Mt. Tom Pavilion Burned Last Night

The picturesque Summit hour of the Mt Tom railroad went up in fire and smoke last evening, affording one of the most brilliant spectacles seen in this section since the burning of Mount Holyoke college. For miles around, in spite of mists and rain, the red blear of the burning house, drew the eye to the mountain summit. One of the most conspicuous landmarks of this section was completely destroyed, at a loss of not less than $25,000, and probably exceeding that amount.

Through the drizzling rain last evening about 9 those who happened to be in sight of Mt Tom were startled be the sight of a dull red glow, in place of the gleaming white of the electric arc. The rain heat against it in a vain attempt to drown it out; excited men used all their puny strength in a dozen ways to smother it; but the fire leaped higher, mocking their efforts. The dull glow changed to a glowing scarlet that tinged the clouds till they tolled about the mountain summit like a sea of blood. From one end of the valley to the other, north and south, men’s eyes were turned to the beacon of flame in wonder, in pity, and in admiration. The blaze at its height neon like a signal fire of gods. Full 20 miles away men and women watched in fascination as the flames rose and fell, gleaming in blurred outlines through the falling mists. A whole city watched its burning, and the news of its passing flashed over the wires from our end of the country to the other.  The sight of such a titanic bonfire will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it; and had the night been fair and the sky clear, a thousand eyes would have seen it for a hundred who chanced to view it last evening.

The first news of the fire came to Holyoke in a telephone message over the company’s private line to the street  railway office, calling for help. Two special cars were quickly  brought out of the barn and President Loomis was notified by telephone. Secretary Hill was also on hand, and Superintendent Hunter quickly impressed a dozen or 15 men. The cars started promptly and made the run as rapidly as possible, arriving at the scene of the fire little after 9:15. There was little that could be done by those present, and at at 10 o’clock the heavens were aglow front the burning house. There were not many people on the Holyoke streets, but those who were quickly passed the word from lip to lip. The telephone hells were kept ringing, and from a large number of houses, particularly on Depot hill, the burning of the building was witched. After the two special cars, no cars left for Mt Tom, and those who desired to visit the mountain had to walk. Soon after, too, the electric telephone wires nere burned out, and no connection could be had pith the summit.

The origin of the fire is not known. The watchman at the building went to the basement about 8:30. and upon going upstairs left everything as he supposed, all right. About 15-minutes later he bad occasion to go down again, and upon opening the door of the cellar found it all ablaze. He immediately gave the alarm. As soon as the first car arrived the men hustled out and saved what they could of the property in the burning building. The piano and the Angelus and some of the show-eases were saved, but it was impossible to save anything from the top floors. In the observatory were the telescope, the record book of visitors, several charts, maps and other valuable matter, all of which were lost in the flames. The efforts of the men who went top from Holyoke were  devoted to tearing up the plank walk and fences, as soon as the valuables that could be saved front the building had been taken out. There was but one accident in fighting the fire.  George Bowker, an employee of the railway company, had his face quite badly cut by being hit with a nail in a board which he had pulled from the building. The officials of the road remained on the mountain until an early hour this morning. A number of Holyoke people walked to the top of the mountain last night.

The Mt. Tom house, or observatory, has been built a little over three years, having keen completed in June, 1897, a month after the completion of the Mt Tom railroad. Originally it had a small observatory in the top. which was greatly enlarged the following year and the-building otherwise improved, the company adding $2000 or more to the building in different ways. The original cost of the building was about $20,000, and the company had at least $5000 more in furniture, including a piano. biograph, orchestrion, several fine telescopes, and a great variety of small articles of interest. Soon after it was constructed by the Mt Tom railroad company it was leased to the Holyoke street railroad company. The railroad to the summit is said to have cost between S50,000 and $60,000, and the company was incorporated at $100,000. The contract for refreshments was let this year, as In previous years, to G. L. Bowker & Co. of the Hotel Hamilton, whose loss in furniture, goods, etc., approximated $2000. The building was insured for about $12,000.

