Class 
 Book 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 
 
SHARON, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS, 
 — rnK^ — - 
 
 HEALTHIEST TOWN 
 
 NEW ENGLAND. 
 
 Copyrighted October, 1892 
 
 r>\ w. i;. \\i(Ki:s. 
 
 SIIAIJON : 
 . ( I !•• K H 1-; OK rill 
 
 IS'.I'J. 
 
•4 
 
SHARON, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS, 
 
 THE 
 
 HEALTHIEST TOWN 
 
 -TX- 
 
 NEW ENGLAND 
 
 BY W. B. WICKES. 
 
 <3Cj3S7^ 
 
 SHAllOX: / -5 
 
 rRINTEI) AT THE OFFICE OF THE ADVOCATE. 
 OCT. 189-2. 
 

IXTRODUCTION. 
 
 This book is published to make Sharon 
 better known and appreciated. ;^t gives 
 information about the town and answers 
 questions often asked by strangers. It is 
 intended for gratuitous circuhition and 
 extra copies will be cheerfully furnished 
 physicians and others on application to 
 me. To ihose seeking homes, Sharon of- 
 fers attractions unexcelled by any other 
 locality. 
 
 Nature has given Sharon pure air, pure 
 water and good drainage, which are the 
 three great requisites to health and hap- 
 piness. We have also tine walks and 
 drives and beautiful scenery, and all these 
 things can be enjoyed without sacrificing 
 scarcely anything desiral)le that the resi- 
 dents of large cities have been accustomed 
 to enjoy. Further information about the 
 town will be cheerfully furnished on ap- 
 plication l)y letter or otherwise. I have 
 a long distance telephone in my residence 
 and can be communicated with at all 
 times from any telephone. My carriage 
 is at Sharon station every day except Sat- 
 urday and Sunday, on the arrival of the 
 11.00 A. M. and 2.05 P. M. trains from 
 Boston, and is at the service of those de- 
 sirous of seeing property that is for sale 
 or to let. To those seeking board, a car- 
 riage and driver will be furnished at rea- 
 sonable rates. 
 
 WILLIAM B. WICKES. 
 
 Sharon, Mass., October 1, 1802. 
 
HOW TO REACH SHARON. 
 
 SharoQ is seventeen miles from Boston 
 and twenty-five from Providence, on the 
 main line of the Providence Division of 
 the Old Colony Railroad. There are thir- 
 teen trains from Boston each week-day, 
 including a theatre train, and four trains 
 from Boston on Sunday. Time of trains 
 from Boston, twenty-nine to forty min- 
 utes. This road is one of the oldest, best- 
 equipped and most carefully managed 
 roads in the country. It crosses no draw- 
 bridges, is double-tracked with heavy 
 steei rails its entire length, and the trains 
 are supplied with plenty of cars, so each 
 passenger can have a seat. 
 
 As most of the trains are express be- 
 tween Boston and Sharon and consume 
 but thirty minutes between the two places, 
 it will be seen that w^e are practically as 
 near Boston as many places that join that 
 city. 
 
 The Boston station on Columbus Ave- 
 nue and Park Square, at the foot of Bos- 
 ton Common, is convenient and comfort- 
 able, and ai'chitecturally, is the most beau- 
 tiful in the United States. It is said by 
 those who have travelled extensively to 
 be unequaled in the world, when conven- 
 ience, looks and surroundings are taken 
 into account. The station in Sharon is 
 also well adapted to the Avants of the 
 travelling public and is supplied with the 
 famous Sharon Spring water, and the 
 yard and grounds are finely graded and 
 embellished with shrubs and flowers. 
 
Siugle fares from Sharon to Boston, 
 forty cents; five tickets, one dollar and 
 seventj'-five cents, or thirty-tive cents 
 each ; a three months' ticket, twenty dol- 
 lars; a two months' ticket, fifteen dol- 
 lars; one month, eight dollars. The net 
 cost on a three months' ticket is only 
 twelve cents a trip; on a two months' 
 fourteen cents, and on a one month ticket 
 fifteen cents. Single fares from Sharon 
 to Providence, sixty cents. One thous- 
 and mile tickets, good on any portion of 
 the Old Colony system, twenty dollars. 
 Passengers' from New York can reach 
 Sharon by the all-rail Shore Line or by 
 the Providence steamboat line. To drive 
 from Boston to Sharon, take Brush Hill 
 turnpike and come via Canton. From Ja- 
 maica Plain come via Dedham and Nor- 
 wood. From New Bedford, Taunton and 
 Fall River, come via Easton Furnace or 
 come by rail via Mansfield. 
 
 Sharon has tine mail facilities, there 
 being thirteen mails to and from the 
 postotlice each week-day. The Western 
 Union Telegi-aph Company has an ottice 
 in the railroad station, and the Avires of 
 the New England Telephone Company 
 enable us to talk with all the country. 
 Communication can be had at all hours of 
 the day or night, direct with my residence 
 ill Sharon from any telephone in Boston 
 or any of the surrounding towns, and, in 
 fact, by means of the long distance tele- 
 phone, with almost any large city in the 
 land. As the railroad time-table is liable 
 
6 
 
 to slight changes it is omitted from this 
 book, but a correct one will be furnished 
 on application. 
 
 DESCRIPTION. 
 
 Sharon, Norfolk County, Massachusetts 
 offers great inducements to the farmer, 
 the poultry-keeper. the gardener, the manu- 
 facturer, and the invalid, as also to those 
 seeking a quiet, pleasant home. Its at- 
 tractions as a suburban residence, espec- 
 ially to those doing business in Boston, 
 Providence, and neighboring towns and 
 cities, are unequalled by any other place 
 within fifty miles of Boston. 
 
 Sharon is the most elevated town in 
 eastern Massachusetts and from its sit- 
 uation and the nature of the soil, the nat- 
 ural drainage is almost perfect. It is at 
 the summit of the watershed of three riv- 
 ers, and it is a singular fact though a 
 very large town in extent, yet not one 
 drop of water runs into it from any other 
 town, but water runs out of Sharon into 
 each of the seven adjoining towns. 
 Thus it will be seen that the air and the 
 water of Sharon can never be polluted by 
 the drainage of any other town. 
 
 The town is from two hundred to five 
 hundred and thirty feet above sea level. 
 It is sheltered on the east by the Blue 
 Hills of Milton. The soil is gravelly and 
 contains iron, and there is a great deal of 
 pine wood growing in the town. All of 
 these thinjis, with the perfect drainage, 
 tend to make the air of Sharon pure and 
 healthy; but in addition to all this, some 
 
as yet undiscovered law, causes a larffc 
 amount of ozone to ahvays exist in the 
 air here, making it at all times soft, balmy 
 and extremely agreeable. • Even the much 
 and justly abused east wind is deprived 
 of its harshness here and is not disagree- 
 able. 
 
 In 1871 the Boston Traveller said : "In 
 a work on local causes of consumption 
 by ])r. Bowditch, published in 1852, he 
 speaks of Sharon as likely to be free 
 from lung diseases. The correctness of 
 his opinion is now shown by the oftlcial 
 records, from which it appears that one- 
 fourth of all who have died in the town 
 la the last five years were over eighty 
 years of age, and more have died from 
 old age than from consumption. 
 
 "In the first four months of this year, 
 one-half the deaths in the town were 
 from old age, and were of persons over 
 eighty-seven. It should be added that 
 Sharon is a growing town, Mith twenty 
 per cent, of its inhabitants between five 
 and twenty years of age." 
 
 More than fifty years ago, when the 
 Boston .<: Trovidence Railroad was being- 
 built. Major McNeil, who was tlien the 
 most eminent civil engineer in this coun- 
 try, spent some time in Sharon. He pub- 
 lished an article calling attention to the 
 remarkably pure air of Sharon, but at 
 that time the influence of climate on 
 health had not received attention and the 
 matter was forgotten until twenty years 
 later when the late A. 1). Bacon, M. D.> 
 
of Sharon, called the attention of other 
 physicians to the subject. 
 
 Dr. Bacon said: "I have never seen 
 contagious or infectious diseases become 
 epidemic here. I have had cases of small 
 pox, diphtheria and scarlet fever in their 
 most virulent form among my patients, 
 under cir^jumstances where we should 
 suppose they would spread fearfully, but 
 those most exposed did not take the dis- 
 ease." He also said : "All diseases seem 
 to yield more readily to medical treat- 
 ment here than in any other locality with 
 which I am acquainted." 
 
