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Lee Historical Society

Newsletter

Vol. 6, No. 8

August 2009

Lee Historical Society, Inc.

P. O. Box 170

Lee, MA 01238

www.leehistoricsociety.homestead.com

When friends, neighbors or relatives move, downsize, or just clean house, PLEASE, ask them to think of the LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY before they discard any old books, pictures, postcards, letters or memorabilia of the TOWN OF LEE. We are also interested in obtaining old Lee High School yearbooks and Town Reports.

The July Meeting was held on Thursday, July 09, 2009 at the Senior Center in Crossways Village. Committee reports were read and accepted. Discussion was held on the Craft Fair that would be held on the 25th and the manning of our booth.

The Fundraising volunteers spent the bright and sunny July 25th at our booth in the park “peddling our wares” and had a very successful day. We met many great people, many of whom asked questions about the Society and some even had stories to tell about the past years in Lee. Thanks go out to Marion Leach, Peg Biron, Mary Morrissey, Caroline Young, Myron Hood and Steve Cozzaglio for their help and dedication to the Society.

We wish Ethel Noonan a speedy recovery from her recent surgery and hope to see her out and about very soon.

We want to thank Board of Director, Dr. William A. Clarke, for permission to include his book, “Early Lee School Houses”, written in 1997 to be added to our society website. Thanks to Society member, Michael Payne, (Bill’s nephew) for scanning the book for us to include on our website; www.leehistoricsociety.homestead.com. and to Steve Cozzaglio for downloading it.

The August Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at the Senior Center at Crossways Village. There will be a business meeting for Board Members, Officers, Committees and interested members that will start at 6: 30 p.m. followed by a Program Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

This Program Meeting will feature Mr. Robert M. Kelly, a Society member, and local wallpaper contractor, who has done wallpapering in the White House. Mr. Kelly will present a slide show and speak on the wallpaper factory that was once in Lee. In the research for this presentation, Mr. Kelly wrote the following article, which will be presented in the next three newsletters. Please join the Society and Mr. Kelly at our August meeting for this Program Meeting. Remember, our Program Meetings are free and the public is encouraged to attend.

The Laflins And Their Wallpaper Factory

By Robert M. Kelly

August, 2009

For the Lee Historical Society

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1. Introduction

2. The Laflin Family: Thumbnail Sketches

3. The Wallpaper Factory

4. McLane Report Q & A

5. A Laflin Timeline

6. Sources

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1. Introduction

The topic of this paper is the wallpaper factory run by W. & W. & C. Laflin in Lee for several years, beginning in 1830. It is an admittedly obscure subject. All that we know stems from a single (but detailed) governmental document, namely, the McLane Report of 1833. I have recently found another scrap, a listing in an advertising directory for 1831, which confirms that it was, an"…extensive Manufactory of all kinds of Paper Hangings…"

It's not known when the 22-employee factory ceased operation, but by the time of the economic downturn in 1837, almost all of the Laflins, who came here from Southwick twenty years previous, had decided to push on and seek their fortunes elsewhere.

There were a couple of exceptions. Walter Laflin apparently dabbled in the cloth-printing business in North Adams before retiring to Pittsfield to pursue politics and philanthropy, and two of the Laflin women married locally (in fact, they married the same man) with important local consequences. But though the Laflins departed Lee, their influence remained. They left two state-of-the-art paper mills and a canal-like gash in the downtown landscape of nearly a thousand yards.

According to Hyde's history, the first Laflin paper mill, built 1826 near the present post office, was "… regarded at that time as a marvel of enterprise". Eventually, this was known as the Housatonic mill. The main building was 100 x 35 feet. One wing was 50 x 24, and the other was 30 x 30. Equally bold was the construction of the race-way, which took eight months to excavate and paralleled the course of the Housatonic River. It was extended beyond the bridge on West Park St. after 1850, when Platner & Smith bought the property.

