Daisy Visits Rindge
New Ipswich Historical Society
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.
Daisy goes for a run
I remember one time I had been off doing some errands with Sukie I guess it was perhaps one time when I went uptown with milk. Just as I came home here was Daisy hitched into the one-horse wagon. There was nobody near her, and she had gotten her checkrein down over her head. She was feeding on the grass on the lawn. I drove into the barn floor with Sukie to unhitch her. Frank showed up, and I said, "That Daisy Horse is going to step into that checkrein and then what will happen them?" He started for the door and just then Daisy's head came up in the air and away she went. Boy, did she run. Frank had to back Sukie out of the barn door; he got into the wagon and followed after her. She went clear down to what we called Dixon's Corner and down around the old back road clear into East Rindge. She ran the wagon up against a telephone pole; that freed her from the wagon. Up in the village we found her harness strewn around. By the time he found her she was up in the woods in back of the East Rindge Hotel. By the time he got her and got back to where the wagon was and the buggy one of the men in the village came out and said, "Well, you've got a rooster to pay for. She killed my rooster on the way up through the village". The wagon was smashed for keeps. Frank picked up the pieces of the harness and came home with her behind the buggy.
Photo Archives
It would be nice to learn the story behind these photos, maybe someone might recognize the place or the people. However for now they are unidentified women with interesting hats and a cute dog.
James Roger diary entry
9th December 1912 - Dusty Road
Hard frost; 26 degrees. David and Daniel went to sale at Herbert Whitney farm. He bought chain and halter (15 cents). W. Thompson brought mail; got letter from Hamish. Mr. Lord called for a few minutes on the way home from auction. Walter Thayer brought wood to Hall. Matti Macki (sp.?) engaged Hall for the 28th. Saw quantities of dust blowing along the Smithville road.
Maybe Daisy Horse had become sick and tired of waiting alone with the wagon. And of the torment of listening to a miserable free-range rooster over a long distance--at that moment and for several years--during ungodly early hours. That rooster didn’t have to pull wagons. Just strut and crow his head off and be king of the barnyard and defecate. She perhaps decided to take matters into her own hooves. Made him ready for chicken fricasee. Did the town a favor. There’s just so much any self-respecting horse can tolerate.
"Walter Thayer brought wood to the hall". Besides cigars and socks, did Walter also sell wood? It's hard to believe that this the same Walter Thayer whose waste basket I emptied during the summer of 1959 while working at Tricnit Hosiery. His office was adjacent to Phil's. In 1912 (and many years after) Walter was a member of a quartet that frequently sang at services at the Congregational church.