Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-05-18
In MeniOrian.
WILLIAM f. BARNES, ESQ.

Among the many older residents of this COM
murity who have passed forever from our pres
ence during the past year, none have left nobler
life record than William F. Barnes, Esq, whose
melancholy and untimely death ha- been noticed
through the columns of the local press.
Many of the older pioneers Of this section tes-
tify with sincere admiration to his great worth,
and love to call him by title he has noby earned,
"the father Of the esrly improvement and present
prosperity of West Rutland"
Pleasing rem: 1iscences Of his life and peculiar
characteristics are now related by many whose
memories are fresh in events of the past. Bis
parents emil rating 10 the West during his boy
hood, NJ. Barnes remained behind, declioirs
re olutey to accompany them. The labors and
sp,culations Of his younger days were confined en-
tirey, then, to t',is section, and exhibited that
wonderful energy, tact, and endurance which
have made him remark able through fe.
He followed variou: Industrial pursuits relative
to the ope- ne and Improvement OF this neighbor-
hood until the discovery and purchase by bin OF
the querIy nd swamp lands adjoining. In con-
ncction with the marble intere-t which was
ia ted by Mr.. Barnes, he common Cd the her
culean labor of reclajming the almost impene'ra-
BILE swamp land hereat outs, which now pre- ents
the appearance of well-cultivated fields.
The bui, Dig of Depot Block, the Barnes House,
etc., VI on s.tos elevated ncny fee. above the
original level by ca. ..lg So, rem the swamp,
near by were conceptions end perfol nances OF
this eneI ,etic worker.
The history of rs life lsbors, piratioas, end
ais, re 1rled by competent hands, world be
h, hly useful r1d interesting. As model Of
noble, rnassuming philanthropy, he stood unri-
va Cd. He WIS, indeed, one of na.ure's noble
men-ea self made man, one. over who ashes
shor d be rtten, that beaut full sentiment tx
pressed by a depcr ting benefactor Of his race,
"write me as one who kOUed his fellow men,"
Fortunes have been accumulated and speat
upon the fed of his early tolls and aspirations,
vet it c-nnot be said that he acquired wealth; ;
reveIses i'll. gal sdj lstments, and unfair deal ng,
all incident to fe were harsh exp iences OF his
existence, aid effec his later life aid rtune.
MI Ba es was friend, indeed, to the deseIv
iny pcor, and he suited his life action, more to
their smp'e wants and i1teres than 10 the sell
fish requirement of wealth, of public fame, or
poprlal ty. We ca not wonder, then, that his
loss g X emily felt by thousands who live to eulo
gze and bles the name OF the'r best bene. ctor.
A little incidel i rea ed of him which illus
tratc3 he generous impulses of his nature. A
1. lend, noticing the slow and uncertain move
ment of some aged wnrkmen, EXPIRE sed his sur
prise that such men were given employment, con-
eideripgt cir inf atty and the sma" amount OF
La, or they could perform. rs answer was char
at sic. sThc-e men, said he, shave grow n
old in my employment; 1 cannot deprive them,
now, Of the mea g whereby 70 exist"
Men N al station in / te are actuated more or
less by se'fi .hnes-. Few forgetting self-inter
and emo ument dc end in the lower ve'ks Of
creation to search out the good they may do
through their higher powers and more ample
means. Mr.. BsrreJ in rs lfe-lons relation with
the I.lsh lab orer here, VI deservedly respected
and popular, d had become, rs it wers, the
champion of their ..ghts. Fl
death y indeed public calamity, c1d the poor
and INDECENT of this community will long feel the
loss Of their common friend and benefactor.
1t was the Intention of Br. Barnes TO ret.re
i-om active brsin, next year ''throw eff the
hal ness of urgent duty" he expressed it, and
enjoy needed repose. He was ely temperate
and admirably regu'a- in a" h. habits. Al
adept at inning as well as quar- ing, the Ell g
ing evidence of his sk'l at the former rsuit was
only equeled by his well known efficiency at The
latter. He was wonderfully active and fond of
abor The writer, passing his pr mixes one c'y
spring mol ning, ere the sun had risen, was SUI
pri d to see the old man busily occupied in
build ng stone fence, and unaided by any enc,
fitting huge stones into their places.
M. Barne-, at bis death, though advanced in
years, was still very active and vigorous, working
with hand nd bra'a and ex.end-
ing his span of ucefuness far beyond the usual
course Of menk'nd.
But he died, as he lived, toil'ng for the benefit
Of his neighbor, leaving life record few men cen
boost, and q lasting monument in the beautiful
ields and business prosperity of his adopted
home. EXCELSIOR.