Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-05-11
3f!igrrllNnPOug.
OLDEN TIMEs.---No. 2.

SEVENTY YEARS IN THE WIN
OOSkl VALLEY

OOSkl VALLEY"
Ma Enron. = Nv las, communication
ended with farewell TO the old Winooski
Turnpike. TINS shall commence with an
early notice of the RAILROAD enterprise in Vt
Some thirty years since, about The time sur
vey was made in this state for canal 10
connect Coancciicu, River with Lake Cham
plain, a miniature debating club existed n
IN ng the clerks aud apprentices, and other
Young men Of Montpelier The subject of
debate, one evening, was the Canal question.
Daring The progress of the debate, pro and
con- a young clerk 10 one Of your then
stores rose and opposed the construction OF
canal. as cNmsricsl and absurd, observing
that lbs movements would be too slow and
suggsh-ani more inn hat, IL accomplish
cd. 40 an expense ten times as great per mile
a. the " Big Ditch" of Gov. Clinton in tie
great state of New York 10 the cold re-
gion of Vermont il would be tongue tied
aud leg bound more than Ellf the year. lie
then proceeded, with good deal Of ingenu-
It's aud tact 10 advocate the construction Of
q raifosd. from Ogdsnsburgh TO Boston, and
predicted, what has really come TO pass that
the citizens OF the capital Of Vermont might
breakfast al home and sup ia Boston on the
40 favor II was inwardly, though not ouen-
~, booted at as chimeTa Of the frantic
brain Of young coun'er.Junper from the
city Of notions be having failed IN busi
ness ms voung merchant IN Boston, and not
feeling above his business came TO Vermont
10 retrive his fortune, and having no capital.
but common sense aud inIomliaole energy
OF character, wisely resolved 20 commence
country life a. humble, tho ialthinl clerk
IN country Nhidge Store %" iI"h not
aud debated amt adjourned from week TO
weeS, the advocates OF canal siiehing 10
Their text and the young bos'ohiah' a.
the Indians aenominate an anSees' eiu"g
10 his PROJECT OF ranfoad w'ih more and
more ,enacits, WIN increased zeal and morc
eloquence' graduai'yi u'uTh Slowly gaming
friends and udvocates OF ms N"d Prcleo', as
It was termed oy minority OF Inc 'iuo'-
The debate went on Tor weeks, % not for
months, Until me PROJECT OF railroad not
only became tavorite one among the ma-
Jorliy Of the memhers OF tais little debating
society, bot the villagers themselves became
alive 10 the question Al length commit
tee Of three was appointed, composed OF TIE
counierlumpeF from Boston a gentleman
now IN hls grave, and third siili AUng "a
Ntt+'Nf
io'. stil smons you. taxing notes,
And ii lou please yeu'a riat 'eu..
The repor. of the committee was unanim
oasly ia favor of the project OF railroad
CONNECTING the waters OF the East and the
West. through Vermont and New hamp
shirr To Bostou II was adopted By The Club
and thus ended. for the time beinl. the first
infant enterprise Of a railroad m Vermont
fl slumbereJ on the records of the iuvenile
club ia your own VILLAGE for a series OF years
until tie late and lanented Governor Charlie.
Paine. revived IL. and bv ms avn enterprise
and the aid Of others. the great work IS &C.
complisned. Ffhv wears ago. 1t required
from ten 10 twelve DAYS for Montpelier
merchant IN 90 10 Rosion. make his purchases
and return ho,ne--now he can 90 IN one day
nndif he n,eases return the nevi Thenb,,
team wouid he nasept three weeks. and lhe
exnense of fre,obt each way two dollars pel
hundred Now he can purchase his good.
IN one day and Mace a portion of lSem npar
his shelves the next. Then the merchant
made his customers. the farmers. pay tribute
on what thew bought and on what they Sold
Now the scene Is reversed. The merchant.
nav tribuie 10 the farmers. and the farmers
in view of the mast take tribute with a ven.
qeanee. F,Gy wears 100 wheat. in Vermont
sold for one dolar-now IL sells for two
ffiy"-then potatoes were worth from ten l.
twelve canta nor hnshel NOW thoy sell frnu