Class Book. L G fr z. Copyright]^?. COPYRIGHT DEPOSnv LONDONDERRY NEW HAMPSHIRE School District Number Eipfht Published for the District Number Eight Old Home Association CONCORD, N. H. RuMFORD Printing Co. I 908 LIBRARY cf CONGRESS Two Copies Received OCT 22 1908 CLASS O,^ XXc, No COPY B. ' Copyright, 1908 By REED PAIGE CLARK L TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE In School Days, by John Greenleaf Whittier 5 List of Officers 7 The Organization of the Association: Constitution 9 By-Laws 10 Historical Sketch, by Daniel Gage Annis 11 List of Teachers 29 How the New School House Came to be Built, by William Clark 34 The Adams Fund, by WiUiam H. Crowell 39 The First Celebration, by Reed Paige Clark 41 Program of August 21, 1907 43 Extracts from Letters of Regret 43 Five-Minute Addresses 47 Committees for August 21, 1907 57 How the Money was Raised 58 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. School House, Bartley Hill, Londonderry. Frontispiece The Old Red School House Facing Page 34 Ground Plan of the Old Red School House . .Page 38 Sketch Map of the District Page 40 Separation (Music) Page 55 IN SCHOOL DAYS. By John GreJenleaf Whitties. Still sits the scliool-hoiise by the road, A ragged beggar sleeping; Around it still the sumachs grow, And blackben-y-vines are creeping. Within, the master's desk is seen. Deep scarred by raps official; The warping floor, the battered seats, The jack-knife's carved initial; The charcoal frescos on its wall ; Its door's worn sill, betraying The feet that, creeping slow to school. Went storming out to playing! Long years ago a winter sun Shone over it at setting; Lit up its western window-panes. And low eaves' icy fretting. It touched the tangled golden curls. And brown eyes full of grieving, Of one who still her steps delayed When all the school were leaving. For near her stood the little boy Her childish favor singled : His cap pulled low upon a face Where pride and shame were mingled. Pushing with restless feet the snow To right and left, he lingered ; As restlessly her tiny hands The blue-checked apron fingered. 6 He saw her lift her eyes; he felt The soft hand's light caressing, And heard the tremble of her voice, As if a fault confessing. "I'm sorry that I spelt the word : I hate to go above you, Because," — the brown eyes lower fell, — "Because, you see, I love you!" Still memory to a gray-haired man That sweet child-face is showing. Dear girl! the grasses on her grave Have forty years been growing! He lives to learn, in life's hard school, How few who pass above him Lament their triumph and his loss. Like her, — because they love him. OFFICERS OF THE DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT OLD HOME ASSOCIATION, LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. 1907-1908. President. Daniel G. Annis, Londonderry. Honorary President. Rev. Lucien H. Adams, Derry. Vice-President. William H. Crowell, Londonderry. Secretary-Treasurer. Reed Paige Clark, Londonderry. Executive Committee. Mrs. William H. Crowell, Londonderry, Chairman. Mrs. William Clark, Londonderry. Miss Lucy W. Perkins, Londonderry. Mrs. Charles S. Greeley, Londonderry. Arthur L. Evans, Londonderry. Frank S. Crowell, Bedford. John H. Goodwin, Londonderry. Mrs. Charles Adams, Londonderry. Richard L. Pettengill, Londonderry. Charles U. Annis, Londonderry. Editor. Reed Paige Clark, Londonderry. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATION. As early as the spring of 1905 it was suggested by ]\irs. "William Clark, Mrs. William H. Crowell, and other resi- dents of District Number Eight, that those who had come in contact with the District as teachers, pupils or residents, organize themselves into an association the object of which should be the awakening of a healthful interest in the Dis- trict. Nothing came of the matter then, but in the summer of the following year a sufficient number were enlisted to warrant the issuance of a call for a meeting. This call was printed in the local papers, and on August 24, 1906, some twenty-five people met in the school house to consider the subject. After a few minutes of informal discussion it was de- cided to organize. Mr. William Clark was chosen tem- porary chairman and Mr. Daniel G. Annis temporary sec- retary. The officers, a list of whom is printed elsewhere in this volume, were then unanimously elected. The naming of the new association provoked some debate but it was finally agreed unanimously that it be christened : District Number Eight Old Home Association, London- derry, New Hampshire. The Executive Committee, having been given authority therefor, met subsequently and adopted the following con- stitution and by-laws, under which the Association is acting : CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE ONE. This Association shall be known as the District Number Eight Old Home Association, Londonderry, New Hampshire. 10 ARTICLE TWO. The object of the Association is to promote interest in District Number Eight among past and present residents of the District. ARTICLE THREE. All teachers of the school, alumni, and all residents of the Dis- trict, past and present, are eligible to membership. ARTICLE FOUR. The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Hon- orary President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and an Ex- ecutive Committee of ten, who shall constitute the Executive Board. ARTICLE FIVE. The annual meeting of the Association shall be held on Wednes- day of the week designated as Old Home Week in New Hampshire, at the schoolhouse in District Number Eight, at such hour as the Executive Board may determine. BY-LAWS. ARTICLE ONE. The fee for membership shall be twenty-five cents, payable upon registration to the Secretary-Treasurer, except for children under sixteen years of age, who shall pay ten cents. There shall be no dues or assessments other than the fee for registration. ARTICLE TWO. The officers of the Association shall be elected at the close of the annual meeting for the ensuing year and shall hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are chosen. ARTICLE THREE. The officers of the Association shall perform the duties that usually devolve upon such officers, but no officer shall receive any compensation for such services. ARTICLE FOUR. These By-Laws may be amended at the annual meeting of the Association by vote of two thirds of the members present and vot- ing. HISTORICAL SKETCH. By Daniel Gage Annis. For the history of this school district from the settle- ment of the town in 1719 to the close of the year 1799 we find no words at this time. From later records we are able to state that the ' ' Old Red School House ' ' was built in the year 1794. This school district was known as Number 17 until the town of Derry was set off in the year 1829. Following are the records of meetings, lists of officers, and actions taken each year. 1800 July 19 Jonathan Barnett James Adams Reuben Sawyer Com-Men (The Barnett family lived where Mr. Bresnon now lives; that place became the town poor-farm in 1833.) Eightly: — ^Voted to give $2.00 pr week to a School Maam. She boarding herself till sd money is expended. Ninthly: — Voted that no Schollar Shall have Any Privilidge in this School house the Present year that Lives out of this District. November 24 Voted: — That every Proprietor that send a scollar or scollars shall Bring 4 ft of wood, and that every Proprietor shall cut his own Wood. 1801 December 7 Meeting at Ensn John Dickey's. Voted: — That if any person did not bring their wood till Jan. 10th their children or servants should not be taught till the above vote is complyed with. 12 1802 March 15 Nathan Plummer David Crowell Elder: Edward Dodge Comttee Men Voted: — One eighth cord wood to eatch schollar. 1803 March 10 Stephen Plummer James Wilson John Duncan Comttee Men. 1804 March 6 Doctor Robt. Bartley Sami March Engm James Adams Comttee Men. "Voted: — The Committee to order concerning the ashes. Voted: — the School house be furnished with Door and harth Stones. 1805 March 13 Capt. John Dickey Jonathan Barnett Mr Hugh Boyes Com.ttee Men. Voted: — the schollars to have the half the ashes at the expira- tion of said school. 1806 March 31 Ensn Wm Boyes Mr James Platts Mr Benjm Corning Com.ttee Men 13 Voted: — the Committee to procure a convenient place for the Master to board at. Voted: — Mr Platts to repair School house. Voted: — that no nonresidents should be admited as schollars. Voted: — that the committee should be judges of nonresidents. 1807 March 2 Messers Caleb Gooding John Dickey Junr Ensn James Adams Comtee Voted: — Mr Thomas Bartlett and Mr John Dickey privilage to send a schoUar by paying nine pence pr week for each schollar. 