Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

vices were held yesterday afternoon and the
burial takes place to-day at Sheffield, Mass
Miss Roberts, sister Of Mrs. l.. f. Shields,
living on Green street. is i'll with the same
disease, the case having been brought from
Bellows Falls. Her recovery is now antici-
pated.
In spite of the warm and unfavorable
weather Il seems TO be fact that our Brattle-
boro merchants never had better Christmas
trade than this year. Sales of staple goods
have been large, and in the way Of holiday
goods, while fewer costly articles may have
been sold, possibly, than has sometimes been
done, the sales of comparatively inexpensive
goods have been enormous. Every year the
pleasant custom Of holiday gift giving be-
comes more general, and every year the trade
begins at an earlier date.
The Travellers Insurance Company Of
Hartford, the largest accident company in
the world, have done a large business in
Brattleboro during the past year, through
their agents, Oudworth d Childs, aud have
paid out very considerable sum Of money
on account of disabling accidents. Something
like 100 policies have been carried by Estey
& Co.'S employees, and II is said that more
than the amount of premiums received has
been paid back in the shape of insurance.
The firm Of j. Estey q Co. cordially endorse
this method Of insurance and 10 a letter 10
their men earnestly recommend them TO take
out policies with the beginning Of the new
year.
Tho Christmas business at the post Office
this year was largely in excess of that at the
same season last year. On Wednesday and
Thursday the stream of letters cards and
packages began to flow in and out and culmi.
mated on Saturday in flood Of matter, which,
by diligence and hard work, was all handled
NIL on, rba nuFnhar of Christ
mas cards sent and received greatly exceeded
last years business Of that kind. Mondays
incoming mail of packages was the largest OF
the season. Reports from all over the coun-
try show that the Christmas post Office and
express business was far larger this year than
ever before.
For the information Of home readers ii
is hardly necessary to say what the weather
has been this week. Readers at a distance,
however, may be interested TO know that
Sundays beautiful Christmas weather was
succeeded on Monday by heavy clouds and
rain. and that since then the suns face has
not been seen and there has been gloomy
monotony of Clouds rain and fog, and the
oldest inhabitant" has grown fairly frantic
in his efforts to remember anything like it in
December. The roads are as deep in mud as
in the worst spring weather. On Wednesday
the Connecticut was at considerable higher
point than at any time this year before, and
though there has been some fall II still re-
mains very high. From all over the Middle
and Eastern sections of country there come
accounts Of heavy rains and swollen streams.
Present indications all point to a very
successful exhibition by the WindhAm Coun-
ty Poultry and Pet Stock Association week
after next. Mr.. d. L. Tasker secretary of
the society, attended the Middlesex society's
show, held at Lowell Mass, last week, when
all the prominent breeders and fanciers in
New England were represented. The exhi-
btion was given on the percentage plan,
which our home society has adopted for this
year, and the result was eminently satisfacto-
ry to both the society and the exhibitors.
Many of the prominent fanciers referred to
expressed their intention TO be in Brattleboro
with their exhibits, aud the officers are con-
stantly receiving applications for informa-
ton from breeders of choice stock who in
tend to be present. There is every reason TO
confidently expect the coming exhibition TO
be the largest, choicest and most success
full ever given in the state. People from out
OF town should stick a pin here and make
their arrangements to be present.
As will be seen by the announcements
elsewhere published, the mill business lately
owned and managed by Gen. W. w. Lynde,
has passed into the hands of company of
KtuItutu NuO Will GOulluub tue Uuhlutho uu
der the style of the valley Mill Company"
The name OF Mr.. John Frost appears as
president of the company, though we learn
that Mr.. Frost will take no active part in the
business, his connection with the firm of
Minor 4 Co., of Peoria, ILL.,, requiring his
time and attention there. The business will
be under the superintendent of Mr.. James
F. Estey, who has had 90 years experience
in the -four, grain and meal trede, assisted
by Mr.. 4. G. Frost, the secretary and treas
urer whose business connections have al
ways been in this direction. The company
will have the benefit of Mr.. W. H. Minors
rare facilities for close buying, and will un-
doubtedly do large aud Aourishing business.
The parties composing the new concern have
the full confidence of the business public,
and will have the best wishes Of the whole
community.
THE CHRISTMAS SERVICES.
New England has rarely seen a more de-
lightful Christmas day than was enjoyed on
Sunday last. The air was crisp and clear,
with Just suggestion of winter, and there
was no drawback TO the days enjoyment out
door or in. In all the churches there was
full attendance Of worshippers, and in all of
them the morning services partOok of the
character Of the day with music adapted to the
years great festival. In st. Michaels Epis-
with morning service and children's carols at
o'clock P. NJ. At the Congregational
church the Sunday school gave the Rev.
Robert Z. Lowreys beautiful Christmas SER
vice, advent Night" with accompaniment
of four brass pieces and flute in the musical
numbers. During the evening the primary
class occupied half hour with singing and
recitations, aud the whole service was one of
the most attractive ever given by the school,
At the Unitarian church the altar was made
beautiful with ferns and other green's In the
evening a service Of singing and responsive
readings was given, in which the children
had prominent part At the Baptist church
the pulpit was occupied by John Il. Gov, son
of the pastor, in the morning In the even
ing carols and other Christmas music were
given by the Sunday school and congrega-
ton, assisted by the choir, with orchestral ac-
compartment, and the pastor gave an address
to the children. At the Methodist church the
decorations were very handsome. In the
evening large congregation we're agreeably
entertained by well arranged Sunday school
programme. The children of the Universal
list society had their Christmas entertainment
at Crosby hall on Saturday evening, and took
no especial part in the Sunday services Mr.
Whitney spoke in the morning on Christ
the Desire Of the Nations" and in the even
ing on THE Duty Of Forgetting" The Mid
night and other services at the Roman Catho-
lie church were very impressive and largely
attended.
THE SHOOTING AT OAK GROVE RANGE LAST
SATURDAY.
12s4S 500
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