Welcome to our news and history blog!

Welcome to our news and history blog!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

High Winds and Mayhem in Greenwich

Several night ago the Greenwich area was hit by an intense windstorm. It also included a rare thunder and lightning storm -rare for the month of February. 

News reports revealed that 4600 customers in Greenwich alone were without power.

I went to the family burying ground in Cos Cob to check for damage. I was pleased to find only twigs and a few branches littering the grounds.

But at the entrance off Relay Place in Cos Cob it was not so good. The neighbors erected a brand new fence last year. The winds were so strong and intense that a support pole snapped as pictured here. 








Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Lafayette Once Visitor at Mead’s




Marquis de Lafayette, French nobleman and soldier whose great aid to the struggling American colonists during the Revolution will never be forgotten, was numbered among the famous visitors who enjoy the hospitality of "Dearfields," when the palatial old residence was the home of Colonel Thomas A. Mead. This visit of this famous figure of bygone days is but another glamorous historic incident in the wealth of tradition with surrounds the property upon which today stands the modern building which soon will be opened as the Greenwich store of Franklin Simon & Company.



Further glamour is added to Lafayette's visit to "Dearfields," when one realizes that his visit to Greenwich was one of the first stops which the nobleman made after landing at New York upon his historic visit to the United States in 1824. Landing in New York on August 20, Lafayette and his entourage proceeded almost immediately toward Connecticut, being met at the state line near Byram River by an escort of prominent citizens of that day, among this number being of course, Colonel Mead. He was escorted directly to "Dearfields" where a lavish reception in his honor took place. Leaving "Dearfields" he proceeded to Put's Hill, which he walked down to pay tribute to General Israel Putnam, one of Greenwich's traditional heroes of the Revolution.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Information Requested: Grover Cleveland Mead and brother Winfield Scott Mead.

In today's mail received the following request:

"My great grandfather's name was Grover Cleveland Mead  and his brother  was Winfield Scott Mead. Their father's name I don't know but he lived in Cape May, NJ and was a friend of President Lincoln. Any information you might have would be greatly appreciated."

The request is from Katherine Ann Mead. Please contact the association with any information you have. 

Are you related? Mead Cemetery in Waccabuc, New York



























Wednesday, February 3, 2016

TOWN VOTES TO BUILD DOCK: Milo Mead Offers to See That it Costs Not More Than $1,000-Resolution Passed

Source:




The special town meeting which was called last Saturday afternoon for the purpose of taking a vote of the town as to whether a town dock should be built at Byram shore was a very quiet one. No opposition was made from the floor and the resolution to build was passed with only a few dissenting votes.

About a hundred taxpayers had gathered at Ray's Hall when the meeting was called to order by Town Clerk James R. Mead. Mr. George W.  Brush was elected chairman and read the notice of the call.

The following resolution was read:

Resolved, That the selectmen be any hereby are authorized to construct a dock at Byram Shore, extending 100 feet in length from the high-water mark by 50 feet in width, according to map or plan submitted to this meeting, at an expense to town not to exceed $1,000.

Judge George G. McNall then presented the plan of Mr. Milo Mead by which the dock was to be constructed. He read a letter from Mr. Mead and also a promise to the town to build the dock for $1,000. Mr. Mead's promise reads as follows:

New Lebanon, April 16, 1903.

I hereby agree with the town of Greenwich to build a dock of stone one hundred feet long and fifty feet wide, beginning at highwater mark near the burying ground at Byram Shore, for one thousand dollars, or one hundred and fifty feet long for two thousand dollars, all the out side to be two feet above ordinary tides, to be built within one year.
                                                                                MILO MEAD




Judge McNall said that according to the estimate of Selectmen N.A. Knapp the dock would require some 750 cubic yards of material and fully 250 yards of masonry. Mr. Knapp he said, would not undertake the work for less than $4,500. Mr. Mead then was practically making the town a present.