1808 March 14 Nathan Johnson Dr. Robt. Bartley Nathaniel Giles Comtte Voted: — That if Glass be broken in the school House it should be repaired by the parents or Masters of them that broke it. 1809 March 18 Lt James Wilson Jona Barnett Joshua Gooding Comtee 1810 March 17 David Crowell Benjm Corning William Adams Comtee Voted: — That the Board of the Master shall be Vandued to the lowest bidder, and was struck off to Ruben Sawyer at 93 cts. Week. 14 1811 Miiich 16 Doct Robt. Bartloy Dn Edward Uod^e Mr John Uuiicaii Voted: — To procure a Deed from the Proprietors to Dist No. 17. 1812 March 19 Lt. James Wilson En James Adams and Caleb Gooden Com.ttt-*' Voted: — to spoml 1/3 part of the Monoy in the summer lor a Mistriss. Voted: — to build A fals back and jams to the school house, struck of the drawing of 500 of Brick and Clay to Liut James Wilson at $1.25. 1813 March 18 Doct Robt. Bartley Lt. William Boyes Robt. Patterson Voted: — To give Caleb Gooden $1.50 for procuring a Deed for sa Districk and fitting it Signed. Voted: — To give Master W'" Redfield a recommendation. Voted: — That there shall be no Sewing, Flowering or Writing brought into school this season. Voted: — to give Robert Patterson 40 Cents for a pale and mug. 1814 February 18 James Watts Lent John Dickey and Luit James Wilson Comtteo The ashes vaudued and struck off to James Watts at $1. for tlie whole. Vaudued the Masters board and struck off to Lieut. John Dickey at 85 cts. per week. 15 1815 March 1 Ensign: James Adams, Com. Voted: — To liave but one for a Comttee Man. Voted: — to vandue the making and hanging of a Door mending Window Seets and boxes, struclt of at $1.GG to Benjamin Corn- ing. 10th: — Voted that any Schoolar brealting Glass shall repare the same in eight and forty hours, after, or be denied the prlvilidge ot instruction. Voted: — to have the school house banked, vandued the bank- ing of sd school house, struck of to Alexander Spinne at 58 cents. 1816 Robert Patterson, Com. 1817 Lt Jon'n Barnett — Com. 1818 John Duncan — Com. 1819 Hugh Boyes — Com. John M. and Hazen G. Boyes signed Acknowledgement of bad be- havior in school. 1820 John Dow — Com. Voted: — to give Mr. Foster Towns the Master $l.oo per. week for his Board. 1821 Capt. James Watts — Com. 1822 Caleb Gooden — Com. Vandued the Masters board and struct of to John Wilson a 60 cents per week. 16 1823 Enoch Gooden — Com. Voted: — to buy the wood out of the school Money. Vandued the Ashes and sold to Capt. James Watts at 141.^ cents per Bushel. 1824 Capt. Robt. Patterson — Com. 1825 Silas Barker — Com. Voted: — to make an alteration in the Fire place. 1826 John Duncan — Com. Voted: — that the Master and Mistress board with the schollars. 1827 Dr. Hugh Bartley — Com. Sold the Ashes to Doc Hughy Bartley for 11 cts. per Bushel. 1828 Joshua Gooden — Com. Voted: — that the Committee man purchase a box or bask for to put in Ashes. 1829 John Morrison — Com. Voted: — the comniitte Man to sell the ashes and give the schol- lars some refreshments — "No Rum brought into school." Voted: — that Silas Barker survey the wood. 1830 John Adams — Com. Dist. 8. Voted: — to raise $115.oo to repair House. James Perkins James Watts, Jr. John Adams Com. to Examine House. 17 Wm Plummer John Adams Lucius Whipple Com. on repairs and to buy a Stove. 1831 Wm Plummer — Com. 1832 John Annis — Com. Voted: — Edmun Adams to paint the House. 1833 Edmund Adams — prud Com. 1834 Robert McGregore — preu P. Novins Lucien H. Nesinith Chas. Geo. Pillsbury School Board. 23 1887 W'" P. Nevins Samuel Gilcreast School Board. 1888 Samuel Gilereast Win p. Nevins Albert P. Colby School Board. 1889 Albert P. Colby Wm P. Nevins School Board. 1890 Rev. H. B. Copp Wm P. Nevins Miss Hattie M. Wborf School Board. 1891 Henry B. Copp / Hattie M. Whorf Wm P. Nevins School Board. 1892 Albert P. Colby Wm P. Nevins School Board. 1893 Wm P. Nevins Albert P. Colby Henry Crowell School Board. 1894 Wm P. Nevins Albert P. Colby Henry Crowell School Board. Cost per scholar for the year was $10.63. Average number of scholars for the year was 26. 24 1895 Wm P. Nevins Heury Crowell Wm Richardson, M. D. School Board. $100.00 Extra Stock M. & L. R. R. received on Adams Fund and the same was deposited in the Peoples Savings Bank, Manchester, N. H., the interest to be used hereafter in support of the school. 1896 Wm P. Nevins Wm Richardson School Board. 1897 Wm Richardson Daniel G. Annis Mrs. Georgietta W. Barrett School Board. Modern Seats were furnished by the Vermont School Seat Co. at a cost of $128.44. 1898 Daniel G. Annis Georgietta W. Barrett R. Guy Gibson School Board. 1899 Georgietta W. Barrett R. Guy Gibson Chas. McAllister School Board. W^ H. Crowell, Town Treas., w^as made Treas. of the Adams Fund. He holds office to the present time. 1900 R. Guy Gibson Chas. McAllister Daniel G. Annis School Board. 25 1901 Chas. McAllister Daniel G. Annis Rev. Geo. A. McLucas School Board, 1902 Daniel G. Annis Miss Mabel F. M. Nevins Mrs. Sarah Annis School Board. 1903 Mabel F. M. Nevins Sarah Annis Daniel G. Annis School Board. 1904 Sarah Annis Daniel G. Annis Mabel F. M. Nevins School Board. School House reshiugled & repaired at a cost of $115. 1905 Daniel G. Annis Mabel F. M. Nevins Mrs. Almira A. Crowell School Board. 1906 Mabel F. M. Nevins Almira A. Crowell Wm G. Cross School Board. 1907 Almira A. Crowell Frank E. Robie Mabel F. M. Nevins School Board. 26 District Clerks of Long Service. Reed P. Clark, 19 years. Daniel G. Annis, 8 years. John Dickey, 5 years. David F. Perkins, 5 years. Teachers of Long Service. Miss Anna Florence Gibson, 9 terms 1899-1900-1901 Miss Mary Eastman Crowell, 8 terms 1889-1890-1891-1892 Miss Dora L. Young, 8 terms 1892-1893-1894 Miss Harriet F. Christie, 8 terms 1903-1904-1905 Miss Mary Eliza Crowell, 7 terms 1895-1896-1897 Mr. John Dickey, 6 terms 1847-1848-1852-1854 1856-1869 Miss Abby E. Boyd, 5 terms 1874-1876 Miss Mary Jane Reid, 4 terms 1863-1864-1865 Miss Lucy W. Perkins, 4 terms 1875-1877 Miss Etta M. Young, 4 terms 1884-1885 Miss Mattie E. Farnura, 4 terms 1886-1887-1888 Miss Louisa E. MuUins, 3 terms 1873 Miss Nellie 0. Moore, 3 terms 1879 Miss A. Helen Gibson, 3 terms 1901 Miss Florence C. Center, 3 terms 1907-1908 Census. In the year 1806 there were 42 polls and estates in No. 8. In the year 1906 there were 66 polls and 55 houses and estates, 256 beins; tlie total number of inhabitants. 27 Number of Pupils in School at Different Periods. Year. No. Pupils. 1841 70 by Jonathan McAllis 1858 92 for the year. 1861 88 for the year. 1863 95 for the year. 1866 71 for the year. 1868 58 Winter Term. 1872 42 Winter Term. 1874 42 Fall Term. 1877 29 Fall Term. 1880 23 for the year. 1882 20 for the year. 1885 34 for the year. 1886 18 for the year. 1890 23 for the year. 1894 26 for the year. 1898 32 for the year. 1900 32 for the year. 1902 39 for the year. 1904 40 for the year. 1906 40 for the year. 1907 45 Spring Term. 1908 38 Cost of Spring Term. New House. 1858, , March 11, Sale of old buildinir $35.50 800.00 Appropriation October 27, 1858, To complete bu Outbuilding . . lilding. . . . 136.00 100.00 1859, Grading 25.00 To pay debt 212.00 Later disbursements (see • below) 501.44 Total .. $1,308.50 $1,809.94 28 1867, To paint building 1150.00 1876, Repairs to building 108.00 1897, Modern Seats 128.44 1904, Repairs to building 115.00 Total $501.44 LIST OF TEACHERS IN DISTRICT NUMBER EIGHT, LONDONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.* The names of the early teachers in District Number Sev- enteen, later known as District Number Eight, are not a matter of record. It appears incidentally that William Redfield taught in 1813 and Foster Towns in 1820. Other early teachers who can not be definitely placed are : Boardman Shute. Oliver Pillsbury. Rev. Daniel Goodwin. Jonathan Savory. Titus. Woodburn Dickey, 1839 (?). Miss Eliza Whorf, 1840 (?). Rei Hill, 1843 (?). Nichols, 1844 (?). Miss Martha J. Gregg, 1845 (?). 1835 Miss Hannah Eastman. 1836 Miss Susan Choate Ander- son. 1837 Miss Sally Reed. 1838 Miss Priscilla Claggett. 1839 Miss Priscilla Claggett. Rev. Stephen Pillsbury. 1840 1841 Jonathan McAllister. 1842 Jonathan McAllister. 1843 Andrew Wallace Mack. 1844 1845 1846 Miss Jane D. Patterson. Mrs. Robert Mack. 1847 Miss Jane D. Patterson. John Dickey. 1848 John Dickey. *This list is of necessity incomplete. The editor would be glad to know of any additions or corrections that should be made. 30 1849 Miss Hannah Jane Boyce. Josiah H. Pillsbury. 1850 Miss Caroline Choate. Samuel Gilcreast. 1851 Miss Caroline Choate. 1852 Miss Almira J. Anderson. John Dickey. 1853 Miss Alnora F. Pervier. Miss Sarah H. Goodwin. Samuel Gilcreast. 1854 Miss Frances M. Brickett. John Dickey. 1855 Miss Sarah J. Gilcreast. J. Kendrick Upton. 1856 Miss Harriet S. Holmes. John Dickey. 1857 Miss Ann J. Crosby. J. Kendrick Upton. 1858 Miss Mary W. Griffin. George Brickett. 1859 Miss Mary W. Griffin. L. Gilbert Chase. 1860 Miss Emily B. Noyes. A. B. Wood. 1861 Miss Mariauna P. Clark. William B. Fisher. 1862 Miss Hattie L. Jones. George Brickett. 1863 Miss Mary J. Reid. George W. Dickey. 1864 Miss Mary J. Reid. Joseph R. Clark. 