It is likely that many persons will visit the site of the burned house to-day. The railroad still be running, as that was not injured in the least, and the view there is grand as ever. Without doubt, temporary shelter, with, perhaps temporary refreshment booths, will be erected as soon as possible, and, of course a new building will be ready for next season. October is one of the best months in the year to get a good view from the summit, and least three weeks more of good weather can be counted upon. Since the burning of Mount Holyoke college four years ago, no fire hereabouts has attracted so much attention as the fire of last evening. In this case, however, there was no getting to the scene of the fire, and those who desired to see it close by were unsatisfied.

From The Springfield Republican.

Tombstone of C. Adolph Stache & Others, Forestdale Cemetery

Adolphe Stache, a retired overseer, formerly with the Germania mills, committed suicide early yesterday morning by taking a does of carbolic acid.  He had not been working of late, and so nothing was thought of his not arising until after 7, when he was heard groaning and found to be in a dying condition.  Dr. Gardner Cox was called, but nothing could be done for the man, who died at 7:30.  He has been boss weaver for the Germania mills for about 18 years, closing his service with that company last May, since which time he had been very despondent, which, together with his illness with rheumatism, which prevented him from working regularly, probably led to a temporary derangement.  He was a member of the Bridge-street Turnverein, Humboldt lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Germania benefit society.  He had built a comfortable home at 114 South street, and was highly esteemed as a citizen.

From The Springfield Republican.

[Note: this is another person from my genealogy database, interested in contact by people with similar research interests.]

The wedding of Miss Anna M. Reardon, daughter of Michael J. Reardon of 142 Nonotuck street, and formerly teacher in the Nonotuck street school, and James Devine of this city was celebrated at St. Patrick’s chapel yesterday morning, Rev. P. J. Hawkins performing he ceremony.  The best man was Frank Zellars, and the bridesmaid was Miss Kate Welsh, a teacher in the Nonotuck street school.  The bride wore a castor broadcloth suit, with a waist of pale blue silk.  The bridesmaid wore a blue broadcloth dress and blue hat.  A wedding breakfast was served at the bride’s home after the ceremony, at which only relatives were present.  Mr. and Mrs. Devine will spend two weeks in and about New York city.

From The Springfield Republican.

Ceremony at Elmwood Baptist Church at Holyoke, Where Addition is Being Erected.

First Baptist Church, Holyoke

The formal exercises connected with the laying of the cornerstone of the new addition of the Elmwood Baptist church at Hoyoke were held at 3:30 yesterday afternoon.  Owing to the stormy weather a large share of the exercises were held in the church auditorium, which was crowded, many not being able to get inside the doors.  The scriptures were read by Rev. H. H. Morrill of St. Paul’s Episcopal church, and prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. J. P. Kennedy of the First Methodist church.  Rev. Dr. E. A. Reed of the Second Congregational church extended greetings from the other Protestant churches in the city.

The address of the day was delivered by Rev. Dr. W. W. Weeks of this city, who said that he did not intend to give a sermon owing to the lack of time, but spoke briefly from the text, “And of Zion it shall be said that this and that man was born therein.”  In the first place the church was the birthplace of souls, the speaker said, and that the glory of the church of Christ was in the number of persons gained for the church.  The building itself, however beautiful, was a failure if the saving of could was not made the first object of its being.  He protested against the gospel being called a simple gospel.  This was not so as the gospel was complex and required study to get at the real meaning of the scriptures.

Following the address the ritual of dedication was read, and the corner-stone was laid by P. M. Lynch of the Lynch Bros’ company.  The prayer of dedication was given by Rev. John S. Lyon, and the ceremony of the laying on of hands followed.  After the Gloria by the congregation, Rev. H. H. Morrill pronounced the benediction.  The following committee have charge of the building: Rev. J. A. Hungate, Albert K. Wheeler, Dwight H. Ives, Lyman B. Moore, Lucius Ely and William Crossley.  The following representatives of former pastors were present: Dea. A. J. Rand, grandson of Rev. Thomas Rand, pastor 1803-1828, Mark Carpenter, grandson of Rev. Mark Carpenter, pastor, 1850-59; Mrs. Edwin H. Bemis, Daughter of Rev. Edwin M. Bartlett, pastor, 1881-1892; Frank G. Willcox, son off Rev. Monson A. Willcox, pastor, 1892-1902.  The stone was placed on the southwest corner of the addition, facing South street, and on the face was engraved: “First Baptist church, recognized 1803, enlargement, 1906,” while on the ends were cut the dates of the erection of the three former buildings, 1794–1828–1880.

