The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-07-18
Centennial Celebration at Cabot.

Centennial Celebration at CaDOt'
In 1879 General nazen cut through the will
derness and made q passabe road for fifty |
miles running over what Is now known as
Cabot Plain TO Hardwick, thence to the north |
part of the state. This military road accounts |
for the early settlement of the town. The lat
ter was chartered August II, 1871, by vermont |
to Jesse Leavenworth and sixty-tve others, |
but was not surveyed and lotted until 1886. |
The town was named by Lyman Hitchcock IN
honor of his brde-elect, Miss Cabot Of Connec- |
ticut, descendant of Sebastian Cabot In |
September 1882 Benjamin Webster, uncle of
the renowned Daniel Webster of Salisbury, N
H., now Franklin, came to this town and made
an opening in the unbroken forest, with a
view Of a permanent settlement He remained
six weeks, during which time he cleared quite
piece of trees and rolled up cabin, after
which he returned to Franklin and remained
until the following March He then came to
his new home in the primeval forest with his
family consisting Of himself, and wife and lit
tie daughter then two years old, and hired
man, All their worldly goods were trans
ported into town on a hand-sled Mrs. Web
ster travelled on snowshoes and their little
daughter was drawn in a washtub ON the sled.
In short time eight families were added to their
number Thus was the settlement of the town
commenced one hundred years ago last March.
This being the centennial year, at meeting oil
the citizens the first of June IL was agreed to
celebrate the same in proper manner the
coming Fourth of July, as follows: The day
was ushered in with the ringing of bells and
salute Of nine guns in honorpf the nine first
settlers of the town, viz: Benjamin Webster,
Jonathan Heath, Nathaniel Webster, Thomas
Lyford Daniel Blanchard, jeremiah Mechanics,
Lyman Hitchcock, John Lylord, James Bruce.
Immediately after the saiute,' the rain poured
in torrents making it appear rs though the
days enjoyment were at an end, but in the
course of an hour the clouds cleared away, the
SUI came out beautifully. Then commenced
the rush of people and in o. few hours the streets
were literally packed with visitors, not only
from this and adjoining towns, but from other
states, who had returned to their native town
to do her honor on this her one hundredth
birthday. But it very soon became evident
that all the fond anticipatiOns were to be damp
ened the sky was overcast with thick clouds, the
rain began TO pour and the artillery of heaven
belcheu forth u Salute that made tile very hills
tremble This continued until twelve clock,
and of course set aside all the exercises of the
torepart OF the day But heaven seemed to
nave bright spot Tor us at last, the sun came
out bright and very soon dried up the mud.
Inc committee of arrangements Immediately
gave orders to form the procession, the marshal
and his assistants were at once busy carrying
orders through the crowd, the banos were
Drought into line and the procession formed at
the stSnd in the following order: Marshfied
Gornet band; president Of the day, b. j.
Lance, Esq, and orator. Hon. f. T. Walton
In tyvo-wheeled double gig known to be one
hundted and twelve years old, bearing upon
Its sides the date 1888; clergy in carriage
bearing date 1888, showing the cnange in veni-
cIes I'm one hundred years; Independents and
descendants of the first settlers, bearing u
banner on which was inscribed upon one side,
We have subdued the forest" and on the
other side " 17S3-1S83" singers; thirty-eight
young ladies in a large carriage bearing ban
nIiers with the names of the states an old gen.
tgeman and lady upon one horse, followed Dy a
very richly dressed lady and gentleman on
(horses, which showed great cnange in one
Z hundred years; Danville cornet band; COM
| mlttee OF arrangements; citizens in general. The
procession was accompanied by Indians mount
cd upon ponies. 1t WAS a marked success,
although nothing to what it might have been
the fore part of the day. 1t took up its line of
march down Main street TO Lower Cabot, and
owing to the great numbers and length it was
Obliged to return by the same route to the
stand, where the following exercises were had
singing by Clark family, music by the bands
prayer by Kew. John +. Stone of Montpelier
after which the president, with fitting remarks
introduced to the large audience, the orator OF
the day, Hon. E. P. Walton of Montpelier, who
delivered an appropriate and eloquent address
There was but one verdict from all that coulc
get within hearing which was, that it was cap
ltal and no better selection of an orator coulc
nave been made for the occasion. Music from
the bands closed the exercises at the stand
|. Next came the parade of the fire company who
made grand display of skill in the use OF theil
engine, throwing water squarely over the has
1 -sAFIcEo hundred feet high. Then followed
iuh In general, sack race, potato race, ETC.
aIter winch recess was taken until evening
grand torchlight procession, headed by the
bands paraded the streets, after which fol
lowed good display of fireworks and the da,
closed with grand promenade concert giveI
by the Danvlle cornet band at the repositor,
or CABOT carriage company. The band music
throughout the day was excellent. Tn
Marshneld band, Ira Edison leader, appeared
ninety ana It's efforts were frequently appauded
Inc DanVille band, William Weeks, leader
played In excellent form and well sustained tn
good impression made last year. We wer
pleased to see such good feelings existing be
tween the Two bands, and when they joined il
Playing the national airs the effect was fine
Inc log house, which was intended to repre-
sent as nearly as could be the first cabin built
was the center of attraction for a large sbar
OF the crowd. This was furnished with old I'm,
nlture bearing age from one hundred to on
hunored and fifty years, and the familiar fla
Wneel was brought into use by many an oil
lauy VINO showed she had not forgotten he
ouuoatlon Oh sixty years ago Outside tn
capin were the ancient implements of farming
sucn as the tiax-brake, wooden plow ancie1
CHAIN, etc. show case contained many ar
Gient papers, among which was the origina
drawing OF lots OF the town, and many otners
some OF them bearing date ills. A large nun
DER OF the former residents of the town wer
present and many letters were received by til
committee OF arrangements expressing regre
atipelng detained from coming All regrette
the inability of Rev. L. H. Stone of Castletol
Tue chaplain, to be present, as he DOUBLE,
would have added largely, by his speaking,
the interest of the occasion. Although IL
weather was unproptious the most was mac
ol the occasion that could be, and we have L
hesitation in saying that those who participate
IN celebrating the one hundredth anniversal
Oh the town OF Cabot will ever look back upc
~ as very pleasant and interesting occasion
Anu may those that shall come after US see
many virtues to comment upon in those no
upon the stage of action as we do in those th
nave preceded us in the century Just past
North ThetfOrd.-A. w. Jaquith is putin
large, hlgn piazza on che front of his hote
making quite an Improvement in the looks of
FRED EARLE from Bedford. Mass. is haviI