Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-07-24
New Hotel at Dixvfiio Notch.

NGM lolel Gt OI2hlle NOLcn.
T1,c nov hotel az Dixyille Notch, in the
town, hip Of Divnle, n. H., was formally
opened July iIth. We learn from those
who were present tti1t the occasion was
extremely interesting, and was graced
with the presence of the following distin-
guished personages, members and near
relatives Of the Dix family Hon. John
\. Bollcs aud family, of Washington, ID.
C., Lieut.. T. Dix Bolles, of the L. S. n,
Miss Mary II. Dix, Mrs. NJ. II. Dix, Miss
Mary \. Quincy, of Rumney, n. H., Rev.
Edward Buxton, pastor OF the Congrega-
tiOnal Church at Webster, n. H., with his
wife, Mrs. Frances l.. Buxton, a sister of
Gen. John a. Dix, Miss Evelyn Dix, Miss
Florence Dix, Roger Sherman Dix, of
Boston, Mass, Edward L. Pickard, Mrs.
+. NJ. Plummer, Louise H. Plummer, Kate
". Plummer, of AuburnIale, Mass, Mrs
Annie Dix Uraun, and Frances +. Wild,
of Boston, Mass. Gen. John A. Dix,
who was prevented from being present
on account of sickness, sent the following
letter to Mr.. Parsons, which was read -
sEAFIELD, WEST HAMILTON,
y. Y, 18th july 1873.
Dear Sir:-t am sure no one can be so much
disappointed as am that unexpected obstacles
have made il impossible for me to assist at the
inauguration of the Dix House at DiNyillc Notch,
and share the Inequalities you have so kindly
rendered TO me and others From all hear
summer resort could not have been chosen amid
scenery more grand and impressive, or in a re.
| giOn more favored by amenity of climate and
purity of atmosphere | presume that most of
those who will he assembled on the occasion, will
he there, as should if could be present, for the
| first time, although the place may have been
| known to them for years as district marked by
/ the grandeur of its natural features; for in this
respect it has had of late an extended celebrity.
My knowledge of it dates from my childhood. l
remember it as the object of my fathers eXpedi-
tons from 1905, when a portion of the township
was granted TO him by the State, to 1910, when he
| became the owner of the remaining portion. His
/ departures from his home at BOscawen, always
once in summer, and usually once in winter, are
among my earliest recOllections Some progress
| in settlement had been made by him; but in the
course of those commercial vicssitudes, in which
our history abounds, the property passed into
other hands. The war of 1872 with Great Britain
supervened; my father entered the regular army
with the rank of Major; and after his promotion,
aud while in command of a regiment he lost his
life in 1913 on the river st. Lawrence, in the i'll.
| fated expedition of Genl Wilkinson against
Montreal. He died in his boat three days after
the battle of Crysleis fields, at the age of forty
two years, in the full vgor Of his earnest and en-
terprsing nature. AS sixty years and more have
tcmporaries of his own age is living, it will not
be unbecOming in me to bear my testimony to
the eXcellcncies of his character. j was only
Ii years of age when he died; but he left on my
mind n strong impression of his intelligence,
activity lberaty in regard to all religious and
social objects, devotion to his family, and a just
and generous consideration for others He had
taste for the accomplishments of life beyond the
common standard of his time, was good
| draughtsman, and think he assisted Philip Car
rigan in illustrating the excellent map which the
latter made of New Hampshire, and which was n
WORK of more than ordinary merit in its day He
was inCessant in his eNeriOns to elevate the char
acter of the district school, usually engaging the
teachers among whom were several persons who
were conspicuous members of sOciety;in after life.
Through his efforts mainly a Female Academy
was established in Boscawen, sixty EIGHT years
ago; and il is curious illustration of the pro-
gress the country has made, that the charge for
tuition was only three dollars Il quarter, includ.
ing instruction in needle-work. Daniel Webster
commenced the practice of the law i'll Boscawen.
He opened his Office i'll building belonging to
my father, and it was at my fathers house that he
first met Grace Fletcher, one of the lOveliest OF
women, whom he afterwards married. In one OF
my last conversations with him at Washington,
NN.p -, Of
together, concerning his relations to my family
and my native village, he said, Your father was
one of the most gentemanly men ever knew"
In illustration of the manly spirit with which
my father entered the military service in the war
of 1872, have copied from his correspondence
the following letter to one Of the Senators from
New Hampshire, who had recommended him to
the GOVERNMENT at Washington for Il Majors
commission:
BOSCAwEN, Feb. 81, 1872
My Dear Sir Yours Of the 9th inst. has just
come to hand. Could be assured that my only
| destination would be a descent on the Canadas
/ would accept the command of a company, OF
even less. In fact, am determined, in such an
event, to go in some capacity, If 1T should be that
of Il private volunteer But have no notion OF
being concerned in any long, lazy establishment
or in our idle Oxford War, or even in stationary
guard for our seaboard Notifications. An idea
that might be OfsOme use to my country in case
of descent on the Canadas was my m0tHe fol
proposing myself as q candidate for a field office
and, actllated by the same motive, VIII not re
port an inferior command, provided you are con
tdent that this will be my only destination. In
any other | am sure | could not be useful.
Yours truly,
TIMO. DIX, JR.
As you have given my fathers name TO YOU