Editorial: 1938 — Fifty Years Ago — 1988

1938 - FIFTY YEARS AGO - 1988

By Edouard A. Stackpole

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It hardly seems possible that a half century has passed so swiftly away. In 1938, Nantucket was enjoying the first flush of summer; but there was a different touch to the scene. The distant rumblings of the European problems were reaching around the world. The German juggernaut - the Nazi axis - had reached across eastern Europe. Adolf Hitler had lulled the leaders of the English, French and associate powers into a false sense of security. The result was inevitable.

On Nantucket the business establishments were gearing for the coming summer. At a special election in February, Robert S. Backus was elected the Representative to the General Court, receiving 642 votes in the race against three opponents. Father Joseph M Griffin, the popular priest at St. Mary's Church was tendered a testimonial upon the 25th anniversary of his taking over his pastorate here. Early in the year two prominent Nantucketers passed on - Sidney Mitchell in New York City, and Ormonde D. Ingall, the former head of the Island Service Company. For the first time, electric power was turned on for Pocomo in May, 1938. About the same time, the first Air Mail letters were sent from Nantucket.

The death of James M. Barrett, at the age of 93, left but one Civil War veteran remaining on the Island - James M. Wood - the last survivor of the loyal band of Grand Army troops living in Nantucket. A party of young people were stranded on the end of the jetties when their catboat struck the rocks and they stayed there until morning. The Misses Nancy Gardner, Barbara Melendy and Virinia Ball, and Benjamin and Peter Richmond and Carroll Johnson were taken on board the small tanker Isco after the fog lifted the next morning. Two weeks later, the cruiser Intrepid, III was stranded on a shoal off Tuckernuck and brought into this port.

Three fires alarmed the town. Captain Folger's tour bus was destroyed at its garage in Surfside; Tom Nevers Lodge burned down at the headland of Tom Nevers, and the tri-motored Mayflower plane was a total loss at its field near the fourth milestone.

Maurice Boyer, a well-known photographer, died. A few days later, the insurance and the Pacific National Bank prominent figure, Albert G. Brock, passed away at the age of 76. The dome of the Unitarian Church was re-gilded during the first weeks of September. The Rev. and Mrs. Fred D. Bennett were tendered a farewell party at Ben-

nett Hall, on August 30th.

The times have changed since 1938. The population has increased to three times what it was at that time, and the Old South Road has assumed a well-populated aspect. The automobile traffic has overwhelmed the summer scene and the outlying land has been engulfed by new houses. A return to older times would be welcomed. Edouard A. Stackpole.