July-2012-Newsletter

Lee Historical Society

Newsletter

Vol. 9, No. 7

July 2012

Lee Historical Society, Inc.

Crossway Tower

P. O. Box 170

Lee, MA 01238

Visit us: www.leehistoricsociety.homestead.com

First, I want to apologize to any of our members who may not have received their June newsletter. In early June our

electronic mailing list was hacked and mostly destroyed. Everything was transposed to Arabic and many of our contact names

were lost. We think we have all of our member’s names and addresses back into a new list at Lee.Historical@hotmail.com.

If you have not received a June newsletter and would like one, please let us know.

In the June letter we had a great article about the original Friendly Ice Cream Store in Lee, written by Christina Canon

Craighead who was the first female counter person to be employed by Friendly. Christina also sent us an original menu that

was shown in the newsletter and that she has donated to the Society. We thank her for the great article and the menu. Maybe

someday she will be in the Friendly “Hall of Fame”.

Also in the June issue was an article requesting donations for a new dehumidifier for the Lee Library. We do not usually

ask our members and readers to donate to causes, but in this case, we felt it very important to support the Lee Library in the preservation of historical items, books and papers. Anyone wishing to donate may send their donations to the Lee Library

Association, 100 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238, and please signify on your contribution that it is for the “Dehumidifier Fund”.

Thank you.

Our June Business meeting was held on Thursday, June 14th with discussions held about a “potluck” supper for our

annual meeting in October, our booth at the Craft Fair in the Park on August 4th, our plans for Founders’ Day Weekend,

which has been moved forward a week to September 21st , 22nd & 23rd by the Lee Chamber of Commerce and our upcoming “November Calendar Raffle”. Our July meeting will also be a business meeting and will be held on July 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the

Hyde Room at Crossway Tower. We will be continuing the discussions of the June meeting topics. We are also looking for

volunteers who might like to help with any of our events. If you would like to help, please email us at the above address or

call Marion Leach at 413-243-0907 or better yet stop by the meeting on the 12th.

On June 28th a work party assembled a number of our picture packets at the Hyde Room. We need volunteers to spend

an hour of their time to assemble more packets.

Our new, 5th in the series, of Commemorative Mugs has arrived and is ready for purchase. This year the mug has a replica

of the First Congregational Church on one side with the society logo on the other. The mugs are $8.00 each with an additional

harge for shipping. They can be purchased at the Hyde Room at Crossway Tower, but please call Marion at 413-243-0907 to

reserve a mug and arrange a pick up time.’

NEW MEMBERS TO WELCOME:

Robert W. Stratton, 80 Wiltshire Way, Niskayuna, NY 12309

Dr. Charles W. Stratton, 913 Bowring Park, Nashville, TN 37215

Atty. David B. Stratton, 6422 Battle Rock Drive, Clifton, VA 20124

Dr. Richard Stratton & Family, 306 Whitthorne Drive, Cincinnati, OH

Elizabeth Celli, 49 Laurel Lake Road, Lenox, MA 01240

Condolences and prayers go out to society member and friend, Renee Blocker and her family of Clay, NY on the recent

passing of her mother.

More on Lake Passumpsic:

Member Charlie Flint, who grew up in East Lee did some research on the pond and states that Greenwater is one of the

few ponds/lakes where the main water source is fed from the bottom springs (being 58 feet at the deepest) opposed to

surface brooks or streams. He remembers swimming there as a youngster in the hot summer and when they dove down the

water became real cold.

He also remembers being told the house on the South/East side near Route 20 is on the pinnacle. The spring in the cellar

of the dwelling flowed both North/West and South/East. Flowing to the South/East, it is the beginning of the Farmington River

and flowing to the North/West, it became the beginning of the East Lee or Greenwater Brook. Charlie thinks that it might be

listed in Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not”.

