V W&s 74 $4 U65 apy l = COPYRIGHT 1889. I?e &e&{ iowp TO LIVE II], MASSACHUSETTS, THE HEALTHIEST TOWI *• I n The Stats, ^ - v; VV. J}. WICKES. TO LIYE IQ: SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS, »In The ,A £»*>"> HOW TO REACH SHARON. Sharon is seventeen miles from Boston and twenty-five from Providence, on the Providence Division of the Old Colony Railroad. There are eleven trains from Boston each week day, including a theatre train, and two trains out on Sunday. Time of trains from Boston, thirty to forty minutes. This road is one of the oldest, best equipped and most carefully managed roads in the country. It cross- es no drawbridge, the trains are almost invariably on time and have plenty of cars, so each passenger can have a seat. It is double tracked with steel rails it? entire length. Its Boston station on Columbus Avenue and Park Square is convenient and com- fortable, and architecturally, the most beautiful in the United States. It is said by those who have travelled exten- sively, to be unequalled in the world, when convenience, comfort, looks and surroundings are taken into account. Single fares from Boston to Sharon, for- ty cents ; five tickets, one dollar and sev- enty-five cents, or thirty-five cents each. Season tickets for three months, twenty- three dollars, or about fourteen cents a trip. Single fare from Sharon to Provi- dence, sixty cents. One thousand-mile tickets, good on any portion of the Old Colony sj'-stem, 820.00. Passengers from New York can reach Sharon by the all rail Shore line, or bv the Providence />, 3 Steamboat line. To drive from Boston to Sharon take Brush Hill turnpike and come via Canton. From Jamaica Plain come via Dedham and Norwood. From New Bedford, Tauuton and Fall River via Easton Furnace, or come by rail via Mansfield. Sharon has three mails a day to and from Boston, and two to and from Provi- dence. The Western Union Telegraph Company have an office in the railroad station, and the New England telephone wires enable us to talk with all the country. Communication can be had direct with my residence in Sharcn, from any tele- phone in Boston or any of the surround- ing towns. PROVIDENCE DIVISION OLD COL- ONY RAILROAD. Boston Station, Columbus Avenue and Park Square. This table is liable to changes. Trains leave Sharon for Boston, week days, 7.03, 7.44, 8.05, 9.2-1, 11.53, A. M. ; 2.51, 5.20, 7.40, 11,00, P. M. Sundays, 9.09, A. M. ; 2.17, 5.14. P. M. Due in Boston, week days, 7.40, 8.25, 8.45, 10.00, A. M.; 12.30, 3.20, 5.58, 8.20, 11.35 P. M. ; Sundays, 9.45, A. M. ; 2.50, 5.45, P. M. Leave Boston for Sharon, week days, 6.35, 8.00, 8.20, 9.25, 10.30, A. M. ; 2.00, 4.15. 5.3^5,50, 8.3# 11.05, P. M. Sundays, 9.00, A. M. ; 4.30, P, M. Due in Sharon, week da} r s, 7.24, 8.33, 9.02,9.59,11.16, A. M. ; 2.31, 4.47,6.07, 6.26, 9.00, 11.30, P. M. ; Sundays, 9.00, 9.32, A. M. ; 5.14, P. M. DESCRIPTION. Sharon, Norfolk Count}', Massachu- setts, offers great inducements to the farmer, the poultry keeper, the gardener, , the manufacturer and the invalid, as also to those seeking a quiet, pleasant home. Its attractions as a suburban residence, especially to those doing business in Bos- ton, Providence and neighboring towns and cities, are unequalled by any other place within fifty miles of Boston. This book is intended to make Sharon better known and appreciated, and not as a catalogue or advertisement of the prop- erty that is for sale or to let here. I have a large number of farms for sale, varying in price from $600 to $12,000, also houses furnished and unfurnished for sale and to let, and various kinds of business for sale. As this work is only issued once or twice a year, and such property is constantly changing hands, it is obvious- ly impossible to catalogue a correct list in this book. Write me your wants and I will cheerfully inform you what there is in the market here. PURE AIR, PERFECT DRAINAGE. 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 rivers, and it is a singular fact that 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 grayelly and contains iron and there is a great deal of pine wood growing in the town. All of these things 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 large amount of ozone to always 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 disagreeable. In 1871 the Boston Traveller said : "In a work on local causes of Consumption by Dr. 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 official records, from winch it appears that one* fourth of all who have died in the town in 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 ene-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, with twenty per cent. of its inhabitants between five and twen- ty years of age." More than fifty years ago, when the Boston & Providence Eailroad was being built, Maj. McNeil, who was then 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 mat- ter was forgotten until twenty years lat- er, when the late A. D. Bacon, M. D.. of Sharon, called the attention of other phy- sicians to the subject. Dr. Bacon said: "I have never seen contagious or infectious diseases become epidemic here. I have had cases of small pox, diptheria and scarlet fever in their most virulent forms among my patients, under circumstances 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 treatment here than in any other locality with winch 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 at- mosphere, so that no infectious or con- tagious disease ever has become epidem- ic hero, and probably none ever will. The New York Medical Tribune says: ci Air loaded with putrid or miasmatic exhala- tions is immediately purijied by contact with ozonized air, and again a develop- ment of such exhalations cannot well take place in the presence of ozone. The ac- tion of ozone on such impure air is ex- tremely powerful. According to Schcen- bein, sn atmosphere containing only 1-3,240,000 of ozone is capable of destroy- ing all noxious matter contained in an equal volume of miasmatic air. Where or whenever there is a deficiency of this quantity of ozone, there will occur zymot- ic and contagious diseases, such as ty- phoid, scarlatina, measles, small pox. mi- asmatic fevers, yellow fever, etc., as well as all sorts of skin diseases." WATER. 