1865 Miss Mary J. Reid. (2 terms.) Mrs. Turner, 2667 N. Lincoln St., Raveuwood Station, Chicago, ni. Mrs. John Haynes, Londonderry, N. H. (Of Fisherville.) (Of Wilmot.) Litchfield, N. H. 43 Elm St., Melrose, Mass. Haverhill, Mass. (Of Henniker.) Mrs. Wm. H. Seaman, 1424 11th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Mrs. Rodney N. Whittemore, Railroad St., West Manchester, N. H. Rural Delivery No. 3, Derry, N. H. 31 1866 Miss Mary P. C. March. Miss Jennie L. Moar. 1867 Miss Harriet L. Warner. Miss Hattie A. Tilton. 1868 Miss Emma L. Jenness. K. F. Blaisdell. 1869 Miss Emma L. Jenness. Miss Ida J. Mullins. E. F. Higgins. John Dicl^ey. 1870 Miss Lucy M. Boyd. (2 terms.) 1871 Miss Hannah C. Webster. Myron Parsons Dickey. 1872 Miss Ella A. Gilcreast. Charles S. Frost. 1873 Miss Louisa E. MuIllns. (3 terms.) 1874 Miss Abby E. Boyd. (2 terms.) 1875 Miss Lucy W. Perkins. (3 terms.) 1876 Miss Abby E. Boyd. (3 terms.) 1877 Miss Lucy W. Perkins. Miss Emma B. Greeley. (2 terms.) 1878 Miss Florence E. Boyd. (2 terms.) H. Plummer Crowell. 1879 Miss Nellie O. Moore. (3 terms.) Mrs. Hall, Long Pine, Neb. Mrs. Packer. Mrs. John F. Pullen, 80 Highland Ave., Newtonville, Mass. 764 No. Park Ave., Chicago, 111. Mrs. Dustin, Rural Delivery No. 5, Manchester, N. H. Mrs. Gould. Milton, N. H. Mrs. Huse, Rural Delivery No. 1, Derry, N. H. Mrs. Nesmith, Rural Delivery No. 5, Manchester, N. H. Mrs. Crowell, Rural Delivery No. 7, Manchester, N. H. Rural Delivery No. 1, Londonderry, N. H. Mrs. Rei M. Hill, Windham, N. H. 32 1880 Miss Ortie M. Smith. Miss Isabelle D. McGregor. Ira W. Holt. 1881 Miss Nellie S. Dickey. Miss Ella M. Allen. H. Plummer Crowell. 1882 Miss Mary L. Childs. Miss Sarah P. Webster. Miss Ella M. Allen. 1883 Miss Emma H. Perkins. (2 terms.) Arthur H. Hale. 1884 Miss Etta M. Young. (3 terms.) 1885 Miss Etta M. Young. Miss Susie C. Whittemore. 1886 Miss Mattie E. Farnum. Miss Cinderella J. Moore. (2 terms.) 1887 Miss Mattie E. Farnum. (2 terms.) 1888 Miss Mattie E. Farnum. Miss Grace H. Gibson. (2 terms.) 1889 Miss Hattie M. Whorf. (2 terms.) Miss Mary Eastman Crowell. Miss Flora A. Temple. 1890 Miss Mary Eastman Crowell. (3 terms.) 1891 Miss Mary Eastman Crowell. (3 terms.) Mrs. Severance, Rural Delivery No. 1, Manchester, N. H. Mrs. Demeritt, Houston, Tex, Webhannet, Maine. Rural Delivery No. 3, Derry, N. H. Mrs. Willie Watts, 1602 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Mass. Mrs. Chas. W. Abbott, Derry, N. H. Manchester, N. H. Mrs. Newman, Rural Delivery No. 1, Westminster, Mass. Tewksbury Center, Mass. Mrs. A. S. Butler, Hudson, N. H. Rural Delivery No. 1, Windham Depot, N. H. Mrs. Pressey, Box 174, Montague, Mass. Mrs D. M. McQuesteu, 413 Beech St., Manchester, N. H. 33 1892 Miss Mary Eastman C rowel 1. Miss Dora L. Young. (2 terms.) 1893 Miss Dora L. Young. (3 terms.) 1894 Miss Dora L. Young. (3 terms.) 1895 Miss Mary Eliza Crowell. (3 terms.) 1896 Miss Mary Eliza Crowell. (3 terms.) 1897 Miss Mary Eliza Crowell. Irving C. Gove. Miss Ruby E. Mclntire. 1898 Miss Lilla F. Warren. (2 terms.) 1899 Miss Anna Florence Gibson. (3 terms.) 1900 Miss Anna Florence Gibson. (3 terms.) 1901 Miss Anna Florence Gibson. (3 terms.) 1902 Miss A. Helen Gibson. (3 terms.) 1903 Miss S. Evelyn Russell. Miss Harriet F. Christie. (2 terms.) 1904 Miss Harriet F. Christie. (3 terms.) 1905 Miss Harriet F. Christie. (3 terms.) 1906 Mrs. Clarence 0. Watts Mrs. Lake, Rural Delivery No. 6, Manchester, N. H. Mrs. Brown, Rural Delivery No. 7, Manchester, N. H. Kensington, N. H. New Boston, N. H. Mrs. Holcomb, State College, Amherst, Mass. Center Sandwich, N. H. Mrs. Bergeron, Derry, N. H. Miss Mary Louisa Mooar. Miss Z. Grace Stevens. 1907 Miss Florence C. Center. (3 terms.) 1908 Mrs. Clarence O. Watts. Rural Delivery No. 1, Londonderry, N. H. 869 Valley St., Manchester, N. H. Suncook, N. H. Rural Delivery No. 1, Hudson, N. H. THE OLD RED SCHOOL HOUSE. A Part of its History and How the New School House Came to be Built. By William Clark. We learn from the records that the Old Red School House was built in 1794 on the corner of the lot where the present school house stands. It was of solid, hewn oak frame and had a fireplace for heating it, being undoubtedly one of the most substantial and best appointed school houses of its day. The original lot contained about twelve square rods. This lot, with the school house thereon, was deeded by the proprietors to District Number Seventeen, March 16, 1811. for a consideration of $45.00. The proprietors were : Jonathan Barnett. Stephen Plumer. James Adams. Hugh Boyes. John Dickey. Thomas Bartlett. Nathan Plumer. David Gooden. James Wilson. Robert Nesmith. David Crowel. Ebenezer Fisher. Caleb Gooden. Joshua Corning. James Morrison. John Duncan. Benjamin Corning. William Adams. Nathaniel Giles. Jonathan Griffin. Reuben Sawyer. Robert Wilson. Edward Dodge. James Plats. James Watts. John Cochran. Robert Bartley. Jean Duncan. Repairs were made on the school house from time to time until 1830, when quite extensive repairs were made and the first stove bought. This was replaced with a new one i-l o S K 0) <-i r*" o O o ^ w a; ai rrt Q w O' K ft ■^ 1-1 ■— O w a K H 35 in 1839 and others followed. The house was subjected to hard usage but withstood its abuse and was evidently large enough for its purpose until about 1847, when complaints began to be made ; conditions grew worse ever after. The Superintendent School Committee, Rev. Timothy Gr. Brainerd, in his report for 1849-50, says: The house is such a crazy old thing that it is altogether unfit for school purposes, and its location is on one of the most ele- vated and bleak spots in the town. Not only its decayed condi- tion, but its size, render it totally unfit for so large a school. The dimensions of the school room inside are, by actual meas- urement, found to be 25 feet in length and 17 feet in breadth. This room contains twelve benches 6% feet long; and in front of them are four corresponding low seats for small scholars, and the teacher's desk. Before the desk is an open space to the dooi*, occupied by the stove and the legs and feet of the scholars on the front seats; for the space is so narrow that the little fellows can almost reach their neighbors on the opposite side. Into this space of 17 feet by 25 feet were crowded on some days 60 scholars, 20 of whom were over 14 years of age. Every foot appropriated to seats was occupied so that whenever a class was called upon to recite a double change was necessary. * * * About 1852 there began a determined effort for a new, or larger and better school house, and then, and thereafter, articles were inserted in the warrants for school meeting," to build a new school house, or to enlarge and ' ' fit up " the old one, which for one cause and another failed of enact- ment. At a special meeting held May 22, 1856, the District voted to build a stone school house, and located it on land of Isaac Dow at the corner of the road opposite the old house ; voted to raise $1,000.00 therefor ; and chose a com- mittee to build. The District also voted to sell the old school house but neglected to do so, thereby making the vote to build illegal, as under the law no District could have two school houses. 36 At a special meeting held the twenty-third day of June, 185(5, the motion to build was lost; $125.00 was voted to repair the school house, and a committee was chosen to repair, viz. : John Adams, John Annis and Trueworthy D. Chase. The repairing was left discretionary with the com- mittee, "but not to exceed in expense more than $125.00 at any rate." In 1857 there was not much done in the way of building a new house, but the fires were kei)t l)urning by both fac- tions, then nearly equal in point of niiinbcfs jitid well ni;it(;li('d in parliamentary sisill. In 1(S5S they liad a warm tiiiic in Distfic.t Ninnlxir Eight. Tli(! iiiinuid mcciing on Mic clcvcntli (l;iy of Mai'ch took np th(! jirticle to s(;ll the school house before; acting on the article to build Ji new one, whi(!h prcuteded it. Thv District voted to sell the old lionsc ;uid to reserve its us(; for the summer school, .iiid, on motion, voted to proceed to scdl at auction. The building was knocked down to Al))ert At- wood for $35.50, he being the highest bidder. The bidding was not very spirited, as none of the prominent advocates of a new house took an active part and it was not evident what Albert Atwood wanted of his bargain. lie was, how- ever, bidding for Reed V. Clark, as many present well kmiw. '^riie whole affair was looked upon ns a huge joke by those opposed to a new house. Then the Districft voted to build a new school house; voted to raise $800.00 to be expended in l)uilding; and chose a committee to locate and build, viz.: R(>ed P. Clark, J()si;ih Coodwin, Washington P(>rkins, Dnvid McGregor, iuid John Dickey. i*];ii'ly in Ai)ril, 1858, an undated jx'tition, duly signed by three legal voters of the District, was presented to the Prudentiid Committe(\ asking him to call a special meeting find to insert in the warrant articles to reconsider votes to sell the school house and to build a school house (passed at the nuK^tiiig of March 11, 1858); to discharge the com- mittee; and to divide the District. 