Hampton News
COMPELLED TO ENLARGE BY INCREASING BUSINESS
Through the consummation of a deal that has been in negotiation for some little time, and which was finally ratified the early part of this week, the Inter-State Press, composed of the publishers of the MERRIMAC VALLEY ECHO, ROCKINGHAM COUNTY RECORD and HAMPTONS UNION, have taken over the printing plant of the Rockingham Printing Co. at Hampton, N.H., and where hereafter these publications will be printed. To the already well equipped plant will be immediately added a first class modern linotype equipment of the latest model. When this equipment is installed the Inter-State Press will have as finely equipped a printing plant as any in this section, both for newspaper work and job printing, in which the Inter-State Press will specialize.
The rapidly increasing circulation and advertising that has come to the MERRIMAC VALLEY ECHO and its contemporary, the ROCKINGHAM COUNTY RECORD, made it absolutely imperative upon the management of these publications to secure a plant large enough to handle the increasing business, including the large amount of job work that has come to the office of these publications almost unsolicited, and the merger with the HAMPTON UNION was the result.
In addition to the installation of modern machinery to the Hampton plant other improvements will also be made. The plant at present occupies two floors. On the principle of economy and increased efficiency an addition will be built to the rear of the building large enough to allow the operation of the entire plant, which will include a battery of job presses, upon one floor.
The HAMPTONS UNION, the dean of the Inter-State Press publications, was instituted June 15, 1899. Its first abode was over Leavitt's drugstore in the Buswell Block near the railroad at Hampton. It was moved from here to True's spindle factory in the depot yard. Its next place of abode was in the shoe shop building, where it remained until 1908, when its present building was erected.
The ROCKINGHAM RECORD, the successor to the Exeter Gazette, was at one time the leading newspaper in Southern New Hampshire and was revived by its present owners.
Since its inception unprecedented success has attended the life of the MERRIMAC VALLEY ECHO. It jumped into popular favor almost at once. The publications of the Inter-State Press cover a field that embraces the southern section of New Hampshire and the northeastern section of Essex county in Massachusetts.
The business offices of the Inter-State Press will be located at 83 Main street, Amesbury, with a branch office at Hampton.
HAMPTON
Miss Geneva Hanson is spending this week in Boston.
W. T. Keene and family expect to move from town the first of April, near Newburyport.
A number of young people is to attend the theatre in Portsmouth this evening (Thursday). The play is "A Pair of Sixes." The party will return in an auto.
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Pike of Portsmouth are visiting their brother, John Wingate.
Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Carleton of Boston were week end guests of Miss Mary Toppan. Mr. and Mrs. Carleton were frequent guests at Hotel Whittier during Mr. Whittier's administration.
Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Ross are entertaining their cousin, Mr. Lane of Oregon.
Mr. and Mrs. William Byron are receiving congratulations upon the birth of a son. The oldest child, little Lydia, three years old, is visiting the family of Mrs. Lane. Mrs. Byron was formerly Miss Elizabeth Cox.
Quite a large audience assembled for the Boy Scout entertainment Tuesday evening and enjoyed the lecture and pictures shown by Rev. Mr. Campbell, upon the Emerald Isle, very much.
"Sunny Jim" Murphy, aged fifty-two, who has been employed at Frank Mason's, died suddenly Sunday evening. The body was placed in the tomb by Undertaker Tolman, until relatives have been located.
The birthday club, of which Mrs. Mabel Blake is a member, is invited to meet with Mrs. Blake upon her birthday, Tuesday, Feb. 15. If stormy the party will not meet until the first pleasant day.
Mrs. E. D. Berry was in town on Monday to attend the Monday club, stopping Monday night with Mrs. Brown.
Mrs. Martha Locke has returned to her home in Forrest Hills.
The attraction at the town hall Saturday night this week will be that big photoplay success, "The Valley of the Moon," written by Jack London. The picture has been well received wherever it has been exhibited and no doubt a good audience will be present on Saturday evening.
