History of Societies in Putnam, Connecticut
Putnam's facilities for extinguishing fires were long wholly
inadequate. Its fire companies were hampered by a scant supply of water.
In 1875 a fire district was incorporated, including the village and its
immediate vicinity; a fire department was organized and new engines
procured. But in spite of these precautions, very destructive fires
occurred. The great fire of October, 1877, swept through the heart of the
village, consuming Bu-bee's and Brown's blocks, with all their stores and
offices. Hardly less calamitous was the fire of 1882, when Bugbee's block
and other valuable buildings were destroyed., Hydrants ready for instant
fuse in every part of the village will, it is hoped, preclude farther loss
and damage from this source.
The present " Fire Department " of Putnam village, organized in 1875,
consists of three hose companies, fifteen men each, and one hook and
ladder company, supplemented by sixty street hydrants. Fire warden, C. H.
Chesebro; chief engineer, L. H. Fuller; assistant engineers, Otis Fisher,
H. L. Burt; clerk and treasurer, Charles H. Brown: collector, D. F.
Southwick. Protector Hose Company No. 1-foreman, Edward Mesner; assistant
foreman, E. G. Wright; clerk and treasurer, C. B. Brown; fifteen teen
members. Eagle Hose Company No. 2-foreman, P. M. Leclair; assistant
foreman, Louis Cloutier; secretary and treasurer, Frank Mignault; fifteen
members. Reliance Hose Company No. 3-foreman, W. R. Barber: assistant
foreman, J. H. Maynard; secretary and treasurer, A. L. Mansfield; fifteen
members.. General Putnam Hook and Ladder Company-foreman. Charles I.
Gorham, assistant foreman, James Rafferty; secretary, Charles Hicks;
twenty members.
Putnam Chapter, No. 41., Royal Arch Masons, organized April 22d, 1879.
High priest, Alfred M. Parker; treasurer, Eugene A. Wheelock; secretary,
Gilman H. Brown.
Putnam Council, No. 340, Royal Arcanum, organized January 26th, 1883.
Present membership, 120. Regent, D. C. Ticknor; vice-regent, L. H. Fuller;
secretary, G. W. Gilpatric; treasurer, W. R. Barber; collector, C. A.
Smith.
The Blue Lodge represents the oldest Masonic order in the state. W. 1L ,
R. W. Morey; S. W., A. M. Parker; J. W., S. A. Field; chaplain, F. S.
Oatley.
The St. Jean Baptiste Society was organized August 27th, 1871. President,
Omer La Rue; vice-president, Ely ear St. Onge; treasurer, Louis Cloutier;
secretary, Hector Duvert, Sr.; 204 members.
Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians, was organized in 1875.
Present membership, 80. President, Peter Welch; vice-president, Peter
Dowd; recording secretary, James Ryan: financial secretary, Richard
Gorman; treasurer, John McCauley; standing committee, Joseph Ryan, Frank
Monahan, Martin Welch, John Renshaw, John Moore; committee on finance,
Thomas McGann, James Weeks, James Cornell; sergeant at arms, John Whalen;
doorkeeper, John Moore.
Putnam's early enthusiasm in patriotic demonstrations burns undiminished.
Memorial Day, from its first institution, has been observed with ever
increasing interest. Its own burial places, and those in neighboring
towns, have been faithfully visited. The services in the Central Cemetery,
with the military procession, music, and eloquent addresses, draw large
crowds every year, and quite eclipse the conventional Fourth of July
celebration. A large number of veteran soldiers residing in town give
special interest to these occasions. Post No. 54 of the Grand Army of the
Republic was organized April 13th, 1882, and named in loving memory of one
of Putnam's honored heroes, Addison G. Warner, captain Co. I, First Conn.
Cavalry, slain at the head of his company, Ashland, Virginia, June 1st,
1864. The A. G. Warner Post is very flourishing, numbering 140 members.
A commodious hall is furnished by P. O'Leary, in which the prescribed
meetings are loyally observed. Present commander, S. H. Chickering; S. V.
C., F. S. Oatley; J. V. C., Thomas West; chaplain, Charles H. Hickok;
surgeon, Henry Hough; O. D., Charles Monroe; O. G. William B. Whittemore;
O. M., C. M. Green; adjutant, J. E. Rawson; sergeant major, S. K.
Spalding; Q. M. S., Albert S. Granger. Sons of Veterans organized as the
M. I. Tourtelotte Camp March 11th, 1886; captain, Augustus Warren; first
lieutenant, Fred. Reis; second lieutenant, W. B. Fuller. Company G, Third
Regiment, Conn. National Guard, was organized in 1872. Present membership,
62 Captain, C. A. Winslow; first lieutenant, E. G. Wright; second
lieutenant, H. J. Thayer. This representative of an ancient state and
colonial organization is already distinguished for its dexterity in rifle
shooting, having won the regimental trophy for four consecutive years.