 Careful tests made under the direction 
 of a scientific man have shown more 
 ozone in the air of Sharon than in any 
 other place where tests have been made 
 east of the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 Ozone exists here in such quantities as 
 to destroy all disease germs in the atmos- 
 phere, so that no infectious or contagious 
 disease ever has become epidemic here, 
 and probably none ever will. The New 
 York Medical Tribune says : "Air loaded 
 with putrid or miasmatic exhalations is 
 immediately purified by contact with 
 ozonized air, and again a development of 
 such exhalation cannot well take place in 
 the presence of ozone. The action of 
 ozone on such impure air is extremely 
 powerful. According to Schoebein, an 
 atmosphere containing only 1-3240000 of 
 ozone is capable of destroying all noxious 
 matter contained in an equal volume of 
 miasmatic air. Where or whenever there 
 
is a deficiency of this (|uantity of ozone, 
 there will occur zymotic and contai^ions 
 liseases, such as typhoid, scarlatina, 
 measles, small pox, miasmatic fevers, 
 yellow fever, etc., as well as all sorts of 
 skin diseases." 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 By the official report of 1888 it appears 
 there were 22 deaths in Sharon that year, 
 of which number 8 were of persons who 
 came here in very feeble health. This 
 leaves the actual number of deaths of 
 Sharon people U, or less than 10 to 1000. 
 There were in town about 135 children 
 under o years of aire, and only 2 deaths 
 of children under 5 years, and yet some 
 30 of the children in town were waifs, 
 sent here to board, most of them weakly 
 and fed from the bottle. Can any other 
 town show such a record? Here comes 
 in my theory that Sharon milk is more 
 healthy than that from other towns. The 
 records will show that the chances of a 
 baby livina: to ijrow up are several times 
 better in Sharon than they are in almost 
 any other place. 
 
10 
 
 SHARON AS A HEALTH RESORT. 
 
 HAY FEVER, CONSUMPTIOX AND ROSE COLD 
 CURED. 
 
 The pure air of Sharon has always been 
 spoken of. It is of such a peculiar na- 
 ture that invalids feel its curative effects 
 at once, and I most earnestly advise the 
 sick and convalescent to .2;ive it a trial. 
 I can give the addresses of people who 
 have been cured by a residence in Sharon 
 of what was pronounced by the best doc- 
 tors to be the last stages of consumption, 
 and to assure everyone afflicted with lung 
 trouble that they will be sure to find re- 
 lief here, if they are not fully cured. 
 
 There have been many cases of Hay Fe- 
 ver and Rose Cold cured here. The air 
 of Sharon has been found beneficial for 
 very young children, and the several 
 charitable institutions of Boston, that 
 have charge of babies send many of their 
 wards here to board. Though these are 
 usually orphans who have inherited dis- 
 eases from one or both of their parents, 
 and are necessarily, while here, fed from 
 a bottle, yet with Sharon air and Sharon 
 milk, the great majority of them live and 
 thrive. 
 
 Physicians in Boston and in towns 
 nearer Sharon, having seen the effects of 
 Sharon air on these babies, are beginning 
 to send the weakly children of their 
 wealthy patrons here to board. 
 
II 
 
 The best physicians all over New Eng- 
 land and New York liave learned the ben- 
 eficial ettects of Sliaron air, and send their 
 chronic and convalescent patients to nie 
 to jjet them boarded, and thongh this part 
 of my business is of no benefit to me, I 
 am always happy to aid such people to 
 get places suited to their re(iuirements 
 and their purses, and from my long and 
 varied experience I am often able to make 
 valuable suggestions on the subject. 
 
 No person who is sick should go to any 
 far oft' land in search of health and rest, 
 until they have given Sharon a trial, since 
 here, one is not necessarily deprived of 
 an}' comfort, luxury, or medical attend- 
 ance that can be obtained in any city in 
 our land. Heineniber, the air of Sharon 
 is entirely difterent from that of any oth- 
 er town in the vicinity. Invalids will al- 
 most always feel its beneficial eftects as 
 soon as they arrive here, and the trouble 
 and cost of giving it a trial are merely 
 nominal. 
 
 I can give the addresses of doctors of 
 all schools in Boston, New York, New- 
 port, Fall River, New Bedford, and many 
 other places, who have had patients sick 
 with most of the diseases that flesh is heir 
 to, who have derived benefit from a resi- 
 dence here, but reference to them is hard- 
 ly necessary, since the l)est of the medi- 
 cal profession throughout the country are 
 enthusiastic in their praises of Sharon 
 air. But many times they find it hard to 
 convince their patients that so simple and 
 
12 
 
 easy a change as a journey to Sharon will 
 eftect their cure. 
 
 Said one of Boston's best physicians 
 not long ago: 'If I could make my 
 wealthy parents believe in Sharon as I 
 <lo, I could fill every house in your little 
 town, but they think they ought to go 
 away off somewhere." Again, we say to 
 all invalids, give Sharon air a trial. It 
 won't cost you much, and may and proba- 
 bly will benefit you as it has hundreds of 
 others. 
 
 Owners of fancy animals have found 
 that the air of Sharon is as beneficial to 
 beast as to man, and send their valuable 
 dogs and horses here to board. In 1872, 
 when almost every horse throughout the 
 land was sick with epizootic, our horses 
 in Sharon escaped, though used every 
 clay, thus showing that the ozone in the 
 air here does kill disease germs. In one 
 ease at that time, a horse driven into 
 town by a pedler, died of the disease, 
 while the expressman's horse in the next 
 stall, did not take it, though no special 
 precautions were used to previut it. 
 
 SHARON SANITARIUM. 
 
 The Sharon Sanitarium for the treat- 
 ment of incipient pulmonary troubles, is 
 the first one of the kind in New England, 
 though there are several successful ones 
 in Europe. It was located in Sharon on 
 account of the well known curative effects 
 of Sharon air and the pure water here. 
 The building was erected under the direct 
 
13 
 
 supervision of an eminent physician mIio 
 had examined the best sanitariums in the 
 ^vorld, and it contains every convenience 
 l^nown to medical science. The building 
 ■was opened to patients in February, 1891, 
 and in the short time it has been in opera- 
 tion its success has fully justiHed the 
 liopes of its founders. Althouuii a small 
 amount of Aveekly l)oard is charii:cd, the 
 institution is virtually a charitable one. 
 At present only Avomen patients are re- 
 ceived. It is hoped there will soon be 
 erected some small cottages adjoining the 
 present building, so that both sexes can 
 be received. Visiting days are Tuesdays, 
 Thursdays and Saturdays, from tAvo to 
 five o'clock. The Board of Directors is 
 as follows : Nathaniel H. Stone. Treasu- 
 rer, Fiske Building, State St., Reginald 
 Gray, Alfred Bowditch, L. Vernon Briggs, 
 Miss Olivia T. Bowditch, Miss M. Har- 
 riet Denny, Miss Alice M. Curtis, Mrs. 
 Horatio A. Lamb; Medical Directors, Vin- 
 cent Y. Bowditch, M. D., Robert W. Lov- 
 ett, M. D.; Consulting Physician, Fred- 
 erick L. Knight, M. D. 
 
 Applications for admission should be 
 addressed to "Superintendent of Sharon 
 Sanitarium, Sharon, Mass." The public 
 are invited to inspect it. 
 
 The Garten Sanitorium for the cure of 
 abnormal appetites for liquor, opium and 
 tobacco, is beautifully located in a pine 
 grove on the shore of Massapoag. This 
 sanitorium has been opened but a short 
 time but the success thus far achieved 
 
14 
 
 leads to the hope that it will do much 
 2ood. 
 
 The Sharon Water Company supplies 
 the town with an abundance of pure water 
 taken from an immense spring near the 
 head waters of the Neponset and Taun- 
 ton rivers. The waters of this and neigh- 
 boring springs have long been celebrated. 
 Tradition tells us that the Indians and 
 early settlers believed its use would cure 
 dyspepsia and jaundice and dissolve gall 
 and bladder stones, and even in our own 
 day, intelligent people ascribe wonderful 
 cures of different diseases to its use. 
 
 Chemical analysis, however, shows no 
 especial medicinal qualities, but a re- 
 markable absence of all deleterious qual- 
 ities, and as far as I am able to discover, 
 it is simply very pure water which re- 
 mains ever the same summer and winter. 
 Another remarJNable thing about it is that 
 it retains its purity and freshness a long 
 time if kept in glass. The spring flows 
 about 330,000 gallons a day. From its 
 great elevation there is no danger of its 
 ever being contaminated. The water is 
 raised by steam power to a standpipe, 
 from which it is distributed under a suf- 
 ficient head to enter the highest rooms 
 in the village and to extinguish fires, the 
 town being supplied with three well- 
 equipped and wxll-manned hose com- 
 panies and a hook and ladder company. 
 
15 
 
 TAXES AND TOWN AFl AI1J8. 
 
 Those who would reside where the pub- 
 lic aft'airs are carefully managed and the 
 'public money judiciously spent, and would 
 dodge those towns and cities where reck- 
 lessness and extravagance prevail, Avill 
 find in Sharon a desirable home. 
 
 The voters of Sharon are liberal in 
 malving appropriations for all objects 
 supported by town taxes, but so carefully 
 and judiciously is the money expended 
 that the tax is kept low, on a low valua- 
 tion. Politics never enter into town af- 
 fairs, the best men being chosen to office 
 -without regard to political parties. This 
 tOAvn was the first one in the State to sup- 
 ply free text-books to scholars. It sup- 
 ports a High School though not required 
 by law to do so, and the schools are all 
 kept forty weeks in a year. The schools 
 are partly supported by the income of an 
 invested fund, -which was given for that 
 purpose many years ago. The town debt 
 is small and iDcing rapidly diminished. 
 There is a very good Town Ilall, good fire 
 apparatus •well housed, and the town's 
 poor are well cared for on a large farm. 
 The appropriations recommended by the 
 different boards of town oflicers are gen- 
 erally voted without a dissenting voice. 
 Yet with all this liberality on the part of 
 the town, the tax rate averages only ten 
 dollars on one thousand dollars, and that, 
 as has been said, on a low valuation. 
 
