QUARTERLY NEWS C MARY BAKER EDDY MUSEUM and Historic Sites

VOL.t9, N0.1 PUBLISHED BY LONGYEAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY SPRINGt982

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Mrs. Eddy's carriage entering Pleasant VIew grounds

NEW SHOES FOR MARY BAKER EDDY The following article was first pub­ One never knows his exact destina· Mary Baker Eddy, the founder and lished on December 28, 1950 in The tion when he boards a "train of head of Christian Science, was one of Hampton Union and Rockingham thoughts." For instance, we were his customers. Her shoes were made County Gazette (Hampton, New thinking about the poet Whittier and to order on a special last and they were Hampshire), in James Thcker's "Our ended up with Mary Baker Eddy's new very small-size 2 AA, if I remember Town" column. Mr. Thcker worked at shoes. It was this way: Whittier correctly-and they were very pretty. W. E. Thompson's store in Concord, seemed like an ideal subject for an One day, Mrs. Eddy paid Mr. Thomp­ New Hampshire at the time of the "Our Town" column. He had written son a very special compliment. Her incident he describes, and he took part many poems which related to Hamp· secretary, Mr. Calvin Frye, telephoned in the elaborate preparations which ton. One of these poems had to do with that she would come into the North preceded Mrs. Eddy's visit to the shoe General Moulton. The Moulton house Main Street store to try on a new pair store. Reprinted with permission. is one of the finest examples of early of shoes that had just been received American architecture and a Hampton from the manufacturer. It turned out landmark. It was rehabilitated by its to be a very special event. We know, Quarterly News Spring 1982 present owner, Mr. Harlan G. Little. because we were in Mr. Thompson's © Longyear Foundation 1981 Vol. 19, No.1 Before he retired, Mr. Little manufac­ employ at the time and we helped to C. Subscription, $6.00 Annually tured Sorosis shoes for women. Wil­ arrange the interesting details of that (Includes Activities at Longyear) Sent w1thout charge to Members ol Longyear liam Thompson of Concord, sold unusual visit. So, that's how we Sorosis shoes many years ago at retail. started a train of thoughts with the

289 poet Whittier and ended up with Mary Baker Eddy's new shoes.

Mary Baker G. Eddy lived for some years in Amesbury. She probably vis­ ited Hampton Beach on many occa­ sions. 1 She may have been as impressed as Whittier was with our town. However, many important years of that great woman's life were spent at her Concord home, "Pleasant View." As a working newspaper man in Concord, a native and a resident of the Capital City for forty years, we had many opportunities to observe Mrs. Eddy and were well acquainted with her personal attorney, Mr. Frank Streeter. She was indeed a remarkable woman. But we were just out of High School when the interesting episode of the new shoes occurred. In the early 1900's, William E. Thompson had one of the largest retail shoe stores in New Hampshire. Pre­ vious to graduating from High School in 1904 we had been employed by the Thompson firm at such hours during the week as did not interfere with A shoe which belonged to Mrs. Eddy Inscribed 'Rev. M.B. Eddy' school hours. After graduating we were permanently employed there for over a year before entering college. It the place - were polished and an floor. Julia was the cashier and book­ was sometime during this period that accumulated litter of newspapers, keeper of the Thompson firm and like Mr. Thompson got the unusual mes­ trade magazines, shoe lasts and sam­ all of the other employees, she was sage from Mr. Frye that on a certain ples were cleaned out completely. For, glad to help out the boss on this aus­ afternoon of that week, around two in this sanctum sanctorum, Mr. picious occasion. One of Julia's best o'clock, Mrs. Eddy would be in to try Thompson would try on Mrs. Eddy's pieces, a low-seated, high back chair, on her new shoes. Now, except for an new shoes. The entire emporium, was placed in the middle of one side occasional visit to Derby's Jewelry including the office and the basement of the office opposite the roll-top desk. Store, Mrs. Eddy never entered Con­ where lumbermen's shoes, felts and Sofa pillows, also loaned by Miss Bol­ cord business places, although she rubbers were sold, was made spick ger, were placed on the chair seat and patronized many of them generously. and span. against the chair back to assure maxi­ William Thompson, conscious of the On the morning before the visit of mum comfort for Mrs. Eddy. unusual honor which the gracious this world famous woman, Mr. When we left for home that night at lady was paying him, began immedi­ Thompson and the oversigned visited the end of a particularly grueling day, ately to make unique preparations for Norris Dundee's Livery Stable on Mr. Thompson told all of us, clerks, her visit. Pleasant Street, now the site of the Star bookkeeper and the colored shoe­ All of the store woodwork was Theatre. We went into the tack room shine boy, that we must wear our scrubbed and polished. The floors and came out with our arms filled to "Sunday clothes" to work the next were washed, up stairs and down. overflowing with the multi-colored, day. So, the next morning we all came Every one of the thousands of shoe fluffy mats which were used in those to work dressed in our Sunday best. boxes was dusted and rearranged by-gone days to cover the floors of Mr. Thompson wore a frock coat with meticulously on the shelves. The buggys, carryalls and other types of striped gray trousers and carried a show-windows were thoroughly horse-drawn vehicles. These were bouquet of two dozen carnations cleaned and redecorated. But partic­ used - and this is a true story - to which he carefully placed in a vase on ular attention was paid to the ten foot cover the floor of Mr. Thompson's pri­ top of his oak desk. Lunch-time came square office which had been parti­ vate office. and passed quickly and at two o'clock tioned off for Mr. Thompson's private An express team brought a few we were all at the special places which use with nine foot-high siding in one pieces of horse-hair furniture from the had been assigned to us along the corner of the back of the store. front parlor of Julia Bolger's home and counters on either side of the big store. c A roll-topped oak desk and chair­ these were carefully placed on the Promptly, as the bell in the Town about the only articles of furniture in gaudy mats that covered the office Clock at the corner of School Street

