Stoughton Historical Society Newsletter Online Edition
VOLUME XLVII NO. 3 APR-MAY-JUNE 2018
Upcoming Events
June 11 – 6:00 P. M. Installation Buffet Dinner and Historical Slide Presentation at the Cedar Hill Grill – 1137 Park St. Please reserve your dinner by filling out the form at the end of the Newsletter. We will see computer projected images of people, landscapes, and houses with a special focus on the history of the Cedar St., Ash St., and Sumner St. one of the oldest areas of our Town. Cedar Street is the original Sumner St., existing long before it was named Sumner Street, as “the road to Dorchester Swamp.”
President’s Report
On February 11, we had a full house for our retrospective on the Blizzard of 1978. We had collected pictures and newspaper articles from multiple scrapbooks, including those kept by Ed Meserve, John Stiles, and John Carle. We added a few contributed by interested parties in the previous weeks. John Carabatsos “cleaned up” many of the images. Here are a few excepts from the program:
Stoughton Blizzard of 1978 timeline
•Day one; getting home…or not.
•Day two; Hunkering down and watching it snow. Plows stopped plowing downtown Stoughton.
•Day three: Beginning to dig out, little plowing.
•Day four: Downtown streets plowed once. Town hired front-end loaders. People began to walk or ski to the supermarkets. Snowmobiles have been the only vehicles on the side roads since Monday!
•Day Five: Main roads and some streets had melted down to pavement. Railroad parking lot was still not plowed out.
•Day six: Non-essential travel was still banned.
•Day seven: Governor Dukakis extended the travel ban one more day, but allowed local discretion. Stoughton lifted the driving ban. Many roads were only one lane wide; snow piled high everywhere.
In the first days, impromptu shelters had been formed all over town, including: Chemung School, Knollsbrook Clubhouse, Greenbrook Clubhouse, New England Sinai Hospital, Goddard Hospital, The National Guard Armory, and Morse Shoe Co. in Canton
At the Chemung School shelter, Joyce Baker of Sharon, a Brockton VA hospital nurse, who was stranded there took charge of the medical needs. Helen Hansen has told the story that plenty of food had just been delivered to the school. She identified a former army cook among the stranded and set him to work preparing meals.
400 people took shelter at the Morse Shoe Company in Canton. For three days, the Morse employees fed their guests three meals a day in the company cafeteria, providing cardboard cartons for them to sleep on and even sent out snow-mobilers for needed medicines.
On Wednesday night, fire broke out at the Sacred Heart convent. The alarm was called in just before 11p.m. and fire equipment was there until almost four the next morning. Canton, Avon, and Randolph gave mutual aid, but the building, which had been used only for special events for some time, was a total loss.
John Fernandez contributed the following via email: “Back in 1978, I was part of the Stoughton Defense Ambulance Unit! This was before EMTs and advanced medical treatment training we are all used to now. Back then, there were 3 of us that had “personal station wagons” fully equipped with first aid supplies, air splints, a stretcher, etc. This was all funded through the Civil Defense. We started in 1972, were used at “Fourth of July Field days”, and staged disaster drills at the Goddard Hospital. When the Blizzard started, 3 of us were assigned to the Civil Defense Office in the basement of the Town Hall. We handled emergency radio communications that supplemented the police and fire departments. For 5 days (4 nights) we manned this office and responded to many calls from citizens for assistance. It was an adventure being in such a small space but the “crew” did their job under the direction of John Giles, Town CD Director. My wife was an RN nurse at Cardinal Cushing Hospital and was transported by the FD to do her shifts at the hospital. It was a time when everyone worked together to ensure the safety and well being of our Stoughton citizens. It’s hard to believe it was 40 years ago!!! -John Fernandez, Retired Chief of the Stoughton Auxiliary Police Department.
We shared many other stories of our adventures during the Blizzard and its aftermath. Almost all of us seemed to have fond memories of those days, trying as they may have been.