 There is a reasonable hope that even 
 this low tax rate will soon be consider- 
 
16 
 
 ably reduced. The valuation of the town 
 is but little more than one million of dol- 
 lars. Should a few rich people gain a 
 residence here, as they talk of doing, tho 
 valuation of Sharon would be more than 
 doubled and the tax rate be reduced in 
 the same proportion. 
 
 The following extract from the Sharon 
 Advocate will serve to show^ what manner 
 of a town Sharon is : 
 
 "This town has neither the manufac- 
 tories nor the wealth of most of the ad- 
 joining towns, but in the moral and so- 
 cial standing of its people and its benevo- 
 lence and public spirit, it will compare 
 favorably with other towns. When a law 
 was passed permitting towns to furnish 
 text-books free to schools, it was just like 
 Sharon to be the first town in the State 
 to adopt the plan. It was just like Shar- 
 on to support a High School, though not 
 compelled by law to do so. For thirty 
 years it has been just like Sharon to vote 
 all the money the school committee asked 
 for, and these votes are generally passed 
 unanimously. In other towns and cities 
 appropriations are usually higgled over 
 and cut down. For thirty years it has 
 been just like Sharon to vote without 
 question almost every cent of money that 
 has been asked for, for every reasonable 
 purpose, and it has been just like Sharon 
 to spend that money so judiciously that 
 we take good care of our poor, have good 
 roads and low taxes. It is just like Shar- 
 on to have a fine Town Hall at a moder- 
 
17 
 
 ate cost ; a good Public Library ; to liave 
 its lake well stocked with fish; to have 
 the telephone and telegraph, and to have 
 railroad and mail accommodations unsur- 
 passed by any town of its size within a 
 like distance of Boston. More than fifty 
 years ago, a few citizens of Sharon sup- 
 plied themselves with pure water from 
 Sharon Springs, by forcing it np to an 
 elevation of one hundred feet, which was 
 something they had never seen accom- 
 plished, and which wise men told them 
 could never be done. This was just like 
 Sharon, and unlike any other town in the 
 vicinity; and now, when the old works 
 are inadequate, it is just like Sharon to 
 vote unanimously a liberal sum to sup- 
 ply the whole village with pure water. 
 We might mention many other commend- 
 able things in which Sharon is unlike oth- 
 er towns, if our space would permit." 
 
 STORES AND MARKETS. 
 
 Sharon being a farming town witli milk 
 farms, market gardens and poultry yards, 
 fresh and nice vegetables, poultry, milk, 
 and eggs are always to be had. Physi- 
 cians say that milk from cows kept in 
 Sharon is healthier than that from cows 
 kept in less healthy towus. This will not 
 seem unreasonable to those who know 
 how sensitive the nursing infant is to the 
 health of the woman who gives it suste- 
 nance. The stores and markets of Shar- 
 on supply meats, groceries and fruits, 
 equal in quality to the best sold in Bos- 
 
18 
 
 ton, and the vast woodlands of Sharon 
 supply an abundance of fuel to those who 
 would enjoy the healthy luxury of an open 
 w^ood fire. 
 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 Socially, Sharon is like most well or- 
 dered New England villages, much enliv- 
 ened of late, hoAvever, by the presence of 
 families and individuals of culture who 
 have come from other places to find pleas- 
 ant, healthy homes here. There is a 
 prosperous lodge of the Ancient Order of 
 United Workmen. The Masons, Odd 
 Fellows and Grand Army members meet 
 with lodges in Canton, which is only 
 three miles away. The Sharon members 
 of the Grand Army maintain an outpost 
 and reading room. There arc Chatauqua, 
 Unity and several other literary clubs 
 and societies which enliven the winter 
 evenings for those socially inclined. 
 Four churches furnish religious instruc- 
 tion. There is a good Public Library, 
 free to all. The Town Hall is used for 
 lectures, concerts and entertainments and 
 assemblies, and a late train from Boston 
 and Providence every night, summer and 
 w'inter, gives an opportunity to attend 
 lectures, concerts and theatres in either 
 city. The town always votes no license, 
 and no rum-shops or disreputable houses 
 are allowed. 
 
 New comers to the town are sure of a 
 cordial welcome from those already here. 
 It is characteristic of Sharon people to 
 
1'J 
 
 like to see their neighbors have a pleas- 
 ant and enjoyable time. 
 
 SCENERY, WALKS AND DllIv'ES. 
 
 The scenery, -walks and drives of Shar- 
 on are nnsnrpassed, and I think nnecinaled 
 in any otl)er town in eastern Massachu- 
 setts. They cannot be adequately de- 
 scribed, but must be seen to be appreciat- 
 ed. Usually where the scenery is wild 
 the roads are poor, if not absolutely un- 
 safe. It is not here. The roads are 
 good in all parts of the town. 
 
 In the following drives you are sup- 
 posed to start from the postoflice : Every 
 one will wisli to di-ive around Massapoag 
 pond ; from the postoftice and back it is 
 six miles. Another drive you must take 
 to see Sharon is to Moose Hill. The near- 
 est town road is past the depot. The 
 large new house on your right as you as- 
 cend the first hill beyond the station, is 
 the 'Ella Reed Home," built by Miss C. 
 Bates of Boston, as a home for destitute 
 children. It is occupied by Miss Bates as 
 a residence for herself and a limited num- 
 ber of children. At her decease she pro- 
 poses to leave it in the care of Trinity 
 Church in Boston, as a children's home. 
 On the right as you go up the next hill is 
 the Sharon Sanitarium. The next house 
 on the right was a short time ago, occu- 
 pied by two brothers, honest Scotchmen, 
 and, although own brothers, they each 
 was named "John Smith." To return 
 
20 
 
 Moose Hill St. to Main St. From the 
 summit of this hill may be seen the resi- 
 dences of one-quarter of all the inhabi- 
 tants of Massachusetts. The following 
 interesting sketch of what may be seen 
 from Moose Hill, was prepared for me 
 by E. G. Chamberlain, Esq., of Auburn- 
 dale, Mass., who is a member of the Ap- 
 palachian Club : 
 
 "Moose Hill is 530 feet above sea level. 
 The tower affords an additional elevation 
 of twenty feet. The tower is square, the 
 sides facing precisely to the four cardinal 
 points. Let us take the views in order 
 from left to right. All elevations are 
 reckoned from the sea level and all bear- 
 ings from the true meridian. 
 
 "Due north is West Dedham Unitarian 
 Church, six miles distant, quite conspicu- 
 ous on a hill. A little to the right is Ar- 
 lington Heights, twenty miles, and under 
 it the Theological Seminary, on Institu-. 
 tion Hill in Xewton. More to the right 
 is Norwood village, five miles, and Ded- 
 ham with its courthouse dome nine miles. 
 About N. N. E. is Boston, the State 
 House dome bearing N. 25* 27 E,, eigh- 
 teen miles. Just at its left is the white 
 tower of Roxbury standpipe,aud between 
 and beyond them is Bunker Hill Monu- 
 ment. A trifle to the right is the large 
 village of Hyde Park, ten miles. N. E. is 
 the Blue Hill range. Great Blue at the 
 left being eight miles distant and 635 
 feet high. A little left of it we may get 
 a glimpse of tide water near Winthrop, 
 
•while nearer "we look clo^vn on the mead- 
 ows of the Neponset river. Next to 
 Great Blue is Hancock Hill, then Hillside 
 Street Gap, Bugbee Hill, and the peak of 
 Chickataubut, 518 feet high, under whose 
 left flank is Bear Hill, hardly separable. 
 In line Avith Chickataubut is Canton Cor- 
 ner church, five and one-half miles. A 
 little to the right is Canton village, four 
 miles, and nearly over its left hand steep- 
 le is Strawberry Hill, twenty-one miles, 
 crowned ])y a standpipe. To the left of 
 this and nearer, is the tower on Penn's 
 Hill (in Braintree?) To the right of the 
 right hand of Canton steeple is the trip- 
 le-towered Atlantic House at Nantasket, 
 twenty-one miles. Between Strawberry 
 Hill and the Atlantic House may be seen 
 Massachusetts Bay, the sea horizon line 
 being thirty and one-half miles distant. 
 A little to the right, nine miles oft', are the 
 three tall spires of Randolph, about three 
 degrees apart, the left hand one bearing 
 E. N. E. Due E. is Sharon, two miles, 
 and over it the large village of Stough- 
 ton, six miles. Considerably to the right, 
 ten miles oft", is Brockton. Just right of 
 its tallest spire is the Standish Monument 
 on Captain's Hill, in Duxbury, twenty- 
 eight and one-half miles. The large pond 
 two miles S. E. is Massapoag. Nearly 
 over its left end is East Bridgewater, fif- 
 teen miles, and over its right end Middle- 
 boro, twenty-two miles. Due S. (S. 0^ 
 20 W.) is Great Meadow Hill in Kchoboth, 
 seventeen miles, crowned by a group of 
 
22 
 
 trees. Nearly under its right base is 
 Mansfield, seven miles. About S. S. W. 
 are the two spires of Foxboro, four and 
 one-half miles. 
 
