1884 on the basis of a capital of ;$ 100,000, began the construction of a two story brick building on Middle street, Oct. 9, 1885, and the plant was started Jan. 28, 1886. The plant consisted of a 150 and an 80 horse power engine, two 100 horse power boilers, two number 20 Edison incandescent dynamos and two number 8 dynamos, with a capacity of 2,400 i6-candlc power lights. About 600 lights were wired for when the current was turned on. Afterwards the plant was increased by four number 20 dynamos and two number 32 dynamos, increasing the lighting capacity to 10,500 lamps. The consolidation of the New Bedford Electric Light Co. with the Gas Company had been strongly opposed at the |)nl)lic hearings by the lidison Electric Light New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 37 Co. Notwithstanding this business antagonism how- ever, the inevitable trend of circumstances, brought about in i8go, the union of all the gas and electric light interests in one organization under the name of the New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Co. In the fall of 1894 the generating plant of the Mid- dle street station was abandoned, and the apparatus removed to the new electric light station on Coffin street, a brick building iS6.\75 feet, containing seven boilers and five engines, with a total horse power of 1575. There are also 17 dynamos with a capacity of nearly 20,000 i6-candle power lamps. There are now installed about 12,500 Edison and 7800 VVestinghouse Charles S. Paisler. One of the best known and most public-spirited men in New Bedford, is Charles S. Paisler. He carries on a large business in building material, lime, brick, cement, etc., at 160 North Water street. The business was started in 1853, and Mr. Paisler became the owner in 1876, when he pur- chased it from Charles M. Pierce, Jr., whose head- cjuarters were on the other side of North Water street, directly across from the present loca- CHAS. S. PAISLER S OFFICE AND STORAGE PLANT, 160 North Water Street. i6-candle power lamp.s. About 300 horse power of motors are also supplied by the company. In 1891 the company installed a water gas plant at their works. This plant has_a capacity of about 300,000 feet per day. New Bedford's streets are now lighted by about 525 gas lamps, 200 arc lamps and several circuits of incandescent lamps furnished by this comi)any, which also supplies F"airhaven with 85 electric lights for the streets; the public buildings and many residences are also lighted from this company's works. The offices of the company are at the former head- quarters of the Edison Electric Co. on Middle street. The present officers of the company are: president, George R. Stetson; treasurer and clerk, Charles R. Price; directors, Gilbert Allen, Horatio Hathaway, Horace G. Howland, David B. Kempton, George E. Kingman, Thomas H. Knowles, John P. Knowles, Jr., Charles H. Lawton, John W. Macomber, Andrew G. Pierce, Charles R. Price, George R. Stetson, Frederick Taber. The capital stock of the company is $550,000. tion. Mr. Paisler erected in 1876 the present commodious two-story brick building he occupies. It is very favorably situated, being directly on the harbor in the rear, and the materials are received both by rail and vessel. Mr. Paisler has been awarded some of the largest contracts in the city for building material, among which the following are some of the most important, viz. : the High School building, all the Grammar School buildings, the F"ire Depart- ment engine houses, fifteen of the large cotton mills erected during the past ten years, the Odd Eellows' building, Grace Church, St. Lawrence Church, the Eive Cent Savings Bank building, the Citizens Bank building, Gushing building, the building for the Union for Good Work, and many others. Mr. Paisler is a popular citizen, takes a great interest in public affairs, and is a very genial and pleasant gentleman. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Sc Oeorse Delano's Sons. The oil leliiiery of (ieorgc Delano's Sons, corner of South antl South Second streets, is the most important inilustrial plants in New ]> The buildings cover nearly two acres of land, the busy season forty-five men are em- ployed. The business is one of the oldest in the city, and the refinery is among the largest of its kind in the country. It was first started by George T. leaker, subsequently passed into the hands of Oliver and George O. Crocker, and about 1850 became the property of Charles H. Leonard. Geori^c Delano entered the employ of Mr. Leonard in 185s, and on January 1, iS6ij, became the owner of the business. He was suc- ceeded in 1884 by his sons, Stephen C. L. and James Delano, who have since conducted the plant under the present name. The concern has an office and salesroom at 176 ]'"ront street, New York. The firm manufactures sperm, whale, sea elephant, fish, and cotton seed oils, patent and paraffine wa.\ candles, s])ermaceti, whale and fish oil pressings, and sperm and whale oil .soap. All crude oils are worked out to definite results at the factory, and the pindncl is shipped to every part of the world. Isaac C. Sherman & Son. in the sale ot fruits and pioducc in New Hedford is that of Messrs. Isaac C. Shci- at the man & Son, whose senior partner es- tablished the busi- ness as long ago as the year 1847. He admitted his son, Mr. hid ward D. Sherman to part- nershi[) in 1876, when the firm assumed its present name. The large four story building at 70 to 76 L'nion street, is with the exception of the upper story, all uti- lized in the busi- ness, the first floor for a salesroom and office, the second floor entirely for bananas, of which this firm makes a specialty, handling so sLcoNnsiRLiis th^ 'Boston Fruit Co. s account for this city; and the third story and basement for storage puipose. An elevator connects the various floors. A \ ery large stock of foreign and domestic fruits and pro- duce is constantly kept on hand. This house is always prepared to supply the trade at the lowest market rates^ •;KM.\.N -t .SON .S WHOLESALE FKUIT HOL'.SE, 70 TO 76 Union Street. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 39 W. A. KOniXSOX .t L(l, S OIL WORKS, Sci . and numbers among its regular customers the leading retail dealers in the city, while its country trade also forms a material factor of the general business. By strict attention to business aided by their experience, enterprise, and integrity, both partners fully justify the unanimous opmion of their reliability and trust- worthiness which is held concerning them. Mr. Isaac C. Sherman was born in Rochester, Mass., while his son and copartner first saw the light in New Bedford. Frank M. Douglass. Frank M. Douglass, the proprietor of the centrally located drug store, on the south-east cciiki of riltli and Union streets, was born in New Bedford in 1854. He received his education in the public schools, and at the age of 14 began to learn the business of an apothecary with Klisha Thornton, Jr. After comj^leting his apprenticeship he went to Boston, and worked in the drug store of II. A. Choate, unilci- the Revere House. Returning to New Bedford, he was employed by Wm. P. S. Cadwell and his succes- sor, JM-ank R. lladley, ui) to 18.S2, at which time he purchased from H. W. Parker his present store. This was an old stand as a drug store, and Mr. Douglass has maile a great success of the business. He carries a first-class line of drugs, medicines, toilet and fancy articles; carefully compounds pre- scriptions, and is favored with a first-class trade. W. A. Robinson & Co. W. A. Robinson & Co. are among the larg- est refiners of Sperm and Whale Oil in this country. This firm was established in Rhode Island in 1829, but transferred its business to New Bedford in 1853. In 1863 the firm moved to the stone fac- tory it now occupies. No. 144 South Water street, which it has occupied for 34 years. The main building is two stories high, with a frontage of 40 feet on Water street. It is connected with smaller buildings of brick and \i>iiiixi -iKiii^ stone, extending to Front street, a distance 01240 feet. There are large sheds for storing oil on Wal- nut street, south of the factory buildings. The build- ings are lighted by gas and heated by steam, and em- ployment is given to fifteen or twenty hands. The manufacture and sale of Sperm and Whale Oils and their products is the principal business, although the firm deals largely in other oils. The sons of New Bedford made the whale fishing a great business — gave to it a national importance — and when that occupation failed through natural causes and changes in industrial conditions, they branched out as manufacturers, and, in the course of two de- cades, such was their energy that as a manufacturing (cntrc the city lias .|uiJ-«Hini'lilH iiwi iwiiPiyiiiiiiiiMiii 1 MORSE TWIbf DRiLL AND MACHINE CO.'S EXHIBIT AT WORLDS FAIR, CHICAGO. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. At MANSION HOUSE, UNION STREET. The Mansion House. The well known hotel, the Mansion House, corner of Union and Second streets was originally the resi- dence of William Rotch, and was erected early in the century. It was opened as a hotel, Dec. i8, 1828, by J. Webster. Louis Boutelle conducted it for many years. A large addition was made to the north end in 1887, and in 1891, extensive alterations were made in the interior of the hotel, connecting it with the building just east which now forms part of it. Mr. C. W. Ripley became proprietor in 18S5, and conducted the house for a number of years. He was succeeded by F. B. Carr, who in turn was succeeded by the present proprietors, Benjamin Dawson and Stephen A. Brownell, who took possession of the house in 1895. Under the control of these enterpris- ing business men, with Mr. F. li. McMackin as manager, the hotel has been very prosperous and is now well patronized. The Mansion House is cen- trally and conveniently loca- ted, and, although the main part is an old building, still presents a fine appearance. An annex was built on the Second street end, six years ago, and this addition contains twenty rooms, modern in size and appointments. The entire house has over sixty rooms, all comfortably furnished, lighted and well ventilated. The din- ing room has a seating capacity 6w mit a ready means of exit, found reasonable, the rulir per day. for fifty persons, while the parlors, public rooms, and other apartments for visitors are commo- dious and conveni- ent. Annunciators are placed in every bedroom, the tele- phone is free to patrons, and every comfort and conven- ience known to mod- ern hotel-keeping are provided for guests. The house is heated by steam throughout with a radiator in every room. The cui- sine is excellent, and every effort is made to make patrons com- fortable. There is a barber shop in the basement, bath- rooms, closets, etc., are upon every floor, and fire-escapes per- Prices will always be rates being two dollars Taber, Read & Gardner. One of the firms that dates back to the busy whaling days, and which is still a prosperous and energetic concern under the new conditions, is Taber, Read & Gardner, dealers in clothing and gentlemen's furnishings, at the corner of Union street and 1 Gents' Furnishing Stoke 42 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. Acushnet avenue. The house was established in 1850 by Joseph R. Read and lulward T. Taber, under the name of Taber, Read & Co. In 1S68 Darius P. Gard- ner was admitted as a partner, and the firm then assumed its pre.sent title of Taber, Read & Gardner. Mr. Read died in 1879, and his son, William F". Read, then succeeded to his interest, and since then has been the active manager of the business. Mr. Taber died in 1883. < )f the old members of the firm, Mr. Gardner is the only one remaining. In the old days the firm were agents for, whaling vessels, and did a large business as outfitters. The main business of the house has always been clothing and gentlemen's furnishings, hats, caps, under- clothing and neckwear, and it is still a leader in these lines, car- rying an extensive and varied stock of first-class goods. Mr. W. F. Read has had many years experience, both with the old firm, and also in l-iostcm. Stephen A. Brownell. A man who has filled a large place in the recent history of New Bedford is Stephen A. Brownell. He has been active both in business and public life, is a leading merchant, was mayor of the city in 1894, and is Vice- Chairman of the Committee that has charge of the Semi-Centen- nial Celebration. Owing to the illness of Mayor Ashley, he has been Acting Chairman, has pre- sided at nearly all the meet- ings and has been the executive head of the Cele- bration. He was born in Westport, Jan. 5, 1844, and was educated ui the common schools of his native town and at Pierce Acrid( He then taught country schools after which he was a storek postmaster of Central Village ii 1864 to 1870. Subsequently for six years he was engaged in the live cattle trade, to which was soon added the slaughtering of cattle. He came to New Bedford in April, 1878, and was first employed here by Pardon Cornell, wholesale meat dealer, as manager. He remained in this position six years, then became a partner in the business, and six years later suc- ceeded to the entire business of P. Cornell & Co., becoming the New Bedford agent of P. 1). Armour & Co., of Chicago. His business has been conducted under the style of Stephen A. Brownell. Meanwhile he engaged in numerous other cnter|irises, including manufacturiiitr and bankin-. i le is now a director of Middlcboro. Westp md tht t fron- the Dartmouth and Westport Electric Railroad, the New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Co., and the New Bedford Co-operative Bank; president and direc- tor of the Strange Forged Drill & Tool Co.; president of the New Bedford Board of Trade, and member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co., of Boston, Mass. His public life was begun while he was a resident of West]30it, as a member of the lower house of the Legislature. In New Bedford he was elected a mem- ber of the City Council in 1886 87, and Alderman in 1888-90-91-92; Mayor, 1894. He belongs to all the leading Masonic orders in the city.and is a Thirty-Second Degree Mason; is also a member of American Order of United Workmen, New Bedford Order j,^^^ of Benevolent lilks, the Acush- net Lodge of Odd Fellows, -Stella Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca; President and Director of Odd Pillows Building Association of New Bedford; a member of the Hunters' Club of New Bedford, Mayors' Club of Massachusetts, and the Club of Legislature of 1870. Mr. Brownell is properly called the father of New Bedford's extensive Public Park System. He has done more to develop public sentiment in this direc- tion and accomplished more in locating and improving Pub- c Parks than any other citizen. t has been a special hobby of his for the last 15 years and it is gratifying to witness the re- sults of his efforts. ARMOUR & CO.'s NEW BUILDING. l'"or many years Mr. Brownell's business lias been conducted in a group of old buildings at the foot of School street, but he will move about the second week in October, 1897, into a new building on the east side of Front street, between Union and Central streets, which has just been completed by Armour & Co. The building is a substantial structure of brick, go feet long by 57 feet wide, two lofty stories in height, with a seven-foot basement. The height of the edifice, from the level of the sidewalk to the eaves, is 36 feet. This structure is designed as a storehouse and a receiving and distributing depot for meats and the products of Armour & Co., for whom Mr. Brownell's film are sole agents in New Bedford, and it has been constructed with all the care that the wide and extensive experience of the great Chicago packers renders possible. The building is a solid block, with the exception of a scpiare space, occupying the half of tJie front on the lower story, which is ojien, and de- New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 43 signed for a covered shipping way for wagons to back up and receive goods. Platforms extend around it along the walls, and it can be entered from Front street or the side street. The offices and salesrooms are on the first floor front, and are beautifully finished in polished oak. They are lighted by large plate glass windows. The remainder of the first floor is divided into three com- partments, — the smoked meat room, the pickling room, and the "cooler." The latter is in reality the refrigerator, is the largest room in the building, and so as to be perfectly water tight, it is thought. The floor is only a few inches above ordinary high tides but not abovespringandneaptides, consequently there is danger that the water may at times be forced in. While this is not expected, provision has been made to run the water off in case of such a disaster by outlets in the floor connected with pipes, and pro- tected by strong screw caps. The basement will be used for barrel storage of pickled meats, etc. A hydraulic elevator in the rear of the office con- nects the basement with the second story. A spur AR.MOUR & CO.'s NEW PLANT, FRONT STREl- is used as a store house for " fresh cuts " of meat. The beef is suspended from lines of overhead railways, which run out into the salesroom and driveway at the front, and on to the shipping platform in the rear, and by their means the carcasses are received and delivered readily and easily. The temperature in the " cooler " is maintained at 30 degrees V. In the space in the second story over the " cooler " are the ice bunkers, capable of holding 300 tons of ice. This is the ice box of the " cooler," and the whole thus forms an immense refrigerator. The other portions of the second story are devoted to stor- age, etc., and in the front are lavatories and toilet rooms. On the front and sides of this portion are large plate glass windows. The basement of the building presents some unique features. It is seven feet high, is cemented track runs close up to the rear of the building so that meats can be landed directly on the platform, and run by the overhead railway into the "cooler," while a skid provides for the passage of barrels mto the basement. When Mr. Brownell moves into this building, Mr. John W. Bannister, who has been connected with the business for sixteen years, and is now manager, will become a partner. Parker House. For many years the Parker House on Purchase street, in the centre of the city, has been a well known hotel. It was first opened as a hotel on Feb- ruary 10, 1842, by Horton & Son, and has ever since been a public house. It was formerly the residence of John Avery Parker, a prominent merchant, but many additions have been made to the original structure. 