Early in March, Howard Hansen visited the Historical Society on a Thursday night as he occasionally does. We had a long conversation during which I learned from him that Helen Hansen had played an important role in the creation of the Calendar the Historical Society produced for the Town’s 250th Anniversary in 1976. Helen did the research, which led to the many notations on the individual dates throughout the calendar. Howard explained how he had used a particular process to double-print the historic photographs, which made the visible pixels disappear and led him to feel that he had made important progress as a printer of historic photographs. Alas, that conversation took on much more significance in my mind several days later when Howard suffered two strokes the second while he was in the hospital. The strokes left him with little functioning or sight on his right side and he is unable to speak more than a few words. He was able to read the list of names I compiled for him of well-wishers who had posted on Facebook and others who had signed cards at the Historical Society. Howard is currently at the following address and undoubtedly would appreciate a card: Howard Hansen, Overlook Rehab Rm 272, 88 Masonic Home Road, Charlton, MA 01507 We are praying that Howard will be able to recover sufficiently to share more of the vast knowledge of the Town’s history, which he has in his brain.
On March 11, we were very moved by Sheryl Faye’s portrayal of Helen Keller. We appreciated the attendance of several members of the Lions Club, who came to honor Helen Keller’s role in helping to create that organization. We also signed cards for Howard Hansen, which I brought to him the next day in the hospital. Later that day he was moved to the Charlton address above.
In March we had a visit from Roy Butters, who shared a collection of news articles on Stoughton WWI soldier Roy Larson, who was killed in October of 1918, less than one month before the Armistice was declared. The articles had been copied and placed in a scrapbook by Roy’s mother, many years ago. There was one picture of the horse-drawn caisson containing some of his remains leaving Town Hall and departing for the Evergreen Cemetery. Roy Larson was killed when a shell exploded and part of his remains were buried in France, “with his buddies.”
In February, we received a very informative letter from Virginia Stetson Staples on the history of the Leathers family in Stoughton with an emphasis on their contributions to the Poor Farm. The letter led us to check Town records to try to determine what happened to the Poor Farm after the Elm St.-School St. buildings closed. Virginia also mentions the land owned by the Leathers families between Central St. and Pine St, a beagle hunting club and “dog corner.” Here is Virginia Staples letter:
The refurbished old windows and new storms window are 95% completed at the Lucius Clapp Memorial and new front doors have been installed. The exterior appearance of the building has been significantly improved. We are also at the beginning of a discussion regarding handicapped accessibility for the building and a way that it can be done with the least effect on the outside structure of our historic building, as well as taking no more of our space inside than necessary. The solution is likely to involve an elevator on the back side of the building with access to a handicapped-accessible toilet a complicating factor.
Student volunteer Zachary Mandosa has completed his transcription of the 1874 Diary of Erastus Smith. Zachary is very skilled, especially for someone his age at understanding the cursive lettering, although there are always words that are undecipherable (so far) for all of us. The last newsletter contained some general commentary on the diary, which I will not repeat. However, we have discovered new elements. Maria Adams (Smith?) is almost certainly married to Erastus, even though when she is ill, she often stays at her mother’s house. The April described below was one of the coldest Aprils on record, in fact the first 12 days set the record, averaging 33.3 degrees. Our 2018 April was the coldest since 2007, averaging around 39 degrees, but not nearly as cold as the April of 1874. Unfortunately, Erastus usually does not give thermometer readings unless the temperature is near zero or one hundred degrees. The weather has been too cold for any farm work, but Erastus and Charles build “a shop in the woods for a forge and tool house” for Myron, most likely Myron Gilbert, who lives up West St. and whose son Ernest, will eventually marry Erastus’s daughter, Amy. Myron Gilbert’s house will later be inhabited by the Morton Bird family and is where Forrest Bird spent most of his childhood, and undoubtedly both father and son spent considerable time in the forge and tool house, tinkering on their farm equipment. That house is currently owned by the Gittos. Erastus also digs a grave at the Dry Pond Cemetery, works on music holders and sprinklers in his shop. On the 22nd, Erastus mentions that the President has vetoed the finance bill. A map of the Town from 1875 indicates that Erastus was living in a house across Bay Road from the family homestead, where it is likely that his mother and sister Melissa are living.
“Never saw such cold weather as we are having for April.”
April 1st W.H.S (boxed off) Have been to Boston find business dull. Bought a bbl apples $6.00. Great day with April fools. Recd $10 of Mr Smith & 19 of Fairb. 9 at shop.
