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The Arrival and Naturalization of Stephen H. Lewis

Maternal, ,

It looks like Ancestry.com has added new naturalization petitions for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it just so happened that I did a new search on Stephen H. Lewis and it revealed three new records with some additional information on his arrival from Nova Scotia.

We already knew his birthdate, though this is yet another citation for it: 13 December 1857. Also added additional citations for birth town (Five Islands), birth county (Colchester), and birth province (Nova Scotia), as well as his occupation in Somerville, Building and Carpenter.

He arrived in the port of Boston on 10 April 1883, and on 9 October 1893, he made his Declaration and Intention to become a citizen of the United States, renouncing “forever all allegiance and fidelity” to Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

On 30 December 1901, Stephen H. Lewis “having produced the evidence required by law, took the aforesaid oath and was admitted to become a citizen of the United States of America.” He was living at his longtime residence, 44 Kidder Avenue in West Somerville, Massachusetts. An interesting note is that Edward VII was now the King, following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.

Joseph B. Went (51 Hall Ave, Somerville) and George A. Richardson (20 Wesley, Somerville) were the witnesses.

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741 Main Street – Hammersley Block

Maternal,

The Hammersley Block is a two-story commercial vernacular building that shares party walls with both of its neighbors. It has a red brick front and is decorated with a pressed metal cornice that features dentils and a sawtooth motif. Above the second story openings are heavy label moldings that suggest the late Italianate style. Openings are filled with single-light sashes. The original storefront of this building was typical of the era: large show windows with transoms, iron columns, and a central entrance. In 1929, though, the building was given a “modern” copper and glass front that has been identified as being from the Brasco Manufacturing Company of Chicago.

The new storefront appears hi a catalog from the Brasco company published in 1927. It features a much deeper central entrance so that the display windows are considerably longer. The storefront has a thin copper framework and low copper aprons under the show windows so that the primary construction material is glass. Above the show windows at the front of the building there is a multi-light transom and between the long show windows there is an arched ceiling. The two entry doors flank a narrow showcase and the entire entrance is topped with a large fanlight. This beautiful storefront is in excellent condition.

The Hammersley Drug Store was one of the most prominent businesses in downtown Lake Geneva. The business began with W. H. Hammersley in 1865, who operated the drug store until 1905, only one year before his death. He was located in the old building on this site, which he replaced in 1885-86. Upon his death, his son, also William H., succeeded him in the drug store. In 1920, his sons, Seymour and Henry, entered the business and operated it until a fourth generation took over, operating the store until the 1980s.

“Forty Years in Business,” Lake Geneva News, 28 September 1905, p. 1; “W. H. Hammersley,” Lake Geneva Herald, 13 April 1906, p. 1; “W. H. Hammersley Associates His Sons With Him,” Lake Geneva News, 8 April 1920, p.l.

The second important and long-time drug store in Lake Geneva was the Hammersley Drug Store. W. H. Hammersley was a native of England who came to the United States hi 1844. He was in business in New York with his father, who imported china and crockery. He remained in this business until 1863, when he came to Lake Geneva. In 1865, he began his drug store business, also selling books and stationery in a small frame building. In 1885-86, Hammersley had a new brick block constructed for his store (741 Main St.) and the business remained in this location for almost 100 years. In 1906, Hammersley’s son, W. H. Jr. took over the business, then passed it on to his sons, Seymour and Henry, who had graduated from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin. During the mid and late twentieth century, a fourth generation of Hammersleys carried on the drug store, affiliating with the Walgreen chain. The Hammersley Drug Store stayed in operation into the 1970s.

The Hammersley Block is one of the best-preserved buildings in the historic district. It still retains its 1929 copper storefront and most of its historic second story details. The Hammersley Drug Store was one of the longest and most popular of Lake Geneva’s retail businesses, and W. H. Hammersley Sr. was a prominent member of the community. Because of its long-time association with the Hammersley Drug Store, the Hammersley Block is historically significant for commerce.

