The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-30
WASHINGTON.

AS Mrs. Darlington would say, this has be-
come TO be the place where "the gospel Is dis
pensed with mo preaching being expected in
either church for some time to come.
SOME fifteen OF the lady friends OF Mrs.
Cyrus Dickey gave her an agreeable surprise
on Saturday afternoon, the day being her
birthday.
SIX young ladies appeared before the SUPER
intendent Of schools on Saturday last and were
examined as to their qualifications for teach
ing In town the ensuing year. We understand
all were awarded certificates
CONSIDERABLE comment was caused by the
shabby treatment given to the body OF Uncle
Ned " Sargent who was lost In the snow few
weeks ago In the south part OF the town, which,
together with the subsequent search and re-
covery OF the body, was duly reported at the
time in this correspondence The facts con-
corning the disposal Of the remains may be
briefly stated here, but however brief the
record, the facts & to prove that the trans
action was one OF the most humiliating and
disgraceful that has ever occurred In this OF
any other civilized community. The body
when found had been covered up by the snow
two weeks. 1t was taken to the house Of Frank
Abbott the nephew Of the deceased, who re-
fused to let it remain in the house over night,
as did also Stephen A. Sargent, brother OF
the deceased, who lived near by. SO It was
placed in Abbotts barn. rude coffin was
made out OF rough hemlock boards, and the
nbxL morning Inc poor OlQ DOOy was consigned
to the grave, without the benefit OF clergy or
any ceremony whatever. The body was not
touched after 1t was recovered except to re-
move the cap and boots; a sheet was wound
around 1t and pinned close over the face, and
he was laid to rest In the old clothes that he
wore when he wandered away. The circum-
stances OF this outrage upon decency and COM
mon humanity coming to the knowledge Of the
town authorities, steps were at once taken for
the taking up OF the remains and for their
proper burial. party Of gentlemen from the
village, including Selectmen Chamberlain and
Bartlett, George +. Huntington, one Of the
grand jurors of the town, and Rev. III. +.
Dickey, went to the burying-ground on Friday
last, dug up the body, placed 1t in q neat, sub
stantial coffin, and after prayer and few
appropriate remarks by the Rev. Mr.. Dickey,
the proper burial was performed. None of the
relatives of the deceased were present at the
grave on Friday, save Frank Abbott, although
a number reside near by. The reasons given
for the indecent manner Of the first burial were
that they feared decomposition had set in,
which might prove infectious to those who ham
died tho body. That these fears were ground
less was shown on Friday, as the flesh was
found to be still in state natural to all dead
bodies, and no scent was discovered, even after
nearly a weeks burial. The neighbors, out
side OF the relatives, were greatly shocked over
the affair, but could do nothing to prevent it,
although one, Mr.. Charles Davis, gave permits
sion that the body could remain in his house
until after the funeral, or as long as necessary.
| Remarks upon these facts seem unnecessary,
| and 30 we forbear
THE REYNOLDS SISTERS are making arrange
ments to give concert here in few weeks
Mrs. Henry Slack is quite i'll, with symp.
toms of consumption. Mrs. Moody still re-
| mains in very critical condition. Miss Lucy
| Calef has so far recovered as to take a trip tc
Boston. :. Ed F. Brown sold yoke of oxen
the past week for $780,