davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12


Showed in, the wind blowing gale,
the roads blocked up and impossible from
Saturday till Tuesday, while enjoying the
hospitality of one of the substantial families
of this region, one has time for reading, re-
flectin and discussing the topics of the
times. Prominent among these topics just
now, is the West River railroad. The
Wardsboro people need the road. They
are twenty miles from market too far to go
and back the same day with loaded teams,
too far to draw wood and lumber, too far
from the depot to take the morning train
when the wish TO go away on the ears. The
farms are diminishing in value, because
the men who have the means of purchasing
a good farm will not locate so far from
market. When the steam whistle shall
begin to resound along the West River val
ley, Wardsboro will very soon realize the
advantages of being brought nearer the
rest of the world. Grain. potatoes, and all
farm produce can be taken TO the station in
with the greatest ease, either with oxen or
horses. Farmers will then be able to do
their own marketing, instead of hiring it
done as many are obliged to do now. One
man says that the railroad, two years ago,
would have saved him 500 expense on his
potatoes alone. The value of real estate
will be increased good farm for sale will
not remain long without purchaser
People can then leave home by stage in
the morning and be in Boston in season for
dinner, and when they return they will
not be obliged to travel late into the night.
These are only few of the benefits which
the railroad will confer upon the town.
When the people come TO look at these
facts fairly and canddly, think they will
see that it is for their interest, as a to Sn, TO
assist in building the road. If Brattleboro
will set the example, and do liberal thing
in behalf Of the enterprise, have no doubt
the other towns along the valley will lend
helping hand. AS Brattleboro is likely
to receive new impulse in her career of
| advancement, and very decided benefits
from the opening of new route to Boston
from the West, it becomes the people of
that town, we think, to take the lead. II
they will do this, and show themselves in
earnest in the matter, l think we of the
smaller towns will not refuse TO do our
part. One other thing is needed in
Wardsboro, and that is union OF effort in
the support of preaching. With two good
Congregational houses of worship, and peo-
pie enough 10 furnish good congregation
in each, the only thing necessary to the
regular preaching of the gospel, is to pull
up the old roots of bitterness, lay aside old
prejudices, and unite their forces in the
| n m n bat inn
is not far distant when the people of both
the North and the South parishes will see
the reasonableness ofthis plan, and be pre-
pared TO act in way that shall be for the
best interests of all concerned, and the adj
vancement of the cause of morality aud re-
| ligion in the community. A. q.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

ties, and more or less remote from railroad
transportation especially the lumber and
marble interests the latter being practical
ly inexhaustible, will receive new impo-
tus, and thousands of dollars will BIO added
yearly to the value of these productions.
Cheap transportation has the practical Of
feet of bringing our markets to our own
doors, and the NOR railroads and the
more competition the cheaper will be the
freights.
This road If built, will give us n short
limo TO Lake Champlain and the canals and
the line Of the Delaware & Hudson Canal
Co., to the west and south, and with the
Vermont & Massachusetts and Connecticut
River roads TO the east aud south. We
hope our people OH the line of the road
will put their shoulders to the wheel with
a will, and not let the golden opportunity
pass Manchester journal.
1.-THE Journal is a little "prematuron as
regards Brattleboro, but we think our town
may be relied upon to "come down hand
somely" when the question is brought be-
fore it,.-ED.l
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