[SOURCE]

D. P. Boehm Appointed To Assist W. F. Priebe in the Poultry Department of Food Administration

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Daniel P. Boehm of New York, long connected with the wholesale poultry trade of this city, has been appointed to assist W. F. Priebe in the poultry department of the Federal Food Administration. Mr. Boehm will divid his time between Washington and New York. He presided at a meeting of New York poultry men last Friday at the N. Y. Mercantile Exchange, called to consider the Food Administration decision that frozen chickens and fowls of the 1916 pack must be all unloaded before March 1. Mr. Boehm found his fellows in the trade disposed to conform strictly to the ruling and it was the general opinion that by holding back the light pack of 1917 chickens and fowls the older good would find a market at moderate prices. It developed that there was some possibility of considerable purchases by the British Government of export chickens. Holders can offer their goods to the governmental purchasing board and when purchasers are made the orders will be divided among those who make such offers.

Mr. Boehm stated that Mr. Priebe would confer with the Chicago trade Monday, Jan 14, on the same general matters.

[SOURCE]
New York Poultry Review and American Creamery, Volume 45
Wednesday, January 16, 1918

DP Boehm Appointed

Other coverage of the appointment and meeting [SOURCE: Chicago Packer, 19 January 1918]:

Daniel P. Boehm, the dressed poultry and egg dealer, has been appointed an assistant to W. F. Priebe of the federal Food Administration. Mr. Boehm presided at a meeting of dressed poultry men on the Mercantile Exchange last week, at which time the old New York Poultry and Game Trade Association was reorganized. About 20 of the largest dressed poultry firms in New York from the new organization.

At the meeting Mr. Boehm talked to the members on the recent Food Administration orders that all of the 1916 frozen chickens and fowls must be out of the freezers by March 1. The association members agreed that the administration’s oder on this was just and will see that the stock is moved by that time. The same ruling has gone into effect at Chicago and other central storing points.

Daniel P Boehm Appointed Priebe Assistant

John Henry Boehm – Obituary

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OBITUARY
JOHN HENRY BOEHM

The death of John H. Boehm was reported on Monday of this week at his late residence at Climax, in the Catskills, New York State, at the age of 72 years.

Mr. Boehm was born in this city (sic) and was engaged in the poultry and produce business for more than 50 years. He started in Washington Market under name of Boehm & Riley, and later went to Harlem and was in business in 125th Street for a number of years and about 28 or 30 years ago removed to Brooklyn, where he build up a large business in dresses poultry, calves and provisions. He practically retired from active business life a few years ago and purchase a farm at Climax, N.Y., where he resident until his passing away.

Mr. Boehm was married three times and left surviving three songs by his first marriage, Daniel P. Boehm, a prominent dressed poultry and egg merchant of this city and a deputy commissioner of the Federal Food Administration, George and Henry Boehm. A son, Albert, by his second marriage, died a short time ago and by his third wife a son, Ralph, and a married daughter.

The funeral services and burial will take place at Climax, N.Y., on Thursday morning.

[SOURCE]
New York Produce Review and American Creamery, Volume 46
Wednesday, May 1, 1918

John Henry Boehm obituary

Prior to this obituary running, the Review ran this notice:

John Boehm, father of D.P. Boehm of the Federal Food Administration, has been seriously ill at his home in the Catskills and reported to be in a critical condition. Johnny Boehm, as he was familiarly known in this market a few year ago, was a large operator in this market in poultry, calves and provisions, with headquarters in Brooklyn.

[SOURCE]
New York Produce Review and American Creamery, Volume 46
Wednesday, May 1, 1918

John Boehm ill

Major Isaac Mayer, obituary

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In Memoriam.

Major Isaac Mayer, who died at his residence in Augusta, GA, on the 29th day of April, 1864, in the 46th year of his age.

In terms similar to these we are accustomed to record the passage of all immortals through the shadowy portals which open from earth into the Infinite.

