Barr Estate Gardens (Trellis)

New Ipswich Historical Society

Note the stone bridge in front of the trellis, it is still there on the grounds. The Barr Estate was located across the road from the Historical Society.

trellis and garden

On this day - April 30, 1898

30 APR 1898

Petit Vernissage at the Salons. I went in the afternoon.  The jam was tremendous.  There must have been about ten-thousand people present.  The new floors sent up a stifling dust while the heat and bad ventilation made it very tiresome to see the pictures.  I have had a glimpse of all the rooms and with what I saw yesterday it gives me an idea of both Salons.  The New Salon seems to be superior in merit to the Old Salon.  I will not venture to describe the various works until I have seen them better in June.  Vernissage is not a society event, it was once, but now everyone goes.

WAR NEWS.  Secretary of State Sherman resigned and Mr. Day appointed. Attention is fixed upon Phillipines [sic] where Commodore Dewey is expected to attack at once.  Nothing of importance has occurred around Cuba.  Shots have been fired at new fortifications but no real bombardment has taken place, though the papers magnify small events into columns of print of glorious work.  Many countries have issued proclamations of neutrality.  Germany holds off as well as Austria.  The war has thus far been very peaceful as there had been no bloodshed.  There is much impatience in Spain at the slowness of naval operations.  In America the plans are being pushed ahead with great vigor.  Our floating strength is most all occupied and it is yet insufficient to protect the coast and to carry on a blockade.  The Cape Verde squadron of the Spanish is an element that cannot be overlooked and is a source of annoyance to our country.  The work involved in collecting an invading army for Cuba will take much time and then the result of the naval operations will determine the character of the campaign.  Spain may be deluded by these apparent delays which may mean the want of organization on our part and give her hopes.  It will not be long before they will feel the power of concentrated force that will overcome any resistance and show them as all Europe now knows, how hopeless is their cause.

Matanzas has been bombarded in Cuba.  The forts have been demolished.  It was of no great importance in spite of the vast amount of space devoted to it in the papers.  There is an enthusiastic appreciation of the skill of our gunners while Spain laughs at the affair.  Since our vessels were not hit once the incident is of little consequence.  In Cuba the suffering is reported to be awful among the reconcentrados or the peasants.  Famine, disease, and cruelty will reduce their numbers most appalingly [sic] before the Americans can aid them much.  The Powers have little sympathy for us and care little about the real cause of the war.  Their contempt for everything American is too much for them to see what great sacrifices we must make to create a navy, an army, and to face all opposition with a spirit that means to conquer at any cost.  They realize the danger of our success and the development into a great naval power which menaces this greedy plan for colonial expansion.  The greatest thing that they fear, England more than any, that we will become a colonizing nation.  England has been unusually friendly to us thus far.  The first serious fighting will probably occur in the Phillipines [sic].  Our fleet in the East is amall but strong.  Manilla [sic] is said to be strongly fortified.  The Spanish have many vessels there. 

On this day - April 30, 1909

James Roger diary entry

30th (Friday)

Rain and sleet wind E to NE.  trees coated and wire fences covered with ice.  David at Prescott’s.  Came home about 9 as Tom the horse was very restless.  Went to Greenville for flour and hay.  Painting at Prescott’s in afternoon.  I got Hall ready for dance tonight.  Few people there, dance stopped at midnight.  Cold raw slushy night.