, 1877-10-26
The Hayes Family.

The visit of President Hayes to Brat
tleboro and Newlane has revived deep in
terest in every object and locality in the re-
motest degree associated with the families
of Birchard and Hayes. In the Deighboring
town OF Dummerston, upon a plateau
which commands charming view of the
fertile valley, are several interesting
mementos of the family. On the south
side of the common, connected with a
large wooden structure Of modern con-
structiou, stands the little store in which
Rutherford Hayes, father of the Presi-
dent, first embarked in business as
member of the firm of Noyes, Mann &
Hayes. The partners came from
West Brattleboro, and set up a country
store, where they continued to do bust
ness for several years. The firm was dis
solved, aud John Noyes and Rutherford
Hayes united their fortunes and opened
store in large, two.story building,
painted red, which still stands on the
east side of the green, and is now oc-
cupied by a venerable cordwainer and his
family. A part of the second story was
fitted up as a ballroom, and there, in the
olden time, the rustic bellies and beaux
we're wont to trip the light fantastic toe
to the music of the violin. The ceiling,
from which great patches have fallen, is
arched, and along the sides of the hall
are permanent Stats, innocent of paint,
which have grown brown with age. The
place is destitute of ornament or furni-
'ture, and contains spinning wheel aud
several old chests and trunks.
In this building Mr., Hayes carried on
business between the years 1912 and
1917. His wife, the mother of the Presi-
dent, lived part of the time in, a house
standing adjacent to the little old store
which was built by her husband, and
there were born daughter and son.
The latter was drowned while skating on
the Ohio river few years after the
family emigrated to Ohio. The house is
now owned and occupied by Mrs. Asa
knight, whose son, John knight, Esq,
of Des Moines, Iowa, is now on b visit to
his venerable mother. The kitchen and
porch of this house were built by Mr..
Hayes, and are still standing in good
degree of preservation. On the road
from Brattleboro to Dummerston stood,
a few years ago, the store of Richard
Birchard, an uncle of the President,
which was destroyed by fire. and the
owner perisheu in the flames.
Notwithstanding the visit of the Presi-
dent to the village of Fayetteville last
Friday was unexpected by the commu-
nifty generally, still considerable num-
Der greeted him upon his arrival, and as
sembled at the residence of Austin Birch
ard, where they were presented to the
distinguished visitor. A cordial welcome
was accorded the family by their yener-
able relative, and several hours were
spent in the revival of memories pleasant
and sad, aud congratulations upon the
high honors conferred upon the favorite
nephew, ,andthe grand old age of the uncle.
Mr.. Birchard, who is now in the eigh-
ty-fourth year of his age, has been a mer-
chant in Fayetteville many years, and
has been one of themost public spirited
and useful citizens Of the country and
State, occupying various public Offices
Senator, Councillor, and Presidential
Elector. He is man of sterling integ
rity and highly respected by all classes.
Mr.. Birchard and Mrs. Bigelow are the
only relatives of the President living in
Vermont, from whence his father moved
some six years before Rutherford, as the
citizens familiarly call him, was born.
His grandfather settled in West Brattle-
boro, where be built large square house,
which is now occupied by Mrs. Bige-
ow.-Rut!and (Ft) Herald.