davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Y. M. G. A. Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of the Young
Mems Christian association on Satur-
day evening was largely attended, and
had an especial interest from the fact
that some important questions were to
be presented for the consideration of
the association. These matters are re-
ferred to elsewhere. The reports made
were very encouraging, and showed the
efficient work which this practical or
ganization is doing in this town. The
receipts during the year have been 5 ;
1889 and the expenditures 81 ,56o.79,
with outstanding bills against the assO-
citation of S256.29. The amounts
pledged to the association for the cur
rent year and pledges unpaid aggre-
gate 81 ,669.84. The membership of the
association is 249, divided into classes
as follows Active members l65, assO-
ciate members "A, sustainers 40. The
following officers were reelected for
the ensuing year: President, c. E. Put
ney; vice president, F. G. Stevens
treasurer, A. B. Noyes general secre-
tary, c. H. Sage; directors, NJ. w. An
gier, w. 5. BoyntOn, F. Allison, w. 6.
HaWleV.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
The Hall QUESTION Again.

The action taken at the annual meet
ing of the Y. NJ. C. A. on Saturday
evening revives the question of in
creased hall accommodations for st.
JOhnsbury, the necessity for which
has been fully discussed in these col
umns. The generous offer which was
made some time ago by Ex-Governor
and Colonel Fairbanks was renewed
at the meeting, offering the site and
the structure of the Music hall build
ing to the association if they will raise
money to enlarge and improve the
hall in a manner that has been pro-
posed, suitable to the needs and re-
quirements of the town. This offer
was accepted by the association, and
the plans, as submitted by the build
ing committee appointed by the asso-
citation some two weeks ago, of which
E. A. Walker is chairman, provide for
seating capacity of 1857, 696 on the
ground floor and sol in the gallery.
The stage will be 32x25 feet, the great
er part of the depth being secured by
building on in the rear. 1t is also
proposed to extend the building near
er the street in front, thus securing a
hall the inside dimensions of which
will be 74x54 feet. The plans for the
gallery provide for three rows of seats
on each side of the gallery extending
from point corresponding with the
front of the stage on the lower floor,
running back and uniting with the
semi-circular rows of seats on the east
end. Thus the seats in the gallery
would be the most desirable ones in
the house. 1t is designed to have the
seats, above and below, of the most
improved designs of folding opera
chairs. There may be some slight
changes in the plans, but if the work
is done, it will be done substantially
in the manner here indicated. The
plan will give hall sufficient for all
the present and prospective needs of
the town, and if the estimated amount,
$1,000, can be raised-Of which there
ought to be no question-it is expect
ed that the building will be completed
i'll season for the next course.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
English SparrOWs.

The question raised at the close of
my last article, "whether these birds
have done what was at first expected
of them" can be best answered by
quoting from "New England Bird
Life" a book edited by Prof Elliott
COues of Smithsonian institute and of
the United States Geological Survey,
Washington, d. c.: "The English
sparrow, which was unfortunately in
trOduced some years ago, has become
thoroughly naturalized and by repeat
ed impOrtations and unchecked natu-
raj increase now abOunds
with great prejudice to native birds,
with injury to the orchard, garden and
farm, and with annoyance to most per
sons, without rendering the services
expected of it in the way of destroying
noxiOus insects. A premium on theiI
heads would he wise legislative ac-
ton" In this last sentence Prof. COues
strikes the keynote. These birds have
become such terrible pest that the
committee on agriculture in the legis.
lature of Massachusetts have undel
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

commenced at once, and the church
was completed and dedicated in No
vember following. In March, 1876,
Rev. Mr.. Sanford commenced his pas
torate. During the seven years the
membership of the church increased
ll9, making the total membership
173. Since the organization of the
church IA died, 30 were dismissed,
excluded, making the present mem
bership lis. There are so resident
members, SO of whom are females and
"a males. There have been raised for
benevolent contributions S1246, and
the Sunday-schOol has raised $500.
There have been raised for church ex-
penses S5,175.
The future of the church, he said,
must depend upon the activity of its
membership. He considered the hin
ORANGES to the prosperity of the church
universal, the most prominent of which
is a declension of religious interest.
What is the cure for this 1t is, first,
in the immediate evangelination of
the world, and, second, the work of
the church must be done by the church.
On the first point he made a plea for
foreign missions, and made startling
statement to the effect that the aver
age of the contributions to foreign
missions by members of Protestant
churches is only eight cents. On the
second point, he said the church must
not wait for evangelists to do the
work, but must do it's own work. In
these ways the prosperity of the church
in the future will be assured.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

