davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
Caged for 81 Years.

Correspondence Sunday Republican,
In the town of Londonderry, on the road from
Stewards mill to the South village stands a
white farmhouse surrounded by large barns
and other out buildings, which has been the
home for 30 years of one of the most singular
objects in the form of human being to be
found in the country. A human being IN mid
die lite, devoid of comprehension and without
the power of reasoning, though it is said that
be once could say some of the letters Of the al
phabet in the country school. While he is
mentally an imbeclle, he IS physically strong
and at times passionate and barely eontroIla-
BILE, SO that he is confined day and right in
perf-ke apartment and fed like wild beast,
though with wholesome food. The doors and
windows OF bis cage are as strong as those Of
prison, while heavy lattced partition keeps
him from stove. Opening from this cell. like
apartment and ont of doors is yard made
strong with plank set on end, and sufficiently
open at the top to allow the prisoner air and
sun and the bare ground upon which he can
grovel. The care of the object in this lament
able condition is left to his mother, whose
sympathy alone enables her patiently to per-
form her daily task. He is usually quiet,
doclle and harmless, but he is utterly unable
to be taught to care for himself. At times be
is violent, so that everything with which he
could lnJure, himself or others must be
kept carefully out Of his reach. He eats
heartily and usually recognizes his mother,
but be is shy Of strangers, though when
approached by woman and not in violent
mood, he will bow down reverently as if in
the act of worship. His father, once business
man of that town, died some years since.
Until within few years he has been allowed
to roam about at will, but at last his freaks
became unbearable and he was finally
placed in confinement. One day he took it
into his head to tap bis fathers sugar orchard,
and after carrying large number of new tin
pans into the woods he nailed them firmly TO
the trees. He would sit for hours by the way
side and pound either on a rock or log with
short club, saying that he should pound so long
as "Phon," his father, lived. Another freak
prompted him to spend hours in the family
burying ground, where be went he said to wor
ship. One day he set fire to large pile of
straw under his fathers large farm barns for
the purpose OF breaking up setting hen. The
barn and contents were destroyed. 1t would
seem that the proper place for the wretch
would be in an asylum or some other institu-
ton where he could be cared for, though it is
understood to be the wish of his mother that he
be left to her care in this peculiar and out Of
the way place of confinement.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

The Pennsylvania railroad has been quietly
making some experime DTS TO ascertain whether
il would pay for a big railroad company TO
remember the Sabbath day. A good many
excursion trains and some regular passenger
trains have been discontinued. All freight
trains, except those carrying livestock and
perishsbIe goods, have been ordered of from
eight O'Clock Saturday night till midnight sun
day, and all repairing work on Sunday has
been stopped. To make the opportunity still
further beneficial. freight engineers are allowed
The use OF their locomotives to take themselves
home for the day. The results have proved SO
satisfactory that the directors are now arrang
ing to make these experimental changes per-
mauent aud TO extend them. The men are
found to oe worth more and the liability 10 ac-
cidents IS lessened.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

Hiram Harlow, one of Windsor's foremost
citizens, died Monday night of Bright's disease
after brief illness. For many years he has
been closely identified with the business inter-
ests of the town. being connected with the Jones
Lamson company in the machine shops, and
also the cotton mill. He was proprietor of the
gas works ard one OF the principal owners Of
the aqueduct which supplies the village with
water. Fol many years be was superintendent
of the states prison. He has served the town
in the capacity of seectman, representative,
etc, and was presidential elector on the Re-
publican ticket two years ago. His fathers
name was William l. and lived in Rockingham
where Hiram, one of twelve children, was born
October II, 1910. In 1929 be moved to Spring
field, where be learned the wheelwright's trade
He also represented the town of Springfield in
lS43-44-45. He was appointed superintendent
of the prison In 1915 and held the position for
Is years. He represented Windsor in 1880
81 and 80 and was state senator in 1866 81. He
was seleetman % years. His funeral will prob
ably take place Thursday.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
nv FINCH's LECTURE.

