Boston Post Cane

New Ipswich Historical Society

The History of the Boston Post Cane

Source: Wicked Local Website

While newspaper circulations across the country are on the decline, many New England cities and towns still maintain one of Boston’s oldest newspaper traditions.

In 1909 the now defunct Boston Post newspaper distributed painstakingly designed walking canes to 700 New England towns. The canes, made of ebony—imported from Africa and crowned with 14-karat gold—were then presented in varying measures of ceremonial pomp, to the oldest living male of those municipalities.

Since then, for over a century, the canes have been handed down to the next oldest survivor in those towns, in what has become a venerable Yankee tradition. Women were added to the list of cane recipients starting in 1930.

“The idea was to be given by the city to its oldest resident, as a sign of respect, with the help of the Post,” said Emmanuel Paraschos, professor of journalism at Emerson College and author of the Boston chapter of Sage’s Encyclopedia of journalism and The Boston Journalism Trail. “That’s the publicity the Post got.”

Back then longevity itself was a newsworthy topic. Because of poor nutrition and viral epidemics that wiped out large numbers of people from time to time, the life expectancy of men in 1900 was 49.7 years and 50.9 years for women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Feature stories on how the hardy defied time and death always made for fun reading.

 Boston Post publisher Edwin Grozier used the canes as a gimmick to attract readers, Paraschos said. Grozier had previously worked as an editor for Joseph Pulitzer at the New York World, which had been known for its elaborate gimmicks.

Along with distributing the canes to 700 New England towns, the Boston Post also became one of the most successful newspapers of 19th century Boston. The Post eventually became the largest broadsheet newspaper in the country, with a circulation of more the 600,000, Paraschos said.

Boston Post Cane in New Ipswich

Selectwoman Marcia Ober presented the Boston Post Cane to the oldest citizen of New Ipswich, Raymond Willard on April 17, 2000.

Currently the cane is on display at the New Ipswich Historical Society. One wonders why the tradition did not continue. Who is the oldest resident of New Ipswich?

Newspaper Clipping

NEW IPSWICH BOY WINS COLLEGE HONORS

THE MILFORD CABINET

Milton C. Burton of New Ipswich, enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts at Northeastern University, was one of the 43 freshmen to gain a place on the scholastic honor roll for the first marking period.

In addition to attaining a high scholastic record Burton has been active in freshmen affairs.

He is the son of Mrs. Blanche C. Burton. He attended Appleton Academy, where he played baseball for three years and was a member of the basketball squad for four years. He had the honor of being valedictorian at the graduation exercises. His other activities included membership in the glee club and the dramatic club.

James Roger diary entries

11th September 1912

Fair and warm forenoon with good breeze; wind W & SW; cloudy afternoon with slight showers. David teaming rocks for Mr. Barrett. I cleaned one pen in brooder house and put perches for chickens; went to mail; picked chicken in afternoon. Telephone people asking payment for a/c which was paid on 20th August. Mr. Lord and I went to a meeting at the Finn Church; the service was in their own language. Mr. Lord & I spoke to them through an interpreter.