Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-07-02
The First Settler of Waterbury.
the Editor OF the Free Press and Times.

To the Editor Of the Free Press and Times.
In recent issue Of the FREE Press AND
TINES, the report Of the "Old Folks Meet
ing at Stowe referred to the time when
Water bury had no preacher and was sup
piled from adjoining towns. This must be
a mistake, as the first permanent settler in
this vicinity was himself preacher-Ezra
Butler, the father of Russell Butler and
Mrs. II. F. James, of this place. He COM
msnced his gospel labors in 1871, or about
that time. He was the first town clerk, a
member Of both branches of the State leg
islature for many years, and also chiefjudg
Of the county court and afterwards govern
or. Whether it be any additional honor or
not, he found time TO serve as member of
Congress. Gov. Van Ness once said that
the only time he was ever embarrassed, was
in the legislature with Ezra Butler for an
opponent. With such man in the pulpit
a town could hardly be said to be without
a resident preacher. Gw.K.
WATERBURY. VI, June %. 1875.
JERlcno.-C 5. Palmer has been appoint
cd postmaster at Jericho, vice j. \. Per
cival resigned. He has opened his law Of
fee in the postofice building.
The thunder shower of Thursday night
wa very severe here. The lightning struck
and killed a very valuable horse belonging
to James H. Hutchinson. The horse was
Standing on the top ofa ledge in the pas
ture ard long distance from any building
or tree. The effects Of the electricity were
not noticeable On any Of the surroundings.
and only Slightly noticeable on the hind
leg Of the horse
T. II. Buxton has exchanged his village
property at the the Corners with DR.. Ii. n.
Curtis for 100 acres Of prairie land in Iowa,
and has recently returned from exploring
the same.
Mo-~r~. Linsley and Noyes haze effected
settlement with the land owners for nearly
all the land taken by the Burlington and
Lamoille Railroad near this place The uni
versa, expression is that these gentlemen
are disposed to accommodate and pay iber-
ally Cor all the land they take and damage
thsy do. This disposition manifested on
their part has the effect Of quoting some of
the auti-railroad men Of this locality.
Aboat seventy men are now "railroading"
N the Corners.
Recently, y bile w0rkmen were engaged |
ia making repairs in the wheel pit at pot
terry in Bennington. one of their number.
while feeling under docayed plank. came
in contact with Shiny, slippery something, |
which proved after somewhat protraeted
struggle. to be an eaormous eel. Its length
Wa siz icet seven ard thrce-iourth inches,
and it weighed nino pounds seven ounces
SwA>roN.-A- Mrs.. r. Skinner and an
,thcr lady were driving down the hill south
4 : VI. Billiards., recently. Chas Savage
'4m3 up behind them and drove into their
wagon, up-ettins them and breaking both
shafts and an axle, and otherwise damaging
lie vehicle. The ladies were considerably
INJURED
The store occupied by Iogle & Morain.
belonging to the Carman estate, has been
old at auction to Henry Roby, for 8 600.
Several copious showers within the last
ew days have been of untold benefit to veg
.tation in this vicinity. 1t had become ex-
remedy dry.
Apple orchards look as though a fire had
IN through them. Not vestage Of green
S left. 1t is thought the trees are rained.
x.
J,-,s, Cl;T.-l % r,-