On the 1890 Congressional Election (Town Talk)

In the November 1st, 1890 issue of Town Talk, there was an interesting short comment about the (then) upcoming congressional elections.

Fig. 1: Comment on the congressional election of 1890 from Town Talk

The write-up says, 
"Before another issue of TOWN TALK appears the voters will have expressed their preference at the polls. The question of representatives and congressmen will have been settled, and those whom the voters do not want to represent them will have been gently or forcibly reminded of the fact. The situation in this district is quote interesting, and will probably be more so after election. Both the great political parties have received additions in new voters by naturalization and by young men coming of voting age, and, while the leaders of the parties may know very neatly how the new comers stand, they may change the complexion of things somewhat after all. Prophesying the results is not exactly in our line, but we do not entertain much doubt that the Republicans will again prove victorious. But if the Democrats should win we believe business will be carried on as usual, and therefore no tears need be shed."

In this election, the Democrats gained a total of 86 seats in the House and the Republicans lost a total of 93 seats.

Frederick N. Dillon

(This post is part of a series about my research of Fitchburg architect H.M. Francis)

Frederick Dillon was the son of David Dillon, the founder of D.M. Dillon Boiler Works, Inc. Frederick Dillon was one of Fitchburg's main industrialists in the early 1900's. Aside from being Vice President and Treasurer of D.M. Dillon Boiler Works, he was also President and Treasurer of Brown Bag Filling Machine Co., a member of the Fitchburg Park Commission from 1898 to 1911. A graduate of M.I.T., he was also Oak Hill Country Club's first president.

Fig. 1: Frederick N. Dillon

The house that was designed for Dillon is on Prospect Street. The style is a Colonial Revival and it was also remodeled in 1913 by Frederick and Albert Francis.

Fig. 2: Frederick Dillon's Prospect Street Home (photo courtesy of bostongringo.com)

When I was looking for more information about some of Dillon's civic activities, I stumbled across a photograph of the McKinley Cruiser.

Fig. 3: The McKinley Cruiser and her crew

This cruiser was built as part of the 1896 Presidential Campaign for William McKinley. The cruiser took part in many parades through Fitchburg, Leominster and other nearby towns for a few years. With the presidential campaign over, the Cruiser was put in Whalom Lake where it remained until it fell into disrepair and ended up sinking. I found the blog of a U.S. Navy veteran collecting Navy postcards and photographs who also wrote about the McKinley Cruiser, you can read about his research here.

A second photograph that accompanied the photo from above depicts the Cruiser's officers, which included Dillon.

Fig. 4: Officers of the McKinley Cruiser. Frederick Dillon is last on the right in the upper row

Aside from his business pursuits, Dillon was also very fond of birds. His obituary says, "He was familiar with the habits and songs of all local birds and his wide travel gave him opportunities to study and become familiar with birdlife in other sections of the world."
A 1946 editorial about Dillon written in the Fitchburg Sentinel also highlights his love for birds. "...Mr. Dillon's keen interest in bird lore and his intimate knowledge of bird songs and bird ways were surpassed by few, if any amateurs in this region. In the midst of a discussion with friends on business or civic affairs he would sometimes stop and call the attention of the others to a songster outside the windows whose melody had passed unnoticed by them."

Did You Hear Some of That Town Talk?

I recently downloaded two large PDF files containing Town Talk issues from 1890 - 1891.

They have been very amusing to read so far, it's like an informal newspaper with similarities to Coffee News.

In between posts about H.M. Francis, I'm going to start posting some of the various stories and cartoons.

I will cite author/artist names when applicable.

Let's start with my favorite so far:

Fig. 1: After The Play

The text that accompanies this piece is:

"SHE: Shakespeare is simply marvelous.

YOUNG TALKLEY: He is indeed! Even the names he gives his minor characters have a deep significance. Look at Pistol, for instance. He was always loaded."