Rev. J. A. Ross and children have presented to the Congregational church in memory of their wife and mother a number of valuable books. Among them is forty-nine volumes of the "Expositor's Bible," which is invaluable to students of the Bible. At a church meeting on Sunday the church formally accepted the gift and a committee composed of Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Lane and Mrs. True was appointed to select a book case for the same. Other books will be added and the gift known as the Louise T. Ross memorial library.
Window advertisements are now up and tickets are now on sale for the Standish Male Quartette of Boston, who will give a concert in the town hall on Wednesday evening, Feb. 16. Many no doubt will pronounce this the best in the course of entertainments and as the quartette come at considerable expense it is hoped the concert will be well patronized. Tickets can be procured at Lane's store for 35 cents and 25 cents. There will be no postponement on account of weather. A car will leave the beach at 7 o'clock; also leave from the beach at the close of the concert.
Friday evening, Feb. 11, Prof. Alfred G. Richards of New Hampshire State College will lecture in the town hall at 8 o'clock. His subject will be "Comedies." Through the courtesy of the state college the admission will be free and the public is invited to attend. Prof. Richards is interesting. It will be a good lecture.
The Seaside club at Hampton Beach will hold a public whist party in the engine house on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 5 o'clock. All are invited. The admission will be 10 cents.
The W.C.T.U. unit will hold its Francis Willard Memorial meeting with Mrs. H. G. Lane next Friday.
Last Friday evening at the grange the following interesting program was given:
Piano duet, Mrs. Sprague, Miss True
A visit to Mixter Farm (Full blooded Guernseys), Pastmaster Yeaton
A visit to Field's Farm (Full blooded Holsteins), C. S. Toppan
Vocal Solo, Miss Bernice Glidden
Question - "What would you do when company arrives, unexpected to dinner and you have three ears of cold corn and five cold potatoes.", Members of the grange
Reading - "Proclamation of Health Day."
Discussion - "Are our town buildings as sanitary as they might be?"
Vocal duet, Mrs. Hobbs and Mrs. Perkins
Miss Leola M. Marston, who is employed in the union office, is confined to her home this week with a severe cold.
There will be a drama given for the benefit of the senior class of Hampton academy, in the town hall, Hampton, Wednesday evening, Mar. 1, further notice of which will be given next week.
Announcement is made of the engagement of Elizabeth Mae Clark, daughter of Mrs. Ida M. Clark of Waltham, to Howard Raymond Chase of Waltham.
A whist party and valentine dance will be given in the town hall of Hampton, Feb. 14, for the benefit of the senior class of 1916, of Hampton Academy. There will be whist from 7 to 8:30 o'clock, and dancing from 8:30 to 12. The admission will be 25 cents. Ice cream and candy will be for sale. All are welcome, both young and old. Be sure and come.
Rev. John Manter will preach at the Baptist church next Sunday morning.
There was a most enjoyable whist party held at Elmwood farm under the auspices of the Winnicummett Improvement Society on Tuesday afternoon on. There were thirty present. A variety of dainties were served. There were three prizes given, some of the beach ladies being the winners.
An interesting meeting of the W. R. C. was held on Wednesday afternoon, February 9. Mrs. Carrie M. Perkins, recently elected and installed as president of the corps, presided. A short literary program was given, in observance of the birthday anniversary of Abraham Lincoln.
Two applications for membership in the W. R. C. were received at the meeting on Wednesday - from Mrs. Alice Tolman and Mrs. Katherine James.
Tuesday evening, Feb. 15, the ladies of the Baptist church will serve supper in their vestry from 6 to 7:30 o'clock. The menu will consist of roast chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, bread, assorted pies and coffee. The supper tickets will be 25 cents. Aprons and home made candy will be on sale.
