The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-08-15
A VISIT TO RUTLAND.

Rutland county has for many years
back been noted for its industry and
business activity. Rutland has better
situation for growing business center
than any other town in the state: for
west of the village are the immense
marble quarries of West Rutland, and
north are those of Sutherland Falls and
tho Columbian and Continental quar-
ries; besides, there are the slate quar-
ries of Fairhaven and other industries,
to say nothing of the rich farming coun-
try surrounding. So the growth and
thrift of Rutland is not forced; 1t is nat
ural.
To the visitor in Rutland there are
presented many objects of interest, such
as Gen. Baxter's magnificent residence
and beautiful grounds, the latter always
open, the fine hotel buildings and
church structures, the new and beauti-
full cemetery at Pine Hill, the work.
house and scale shops. Rutland people
very eagerly display their ne,o attrac-
tons to visitors, taking it for granted
that they have seen the old. So, having
seen the high school building that is
now going up and the grand new Irish
Catholic church in "Nebraska," with the
convent being erected opposite, and
having taken walk over Gen. Baxter's
grounds and trip to Pine Hill Gene
terry, and having heard the Rutland
Cornet Band of an evening and seen
the streets packed with people, walking
or driving, talking and listening, the
visitor is ready to inspect the scale
shops and the workhouse.
The buildings of the Howe Scale
| Works are, for tho most part, story and
half buildings of wood, situated with
in sight of the Central Vermont few
rods south of the depot. They are
prettily and conveniently arranged and
are enclosed by high palings. No one
can enter these buildings where the
the work is done without pass from
the general Office, which is a two-story
brick structure across the road from the
entrance to the shops. The shops are
all neatly kept and only work of one
kind Is done in a building. Over q
hundred men are employed and visitors
are forbidden to talk to them-though
oftentimes they do, just the same. The
machinery is all run by huge Corliss
engine, a beauty. 1t would take much
space to describe how those beautiful
and useful articles, the scales, are con-
structed from the uncouth piles of iron
and lumber that one sees about the
yard. When you 20 to Rutland you
should visit them yourself. The manag-
ers are courteous gentlemen and will
be glad to see you and show you over
the shops.
The State House of Correction is sit
uated about the same distance from the
depot north on the same side of the
Vermont Central track and within
sight, Otter Creek flowing between.
The buildings are of brick and present
a fine appearance. Tho central build
ing Ia the residence of the superinten-
dent. At present there are about fifty
seven persons In custody, fifty men and
seven women. There are separate
rooms for the various occupations at
which they are employed. The floors
are all white and clean. There are
seventy-six cells for men besides four
dark dungeons, and accommodations
for twelve women. In the third story
Of the main building is O small chapel
where services are held every Sabbath
and from whose windows there are
some very fine views. The women are
the worst-looking specimens ever seen
much more revolving In appearance than
the men, and that is saying good deal.
They were in charge Of a matron and
employed In washing and sewing. The
most of the men were at work upon the
grounds In gangs of eight or more In
charge of keepers. The men are indus
trious and orderly and do not try to
run away SO much as they did, for they
know If they are lazy that there Is q
dark dungeon and bread and water for
ten days awaiting them, and when they
think of running away while at work,
they also think of that man around the
corner with seventeen shooter rifle In
his hand, ready to stretch out the first
man who attempts TO leave on the
French plan.
Take 1t all In all think these addi-
tions and improvements show that Rut-
land people are public-spirited, enthu-
siastic, enterprising, and are bound to
succeed In making Rutland larger, pref
tier and weather., every year.
Pes.