Mystery House
New Ipswich Historical Society
This is one of the “mystery” photos in the Society collection. It appears to be a double exposure. Why they bothered to print it is anybody’s guess. Perhaps someone can identify the house, location or the weird gear thing on the right.
On this day - April 3, 1898
William Jurian Kaula diary
3 APR 1898
The newspapers are full of momentous issues from America, ultimatums, messages to Congress, autonomy, independence, Spanish Torpedo Flotilla, and mediation by the European powers. Spain's replies to the President's demands are evasive and unsatisfactory and most diplomatic expedients seem exhausted. All await the Message to Congress and if Congress is allowed free swing it will mean an immediate declaration of war.
This has been a cold and dreary Sunday and too cold for comfort even indoors without a fire. Fires are expensive and I do not indulge in them very often and I will welcome the warm weather for as much this reason as any besides being able to work in the open air without discomfort. An inspection that I made of the hillside going up toward Ferrole did not relieve much progress in the Spring. The grass is growing more vivid green, the trees have no color except the young willows.
On this day - April 3, 1909
James Roger diary entry
3rd (Saturday)
Snow and sleety showers, wind E & N.E. David choring round, painting &c. I swept Church vestry, little room, and stairs. Started another incubator. W. Preston called today with paper about state tax bill for signature. Moses Balch sent papers from Bank of England about Spanish Swindle. The snow is today covering my darling Mary’s grave, her 41st birthday. Got letters from Alice & Hamish.
The mystery house is a mystery to me. It seems to have a concrete foundation making it most likely a 20th century house. That double exposure probably wasn't detected until after printing the photo. That gear looks like an old steam shovel gear. I found one like it behind the old house in Highbridge, probably from the construction of the dam. I was 12 and I rolled it down the hill not expecting to go into Basil Mason's yard and into his pickup. He was chief of police at the time.