at which $4,000 were voted for current expenses, $1,000 to be expended on the highways, and the selectmen were instructed to borrow $20,000 on the credit of the town to pay outstanding notes against the town. It was voted that the literary fund, and $200 of the savings-bank and railroad tax be divided equally among the several school districts having less than $200 of school money; and that $125 of the savingsbank and railroad tax be appropriated towards purchasing maps and charts for all the school districts not now having them, except the Union district, and those having them can have their portion for the purchase of other articles needed. Also that a large globe be purchased for the use of the several schools, and it be made the duty of the superintending school committee "to demonstrate geographical problems therefrom to the several schools in town, and when not in use to be loaned to the academy." The town voted to accept the land to enlarge the Buckstreet graveyard, and instruct the selectmen to put in a suitable split stone fence in front, and on the remaining sides, "stone posts and braids," also to divide said land into lots, appraise, and sell the same as wanted. A committee of three was appointed to take into consideration the matter of constructing a reservoir in, or near the village, and report at the next annual meeting. By unanimous vote, John M. Kimball, Aaron Whittemore, and Trueworthy L. Fowler, were appointed a committee to use their influence towards securing the establishment of a Normal school, or a branch thereof, in the town, provided the legislature should create such an institution. A large majority voted against throwing the entire support of paupers upon counties. 1868. At the annual town-meeting, March 10, it was voted to raise by taxation $4,000 for current expenses; $1,000 to be used in repairing the highways; to borrow on the credit of the town $20,000 to pay outstanding notes against the town; and to divide equally among the several school districts having "less than $200," the literary fund and enough of the savings-bank and railroad tax, to make up the sum of $100. The selectmen were authorized to procure an estimate of the expense of connecting a pipe and hose with the force pump of the Pembroke Mills, and report at the next meeting. Daniel Holt's farm and taxable property were severed from school-district No. 5, and annexed to No. 9. The town unanimously voted "to petition Congress to levy a tax on all the bonds of the United States not exceeding one per cent. semiannually, and make the same a lien upon the coupons and interest of said bonds, and set the same apart as a sinking fund to be applied in the purchase of the debts of the United States in such manner as Congress may direct." At the presidential election November 3, the town voted, 3 to 1, against calling a convention to revise the state constitution. The selectmen were instructed to see if they can procure land for a reservoir in Suncook village, at what cost, and the estimate of some suitable engineer, as to the cost of building, of furnishing pipes and hydrants, and of connecting with the company's force pump, and report the same at the next meeting. Policemen were voted the same fees as constables in all cases where costs do not come out of the county, and there is no conviction in the police court. William Swain's claim for damages to himself and horse was left for settlement to the discretion of the selectmen. The selectinen were empowered to hire such sums of money as they deem necessary for the aforesaid purposes; and $30,000 to pay outstanding notes against the town, in either case not paying over six per cent. interest. 1869. At the annual town-meeting, March 9, it was voted to raise $4,000 to defray current town charges and existing liabilities; $1,700 for highway repairs, with labor at fifteen cents per hour; and to appropriate $300 of the literary fund, savings-bank and railroad tax, for equal distribution among the school districts, giving Union district its share. The selectmen were authorized to raise a sum not exceeding $30,000 to pay outstanding notes and claims against the town. An attempt to pass a vote to fund the debt of the town was unsuccessful. Charles Williams, Natt B. Emery, and John G. Bartlett, were appointed a committee to see upon what terms land could be procured for a reservoir in or near Suncook village, and secure an estimate from some suitable engineer of the cost of building, furnishing pipes and by. drants, and connecting with the company's force pumps, and report to the selectmen, to be laid before the town at such time as the committee shall request the calling of a meeting for this purpose. Such meeting was called, and held April 6, when the report was made. The town voted to accept the motion of Aaron Whittemore in relation to the formation of a fire district in the village of Suncook, which was as follows: That the town recommend to the inhabitants of said town residing in Suncook Village to organize and establish under the laws of this State a Village fire precinct district, that when such fire district shall have been established and measures adopted by such fire district for the extinguishment of fires and to defray the necessary charges and expenses of the same, the select men on application shall call a meeting of the town to see if the town will aid and assist such Village fire district to procure cisterns, sources of water, and appara tus for the extinguishment of fires, and raise or borrow and appropriate money therefor. At a special meeting held November 9, the town by vote opposed the establishment in certain cases of a state police, as also selling the stock, produce, and farming tools of the town farm at auction. The selectmen were authorized to borrow, giving notes of the town therefor, $750 to purchase hose and fixtures to connect with the pipe laid in Suncook village for the extinguishment of fires, to be kept and used under the direction of the selectmen, or fire wardens of the town, or some one by them appointed. It was also voted that the settees in the town hall be collected, repaired, and "not lent except under the direction of the town." This year the Suncook Valley railroad was completed. CHAPTER XX. PEMBROKE AND SUNCOOK IN THE Rebellion. The first gun fired on Fort Sumter fired the Northern heart as nothing else had ever done. Every one who had the least spark of manly patriotism in his soul, was deeply stirred to resent this outrage on the flag of his country. There was a thorough arousing, and arising for this. The Granite Hills heard the call to arms, and many offered themselves for this gap of need to save their homes and native land from the menacing supremacy of the slave oligarchy, at whose instigation the cloud of civil war had gathered and was breaking in its fury upon this inheritance of the fathers. Pembroke heard, and responded nobly in her offering of brave and stalwart young men, if such were the need, to be laid in sacrifice on the altars of her country. At the outset