From The Springfield Republican.

Holyoke. – A construction company here has started work on a new ski center at Mount Tom, a 1,300-foot peak in the Connecticut River Valley, midway between Holyoke and Northampton.

Immediate plans call for construction of a 1,000 foot run with a 225-foot vertical drop on the mountain’s northeast slope.  This run is designed for novices and intermediates.

Daniel J. O’Connell, president of Daniel O’Connell’s Son, Inc., is joint owner of the mountain with the Hampden-Hampshire Corp., operator of Station WHYN and WHYN-TV.

Mr. O’Connell, whose construction firm is carving the ski center out of the woods on Mount Tom, says that an expert run, 3,200 feet long, will be built another year.  A T-bar lift will be built this fall, if time permits; if not a tow rope will be installed.

The principal architect for the Mount Tom ski center id Roland Palmedo of New York City, designer of the Vermont ski centers on Mount Mansfield in Stowe and Mad River in Waitsfield.

Among others who have given advice on the jproject are Walter F. Stugger of Pittsfield, who is building the Carinthia ski area near Mount Snow, Vt., and Stanley Brown of Springfield, who operates the Cummington Snow Basin.

Mount Tom’s owners expect their center to become a rendezvous for collegiate skiers.  THe mountain, one of the elevations in the Connecticut River Valley suitable for ski development, is conveniently near the University of Massachusetts, Smith, Mount Holyoke and Amherst Colleges.

From The Berkshire Eagle.

Landscape Architect Frederick L. Olmstead of Brookline visited Holyoke yesterday, and with Mayor Avery, the board of public works and Health Officer J. S. Wright, visited the land bought for an isolation hospital on Cherry street.  The layout of the hospital was discussed and estimates were given him of about how much money the city could spare for the building, and Mr. Olmstead will work out plans and submit them later.  With the park board Mr. Olmstead visited Jones point, which was bought by the city some time ago.  The architect was pleased with the land bought for the isolation hospital, and the lot is large enough for more than one building.  Plands for other buildings are already being discussed.

From The Springfield Republican.

John O’Leary of the Holyoke police force received word yesterday of the death of his brother, Dennis O’Leary, in the Philipines of typhoid malaria.  He had been in the country but a few months.  The letter received was from J. Courney, a Northampton boy and a member of Co. D. 22d Infantry.  O’Leary was employed by the Deane steam pump company as a coremaker before his enlistment.  He was born in Willimantic, Ct., and leaves besides his brother, three sisters, Miss Margaret of Holyoke, Mrs. Andrew Harrington of Hartford, Ct., and Mrs. Mary Moynahan of Cherryfield.  The body will probably be brought to Holyoke for burial.

From The Springfield Republican.

Middletown Woman Has a Narrow Escape From Losing Two of Her Boys, But Finds One of Them In This City and Takes Him Back Home.

Charles Della Penna aka Chick West. Photo from BoxingTreasures.com.

An alleged attempt to kidnap a younger brother by Thomas Dellepenna [sic] was foiled in this city last evening by the mother of the boy.  The local police received word late yesterday afternoon that two boys, Charles and Philip Dellapenna had left their home in that city and were thought to be on the way to Holyoke, where their father, from whom the wife had been separated for some time, is now living.  The local police were asked to locate the boys and if they were found to notify the Middletown chief of police.  About 7 o’clock the mother of the two boys, who had come to the city by the evening train from Middletown, came to the police station and told Lieut. Henry M. Perkins that her boys had been kidnapped.  The oldest son and a daughter had been living in Holyoke with the father, she said, and they had been trying to get possession of the other two boys and a younger daughter, who have been living in Middletown with the mother.  She said the two boys were out playing near her home yesterday, when about 2 o’clock a man in a car was seen to beckon to the two boys and they were taken in the car.  The mother was informed a little later that the two had gone off with the older brother in Holyoke, whereupon the appeal to the Middletown police was made.