The other mill was built in 1827, and marked the first appearance in Berkshire County of the cylinder papermaking machine. This machine came from the Ames Company in Springfield. Cylinder machines were the dominant type in Berkshire County up till about 1840, when the Fourdrinier began to find favor. This mill near Crow's Hollow (later called the Columbia mill) seemed to specialize in paper for printing. It's likely that this mill is the one that produced newsprint for Horace Greeley's New York Tribune.

It was also instrumental in spreading the fad for the paper version of the "Navarino bonnets". The paper bonnets imitated the large turban-like straw headgear imported from the Italian city of Leghorn (Livorno). Both the straw and the paper types took their name from the Battle of Navarino which destroyed the Turkish naval fleet in 1827. Legend has it that the downfall of the fad for paper bonnets was caused by sudden summer downpours, but the American Advertiser of 1831 referred to earlier raises a question. It advertises the "…Navarino Bonnets, Water Proof, a new and elegant article…"being produced in the town of Lee.

After they left Lee, the Laflin family had a decisive impact on such seemingly miscellaneous topics as the national gunpowder industry, the growth of Chicago, and the Elgin Watch Company. Laflin namesakes include a borough (town) in northeast Pennsylvania, and a residential street in Pittsfield.

Another Laflin influence, a tragic one, was noted by the Rev. Alvan Hyde in his diary for Feb. 2, 1825: "… the past has been a year of unusual mortality among my people. We have been visited with some very awful providences by the explosions of powder-mills in the town, which occasioned the sudden death of six men, in the prime of life…." In fact, it was the powder business that first brought the Laflin clan to Lee in 1817.

By 1826, the Laflins were persuaded by townspeople to pursue a less volatile line of work. The water rights for the powder mill in the Huddle were sold, and a paper mill rose on the site of the largest explosion. This mill would eventually become part of the Eagle mill complex. And yet the Laflins seemed fated to return to the powder business again and again. And, they were remarkably successful, though not in Lee. For these reasons this paper will address not only the wallpaper factory about which we know so little, but also the generation of Laflins who first came to Lee in the early 19th century before spreading out across the country.

The patriarch was Matthew Laflin (1765-1828) of Southwick. He carried on the family powder mill business started by his father, Captain Laflin, who fought in the Revolutionary War. Matthew fathered 8 children, among them Rowland, Luther, Winthrop, Matthew, Electa, and Walter. Each of them had a part to play.

(Continued in the September-2009 issue)

Recollections VI

By U. S. Navy Retired Commander Vic Mottarella,

A native of Lee

(Continued from the June – 09 issue)