Passumpsic is an Indian word meaning” clear running water” designating a river in Vermont. The word itself seems to have

come from the Native Indian Tribe, Penobscot, in Maine. Almost all the lakes had an original name that was changed for one

reason or another. Charlie was unsuccessful in finding the original name of Greenwater Pond. Thank you Charlie for doing

homework on this.

Member Betty Hodgkins came up with an article from an old scrapbook of hers from December 28, 1929, of the Berkshire

Evening Eagle describing how the passing of many members led to the dissolving of the Passumpsic Club in Lee which had

been founded in 1900 on land where the Massachusetts now runs.

The Passumpsic Club was the idea of M. J. Hennessey, William Griffin and C. H. Pease. They looked for a place that would

be suited to family gatherings and outings for a membership of no larger than twelve members. In 1903, the membership was

filled at twelve and plans went ahead for a house to be constructed on land leased to the club by Fred N. Broga. The building

consisted of eleven sleeping rooms, a large dining room with the capacity for 60 people and a large living room with a large

fireplace. The house also had two spacious upper and lower porches proving the club to be a perfect stop for outings. Mr.

Pease wrote, “The object of the club and the prime effort of the membership was planned to extend hospitality and this we do

as we ever have and ever shall, hoping in so doing, we are contributing so far as we can to the sociability and enjoyment of

our friends and encouraging and promoting a spirit of good fellowship which is so essential to health and happiness and will

meet if properly conducted the approval of our universal God.”

The charter members of the club were Charles H. Pease, William Griffin, M. H. Hennessey, the original three; and John

uigley, Eugene Tinker, James W. Bossidy, Thomas Moat, Thomas Boyne, William Heaphy, James Feeley, Edward E. Dowd

and Edward M. Childs, who served for many years as both secretary and treasurer. As the club disorganized the club consisted

of only ten members because the last two members who died; James W. Bossidy and Edward Driscoll were never replaced.

Other members were; Robert H. Hayden, the president, M. J. Kelly, Vice-President, Edward W. Gibbons was secretary and

Treasurer, Charles N. Mooney, Edward H. Bossidy, Thomas H. Deely, John G. Phelan, James Shields, Patrick Lynch and

Stephen W. Meneguale. During the existence of the club, many men of influence and men well known to the public of

Berkshire County have enjoyed the hospitality of the club. The article also included a picture of the front of the building,

showing the two porches that were lined with people. We wish to thank Betty for the use of her scrapbook article.

We would like to hear from other members and Lee residents with articles and stories that they would like to share with our

readers.

What’s going on at the Lee Library?

The Lee Library is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Lee Police Department with a display of items in the case near

the reading room. In August look for a display of items honoring the 80th anniversary of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

The Library also invites our members and friends to join in their Summer Adult Reading Program events. He first, being on

Thursday, July 12th at 7:00 in the J. Peter Scolforo Gallery when Zoe Delheim, Judy Nardacci, Vera Kalm and Dolores Birch

read stories from their Greek and Hungarian heritage along with a tale from the American South. Other July programs include

author Susan Dworkin on July 26th at 7:00 p.m. and on July 31st, Susan Sullivan will put on a quilting demonstration and

workshop at 6: 00 p.m. Experienced quilters can make a quilt square that will be assembled into a quilt and donated to a local organization.

Recollections XI

By U. S. Navy Retired Commander Vic Mottarella,

A native of Lee

(Continued from June – 2012)

The Battle Efficiency Pennant

In early July 1949 Fighter Squadron 32 was awarded the Battle Efficiency Pennant for Fiscal Year 1949. The award was given

each fiscal year to the Fighter Squadron that was considered the most battle ready in the Atlantic Fleet. At the time the federal

fiscal year extended from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. Frank and I were dumbfounded that our squadron was

selected considering all the trouble we recently had caused. Lt. Commander Duke Windsor had been the squadron skipper

during most of the fiscal year so he got most of the credit. Several factors were considered in determining the winner of the

pennant including aircraft accidents as well as bombing, rocket and machine gun accuracy. I was always proud to have been

a member of this squadron. In spite of all the troubles I had caused Lt. Commander Willems, our new commanding officer, he

wrote a letter to the Chief of Naval Personnel for insertion into my official record to indicate my contribution toward the

squadron winning the Battle Efficiency Pennant.

