The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-31
THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.

Springfield IS situated on the lett bank OF the
Connecticut River, In the midst OF the beautiful
and fertile territory OF the Connecticut Valley.
with broad streets, well paved, lighted with gas,
and walks shaded by elm and other hand
some trees and having commerce brought TO
IL by rail- and river. II has for years oeen
one or the most pleasant and nourishng
inland cities in the United states IL Is the capt.
al OF Hampden county, Massachusetts, distant
from New York l3S miles IN q north-north. eastern
direction, and nincty-elght miles west by south
from Boston. small stream. calleu MIL River,
runs through the city, ORA ming 1t ana furnishing
water power for numerous factor The west
ern pOrlon OF the city nearest the river Is upon
q low level, but the eastern section 10 upon an
elevated PLAIN, which stretches Tor miles. us
principal streets are parallel TO the river and are
broad, handsome thorough ares, which the cross
streets intersect at right angle. In what may
be accepted as The centre OF the city is park,
finely adorned with trees, shruooery and flowers.
Tne buildings OF Springfield are mainly constructed
OF brick.
THE PRINCIPAL STRUCTURES
ara the city buildings which but recently
erected. the Court House OF Hampden county,
massive structure of granite IN the Italian style
Of architecture the Church OF the Unity, one Of
the finest edifces In Massachusetts. the CITY Free
Library, the Catholic Cathedral OF ST. Michael and
the United States governments ArmJry and Ar
senal There are twenty churches IN the city, OF
various denominations, seven banks OF deposit
having aggregate capital OF ABOUT So 900 o00 and
three savings banks. Ia 1872 the valuation OF the
city was $50 100000, and in that year the whole
sale merchants OF Springfield aid q trade OF
$50, 100000, the greater part OF which sum was
drawn from The valley towns 10 which Springfield
Is q source OF supply. There are about 900 manu-
featuring companies In Springfield, whose en-
ployes number about 1000 men and 200 women.
The Smith & Wesson Revolver Works are located
there and employ about 400 persons. The ma
chine shops OF the government works, in which
the heavier labor OF gunmaklng is done, are sit
uated on tne banks OF Mill River, about one mile
southeast OF the Arsenal and Armory. The latter
Institutions are situated on an elevation
which Is called Arsenal HILL In PARK
or seyenty.two acres. These buildings are in
the shape or quadrangle, and enclose
q space OF twenty acres laid out as park, and
called Union square. ABOUT coo men are EN-.
ployed IN the Armory. The Arsenal is on the west
side OF the quadrangle. In this are stored It's, 900
stands OF small arms, rlvaning in their SYM
metrlcal arrangement similar collections in the
European entrepots.
SPRINGFIELD WAS SETTLED
in 1898 by a company under William Pyncnon.
The place was first called Aga wan tnat being the
Indian name or the vicinity OF the settle.
ment. In 1850 II was called Springfield,
alter the birthplace OF Magistrate Pynchon
IN England. Pyncnon was reyered until 1850,
when he wrote an antl.Calvnistic work. which
was burned on Boston Common, and Tor which he
was deposed from his magistracy and forced to
nee 10 England 10 avoid persecution. In 1875 the
Indians formed plan 70 massacre the people OF
Springfield and utterly destroy the settlement.
the plot was discovered by friendly
Indian, the people ensconCed themselves
Ia the garrison houses, but the savages
burned most OF the dwellings or the vii.
lagc In January, 1857, during Snay's Rebellion.
about 200 rebels attacked the Arsenal &C Spring.
field for the purpose OF procuring the arms. They
we're repuised oy the militia however. and finally
dispersed By few cannon shots. Springfield was
Incorporated as town in 1916 and as q city in
1852. Until 1910 II comprised the present hip
OF Chicopee. In 1870 the town OF Springfield had
population 397o IN 1880, 7s4; IN $780, 10 05s
IN 1850, H. I66; IN 1850 the city Inhabited BY
1890 souls and at the present time by about
5000.
The destructive IRE which occurred yesterday
was east OF central part OF the city, but wholly
In the river PLAIN whereon the principal business
places are situated as also the homes OF the work
inc nlaaaaa