37 David C. Barker, the Prudential Committee, issued his warrant on the twenty-fourth day of April, warning a meeting on May 29, 1858, making as mueh delay as pos- sible in issuing the warrant and also fixing the date of meeting as late as he could in order to let the building committee get well under way. The writer well remembers hearing the matter discussed. This meeting was held at the store of Washington Colby, as the District then had no school house. After electing Washington Perkins Moderator, each article in the warrant was dismissed in turn and the meeting dissolved. There was nothing else to do under the circumstances. This was the last ditch. The building committee, awaiting this meeting, had been very much alive. They had located the new house and had acquired of Isaac Dow land adjoining the old site, making in all a plat containing 42 3/10 square rods. The building of the house had been contracted to Isaac Coburn. The lumber and other materials had been bought and partly delivered. The foundations were being put in by Benning Noyes, and the underpinning furnished by Reed P. Clark. The summer wore on. The school in the old house pro- gressed under the skilful and effective management of its teacher. Miss Mary W. Griffin of Litchfield, New Hamp- shire. The new house materialized immediately in the rear, to the north-west of the old one, and the Old Red School House looked complacently on to see itself sup- planted, but yet another mission was in store for it. After school closed the old house was moved up the hill to the corner of the road leading to John Dickey's, where it remained for several weeks. Warren Richardson then purchased it of Reed P. Clark and moved it to Wilson's Crossing, where it became a part of Mr. Richardson's shoe factory. Here it again swarmed with humanity and be- came a beehive of industry. All through the long years of the War, and afterwards, many whose first school days 38 were passed within its walls were among its busy workers. After eighty-six years of continuous service, sixty-five as a school house and twenty-one as a shoe factory, the Old Red School House was consumed by fire in the night of January 19, 1880, and with it went the store, railroad station, and post-office at Wilson's Crossing. The missions of the old building were ended. Peace to its ashes ! Editor's Notes ; Portions of the original school house not forming a part of the main build- ing' are still to be found scattered over the District. There is atStonehenge a very substantial grain-chest made from the battle-scarred planks of which the benches were built. School was first opened in the new house in the fall of 1858, with George Brickett presiding over its destinies. DESK Ground Plan of the Old Red School House, (Drawn by Charles McGregor.) Scale: V8" = l'. THE ADAMS FUND. By William H. Crowell. Treasurer of the Fund. In the year 1870 the District came into possession of two shares of Manchester and Lawrence Railroad stock from the estate of Mr. Edmund Adams, an old and highly re- spected resident of the District. The par value of this stock was one hundred dollars per share. It pays a dividend of ten per cent per annum. In May, 1897, an extra dividend of one hundred ninety- five and 95-100 dollars ($195.95) on the two shares was declared. This was deposited in the People's Savings Bank of Manchester and pays at the present time three and one-half per cent interest. This amount, with the original two hundred, forms what is known as the "Adams Fund," the income of which is to be expended in extra schooling for the District. This amounts to $23.50 and gives about 2i^ weeks each year. Mr. Adams, the donor of this fund, was a man who was deeply interested in the cause of education and prominent in the affairs of the District. He was the father of the Reverend Lucien H. Adams of Derry, the Honorary Presi- dent of the District Number Eight Old Home Association, who was for many years a missionary in Turkey. Mr. Lucien H. Adams graduated from Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, and from Dartmouth College in the class of 1858. He is the father of Edward F. Adams, who graduated from Harvard College in the class of 1896 ; Wal- ter S. Adams, who graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1898; and Helen Adams, who graduated from Bridgewater Normal School and from Johns Hopkins Uni- versity in the class of 1906. 40 It has been suggested that a portrait of Mr. Edmund Adams bo placed upon the wall of the school room in honor of his memory, and steps have already been taken to carry the suggestion into effect. "We hope before another year to see the plans perfected and the picture placed in posi- tion.* * A crayon portrait of Mr. Adams has been purchased by the Association and placed in the school room. Sketch Map of District Number Eight. (From the Government Survey, 1903.) THE FIRST CELEBRATION. By Reed Paige Clark. Preparations for the first celebration of the District Num- ber Eight Old Home Association were under way very early in the year 1907. The Committee on Ways and Means and the important Committee on Invitation were appointed at the outset by the Executive Committee. It was a difficult matter to prepare even an approximately complete list of teachers, pupils and former residents, but such a list was compiled largely through the untiring efforts of Mr. Annis, who was ably seconded by his colleagues on the Committee. Early in August attractive invitations were mailed to all non-residents eligible for membership in the Association whose names and addresses could be obtained. Committees whose duties did not involve such careful research as did those of the Committee on Invitation, but who devoted themselves to the immediate details of the celebration were appointed at a meeting of the Executive Board on July 10th. These committees went to work with a will and nothing was left undone that would contribute in the least to the success of the undertaking. The school house, through the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Crowell, had been re-papered, cleaned and put in perfect order prior to the entertainment of May 17th. Later the well was cleaned and a new pump installed. On the day before the celebration the Committee on Decorations and Order, having perfected their plans, repaired to Bartley Hill with the necessary assortment of brooms, scythes, rakes, shovels and other instruments of warfare. They were generously assisted by enthusiastic members of the Association who realized what a task was before them. The wall around the school house, overturned by pupils 42 in years gone by, was largely rebuilt. The grass was cut; the grounds carefully raked and graded; ropes were stretched for the tying of horses; tents pitched; and a thousand and one things attended to. The school house was tastefully decorated with bunting, loaned by London- derry Grange, and masses of goldenrod, sumac and other native flowers, while the flag was flung to the breeze from the top of its staff. The day of preparation was ideal, but August 21st dawned cloudy and threatening. All committees were early on the scene. A large tent, loaned by Mr. Frank A. Hardy, had been pitched directly in front of the school house, though at some distance from it. Flanking this tent on the right was a large shelter tent, while on the left, mar- shalled along the wall, were two small tents, one the head- quarters of the Secretary-Treasurer, and the commodious coffee tent. Below the pump a screen of birches ran across the grounds from the wall to the school house. The tea booth was at the angle of the wall by the road leading down the hill and a table loaded with refreshments for invited guests was set near by. About the grounds, in the tents and in the school house were chairs loaned by the town through the courtesy of Mr. Pettengill. A large conveyance had been provided to carry passen- gers to and from the station at Londonderry. Early in the day it began to discharge its human freight, Lawrence's Orchestra of five pieces being among the first arrivals. And then came the rain, — not a gentle shower, but a regular downpour that lasted until late in the afternoon. It was the irony of fate that the stormiest day of the season should come on August 21st, sandwiched between two of the most beautiful days in the entire summer. Nevertheless the celebration was in every way a success. Although many were kept at home, although many who had the courage to venture out left before the exercises began, yet some three or four hundred remained, jamming 43 the school room almost to suffocation. Not a word of com- plaint was heard, however. Every face was wreathed in smiles, and those who took part in the program were re- warded with hearty applause. A large Reception Committee of representative residents was on duty during the day. Through the kindness of the Morrison