One of our merchants was saluted a
few evenings since by a drunken and ap-
parently destitute freshman, who entered
tho store and presented valuable looking
watch he desired to leave in pawn. After
some conversation, tho merchant, caring
nothing for the watch, offered to advance
sum equal TO about a quarter of its appar-
ent value, which the Irishman thankfully
accepted. A subsequent examination prov
ed the watch to be worthless. The suffer-
ing son of Erin is now known to have
played the same game on other individuals
here, in one case receiving as much as $50
for his worthless trash. Isn't there some
way for the law to get hold of such rascals?
The play of the drummer Boy" on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday eve
nings, under the auspices of Co. G., V. ".
NJ, was presented in a very creditable man.
ner. The principal parts were well
sustained. Master Miller as the Drummer
Boy, s. j. Muscroft as Mart Howard, and
f.. +. Doane as Frank Rutledge, were wor-
thy of special praise. Tie tableaux we
have never seen surpassed. But for the
unfavorableness Of the season and the SUI
perabundant supply Of entertainments dur
ing the last few months, the presentation
would have proved a handsome financial
success. AS it is, we arc glad TO learn that
the proceeds Will more than cover all ex-
penses.
Mr.. Frank Bradford, son of one of
the principal manufacturers of Benning-
ton, has for some time past devoted him
gatf 10. 1. 90. - II.
rs rocitationist, has achieved no little To-
cal celebrity. A few evenings since we
had the pleas ure of listening to ono of his
private entertainments, and can truly say
that wo have rarely heard his equal in that
peculiar and difficult field of culture. His
rendering of Trowbridges "Vagabonds"
and Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brig
AIDE" were superb. In Shakespeare he mani
tested a thorough familiarity and apprecia-
ton, combined with rare powers of express
sion. The discipline of actual experience
on the stage is apparently all that is need
ed to win for Mr.. Bradford both fame and
fortune. We hope 1t will some day be our
good fortune to hear him recite before a
popular audience.
The following is the list of letters re-
naming at the post-oflice in this village, on
Thursday, April IL, 1872:
Gents.-Charlie Bradley, Chas. II. Bar
rett, Chas. X. Dinling, Henry Dunklee, G..
c. Davis, Patrick Gibbin, Vernon Kirk, 2,
Col. 7. d. NJ. Locke, II. II. Morse, Jas
McGillie, John C. Morse, Jas. Monson,
Reuben NJ. Nickerson, +. N. Perry, Sey-
mour Phillips, 2, George f. Stockwell, n.
II. Spencer, d. w. Temple, S. S. velas, L.
Walsh.
La dies.-Miss w. Brown, Mrs. A. J.
Clark, Mrs. Oriete Cutler, Mrs. Mary f.
Edwards, Mrs. J. p. Fisher, Mrs. Mary
Follansbee, Miss Abbie j. Heselton, Miss
Abbie NJ. Perry, Mrs. Seymour Phillips
| Mrs. s. NJ. Streeter.
Packages. X. NJ. Boyce, Miss c.
| b. Rowel.
Held for postage.-Winslow +. Nash, 10.
Milk street, Boston, Mass.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12
DEATH OF n PEO.YRER,

Died ut Ellisburg, Jefferson County. n.
V, Dec. II, 1871, Ezra Stcarns, in the
ninety-second year Of Lis age. This death
was published in the PHTNIx soon after il
occurred. We gather the following mar
ticulars from a more extended obituary
notice in the Weekly Rcformer, n paper
published at Watertown, n. Y. Ezra
Stearns was born in Paxton, Mass, July
20, 1880. He moved from his native town
to Brattleboro, VT, but at what time. We
are not-in ormed. In October 1907 he
married Miss Polly Frasicr Of Brattle-
boro and in the spring of 1904 on foot,
with pack on his back, he went to the
town of Ellisburg, n. Y, near the eastern
extremity Of Lake ontario. There he pur-
chased a farm, made a small clearing,
planted crop of corn, remained one year,
and then returned to Brattlcboro for his
family.
With his wife and two children, two fc-
male friends, and his worldly effects, on
an OK sled, he made the journey in twenty
one days finding the way from the town
of Rome TO that of Ellisburg, It distance of
more than fifty miles, by tine help of
marked trees.
Mr.. S. served his country during the war
of 1912, was several times elected to the
Office of Supervisor of the town, and held
the office of Town Clerk for thirteen years.
His favorte diet was mush and milk and
yet, he was never sick, and lived 10 be
nearly ninety-two years old The subject
OF our sketch was the oldest of a family Ol
twelve children, seven of whom it is sup
posed, are now living, the youngest being
20 years of age.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12
THE y.ICB PRRsIDR.cCY..