The brief words, he was born, he lived, he died, sum up all human history. The joy which hails the newly born spreads little beyond the household. The mature life may make its energies felt upon the pulses of a world. But whether that life belong to the quiet and unpretending citizen, to the eloquent statesman, or to the mighty conqueror, yet, when the curtain lifts upon the third act of the drama, the shadows of the tomb seem to reach out to darken and obscure. The busy energies of the life in the world contract the narrow limits of the sick chamber. One by one the chords which unite to the busy multitude outside are severed. The silent footfall and sad faces of a few true friends take the places of the joy of life’s morning and the noise and glare of its noon. A mighty angel spreads the shadow of immortal wings above the place, and the great and the humble alike, pass out into the invisible light, even more quietly than they entered the world. Then that world sees in a paper, or hears from the tongue of a bell, or the funeral music of the slow procession, or beholds among the black plumes a hearse; the last words of life’s common history–he died.

The record today is of “an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile.” One of that ancient race whose Moses and Joshua, and Gideon and Saul, are prouder and older names than Alexander and Hannibal, Napoleon and Washington.–Whose Oracles, speaking from the Mercy-sect, and beneath the extended wings of the Cherubim, are of authority now, while the groves of Greece, the Delphie Mysteries, the auguries of Rome, as well as those older rites which the Chaldese learned beneath the stars that looked on Babylon, or the Egyptians practiced in the chambers of the Pyramids, only live in tradition and fable.

The race that have preserved amid wars and captivities, the primal history of the world, and the first revelations of its Creator; whose long and authentic genealogies put to shame the boasted ancestry of the noble earth, who are proud to trace their blood from such recent things as a Crusade or Norman invasion; whose deeds of arms live upon the painting and the marble, by which Syria, Egypt and Rome strove to bride the old tomb-builder, Time, into marking his path with something besides dust and decay; whose prophets learned of the future from God; whose Seers talked with Jehovah and his angels; whose poets taught Chilton and Homer to sing; whose kings begun with such names as David and Solomon; whose city was Jerusalem; whose sanctuary was the Temple; whose law is the basis of all civilized codes; and who, even now, although dispersed, persecuted, oppressed, furnish historians, warriors and statesmen in all lands; and who, strange to tell, are most hated by those who swear on their Holy Book, and worship a God who was born of their blood.

Isaac Mayer was a Jew, and so were David and St. Paul, the Apostle Peter, the historian Josephus, and the incarnate object of Christian worship, Jesus Christ.

Born in that fatherland from whence come the most successful agriculturists of the new world, he was thoroughly German; delighting always to tell of its beautiful cities, its blue rivers, and vine-clad hills; although always a good and true citizen of this adopted country, yet never giving up the hope of returning to the land of music, and pipes, and wine.

A successful importer of the wines of the Rhine, and prominent for years among the business men of Augusta, esteemed among those companions of the Holy Royal Arch, who called themselves Masons, it is of little use to tell who or what he was to a community in which he lived and died.

A keen sympathizer with the South in the revolution called secession, he was among the early volunteers, and when Brigadier General Capers was in command of the Second State Brigade at Savannah, our friend accepted the appointment of Brigade Commissary, and wore worthily the stars of Major.

During a long illness he was always rational, always patient, always the kind husband and father, and friend he had lived, sanctifying with a pious death the life of generous usefulness.

The writer did not see him die, but in the last visit he whispered, “They have sent for me and I must go.” The parting with loved ones, which made his lips quiver then, is over now, and brighter skies than those of this own loved Germany bend above him now. He drinks from the sweeter waters than the health giving springs of that distant home; sees richer verdure than the vineyards of the Rhine, and the angels know grander songs than those of the immortal composers of the home of music. The procession of citizen soldiery, brethren of the Mystic tie and assembled friends, was not so grant, and far more sad, than the escort of glorious spirits, who sang through the fields of air of a death on earth and a birth in heaven; who led him to that lodge, that needs no keystone and no pillars into the presence of that only Grand Master of the universe, whose Mastership can never be recorded as Past.

