Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-08-11
From the Springfield, tMsss) Union.
The Vermont Academy,
SAXToNs RIVER, VI,
Monday, July 81.

Vermont academy, which has a singular
history In the Vermont Baptist Stat,
convention which assembled in Windsor
November 10, 1869, Rev. NJ, A. Wilcox
of Burlington, introduced resolution
looking towards the establishment of 1
new and well endowed academy in the
state About the same time a benevo
lent citizen of Windsor went into the
office of Charles l.. Jones of Boston, and
asked that gentleman how he could
most efficiently dispose of some of his
property in the interests of charity.
Mr.. Jones is native of this town, and
in this interview and the state conven.
ton alluded to above, were started two
continent streams of benefcent influence
whose united flow it is hoped will enrich
mBny generations of posterity.
After the convention of 1861 had
adopted the resolution alluded TO, a COM
mittee was appointed to carry it into eff
feet, and after two years Of labor the
committee recommended in their report
which was adopted, that the convention
should appoint board that should take
entire charge of the work of establishing
and endowing a new educational institu-
ton as we'll as the decision of the ques-
ton Of location, the raising of per-
petual endowment fund Of 100000, be-
sides the necessary funds for buildings,
Il Il, l..
the board to secure legal incorporation,
which was done by act of Legislature,
approved November 26, 1871. A year
previous G. L. Jones had proffered
gift Of $4,000 for the purpose of inn
proving and refitting the old Saxtons
River academy" which had passed into
disuse. Later he had invited several
citizens of this place to join him in the
enterprise, and this invitation had been
accepted and considerable money pledged,
when the attention of the donors had
been directed to the action of the state
convention. In view of the superior
character of the work contemplated by
it, they offered to transfer to the direc-
ton and control of the board appointed
by the convention the entire movement
projected by themselves, provided the
board would accept the trust and locate
the proposed academy in this village.
The terms were accepted by vote of the
board August %, 1872.
1t being the duty of the board by the
terms Of its appointment, to raise the
sum of 100000 for an endowment fund
exclusive of grounds, buildings and APP
paratus, Rev. w. N. Wilbur of this
place was appointed chairman of the
committee for raising the fund, and with
such energy and practical wisdom did
he enter upon the work. that within
year from the time of his appointment,
he was able to announce September II,
1872, the completed subscription of
100000. The next work entered upon
by Rev. Mr.. Wilbur was the raising of
funds for building apparatus, etc. 1t
was the determination of the projectors,
not to advance step till the money for
such step was secured, thus avoiding
debt and the defeat of the enterprise. |
Accordingly the first kiln of brick was
not burned till $4,000 in addition to
the endowment had been raised. The |
accrued interest on subscriptions paid in
already amounts to $4,000, ard this is |
added to the general fund for building
and running expenses. The funds will
be invested in first class landed securi-
ties and municipal bonds, manufacture
ing property and buildings being held
at a discount. The first subscription
paid in was one 800 from a lady in
Burlington who afterwards raised it to
$500. The following list contains the
names Of the largest donors Charles L. !
Jones of Boston, $4,000; ]. A. Farms
worth of Saxtons River, $4,000; Mial
Davis Of Burlington, $500; L. Barnes,
Burlington 81 200; L. K. Fuller of Brat
tleboro, 81 900; j. j. Estey. Brattleboro, !
1000; j. Estey Of Brattleboro, $4,000 |
j. Estey q Co., of Brattleboro, $4,000
Sheldon Smith of Bridport, $4,000 T. |
Hoyt of Saxtons River, 5000; Benia-
min scofield of Saxtons River, $1,000
j. f. Alexander Of Saxtons River, ST.
600; Hannah B. Perry of Saxtons Riv-
er, $1,000; HI. c. Wiley of Saxtons
River, 81 800; Joel Proctor of Bolton,
Mass, 81, 100; Daniel Campbell of Sax
tons River, $1,000; Alvah Woods of |
Providence, $1,000; Mrs. A. w. C. lib. |
bits of Bennington, $1,000; J. S. Sher-
man of Charlotte, 1000; and J. Green
wood of Dummerston, 81 900. The SUBJ
scription books contain, besides these
names, hundreds of others ranging from
a few cents subscription to 5000 and over.
In short the Baptists of Vermont and
the natives of Vermont in other states
have done nobly in their subscription,
especially when we consider the depres-
sion which has rested upon all kinds of
industry for the last few years.
The only building in process of cree.
ton is ladies' dormitory, which will
be 48x97 feet and three stories high. By
a well contrived arrangement of the
plan and location of the buildings, each |
study and sleeping room will have the
sun some portion of the day. The rooms
are arranged in suites, and with few ex-
ceptions are calculated for two students.
The building has accommodations for
fifty students it will be warmed by fur |
mace or steam, and each study room is
fitted with an open CRATE for ventilation
and additional heat if necessary. The
plan calls for three other similar build
ings, besides the general academy build
ing and the hoardinp hall oil Of which |