The Navy College Program

As the end of my three years of Sea Duty was approaching I received a letter from the Bureau of Naval Personnel asking me

to indicate my preference for attending college. I never would have attended college if it were not for the Navy. The Navy

tried to accommodate college locations whenever possible. As mentioned before, I had been commissioned with only a high

school education. It was the Navy’s intent to provide five terms of college to officers in this category so they could better

compete with Naval Academy graduates. Of the colleges listed my first choice was Tufts University since it was located in

Massachusetts and within easy weekend driving distance to my new girlfriend and future wife. It turned out that Tufts did not

like my high school grades and I was rejected. I had excelled in all Navy scholastics relating to the flight program but Tufts was only interested in high school grades and mine were not very good.

On 12 July 1949 I received a set of orders from the Chief of Naval Personnel indicating the following: “When directed by your commanding officer in August 1949, you will regard yourself detached from duty involving flying with Fighter Squadron Thirty

Two, and will proceed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and report to the Professor of Naval Science, Naval Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps Unit, Marquette University, for duty involving flying under instruction of the college training program.” I had to report no

later than 7 September. About two weeks prior to my leaving the squadron a new Executive Officer reported aboard. His

name was Lt. Commander Dick Cevoli. He later led the flight on which Jesse Brown was shot down in Korea and

recommended LTJG Tom Hudner for the Medal of Honor. I would meet up with Cevoli again four years later when he was

assigned as C.O. of my first Jet Squadron. He was killed in a Grumman Cougar accident while in that squadron. There were

no Naval Air Stations in Wisconsin so my flight time had to be acquired at the Glenview Naval Air Station located about one

hundred miles away near Chicago. My flying there, mostly in Bearcats, was solely to maintain flight proficiency. Prior to my

departure for Wisconsin I drove back to the hometown and discussed my situation with Mr. Walter Potter who at the time was

principal of the high school. During World War II he was called to active duty and served as a Captain in the Army Air Corps.

He recalled that I had performed quite well in math and suggested that I consider applying for the engineering curriculum.

I appreciated his suggestion and was determined to comply. After kissing Betty goodbye I headed west towards Wisconsin on

US Highway 20.

SOLDIERS OF LEE IN THE CIVIL WAR

Private Aaron Spencer – Roll of Honor Soldier

Massachusetts 54th Infantry Regiment

The Massachusetts 54th Infantry Regiment was the first black regiment recruited in the north to fight in the Civil War. It was

made famous by the movie “Glory”. In January of 1863, Secretary of War Stanton gave John A. Andrew, the Abolitionis

t governor of Massachusetts authorization to form regiments that could “include persons of African descent” Andrew then

chose white officers from wealthy families in Massachusetts who were prominent in the abolition movement. These families

could be counted on to help finance and supply the black soldiers.

On May 28, 1863, Col. Robert Gould Shaw, paraded the well drilled and equipment regiment through the streets of Boston

and then boarded ships bound for the coast of South Carolina. The black soldiers of the 54th were paid $10.00 a month

compared to $13.00 a month for a white soldier.

The first engagement with the Confederate troops occurred on July 16, 1863, when the 54th repelled an attack on James

Island losing 42 men in the process. On July 18th came the supreme test of the courage and valor of the black soldiers as

they were chosen to lead the attack on Battery Wagner, a Confederate fort on Morris Island in Charleston. In addressing

his soldiers before leading them in charge across the beach, Col. Shaw said, “I want you to prove yourselves. The eyes of

thousands will look on what you do tonight.” When this battle ended, Col. Shaw was dead, along with 29 of his men, with 24

more later dying of wounds, 15 were captured and 52 were missing in action, never being accounted for, and 149 more

wounded.