Putnam, like other modern towns, is deeply interested in. the temperance
question, to sell or not to sell intoxicating liquors coming up anew at
every annual town meeting. So nearly are parties balanced that
extraordinary efforts will procure a victory for either side. Doctor W. H.
Sharpe, one of the executive committee of the Connecticut-Temperance
Union, is one of the prominent temperance workers. A Women's Christian
Temperance Union was organized March 27th, 1885, which has already
accomplished much valuable work. A majority of forty-eight against license
at the last election may be in great measure attributable to its
influence. President, Mrs. A. H. Armstrong; vicepresidents, Mrs. George
Buck, Mrs. Joseph McKachnie, Mrs. Lewis Deane, Miss Hattie Kennedy, Mrs.
M. E. Murfey, Mrs. George Weatherhead; recording secretary, Mrs. C. N.
Fenn; corresponding secretary, Mrs. S. K. Spalding; treasurer, Mrs. C. H.
Brown; superintendent of literature, Mrs. E. T. Whitmore; Sunday school
work, Mrs. George Buck; narcotics, Mrs. W. H. Sharpe; evangelistic work,
Miss Alice Johnson; work among the colored people, Miss Louisa Fogg;
superintendents of -press work, Mrs. N. W. Kennedy, Mrs. C. N. Fenn.
Efficient women's missionary associations are carried on in connection
with the several churches. A Women's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the Grand
Army of the Republic, has been recently organized, when nineteen members
were initiated. President, Miss Minnie Warner; first V. P., Mrs. M.
Kenyon; second V. P., Mrs. J. McKachnie; treasurer, Mrs. B. S. Thompson;
secretary, Mrs. S. K. Spalding; chaplain, Mrs. A. A. Buchanan; conductor,
Miss Gertrude I. Cole: assistant conductor, Miss Carrie E. Place; guard,
Miss Annie Monroe.
Another society of recent date is the A. O. U. M., an organization of
United American mechanics, having for watchwords, "Honesty, Industry,
Temperance." The Putnam Council of this order already numbers sixty
members. Trustees, M. Miller, C. Bosworth, G. G. Smith.
Probably the one society in which Putnam residents of every age, sect and
character, could most heartily unite, is the newly chartered Putnam
Library Association. The lack of a wellstored town library has been long
lamented. Such good men as the late Messrs. Chandler A. Spalding and
George Williams attempted to meet the need in part by leaving books for a
Parish Library in the Congregational church. Others aided in the
organization of a Citizens' Library in 1884, which collected about six
hundred volumes, under charge of the Women's Temperance Union. Continued
agitation and a recent gift from Mr. Edmond Wilkinson have led to a
re-organization. J. W. Manning, E. H. Bugbee, George W. Holt, Jr., L. H.
Fuller, E. H. Johnson, J. B. Kent, A. B. Williams, E. A. Wheelock, George
E. Shaw, are elected board of managers of the " Putnam Library
Association," which takes the place of the former society, retaining
members and library material. New books will be procured and it is trusted
that the Putnam Library will become a thriving, popular and permanent
institution.
Progressive Putnam has its conservative element and does not change merely
for the sake of changing. A faithful public servant is retained in office.
In thirty-four years she has had but one town clerk and treasurer; her
school visitors have had long terms of service; her post office has had
but few incumbents. Hiram N. Brown succeeded John O. Fox in 1861. His
successor, Perry Wilson, held the position till a recent date. The office
is now administered by Edward Mullan. Some twenty-five mails are handled
daily. The Central Telephone office, Putnam Division, is managed by L. H.
Fuller, general insurance agent.
Putnam's railroad facilities at the junction of two important lines are
very advantageous. The opening and the establishment of the New York & New
England railroad, after long struggles and embarrassment, has been an
important factor in its later development. Nearly fifty passenger and
freight trains pass daily through the village, and convenient routes
connect its depot with the many thriving towns within its circuit.
Interest in its own growth and neighborly affairs is stimulated by its two
wide-awake newspapers, which keep a brisk outlook for all passing events.
A column in a Danielsonville paper satisfied the requirements of the early
inhabitants.. A page in the Windham County Transcript, edited by Doctor
Plimpton, was next accorded. In 1872, the Putnan Patriot was established
by Mr. Everett Stone, son of the editor of the Transcript, which soon
gained footing in Putnam and surrounding towns. Mr. A. W. Macdonald, the
present editor and proprietor, succeeded Mr. Stone in 1882, and is now
associated with Mr. L. 0. Williams. The Patriot is now a large quarto,
filled with town and county news and more substantial reading, and is
considered an indispensable necessity in many households. The Putnam News,
edited by sons of Doctor Bronson, had a brief existence. A cheerful
Sunbeam, lighting upon Putnam in 1882, has developed into a dignified
Windham County Standard through the energy and perseverance of its editor
and proprietor, Mr. N. W. Kennedy. The Standard is a vivacious and
enterprising journal, ferreting out news from every corner of the county,
and has a wide and increasing circulation.