Post Office clerk Berry is soon to en-
ter upon similar service with F. Dem
ing, at Wells River.
Clinton Shufelt has been promoted
recently ON the n. Y. & n. E. r. r.
from brakeman 10 baggage
Town meeting passed very quietly,
less than one-third of the voters be-
ing out. As no votes on the constitu-
tiOnal amendments were sent here,
none were cast. The printed votes for
county commissioner were not to be
found, and the grand list blanks have
not yet been received.
The Good Templars have voted to
hire the hall in Mathewson's block re-
Gently vacated by the Masons and Odd
Fellows.
The Novelty Girls" a society con
nected with the Congregational church,
give an entertainment at Mathewson's
hall next Friday evening. They are
to have promenade concert, tableaux,
etc, and will conclude with supper.
Proceeds for the benefit of the Sunday
school library.
The "Odd Girls" are rehearsing the
Operetta of ''Genevieve," which they
will give to the public soon.
The new engine at the shops which
is to take the road this spring is to be
called the "Alden Speare," instead of
"Orange" as originally intended.
The Passumpsic railroad company
are building twenty-five stake cars
and have recently bought quantity of
the Keith manufacturing company.
Ansiel Miles has bargained for Luth-
er lngersOn's farm at $500.
Twenty-Five years AFRO DR.. Hubbard
Fields died on the poor farm in this
town. His son, DR.. Geo. A. Fields,
who had supported his father, died "A
short time before his father. The wild
Ow of George, who lives in Grafton,
Mass, has recently made inquiries in
regard to the cost to the town of the
care her father-in-law received, and it
was ascertained that the town paid out
about SlS5 for his support. Mrs. Fields
has sent to the proper authorities Il
check for 5000, for which the town has
voted her its thanks.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

A council of the American Legion
of Honor will he instituted this CThurs-
day. evening, with some seventy char
ter members, representing many of Om
best and most prominent citizens
The council will be instituted by A
Barrows, NJ. D., of Boston, supreme
deputy.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

terianS.

Another chapter was reached in the
unpleasant relations existing between
Horace Wakefield and the Presbyterian
church on Friday. Three men were
sent by Mr.. Bray to put the second
coat of paint on the east side of the
church. They had constructed stag
ing by mailing cleats to the church and
Mr.. Waketield's barbed-wire fence,
across which ladder was placed, on
which the men were standing, with six
pals of paint which they were using.
A similar staging had been constructed
below, and the wOrkmen were about to
descend to the lower staging, when
Mr.. Wakefield made his appearance
and, shouting to them to get off the
staging, knocked the cleats from the
fence, one after another, without Civ
ing the men a chance to reach a secure
place. The ladders fell, one of them
striking J. E. Corliss of Passumpsic,
badly bruising him, so that he had to
! liN NOlh 10 auOOllCl
of the men was slightly bruised. One
saved himself from falling, when the
ladder fell, by catching and holding to
an inch cleat, nailed to the side of the
church, by his fingers. The paint was
spilled on the ground, and a window
was broken by the pals falling against
it. At the start Mr.. Wakefield had
many sympathizers, but he has con-
Quoted himself in this whole affair in a
manner not at all creditable to a peace
ably disposed citizen and this latest
act, so destitute of all principle and
humanity, will forfeit him whatever
sympathy he may have retained to this
/ time. Those who have been inclined
to take sides with Mr.. Wakefield must
admit that the Presbyterians have at
tended to their own affairs, in spite of
efforts seemingly intended to provoke
them, and have manifested no DISPOSE
ton to indulge in a wrangle with their
cOmbative neighbor. On the principle,
doubtless, that there is ga time when
fOrbearance ceases to be virtue" they
have brought suit against Mr.. Wake
field for damages, and the end is not
vet.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

The weather this week has been
the most clustering and disagreeable
of any experienced this season. The
weather has been at zero in the middle
of the day, water pipes have frozen
and bursted. and people who had Oc-
casion to ride any distance on Monday
and Tuesday mornings pronounced
them to be the coolest of the season to
get about. Tuesday afternoon and
night there was quite a fall of snow,
which was badly drifted on Wednesday
so that the sidewalks were Obstructed.
There is considerable complaint that
the sidewalks are not cleared of snow
as promptly as they should be, which
was the sentiment of all who fioundCred
through the drifts that day and even
ing.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Personal.

