Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 2.djvu/81

 TRAVELING ACCOMMODATIONS IN HOPKINTON.

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��public house in this part of the town, and the natural resort of most all trav- eling characters and enterprises, its patronage was of an incongruous nature, including statesmen, lawyers, transient travelers, teamsters, show-men. etc. Captain Perkins opened this house in 1811, was landlord about forty years, and died on the premises in 1856.

For many years this ancient house was closed to the public. The innova- tion of railroads turned the course of travel • and shut off patronage. But times revived a few years ago, when the "Perkins House" passed under the man- agement of Mr. D. B. Story, who kept it open until its destruction by fire in Octo- ber 1872. During Mr. Story's conduct of the establishment, it underwent impor- tant repairs and was largely patronized by summer boarders. It was also a re- sort for winter sleighing and dancing parties from Concord. Its loss was a great misfortune, both on account of its historic memories and business advan- tages.

Elder Joseph Putney's tavern stood on the highest point of road between the two villages in town, on the site now oc- cupied by the house of Mr. Charles Put- nam. It was part of a large farming es- tablishment and was patronized by the more lowly among travelers. To obtain a clearer idea of life in a public accom- modation like Elder Putney's we must understand a feature of ancient travel which was more or less exhibited in or round all country inns. In the olden time all freight was of course carried through the country on wheels and run- ners and in many instances by the own- ers themselves. Teamsters were often inclined to indulge only the most econo- mical fare. When teams large and small put up for the night, the drivers often brought their own provisions, thereby saving all expenditures except for lodg- ings, grog and hay. It was a pictur- esque sight when a large company of travelers gathered around the open fire, and refreshed themselves each from his own box of edibles. Elder Putney was particularly hospitable to his guests, al- ways furnishing them with plenty of cider for nothing. His supply of winter

��apples was just as free. The average patronage of a house like Elder Put- ney's would surprise the modern enquir- er. The number of horses and men requir- ed to transport freights was large, and the accumulation of small teams swelled the road travel immensely. Mr. Putney was a man of remarkable generosity and in- tegrity. His temperament was strongly religious, impelling him to officiate pub- licly in the school house close to his home. From this fact it is probable he received the universal title of "Elder." Upon the death of his wife he abandon- ed public hospitalities. He died Sept. 20, 1846. aged 93. He was a soldier of the Revolution.

The first public house in Contoocook stood on the site of Curtis & Stevens's present store, which is a part of the ori- ginal structure, since remodeled. At first there was a plain, one-storied, un- gainly building; opened to the public by Daniel Page. When the later Central House was first projected the idea of the necessity of competition first entered in- to the mind of the proprietor of the old hotel, and an extra story was added. Not far from this time Mr. Page sold out the stand to his sister Susan, afterwards the wife of Simeon Tyler, who lived in the district known as Tyler's Bridge. Miss Page was sadly unfortunate in the ultimate of her proprietorship. She sold the house for railroad stock and lost it all. The stand ceased to be open to the public about the year 1834.

The second hotel built in this village was erected in the autumn of the year 1831, by Messrs. Sleeper & Wheeler. Both landlords were young men. The enterprise did not flourish in their hands, and in about a year the property went into the hands of Mr. Herrrick Putnam, who kept the doors open for about a dozen years. Mr. Putnam was followed by Mr. Rufus Fuller, of Bradford, who conducted the establishment till about twelve years later, when he died. For years the place was kept by Henry Fuller, son of Rufus, and afterwards by Mr. Walcot Blodget, son-in law of the older Mr. Fuller. It changed hands frequently till 1872 when it fell into the possession of Col. E. C. Bailey, who

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