290 chimed the hour of two, the Eddy coach drawn by a beautiful pair of FRANK SHERWIN STREETER matched bays, was driven to the edge of the sidewalk opposite the store c entrance. Mr. Calvin Frye climbed In the article, "New Shoes for Mary many audiences with Mrs. Eddy and down from the coachman's box where Baker Eddy," the author, James Thcker, thus has had opportunity to learn much he sat beside the driver, and opened refers to his acquaintance with Mrs. of this wonderful woman; and as a the carriage door. He offered his arm Eddy's personal attorney, Mr. Frank result, though a widely experienced to the tall, stately lady with the beau­ Streeter. A brief biography of Mr. and conservative man, in speaking of tiful, serene countenance and they Streeter follows. those characteristics that mark her were met at the door by Mr. Thomp­ Mary Baker Eddy engaged Frank. personality and that are the result of a son. The boss bowed low and Sherman Streeter as a personal counsel lifelong devotion to a spiritual purpose, remarked concerning the high honor at various times between 1890-1910. he deals only in superlatives."1 which Mrs. Eddy had conferred on Perhaps his most notable contribution Son of Daniel and Julia W. Streeter, him by coming personally to his store. was his role in the Woodbury libel suit Frank was born in East Charleston, The proprietor escorted his visitors to brought against Mrs. Eddy in 1899, and Vermont, in 1853. After graduating his private office and closed the door. in the "Next Friends" suit in 1907. from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1870 We have wondered a thousand Michael Meehan, Editor of the New and Dartmouth College in 1874, he times since what that good woman Hampshire Concord Patriot, wrote of headed west, serving for a brief period must have thought as she entered that him, "Mr. Streeter has been favored by as principal of the Ottumwa, Iowa, strangely decorated office and seated herself on the becushioned horse-hair chair arranged like a low throne in the center of one side of the little room. We know not what her thoughts were but of one thing we can be absolutely certain. Her composed, regal-like demeanor was not in the least changed although she most certainly must have been amused by her incongruous sur­ roundings and perhaps touched by the obvious attempt to provide for her an c entirely suitable place in which to try on her new shoes. In a half hour the door opened and out came Mrs. Eddy, again on the arm of Mr. Frye. Now, she was holding in her left hand, the stems dripping water, the bouquet of carnations which Mr. Thompson had plucked from the vase and thrust into her hand. But ifshe was in the least perturbed or embarrassed she certainly did not show it, for her really beautiful face broke into a kind smile and she nod­ ded pleasantly to each of us as she passed by our appointed stations on her way back to the entrance door. And so, Mrs. Eddy tried on her new, satin-lined kid shoes with her initials "M. B. G. E." embroidered in silk on the lining. And they must have fitted perfectly for on the next day they were sent to "Pleasant View" by special messenger. James W. Thcker

