The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-06-09
PROVIDENCE
OF 100
YEARS AGO

The last regular meeting OF the Rhode
Island Citizens Historical society OF the
season was held yesterday afternoon at
$3.50 p. m, at the Mathewson Street M
+. church. After the reading OF the
records by Secretary Brown. the presi-
dent introduced Mrs. w. A. Burdick, who
sang, accompanying herself in splendid
voice and tone, the beautiful selection,
entitled REST. Soldier, Rest" In re-
sponse 10 an encore she gave with great
power and In a charming manner, the
sweet ballad sleep on My Child" The
committee on neurology then reported
through Corresponding Secretary Mr..
Gallagher, who read Fin Menoriam."
Articles on Fred Plummer Pearce, who
was born in Rehoboth I'm 1890. and died
in Providence I'm 1906. and OF David
Cady, born In West Greenwich In 1917 and
died in Providence In 1896.
Mrs. Chaffee proposed the name OF Gu
rator Davis OF Roger Williams park and
he was elected a member The duties or
the executive committee were then dis
cussed for the coming year, after which
the president introduced Hon. James Nj.
Scott OF this city. who delivered most
interesting and humorous address, enti-
tied Thirty Minutes in Old Providence.
Mr.. Scott began by an account OF the
settlement OF the town by Roger Williams
and others and continued his story 10 the
time of the death In December, 1889, OF
Samuel w. Brigham, the first mayor OF
Providence.
He told OF the layout OF the town, the
location OF some OF the streets and build
ings, OF the laws enacted for the protec-
tion OF the people and other interesting
facts. He related several stories found In
Rhode Island publications OF hundred
years ago, and referred TO the commerce
OF the port, OF the poverty OF the peo-
pie in the early days and OF the wealth
OF some OF the taxpayers in the early
part OF the last century. He ended by
reading a prophecy made many years ago
OF what would be found at the end OF
the 10th century and some OF the predic-
tions then made have become true, for
instance, the double locomotive, 80 miles
an hour by train, the steam plow, the
steam dredging OF our harbor a popula-
tion OF 100000 people. the Point street
bridge and the automobile.
FROM OLD BOOKS.
While his story is chronologically cor
rect, II has been prepared without ref
erences TO any official records, but from
phlets and papers relating TO Rhode ISL
and AFFAIRS which he has collected and
was in many ways different from the
usual historical paper.
He closed with a brilliant portrayal Of
the kind fortune, good luck and many
blessings enjoyed by Rhode Island citi-
ztns.
With oYr free public schools. our uni,
versal religious soul liberty, our great
oh ala,, ,Nrol
works and manufactures. our great COM
mercial maritime prospects with future
and with our free ballot and political in
stitutions. He prophesied a still greater
advance in all the elements that make
UP great nation and a free, happy
people.
The president invited free discussion,
and Col. Eaton moved vote OF thanks
TO Col Scott and expressed his great
pleasure In listening TO the admirable
address. Capt. George II. Pettis spoke
OF his ancestors in Rehoboth and OF those
engaged TN forming the early -histefy-ef
Providence. Mr.. James N. Arnold the
historian, related many anecdotes I'm re-
lation 10 the early prepaid postage OF
letters and OF the canals TO Boston by the
waters of the Blackstone. the Taunton
and Charles rivers. and giving the historic
reasons for their failure.
TO DEDICATE MONUMENT.
Mr.. Bicknell spoke of the heroic labors
of the founders Scott. williams. Arnold.
Harris and others. and closed by inviting
all 10 the dedication of monument 10
Rev. John Myles at Darlington, R. L.,
June II. 1905. at 1880 p m.
This man was the co-founder with Capt.
Thomas wilett and John Brown OF
Swansea, Mass. and Darlington, r. I.
Rev. DR.. King. Hezekiah Butterworth OF
Boston. Rev. DR.. Eaton and Gen. Miles
are expected TO speak.
At this point the president said many.
including the treasurer would be better
pleased with the former custom OF collect
Ing dues. and Mr.. John II. Powers offered
the following resolution, which was
unanimously adopted:
Resolved. That the vote on collecting
monthly dues at the last meeting Is here
by reconsidpred, and that-tfrc- -usuai GUS
tom OF collecting yearly dues from MEM
bers in the past is hereby resumed for the
future.
The president then introduced Mrs. Bur-
dick who sang with great power and in
a most beautiful manner the selection 20
God, Protector OF the Nation" After n
vote Of thanks TO Mrs. Burdick and Col.
Scott the association adjourned TO meet
In September next.