Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-03-15
EARLY HISTORY OF BARTON
CONTINUED.
RUNAWAY POND.


from thirty to fifty feet in depth. The
water from this pond originally ran
south. and was the head of the Lamoille
river So near the summit did the pond
lay. that mill owner in Glover. con-
ceived the plan of digging a ditch to
draw off the surplus water toward the
north, that he might have better sup
ply of water at bis mill The north
eastern part of Glover was chiefly set
tied by people who came from Keene,
N. H., and they took great interest in
the politics of their native State. Dur
ing the Spring of 1910, an election in
New Hampshire had resulted satisfacto-
rily to the colony. and they determined
to ''celebrate" in consequence. The
chief ingredient of celebration, in those
days was whiskey, and the miller pr
posed to supply the whiskey. if his
friends would go with him and assist in
draining off some of the water from the
pond. The invitation was accepted, and
on beautiful day in June, party from
Glover and Bartcn set out with picks
and shovels to make the experiment.
They arrived at the head of the pond,
dug ditch of a few rods in length and
let in the water The bank was COM
posed of quicksand, and no sooner was
the water let into 1t than the earth be-
gan to dissolve and run away at rapid
rate The banks caved in and moved
off, and those watching the experiment
had to run for their lives to escape being
carried down in the torrent. The whole
end of the pond, as it were, had gone
out, and in twinkling stream of sew
eral rods in width and many feet in
depth was rushing down the narrow val
ley, carrying everything with it. The
astonished politicians looked on with
awe for moment they had gathered
in the quiet woods, beside the placid
lake, to spend in no extraordinary man
ner, day of rejoicing and Eilarity but
they had not calculated on getting up a
celebration of such an appalling char
acter. AS soon as they fully comprc-
hended the situation, they thought of
the danger of their companions in the
: valley, and started with swift pace to
reach them before the food was upon
them. One man of great physical
strength and endurance, outstripped the
others in the race, and succeeded in get
ting ahead of the rushing torrent Never
was man pursued by danger more terri
Bile, and never was race more hotly
contested; the fugitive pond was rushing
down the valley, bearing trees and rocks
and sweeping away hills, in its wild
haste to find water level and the terri
fed man was fleeing at his utmost speed
to warn his friends and neighbors below
of the impending danger. Human
strength prevailed the man reached the
house near the mill and warned the fam
ily to fee to the high grounds. In the
mill farmer from neighboring hill
was grinding, and the frightened man
/. from the pond ran to notify him of dan
ger. The water was low and the mill
ran slow. On a bench the amateur mill
er lay asleep. while the mill kept on
grinding out his corn. His dreams were
suddenly converted into startling reali-
ties. as the man hallooed to him to flee
for his life. Cupidity was stronger than
fear, and each seized bag of meal and
started for the hills. They were not toe
soon. for the water overlook them just
as they reached the high ground. They
escaped, but the mill went tumhling
down the valley, with the water and de.
bris from above The horse on which
the farmer rode, when he brought his
grist to mill. was swept away. and nc
trace of him or the mill was ever found,
Fortunately few houses had been built
on the low lands near the river at that
time, and those living near the stream
were warned of danger by couriers sent
OH in advance of the torrent The valley
widened below the mill, and the stream
spread out and was much impeded by
the great mass Of timber that was met
in its advance. But the largest trees
were uprooted and borne on, TO be piled
: in huge jambs here and there. all ovel
the meadow between the present site Of
Glover village and the Lake Swamps
were filled up. the river bed was chang
. ed, and stratum of sand and grave
: was left all over the meadows. varying
: from few inches 10 several feet in depth
Before this catastrophe. fat-boats from
the Lake could run up Barton river Il
the falls at the Landing but after the
water and immense amount of timber
came down from the pond, the river bec
= was 50 flied that it was impossible t
: run boats.
There we're several narrow escapes
from death on this day. James GOulC
and wife lived on the meadow. near tb,
; new street in Barton village. and hap
Pened to be crossing the river on log
when they heard the tremendous roal
above them. and saw the raging mass o
L black and muddy water filed with tres