The Monday club was entertained by Mrs. Christopher Toppan this week with fifteen members and a large number of guests present. A reading upon New Hampshire was given Mrs. Coffin. Miss Norris gave interesting articles upon poets of New Hampshire, with graphic biographies of many. Mrs. E. D. Berry prepared and read a most interesting paper upon the early days of Hampton, a request for its publication has been made in our local paper. When one realizes that Mrs. Berry is eighty years old, the beauty and value of this really wonderful paper is appreciated. A debate upon of the vital questions of the day "Preparedness," was started, Mrs. H.G. Lane ably taking the affirmatives, followed by the reading of a paper on the negative side which had been prepared by Mrs. Tobey. The company was delightfully entertained with fine selections from the victrola. Delicious refreshments were served by the hostess.
One of the twins, little Paul, of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Tobey, is very ill with gastritis. Dr. Provendie of Boston and Dr. Heffinger of Portsmouth have been called in consultation with Dr. Fernald. A trained nurse is in attendance.
Blown from a swiftly rushing train clear across adjoining tracks, losing only his hat check and rheumatism from which he had been suffering for sev[eral?] weeks, was the experience of a passenger on a Boston bound train Wednesday afternoon, leaving Portsmouth at 5 o'clock. His fellow passengers were thrown into such a state of excitement by the incident that no one thought to secure the man's name. It was learned, however, that he lived in Chelsea, Mass., and was on his way home. The man was passing from the smoker to the day coach. The wind blowing across the Hampton marshes lifted him from the platform and landed him in the roadbed. Passengers shrieked and his sister swooned away. Conductor Batchelder applied the air breaks and stopped the train. The crew grabbed a set of stretchers. When they reached the man he was brushing mud from his clothes and grumbling because he could not find his check. He refused to be carried back to the train, but insisted on walking.
HAMPTON BEACH
The burnt district is rapidly disappearing and when the season opens practically every vestige of it will be removed, other than the more modern architecture of the new buildings, work upon which is being rapidly pushed. All of the larger buildings are now up and boarded and the work is now confined to interior finishing.
The architects appear to have anticipated the future in the greatly enlarged buildings that are being erected. Especially is this noticeable in the Olympia theatre, now up and practically ready for occupancy. While the dimensions of the old building were but 60x40 feet with a seating capacity of but 437, the new building is 90x45 feet and has a seating capacity of over 800. A distinctive feature of the new building is its contrast, in finish, with the old. The latter was simply finished in the rough without any attempt at decoration, the new theatre is the embodiment of almost every detail of the up-to-date city theatre. The spacious interior is resplendent in its decorated plastered walls, while high above the artistically designed steel ceiling attracts and holds the eye of the visitors. Where the entrance from the front to the old building was simply an open walk, the lattice work on the sides, gives a pleasing arbor affect. There is no question but that during the coming season the Olympia will be one of the points of interest at the Beach.
The Ferncroft dancing pavilion is also up and almost ready for business. Where the dancing surface of the burned measured 45x37 feet, the new surface measures 94x50 feet. Cement walks surround the dancing surface.
The cement walk along the ocean front has been connected with the piece of walk in front of Cutler's hotel and now extends from below the Casino to beyond Cutler's.
THREE HAMPTON FIRES
The alarm of fire rang out in the frigid gale on Tuesday afternoon at 5 o'clock. The fire was at the home of Joshua and Hale James at "Guinea." The chemical from Hampton Village made a response and the fire proved to be of small proportion, causing little or no damage.
This is the third fire which has called out the Hampton department in the last few days. The first was in the haunted house and to some carried a weird warning of danger. Criticism has been made because of the slow response and want of well organized effort at the fire at Hampton Village on Friday last. The chief was at the beach and unable to get to the scene and no one was in command. It is suggested by many that the service would be more efficient if the company elected their own officers and some one in authority was always at a convenient distance from the apparatus.