They “sent” for you old friend; the sickness was but to sever the strong chords of mortality. They waited in the chamber and smiled a welcome while others wept at parting; they opened the doors of pearl, whose golden hinges turn so softly that mortals never hear them; they led you through into the ineffable light beyond; and we, who know you are gone, and who miss you so much, will plant flowers above your dust; and when they bloom will dream among their fragrance of the home you have gone to, where creeds are forgotten; where wars are no more; where the Jew and the Gentile may meet in the Holy of Holies.

A. Christian

Wednesday, May 4, 1864
Daily Constitutionalist (Augusta, Georgia)
Volume: XXI Issue: 106 Page: 2

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The Oblong

Genealogy, Maternal, , , ,

It is fascinating when you come across something–in this case a place–that you had never heard of before. In a death notice, the father’s birthplace was listed as “Oblong,” Mass. — just like that, in quotation marks. And whether it was added at the same time or at some point down the line, it was clarified as the S.W. corner of state.

jones-oblong

What the heck?

At first, Google was unhelpful as I searched for an Oblong, Massachusetts. But I started to massage my query, looking at a modern map and seeing Mount Washington as being the town in that corner of Massachusetts. Eventually, I came upon this link that was finally referencing something called the “Oblong.” Love how the blogger starts the post:

I love a good border dispute. (Not a fan of the bad ones of course.) And I really love when the combination of a 200+ year Connecticut border dispute, a great hike, some perambulation fun, multiple geographic extremes, absurdity, a great word like “oblong”, found money, blueberries and upsetting those weirdo genealogy freaks all come together in one CTMQ page…

A page about a 4 foot pillar in the woods.

The pillar he refers to was set in August 28, 1899, in the same location as a stone heap made by the New York-Connecticut Commission of 1731 to mark the northwest corner of the “Oblong.” It all comes down to a border war between New York and Connecticut that ended with Connecticut getting its panhandle, and New York getting the so-called “Oblong.” More from CTMQ and the Connecticut State Library:

So in 1683 the boundary between Connecticut and New York was generally recognized as a line parallel to and twenty miles from the Hudson River north to the Massachusetts line. However, New York, acknowledging most of Connecticut’s settlements in (now) Fairfield County, gave up a claims to a 61,660 acre rectangle east of the Byram River, which became the area sometimes referred to as Connecticut’s “panhandle” or the “handle of the cleaver”. In return, (This would be the Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan bit.)

Connecticut gave up its claims to Rye (no loss there) and ceded to New York a strip of land 580 rods (1.81 miles) wide “equivalent” to the area of the panhandle that extended north from Ridgefield along Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties, New York, to the Massachusetts line. This territory came to be known as “The Oblong”.

As you can imagine, genealogical research for this area is difficult to say the least. Some information may be in Connecticut records, other information may be in New York town or county records, and there are some people and families that either were simply missed or chose to be uncounted. “Lost to the Oblong,” so they say.

As far as Silvanus Jones being from the “Oblong,” that research continues, because I have always been under the assumption he was from the Cape or southeastern Massachusetts.

Obituary for Benjamin Alford

Maternal,

Died, in this city, on Saturday, the 17th, after a short but severe illness, Mr. BENJAMIN ALFORD, aged 46 years, a native of Westfield (Mass). During a short resident in this city, he was much respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. The warmth and sincerity of friendship, and the benevolent disposition of this gentleman, will endear his memory to his friends and distant relatives and leave them grounds to hope, that he is now enjoying felicity, in another and a better world.–Museum.