 "Half way between Great Meadow and 
 Foxboro, appears a very small, sharp, 
 peak. Oak Hill in Attleboro, fifteen miles, 
 and nearer, at its right, the village of 
 East Attleboro. Turning nearly to W. 
 S. W., we see, three miles ofi". South Wal- 
 pole, with its short white steeple. Near- 
 ly over its left is the summit of Woon- 
 socket Hill, in Rhode Island, twenty 
 miles. To the right of W. S. W. is the 
 tall cupola of Dean Academy in Franklin, 
 with steeples at its right. 
 
 "Turning nearly to W.N. W. we seethe 
 low-pointed ridge, Asnybumskit Hill, in 
 Paxton, 1,407 feet, thirty-seven miles, and 
 more toward N. W. the very conspicuous 
 Wachuset Mountain in Princeton, of the 
 same range, 2,018 feet, forty-three miles, 
 is seen over Walpole village, two and 
 one-half miles off. Midway between As- 
 nybumskit and Wachuset is seen Rice 
 Hill in Rutland, forty-one miles, a little 
 left of which are three steeples, nearly in 
 line, and one above the other, viz : Hopkin- 
 ton, seventeen miles, Shrewsbury, twen- 
 ty-eight miles, and Rutland, forty-two 
 miles. Somewhat to the right of Wa- 
 chuset is the low ridge of Monoosnook 
 Hill in Leominster, forty-one miles, seen 
 over Medfield village, six and one-half 
 miles oft'. Still to the right Grand Mo- 
 nadnock Mountain in Jafli'ey, N. H., six- 
 
23 
 
 ty-ei<j:ht miles, 3,170 feet high, a sharp 
 peak fallins: ort' very gradually to the 
 right. Between Monoosnook and Mo- 
 uadnock, just X. W., is Sherborn Church, 
 eleven miles. Airninst the right flank of 
 Monadnock is the nob of AVatatick Moun- 
 tain, in Ashburnham, Mass., 1,847 feet, 
 fifty-two miles, a peak of the Wachus«.t 
 range. This range Me follow to the right 
 of N. H. by Mt. Kidder in New Ipswich, 
 Spottbrd and Temple Mountains in Tem- 
 ple, and the noticeable twin summits of 
 Pack Monadnock, near Peterboro. The 
 latter are about 2,280 feet high and sixty- 
 two miles distant. Between Watatick 
 and Kidder, the near round hill, nineteen 
 miles oft", is Nobscot, in Framingham, 602 
 feet. 
 
 "To the right of Pack Monadnock, eight 
 miles off, is a group of hills in Dover, 
 through a gap in which we get a glimpse 
 of Lyndeboro Pinnacle, sixty-two miles 
 oft". Turning far towards the north we 
 see Prospect Hill, in Waltham, eighteen 
 miles, with Little Prospect on its left 
 flank, and further left the village of Lin- 
 coln, twenty-one miles. I have identified 
 some prominent buildings in about fifty 
 villages, some of them requiring tlie tele- 
 scope. Many other villages have bei-n 
 observed, but not yet fully identified. 
 The spire at the right of Foxboro may he 
 proved to be in Pawtucket, P. I. The cal- 
 culated bearing of BroAvn University, at 
 Providence, twenty-two and one-half 
 miles places it midway between the Fox- 
 
24 
 
 boro steeples, but I have never been fa- 
 vored with a view of it. It is probably 
 not visible." 
 
 The air on the hill is very invigorating, 
 and persons with weak lungs enjoy it 
 much. Invalids, by carrying a lunch and 
 spending some hours on the hill, are of- 
 ten benefitted. I regret that there is no 
 boarding place there. Perhaps sometime 
 there will be a sanitarium or hotel on the 
 hill. It would be well patronized. 
 
 On your return, on Moose Hill Street, 
 you will pass the barn of Henry L. de 
 Bussigny, where are kept in summer, 
 some of the finest saddle horses in the 
 country. His stable is worthy of a visit 
 from all lovers of fine bred horses. 
 
 The poultry house that you pass on re- 
 turning is over eight hundred feet long, 
 and has a wing, not in sight of the road, 
 four hundred and eighty feet long. It 
 was intended for ten thousand fowl. It 
 is now used as a duck ranch. More than 
 five thousand ducks were hatched there in 
 1891. 
 
 For a short drive take Main Street west, 
 turn the first left through "Gunhouse 
 Lane," then next left home. In "Gun- 
 house Lane" formerly stood the gun- 
 house in which was stored the cannon to 
 protect the inhabitants from their ene- 
 mies. E4m Lawn, near the corner of the 
 lane, was formerly the Randall home- 
 stead, and here died, not many years ago, 
 "Boston Randall," a very aged negro, and 
 probably the last slave owned in Massa- 
 chusetts. He was brought from Africa, 
 
and kept as a body servant until he final- 
 ly became a family pet. He refused lils 
 freedom and \vas kindly cared for by the 
 family Mhile he lived. lie was buried. as 
 ■was his master's family, in the Chestnut 
 Tree Cemetery. 
 
 Another short drive is past the Sharon 
 Sanitarium to the town farm. 
 
 For a romantic drive take Main Street 
 and Walpole Street to Mrs. Benjamin 
 Khoades' house, turn sharp to the left 
 and follow County Street until it comes 
 to Main Street near Paradise cranberry 
 meadow. County Street is full of sharp 
 pitches and not much travelled, but it is 
 decidedly wild and has a history. It is 
 one of the oldest roads in Massachusetts, 
 having been called "the path to Bristol." 
 It was over this road that Madame Knight 
 rode on the first night of her famous 
 journey to New York, and the "Way man's 
 Ordinary," where she spent the first night 
 stood near Avhere the cranberry store- 
 house now stands. Here Ebenezer Bil- 
 lings is supposed to have built his tavern 
 about 1G58, many years before there was 
 a white person in what is now Canton. 
 
 For a variety of ferns drive through 
 the Pigeon Swamp road. Maiden hair 
 ferns grow here. You will have a ro- 
 mantic drive to go past Leonard's mill, 
 turning sharp to the left at the cemtery, 
 and taking the first right and then the 
 next right. Near the house of W. H. 
 Agry, on this road, you get a splendid 
 view, and an assortment of ferns. 
 
! 
 
 Drive to Woloraolopoag pond and turn 
 to the left and the next left home. If you 
 care for places of historic interest, when 
 on this drive take the right at Mrs. T. E. 
 Clark's and go to Clapp's sawmill. Here 
 was the foundry where, under Gen. Grid- 
 ley, was cast the first cannon ever made 
 in the country. 
 
 Not far from Mrs. Clark's King Philip 
 and his warriors camped the night they 
 burned Medfield, in 1G7G. They passed 
 the "Waympn's Ordinary" just at dusk, 
 but spared it, because one of the chiefs 
 said, "Billings is Indians' friend." 
 
 It is six miles to Foxboro and six to 
 South Walpole. On the South Walpole 
 road Mr. Lyman Plympton has a cultivat- 
 ed cranberry bog and a cultivated white 
 pine grove, both equal, if not superior, to 
 any others in the state. To Walpole it is 
 Ave miles, six to Norwood and three to 
 Canton. At Canton, go and see the large 
 solid stone viaduct, by which the railroad 
 crosses the highway and Neponset river. 
 It used to be considered one of the won- 
 ders of the age. To Dedham it is ten 
 miles. Here on East Street is the old 
 Fairbanks house, which has been occu- 
 pied by the same family for two hundred 
 and forty years. 
 
 To Stoughton it is six miles and to 
 North Easton it is seven. At the latter, 
 the Unitarian Church, the other public 
 buildings and the magnificent grounds of 
 T. L. Ames, which are open to the pub- 
 lic are worthy of a visit. To Easton 
 IFurnace, seven miles, is a pleasant drive 
 
27 
 
 niul a little oft'the road, in East Mansfield, 
 are Anstin's poultry .uronnds. Here at 
 times may be seen as many as five thous- 
 and i>:eese fattenin;;; for the market as 
 ^vell as immense fjuantities of hens, dncks 
 and tnrke>s. Mr. Austin sometimes 
 feeds sixty bushels of grain a day to his 
 fowl. To East Foxboro is six miles. 
 Much of the Avay this road runs beside 
 the railroad track. 
 
 Lovers of wild flowers and ferns Mill 
 find a great variety here. Tliose who de- 
 light to see farming operations will be in- 
 terested in the market gardens and green- 
 houses on Sharon plain, and the cran- 
 berry meadows farther west. The woods 
 and ponds of Sharon furnish game for 
 the hunter, and the numerous ponds and 
 brooks furnish fisli for the angler, and 
 the ponds also furnish ample opportuni- 
 ties for boating and bathing. Besides nu- 
 merous mill ponds in Sharon, there are 
 two beautiful sheets of water called Wol- 
 omolopoag and Massai)oag. Though only 
 a mile apart they are at tJie head or dif- 
 ferent rivers ; one flows to the west and 
 the other to the east. Massapoag con- 
 tains four hundred and sixty acres of 
 water and is three hundred feet above 
 sea level. There is a drive completely 
 around it. Formerly the water flowed 
 from this pond into both the Taunton 
 and the Neponset rivers. The early set- 
 tlers used to liken it to a leaky barrel, 
 from which the water flowed in all direc- 
 tions. 
 
