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Mystic Valley (Tennessee, United States) (search for this): chapter 2
r, agreeing to follow their direction in the matter, but they voted, that it is inexpedient to consider the matter asked for by Mr. Wood. On the 4th of July, 1891, at 1.20 A. M., the old mill was destroyed by an incendiary fire, and the chief engineer's report gives the loss as about $1,100, no insurance. At the present writing, the gaunt remains of the willows reach pitifully out toward the river, while the island has been removed and the tides surge to and fro no more. The new Mystic Valley Parkway has been built through the approach to the mill, and the river's channel deepened. There are men in Medford today who will recall the excitement that occurred about Wood's dam; some, possibly (though unknown to the writer), who participated in the fray; others who can recall with pleasure their trips to the lake in their boyhood, the labor of rowing against the tide and the portage about the dam. On one of these excursions, in 1868, the photographer took his cumbrous camera a
Middlesex Canal (Massachusetts, United States) (search for this): chapter 2
and like work, also making baby carriages and curtain fixtures in his mill. As a matter of course, the mill was nothing without the water power, which was obtained at the ebbing of the tide that had flowed up-stream into the lower lake, and was secured by the low dam built across the river to the Medford side. As a natural water-way, the river at its beginning just above Wear bridge did not present a favorable aspect, and in many places below was very shallow. The Proprietors of Middlesex Canal very soon abandoned their original idea of utilizing the Mystic, and, authorized by additional legislation, built their artificial water-way six miles farther to the Charles, in 1802. There is credible evidence that prior to the canal's discontinuance early in 1852, boatmen shunned the last mile up the river by lifting their boats from the river near the canal Landing No. 4 (which was just north of the canal aqueduct over the Mystic), placing them in the canal, then rowing or towing
Mystick River (Massachusetts, United States) (search for this): chapter 2
No mention of it is, however, to be found upon the records of that town. The records of the Medford selectmen show that on November 9, 1864, they voted, that B. F. Wood of West Cambridge be notified to remove the dam maintained by him across Mystic River. He evidently did not do so, as on April 9, 1866, it was voted, that Messrs. Foster & Gilmore be a committee to investigate the matter of Wood's dam and report on the same. A week later the record notes the receipt and filing of a letter fro somebody had removed the dam, and that Mr. Wood, who appears to have had good staying qualities, had rebuilt it. A little later the selectmen voted, that the clerk notify the Harbor Commissioners, that Mr. Wood had constructed a dam across Mystic River. Another month passed away and the record shows a curious state of affairs at the town house, as it was then voted, that Mr. Hastings be a committee to write a letter to the Harbor Commissioners in relation to Wood's Dam and that the former c
Hastings (search for this): chapter 2
e Harbor Commissioners, that Mr. Wood had again put his dam across the river. By the above, it would appear that somebody had removed the dam, and that Mr. Wood, who appears to have had good staying qualities, had rebuilt it. A little later the selectmen voted, that the clerk notify the Harbor Commissioners, that Mr. Wood had constructed a dam across Mystic River. Another month passed away and the record shows a curious state of affairs at the town house, as it was then voted, that Mr. Hastings be a committee to write a letter to the Harbor Commissioners in relation to Wood's Dam and that the former committee on Wood's Dam present the same. Not having consulted the records of the commissioners, the writer is unable to say whether this trebly voted action ever reached them, though we may presume that the committee attended to its duty. There is no reference to the matter again for three years, when it appears that Mr. . . . appeared in relation to Wood's Dam. A brief record,
Foster (search for this): chapter 2
s of the Medford selectmen show that on November 9, 1864, they voted, that B. F. Wood of West Cambridge be notified to remove the dam maintained by him across Mystic River. He evidently did not do so, as on April 9, 1866, it was voted, that Messrs. Foster & Gilmore be a committee to investigate the matter of Wood's dam and report on the same. A week later the record notes the receipt and filing of a letter from Charles R. Train, attorney, in relation to Wood's dam. As this letter is not in evidence, it is uncertain whose attorney he was, or what the contents were. Over a year later, on June 27, 1867, the selectmen voted, that Mr. Foster be a committee to notify the Harbor Commissioners, that Mr. Wood had again put his dam across the river. By the above, it would appear that somebody had removed the dam, and that Mr. Wood, who appears to have had good staying qualities, had rebuilt it. A little later the selectmen voted, that the clerk notify the Harbor Commissioners, that Mr.