I
T. NJ. Howard and wife, Gilbert
Spencer and wife and c. NJ. Stone,
wife and son started Wednesday after
noon for trip to Florida. The 2.59
train did not arrive here until about
six o'clock, the train was showed in
between here and Boston, and the par
ty arrived at the Club" eleven hours
late. They expect to be absent sew
eral weeks, and the readers of the Cal
edOni0n will doubtless be favored by
some editorial correspondence from the
land of flowers and orange blossoms.
Rev. +. w. Parker and wife, mis-
sionaries in India, are on their way to
America and are expected here in tie
month of April. Mr.. and Mrs. Parker
have been in India for quite a number
of years, and will probably remain in
and about their old home for "A year or
so. Mr.. Parker is a son of the late
Quincy B. Parker of this town, and a
brother of Mrs. Caleb II. Marshall.
Rev. II. w. Jones started for Wash
ingtOn, ID. c., on Friday morning to be
absent about ii week. The pulpit at
the North church on Sunday morning
was supplied by Rev. H. Fairbanks.
Mrs. 5. p. Colby is visiting in New
Haven for few weeks.
Geo. II. Hale has resigned his posi-
ton in the st. Johnsbury Clothing COM
pany's store, on account of i'll health.
Chas. ID. Newell arrived home from
his Florida trip to-day.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
The Lecture Course.

The lecture of John B. Cough will
close the course of 'S2-'53. The COM
mittee, composed of A. B. NOyes, w.
w. Sprague, S. H. Bracket and w. S.
BOynton, make an interesting report of
the financial success of the course.
The committee had in hand Sl92.13
from last seasons course. The total
receipts of the course for this season
have been 1851, leaving a balance
of S4S6.l4 at the present time. With
the addition of S25 for an estimated
sale of tickets and an expendi-
ture of SI04.7O for Coughs lecture,
and for articles purchased for the assO-
citation, there will be a net cash balaI ce
of S3l6.44. When the limited capaC ty
of the hall is taken into consideration,
together with the character of the
course, this exhibit is very tlattering
one. With increased hall accommodate
tions-such as the association needs if
this branch of their work is to be car
ried On-the success of this course will
be but an index of what may be ac-
cOmplished in the future.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

Thursday, Friday and Saturday even
ings, March Is, 16 and II. The first
represents the temptations and infiu-
ences to which youth are exposed in
our great cities, and the comic and
droll sides of human nature are well
illustrated. While it conveys a great
moral lesson, its humor is irresistible
and side-splitting. 1t is an original
drama, was first presented at Newbury
academy, and was written by one of
the students some years ago. The
second will have an additional interest
to our townspeople from the fact that
it was written by Mrs. Geo. w. Spen-
Ger in her school days. 1t is true in
cident of the late war, and is highly
dramatic in character. Both dramas
will be presented on each evening, and
will be given under the auspices of
Hector lodge, |. o. G. T.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Local Notices.

