The article reads:

10,000 Attend Klan Meeting

National officials Speaks
in farmington, NH

American Flag Floats Over
Interested Throng

Hundreds of New Members
Are "Naturalized"

Special Dispatch to the Globe

ROCHESTER. N II. June 1 — This
morning, at K. K. K. State headquar-
tm, in South Main st, there was a
large gathering of Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Vermont and Massachusetts
klansmen, and thia afternoon a big
meeting, attended by fully 10,000 per-
sons, was held on an unoccupied farm
in the town of Farmlngton, about four
miles from Rochester. Dozens of klans
men did picket duty, and all members
present wore klan robes.

Outsiders were admitted. If vouched
for by klansmen. Rochester police esti-
mate that 2S0 automobiles bearing
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New
York and Massachusetts registration
plates passed over the roads leading to
the meeting place.

On the south side of the farm was a
platform over which the American flag
floated, and for more than two hours
three speakers from national headquar-
ters, Atlanta spoke on the principles of
the order. The throng was silent and
gave close attention to the speaker.

King Kleagle E.W. Gaynor of Indiana,
new leader in this section, presided over
the meeting but the names of the
speakers from national headquarters
were not annouced.
Music for the Farmlngton meeting
was furnished by Witham Klavern
Band of 35 pieces, from Portland.

Later in the evening several thousand
new members were naturalized at State
headquarters here, and a buffet lunch
was served. At the edge of the farm
where the afternoon meeting was held,
the fiery -cross burned, and a blazing
electric cross blazed from the roof of
headquarters.

The entire proceedings of the day
were carried out with gravity and per-
fect order.



This is a digital file and does not reside in the physical collection.

FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

The opening text reads:

FARM1NGT0N HIGH SCHOOL
DEDICATION
AUGUST 25, 1996

This date was the culmination of
just over two years of eager
anticipation beginning July 18,
1994.

It was on that date that James
and Beulah Thayer proposed their
generous donation to a very
surprised School Board.
Their gift, coupled with State
Aid, the sale of bonds, and voter
approval, started the beginning of
the dream of a new high school.
That dream is now a reality.

Good luck to all the students for a
great school year!!




This is a digital file and also resides in the physical collection.

FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

The text reads:

This issue of The Puddledock Press is dedicated to the memory of Roger Belanger or Rog-B as most knew him. Roger recently passed away after a period of declining health at age 71.

It has been said that the typical date of birth, dash, date of death is misleading. The dash is such a small symbol for a life. Rog- B's life was that of a very dedicated person. He was dedicated to his family, church, community and this publication.

He started at the Press in advisory capacity and of course, that was not enough so he began to work with the staff at every meeting, finding old stories, setting up the pages, laying out the stories, delivering the paper and more. In the months that Rog was not well and unable to help, this staff realized how much he contributed and how he was missed!

When not working on the Puddledock, Rog was active with St. Peter's Church where he was recently honored with a plaque from his church "family". He assisted with the Interfaith-food Pantry. He was recognized with a Community Achievement Award and was the Puddledock Press Person of the Year in 1987. The Farmington Historical Society had him present programs on Farmington history several times and of course his famous political collection was featured at the Goodwin Library on occasion.

Perhaps more than -the awards, we would like to think he enjoyed the waves, hellos, and thank-you's from many, many people who knew him as he walked around town sprucing up our comrmunity He will be missed.






FHS-Kyle Leach]]>

The article reads:

In Memoriam

Mr Shackford

Amasa W. Shackford died last Satur
day night at the home of his daughter-
in law, Mrs. Adrian Hall of High Street,
Rochester, after a long period of failing
health from a slow form of paralysis,
aged 78 years.. Mr . Shackford was a
native of Barnstaed, thee second son of
Seth and Harriett (Hill) Sbackford of
that town. He received his early educa-
tion in the schools of Pittsfield. later
attending Wolfeboro academy and fin-
ishing at New London Seminary. He
taught school winters for twenty years
at Eliot, Me , Barnstead, Gilmanton,
New Durham and Farrmington. He
was married in early life to Miss Clara
A Lougee of Barnstead and to them one
child was born, a son who died June
28, 1900, at the age of  28 years, leaving a
young widow who, when falling healtb
made a change necessary, kindly opened
her home to Mr and Mr* Shackford
and, with the help of her husband, made
“Pa's" last days pleasant and happy.. Mr
Shackford was a photographer of promi-
nence, which profession be followed
during bis 38 years as a resident of this
town. He was widely known and uni-
versally respected by a large number of
friends and acquaintances. He had held
several town offices andI for a number of
years was town clerk. He was a mem-
ber of Woodblue lodge. I () (). F of
this town. He Is survived l»y his wife
and by one sister, Mrs, Lydia Dow of
Barnstaed. Funeral was held from tbe
home of Mrs. Hall In Rochester last
Tuesday after noon at one-o'clock, Re v.
T. B. Scammon of this towon officiating,
wltb B. F. Perkins in charge. Singing
was by Rev. Wesley A. Paige. There
was a profusion of exquisite floral offer-
ings. The body was brought to Farm-
mgton and Interment made In the family
lot at Pine Grove cemetery.


