The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-01-07

ong-contnued. The Pioneers met their
defeat with smiles and admiration for the
for whom they gave three hearty
cheers. A fine exhibition of fancy skating
by Professor Greene followed the games,
after which there was general skating, with
music by the Montpelier Military Band
WE are indebted to Mr.. G. Def. Bancroft
for the following vital statistics Whole
number of deaths in town during the year
1884, forty-six. To this number might be
added three which occurred on Berlin side.
OF the whole number, all but two occurred
in the village. OF those in town, twenty
one We're males and twenty-five females, oc-
curing in each month as follows: January,
three February, three; March, six; April,
five; May, four; June, four; july two; Au-
gust, four; September, three; October, one;
November, three; December, eight. The
largest number occurred in December and
the smallest in October There was but one
death from September 27 to November 30,
and that occurred on October Q. OF the
causes of death, seven died of consumption,
six of cerebro-spinal meningitis, five of old
age, four of heart disease, three of child
birth, two of diphtheria, two of apoplexy,
two of paralysis, two from accident, one
from murder, one from suicide, and one each
from Brights disease of the kidneys, rhen-
matism, cancer and hemorrhage, and seven
from as many other causes Four were
under one year of age, two between one and
two years, two between five and ten years,
tween fifteen and twenty years, one between
twenty and twenty-five years, four between
twenty-five and thirty years, three between
thirty and thirty-five years, two between
thirty-five and forty years, one between forty
and forty-hve years, two between forty
five and fifty years, none between fifty
and fifty-five years, three between tifty-five
and sixty years, three between sixty and
sixty-tive years, three between sixty-five
and seventy years, six between seventy and
CIV tv-fxr hntx
five and eighty years, one was eighty-fve
and one eighty-six years, and one (the old
esD was ninety-three years. The average
age of the whole number Qorty-six) was
forty-seven years; average age of the four
teen oldest, seventy-seven years. Fifteen
were males over twenty-one years and
twenty-one were females over eighteen
years. OF these, ten were husbands and ten
were wives three were widowers and nine
were widows. In 1883 there were sixty-four
deaths in town and twelve on Berlin side.
The average age of those in town that year
was forty years, and the average of the
eleven oldest was eighty-eight years. The
average number of deaths in town during
the ten previous years was fifty-nine.
A PLEASANT entertainment was given at
the American House on New Years eve,
by a number of his masonic brethren, to
Mr.. w. A. Briggs, previous to his departure,
on Thursday last for New Orleans, where
he will pursue his duties as secretary to
Hon. John b. Mead, the Vermont commits
sioner at the worlds exposition. Seven
teen gentlemen met at seven o'clock at the
reception room of the American House, and,
while awaiting supper, listened to some
songs given by half dozen of their num-
Der, Mr. Briggs presiding at the piano.
! Notable among them was ." Keep in the
Middle of the Road" sung as a solo by
George p. Dewey, with a powerful chorus.
! Considering the very slippery condition of
the sidewalks outside, this song was both
timely and appropriate. About half-past
seven o'clock the company repaired to the
dining hall. This had been beautifully
decorated for the Christmas and New Years
holidays by Mr.. ID. w. Ramsdell who
spent several days in the work. Festoons,
wreaths and ornaments of evergreen were
pleasingly blended with well-culled sheaves
of wheat, oats and grasses from his farm,
thus uniting the bountiful "harvest home"
of the past season with the closing festival
of the outgoing year. Three dining tables
were spread, under the direction of Mr.. and
Mrs. Chester Clark, and were literally
loaded down with good things. When the
masonic brethren had taken their seats,
their attention was called to the substantial
parts of the "spread," which they pro-
ceeded to interview for half an hour,
topping off with pies and ice-cream, until
they found themselves incapable of coping
with the fruits and ornaments. When sub
sequently called upon to speak briefly some
confessed that they were " too fullf for utter
ance,' and asked to be excused. Collins
Blakely, worshipful master of Aurora Lodge,
presided. Other officers present were Fred
| W. Morse, senior warden A. w. Ferrin,
senior deacon; j. w. f. Washburn, mar
shal; James A. Erwin, tyler; and of the
members, Brothers Chester Clark, 14o, Henry
Fiheld, James L. Sabn, IA, Edward III.
Towne, ~, Frank HI. Puffer, Edward ID.
Blackwell, Horace II. Scribner and George
p. Dewey. The Supreme Council of the $50,
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, was repre-
sented by III. Frank II. Bascom, one of its
most active members the Vermont Con-
sistory by Ill. Charles II. Heaton, 800, sec
ond lieutenant commander; King Solomon
Chapter No. 7, by j. w. f. Washburn,
NJ. E. II. p; the Montpelier Council No. 4,
by Collins Blakely, ID. NJ; Gamaliel Wash
burn Lodge of Perfection, by Henry Lowe,
16o, ID. G. NJ, and also Mount Calvary
Council, of which he is NJ. e. s. G.. W.;
Mount Sinai Temple, by Charles III. Heaton,
recorder; Mount Zion Commandery, No. 8,
X. T., by Frank III. Bascom, e. G.. In all
the above orders Mr. Briggs has held, and
is now holding, prominent offices, he being
at the head of the Lodge of Perfection, 14o,
and of Mount Calvary Coupcil, 16o. His
active and efficient services in all of these
various positions were highly commended.
Collins Blakely called out Mr.. Briggs in
some well-considered remarks, and the lat
ter responded with few words in "A hu-
morous strain The party, having retired
to the music room, enjoyed cigars for half
an hour, and separated after singing, " Aud
Lang Syne," bidding their guest farewell
and wishing him a safe return in the early
mart of next summer.