family lemonade was served to all. Post-cards of the present school house were on sale, and the member- ship of the Association was doubled and trebled, much to the delight of the Treasurer, who was enabled. to meet all bills and to have a balance to his credit. At two o'clock the assembly was called to order in the school room by President Annis. It had been intended to hold the exercises upon a platform erected for that purpose before the school house, but for obvious reasons this plan was abandoned. The program follows in detail: Program — August 21, 1907. Invocation. Singing by the audience: Auld Lang Syne. Home Again. Historical Sketch by Daniel Gage Annis. Singing by the audience: Old Oaken Bucket. Letters from Absent Friends, read by the Secretary. Five-Minute Addresses. Singing by the audience: America. Music by the orchestra. The Secretary read letters of regret from a number of former teachers and pupils, among whom were the fol- lowing : Mrs. Mary F. C. (March) Hall, of Long Pine, Nebraska, — a teacher in 1866 : Can it be possible that forty years have passed since I taught in District Number Eight! And yet we are face to face with the stern truth that time has been swiftly passing, and the boys and girls of that happy summer time are now men and women, doing their part in the world's work. Some, alas! finished their work 44 before the noontide of life and are now "resting from their labors." I, in a quiet way, have been trying to live not for self alone. I would like to tell those boys and girls some of my experiences during my stay in Iowa and Nebraska, but you will have many letters to read and the time would be too short. Suffice it to say that I am living a very happy life, with my family near me, and renewing my youth in the love of the little children who call me grandmother. My visits to Londonderry have always been in the earlier months of the year and I have missed the enjoyment of Old Home Week. But while I have lived so many years in the West, and have be- come, in a way, westernized, I have never forgotten my old New England home or the dear friends of long ago. And now from my far away western home let me send a kindly greeting to one and all of the dear friends of other days, and when you call the roll of teachers, listen, for the western wind may whisper. Here! Mrs. Harriet L. (Warner) PuUen, of Newton ville, Mas- sachusetts, — a teacher in 1867 : It is with much pleasure that I look back upon the summer spent at the schoolhouse on Bartley Hill, and I remember well many of my pupils, some of whom I have met from time to time since then, but most of them I have not seen since the last day of that term. Mary and Lucy Perkins, always ready with well prepared les- sons; Plummer Crowell, a bright, pleasant boy; Lizzie Crowell, Abbie Adams, Charlie Barker and many others. I remember one little boy who found much difficulty in learning his letters. I have often thought of him in connection with the modern method 01 teaching children to read. The entire system of teaching is so changed, we are led to exclaim: "Surely old things have passed away. Behold all things have become new!" However, I still cling, in spite of progress, to many of the old-fashioned ideas and methods. Miss Emma L. Jenness, of Chicago, Illinois, — a teacher in 1868 and 1869 : It is almost forty years since, during two pleasant summer ses- sions, I so enjoyed my work there with my big girls, Ella Benson, Etta McGregor, Etta Barker, Abbie Adams and Lucy Perkins. 45 Then there were Edmund Richardson, Charlie Barker, Frank Colby, David Perkins, Frank Bagley, Frank Benson, Plummer Crowell and little Willie McGregor and Frank Hovey. Emma Per- kins is the only baby girl of whom I can think, and there were Josle Chase, Sadie Crowell, Emma and Carrie McGregor of the "middle size." I know there were many more dear boys and girls, and I wish I could recall their names. I should like a list of the names of all who were my pupils there. I wonder how many of them will be present in just one week from today. How many, I wonder, will remember having had a teacher by the name of Miss Jenness? A beautiful copy of Whittier's Poems and a photograph album are among the treasures precious to my heart. Through all these years remains the memory of my speaking im- pulsively to the dear, dear girls who came in late one warm af- ternoon just as the term was drawing to a close, bringing a deeper pink to the cheeks already flushed with rapid walking in the glow- ing sunshine. After the Last Day Exercises were over and the book with loving, tender words of appreciation had been pre- sented, while the good-byes were being said, I learned why the girls were late at noon that day. The ache in my heart has never left it. My eyes are filled with tears as I write. It is the only touch of sadness connected with my Number Eight days. I could write pages of happy memories. There is not one pupil whose name has come to mind since beginning this of whom I could not tell things interesting, — things "rememberful." Oh, if I could but be "in presence there" next Wednesday! Please let no one so much as think in his head "It is perhaps well she is confined to writing — that she can not be here to talk." Mr. and Mrs. Henry Crowell were my first Number Eight friends. It was through their influence that I went there, and they never let go by any opportunity to help make my life pleas- ant and homelike. Mr. Andrew Mack was the examining com- mittee and Mr. Washington Colby the prudential. My boarding place was at Mr. Isaac Dow's, but not many nights in succession went by that I did not go home with some of the children to take supper and to spend the evening. That good old custom has, I am afraid, almost died out. At no home was I oftener or more warmly welcomed than at that of Mr. and Mrs. John Dickey. Of course I was often at Reed P. Clark's, for Will and Sallie and I were old Pinkerton schoolmates. * * * I shall think of you next Wednesday. I hope the day will be perfect and the company large. I trust some will think of me, speak of me; and there may be a few to say "I went to school to Miss Jenness"; more perhaps to say "She was my father's 46 teacher" or "My mother, who went to school to Miss Jenness, has often told me of her." You see, friends, that as people grow older the knowledge that they are not forgotten grows more and more precious. You see, don't you, that I am growing old? Well, I am satisfied to have it so. So far, each year has been the best year. Rev. Myron P. Dickey, of Milton, New Hampshire, — a teacher in 1871 : The rural school district is the first little world whence the great part of the men and women have come that have so far met the grave problems which continuously arise. Modern methods of education change as everything else, but it is doubtful if there will ever be a school for all-round training of youth better than the mixed country school, with a moderate number of pupils and an enthusiastic, high-souled teacher. They learned from each other; the younger looked up to their elders; the older members felt themselves looked up to and were inspired to set worthy examples. Mrs. Etta M. (Young) Newman, of Westminster, Massa- chusetts, — a teacher in 1884 and 1885 : Very pleasant memories come of my association with pupils and parents in District Number Eight, and I have much for which to be grateful in my very pleasant relations with both while teach- ing my four successive terms on Bartley Hill. Changes have come to all of us; faces and forms have van- ished; new names are on the school roll. When we meet in the school under "The Great Master," may every name we love and cherish be found filling an honored place! Miss Mary E. Perkins, of Boston, Massachusetts, writ- ing from Austria: I have wandered far from that dear old school house this sum- mer and have seen the cities which were only a name to me then — quite as mythical as "Far Cathay" or "Ancient Troy." Now I know that Rome and Florence and Venice and Geneva do really exist and that they are very beautiful, but they can never make me forget the scenes or friends of my childhood, which will seem more beautiful than ever when next I see them. There is no country like the United States, no state like New Hampshire, no town like Londonderry, and no school like Number Eight. 