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, the Charles and the Taunton rivers. The spring, from its great elevation, is in no danger of ever being contaminated, and there is sufficient water for fifty thous- and people. This water is raised by steam power to a standpipe. from which it is distributed under sufficient head, to not only enter the highest rooms in the village, but also to extinguish fires, the town being sup- plied with well equipped and well man- aged hose companies and a hook and lad- der company. SHARON AS A HEALTH RESORT. HAY FEVER, CONSUMPTION AND ROSE COLD CURED. The pure air of Sharon has already been spoken of. It is of such a peculiar nature that invalids feel its curative ef- fects at once, and I most earnestly advise the sick and the convalescent to give 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 doctors to be the last stages of con- sumption, and can assure everyone af- flicted with lung trouble that they will be sure to find relief here, if they are not fully cured. There have been many cases of Hay Fever and Rose Cold cured here. The air of Sharon has been found beneficial for very young children and the seveial charitable institutions in Boston, that have charge of babies, send many of their wards here to board. Though these waifs are usually orphans who have inherited diseases from one or both of their par- ents, 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 near- er Sharon, having seen the eftects of Shar- on air on these babies, are beginning to also send the weakly children of their wealthy patrons here to board. The best physicians all over New Eng- 9 land and New York have learned the bene- ficial effects of Sharon sir, and send their chronic and convalescent patients to me, to get them boarded, and though 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 requirements 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 anj' far off land in search of health and rest, until they have given Sharon a trial, since here one is not necessarily deprived of any comfort, luxury, or medical attend- ance, that can be obtained in any city in our land. Remember, the air of Sharon is entirely different from that of any other town in the vicinity. Invalids will almost always feel its beneficial effects as soon as they arrive here, and the trouble and cost of giving it a trial are merely nomi- nal. 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 best 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 easy a change as a journey to Sharon will effect their cure. Said one of Boston's best physicians not 10 long ago: "If I could make my wealthy patients believe in Sharon air as I do, I could fill every house in your little town, but they think they ought to go way off' somewhere." Again we say to all inva- lids, give Sharon air a trial. It won't cost much and may and probably will ben- efit 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. There are several establishments devoted to the care of dogs. In 1872, when almost every horse throughout the land was sick with the epizootic, our horses in Sharon es- caped though used every day, thus showr ing that the ozone in the air here does kill disease germs. In one case at that time, a horse driven into town by a pedler, died of the disease, while an expressman's horse in the next stall did not take it, though no special precautions were used to prevent it. TAXES AND TOWN AFFAIRS. Those who would reside where the pub- lic affairs are carefully managed and the public money judiciously spent, and would dodtje those towns and cities where recklessness and extravagance prevail, will find in Sharon a desirable home. The voters of Sharon are liberal in mak- ing appropriations for all objects that are 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- 11 fairs, the best man being chosen to office without regard to political parties. This town was the first one in the state to sup- ply free text hooks to' scholars. It sup- ports a High School, though not obliged 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 the purpose many years ago. The town debt is small and being rapidly diminished. The schoolhouses are ample for the needs of the town and in good repair. There is a very good Town Hall, good fire appara- tus well housed, and the few town's poor are well cared for on a large farm. The appropriations recommended by the dif- ferent boards of town officers, are gener- ally yoted 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- abry reduced. The valuation of the town is but little more than one million dol- lars. Should a few rich people gain a residence here, as they talk of doing, the valuation of Sharon would be more than doubled, and the tax rate be reduced in the same proportion. The following extract from the Sharon Mdwocate will serve to show what maimer of a town Sharon is : "This town has neither the manufacto- ries nor the wealth of most of the adjoin- ing towns, but in the moral and social 12 Standing of its people, and its benevolence and public spirit, it will compare favor- ably 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 bj r law to do so. For thirty years it has been just like Sharon to vote all the school money the school commit- tee asked for, and these votes are gener- ally passed unanimously. In other towns and cities their 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 ju- diciously that we take good care of our poor, have good roads and as low taxes as any town in the state. It is just like Sharon to have a fine town hall at a moderate cost ; a good Public Library ; to have its lake well stocked with fish ; to have the telephone and telegraph, and to have railroad 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 up 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 .;. and unlike any town in the vi- 13 cinity, and now, when the old wc inadequate, it is just like Sharon to ue unanimously a liberal sum to supply the whole village with pure water. We might mention many other commendable things in which Sharon is unlike other towns, if our space w T ould permit." STORES AND MARKETS. Sharon being a farming town with 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 towns. 