Back to the Flying Business

We advanced to progressively more demanding flying requirements. Formation takeoffs became routine with two airplanes and eventually advanced to the standard three plane vee formation. We would switch lead pilot on each flight. The lead pilot in the center of the vee would start his takeoff roll but remained on the ground until the other two planes became airborne. The two wingmen would advance throttle to maximum power and pull the stick back until their planes climbed to about four feet above the leader who was still on the ground. As soon as the leader observed that his wingmen were airborne he would ease his plane off the ground and begin a gradual climb. When about ten feet off the ground the leader would signal his wingmen to retract their landing gear by rotating his closed fist in a three foot vertical fore and aft circle making sure that the signal was clearly observed. Retraction occurred simultaneously by all three planes. The vee formation takeoff became standard procedure and we became pretty cocky at our newly learned skills. An instructor pilot would occasionally observe the formation from a fourth airplane. We later made a few simulated air-to-air gunnery flights where an SNJ towed a sleeve with a very long tow line (about 900 feet). The sleeve was about twenty feet long and about four feet high. I suppose the dimensions were supposed to approximate the fuselage of an enemy fighter. These flights were flown with six aircraft. The object here was to teach us the pattern and make sure we complied with the strictly enforced safety procedures before we advanced to making live firing runs. The tow plane flew at about 7000 feet over the gulf - we started our practice runs from 2000 feet higher and forward of the tow plane with flight paths separated laterally by about a half mile. The object was to commence shooting when at a 90 degree deflection angle and a thousand feet away from the sleeve. You had to make sure that you did not fire when at a shallow angle to the tow line/sleeve because you might hit the tow plane. We finally got to do the real thing and for me it was a lot of fun and most interesting. Each cadet had his single 30 caliber machine gun loaded with shells that were colored differently by dipping the tips into some type of dye. The passage of bullets through the sleeve would leave some residue of his color making it possible to discern who got the hits. The sleeve was then towed back to the base where it was dropped adjacent to the active runway. Eager cadets would then pore over the sleeve and looked forlornly for holes containing his color that usually did not exist. Needless to say there were very few hits but I managed to hold my own and surpassed most. Several in the flight missed the target completely. We found that it was very difficult to hit the target – you had to lead the target by the proper amount, be at the proper deflection angle as well as at the correct range before opening fire. Even at the relatively slow speed of 160 to 170 knots the range changes quickly when you are approaching the target at a 90 degree deflection angle. Besides this, you are busy turning the airplane and trying to keep the gun sight on the target at the proper lead angle. Your firing time is only about one second because you are in and out of range that fast. Even when you thought you were in a perfect firing position you would usually be disappointed by getting only a few hits instead of many. We also got to do some practice dog fighting where we were paired off with others in our flight. Only two planes were involved. We would start at the same altitude and on the same heading but separated by about a half a mile. After making the appropriate radio transmission we would turn towards each other and the fight was on. The object was to get on the other’s tail. If it looked like the other was getting a shallow deflection angle on you from behind you would do everything in your quiver to shake him such as trying an immelmann, a split S or simply put the plane through a very high g turn. Rolls were tried but these were completely ineffective. Another trick was to drop the landing gear as your buddy was approaching a good firing position and then pounce on him as he, who was caught by surprise, came sliding past you. The most effective trick was the immelmann which allowed you to gain altitude and change direction after doing a half loop followed by a half roll. In the dog fights Votolato was paired off with Cassidy while I was paired off with Rodeghero. Don’t remember who got the best in these skirmishes. August 14, 1945 was an important day for all of us at Kingsville because it was the day the Japanese surrendered. Several of us had mixed emotions about this event because we had hoped that we could contribute something towards winning the war. Instead, here we were with still a few months left prior to winning our wings of gold. A few weeks later the Navy allowed any cadet who so desired to leave the Navy. Cassidy, Cerimsac, and Rodeghero elected to get out. We immediately saw a change in attitude by the instructors because most of them were opting to get out and for the most part they seemed less interested in the flying syllabus.

A Near Death Experience

A few navigation flights over the Gulf and between several Texas cities were a requirement before graduation from advanced training at Kingsville. A flight that was very short but filled with terror and that I will never forget occurred a few days after VJ day. It was Votolato’s turn to lead the formation takeoff with me on his left wing and Rodeghero on his right wing. Each of us carried a standard Navy 18 inch plastic navigational plotting board in the cockpit from which we were able to make heading corrections as well as other calculations. We positioned ourselves for takeoff and when Votolato gave the signal we gradually advanced throttle to full power. I pulled the stick all the way back as I had done so many times before to get a step-up position on the leader. When I rose to the desired step-up position I pushed the stick forward but it would not respond – instead it was locked in the full back position. The plane rose to about 250 feet when it fell off sharply in a rapidly descending 45degree dive with the wings oriented about 30 degrees to the horizon. The plane had stalled because even with full power it could not sustain flying speed with the stick telling the elevator to climb at the maximum rate. It all happened so fast – only a few seconds passed but I was in a sure death situation and was terrified. What I did not figure out until after landing was that the plotting board had fallen to a position between the stick and the instrument panel - this locked the stick in the full back position. When I instinctively moved the stick to the side to level the wings it allowed the stick to slide under the plotting board and I again had full control but I did not know what caused this at the time. I do not believe I missed the ground by more than ten feet – Providence apparently decided it was not my time. I landed immediately. The war was over and several instructors had observed the whole episode from the ground – there was no longer a big need for Naval Aviators. Three instructors told me I would be immediately washed out. By this time I figured out what had happened but I did not choose to tell the instructors because it still would have been my fault as to be so careless to allow the plotting board to fall to that compromising position. Instead, I decided to plead my case with the enlisted mechanics who maintained the airplanes. A Second Class Aviation Machinist Mate sympathized with me and came to my rescue. He reported to the authorities that a cable on the elevator trim tab had come loose causing effects that could not be overcome with stick pressures. On the following day the same instructors who threatened to wash me out apologized instead. I have had several close calls during my flying career but that was probably the closest because I was so close to the ground.