2nd Annual Fast. Cold wind but pleasant sun. Made one axe handle got in wood. Mr & Mrs Littlefield came in this afternoon. 4 in shop tonight.
3rd Cold uncomfortable weather worked in the shop
4th Cold and windy about 3 in. of snow fell this morning. Looks winterish. Worked in the shop. Maria is slowly gaining.
5th Cold but the snow has made out to disappear today. Went to Mother Adam’s tonight to see to affairs.
6th Town meeting today. Have been over Retrenchment was the order of the day. Went with James & Isaac this AM to Canton to see Chas, Endicott Le? gay – 10 in shop tonight. Reuben died this morning.
7th Cloudy and rainy. Have worked on sprinklers. Have had a full shop nearly all day.
8th Warmest day of the season the first spring day. Dug a grave for Reuben Luscott.?? Was buried this afternoon. Maria walked to Mothers and then to Mr Clapps. 4 in shop tonight.
9th Rain and snow in morning. Worked in the shop.
10th Rainy and cold. Worked in the shop on sprinklers
11th Went to Boston Charly with me. Pleasant in the morning but rain to come them in. Went in search of a carriage but did not find one to my taste. Shop full tonight.
12th Very cold indeed for the season Mother A thought she must go home today but it was so cold she gave it up. Have not felt well myself.
13th Warmer than yesterday but cold. Carried Mother A home this noon. Went to a fire in the woods down to Richards. Warm time but conquered it.
14th Quite pleasant today. Carried Maria to her mothers this morn stood it very well.
15th Cool. Sold Sanford 620 lbs meadow hay this morning. Have been sawing wood. Do not feel very well. 8 in shop tonight.
16th Very cold for the season. Want a fire to keep warm. Have been sawing wood and worked on sprinklers. 11 exammed for admission in the church tonight. 7 in shop
17th Cloudy with E + NE wind. Snow and sleet in the afternoon. Worked in the shop on sprinklers. And making a music holder for the new band. 8 in shop.
18th Ground covered with snow but nearly all off at noon. Went to get my horse shoed and from there to look at a covered wagon at Andrew Drakes. Like it. Charles went with me. 8 in shop tonight.
19th Quite pleasant day. Walked over to see Maria this morning spent the day. She is doing nicely. I did not feel well myself. Think it is a cold. I feel very thankful that M is doing so well.
20th Cold East rain all day. Have had company in the shop all day. Thunder & Lightning this evening. Took the job of making 11 music holders. 3 in shop
21st Heavy rain through the night but pleasant today cool. Charly & I started on a wagon hunt this afternoon. Was successful at West Bridgewater. Am very well suited. 10 in shop tonight.
22nd Cold but clear. Went to Boston. Business dull. Did not buy anything for the store. News tonight that the President has vetoed the finance bill hope it is so. 4 in shop
23rd Cold Have worked on Sprinklers. Amy kept home from school with teeth ache.
24th Charles and myself have worked for Myron. Building a shop in the woods for a forge & tool house.
25th Cold East wind with a driving snow storm in the PM. Worked for Myron in the forenoon only. worked on music holders in the PM. Amy sick tonight. Gave her a sweat.
26th Cold and stormy ground covered with snow. Amy some better today. ??? stormy towards night. Went to see M. Did not find her quite as well. (Dr befooling? her)
27th Did not go to Myron’s. Snow preventing. Worked on Music Holders finished 7. Amy some better. 6 in shop tonight.
28th Clear in the morning but rain before night. C and I finished Myron’s building. We have had a very cold April. No farming done yet of any account. Snowy tonight at 9:00. 4 in shop
29th Ground covered with snow this morn and raining hard from N.E very cold has continued to rain all day. Worked on sprinklers. Had a full shop nearly all day.
30th Very high wind and uncomfortably cold all day. Never saw such cold weather as we are having for April. Finished the lot of stops & sprinks, and begin a wheelbarrow
Archivist’s Report – Dug out information on Blizzard of 1978 for upcoming February, program on Blizzard. Donated a copy of “Images of America book on Blizzard of 78” to SHS for February program On Jan 23, 2018 the SHS closed because of heavy snow storm.