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- tance. The stores and markets of Shar- on supply meats, groceries and fruits, equal in quality to the best sold in Bos- ton, and the vast woodlands of Sharon supply an abundance of that fuel to those who would enjoy the healthy luxury of an open wood fire: SOCIETY. Though a very rural town, Sharon is so closely connected with Boston and Can- ton as not to be isolated or lonesome, even in winter. The Masons, Odd Fel- lows and Grand Army members meet with lodges in Canton, which is only three miles off. In fact, the people of the two towns are intimately and pleasantly con- nected in all the relations of life. Social- 14 ly, Sharon is like most well ordered New England villages, somewhat enlivened, however, by the presence of families who have come from neighboring towns and cities, to find pleasant, healthy here. Four churches furnish religious instruction. There is a good Public Li- brary, free to all. The Town E all is used for lectures, concerts, entertainments, and assemblies, and a late train from Bos- ton every night, summer and winter, gives an opportunity to attend lectures, concerts and theatres, in that 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 like to see their neighbors have a pleasant and enjoyable time. SCENEKY, WALKS AND DRIVES. The scenery, walks and drives of Shar- on are unsurpassed, and we think unequal- led in any other town in eastern Massa- chusetts. They cannot be adequately de- scribed, but must be seen to be apprecia- ted. Usually where the scenery is wild the roads are poor, if not absolutely un- safe. It is not so here. The roads are good in all parts of the town. In the following drives you are sup- posed to start from the post-office : Everv one will wish to drive around Massapoag pond ; from the post-office and back it is six miles. Another drive you must take to see Sharon is to Moose Hill. The near- est town road is the one past the depot, 15 but it is very hilly. There is a very ro- mantic road to Moose Hill, but it is not a town way. It is through the yard at Sharon station and across the "old dam." It is beautifully wooded, nicely shaded and not very rough. To return by easier grades, come down the "Moose Hill road" to Main street. From the summit of this hill may be seen the residences of one- quarter of all the inhabitants of Massa- chusetts. The following interesting- sketch of wdiat may be seen from Moose Hill, was prepared for me by E. G. Cham- berlain. Esq., of Auburndale, Mass., who is a member of the Appalachian Club : "Moose Hill is 5:30 feet above sea level. The tower affords an additional elevation of 20 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 sea level and all bearings from the true meridian. "Due north is West Dedham Unitarian church, six miles distant, quite conspic- uous 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 Newton. More to the right is Norwood village, five miles, and Ded- ham with its court house dome, nine miles. About N. N. E, is Boston, the State House dome bearing X. 25° 27- E., 18 miles. Just at its left is the white tower of Ro.xbury standpipe, and bet veen 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 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 down on the mead- ows of Neponset River. Next to Great Blue is Hancock Hill, then Hillside Street Gap, Bugbee Hill and the peak of Chick- ataubut, 518 feet high, under whose left flank is Bear Hill, hardly separable. In line with Chickataubut is Cautou Corner church, five and one-half miles. A little to the right is Canton Village, four miles, and nearly over its left hand stee- ple is Strawberry Hill, twenty-one miles, crowned by a standpipe. To the left of this and nearer, is the tower on Penu's Hill (in Braintree?). To the right of the right hand of ^anton steeple is the triple- 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 SO 1-2 miles distant. A little to the right, nine miles oft", are ths 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 Stoughton, six miles. Considerably to the right, ten miles oil', is Brockton. Just right of its tallest spire is the Standish Monument, on Cap- tain's Hill in Duxbury, 28 1-2 miles. The large pond, two miles S. E., is Massa- poag. Nearly over its left end is East Bridgewater, fifteen miles. About over its centre is Bridgewater, fifteen miles, and over its right end Middleboro, twen- 17 ty-two miles. Due South (S. 0° 20- W.) is Great Meadow Jlill inRehoboth, seven- teen miles, crowned by a group of trees. Nearly under its right base is Mansfield, seven miles. About S. S. W. are the two spires of Foxboro, 4 1-2 miles. Half way between Great Meadow and Foxboro, ap- pears 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 off, South Walpole with its short white steeple. Nearly over its left is the summit of WoonsocketHillin Rhode Isl- and, twenty miles. To the right of W. S. W. is the tall cupola of Dean Acade- my in Franklin, with steeples at its right. "Turning nearly to W. N. W. we see the low-pointed ridge of Asnybumskit Hill, in Paxton, 1407 feet, thirty-seven miles ; and more toward N. W. the very conspicuous Waclmsett Mountain in Princeton, of the same range, 2018 feet, forty-three miles, is seen over Walpole village, 2 1-2 miles oft 1 . Midway between Asnybumskit and Waclmsett is seen Rice Hill in Rutland, forty-one miles, a little left of which are three steeples, nearly in line, one above the other, viz : Hopkinton, seventeen miles, Shrewsbury, twenty- eight miles, and Rutland, forty-two miles. Somewhat to the right of Waclmsett is the low ridge of Monoosnook Hill in Leominster, forty-one miles, seen over Medfield village 6 1-2 miles off. Still to the right is Grand Monadnock Mountain, in Jaft'rey, N. H„ sixty-eight miles, 3170 feet high, a sharp peak falling oft* very gradually to the right. Between Monoos- nook and Monaclnock, just N. W.. is Sherborn church, eleven miles. Against the right flank of Monaclnock is the round knob of Watatick Mountain, in Ashburn- ham, Mass., 1847 feet, fifty-two miles a peak of the Wachnsett range. This range we follow to the right of New Hamp- shire, by Mt. Kidder in New Ipswich, Spofford and Temple Mountains in Tem- ple, and the noticeable twin summits of Pack Monadnock, near Peterboro'. The latter are about 2280 feet high, and sixty- two miles distant. Between Watatick and Kidder, the near round hill, nineteen miles off, is Nobscot, inFramingham, 602 feet. "To the right of the Pack Monadnocks, eight miles off, is a group of hills in Do- ver, through a gap in which we get a glimpse of Lyndeboro' Pinnacle, sixty- two miles off. Turning far toward the North we see Prospect Hill in Waltham, eighteen miles, with little Prospect on its left flank, and further left, the village of Lincoln, twenty-one miles. I have iden- tified some prominent buildings in about fifty villages, some of them requiring the telescope. Many other villages have been observed but not yet fully identified. The spire at the right of Poxboro may prove to be in Pawtucket, E. I. The cal- culated bearing of Brown University at Providence. 