March Nor'easter
New Ipswich Historical Society
New Ipswich made its own history on March 14-15, 2023 when at least 31 inches of snow was dumped on the town. With no power or internet no newsletter for March 15th. Does the society have any photos of big snowfalls?
Lala Rodgers Barr
Photos taken at the Barr residence on Main Street, the property across the street from the New Ipswich Historical Society. From these photos Lala appears to be a rather flamboyant character.
On this day - March 15-16, 1898
William Jurian Kaula diary
15 MAR 1898
Left Paris for the country. Not good weather either and little prospects of anything but rain for days. Mr. and Mrs. Dearth were at the depot when I arrived with all my luggage. The country looked rather uninviting on the way out. At Esbly it was as dreary and lonesome as a place in Siberia. The omnibus filled up with passengers so that our only means of getting to Crécy was to hire a carriage and leave our trunks to be carried over later. I kept my eye on the familiar landmarks on the way over to note the change since I left here. Leafless trees, bare fields, muddy roads, and a heavy sky did not dampen Mr. Dearth's enthusiasm. He was anxious to get out in the country. Poulain's hotel was damp and cold with the cold storage of the whole winter. A splendid dinner put me in better spirits as I expected to grow numb with the cold and freeze to death before morning.
16 MAR 1898
I went about with Mr. D. in the morning to show him the lay of the land. Our explorations were along the riverbank on the outside of Crécy. The landscape pleases Mr. D. very much. There is hardly a sign of spring in the foliage. The trees are now so bare that I could see house everywhere through the branches in places where they are wholly or almost concealed during the summer months. There are many new and beautiful bits of color and composition of the winter effects. When the first warm days come and this everlasting drizzle takes a rest we will have material to paint on all sides. It will be a new and delightful experience for me to work before the spring effects with all its sombre color, then the first faint tinges of green, then more color as it grows denser, then the blossoms, the soft skies with delicate clouds, the wildflowers, and at last the real warm sunshine. In the afternoon we went to Villiers and then back through the valley along the river on the Voulangis side. The mud was simply awful and I have never been so enthusiastic before where I would venture into such a mire. I have noticed how the trees had been cut down in many places, particularly on the La Chapelle side of Crécy. The men were hauling them away with horses. Many subjects have dissapeared [sic] but new ones may be found but I don't think as good ones as before. The proposed railroad from Esbly to Crécy will be an accomplished fact after twenty years of preparatory surveying. Work will begin next week. This means further desecration of the landscape and Crécy will loose [sic] much of its old mideaval [sic] character by the new feature..... Poulain treat us splendidly and have spared no efforts to make us comfortable. Such easy arrivals must have delighted them. Poulain is a fine cook and we have a first class table including many delicacies that I have never enjoyed as much before. It is, in fact, better food than it is easy to get in many of the best restaurants in Paris
On this day - March 15-16, 1909
James Roger diary entry
15th (Monday)
Frosty, fair wind westerly. David fixing Hearse House door and at Lonie’s in afternoon. Church society meeting at 2pm. Present Mr. & Mrs. Peacock, Mr. & Mrs. Wheeler, Mr. & Mrs. Corbett, Mr. & Mrs. Sargent, Mrs. Bucknam, Mrs. Ferrin, Miss Taylor, Mr. Travis, F. Whittemore, & James Roger. Elections Mr. C. Wheeler as Moderator, clerk and treasurer, F. Whittemore, G. Sargent & W Corbett Standing Committee. Mr. Peacock read report of Parsonage. Repairs Income of Church for year $107900. Expenditures $105400.
16th (Tuesday)
Frosty fine day, good sun heat during day, clouding over in afternoon wind west to S.W. forcast rain or snow tonight. Wednesday Fair. David choring round in forenoon and went to Greenville with apples and turnips to Robbin’s. Brought tomatoes and onions also freight for Wilbur. Got pc from May and Barbara has 2 teeth. All the rest well , also a few lines from Hamish with papers for Wilbur to rectify. Social at Parsonage tonight. Principal Lewis speaks on “Light” There was a fairly good attendance and good lecture.