Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-02-12
For the Journal.
RANDOLPH

Mr.. EDIToR,-ln your paper of last week
/ noticed statement las supposed Editor.
al that Randolph is one of the very best
towns in the State As was born, brought
up, educated and hope TO die in that town
your remark led me to querying in what re-
spects your statement is true and perhaps
some others less acquainted with the place
have similar querieS.
After having lived about ten years in two
OF the best localities "out West, in the mod
ern garden of Eden,' and " travelled" in
all the states as far south as old Kentuck,
often stopping from two days to four week'
prospecting," | have my own views as &c
what constitutes the best towns" which
will briefly mention, and then see whether
they are applicable to this town, so as to con.
firm your remark.
In the FIRST place good soil is essential
as agriculture is the prImeval state of man
and is the foundation Of all other empoyments
Next, good location aud surface, for health
exchange and intercommuncation good and
abundant water for man and beast. and " wa
ter privileges" for numbering, gristmill and
other uses clay and sand for brick hard and
soft timber, for fences, buildings and fuel
grist and saw mills carpenter, cabinet, car
rage, blacksmith, shoe maker, tin, watch
maker, iron-foundry, basket-maker, agricultu-
raj implement, tailor, dress-maker and milli-
ner shops convenient to all parts of the town
brick kiln, grocery, dry goods crockery, hard
ware, apothecsry. shoe and clio thing stores
mo liquor stores needed hotels, stages,
railroad, stationhouse, freight depot, post and
telegraph Offices, and competent persons to
manage them all ministers, teachers, physi-
clans, lawyers, and photographers: good far
mers and their wives, with good houses, barns,
stock, varieties Of seed, and farm implements
good meeting houses, academies and school
houses and last but not east--good man
ners among the inhabitants, based upon good
morals. founded on good religion, upheld by
good government, and all overruled by a
good God.
Now the town that has these and other like
desirable qualities in the greatest degree and
best combination, is the a." best town" in my
view: of which it may be said " blessed be
the people that are in such case
All through the central and elevated part
of this town. the soil is naturally equal TO the
Eden soil" of the West, and is remarkably
deep. In all cases where have known the
trial, the earth taken from four to ten feet be-
low the surface, in digging for cisterns, wells,
&C., being spread around and cultivated, pro-
duces larger crops even than the present top
soil, and both are of dark color and loamy
character, but little affected by wet or drouth,
and exceedingly we'll adapted to mi1sd has
bdndury, every kind of vegetable and animal
product, adapted to this atitude) being rails
ed here.
The climate is also good, the central part
of the town especially, being less subject to
the extremes of heat and cold than the vallies
the thermometer rarely indicating hotter than
IS or colder than 5 o below zero.
The surface of the soil is undulating-hills
not so steep as in most regions, and while
the central part is elevated some 800 feet
above the east and west valles, tits quite Level
northward, and superior roads ell over the
town.
All the institutions, &C.. before enumerated
are suitably distributed in OF between the
| four villages there being three churches a.
West Randolph, three at Randolph, and two
at East Randolph two Incorporated Acade
mics in the town--that at West Randolph
| (more local in its character), is doing goot
work, under competent teachers, and was in
stituted about l852--that at Randol ph wac
instituted in 1906, and has been in constant
and useful operation ever since Many IN the
learned professions, A. MS, NJ. D's., ID. D's
and NJ. C's., and all honorable occupations IL
this and foreign lands of both sexes, delight
to honor Randolph academy" as their
alma Mater" While its present efficiency
compares well with former days, and due at.
ttenton is paid to those fitting for college
an increased attention is devoted to making
teachers, superior common schools being a
very important stepping-stone to eminenee in
any profession or occupation.
There is also Teachers Association, fol-
the discussion Of common school interests