Houghton Engine Co.’s Bell

"In 1874-1875 Houghton Engine Co. No.2 asked to town to furnish them with a new hand engine, which request was refused, in consequence of which the company disbanded.  On the engine house was a bell purchased by contributions from numerous citizens.  When the company disbanded the bell was taken down and carried away and hidden, the company claiming it was given to them.  An article in the town warrant calling a meeting for Nov. 2nd, 1875 was to see what action the town would take with reference to recovering the bell, the town taking the position that the company neither individually nor collectively, had the right to remove it.

        The discussion under this article was one of the most exciting in the history of the town and is not likely to be forgotten by those who heard it. J.T. Joslin Esq. represented the town and Henry L. Hurlburt, Esq. Of Lynn, now a prominent member of Essex bar and for some years district attorney, then a young man of this town studying law, represented Houghton Engine Co. of which he was foreman.

        The next year, possibly at the spring town meeting, this matter came up again under an article to see what the town would do about the recovery of public property, particularly said bell.  The selectman were empowered to take such action as they see fit, which was to commence a criminal suit against Mr. Hurlburt for the removal or larceny of the bell.  The case went before Justice Joslin and was carried to the Superior court where it was settled, just how has been forgotten.  The place where the bell was hidden has been a mystery all these years.  Last winter Independent Hose Co. thought they would like to possess the bell and Fred J. Parsons of the company wrote Mr. Hurburt asking for it.  That gentleman being willing.  Fred O. Welsh as Mr. Hurburt’s agent led the Independents to it’s hiding place.  

        At eight o’clock Thursday evening Independent Hose Co. and friends to the number of twenty, piloted by F.O. Welsh left Wood square in teams and moved to the east part of town.  On a back road in the east part of Marlborough, about one and a half miles from the city hall the missing Houghton bell was found.  For seventeen years it had been buried, the owner of the property and the six young men who secreted it alone knowing where it was.  Of these six men one is dead and some if not all the others now hold responsible positions in the professions and in business.  The party came into town over Gospel hill.  

        Mr. Welsh going at once to his home, and the rest of the party making a curculios tour through the village clanging the bell, singing and serenading and winding up about midnight with a cannonade in the vicinity of the hose house.  The affair was the chief topic of conversation Friday morning old and young flocking to the Independent house to view the bell.  By permission of the engineers the bell will be hung on the Felton St. engine house."

The Engine House on Felton Street was destroyed in the fire of 1894 but the bell survived and is hanging in station 1 at Wood Square...