28 
 
 
 Being at the summit of both rivers, it 
 was the boundary between the lands of 
 the Narragansett and Massachusetts In- 
 dians, while Wolomolopoag flowed into 
 the Taunton and belonged exclusively to 
 King Philip's tribe. The name Wolomolo- 
 poag is Indian, and signifies pleasant 
 water or sweet water and it was most 
 truthfully named, being a beautiful sheet 
 of water, 
 
 FARMS AND LAND FOR SALE. 
 
 There are several farms within from 
 ten to thirty minutes' drive of the two 
 depots in Sharon, that can be bought very 
 low and some of them on easy terms. 
 A man who is willing to work can make 
 a good living on one of these farms and 
 is sure to get a rise on his land. There 
 is not and never has been a boom in Shar- 
 on real estate, neither has it ever been 
 depressed, but there has been a consid- 
 erable growth in the village since the in- 
 troduction of water in 1885, and a marked 
 rise in the value of eligible house-lots, and 
 this rise and growth seems likely to con- 
 tinue. Good house-lots within five to 
 ten minutes' walk of churches, railroad 
 station, stores and post-oflice, sell for 
 from ^200 to $2000 an acre or from one- 
 half to four cents a foot, according to 
 location and condition of land. Most 
 people buy lots of one-quarter or better 
 still, of one-half an acre : this gives am- 
 ple room for vegetable garden and poul- 
 try yard. In larger quantities and in 
 
29 
 
 some localities, a considerable reduction 
 is made from these prices. Near the 
 railroad are some lar.ije tracts of unim- 
 proved lands and wood lands that can be 
 bou2:ht cheap. Some of tliese are well 
 worth the attention of capitalists and 
 builders as the}' can be cut up at a large 
 profit. Poultry and milk farming and 
 market gardening is unusually profitable 
 in Sharon, as our numerous cottagers 
 furnish a market at the highest retail 
 prices and the manufacturing cities and 
 towns in the vicinity take all the surplus 
 at renum,erative prices. I have farms 
 for sale of all sizes up to 300 acres and 
 all prices up to $15,000. I have two or 
 three extra nice horse and stock farms to 
 sell to monied men. 
 
 HOUSES FOR SALE AND TO LET. 
 
 There are houses for sale in and near 
 the village with from 10,000 feet to 23 
 acres of land and at prices from $700 to 
 $10,000. Some of these have all modern 
 conveniences and nearly all of them are 
 supplied with Sharon spring water. 
 There are usually furnished houses to let 
 some with ample grounds and stables, 
 and a few unfurnished ones but it is 
 only fair to say that the supply of places 
 to let is usually far short of the demand, 
 and rents in Sharon are not so low as in 
 seme other localities. It is well there- 
 fore, if you wish to hire a house to in- 
 quire early in the season. This book is 
 not intended as a catalogue of the prop- 
 
30 
 
 erty that is for sale or to let in Sharon 
 and because you don't see advertised in it 
 such a place as. you -wish, it doesn't fol- 
 loAv that there is no such place here. 
 
 Before you locate anywhere, write me 
 and carefully describe what you wish, or 
 better still, come and see me and let me 
 show you the town. You will find it is 
 all and more than this book claims it is, 
 and perhaps you will find here just what 
 you wash. You will find my carriage at 
 §haron station on the arrival of the 11.00 
 A. M. and 2.05 P. M. trains from Boston 
 every pleasant day except Saturdays and 
 Sundays. If you wish to come by any 
 other train, please notify me by telegraph, 
 telephone or letter. You can at all times 
 telephone directly to my house. 
 
 BUSESTESS CHANCES. 
 
 There are frequent inquiries from people 
 who w^ould like to reside in Sharon, and 
 wish some renumerative business. There 
 are calls for men skilled in the building 
 trades and someone to sell building ma- 
 terial. Boarding house and hotel keep- 
 ers can always find a good opening here, 
 as the call for accomodations always far 
 exceeds the supply. I expect next spring 
 to have one or two good hotels to sell 
 and possibly some to let. I can also give 
 an experienced person with some capital 
 assistance in building a first-class new 
 hotel. 
 
 There is also a call for a first-class 
 country tavern where man and beast can 
 
 
:-:j 
 
 find accomodation for a meal or Jong;er. 
 Such a house -would be sure of a large 
 patronage at all times. 
 
 There is an urgent call for one or more 
 sanitariums. The success of the one now 
 open has caused a great many invalids to 
 •wish to come to Sharon for treatment, 
 but the one now here is always full and 
 besides it only receives people in mod- 
 erate circumstances and treats only one 
 class of diseases. There are an almost 
 I unlimited number of people who are outi 
 of health and are able and willing to pay 
 large prices, iX they could find accomoda- 
 tions in a well conducted sanitarium 
 here. There is a fine opening for a cap- 
 talist or practical builder to erect houses 
 here, for sale or to let. It really seems 
 as if a shrewd man with some means 
 would find a splendid opening in this 
 business. 
 
 HOTELS AND BOAEDING HOUSES. 
 
 The Massapoag Lake House is on the 
 south side of the pond, is beautifully sit- 
 uated and has almost everything desir- 
 able to make summer life pleasant. The 
 house has been open twenty years, dur- 
 ing which time it has been several times 
 enlarged. The Sharon House is a board- 
 ing house within easy walking distance 
 of Sharon station. It accomodates about 
 forty which is sometimes increased by 
 outside lodgers to seventy-five. 
 
 The Winship House, on Pond St., has 
 large rooms and modern conveniences. 
 
32 
 
 It can accomodate about twelve which is 
 much increased by persons rooming out. 
 There are also a number of houses where 
 from two to a dozen boarders are taken, 
 at prices varying from fiv^e to ten or 
 twelve dollars a week, but the supply is 
 far short of the demand, and it is well to 
 apply early for board. 
 
 Elm Lawn is a farm boarding house, 
 near Sharon Heights Station. In ad- 
 dition to the large house there are sev- 
 eral pleasant cottages which are let to 
 those who take their meals in the main 
 house. 
 
 Crescent Ridge farm, at East Sharon, 
 accomodates about twenty boarders and 
 is a very well kept house. 
 
 I intend to keep thoroughly posted in 
 regard to those who have vacant rooms, 
 their location, prices, etc., and am al- 
 ways happy to give information and 
 make suggestions to those seeking board 
 and am often enabled to save them time, 
 trouble and money. If those seeking 
 board will write, enclosing a stamp, I 
 will cheerfully furnish them any desired 
 information. Please state what you re- 
 quire, how many rooms, whether there 
 are children, and what prices you expect 
 to pay. "Reasonable prices," if from a 
 stranger, conveys no information to me, 
 since thirty dollars a week from some of 
 our patrons would be reasonable, and 
 others find it hard to pay five dollars. 
 Generally good board cannot be obtained 
 for less than seven dollars a week. This 
 
33 
 
 branch of my busiiiess is of no pecuniary 
 l)rotit to me. but it is my desire and for 
 my interest to see people locatec! in Shar- 
 on to their oAvn satisfaction. Good 
 carriages Avith careful drivers who know 
 1 he boardinsi" places, will be furnished on 
 application to me at not to exceed one 
 dollar an hour. Come by the 11.00 A. M. 
 or 2.00 r. M. train; if cominc: on any 
 other ti'ain, give previous notice by mail, 
 telegraph or teleplione, and my carriage 
 will be at the station. No charge for iu- 
 tormation or suggestion, but those who 
 tind it necessary to employ a carriage w ill 
 confer favor on me and in some measure 
 recompense me for my trouble, by pat- 
 ronizing mv teams. 
 
 I 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
30 
 
 W. B WICKES, 
 
 Sharon Real Estate and Business Agency. 
 
 (ESTABLISHED 1870,) 
 
 Sliaron, Mass. 
 
 REAL ESTATE 
 
 Sold, Leased, and Cared For. 
 
 FARMS, HOUSES, WOODLANDS, 
 
 BUSINESS CHANCES AND 
 
 UN LVI PROVED PROPERTY 
 
 FOR SALE. 
 
 HOUSES TO LET 
 
 BOTH FUKNISHKD AND UNFURNISHED. 
 
 BoarJii Places SiiilM, 
 
 Conntcted by Long- Distance Telephone. 
 
Sharon Village Property. 
 
 FOR r^.^LK, :» inuilcni, in-ailv new, two story 
 house, with •2i),W){) feet of iaiid. 'i'lie houi-e 
 has a fniiiace. town water, and is nicely fiiiiiished. 
 It will be sold with or w ithont the furniture. 
 
 "IVrEAIl the above is a niee cottage with stable and 
 '-^ hen-hou^es. and 2 acres of land stocked with 
 fruit and flowers. House has hot water radiators. 
 Will be sold with or without the furniture. 
 
 TX the village is a new, nine-room house, with ail 
 ■*- modern conveniences. Will be sold on easy 
 terms or let to a good tenant. Xear the above is aii 
 old house, small barn and •2.5,000 feet of land. Will 
 be sold for 83,000, on easy terms. This is the best 
 unoccupied business location in the village. 
 