All kinds of family sewing and max
ing button holes specially, at ll5
Main street. tsp
PHOENIX MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE
CoMPANY.-We publish i'll another col
umn the thirty second annual state
ment of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insu-
rance company, of Hartford, Conn.
The Phoenix has always maintained a
high reputation for making annual
statements which are clean and strong,
and for the year just closed it presents
to its patrons an array of figures
which show remarkable progress. Du-
ring the year it has increased its sur
plus, On a four per cent basis, $40, 924.-
~, and on four and half per cent
basis, S97 ,649.72; its receipts from in
terest alone pays its entire death
claims amounting to $3.50, 267 As, and
| $50, 5l3.92 over. The amount paid to
policy holders in death claims, matur-
ed endOwments, dividends, ceased pol
icies, etc, is 81, l69, 550.30, and after
paying all expenses and providing for
its reserve fund, on Il four per cent
basis, of g, 1863 POO, it shows IA clean
surplus. on the four per cent basis, OF
over tlree-fOurths of million, and on
the four and half per cent basis, of
nearly one and Ore-half millions OF
dollars. 1t has averaged, in interest
received, over six per cent on its en-
tire assets. For the years 1879, 1880,
1881 and 1882, the interest on its in
vestments has paid the entire death
claims and S6I7, I45.44 over. We con-
gratulate the officers, agents and poll
cy holders of the old Phoenix upon this
splendid showing. The branch office
of this company for the states of New
York, Vermont and New Hampshire, is
at 30 and 81 State Street, Albany, n.
Y. NJ. V. B. Bull & Co., managers, to
whom applications for agencies are to
be made.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Town Meeting.

March meeting passed off with about
the usual CELEBRITY. The clerk, treasu-
rer, selectmen, Overseer of the poor and
two of the three listers were reelected,
being the same as held office last year.
A. j. Willard was elected lister instead
of Jacob HOvey, who has held the of
fee for quite a number of years. Some
people began to call for ballots quite
early in the meeting, and the cOnsta-
BILE, collector, and all three listers were
chosen by ballot. The collector agrees
to collect the taxes for SI45, and agrees
that the Attachments shall not exceed
over one per cent on the legally as
sessed taxes. Early in the meeting the
moderator, who was also the only act
ing auditor, arose to make an explana-
ton, which in effect was that the over
seer of the poor, in transcribing his ac-
count for printing, omitted by mistake
quite a number of items amounting to
little over $50, therefore the account
as printed did not balance H. C.
Bates, Esq, offered the following reso-
luton, which was unanimously adopt
ed:
Resolved, That the selectmen, listers,
auditors and Overseer of the poor of the
town of St. JOhnsbury shall hereafter
be paid the sum of two dollars per day
for the time actually and necessarily
spent in performing their respective
duties and their actual and necessary
cash disbursements, and that no claim
for compensation shall be allowed them
unless the claimant shall file with the
town auditors his account in writing
verified by his oath, showing each item
of time and expense charged, the bust.
ness done, the length of time useC
thereon, the date thereof, and the ex
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
lrafHs.

AtPsssumpsic, Feb DC Joseph Gould, aged %
years and months.
At Hartford, Feb. - Maria, wife of AFRO Dut-
ton, formerly of McIndoes.
At Concord, N H, March l. DR.. John W. Bar
ney, aged g. formerly of st. Johnsbury, and
brother of the late Geo. c. Barney.
At Newbury March ?, of consumption, Mrs.
Margaret 6Aikenl Miller, aged O. years.
At johnson, March I. George W. Dillingham;,
aged 75-a brother of E1-Gov. Dillingham; and
father of Mrs. E. b. Merriam of this place.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
West Burke.

Only one wedding anniversary has
occurred here the past week, that OF
Charles Thompson and wife on the Sd
inst, There was large company pres
ent and many valuable presents given.
Rev. L. c. Dickinson, in his usual hap
ply way, made the presentation. The
recipients had been married twenty
five years.
We are reminded of Cartoons cover
the hill to the pOor-hOuse, I'm vending
my weary way" as another old man is
thrown upon the town by his son-in-
law, who has had the old mans prop
erty and is himself well off in worldly
goods.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Harriages.
" Marriages and deaths inserted free
Obituaries sir cents line.