44 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. William Baylies. One of the old-time commercial houses whose chief business was the provisioning of ships, but which has survived and adapted its energies to changed condi- tions is that conducted by William Baylies at 8 to 1 6 Union street, on the water front. The business was established in 1833, by Alexander H. Seabury & Co., and from the first was carried on in the present build- ing, a substantial three-story structure of stone, which was then erected for its accommodation by Mr. Sea- bury. William Baylies went to work for Mr. Seabury, ever, especially in the last two decades, all this was changed. While the house still is prepared to supjjly ships, a large general wholesale business in flour and grain was developed as the returns from the whale ships dwindled. Within the past few years an extensive line of groceries has been added, and at present Mr. Bay- lies is a general wholesale merchant in fiour, grain and groceries. Several specialties are handled. The house is the sole packer of Baylies' Rolled Oats; is the sole agent sn a clerk, in 1S45, ^"'l "i i''^49> when Mr. Seabury re- tired, he, in company with Nathaniel C. Cannon, became the owners, and conducted the business under the firm name of Baylies & Cannon. Mr. Baylies was the manager. Mr. Cannon died in 1876, and since then the house has been conducted under Mr. Baylies' name alone. Two of Mr. Baylies' sons now ha\c an interest in the business, C. S. Baylies, who became a partner in 1885, and K. I,. Baylies, who entered the firm in 1887. The original business of the house was to sui)ply whale shii)s with provisions for a voyage, and in the hey-day of the whale fishery this required a large capital, the dealings were extensive and the returns were good. With the decline of whaling, how- for the Roller Mills first quality of fancy ll.iur manu- factured by Christian Bros. & Co., Minneapolis; and is wholesale agent for Bloomer Club 5 cent cigar and Plutocrat 10 cent cigar. The sale of these specialties is all under the control of Logan R. Doane. Mr. Baylies is heavily interested in whaling vessels, and owns large shares of the following : Steamer William Baylies (named after him, and of which a picture is shown on page 8); steamer Belvedere; baiks Horatio, California, Alice Knowles, Canton, rialina. Greyhound; schooners Pedro \'arela and Joseph G. Dean. William Lewis and J. & W. R. Wing are agents for most of these vessels, which, with the exce]ition of the Pedro Varela, are now all out on voyages. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 45 BUILDING OF THE \V. S. HILL ELECTRIC CO. W. S. Hill Electric Co. The W. S. Hill Electric Co., manufacturers of switches, switchboards, panel boards, fuse blocks and electrical supplies, was established in New Bedford in 1896. The business was transferred to this city from Boston, where it was established many years ago by Mr. W. S. Hill, one of the pioneers in the con- struction of electrical appliances and devices. The plant is now operated in the large three-story brick building. No. 10 Elm street, and occupies three floors 1 50 x 100 feet. A foundry has recently been added, by which the company is enabled to get out its pro- duct much more speedily than formerly. No poor castings are allowed to enter into any part of the construction, but every one is thoroughly tested. During the past year the company has installed, despite the hard times, some of the largest switch- boards now in us country. Amon "All-copper Switch." Besides these, "Single Break" and "Quick-Break" Switches in all sizes are manufac- tured. The company also does a great deal of special switch work, and manufactures special switch appli- ances to order. Recently there was made at the factory, on a special order, a "Booster Short Circuit Switch" of 2,000 ampheres, designed to throw in and out a "Booster" dynamo for increasing voltage at e.xtreme ends of long circuits. The large switchboard, a picture of which is shown on this page, which was installed at the Utica State Hospital, Utica, N. Y., is made of black polished slate, with the very finest japanned iron grill work at bottom, and fancy, solid, polished brass pedestals, all of the very highest finish. A similar board has been installed in the Syracuse (N. Y.) State Institution for Feeble Minded Children. The present ofificers of the W. S. Hill Electric Co. are : F. A. Sowle, President; Caleb Hammond, Vice- President; C. S. Mendell, Treasurer and Manager. The company is incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts and is capitalized for $70,000. 1 this these ha\'e been one in the Con- gressional Library, Wash ington, D. C, and one ii the Public Library, Bostor Mass. Recently they ir stalled a large switchboar( of beautiful white Italiai marble in the Hotel Toui raine, Boston, and a simila one in the American Hous in the same city. Order for these switchboards ar^ received from all parts o the country. Several lines of switches are manufactured, which cannot be excelled by any others on the market. The most important of these is the "Standard Reinforced Contact Switch," which is the "Hill Switch" im- proved. Another switch greatly in demand is the BOSTON BEEF CO. Operates Three Stores.— Leads in Meats and Groceries. The largest concern dealing in meats and groceries at retail at the present time in New Bedford is the Boston Beef Co., which runs three stores in differ- ent parts of the city. The business was originally started September 28, 1891, at the North End, but the field there was not found large enough, and the ,i^3 HE UTICA -STATE HOSPITAL, UTICA, N. V. MADE IIV THE W. S. 1 46 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. concern moved to the present central store, 132 Union Street in April, 1892. The business increased rapidly, and in order to provide for the growing trade a second store was opened September 15, 1893, at 138 Blackmer Street in the south part of the city. The third store was opened October i, 1895, at 937 Acushnet avenue in the north part of the city. By these three stores customers in the main sections of the city are well accommodated. The aim ot the company has always been to supply the best goods the market affords at honest carried in the three stores. Owing to the fact the company has such a large output it is able to buy meats and groceries in car load lots at very advan- tageous prices, with the result that the goods can thereby be sold at an inside price to the retail trade. The busmess was originally managed by W. S. Gor- don, who soon after starting it took in as partner, A. G. Hodgdon. The concern is now conducted under the style of the Boston Beef Co., Hodgdon & Gordon, managers and proprietors. Mr. Gordon has had an experience of twenty years and Mr. Hodgdon o^ 1SO.STON BEEK CO. S STOKES. prices. A// sales arc strictly for cash, and no goods arc delivered. By adhering to these two principles it is quite evident that the company can readily sell cheaper than competitors who give credit and employ men and wagons in delivering goods, because by this means bad debts are avoided, and the fi.xed charges of conducting the business are greatly lessened. By placing the stores in different sections of the city as the comi)any has done, customers from any section of the city are enabled to deal with this concern and carry home their own purchases without undue exertion. The large patronage the company enjoys demonstrates that the people appreciate its mcthdds. A full line of meats, groceries and provisions is about fifteen in tliis line of business, and they are both capable, energetic and wide awake men. William F. Nye. William !•". Nye as a manufacturei' of sperm, whale and fish oils, and dealer in all the lubricating oils from petroleum, commands a far reaching trade, and in connection with his extensive department for bottling the finer grades of oil for watches, clocks, typewriters, bicycles and sewing machines, his business may be classed as the most unique oil business extant, as by long and continuous advertising he has placed his goods in every leading business centre of the globe. His reijutation has become world-wide, and his name a household word among the vast fraternity of watch New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 47 any draft, may be considered one of the finest and the leading oil factory of the country, when the variety and quality of his oils are considered. Mr. Nye has brought this busi- ness to its present proportions by a long and almost unparalleled industry, now e.xceeding thirty years. Familiar as he was and somewhat identified with the whaling business, since he migrated from among the fishermen of Cape Cod in 1 84 1, to make New Bedford his permanent home, he, at the close of a three years' ser- vice in the war of the rebellion, in 1S65, engaged in sperm and whale oils exclusively ; but ere long it was self-evident to him that petroleum was coming to the front as the oil for nearly all purposes, and especially for lubricating the machinery of the world's rapidly increasing industries, and the sequel of his forethought is its introduction by him over the civilized world, under the brands of Machinery Oil, Spindle Oil, Cylinder Oil, Engine Oil, Dynamo Oil, Loom Oil, Standard Axle Oil, etc., each adapted to its purpose as to its fire test, cold test, specific gravity and viscosity. Perhaps in no one department has he won greater laurels, than with his "Jaw" and "Melon" oils of the blackfish and porpoise. WILLIAM. F. NYE. ^^j.^^^ ^j^j^ ^jj ^^ ^^^^^^^ sponsor for the Horo- and clock makers, sewing machine dealers and bicycle logical trade of the world, as he holds the greater riders. His large stone factory, situated on the imme- portion of the world's supply, and in conjunction diate water front of the city, accessible by vessels of with Mr. John Wing, who succeeded to the manu- WILLIAM F. NVK .S OIL \\(IKK^ ), MCW UKDFUKI 48 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. DENISON, ri.UMMF.R CO., SOUTH MILL, SC facture of the I'2zra Kelley Oil, uniform prices are established for this rare product. His typewriter and bicycle oils are especially fine oils, that have met with a sale no less rapid than the introduction of the two machines themselves. The consumption of bottles by Mr. Nye in his several departments gives employment to some twenty workmen in one of Pittsburg's Flint Glass Factories, and he employs quite the same number of hands, male and female, in his New Bed- ford factory, filling, corking, packing, and shipping i,ooo gross of these bot- tles monthly. T're- quently in b u s y seasons, 200 gross of these bottles are filled in a single day ; the filling be- ing done in trays of one gross each, in the space of two minutes for each gross, under a pat- ent "Filler," tlu' invention of Mr. J. K. Nye, son of the proprietor, and the corking most effec- tively and rapidly done by a very simple device, also patented by Mr. J. K. Nye. The three floors of his factory are most completely arranged, and sup- plied with hoisting engines and force pumps, tanks and apparatus for re- fining his many grades of lubricat- ing oils. Mr. Nye's papers on the food and growth of deep sea fish, and the pro- ducts and manufac- ture of their oils, recently read be- fore the Par- son's Horological Schools at Peoria, 111., and La Porte, Ind., are m o s t unique and inter- esting papers, and afford valuable in- formation to inven- tors of the many delicately con- structed mechan- isms of our times, as electrical appliances, locomotive speed recorders, tower clocks, etc., etc. WATER STREE'J The Denison, Plummer Company. The business carried on b)' the Denison, Plummer Co., in handling flour and grain is five times larger than that of any other concern in New Bedford and vicinity. Established over thirty years ago, and for a long period a manufacturing house — converting grain into New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 49 flour and meal — as well as as an extensive dealer in these commodities, the company has discontinued the milling part of the business and greatly enlarged the mercantile department. The present name, the Den- ison, Plummer Co., was adopted May i, 1896, and succeeded Denison Bros. Co. In the spring of 1897 all the interests of the Denisons in the company were retired, and the control of the business came into the hands of Henry M. Plummer, who was elected president and treasurer. Mr. Plummer's e.xperience as a practical poultry farmer in the town of Dartmouth admirably fits him to successfully carry on this large hayandgrain trade, as he is a skilled judge in regard to grains and the necessities found indispensable by poultry keepers. The company is now agent for the most reliable brands of flour in the coimtry, includ- ing Pillsbury's Best, "Washburn's Best," C r e a m White, Snow White, and it han- dles large quanti- ties of its own pri- vate brands, the "Eureka" and "Our B e s t," the excellence of which has been tested for over 25 years by customers in this vicinity and elsewhere. Two places of business are maintainetl, both of which have within the past few months been exten- sively enlarged to '^"- °" ' accommodate the continued increase in the volume of business since Mr. Plummer assumed the man- agement. All customers from the southern portion of the city and the adjacent towns of Dartmouth and Westport will find it most convenient to transact excellence and reliability. Such is emphatically the case with the Denison, Plummer Co. The trade of the house extends to all the surrounding territory and the facilities for filling all orders however large are unsurpassed by any other establishment in South- eastern Massachusetts, and those entering into busi- ness relations with the company may rest assured of receiving such treatment as is in accord with the long established reputation. Davis & Hatch Spice Co. The only concern, engaged in the grinding of spices, cream of tartar, and roasting coffee, in New Bedford, or indeed in Southern Mass- achusetts, with one exception, is the Davis & Hatch Spice Co., whose store and factory is at 28 Union street. The business was started in 1865 on High street by Timothy Davis and Thatcher C. Hatch, under the firm name of Davis & Hatch. About 1887 the concern moved to the present loca- tion, and in De- cember, 1893, Mr. Frank K. Fowler purchased the luisiness, and is now sole owner ind manager. Under Mr. Fow- Ut's control the Imsiness has been inosperous. The mill where the grinding and manufactur- is in the rear of 11 the modern con- & HATCH SPICE CO. BUILDING ing of the spices is carried o the store, and is fitted up with veniences and up-to-date machinery used in this man- ufacture. All the ordinary spices are here prepared and put up in convenient form for the market. The their business at the south mill, so-called, corner of company also deals in teas and coffees, and manu- School and Water streets, while those living at the factures and puts up extracts, baking powder, cream north end or in Acushnet, will find every accommoda- of tartar, saleratus, ammonia, blueing, witch hazel, tion at the north branch, 748 Purchase street, which ^^y rum, insect powder, etc. One of the chief has lately been equipped with a new elevator for dis- specialties handled is Hatch's Non Alcoholic Crystal charging grain direct from cars, while increased space Ginger, put up in tm cans in a dry form, which has has likewise been provided for loading teams. ^ proved very popular. All goods are guaranteed to be In these days when so much production that is not standard is put on the market, customers feel that the established reputation of a house is a guarantee of 7-w represented, and prices are as low as any quoted, considering quality. 50 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. Norman P. Mayes. Among the leading retail business establishments in New Bedford is the hardware store of Norman P. Hayes, on the corner of William street and Acushnet avenue. Mr. Hayes came to New Bedford in 1879, and started in business at his present location. He was exceedingly fortunate at the outset in his choice of locations, and there are few more eligible sites for business purposes in the city. The structure occu- pied by him — the Andrews building — opposite the erally than New Bedford, aad the success of such establishments as Mr. Hayes' is ample proof of this. Probably one of the most successful patriotic dem- onstration of a public character ever made under private auspices in this city occurred on Tuesday evening. May 22, 1894, when Mr. Hayes, with the assistance of the Grand Army, Sons of 'Veterans, etc., caused to be thrown to the breeze a magnificient and costly American flag. The event took place at his business block corner of William street and Acushnet .WICS H.