Looking Back: 1892
Excerpts from the Hollis Times
January 1892
This year, as the 20th century draws to a close, I have chosen to review the last complete file of the Hollis Times printed in the 19th century, from the year 1892.
Although life in Hollis 107 years ago was very different than it is today, some of the issues covered in the 1892 newspapers are similar to those featured in modern-day Hollis Times. However, the attitudes and opinions about these issues have certainly changed.
For example, the January 15, 1892 Hollis Times contained the statement, "Good roads are cheaper than poor ones, and any slight increase of taxation is more that made up by the increase in the value of the adjoining property." And the January 8, 1892 issue proclaimed that "Mr. Warren A. Colburn has added a Village Improvement Society (of one member) to the many societies now running in Hollis and has placed a street lamp in front of his house."
An article titled "Monson of Long Ago," printed in the January 15, 1892 Hollis Times, offered a very different view of the abandoned town than we hold today. "The long-dead town of Monson, N. H., appears to have died a natural death at the hands of its cranky and benighted inhabitants. G. A. Ramsdell, who is writing a history of the town of Milford, has unearthed many curious records of the long-forgotten town of Monson. It was incorporated in 1746 and its charter read 'Erected to have confirmation forever in the name of Monson.' But in twenty-five years it perished and the world is probably just as well off."
February 1892
Beginning in the February 5, 1892 Hollis Times and continuing through the September 23, 1892 issue, a series of thirteen letters, titled "Hollis Seventy Years Ago – Personal Recollections," was published. The letter writer, identified only as H.G.L., claimed to be "reviewing the history of my early home and refreshing my memories of the noble men and women who have dwelt there."
H.G.L. described Thomas Cummings, known throughout town as "Uncle Tom Thumper": "His stout, rather large though not tall figure always seemed to me good all over. He followed the trade of shoemaking, but was also a small farmer and for some years acted as sexton." The boots and shoes he made "were of the most substantial kind; not at all like the delicate, fancy article with paper soles and fragile uppers fit only for ballroom use."
He also recalled Captain Jonathan Taylor Wright: "He was not brilliant nor learned, for his education was only that of the common school. He lacked both culture and polish, and there was nothing unusually attractive in his personal appearance." Yet "none of these defects could disguise the true simplicity, honesty and sincerity of character, which made the man what he was, and commanded the confidence and affection of all who knew him."
March 1892
Town Meetings at the end of the 19th century followed a different format than they do today. Voting for Town officers was held in the morning, followed by a noon dinner in the Vestry of the Congregational Church. After dinner, the men addressed the Town Warrant, and in the evening a dance was held at the Town Hall.
The town's expenses for the past year were reported: "Schools, 2,332.41; Support of Poor, 87.00; Town Officers, 884.50; Highways, 3,312.41; Winter roads, 219.09; Miscellaneous, 639.18." Hollis spent more on maintenance of roads than on schools.
The editor also printed the entire Hollis Town Warrant from 1804, authorizing the Town Treasurer to pay $197.10 to the County, $90.74 to himself, $1202.74 to the Selectmen, and $300 to the Parson.
April 1892
The Hillsboro County W.C.T.U. held its annual Convention in Wilton. A paper on women's suffrage stated, "If the polls are not a fit place for woman, then it is not for our boys. We should put our hands on the helm of the Ship of State, and save our boys, our men and our country."
In 1892, Hollis women were allowed to vote in School Board elections but were not allowed to participate in any other elections or in town meetings. Men were curious about how women would handle more civic responsibility. A "Mock Town Meeting" was announced: "All the ladies qualified to vote in town affairs, and all the men who have a curiosity to see how they would manage an election, should make an effort to be present." The meeting was adjourned multiple times — it appears the ladies were doing a pretty fair job of addressing the issues!
May 1892
Two articles illustrated the contrasting nature of Hollis residents. One reported on a "Historical Tramping party" through School District No. 2, "to Pumpkin Yard Center, and along Flint's Brook. All interested in our town-yore are invited to 'fall in line' with lunch."
The other noted that "Even the quiet suburbs of Hollis are not exactly free from the insults of unprincipled marauders. On last Friday, in the wee small hours of the morning, the inhabitants of Patch's Corner were awakened by a crowd giving vent to their hilarious 'spirit' by emptying their wagon of its contents of beer bottles, throwing them, hit or miss, at the houses they passed."
July 1892
The banner of the July 8, 1892 newspaper was very different from any other issue, reversing the usual size of the titles "Hollis Times" and "Brookline Reporter" and featuring a halftone image of a steam engine. The railroad was coming to Brookline.
"Since May 9, Mr. J. A. Hall has delivered over 19,000 railroad ties, a large proportion of them being used by the B. and P. railroad." A steam shovel was in operation at a gravel bank, loading a gravel car in as little as 65 seconds.
The July 22 issue explained that the opening of the railroad had been delayed: "The people hereabouts begin to learn a few points, in regard to the amounts of labor and time required to build a railroad."
August 1892
Front-page news items from 1892 included colorful local anecdotes: "Miss Mabel Hodgman caught a live weasel on Monday. His weaselship was so imprudent as to attempt to explore the kitchen, when Mrs. H. 'went for him' and after a lively chase, succeeded in capturing the nimble creature."
Another reported that "Mrs. William H. Hall brought down a hen hawk with the chopping tray. Mr. Hawk had entered the barn and was helping himself to a chicken lunch when discovered by Mrs. H., who gave battle with just what she had in her hand, scoring a complete victory."
"Mr. William Taylor was thrown from his carriage, while driving near the Bohonon bridge. The carriage was badly demoralized but Mr. Taylor was only slightly injured."
September 1892
"Thursday, September 8, was a 'red letter day' for the little town of Brookline, celebrating as it did the 123rd anniversary of its incorporation and also, and primarily, the opening of the Brookline & Pepperell Railroad."
Between 4,000 and 5,000 people attended. The first train consisted of an engine decorated with flags and buntings and seven cars "loaded to their utmost capacity with invited guests." As the engine slowed, "48 young ladies and misses dressed in white, each carrying a bouquet of flowers, showered the engineer with their floral offerings."
Regular passenger service began on September 26 with service from Brookline to Boston. Three round-trips were made daily, with the first train leaving Brookline at 6:30 am and arriving in Boston at 8:34 am. Fares: "To Pepperell, 22 cts; Ayer, 47 cts; Boston, $1.37."
