We again take up the subject of
Medford myths, repeating a member's statement, that ‘thus a whole lot of fable is taught as history.’
We recall also, that some one has spoken of the ‘
lies of record.’
Disclaiming that ‘short and ugly word,’ we will say the one in question is the
mistake of a contemporary.
Sounds better, doesn't it?
In a very readable and interesting book, published by the town of
Arlington (1907) on the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of old
Menotomy as
West Cambridge, there is a two-page article on
Menotomy hall, a brick structure which during its entire history was occupied in its first story as a bakery, and its ovens in use even after the demolition of the building had begun.
The second contained a hall, used by the
Odd Fellows, Masons and other societies, fraternal, religious and otherwise; and called by the old and pleasant sounding name,
Menotomy.
After telling of its use by the
Congregational and Universalist churches, the account gives an added touch of romance, thus:
There the successful Methodist Church of West Medford was organized and held meetings for several years.
We have wondered not a little how this statement appears to
Arlington people, or to careful readers of history
[p. 44] generally.
Why, and especially when there was no public conveyance, should
Medford people go
out of town two miles, leaving their own village, to establish a church and maintain for ‘several years’ public worship?
We answer,
They did not, and this statement is a
mythical mistake of its writer, who is still unconvinced of its fallacy, reiterating the same when attention was called thereto.
One of the committee of publication admits the misstatement, but asks, ‘What are you going to do about it?’
In reply we say, we cannot expurgate or obliterate the fallacious statement from the entire edition of the book, but state in contradiction of it, that the church in question has its birth certificate in the form of authentic records, written at the identical place of its organization, containing the names of the attending parties,
none of whom were of
Arlington, much less in
Menotomy hall on that occasion.
This occurred in a dwelling, now 83 Sharon street, West Medford, on the evening of April 1, 1872.
1
Of those present on that occasion, but two are today living, and their testimony accords with the above preceding lines.
The
mythical mistake (and we have no thought of its being intentional) could not, nor cannot be verified by record.
The otherwise (so far as we know) excellent history, entitled, ‘
Arlington, Past and Present,’ published 1907, donated to the
Medford Library by
Mrs. Carolin Lawrence in 1912, had not been taken out till within a year (as appears from the slip inserted), when it came to our notice.
Possibly none other has since then.
If so, the register is giving the
Menotomy mythical mistake more publicity, but along with it this refutation.
‘
Hic fabula docet,’ that ‘if we are to be historical, let us tell the truth.’
[p. 45] 