 T^OR SALE, the A. G. Hixon estate. A brick 
 -*- house, large barn, and 5-8 acre of land. This is 
 a tuie business location. 
 
 TfOR SALE, on Main St.. a l:i-room hou,-e. It 
 -*- sets high, is nicely built and in a tony neitrb- 
 borhood. There is 4o,'000 feet of land. 
 
 /^X Main St., is a large, old hou.se, stable, and 60,- 
 ^^ 000 feet of land. This is on a corner and is a 
 valuable location. It is to Vie sold to settle an estate. 
 Come and see it. 
 
 /^X'LY seven minutes' walk from station is an 11- 
 ^-^ room house. There are set tubs, a furnace, ce- 
 mented cellar, stable for cows and horses, two 
 poultry houses. 2.5,000 feet of land, and more land 
 if desired. The house has all the modern convenien- 
 ces and will be sold on easy terms, with or without 
 the furniture. All the above houses are furnished 
 with the famous Sharon spring water. 
 
 I have many estates to sell and let which are not 
 mentioned in this l)ook. Write me what vou want, 
 W. R. WR'KES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
38 
 
 Sharon Village. 
 
 ■p^OR SALE, on the highest land in the village, a 
 -*- nearly new two-ftory house, very sunny and 
 pleasant, 22,000 feet of land, and plenty of frontage 
 for two other hout^es. "Will be sold on easy terms, 
 possession to be given in the spring. 
 
 /■^X Billings St., for sale, a very desirable estate, 
 ^-^ consisting of an 11-room house, stable, 3 poul- 
 try houses and 1 acre of laud, with all kinds of 
 fruit. The house has all the modern conveniences 
 and is very sunny. It is centrally located and the 
 land is likely to rise in value. Pnce 85,000, on easy 
 terms. 
 
 ■pOR SALE or to let, on Pond St., 1-2 of a very 
 -'- nice double house and 1-3 of an acre of land, 
 well stocked with small fruits. The house is two- 
 story, neat, has furnace heat, and is a desirable 
 place for a small family. 
 
 /^X Pond St., a house and about 1 acre of land. 
 ^^ House has 11 rooms, some of them large, and 
 has modern conveniences. It is a line place for a 
 large family, and is only eight minutes' walk from 
 the station. 
 
 T^OR SALE, a good, nearly new two-story house, 
 -*- barn and hen-house, and nearly 2 acres of land. 
 There are lots of nice apples and it is quite a little 
 farm; only five minutes' walk from postoffice. Price 
 $3,200. 
 
 "C'OR an investment I have i tenement house that 
 -■ I will sell at a price that will yield 12 to 15 per 
 cent. The owncu- might occupj" one tenement and 
 let the other to tirst-clase tenants. 
 
 All the above places are furnished with the fa- 
 mous Sharon Spring Water. 
 
 I have many estates to sell and let which are not 
 in this book. Write me what vou want. 
 
 ^V. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
3d 
 
 Sharon Village House Lots, 
 
 /^XLY thri'C nHiuites' wjilk from station, I can i-eU 
 ^-^ you 9 acres of si)lL'nciiiniiiildnig laud. It has 
 pine groves and a southern sloiie. Near the above 
 I can sell 2 1-2 acres of wood hind on a good road. 
 
 TpIVE minutes' walk from Htation is a 4-acrc lot. 
 -*• Fine view, perfect drainage, pine grove?, and 
 part of it is in a high state of cultivation. It is on 
 line of water pipes. Close to above are a few fine 
 house lots for sale at only jfoOO each. 
 
 /'"JX Billings St. I can sell you some good houte- 
 ^^ lots, and if you will come here and build houses 
 to let you can get a good return for your money, as 
 rente are high here and tenements in demand. 
 
 TJOrSE-LOTS for eale on Tolman,Cottage,Wccd- 
 -*^ land, Highland, Main, I'ond, Boyden, and oth- 
 I r streets, at from .f 800 an acre up. according to lo- 
 i ation. Kemmber that while there is no ''boom" in 
 Sharon, real estate is gradually and surelj* rising in 
 value, and any investment judiciously made will 
 bring good returns. 
 
 1 have many estates to tell and let that aie net 
 in this book. Write me what you want. 
 
 W. B. AVICKES, Sharon, Mase. 
 
 Large Farms. 
 
 rpiIE old, old story. Boys all gone away and "the 
 -^ father wants to sell any part or all of a oOO-acre 
 farm on which he was born and on which his 
 father got rich. This is a good farm, in a good 
 neighborhood, has plenty of wooil and fruit, and 
 will probably increase in value. 
 
 TX Canton, I have for sale a larce stock farm. 
 -^ A fair barn and a no-account house. This would 
 make a good farm to cut up into building lots, and 
 bcring in a ])rosperous, growing town, there is 
 money in the farm for some one. Come and see it. 
 
40 
 
 Sharon Village. 
 
 "C'OR SALE, a nearly new 9-room house and 1 acre 
 -*- of land. The house is one of the prettiest and 
 neatest in Sharon, the grounds are nicely graded, 
 and there is a pine grove. The owner came here 
 almost dead with a kidney trouble, but Sharon 
 water and Sharon air have cured him, and having 
 an opportunity to go into business in another state, 
 he wishes to sell out here. He would probably sell 
 a part or all the furniture if desired. 
 
 rpo LET, the Orthodox parsonage. Rouse has l'> 
 -*- rooms. There is a good stable and an acre of 
 
 land. 
 
 'T^O LET, a good cottag.-) of 10 rooms, newly paint- 
 -"- ed and ijapered. Keot $18 a montn. 
 
 TN the spring I shall have a few village houses to 
 -*- let unfurnished, and a few furnished ones, but 
 as vacant houses are not plenty here those in need 
 should inquire as early as possible. 
 
 rpO LET, furnished, the "Glen," a 12-room stone 
 -*- house. It has open fireplaces, a stable, plenty 
 of ground and plenty of shade, is a short mile from 
 the station, has a tine view, and will be let for the 
 winter or bj- the year. Inquire of the owner, Mrs. 
 J. A. Leonard, Ouster St., Jamaica Plain, or ~\V. B. 
 Wickes, Sharon. 
 
 T often have good business chances in this and 
 -^ other towns to sell. Just now 1 can sell you 
 the stock and good will of a successful livery stable 
 in a growing town. The owner has business in a 
 distant state and will sell the whole business at an 
 appraisal. To anj' one acquainted with the horse 
 business this is a good opening. 
 
 If you want to hire a place write me and say what 
 you require. W. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
Trout Farms. 
 
 T^"^OK SALK. an so. acre farm, a tjooil old cottai^o 
 -*- liuu.-c ot 7 rooms, a poor barn, an-1 plenty of 
 wood. 'I'he farm lias been neirleeted but it has 
 splendid land. 'J'liere is a nice trout brook on the 
 farm. 'J'his farm is owned i)y a lot of heirs who 
 have no iise for it, and will sell it low and on almqst 
 any terms. 'J'o a practical farmer, who is able and 
 willing to work, it offers an opportimity »o get a 
 good living and lay up raoney- 
 
 "P'OR SALE, a 4'2-acrc farm, land is prodnctive 
 -^ and in good condition, having been used as a 
 milk farm. There is a new cottage house, good 
 barn and good water. This farm is near enough to 
 two railroads and is a nice place for milk, vegetable 
 or small fruit farming. Tadpole brook, which is a 
 famous trout stream, runs through the farm, which 
 controls the best fishing privilege on the stream. 
 "Will sell the farm for what its worth for farming 
 purposes, or less. 
 
 L,"^OR SALE, one mile from railroad station, a 40- 
 -*- acre farm. New house and new barn. Through 
 this farm run two spring brooks, anil it is believed 
 that it would make a splendid place for trout cul- 
 ture. 'J'o the right party 1 can sell this farm cheap 
 and ou most any terms. The owner lives close by 
 and wants good neighbors. 
 
 T have many farms to sell in this and other towns 
 which are not in this book. Write me what you 
 want. W. B. WR'KES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
 Foxboro. 
 
 AT East Foxboro, close to station, postofiice, 
 store and church, I can sell you a large house 
 and barn. The house sets high and has a wide pi- 
 azza. It would make a gooil boardin house. There 
 is some 20 acres of land, with grapes and other 
 fruit. 1 will sell this place cheap, with only 3^500 
 or less, down; balance as rent. 
 
42 
 
 Large Farms, 
 
 A 300-acre farm, plenty of wood and all sorts of 
 -^^ fruit. Owner has worked on it over 80 years, 
 and has no boy to take his place. Will sell stock 
 and tools if desired. 
 
 A 200-acre farm. Has heen in one family since it 
 -^-*- was cleared up by the present owner's ances- 
 tors 200 years ago. Owner has no children to heir 
 it and wants to sell out. The buildings are good 
 enough for a farmer but not for a dude, but there 
 are several magnificent sites for an elegant resi- 
 dence. This is a tine all-round farm, and Avill be 
 sold at farm prices, though it has the making of a 
 fancj- farm for a millionaire. Come and see it. 
 
