The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-09-05
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT.
The Laurel ItiIl Association, OF fstockbridse
Berkshire Co., Mass.

This association had its beginning in
the year 1853, and was set on foot en-
tirely by the efforts of one devoted lady
now Mrs. j. Y. Goodrich-whose
personal and untiring labors to arouse
the people resulted in an organization
which has not only secured to the town
incalculable benefits, but has become
the inspirer and the model OF similar
associations in other States. An ac-
count of more recent effort of this
kind was given in February
After o thorough canvass OF all por-
tions of the town, by way of prepara-
ton, meeting was held in August,
which proved en- enthusiastic success.
Besides its own citizens, many sons of
the town, settled elsewhere, were
present, or responded by the proxy of
liberal subscription. All the prelimin-
aries of q regular organization under
the General Statutes of the State, were
transacted. By it's constitution men,
bership was obtainable by an adult on
the payment of 81, and of twenty-five
cents by child, or, on the part of the
latter, by the planting of tree under
direction; and every child was en-
couraged by this means to erect
memorial Of him or herself, to bear
thereafter the name of the planter.
A remarkable knoll, where magnif-
cent rocks are overhung by forestry of
oaks and pines, was purchased some
years previously and presented to the
village as pleasure ground, by pub.
lic-spirited citizen. An abundant un-
growth of Laurels, suggested name for
the locality, and also the name of the
| An af ohnrrt
| 81, 400 in cash and available subscrip-
| tions enabled it to commence operations
| with vigor. Its attention was primarily
| directed to improvements upon this
hill; then extended to the village ceme-
terry, whose ruinous fence was replaced
| by tasteful structure of marble and
iron, within which, year or two later,
was set hedge of Norway spruce.
The latter is now kept fifteen feet in
height, and is superb wall of perennial
green. Within this enclosure walks and
drives were constructed, shrubbery and
trees planted, leaning monuments set
perpendicular, and provision made for
repeated mowings. Then the streets of
the village were taken in charge; side
walks Strengthened, trimmed and gray
eled; crossings laid; cutters constructed
with regard to thorough drainage, and
shade trees set along the sides of every
street. Year after year these improve
ments were pushed farther, and along
the roads leading into the town, and the
opportunity for pedestrian exercises
greatly enlarged. In undertakings
involving more expensive labor-such as
grading and working the roads through
and near the village-the association
has acted in concert with the municipal
authorities, adding its own to the town s
appropriation, and thus securing di
rection in the enterprise. The two have
thus enjoyed mutual aid, to the invalua-
BILE advantage of both.
The question is often asked us: We're
there no opponents of this crusade o'
improvement? Yes-but they were not
numerous, and no long time was requir.
ed to conciliate them entirely. It is not
in human nature, when one puts his
premises in order and beauties them
with taste, for his next neighbor to en-
dure for long the contrast suggested bs
the neglect and dilapidation on his own
premises, and the chances are that he
will not only fall in with the prevailing
spi.it, but become formidable rival in
betterments with the other. The little
labor and trifiing expense necessary tC
effect change in his surroundings, O.
which, when made, he can not but be
proud, ere long convert him from
, brake to a spoke in the wheel OF pro
gress, particularly when he comes to finc
as he will-that there is money in tn,
operation.
Once a year, in the month Of August
our Association holds its festival OF
Laurel Hill. A turf rostl um bull
against huge overhanging cliff is tn,
nucleus of operations. On that rura
', platform sit the officers and invited
, guests. Around and in front, beneath
the shade of the oaks, on the level pla
that once formed the Council-g ground o
, the Housatcnic Indians, stand or sit tn
towns people: the numerous summe
sojourners and visitors from the neigh
boring towns, whom the occasion
attracts, forming an appreciative audi
ence, sometimes of several hundreds
After prayer land often music also), tn
. choice of officers, and the annual Repor
of the Executive Committee, an oratiol
+, is pronounced-usually by some distiu
guished native of Stock kbridge-which j
: supplemented by brief offerings in pros
q or verse, and extempore speeches fror
! visitors. After some two hours of thes
pleasant exercises, the occasion is close
:, at times with a dance by the youn
= people on the verdant sod, to the musi
of the band. This is peculiarly the vii
lage festival, and tends to keep alive an
transmit the influence of the institution
to which 80 much pleasure and prof
r are due. In the course of its existenc
of twenty-five years, the records of tn
L. H. Association show an expenditur
of Sc, ,692, with the following as some G
a the results:
1. The acquisition by legacies of NOR
g than 81, 900, most of which has been in
vested in public funds; the revenue froI
this, with the annual subscriptions, a
IL fords available means and secures th
permanency of the association.
e 2. The setting of 1856 trees, beside
several hedges. These, from mere sal
n lings have become magnificent spec
mems to affort grateful shade and b
q the Joy and pride of coming generation
!. 3. Well ordered streets, sidewalk
cutters, and crossings, rendered locomt
g ton convenient and agreeable at a
= seasons.
! 4. A general tidying up of all th
private dwellings, and premises through
q out the community, rendering ours, e,
IL ternally, the finest village in Wester
Massachusetts, subject of admir'
ss tion by all visitors and sojourners.
ol 5. The growing education of our PEI
rnIa in tho baoufifuI in natura aidad h