by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
The Historical Society Museum window scenes celebrate Presidents Day with mega portraits of each president, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by military service flags. Our first and 16th president—each a wartime leader in his own lifetime—had hosts of stories and letters written to and about them as well as their own tales of personal experiences, many of which have been preserved reverently and historically, including heroics, personality traits, family, letters (critical and complimentary), etc. Copies from each with some comments from the authors include:
Mr. Washington was a popular subject for the artists. For example, the "Washington Crossing the Delaware" painting.
A personal trait: ice cream, a favorite dessert. He even had an ice house built near his Mount Vernon home so his wife, Martha, could serve ice cream to friends and family. The Washingtons also used the ice house to preserve meat and butter, chill wine and make ice cream. The ice house was located on a river bank about 75 yards from the Potomac. To store ice cream, Washington's slaves had to use chisels and axes to pull large chunks of ice from the frozen river during the winter time and haul them to the ice house for use throughout spring and summer.
During the nation's celebration of its 200th birthday, 1976, Mr. Washington was honored with a song whose opening words were "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
One of Mr. Lincoln's many letters was a request for a Good Friday observance: "State of New Hampshire, Claremont, March 16, 1865 - To His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln - 'Honored Sir, I beg leave to express to you, the Chief Magistrate of our country, my earnest require and desire that if not inconsistent with your own views or with a decision already made, you will appoint Good Friday, the fourteenth day of April next, to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer throughout the United States. I have reason to believe that day would be agreeable to Christian people of all denominations. Having made this brief suggestion I beg to assure you of the high consideration with which I remain your Excellency's most obedient and trustful servant. Cariton Chase, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire."
The president did not declare Good Friday of 1865 a national day of fasting and prayer. Instead, Lincoln went to the theater that night where he was assassinated.
The society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Sat., Feb. 22.
February 19, 2014
February 13, 2014
Christmas 1885 - Treats for children, but a bloody lip for Mr. Crosby
Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president
A sundry of events reported by the Dec. 31, 1885, Valley Falls New Era, bear proof the year ended on a limited note of cheer, a questionable New Year's resolution, and a violent argument between prominent city officials.
Details are "Simons is said to be running his saloon on a bigger and bolder scale than ever. He sells beer and whiskey and deals them out by their right names. His argument is that he expects to be convicted and fined and he wants — perhaps resolved? — to make enough money to see him through the squabble.
"A.G. Patrick had a handsome and well-filled Christmas tree at his residence Christmas Eve. He invited in all the poor children in the neighborhood and each one of them got one or more presents from the tree, and Patrick very delightfully entertained the little fellows with the story of Santa Claus, assuming the role himself.
"Assault on Mr. Crosby — Bad blood over a whiskey war came to a head on Christmas Day when R.H. Crosby was smitten in the mouth by the city marshal, Jasper Boles, knocking loose one of Mr. Crosby's front teeth and cutting his lip so that the blood flowed quite freely.
"The circumstances are briefly these: Mr. Boles, during the past summer and fall has been residing in the Lutt house of which Mr. Crosby is agent. At the time of the defeat of Mr. Boles for sheriff, he was considerably behind on his rent and when solicited by Crosby to pay up, said, 'I am D.....D hard up, but will pay soon if I have to sell my watch!' So, matters stood until Mr. Crosby gave him a legal written notice to vacate the premises. To this Mr. Boles paid no attention and continued to 'hold the fort' without coming forward with the rent.
"This was the status of the case when, on Christmas Day, as Mr. Crosby was passing Coy's Drugstore, he noticed Mr. Boles going in. Mr. Crosby followed him and calling him back from the crowd, asked him if he had moved out of the house. To this Mr. Boles responded that his mother was sick. Mr. Crosby accepted this as reasonable excuse for not vacating, but censured him severely for dead beating the Lutt Estate out of the rent. Mr. Boles got very angry and said to Crosby, 'If you give me any more of your lip, I will hit you.'
"To this challenge, Mr. Crosby merely responded, 'Jap, do you consider this doing the honorable thing?' Mr. Boles at once bringing his hand around and smiting Mr. Crosby full in the mouth, Boles instantly drawing back and making a motion to grasp his revolver from his hip pocket.
"Mr. Crosby offered no resistance. Since there was no officer present, Mr. Crosby proceeded to the office of Police Judge Simpson and had Mr. Boles arrested and bound over for the sum of $50 and for trial set the next day.
"At 9 a.m., the trial was short and sweet. Mr. L.A. Myers, Boles' attorney, making a short plea for court leniency and Mr. Crosby's attorney, G.W. McCammon, never opening his mouth. Mr. Boles was fined $15 and costs, which he seemed very well satisfied to pay."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
A sundry of events reported by the Dec. 31, 1885, Valley Falls New Era, bear proof the year ended on a limited note of cheer, a questionable New Year's resolution, and a violent argument between prominent city officials.
Details are "Simons is said to be running his saloon on a bigger and bolder scale than ever. He sells beer and whiskey and deals them out by their right names. His argument is that he expects to be convicted and fined and he wants — perhaps resolved? — to make enough money to see him through the squabble.
"A.G. Patrick had a handsome and well-filled Christmas tree at his residence Christmas Eve. He invited in all the poor children in the neighborhood and each one of them got one or more presents from the tree, and Patrick very delightfully entertained the little fellows with the story of Santa Claus, assuming the role himself.
"Assault on Mr. Crosby — Bad blood over a whiskey war came to a head on Christmas Day when R.H. Crosby was smitten in the mouth by the city marshal, Jasper Boles, knocking loose one of Mr. Crosby's front teeth and cutting his lip so that the blood flowed quite freely.
"The circumstances are briefly these: Mr. Boles, during the past summer and fall has been residing in the Lutt house of which Mr. Crosby is agent. At the time of the defeat of Mr. Boles for sheriff, he was considerably behind on his rent and when solicited by Crosby to pay up, said, 'I am D.....D hard up, but will pay soon if I have to sell my watch!' So, matters stood until Mr. Crosby gave him a legal written notice to vacate the premises. To this Mr. Boles paid no attention and continued to 'hold the fort' without coming forward with the rent.
"This was the status of the case when, on Christmas Day, as Mr. Crosby was passing Coy's Drugstore, he noticed Mr. Boles going in. Mr. Crosby followed him and calling him back from the crowd, asked him if he had moved out of the house. To this Mr. Boles responded that his mother was sick. Mr. Crosby accepted this as reasonable excuse for not vacating, but censured him severely for dead beating the Lutt Estate out of the rent. Mr. Boles got very angry and said to Crosby, 'If you give me any more of your lip, I will hit you.'
"To this challenge, Mr. Crosby merely responded, 'Jap, do you consider this doing the honorable thing?' Mr. Boles at once bringing his hand around and smiting Mr. Crosby full in the mouth, Boles instantly drawing back and making a motion to grasp his revolver from his hip pocket.
"Mr. Crosby offered no resistance. Since there was no officer present, Mr. Crosby proceeded to the office of Police Judge Simpson and had Mr. Boles arrested and bound over for the sum of $50 and for trial set the next day.
"At 9 a.m., the trial was short and sweet. Mr. L.A. Myers, Boles' attorney, making a short plea for court leniency and Mr. Crosby's attorney, G.W. McCammon, never opening his mouth. Mr. Boles was fined $15 and costs, which he seemed very well satisfied to pay."
The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.
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