Mr. McNall stated that there was about six miles of shore along Greenwich without the public dock. He thought that the town should own one at Byram Shore. He said there was a question as to who was in possession of the land there. The town claims it but if someone with a lot of money should fight it through the law they might get possession of the property and do what they wish to with it.

He said that there had been opposition to the building of the dock here by some who fear that it will become a place of noise and hubbub. But to that he made answer that although the people of East Port Chester were of many kinds and different nationalities they gave no trouble. The dock would be a sort of pleasure ground and give a chance to the people to get to the water without crossing somebody's property. The people deserve a pleasure ground he thought. 

Judge McNall said he understood that Dr. Naigle wished to build across from Huckleberry Island but this could not be done without the permission of the town. He thought Mr. Naigle would be willing to pay the town something for the privilege.

Then referring to the good which Mr. Milo Mead had always done for that section of the town, he said he was willing to let the matter stand without any further talk and put the question to a vote.

A vote was called for upon the previous resolution and it was carried by a large majority. The meeting was then adjourned.





Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Captain Abraham Mead House, Field Point Park Built 1792 (Greenwich Press, 1912)

WINTER OF 1857: STORY OF A WALKING TRIP ACROSS LONG ISLAND SOUND (1912)

Source: Greenwich Press. Friday, March 8, 1912. (From the Port Chester Daily Item)





Only One of the Twenty-three Hardy Horseneck Boys, who took Famous Trip on Ice, Known to be Alive Now – Some History of the Participants and Account of the Jaunt Told by Hon. Seaman Mead.

Fifty-five years ago this winter, Long Island Sound was completely frozen over from the Connecticut and New York shores to the Long Island shore. This was the only time, in the memory of even the oldest resident of the vicinity, when the eight mile expanse from Greenwich to the Long Island side was one glade of ice. Men who are gray-haired and feeble to-day do not remember having heard their sires tell of the Sound being frozen from shore to shore and it is unlikely that the occurrence will ever transpire again.

It may not be generally known or perhaps not easily recalled to-day that in the winter of 1857 a party of twenty-three hardy Horseneck lads made the trip across the Sound and back on the ice with safety. The lads were all near manhood's estate and one or two of them were close on to thirty. Of the twenty-three, only one is now known to be alive. He is the Hon. Seamen Mead, who resides with his family in a cosy residence at No. 151 West Putnam avenue, Greenwich.

When visited by a Daily Item reporter, Mr. Mead, who has ably represented Greenwich in the Assembly of the Nutmeg state, was comfortably seated in a big chair in his well-appointed library. Despite his seventy-five years, he came forward with a firm tread and held out a steady hand to greet his visitor. Despite his years, Mr. Mead's memory is remarkably keen, even concerning the events of his boyhood, and he could doubtless have related interesting occurrences of the days gone by that would easily fill to overflowing a book of no mean dimensions.

But the visitor was bent on learning something of that remarkable jaunt across the frozen Sound more than half a century ago, and on making known to Mr. Mead the object of his visit, the latter smiled and with the cordiality which has been a lifetime characteristic of him, agreed to relate the incidents of the trip across the ice-covered Sound as well as he could remember them.

"The winter of 1857 was one of the most severe that I can recollect," said Mr. Mead in beginning. "The first snow fell around Christmas Day and the ground remained covered until the 20th of March. I can remember quite well how Field Point road was blocked with five feet of snow and the folks down in that section were unable to get thru the roads for many weeks. You could not tell where the fences were and it was with the greatest difficulty that the people got around.

"The heavy snow filled up the Sound with slush, so that when a severe cold snap followed the storm, the entire Sound froze over. One day some of the boys got talking about walking across the Sound. I think it was Daniel Merritt Mead who planned the trip. We were already to attempt the adventure and discussed it in Peter Ackers grocery for several days. Matthew Mead, who kept a cobbler shop, offered to make straps for our feet. He took pieces of leather and drove brads thru them, and these we were to fasten to our shoes. I think Pete made twenty, for there were two or three who did not have them, and they were laid up to two or three days in bed, they were so lame and sore after the trip.

