CHAPTER XXVI

THE RAILROAD

The railroad began operations in Northborough in 1856. In speaking of the subject, our older inhabitants tell us with evident pride that "when the railroad was built Northborough was the terminus of the 'road,' meaning thereby, the END of the route. We wish to corerct that impression. Northborough was not the end but the BEGINNING of the route. authority for this statement is the act of the legislature which authorized the construction of the road. Section 2 of said Act reads as follows:

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"Said Corporation is hereby empowered to locate, construct, and maintain, with one or more tracks, a branch railroad COMMENCING at some point near the village of Northborough, thence running to a point near the center village of Southborough, thence to connect with any branch of the Boston and Worcester Railroad near the center village of Framingham, etc."*

This act was passed in 1847; and according to Section 4 it would become void if the road were not constructed within sixteen months. It was not constructed within that time, but successive acts of the legislature in 1848, 1851, 1852, and 1853 extended the time limit until finally the road was completed and began operations in 1856.

This first railroad was known as "The Agricultural Branch Railroad." If we may judge by the first Board of Directors it must have been financed largely by residents of this section of the state; for said Board was composed of men who resided in Framingham, Southborough, Northborough, Marlborough, Berlin, Clinton, Leominster, and Fitchburg. There was one from Concord and two from Boston. Of the fifteen men who composed the Board two resided in Northborough-Captain Cyrus Gale and Anson Rice.

The first station stood where the present one now stands. There was a turntable just beyond. The wood-yard was where George H. Felt's coal-yard now is. The roundhouse stood a few feet beyond the present grain store. William Ellsworth was the first caretaker of the yard.

*This is indeed a small matter; but in this our anniversary year we desire to claim for Northborough all the honor that belongs to her.

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Thomas B. Rice was the first station agent. Amaziah Twitchell also served as station agent for several years. also served as conductor on the Boston & Albany road. Henry Goulding was one of the first engineers. Elijah Brigham was one of the first firemen. Herbert Baird was a fireman. Herman Fay was the first conductor. He afterwards was conductor on the Boston & Albany.

There was naturally great excitement in town when the first engine came in. A free ride to Marlborough was provided for all who cared to give themselves that enjoyment. Settees were arranged on platform cars for that purpose. It is needless to say that many people availed themselves of the opportunity to have their first ride on a railroad train.

The road was later extended to Fitchburg, and was thereafter known as the Boston, Clinton & Fitchburg Railroad. It is now the Northern Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad.

Engines were named in those days, instead of numbered, as they are now. One bore the name of a Northborough man, Cyrus Gale.

NOTE. Since writing the above we have come into possession of an interesting fact. It seems that the town took a lively interest in the construction of this road; and, in an official capacity sought to aid in financing it, as the following from the Town Records will show:-Under date of August 22, 1853. Art. II:

"To see if the town will take any measures to raise a sum not exceeding $10,000 for the purpose of building the Agricultural Branch Railroad from Framingham to this town: or furnish to individuals funds to enable them to subscribe for stock in said railroad, and act any way on the subject of building said railroad."

"Voted: That the town treasurer be authorized and empowered to borrow the sum of five thousand dollars to pay town charges, and for other purposes, at a rate not exceeding six per cent per annum."

"Voted: That the town treasurer, with two others to be chosen by the town, be a committee to loan the above five thousand dollars to citizens of this town who have, or may become, subscribers to the capital stock of the Agricultural Branch Railroad Company, in sums not exceeding twenty per cent of the amount of their subscriptions, and on such security as they may deem sufficient. Chose Abraham W. Seaver and Eben D. Blake."

"Voted: To add one more to the committee, and chose Samuel Clark." Whether this opportunity was taken advantage of does not appear. NOTE. Another interesting fact which the Town Records reveal is the following. It explains itself. Feltonville was that part of Marlborough which afterwards became the Town of Hudson.

March 5, 1855. Art. XI.

"To see what action the town will take upon an order of notice served upon the inhabitants of Northborough by the petitioners for a charter for a Railroad from Feltonville to Northborough.'

"Voted: To choose a committee of five persons to go before the committee of our present Legislature on Railways and Canals and oppose the granting of a charter for a Railway from Feltonville to Northborough. Chose Cyrus Gale, Wilder Bush, Anson Rice, George C. Davis, and Samuel Clark."

CHAPTER XXVII

THE NORTHBOROUGH FREE LIBRARY*

The Northborough Free Library was organized in 1868; but it did not spring into being in a night. No good thing that is worth having ever comes to hand ready made. It must first be thought out with painstaking care and nourished with an optimistic faith. This is true of our public library. We have shown in another place (under schools) that Northborough's interest in education is coterminous with its incorporated existence. We desire to show here that her interest in public libraries as an adjunct to education extends back into the eighteenth century.

Rev. Peter Whitney in his "History of the County of Worcester" (published in 1793), writing of Northborough, says:

"Here about thirty gentlemen have united and established a Social Library, containing at present one hundred volumes, and such are its regulations as that it will annually increase." It is difficult to understand why Mr. Whitney did not give some details of this library, for a library in those early days was an important institution, and Mr. Whitney, was an historian. There is no data concerning it beyond three manuscript papers which call upon its collector r to collect certain fines which were then overdue; and a statement by Dr. Allen to the effect that 'this library was maintained until its incorporation with the Free Library of the First Parish in 1828."

This Free Parish Library above referred to, was organized in 1827, Dr. Allen himself contributing fifty volumes thereto. When, the following year, the Social Library was united with it its name was changed to the "Free Library of the Congregational Society in Northborough." We quote two articles from the constitution, which happily is preserved, together with its catalogue of books:

"ARTICLE I. Any inhabitant of the Town of Northborough, or any resident in said town, over the age of 16 years.shall be permitted to take books from this Library.

"ART. VI. The Library shall be kept in the projection of the Meeting-house and shall be open at such times on each Lord's Day as may be found to be most convenient.'

*For a full account of the Library see the excellent monograph by Miss Cora Small, entitled "History of the Northborough Free Library." It may be purchased at the Library.