1878

Mrs. Caro Bowman Parkinson died May 25, after a long illness. Parkinson, head bending low, sings the refrain of Old Black Joe.

It seems that four of the surviving members of the class went to the Centennial in 1876. Harlow reports only his expenses ($26.72), and is the only one to mention that important factor. No feature of the exposition itself seems to have registered deeply on the memories of the other three, but the routes by which they went and came and some experiences of the visit left their mark. All three reached New York by Hudson River Boat. To Hayt the river and everything afloat on it was an old story, but to the other two, making their first trip, the scenery gave a thrill not to be forgotten. Tarbell had been in Troy visiting relatives, two of whom ac- companied him down river. Parkinson reached the same starting point by walking from Woodstock to Rutland, thence by train to Troy. From New York the other two went direct to Philadelphia, but Parkinson by way of Washington, thence with his parents and brother by canal-boat from Baltimore, a quaint and memorable journey, a joy to recall. Tarbell's digestion was sadly upset during his stay and he reached Hanover some twenty pounds underweight, but strange to say, soon made it up on Hanover fare.

One exhibit Parkinson recalls, not for its importance, but because of its sequel. It was a steam propelled street car. A few years later on a visit to Milwaukee he was told that the car was purchased by the Street Railway Co. of that city and run as an experiment. Finding that it scared horses, some of the workmen stuffed the skin of one of the company mules that had died, stuck it on a pole and attached it to the front of the car. That satisfied the horses and the car. was run that way till the mule became too disreputably ragged and the outfit was retired. Who of you derived anything more historic than that from the Exposition?

Secretary and Treasurer 321 Highland Ave., Fitchburg, Mass.