Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-07-25

Mcssrs Editors MIR. S. s. Houghton, one Of
the most prominent dry goods merchants in Bos-
ton, has bought the "Riley farm" in Oxford N.
H., about a mile and half south Of Fairlee and
Oxford bridge, and IL building one of the largest
md most expensive stock barns in New England
The barn is on the east side Of the street. abonl
fifteen rods from IT, and is in the form Of two
'ides of "try-square" The side parallel wit
The street is two hundred and forty feet long and
ffty-four feet wide the other and north side l.
two hundred feet long and sixty feet wide, making
II four hundred and forty feet long on the wesl
and north sides. The ground is graded 80 that
there is an underground cellar under tho whole,
which forms part Of the yard The first floor is ioi
stock and will contain box-stalls and stanchions
The main entrance for drawing in hay and grain
s near the northwest corner on the west side.
After driving in n few feet you ascend an inclined
plane to the upper story, landing near the east
end. This story is for hay and grain and con-
tans no posts the roof being supported by trusses
from the roof The roof is what is called gambril,
or hipped roof with numerous windows in it.
There will be several ventilators from the ridge
Of the roof At the middle of the west side,
tower and steeple will rise Que hundred and thirty
six feet from the ground, with n large clock and
bell in the tower On the first floor will be large
office, finished in ash and black walnut A steam
apparatus in the basement will steam feed for
stock, II desired and warm as much Of the barn
as may he necessary
Il takes six hundred and fifty thousand feet Of
lumber for the frame and boarding; three hun
dred and fifty thousand pine shingles to cover IL,
and estimated seven tons Of spikes and nails,
twenty tons Of iron rods and grders seven thou
sand feet of the best Of pine for jet finish and
cutters, two hundred and thirty-six windows
Several of which will be hung with pulleys)-the
whole to be clapboarded and finished in fine style
Every part is built In the most substantial IMAM
ner The estimated cost by the architect Mr..
Calvin Ryder, Of Boston, s thirty thousand dol
lars but your correspondent g,esses it will exceed
that sum. Mr. S. S. ordway, of Lyndon Vt, is
master builder, and Mr.. j. K Carr, Of Oxford,
general superintendent Messrs George W. FAIR
Co, of Bradford, furnish all the Jet finish gut
tiers and windows. They employ about twelve
men, making sash, doors, blinds, house finish,
and butter-boxes, and contract to put mp and
finish houses at short notice.
Mr.. Houghton was raised near by where he is
building his barn, and takes laudable pride in
showing his old friends that he has not forgotten
the vicinity of his boyhood He now owns ten
hgh-booded mares of various breeds, and owns
the celebrated stallion George Mikes, Jr.,"
whose owner in New York refused ten thousand
dollars for him a short time before he died. Tli-
horse is jet black, and had record Of two-thrty
several years ago. Mr.. Houghton is determined
not to be beat by any man in New England in rails
ing the best horses cattle and sheen His farm
il in the garden of New England, from which
most beautiful drives on both banks of the Con-
necticut may be taken, or by short distance
back, into the most romantic scenery in Vermont
or New Hampshire. He has the thanks of the com
munity for the enterprise he is showing, and for
the public benefit which we hope it will be. d.