"We finally set the day on which to take the jaunt. The thermometer have been down to ten below zero for several days and the Sound was safe. We did not tell her parents where we were going. I think that Peter Acker and the cobbler were the only ones outside of the party who knew what we were up about. The day before, we made up that everyone who was going was to meet at the old boat landing at the point about where the Indian Harbor Yacht club house is today.

"The day, I think it was Saint Valentine's Day and a Saturday, was clear and sharp. Six or seven of those who had said they would go did not show up at 9:30 o'clock, the appointed time, but twenty-five did meet as we had planned. They were Daniel Merritt Mead, Thomas Mead, Stephen Marshall, Stephen White Charles Seaman, George and William Funston, Luther Homes, Stephen Stoothoff, Elnathan Husted, Donald S. Mead, Isaac Weed, John Elliot, Samuel Bush, Hugh Funston, Samuel A. Lyon, Selah Guernsey, Silas D. Benson, Whitman Lent, William Farrington, Benjamin Yarrington, William Wallace, Elam Mead, Joseph Peck and myself.

"All of us who could skate carried a pair with us. Those who could not skate took their sleds and we were to draw them along while we skated. Ten or a dozen of us had ropes about thirty-feet long, coiled up and thrown over our shoulders or wrapped around our waists. It was about ten o'clock when we set out. For a little way we kept up along the shore and then we struck across and kept to the east of the little island.

"On the way across we found the ice very rough and we were unable to use our skates much of the time. When we had got a little way out, Elam Mead and Joseph Peck got frightened and went back. But the rest of us kept on. About midway across we came to a crack about two or three feet in width, that extended for some distance. Some of us jumped across but the rest walked around the fissure and this took those some distance out of their way.

"When we got pretty well across, we found the ice smoother and were able to skate a little. We pulled those who didn't have skates along on their sleds. We touched at the Long Island shore at Huntington Bay and then struck down the Sound for three or four miles. We found the ice better there and were able to skate nearly all the way.

"We were told that we would find that we could make better progress by striking directly across and did so, getting back to this side without accident coming in the shore off Rye. Then we kept in rather close to the land all the way to Greenwich. The ice was thick enough to hold us anywhere, but we found we could skate better close to shore. 

"It was about three o'clock in the afternoon when we got back home. I know my parents were worried. I had not told them where we were going and when I had not come home for dinner they begin to get anxious about me. When my father learned of the trip we had taken, he was glad, but mother didn't think that way.

"On getting back, we learned that Peter Acker had followed us with a spy glass he had. He said that he had been able to see us all the way, save for a little while that we were in close to shore on the way back. He sat in the back of his store, from the rear window of which he had a fine view.

"I remember too about the great bobsled we had that winter. The _now was packed well for coasting and on here on the Boston turnpike hill we had a path made. We went easily from where James Walsh's house is up there down to the Mongon house. They hill was much steeper than now. George Ray owned the bob. It was made in old Joseph Russell's carriage shop and coasting parties came here from Norwalk, Stamford and many other places, but they couldn't beat us. I remember how Bill Ward, father of William L. Ward, had four or five sleds made in his shop to be ours, but none of them could do it.