FHS- Kyle Leach]]>

The article reads:

FARMINGTON — Beulah Thayer is the matriarch of the Thayer family, which has done so much for the town of Farmington, and she will have her 100th birthday on Friday, May 4. Her big celebration, though, will be the next day, when she will be joined by 46 family members at Thayercrest, her home on Main Hill. Close relatives will be flying in from as far away as Singapore and Oregon, and many places in between.

Beulah Perkins, as she once was, was born in Alton in 1912 and graduated from Alton High School with the Class of 1930. From there she attended Keene Normal School for three years, emerging with a teaching certificate, and in 1934, she taught grades 1 through 4 for a year in a one-room school house in Bedford.

“I loved teaching and I loved the kids,” she recalled, while seated comfortably on a Thayercrest couch near a package of her favorite Milanos, delivered by a thoughtful visitor.

While still in high school, Beulah had mastered the piano, and by chance, this led to her meeting the man she would marry — Jim Thayer. Jim played saxophone in a band, and when they lost their piano player for an event at Alton Bay Pavilion, Beulah was recruited.

Her parents carefully chaperoned the couple as their friendship developed and deepened, and were naturally a little concerned at their age difference — at the outset Beulah was 16 and Jim was 21.

Jim Thayer, Farmington born and bred, attended Harvard Business School and then went to work in Farmington National Bank. When it encountered difficulties during the Great Depression, Beulah recalls that Jim and some associates went to Washington D.C. with a rescue plan, and managed to resurrect it. Farmington National Bank was associated with Jim Thayer for the next six decades.

He and Beulah were married on June 14, 1934, and the couple built a house on land owned by his mother further up Main Street from Thayercrest, where she lived at the time.

“I hated to move to Farmington,” said Beulah, but noted this was only a brief reaction, and she very quickly came to love the town, and become involved in the multiple clubs of the area.

“I have loved Farmington for 78 years,” added Beulah, noting that all three of her children, Sylvia, Jim and Rick were born here.

“Do you love Farmington?” she asked in a tone that hinted “No” might be the wrong answer.

Daughter Sylvia Thayer (who is married to Phil Zaeder) passed over an impressive list that she and her mother had compiled of organizations that Beulah has been involved in over the years.

“Now, this is not to sound like an obituary,” was her gentle instruction.

Beulah has been active in the Eastern Star, Farmington Woman’s Club, the Girl Scouts, Farmington Historical Society, the Goodwin Library board of trustees, Farmington School Board, the Congregational Church, and the Women’s Fellowship. She has been a Sunday School teacher, the Junior Choir director and has served on the Board of Wardens.

She has been a been a member of the Mary Torr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Dames of the Court of Honor and the Daughters of the Colonial Wars.

Beulah has been involved with Frisbie Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Strawbery Banke, and served as a FMH volunteer. She spent many years involved in projects with the school children of Farmington, and continues to take a very active interest in the lives of her own three children, nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

In the 1990s, Jim and Beulah Thayer decided to contribute $2 million toward the construction of the current Farmington High School and worked with the Assistant School Superintendent Jack Henderson to bring it before the voters. This was roughly a third of the total cost, with the state chipping in another third. The people of Farmington, appreciative of the Thayer’s generosity, passed the bond with a record majority.

The Thayers also financed the construction of the children’s room addition to the Goodwin Library and major repairs to the Congregational Church spire. After her husband died, Beulah carried on with the family’s philanthropic work, and a few years ago following consultations with her family, announced that she would renovate Farmington Town Hall, and hire master carpenter Martin Gilman to supervise the extensive project. It included installation of state-of-the art sound equipment and a screen for multimedia presentations, new stage curtains and lighting, new seating and tables for functions, and much more.

Today, Beulah is active in Farmington Woman’s Club and enjoys a game of bridge with the best of them. She attends church, pops into the library on occasions, and keeps a sharp eye on what is happening both locally and further afield.

“She doesn’t like politics,” Sylvia chipped in, as her mother offered an enigmatic smile.

To mark her birthday on Friday, May 4, the bells in the tower of the Farmington Congregational Church will be rung 100 times, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The bell ringer will be a longtime member of the congregation and a choir member, Norman Greeley, who said he gladly volunteered for the job in light of everything that Beulah Thayer has done for the church over the decades.

