St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09

| OIblIdHJ ucHldHus upon liIc sChbCJ anu
also upon the members of the legisla-
ture, one of whom once said, that if the
seat of government was established at
a certain place, its people would charge
him S1.50 week for his board instead
of 100, as now. Therefore, whenever
it was proposed to establish the seat of
government at a certain place, it was
opposed by offering some other place,
which was claimed to be better.
In 1905 fourteen years after the state
was organized) the legislature held its
regular annual session in the court
house at Danville. Therefore, the peO-
pie of that place were somewhat elated
by the prospects offered in connection
with the expected coming of that im-
portant event, and during the preced-
ing summer were actively engaged in
making preparations to give their dis
tinguished guests generous and hon
orable reception and entertainment,
which was not a small undertaking for
so few people as were then at that
place, although the number of strang
ers to be provided for upon such an oc-
casiOn at that early time were much
less than could be expected now; and,
moreover, the accommodations to be
provided at that time were expected to
correspond with the then somewhat
primitive state of the country.
In 1905 (nearly eighty years ago) the
village of Danville contained less than
twenty dwelling houses. A short time
prior to that date Mr.. King had erect
ed and finished throughout a very spa
ciOus and convenient hotel, which was
the only dwelling house on the north
side of the public square, or "Green."
A small wooden building, which had
been used for a Jail, was the only build
ing on the east side of that square.
The house of Mrs. Flagg was the only
building on the south side of the same
square. There was no building on its
west side, except the old tavern house,
standing on the northwest corner of the
square, and nearly south of where the
rt-hOuse then stood, which was af-
forwards removed several rods farther
west.
In the summer of 1905 Col. |. p. Dana
bought the old red tavern stand, which
he improved, and built additional
barns and sheds. AS it was expected
that our house would be filled with leg
islatIve boarders, it was deemed advis-
able to make some improvements and
additions to it, and therefore "JOiner
joe" afterwards Captain Joe, and still
later, Judge Joseph Morrill,, and Steph-
en- Dole, his young apprentice, were
employed to make the changes. Dur
ing the progress of their work the
nails were expended, and went to the
blacksmith shop of Hezekiah Morrill, to
obtain some more, not a certain quaint
ty by weight, but certain number of
common sized board nails by count,
which were hammered out upon the
anvil and headed in the vice while
waited for them.
All the members of the legislature
arrived at Danville on horseback or on
foot, there being no pleasure-wheeled
carriages then in that region, nor any
four wheeled vehicle, until some years
later. This was large heavy wagon,
drawn by several pair of oxer, and
driven by Mr.. Burgess to transport
freight to and from Boston, and re-
quired at least one month to perform
the round trip. A few years later one,
or two, of the One-hOrse chaise appear
ed there. The bOarders at our house
were all Methodists, and when any one
was spoken to, or of, it was always
"Brother" So and So. If pure and sim
pie Christian love and brotherly affec-
ton were enshrined in the hearts and
controlled the actions of all men at the
present time,-well, | will not venture
to predict what the results would be
Our table fare was very good, but was
limited to a less variety of edibles than
we now have, there being no cultivated
fruit, except few apples and currants
The table-war of that time would be {
great curiosity now. Some people ate
from wooden bowls, with wOOdeI
spoons, but iron and pewter spoons
were generally used. Trenchers, o.
wooden plates, very neatly turned from
hard wood, and in size and shape o
earthen plates, were much in use, and
many people insisted upon their use
because they did not dull their knives
which custom required to be yer!
sharp. Our boarders had given a few
gentle hints that our knives were be
low the required standard in regard t.
sharpness, and finally more emphati
reminder gave them a keen cutting
, edge by means of the grindstone. A ta
BILE bedecked with bright, shining pew
ter plates, platters, basins, porringers
mugs, tea-pots, etc, was the highes
ambition of many families. The broat
f open Fireplace, with blocks of stone
: or wood, instead of hand-irOns, was tn
: only means of warming our houses
: there being no stoves in that cOuntr
= until some years later, when the frs
l one was placed in the courthouse, an,
! it was still many years later when til
first f1oOr-carpet made its appearance
b but our best floors were covered wit
q clean, white sand, which was wrough
: intn many fnnciful and nrotasnua & q