2008 Ice Storm
New Ipswich Historical Society
The Weight of Ice 2008
Remember the ice storm of 2008? That was 15 years ago.
Marion Davis Audio-Tape Transcriptions
Sometime before her death in 1986, Marion Davis recorded her memories at the encouragement of her brother, Walter Buck. The recordings were transcribed by a secretary.
The Friends of Wapack have made these available to the Historical Society. Marion was born on February 8, 1894 in Fitchburg, MA.
The Three Drunks
Before the beech cutting was finished, there was a typical but not so pleasant episode that involved three of these workers. They wanted to go down to Cleghorn (in Fitchburg) one day. Frank agreed that they should go and that I would be the driver! I was, and left them at Cleghorn with the understanding that we would all meet at 4 P.M. at the corner of River and Daniel Streets. I spent the time till then visiting at home, and at 4P.M. met them as planned...and a sorry sight they were. Two were really quite sizzled! They got into the back of the car. The third, not so bad, only just, "loaded" enough to be attentive, sat beside me, with the box of chocolates he had bought me. Also, they were all of them munching away on cheese and crackers they had with them, giggling and silly. I was so disgusted that instead of heading for the farm, I drove back to the folks. Pa was surprised to see me so soon again, but I told him why I wanted to phone the farm. Frank happened to be right there when I called, so I talked with him and explained why I did not want to drive those men! back. But Frank assured me they would be no problem and to come along home with them. Pa, too, coming in after having talked with them, said the same thing, as he found them really laughable. So back we went, the only trouble was the "love-y" one: he kept patting my hand and telling me "what a good girl" I was. I could have whaled him!
James Roger diary entry
13th December 1912
Frost, wind southwest, snow during last night about 1/2 inch, fine day but cool wind. David & Daniel clearing up lumber at Fox place; took one load to Daniel and brought a load of firewood to brooder house. I went to Mail and got letter from Hamish; also from Mrs. Champney and Wm. Kimball payment of cemetery accounts and receipt from Pilgrim Press. Henry Royce called in afternoon; has not yet succeeded in getting a deer. Pullets not laying very [much], only five from them today.
Three stooges. Were they perhaps the alleged Frenchmen mentioned earlier? At any rate, Marion the Beefeater would have been justified in “whaling” the guy riding shotgun; that is, when they finally reached the farm. I think of Marion in her later years as head cook at school. In her apron, behind the counter, authoritative, and banging on a big pot to make an announcement. And taking no prisoners. God love her.
So Marion was Uber before Uber. She was way ahead of the ride providers of today. Had cell phones existed then she could have been wealthy.