davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Dad and Aunt Denny"

In the after dinner sentiments and
storytelling at the Matrons social gath
ering on Friday, (notice of which is made
elsewhere), the story which drought
down the house" was told by the toast
master, and was in substance as fol-
lows: About the year 1887 there lived
in Fairbanks village a family whom we
will call Smith, as that name will not
in this section. The matron of the fam
lily had lately died, and the cares of the
household were assumed by her sister
Deemy. One Sunday morning, DR.
Luther Jewett, (who then lived upon
the site where the South church now
stands, and where this reunion wal
held,) Was called to his door by a rap
Answering the summons, he found be-
fore him a tow-headed representative
of the Smith family, of some twelve
years of age. Whether the boy wal
naturally a little below the standard
or whether he was confused on being
brought face to face with an ordained
clergyman, practising physician and ;
member of Congress, all in one person
the chronicler fails to state. HOweve
this may have been, the youngster re
covered voice to stammer out "Folk
sent me up to have you come RICH
down to our hOuse-Dad and Aun
Deemy want to get baptized !" 1t i
needless perhaps to add that the clergy
man thus addressed "divined" the prob
able wants of "Dad and Aunt Deemy,
and Fastening down to the village, join
ed them in wedlock, leaving the bap
tizing for another occasion.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22

verified, he made bound for the stairs,
which he cleared at two leaps, and ran
like a deer down back of the court
house. Although Ward followed as
rapidly as possible, he did not see
which way his prisoner turned when
he passed out upon the sidewalk, and
it was some minutes before he asceI-
tanned which way he went. Meanwhile
several men were enlisted in the pur-
suit, and it becoming known that Met
calf had run for the river below the z.
& o. shops, several persons went around
by the bridge to head him off. Not
outstanding all their efforts however,
Metcalf got upon the island, and from
thence to the shore and the woods be-
You'd, and that was the last seen of him
up to the present writing. Although
the only probable punishment awaiting
Metcalf if found, is fine for selling
liquor, this place has learned him sc
well that it can better afford to keep him
than town can where his character is
unknown. He is a young man, and
we learn that his father is a fugitive
from justice in LamOille county. Blood
will tell in men as well as in horses.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
A Concise Temperance Sermon.

At this late day few spoken or writ
ten arguments bearing upon temperance
can be new to our readers. Religion
and medical science have shown the
spiritual and physical death inevitably
following the use of Intoxicating bever-
age and the laws ofnature are immutably
fixed, and any violation surely brings a
penalty. Seldom can one see the full force
of these deductions SO clearly, prompt
Iy and terribly proven, as by the sad
dening disaster last Sunday morning
Three young, strong, industrious men,
INDUCING for a few hours in liquor; los
ing moral and physical control of them
selves, and ending in sudden and dis
graceful death. The phrase "the dead
speak," is no metaphor. The silent lips
of those men are really to-day speak.
ing words of warning; not only to theil
former comrades, but to the guilty mer
who have violated our laws by dealing
in the liquor that brought these men tC
an untimely death. Let both take
warning, for the laws stand though bro
ken, and justice will be dealt unsparing
ly now and in the future. We make ne
useless statements, but our reputation
as temperate, law abiding village ii
at stake and must be maintained.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
nsahs.

In Walden, May go May R., only daughter of
A. E. and E. L. Dutton, aged 10.
At Battle Creek, Mich, June H. of pneumonia
Frank A Shea aged 25 son of Michael and Mary
Shea, of this town.
At wheelock, June r. Mr.. Nathaniel Meserve,
aged 90 years and months.
At Enosburg, June TO- Ira DEMO- aged 90 years
and IL days.
At North Stratford, N. H, June II, Charlotte B.,
aged "a, widow of the late Enos Alger, and mother
of Rev. Mr.. Alger of Passumpsic.
OBITUARY.
In Sutton, June Is, Mrs. Charity Libby, wife,Of
Nathaniel Drown, aged 70 years, three months.
Dear mother, we have parted, thou art dead,
On thy last resting place we laid thy head;
A little while, few short years of pain,
And one by one we hope to meet again.
One sweet flower has dropped and faded,
One sweet mothers voice has fed,
One fair brow the grave has shaded,
One dear mother now is dead.
But we feel no thought of sadness,
| For mother is happy now,
She has knelt in heartfelt gladness
Where the blessed angels bow.
She has gone to heaven before us,
But she turns and waves her hand,
Pointing to the glOries DER u.s.
In that happy spirit land.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Rev. j. S. G. Abbott.