Name: Aaron Spenser

Residence: North Lee, Massachusetts

Occupation: Farmer

Age at Enlistment: 20

Enlistment Date: 13 February 1863

Rank at Enlistment: Private

State Served: Massachusetts

Was Wounded? Yes

Survived the War? No

Service Record: Enlisted in Company A, Massachusetts 54th Infantry Regiment on 30 March 1863. Mustered out on 07

September 1863 at Morris Island, South Carolina.

Birth Date: About 1843

Aaron Spencer joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry along with four other black young men from North Lee

when the 54th was organized. The other Lee men were Henry Burghardt, George Pell, and the Sharts brothers, James and

William. Burghardt and Pell were also killed. I cannot find when or at what battle Aaron Spencer was wounded but his date of

death is the same date when the Confederate Army evacuated Fort Wagner and the 54th was engaged in digging entrench-

ments leading to the fort in the days before the evacuation. The 54th was also the first to enter the fort after the Confederate

troops left. Aaron Spencer enlisted as a Private, but at the time of his death, he had been promoted to Corporal.

In the 1850 United States Census, Aaron Spencer is shown as living in Sheffield, being a colored male, 8 years of age and

living in a household with his father, Samuel, and mother, Louisa along with four older brothers and sisters and three other

siblings younger than him.

In the 1860 United States Census, Aaron Spencer is shown living in Lee, as a colored male, being 18 years of age, living in

the household of his mother Louisa Spencer, 45 and his three siblings; Cornelia, 13, Theoren, age 8, and Charles, age 6.

Aaron’s mother and family moved to Stockbridge where they can be found in later Census reports and Louisa Spenser

died in Stockbridge on April 11, 1879. His brother, Theoren, died in Stockbridge in 1914 and is buried there.

Look for the Lee Historical booth at the Craft Fair in the Park on August 4, 2012. We will be displaying all of our items that

we have for sale, selling memberships and just meeting folks and talking about the history of Lee.

“Dogs on the Run” is a hot dog stand run by John Gauthier and his wife, Lynn in the Lee Corporate Park parking lot at 480

Pleasant Street (Route 102) in Lee. This is something new and unique to the town and brings back the idea of the old time hot dog vendor. They will open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Good luck to them in their new venture.

A Quote from Ronald Reagan in 1986:

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving,

regulate it. And it stops moving, subsidize it.

The Lee Historical Society has the following items for sale. Any one of these would make a great gift for an out of town friend

or relative.

(1.)

Picture Packet – Six, 8” x 10” colored prints of “Old Lee” for $8.00 each or 3 packets for $20.00, plus $2.50 if they

need to be shipped.

(2.)

Refrigerator magnets – (approx. 2” x 3”). Three are of old street scenes from the early 1900’s and one is an “Entering

Lee” replica sign. They are $3.00 each or buy all four for $10.00 with no shipping charges.

(3.)

Cookbook – “Boiling Water” – a 400 recipe cookbook, put together by the ladies of the society for $10.00, plus $3.50

if shipped.

(4.)

“Historical Lee” – a tribute to the late Betty Dennis. A seventy-three page book containing the articles that Betty wrote

between April 1971 and August 1977 that appeared in the Penny Saver. Price is $8.00, plus $2.50 if shipped.

(5.)

“Third Strike”- a book, the last of three written by Ralph W. Smith that was published in 1984. It contains stories of

people and tales of earlier days in Lee. The price is $10.00, plus $2.50 if shipped.

(6.)

Commemorative Mugs;

(a.)

A 2008, #1 in our series, mug with a replica of Memorial Hall embossed on the side.

(b.)

A 2009, #2 in our series, mug with a replica of Central Fire Station embossed on the side.

(c.)

A 2010, #3 in our series, mug with a replica of the Lee Library embossed on the side.

(d.)

A 2011, #4 in our series, mug with a replica of the Hyde School embossed on the side.

(e.)

A 2012, #5 in our series, mug with a replica of the First Congregational Church on the side.

