The Townsman - July 4, 1907

Town newspaper

Carl Toko discovered a copy of “The Townsman” a newspaper from 1907. This article is appropriate for our present day.

Some Things New Ipswich Needs

   This classic town, with its maple-lined streets, beautiful drives, noble mountains, broad valleys, and winding river, where restful Nature beckons the weary to abide and recuperate, needs a spacious summer hotel, whose portals will welcome the visiting sons and daughters. What public spirited person or syndicate will inaugurate this? 

   There is one need New Ipswich feels; that is a suitable meeting place for the young men where social enjoyment may be had. An attractive building, well supplied with games and with opportunity for sports, would be a splendid help in the making of strong, loyal citizens. What can be done toward the erection and support of a Club House?

Lines on a Fossil Fern (A Poem)

Thy feathery fronds by some quiet river bank 
   Waved in the morning wind, 
Whilst equisetums many-whorled and rank 
   Towered in the marsh behind. 

You never heard the golden-throated glory 
   Of children at their play; 
Nor lovers telling o'er the sweet old story 
   E'er passed your way. 

The megatherium huge perchance has played 
   Amongst thy leafy bowers; 
The dinotherium fierce beneath thy shade 
   Has passed the noontide hours. 

The megalonyx with its fearful claws 
   Thee trod in miry clay, 
And overwhelming floods of sand and silt 
   Hid thee from face of day. 

And so the ages upward, onward rolled, 
    By thee unheeded past, 
Till Man, the crowning work, in Godlike mould 
   Appeared at last; 

With reverence turning o'er Creation's page 
    Disclosed thy beauties rare, 
And owned the works of God from age to age 
   Were marvellous, good, and fair. 

JAMES ROGER.

Main Street

Intersection of Main Street and Route 124. Note the library on left near the truck.

James Roger diary entry

September 30^th 1908 (Wednesday)

Frosty morning. Fine sunny day wind S. to E. David ploughing the James Davis field.  I fixed the Marshall lot.  Mrs. Fletcher died last night and for sanitary reasons was put in the town tomb this morning and buried in afternoon.  There was a good turnout of people at the Baptist minister reception.  This month has closed with a record heat and drought.  Forest fires have been prevalent all over the country.  There was no rain with exception of a slight shower from 26^th August until early morning of 29^th Sept.  Last night was a very fine display of the northern lights and indications tonight are for rain soon.