The Rev. John S. c. Abb oft, the his
torical and biographical writer, and
brother of Jacob Abbott, died at his
late residence in Fair Haven, Conn.,,
last Sabbath. Mr.. Abbott was born in
Brunswick, Me-, in 1905, and graduated
at Bowdoin College in same class with
Hawthorne, Longtellow, and others.
He fitted for the ministry at AndOver,
and was settled in several towns in
Massachusetts, meanwhile publishing
several books which acquired wide no
toriety. In 1874 he relinquished his
pastorate and devoted himself entirely
to authorship. Among his works which
have gained most notoriety, were a Sc
ries of six volumes of biographical
sketches of Marie Antoinette, jose
phine, etc., a history of Napoleon Bona
parte, in two large volumes +; history
of the French Revolution; history Of
Austria; a history of the American
Civil War, in two volumes; history
of Napoleon I'LL, Emperor of the
French; besides large number of chill
dren's books.
Mr.. Abbott supplied the pulpit of the
North church in this place for foul
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22

months, about the year 1866, we should
think. and in that brief time endeared
himself to this people very much. He
was prominent for his courtesy and
gentleness and no one who ever be-
came acquainted with him can forget
his great kindness of heart and Chris
tian counsel. He went from this place
to the Second Congregational church at
Fair Haven. and his success as pastor
may be inferred from the fact that while
the church was deplorably feeble when
he went there, in one year it was
strengthened by the addition of nearly
200 persons, most of them young peo-
pie. His memory will be precious te
many hearts.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Danville.


The time of the Sabbath evening
prayer meeting at the M. E. Vestry has
been changed to five o'clock, instead OF
seven as heretofore.
Two cars of wool we're loaded at this
station this week and shipped to BOs-
ton. All bought in this vicinity.
Mr.. E. S. Pierce is progressing finely
with his new building. The body is up
and boarded, and the roof will be ON in
short time. 1t will be great i'm
provement to the street and the finest
building in the village.
But very few potato bugs have been
noticed in this section yet, and but lit
tie damage is apprehended from them
this year.
The grass in this vicinity is maturing
fast, and in short time the farmers
will be at their haying. The hay crop
will be light unless we have immediate
rains.
Mis-. Geo. B. Davis, and Mrs. George
Brainerd and son, are still at Saratoga,
and it is understood will spend the
summer there. Mr.. BIainerd will join
them the first of July.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Fugitive from Justice.

George Metcalf, whose career as a
criminal is now fully established, es-
capped from the hands of an officer,
Tuesday, at the very door of the States
Attorneys office. He was arrested as
principal or accessory in selling liquor
to the numerous brawlers of last Satur-
day night, and his reckless and success
full attempt to escape is prima facie
evidence of his guilt. There is little
doubt liquor has been brought to this
town on several occasions and in con-
siderable quantities, and this disaste
will be the starting point for the prompt
prevention of any further violation OF
the law by that channel or any other.
Metcalf was under bonds for appear
ance at the present term of court for
the part he took in the disgraceful riot
at East st. JOhnsbury some two OF
three months ago. Jerry Drew is his
ostensible bondsman, but it is under
stood that another party who has fur
nished both brains and money for Met
calf in his nefarious business, is the
real loser by his escape.
The manner of Metcalfs escape is g
grief to the community and humiliating
to the officer, who had him in charge
Policeman N. Ward had just made hi
arrest, and had taken him to States At
torney Ide's Office, which he fOunt
locked. While waiting for Mr.. Ide t.
return, Metcalf watched his opportuni
ty, and when Wards attention was di
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22

some $50 clear profit to be disposed of.
The girls are happy.
Col. Harvey is expecting summer
boarders soon. Why do not more of
our inhabitants who have good houses
in pleasant locations turn an honest
penny in this way?
E. T. & H. K. Ide have been taking
in wool for the last week, and have got
in some 1000 or 5000 pounds. Buyers
have been plenty, and farmers have re-
allied good prices.
Miles S. Hovey has left the Black
Hills and gone to California. He writes
that he thinks many will starve if they
do not leave the Hills.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Bad Fire at Wolcott.