Some PrOhib tito nists Very Much RI, 'aset
Mr. Editor:-.A II who assembled in tho I owl
hall Tuesday yeTing had a rich treat III IA
lecture of Hon John Ii Finch, chairman Of the
National Prohibition committee and leading
Dember In the highest council of Good Tenn
plars of the United States. Easy In manner,
Z it'll a pleasant conversational voice that could
melt to tenderness or rouse to indignation, he
carried his bearers over wide reach OF fact
and argument, showing how the old parties
never c0ut6 decide the question OF the home
against the saloon. but 1t must DO met and de-
cided by party devoted to the purpose. His
illustrations were exceedingly apt and full OF
hnmor. He showed how the great cities, wheYe
elections were decided, were ruled by the whisky
element. Boston, through her business men,
had besought the legislature to take the power
of appointing the police out of the mayors
hands, since he was one of ring that worked
in the interest of the liquor men. Whatever was
done to save the home must be done soon.
Congress bad time for all other things, but no
time for this momentous question. Meanwhile
iniquity reigned undsputed, women's hearts
broke, childhood was despoed, manhood was
dishonored. He pictured how the school of vice
educates boy, that the school of the saloon
graduates moro pupils than the college. How
men sold their votes, was very finely drawn.
The intelligent, tenn perate man, with the kiss of
his child upon bis face, is offered ten dollars for
his vote. He rcsents 1t in scorn. Wait ten
years. Let the man learn social drinking; let
him visit the high saloon, and 60 down, down
to the lowest He works only to buy whiskey.
His wife takes in washing. perhaps his chill
dren are in rags, and go to bed supperless. The
father, crazed by an appetite that holds him
master, is offered SO for bis vote. What does
1t matterf Three dollars will buy that tor
which he is wild, and the vote goes to swell the
"count." This is true of thousands OF votes on
both sides, and in all elections. (Let us hope
not In our beautiful villageD
He spoke OF the rapid growth of prohibition
as a national issue, how the majority of clergy
and large part OF the church were awake to
the danger menacing the country. And young
men, with first votes and no party ties, were
banding themselves in colleges and cities and
rural districts by hundreds into Prohibition
clubs. He prophesied that he vote of the Pro.
hihition party, 10000 in 1884, would be 2,0OO,
600 in 1883. He urged all to join 10 the battle
and share in the victory. ETH.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
THE CIRCUS sWINDLERs.
Plying Their Game Everywhere They CT
One $500 and one $500 Victim.

Even while John b Doris was paying back
the money out OF which his men had swindled
l.'rattleboro people last week. they were max
ipk 1t up by hauling in other victims. While
the circus was at White River Junction, Belu
Downing OF Hartford got into their clutches,
and was relieved OF $500. Two men accosled
him engaged in conversation, and one OF them
represented that his father was a bank presi.
dent and Lis companion the cashier Of the bank in
town, He stated that he had Just bought
Grants memoirs, which ha did not care to
keep, and. as he took liking to Downing, il
he would walk down to his room, he would
give him the book. Downing accompanied the
two men and on getting to- their room he in
duced che old man 10 engage in little game
Of cards. He consented and to his surprise
won $500. The mell seemed asionished at
their vlctims success, but declined to pay the
loss unless he could show that no was worth
$500 and demanded to know fhe WIS. Down
ing allowed that he was for he had it in the
bank. Waning evidence of it,. they induced
Downing to ride TO his home WITH one Of them
to get his bank book and ride to Hanover, Nj
II, and draw the money from the bank. The
fellow who accompanied him managed to win
all from Downing, but he said he was very
wealthy and as Downing was an old gentleman
he did not care to keep the money, and If
Downing would meet him at specified place,
Thursday morning, he would hand 1t all back
to him.. They then left and have not been seen
since.
At 81 Johnsbury they relieved Urza West,
an old man of 70 years, Of $500. 1t was the
old game, West being induced to engagein a
game in which he was largely successful! He
finally went to the bank and drew the money
to accommodate the sharpers, when they man.
aged to get it and left. Officers are looking
the matter up.
The Newport Express says. "We learn that
several parties wore beaten out OF small sums
at Gov Pin f,Il In hor nm IN
st Johnsbury on account OF the White River,
function swindle, and ST. bloomsbury officers
followed from there and they succeeded in re-
covering nothing.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
CLIPS.