Charles Brooks (search for this): chapter 2
derable excitement at the time, and as public opinion was somewhat divided in relation to it, the present account is written. There had been at that locality a small mill, operated by the receding tide, from a time almost immemorial. Rev. Charles Brooks, in writing the history of Medford, published in 1855, said, There was a mill a short distance below Wear Bridge, but who built it, or how long it stood, we have not been able to discover. Evidently the historian considered that the mill y recent construction. From his writing, inference might be had, that the whole was of a time long past, like those he had before mentioned, but for the succeeding sentence, The place is now occupied, though omitting to say how, or by whom. Mr. Brooks was then sixty years of age, a native of Medford (his birthplace within a mile of Wear bridge), and his history shows that he had a close acquaintance with all parts of the town. Again, he did not mistake this spot for the site of the Broughto
George Y. Wellington (search for this): chapter 2
istake this spot for the site of the Broughton mill, half a mile down-stream, as he mentioned that also. A well-known citizen informs us that at his coming to West Cambridge (now Arlington), in 1856, the Wood mill was in operation. Mr. George Y. Wellington, who in his boyhood attended Mr. John Angier's school in Medford, walking the entire distance from his home in West Cambridge (save an occasional ride with Mr. Peter C. Brooks, or on the Middlesex canal boat), says that there may have been a mill there previously, but that his first remembrance of the building was in 1840. Mr. Wellington is now over eighty years of age, and actively engaged daily in business. It appears that no serious objection had been made to the maintenance of this dam till in the late fifties; a reputable citizen of present Arlington and native in West Cambridge saying that the Fish Committee or Commission ordered its removal. And now appears a highly respectable citizen of Medford, who remembers that
Richardson (search for this): chapter 2
against them, this developing some power by turning the river's current against the millwheel. On November 14 following, the Medford selectmen voted, that Mr. Richardson make inquiry in regard to Wood's dam and report at meeting on Monday evening next. On November 21 they voted, that counsel be engaged to take charge of the matter of Wood's Dam now pending before the Supreme Court, the same to be referred to Mr. Richardson. Winter was setting in, and the boating season over. No more appears of record till July 17, 1871, when Messrs.——and——appeared on account of Wood's dam, and it was voted, that Mr. Richardson be a committee to take legal adviceMr. Richardson be a committee to take legal advice, and so the summer passed away. It is probable that Mr. Wood continued to use the water-power, but on February 5, 1872, the complainant who first appeared came again with the old, old story, and still another season passed, and on October 21 he appeared again. By this time a decision had been rendered by the court, adversel
Charles R. Train (search for this): chapter 2
of it is, however, to be found upon the records of that town. The records of the Medford selectmen show that on November 9, 1864, they voted, that B. F. Wood of West Cambridge be notified to remove the dam maintained by him across Mystic River. He evidently did not do so, as on April 9, 1866, it was voted, that Messrs. Foster & Gilmore be a committee to investigate the matter of Wood's dam and report on the same. A week later the record notes the receipt and filing of a letter from Charles R. Train, attorney, in relation to Wood's dam. As this letter is not in evidence, it is uncertain whose attorney he was, or what the contents were. Over a year later, on June 27, 1867, the selectmen voted, that Mr. Foster be a committee to notify the Harbor Commissioners, that Mr. Wood had again put his dam across the river. By the above, it would appear that somebody had removed the dam, and that Mr. Wood, who appears to have had good staying qualities, had rebuilt it. A little later the
Hedenberg (search for this): chapter 2
a matter of uncertainty. Doubtless, Mr. Wood felt himself aggrieved in the matter, and it would seem as if some amicable arrangement might have been made, whereby the boats of the pleasure-seekers might have passed by the obstruction which had at least had the precedent of years of use— years so many that Mr. Brooks, in 1855, was unable to ascertain. The decision of the court was that no structure could be built in tidal water outside of high-water mark. A few years ago the late Dr. Hedenberg furnished the writer a photographic copy (by Wilkinson) of the dam poetry alluded to, which he had carefully preserved as a memento of the great naval exploit of which we have written, and it is here partially presented:— You've built a wooden dam, old W—d, Across the tidal stream, Why have you built the dam, old W—d, Please tell us what you mean. On each end of your dam, old W—d, You say you own the shore, The Almighty owns the water, W—d, Forever, evermore. We won't allow your
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