“It should take more than three or four minutes, once I get them going, but I think I will need someone with me to keep count,” said Greeley.





FHS- Kyle Leach]]>

By John Nolan / jnolan@fosters.com]]>

The article reads:

FARMINGTON — Beulah Thayer, the matriarch of the Thayer family, which has done so much for the town of Farmington, died peacefully on Oct. 23 after a very short illness.

She had celebrated her 100th birthday on May 4, along with dozens of family members at Thayercrest, her home on Main Hill. Close relatives flew in for the occasion from as far away as Singapore and Oregon.

Beulah Perkins, as she once was known, was born in Alton in 1912 and graduated from Alton High School with the Class of 1930. From there she attended Keene Normal School for three years, emerging with a teaching certificate, and in 1934, she taught grades 1 through 4 for a year in a one-room school house in Bedford.

“I loved teaching and I loved the kids,” she recalled during an interview earlier this year.

While still in high school, Beulah had mastered the piano, and by chance, this led to her meeting the man she would marry — Jim Thayer. Jim played saxophone in a band, and when they lost their piano player for an event at Alton Bay Pavilion, Beulah was recruited.

Her parents carefully chaperoned the couple as their friendship developed and deepened, and were naturally a little concerned at their age difference — at the outset Beulah was 16 and Jim was 21.

Jim Thayer, Farmington born and bred, attended Harvard Business School and then went to work in Farmington National Bank. When it encountered difficulties during the Great Depression, Beulah recalls that Jim and some associates went to Washington, D.C., with a rescue plan, and managed to resurrect it. Farmington National Bank was associated with Jim Thayer for the next six decades.

He and Beulah were married on June 14, 1934, and the couple built a house on land owned by his mother further up Main Street from Thayercrest, where she lived at the time.

She very quickly came to love the town, and became involved in the multiple clubs of the area. All three of her children, Sylvia, Jim and Rick were born here.

Beulah was been active in the Eastern Star, Farmington Woman’s Club, the Girl Scouts, Farmington Historical Society, the Goodwin Library board of trustees, Farmington School Board, the Congregational Church, and the Women’s Fellowship. She was a Sunday School teacher, the Junior Choir director and served on the Board of Wardens.

She was a member of the Mary Torr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Dames of the Court of Honor and the Daughters of the Colonial Wars.

Beulah was involved with Frisbie Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Strawbery Banke, and served as a FMH volunteer. She spent many years involved in projects with the school children of Farmington, and continued to take a very active interest in the lives of her own three children, nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

In the 1990s, Jim and Beulah Thayer decided to contribute $2 million toward the construction of the current Farmington High School and worked with the Assistant School Superintendent Jack Henderson to bring it before the voters. This was roughly a third of the total cost, with the state chipping in another third. The people of Farmington, appreciative of the Thayers’ generosity, passed the bond with a record majority.

Former County Commissioner Ron Chagnon, who chaired the Farmington School Board at the time, said, “Jim, Beulah and Sylvia came to the meetings, and Beulah was more active than anybody, but they didn’t want any recognition, whatsoever. We had to convince them to let us name the entrance (to the high school) Thayer Drive. They were not for fame and glory — they just loved the town of Farmington. They were nice, nice people.”

The Thayers also financed the construction of the addition to the Goodwin Library and major repairs to the Congregational Church spire.

Goodwin Library Director Debbie Christie said that when she took over the position, Beulah made it known that the downstairs portion of the new addition was to be a children’s room.

“That became the groundswell,” said Christie, adding that the book shelves and furniture was donated by Beulah Thayer.

“She always believed that our future is in the hands of the children,” Christie said.

President of Farmington Historical Society Dottie Bean is also an active member of Farmington Congregational Church and Farmington Woman’s Club, organizations that Beulah Thayer belonged to for many decades.

Said Bean, “She is leaving a big hole. She did an awful lot for an awful lot of people that no one knows about. She touched a lot of lives in this town. It wasn’t just the big things — she helped a lot of people.”

President of Farmington Woman’s Club JoAnn Doke, remembers Beulah Thayer with great affection.

“She led me through two presidencies. She was so helpful and gracious and always there to give advice, as well as being generous. She could be called upon to help with anything. It is a big loss,” said Doke.

After her husband died, Beulah carried on with the family’s philanthropic work, and a few years ago following consultations with her family, announced that she would renovate Farmington Town Hall, and hire master carpenter Martin Gilman to supervise the extensive project. It included installation of state-of-the art sound equipment and a screen for multimedia presentations, new stage curtains and lighting, new seating and tables for functions, and much more.