"You'd like to know what became of the lads who made the trip across the Sound on the ice? Well, as far as I know I am the only one living. Daniel Merritt Mead began to practice law here and went out as major of the Tenth Connecticut; Thomas Mead was second lieutenant of the same company; Stephen Marshall, as you probably know, went to Port Chester and was a justice of the peace there for many years; Stephen White became captain of the 'John Romer,' a boat operated by the Tweed Company; Charles Seaman, my uncle, remained here for some years; the Funston boys went away and I think one of them was killed in the war and the other died a few years ago; Luther Holmes became a pilot in New York harbor; Stephen Stoothoff was a carpenter by trade and the leading housemover of this section in his time, and died last fall aged eighty-two or three; Elnathan Husted served in the Seventeenth Connecticut and ran a coal yard at the Point for many years; Daniel S. Mead was a judge of probate here and town clerk; Isaac Weed whom many folks thought was Jake Weed's son but who came from another family of that name, went to New York; John Elliot, whose father was depotmaster here ran a stage around the village for years; Sam Bush became the sea captain and went away; Hugh Funston went away from Horseneck, too; Samuel A. Lyon was the father of Fred Lyon, editor of the NEWS and served in the Tenth Connecticut; Selah Guernsey worked at the carpenter trade; Silas D. Benson went away as captain of Company I, Seventeenth Connecticut, and I think he died during the war; Whitman Lent engaged in business in New York, his father having conducted a carriage shop on Sherwood Place; William Farrington, whose father was a painter for old Mr. Lent, left the vicinity when a young man; Benjamin Yarrington was a nephew of Rev. Mr. Yarrington, an Episcopal minister and lived with his uncle a part of the time and went home from school; William Wallace was stationmaster here for some time afterward became assistant superintendent of the New Haven railroad.

"'Did I served in the war?' No, I enlisted, but was sent back home because of the weak knee. I hurt it while a young lad and it disqualified me from joining the army."

As the interview between the veteran resident of Horseneck, as Greenwich was formally called, and the reporter was drawing to a close, the passing of innumerable autos caused the conversation to turn to this motor vehicle of the present day. "Yes, I've got an automobile," said Mr. Mead, "but I would not sell our old horse for anything. You can't depend on these new inventions. Why, only last Wednesday, in that severe storm, an auto party was held up on this hill for over an hour while the driver of the car was wrestling with the tire. I believe in sticking to the horse even if it is a little old-fashioned."






DOESN'T KNOW SITUATION: Milo Mead Talks About the Ridgefield and Port Chester Railroad- Growth of New Lebanon and the Present Outlook

Source: Greenwich Graphic. February 28, 1903. Page 1.


In an interview this week with Milo Mead, the "Sage of New Lebanon" he showed that not much in the Ridgefield Road situation had escaped him. For years Mr. Mead has been urging the building of the Ridgefield Road and is now as much in earnest as ever, although just at present he is not inclined to express his views fully.  "We don't know yet where the land lies," he said, "so we cannot talk much to the point." It is rumored that person in Greenwich holds most of the stock, and another story has it that it belongs to the New Haven road. Who owns it I do not know therefore I do not know how soon the road may be built or why the work has been delayed so long. Judging from the past it is right to suppose the road would never be built as long as the present company could get a time extension from the legislature.




"But there are two sides to the question," says Mr. Mead. "Should the legislature secure an assurance that the road would be built by the present company, before a certain time yet there would be nothing to bind the company to perform the work. If, on the other hand the legislature refuses to extend the charter to this company we have no direct assurance that another company will take up the project and build the road. No one as yet has made a move to secure the charter for building a road over this section, although it is rumored that other companies are ready to do so."

"Whatever course shall be taken the first subject should be to secure a road as quickly as possible. The agitation of the matter is a good thing and I am glad to see it. It should result in an awakening of interest which will eventually push the road through."

"A railroad through the district over which the Ridgefield road was intended to run would open up many beautiful summer sites and would undoubtedly result in an increase in the value of the land along the road. The farmers along the line would be much better able to get their produce to market and would therefore be greatly benefited. There is every need of the road and it ought to be built."

In article written for the Ridgefield Press some years ago Mr. Mead expressed his opinions in regard to the road and they are much the same views he holds at the present time.

In speaking of the growth of New Lebanon, Mr. Mead said:

"The growth of East Port Chester or New Lebanon as now called has been quite rapid in the last few years. In 1886 there were only five houses along the shore, while at the present time this land is almost covered with fine summer houses.

"During the past few years a new church has been erected and an iron foundry has been built and put in operation. This foundry is owned by Taylor and Hanson and employs about twelve men. A new foundry is being put up by Abendroth Brothers of Port Chester on this side of the river and will employee about seventy hands. The village has grown fast and business is increasing. At present the building outlook is not so sharp on account of the demands of the carpenters, which are entering into the construction question all about this section."