22 1-2 miles, places it mid- way between the Foxboro steeples, but I have never been favored with a view of it. It is probably not visible." The air on the hill is very invigorating, 19 and persons with weak lungs enjoy it much. Invalids, by carrying a lunch and spending some hours on the hill, are often benefitted. I regret that there is no board- ing place there. Perhaps some time there Brill 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 pas intended for ten thousand fowl. For a short drive, take Main Street to Foxboro, turn the first left through "Gun House Lane" then next left home. In "Gun House Lane 1 ' formerly stood the gun house in which was stored the can- non to protect the inhabitants from their enemies. Elm 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 his freedom and was kindly cared for by the family while he lived. He was buried, as was his master's family, in the Chestnut Tree cemetery. Another short, pleasant drive is to the town farm ; you will save opening gates 20 if you go past Sharon depot and take sec ond right hand road. For a very romantic drive, take Mai Street and Walpole Street to Mr. Benja min Rhoades' house, turn sharp to th 1 left, and follow County Street until conies to Main Street, near Paradise crah berry meadow. County Street is full o sharp pitches, aud not much travelled, bu it is decidedly wild and has a history. I is one of the oldest roads in Massachu setts, having been called "the path t( Bristol." It was over this road MadamJ Knight rode on the first night of her fa mous journey to New York, and tin 1 "Wayman's Ordinary," where she spen* the first night, stood near where thecranj berry store-house now stands. Here Ebe! nezer Billings is supposed to have buil his tavern about, 1658, many years before there was a white person in what is nov\| Canton. For a variety of ferns, drive througl; the Pigeon Swamp road. Maiden liaii ferns grow here. You will have a romam tic drive to go past Leonard's mill, turn' ing sharp to the left at the cemetery anc taking the first right and then the nexi right. Near the house of J. M. Bullard on this road, you get a splendid view anc an assortment of ferns. Drive to Wolomolpoag Pond, and turn, to the left and the next left home. If you; care for places of historic interest, whenj on this drive take the right at Mrs. T. eJ Clark's, and go to Clapp's saw-mill. Here was the foundry, where, under General 21 ridley, was cast the first cannon ever iade in the country. Not far from Mrs. Clark's, King Philip ticl his warriors camped the night they urned Medfield, in 1(170. They passed ,ie "Wayman's Ordinary" just at dusk, ,at spared it because one of the chiefs aid. "Billings is Indians' friend." It is six miles to Foxboro and six to outh Walpole. On the South Walpole )acl, Mr. Lyman Plympton has a cultiva- id cranberry bog and a cultivated white ine grove, both equal, if not superior, to oy others in the State. To Walpole it 5 five miles, six to Norwood and three to lanton. At Canton go and see the large, olid stone viaduct, by which the railroad cosses the highway and Neponset River, t used to be considered one of the won- ers of the age. Also call and see a mod- lof the famous Strasburg clock at Hawes' Bwelry store. It was made by Mr. lawes and h,e kindly shows it to all who all. To Declham it is ten miles. Here on last Street is the old Fairbanks house, vhich has been occupied by the same ainily for two hundred and forty years, ■•'or twenty-five cents Miss Fairbanks will how you many curious relics and heir- ooms of the family. To Stoughton it is six miles and to K>rt h Easton it is seven. At the latter ;he , Unitarian church, the other public raildings, and the magnificent grounds of ■ L. Ames, which are open to the pub- ic, are worthy of a visit. To Easton Furnace, seven miles, is a pleasant drive, og and a little off the road in East Mansfield are Austin's poultry grounds. Here a1 times may be seen as many as five thous and geese fattening for the market, as well as immense quantities of hens, duck and turkeys. Mr. Austin sometimes feeds 1 sixty bushels of grain a day to his fowl. To East Foxboro is six miles. Much of the way this road runs beside the railroad track. Lovers of wild flowers and ferns will find a great variety here. Those who de- light to see farming operations will be in- terested in the market gardens and green- houses on Sharon plain and the cranberry meadows farther west. The woods and] ponds of Sharon furnish game for the hunter and the numerous ponds and brooks furnish fish 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 ' Wolomolpoag and Massapoag. Though only one mile apart, they are at the head of different rivers ; one flows to the west and the other to the east. Massapoag contains 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 Ne- ponset rivers. The early settlers used to liken it to a leaky barrel, from which the water flowed in all directions. Being at the summit of both rivers it was the boundary between the lands of the Narrai>ansett and the Massachusetts ndians, while Wolomolpoag flowed into ;he Taunton and belonged exclusively to Bug Philip's tribe. The name Wolomol- toag is Indian and signified pleasant wat- :r, or sweet water, and it was most truth- ully named, being a beautiful sheet of vater. HOUSES, FARMS AKD WOODLAND. Within a reasonable walking distance )f Sharon station are hundreds of acres >f eligible building sites, which can be Jarchased at reasonable prices, and which jnust surely rise in value. l\eal estate iiere has never been boomed, neither has it ever been depressed, and sales under ,'oreclosure of mortgage are almost un- known here. i Since the introduction of water in 1885, liere has been a marked growth of the jplage and a gradual rise of improved u'operty, which I have reason to believe vill continue. Within a half hour's drive ?