47 Five-minute addresses were made by the Reverend Lu- eien H. Adams of Derry, who in the course of his remarks exhibited a number of articles formerly owned by his father;* Colonel William S. Pillsbury of Londonderry; Hon. Leonard H. Pillsbury of Derry; James Morrison of Cambridge, Massachusetts ; Mrs. Ella A. Huse of Derry ; and by those whose addresses are herewith printed in full. Henry Goodwin, of the Crawford House, Boston, Mas- sachusetts : It is more ttiau fifty-five years since I attended scliool on Bart- ley Hill, where this structure now stands. This is the only time that I have ever entered this lineal descendant of the "Old Red School House," but memory, true to her traditional trustworthi- ness, holds sacred and secure the experiences of those boyhood days. It is hard to recall that on any particular day anything was learned that was valuable as an asset, to be placed in the storehouse of accumulated wisdom for future use in the intelli- gent performance of the duties of life. The fact is that a boy never completes his education, if ever, till he gets away from teachers' books and schoolhouses and runs up against the really difficult problems of life, the answer to which is not in the text books. Incidents are more easily recalled than the solution of dif- ficult problems. The district was so bounded that from the north, south, east and west, every child had a steep hill to climb, and no change could be made except to make four districts instead of one, with four schoolhouses and four teachers and a division of the school term by four. I recall the wood stove in the center of the room, sometimes as cold as the northern hinges on the door of a receiving tomb in ♦These articles, with certain books used in his own early life, were pre- sented to the Association by Mr. Adams August 19, 1908. They comprise : An ancient play-box made about 1792 and used by Edmund Adams. A coat worn by Edmund Adams in 1806, when four years of age. And the following books, all of which were used in Number Bight : The Only Sure Guide to the English Tongue, by William Perry. (1790.) A Compendious System of tjniversal Geography, by Elijah Parish, D U. (1813.) The IJnderstanding Reader, by Daniel Adams, M. B. (1815.) Practical and Mental Arithmetic, by Roswell C. Smith, 1833. A Practical System of Modern Geography, by J. Olney, A. M. 1888. 48 January, and again glowing with the intense heat made possible by the excessive use of white oak and maple. The older boys took turns with the teacher in making the fire, and I felt proud when thought big enough to take my turn with the rest and to be asked to bring one cent towards buying a broom. I remember taking one egg to Mr. Anderson's store and with it getting a slate pen- cil. When I asked if he would let me have two for that price he said he would break it in the middle for me. I recall distinctly the boys and girls of those days, most of whom, though gone from us, yet live in the second and third generations represented here today. Some have become prominent in business and in profes- sional life and to them the pulpit, the press and the platform are familiar; some are honorably serving as teachers in other fields; others have homes of their own made richer than they will ever know by what they have learned from teachers and text books in Number Eight. I believe in the district school system. Its one glory is this, that the boys and girls, with shoes and stockings or barefooted, place their feet upon the same level floor but put their heads where they have the will to put them, and this is why they do not go forth into the world like a paper of pins with their heads all alike. If my desire for knowledge had been one half as keen as my appetite for the lunch that mother put up to appease my mid- day hunger, a man of letters in the place of your uninformed alumnus might be talking to you today. I was taught to obey the teacher, to be kind to my schoolmates, to remember what I learned from the Bible as well as from text books, to consider the Golden Rule as the Magna Carta of God's Kingdom on earth. So character was being formed in which was the purpose to do right for truth's sake, and now to those far-off days I backward look for much that has been helpful and inspiring during all the in- tervening years. And now while here assembled, believing that the teaching in good old Number Eight has helped us to attain to that which makes for what is noblest and best in manhood and womanhood in the line of physical, mental and moral develop- ment, let us renew our pledge of unswerving loyalty to this shrine of our hearts' devotion, and ere this gray day shall darken into night — by all the hallowed memories that cluster here, by the dignity of our birthright, by the flag we love, re-baptized in the blood of those who made its supremacy possible and permanent. Let us go forth to new duties, knowing that we reach the limit of our obligations only when we reach the limit of our ability to make the world better. 49 "Up, brothers, up, and join the glorious strife. Where man is struggling for a loftier life; Deep through earth's yearning universal heart. New hopes, new energies, new beings start. Old bondage breaks, old chains are rent and riven. Freedom from all her mountains shouts to Heaven, False creeds are crumbling, man's first faith and best, The source of all the good in all the rest, The pure, the bright, the heavenly and the true. Eternal, vital and forever new, These, these instinct with impulse from above Go conquering on to rule the world by love."* Mr. Arthur H. Hale, of Manchester, — a teacher in 1883 : One beautiful afternoon in the Indian summer of 1883, my thoughts were directed to the famous old school of District Num- ber Eight by Professor Parker of Hanover. My struggle for an education at Dartmouth required me to teach that winter and I had made several applications for a position. Up to that time I had not made much progress. It appeared that the professor had received an urgent request for a good teacher of experience for this district. Fortunately for me the experienced teachers al- ready had other engagements, so he offered to recommend me. But word came back that it was a hard school. No one but a teacher tried and true could be accepted. A week or two passed. Then I was informed that they would try me and I might do if I would come quick. Meanwhile I had read "The Hoosier School- master" and prepared myself for all kinds of capers on the part of the pupils. A bleak fall day gave me my first acquaintance with the town of Londonderry and my little trunk was thrown off at Wilson's. One of the prudential committee was at the little station and on the road to my boarding place he laid down the law and prepared me for serious business in a kind but forcible way. Many mis- givings as to my ability to handle your excellent school and vis- ions of being thrown headlong from one of the windows or stowed away in the capacious stove were not at all diminished when I saw on the first morning of school in the front row as one of my scholars great, big-chested Charlie Tilly. If he knew how many nightmares he gave me he would be surprised. It was amusing indeed to the scholars to see him reciting to a little fellow like myself. One day as he stood by his seat reading, he came to a sudden stop. I tried to help him out, but he persisted in holding *From "The World's Hope," by George Lansing Taylor. 50 his book away up above my head. Off my guard, I started to climb upon a chair near by, but a smile here, a ripple there, and a laugh of increasing dimensions everywhere warned me only in time to hastily say to him "Yes, that's right, very good. You may take your seat." I will say for Charlie that he was always a good, big-hearted fellow and proved the least of all my troubles. The boys and girls, forty and more, were without exception at- tentive and considerate. Indeed, I was not prepared for so much consideration. Young and bashful, I was almost overwhelmed the first week when one of the handsome young ladies, on my offering her assistance over a stone wall, sweetly replied: "Thank you, dear." Many times since have my thoughts reverted to that delightful winter among the snowy hills of Londonderry and in the family of Mr. Floyd, distinguished for good cheer and kind hospitality, as one of the happy and profitable experiences of my life, an in- centive and inspiration. I assert with confidence that the keen air from these rugged hills developed the robust frames of the native children and gave them a kind of strength better adapted to violent exertions of mind and body and inspired them with a constitutional bravery and enterprise. What wonder is it that your young men and women go forth to our cities and take the lead in every walk of life! Their common school education is practical and fits them for the real struggle of life. In youth they are free from the luxurious entertainments of the city, which enervate the body and soften the mind. Strong, sturdy manhood once attained becomes permanent. It success- fully resists corruption in contact with the outside world. As the world improves, the opportunity for real individual success wid- ens — not money success but the success of service which brings all material reward necessary for human content. There is a real demand for captains of industry who will work for service and not for play. Shams are being exposed. Mere money is losing its power over men. Character is now the prime requisite. The world is really growing better. The higher standards of conduct which each one of us sets up for himself tell us this is so. To be cheerfully optimistic is the duty of all. To lend a hand in every good cause, to help while we may, is the motto of every true man, whatever his occupation. "I've toiled with the men the world has blessed; I've toiled with the men who have failed; I've toiled with the men who strove with zest; And I've toiled with the men who wailed. 