A fire broke out about 2 o'clock Tues
day morning in Flies new unfinished
store at Wolcott, and spread on each
side. The store was soon consumed !;
loss $1,000, insured for $1,000. Mr.. Hol-
brooks house was next burned; loss
$4,000; insured for $1,000. An adjoin-
ing tenement house was then destroy
ed loss $4,000 Insurance for Sl40O had
run out few days before-C. S. Noyes,
mortgage. Also a saw mill (owner
not stately; loss $4,000; insured for S12-
90. Pinney's store and goods loss 49,
600, insured for $500. All the lumber
in the mill yard was burned loss $4,000
no insurance. A fire-engine from Nor
risville arrived in season to arrest the
further progress of the flames. No work
had been done in the store where the
fire caught for eight days, and the fire
was first seen in the upper story. The
fire was no doubt the work of an incen-
diary. Mr.. Fife was nearly ready to
move into his new store.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Drowned and Buried. A Speedy Ter
mination to Drunken Carousal.

mination to a Drunken Carousal.
Last Sunday morning about o'clock,
Mr.. John n. Gale, who lives on Port
land street, the east side of the Pas
sumpsic, was alarmed by cries of dis
tress from the river, and Fastening
down to the water little above where
the P. & o. bridge crosses the river,
found John Rooney, who had swan
ashore from an upset boat near the OPP
pOsite bank, and who stated, in a con-
fused and somewhat incoherent manner,
that there were three more men in the
river. About this time two Frenchmen
who live by the old brickyard, and
who had also been aroused by the cries,
came upon the pond in their boat, and
taking in Mr.. Gale, they rOwed over
in the direction pointed out by Rooney
and soon found the upturned boat, and
by peering into the water, saw in the
dim morning light the white shirt fronts
of two men lying upon the bottom OF
the aid of a spike pole, Mr.. Gale
hooked them up and brought them
both to the shore. By that time, other
men from Railroad street had reached
the scene of the tragedy, and while
some went to rolling and chatting the
men taken out, Mr.. Gale returned to
look for the third man, and after little
search he found him and brought him
to land. The efforts at resuscitatior
were unavailing, and the bodies were
removed to the basement of Wards
block where they were viewed by the
coroner. They proved to be Matthew
| Welch, jOurneymap tailor Patrick
Doherty, machinist; and John Dinly
moulder; all young, unmarried men,
and without near relatives in this place
They were buried at four o'clock the
same afternoon, having begun and end
ed their fatal carousal in less thar
twenty -four hours. Funeral services
were held at the Catholic church, Faith
er Boissonnault departing from tn,
usual custom in that church so far n
to make brief remarks of admOnitiol
and warning appropriate to this sa,
and terrible affair.
Investigation proved that this part.
were all under the influence of liquor
having been ranging the streets in diff
ferent parts of the town all night. Sew
eral others also being intoxicated an,
rioting about our usually quiet streets
the full attention of the authorities i
directed to the cause of the disturbance
and to what party or parties furnishe,
the liquor.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Barnet.

There is beautiful and rather re-
markable elm tree on the Dea. Laird
farm, now owned by VIM. Savage. The
tree is from 60 to 81 years old, and
measures at the ground 81 feet in cir
conference, and five feet above the
ground, 14S feet. But the beauty OF
the tree is in the spread and symmetry
of its top. The limbs grow nearly
of equal length in each direction, and
the span wherever taken is II feet
The tree is well worth going out OF
ones way little to see.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Important Change in R. R. Trains.

