Bristol High School - Green and White Yearbook (Bristol, RI)

Page 15 text:

THE GREEN AND WHITE 13 pride. It has several school buildings. One of them, the Colt Memorial High School, is one of the most beautiful and best equipped school buildings in the state. It is a white marble structure costing $250,000 and is a gift to the town by one of Bristol’s public spirited citizens, Col. Samuel P. Colt, in memory of his mother. Evening schools are conducted free each winter in the High School and various grades. The John Post Reynolds School was built by the town in memory of John Post Reynolds, Superintendent of Bristol’s schools for many years. The Byfield, Oliver and Walley, are all brick schools. The State Soldiers’ Home is located in the suburbs of Bristol and in the town are also located three other public institutions: the Home for Aged Women, the Benjamin Church Home for Aged Men.' and the Children’s Home. Those desiring sites for homes can find beautiful locations at Beach Terrace and Bristol Highlands, two recently developed suburban plats, charmingly situated on the shore, very accessible by railroad. Although desirable as a place of residence, Bristol is also the manufacturing center of this region. The principal industry is the manufacture of rubber goods in the National India Rubber Company, a branch of the United States Rubber Company which has forty three other factories throughout the country. It employs 4300 persons. It is one of the best modern buildings for its size in the country. It is equipped with two first-aid hospitals, a dental office, an Americanization School. A weekly paper called Keds Live Wire” is issued by the company. They have a fully equipped Day Nursery on High street for the benefit of their employees. The D’Wolf Inn. under factory management, has been established for the benefit of the women who are employed at the factory and whose homes are out of town. Here is located also the world famous plant of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, the reputation of which has been established by the building of yachts that have successfully defended the America’s Cup against the world during the past 20 years. This company also builds steam yachts, small racing sloops, and marine engines, and employs about 500 skilled mechanics. On the north side of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Plant is the Public Bath House which formerly was at the foot of Church street wharf, but was removed to this more favorable location. This building was donated to the town of Bristol by Charles B. Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell also donated in memory of his wife, the Martha Rockwell Convalescent Home, situated in the suburban part of Bristol, overlooking the harbor. Charles B. Rockwell is the owner of the Cranston Worsted Mills which manufactures the finest worsteds and yarns obtainable. It is a growing industry employing at present about four hundred people. About two miles from the compact part of Bristol is the beautiful entrance to Colt’s Farm on the Drive. The entrance is of white marble. On each side of the entrance are two large bronze bulls. The macadamized drive extends five and one-half miles around the farm. On the west side of the drive has been erected one of the most up-to-date dairy barns, equipped with all modern and sanitary machinery for use in its different branches. Prize cattle, horses, swine and poultry are raised on this farm. It is always open for free inspection to the public. Colonel Colt has also added another building to Bristol, a colonial type apartment house, known as the “Colt Apartments,’’ furnished with all modern and up-to-date improvements. Another place of interest is the Mount Hope Farm, owned by Rudolph Haffen-reffer. Mr. Haffenreffer has expended a vast amount to improve this historical place, adding modern buildings, dairy and horse barns. He also specializes in raising sheep for market. Bristol as she stands today is an enterprising town and a credit to the State of Rhode Island. RUTH SUZMAN, ’23. GRANDFATHER’S FIRESIDE PICTURES It was in the latter part of the month of October. The weather was slightly inclement. All day long the wind had been moaning through the branches of the trees, now stripped of their gorgeous autumn foliage. A few lonely crickets uttered some plaintive chirps, as if singing a melancholy dirge for the departed summer. Within the library of the old colonial mansion sat grandfather, smoking his favorite cigar, and gazing at the glowing logs in the fireplace. A pretty, little girl of five summers, who had been playing with her dolls, now came and climbed upon her grandfather’s knees, and begged him for a story. The old man who was in a reminiscent mood did not appear to heed the child, but continued to gaze into the burning logs. He was apparently asleep. Suddenly he was startled. What was it? A wo nan, a mere slip of a girl seemed to be standing before him. She wore a beautiful, brocaded satin dress, with hoop skirts. Her light, golden hair encircled her pretty face. In her arms she carried his favorite flowers, the beautiful purple and white lilacs. As he sat staring at her, the picture

Page 14 text:

12 THE GREEN AND WHITE Providence, the early settlers did not come because of religion; they came simply to start a real seaport town. These settlers were men of wealth and good standing. The four original owners were Nathan Hayman, Stephen Burton, John Walley and Nathaniel Oliver. Walley was a member of the council and later became Judge of the Superior Court. In 1712 he returned to Boston and died there. But the most prominent owner was Nathaniel Byfield, whose father was an English clergyman. He came to this town with the first settlers, remaining here for nearly fifty years. He chose for his home the peninsula across the harbor which was then known to the Red Men as Papoose Squaw Point. But like Walley he returned to Boston to spend the remainder of his life. We have Colonel Byfield to thank for our broad shady streets, our first schools' and the common. When the town was laid out, land was set apart for the support of the ministry. The first meeting-house was built from trees hewn from the common and was built on the site of the court house. It was known as the First Baptist Church. The interior was surrounded by a double row of galleries and the floor was covered with large square pews. In 1681 the people had assembled and decided that the town should be named Bristol, for that was the name of the second most important center of commerce in England. At the same time Richard Smith was made the first town clerk. Some of the most important settlers were Benjamin Church, Nathaniel Paine, Nathaniel Reynolds, William Ingram, George Waldron, Jabez Gorham, Uzal Wardwell, and Benjamin Bosworth. Another settler of Bristol was soon made Senator. His name was Burnside, for whom the Burnside Memorial Building is named. His home, which still stands, was on Ferry Point overlooking Mount Hope Bay. There is also a large statue of him on horseback in front of the Union Station in Providence. The growth of Bristol’s trade increased greatly in the next one hundred years. But then came the Revolution! Bristol and its people suffered greatly. In the first year of the War the town was bombarded by a British fleet and in May, 1777 troops marched into Bristol, burning homes and meeting houses. Saint Michael’s Church, which then stood on Church street, was burnt to the ground twice. But Metacom, brother of the dead King Philip, was a friend of the Whites and did his best to help them. During the fierce struggle the Town Hall, which is now the Pastime Theatre, was used for a signal tower; the Artillery Hall was used as a blockade house. A young Frenchman, the Marquis de Lafayette, who wished to help Washington, lived in the Reynolds House on Hope street. It is to Walley, Byfield, Hayman, Burton and Oliver that we are indebted for our town. In later years streets and schools were named in honor of these gallant men, but we are not allowed to forget the very first people of Bristol, for Metacom avenue was named for the great Chief s youngest son and we also have King Philip’s chair and spring on Mount Hope, Rhode Island’s only mountain. R. MORRIS, ’22. BRISTOL AS IT IS TODAY Bristol, one of the oldest Colonial towns of New England, was settled in 1680, and incorporated January 27, 1747. Its charming location, combined with its broad, elm-shaded streets and. handsome residences has won for it the name, “Beautiful Bristol.” The town has a population of 13,000. Bristol has a fine harbor and about twelve miles of water front. The town has more than thirty miles of macadamized roads, and the main thoroughfare to Providence, is in care of the State Board of Public Roads. Bristol. Rhode Island, the county seat of Bristol County, is located 15 miles southeast of the city of Providence, with which is is connected by two lines of railroad, the N. Y., N. H. H. R. R., and a suburban line over the highway. The motive power for passenger service on both lines is electricity, affording a most comfortable and speedy means of travel. Trains run every hour on each line in either direction, with additional service morning and night. There is also steamboat service to and from Bristol, Providence, and Fall River, and a ferry-boat, which also carries automobiles, connecting with an electric railroad to Newport, the fashionable summer resort. Bristol has a modern sewer system throughout, with ample, up-to-date water supply, electric lights and gas; a branch of the Industrial Trust Company of Providence with a capital and surplus of eighty million dollars; American Railway Express; local telephone exchange; Western Telegraph ; Rogers Free Library containing 19,500 volumes in its own building; three good hotels, one for summer guests; two moving picture houses; excellent stores; a semi-weekly newspaper; several garages; churches of all denominations; four efficient volunteer fire companies with two motor fire trucks; and an efficient police department; children’s play grounds; tennis clubs; a large common with two base ball diamonds. The Schools of Bristol are its special