Searched for and found a folder on Helen Hansen for April program.
Spent several hours assisting Ed Roch Sr. researching Phillips family records. Evelyn Callanan & I have both assisted Mark Picher of Brockton to search for his Stoughton relatives. Mark has also joined the society and has returned for several weeks. Linda & Rick Woodward came in at lunch time on March 20th and put on a color slide show of pictures that were used in the 1976 booklet of old Stoughton houses and then gave us the slides. We did some research on one of our firefighting display items known as a “Sidekick” for a firefighter who lives in Michigan and who had just acquired one. This tool was invented by deceased former Stoughton firefighter & Deputy Chief Lawrence C. Dolloff in 1966. (Our display was donated by him in 1966) This tool was manufactured by L & D Co. of Stoughton. (Lyons & Dolloff Co.) Our new member Mark Picher, a retired Stoughton & Brockton firefighter contributed information to our knowledge by contacting Stoughton Fire Chief Mark Dolloff and son of Lawrence Dolloff, with whom he had worked.
Conducted Civil War research in response to an E-mail to SHS Re: Pvt. Rufus A. Peck and Pvt. Oliver Younger. Two solders of the 12 MA Vol. Inf. Their burial places were re-discovered in Potomac, Maryland on March 19, 2018. Pvt. Rufus Peck was mustered into Co. I of the 12th Regt on 26 June 1861 at Stoughton, to serve for three years. Pvt. Peck died 23 September 1861 by accident while dressing beef when he was struck by a falling beam. He lived about a half hour after the accident. His was the first death in the regiment. He was buried at 3 P.M. on 24 September 1861. Pvt. Oliver Younger was a resident of Gloucester, MA a Stone cutter; 22: and mustered into Co. K, 26 June 1861 at Gloucester, MA to serve for three years; he died of Typhus –fever on 7 Oct. 1861. The 12th Regt. Of Massachusetts Volunteer infantry, was known as the “Webster Regiment”. Its members were recruited in the latter part of April 1861, through the efforts of Fletcher Webster, son of the statesman, Daniel Webster.
Acquisitions: a large carton of old Town Reports and Poll Tax records donated by Joe Mokrisky. -A letter written during the Civil War inquiring regarding the condition of a Stoughton soldier-several boxes of old programs and pictures from the Hansen School, most pertaining to the Focus programs which were started by Helen Hansen and continued until the time required to prepare and administer the MCAS tests made the continuation of such a program problematical.
-plans of many developments in Stoughton in the 1940’s and 50’s from the attic of the late Jim Fitzpatrick via the Canton Historical Society.
-several boxes of documents, pictures, and booklets from the files of the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority via Lou Gitto. -Richard Fitzpatrick
Curator’s Report
Acquisitions: A 250th Anniversary of the Town of Stoughton commemorative medal from Albert Mason -Brian Daley
Clothing Curator’s Report
– Mary (Goggin) Kilian of West Hartford, CT, formerly of Stoughton, drove up to donate some very interesting items to our collections: 35 pieces of jewelry including earrings, bracelets, brooches, pendants, cuff links, button covers and a compact, a lipstick case, and shoe clips. We are in the process of cleaning the pieces and having them evaluated. In addition to the jewelry, she donated a brown velvet and sateen wedding dress from the mid 1800’s and a full length underskirrt with beautiful hand cutwork and hem trim. All of these items came from her aunt, Ellen Glenon’s home. Ellen taught history at Stoughton High School for 42 years. Do you remember her?
Also received from Liz Fitzpatrick Griffin a class of 1990 S. H. S winter jacket in very good condition. We are thankful for these generous donations.
We could use your help, especially if you are younger than 65, physically able to lift down and replace our storage boxes as needed, and are available on Tuesdays. The benefits include the knowledge that you are really needed, are doing an important job and that you may have lunch with intelligent people and take part in intriguing conversation. There are no forms to fill out. No taxes will be withdrawn as you have no salary. But it will be time well spent. And you will be greatly appreciated. Please give this opportunity some serious thought. -Janet Clough
Membership
New members: Edward Roch Sr. Darlene Hayner, Mark Picher, Donald JM McEachron, Jill Kaplan, Elizabeth Leiber