Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-09-29
Reminiscence. Of worce.ter-No. 9.


Worcester early took, and ever maintained a
position in advance of other towns IN the county,
in regard to wealth and population. 1t could
scarcely be otherwise. From its central situation,
on the great travelled highway from Boston to
New York, Albany, Hartford, and Springfield
from its extensive inland commerce, promoted by
the large number of people having business at
the courts and county offices, it could not fail OF
attracting capital and enterprise. Several other
towns were comparatively wealthy and populous,
containing men of wide political influence, and
numerous families in high social position. Among
these, Brookheld Lancaster, Mendon, Uxbrdge,
and Westborough, under favorable circumstances,
have continued prosperous and progressive; while
some others, with few mill sites, and no railroad
have been compelled to submit TO depletion. In
credible as 1t may now seem, Rutland, fifty odd
years ago, proud, FESTIVE Rutland, with her aris-
tocratic Whites, Blakes, Caldwells, Frinks,
Howes, and Dodds, looked dsdainfully down on
Worcester, and demanded by what superior right
she claimed the honor of holding the keys of the
county courthouse and Jail. This feeling of en-
Wy, which proved to be only temporary was abated
by the mountain coming to Mohammed After
discharging their pistols in the air. and burning
copy OF Theatrical Plays, by William Charles
White, Esq" not the Bible, as some slanderous-
ly affirmed Francis Blake and VIM. C. White,
came down to Worcester, and moved in court cir
Giles here, and some others, names not recollected
were escorted to al artments in the other public
pen is called to order
At the commencement of this century, Wor-
cester contained tloo brick buildings Mr.. Waldo's
store and DR.. Green's house. This last named
remains TO this day, in good order and condition,
and, though it has never been RACED or raised it
now stands on its foundation some eight or ten
feet higher than formerly. Mr.. Waldo's store,
after service of about forty years removed,
and its foundation, with another lot adjoining,
covered by the present "Granite Block" The
other lot, north of the old store, came into pos.
session of the late Mr. Waldo, in this way One
chilly night in November, 1904, hatter's shop,
occupied by Mr.. Nathaniel Moore, twelve or if
teen feet North of the brick store, was discovered
to be on fire. People were soon at the spot and
the little fire engine manfully throwing water on
the flames. Twice, the window shutters and roof
OF the store were on fire, and extinguished. At
this crisis, Mr.. Daniel Waldo. Jr. arrived, and
earnestly add essing the iremen, said, "Gentle.
men, beg you to reverse your engine, and save
my store, will pay for Mr.. Moore's shop" Ac.
cordlngly, the shop was burned, and the store
saved. Mr.. Moore afterwards rented building
on the East side of Main street, in front of the
Salisbury mansion, and Mr.. Waldo was owner of
the burnt lot. On this, he erected a dwelling
house, with two rooms on the grOund-hoor, one
sixteen feet square, serving for paror and din
ing-room. and the other fourteen by sixteen feet,
for kitchen, &c. 1t was occupied by the Misses
Kennedy, for genteel boarding house. 1t was
in this famous square room, that the American
Board G. F. M held their first anniversary meet
ing, in September, 1870 There were present, all
the Board, about ten clergymen, all told. The
same Board, are. at this time, Sept l3 J holding
their annual meeting at Utica, n. Y. 1t now re-
quires large city to accommodate all the mem.
bers in attendance. At this house, young gem
tlemen, merchants clerks, and law students,
made their home, passing their evenings in read
ing, according to their several inclinatons, Bum
yam, or Byron, Moore and Montgomery, or Rob-
ert Southey; and sometimes, it was said, wrote
funny pieces for the Spy and EgiS. Most of the
young men and young ladies of that period have
passed away. Now and then, one may be seen in
fence. HERMIT.