Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-03-16
OLD TIMES IN VERMONT.
A Peculiar and Interesting State OF
Matters aud Things in the Good Old
Days.

A Peculiar and Interesting state of
Matters and Things in the Good Old
Days.
Henry Little In the St, Johnsbury oaledOnianl
1t will be remembered that Vermont was
admitted into the Union In 1901, and that
during the uext fifteen or more years after
that period, its legislature had no permanent
or fixed home, but wandered about, holding
Its sessions at several different places. There
were plenty of places which desired the
honor OF being made the permanent seat of
government, but every one of such places
had its jealous rivals in other places, it being
feared that the fortunate place would lake
on airs, magnify its importance and make
exorbitant demands upon the State, and also
upon the members Of the legislature, one Of
whom once said, that il the seat OF govern
ment was established at a certain place, its
people would charge him $3.50 week for
his board instead OF Sl.00, as now. There
fore, 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 he better.
In 1900 fourtecn years after the State was
organzed) the legislature held its reg
ular annual session in the courthouse at
Danville. Therefore, the people Of that
place were somewhat ciacd by
tue prospects offered in connection
with the expected coming of that important
event, and during the preceding Summer
were actively engaged in making prcpara-
tons 10 give their distinguished guests gen.
crous and honorable reception and entertain
mcnt, for tho village contained less that TWEEN
tv dwelling houses.
All the members Of the legislature arrived at
Danville on horseback or on foot there be-
ing no pleasure wheeled carriages then n the
region, nor any four wheeled vehicle, until
somc years later. This was large heavy
wagon, drawn by several pair of oxen, aud
driven by MIR. Burgess to transport freight to
and from Boston, and required at least one
month to perform the round trip. The table
ware OF that time would be great curiosity
now. Some people ate from wooden bowls,
with wooden spoons, but iron and pewter
spoons were generally used. Trcnchcrs, OF
wooden plates, very neatly turned from
hard wood, and the in size and shape of
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 very sharp.
Our boardcrs had given few gentle hints
that our knives were below the standard in
regard to sharpness, and finally a more en-
phatic reminder gave them a keen cutting
edge by means OF the grindstonc A table
bcdccked with bright, shining pewter plates,
platters basins, porrngers, mugs, tea-pots,
etc, was the highest ambition of many fami-
lies. The broad open fire. place, with blocks
Of stone, or wood, instead of head-rons, was
the only means OF warming our houses, there
being no stoves in that country until some
years later, when the first one was placed in
the court house, and it was still many years
later when the first tloor-carpet made its ap-
pearancc but our best floors were covered
with clean, white sand, which was wrough,
into many fanciful and grotesque figures by
the action of the broom in the hand Of the
expect artist
In those early times the members OF the
Legislature received surch a moderate com
pensation for their services that there was
no inducement for prolonging their sessions
any longer than the welfare of the public re
qured. The Vermonters had remarkably
good natural endowments, and were very in
teligent. They were plain and simple, bu
very practical in all their public and private
affairs, and labored to secure the most need
ed and useful results, while they abhorred
shams and superiluities. Therefore, thci
laws were few, useful plain, aud easily un
derstood. The criminal laws of Vermont a
that early period were by necessity adapted
to their then existing circumstances: there
fore criminal did not pay the penalty fo
violating the laws by spending several year
In State prison. because that institution die
not exist in that State.
But gentlemen of certain distinguished
order were not entirely forgotten AM
neglected in those good old times, bu
, promptly and summarily received tn
/ just reward of their works in tina
good, old fashioned and sensible way
by publicly standing in the pillory an
at the whipping-post. The pillory con
sisted of platform about Ave high with n
) upright post IN its centre, at the top of tn
post being horizontal plank having hole
through i to fit close about the neck an
wrists, as the culprit stood erect with arm
: extended. have seen two men at the sam
time, who were standing there side by side
. and giving free exhibition to the surround
ing crowd, which manifested its high apprl
y citation of that novel entertainment by jokes
u jcers, SCOTS and insults, while the small boy
(for whom there was no law were active !
y using unsavory missiles. The time occupie
T, by the first act of that grand drama was ju!
. one hour, at the end of which time the prii
y cipa' actors in that scene, accompanied b
= by their audience, repaired to the soul
side OF the public square, where III
second act was performed in yer
&c satisfactory manner, ms follows There was
lr perpendicular post, on the top of which WI
re cross-bar extending each way, and wht
D. the culprirs arms were extended to the rig
ne and left, his wrists were firmly bound to Il
VI ends of the bar. Then he received thiri
III nine strokes of the ''cai o. -ninc-tails' 4
Il, lashesl, which were honestly and vigorous
er applied to his naked back. have seen III,
IN pass through that trying ordeal with mu'
is apparent fortitude, and saw one man VIII
H. as soon as he was released from his bonds, f.
c. 10 the ground completely exhausted, and III
d. was borne away. In early times some Of |
&c New England States practiced branding wi
l hot iron, and cropping OF the ears, but
dc never saw that done in Vermont. 1t mi
OF not be inferred from this, that the above il
n perfectly depicted scenes occurred very 4
ps quently. Nearly all the offenders w
,r horse thieves or counterfciters
Ne. 1t is not probable that this memorable |,
he islature OF 1905 was characterized by 10
he debrates and needless speeches by the me
en- bers, who were celebrated in those times
the rapid manner in which they transact
of their business, which, being completed, ii
ne went home with clear conscience. No
he ing at that time made as deep lasting impr
ng sion on my mind as the farewell address
one of its members, because | was direc
lal and personally interested. That gentlem
are when about to tDke his leave Of o,lr housp 81