Putnam's "Brass Bands " deserve to be classed among its most conspicuous
institutions, sounding forth its praise and progress in various places and
occasions. Both represent a vast amount of patience and self-denying
practice. It is said that Father Vygen encouraged the early- neophytes of
St. Mary's Band by himself taking the field and playing on the instruments
with them. The Mechanics' Band has been in existence about a quarter of a
century, and was fostered and encouraged by musical veterans of the
village. Its roll of membership includes many of Putnam's honored
citizens. Its chief founder was the late Professor Goodspeed. a very
thorough and successful music teacher, widely known throughout the county.
Under his guidance the band made rapid progress, and was soon able to play
a prominent part at public gatherings, assisting at many of Woodstock's
famous mass meetings and other patriotic demonstrations all over the
country. A corporate body, for a time "it held the Fort" at Mechanics'
Park, giving weekly concerts and entertainments. A history of Mechanics'
Band, with its roll of membership and varied experiences, would have great
interest.
St. Mary's Band was organized about 1867, through the agency of Reverend
E. J. Vygen. Its first public performance was at the memorable reception
of President Grant in 1870. Through the instructions of C. G. Marcy it
attained high musical proficiency, and has continued to advance, taking a
prominent part on public occasions.
Putnam's demonstrations in welcome of the president and great commander
were noteworthy. The streets were very gaily decorated and thronged with
thousands of spectators. Soldiers and citizens were alike in line. The
pyramids " of children in red, white and blue, artistically arranged by
Father Vygen on the church grounds, were especially noted and admired.
One of Putnam's achievements, encouraged and helped on by her newspapers,
was the " Antique Art Loan Exhibition," held in March, 1880, in honor of
her twenty-fifth anniversary. It was perhaps an answer to the charge of
extreme youth brought by jealous contemporaries that this especial form of
birthday observation was devised. Youthful emulation, directed by
experienced connoisseurs, brought together in Quinebaug Hall a most
remarkable collection of nearly three thousand articles, many of them of
great interest and value. Old-time life and customs might be very vividly
reconstructed by a careful study of these ancient relics. Pictures and
portraits of the early residents of the county were of great interest. The
only regret was that the exhibition could not have been more lasting and
enjoyed by a larger number, the mud and winds of March preventing a large
attendance. Mr. Darius S. Skinner, chairman of the cornmittee, was most
active in devising and carrying forward this exhibition. A large number of
ladies and gentlemen also served on the committee.
The recent visit of President Harrison and members of his cabinet excited
much interest, The distinguishing honor done to Windham county in being
permitted to receive and entertain the chief magistrate of the great
republic was more fully appreciated than ever before,. and Putnam, with
great heartiness and unanimity, roused itself to meet the occasion
worthily. The committee of arrangements, comprising many of Putnam's
leading citizens, James W. Manning, chairman, together with many
organizations and private citizens, vied with each other in arranging and
perfecting every detail needful for the appropriate reception of the
distinguished guests. But "time and tide" are beyond human control, and
the protracted storm brooding over New England paid no heed to
presidential visitation. In spite of delay and discomfort, Putnam did its
part nobly, with some, perhaps, unavoidable omissions. Its streets were as
gay as bunting and flags could make them, Each building had its specific
devices and decorations; children in gay attire, representing the
forty-two states, on one side; another bevy in white, each carrying a
flag, on the other; the prosaic iron bridge transformed into a bower of
verdure and beauty, flowers and pennons jauntily floating, in spite of the
sombre sky. Joseph McKachnie served as grand marshal of the day, supported
by aids, Major H. W. Johnson and Captain A. M. Parker. The veterans of the
Grand Army, 140 strong, appeared in tasteful new uniform in honor of the
occasion. Company F, from Danielsonville, and Company G, from Putnam,
assisted in the procession, together with Putnam's two musical bands, its
fire department of 60 men, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 100 men, and
St. Jean Baptiste Society, 300 men, all in radiant uniform and regalia,
making a beautiful array as they received the presidential party and
escorted it through the limits of Putnam. As on the previous occasion, the
ingenuity of Reverend Father Vygen furnished an unique feature of the
reception. Driven by the rain from a position by the ruins of the Catholic
church, an impromptu scenic representation was arranged within the portals
of the convent, its central figure hundreds of happy children in tiers of
red, white and blue, massed up to the second story. Ringing bells, booming
cannon, inspiriting music, waving banners, hearty cheers and hurrahs,
added to the impressiveness of the exhibition, which called out much
admiration and praise from the president and other spectators.
Back to: Putnam, Windham County,
Connecticut History
Source: History of Windham County, Connecticut,
Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889 Back to: Windham County, Connecticut
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