\ROWAKK ICSTABLISllMKN 1 new post office, is a handsome aiul substantial brick edifice, granite trimmed, three stories in height, with spacious basement, and is wholly devoted to the carefully selected and well arranged stock of general hardware, cutlery, tools, ship chandler)-, and agricultural implements of infinite variety and description. This establishment is of gieat im|)ortance in sup- plying the wants of the citizens of this thriving city. Probably there is no coast town that offers more advantages for manufacturers and business men gen- avenue and will long be remembeicd by those who were fortunate enough to assist at the exercises. Besides being a \-ery popular citizen and business man, Ml". Ilaycs is also a prominent Mason and a meml)er uf the Wamsutta and Dartmouth clubs. While Mr. Hayes has not been engaged in business as long a time as many of the leading merchants of the city, yet his record measured by the success of his enterprise, the volume and expansion of business, hold upon the ]Hiblic, increased list of patrons and friends, stands high in comparison with anyone else in the city. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 51 The Pairpoint Mfg. Co. While youngest in the galaxy of reputable sil- verware manufacturers, the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company, of New Bedford, Mass., has made rapid and permanent growth, attaining a marked degree of excellence during the seventeen years since its incep- tion. In 1869, the Mt. Washington Glass Works, now a part of the Pairpoint plant, and started originally at South Boston in 1837, was brought to New Bed- ford and located on the line of what is now Prospect street. In 1880 the Pairpoint Manufacturing Com- pany was organized, a three story building erected and with power from the Mt. Washington Glass Company (which was really the parent institution) operations were commenced. Although the ground area was only 120x40 feet thing that will give an adequate conception of the splendid display of manufactured products constantly on exhibition at the factory showrooms located at the foot of Rowland street. Even then it is hard to realize that under the same spacious roof sand and lead are being skillfully mixed, melted and wrought into the sparkling punch bowl or charming bit of cut tableware, that the dull, crude metals of mother earth are under the masterful hand of the artificer being transformed into rich table furnishings, toilet articles and a thousand and one useful and novel pieces. People generally are interested in brief descriptions of mechanical processes when accompanied, as every- thing in these times must be, by illustrations. Take the making of a choice Tea Set, like this one shown Pairpoint Mfg, So. WORKS AT New Bedford, MASS. and the space necessarily limited, a complete line of staple and fancy articles in plate was produced and placed upon the market. Orders came in rapidly, and then began that sequence of miprovements and developments which year by year made the addition of new buildings im- perative, until consolidation with the Mt. Washington Glass Works in 1894 the floor area was then equiva- lent to an avenue 40 feet wide and one mile in length. To carry out this conception we must imagine that along either side of this extended "plaisance" would be ranged skilled workmen, delicate and special machin- ery, ponderous presses, melting pots and everything in short required to work and mould the crude mate- ials into forms of beauty and utility. The detail of any great institution is invariably beggared by de- scription and a visit to the Pairpoint Works is the only herewith. Block tin, copper, antimony and other materials are carefully melted in certain proportions, and the mixture cast into oblong plates, which are Jj^ LtL^^.,^ rolled down to the required thickness, cut into shape and spun into bodies and covers. By a curious method the handles and spouts are cast hollow. The 52 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. that parts are then assembled and soldered together. By successive handlings the set is polished, plated, burnished by hand and comes out a perfect beauty, rivaling the finest sterling silver. As glass can only be shaped when exceed- ingly hot, machinery plays no part in its «^ working. From nati\e Berkshire Hills, sand, skillfully mixed and melted vvith Icul ganese and other ingredients, we obti useful of metals, namely, glass. The working tools of the glass maker are necessarily few and simple, the plastic mass being largely worked by blowing. The visitor is usually surprised to see hot glass trimmed off with ordi- nary scissors when a piece is a little long. The glass maker's is certamly a curious art. What we are pleased to call cut glass is really polislicd glass. The circumference of a bowl for instance is spaced off with a few lines of red paint as a guide and the cutter begins by grinding out these lines on an in)n wheel, upon the edge of which a small stream of sand and water is constantly running. This does the cutting and leaves the surface so ipo thi rough nt the r^i?.- ent social order demands an end ers, ladles and intlividual pieces match can be struck lattern is elaborated, finer and finer is the polish until it comes out fit to ailorn the lordli- est table. In the line of table furnishings outside the neces- saiy adjunct of spoons, forks and knives, the pres- riety of serv- .■ manufacture of these is always interesting to the visitor, and it is generally a surprise to find that even the plain- est pieces must pass through so many hands before they reach the jeweler. Heavy drop hammers are used in shaping up the hard metal as the base is largely nickle silver. This class of article is plated by weight and hand finished. Unquestionably, the finest studios for the hand decora- tion of fine china and procelain are located at the Pairpoint Works. To be able to ,^ (_)ffer genuine -''" h'icnch china to t h e American ]niblic, and at the same time give them a better class of work and more pleasing style of decoration we have our china blanks made in Limoges, France, to the models which we furnish. Color, that is in the harmonious blending of it, is a source of greater delight probably than any other art. A walk through thePairpoint Company's ateliers is certainly a feast to the eye. The character of the work is such, however, that visitors cannot at all times be admitted. It is a fact that in decorating, the greatest perfection is reached where the outline of a piece and the decoration harmon- i/e. One of tiie man)- advantages nf this great concern is therefore apparent, as the decorator can stand by the glass maker and artistic taste and mechanical skill unite in produciug a result im- possible to each without the other. The outside equipment is a de- partment of itself. Numbers of "missionaries of commerce" are on the field visiting cities and towns ^ff-^^^iKj^ ^. New Bedford Scmi-Centennial Souvenir. 53 in every State and Territory, together with the Canadian Provinces. For the convenience of buyers visiting the great trade centres, salesrooms are maintained in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Montreal. The number of people finding employment with the Pairpoint Company is from nine hundred to one thousand, and ranked with the great majority of industries the average in point of skill and artistic ability runs high. A word regarding the factory skozv rooms. Here is an elegantly appointed department containing twenty-six hun- dred square feet of floor space devoted entirely to the display of manufactured products. Brilliant cut glass chande- liers of the company's own make orna- ment the ceiling, electrical effects brmg out the coloring of lamp globes, and numerous unique de- vices and arrangements gives the place a charm- ing interest to visitors who are always welcome. Articles are for sale as well as display, and by applying at the cashier's desk permits to inspect the Glass Blowing De- partment may be ob- tained. Visitors from out of town cannot spend an hour more pleasantly than by visiting this attrac- tive place, where we can assure them most polite attention. Certainly, the resi- dents of New Bedford should never miss an opportunity of taking friends to see the im- posing display of one of the foremost of the city's indus- tries. The factory is located at the foot of Rowland street, easily reached via Fourth- street car line. n History of the Company. — The Pairpoint Conr pany was organized in 1880, with Edward D. Mandeil as president, Ale.xander H. Sea- bury as treasurer, and T. J. Pairpoint as superintendent. The capital stock was originally $100,000, but in July, 1887, it was increased to $400,000, and to $1,000,000 in 18915. Mr. Pairpoint resigned as superin- tendent April I, 1885, and was succeeded by Thomas A. Tripp. Mr. Seabury resigned as treas- urer in May, 1885, and Mr. Tripp also succeeded him The present officers are : President, Clarence A. Cook ; treasurer and general manager, Thomas A. Tripp. The business of the Mount Washington Glass Company was origi- nally started in 1837 at a factory built in South Boston by Deming Jarves, then agent of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company, and the business was conducted by Capt. Russell. After many changes in owners, the business was in 1869 transferred by W. L. Lib- bey, then the owner, to the present works on Prospect street, in New Bed- ford, which had been built by the New Bedford Glass Company. This latter company had but a short existence, owing to financial difficulties. The business was in- corporated as the Mt. Washington Glass Company in 187 1. In 1894 it was merged in the Pairpoint Manu- facturing Company. The Pairpoint Manu- facturing Company employs from nine hun- dred to one thousand has many salesmen n different parts of the country. It has a very large ex- port trade. Nearly all the men are expert mechanics, and hundreds of young men from the schools of New Bedford have learned trades in this factory and become proficient workmen. Many of them now hold positions of re- sponsibility, and others have developed into artistic de- signers and decorators. hands, and traveling in 54 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. Tin Albert W. Holmes. .•xtensive cual business now conducted by Albert W. Holmes on y\tlantic wharf toot of Cannon St., was started about 1S55 by Joseph Cundall who then erected the wharf. Joseph Cundall was succeeded by Peleg S. Macy, who carried on the business until 1869, when he was succeed by Josiah Holmes, Jr. In icS84, he was succeeded by his son, Albert W. Holmes, who has since then conducted the busi- ness. Under the control of the latter the business has increased to large proportions. The premises occupied have an area of over an acre and a half, where the coal is unloaded by modern tains an office at 224 Purchase street. From twenty to thirty men are constantly employed. Mr. Holmes is a native of Mattapoisett, but has resided in New Bedford since his father purchased this business. He is a good example of the best type of conscientious and honorable business men. Charles M. Comey, formerly a dry goods dealer at the North End, is bookkeeper and clerk for Mr. Holmes, and by his geniality and bonhomie holds many customers. F. S. Brightman. For two generations the store at 125, 127 and 129 Union Street has been known as headquarters for ^ A.W.HOLMES COAL a[)])liances. All coal rccei\-etl comes in barges or schooners, which find convenient dockage here. They are quickly unloaded and the coal transferred to sheds by overhead barrows. The sheds for storing coal arc ranged on both sides of the wharf and are quite extensive. On the north side they are fnc hundred feet long Ijy 50 feet wide, and were built in 1888. On the .south side they are 350 feet long by 45 feet wide, erected in 1893. The capacity of the sheds is over 10,000 tons. Most of the coal received is anthracite, and the trade is chiefly with families. The office at the wharf is convenient for customers residing in the south and central parts of the city, but for the accommodation of his customers at the North End, Mr. Holmes main- at business i; re special way stationery and blank books. Tl carried (.)n there, although in a more special way made necessary by changing conditions, and is now owned and controlled by Mr. F. S. Brightman, a young man of foresight and abilit}' who, after serving as clerk with lulwin Dews for twelve years, succeeded him in 1893. 1 1 ere he conducts a jobbing stationery business, both wholesale and retail, dealing in commercial stationery, blank books, office supplies, paper bags, twines and wia|)ping papers. He makes a specialty of supplying mills with the goods they demand in his line, and in this department has developed a large trade through- out Southern New England. By giving his personal attention to all details Mr. Ikightman has made a New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 55 pronounced success. He is his own commercial traveler, and his route takes him all over Southeast- ern Massachusetts, where the bulk of his trade comes from. In addi- tion to his regular business, Mr. Krightman is sole agent in New Bedford and vicinity for the Boston Sunday Herald and Sunday Globe, and has handled on one day as many as 7,000 of those newspapers. His establishment, including the wholesale and retail departments, and the storage rooms, occupies three stories of a large frame building. William F. Potter & Co. A leading firm in the wholesale grocery line in New Bedford is that of Wm. F. Potter & Co. The head of the business, Mr. Wm. F. Potter is a native of New Bedford. He was apupilof the High School in the days of John V. luiierson, and early in life went into the grocery business in the employ of Wood & Brownell, on Union street. From 1853 to 1861, he was a clerk for this concern, and from 1S61 to 1865 was a partner in same house. WIT.M.VN S ST.\TIO.\KKY STOKE, 127-129 U.\10\ STKK: 56 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. In 1865 he severed his connection with Wood & Browne!!, and went into the who!esa!e produce busi- ness opposite his present quarters, where he remained unti! the spring of 1868, when he branched out as a wholesale grocer (handling considerable petroleum oil) at his present location corner of Union and Front streets, which had been previously occupied by W. F. Drown in the same line of business. The firm with their efficient help and popular sales- men endeavor to please their customers in prices, accom m d a t i o n and honorable deal ing, and point to their past record as a guarantee of its like continuance in the future. The building, Nos. 9, II, 13 and 15 Un- ion street, which houses the exten- sive business, is well adapted to its purpose, afford- ing every facility and convenience for the display and accommodation of the large stock car- ried. The dimen- sions of the building are 45 by 1 10 feet, three stories high and its equipment is admirable. Seven hands are employed and two wide-awake travelers represent the firm on the road. The transportation facilities are of the best as the railroad pa.sses the end specimen ok t.ie \ l 1 of the building, while the docks of the New \'ork and of the Maitha ■■ \'incyard steamers close by, afford excellent op ]i()rtunity for receiving and delivering goods. skilled labor can produce in cut glass. That this policy is a good one, one can readily see by looking at the rapid growth of the company and the quantity of its goods, which are to be found in the higher grade art stores in the leading cities of our country. Several of its designs which are especially worthy of more than casual notice are the "Constellation," which is illustrated on a mammoth footed punch bowl, as shown below ; the "Superba," a design new a n d strikingly original ; the "Roman," "Ar- lington," and many others, all of which are admired for the intricacy of design and the high order of workmanship. Brett & Simpson. The old s t o n e building on the cor. of No. Water and Middle Streets, now with many ad- ditions, is occupied by Brett & Simp- son, Soap and Wash- ing Powder manu- facturers, who do the largest business of any like concern in this section. The old stone building has been standing ever since 1815, at which time John James How- land built it for a candle factory. L \CkMCR CO S CL r CLASS The A. L. Blackmer Company. The A. L. Blackmer Co., manufacturers of strictly high-grade cut glass. No. 169 North Second street, go to make up one of the many interesting and progres- sive industries of New Bedford. Starting but a few years ago, this corporation has, in a comparatively short time, by the excellency and high standard of its product, taken a position in the first ranks of the glas.s-culting establishments of tiie country. The motto of its management is to excel in turning out tiie richest and most elaborate designs and articles that Officers of the New Bedford In- MiruiiON I ok S\\i\(,s I kom the Beginning Until FHi I'rfseni — Piesidents: William Rotch, Jr., Abraham Barker, Thomas Mandell, Pardon Til- linghast, William C. Taber, William Watkins and William W. Crapo who was elected in 1896. Treas- uiers- .\braham Shearman. Jr., William C. Taber, Cieorge W. Baker, William C. Taber (treasurer, />ri> (nil.), Reuben Nye, William C. Coffin and Charles H. Pierce who has served since 1870. !''