Savannah Republican and Evening Ledger
October 1, 1814
Page 3

Excerpt on Alfred Family History

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The name is of English origin, and the first one to settle in this country was Benedictus Alford, as the name then appeared, who made his home at Windsor, Connecticut. He was a sergeant in the Pequot war in 1637, a juror in 1643, and constable of his town in 1666, when a day of special thanksgiving was observed throughout the colonies. He was a member of the Windsor church. When his will was offered for probate in 1683, his estate was valued at two hundred and twenty-nine pounds, three shillings and six pence. This was considered a large amount in those days, and Mr. Alford was looked upon as one of the most prominent and influential citizens. He was married to Miss Jane Newton on November 26, 1640, and the following named children were born to them: Jonathan, born June 1, 1645; Benedict, born July 11, 1647; Josias, born July 6, 1649, who inherited the form granted to his father for services in the Pequot war; Elizabeth, born September 21, 1651; and Jeremy, born December 24, 1655.

Jeremy was the youngest son of Benedictus and Jane Alford, and the first name of his wife was Jane, who survived him and was administratrix of his estate in 1709. Her death occurred in 1715; nine children were born to them, namely: Benedict, Newton, Jonathan, Jeremy, Jane, Joanna, Elizabeth, Elizabeth (2) and Job Alford.

Job, the youngest son of Jeremy and Jane Alford, was born August 26, 1708, and about 1734 became one of the first settlers of Harwinton, Connecticut; his children were Job and John Alford.

John, youngest son of Job Alfred, was born September 4, 1738, and he was joined in marriage to Lydia Fellows; six children were born to them: Eunice, Polly, Joanna, Consider, William and Benjamin Alford. Benjamin, youngest son of John and Lydia Alford, was born March 26, 1769. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Chapin, and the following children were born to them: John B., who died in infancy; John B. (2); Samuel D., who also died in infancy; Samuel D. (2); and Elizabeth Alford. The father of these children was a resident of West Springfield, Massachusetts, subsequently removing to Westfield in the same state. He was engaged in the West Indies trade, and was a large dealer in ivory; on one of his return voyages he landed in Savannah, Georgia, to attend a sale of ivory, and contracted yellow fever, from which he died. His second son, John B., was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Hopkins, who bore him four children, namely: Elizabeth; Caroline; John B., who died in infancy; and John B. Alfred.

Samuel D. Alfred, youngest son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Alfred, was born June 14, 1804. He was eleven years of age when his father died; he remained at home with his mother and elder brother, assisting with the work on the homestead farm until he was sixteen years old, when he went to Hartford, Connecticut, and became an apprentice to a cabinet-maker. After acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business he worked as a journeyman in Batavia and Lansingburg, New York, and in the latter named city he was united in marriage to Miss Sally Willard, who was born September 30, 1805. Two children were born to them: Benjamin C. and Roxana, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Alfred died November 25, 1828, and mr. Alfred committed the care of Benjamin C. to the care of his grandmother, who resided in Westfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Alfred then engaged in the sale of clocks, traveling with his wagon as far north as Montreal, Canada. His business soon became so prosperous that he placed a number of traveling salesmen on the road, and he continued at this line of work until he formed a mercantile association with Almon Smith and Lucius Wheeler at Berkshire Center, Vermont. He retired from the firm in 1840, and removed to West Haven, Vermont, where he was in business for two years, subsequently removing to Fairfax, where he established himself in business, and continued to reside there until his decease. In 1865 Mr. Alfred retired, transferring his business to his son, John B. Alfred. Mr. Samuel D. Alfred was one of the prime movers in procuring the removal of the Newhampton Institution from Newhampton, New Hampshire, to Fairfax, Vermont. For many years after its removal he gave largely of his means and time to its support. It was one of the leading schools of that time. Mr. Alford gave all of his children a good and thorough education, and contributed liberally of his wealth to enable them to make a beginning in life. He was a man of the strictest integrity, and had the reputation of being the soul of honesty in all his transactions. Mr. Alfred, on November 25, 1832, married for his second wife Miss Polly Smith, who was born in Fairfield, Vermont, August 22, 1812. Ten children were born of this union, namely: Samuel D., Jr., who married Cerepta B. Freeman, and died at the age of forty-eight years; Pamelia Ann, who is still living; Mary Celinda L., wife of Charles E. Fisher; Sarah M., wife of Elbridge D. Richardson; Cromwell B., who married Jane Roberts, and died at the age of forty years; Elizabeth C., who died at the age of five years; John B., who married Susan A. Bradley; Almon S., who married Lucy A. Ives; Chauncey Chapin, who married Ann Chase Hunt; and Frank E. Alford.