>f the two railroad stations in Sharon, mere are some farms to sell, much below ;heir value, which if intelligently man- iged by one able and willing to work, vould be sure to pay a handsome income, farming in Sharon can be made unusual- y profitable, as the summer people fur- lish a new market for produce and the mmerous manufacturing tonus and cit- es in the vicinity take all the surplus at •enumerative prices. There are some large tracts of wood- Mads and unimproved lands for sale at ■eat bargains and some of them are cer- aiu to become more valuable soon. Just 24 now I have two or three estates, which am forbidden to advertise, but which mus be sold for spot cash, even if sold at sacrifice. I have farms of all sizes and prices fo: sale, houses for sale and houses to let furnished and unfurnished. I also hav< various kinds of business for sale. A; this book is only published once, or a the most twice a year, and as property ii my nands is constantly changing, it i: useless to catalogue it in this work and do not attempt it, but if those in want o: a house, a farm or any business willwrifl and describe their wants, I will try t( suit them. As I have lived in Sharoi more than thirty years, the last nineteer of which have been devoted to the buy< ing and selling of real estate on commit sion, and to making the town bettei known. I know all the property that is in the market, and the customers, and arc generally enabled to serve my patrons in a satisfactory manner. In the spring I have a large variety of furnished houses to rent, the prices varying from $150 or $200 to $1,000 for the season. I have also a few unfurnished houses and tenements to let, but the supply is limited, and does not equal the demand. There is a large and sure opening in Sharon for hotels and boarding places,! the demand being almost unlimited and far exceeding the supply. Persons of! some means, who are adapted to the busi- ness, can find here an excellent opening. There is also a good opening for a good 1 country tavern, where one can get enter- 25 tainment for man or beast for one meal or a month. Such a house, well kept, 'would receive a liberal patronage. I am always pleased to show the town "and the property in the market without expense to those seeking a home, wheth- er they become customers or not. It is ino trouble to show the property ttiere is !in the market. My carriage is at the Sharon station every pleasant day except Saturdays, on arrival of the 9.25 A. M. End the 2 P. M. trains from Boston. If you wish to come any other day or on Sany other train please notify me by mail, i telegraph or telephone. I have a tele- phone in my house and parties can always talk direct with me from any telephone in : Boston or on any of the suburban lines. ('My name and number will be found in the (catalogue, which each telephone subscri- ber in Boston or any suburban town has. HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES. There is a large summer hotel by the ►shore of Massapoag, called the Massa- poag Lake House, which will accommo- date about one hundred and forty guests. Elm Lawn is a farm boarding house on the west shore of Massapoag. There are lalso four cottages of four rooms each, . which are let in connection with the house, t He can accommodate some forty. The •Sharon also accommodates about forty. All these houses set good tables and have good accommodations for horses. There are also a number of houses where from two to a dozen boarders are taken at pric- es varying from five to ten or twelve dol- 26 lars a week, but the supply is far short! of the demand and it is well to apply ear- ly for board. I intend to keep thoroughly posted in regard to those who have vacant rooms, their location, prices, etc., and am always happy to give information and make sug- gestions to those seeking board, and am often enabled to save them time, trouble and money. If those seeking board will write, enclosing stamp, I will cheerfully! furnish them any desired information. Please state what you require, how many rooms, whether there are children, and! what price you expect to pay. "Reason- able prices", if from a stranger, conveys no information to me, since thirty dollars a week from some of my 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 branch of my busi- ness is of no pecuniary profit to me, but it is my desire and for my interest to see people located in Sharon, to their own satisfaction. Good carriages, with care- ful drivers who know the boarding plac- es will be furnished on application to me at not to exceed one dollar an hour. Come by the 0.25 A. M. or 2 P. M. train; if coming on any other train, give previous notice by mail, telegraph or telephone, and my carriage will be at the station. No charge for information or sugges- tions. LOW TAXES. The following is the - copy of a circular 27 issued by Joel P. Hewins, Esq., Treasu- rer of Sharon : — Sharon, Mass., 1885. Sir :— Many persons who pay taxes on a large amount of personal property in cit- ies where the rate of taxation is high, are proposing to change their residence to some place where tine burden of taxation is lighter. The attention of such is re- spectfully called to a few facts about Sharon. The present valuation of the town is about $1,000,000, and the tax rate for all purposes is $9.40 on $1,000. Sev- eral wealthy people talk of changing their residence to Sharon, the coming season, and should enough do so to increase the valuation to another million, — and there is reason to hope such will be the case, — the tax rate will not exceed $5.00 on $1,000. If this rate is once established, enough more will no doubt be added from year to year to make the tax rate of Shakon lower than it is in any other town or city in the state. The present low tax rate has not been reached by niggardly appropriations, but by careful management and judicious ex- penditures of the money raised- There is no probability that the expenses of the town will be much increased for some time to come, as the town hall, school- houses and other public buildings are all new or in good repair, and amply sufficient for the needs of the town ; the town debt is small and is being rapidly extinguished under the present rate of taxation ; the 28 roads are in good repair, and there is an invested fund, the income of which is for the support of schools. Sharon is very pleasantly situated on the Boston & Providence Railroad. 