|-om the beginning of its career the institu- tion has prospered constantly. In 1S50 the funds amounted to $160,477.95; in 1840 to $240,298.37; in 1850 to $577,448.01 ; in i860 to $2,070,395.80; 1870 to $5,436,263.60; in 1880 to $8,835,984.6. in 1890 to $11,540,767.24 and on July I7tii, $13,412,226.57. to New Bedford Semi-Centcnnial Souvenir. 57 The Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Co. Ranking among the largest plants for receiving and distributing coal on the Atlantic seaboard, are the extensive coal pockets of the Philadelphia & The premises are at the foot of Walnut street, and occupy an area of 6.14 acres. The plant was established and the main pocket on the wharf erected in 1873 by the Philadelphia & Readi L POCKETS. PHILADELPHIA AND READING COAL ii IRON CO Coal and Iron Co., at New Bedford. Occu COAL PIERS. Reading Coal and Iron Co. The extension of the New Bedford railroad from the North End along the pyino- a position of great advantage on the water front near the centre of the deepest portion of the water front, to the steamboat wharf m that year, commodious harbor, they loom up much more con- opened up the territory for transportation purposes, spicuously than any other structures along shore, and made this enterprise feasible. The property was 8-H 58 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. leased to various firms until 1S82, when the owners took possession, and proceeded to utilize the plant as a forwarding and distributing depot for the com- pany's coals to the local mills, and to inland dealers and manufacturers. The latter traffic is carried on by means of the cars of the Old Colony Railroad Company to all points on its main branches and con- nections. Since the company took control of the property the business has assumed immense pro- portions. The entire ])lant consists of a main pocket, on the end of the wharf, 210 feet long, forty feet wide and forty-five feet high, with a capacity of 7,200 tons ; a shipping pocket, 100 feet long, at the head of the north side of the dock ; and fourteen immense bins, connected with the sliippin;;- poikct, into which the coal is conducted by oveiheail runways and stored until needed. Railroad tracks traverse the entire area, extending to and passing underneath and along- side the shipping and main pockets, and encircling the mammoth bins, so that c\i-i\- one can be tapped directly by the cars. Most of the coal is now bioii-lil in by large barges or schooners, and sonic of it in inm ste.imers. X'essels of twenty-one feet draft can come up to either the main or the shipping pocket, and the cargoes the barges and schooners now bring range from 2,300 to 3,000 tons. The company's large steamers and barges can be discharged with the appliances now in use by unloading from four hatches at once, in about 8 hours; steamer "Pottsville," with 1,720 tons, was unloaded in 7 1-2 hours. The coal received in New Bedford comes from the company's own depots at Port Richmond on the Delaware, or Tort Reading on Staten Island, New York Harbor, at which points it is received direct by cars from the company's mines in Pennsylvania. A number of vessels can be discharged at once as the pro]5erty has 2210 feet of wharf line, in front of which is sufficient water for the largest crafts that come in. The fourteen storage bins are situated at the head fo the wharf and occupy a space extending to Soutli Water street. ( )n a portion of the area they cover, the New Bedford Marine Railway was formerly located. The bins have a total capacity of 130,000 tons, and are intended for the storage of the winter's supply of coal during the ice embargo, when the weather renders uncertain the arrival of cargoes. The bins are of a peculiar but very effective construction. The sides are formed of triangles of heavy timbers, twenty- six feet high, the outer edge inclined at about an angle of seventy-five de- grees, and the base resting on the ground. They are strongly braced, are placed five feet apart, and connect- ed on the outside with heavy 3-inch planks which forms the walls of the bins. No posts are sunk in the ground. When coal is put in these bins the triangles act on the principle of the truss, and the great- er the load, within certain limits, the stronger the bins II wxii.K .siKi.r. I. 'irc'. The coal is sometimes heaped up twenty-fi\'e feet abo\e the edges of the storage bins. Attached to the storage bins are shipping bins provided with shoots to discharge coal into the cars, at an elexation to provide screening. At the harbor end of the bins is a iioiler house, containing three boilers, twi the Greene & Wood. The oldest and the most extensixe lumber business in the city of New Bedford is that conducted by (ireene & Wood. The lirm not onl\' deals in hnnber but also operates a planing and wodd wdikin^: mill. The business dates hack to tlic middle ol the cen- tury, having been started by Samuel Leonard in 1835, at the east side of Clark's Cove, near the present bathhouses. For many years all the timber was brought up into the cove and rafted ashore, .\ few years later -Mr. l.eonaiil built the present Leonard's New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 61 wharf, removed the busi- ness there, where it has continued since. At the time of the removal to the new location, Samuel Leonard's son, Henry T. Leonard, took the business, forming a partnership with Augustus A. Greene, a prominent young carpenter who had come here from Providence to build the houses now owned by the estates of Abraham H. Howland, Miss Julia Del- ano and Frederick Grinnell. Under the firm style of Leonard & Greene, the business was continued un- til 1848, when Henry T. plete assortment of building lumber is kept on hand constantly, and this requires a large area of land to sort it and pile it conveniently for customers. This concern is the only one in the city dealing in southern pitch pinetim- 1)01, plank, and boards, which the firm 1 mds on its wharf direct from the south in \essels. Several large storage build- iii^^s contain the finished lumber and hiid woods. The illustrations give a geneial idea of the premises. As the years have passed the firm has extended its business to meet the changing character of the trade. The planing and wood working mill was burned Aug. 8, 18S8, and almost wholly destroyed, but was immediately rebuilt on a much larger scale, and fitted with the newest machinery and best appli- Ckkkne & \V.),,ij— Hakij Pine Vaku. Wood bought out Henry T. Leonard, and the style of the firm became Greene & Wood. Under this name it has re- mained for nearly fifty years, and in one location has carried on the business with success. Next year will conse- quently be the semi-centennial of the firm of Greene & Wood. iVIr. Greene retired in 1872 and Henry T. Wood died in 1883. The present firm con sists of William G. Wood, who entered it in 1861, and George R. Wood and Edmund Wood, who were admitted soon after the death of their father, in 1883. The firm now owns and occu- pies nine acres of land on the water front, including a wharf, and the entire area is utilized in the business. A com- Greene & Wood — Storing Yard. 62 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. ances for fine and accurate work. It occupies an area of 120 by 138 feet, two stories high, and is admirably adapted for handling lumber rapidly and economically. The dry kiln is a separate building 40 by So feet, two stories high. Here the Sturtevant hot blast drying process is employed, with a separate engine. Both these new buildings are well protected against fire by Grinnell automatic sprinklers and other appliances used by our cotton mills. In tills mill all kinds of planing, sawing and turning are done, some very heavy machines being em[)lnyetl. The firm now em- ploys forty men. Stephen C. Lowe. A man whose career is representative of the great changes that have taken place m the industrial and social conditions of New Bedford is Stephen C. Lowe. He has achieved very marked success, without any i.thu 11(1 th 111 his own tiui^\ ind iliihu ( oniing til Ni. u I H (111 lid hum 1 n.^1 111(1 u ith his p lu iits in his carl) (.hildliiMid, in his bojhood he woi ked m the Wamsiitla Mills lor years. As he grew up, not finding the scope in the cotton mills for the energy he pos- sessed, he engaged in various occupations. In 1875 he went to Montreal, Canada, where he had some rclatixes, and obtained a situation in a large house- riirnishing concern. Here he reinained two years and obtained a good knowledge of business affairs and practical details. Returning to New Bedford he became the active manager of a stove and house-fur- nishing store in connection with which there was a plumbing and tinsmith business. In this situation he obtained a wide and varied e.vperience, and had an opportunity to e.xercise and develop his business talents for management and organization. Leaving this position, he started in 1883, at 635 Purchase street, a house-furnishing store, dealing in stoves, ranges, etc., and he also carried on plumbing and tinsmithing. For years he had a hard struggle, but by stern application and persistence he slowly obtained a more substantial foothold. In 1889 and 1 8go he enlarged his business by adding to it a line of mill supplies and furnishings of all kind, and this department increased on his hands to such an extent that it rapidly became the main portion of his busi- ness. He established sho]js in the rear of his store and engaged in the manufacture of a number of specialties. Finally the manufacturing branch of his business increased to such an e.xtent that larger and more cen- trally located quarters were needed. To provide such Mr. Lowe purchased the large three story frame building, Nos. 87 to 91 Union street, so long occupied by the offices and plant of the New Bedford Standard. Here he transferred his manufacturing, plumbing and tinsmithing and mill supply business in June 1895. The ground floor is occupied by the office and salesrooms, and in the rear are storerooms. The two upper floors are devoted to manufacturing, the main workroom being on the second floor, and the shops are equipped with the most modern ma- chinery necessary in the manufacture. A number of valuable specialties are manufactured, and Mr. Lowe owes his success chiefly to their e.xcel- lence and the skill and thoroughness with which they are fashioned. Chief among these are the"Needle- ing Combers," an English invention for use in the manipulation of cotton for the production of tine yarns, and which have come into wide use in New Bedford since the great increase in the spinning mills. Mr. Lowe equipped his shops with tools from England and went into the production of these com- bers extensively. They are known as the Heather- ington, Dobson & Barlow Combs. 1 le imports the fine needles from England by the million. The e.x- cellcnce of the work on these combers is such that Mr. Lowe not only supplies the city mills, but re- ceives orders from all over New ICngland, and from Philadelphia and New York and elsewhere. .Another specialty that has been very po])uIar is an oil cabinet made of galvanized sheet iron, with only one seam ; it is iron bound, strong and durable, with no liability to leakage and has been very popular in the local mills. The cabinet was first manufactured at tiie suggestion of Mr. William J. Kent, of the W'amsulta Mills, and many of the local mills are sup- l)lied with them. It is the invention of Mr. Lowe. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 63 Among the other articles of excellence Mr. Lowe manufactures, are cylinders for spinning frames and mules ; card screens ; oil drippers of original design ; comber waste boxes of galvanized iron, by means of which the danger from fire is avoided and space saved as compared with wooden boxes previously in use for this purpose ; roving cans ; cornices and gutters for buildings, which are made on a large " brake " located on the second story, and which weighs two tons. The manufacturing department is also fitted to re- pair anything in the mill supply line. A large stock of supplies is carried, consisting of wrought iron and brass pipe and cast iron pipe, which is kept on the first floor, but on the third floor land speculation. In 1895 he purchased the Homer estate on County street for $25,000, and sold it the present year for $37,000. He has also been suc- cessful in various other land deals. The French in New Bedford. New Bedford has a French population of nearly 13,000 souls, divided into three parishes: Sacred Heart established in 1876; St. Hyacinthe in 1888 and St. Antoine in 1S95. Each of these parishes has a large and well equipped school, giving instruction yearly to 1,300 children. There is an asylum for young children whose mothers work in the mills. This asy- lum is also equipped as a kindergarden. P'ifty years ago there was not a l^^rench resident in ^PECrALTIES MANUF.ACTURED UV S. C. LOWE, 87 To 91 UNION STREET. a full line of crockery, tanks, seats, and all sorts of fittings necessary for an extensive plumbing business are stored. These goods Mr. Low purchases by the car loads. For use in the mill supply department over 1,000 pounds of tacks are carried in stock. Mr. Lowe carries a very large stock of belting — single belts from one inch to eight inch, and double belts from two inch to twelve inch ; and is the New Bedford agent for the Union Belt Co. of F"all River. For several years he has been agent for the Crawford bicycle, and during the season of 1897 sold 218 wheels. He also pays a great deal of attention to repairing bicycles, and has done a large business in this department. In his entire business, Mr. Lowe employs an average of thirty hands, and his weekly pay roll is $350. Mr. Lowe's present fortune was not all acquired in his business, but he has made considerable money by New Bedford. Some came here after the ci\-il war, but they began to come in large numbers about 1870. They have now six benevolent societies of which they are proud, and a daily newspaper " L' Echo dit Soir." They are represented in the common council by M. Joseph Magnant and in the banking business by M. Joseph Poisson, who is director of two banks. A great number of the l<"rench residents of New Bed- ford are American citizens, and take an active part in politics. A great number too, are proprietors of houses and land, some of them being quite wealthy. The real estates belonging to French citizens is valued at $902,053.00. All of the French citizens keep with great care the language and the religion of their fathers, but they nearly all speak English, and are proud to be Ameri- can citizens. They have amongst them doctors, merchants, justices of the peace, lawyers, overseers of the mills, real estate agents, etc. J. A. Cakon. 64 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. New Bedford Rubber Co. The New Bedford Rubber Co., 67 William street, wholesale and retail dealers in rubber goods and mill supplies, was started in October, 1895, by T. P. llimes, of Providence, who installed his brother, Raymond Himes, as manager. The business was conducted under the above management until June i, 1897, when it was found necessary to make an assign- ment. The establishment was purchased of the assignee by the present owner, Harry E. Bortlen, who had had considerable experience in the line of mill su]5plies. Under Mr. Borden's management the trade has largely increased, and the company is rapidly attaining a leading position in its own specialties. Two salesmen are constantly employed. One devotes his time to the jobbing drug trade and local trade about the city, and the other sells the mechanical line of rubber goods to mills, shops, factories, steamboats, etc. The company makes a specialty of mackintoshes at reasonable prices, and also of oil cloth garments for seamen. The goods carried consist, in part, of hose, tubing, packing, sheeting, syringes, water bottles, blankets, boots and shoes, oil clothing, toys, police- men's and firemen's coats, etc. The line of mill and factory supplies comprise cotton and linen, unlined and lined hose, suction hose of all kinds, steam hose, fire hose; and garden hose ; sheet packing of every description, also fla.x packing; valves, hunters, and everything else in the rubber line. The company is sole agent and distributor for New Bedford, of the famous Knowlton packings. Special attention is given to the repairing of rubber goods. All goods are guar- anteed for a reasonable length of time, and if any. thing is found defective it is cheerfully made good. The emblem of the company is /f vt/iim: ill Riibbc. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 65 Gifford & Co. For many years the firm of Gift'ord & Co., have been leaders in the business community of New Bed- ford, and their store has always been a headquarters for first-class clothing. The business was started in 1853, by Nathan T. Gifford, and for 41 years was located at 139 Union street, between Acushnet avenue and Second street. In 1894 the concern removed to the present large quarters, No. 22 Pleasant street, in the Masonic building. This is the new and attractive obtained a certain prestige. Mr. Parker purchased the business about eight years ago, and has conducted it successfully since then. The dimensions of the present store are 90x40 feet. It is well lighted at the front by large plate glass windows, and at the rear by ordinary windows. By this means excellent light is furnished in every part of the store, which is a great desideratum to cus- tomers in picking out goods. The manager of the business is William L. Bly. He was formerly mana- retail region of the city, and the store is almost oppo- site City Hall Park. The firm carries a full line of men's, boy's and youth's clothing, hats and caps, gentlemen's furnish- ings, underwear, hosiery and neckwear. The clothing is manufactured by first-class makers, and the firm makes a specialty of the garments made by Shuman & Co., of Boston, one of the largest manulacturers of clothing in the country. H. W. Parker, a well known citizen, whose family have contributed much to the development of New Bedford, is now the sole owner of the business. He has retained the old name because the business had been conducted under it so many years that it had 9-H ger for three years, and has recently been re-engaged He has had a lengthy experience in this business, fifteen years in Boston and ten in New Bedford, and is a capable and courteous salesman. The Pedigree of Mrs. Hetty Green. Gideon Ilowland was a member of one of the most celebrated of whaling firms, I. Howland, Jr., & Co. He had two daughters, Sylvia Ann and Abigail. The former died in 1865, leaving a property of about $2,000,000. Abigail married Edward Mott Robinson, and their daughter, Hetty Howland Robinson, mar- ried Edward (Ireen, of New York. She is now reputed to be the wealthiest woman in America. Gideon How- landdiedin 1847. Miss Robinson was the heirtoS5,ooo,- 000 from her father and g 1,000,000 from her aunt. 66 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. J. & W. R. Wing & Co. The firms of J. &. W, 1^:. Win- and J. & W. R. Wing & Co. are anions; the oldest business houses in New Bedford, tlie firm of J. & W. R. Wing, having been established by Joseph Wing and Wil- liam R. Wing nearly fifty years ago. The firm of J. & W. R. Wing & Co. was established about thirty years ago, and has always been an extensive dealer in clothing, and at present carries a large stock of the best makes of clothing, hats, caps, and furnishings for men and boys, bicycle clothing, sweaters, shirts, golf hose, tennis and bathing suits, wraps and house coats and gowns, mackin- toshes, umbrellas, canes, jewelry, trunks, bags, etc. The firms occupy a fine three story brick build- ing of their own, Nos. 131 and 133 Union Street. The store has massive plate glass windows and polished oak fi.xtures. The present members of the firm ot J. & W. R. Wing & Co. are William R. Wing and John Wing. The firm of J. & W. R. Wing conduct a large and important business as managing owners and agents for whaling vessels, and as importers of s[3erm and whale oils and whalebone. Charles O. Brightman. One of the best known and most successful con- tractors and builders in New Bedford is Charles O. Brightman, whose ofifice and factory is in the old stone building 72 North Water street, corner of Rodman street. Mr. l^rightman established his business in 1879, and has met with alarge degree of success. He furnishes plans and estimates for all kinds of buildings, and has the reputation of being an expeditious and careful builder. The ixtent of his operation and Ihc character of his work can he readily indged from the build- ings he has erected, which are his best cre- dentials. Among the buildings which Mr. Brightman has erected are the fol- lowing: Wamsutta iKlOK 01-- J. .V W. K. WIN(. New Bedford Semi-Ccntcnnial Souvenir. 67 block, Purchase street; Has- kell & Tripp's block of stores ; Adelphi Rink, County street; Rowland Mills; Rotch Mills, Nos. I and 2; Columbia Mills, Nos. I and 2; Bennett Mill, No. 2; Lambeth Rope Mill; House of Correction, Union, County and Ash streets ; the residences of Charles M.Tripp, Clarence A. Cook, Charles S. Kelley, Edmund B. Wood, Frank R. Hadley, Charles M. I lussey, Samuel P. Richmond, John Duff; Episcopal Parish House; Unitarian Parish House; Emerson block, Union and Sixth streets; Union fni- Good Works building, Ahirket street; Sanford and Kelk')''s banking house building, Pleas- ant street; Five Cents Savings Bank building. Purchase street ; adilition to Parker House; Slocum building. Pur- chase and Middle streets ; St. Luke's Hospital build- ing; Madison Street School House and many others in New Bedford; United States Fish Commission building at Woods Holl, Mass.; Globe Yarn Mill, No. 3, Fall River, Mass. Mr. Brightman employs none but competent and faithful workmen. New York Harket. A meat and general provision store, which from its size, the skill with which the goods are displa)'ed O. BRIGHTM.'\N S BUILDING, J2 NOKi'H \V.\TEK .STKKKT. in the windows and on the front of the premises, and the cleanness and neatness of all the goods and arrangements, attracts general attention and com- mendation, is the establishment of the New York Market at: 64 Purchase Street. It is directly oppo- site the Merchants Bank building, and has conse- quently one of the most central locations in the city. The store was established Oct. 14, 1892, and will therefore be five years old during the Semi-Centen- nial Celebration. A general line of the very best meats and provisions is kept in stock, including fresh and salt meats, all kinds of fruits and \ egetables in their season, and a specialty is made of turkeys, chickens, fowls, and all sorts of poultry. A very large assort- ment of the best brands of can- ned goods, including meats, veg- et ibles and fish is constantly I lined in stock, and the supply 111 hand is very tastefully ar- 1 mged so as to make an attrac- tive and picturesque display when viewed from the street. The store is noticeably attrac- tive. The fruit and vegetables are displayed at the front in a very inviting way, while every- thing is kept in an immaculate ondition of cleanliness in all : 1 irts of the store. Customers are attracted by these character- iNEW VOKK. MAKKEI 68 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. istics, as everything displayed under such conditions looks good to eat. The store is large and roomy, about 30 X 70 feet in dimensions. At the rear is an ice box 14 X 14 feet, which reciuires twelve tons of ice to maintain a proper temperature. It is fitted with overhead railways from which meat carcasses are suspended and by means of which they can be readily handled. The ice is put in from the rear of the building by a skid. The trade of the store is with the leading hotels, the large boarding houses, and with the best class of families. The proprietor of the business is K. C. Brownell, who also personally conducts a similar establishment, known as the Fourth Ward Market, corner of Sixth and Market Streets oppo- site, the City Hall, under the firm name of E. C. Brownell & Co. The New York Market is managed by E. A. Hoxie, who has served in this capacity since It was started. Mr. Hoxie has had sixteen years' cabinets, etc. In less than a year this department had increased so rapidly, that a lease of the Waite Building, the next property adjoining the Wing Build- ing on the north, was secured for ten years, and a general line of furniture was at (jnce placed before the public. Meanwhile the business continued to increase in every department, so that the accommoda- tions in both the Wing and Waite Build- ings had become insufificient and inadequate for the trade, making it more and more difficult to attend to the wants of customers. Under these circumstances enlarged quarters were imperatively needed. Accordingly, early in 1897, the Manhattan experience this line of business, and he is a very energetic and capable mai- ketman. C. F. Wing. The largest department store dealing in caipets, drapery, furniture, ciock ery, house and kitchen fui nishing and specialties, at the present time, not onl} in New Bedford, but in Southern Massachusetts, is the emporium of C. F. Wing at 34 to 40 Purchase street. The premises are <. 1. \\i> larger and the business greater in its own line than that of an}' other concern in this region of country outside of Boston. The busi- ness was started in a modest way in 1X78, in a store which occupied the south half of the old Nathan Chase property, with a stock of dry goods and a small carpet department. The carpet business increased so rapidly, that after a few years, the dry goods de- partment was closed out and the whole store devoted to the carpet trade. This line under the new condi- tions increased more and more, so that enlarged quarters became necessary, and to accommodate the expanding business, the Wing Building, a three-story brick block, was erected in 1887, at which time de- partments of wall paper and draperies were added. The next radical change was made in 1890, when on the second floor of the Wing Building a small stock of furniture was put in, consisting principally of "Odd Pieces," including i)arlor jiicccs, fancy chairs. House property, owned by Mr. Michael Kane, was purchased by Mr. Wing, and he immediately began to erect a four-story brick building 65 x 88, which occu- pies all the area in the rear of the Wing Building and Spaulding property, and extends back to Hall's court. With this large addition the premises have a dei^th of 150 feet from Purchase street to Hall's court, ami a width of eighty-eight feet. This arrangement gives ample light both front and back. Between the old and new buildings, but within the limits of the addi- tion, is an oblong well twenty feet long by ten feet wide, extending from the first floor to the roof and surmounted by a glass roof which also aids very materially in furnishing light to e\ery floor of the old and new buildings. The new building is also furnished with excellent Morse electric elevators, both pas- senger and freight, running from the basement to top story, and the former is located just north of the New Bedford Semi-Ccntennial Souvenir. 69 C. F. WING CKOCKEKV DEl'AKI light well. The building was completed and arranged about October ist, so that everything is brand new and will well repay a visit at this time. The first floor of the new building is devoted to parlor furniture. The second is wholly given over to carpets, of which Mr. Wing carries the largest stock and best grades in the city. The third floor is reserved for cabinet furniture, bookcases, desks, and case work of all kinds. The fourth floor is occu- pied by the upholstery and carpet workrooms, which are fitted with the latest improved appliances used in these branches of work. The basement is devoted partly to storage and part- ly to a department stocked with oil cloths, linoleums, and other floor coverings of a practical character. All the rooms are con- nected with the ofifice by telephone. In the Wing Building, the old part of the store, only two floors are occu- pied at present. The third floor is used by the Knights of Pythias as a hall, but their lease will expire in July, 1898, at which time Mr. Wing will add thisspace to his es- tablishment. All that will be necessary to bring this I into communication with ± , X.^^ the rest of the store will ¥^^^ijgpJB be to break through the '' ^\ wall on each side of the light well. The wall paper dejiart- incnt, which is a large and tliiurishing part of the liusiness, is located at the rear end of the first floor of the Waite Building, while the balance of this floor is devoted to cham- ber suites including brass and iron bedsteads. An important feature iust introduced is a crock- iT)- department, which is ' i located on the south side . ' nt the first floor of the ,,.^T Wing Building. All grades of tableware are carried. The north side of this fioor is devoted to draperies and shades, in which line this store carries the finest stock in this section of the country. A large kitchen furnishing department is also conducted in the Wing Building. The new building as well as the original Wmg Building have been so constructed that they can be carried up several stories higher if the necessities 70 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. of the business should require it in the future. The new building has a flat roof, and from it can be had one of the best views attainable of the harbor, the bay and the city. The whole water front is in range, and the majority of the great mills are in sight in the distance at either end of the city. From the beginning of the business Mr. James N. P'arker has been with Mr. Wing. At the start he managed the carpet department. He is now the general superintendent and has been a very efficient and faithful aid to Mr. Wing in building up the business. Mr. Ernest A. Jennings has been with the house since 1880. He has charge of the buying in certain lines, and to his labors and energy much of the success of the enterprise is due. Pope's Island Manufacturing Corporation. The Pope's Island Manufacturing Corporation takes its name from the island it occupies, which is in the centre of the Acushnet River, midway between New Bedford and Fairhaven, and over which the to 26 inches. The sheet metal is especially adapted for use where plated metal is used. For drawing, spinning and stamping it is e.xcellent. It makes a \ery superior line of table ware, is easily worked, takes and retains a magnificent finish, and is very strong. For use in jewelry, ornaments, badges or novelties of any kind, it works easily and recpiircs no plating. The non-corrosive white metal has a beautiful white color, great strength, and is susceptible of a very high finish. It is malleable and ductile, and can be easily spun or drawn; is superior to ( ierman silver and aluminum in its working qualities, and in solder- ing and brazing it gives no trouble. Its color is about the same as that of coin silver, which is retained by the finished metal without plating. The non-corrosive white metal is also especially well adapted for harness and carriage trimmings, and for yacht and boat finishings. The corporation makes the only non-corrosive horse bit in the market out of this metal, for which a large trade has been secured all over the United States. The Massachusetts Char- long bridge, now in process of reconstruction, passes. The corporation was formed in 1891, under a charter from the State of Massachusetts, with a capital stock of ;^i63,ooo, for the purpose of manufacturing metals, especially non-corrosive metals in sheets, wire, and in special forms and articles. The foundry and machine shop was erected when the company was organized in 1891. The business increased ra])idly, and to keep up with the demand the rolling mill was erected in 1894. It has a capacity of three tons daily. In the works forty-five men, all skilled workmen, are constantly employed. The illustration on this page gives a very good idea of the extent and ai)pearance of the establishment. The plant ])roduces non-corrosive brass and (Ier- man silver, and white and bronze metals in sheets, wire, pigs and rods, for which there is a growing de- mand all o\er the country. F'oundry castings are also made to order. These metals are suitable for s]-)oons, forks, talkie ware, harness and carriage mountings, yacht and boat trimmings, jewelry, art work ancl novelties. The while and bronze metals are produced in sheets or rolls, to No, 36 15. & S. gauge, and widths ( up. for ■^ 1 1 ion for i/e metal itable Mechanics Associition ni 1 n 1 1 medal to the Pope's Island M iiiiil i t the excellence of their new Ma iIIk ( harness trimmings, etc. Ihe phosi)hi produced is the best composition in the maiket at present for use in journals or bearings of shafting and machinery. The gold bronze closely imitates gold, its tensile strength is high, its working qualities very good, it is capable of taking and retaining a very high finish, and can be stamped, spun or drawn with greater facility than brass. As a jeweler's metal it is un- equalled by anything in the market, both in color and working quality, and is much superior to brass or oroide in its resistance to tarnish and corrosion. The industry carried on by this corporation is the only one of its kind in this part of the country, and the mill is the only one outside of the combination oi- trust. The corporation makes a special effort to reach jewelry manufacturers, to supply them with sheet metal and wire, especially the gold bioiizc, the white metal and the German silver. The phos|)hoi'-l)ic>nze which is produced formachin- eiy bearings, is known as "spermoliiie bearing New Bedford Semi-Centcnnial Souvenir. 