Lieut. Perkins advised the woman that probably the boys had come up on the trolleys and were even then on their way to Holyoke.  He told her that she ought to go the the Holyoke police and have an officer accompany her to her husband’s home, where she might be able to regain possession of the boys.  So Mrs. Dellapenna left the station and boarded a Holyoke car.  She had been on the car only a few minutes when she looked ahead , and there saw the older brother and the youngest brother Charlie, sitting on a seat ahead.  She rushed forward and claimed her child, with the result that the three left the car on Main street at Liberty.  An argument followed in the street between the mother and the older son, which was so heated that it attracted Patrolman George W. Neil.  The matter seemed to be one for the police to settle, so Mr. Neil accompanied the three to the police station.  In their train followed some hundreds of morbid youngsters and citizens, who got the idea that a kidnapping case was in progress.  When they went into the station Court street was filled on both sides with people.

There was then more business for Lieut Perkins.  He listened for a while to the rival claims of the mother and older son, the former claiming the child belonged to her and that she ought to have possession of it, while the son claimed that the mother abused the children and that her home was no place for them.  The son’s language finally became so abusive that the lieutenant’s ire was aroused and he showed the young man the door of the station.  The woman seemed little concerned for the older of the two boys who had gone away, and no one seemed to know what had become of Philip.  He got lost in the shuffle somewhere, and the police had no knowledge last night where he was.  Mrs. Dellapenna, who was a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and business capacity said she wanted to take the 9 o’clock train for home, and the police saw that she and the boy got aboard the train.

From The Springfield Republican.

[Note: Thomas Della Penna, the older brother mentioned here was born in 1887, making him twenty years old at the time of this event.  Many Holyokers will recognize the name of Charles Della Penna, who was only 13 at the time of this article, later to become a well known boxer who fought under the name of Chick West.   Philip, the other brother mentioned was younger than Charles by a year.  Naturally the accuracy of all newpaper articles should be questioned -- and while I seriously contemplated the posting of this, I found it too interesting not to.  Especially considering the event is more than 100 years ago.

In my database, this family has six children (one daughter) but it appears from this article there may have been another daughter, so anyone who know please fill me in.

Lastly, just as a point of reference in terms of my own interest -- Charles Della Penna some years later married Ellen Brown who is connected to my own Holyoke family lines.

Image above is from http://www.boxingtreasures.com -- they will be happy to sell you an unwatermarked version of this image.  The site has it dated 1910, but I would estimate it a few years later.]

A petition for the extension of High street from its present terminal to the Springfield road is being circulated, and already a large number of the manufacturers and prominent taxpayers have signed it.  The presentation of this petition will work in a measure against the present agitation for the opening of the so-called Hampden Landing road, as if this street is extended it will give direct access to Springdale, where it is certain that the manufacturing interests will build within the next few years.  The present end of the street is at the dingle and it will require considerable filling to carry out the project, although it is claimed that while the expense will be considerable it will not be exorbitant, when the usefulness of the road is considered.

At the present time there is no way to reach Springdale except through South Holyoke, and as the erection of factories is confidently expected in the Springdale section, it is argued that there should be a more convenient way to reach that section.  Some opposition is expected from South Holyoke, but it is not believed that the construction of the street will interfere in any measure with the trend of South Holyoke business.  Whether this project will seriously conflict with the county road project is a matter for conjecture, although it will probably act against it to a greater or less extent.

From The Springfield Republican.

Joseph Laliberte has been given the contract for erecting four seven-room cottages in Oakdale for O. D. Allyn and will erect two others upon his own account.  The coming spring will probably see many cottage houses erected.

From The Springfield Republican.