Speaking on Wednesday, Gilman, a former town selectman, said, “The Town of Farmington is going to miss her terribly. She has been good to the whole community.”

To mark her 100th birthday on May 4, the bells in the tower of the Farmington Congregational Church were rung 100 times. The bell ringer, a longtime member of the congregation and a choir member, Norman Greeley, said he gladly volunteered for the job in light of everything that Beulah Thayer had done for the church over the decades.

Her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Farmington, on Monday, Oct. 29. This will be followed by a reception at the church to which everyone is invited.

Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Goodwin Library Memorial Fund in care of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 422 Main St., Farmington, N.H.



FHS- Kyle leach]]>

The Peaslee Funeral Home obituary reads:

Beulah L. Thayer

May 04, 1912 - October 23, 2012






Obituary of Beulah Perkins Thayer

Farmington--Beulah Thayer, 100, died peacefully, after a very short illness, on October 23rd.
She was born on May 4, 1912, daughter of Winifred and Benjamin Perkins of Alton, NH. She was graduated from Alton High School and Keene Normal School and taught elementary school in Bedford N.H. She married James E. Thayer on June 14, l934, and lived the rest of her life in Farmington.
Mrs. Thayer was an active member of many civic organizations including Fraternal Chapter No. 21, Order of the Eastern Star, President of the Farmington Women’s Club, Girl Scout Leader, Member of the First Congregational Church, holding many offices there, including President of the Women’s Fellowship, Sunday School Teacher, Junior Choir Director and Board of Wardens. She served as President of the Historical Society, Trustee of Goodwin Library and was a member of the Farmington School Board for six years. Mrs. Thayer also held memberships in many patriotic Organizations including Regent of Mary Torr Chapter, D.A.R, President of Daughters of Colonial Wars, Dames of the Court of Honor, a member of Frisbee Memorial Auxiliary, Strawbery Banke, and as a volunteer at Frisbee Hospital for many years. Her greatest love was the school children of Farmington.
Mrs. Thayer is survived by a daughter Sylvia Thayer of Milton, two sons, James Thayer of Singapore, Richard Thayer of New Durham, three granddaughters, six grandsons, seven great granddaughters and fourteen great grandsons.
Service: Her memorial service will be held at eleven o’clock at the First Congregational Church of Farmington, Monday, October 29. Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Goodwin Library Memorial Fund in care of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 422 Main Street, Farmington, N.H.
Arrangements by Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central Street, Farmington, NH, to express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com


FHS- Kyle Leach]]>

Beulah L. Thayer




]]>

How did the cannons get to where they are, one, in Edgerly Park, and two cannons in the Pine Grove Cemetery?

There is a wonderful archived Historical Farmington, Puddledock Press article written by Marion Gardener about the cannons, their life after use, and how they ended up where they are.

The article reads as folows:

Historical Farmington
BY MARION GARDNER
MM CANNONS DELIVERED TO TOWN

In 1902, through the efforts of the G.A.R., the Brooklyn, N.Y. Navy Yard donated three Parrott caonon to Farmington to be used as decorative pieces in tbe town, the only expense being that the town pay the freight charges.

Among the historical society files Is a record showing these charges were paid by several local business and professional men, among them are the names of W.W. Roberts, the druggist who lived on Garfield Street in the house now occupied by Sgt. Richard Bailey, and that of Dr. H.P. Wheatley, who lived in the Robert Lefavour house on South Main Street.

One of the cannon was placed In the cemetery, one in Edgcrly Park on North Mala Street and the third on the site of the present telephone building. I'm not the name of the area was official, but I found one reference to it as "Little City Park". In 1918 the park ceased to be and the cannon was removed and placed at the foot of Band Stand Hill (the junction of Spring and Central Streets). By 1942 the cannon had out lived it's useful- ness as an ornament and so was removed end added to the war time scrap drive.

It is interesting to note that this particular type of cannon was invented by Robert Parrott, a native of Lee, N.H. and a graduate of West Point. He act only was an inventor, but was also a soldier who became superintendent of the West Point iron and cannon foundry. It was while he was there that he invented the cannon which bears his name, and which was used by the Union army and navy during the war between the states.





  FHS- Kyle Leach]]>
Article: Marion Gardner]]>

The article includes photos of many Farmington buildings, but does not credit the photographer in the article. They my have been taken by the staff photographer at the Farmington News or provided by local residents.

The article contains a written history, from the 1790's to the early twentieth century. Details are provided about many notable figures in Farmington history, Other important subjects covered are government, business in Farmington, manufacturing, the Town block system, churches, schools, and the Opera House, which contained the town hall and library.

FHS- Kyle Leach
]]>

This is both a digital item and physical object in the museum collection.

FHS-Kyle Leach]]>