The president confidently expects to see the
people veto some 20 or 80 pension demagogues
next fall Washington Post.
The Democratic state convention at Mont
pelier, VT, by Hiram Atkins yesterday was a
very unanimous BODY But Hiram is always
unanimous.-[Troy Times.
On every Sl2 Or Sl3 which be pays for pro.
lection, it is estimated that he receives 81 in re-
turn Is ii any wonder that the manufacturer
thrives, while the farmer farms towards de-
spair Is there, any hope for him, while he
consents to be bled to death year after year.
charleston News.
Tbs United States senate now presents the
animated spectacle of hostile and coiding
booms. There Is the Evarts boom, cold, clam
my, passive and amiable; the Sherman boom,
shrewd. strategic, and arithmetical; the Logan
boom, obsueperous, ferocious and laundering.
Then there are outside booms family represent
cd by proxy on the floor of the senate. The
interest of the various booms must be cousid-
cred before important legislation can make its
way through the senate.-lSt Louis Post.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
EdmundS and Royce,

Comparison by the Richtord Gazette.
What does the Messenger think of Judge
who, while cause involving the title to mil
lions of dollars worth of property is before the
court OF which he is a member, takes free
ride in private coach from st Adams to Da-
kota with one of the parties OF the cause. and
has ali his expenses paid, and afterwards rem
defs Judgment in favor Of tbeparty who footed
the junketing bills Does the ring organ think
there was any wrong IN it? If George + Ed
munds accepted like favor from the president
Of the Northern Pacific road, and then in his
capacity as senator voted in favor of granting
S7,000000 subsidy to that corporation, what
would the st Adams Messenger say Of his
action !?
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
BENNINGTON COUNTY.
HON Al MINERS FUNERAL.


There was a large gathering at Manchester
village yesterday afternoon to attend the fun
eral services of Hon A l. Miner, which were
held in the new Episcopal church. Bishop
Bissell of Burlington, assisted by Rev w B
Buckhingham, conducted the ceremony at the
church. Rev DR. Wickham offered prayer at the
house. after which followed singing by quar-
tette. The remains were borne to the church
by six members of the Bennington county bar
of Manchester, the escorts consisting of Ex-
Judges Barrett, Dunton and Prout. Judge
Walker, Col A V Walker, Leut-Gov Ormsbee
and Hall, clerk OF the Bennington county
court. About 80 from Rutland attended the
funeral. The floral tributes were many and
beautiful.
James Parkinson of East Arlington met with
quite a serious accident last week. While NOV
in a building for NJ Fl Demlng,. a lever broke,
hitting him in the lower jaw, cutting through
the lip for one and one half inches.
The private creditors of Richard r Hanes,
representing large amount of his Indebtedness,
met at Bennington Thursday and discussed
their probable action in the matter of contesting
the Knower mortgages, amounting to 100000,
placed upon the property shortly before the
failure.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
-e%e-
Attempted Murder and Su; eide.

Mrs c Lowell, of Chester, attempted to
kill her four year-old daughter Wednesday
morning, and failing in her purpose made an
unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide. She
has been Respondent for some t,pe. Going to
the bedroom Of the child in the morning she
drew razor across its throat, irflicting an
ugly, but probably not fatal, cut,
about an inch long. The timely APP
pearauce of her aged grandmother saved the
child from further attack, but the would-be
murderess was not disarmed before she had
drawn the razor across her own throat. Mrs
Lovell's husband is employ ed in the Providence
depot restaurant, at Boston. The grand moth
er's hand was badly gashed while attempting 70
stop the crime. 1t is thought that both the
mother and child will recover. Mrs Lowell had
been watched for some time Dy her friends who
were fearful OF some such crime as occurred.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

From the Rutland Herald

But it is not of so much Importance what
the convention said or failed to say as it is how
it was managed. 1t was manipulated by Hi
ram Atkins as usual, and without even de-
cent regard for appearances. But his days are
numbered. There are thousands of high mind
ed Democrats who resent his bossisM and will
throw him over as soon as their increasing
strength will warrant an attack. They are con-
WINGED that the party will never grow under his
lead, and that be makes it butts appsndage to
Republican faction which is as undemocratic
as possible.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
Advertised Letters.