The washington corresnondert of ,ho
Boston Globe. concerning tho candidates
for the Republican omination for the Vice
Presidency, discuurseth as follows:
SO far as the Republican nominees are
concerned the first ballot at Philadelphia
seems to be filled. If general consent is
anything of an organizer, then it must be
conceded that Gen. Grant has already OBJ
tanned renewal of his White House lease.
As for the second place, there arc certainly
not more than two or three persons who
have reasonable chances of competing with
the present incumbent. BY the way, 1t has
been rather uncommon in our later polit-
ical history to bestow second nomination
for the second National ONCE, and quite as
much so to elect one VINO mas hiled II, TO
the hrst place. ms Is reversal OF our
earlier traditions 1ohh ADAMS served TWO
terms as wee fresideht ana one as fresl-
ueh'' "ni'o 'o"o' 'o' 'oi 'o' "''o III '''u ~
mer and two in the latter position. Then
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12
WEST HIV.BR R.TIERO.sD.

We have taken considerable pains to find
out what has actually been done and what
is expected to be done in the interest of
the West River road, and lay the result be-
fore our readers.
The citizens of Brattleboro have sub
scribed Sl0O, 600, Newiane Is bonded to the
amount of eight times the grand list which,
wi tn private subscriptions, amounts to S65,-
600; Townshend has voted to bond the
town to the amount of eight times the
grand list, and private subscriptions will
swell the amount to nearly 100000; Jamai-
ca IL bonded to the full amount the law al
lows, which with subscriptions amounts
to 100000 II is thought the balance can be
easily raised, so that the West River road
can be put under contract carly in the
spring.
In regard to the Manchester and Jamaica
and the Battenkill and Pawlet rivers rail-
roads, which form but part Of the same
line from Brattleboro to Whitehall, matters
have not progressed so far, the initiatory
steps not yet having been taken. We learn,
however, that the necessary papers will be
forthcoming, and people who are in favor
OF pushing lne tHttipIlSt W SucccSslul
termination will have an opportunity TO
subscribe in few days.
The amount of subscriptions necessary
to organize the former company is 100000,
and the latter, $4,000. We see by n letter
from S. NJ, Waite, Esq. president of the
West River road that the members OF that
corporation are anxious that these organi-
cations be perfected as soon as possible, in.
order that there may be parties TO contract
with, for they are determined that the road
shall go through to Whitehall and not stop
at Jamaica. Whitehall has voted $3.50 to-
wards IA preliminary survey of the road
from Manchester to Jamaica, the only diff
iicult portion Of the route, and we have no
doubt that the necessary amount for organ
izing will be subscribed ms soon ms thereq-
usite steps are taken.
II is needless for MS TO attempt to show
the advantages this road will bring to the
towns through which il passes. Most Of
them are now deprived of railroad faclii-
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12
The course of the New York Tribune in

The course of the New York Tribune in
the coming Presidential campaign is thus
set forth in Wednesdays .ssue
"First-If there shall be democratic can
ddates for president and vice president in
the field, we purpose to support that re-
publican ties ct which seems most likely
to succeed. Second-If the main issue in
the canvass shall be protection against free
trade, we shall (uo matter as to caudidatcs)
be found on the side of protection. But If
las we hope and expect there shall be two
republican tickets, and none other presen-
ted with any hope of success, we shall
favor that one whose election Will be in
our Judgment most likely to promote
economy In public expenditure, purity IN
legislation and administration, substantial
unanimity In upholding for all citizens
complete equality of rights under the law,
and hasten the return OF fraternal concord
and mutual goodwill between those who
were arrayed against each other in SAN
culinary strife throughout our great civil
war. Such Ii our position and II will not
be affected by the nomination of A, or II,
C, or ID, at Cincinnati, Philadelphia or
elsewhere"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