51 And this is the tale my soul would tell, As it drifts o'er the harbor bar: The sound of a sigh don't carry well, But the lilt of a laugh rings far." Hope is the beacon that lures men onward. But the light from the star of hope is but the reflection of the fire in the heart filled with bright memories of the past. Without memories of the past we can have but small hope for the future. Memories of deeds accomplished but lead on to greater deeds, and the mem- ories of good old District Number Eight are the brightest of them all. Mrs. William H. Seaman, of Washington, D. C, — a teacher in 1861: I will speak briefly of a tornado, remarkable for a region so far north, of which I was witness from this point in July, 1861, when I was teaching in Number Eight. A class of older pupils were remaining after the closing hour for an extra lesson, when we were attracted Dy a darkening of the sky and a "rushing mighty wind." We gathered at the win- dows and presently upon our left there appeared a dark column advancing from the woodland and swirling within it what ap- peared to be twigs and leaves, but which were really limbs and whole trees. We soon saw that its course was so far away from us that we were not in danger, so we watched this wonderful col- umn as it passed through the valley below. It reached from earth to sky, not ragged in its outline but clear cut. As it approached Lake Massabesic there arose before it from the water an enormous shape like the head of an elephant with trunk in air, as though trumpeting, and directly over it in the sky another head and trxmk reaching down to meet the first. As the tips of the trunks met each other they instantly formed a solid square column and joined the advancing huge one. A mo- ment later a great pyramid arose from the earth and an inverted pyramid came down from the sky just above it. Another square column formed as the points of these pyramids met and this also united with the main column and it so passed from our sight, having traversed the entire valley before us. These water spouts were both over Lake Massabesic, the first one over the larger lake, the second over the smaller. A picnic party, fishing, were just coming to the shore when the first spout formed and all the water in the lake appeared to be scooped up 52 away from them for the moment. The table on shore, spread with their luncheon, was so completely demolished and carried away that no trace of anything pertaining to it could be found after- wards. Fortunately the track of this tornado was through the forest and not in line with buildings, and few upon its borders suffered loss. In one house a woman, to shut out the wind coming through a broken window pane, put a child's hat into the open- ing, stuflBing the crown with a small cushion. These were in- stantly torn from her hands and later were found, in opposite di- rections, a half mile each from the house. For nearly a year the track of this notable tornado was marked by a blood-red band of broken and uprooted trees, as though a fire had passed through the woodland; and several years later the United States Weather Bureau sent one of its experts' to gather full information of the event for permanent record in the Bureau. George Brickett, of Melrose, Massachusetts, — a teacher in 1858 and 1862: It gives me pleasure to be present at this District Number Eight Old Home Day reunion. Whenever an Old Home Day cele- bration is proposed our thought is directed to the old, for they are an absolutely necessary feature of such celebrations. While I have been observing you today in your earnest conver- sations, not hearing your words, my imagination became excited. I imagined one of you of the young class asking an older: "Who is that fine-looking gentleman over there?" The older replied: "Why, that is James Morrison! Don't you know him?" "Of course I know Mr. Morrison," said the younger, "but who is that ministerial appearing gentleman?" "Why," said the older, "I sup- posed everybody knew him. That is Henry Goodwin." "I know Mr. Goodwin," replied the younger, "and I want to know who is that handsome man over there." "Oh, that is George Brickett," was the reply, "and he was my teacher in this district forty-nine years ago. Don't you know him?" In a slightly impatient man- ner the younger answered: "How do you suppose I should know who was your teacher twenty-nine years before I was born?" While I was thus imagining, a vision appeared. I saw myself standing by the teacher's desk and looking into the faces of the Morrisons, the McGregors, the Barkers, the Sargents, the Blodg- etts, the Noyes, the Clarks, the Perkins, the Whitcombs, the Whittemores, the Goodwins, the Huntees, the Crowells, the Boyces, tne Pettengills, the Atwoods, the Dows, the Dakins, and the entire 53 school, and if I should uow listen I think I might hear their voices. I saw the young teacher who, though able to pass the examination, had come to this district to learn what he had not learned at the academy. Right on this spot I learned that every intelligent human being is born with a desire to learn and he will retain that desire until ignorant parents or incompetent teachers obscure it by their blackguardism. Young parents and young teachers! I offer you advice based on my experience as teacher in this district and subsequently in Massachusetts. Some children are bright and some are dull, but all want to learn. You can not stop the bright ones and you can help the dull ones. Teachers! I know how pleasing it is to read in the committee's report that under my direction the pupils had made rapid prog- ress. The fact was that I could not have stopped the bright ones in their progress. But the dull ones who had progressed by my help could not make the brilliant showing on examination day, and I was given credit not for helping the dull but for not hin- dering the bright. Parents! If you admit that your child is dull, don't abuse him. He wants to learn. Help him! Don't blackguard him, don't call him stupid, don't tell him that little Johnny Brown knows more than he does, don't tell him that you are too busy, don't deaden his desire to learn. To be sure, we have seen children who seemed indifferent and who did not show the desire to learn, but God never made such a child, and, for everyone who shows such indifference, there is a day of judgment for the parent or the teacher who by blackguardism has destroyed a mind. Destroyed a mind? No, no, mind can not be destroyed and that child's mind is now willing and anxious for development, but is waiting for kind and humane treatment. I believe the highest reward an instructor can receive in this world is that which appears in the face of the dull child awakened to the truth that he can learn when treated as one worthy of acquiring knowledge. And a second vision appeared. I saw you people assembling here forty-nine years hence at another Old Home Day reunion and enjoying the reciting of the events of 1907, but I could not clearly see the positions which the old of today would then occupy. Through a cloud we seemed to be present at District Number Eight Old Home Day of 1956, but, before the mist had rolled away, the vision vanished and left me to hope and trust. My young friends! I thank you for your sympathy and your hearty cooperation in giving to the old this opportunity for hap- piness such as you will not realize until you are old. Laughter 54 and hilarity seem to be emblematic of pleasure, but one step higher on the ladder of happiness is the feeling of sadness. May you live to reach that step and fully realize the happiness you have given us today! The long, long ago, and the sweet, sweet home have been feel- ingly expressed in three charming melodies, and by request of my schoolmate as well as pupil, Mr. Harlan P. Morrison, I will en- deavor to interpret them. Mr. Brickett then played on the harmonica the songs "Long, Long Ago," and "Home, Sweet Home," and re- cited ' ' The Long Years ' ' by Thomas Moore : And doth not a meeting like this make amends For all the long years I've been wand'ring away — To see thus around me my youth's early friends. As smiling and kind as in that happy day? Though haply o'er some of your brows, as o'er mine. The snow-fall of time may be stealing — what then? Like Alps in the svmset or smooth-flowing Rhine, We'll wear the gay tinge of youth's roses again. What softened remembrances come o'er the heart, In gazing on those we've been lost to so long! The sorrows, the joys, of which once they were pari. Still round them, like visions of yesterday, throng, As letters some hand hath invisibly traced. When held to the flame will steal out on the sight, So many a feeling, that long seem'd effaced, The warmth of a moment like this brings to light. So brief our existence, a glimpse, at the most. Is all we can have of the few we hold dear; And oft even joy is unheeded and lost, For want of some heart, that could echo it, near. Ah, well may we hope, when this short life is gone. To meet in some world of more permanent bliss. For a smile, or a grasp of the hand, hast'ning on, Is all we enjoy of each other in this. And thus, as in memory's bark we shall glide, To visit the scenes of our boyhood anew, Tho' oft we may see, looking down on the tide. The wreck of full many a hope shining through, 55 Yet still, as in fancy we point to the flowers, That once made a garden of all the gay shore, Deceived for a moment, we'll think them still ours, And breathe the fresh air of life's morning once more. After reading this melody Mr. Brickett asked the Presi- dent to permit him to express good-bye sentiments through the voice of his wife, and, leading her to the platform, he accompanied with the harmonica while Mrs. Brickett very feelingly and very sweetly sang the following parting song : ^ ■!M , 1 J ^m t -♦- ♦P -^ tfrm^f*-^ ^laKa^- <.