THE BOARD OF BURGESSES: Meeting Tuesday Night-Dr. Mead Offered a Suggestion for a Fire Alarm System-Amogerones Ask For a Bowling Alleys

Source: Greenwich Graphic. March 7, 1903. Page 1.

The Board of Burgesses met for their regular monthly meeting at their rooms last Tuesday evening. Several matters came up for consideration at this meeting, among them the question of the fire alarm system. Mr. B. E. Mead offered a suggestion to the Board for a change in the system. His suggestion was that the town be divided up into well-defined sections and each section should have a number. He thought the switchboard might be placed at the central telephone office and operated by central. The notice of a fire in any district could then be telephoned to the central office and the fire alarm be run by plugging the board.

The telephone system is always in order, and it is tested very often, and this would seem to be a sure and expedient method of ringing the fire alarm. Dr. Mead thought that the cost of maintaining an alarm system of this kind would be less than that required to keep the present system in shape. No action was taken upon the suggestion, but it is being considered, and if found it feasible, may be adopted.



A committee of the Amogerone Fire Company appeared before the Board asking for a bowling alley for their engine house. The Board seems to have had in mind, for some time, a place for  Amogerone where they could hold their meetings, and in which there would a bowling alley and other opportunities for amusement. The matter has not yet been settled, but it is probable that something will be done soon.

The other business of the evening was mere routine, consisting of the reading and acceptance of the bills for the month, and the other regular monthly work.

Monday, February 1, 2016

OLD RESIDENT PASSES AWAY: Mrs. Silas D. Mead Dies at the Home of Her Son in Her 91st Year (1912)

Source: Greenwich Press. Friday, May 24, 1912. Page 4.


In the death of Emily L. Close Mead, which occurred at the home of her son, Ezekiel C. Mead, 139 West Putnam avenue, Wednesday morning, the town has lost one of its oldest and most respected residents.

For some time past the deceased has been in poor health, but up to within a few days of her demise, Mrs. Mead retained all of her faculties, which is somewhat remarkable for a woman so far advanced in years.

Mrs. Mead was the daughter of the late Althea Palmer and Ezekiel Close, and was born in the family homestead at Quaker Ridge, December 21st, 1820. She received her early education in the District school and although but little opportunity was afforded the student in those days, she gained a well grounded education through careful reading. On September 22nd, 1840, she married her late husband, Silas D. Mead and moved to the Mead farm in Round Hill. Here she remained until about two years ago, when the property was sold and she took up her residence with her son, Ezekiel C. Mead, with whom she lived until the time of her death.

Six years ago Mrs. Mead suffered from a stroke of paralysis, which resulted in her being unable to walk with but extreme difficulty.

She kept the daily newspapers and the best magazines constantly with her and in this way kept thoroughly versed in the affairs of the times. Of late her had been impaired, but she was a most interesting conversationalist and loved it to relate anecdotes of her past life to so many friends who called to see her from the time to time.

Deceased is survived by five children, Mrs. Livingston Disbrow of New Rochelle; Silas E. Mead of Greenwich; Emily C. Mead of North Greenwich; Horatio B. Mead, a lumber dealer in Douglas County, South Dakota and Ezekiel C. Mead.

The funeral service will take place from the residence of her son on West Putnam avenue tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Rev. Levi Rogers, pastor of the North Greenwich church, will officiate. Internment will be in Quaker Ridge cemetery.

Dearfields, Built 1798 (Greenwich Press, 1912)





Maj. General Ebenezer Mead House, (Greenwich Press, 1912)

THE GREENWICH ACADEMY: IT WAS BUILT 75 YEARS AGO BUT IT'S TO GO SOON

Source:



It will Probably be Torn Down in the Course of a Year or so to Give Place to a New Building – New Trustees Elected Tuesday Night

The Greenwich Academy is doomed if the plans carry. A new building will be erected in the course of a year or two, arrangements to that effect are now being made.

