Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-09-22
Death oflhe Founder of the Free Press.

Died. in Charlotte Mich. August 5thls76, Lumsn
Foote, sed - years five months and !7 days.
Mr.. Foote was born at HanoTer. New
Hampshire. February 18th. 1874. His father
George FOote. was one of the pioneers oil 81
Lawrence County. New York. Where at
Pot>lam Academy, Luman prepared him
self for admission to college and graduated
from the University of Vermont, at Bur
lingtou. August l2ih. 4. ID. ISIS. lie read
law III Burlington in the Office OF ms brother.
Avian Foo;e, E-q, and was admitted an
Attorney of Chitteuden County Court feb-
rnarv Term. A ID. ls2l. and Attorney OF
the Supreme Court Of Vermont, July Term,
ls22. During his ten years, practice OF the
law at Burlington he and his law partner
established and conducted a newspaper
known as the Burlington FREE Pass which
is vet a prosperous and influential paper
What the paper was in character,
while Mr.. FoOte was its editor, may
be Judged from the following extract
from Vol. | OF Hemenway's Vermont HIS
torical Gazetteer. Speaking Of the fBEE
Pass and writer says
The paper was conducted with great ability and
soon became one OF the most influential papers IN
tie State, remarkable for it, comprehensive views
its independence OF tone, the force and directness
OF il CdtOra al articles and the interest o. Its cor
respondence. The FACE PRESS was conducted by
/ Mr. Foute Alone etc.
Mr.. Foote retired from this paper in 1888
/ and also from the practice of the law. lie
/ TOOK orders as an Episcopal clergyman and
preached at Arlington, GuIliJrd, East
/ POultney, in Vermont, and at Drewsyille,
| \. H., between one and two years in each
place la the fall of 1910 he moved with
/ bis family to Kalamazoo. Mich, whence at
/ ter preaching about two years, he moved TO
/ White Pigeon where he preached. also hold
/ ing service at Mottville and Constantine
/ all in 81. Joseph Co., Mich, for about two
years. lie then preached about two years
at Jonesyille IN this State. In May. lo46,
/ tired Of the wandering, unsettled lie OF an
/ itinerant preacher, he moved to Charlotte,
/ determined here 10 find a permanent home,
/ and here he has steadily remained until his
/ death.
His sermons were carefully and studiOuS
/ iy composed ard by persons Of thought and
culture were much liked. lie was feryent
in his religious belief and almost fierce in
/ his championship OF his church. lie was
/ very fond Of discussion especially with his
! best friends, and sometimes inflicted
wounds that he afterwards regret
ed His mental lite though intensely sc-
tive. seemed to be divided between religion,
/ politics and the law, and his varied pur-
suits a. lawyer, editor and Clergyman. to-
| g6ther with his well read library of theol-
! ogy. law and history, made him, during his
| best days, a foeman worthy of and ready
! for eyerybody's steel. he, OF course, had
4 his faults. but disposition to hatter was
not one of them, nor was hesitation or delay
in committing himself, or desire TO mike
himself popular OF to accumulate property
none of these, but the utter want of them
of suavIty, OF reserve in expression. of care
for money matters and of tolerance for the
opinions aud peculiarities of others.-was
among his greatest faults, and yet beneath
the rude exterior husks there was enyel-
0ped a heart that knew no guile, kind,
friendly. deeply emotional nature and
love OF Deity and man. Clearly aware for
months of the approach of death be calmly
and pleasantly awaited the final summons
and passed away without pain and hardly
struggle.
We copy the above from the Charlotte,
Mich, Republican of August 18th, a copy
Of which has Just reached US. We ear
add that Mr. Foot retained to his last his
interest and pride in the FREE Pass, and
within year or two past We received a
letter from him, expressing the qualification
with which he found this paper still sup
porting, as be was pleased to say, with fear
lessness and success, the great principles,
in society and in government, for the pro-
motion of which it was founded. Mr.. Foote
was strong and good man. Peace to his
ashes.