Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-04-05
RUTLAND HERALD.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1866.
Death of senator Foot.

Wednesday morning, and In about an
hour thereafter the sad news reached us
by telegraph. Although dispatches re-
seived just previous to the announce
Rent of his death had in manner pre-
pared his friends here for the event,
yet our entire community was touched
with sorrow that seldom falls more
heavily among any people.
The deceased had by long life OF ar
duous, useful labor, endeared himself,
not only to the people OF Vermont, but
his name had become familiar and hon
Ored by all loyal, intelligent Americans.
As a citizen he had especially endeared
himself to the people of his town and
county, by his urbane manners, his in
telligent generosity to all who needed
assistance, and his attention to all OBJ
ects of local interest, such as the edu-
cational, social and moral Improvements
TO which the best men in all civilized
communities are devoted. He was re-
spected by all classes among and near
whom he lived, and loved by all who
enjoyed his intimate acquaintance. No
man has been more honofed by the
State OF which he was native citizen,
than he for whose death the whole peo-
pie OF Vermont are now sincerely
mourning.
Born, reared, and educated in the State
which he has faithfully and ably served
for large portion of his mature life,
his name and career will go down to
posterity, adjoining the brightest pages
in the history of Vermont.
As member OF our State Legislature,
a member of the National House OF Rep.
rssentatives and Senate, the deceased
has left record of practical statesman
ship, of which both the State and the
country at large may well be proud.
Naturally conservative, his well-educat-
ed and disciplined mind combined with
those perceptive faculties which enabled
him to be good judge of human ma
ture, his public career has been emf
nently practical. The petitions Of the
humblest Of his fellow-citizens received
his prompt attention. Although not
possessed of that breadth of intellect
which has marked some Of our public
men, none perhaps gained wider influ-
ence in the national councils than the
subject of this notice. Always decided
In his expression and maintenance of
opinion on national topics, he always
commanded the respect of his most de-
termined political antagonists. No
member of the National Senate has been
more frequently called on to temporarily
preside over its deliberations than he.
As an evidence of the regard in which
he was held by the public authorities,
we may say that letter was received in
town, yesterday, stating that on Monday
last, although not considered out of
danger, his physicians entertained hopes
of his recovery, and that Secretary Stan
ton rendered to Mrs. Foot a government
car to convey him to his home.
The chief points in the life of Mr..
Foot may be thus briefly stated He
was born in Cornwall, Addison County,
Vermont, November 49, 1909. His faith
er, DR.. Solomon Foot, removed to West
Rutland in 1904; and by his decease in
1871, left young Foot at the tender age
of nine years, to the care of kind and
judicious mother. He graduated at
Middlebury College in 1926, and imme-
diately became the principal teacher in
the Castleton Academy. After years
service at Castleton, he became tutor in
the University at Burlington, in which
capacity he served one year. He then
returned to Castleton, where he again
became principal OF the academy and
labored assiduously in re-establishing
the institution on more solid founda-
tions. While engaged as teacher in
Castleton, he pursued his legal studies
until 1881, when he resigned. He was
admitted TO the Bar in that year, locat-
ing himself at Rutland for the practice
OF his profession. In 1888, he was ell
eeted to represent this town in the State
Legislature, and was reelected to this
Office in '36, '87, '3s and AZ, being elected
Speaker of the House for the three last
years of his service as member. As
early as 1882, he actively participated
In political meetings at Montpelier and
elsewhere, and was earnest inlhis endea-
vors, that year, to secure the election of
Henry Clay to the Presidency. The ad-
dress which was then drawn up was an
eloquent appeal to the freemen of YER
mont in behalf Of the great Kentucky
statesman, and was from Mr.. Foot's
pen. He also drew up memorial and
resolutions at large meeting held in
Rutland, in 1884, for the purpose Of
considering the arrangement of the cur
rency then prevailing.
Mr.. Foot was States Attorney for
Rutland County from 1886 to 1912, and
in the last named year was chosen Rep
10, uaryipr In no