This genealogical sketch is taken in its entirety from Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation by Hiram Carleton, published in 1903. (Source) The information is provided as written in the book with the disclaimer that the book has no source information or footnotes. I can vouch for most or all of the information after Benjamin Alfred and Elizabeth Chapin, while the information regarding prior generations up to Benedictus Alford has not be verified. 

Samuel D. Alfred – Obituary – Vermont Watchman

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ALFRED.–Samuel D. Alfred was born at Springfield, Mass., June 14, 1804, and died at Fairfax May 5, 1889. November 25, 1832, he married Miss Polly Smith, who survives him. His parents died when he was quite young. He learned the cabinet-maker’s trade, which he followed until his marriage, when he went into the mercantile business at Berkshire Center, and later at West Haven. In June, 1842, he moved to Fairfax, where he remained in active business until the spring of 1865, when he sold his business to his son John. He had ten children by his present wife and two by a former marriage. Seven are still living, with nineteen grandchildren, three of whom are married. Mr. Alfred was a very strict man. In business his goods were all marked, and he never varied from the price. The youngest child could be send to his store and was sure to get the goods as cheaply as the parents could. Said one who served a three years’ apprenticeship in the mercantile business with Mr. Alfred. “When boys we used to think that Mr. Alfred was an awful mean man to work for. But I now know that the three years I lived with him were worth more to me than all the rest of my schooling. I feel that to Mr. Alfred I am indebted for all I am.” Every apprentice who served with him has turned out a successful business man. Mr. Alfred knew the value of good credit. In 1857, when everybody was failing, his oldest son was in business in Illinois. In the fall he wrote that he would not come East, as he could not meet his bills. Mr. Alfred wrote his son to send on a list of goods that he wanted, with what money he could raise. He then went to his own creditors in New York, secured an extension, which was readily granted, after buying what goods he wanted. He then went to his sons creditors, paid his bills and ordered his goods, thus giving his son a high rating, which he always maintained. It was a great wonder to the New York merchants how a western man could meet his bills, and they never knew how it was done. The funeral services were held from his late home Thursday, May 9, Rev. Henry Crocker officiating, with remarks by Rev. J. G. Loramer, who said that he came not as a minister but out of respect to one to whom he owed a debt of gratitude for assistance in getting his education. Mr. Alfred will long be remember as a true friend to the right, not only by his family, but by a large circle of friends also.

The Vermont Watchman
22 May 1889, Wednesday
First Edition
Page 1

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Lighters Blown Ashore, 23 Men in Peril.

Maternal,

Lighters and Manomet LSS Crew

Lighters Blown Ashore, 23 Men in Peril.

Life-Savers Summoned When Gale Attacks Fleet Engaged in Construction of Entrance to Cape Cod Canal at Sandwich.

SANDWICH, Nov 9–Relying upon the weather report yesterday afternoon, according to Capt Gilbert, came near costing the lives of 23 men employed in building the big breakwater at the entrance to the Cape Cod canal today. Two big lighters were driven ashore and piled high on the beach. They will be a total loss.

The tug Sarah J. Weed, after a fearful experience in the bay, managed to work her way into Provincetown harbor, and the four schooners of the Gilbert company rode out the gale in safety.

One of the schooners, the Elizabeth Gilbert, dragged her anchor for more than a mile, and tonight is riding out the gale near the breakwater, with the revenue cutter Gresham standing by to render assistance should it be necessary.

Two life-saving crews, the Manomet and Wood End, came to the assistance of the men of the lighters, while hundreds of citizens and boatmen stood helpless on the shore watching the riotous seas tear the lighters to pieces.

Twenty-Three Men in Peril.

