Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-09-06

The FhsT STEAEB0AT.-Ouc hundred
miles north Of Greenfield, writes a c0rTespon-
dent, up the dark rolling Connecticut, 3" in
the town Of Fairlee, VT, and emb1somed
among the mountains. lies the most beauti-
ful lake that ever gladdened the heart Of a
fisherman. At its southern part the mount
aims opened Just wide enough for an outlet,
which after a circuitous course for miles,
and after furnishing the motive power for a
number Of mills, passes into the Coanecti-
cut.
A fcw rods from this lake, BY tae side Of
this streamlet, stands an old fashioned house,
that was, long ago, the tbode Of Captain
Samuel Morey; very ingenious though
somewhat eccentric gentleman Of the verv
ancient regime.
In the early part Ct May, l774, the Cap
tain might have been seen snugly seated at
the stern of a large came, or "dug-out'
which was lying on the placid bosom Of the
Connecticut close by the shore. lie was
busily employed in arranging some curious
ma -hiuery. which TumOr said The had boea
at work upon all winter but the old gen
tleman had 80 many crotehets in his head,
that people were not disposed to mind much
about him or his fandangoes.
This, however, soon proved an exception,
for after he had got thins ready-aiter the
smoke had cleared away, and the tea-kettle.
or tin-ki,chen. OF whatever else he had, had
begun 10 .sis'-the master Of ceremonies
let 90 of tho bush, and with hGs paddle showed
the craft into the Otream.
Thus far this was mere common-place
affair, but presently be grasped what we
should call starting bar, give it a PULL.
ard to the inexpressihle astonlshment Of an
cid man and his son, who had stopped their
team at the end Of the furrow to see the CID
man take the boat ride, the wheel at the
side began TO turn, the steam began to squiz-
zle, and the rods began to sprangle, and
shade of the mother ofwitches The dug-out
began to move on up stream.
Jerusalem, father said John see the
cid cap'n 60 right agin the kurrant' and
sure enough, away he went-tlc old veteI-
ran who had studied, and thought, and CO.
triyed while Others slept. Day after day the
old canoe was seen gliding up and down the
river, guided by the old man with bis drab
coat and Quaker hat, and was yropeled BY
the steam power. That, Mr.. Editor am sure.
was the first steamboat that ever moved on
American waters.
Capt. Morey was the inventor Of numerous
other machines, among which was one car
riod by smoke, the remains OF which nav be I
seen tc this day. Inc thing although it
would 60, he saw that it wouldn't pay it
ended in smoke.
In fact he was known far and near to be
man Of great inventive powers, amp Robert
Fulton was among the very many who visi-
ted him for the parpose of securing his aid
IN unrayclling some knotty points of mocha
nism, and at the same tine assist Mercy in
ssme of his various plans, he (Fult0n) being
a practical mechanic.
The old home alluded ID was their studio.
laboratory and place Of consultation, and /
very many days they were closetel there, by |
leascn Of which the curiosity OF the people |
was crealy moved. But it was not until the |
year 1897 that Fulton tried bis great expert |
ment on the Hudson River, which has revo- |
lutioniZed the world.
A discriminating ard generous public |
should award at least moiety Of the credi. |
to Moroy Of which Fulton has been the re- !
cipient and the twain should hereafter be |
named together in connection with the sub |
Ject.-BostOn Tue Flag