The Accident
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.
A Fish Story and the Accident
{NOTE: Farges was one of the French workers mentioned in prior transcriptions]
This one, called Farges, stayed with us all winter, living in the cottage across the road. He helped me cut timber that season alongside the pond. Then Frank snaked it down the whole length of this pond into Squantum. Also, these winter days, I used to put my fish-line out. At that time there were not the restrictions there are now. I set, often, ten reels for pickerel and such. We could even leave the lines in at night. Got quite a few fish that way. One morning, checking the lines, I found on one---of all things!---both a pickerel and a perch. Apparently a perch, swimming around the bait had been hooked in the side; then the pickerel had "caught" the perch, and been caught itself. Regular "fish story"--- but with a witness to prove it! because Farges was right there with me.
The following summer, when the farm-work was caught up, Frank decided we'd go on a camping trip up in the White Mountains. I went down to Fitchburg to borrow a tent from Dick Cullee, a friend of Wesley's. In the process of leaving Farges who had ridden down with me, at his regular boarding place, I had quite an accident. In attempting to cross one street with my vision obscured by a tall, thick hedge, I was rammed by another car. This driver came to me quickly and asked me to "keep things quiet", but I couldn't even if I had wanted to, because the two policemen, who showed up immediately, interviewed us separately. I was O.K. there as I had both license and registration, but the other person had no license, and was driving his boss's car! The police took him by way of the street- car to the police-station. The one who stayed with me advised me to call someone to help with the car, since I had told him that my folks lived not too far away. Wesley came down, was suitably appalled and disturbed, but arranged to have a garage-man get the car and do the needed repairs.
Also, Wesley got me back to Rindge, and brought up the mended car to the farm the next afternoon. After all this, we could really settle down and begin to get on with plans for the trip to the mountains.
Photo Archives
Fancy Hat
James Roger diary entry
14th December 1912
Frost, fair, and cloudy; wind west to south. David & Daniel at the lumber in forenoon. D. went to Greenville in afternoon; brought mother meat chopper, scissors and candy; brought me a pair of Arties. Mail late today; got letter from Alice. (pullets 6)
So re Marion’s story, drivers back in the day were equally careless and clueless as they are today.
Re the photo of the festive hat, it seems an excellent means by which to encourage good posture on the part of the wearer. This posture is how local women I’ve seen in the Caribbean islands stand, regardless of what they’re wearing. Beautifully upright. None of this slumping that is the norm around here except for dancers and equestrians.
Street cars in Fitchburg? Curious I found this: https://collections.trolleymuseum.org/items/4 What happened to them? Buses more efficient?