From the Narragansett Times for Friday, March 9, 1888. Even though the time for the division of the Town of South Kingstown into two towns was fast approaching, there still seemed to be a variety of opinions on the matter.
Town Division Meeting
On Monday two petitions were circulated in the village of Wakefield for signatures, asking the judiciary committee of the senate that if the town of South Kingstown is divided, that the lines may be drawn so that they, residents of Wakefield, would be included in the new town. About fifty persons, qute a number of them being business men of Wakefield, signing the petition. The signers decided to hold a meeting that evening in Wright’s hall to discuss the matter as the hearing of the senate committee on the question was to take place the next day. Although the meeting was really intended for only those in favor of going into the new town, there were more present who were not in favor of such a step, but no objection was made to their presence. Nearly two hundred were present. H.W. Partelow was chosen chairman and B.W. Case secretary. The chairman read the following petition:
“We, the undersigned residents and tax payers of the villages of Wakefield and Peace Dale in the town of South Kingstown, desire that if the town of South Kingstown is divided, that the lines may be drawn so that we may be located in the said new town of Narragansett.”
Mr. Partelow said that although heretofore he had been opposed to the division of the town, he had changed his opinions and would prefer being in the proposed new town. Kneeland P. Partelow had been in favor of a division all along, and thought it best for the interest of the town that the villages be included in the proposed alteration, and found that some persons signing the petition were long since opposed to the division. John A. Brown said he would like to know what benefit would accrue to Peace Dale and Rocky Brook if they were incorporated with Narragansett Pier, and in some further remarks, said that he did not identify himself with the requirements of Wakefield, but personally knew the sentiment of almost every householder, both rich and poor, in Peace Dale and Rocky Brook, and they were with one exception opposed to the division of the town and to be taxed for the improvements at the Pier. E.F. Watson opposed the division and was supported by M.N. Chappell. B.W. Case, Paul Woods, William C. Caswell and A.T. Edwards supported the proposed division as tending to the benefit of the town in general, in bettering the roads. N.C. Anderson did not see the necessity of a division, as each village could now lay out as much money as it pleased, and dividing the town would weaken it and not strengthen it. William C. Cawell, A.T. Edwards and E.W. Cross were appointed delegates to represent the petitioners before the judiciary committee. The petitioners were all residents of Wakefield.
Narragansett Pier.
All of the casino stores are rented and to the same parties as last year.
Schooner Oakwoods laden with coal for J.C. Tucker, jr., came into port on Wednesday.
Harry C. Rodman, who has been employed here at J.C. Tucker, jr’s store, is now at the “Branch” at Wakefield.
The building formerly occupied by captain Gray as a news room on Beach row has now been rented to a New York florist.
An extra train will run to Wakefield next Monday evening, returning at the conclusion of the Pat Maloney show in Wright’s hall.
George T. Lanphear has been surveying Central street this week for a sewer that the residents of that locality propose to put in at their own expense.
And now Caononchet is offered for rental for the coming season, thorugh the agencey of C.E. Boon. Some one has an opportunity to secure one of the finest estates on the Atlantic coast as a summer residence.
The hair dressing rooms on the corner near the post office are being fitted up with ornamental ceilings and other decorations, for R.W. Chappell, who intends to open the place before the first of April.
John Aldrich of Kingston, who is now completing his medical studies in New York city, has been again engaged as clerk and bookkeeper at the Metatoxet house. This will be his third season in that capacity at this hotel.
There was much elation shown by the citizens of the Pier on Wednesday over the prospects of being set off in a district by themselves, as they now have a reasopnable hope of seeing some improvements in roads consumated in the near future.
At Greene’s Inn the steam heating apparatus has arrived and is being put into position so that the building can be heated as soon as the plasterers commence work. The upper stories are already lathed and the carpenters are at work on the interiour finish. Work is being hastened as rapidly as practicable, as it is the intention now to have the Inn ready for guests early in May.