These mugs can be purchased for $8.00 each plus shipping charges.

Please send me (amount) ______________of (item/items) __________________________

Enclosed is my check for (no cash please)______________________________________

Name_____________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________

City_________________________State_______________Zip________________________

Mail to:

Lee Historical Society

P. O. Box 170

Lee, MA 01238

The Newsletter of the Lee Historical Society is published monthly by our non-profit organization, Our society’s mission is to

foster a greater knowledge and appreciation of the history of the Town of Lee through research, lectures, and exhibits, and

of the acquisition and preservation of material and sites. The overall object and purpose of our society shall be exclusively

educational and charitable consistent with 501 (C) (3).

Officers of the Lee Historical Society for the year

President – Stephen Cozzaglio – 413-243-3204 or scozzaglio@roadrunner.com

Vice- President – Gary W. Allen – 413-2543-2140 or garywallen@earthlink.net

Treasurer – Mal Eckert – 413-243-1797 or MalEckert@msn.com

Secretary – Bambi Johndrow – 413-243-2845 or disdeer62@netzero.net

Board of Directors of the Lee Historical Society

Mary Morrissey

Maria Hopkins

Peg Biron

Matt MacNayr

JoAnn Zarnoch

Marion Leach

Robert Kelly

Ethel Noonan

Annette Perilli

Dolores Eckert

Brenda Liebenow

Society Historian – Charlotte Davis

Collection Chairman – Marion Leach

Newsletter Editor – Mal Eckert

Please support our “Business Members” that support us.

The following is a list of the area businesses that are current members of the Lee Historical Society for 2012. If you would

like your business listed here, fill out the membership application on the back page and send in the dues of $25.00.

Bartini Roofing Company

Ben’s Shop

Charles Flint Antiques

290 Pleasant Street

68 Main Street

52 Housatonic Street

Lee, MA 01238

Lenox, MA 01240

413-243-0570

413-243-0242

413-637-1634

Karen Keenan Gifts & Home

Quality Plus Custodial

Locker Room Sports Pub

69 Main Street

260 Chestnut Street

232 Main Street

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-2689

413-243-2197

413-243-2662

Frank Consolati Ins. Agency

Paperdilly, Inc.

Dresser Hull Company

71 Main Street

74 Main Street

60 Railroad Street

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-0105

413-243-1928

413-243-1400

Robert M. Kelly, Paperhanging

Kelly Funeral Home

The Jonathon Foote 1778 House

South Prospect Street

3 Main Street

1 East Street

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-3489

413-243-0204

413-243-4545

Monk’s Professional Barber Shop

Lee Bank

Devonfield Inn

91 Main Street

75 Park Street

85 Stockbridge Road

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-3341

413-243-0117

413-243-3298

Hunter & Graziano P. C

Terrace Hair Studio

Wilcox Plumbing & Heating

10 Park Place

135 Housatonic Street

P. O. Box 561

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-0789

413-243-1799

413-243-2494

Deely & Deely, Attorneys

Matt Liebenow Jr., Trucking

218 Main Street

P. O. Box 72

Lee, MA 01238

413-243-2720

413-347-7048

Check out TownOfLee.Com for information about Lee, where to eat, places to stay, shopping, etc.

How about becoming a member to help support our Society?

Do you have an out of town friend or relative that might enjoy our newsletters? Sign him/her up as a member.

Student Membership - $5.00

Senior Membership (one person over the age of 65) - $5.00

Business Membership - $25.00

Individual Membership (one person under the age of 65) - $10.00

Family Membership (All members of one family living at home) - $15.00

Please circle one:

Student Senior Individual Family Business/Corporate

Name_______________________________________________________________________

Mail to:

Address_____________________________________________________________________

Lee Historical Society

City____________________________State__________________Zip____________________

P. O. Box 170

Telephone____________________Email___________________________________________

Lee, MA 01238

Is this a renewal membership?__________

Would you be interested in serving on a committee? __________

Or helping out at one of our fundraisers? ____________________