7J r E. T. CHAPMAN. metal," is especially adapted for high speed and heavy work, being hard and tough, and having lubri- cating qualities superior to anything of the kind in the market. The president of the Pope's Island Manufacturing Corporation is David B. Kempton. W. O. Sheldon is treasurer and is the active manager of the works and business. E. T. Chapman. The oldest cigar and tobacco business in New Bed- ford is that conducted by E. T. Chapman. His main store is at 66 William street, and a branch store is big fire which on Feb. 22, 1873, destroyed a number of buildings. The store was then started anew on Second street, between William and Union streets, but was soon moved back to Purchase street where it was located directly opposite the central engine house, in the premises now occupied by Schule Brothers. From there it was removed to the southeast cor- ner of William street and Acushnet avenue, on the site now occupied by the new postoffice, where it remained until the premises had to be vacated in order that the building might be pulled down to make way for the postoffice. At that time, which was in 1887, Mr. Chapman secured his present quarters, southwest corner of William street and Acushnet avenue, where he has an attractive and commodious store. The branch store at 99 1-2 Union street was established in 1891. Mr. Chapman in his two stores carries the largest stock of cigars and tobacco in the city, including foreign and domestic cigars, and smoking and chewing tobacco. He is the proprietor of several special brands of cigars of excellent quality, among which the best known are "The Firm" and "Plymouth Club," 10 cent cigars; and "Chapman's Star Smoker" and "Seal of New Bedford" 5 cent cigars, and is like- wise proprietor of the well known brand of smoking and chewing tobacco "Chapman's 900," which he has sold for fifteen years. The store is also headquarters for J. Wright & Co.'s tobaccos, Lorrillard's, Dills, B. L. Planet, and all the other leading brands. A large variety of all kinds of pipes is constantly carried and INTERIOR E. T. CHAPMAN S CIGAK STORE. maintained at 991-2 Union street. Mr. Chapman the display in this department is well worthy of e.xam- , . , • • 00.0. ^u„ ,„„of o;,i» r>f ination by smokers. His line of meerschaums is the started in business in 1866 on the west side of ^^^^^ e.xtensive in the city. He also carries on a Purchase street, between Union and William streets, wholesale business and his delivery wagon is the finest where he remained until he was burned out in the ornamented in the city. 11 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. " THF. HACIENDA, 923 ACUSHNET AVENt Frank R. Pease. The Pease Prescriptinn Pharmacy, one <>( the lead- ing drug stores in the flourishing retail district of the North End, occupies the northwest corner of Cook & Smith's large building, " The Hacienda," 923 Acush- net avenue, corner of Cedar Grove street. It is one of the most complete and elegantly furnished drug stores in the whole city, and was established in this neighborhood ten years ago ; the present stand, four years. Mr. Pease, at his North End store, also deals in seeds and carries a full line to select from. Mr. Pease has been in the druggist business from boyhood, and graduated ;is a pharniacist undei' lln- ii.sl ruction .il his l.itluT, WilH.iin .A. I'.-asc. who l,>r many years coiuhu ti-d ihc apothecary's stnir in lliis city on The Hill. Alter learning his profession he had several years' e.xperi ence in l?oston in liist class drug stores. Mr. Pease is also a partiici with Pierre 1 )aii(liii mikI, Jr., in a drug store at the South luid, conducted un- der the firm name of Pease & Dandurand, Both stores are first-class pharma- cies, and are conducted in a first-class manner. Mr. Pease is one of the most energetic busi- ness men, and his am- bition coupled with that of other enterpris- ing men in the north and south ends of the city, has had much to do with the business development of these sections. As will be seen by the accompany- ing illustration of the interior of "The Haci- LMida," it is one of the largest and best equip- petl drug stores in the city, and the stock of goods carried is as fine as can be found in any first-class iiharmacy in N e w England. As the extreme north and south ends of the city represent the main manufacturing sections, such stores as "The Hacienda" are very much appreciated by theresidents, because they are able to purchase all they need with- out the necessity of going to the centre of the city to trade. The neighborhood of " The Hacienda" block is destined to be an important centre, many large busi- ness establishments having already been opened here. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 73 VIII. The City of To=day==Points of Interest== Public Improvements. New Bedford is seated on the western shore of the Ai'ushiiet River, a tidal inlet from Buzzard's Baj'. Tlif iiii|inl(ius jiortinii is about four miles in IcUL^th by t'niin tlir('c-(|iiiirtcrs to a mile wide, and this ter- ritory slopes yentl_y to the water, so that the place has an excellent natural drainage. The streets in general run north and south, and east and west, at right angles to each other. The lower streets near the wharves, ill the central part, are devoted to manu- facturing and shipping; the retail trade and the active liusiuess life is located chiefly on Purchase, Pleasant, Union and William streets, about the geo- acres each, and are both now occupied by manufac- turing anil shijiping establishments. Above the bridge and ishiinls is an upper harbor of almost as great an extent as tlu; main ]iarl)or. with wliicli it is connected by a narrow chainiel between the shores of New Bedford and Fish Island. While perhaps the Hon. W. W. Crapo in his cen- tennial oration in 1876, somewhat overshot the mark when he said that " this bay is as charming as the Bay of Naples," and that the " physical condition and position" of the city were "delightful beyond com- parison ;" yet lu! is so far justified that there are days in perfect weather when this opinion is almost wholly correct in essentials. A view of the harbor from one of the wharves, or from the old drawliridge in tlie early hours of a bright sunnner morning. \\ ith the CUSTOM HOUSE AND POST graphical centre of tlie popidous jiart of the city; the side streets, and these on the upper part, and on the top of the ridge, are (iceiipied by the homes of the people; and the cotton nianubietniing districts, with their huge mills, their tenement houses, and their own local business, are located at the north and south ends respectively. In front of the city the Acushnet River forms a tine harbor, about three-quarters of a mile wide by a mile long, with the wharves of New Bedford on the west side, anil tbuse of l'"airhaven on the east, while tlie entraiiee fiuiu lliizzard's Bay is protected by Palmer's Islainl. wiiich serves as a natural break- water. The iiortbiin limit, of the harbor is the New I'.eiU'onlauil Kairhaven bridge, about 4,000_ feet long, which spans the river in three separate sections, uniting l-'ish Island by a drawbridge witli New Bed- ford, next forming a link between Fish and Pope s Island, and then connecting the latter with tlie I'^iir- haven shore. These two islands are small, of a few OFFICE, WILLIAM STREET. shipping in the harbor to give life to the scene, and the shores of Fairhavenand Sconticut Neck affording a picturesque background, presents a most charming picture. The view of the bay from the heights of Mount Pleasant is also very i)eautitul. From Fair- haven, friaii Fnrt i'iieiiix, or from Palmer's Island the city presents a line appearance, with its fine water front, the old whalers in the foreground, the sailboats, yachts, schoonei-s, ships, steamei-s, and tugs at anchor, at the wliarves, or moving over the watei-s of the harbor; the spires of the churches and the roofs ol' the houses rising above the tree tops ; the whole city, on account of its situation on a slope lying parallel to the water, spread mit tn the view of the spectator. In respect to inaiitime advantages the city is well situated. Along the liaibor front are thirty-two sul>- staiitial wharves. The harlior has been deepened at various times by the National Govennuent. at a total exju'iise up to 1890 of 182,691.37. As a result of tliese operations a channel 18 feet deep and 200 feet 74 New Bedford Scmi-Centennial Souvenir. wide has been dredged fn)iii the (h'cp waters of the A linr system ..f electric street railways Irayerse bay helow Palmer's Island to the ( ily's wharves. An the vh\ in';ill directions and reach all the important extensive anchorage area or- ihdlway Comj.anv. In 1 SS.", tlie Acuslmet Street Excellent ti-anspoitation hicilitics are fnridshed hy Kailwav Company was or-Miii/ed and hnill tricks ,11 the Old (',,lony itailroad. The New liclfonl and throiigl, the city to ,M,n,pHe with the ,,lder c pany d uas,,p,.ned h,ilra\cl .liiU 1. |S4(). h.a rU n, 1 SST llie tuo,. valer M. 1S7:; I. Nyas con- nn.lcilhe name of lH'sl,.n. Chnlon and iMt.'lilmrg A pnMi,' water lta.lroa niiw nearly completed, and will put rd in possession of a water system suffic- city of twice its present size. The tlic ponds will be forced "through a ally iisiiig steel pipe eight miles long, (■ laii;r (listrihnting reservdir hiratcd upon -licst point of _^ unil til road stle New state l.-i of til,' (; bold, aii.l priateil > undciiak New 1;,mI lent for water of gra.b to tl the h land to Iir within a i distance fro Bedford — a poin called High Hill ii Dartmouth." The original sii| ply is very dark ii color, owing to tli fact that it islar-vl drained fnmi cxti'ii sive swamps; hu according to an anal vsis made by Prol William It. Xi, hols in 18s.',. it is who], some lor di-inkiii! and (hauestic us.'> Tlicncwwatn-, linw II be ,1s. it lalh lin ditions favor that plan, while to r would require the erection of an i an enormous expense. The draw luiilgc will l>e re- located and widened. New I'.edford has recently developed an excellent system of public parks. TJie Common, on Purchase street, just west of the railroad, was until a few years ago the only public ground, and it was for a long time what the name implied, — a playground for the children, a ball ground for the lims, and the scene of public celebratiims. Many improvements have been made since 1S90. The Common is no longer what it was, liut is a, beautiful and well-cared- for little park, with more of the charac- ter of a public garden ai old-time own green. Brook- I \\ n Park, formerly lie estate of Daniel tson, the first storian of the city, ■d ,,11 Acush- lie |iopul,,us portion le city, and is a r attractive ity. Button- w ii,,d Park, on K,inpton street, to III,' westward of the lity, has within its limits a large pond, ^l^,l,lspopula tm M IlllK and ±,,rms a, marke, contrast to th "amber colore, fluid" the citizen are now oljliu'cl t' th city died The New Bed- bird and Fair- haven bridge was originally built in 1796, was washed away in 1807, rebuilt soon after, and again ' destroyed in the Sep- tember gale of 1815. It was not again rebuilt until 1819, and tlicn en,liired until its destruction by the Septcmher gale of ISd'.i. The fraiuliise of the bridge c,ir[iorat 1,111 was then purchase, 1. ami a new bridge erect,', 1. wliiili was finished in 1870, and opened as a free liii,lL;,'. I'h,' latter structure has endured to the present, but is now l)eing replaced by a strong and costly structure, 70 feet wide, the estimated cost of which is about !|400,000. The section between Fair- haven and Pope's Island is now about corajileted. The railroad grade crossing at the New Bedford end will probably be abolished, but whether by elevating the railroad or the roadway, has not, as yi't. bi'cn ,1c- cided. The elevation of the bridge an, I i'oa,lway would be far the best solution, as topograplii,-al con- ON. WILLIAM W. CR.'VPO. A number of fin chief among w^hich Hall, surroun,!,',] 1: ami William sti',','t of William an, L\,,r ntighh,) )it rux ^ Ponit in iiid ml of th, Jk in, I , in be i( ^^< ■■*1ri b> the Point ound ( 1 111 s Point p( lunsiil 1 ,)i ])\ Ml, 1,11, I',, lilt i\. ,sstli. p, nmsuh bnice 1890 about 1150,000 have been spent on these parks. hlic linildings adorn the city, the Piil)lic Library; the City ittle park, ('orner of Pleasant hi' Custom House, at corner ', '011,1 street.s, erected in 1836; the Bristol County Court House, on County street, erected in 1831 ; the Jail and House of Correction, on Court and Union streets. The first jail was erected in 1829 — New Bedford became one of the shire towns of Bristol County in 1828. TJie new Post Office building, corner of William street and Acushnet avenue, was completed in 1893. Since 1890 many fine business blocks have been erected in the central part of the city, and the princijial struc- tures are: Odd Fellows Building, corner of Pleas- ant and William streets; Ma.sonic Building, corner 76 New Bedford Semi-Centcnnial Souvenir. Hough, city editor of the StfiiidtinJ, William M. Einery, night editor of the Mcrnrri/, and Harry W. l)Utlfr, reporter on the Standard. The husiness of lioth papers is conducted by Geo. S. Fox. A French I hilly paper, L'Echo T)u Soir, is now published at 760 I'un-liase Sti-eet, and the editor and manager is .1. A . ( 'a 1-. in. 77/,' nWudnN'Oi-y Shipj.hn, List, a weekly papiT whirh coiitaius complete lists of the whale- sliips. w here tlii'\- ai-c. tjicir catch in oil and bone, etc., ill tabulated Innn. was rstablishcd by Henry Undsey ill 1S4-"). was owned liy licnjaniin Lindsey from 185-3 to is"-"), when it caiiic into the jjossession of E. P. i;a\ iimiid, w h., liail inana-ed it froml861. Mr. Ray- MAYOR CHARLES Union and Pleasant streets ; Merchants Hank ISiiild- ing, corner Purchase and William streets: Standard Building, Market street, opposite City Hall: Fi\e Cents Savings Bank Building, 87 Purchase street: and the building u{ the New Bedford Institution for Savings, corner rnimi and Fourth streets. These are all beautiful struct iires, in recent styles of archi- tectme. and add ureatlv to tlie aiipearance of the central s,M-ti,,n ut tlic ,ltv. Tlie wealthy whaling merchants eivcted large die years n\ the C'lltlirv. Ill reterelici. 1,, these (ici-v K. 'i'licker remarks: ••.Many of llicin are iinlnrniiiate in iheir architectural linisli. as thi'ir proud hilt iinlcltcred hiiilders enj<.incd ihe imitalhai „r the (irci; ■ Kniiian icmi'.lc. i'.ul uhu uill deiiv thev are i in | ,. .si i ig, and where \m11 \ mi lind in the',, Id e.anmeivial .ities u\ \r^^ Fn-land (itlu'r resid.'iices with such abninlaiit siiiT,aindiiigs ,,f gar- den and lawn.'" On Caintv si reel ami adjacent avenues arc main lein t \ | ,e Imhis.'S whi.'h eon- tra.sl n.ldlv with thcs,' ,,hh'r ,lwclliii-s. Tw,, daiU |,a|.,'rs are piihlishcd in the cily- the .']/,/■,•»/■// cslahlishc, I 1,\ licnjamiii I.indscvasa wi'cklv in ISOl.aiid as a daily in IS:',!. ami ihe Shni.h(nl. started in 1 s;,0 In lalniiiii.l Aiilhuny. and still cun- diiclclliN hiss.ms I'.dniiiiid and ll.ai janiiii Antli,ai\. The InniM.r is a morniii- an.l the latter an eyeiiing the cil\ is William I,. Sa\er. \\h<, uas c'dih.r of the ^b■l■clll■^ tnan 1 MCi mil ill S'.i:',. diirin- which ],erind juiinial. SiiH'e IS'.i:; MrrSaMT has'cililiMl I h.' Sl.nnlard. ■/ephairuh W. Peas,', the lavsciit cnll,M'l,,r oC I he |,nrl. is n,,w iMlitnr uf the M.rrur,!. He is a llmail and uraectnl wider and a man of scholarly tastes. William (1. Kirschluiim. rcp,,rter .ai the St.nnlanI and c,,rres|,oii,lciil of the li„sl.n, //r,-,,/,/. is a painslak- ing and hiislling im'W s-gathercr. Aniuiio the younger joiirnalists (K'sersing of mentiiai, arc Cicorge A. d it u. death d as a 1889, since "le sheet by !!. I'hilli],s. dltion t,, its ,,tl ncality. the rate in New I'.edf the result or th, the assess,, rs. ( i, ailvaiitages as a manufae- taxati,,n has been greatly since IS'.i:',. This Nvas rrsisteiic,' ami courage of ;,• Iv liriggs. wh,, was in- siriimeiital in raising the assessment mi large areas ,il' \a,anl lanil, which had risen greatly in value l)e- ,aiis,' ,,1' the pr,,ximity of the new factories and new li,,iises thai were erected during tlie booms in 1888 an, I 1892. As in other cities, the large and wealthy I'slates were taxed lightly, and the people owning large areas were assesseil on a low yalnatioii, while in,jl. Ml . Hri 'airs ilea re laxeil at a high to change this eon- c greater justice to all, and su,< ce,le,l at li-ast in a measure, although he met with much opposition and made many enemies. The statistics show what was accomplished. In 1893 the valuation was $44,475,095, the rate of taxation *17.r)0. and the amount raised #804.290. The next \ear. whi'ii th,' n,'w plan eaine into operation, the val- iialimi was •<,l,l;'.4.'.iL'.",. the rate ■fl5.()0. and the am, ami rais,',l >^S-js.,-,44. In 1895 the valuation was >=o2.ii4:^.7:'>:!. th,' rat,' -^15.40, and the income s;8;!9.- 2'.>S. In ism; the yaliiation was .f5i;.2Sl.l1 7. the rat,- s;!.-,. 40 Mil, I the income ^897. (179. The rat,' in 1S97 was Aid. 20. Alth,,n-li N,'w i'.iMllonl has m,t reali/,,',1 an iileal ,',,mlili,.n in her s,„'ial ,l,'ycl,,piiielit. sli,' has yet liy,' \,'ars.' Th,' si rn-.;le and cailiail ion of p,,lili;-s ali.l hiisiiu'ss. whil,' api,ar,'lill\ at tiiii.'s lull ,,r evil, has in th,- ,'11,1 lin,ii-lit h.rth -,„hI. ami ih,' ,,nll,M.k is ,',,iise,ineiitly h,,p,'liil lor th,' Inliiiv hoth ,'ity its,'ir an,rih,' ,'oii,lil i,.;i o'' t!i,' |m',,i,I,.. he Charles S. Ashley. The present Mayor of New Bedford, Charles S. Ashley, is a native of the city. In 1876 he engaged in the clothing and gentlemen's furnishing business at 72-78 Williams Street, and conducted it until recently at that location, the style of the firm being Ashley & Pierce. He was also interested for years, in the w'holesale provision business. He has represented his fellow citizens in the Common Council and on the Board of Aldermen, and besides his present term was mayor of the city in 1891-2. He was postmaster of New Bedford from 1893 to the present year. He is a member of the I. (). O. V., the Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Wamsutta, Dartmouth and Merchant Clubs of this city and to the Mayors' Club. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 77 SEMI-CENTENHIAL CELEBRATION. A Brief Summary of the Inception and Progress of the Undertalt time )irize — Diamond, value $40; 2d time prize — Gold watch, value $30; I St prizes — Gold watch, $50; 2d prize — China fish service, $25 ; 3d prize — Shot gun, $22.50; 4th prize — .Solid oak chamber set, $20: 5th prize— Suit clothes, (M. C. Swift & Sons), $15; 6th prize — French lamp, Dresden china, $12; 7th prize — Bicycle suit, $10; 8th prize — Marble clock, $8; gth prize — Traveling bag, $7.50; loth prize — Training robe, $7; nth prize — Pair " Meteor" tires, $7; 12th prize — Bicycle lantern, $5; I3lh prize — Racing saddle, $4; 14th prize — Sweater, $3.50; 15th prize — Silver card case, $3; 1 6th prize — Golf stocking, $1.50; 17th prize — Lampson luggage carrier, $1.50; i8th prize — Two cans "Vimoid,"$i; i gth prize — Cyclometer, $1 ; 20th prize — Golf cay, 75 cents. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. The leading industries of the city are well repre- sented in the building on Weld street, at the North End, the headquarters of the Exhibition. An illus- tration of the structure is shown on page 78. The hall and the exhibits are elaborately decorated. In the centre oi the building is the band stand, raised eight feet from the floor, and. underneath is a refresh- ment counter. The office and information bureau of the Semi-Centennial Committee is near the band stand. The following is a partial List of Exhibitors: Pairpoint Manufacturing Co., glass and silverware, (machin- ery in motion). New Bedford Copper Co. Morse Twist Drill and Machine Co. Strange Forge Drill and Tool Co. Johnson Typesetter Co., (typesetting machine in motion). W. S. Hill Electric Co., electric appliances, (Machinery in motion). New York Biscuit Co, Taber Art Co., engravings and art goods, (machinery in motion). George Kirby, Jr., paints. Brightman Bros., paints. George Delano's Sons, oils. William F. Nye. oils. George L. Brownell, carriages. Clarence Lowell, carriages. H.S. Hutchinson & Co., stationery, blankbooks and bindery. Weeden Manufacturing Co.. novelties. New Bedford Reed Co., loom reeds, (machinery in motion). Blossom Bros., planing mill. Fowler Loom Harness Factory, (machinery in motion). Padelford & Besse, sash-cord braiding machines.- Patrick Keane, cut glass. A. L. Blackmer Co., cut glass. Pope's Island Manufacturing Co.. metal novelties. Hathaway, Soule & Harrington, shoes, (machinery in mo- tion). Schuler Bros., shoes, (machinery in motion). Hedge, Lewis Manufacturing Co., eyelets and buttons T. M. Denham & Bros., shirts. Davis & Hatch Spice Co., spices, etc. L. A. Littlefield, silverplatmg. Thomas Hersom & Co., soaps. Chades F Gushing, carriages. New Bedford Scmi-Ccntennial Souvenir. m mm 1';/' STOKE OF LOUIS E. SHUKTLEFF, 20 PURCH \sh Louis E. Shurtleff. An old-established store, which has long been the leading one in its line in New 15edford, is the retail jewelry business now conducted by Louis E. Shurtleff, at 20 Purchase street. The store was conducted for many years by Dexter & Maskins, then by C. W. Haskins, alone, and after that by H. S. Francis, who had been a watchmaker for Dex- ter & Haskins 30 years. Mr. Haskins died in 1896. Mr. Francis con ducted the store from 1893 to 1895, when lir was succeeded by tlic present propriety, Louis E. Shurtlcit He is a young man, and came to work for Mi Haskins in 1 891, as a watciunakcr, and re- mained in that capacit \ with Mr. Francis, f nil 1 1 whom he purchased the business in 1895. The store has always carried the 1 a r g e s I stock, enjoyed the best reputation, and has had the cream of the trade in its line in the city. The stock now consists of a general line nf STORE OF H. age of surplus stock goods of the best quality reasonably as possible. first-class jewelry and watches, and special lines of sterling sil- verware, diamonds, novelties, French and American clocks, silk umbrellas, etc. Mr. Shurtleff also keeps chafing dishes in a large variety of patterns, at very reasonable prices, and supplies the utensils necessary to go with them, namely, chafing dish spoons, alcohol flagons, etc. Mr. Shurtleff has had fourteen years' experience in the jewelry trade. He learned the business with E. D. Tisdale & Son of Taunton, who conducted one of the best stores in the country. He has had a varied experience both as a watchmaker and sales- man. For three years he was a salesman in the diamond depart- ment for A. Stowell & Co., of Boston. In his employ at pre- sent he has an unusually good watchmaker, and two of his present clerks were with Mr. Haskins. The business occupies the entire building at this loca- tion, the upper story being de- voted to workrooms and thestor- Mr. Shurtleff aims first to supply and second to sell them as The ford is H. S. Hutchinson & Co. ;ading book and stationery store in New Red- that of H. S. Hutchinson & Co., 198 to 202 CO., 198 to 202 UNION STREET. New Bedford Scmi-Ccntennial Souvenir. 8J OFFICE OF THE HEDGE, LEWIS MANUFACTURING CO Corner of First anil Rivet Streets. Union street. The business was established by S. Hutchinson in 1864, and was conducted by him until his death in 18S6, when his son H. S. Hutchinson suc- ceeded to the management. From the beginning until 1875 the store was located on Cheapside, now Pleasant street, and even in those days was the leader in its line. At that time it was removed to what was then 142 Union street, now 194, where it remained until iS93,whenthe present commodi- ous quarters were secured. These were formed by throwing two stores into one, making the present dimen- sions 34x99 feet, lighted at the front by two large plate glass windows. New Bedford, no doubt owing to her Quaker ancestry, and to the large wealth that earls- came to her, has always had a notice- able atmosphere of culture. For this reason there has been a good market for the best books — a much better II-H market, the book drummers say, than exists even to-day in cities of the same size. This condition has always existed, and the Hutchinsons, father and son, have catered to this demand intelligently and suc- cessfully. The store has always carried the best and largest stock of books and stationery in the city. When it was moved into the present quarters, artists' materials, music and pictures were added, and a workshop for fitting and making picture frames was also then started in the third story and is still maintained. In 1894 a book bindery and blank book man- ufactory was started at 93 Un- ion street. The present owners of the business are Mr. Hutch- inson and his mother, Mrs. E. H. Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchin- son was brought up in the book store, as during his school days he was constantly around on holidays and vacations. l'"or three years he was employed in a wholesale house in the book and stationery trade in Boston, and there acquired some of the experience that has enabled him so suc- cessfully to follow in his father's footsteps. Hedge, Lewis Manufacturing Company. In the old rivet factory, a substantial stone edifice, on the corner of First and Rivet Streets, which was THE HEDGE, LEWIS MANUFACTURING CO.— MACHINE ROOM. 82 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. C. S. JORDAN S STUDIO, 12 PURCHASE STREET. erected about 70 years ago, the Hedge, Lewis Manu_ facturing Company carry on a unique industry. Here they make shoe, gaiter and upholstery buttons from papier mache by machinery specially designed for the purpose, and the arrangements in use in the shops for handling the [jroduction are extremely effective and labor saving. This industry was started in 1888, in the jaremises on Acushnet Avenue, now occupied by the City Steam Laundry, by (i. H. Hedge and I'". H. Hard- man. Fifteen months later, on account of the in- creased demand for the goods, larger cpiarters were needed and the present factory was leased. Mr. Hardman retired soon after the business was started, Mr. Albert W. Lewis then purchased an interest, and the firm became Hedge, Lewis & Co., and conducted the manufacture successfully at the new location. Meanwhile in 1885 the lirm of Hedge, Lewis & Co., in association with ]). A. Corey and J. C. King started to manufacture spinning ring travelers in the upper .story of the factory on Rivet Street under the name of the Reliance Manufacturing Co. Mr. King afterwards withdrew and Mr. M. A. Wood purchased his interest. In 1895 the Reliance Manufacturing Co. was consolidated with Hedge, Lewis & Co., and the consolidation took the name of the Hedge, Lewis Manufacturing Co. The increase in the demand for buttons was so great that the coni|)any found it necessary to use the entire space in the Rivet Street factory, and accordingly the ring traveler branch f>f the business was removed to 5 Rodman Street on .September i, 1897, where it is conducted under the name of the Reliance Manufacturing Co., and Mr. D. A. Corey is the manager. Mr. Lewis is still a member of the Hedge, Lewis Manufacturing Co., but is at present employed in the office of the Westporl Manufacturing Co. Mr. G. H, Hedge the founder of the business is the treasurer and superintendent and to his practical knowledge much of the success of the industry is due. Mr. M. A. Wood is the secretary, and general salesman. At present the business is wholly under the management of Mr. Hedge and Mr. Wood. The processes of the manufacture are e.xtremely interesting. Three kinds of buttons are made, shoe, gaiter and upholstery, in all sizes, colors and styles. The raw material used is papier mache, which comes in sheets of about an eight of an inch in thick- ness. These are cut into strips which are fed into a machine that with steel dies cuts out round blanks. The latter after being rolled and hardened in a sijecially designed machine, are fed by a hopper into an automatic machine, which turns out the complete buttons with wire eyelets at the rate of 180 per min- ute. The buttons are then polished and colored by the aid of various very ingenious automatic contri- vances, which renders handling almost unnecessary, and are finally finished by being baked in large ovens at a high temperature . The machinery and appli- ances were especially designed by Mr. Hedge and the other members of the firm, and they have been greatly improved since the origin of the business so that they produce 150 per cent, more than at first. The production is now so large that supplies of papier mache and of wire are brought in by the car load. The buttons are sold all over the United States, and a very large e.xport trade has been de- veloped to England, Germany, France, Austria, Italy and South America ; at the Industrial E.xhibition the company will make an e.xhibit of all stages of the product m process of manufacture and of finished buttons of all kinds. The stone building now occupied is said to have been built by one of the Grinnell's as a rivet factory about 1830, was afterward used for various pur- poses, and was utilized by some of the cotton mills in the vicinity. It is 120 x 45 feet in dimensions, two stoiies high, and now has an ell for the engine which opei'atcs the iiKuhinery. .Al.mut twentv hands are employed. C. S. Jordan. C. S. Jordan's photograph gallery at u Purchase .Street, is the oldest stand in the city for tiiis line of work, it ha\ing been established somewhere about the time of the incorporation of the city go\ernment, fifty years ago. Mr. Jordan is an aitist af acknowledged ability, as his high-class productions plainly show, and his studio is well equipped with modern appli- ances for doing artistic work. Most of the negatives used in producing the prints for this book are in Mr. Jordan's possession, and any person desiring prints from them can secure them bv apjilving at his place of business. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. 83 ' twist drills " by the The Strange Forged Drill & Tool Co. succeeded in making accurate The twist drill was a great improvement on the new process. old-fashioned straight machine drill, giving a better After perfecting and patenting the process, he went cutting edge and being easier kept in order, but its through many tribulations as a manufacturer, and it is THE STRANGE FORGED DRILL AND TOOL CO. — FORGE ROOM. manufacture was a costly process. The groves had only quite recently that a strong company has been to be milled out of a bar of steel, the full size of the formed under the name of Strange Forged Drill & finished tool. This was a costly process both in labor Tool Co., of New Bedford, Mass., and is now making all and in waste of material. There were also qualities of sizes of forged twist drills in large quantities. Owing •R.\N(;E forged drill and tool CO. — machine ROOM. steel so hard that they could not be milled, and though very desirable for some classes of work, for the above reasons could not be used. A veteran blacksmith conceived the idea of forging the twist in the drill instead of milling it, and after much experimenting. to the small amount of labor required in making the forged drills as compared with the milled drills, and also the fact that there is practically no waste of metal, the new drills can be made for less money than the old style, and yet exhaustive tests would show 84 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. that their wearing qualities are very superior. A prominent machine manufacturing company of In- diana, reports giving the forged drills a test on some special machinery steel, three and one-fourth inches in diameter and says: "The best results we had ever previously got out of any drill, was to drill two holes that would be equal to drilling through six and a half inches. Then we would have to stop and grind. With your forged drills we have drilled nine holes, or twenty- nine and one-fourth inches, without a stop to grind." The company are also now making to order drills out of the celebrated " Mushet " self-hardening steel, and claim that this is the only process by which a perfect drill can be made from this celebrated steel. So con- fident are the officers of the company that their drills of building lumber, which is mostly brought here in vessels and unloaded at the wharf of the Wamsutta Mills, foot of Wamsutta street. Spruce and hemlock timber and shingles are received from Down East, by vessels ; clapboards and pine from West Virginia and other parts of the South by cars. The lumber has been mostly sold in the vicinity to the builders and contractors who have done so much construction during the past few years in this part of the city at the time of the booms resulting from the erection of the cotton mills. From six to fifteen men are em- ployed in and about the lumberyard. The members of the firm are l-^lias Terry, and his son K. Clifton Terry. Fournier & Nicholson. Among the leading industrial establishments at the North luid of New Bedford at present is the plan- will do all that is claimed for them, that they are willing to send a sample to all responsible manufac- turers who will undertake to give them a fair test. The company are also making a new and improved chuck that is very much liked by all who have used it. E. & K. C. Terry. Between Bowditch street and the railroad tracks at the North luid of the city, is the extensive lumber yards of E. &. K. C. Terry. The f)rnce of the firm is at 27 to 29 Bowditch street. The premi.ses comprise an area of about two acres, on which are five lumber sheds of the following dimensions : one 185 X20 feet ; two each 60 x 20 feet and two each 200 x 50 feet. The business was established at this location in 1892, by the present firm, the members of which had, however, had considerable experience m this line else- where. The firm carries a large general assortment ing mill of l<'oui-nier & Nicholson, at 31 to 35 Imiw- ditch street. The business was established at this location in 1892 by the present firm. The original mill was 40 x 125 feet in dimensions, but an addition of 25x60 feet was built in 1894. About one hun- dred and lifty feet north of the mill are two store- houses, one j6 X 40 feet, and two stories in height, and the otlier 24 x 36 feet, three stories in height, The mill is provided with all modern machinery and conveniences, and doors, sashes and blinds are maiui factnrcd in large (|uantitics, while window frames, mouldings and brackets are also tinned out. All kinds of work is done to order in planing, turnuig and circular sawing. In the storehouse about 1,600 doors, 1,000 windows of sash and 1,000 pairs blinds are kc])! on hand constantly in stock sizes, so that the demands of builders can be sui)]jlied readily and quickly. New Bedford Semi-Ccntennial Souvenir. 85 About fifteen men, all skilled workmen, are constantly employed. The members of the firm are E. F"ournier and J. G. Nicholson. Mr. Fournier has had many years' practical experience in this industry, and he is the superintendent of the planing mill, for which his skill and mechanical ability amply fits him. Mr. Nicholson is the financial manager and the salesman, and conducts the office business. To his acumen much of the success of the enterprise is due. The firm started practically without capital, but has been \ery prosperous, and now is on an exceptionally good financi; foundation. was engaged several years. Al- though his shop has only been in operation a few months it is the best ec|ui|)ped repair shop in the country,and the only one that accomplishes the work by machinery. The machines used are stitchers, sewers, nailers and finishers, the same as are used in shoe factories. Mr. Tripp's plant has a capacity of turning out twelve pairs of new shoes daily, but 40 pairs can be repaired with the present force of employees, although the capacity in repairing is practi- cally unlimited. The followingquotation from the Boot and S/iof Rconicr of June 23, 1897, shows that the I easonableness of Mr. Tripp's method is recognized by ex- perts, but he had put the idea into effect before this opinion was written : " II is only a matter of time before machinery run by power will lie intro- duced to do shoe repairing. As it has been proven that the mending goes to the shoe stores more and more everj' day, my idea is ho together employ 8 or 10 men, sublet the work to one man, he could afford to fit up a shop with power and machinery. The work could then be so sulidivided there as to make each worl:- nian an expert in these branches. The public would get better work for the same money, and the stores would make more money and less trouble than they have now with their men cramped up in some cor- ner without the least facilities for their work, shelf worn goods could be fixed up better and it would be an improvement all round." Mr. Tripp has found that he can do an independent business at least at present, much better than by working for the stores, and he has de\'eloped an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing in amount. Bradford D. Tripp. Progress in industry is ac- complished not only by the invention of new machinery but by the application of new methods to old conditions. Mr. Bradford D. Tripp has succeed- ed in an endeavor of the latter kind at his shop 92 Pleasant street, New Bedford, where he- has adjusted the machinery of the modern shoe factory to the task of repairing shoes. This seems at first sight a very sim- ple thing, but it has never been done before — Mr. Tripp is the pioneer — and its success will revolutionize shoe repairing. Mr. Tripp started his present shop Feb. 15, 1897. The idea occurred to him several years ago when working in the Brock- ton shoe factories where he BRADFOKU D. TKIPPS .SHOE KEPAIK PLEASANT STREET. 