Besides the new day trains between
Boston and Montreal, there are several
important changes in the running of the
trains over the Passumpsic road. The
most noticeable is the delay of the Ac-
commOdation south about two hours,
it passing this place now at 10.16 p. M.
The morning mail train is also delayed a
little, leaving Sherbrooke ten minutes
later, and passing this station at 9.O4
Il. m. The up mail is also ten minutes
later at this place than formerly. Trav-
ellers will do well to consult the time
table at head of these columns.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Arrested and Fined.

On Sunday morning the officers ar
rested John Rooney, Jack Conner and
John P. Deedy for intoxication. These
men were all in the Saturday night
fracas which resulted in the drowning
of three men. They were brought be-
fore justice on Tuesday, when Rooney
testified under oath that Metcalf fur
nished his party the liquor which
made them drunk. Jack COnnor dis
closed the same person as the author
of his intoxication while Deedy said
his drunkenness was caused by two
bottles or Bells bitters, bought by him
self and another party at Randall's
drug store. They were all three fined
SIS and costs. Connor, although yet a
young man, has been in Jail five OF six
times for various crimes. Rooney is a
mere boy and has mother on Maple
street. Deedy is a new man in town,
and works at the file shops.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
East Concord.

S. B. Currier preached at the NJ. E.
Church last Sabbath. Rev. S. Bowles
will preach at the Hall next Sabbath.
The bark business is the leading bust
ness these days. HI. w. Cutting in
tends to peel and deliver on the cars
five or six hundred cords this summer
He has got the woods full of men. He
gets 1925 per cord loaded on the cars.
Teams are drawing to the depot all the
time.
The school is progressing finely under
the instruction of Miss Fannie NOyes,
who gives good satisfaction.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
A Memorable Occasion---''Auld Lang

Syne."
Eight years ago some of the elder
ly ladies of St. Johnsbury formed a
"Matrons Association" for purely social
benefit and pleasure. Friday the 18th
inst. being their eighth anniversary,
and anniversaries being now in vogue,
they elaborated their regular meeting
into a dinner to which they invited a
few friends, and of course allowed their
husbands, or "worser halves" the bene-
fiji of a warm meal, rather than take a
cold bite at home in "aged loneliness.
1t was held at South Church Vestry,
some rs being present, and was truly
enjoyable affair. The dinner was ele-
giant and substantial, and was followed
by speeches and sentiments appropriate
to such an occasion, and to the feelings
prompted by a gathering Of individuals
to whom memory brought such varied
scenes as only years can shape, when
experience has not been more bitter
than has happily fallen to the lot o.
those present. During the "after din
ner houI," it was discovered that 26 in.
dividuals of the gathering had resided
in st. Johnsbury over one half a cen.
fury IA fact speaking in decided favor
of their steady habits and our healthfu
climate. 1t was a happy inspiration
which suggested this meeting, and i
brought to hearts growing little colo
perhaps to the past, many gladdeninG
and warm memories
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Through to Lake Champlain.

The managers of the Portland and
Ogdensburg Railroad have made ar
engagements to open their road to Swan
ton and Lake Champlain on Monday,
July Is. There are less than ten miles
of track to put down, and two gangs OF
hands and two construction trains are
now employed completing the untinish-
ed gap, so as to have the road open fol
business on that day.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22

wedding came off at Mr.. William Russ
lows, at which he gave his only daugh-
ter, Katie, in marriage to Mr.. Paul E
Walker of Sherbrooke. The bridal
party took the evening train for the
mountains, from whence they are to go
to the seaside to spend the first weeks
of their Honeymoon"
Crops are looking well with the ex-
ception of grass, which is light in the
old fields, while on those of higher cul-
tivation it is quite as good as last year
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Vermont Medical Society.

The regular semi-annual meeting of
the above Society met Wednesday and
continues through to-day. Yesterday
there was brought before the meeting
the usual discussions and papers, inter-
esting of course to the "'Medicos" and
OF Importance to all, sick or well. In
the evening the Society was elegantly
entertained at the residence of DR.. S.
L. Brooks by his wife, and the resident
members of the Society. 1t was pleas
ant and thoroughly enjoyable affair,
and good ''tonic" for the events of to-
day, the programme being interesting
papers upon "Prevention of Disease
and Hygiene" by the medical celebri-
ties of the State.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22

Persons attending the Advent Camp
meeting at Stanstead Junction June %
to July 5, will he carried from all sta
lions on the p. & o. Road for fare one
way-Danville $3.50, East St. Johns
bury, $3.50, etc.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
CUTTING g. WORTHEN.
Danville Block, Railroad Stree
House for Sale.

