During the afternoon session of our reunion, Dr. William P. Clough inquired if our members knew about William Rockwell Clough, who invented the small corkscrews and paper clips that are used today, saying that he possessed one of the original corkscrews. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Clough replied ‘that they were acquainted with Mrs. Clough who lives in Alton, N. H.
The editor was passing through Alton a few weeks later land enjoyed a call upon Mrs. Clough. She resides at “White Lodge,” a two story house with four pillars on the front that stands upon the right side of Route 11 as one arrives in Alton from Alton Bay. This house was built over 120 sears ago and was the home of William Rockwell Clough during the later years of his life. Mrs. Clough sold the property but has a suite of rooms on the second floor where she stays the greater part of the year.
Her son, Colonel William Rockwell Clough, Jr., is now in Washington, D. C., in the military research department at the Pentagon.
Mrs. Clough said that when she closed the factory she was so accustomed to seeing millions of corkscrews that she did not think to keep specimens of the various designs, but her son possesses several of the “left-handed variety.”
Cousin Francis invited Mrs. Clough to attend the reunion and had she not made a previous engagement, she would have accepted the invitation.
Cousin Bernice Rogers occasionally dines at “White Lodge” she tells me and recommends it as a delightful spot for rest and refreshment to all of the Clough Society.