The two lighters, the Ben Franklin and the Potomac, came into the bay yesterday morning from Plymouth to unload granite from the schooners, and all day yesterday they worked taking stone out of the Elizabeth Gilbert.

Late yesterday afternoon Capt Gilbert, not liking the weather conditions, although the wind was blowing off shore, called up the weather bureau office in Boston and asked for today’s forecast. He received word that light westerly winds would prevail along the coast today and accordingly he kept the lighters at anchor alongside the breakwater with the tug Weed standing close by.

All hands turned in at an early hour, but before midnight the wind suddenly came in from the northeast. The men were called on deck before daylight and preparations were made to transfer the 18 men on the lighter Franklin to the Potomac, the stronger of the two.

Soon after 7 o’clock it was seen that the lives of the men were in great peril and distress signals were run up in the rigging. The seas at this time were breaking over the lighters and sweeping them from stem to stern, while the men could be plainly seen from the shore holding on for their lives.

The repeated distress signals sounded by the siren whistle on one of the lighters soon brought hundreds to the beach, but all were powerless to render help.

Life-Savers Respond.

Word was at once sent to the Manomet life-saving station, nearly 16 miles distant, and the veteran surf fighter, Capt Rogers, and his crew started overland with their surf boat and beach cart. Two hours were consumed getting horses to cart the heavy apparatus, and it was nearly five hours from the time that the crew started before their boat reached here.

Fearing that the lighters would at once break up, automobiles were dispatched to bring the coast guards with their gun and breeches buoy apparatus. Capt Rogers, with Lyle gun and breeches buoy, reached the scene at noon.

Meantime Capt Bowley and Lieut Ridgely had been informed of the situation by the Globe correspondent, and they ordered Capt Bickers and his crew of the Wood End station at Provincetown, nearly 30 miles distant, to the scene The Gresham was also reached by wireless.

Lighters Drive Ashore.

Before the Manomet life savers reached here the big lighter Franklin parted her moorings and was driven ashore, but they arrived in time to help the men on the lighter Potomac that was piled up alongside the Franklin.

The Gresham arrived in the bay at 3 o’clock, soon after Capt Bickers and his crew made a record-breaking run across the bay. Capt Bickers ran his power life-saving boat alongside Elizabeth Gilbert that was dangerously near the shore and offered to take the crew off, but they said that the anchors were holding and that they would stand by their vessel.

Capt Bickers then went alongside the Gresham, reported the facts and started in the teeth of the gale back across the bay to his station. The Manomet life saver were on the beach when the Gresham steamed in close to the breakwater and surfman Joyce signaled for her to stand by the inshore vessel. The Gresham at once put a boat out and sent a crew alongside the Elizabeth Gilbert and later came to an anchor close by the schooner.

Capt George A. Dean of Boston, who has charge of the work of unloading the granite from the schooners, told the Globe correspondent that the men on the lighters had a fearful experience this forenoon.

They thought that help would never come and that every moment the lighters would swamp. While transferring the men from the Franklin she broke adrift and raced ashore and later when it was feared that the Potomac would go down she was cut adrift and was driven ashore along the Franklin.

Schooners Probably Safe.

Both lighters are being battered by the seas and will probably break up.

The schooner Elizabeth Gilbert has three anchors out, including a 12,000-point fisherman’s anchor that it is believed will hold her until the Gresham can tow her out into the bay tomorrow.

The small boats on the lighters were swamped while being launched. The lighters are valued at $12,000, with no insurance.

The crews are quartered in the village tonight and tomorrow they will trip the wrecked craft. All the men aboard the lighters excepting four belong in Boston.

The cook of the Franklin suffered minor injuries, as did the cook of the Potomac, as they were being pulled out of the surf. Capt Dean says he will have other lighters here in a few days and that the work will go on at once.

The pontoons used in the canal construction were cast ashore today, and the beach for a half mile is strewn with wreckage of all kinds.

Boston Daily Globe
Nov 10, 1909
pg. 3