New Ashford, Massachusetts 01237
After many months of fruitless searching for a historical
background photo for another future article, I was referred to a
Mr. Elliot Allison of Dublin, New Hampshire. By telephone a visit
was arranged.
Mr. Allison, a remarkable gentleman in his 80s, and a veteran of
World War I, had the photo I needed and many more interesting early
photos and glass plate negatives leading to this short article.
His father, a Dublin businessman and a member of the State
Legislature, was a very active photographer in the 1880s and 1900
era when glass plates (to which you applied the light-absorbing
chemicals just before you took the picture) were in use. This
collection of glass negatives is in excellent condition. They
deteriorate or fade if not properly protected and stored;
therefore, each plate was individually wrapped and then placed in
an envelope and five or six envelopes in a box meticulously indexed
on the outside of the box, thus pinpointing the subject needed and
eliminating search exposure so that today these negatives produce
good to excellent photos.
A sound heavy workhorse could power a buzz saw equal to a 3 or 4
HP gas engine, rest periods were needed for the horse, also crew
added time to pass the jug. Horse powers of the treadmill type were
quite common in the New England States, the one pictured was
probably made in the vicinity, old time farm machinery ads indicate
at least four manufacturers within a 100-mile radius manufactured
horse powers.
Old Dobbin is replaced by a new-fangled gas engine, throughout
the snow belt states wherever it is available, wood as a heating
fuel is staging a comeback and this saw rig and a pile of wood
would be a most welcome addition to a great many backyards. I have
not been able to ascertain the make of engine. Does anyone have a
guess? My guess is it’s a 3 or 4 HP Stoddard about 1910 built
in nearby Vermont.
Old Dobbin is replaced by a new-fangled gas engine, throughout
the snow belt states wherever it is available, wood as a heating
fuel is staging a comeback and this saw rig and a pile of wood
would be a most welcome addition to a great many backyards. I have
not been able to ascertain the make of engine.
In the course of conversation, Mr. Allison mentioned he donated
a number of negatives of historical scenes taken in the vicinity of
Dublin to the Dublin Public Library and some were of old gas
engines. We all visited the library, a small stone masonry
building, an architectural gem! Mrs. Worcester, the Librarian, was
very helpful and many interesting scenes were reviewed.
Three which I thought would be of interest to engine land
readers were selected. Dublin, is the sight of the Dublin Gas,
Steam and Antique Auto Show normally held the second weekend in
September (a show well worth seeing). As I did not want to
transgress on any of their planned future use of these photos, I
asked for their approval before submitting this article. They were
very helpful.
In closing, Dublin is a typical New England town; quaint, neat
and not much different from its appearance in 1900. Huge
supermarkets, shopping plazas and developments are missing, but not
missed. All personal contacts were most pleasant and friendly.
(All photos from Allison Collection, courtesy Dublin, New
Hampshire Public Library.)
