Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-03-22
THE OLD OLD STORY.
The Rutland Herald relates the fol-
lowing sad. but very common case:

The Rutland Herald relates the fol-
lowing sad, but very common case:
A woman giving the name of Roberts
was buried by the town Sunday. She
arrived in Rutland on Tuesday evening
last, moneyless, friendless and alone. and
went to the Bardwell House for nights
lodging. On the authority of the over
seer of the poor she was provided with
bed. The next morning she was taken
sick and could not leave her couch
physician was called to attend her. He
pronounced her disease scarlet fever
She was attended faithfully, and pro-
vided with everything necessary for her
comfort until her death, which occurred
on Saturday night. She was young
woman, who had been married. but had
lately led an irregular life and was de-
serted by everybody. She allowed her
self to be led on step by step until she
reached the lowest depths of degradation,
and was shunned.by all human kind as
something too vile to touch. Those who
sought her company in better days, and
even her flesh and blood, deserted and
cast her off to die among strangers.
without even one loving word. or kind
look to smooth her way to the grave
Her husband lives in Hubbardton word
was sent him of his wIfe's illness, but
he declined to visit her. A messenger
called upon her mother, who lives in
Brandon, and apprised her of the sick
ness and probable fate of her daughter,
but she claimed to be unable to visit
her owing to home cares, which were nu-
merous and pressing.
The stranger was buried Sunday
among the unknown and uncared for, in
aquiet corner of the town lot No low
ing hand cast flowers upon the coffin and
no eye shed tears over a kind wife,
dutiful daughter or loving sister -
Will her fate be warming to others
The FIRST BLOOD OF THE Revolt
TIoN.-As this is the centennial year of
the commencement of the Revolution,
everything pertaining to incidents of the
year 1875 will no doubt be published in
due time, and will set the ball rolling
by telling our readers where and by
what occasion the first blood was shed.
1t is generally believed that on April
10, l775, at Lexington, the first blood
was shed, but Westminster. VT, files
prior claim in favor of one VIM. French,
who was killed on the night of March
y, l775. at the Kings Court house, in
what is now Westminster. At that time
Vermont was part of New York, and
the Kings court officers, together with
a body of troops, were sent on to West
minister to hold the usual session of the
court.
The people, however, were exaspera-
ted and assembled in the courthouse to
resist. A little before midnight the
troops of George the Third advanced and
fired indiscriminately upon the crowd,
instantly killing William French, whose
head was pierced by musket ball. He
was buried in the churchyard, and
stone erected to his memory, with this
quaint inscription:
In memory of William French, who
was shot at Westminster, March the
18th, 1875, by the hand of the Cruel
Ministerial tools of George the Third at
the Courthouse at IL o'clock at night
in the 22nd year of his age
Here William French his body lies
For murder his blood for vengeance cries
King George the third his Torv crew
That with Il bawl his head short threw
For Liberty and his countrys good
He lost his life his dearest blood"