Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-04-27
Local Matters.
That Durkee Again.

on our last weeks article in which this
man came in for mention, that We feel
impeled TO state few facts, which we
think justify our desire to get him of this
road. 1t is not wholly matter of per-
sonalities between Mr.. Durkee and our
self, although we most willingly admit
that there is mutual want of lore be-
tween us, which spices the controversy a
little.
But were he faithful, reliable public
servant in his sphere, our personal dislike
of him would never impel us to mention
him unfavorably.
We have always known by experience
and observation, just what ninety-nine
persons in every hundred who know Dur
kee, will state to-day. If Durkee hap
pens to like you politically and personal
i ", he is well enough-rather an accom-
modating fellow to yon If he happens
to dislike you,--and this is the more like
ly thing to happen of the two--you must
look out for him. He will omit no posi-
Bile opportunity to spite and annoy you.
His tongue seems to have been hung on
swivel, and is almost constantly running.
His valuable opinions of men, measures
and things are constantly obtruded-and
whatever he asserts he always hnolcs.
Persons visiting our county for the first
time, usually have to listen to his opin-
ions of men and things here, whether they
desire it or not. A ride on the box with
him from Waterbury to Hyde Park is a
school of enlightenment better than all
the published Gazetteers, Registers and
authentic Histories extant. Now mod
est, discreet driver, who is at the same
time intelligent and obliging, may be the
means of furnishing to strangers much
needed information, valuable and reliable,
which, drawn out in the course Of his
ride would save him much time and
trouble in his business. Now let us sup
pose a case. We have horse to sell,
and have correspondent with some gentle
man in the city who has concluded, upon
'-I:-~- &c tho hnrsn To on",n
and see the animal He mounts the box
at Waterbury and naturally interrogates
Jehu if he has any knowledge Of Saw
yer's horse Jehu has driven stage not
only from Sandwich to Yarmouth" but
over the Waterbury to Hyde Park route
great many years. and, of course, knows
all about horses IN general, and probably
it would turn out that he knows Savers
horse in particular. His eyes have Pc
ulilr faculty of detecting spavins, wind.
2. lis, &c, on the horses of men he disikes.
Now who will answer for him, that they
believe that under such or similar circum-
stances he would not so prejudice the in.
tended buyer that he would probably ell
Their not come at all, or, if he came,
would be so full of suspicion and distrust
that no trade would ensue? We pause
for the answer from some Of his friends.
On the contrary, if one Of his friends had
\ trade on the tapis, would you not ex-
pect that 'fhe boss" would be endowed
with all excellencies
In short, do not Durkce's strong preiu-
Ices, hatred Of the "nigger" and "nig-
yer-heads," his soured feelings and his dis
position to impose his views upon every
body, make him an unsafe and unreliable
nan for such position =?
The principal driver over the great
horoughfare from Waterbury to Hyde
Park, is emphatically public servant.
md should be man whom Everybody is
Wiling to trust. Have you confidential
clegram to be transmitted from Stowe or
Waterbury-dare you trust it to Durkee,
whose inquisitive disposition prys into ev-
Ask some of our Hyde Park
Again--and here comes up point Of
more than ordinary Interest," question
Of life and death.
1t is really becoming question Of
some Importance to know whether any
private team has the right of way at all
over the road to Waterbury without being
chased down by Durkee's six horse coach.
If person prefers to take private team
from Hyde Park to Waterbury, either
because he dislikes to ride with Durkee,
or for any other good reason, such as that
he desires to return from some train from
which the stage does not run, must he
be chased down by coach and six under
the lash ? Or has nobody in this county
except a stage driver any right which the
Jehus are bound to respect.
Wishing to get our daughter and niece
to the depot at Waterbury last winter,
and not feeling willing to trust them to his
escort, we sent friend with private
team. We gave particular directions how
10 avoid him The team waa 10 lnllow 10