rose-colored prophecies of the speedy crushing of the rebellion were many, and may have had something to do with the readiness with which they left the pursuits of peace and loved ones in their homes to go to the front. All eyes seemed to be blinded to the full and far-reaching significance of this uplifting of the red hands of treason, and that in the face of the preparation that was going on so actively during the previous winter. The deep-seated and intense venom of rebel hatred and design was little understood. Only the brave Anderson, the hero of Sumter, and his little garrison had felt the menacing power of their conspiracy against free government. The loyal North had not yet measured swords with them on any fair field, to become acquainted with their stubborn and uncompromising spirit, which was greatly emboldened by their success in the surrender of Fort Sumter, and a little later in the victory at Bull Run. But rebel successes, while they opened the eyes to the magnitude of the work in hand, and became prophetic of a prolonged struggle, only intensified the loyal feeling, and united the people for any endurance and sacrifice necessary, to meet gun with gun, and sword with sword, till the armed rebellion was utterly crushed out forever, and the flag of the free once more waved in unsullied glory over a united and free republic. The few who were in sympathy with "state rights" and "secession," who "would like to wade knee-deep in Yankee blood," thereby showing that it was the great misfortune of their life to be born on Northern soil, soon learned it was not best to be too outspoken, nor to go too far in demonstrations of joy over rebel victories. The logic of public sentiment was a stern rebuke. In some instances it required a hardihood little short of desperation to face it. But confronted with the greatest discouragements in the field, and opposition at home, Pembroke, in common with almost every town and city in the North, endeavored to show herself equal to the occasion, and do her duty. Public meetings for keeping alive and strengthening a healthy public sentiment, and town meetings, from time to time, to provide ways and means for the pushing forward of the common cause to final and overwhelming victory, were held as the exigency seemed to demand. The officers of the town, whose duty it was, were faithful and strenuous in their endeavors to promote enlistments, and promptly respond to the call for men to the measure of her quota. Nor were the patriotic women of the town less untiring in doing what they could to minister to the comfort and courage of the brave men who had gone forth to fight their battles for them. Lint and bandages for the wounded in the hospitals, cordials for the sick, and many an other token of their thoughtfulness, found a way to tent and field, as a witness to continued home remembrance and home desire for their courage and good cheer. But the whole history of that memorable civil war, the like of which we trust will never come again, is still well known, though nearly thirty years have passed away since the fall of Richmond, the unconditional surrender of Lee's army to General Grant, and the winding up of the great rebellion. It is too well known to need, if it were pertinent, enlargement here. The causes of it, also, are well understood. The growing feeling at the North of the wrong of human slavery, and the consequent stain and stigma upon the fair name of a free government, resulting largely from the agitation occasioned by the outspoken and ringing words of such men as Garrison and Wendell Phillips, aroused, as was inevitable, the resentment of the South. They looked upon it as a menace to the cherished institution "by which they had their wealth;" and the arrogant and intolerant spirit which it had long fostered, was at last so wrought up as to lead them to appeal to the arbitrament of war and run the risk of its overthrow, in an endeavor to perpetuate it indefinitely by founding a Confederacy with slavery for it chief corner stone. The election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency furnished them with the opportunity, for which they were waiting, to throw off their allegiance to the Union, and make the venture. They signally failed, as we have seen, to cross the Rubicon of their hope; and we are still a united, stronger, freer, greater, and more glorious nation for the emancipation thereby accomplished. With such an outcome, the dark shadows of those four long, weary, dreary years seemed illumined with the smile of God. The details of Pembroke's relation to the Rebellion are a proper matter of record, and we hasten to give them. It will be remembered that the bombardment of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, began on April 12, 1861, and that Lincoln's proclamation for 75,000 volunteers, for three months, was issued on April 15. The response was immediate. On April 19, the Massachusetts Sixth, on its way to Washington, was met, in its passage through Baltimore, by an armed mob, and two of its number killed-the first bloody sacrifice of the war. In due time the New Hampshire Second followed. In this regiment were fourteen Pembroke soldiers, as will presently be seen. They naturally became the centre of interest, and awakened in the minds of the people a desire for their own and their families' welfare. Accordingly we find that a town-meeting was held June 8, to take the matter into consideration. At this meeting Aaron Whittemore, Norris Cochran, Moses Martin, Cogswell Dudley, and Solomon Whitehouse, were chosen a committee to draw up a bill and submit to the meeting. The following was presented and passed: That there shall be furnished to each person, resident of the town, who has, or shall enlist, or be drafted into the service of the United States in the present war for the preservation of the government thereof, and shall actually serve therein, in clothing, or articles necessary for such service not exceeding in amount to each three dollars, and there shall also be paid for the benefit of the wife and children, if any, of said persons during said service, a sum_not exceeding in amount twenty dollars to each family,-Provided that the foregoing payments and provisions shall not be in force or extend beyond the next annual meeting of said town, and provided further, that if the Legislature of this state shall at its present session make provisions for the same or similar purposes the foregoing shall be void and of no effect thereafter. That a sum not exceeding one hundred and fifty dollars be appropriated for the purposes aforesaid, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, and paid by the Selectmen in such sums and at such times as the Selectmen may judge best for the interests of the town, and the benefit of the persons and families aforesaid, if required as aforesaid. The selectmen were appointed a committee to take charge of the funds, or articles furnished, make distribution of the same as seemed proper, and report at the next annual meeting. |