Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-09-08

CHARLTON, Mass, Sept. 7, 1871.
trust that a few lines from the old town of
Charlton may not prove undressing to your
readers. This town was first settled about the
year 1850. In measure its history is that of
many other towns, the first settlers being a
sturdy class of people, who went into the
primeval forests 10 establish homes for them
selves and their descendants. Before the Bos-
ton and Albany railroad was built Charlton en-
jOyed a good degree of business prosperity
The land being excellent farming formed an
important branch of industry. Up to that time,
and even later, Charlton had a reputation for
rearing superior horses and cattle. Besides
there was also large establishment on what is
called Dresser Hill, where carriages and furni-
ture were manufactured by the late Harvey
Dresser. The old turnpike from Boston to
Hartford passes through the town, and the old
inhabitants often speak Of the lines of stage
coaches and strings of teams which passed by
daily.
Charlton, like every other town, is full of REM
iniscences of past events. 1t las had its curious
away. A story is related that about q century
ago a party of English gentry, on their way
from Boston to New Haven, were compelled to
remain here over night at the only place where
man and beast were accommodated. As many
of the luXuries of life, such as coffee and tea,
were almost unknown to the inhabitants, our
travellers carried supply of these things with
them. Coffee and tea were given to the land
lady that she might prepare them for breakfast.
1t was the first time she had seen these articles
and Of course knew nothing about their prepare
ton. Not wishing to be considered verdant she
resolved to try. When the travellers called for
their tea and coffee she came and told them:
"GentlCmen, the YARDS are done, but the beans
won't boil soft"
Fifty years ago there were no less than five
hotels here and reports say that they did a
thriving business. The bar room, with its dis
play of decanters and tumblerS, constituted the
prominent feature of these establishments
Temperance societies did not vet exist, and Gus
tom then allowed everybody to drink; and, I'M
doubtedlv, there was at that time no more nor
less of drinking here than in other parts of the
state. A few years later the temperance move
ment commenced, and railroads were built, the
one making the liquor traffic disrespectable and
the other nproft0ble-hotel keeping was given
up.
But great change has since transpired. The
buildings formerly used as hotels are still stand
ing, but the old occupation, as then conducted,
is Il thing of the past. As Tor number of
years no hotel was kept here, farmers and others
were obliged TO harbor the stray travellers that
occasionally found their way here. The old no
tel in Charlton Centre, and which in the olden
time must have done good business, has been
for the last few years an unsightly place. hardly
fit for human habitaton. But the traveller who
was here year ago will hardly know the place
now. Thoughts OF Aladdin and his lamp will
invOluntarily come into his mind on first view
ing the change. The old rickety structure has
been entirely transformed; where here
tolore was only diapdation, the most
radical change is now beheld Large airy
rooms handsomely furnished, a good table,
with all the luXuries of the season, a gentle
manly and obieing landlord and landlady, meet
the stranger as he comes along weary and dusty
with travel, at the bellevue house." kept by
Charles T. Pratt of your city. Charlton is pc
culiarly adapted for summer resort.
few rods east of the Charlton depot is the
highest point on the railroad track between
Boston and Springfield. Charlton Centre is
about two and half miles south OF the depot,
and is situated still higher. Travellers coming
from the cities feel at once the effect of the
bracing mountain air Of this region, and hence
the place is peculiarly adapted for invalidS dur
ing the summer and autumn. The scenery of
the town is surprisingly beautiful and the
roads are exceedingly romantic, and hills, dales
and brooks greet the eye everywhere. There
are several high hills, among which is Mt.
Nugget about half a mile from the Bellevue
house, from which can be seen Monadnoc, in
New Hampshire, and also many prominent Oh
jects in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The
scenery at present begins TO take on the autumn
hues, and there certainly is no place so near by
and accompanied with so many cOnveniences
where the mind that has been perplexed with
business cares can find rest and relaxation from
labor E to such degree as among the hills of
Charlton. ALEXIS.