On Saturday evening last, Right Wor-
shipful District Deputy Grand Master So
lon a. Carter of Keene visited Golden Rule
Lodge No. II, +. & A. NJ, to examine its
condition. His report was very much in
its favor. Its financial condition was es-
pecially commended. For the time the
lodge has existed, only six years, he
thought no other in the State had equaled
it in this particular. The Right Worship
full District Deputy Grand Lecturer
Thomas w. Saben of Hinsdale, was also
present 10 inspect the work of the lodge,
which was excellent. At the close of this
special convocation of the lodge, all present
repaired to another hall where suitable re-
ireshments were served. After the repast,
time was devoted to social entertainment,
the District Deputy Grand Lecturer Pre-
siding. The District Deputy Grand Mas
ter s. A. Carter; Past District Deputy
Grand Master Edward Cuisine; Past Mas
tea futile; the venerable DR.. j. Kitredge,
Mr.. Ayres, Chaplain of Social Friends
lodge, all of Keene; Past Master Scott of
Winchester and DIR. o. J. Martin of Hins-
dale, responded TO calls for speeches, and
the pleasant intercourse of the occasion
las ted until the distinguished visitors pre-
sent were called by the approaching train
to leave for their homes.
On Wednesday evening of last week
party of ladies and gentlemen assembled
by invitation at the house of Mr.. Levi G.
Rugg, were the victims 81 surprise.
While matters were passing to the satisfac-
ton of those assembled, Warren S. Bar
rows, Esq, suddenly appeared in their
midst, equipped according to the statutes
of the state, but without malice prepense,
and proceeded to substract one from the
number present agreeably to the law of
co mpensation, by esquiring two,-Mr
Azaph Norcross Of Baldwinsville, Mass,
and Mrs. Mary a. Willard of Hinsdale.
After recovering from their surprise, many
of the sixty witnesses of the event We'd
with each other in saluting tho blooming
bride, and then partook of n splendid BAN
quet, when your correspondent left.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

The Springfield Republican pays the fol-
owing just tribute to Hon. c. w. Willard
of this State. As public officer, we be-
lieve Vermont has none more faithful or
upright; and we sincerely hope that no
complications may arise which shall pre-
vent his continuance as Representative in
Washington:
at is improbable that Congressman Will
lard will be rotated out of his seat without
a contest. He is the most active member
from the State in the House, and in many
respects the ablest, and the State can lily
afford 10 throw away his experience to sat
isfy the Impotence of other seekers for the
Office. The very fact of his indie .lendonce
and devotion To public interests will not
allow his attention to be attracted by the
petty jobbery Of concliatng local cliques
makes him doubly valuable to the people
OF the state and the country at large"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12
sT.sTR POLITICS.-sPIR Or
TIE PRESS.
From the Rutland Herald:

FROM tne kutlanu Herald:
The canvass relative to the nomination
of a candidate for our next Governor, has
been going on for several months in one
form or another until perhaps the current
of public opinion is settled. A few weeks
since we published short communication
sent us from Woodstock, where the writer
vol unteered a prediction relative TO our
next Governor and expressed marked
preference for Hon. Julius Converse. 1t is
our custom to publish such communca-
tons as they reach us, allowing free ex-
preston of opinion, but do not hold our
selves responsible for the sentiments of o.
pinion therein expressed.
The publication of the article referred To
has called out, from a majority of the lead
ing Republican papers OF the State, their
views on the subject of the next Governor.
The general current of the articles is very
similar throughout, expressing great conf
dence and friendship for the present in
cumbent-a desire for his denomination If
he wishes II and the generous profier of
their cordial support, in which we most
heartily coincide. In speaking of new
nomination should Gov ernor Stewart de-
cline, as regards Mr.. Converse, the feeling
seems very general so far rs the Press Is
concerned, that he Is held in the highest es-
TEEN, yet that his advanced age will be an
lnseparable objection to his nomination.
The Press probably correctly enough re-
fleet the sentiments of the great body of the
people. They speak of him as being sew
enty-Gour years of age, and that gentle
man having reached that advanced period
of life would hardly desire the floeting
honors Of political preferment, and that it
can hardly be otherwise in the case of Mr..
Converse. If the nomination of a new
man is to be made for Governor We shall
be pleased to see 1t conferred upon clti
zen of Windsor county, the person named
by so many of our cotemporaries-a gem
tleman who Is ardent and active in every
good word and work, whose handsome lib
crafty has already done much in behalf of
several of the cherished institutions Of our
commonwealth, and who will confer honor
upon the Office of Chief Magistrate, Fred
erick Billings of Woodstock.
From the Bellows Falls Times:
There are plenty of good men on the
east side of the State who would make
good governors, and the probability that
any of them would decline no mination Is
very small. Two years ago the Hon. julius
Converse of Woodstock, was presented a ;
the State Convention. His nomination was
favored by most of the delegates from this
section of the State. They had long held
him in high esteem, and desired to honor
him with the Office Of chief magistrate of
ihe State, but the convention thought oiher-
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