 "POR SALE, a 175-acre stock farm. Two houses, 
 -*- 3 barns, land in high condition. A pile of mon- 
 ey has been spent on this farm, but the present own- 
 er is sick of farming and will sell right; will also 
 sell, if desired, the tools, horses, oxen, cows, bulls, 
 hogs, hens, cats, dogs, and hired men. Some one 
 who knows how to a^Dpreciate a good thing, ought to 
 own this farm. 
 
 tj^OR SALE, a 150-acre horse farm. Two barns, 
 -•- 2 houses, everything in good order. The 
 houses are not elegant but are good farmhouses, 
 and are 500 feet above tide water, commanding a 
 view for miles and miles. If jou want a good farm 
 with perfect air and fine scenery come and see this 
 place. There is all kinds of fruit, plenty of wood 
 and lots of wild berries. 
 
 I have several other large farms to sell. Write 
 me or come and see me. 
 
 W. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
43 
 
 A T North Foxhoro, thit-c minutes' walk from 
 -^ >tiition, I can si'U you a 40-acre farm. Old 
 hoiif^e in ifood repair, new, larye barn, hen and tool 
 houKe. The hout^e overlooks the village and the 
 surrounding country. Owner haf* no uhc for it and 
 
 will sell it cheap as dirt. Fo.xhoro is a growing, 
 enterprising town, and affords good markets. 
 
 I have many places not in this hook to sell and 
 few to let. Write me or come and ^oe me. 
 
 W. B. WIOKES, SSharou, Mass. 
 
 Nice Places. 
 
 ■t"'()Il SALE, one of the finest located places in 
 •^ .~<haron. A nearly new house with furnace, 
 Sliaron water and all modern conveniences, a large 
 barn and 14 acres of land. This estate is on the 
 borders of a beautiful lake and has boating and 
 tishing privileges. There are tine old trees and it 
 is a fine sumrner or all the year place. "Will sell on 
 easy terms or might trade for desirable property. 
 
 FOR SALE, a nice, large, modern house, large 
 barn, and .50 or more acres of land. All kinds 
 of fruit, including splendid peaches. This place is 
 onlv a mile from the station and will be sold at 
 farm prices. 
 
 ■JX the village, central, yet retired, is a modern 
 ■^ house, with open fireplaces, furnace, bath-room 
 and everything desirable. This place,take.it all in all 
 is the finest located and perhaps the best i)lace in 
 the village. It commands a si)lendid view that can 
 never be obstructed, and the drainage is ])erfect. 
 t'ome and see it and you will say, "'J'lie half was 
 not told me." 
 
u 
 
 ~V[EAll the above is a very nicely built 1.3-room 
 -'-^ hou^e, with bath, laundry, gar*, and all other 
 improvement)^. There is a nice stable and 40,000 or 
 more feet of land. This place is only four minutes' 
 walk from station, has fine air and commands a 
 A'iew seldom equaled. In the fail the view of col- 
 ored foliage on the distant hills is unsurpassed. 
 
 I have nice places for sale which the owners are 
 imwilliug to have adverticed. Write, telephone, or 
 come and see me. 
 
 W. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
 Sharon Heights. 
 
 A T Jiud near Sharon Heights station there are 
 -^^ some farms and vacajit lauds for sale at a price 
 that makes them worthy the attention of capitalists 
 as they are sure to rise in value. From one-half to 
 one and one-half miles from the station are some 
 bargains in poultry, fruit and grass farms. Some 
 of the largesit and most successful market gardens 
 in the Stale, are on the plains near Sharon Heights. 
 This land is also splendidly adapted to small fruits 
 and poultrj' farming. I have a good farm here for 
 $2,500; one for sfS.OOO; one for !j;2,2o0; an 80-acre 
 farm, somewhat run out but capable of being one 
 of the best in town, for $2,000; one with lots of 
 fruit for .f 4,500; a house and garden for .^1,200; a 
 new house to sell or let. There is also a grand 
 opentng for business at Sharon Heights. 
 
 WITHIN" a mile of the Heights is a very good 
 farm which will be sold with one or two 
 houses and a large barn, at a bargain. 
 
 Remember I have many estates in Sharon and 
 other towns that are not mentioned in this book. 
 Write me what vou want. 
 
 W. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
Low Priced Places. 
 
 rpilHKl-: arc a few places for ^all• for :^\,^mt ami 
 -•- uinler, but the demand for such i laces ex- 
 ceeds the supply, and if any one has such a place 
 "I 'M- near Sharon to sell, 1 "would like to t-(ni them. 
 
 ,"i 'R SSOO I can sell a nearly new 3-room house, 
 liarn, and a few acres of good land. It is only 
 mile from the station, but is lonesome. 
 
 T^OR 81,300 1 can sell a good farm, an old but 
 *^ comfortable house, barn and 20 acres of good 
 land with some tine i>ine groves. It is two miles 
 from station. 
 
 ■pOR 81,800 I will ^ell a good double house and 1 
 -•- acre of land. There are ^hade and fruit trees. 
 It is less than a mile from station. 
 
 Low priced places are changing owners much of- 
 tener than dearer ones and it is useless to try to 
 catalogue them, but if you want such a place come 
 and see me or write, and perhaps I shall have just 
 what you want. If not, I may be able to tiiul it. 
 W. B. WICKE8, Sharon, Mass. 
 
 Lands to Cut Up. 
 
 rnilKRE are now in the market in and around 
 -*- Sharon, some tracts of land that offer favorable 
 opportunities to an individual of means to cut up 
 into lots and develop them. Situated as we are, on 
 the best line of railroad out of Boston and in the 
 best residence town on that road, the chances of 
 success in such an undertaking are assured. Then 
 again, the fact that the Old Colony Railroad Com- 
 pany is always ready to lend support and aid to 
 such projects is in our favor. There are now in the 
 market one tract of 40 acres ; one of 1(H»; one of 300, 
 and several others. These are all close by or near 
 the railroad and can be placed on the inarket at 
 t-mall expense. 
 
46 
 
 In ray twenty-three years' experience in the real 
 estate business, 1 have probably had more ex- 
 perience in bonding lands than any other man now 
 in business in this county, and T would like to 
 communicate with some individual or association 
 that has courage and means. I could probably get 
 them some large tracts of very desirable lands, 
 tracts of from 300 acres up. 
 
 Address W. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
 Hotels and Boarding Houses. 
 
 "VrO other town or seashore or country offers more 
 -^^ favorable inducements to ambitious hotel and 
 boarding house keepers than does Sharon. The de- 
 mand for boarding places in summer always ex- 
 ceeds the supply. The season is much longer than 
 in the mountains or on the shore; in fact, there is 
 considerable demand throughout the whole year 
 for good boarding places, and the prices obtained 
 are satisfactory. I wish some one would build sev- 
 eral boarding houses as I am seldom able to supplj' 
 the demand for the rental of such places. 
 
 I now have for sale, subject to a short lease, a 
 nearly new 30-room hotel. It is supplied with 
 wide piazzas and all modern conveniences, com- 
 mands a beautiful view, has pine groves in the rear, 
 with boating, bathing and tishing almost at the 
 door. 
 
 I have also one or two places to sell that might be 
 easily and cheaply converted into hotels, and I 
 have for sale one or two fine hotel sites. 
 
 Come and see me or write or telephone me what 
 you require. W. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
47 
 
 Wood Land, 
 
 WOOD and sprout lands wevv formerly sought 
 as an investnu'iit, Vnit for the hisi ten years 
 they have been neglected and are ahnost unsale- 
 able, but fire wood is now gradually rising in value 
 and I think, at present prices, wood land is good 
 property to hold if one does not need quick returns 
 for their money. I can frequently offer bargains in 
 large tracts of wood. I have a 45-acre lot to sell to 
 settle an estate. Also, 3 acres, 7 acres, 5 acres, and 
 15 1-2 acres, all belonging to the heirs of one estate. 
 1 will sell all but one lot for the assessors' valua- 
 tion. If you won't give that, what will you give? 
 Make an offer quick, so 1 can settle it up. 
 
 rnHEKE are 4-5 acres of heavy wood belonging to 
 -*- a lady, do you want it? 
 
 WITIIIX 1-4 mile of the station arc 2 1-2 acres 
 that would make house-lots. Will sell for 
 $300. Buy it. 
 
 ON Mountain St., there are 100 or more acres of 
 land that can be sold for five dollars an acre 
 and the standing wood thereon for one dollar a 
 cord. Isn't this a good investment? If not, why 
 not? Come and buy it. 
 
 ON Mohawk St. is a 14-acre wood lot which is 
 close to the railroad, and being midway be- 
 tween two stations there will some day be a station 
 near here, and then every foot of this land will 
 make good house-lots. Price $40 an acre. 
 
 I have wood lots to sell in all parts of the town, 
 some are large, some small. 
 
 W. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
 Miscellaneous. 
 
 Whatever business you wish to enter, whether 
 farming or any kind of trading or mechanical busi- 
 ness, write me or come and see if 1 have not got or 
 can't get just what you want. 
 
 Address W. B. WICKES, Sharon, Mass. 
 
48 
 
 rpO those who would like to have a house erected 
 -*- to suit their tastes, I can ofter special induce- 
 ments. Some of my clients who own tine building 
 lots will build for you such a house as you desire, 
 or will furnish you money with which to build. I 
 can get a house built for a responsible tenant that 
 will meet the tenant's taste, provided a live years' 
 lease is guaranteed. 
 