^r**,ji. \;\\fr^U':\ # f*^ -hf 1*\ •; "V :i '/ I J ^ ^g u\ tiie g>^c t :^^ -fc*- X^ <^ Va^ t^ e^i^LaJfty CaM^j, "fojUi^Wc j^ ho^.luc^/. Cw . j^-r^r r | r't \'\- \ m- | ^ J',. . ^ ,. | _^ | | While we've wandered we have hearkened For the voice of Home, Sweet Home, And we heard Old Home Day calling: "Wand'ring pilgrims, homeward come!" We have come to meet companions In the grand old Granite State, And we never shall forget thee. Dear loved District Number Eight. We've renewed the dear old friendships, Hand in hand, and heart to heart, But our joy gives way to sadness; Time is fleeting — we must part. 56 We must part — but not forever. For a spirit ne'er can die. We shall meet in God's Own Homeland, Nevermore to say: "Good-bye." Mrs. Mary J. (Reid) Whittemore, of Manchester, — a teacher in 1863, 1864 and 1865 : Forty-four years in the future stretches away a long distance, so far that neither eye nor thought can see the end. Turning to the past, it is now forty-four years since I first came as teacher to District Number Eight, which was the largest school in town, numbering sixty-four pupils in summer and sixty-eight in winter. The next year I taught the spring term, the winter term being taught by Mr. Joseph R. Clark. In 1865 I taught both terms and also a select term of six weeks. I have many pleasant recollections of the weeks spent in the good old district, for the pupils were eager to learn as well as to please by their good conduct. One writer has said: "No college has played a more important part in the educational history of our country than has the dis- trict school house." For one, I thank you that you have entertained the idea of a reunion, and that you have called back the wandering pupils of District Number Eight, with their teachers, to participate with you in the pleasures of this occasion. Those of us who have stopped even for a short time on Bartley Hill and looked out upon those grand old mountains in the west, not so many miles distant, with the hills and valleys between, will have their images so stamped upon the memory that time can never efface them. Today these have not changed, but what of the families that were here forty years ago? A shade of sad- ness comes over us as we call to mind Mr. David Barker, Mr. and Mrs. Dow, Mr. and Mrs. E. Young, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Crowell, Mr. and Mrs. Washington Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. Reed P. Clark, and the superintending school committee, Mr. John Dickey and Dr. John Haynes. The questions they would ask the pupils in reference to the different branches they had been pursuing were well calculated to bring to the surface what the pupils had learned as well as what they had not. As we meet the many dear friends and old acquaintances here touay, "How varied will be the emotions awakened by memories that will come trooping from the past, precious and dear to us all." I count it a great privilege and honor to be one with you today. 57 COMMITTEES FOR AUGUST 21, 1907. Reed Paige Clark. Mrs. Charles Adams. Ruth M. E. Blodgett. William Clark. Daniel G. Aunls. WAYS AND MEANS. D. B. McGregor. Mrs. John E. Ray. Frank N. Colby. INVITATION. William H. Crowell. Prank N. Colby. Lucy W. Perkins. Mrs. Frank N. Colby. ENTEETAINMENT. Mrs. Fred E. Annis. William H. Crowell. DECOBATIONS AND OBDEB, William Clark. Fred E. Annis. William H. Crowell. Mrs. William H. Seaman. Lucy W. Perkins. Carl Floyd. James M. Noyes. George N. Watts. Elizabeth Morrison. Dorcas Morrison. Mrs. Arthur L. Evans. Arthur L. Evans. Mrs. R. L. Pettengill. KEFBESHMENT. Charles H. Watts. Mrs. Charles H. Watts. Mrs. Charles S. Greeley. TEA. Mrs. Frank N. Colby. Mrs. William H. Crowell. Charles U. Annis. COFFEE. Mrs. Charles Adams. TEANSPOBTATION. Daniel G. Annis. HOW THE MONEY WAS RAISED. As the fees for registration constitute the only regular source of income of the Association and as it is not intended at any time to circulate subscription papers to raise funds, it was found necessary to resort to extraordinary means to meet the expenses of the first celebration. How these ex- penses were met is shown in the following letters : On May 7th a meeting of the Executive Committee of the As- sociation was called at the home of Mrs. William H. Crowell for the purpose of discussing ways and means of raising money to defray the expenses of the celebration in August. It was voted to give a baked bean supper and social at the school house on May 17th. Two committees were appointed, the one of which Miss Lucy W. Perkins was chairman to arrange a suitable program for the evening's entertainment, and the other to have entire charge of providing the supper and serving the same. Mrs. William Clark was elected chairman of this committee and much credit is due her for her splendid management. The evening of May 17th proved to be mild and beautiful, and truly it may be said that all roads, on that night at least, led to the old school house on Hartley Hill. The school room was filled to overflowing. Many of the older ones present had not been in the school building for years and to them especially it was like renewing their youth. All present, whether former pupils or strangers in the district, entered into the spirit of the evening with the enthusiasm of boys and girls. And the supper! Certainly it was a supper long to be remem- bered, and to sit again at the old desks piled high with good things was in striking contrast to former school days. The entertainment proved as great a treat as the supper. Mr. Alden Youngman, a brother of the late Mrs. Washington Per- kins of this district, was present and sang several pleasing ballads of the olden time. Earlier in his life Mr. Youngman was a public singer of note and the numerous encores given him were sufficient proof that he had by no means lost the power to charm his hearers. 59 Miss Susie Magoon, the daughter of a former pupil at Number Eight, played several violin solos, which were well received. Great credit is due her for her excellent work. Too much praise can not be given Miss Lucy Laws, a public reader of Derry. The old school house rang with applause at the close of each of her readings. The evening proved a grand success, and everyone, in the dis- trict and elsewhere, who contributed in any way whatever toward the affair has just cause to be proud. Mrs. William H. Ceowell, Chairman Executive Committee. ECHO FARM SOCIAL. At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Evans, the second en- tertainment was given June 25, 1907, for the benefit of the Old Home celebration. A beautiful day was promised until five o'clock, when the clouds began to gather and a heavy shower forced its unwelcome arrival. For a time things began to look doubtful and what promised to be a lawn party was changed to a house social. A plentiful repast, consisting of baked beans, salads, cakes and pies, was served in the dining room. After the supper an enter- tainment was given by the young people who in former years at- tended the school. This entertainment, which was of the highest order, was enjoyed by all. The readings, music, both vocal and instrumental, and chorus singing reflected much credit upon the performers. A gi-aphophone concert was given by Mr. Charles H. Watts on the spacious piazza. All who attended thoroughly enjoyed the evening and it will go down on record as one spent most acceptably both socially and financially. Ruth M. E. Blodgett. In the latter part of July a lawn party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Annis for the benefit of Number Eight. The evening was passed in games and dancing. Ice cream and cake were served. The proceeds of the evening added very con- siderably to the fund for the district celebration. Chaeles Annis. OCT m L£Ja'09 ''^K School District Number Eight