At st. JOhnsbury, March ;, by Rev. II. Lock
hart, Thomas E. A. Sturgeon of HaverhiTl, n. II b,
and Rosa A. Hayward of Sutton.
At st. Johnsbury, March 7, by Rev. II. Lock
hart, Edgar A. Dow, of St Johnsbury and Katie
NJ. Fogg of Sutton.
At Wyoming Ill, Feb. &c, by Rev. W. Walters,
Hammond c. Kinney OF Rathdrum, Idaho, and
Kate Matthews of St Johnsbury.
At Ludlow, Mass, Feb. "a by Rev. J. p. Coyle,
Alfred H. Bartlett and Nellie l., daughter of Da-
vid JOY, Esq, all of Ludlow.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Are the Listers Legally Elected

Some doubts exist as to the legality
of the election of the listers chosen at
the recent town meeting. The point
raised is that the statute says the
check list shall be used at town meet
ings the same as at freemen's meetings.
The office of lister is an important
one, and all doubt of their election
should be removed. There is some
talk of another meeting being called
to act on the matter. There is a stat
utory provision for officers holding
over until their successors are chosen.
The matter is one which should be in
vestigated, as some trouble and posi-
BILE litigation, in view of their election
being Illegal, might thus be avoided.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

Prevent Decay OF the Teeth with their
surest preservative, aromatic SOZODONT
Wilderness of the dental row, heathful rosiness
and hardness of the gums a sweet breath, agree
able taste in the mouth all these are conferred
by SOZODONT. Does not such an invaluable
toilet article, pure well effective, de
serve the popularity it enioysl Most assuredly
1t has no rival worthy Of the name. The ordinary
powders and pastes nothing to it, and since its
appearance have rapidly lost ground. 1872
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Debating Society.

AT the meeting held in Browns hall
on Friday evening, for the purpose OF
organizing a debating society, con-
stitution and bylaws were reported
and adopted, and the organization was
perfected by the choice of the following
officers President, F. G. Bundy; vice
president, H. |. GOss secretary, j. II.
Muldoon; treasurer, Geo. NJ. Gray di-
rectors, H. |. Goss, C. F. Shepherd, j.
NJ. Cheney. The society are to hold
weekly meetings, and, Judging by the
young men who have the matter. i'll
charge, it will doubtless be success.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Obituary.

DIR. John w. Barney died at Con-
cord, n. H., Sunday. He was born in
st. Johnsbury, Jan. Is, 1916. He at
tended the academies at Lyndon, Pea
cham and Newbury, and studied medi-
cine in his native town with the late
DIR. Calvin Jewett. He began practice
in Lancaster, n. H., and was estab-
lished in that town for about twenty
eight years. He was a democrat, and
was register of probate in Coos county
from June, 1852, until 1855. In 1868
he was nominated for the state senate,
and was elected 10y the largest majority
ever given in his district. He was re-
elected in 1869. He leaves an insane
wife but no children.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Accidents.

B. Ii. Foster, at Laird's granite
works, was hit in the right eye by IL
piece of steel from his chisel. He re-
moved the goggles he wears when at
work a short time before the hour for
finishing work, and after removing
them went back to work for few min
utes without replacing them. After
an operation of two hours the piece
was removed, and his eye-sight will
probably be saved.
On Monday evening, while climbing
some ceiling ladders in the Academy
gymnasium, a student by the name of
Coffin lost his hold and fell to the floor,
a distance of fifteen feet, striking on
his head and shoulders. He was
stunned and sprained one wrist, and
severely bruised his face and shoulders.
He was delirious for a portion of the
night, but was more comfortable the
next day. Fortunately no lasting in
iuries were the results.
On Saturday evening four couples OF
Academy students were coasting on
Hastings hill, with traverse sleds. As
the second party was going down they
saw dark object in the road, and sup
posed it to be the first party returning.
When too late to arrest the collision they
saw that it was a team, and as the re-
suit of the collision, one of the young
men named Wallace had one ear cut so
badly that it had to be stitched and
two of the young ladies received
bruises. 1t was a narrow escape and
speaks its own lesson against the dan
gerOus pastime of coasting.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

H. w. Love has begun suit against
Justice Wayne Bailey for one-fOurth of
the $1,000 liquor fine paid recently by
John Holmes, such part going to the
complainant. Love and Policeman
Caissey each put in claim, and the
justice, having been given a bond of
indemnify, paid the money to Gals
sew
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

pense incurred, which accounts shall
be audited by the town auditors and
their allowance paid by orders on the
treasury to be drawn by the selectmen.
The treasurer of the town shall be paid
800 per year, and all other officers,
except the collector of taxes, shall be
paid the fees fixed by law.