35$ feet above tide water, on the highest land between the two cities. It is thirty-live minutes' ride from Boston, frcm which there are nine trains a day, including a late train for lectures and theatres, which with the telegraph and telephone, and five mails a day, give ample communication with all the world. Sharon has long been celebrated for its fine drives, lakes, streams, pine groves, and healthy air. Of late years it has become" quite a resort for invalids and convalescents, eminent phy- sicians having recommended it to their patients and pronounced it the Healthiest Town in the State. Chemical tests of the atmosphere have found in it a larger amount of ozone than has ever been found at any other place east of the Rocky Mountains, and to this fact is attributed the healthy and curative effects of the air of Sharon. The markets of the town supply all that is needed in the line of groceries and pro- visions. There are four churches, yearly schools, and a well selected public libra- ry. In short, Sharon, from its accessi- bility to Boston and Providence, its i churches, schools, public library, scenery, healthy air and Low Taxes has advanta- ges as a suburban residence unequalled by any locality near Boston. A pamphlet describing Sharon more fully will be sent on application. 29 Persons wishing further information will be waited upon at their residence or place of business if desired. Address the TOWN TREASURER, Sharon, Mass. SHARON IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. The object of this Association as set forth in its constitution is, "To improve and ornament the streets and public grounds of Sharon, by planting and culti- vating trees, cleaning and repairing side- walks, and doing such other acts as shall tend to improve the town." Since its organization on the twenty- eighth of February, 1881, it has put street lights on the principal streets, has built a passable road to Moose Hill and erected an observatory on its summit, has placed a Howard clock in the tower of one of the churches, and has been the means of the chartering and formation of the Shar- on Water Company and the introduction into the village of an abundance of pure water. Very much remains to be done, and the work of the Association commends itself to absent friends of the town as well as all citizens. The annual membership fee is one dol- lar; twenty-live dollars paid at onetime makes one a life member. Contributions to the funds of the Association are re- spectfully solicited, and will be carefully and judiciously expended by the execu- tive committee, Make checks payable to 80 C. A. HIXSON, Treasurer, or W. B. WICKES, President. SHARON SPRING WATER. For drinking and all culinary and do-, mestic uses, our water is unequalled by few and unsurpassed by water from any other spring in the State. We are prepared to furnish, at reasona- ble rates, power for running sewing ma- chines, coffee grinders, ice cream freezers, churns, and other purposes where small power is needed. SHARON WATER COMPANY, By W. B. Wkjkes, Supt, ADVERTISEMENTS. 32 ms.ygfekes, General Business Agei\t ESTABLISHED 1870, SHARON, MASS. REAL ESTATE Sold, Leased and Oared For, FARMS, HOUSES, WOODLAND, and Unimproved Property For Sale. Houses Furnisned and Dnfnrnisheil To Let. Boarlii Places SunM. CONNECTED BY TELEPHONE. 33 MOOSE HILL PROPERTY. rpen acres of Wood Laud, overlooking hun- J. dreds of miles of territory and many villages Will be sold for $300. A little two and one-half acre place with an apology for a house, ought to bring $350. The Dixey place of 30 acres, a good cottage house and a poor barn will be sold for $2 700, on easy terms There is a splendid lot of wood land on the place, and the views are mag- nificent. Near the above are several lots of Wood Land, for sale cheap, and at the foot of the Hili, on the edge of Beaver Meadow, arc oth- er lots of wood land for sale. Also some Trout Streams and Cranberry Bogs. Moose Hill is a very desirable location, and property there is sure to rise in value. 1>he Dixey farm on Moose Hill, has a good sev- en-room cottage house, a poor barn and 30 acres of good land, with plenty of wood, inclu- ding a very nice grove. The situation is one ol the pleasantest and healthiest in this beautiful town. The view is just splendid. Price $2,500, on very easy terms. Mrs. Patten has only eight and one-half acres in her little farm, but it is all good land, finely situated on the b rders of Mas- sapoag, and is well stocked with fruit and shade trees. There is a square two-story house and a small, cheap barn, $3,000. Sharon Village Property. I' or $7,000 or less, I can sell a modern built, large 12-room house, plenty of land and shade, house built by the day, cemented celiar, hot and cold water, bath room, and all improve- ments. No pains or expense were spared in building, but circumstances compel the owner to sell at once. For $S,000, 1 will sell two good houses and a barn. Plenty of shade and fruit; one acre of land. Must be sold to some one at once. 34 For $4,500, the C. D. Hixon house, right in the heart of the village. All modern improve- ments, cheaper than cheap. The Butler house, 18 rooms, set tubs, gas, water closet, bath room, and all that can be desired. Elegant stable, three acres of land, stocked with fruit. Good drainage, splendid view. Cost nearly $-20,000, and I hope to get $15,000 for it, but if I can't will sell for $12,000. Come and see it. rphe Tamblyn house and half acre of land. Has JL some splendid pine trees. The house is nearly new. Fine location. $2,5000. Half a house on our best street. The other part is owned and occupied by nice people. Fruit and land enough for a garden, for $900. This is a good place for two ladies or an old couple. On the same street is a double house, with four tenements, near pine wood. Price, $3,000. You can let them for 12 per cent, on your money. It is a desirable neighborhood. T/or $4,0(0, I will sell the Lucas Johnson house, _T a stable and one acre of land, lots of fruit. It is a pretty place in the heart of the village. An old two-story house, and one acre of land, will be sold for $2,500. The best business location in the village. FARMS. On the Bav Road I have several farms to sell. One is a small vegetable and milk farm; the milk route will go with it. Another is a nice cottage house and barn, and one acre of land. As