The old school house is a landmark. It has stood opposite the old stone church for seventy-five years, and many who have sat within its doors as boys and girls are now scattered far and wide, and its going will bring back tender memories, and hard lessons to those who learn "of the passing" of the building.

At a meeting held last Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock in the Academy building Rev. Washington Choate, Reverend Josiah Strong and Mr. E. H. Baker were elected trustees for the ensuing year. 

The oldest existing educational institution in Greenwich, and among the oldest in the state of Connecticut, Greenwich Academy has seen many years of useful service; and has borne well its part in the education of the young in this vicinity.

The academy was incorporated in 1827. The first building was erected just 75 years ago at the present site just opposite the Second Congregational Church, on the corner of Maple and Putnam avenues. The old building is still occupied for the purpose for which it was built. It has been thoroughly renovated during the past year, and two new rooms, one occupied for a gymnasium, have been added.

The first principal of the academy was the late Rev. Mason Grosvenor and the second the Rev. William Bushnell. Since that time the school has had as principals Rev. William B. Sherwood, Rev. Eben Clark, Rev. Mr. Pearson, Mr. Alexander Reynolds, Mr. Jeremiah Spencer, Mr. Philander Button, Mr. Gilbert Stocking, Mr. William D. Penfield, Mr. William Webster, Mr. E. H. Peck, Mr. J. H. Root, and the present principal, Mr. Newton B. Hobart.

Mr. J. H. Root took charge of the school in 1880, and an 1884 purchased the controlling interest. Puplis have been entered to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Amherst, Columbia, Cornell, Oberlin, Smith, Wellesley and Mount Holyoke colleges.

The following record of its establishment still exists:

We, the subscribers, feeling interested in the continuance and permanent establishment of an Academical school, severally agree and promised to pay to Davis Mead, the sums set to our respective names for the purpose of erecting a suitable house for the accommodation of such school; to set on the public ground eastwardly from the meeting house, or wherever the proprietors shall designate to be owned by the proprietors; the money invested, to be divided into shares of twenty-five dollars each; each and every person subscribing and paying the said sum for the above specify purpose, to be a proprietor and entitled to one vote in all meetings of the proprietors; each and every person subscribing and paying two, three or more shares to be entitled to as many votes in all meetings of the proprietors as he pays shares, the profits of the house to be divided among the proprietors according to their joint stock, at the school to be under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the proprietors. Provided the sum of $600 be not subscribed, the above instrument be null and void. 

The subscribers' names with number of shares taken follow:

                                                        Shares
Darius Mead................................... 2 
Joseph Brush ................................. 2
Alvan Mead ................................... 2
Eben Mead...................................... 1 
Daniel S. Mead............................... 2
Augustus Lyon ............................... 2
Zophar Mead ...................................1
Rachel and Sarah Mead ...................1
Elizabeth R. Mead ...........................1
Thomas A. Mead .............................1
Jerusha C. Graham ...........................1
William Husted ................................1 
Jabez Mead, Jr. .................................2
James Waring ...................................1
T. L. Brush (for painting) .................1
Stephen Waring ................................1
Amy Mead ........................................1
Shadrach Mead .................................2
Jonas Mead .......................................1
Silas Davis ........................................1
Isaac Lewis, senior ...........................1
John J. Tracy ....................................1
William H. Mead ..............................1
James Smith .....................................1
Alma Mead .......................................1
William Husted ................................1

Last fall Mr. Root gave up the active interest in his school, and Mr. Newton B. Hobart was secured as principal. The other members of the faculty at present are Miss Elizabeth S. Dickerman, a graduate of Smith and a PhD of Yale; Miss Harriet Reynolds, Miss Olive Green, Mr. James P. Kelly and Mr. Walter M. Anderson. Miss Dickerman has charge of the Intermediate department and teaches higher mathematics; Miss Reynolds and Miss Greene, primary department; Mr. Kelley teaches Latin and higher English; and Mr. Anderson English and history. Mr. Hobart teaches classes in Greek and German.



