Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-05
North Montpelier.

Starting from the Capital, ride Of nine or ten
miles-over hills and through valleys past rich
meadows and neat, thrifty-loohing farm build
ings-brings one to the pleasant little village Of
North Montpelier, nesting costly among the hills
and offering abundant beauty and a cordial well
come to the stranger within It's gates" Though
shut in and closely guarded by the friendly hills
this village has been endowed by Dame Nature
with attractions especially delightful
"To him who. in the love Of Nature, holds
Communion with her visible FORMS"
Tho stream flowing through the village bears
the name Of Kingsbury Branch and furnishes n
water-power which il scarcely surpassed in the
state. The damming up OF this stream creates
two ponds-or rather two divisions Of one pond,
which Is handsome sheet OF water stretching
away for some distance into the town OF Calais,
and fed, we are told by the waters Of some twenty
eight smaller streams. This pond is excellent for
boating purposes and pike, piclSerel, etc, have
been taken from its depths
Having occasion to visit this village one bright
beautiful day last week on business, we were al
lowed, through the courtesy Of Mr.. J. A. Coburn
and others, 10 inspect the cheese factory and the
wooden mill-the main industrial features of the
plhNt tSlut lTOUl nS agricultural IT,
sources. The North Montpelier Cheese Factory
is owned by Peck and Coburn, and is in charge
of Miss Mary Cole. 1t has gained reputation for
turning out good article Of cheese, second to
none in the state. The number of cheeses made
per day is sixteen, and the price obtained last
year was twelve and one-half cents. There were
on hand the day we were present about three
hundred cheeses OF fifty pounds weight each
They are now running three large watts and have
just set up new boiler in a separate building,
from which the steam is conducted underground
TO the factory. Miss Cole, who has entire charge
of the cheese-making, came from New York state,
and has proved herself thoroughly competent in
her business. The people in that vicinity are
justly proud Of this establishment
After passing much time IA could be spared
in the cheese factory, we were escorted to the
wooden mill, where we were taken in charge by
Mr. Charlie Weeks who kindly accompanied us
through the various rooms and explained the
workings of the institutions. The mill consists Of
two large buildings, and is at present managed by
Messrs Reed e. Weeks. They are now engaged
in turning out repellants; run twenty-four looms
and three sets Of cards; and when running full
strength employ some thirty-two or more hands.
The attic Of the main building is used the
picSing-room. Here the wool is picked, when it
is passed down into the card-room on the floor
below this is the spinning-room and on the first
floor are most of the looms. In the basement are
the apparatus for washing the wool, washing and
pulling the cloth, etc. The dry, finishing and
packng-rooms are situated in the other building.
Since the present managers have taken possession
commodious dye-house has been erected, and
other improvements made. A market for the
goods manufactured is found mainly in New
York and Boston.
We regret that press of business on that day
prevented our visiting and inspecting some of the
fine farms In that vicinity. We were permitted
however, to take just glance at the premises Of
A. J. HOLSTER, and saw enough to convince ui
that he is a thorough-gong thrifty farmer, who
believes in doing things as they should be done
And we know the same spirit OF thrift and enter
prise prevails throughout that entire vicinity
and makes it one of the pleasant spots in oui
Green Mountain State.