Two men on a mill : $b The story of the restoration of Baxter's Mill — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Two men on a mill : $b The story of the restoration of Baxter's Mill
John Stuart Mill · en
I can distinctly remember at about this time the concern and heated
meetings held by civic groups, the letters and telegrams of indignation
sent to high public officials, and the angry voice of the people
protesting the removal of this old landmark, but it struck me as being
a bit strange that not one person (including myself) came forward with
donations to purchase the Farris Mill and keep it where it belonged.
Needless to say, it was the usual story of “Let George do it.”
In looking back, it was probably George Kelley and Walter Chase
who finally prodded me into action. George Kelley is engaged in a
flourishing insurance business in Hyannis and is very handy and
exceptionally good with tools. As a matter of fact, he is better than
the usual expert, and has an extensive knowledge of craftsmanship. He
is meticulous, patient, and without his assistance I don’t think we
could ever have accomplished the project.
Walter B. Chase and his brother, Milton, are two of the last old-school
gentlemen left on the Cape, both of them well-known and beloved by
everyone and the living examples of young boys graduating from high
school and immediately starting in business as a clerk or as an
ordinary laborer. One rose to be the Dean of Massachusetts Town Clerks
and the other rose to be the President of the Hyannis Trust Company,
the largest commercial bank on the Cape. They represent a living
contrast to the average youth of today, the product of our so-called
schools.
These gentlemen, through their own efforts and by virtue of the simple,
ordinary and basic fundamentals learned in their school days, made a
complete success of their lives and are vigorously engaged today in
directing the affairs of two banks. Both are in their 80’s, alert, and
enterprising, as were their contemporaries, young men of 18, 20 and 22
who became masters and captains of deep-sea sailing vessels going all
over the world, purchasing cargo, handling all kinds of men, and making
money and profit for their employers.
I mention this because of the things uncovered in working on the mill
to show the sharp contrast of the average youth of today who is taken
to school on the bus so that he can engage in physical exercise and
who, when graduating from the glamorous schools, hasn’t the slightest
idea of fundamental mathematics, of figuring simple interest, or of
handling ordinary division or multiplication.
[Illustration]
III
Around 1870 the water wheel was disposed of and a so-called “new and
improved” metal turbine was installed for a few very good reasons.