HORSE WAS PENSIONED: How Solomon S. Mead Cares for Stock on His Farm at Quaker Ridge

Source: Greenwich Graphic. February 14, 1903. Page 1.


For the past year or two the automobile has been very popular. As the "iron steed" came into more general use it became a question as to how long the horse would continue to be useful. The question has been settled. The great cost of a good automobile and the expense of running it have given the answer. Now t__n the novelty of the thing is no longer particularly interesting, the fad has had its day, and the horse is coming back into as much popularity as before.



At the farm of Mr. Solomon S. Mead at Quaker Ridge horses have been boarded for many years. Mr. Mead is a great lover of dumb beasts, and those placed in his charge as well as those creatures of his own receive kindly and experienced care. One has but to go to this farm to learn the secret of Mr. Mead's success. He never allows an employee to say an unkind word or strike an angry blow upon any of the dumb beasts on his farm.

The many pets about the farm and house attest to the kindly care and gentle, loving treatment with the place. It is a very interesting sight to see Mr. Mead's youngest daughter, Miss Agnes, frolicking with ___ many canine and feline pets. She loves the animals and they love her in return, and are always ready for a scramble or play whenever their mistress is composed.



In 1886 a fine pair horses was sent to Mr. Mead's to be boarded for this is Charles T. Cook, the wife of Mr. Cook of the firm of Tiffany & Company, jewelers, of Union Square, New York. The pair were called Prince and Fred. At the death of Mrs. Cook, Prince, who was a special favorite of his mistress, was sent to the farm pensioned for life. The horse was to have all the feed and care that could be bestowed upon him as long as he should live. At that time Prince was about ____ years old, and from that time until his death which occurred January 13th last, the horse was under Mr. Mead's care.

Prince never had a sick day in all that time, and the owner was always well satisfied. The bill for board was promptly paid when due. And the last check came as good all the others, without complaint or dissatisfaction. At one time when Mr. Mead felt that the expense to the owner was a constant drain, he suggested that the poor old beast be quietly put to rest. Mr. Cook seem shocked at the suggestion and after a while said, "Mr. Mead will not Prince die himself if we give him time?" At Mr. Mead's reply in the affirmative, he added, "All right, all you have to do is to feed him and I will pay the bills." 



The horse continue to live for some years and finally took to his rest as quietly and suddenly as death sometimes comes to an aged human being. No marks of a struggle were to be seen, and it was apparent that the poor old beast had peacefully laid himself down to meet the end. Prince must have been between 37 and 40 years old.

Mr. Mead thinks that the long life of the animal was due to the fact that he had for so many years  been pastured, and the many years spent in eating grass from the ground, he had worn off his front teeth, letting the grinders do the work. In most cases the front teeth get so long the horse cannot chew his food. Mr. Mead's cure for rundown horses is always been successful, yet is very simple. He says the horse should have milk from the cow, either for drink or mixed with the horses food. The animal may not take kindly to milk at first, but if judiciously treated, usually comes around to the treatment and like it. He applied his treatment once to a poor skeleton of a horse whose jaw had been broken by a curb bit. The horse came right up and was soon at one of the finest horses ever seen on the farm. It was ordered to kill the animal, but upon being led to the grave which had already been dug, the horse showed so much life by capering and prancing about that Mr. Mead had not the heart to say the word. The horse was led back to the stable and was kept for a month or two, when orders came again to put him out of the way.

Mr. Mead's fondness for the dumb creatures under his care has already led him to see them finally put to death on his place rather than be sold or given away where they might receive port or harsh treatment.

Letter to the Editor: Milo Mead's Comment ("Hawthorne Beach" 1903)

Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, January 31, 1903.

New Lebanon, Jan. 26th, 1903

Editor of the Graphic: 

After stating the preamble, The Greenwich News says in its issue of January 16th respecting Hawthorne Beach, "If this is so, it certainly shows great lack of foresightedness on the part of the people of the town of Greenwich. Here was a place that would have paid good interest on the investment and would be saved to the public for years to come. But no, on account of the few mills increase in taxes the town would never be allowed to own the beach and now the citizens can go and find a place when they want a day's outing, and finding is not easy."