good a neighborhood as there is the world. Nearer North Easton, is a cheap little farm, and another just off of the Bay Road, in Stoughton. At Sharon Heights I have a neat cottage house and one acre of land. Half mile from the station I have a French-roof house and one acre of land for sale cheap. Near the station at Shar- on Heights is a 30-acre farm, for $1,500. There is a good barn but no house. Will sell most of the above with a very small amount down. 35 One of the best farms in Sharon for grass, poultry or vegetables. Will be sold with one or two houses as desired, and from 10 to 100 acres of land. Price from $1,000 to $3,500, according to what you take, but any or all of it at a big bar- gain. If you want a big stock farm with 140 acres of land, plenty of fruit and wood, a good old house, splendid barns, come and see me. On the edge of the village, I have a 60-acre farm, with a large modern house, suitable for a dude, and a good big barn. Sharon Village Farms. The Johnson farm has buildings out of repair, but the land is finely situated to cut up into building lots, beiug high, dry, near station, and commanding a fine view. There is a demand for such lots. A splendid small fruit farm, well stock- -^*- ed with a variety of small fruit and plums. Large house and barn; this is elegantly located near station, and will be sold at a bargain. A good farm of sixty acres, right in -^*- Sharon village. Land will some day all be wanted for house lots. High, dry, healthy, fine scenery, and perfect drain- age. Large two-story, square house, open fires and furnace, Sharon water, good barn. Will sell less land if desired. Near the above I have a 40-acre farm, land situated in same way, but the house is not quite so good. Both are good invest ments. 36 ELM LAWN. This splendid farm boarding house is now offered for sale. There is 40 acres of good land, extending from Lake Massapoag to the railroad track near Sharon Heights station. A part of the land is covered with pine groves and a part of the remainder is stocked with small fruits and plums. There are three thousand raspberry and blackberry plants also strawberries, asparagus and rhubarb. The buildings consist of a large mansion house, of some twenty-five rooms, four cottages and a large barn. The house has been successfully run for several years as a summer boarding house, and can al- ways be filled at good prices. It will be sold low to the right party and on easy terms. The houses are now fully fur- nished, and all the furniture, linen and crockery will be sold with it. Farms on Sharon Plain. jly the borders of a beautiful pond, I -■--* have a good 70-acre farm, which I must sell to settle an estate. There is a good barn and an old but good two-story square house. The place is good enough for you when you get worth $1,000,000, but I will sell it for $4,000. on easy terms. Two places to settle an estate, one of 45 acres and one of thirty; both have good houses and barns, both are good mark- et gardens or poultry or grass farms. One 37 has a cranberry bog. One of these will be sold with a small amount clown. Near the above is a neat, productive 25-acre farm, with wood enough to most pay for it, neat cottage house of seven rooms, piazza and blinds, barn and four poultry houses. $1,700, half cash or more. On the shores of Massapoag, I will sell you a sixty-acre farm, for $5,500. Plenty of fruit, large, old cottage house, large barn. Near the above but not bor- dering on the lake, is a good farm, with a new cottage house ; will be sold cheap. MILL AND FARMS. T you want a 100-acre farm with saw J-fand shingle mill, come and see the CI pp farm. It is a lonesome place, but very pretty and romantic. I will sell it with a little money clown or trade it. If you want a 120-acre farm with old fash- ioned buildings of not much account, but commanding a beautiful view and capa- ble of being made an elegant place, come to Sharon and see me. I can sell a huge tract of building lots, cheap for cash. It is level, near station and well situated for any business, but you need money to de- velop it. I can sell you the best apple farm in Sharon, 70 acres of land, lots of wood, large barn, small house, splendid view and tony neighborhood. Owner wants all cash. 38 Great Poultry Farm. frihe Sharon Heights Poultry Farm, the J- largest poultry establishment in the State, is now offered for sale, because the owner has other business and can't at- tend to it. There is forty-five acres of land, well stocked with apples and plums, plenty of wood, a large cottage house in good repair, a small house for help, large barn, 1,300 feet of hen-houses, suitably divided. It is only one-half mile from the station and is in every respect admira- bly adapted to the poultry business. Will be sold for less than the cost of the build- ings, on easy terms. I have some smaller "hen farms" to sell. Wood and Vacant Lands. Some 300 acres of house lots, laying di- rectly on the railroad, will be sold cheap to anyone having means to develop them. In the edge of Foxboro, I want to sell 40 acres of wood and pasture, to set- tle an estate. On the line of the Railroad I will sell fourteen acres of hard wood. It will be built on some day. On the shore of Massapoag, I can sell some nice unim- proved land cheap. Part of it is covered with white pine. I have a small wood lot to sell on Main Street, near the vil- lage. or $1,000, I will sell you a beautiful lot of four acres. Come and see it. F 39 A djoining where Dr. Bowditchisbuild- -£-*- ing a sanitarium, I have a good wood lot, to sell cheap. F or $300 an acre, I will sell you au 8- acre lot, near the depot. Just the thine to build on. House Lots and Woods. Tf you will agree to build a nice house -"- on it, I will sell you a splendid house lot on the "Ball Ground", the highest and best land in the village. On Pleasant View, I have eight acres of house lots, to sell at a bargain. Also at the same plat, two eligible house lots, belonging to a Worcester man. T will sell you 10 acres of wood, in -■- "Cabbage Swamp", belonging to a Boston man, for less than it is worth. Tn Canton, on the railroad and near sta- -■- tiou, I can sell you a big lot of land cheap. If you have got money and snap you can make a little fortune on it, for house lots. Tn an adjoining town, I have for sale an -*- elegant estate : has cost probably, near- ly $30,000. Would make