Considerable Bowler. Eugene NJ Bugbee,
Edwin Bracket, Nj E Butler, Clark. NJ j
Dickemon, w Dunkee, A NJ Eustace james
Flood, ] w Faller, Fred H sHillery, Geo
Houghton, Harry Lewis, NJ w Maher, H l.
Norman, Melville w Prince, w G Stockwell,
f b Thompson Wentworth (2), L Z Wills.
Ladies-Cora Clay, Eva ] Clark, Hattie n
CLARK, Mrs E N Johnson, Mrs Laura A Long,
Ella McMann, Mrs L Morris, Agnes Horton,
9, Mary Struthers, Mrs Sophronia Smith, Mrs
Thompson.
Neutrality-suspicious. & Co, Holbrook &
White.
Held for better direction-Miss Rebecca Sha-
fer, Mercer, Mercer Co.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

THE directors of the Bennington battle mon
ument association have decided not to have
celebration at the beginning OF the work of las
ing the foundation Or. the coming ann;yersarE1
OF the battle, because there IS no n!agy for this
purpose. But at their recent informal confer
ence they practically decided that the founda-
high. Some had favored one for monument
of only 250 feet. The directors are now Off
cially called together to locate the structure,
and as soon as that is done the contract for the
foundation will be let and the work begun.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
Contradictory,
FrOnlTthe Rural Xermrnter.

t IFroHtthe KuraI Vermcnter.
Colonel Hooker will be candidate against
General Grout FOR the nomination In the second
district Republican convention. Wirdham
county it is reported, will be solid for him and
some delegates from Orange and Windsor eoun-
ties will be chosen in his interest. On the 9TH
ga hand friends of Colonel Hooker, who pro-
fess to understand his position in this matter.
declare that while he may have complimentary
yofes from his own and perhaps other counties
ne has no intention of entering the field against
GTout t--tJi
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
THE THUNDERSTORM.
Lightning Kills "a Ba q cid Farmer

The thunderstorm ragsd with Il arful severity
through good part of western Massachusetts
Yesterday, caused considerable damage TO prop
erty and one human life is known to have been
lost. Arthur G Harris of North Hatfield wa.
loading hay from bis barn. just across the road
from his house, about O'Clock, when the fata
bolt struck, instantly killing him and his two
horses. His hired man working with him was
stunned, and the load of hay was burned.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
Postmaster General Villas Monday approved
{ a ne W desion for q nnStal card Su hmitted To

Postmaster General Villas Monday approved
of new design for postal card, submitted to
him by the engraving and printing bureau
The present design was adopted about year
ago, but was of necessity hastily approved and
unsatisfactory. tThe new design consists OF
one piece of engraving instead Of two, as on the
present card. A head of Jefferson occupies a
central place on the upper third OF the card.
Over this head, in light letters are the words,
"United States" In panels, supported by
scroll work at the left and right, are the words,
"postal card" in distinct letters. Under the
head are the words lone cent" and beneath the
border line inclosing the designation of value is
the line, "Nothing but the address to be on this
side" The design is graceful and light.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
Irish History,
h4r Gladstone To- Leveson Corner

S"T''"oVOHO
advDc yea to take reSOlutely TO the study
Of Irish Aistory. 7 have done IN that wav the
little that pconld and am amazed vt the dead
pess OF vulgar opinion to the b!ackguardism
and baseEess which have been practiced on
that unfortunate country. No words are strong
enough to characterize the proceedings that
led to the u1On. 1t is an opea question in nv
ln'nd whetherif this folly lasts the thing in the
cad may not come to rereal, which l sbouId
ggeaty regret
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
Oak Grove Range, July "a, 1856.

A farmer states that for five years he has
successfully prevented the ravages of the cab
bage worm by placing stalk ofpennyroyal be-
tween the leaves of the cabbage plant. IL is
cheap, simple and worth trying. Here is an
other remedy for destroying the maggot that
eats away the main root of the cabbage plan IS :
scrape away the dirt from about the stalk 10
the depth OF half an inch, sprinkle Stacked lime
about and replace the dirt.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
VERMONT SCHOOLS.
Statistics Prepared by the tate Superin-
tendent of Education.

