The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-04
queen Annes visit to New England. how


The name is easily explained. neverthe-
less. Here until recently there was IA
nous tavern known the "Old Halfway
House'-a pretty conceit from the fact that
it stood on the old Boston and Plymouth
turnpike-each place being twenty miles
from the village. Before the railroad was
put through TO Plymouth daily stage
coaches ran between New Englands me-
tropolis and her first settled town. The
railroad company wanted 10 lay the rails
through here, following the turnpike. but
the inhabitants objected, and civilization
passed by the other side. Now there
is q trolley line here, but population has
followed the railroad, and trolley cars have
brought few residents. One Of the keepers
of the tavern was Mrs. Anne Lincoln. On
account of her imperious ways she came
to be known as Queen Anne, hence the
villages name. The halfway house was
one of the most famous inns in eastern
Massachusetts.
Of travelling by stage coach was very slow.
but the few old residents who remember
stage coach days tell different story. The
trip from Plymouth to Boston was made IN
about four hours with four changes OF
horses and fine animals they are said 10
have been, too, as good as money could BUY:
The coach would leave Plymouth at
o. clock in the morning with six horses. At
Marshfield, ten miles from Piymouth, aIter
run of an hour, six fresh horses would be
substituted for those which had made the
run from Plymouth. The next relay in the
trip was to the Halfway House, where
half hours wait was made for refreshments,
Many, indeed, took breakfast there. The
next stage In the journey was 70 quincy
the home of Massachusetts two Presidents.
Horses were again changed there, ana
these last animals completed the trip TO
Boston. which was reached by 1890 o'clock.
or even earlier barring accidents.
The return trip was made in the after
noon. The coach left Boston at o'clock
The same horses which had drawn II from
Quincy after four hours and halt rest
were in condition again to be pressed into
service and returned to the home OF the
Adamses. The other relays of horses
simply reversed what they had done earlier
in the day after plenty OF rest Thus II
was necessary TO have twenty-Iour spiendld
horses In service all the time, besides
maintaining several spare ones in case of
emergencies. The fare between Boston and
Plymouth was s., as against ~ cents on
the train now.
The afternoon coach reached Queen
Annes Corner at 5 o'clock, ana half an
hour was allowed for dinner which was
noted for its excellence. novel way was
taken 10 inform the landlord how many
covers were to be laid. A mile from here
Is a hill. When the top was reached the
bugler on the coach would blow a long
blast. which could easily be heard here
Then he would loot the number Of pas
sengers who had ordered dinner. When
the coach pulled up at the tavern the
hungry passengers would find dinner al
ready served, and no time was lost in that
way. T.
and had a law Office in Boston, was a fire.
ouent visitor OF the Halfway House on his
almost daily trips to Boston. He rarely
used the stage coach. however, preferring
his own chaise. He often arranged 10 stop
at the tavern for dinner on his return trip
to Marshfeid. Several OF the oldest in
habitants remember thu great statesman.
One old man Is proud 10 tell how he got
the better Of Webster on one occasion. 1t