 The Sharon Advocate, 
 
 W. B. Wickes, Editor. 
 
 A faithful chronicle of the daily life of 
 the 
 
 Hsaltliiiist Towfl in New Eiiilaiil 
 
 Read it when you visit Sharon. 
 Have it sent to you when away. 
 
 5 cts. a copy. $2. per Year. 
 
 TAKE 
 
 For your boy. Sample copy Free. 
 Address, 
 
 E. B. Thokndike & Co., 
 
 Canton, Mass. 
 
41» 
 
 MARIGOLD OLTrUEiYr. 
 
 For Pile.< External, Eczema, Salt Rheu.u, and all 
 difeasep* of Skin or Scalp, also Corns and l?unions, 
 ie the best remedy in the Known World. Chil- 
 blain!< it cures in one night. Varicose Veins it 
 gives immediate relief. From Burns it removes the 
 tire at once- 
 
 Marigold Ointment is perfectly harmless; hun- 
 dreds of families are using it for couuhe, colds and 
 croup. It will not injure the smallest baby nor the 
 largest man, but will do more work to the square 
 inch than all the so-called remedies combined. Siin- 
 burna and Mosquito bites it will cure at once. Fat 
 people chafe, it will cure you. It is the best prep- 
 aration in the World to rub on your face after shav- 
 ing. Your red nose it will cure at once. All 
 Druggists sell Marigold Ointment. 
 
 E. M. HIXSON, 
 
 SOLE rROl'RlETOK. 
 SHAROX, XORFOLK CO.. MASS. 
 
 Tlie RicMM Hiisoii Stock Farm. 
 
 C. A. IIIXSOX. rROl'UIKTOR, 
 
 No. Main St., Sharon, Mass. 
 
 'I'his Farm makes a specialty ot supj)lying its 
 patrons with the best of I'ure Milk from their herd 
 of pure-bred Holstein-Friesian Cows, which are 
 carefully kept and well fed, and are guaranteed to 
 be in perfect health. 
 
 Orders left at the above address will receive care- 
 ful attention. 
 
60 
 
 ATLA HEIGHTS, SHARON, MASS 
 
 The superb health location for summer 
 hotels pnd cottages. 1-2 mile from Can- 
 ton Station on Providence Division of 
 Old Colony Railroad. High land and 
 dry atmosphere and 
 
 Tie Atla UiepaM Pure Water. 
 
 For further particulars in relation 
 thereto address 
 
 F. H. MANSFIELD, 
 
 CAXTOX, MASS. 
 
 SUMMER BOARD AT CRESCENT 
 RIDGE FARM. 
 
 Unequalled as a place for rest and re- 
 cuperation. High ground, pure air, ex- 
 cellent water, shade and pleasant drives. 
 A pleasant place, for parties wishing to 
 come early or remain late in the season. 
 Address 
 
 H. F, MAXWELL, 
 
 EAST SHARON, MASS. 
 
COAL and WOOD 
 
 GOAL OF ALL SIZES. 
 Hard & Soft Wood & KiiidUng. 
 
 AVood cut and split to any size desired. 
 Fireplace wood a specialty. All orders 
 filled promptly. 
 
 J. O'LEARY, 
 
 Box 10, Sharon. Mass. 
 
 ICE 
 
 THE PUREST AND BEST OF 
 
 MASSAPOAG ICE 
 
 Delivered in any quantity desired at 
 wholesale or retail. Careful and ex- 
 perienced drivers employed to supply 
 families. 
 
 Send orders by mail or leave them at 
 my residence, Chestnut St., Sharon. 
 
 T. O'LEARY. 
 
D. W. Pettee, 
 
 — DEALER IX — 
 
 PROVISIONS, GROCERIES, DRY 
 GOODS, CLOTHING, BOOTS, SHOES 
 and RUBBERS, BUILDING MATE- 
 RIALS, and all the varieties of a general 
 store. Orders solicited and goods deliv- 
 ered promptly. 
 Shakon, . - - - Mass. 
 
 TO LET. 
 
 A GOOD FARM near vil- 
 lage. Two-story house and 
 barn. Possession given either 
 first of January or first of March 
 as may be desired. Inquire of 
 
 W. B. WICKES, 
 
 Sharon, Mass. 
 
53 i 
 
 MRS. MARY L. BROOKS 
 
 MAI 
 
 r 
 
 MAIN ST.. corner of STATION ST. 
 
 SIIAKON. 
 
 HOME-MADE BREAD, CAKE and 
 PIES to order. 
 
 CHARLES BRYMER, 
 
 TOLMAN ST., SHARON 
 
 Succcbsor to 
 
 SHEPARD CARPENTER. 
 
 ICE. ICE. 
 
 Families supplied. 
 
k 
 
 Cor. Main and Chestnnt Sts. 
 
 People intending to locate in Sharon 
 cither permanently or temporarily will 
 find it to their advantage to give us a 
 call before purchasing elsewhere. Be- 
 sides a full line of 
 
 FURNITURE. 
 
 DELIVERED free of charge to any part of 
 the town, we keep a full and varied as- 
 sortment of 
 
 HOUSE-FURNISniNG ARTICLES, 
 CROCKERY, 
 LAMPS, 
 
 PORTIERES, 
 
 LACE CURTAINS, Etc., 
 
 also quite a variety of Novelties neces- 
 sary to parties starting in housekeeping. 
 We do all kinds of Upholstering, Re- 
 pairing, Cabinet work, etc. Our improved 
 Door and Window^ Screens are made to 
 order. Everything at lowest cash prices. 
 
 UNDERX ASKING a Specialty. 
 
 All orders promptly attended to. 
 
FOR SALE. 
 
 A 6S-acre farm. Splendid 
 old shade trees, fine pine and 
 hard 'A'ood groves. Only 3-4 
 of a mile to depot. The build- 
 ings are old. Come and see It. 
 W. B. WICKES. 
 
 o<\ MASSAPOAG LAKE HOTEL I> 
 
 SHARON, IvIASS. 
 A. PARK BOYCE & Co., - Proprietors. 
 
 Open from May to October. Telephone 
 Connection. 
 
 The hotel grounds comprise pine, hemlock and 
 chestnut groves, and open lands of nearly 100 acres, 
 stretching along the borders of one of the largest 
 (four miles in circumference) and finest lakes in 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 The hotel has electric bells, telephone, gas, steam 
 heat,agood laundry and new iron fire escapes. Spring 
 water of unsurpassed purity. We raise our own 
 vegetables. Fresh milk received twice a day from 
 an adjacent dairy. Good Boarding and Livery Sta- 
 bles. Fine roads for driving. Lawn Tennis Courts, 
 Croquet, Billiards, Pool, Boating, Bathing, Bowl- 
 ing, Hunting and Fishing. 
 
oQ 
 
 IBEST POLISH IN THE WORLD. 
 
 RlSS 
 
 5str*f 
 
 DO NOT BE DECEIVED 
 
 with Pastes, Enamels, and Paints -whicli 
 stain the hands, injure the iron , and burn 
 red. The Rising Sun Stove Polish is Bril- 
 liant, Odorless, Durable, and the con- 
 sumer pays for no tin. or glass package 
 with every purchase. 
 
 HAS AN ANNUAL SALE OF 3,000 TONS. 
 
 E. K. CARPENTER, 
 
 TOLNIAN ST., - SHARON. 
 
 — DEALER IN — 
 
 New and Second-Hand 
 Harnesses. 
 
 Particular attention paid to Repairing, 
 Oiling and Cleaning. 
 
LOxVG BROTHERS, 
 
 Sharon, keep in stock EVERY ARTICLE 
 USUALLY KEPT IN A COUNTRY 
 STORE. Permanent Residents, Cottagers 
 and •Snninier Residents supplied "svitli 
 goods equal in quality to any in Boston. 
 A member of the firm will call for orders 
 and deliver goods promptly. 
 
 FINE 
 
 JOB PRINTING. 
 
 Return Envelopes, 
 Address Cards, 
 
 Programmes. 
 
 Everything done promptly and at 
 
 Re**isonable Prices 
 
 — AT TIIK — 
 
 Advocate Office. 
 
58 
 
 WHiT EO YOD WANT? 
 
 Do you want a farm to get a living on? 
 
 Do you want a farm for a plaything? 
 
 Do you want a cranberry meadow? 
 
 Do you want a poultry yard? 
 
 Do you want a wood lot? 
 
 Do you want a lot of vacant land? 
 
 Do you want a house for a home? 
 
 Do you want a house to let, as an invest- 
 ment? 
 
 Do you want to hire a house? 
 
 Do you want to sell a house or let one? 
 
 Do you want to sell a farm or some land? 
 
 Do you want a boarding place? 
 
 Do you want to take boarders? 
 
 Do you want to sell any kind of business? 
 
 Do you want to go into any kind of busi- 
 ness or invest any money? 
 
 In short, do you wish to buy, sell or hire 
 
 anything in Sharon or vicinity, or 
 
 want to get a home in Sharon? 
 
 Apply to W. B. WICKES, Sliarou. 
 
 Telephone Connection. 
 
 WHAT BO YOO WANT?I 
 
/•» 
 
I