Ice, Ames & Interiors

[augusta]

Thank you, Bill Goncalo, for your article on harvesting ice in The Hatchet (Volume 4, #3). I've always wanted to learn about ice in the olden days, but it was especially interesting hearing of the practice in Fall River. The photos were great! I found the entire article fascinating. I am not a mechanical person by any means, and I was able to understand everything you wrote (I think ... ). The process was interesting, and the other things you included (the 'ice feud', fires, sanitation...) made it all the better. I wonder why Ice Bill chose to sell out the very year he died ... Gee, he was like 90. I'm somewhat surprised that he waited that long.

Ames Borden's photo album was entertaining and sad to know he died so young, and to see the photo of his empty bed at the end. It probably is that. If they took photos of the deceased in that century, a bed is a mild remembrance compared to the dead person. I have to say he was a cute fellow who looks like he enjoyed a good time and a good laugh. That makes it all the sadder, tho, too.

The "Interlachen Interiors" was great! What a gorgeous, gorgeous place. It was neat to see the different stuff in the house. Did y'all catch the stuffed bird? The one mantel with all those photos crowded on it. Now that's Victorian! How could someone tear such a jewel down??? Thanks to Stef for publishing such interesting material. And thanks to the FRHS for supplying the photos.

[mbhenty]

Yes Augusta:

Looking through and actually holding Ames photo Album in my hand gave me an eerie sense of meloncholy; and when I came to the picture of his bed and pillow true sadness.

There were many other photos in the album that were not published, photos of children with their friends, the dog, doing what children do, playing, climbing, horse play. All very real at one time, all so long ago, all just yeasterday.

Walking his Island home I can envision how fortunate Ames really was, how much---------much that many at that time never had, especially the many Irish, French and Potuguese immigrants who supplied them with all the riches you observed in the photos of the big house at interlachen.

[augusta]

mb: Okay, what is "yeasterday"? Is that the day you bake? That'd be a good line for Bridget. "When did you bake this bread, servant girl?" "Um, 'twas yeasterday."

It's interesting to know there were other photos to Ames' album. I think you picked the right ones to put in The Hatchet. They are all good.

I hadn't thought of a person holding it and looking thru the album in person. Yes, that one of the bed and pillow invokes emotions, that's for sure. But to see it in person ...

What color was the album? I'm picturing one of those old velvet-covered albums. Burgundy? Brown?

[Kat]

That picture of the empty bed just about broke my heart.

That section on the trek to Interlachen, then its history, and then the ice houses was really really good!