Page 16 text:

u THE GREEN AND WHITE changed. Now, it was within the wonderful old cathedral. Many lights and flowers were on the altar. The edifice was filled with men and women. A faint strain of music from the organ seemed to act as a sedative to these restless people. Soon a girl dressed in a white satin gown trimmed with marvelous lace appeared. Her veil was caught up with real orange blossoms. On her arm she carried a wonderful bouquet of sweet peas and lilies-of-the-valley. Ah 1 his wedding-day—soon he slipped the ring upon her finger and the minister gave them his blessing. Now amid the congratulations of friends they left the church. Slowly the picture vanished and now he saw four happy children seated on the floor around him waiting for a story. The eldest was a boy with very dark brown eyes and hair, dressed in a velvet suit with white satin collar and cuffs. There were two girls, one with beautiful blue eyes, and very light curls which encircled her face, the other had dark eyes and hair. They were both dressed alike in their little pink dresses with hoop skirts, their little pantaloons with ruffles of lace peeped below their dresses. The youngest, little Bobby, his father’s favorite, did not look like the other three; he was very white and thin. Gradually Bobby’s picture disappeared from the group, there was one empty place in this happy little circle— Bobby had gone to heaven. Imperceptibly the picture changed, he now saw his eldest son kissing his mother and sisters good-bye; he was dressed in the uniform of the Confederates; war was raging. Next he saw himself leaving his loving wife and daughters for the front, and after many weary weeks, months, and years of anxious waiting he finally returned home to begin life where he had left it off. Again he seemed to be in church, and the organ could be faintly heard. This time he saw his daughter, dressed as her mother had been years before, going up the aisle. He leaned forward to kiss his daughter, when his hands encountered the soft curls, and he awoke to find that his little grand daughter was asleep in his arms, and that her mother was softly playing on the old organ. E. DORIS BULLOCK, ’23. OVERSLEPT Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling, went the alarm clock. I opened my eyes and looked at it. The hands pointed to seven o’clock. I got out of bed slowly and grabbing the clock I turned off the alarm. After this I got back intq bed thinking that I could rest a little longer before getting up. I closed my eyes for what seemed to me only ten minutes. Soon I was aroused by someone shaking me roughly. It was my sister June. “Get up, get up, you lazy girl. It’s ten minutes of eight and you’re still in bed. You will be late for sure.” My eyes popped open at this, and I jumped out of bed in a hurry. June went down stairs, leaving me to struggle with shoe strings and loose buttons. When I started to put on my left shoe the shoestring broke with a vicious snap. As I was trying to tie the ends together a vision of me going to the office, for being late to school, arose before me. In my mind I already saw the principal’s stern face looking down foreboding ill for poor me and I could hear the principal’s voice saying, “Report to me at one-fifteen.” Finally I succeeded in getting on both my shoes. I now went to wash and alas, I could not find my face cloth. I hunted everywhere for it, but finally gave up in despair, and took my sister’s. Hurriedly I washed, and then went to comb my hair. Never before did I have so many snarls to be unsnarled and so, hurriedly, I bobbed up my hair in the back. It was now ten past eight. Downstairs I could hear June telling Mother all about me. June is so precise and neat, never would she oversleep. Oh no, not June! Looking out of the window ,to my horror, I beheld a terrible sight. It was Jane Doolittle hurrying to school. Knowing that Jane is in continual disgrace on account of tardiness my heart nearly stopped beating. Surely, I would be in her class now. Hastily seizing my middy-tie, I darted out of my room, only to find that “haste makes waste.” Running down stairs, three steps at a time, I tripped on the last step and fell sprawling on the floor, just at the feet of June who was on her way upstairs to call me for the fifteenth time. She helped me up and at the same time delivered a well deserved reprimand which I failed to hear, because I rushed straight to the dining room almost knocking mother down in my haste. After swallowing some cocoa (which nearly burned my throat it was so hot) I put on my coat and was half way through the door when mother called me back to get my hat. The hat as usual was not on the rack. We hunted all over the house but that hat could not be found. I looked at the clock again. It was quarter past eight and I realized that my sentence had already been pronounced. June, calm as usual, came into the room with the hat which she had found in the waste basket. Then I remembered having put it on tlie table in the den, and I must have pushed it into the basket with some paper. With the hat in my hand I now ran out of doors. As I reached the street I looked up and down hoping that there might be some