1. Mrs. Eddy lived in Amesbury for parts of c 1868 and 1870. See Quarterly News, Winter 1980·81 and Spring 1981. It Is not known when, or If, she visited Hampton Beach. Attorney Frank Streeter

291 RECENT ACQUISffiON 0

This gold locket Is a recent addition to Longyear's collection; a gift of Mrs. Adelaide Anderson

Frank Streeter used his services as their New Hamp­ professional, and political activities, shire counsel for many years. General Frank Streeter found time for extensive continued from previous page Streeter's genial personality won him reading and study. He was thoroughly High School. His career changed many friends whose companionship familiar with both the classics and directions, however. Following the he enjoyed at the Snowshoe and Won­ modern literature, although history urging of those who recognized his alancet Clubs of Concord. and biography were his favorites. At ability and promise as a lawyer, he Although the Republicans lost the one time he prepared and delivered a 0 returned to his native New England to White House to Grover Cleveland in paper on Bismarck and the foundation study law with Alonzo P. Carpenter of 1885, the same year found General of the German Empire, and one on Cecil Bath, New Hampshire, remembered for Streeter, a Republican, serving on the Rhodes. having one of the best trained judicial Judiciary Committee in the New For many years Frank Streeter kept a minds on the New Hampshire bench Hampshire Legislature. He was to con­ file of newspaper clippings from all and as Chief Justice of the New Hamp­ tinue combining the law with politics over the United States on Mary Baker shire Supreme Court. Frank Streeter when in 1896 he became President of Eddy and the court cases in which he was married to his mentor's daughter, the New Hampshire Constitutional served as her personal counsel. This Lillian Carpenter, in 1877. They had Convention and in 1907-08 a member file in the form ofa series ofscrapbooks, two children, Julia and Thomas. of the Republican National Committee. was donated to the New Hampshire Admitted to the bar in 1877, Frank As time went by, his desire to preserve Historical Society in Concord, where Streeter began his practice in Orford, world peace brought him into active Frank Streeter was a member for many New Hampshire, soon moving to Con­ support of such organizations as the years. cord where he entered into a series of National Security League and the Joan Latady legal partnerships with lawyers of dis­ League to Enforce Peace. tinction. Specializing in corporate law, A Unitarian by religious belief, Gen­ 1. Michael Meehan, Mrs. Eddy and the Late Sui! his practice grew rapidly and he went eral Streeter was also a 32d degree in Equity, p. 335. on to become known as one of the most Mason and member of the Odd Fel­ respected attorneys in New Hamp­ lows. The interests of his alma mater, Longyear Historical Society wishes shire. A gentleman of commanding Dartmouth College, were close to his to acknowledge with appreciation the presence, moral courage, remarkable heart, and he served on the board of research assistance given by the New perception, and full voice, General trustees for over 17 years. In spite of Hampshire Historical Society. Streeter was an able debater, had a firm the wide variety of his business, understanding ofthe law, the rights of citizens under the law, and was ever ready to make sacrifices for his clients. LONGYEARFOUNDATION:Board of'frustees: Robert C. Dale, Chairman; Marian Closely identifying himself with his H. Holbrook; June A. Austin; John E. Auchmoody. Director: Constance C. Johnson. home city of Concord and its affairs, he QUARTERLY NEWS is published four times annually by Longyear Historical c was a director of the First National Society, 120 Seaver Street, Brookline, Massachusetts 02146 U.S.A. {617) 277- 8943. Inquiries aboutmembersliip and activities are welcome. Bank and the Concord Electric Com­ pany. The Boston and Maine Railroad 292