AT town meeting held April Sth, the
town voted to aid in the construction of
the West river railroad TO the amount of
four times the grand list instructing their
commissioners TO issue five-twenty bonds
for the amount and subscribe the same to
the capital stock of the road. Now then.
we say TO the friends of this enterprise in
towns situated like ours, not on the line of
the proposed road but near thereto bestir
yourselves; look up this question in all its
bearings, and you will be able to answer
every candid and reasonable opponent to
his satisfaction. This is simply question
of progress, and must be dealt with like
every other question OF improvement. OPP
pos ition must be met and overcome, and
your only way TO do that is to think, look,
talk, and improve every opportunity to
gain new light on the subject, and set that
light ON the bushel, not under it. Let il
shine ON the whole community until socie-
ty is thoroughly rermeated with correct
knowledge of the facts. After that your
opposition will mainly come from that
class who believe like the Dutchman refer
red to in the last weeks PHOENIX, that they
must carry the stone in one end of the bag
to balance the grist, because their "fad-
ders" did.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

JESUS" is the title of a new work by
Charles +. Deems, d. d., pastor of tho
"Church of the Strangers" New York. 1t
is a full size royal octave volume Of over
$50 pages, splendidly printed and bound,
well illustrated with maps and embellished
with CO line engravings. The work con-
taihs an original translation of the words
of Jesus from the COier !SindiicuS the old =
est MSS. extant. In scope and character
it is unique. 1t is not a biography; nei-
ther does it first assume and then attempt
to prove the divinity of Christ but rather
seeks to inculcatc the latter doctrine by
pursuing the rational method of thought
and argument. Hence it is work which
should be widely circulated and read in
every intelligent community. II. S. Good
now of Nottingham is agent.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

thing is to demand them, and be satisfied
with no other. Tho supply of every thing
will be according 10 the demand. If we
are contented with second rate teachers,
we shall have them and no other. Those
who intend to teach will prepare them
selves just according to the standard which
exists in the community. Then we must
duly appreciate the services of good teach
ers, and encourage and support them. In
this way we shall soon have more efficient
teachers and profitable schools.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12
.v'OrfhGeId, Mas.

S. w. Bangs has sold his place on North
for 81 500 and takes his pay in vinegar.
Rev, Chas. Noyes, Pastor of the Uni
tartan church, has presented to that Society
a letter Of resignation, to take effect July
LIST. Mr.. Noyes, by his earnest faithful la
bors has won the love and esteem not only
of his own people but of the whole COM
munity, who will greatly regret the step
which to sever the pleasant relation that
has so long existed. Gazette.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

A motion was made in the British Pari-
ament short time ago, for the appoint
ment of committee to inquire and report
as to the expenses of royalty. Though it
created considerable newspaper discussion,
the motion received but two votes in par
lament, those of the mover, Sir Charles w.
Dixie, and the Honorable Auberon Her.
bert. Rather a lame conclusion this, 1t
may be thought, and not at all hopeful for
lessening the burden of supporting the
royal family. But, Sir Charles Dixie is
quite in earnest, is only 20 years of age, is
good speaker, has real English pluck,
and if sneered at in Parliament, has the
ear and the sympathy of the English
tradesmen and workmen. Mr.. Herbert
too, but "a years old, is a gentleman of cul-
ture and ability, a fine orator, and man
of large and liberal views.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-12

cessve editions of wEBsTERs In ilrdgsd are as per-
ennia in interest as in value Each successive reprint
nnds the work Of great photographer still unTival-
ed among English dictionAriea. In each republication
we likewise find mirror Of the scientific progress Of
the age, seepess vigilance which nothing escapes to
catch every shade Of verbal significance aud 10
retain for our unapproached standard o. language
that freshness which preserves II from becoming
old. In the $40 pages before us there compress
Ell the rtsaHS Of esHfuiss Of culture and the sum Of
the intellectual contributions Of some q the create
minds 81 the race WHITTIER regarded as a whole or
in detail, the book is equally marvellous Its ilustra
tons copous, appropriate and carefully executed
The matter In the appendix is OF character n
sable for reference to all who read and to all who
write with serious purpose The book is in short ono
which neither school nor study, library office ought
TO be without-NeE York Timfs.