The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-11-03
Gathered Facts and Surmiscs sf ths
Death Of j. h. HOit.


some con njectures in regard to the death Of
j. B. Holt. Esq. which was noticed in Tile
Cdiedonidn several weeks since. We copy
all Of interest to the public:
One or two circumstances will show con-
clusivcIy, not only that Holt was an expert
swimmer, but very vertursome man. On
one occasion, having got upset in the lake,
he righted his boat. and swan ten different
times. and picked up ten different articles,
and placed them in his boat-under the
Ordinary men would have been content to
escape with their lives.
On another occasion, a favorte dog by
mishap got through hole cut in The ice.
when Holt plunged in and rescued him. Few
men are so ignorant as not TO know that this
was fearful peril. lie could comcpletcly
unire>s in any depth of water. taking oft
| .t perfectly secure anywhere in Masog
Lake.
On the eventful day of his death, Septem-
brr l>t. he crossed in a light skiii TO Mr..
Monror'>. distance Of about six miles, for
some stores. Before starting. he as usual,
handed his '"oncv 10 his wife (l notice
This as it has been rumore1 that he had a
large quantity of money on his person. and
fears were entertained in consequence of
foul play At Monroc's among other arti
cles. he GOT two sacks Of sugar and tub OF
. lard. The lard WAS placed in thc stern of
,he boat. and served Tor seat His rifle
was placed in the bow. and in such a position
as to fall out in case the boa: upset. Thess
dispositions were noticed bv Mr.. Monroe
who last SAW him ahout half mile from Lam
on lis homcward Journey.
Ilr was seen but once afterwards: hv Mrs
Baker of Newport. who saw him a little be-
tore dark. perhaps sonnet hat more than half
way home. His sail was set and the winp
blowing violently. Soon after a smart show
tr, AMI an increase of wind ard darkness
Beyond all is surn,isr.
OF the many con ertures of wla. might OF
NIGH: not have been. ! will ONLY give the the
orv generally credited in intelligent circles
The hills on IN. west side Of the Lake ar,
abrupt, steep and hich The wind is pass
ing over them of course strike. water at
'lisfanc" from shore. so that in the most vo
! lcIt storm. there is LARGE sheet on II p west
err shore comparatively still :houch hv Z
whirl in the wind a slight breeze is crra.ct
setting toward the ives, landing. Ii is sup
passed lhat it was near this dividing line of
east and Yves, wir,s that he was up>et-tha
his rill,' fell ONT and immcdi .tciv snnk-,ha
Il" ri .h'rI his boat and put in the mas. thai
hr pushed his boat into the still water, I,.;r.
be- had 'houyht OF his f,ilin" strength viii,
hrroiralIv endravoring tn save his scattered
freight. How incorrect this NAV really be
we may probably never know hnt in no 9th
cr way can we account for the fact. that hi.
boat was found on the west shore, while hi.
oars, and other articles were picked up on III,
eaS: shore
Aiow mo. Mr. Editor. TO saw a word Of
the lone one left Through almost supcrhn
man efforts. Mr. Holt had at last succccdc,
in establishing nice house. thoroughly fin
isncd, and well managed Mrs Holt is now
cndcavorinC in the excitement of hu>ncsS
to find some relief io- her sorrow o. tn,
depth of that grief. She is often missed, ard
as often found sitting on the rocks lock ING
over the water. and calling the name of tn,
dear departed
"'ri"t ti,l> III" "m of my absent ono
Les in his bee, walks up and down with mo :;
Puts on his pretty looks. repeats his words,
Remembers me OF all ili> gracious parts,
Stutt- on his V;ira u .rIrm'll's with his form