86 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. Benjamin Dawson & Son. In 1868, when New Bedford was just about entering upon her career as a manufacturing city, and all the cotton manufacture in its limits was carried on in the three stone mills of the Wamsutta Corporation, Ben- jamin Dawson started a small grocery store on the southeast corner of Purchase and Merrimac streets. He understood the wants of the people in his vicinity. As new mills were built he gradually increased his business and in the course of time accumulated con- siderable property. In 1880 he erected a three story brick building, corner of Purchase and Hazard streets, into which he removed his grocery store. Two years later he transformed his business, and concern imports the finest brands of wines, brandies, ales and stout from the old world, among which are : G. H. Munm & Co.'s Champagnes, Duff Gordon Sherries, Cossart Gorden Madeiras, Morgan & Ofifley's Ports ; Hennessey, Martell & Co.'s, Otard Depuy & Co.'s and Bisquit Dubouche & Co.'s brandies ; Bass & Co.'s and S. Allsop & Sons' English Ales from Burton-on- Trent; and Guinness' Dublin Stout. The firm sup- plies the first-class family and local trade of the city, with both domestic and foreign liquors. The senior partner Benjamin Dawson for many years took a very active part in politics. He was a member of the common council four years, served two years in the board of alderman, and for one year was hecanic an importer and wholesale wine and spirit merchant. Success crowned his efforts, and he has been one of the chief dealers in this line in the city. In the early part of the jsrescnt year his son Joseph was admitted to a partnership, and the business is now conducted under the style of Iknjamin Dawson & Son, The firm occupies the lower floor of the building corner Hazard and Purchase Streets. It is agent for Frank Jones Brewing Co., N. H., fine golden and cream ales; Bowler Bros., Worcester, Mass., sparkling and matchless ales and porter ; liartholomay Brewing Co., Rochester, N. Y., fine beers; J. H. Cutter's VVhi,skeys; W. A. (kunes & Co., Kentucky Old Her- mitage Rye and Old Crow Bourbon, and also receives all the fine Kentucky Bourbons and Maryland Rye Whiskies. Besides this line of leading domestic products the overseer of the poor. He has always been a Demo- crat. Joseph Dawson was also a city councilman for four years, and the last year of his service was presi- dent of the body, when by virtue of his position he was e.N-olTicio a member of the board of public works and of all the iirinciixal committees. Tichon & Foster. Tichon & Foster, machinists, 8 Seneca street, have developed a fine business as steam engine and mill repairers. The members of the firm, Joseph li. Tichon and Henry S. l-'oster, are practical mechanics. By attending directly to their own work, and hustling around among the mills they have secured numerous orders, and now have work for half a dozen men. Particular attention is paid to the repairing of steel rolls, flyers, pressers and bolsters, shafting, hangers and pulleys, and all kinds of loom cranks. New machinery has recently been added New Bedford Semi-Ccntennial Souvenir. 87 ALLEN SMITH, JR., LIVERY, HACK AND BOARDING ST. Allen Smith, Jr. One of the oldest livery, hack and boarding stables in the city of New Bedford at the present time is that conducted by Allen Smith, Jr., at ^8 Bedford Street. The business was established about 40 years ago by Harvey Sherman, and Samuel Bliss, who con- ducted it under the firm name of Sherman & Bliss. Mr. Sherman eventually sold out and Mr. Bliss then conducted it alone. He was followed by Anthony & Lapham, who were succeeded by Cornell & Lap- ham, I. L. Ashley, and Eugene Hayden. Allen Smith, Jr., entered the business as an as- sociate of Mr. Hayden, and they formed the firm of Hayden & Smith. In 1892 Mr. Hayden re- tired, and since then Mr. Smith has conducted the stable under his own name. The stable is large and well appointed, and has accommoda- tions for thirty-five horses. The best trade is catered to and secur- ed. The stable is open day and night. A specialty is made of fur- nishing hacks for funerals, wed- dmgs, christenings and private parties, and they are always kept in first-class condition. All the hacks now in use are new. Special attention is given to catering for the trade of transient visitors to the city, and any of the out-of-town people who are here to see the celebration can secure a carriage in short order by telephoning to Mr. Smith — his number is 357-3 — and orders so received are prompt- ly filled. Many horses are boarded at the stable. Their owners can be certain from past experience that the equines will always receive the best of care. S. T. Rex. On Dartmouth Street, oppo- site the Rural Cemetery, S. T. Rex carries on a general mon- umental business, cutting mar- ble and granite headstones and mortuary monuments and all kinds of cemetery work. He employs on an average about half a dozen men. Mr. Rex is himself a very expert stone cut- ter. He learned his trade 23 years ago at the Rhode Island Granite Works, Westerly, R. I. where he worked for seven or eight years. He then worked two years and a half for Charles P. Chapman, Westerly, and af- ter that spent a year at Groton, Conn., in the same business. From there he went to Ouincy, Mass., where he livedlor ten years, working as a journeyman at his trade part of the time, but for three years he had LE, 38 r.EDFORD ST. charge of E. C. Williston's granite yard, with an oversight over a force of from fifty to eighty men. For one year also he was in business for himself in Ouincy. He came to New Bedford in April 1894 and bought out the stone yard he now conducts from Swithin Brothers, of Ouincy, who conducted it as a branch business. He has conducted the business successfully. He does work for all the cemeteries in New Bedford and has carried monuments and stones to Boston, Providence and Worcester. He is the only thoroughly experienced and practical man in the working of granite in the city. T. REX, MONUMENTAL WORKS, DARTMOUTH STREEI New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. MYRON FISH. TREASURER. J. H KENDRICK. AGENT. AMEqiGAN SUPPIiY COMPANY, and 13 EDDY STREET, PROVIDENCE, R. L . ' . MANUFACTURERS OF . . LEATHER BELTING, LOOM HARNESS, WEAVERS' REEDS, WIRE H EDDLES, LEATI-IER PICKERS, ^^ LOOM STRAPPING. . . . DEALERS IN . . . Shuttles, Spools and Bobbins' Spinning Rings, Ring Travellers, Spinning Bands and Mule Banding, Roving Cans and Boxes. FURNISHING NEW COTTON MILLS A SPECIALTY. TICHON FOSTER. HACHINISTS DRISCOLL, CHURCH & HALL, WHOLESALE GROCERS. STEAM ENGINE and MILL REPAIRING. liuiikliii- Stcc'l Ri.lls, Mvns, Pivssrs aiul Hdlstns. SHAl-TIN(i, HAN(iliUS AND I'ULLKYS. ALL KINDS ()L- L(X:)M CKANKS. 8 SENECA STREET, A Short Distance North of thf Railway Station, NEW BEUFORU, MASS. FINE CIGARS. 82=84 UNION STKEUT, NEW BEDFORD, MASS. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir, 89 n I ■! [II Our Exhibit at Providence Board of Trade Exposition, June, 1897. Manufacturers of SPOOLING MACHINERY tfililliilililllililiijliiiiilijiililllilir PAWTUCKET. R. I., U. S. A. C>ure Water Supply. .^^*x O. M. PATT & eO. WELLS eontractors for Artesian, Driven and Hydraulic Dry Wells Deepened. Also Drilling for Hydraulic Elevators. Personal Attention Given to all Jobs. Correspondence Solicited. Best of References Given. Shop, 174 Indiana Avenue. OffiCC, 44 CustOHl HoUSC St., PrOVidenCC, R. I. Draws (hundreds of People My new method of Iroatin}; Curiis, /yiiiiioiis, //;t,V()7<';Hi,' \':i,'., etc. \(. false iiromises. No tedious treatment. On i,v, i|>i Ml J5 ,-, 111,. / ,r : Ou„ Cure will be sent by mail. Sill. cl(,iili 1m r,,ni-., liiiiiiMiis and warts. I'rciitli Pain /' .1 - ni' - il.iiinii! Ill, joint afflictions, lame back, ~lii;iinv, sol, tin- Ml. I, i.ili.ulic, headache; by mail, 25 cts. Uil of 'I'lu'iiuiiiil J\'iis,:', a preparation for the hair, has no e(iual. French Crcnni cures chajiped hands, cuts, burns, piles. J'rent'k Pomade for finger nails; French Xaii /'.luhJer.- l-reneh Ennw.l for the teelli; by mnil i,. anv aildress, 25 cents. Dr* H, A. Razoux^ SURGEON CHIROPODIST, 210 UNION STREET, 90 New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. =^^^*^^i Material Best S workmanship Results a®®®®®®®^^; ARE WHAT HAVE MADE THE Cotton Machinery OF THE A. T. Atherton Machine Co. THE MOST POPULAR AND EXTENSIVELY USED TO-DAY. Estimates Cl7eer?ullcj Given on Hew Plans, or l^emodelipg Old Ones. PAWTUOKET, R. I. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir, ■ 1 .' . ^ itC/J4/^®I!l THOS. HERSOM & CO. ^f^^^ P ^"""^"'^ '" ^""^ ^"'^ ^„„„„c,u^„.o^ cJW^Irilll'^ o "ITALIAN SAPONE." Office, Cor. Front and Commercial Sts., New Bedford, Mass. Factory at Head of the River. Telephone Connection. Book .<^^ News Depot All kinds of Books, Magazines, Newspapers, etc., Both Foreign and Domestic, can be liad here. Subscriptions TO THE ABOVE TAKEN AT ANY TIME. Libraries . Will be given estimates for Periodicals, Newspapers, etc., both Foreign and Domestic, upon application Fine Stationery, Pens, ink. Road Maps, Fancy Papers, Plaving Cards, Paper Napkins, etc., in Large Variety at tlie Ver\' Lowest Prices. WE GIVE TRADING COUPONS. -m\ Qeorge L. B^^^gg^^' Newsdealer and Stationer, 162 Purchase Street. Telephone 526=4. ^(ij(^f:j,(l^^(s)(^M^(il^(^li)^^ VI New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. HIRAM VAN CAMPEN. JOHN W. PAUL. HIRAM VAN CAM PEN <& CO.. General Insurance Agents. No. 97 WILLIAM STREET, ROOM 303, MERCHANTS BANK BLDG. NEW BEDFORD. MASS. J^yenci/ established ^. 0. /S52. Tjhe oiciest continuous affcnct/ in t/ie city. ynsurance to any amount promptty effected in any department of the business. J'ire, <£ife, .Occident, !P/ate Slass, employers' ,£iabi/ity, public jCiabiiity and jCand/ords' J^iability. J'iyents for Stmerican Surety Company of Vfew 2/or/(. FIDELITY AND SURETY BONDS PROMPTLY SECURED. "INSURANCE THAT INSURESI" GROW & HART 2a PLEASANT STREET Opp. NfW ?l;indarJ Buildiivj; NEW BEDFORD MASS. Hzvrpess I^epalrlng promptly attended to ^ocArcf S^ooAs, Defective Eyesight Caused by the need of glasses or by glasses that do not fit properly. We make a specialty of difficult cases, and have the latest instruments to measure all defects of sight. Examination Free. C. W. HLIRLL. Opt laan. ALL KINDS OF GLASSES MADE AND REPAIRED. 34 Purchase Street, New Bedford over c. f. wing- s. A. Duou^Y, SHUTTLES MANUFACTURER OF ^^ ^ ^ ^— ^ *i ^ ^"^ ;r> OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. Also Sole Manufacturer of Dudley's Patent Outside Catch Shuttles. TAUNTON, MASS. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. VII H. M. BRETT. C. S. SIMPSON. Manufacturers of Mill slip's. 4^ Vr^/I M 4K ""'^' ''-■ Oils, Sal Soda, Borax, Rosin, Fine Ground Bone, Tallow and Grease. Corner North Water and Middle Streets, New Bedford, Mass, WALLACE B. WILSON, .. DEALER IN BEST QUALITY .. ^or ^amt/y, S^/acksmilA, and Steam ^Purposes. ALSO ALL KINDS OF ^ OIOOD, IN LENGTH, OR CUT TO ORDER. OFFICE AND YARD, 590 Hcushnet Avenue, FOOT OF WILLIS STREET, teiepnone m-iz. NEW BEDFORD, MASS. Has always been the place to Buy Fine * Millinery All the Latest Novelties of the Season constantly on hand. 6 PURCHASE ST., NEW BEDFORD, MASS. This Will Remind You ^ ^ J^ ^ WHERE TO FIND Ildvertlsind J I Specialties. Calendars, Fans, Yard Sticks, ^ ^ ^ Rules, Sign Boards, Gummed Labels, And Many Novelties. v"* ^ ^ WHRREN P. TOBEY, Commercial iPrinttn^ o/ ^// j^inds. NEW BEDFORD, NIASS. L»»^; NEAR N. Y., N. H. & H. PASSENGER STATION. ■^^ MEMBER OF BUIbDERS' EXCHANGE. L B. BAVIS. mider. no, % Pope St., new Bedford, ma$$. VIII New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. PIGKliES & HORSFAIili, MANUFACTURERS OF PKASB'S ^ rescript/on - ^ harjnacj/ TELEPHONE CONNECTION. NORTH END, 923 ACUSHNET AVENUE, Cor. Cedar Grove Street. SOUTH END. 913 SOUTH WATER Cor. Delano Streets. Loom Pickers Round Harness Straps, ''The Hacienda" "The Poissoni" TICKING and DUCK LUG STRAPS, And all kinds of LEATHER STRAPPING. General Mill Supplies* ^^ THE NIGHT BELL & LOW PRICE DRUGGIST. 64 KATHERINE ST., NEW BEDFORD, MASS. j new Bedford, mass. C. H. WAITE, Florist and Seedsman Wholesale and Retail Palms, Perns and a General Assortment of l)ecorati\ e Plants always in Stock. Beddinj;; Plants. Hardy Cut Perns and Moss supplied in any quantity. Bulbs and Poreign Grown Plants imported direct from the jjrowers. FlTMEU.iL .IJ\'D WE1)J)I,YG DESIGjYS a spcridit!/. Halls, Stores and Houses Decorated at short notice. POSITIVELY THE LOWEST PRICE FLORIST IN THE CITY. 385 PURCHASE STREET, COR. CAMPBELL STREET, NEW BEDFORD, MASS Telephone Connection. S. S. PAINE & BRO. dealers in DRAIN PIPE Lime, Brick, Cement. MASONS' BUILDING MATERIALS IN GENERAL FERTILIZERS ZiT)^ Po ultry S upplies. FRONT ST., NEW BEDFORD, MASS. TELEPHONE, J 58-3. ESTABLISHED 1 Jonathan Handy Co. W. N JEWETT, MANAGtK manufaciurcrs, Sales Hcjcnts and merchants in 13 apd 15 CENTRE STREET 106 and 111 NORTH FRONT ST. NEW BEDFORD, MASS. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. IX ^ ALWAYS UP TO THE TIMES ^ WITH I marwlcks^ I ""'Cribunes ^ FOR LEADERS. ^- Other Wheels to Suit the Demand for ^ ,.XOW PRICES. ^Z /■77v'5r-r/-J.V,S- RF.rAlR SHOP. rr Candems and Bicycles to Cet S)' HOUR. DAY, WEEK OR MONTH. ^ Roxk's Bicycle flgency, South Sixth Street, WASHINGTON SQ. PRED W. PAL/AER. V/A- R- HOXI '^,M.i.tU\. \l iiininlllll CaBtillSH of Hll kiniU iiiiiili' to <>nl< I loi i:i.x.l<~ Sprocket Wheels. All sizi-« r.rjiKM i:.i.i-i,. 1 1 hiiHl. Krans I.i-t- t.iK. si/.i-s I 1 : I" I ill. h. ., N,-. to .'lOi-. 108 No. Water St., foot of Elm, New Bedford, Mass. WILLIAM T. NICHOLSON. MANAGER. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. F. A. BONNEAU. CARRIAGE SMITHING AND BUILDING. ' bing promptly attended Special attention given Ladies' and Gentle- fs Driving Horses, id Road Horses. variety of Shoes on nd to rectify the gait d restore the Foot to natural shape. Over- hing and interfering, pecialty. The great pean Hoof Ointment prepared li y F. A. Bonneau. If you Want The earth you will be disappointed, but if you want your horses shod to peifection call at A. BONNEAU'S nHNET AVENUt, Weston C. Vaughan Jr. Undertaker OFFICE: 321 Purchase Street, NEW BEDFORD, MASS RESIDENCE OVER WAREROOMS. KIcphoiie Connections Day and Night, 201-7. I. H. SHURTLEFF, ^ u^harmaci'st. We make a Specialty of... J ht/sicians ' ^Prescriptions, And the Dispensing of... TT/eciicines for J'ami/i/ 9/se. COR. FOURTH AND GRINNELL STREETS, NEW BEDFORD, MASS GEORGE A. PHILLIPS, . . DEALER IN . . LADIES,' C.ENTS' AND CHILDHENS' J^i'ne uJoots and Shoes y\/\/\/\\/\//\ At the Old Established /. -j^ Stand, i ^'!!l!'!!'' < 692 PURCBASE STREET, mjmmmmmmwm.y\ new Bedford, mass. Repairing IVeatly Executed. H. T, BORDEN, DEALER ^N uJoOdi Sranuiar ^itei ^^ . . and. . (2©(ar#^ Cec^ariPosts OFFICE AND YARD, 62 Dartmouth Street, Opp. School House, NBW BEDFORD. MASS. Telephone, 366-3. Antiqued Furniture, OLD COLONIAL CHINAv^e SHEFFIELD PLATE. ALBERT C. KIRBY. KIRBY & HICKS, Rack. Ctccrv STABLE Boarding "^ ...$aic DEALERS IN ALL KINDS CARRIAGES. TELEPHONE CALL. IZB-Z. 60 and 62 Elm St., New Bedford, Mass. Many Curious and Beautiful Old Articles that appeal to Persons of Taste. .•».■*.*.*.•* ( WEDDING PRESENTS, Suitable for KEEPSAKES, ( Or REMEMBRANCES. H. E. HICKS, 38 North Water St. .* New Bedford, Mass. New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. XI A. H. HomiiAND Acrzvted W2y.ter5 ALES, PORTERS, LAGER BEERS AND ALL KINDS OF WINES AN LIQUORS. PAVOXIA LAGER. 159 ACUSHNET AVENUE KEW BEDFORD, MASS Telephone 355-5- JANIES K. REED PORTRAITS— All Styles and Sizes of Fine Photos Finished in Colors, Pastels, Crayon, India Ink and Oil. Instan- taneous Process. Cloudy Weather No Objection. 5 PURCHASE STREET, NEW BEDFORD, MASS. THE BOSTON ENGRAVING CO., 50 HARTFORD and 113 PURCHASE STS., BOSTON MASS. Sllustrators and On^rauers, Makers of First-Class Half-Tone and Relief Line Cuts* THE CUTS USED IN THIS ISSUE ARE MADE BY THE ABOVE COMPANY, XII New Bedford Semi-Centennial Souvenir. PROVIDENCE BELTING COMPANY A^A.lSn:jF^^GTXJR.ER,S OF Pure Oak -Tanned Leather Belting AND Folded Twist Round Belting. Our HIGH-GRADE LEATHER for Covering Worsted Rolls is considered by all to be the BEST manufactured. Office and Works: 37-39 CHARLES STREET, PROVIDENCE, R. I. New Bedford Semi-Ccntennial Souvenir. THE JOURNAL OF COMMERCE CO. (INCORPORATED) PROVIDENCE, R. I. Printers ^ Publishers of this SOUVENIR BOOK. IF you want a Catalogue or Book of any kind printed with ' the same care and elegance as is shown in these pages, give your order to this Company and you will procure the same results. Send for Estimates. We are the most exten- sive printers of Illustrated Books in Southern New England.