(Continued to the September - 09 issue)

Please support our “Business Members” that support us.

Bartini Roofing Company

Ben’s Shop

Charles Flint Antiques

290 Pleasant Street

68 Main Street

52 Housatonic Street

Lee, MA 01238

Lenox, MA 01240

Greylock Federal Union

Quality Plus

L. V. Toole Insurance Agency

47 Main Street

260 Chestnut Street

195 Main Street

Lee, MA 01238

Sullivan Station Restaurant

Paperdilly, Inc.

Dresser Hull Company

Railroad Street

74 Main Street

60 Railroad Street

Lee, MA 01238

Robert M. Kelly, Paperhanging

Kelly Funeral Home

The Jonathon Foote 1778 House

South Prospect Street

3 Main Street

1 East Street

Lee, MA 01238

Morgan House Restaurant & Pub

Lee Bank

33 Main Street

75 Park Street

Lee, MA

01238

Lee, MA 01238

Our Meetings

The monthly meetings of the Lee Historical Society are held on the second Thursday of the month, unless otherwise advertised at the Senior Center at the Crossways Village on High Street in Lee. Some Program

Meetings may take place on the site of the subject matter of the meeting. We will try to advertise all meetings at various places in town. We will also try to advertise the meetings in the local media and on local TV stations. Our Program Meetings are free and open to the public and people are encouraged to attend. We will try to post and advertise our speakers as soon as they are confirmed.

Our Mission Statement

The purposes of the Lee Historical Society are to promote and foster a greater knowledge and appreciation of the unique history of the Town of Lee to friends, students and citizens through research, lectures, exhibits, acquisitions and preservation of the historical material and sites.

Officers of the Lee Historical Society for the year of 2009

President – Gary W. Allen – 413-243-2140 or garywallen@earthlink.net

Vice- President – Myron Hood – 413-243-2470 or MYRONSCALL@verizon.net

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

Secretary – Mary Hood – 413-243-2470 or mehflowers@msn.com

Board of Directors of the Lee Historical Society

Ethel Noonan/2009

Marion Leach/2010

Mary Morrissey/2011

James DiMario/2009

Danna Snow/2010

Peg Biron/2011

Mary McGinnis/2009

William Clarke/2010

Josh Hall/2011

Matt Macnayr/2011

Immediate-Past President and Board Member – Stephen Cozzaglio

Society Historian – Charlotte Davis

Newsletter Editor – Mal Eckert

The new 2009 Commemorative Mug, the second in a series is now on sale. This year’s mug, featuring a replica of Central Fire Station sells for $10.00, plus $3.00, if shipped.

You can also purchase both the 2008 Mug (replica of Memorial Hall) and the new 2009 Mug for $18.00, plus $3.00 shipping.

We also offer for sale the following:

Picture Packet – Six, 8” x 10” colored prints of “Old Lee” for $10.00 a set or three sets for $25.00, plus $2.50 if shipped.

Refrigerator Magnets – (approx. 2” x 3”) Street scenes of early Lee for $3.00 each or a set of three different scenes for $7.50. No shipping charges.

Cookbook – “Boiling Water”, a 400 recipe cookbook, put together by the ladies of the Society for a price of $10.00, plus $3.50 if shipped.

“Historical Lee” – a tribute to the late Betty Dennis. A seventy-three page book containing the articles written between April 1971 and August 1977 that appeared in the Penny Saver, $10.00, plus $2.50 if shipped.

“Third Strike” – a book, the last of three, written by Ralph W. Smith that was published in 1984 with stories of people and tales of earlier days of Lee. Price, $15.00, plus $2.50 if shipped.

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LEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

P. O. BOX 170

LEE, MA 01238

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