Introduction

Our serialized story will start with some background information on Andover in 1900.  Some of the themes we’ll explore will include:

Leisure Time
The concept of “leisure time” was still fairly new in 1900.  Leisure time for the working classes is a product of the industrial revolution.  We’ll explore how people spent this kind of time.

Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
One of our protagonists was a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, an African American fraternal organization that was established in 1843.  We’ll discuss fraternal organizations and the different orders of Odd Fellows in England and the United States.

G.U.O.O.F. Members from Ohio showing typical uniforms

Railroads
The growth of railroads from Boston and within and between towns was also still new in 1900.  The train brought our story’s antagonists to the Shawsheen Grove in Ballardvale in August of 1900.   We’ll look into why and how Ballardvale became a destination and how our players came to be in Andover.

Example of a Boston & Main train circa 1900 from the Fitchburg line

Introduction, continued

Law Enforcement
Fans of the myriad of Crime Scene Investigation television shows will be interested in the differences between evidence handling in 1900 and today.  We’ll take the opportunity to explore not only our C.S.I. predecessors, but look into the history of Andover’s Police Department.

The Pole Hill Murder
The murder changed Ballardvale and how that section of the river was used for recreation.  We’ll meet our protagonists and find out what brought them to Ballardvale, the events leading up to the murder, and tell the story of the murder.

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Photo by Erik Ralston

Season Finale
As with any good crime story, we hope to leave you with something to think about at the end.

Members of the 1896 Police Force during the Andover 250^th Celebration

Canoeing in Ballardvale

To be continued, next edition, July 19, 2008