a good place for a school, or some tony institution, or a gentleman's residence. What will you £'ive for it? 40 TO LET. A nice, fully furnished house of nine rooms, furnace heat, Sharon water, ample grounds, near pine grove. Will be let for the summer of )889, or longer. \ furnished house, of eight rooms, and -£*- one of nine rooms, will be let fur- nished. Both have Sharon water and the grounds of both adjoin a pine grove. T>y the Lake, I have the Octagon cot- -*-* tage of eight rooms, to let furnished. With the house is a garden, lawn, barn and boat. T have some houses to let unfurnished at -*- Sharon Heights, at the Knife Works, and three tenements in the village. nnhe Winship house, one of the largest -*~ and best houses in the village, is to let furnished or unfurnished. The Choate house will be to let in the Spring. There are eight large rooms, heat by a furnace, a large stable and sev- eral acres of land, Sharon water. It will be let furnished or unfurnished for the summer or by the year. It is right in the village. The view from the house is splendid. The Fuller farm, one of the bestGO-acre farms in Sharon, will be let but is not for sale. There is a good two-story 41 house, large barn and henhouse. It is a very healthy, pleasant place, On the edge of the village, 17 acres of land, some wood, two-story house, barn, hen-houses, apples, on the borders of a mill pond. $2,500. jl/Tore than a mile from the station, is a JJJ_ good little farm, nice two-story house, barn and poultry house. Will keep two cows and a horse. A splendid chance to raise trout. $3,000. ]Vrear North Sharon sehoolhouse is a -^ good little farm, with house, barns and sheds, all are nice but need repairs. One mile from the station is a neat little farm, cottage house, small barn, and nice poultry house. Apples, peaches and grapes in abundance. $1,500; only $400 down. N ear Massapoag, is an 8-acre farm, good cottage, no barn, for $1,100. FOR SALE. rilo settle an estate, a fine grass and veg- -*- etable farm of 40 acres, neat cottage house, fair barn and splendid shade. Price $2,000. It ought to bring more. IVTear the above and belonging to the -^ same estate is another farm about the same size. It ought to bring $3,000, !>ut will be sold for less. 42 Tn the village, a house of 13 rooms, pi- J- azza, blinds, shade, sets high and has perfect drainage, 50,000 feet of good land and plenty of apples and pears. Price $3,500, A n 80-acre farm, land level, easily -^ worked and free from stones, plenty of wood; large two-story, well kept square house, nice large barn. This is one of the prettiest places in Norfolk County ¥or a gentleman's country seat, or is a productive farm for a laboring man! It belongs to two ladies who cannot work it and will sell very low, on easy terms. Price $4,000. TClourteen acres of woodland, directly -*- on the line of the railroad, high, dry, suitable for building land and will some day be valuable. Price .$700. Tn Canton, a nice, two-story house, barn -*- and one acre of land, on easy terms. On the shore of Massapoag, a 60-acre farm, a cottage house and large barn, $5,500. Near the above is an 8-acre farm, #1,100. Near Sharon Centre, a fine 40-acre farm very nice 2-story house, large barn, a fine place, $7,000. A nice village farm, high, good loca- tion, 2-story house } baxn, and good orchard, $7,000,' 43 In Sharon, an 80-acre farm on the shores of a Tine lake, large two-story house and good barn. Near the above are 40 acres of pasture and woodland. On the shore of Lake Massapoag, I can sell you an elegant house, with all modern improvements, a barn and fifteen acres of land. This is a place suitable for any gentleman. In the village is a mod- ern built 13-room house, and one acre of land. Furnace heat; $4,000. Near the Knife Works, I have two cheap houses. Will sell them separate or together. One is two-story. At Sharon Heights, I will sell you the Clarke estate, of over sixty acres of land, close to the station. There are five houses and a barn. Will sell a part or all. It is a good investment, being close to the station. Welch's Grove, a beautiful pine grove, with 10 1-2 acres of land, directly on the railroad, command- ing a fine view, will be sold for $1,200, and it is cheap. SHEPARD CARPENTER, SHARON, IOHj delivered as desired. H. F. LEONARD, SHARON, 44 0: E. Howard, So, Sharon, P. 0. Address. East Foxboro. FIRE WOOD PREPARED for stove or fireplace. Delived prompt- ly in any quantity desired. FRED A. WHITE. MOOSE HILL MILK. EDWARD HAMPTON. ^l^ =^\ Nff^ v=f^ ^m ^ra Shop over Blue Store. Maple Ave. Sharon. LONG BROTHERS, 51 pou, keepin stock every article usu- ally kept in a Country Store, Permanent Residents, Cottagers summer residents supplied with goods equal in quality to any in Bos- ton. A member of the firm will call for ord- GOODS DELIVERED PROMPTLY -' Benefit - Association. LiTIiiti::: - !l "."-" : G. A. L: . r z.AZ - Hz. r z._ _ r _ : > iss . in Issue? - - : . .. Z r"-:L::;- S2-: Tl 1 ires' - - - > _-ind. to € j - - falL CAL 3 - 46 B. GANNETT, Pond Street Stable.; Double & Single Carriages with or without drivers furniseed at short notice' also HACKS, BARGES AND PART? WAGONS. The Foreman of this stable is a temperate experienced man, who will give the besl of care to BOARDING HORSES. CARRIAGES SENT TO ANY TRAIN when ordered by mail or telegraph. M? stable is near the residence of W.B.Wicke: and carriages may be ordered by tele phone to him. Address B. GANNETT, SHARON. P. S. — Teams furnished from my fan] for Moving Furniture, or any kind o Jobbing, Excavating, or Teaming. £7 IkM H V, W. BROOKS makes a specialty of supplying immor Boslflents, Gottaors as well as all others with EATS, POULTRY, GAME, VEGETABLES, ANNED GOODS, BUTTER, And all goods usually kept in a well stocked market. RNER'S BLOCK, SHARON. 48 WHIT EO YOU 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 in- vestment? 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 hoarding place? Do you want to take boarders? Do you want to sell any kind of busi- ness? Do you want to go into any kind of business or invest any money? In short, do you wish to buj% sell or hire anything in Sharon or vicinity or want to get a home in Sharon ? Apply to W. B. WICKES, Sharon. Telephone Connections. WHAT BO YOO WANT? LIBRARY OF CONGRESS iiiiii iiiii mil mi! iiiii iim mil ii urn mil mil mi 111 i! it in i in 1 1 nil ii i 014 110 719