GOOD THINGS COLUMN
The idea of a community organization for Hampton grows upon us. In the first place there is no fun in being at the tail end of a procession. If we do not watch out, that will be our fate in this particular matter. Most of the towns that are doing interesting things, have such an agency as we suggested in [the] last issue, and it has made good. Most of the good things are MADE good anyway. There are some exceptions. For instance, one of the best things we have seen in Hampton is the noble elm tree at Elmwood farm. None of us living had much to do with that good thing - it just grew. Still we imagine someone planted it originally right there where it stands. If anyone knows who did it, we wish they would put a small tablet on the tree, bearing the name of the one who did the planting. It might stimulate someone to plant another tree in town some day. It takes such a long time to make an attractive street or an attractive town. Just look at the Centre school grounds when you pass again and consider how a few fine trees would increase the natural attractions of that conspicuous place, where good women are trying to add grace and dignity to the youth of our town. It would not be a bad idea for every class which leaves the school behind them forever, to leave at the same time a fine new tree. But we are digressing.
Community organizations are everywhere making good. It is not because the town that has them is better than the town without them. It is the simple matter of cooperation on the part of the interested, through a permanent, public spirited agency. What is everybody's business is nobody's. But if everybody tries to concentrate, in other words, organize, the desired things come as easy as greased lightning. Eleven good men cannot play football. But a good team, composed of eleven men, with a common aim, and agreed upon a method, can make some gains for goal.
Another reason which supports the idea of a community organization is that there are so many helpful agencies nowadays, ready to give practical aid toward good things. But they have to have some one to work through. No football team will challenge eleven men. It will challenge a team - through its captain or manager. Then there will be something doing. There has been exhaustive study for some years of matters relating to the welfare of country towns. The results are embodied in many practicable schemes and wise methods for procedure. There are trusted specialists in government employ, and in our state agricultural colleges, ready to point out ways to bring fine improvements in many departments of town life.
But who shall received their suggestions and put them into practice? In some sections it is done though a "County Agent;" in others it is a board of trade that is the intermediary, and in others a village improvement association, or community organization. But Hampton has no agency directly able to bring to the public, workable methods of making the most of our opportunities, our situation, and our assets and so on.
One of the finest elements which went to the making and rearing of good old New England was the rugged individualism of the earlier settlers and builders. There is a good deal of that individualism left and it has its value. But it is a truism that this is an age of organization, of cooperation. The early defenders of the nation did valiant service, each man shouldering his gun, getting behind a stone wall, and taking pot shots at the British when he got a good chance. According to the general tenor of the press today, we are not feeling like trusting to that king of defense in the future.
All honor to individualism, but cooperation is the watchword today. It is a lesson hard to learn in New England towns, but there is progress. And when we get a little stronger grip on the cooperative idea in this town, we will bet our editorial salary there will be something doing.
CHILDREN IN HAMPTON HOUSE AS ROOF BLAZES
A fire at the house belonging to the J. W. Dearborn estate at Hampton occupied by the families of E. W. Quint and William Gilpatrick, threatened to assume large proportions this (Friday) morning at 10:30.
The fire originated in the attic and the first notice of the menacing danger was when eight-year-old Rosie Quint told her mother the walls of the chamber on the second floor were hot.
The flames had now burst though the roof, and D.A. Marston hurried to the office of The Hampton Union and sent the alarm on the phone. The excitement was now intense. The people of the village hurried to the road deep in snow. The bell on the town hall resounded the warning. Sometime elapsed before the hose was connected with the hydrant and still more waiting for ladders, although the apparatus was nearby at the headquarters of the fire department in Frank Mason's building.
When at length the two lines of hose sent their stream onto the blaze it quickly subsided. The loss was about $500 to the building, and about $200 to the contents, almost wholly caused by water.
The excitement and sympathy was intensified by the fact that both families had many children, six small children being in the house at the time of the fire.
A force from the Life Saving Station arrived on the scene and gave valuable assistance.
NOTICE
The dancing class for the children under high school age will be held every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. Three lessons for $1.00. Mrs. Irene J. Trefethen and Miss MacNeill will be in attendance.