The finding is very easy, at Byram Shore near the burying ground, which the town owns. The editor or sub editor is the very man who has opposed it. Where is the consistency or his sincerity? If the gentleman is interested in the welfare of the public, does the gentleman know what he is talking about? How much would it have cost to have bought Hawthorne Beach, at any time within the last ten or fifteen years? One hundred thousand is a low estimate.

Whereas the town owns the ground, where a dock is proposed to be built, so that the inhabitants of the town can have a way for an outing, without trespassing on the ground of anyone.




This dock can be built of stone one hundred feet from the edge of the shore at high tide and fifty feet wide towards Dr. Nagales Island, for one thousand dollars, a contractor is willing to do it for that sum, and will give bonds to that effect.

The smart editor says further "that there was a place that would have paid good interest on the investment." If Hawthorne Beach would have paid good interest on one hundred thousand dollars, what rate of interest would the Byram Shore dock pay on one thousand dollars? 

MILO MEAD














Letter to the Editor: Making the Roads

Source: Greenwich Graphic. 1903

Solomon Stoddard Mead



Editor of the Graphic:

It is now time to Greenwich turned it attention to the working of the public roads. To have good roads it is necessary to have good competent men. Men who have pride in good roads not men who are merely working for the pay they get. Men who have no idea whatever to plan and execute. Good roads are the making of any place or town. If the roads are all that can be desired it will soon bring in a line of inhabitants that will be an honor and benefit to the place. There are some roads that _____ me and the great majority of the roads are worked by men entirely unfit for the business.

In the first place the road should be laid out as straight as possible. There should be a line drawn from point to point and the road worked to that line, on both sides and make the road as wide as it should be, no place or spot less than twenty feet, in order if two wagons meet they should have ample room to pass going either way. No road less than twenty feet should ever be narrowed up, than show roads that were narrowed up until four feet last year from previous years. The top of the road should be as level as possible and give ample scope for all water to run off and smooth enough to allow a wagon to run smoothly and will not have hills and hollows all along the way. There never should be in any case a break or hillock put across any roads. If it is necessary for the water to cross the road let it be done in a conduit pipe, and if there is a rock in the way blast it out at once, and it will be done forevermore.

Now by all means all small hills or knolls on the road and they are legion, cut down and cart the dirt into the hollows and keep on doing so until all roads assume an even in uniformal grade. Never go into a road bank or into field for dirt when there are  thousands of loads waiting to be removed in the hillocks all over town. If anyone wishes to see my form of the road I would ask him to ride with me from White Plains through Kensico station and through Kenisco village to Armonk and thence to Mount Kisco and if one can find one of these condemnatory breaks along the line, I would like to know where it is. I have rode over many roads for many miles in all directions and I will say that the roads the town of Greenwich have been more poorly worked than any other place I know of and the reason is they have been worked by a class of citizens that did not know at all the principle of good roads. I have seen many hills covered with breakers from top to bottom. Many roads are made so narrow and the dirt is swept up in the middle of the road so on the horse had to travel on the ridge and the other in the gutter and when two men both had to go into the gutter. The reason is the men who worked the roads were not master of their business and did not care as long as they could draw their pay, and they speak plainly. I feel the roads were given to such men for political purpose in order to obtain their influence in the coming elections. I now understand that the management of the road work has been changed and it is now in the hands of an engineer and that Mr. Minor is the man. I am very favorably impressed with Mr. Minor, and I trust we shall have a great change for the better, that he will appoint the most capable men for the work and not be governed by any political end and that the roads will be straightened by drawing a line and the hillocks cut down and the hollows filled and then before many years we can boast of very good roads. In all business it requires a man who is master of his business. It takes a watch maker to make it watch not a blacksmith. Let us have good roads and no breaks, Mr. Minor. 

                                                                       SOLOMON S. MEAD