The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-18


now, the mainstay of the town, and its
owners. Alfred and George Batcheller,
feared that such a plunge would sink
the town into meshes from which it
would never free itself. The town
voted to purchase stock to the amount
Of 100000, thus leaving $4,000 to be pur-
chased by individuals After the first
$4,000 was raised and it was raised with
out difficulty, Mr.. Batcheller says, the
solicitors were brought to a sudden
halt. The only thing to do was to have
recourse to Alfred and George Batch
eller. and this was done.
He and Hon. T. c. Bates went to Bos-
ton and explained to the Messrs. Batch
eller that it was too late to recede, and
urged them to take the $4,000 worth of
stock left; after considering the mat
ter. one of the brothers met the pro-
iectors at the Batcheller House the
following week. and told them that they
would put in $4,000 if the five gentlemen
assembled = ould take the other $4,000
Consequently, each man put $500 more
and the very next day Alden Batchel-
Ter went to Boston and got the neces-
sary papers from the secretary of
state.
The original directors of the compa-
ny elected Capt. Bonum Nye as pres
ident and Capt. Nye retained the posi-
ton until his DEATH Hon. Theodore c.
Bates being chosen as his successor.
Mr.. Batcheller was the first vice pres
ident from the time the road was
built until a year ago, when the direct
ors, knowing he was advancing in
years and feeling that he ought to be
honored by being made president of
the company elected him to the posi-
ton. s4,..
Second only to the part he played in
putting the railroad through was the
work he did ras. ioWater commissioner
when the. present system of water
works WAS put in. Associated with
him on the board We're Hon. r. c. Bates
and Francis Batcheller, president Of
the z, 81 A. H. Batcheller Company
But Alden Batcheller decided he had
enough of it at the end of his term of
two years, and refused to run again.
In the meantime the 10-year lease
which the Boston and Albany had
taken on the North Brookfield road had
run out, and the company eagerly seized
the opportunity to lease it for so years,
which lease has run about a dozen
years. President Chapin's prediction,
that in the first year the road was
operated it would carry about $4,000
passengers fell short, nearly half the
actual transportation being $4,000 pas
sengers.
In 1884 Mr. Batcheller was elected
and spent his term in
the Legislature. Then he was chosen
to succeed Charles w. Dewey as Sc
lectman, Mr.. Dewey leaving town be-
fore his term had expired. For an
other year he was elected, but having
no great love for public office. he with
drew as soon as his term was ended.
For 10 years previous to the building of
the railroad, he, with his brother Ezra,
conducted a shoe factory, where the
depot now stands, but shortly after the
war so much machinery was being put
in that the brothers decided to go out
of the business, and started grocery
store in Stones block, which had just
been built.
He withdrew from this a few years
ago. and now devotes his attention to
the lumber business. Almost any fair
day he can be met going to or coming
from his wood lot near Brooks pond
and on such occasions he stolidly re-
fuses to ride preferring to walk when
he is in a hurry, as he puts it. Mr..
Batcheller will be y years old on May
6, and looks vigorous and strong
enough to round out the century.
Manager Frank Holland of the
North Brookfield base bali team, has
arranged a game for his team at West
Brookfeld. The lineup will be: Hol-
land, c.; Howard, p. Gaffney, h.; KEEL
liner, 2b,; p, Donayon, 3b.; M. Dona-
Won, SIS; Murphy,5l !, f.; Humphrey, CT
Grady, rf. Manager Holland wishes to
arrange games with strong amateur
teams in this vicinity, Rochdale, South
bridge and Ware preferred.
:. Atlast nights meeting of the st. JO-
seph's T., A. Society, Rev. James i.
lutte. president of the organization,
urged the members to train faithfully
and do their utmost to win from Spen-
Ger at the dual field day on May 80.
The North Brookfeld boys are more
enthusiastic over the field day than any
plan the society has had for many
years and are going to put out their
best efforts to win.
The stockholders Of the North
Brcokfeld railroad company met this
afternoon and chose the following di-
rectors: Alden Batcheller, Hon. Theo-
dore C. Bates, James Miller Edward
A. Batcheller, Freeman r. Doane,
John r. Dewing and George r. Ha-
mant. 1t was voted that the directors
be instructed to ask the Boston & AL
bany company for a better car on the
branch. The plan of partitioning the
custom house near the depot was dis
cussed. Howard G.. King suggested
that each business man have a space
for himself and John j. Howard Op-
posed him. The following auditors
were elected: Fred M. Ashby, Frank
A. Smith and Sumner Holmes. The
meeting then adjourned. The direc-
tors subsequently met and besides
electing Alden Batcheller president.
elected: Vice-president, James Miller;
treasurer. John B. Dewing; clerk, Geo.
r, Eammant. 1t was voted to buy the
treasurer's bond of a company.
At a special meeting of Court North
T,rooluleld, F. Of A., tonight, 1t was
voted TO postpone the reception which
was to have been held Thursday night.
This action was taken out of respect to
Martin '. Finnucan, one of the mem
bers who died yesterday. The recap-
ton will take place next week, proba-
bly on Thursday night. Arrangements
were also made for the payment of the
death benefit to the family of the de-
ceased.
The school committee has secured
Miss Margaret Leach as assistant
teacher of the primary department at
the Grove school. Miss Leach is
graduate of the North Brookfield high
school and will assist Minnie I. Ker-
ran.
Martin Bergen. catcher of the Boston
Base Ball club, visited at his home here
yesterday.
THE LITTLE VICTIM.