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Season of 1922-23.
No meetings were held in June and September as was expected, and the season opened as usual with that of October 16, 1922.
Mr. J. Stevens Kadesch, principal of
Medford High School, gave a very interesting address on ‘Humor as Expressed in
Dickens' Novels.’
A number of gifts to our collection were received and displayed, among them an Indian tomahawk found at West Medford by the late
Samuel Teele.
The November meeting was held on the 20th, in the vestry of the
Mystic Church, which had recently celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary, and the exercises were pertinent thereto.
Fred H. C. Woolley was the speaker, his subject, ‘Ship
Street and
Galen James.’
Our secretary notes it thus: ‘A vivid account of the street as he knew it in the ‘70s, illustrating his talk with his own drawings of its houses and ships at the shipyard.
On the blackboard he drew a vessel in construction, explaining as he proceeded; also pictures of
Deacon James' horse and carriage and of the deacon on foot, with high hat and shawl, carrying a cane.
A sketch of him in a sleigh, accompanied by the real sleigh-bells seemed like a real sleigh-ride.’
Messrs. Curtin and
Cushing and Mr. and
Mrs. Leavens participated in the half-hour of reminiscence which followed.
The December meeting on the 18th was also held, for convenience, in the
Mystic vestry.
Prof. Arthur I. Andrews spoke on ‘The
Balkans and
United States' Influence There,’ illustrating with views taken by himself,—a most excellent address but not largely attended.
The annual meeting was held on January 15, 1923, in the slave quarters of the
Royall house.
It proved to be a very cold night and but few were present, some coming the long distance from
Stoneham and
Newton.
The usual reports were made, but election of officers was postponed.
February 19.
Weather conditions bad and fuel conditions worse.
A slight increase in attendance.
Election of officers and interests of society discussed.
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The March meeting on evening of 19th was at the close of a rainy, dismal day. Fourteen (including three visitors from
Somerville society) braved the sudden cold to attend.
Miss Marion Hosmer,
West Medford, read an interesting story of the old Woburn road and the
Count Rumford house at North Woburn, which is preserved and owned by the Rumford Historical Society.
Her mention of the ‘Jug Baptist church’ in
Woburn elicited inquiry, and
Mr. Mann, who is conversant with its history, told something of it and how it got the name.
April 16.
A general discussion of April events to make note of occupied this evening.
May 21.
The heavy rain of the day ceased at nightfall but for only two hours, and the closing meeting was but lightly attended, those present coming the longest distances.
Rev. Anson Titus of West Somerville spoke on ‘
Jim Franklin, Ben's Big Brother,’ making special reference to Samuel Hall of
Medford, ‘spiritual heir’ of
James Franklin who married into the family and printed the
Essex Gazette in Revolutionary days.
Mr. Titus' instructive paper appeared in register, Vol.
XXVI, p. 42.