Rare opportunity for a person desiring a
good house in st. JOhnsbury.
The undersigned, desiring to pay his debts of
fers for sale his house, barn, and lot, situated on
Mount Pleasant Street, the head of Cliff St.
This house was built in 1874 in a good and sub
substantial manner. The lot is rods front by II
rods deep. Very large). Connected with the
house is one of the best barns in St. Johnsbury,
being clapboarded and painted on the outside and
lined and stuffed inside. Also in the lot are two
of the best springs of water in the state, all &C.
mented, furnishing a never failing supply. Hog
and hen houses convenient. Cistern in the cellar,
and the best garden in town. Apple trees, Rasp-
berry Bushes, &C., in splendid condition. Part of
the purchase money can remain on mortgage.
S2tf HORACE JACKSON.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22

Wanted, policeman on the Port
land street bridge. The ladies complain
that 1t is a rendezvous for rowdies each
evening, and that to pass that way is
both unpleasant and unsafe for respecta-
BILE women.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
East Hardwick.

A gentleman from New York pur-
chased five horses in this vicinity last
week, for which he paid 81 $50.
Harry Mason has resumed the harness
business, after trying farming for few
months, and removed his family into
the Congregationalist parsonage which
has been vacated for long time.
Mrs. T. Williams has moved to Wal
den to live with her son, F. D. Williams
Rev. Mr.. Damon who had the mis-
fortune to get one of the bones in his
leg broken at the fire at the Bend three
weeks since, is out again, on crutches.
Walter Smith of this place was sur
prised by an invitation to take ride
to st. Johnsbury one day last week
where he was offered board at Preston's
boarding house. Cause, some slight ir.
regularities about a stove bought O.
Carroll Page of Hyde Park, last winter
Henry Blake raised his large barr
Saturday in spite of the rain.
VIM. Remission killed hedge hog
one morning last week in his pig pen
where he had used his quilts freely
about the pigs nose.
j. r. Delano and L. D. Hyde are i'm
proving their buildings by painting ant
other repairs.
Mrs. Samuel Fuller of N. Y. is visit
ing friends in this place.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
Not Dead.

The item from our Lyndon cores
pendent respecting the death of Amos
p Hale of CRANKY, was evidently in
correct; at least we judge so from a
postal card received en- Tuesday morn
ing of this week, which reads as fol-
lows: "Granby, VT, June IL. Mr..
Editor: You are mistaken in publish
ing my death, which l saw in your issue
of June Is. | am alive and well, and
have not been sick or hurt. Yours
truly, A. p. Hale" This settles the
matter, and we take it all back.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22
North Danville.

The travelling public are rejoicing
that the old bridge across the stream in
our village is taken down, and replaced
by new one which is already planked
ever and made passable. Mr.. ChOate,
the master builder, found the old struc-
ture quite unsafe. The new one is to
be covered, and when finished will be
the first covered bridge in town.
Mr.. 1. P. Dahl is moving his house up
street on to higher ground where he is
to put on an ell and make other i'm
prOvements.
Mrs. William Pope of California,
daughter of Mr.. Ward B. Norris, is
spending the summer at her old home
in Danville.
! On Tuesday a large old fashioned
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-06-22

The remains of Frank A. Shea, who
died at Battle Creek, Michigan, on Sun
day, were brought to this place for in
terment on Wednesday. Frank, and
several brothers, were formerly en-
gineers upon the Passumpsic road, but
of late Frank had been engineer in the
west. His brother Thomas committed
suicide upon this road some years ago
his mind becoming unsettled by reason
of the blame the friends gave him fol-
killing the little Beattie child at Rye.
gate, but for which the public did not
censure him, as he did what he could tC
stop his train.