State Superintendent of Education JuStus
Dart has prepared some statistics of the Yer
mont schools for the ear ending March 81.
Comparing the report with that of the previ-
Gus year it will be seen that the number of DIS
t,ictS have decreased 92 there are three less
schools, the average number OF days is 10 more
and the number or scholars enrolled between 3
and 70 years is more, while the average daily
attendance decreased 2406. There was de-
crease of % in the number of male teachers ard
an increase of l0l in the number of female
teachers.
The wages of male teachers has increased
$2.44 month and the wages of female teachers
increased " cents month.
The total receipts have increased Sl6 l%S17,
while the expenditures have decreased Sll ,364.-
SO.
Number of school districts, 2l53
Public schools, 2557
Average number of days of school, 1856
Scholars between and 20 years OF age
enrolled, 1867
Average daily attendance, 46,625
Number of days attendance for each
scholar, SS
Scholars attending private schools, es-
:. timated, 72a7
Female teachers, 1897
Teachers who had attended Vermont
normal school, 554
Teachers who were graduates of nor
NAL school, 407
Average wages per week of male teach
ers, So so
OF female teachers, 5 80
Town taxes for school pur-
poses $lSl,5l5.76
District taxes for school
purposes, 355,SS7 rs
From rent of lands, 1892 Is
From all other sources, 1874 81
Total rev for school purposes, S62l, $40 30
Paid for teachers wages, $45S,044 II
Fuel, 1904 IL
Repairs, "a, los OF
New buildings, 20,lS0 60
Incidentals, 32,1S9 60
New furniture, 9,052 0S
Total expenditures, not including
supervision, tor school pur-
,pota- 1888 1877 81
Amount paid town superiutendents $3.50 03
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
Protection of Amt Tic N Labor.
From the Boston Herald

Another conference between gentlemen" in
NewYork has resulted in an advance IN the price
of coal. The wages OF miners are still below 81
per day. And a conference of gentlemen" at
Washington keeps up the tariff which helps to
give the coal ring power TO regulate prices.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
Lively Times in Portugal.

Ii is astonishing what number of newspa-
pers exist IN Portugal, and more astonishing
still TO note The amount of liberty they enjoy.
Tie Republican papers say things Of the royal
family--well, all that the campaign papers said
of Blaine and Cleveland is nothing as COM
pared with the mud thrown at royalty here !;
but royalty is wise in little Portugal, 1T takes no
earthly notice OF anything the papers say
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

VIM HUNTER, second assistant secretary of
state and the Oldest official in continuous SER
vice in tine United States, died at Washington,
d G, last Friday of a complication of diseases.
He was native of Newport, r 1, and first ap-
pointed clerk in the state department by PreSi-
dent Jackson. "5
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

LFrOW us Montpelier Watchma1.l
Come meddlesome D. rscns who toolc tba
trouble to canvasstb delegations saw tn !, there
we're ls9 postmasters among the members of
the eonNentlon with fair spiinkling of other
federal officials. We arc unable to verify this
statement, but it is certain that there were from
30 to 40 OF such delegates.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
~ Man Who IL Not Atkin,' Man.

~ from the burlington Free Press.l
cratic noHiinationY With az little reserve az wa
can the nomination Of Waldo Brigham of HYDE
iafk for congressman from this district. Mr.
Brigham Is an able, clean and deaeryedlv re- !.
sspected gentleman, and there is nothing against
him but his politics. "e"'A''
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
AIwayG AdroIt.
From a St Johnsbury letter.

Uoi uooker OF Bratteboro has nut in any
me work In this section of the state Az has beeu
mum ago, IN order that he may take The nomi.
nation rom Cen Grout, as he has managed his
c.,nVass 10 adroit'y that no band has been seen.
usn prout hts stronger bold Oh his corstitu-
this writing sbtre seems to be no reason.t, a
donb5 bn. that ne will be bis own s., esessnr "o'o
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30
PERSONAL.

The death Of ex-Congressman A L Miner of
Manchester, probably leaves but one survivor OF
the Vermont legislature of 1910, from the 40
towns IN Windhsm and Bennington county,
Ashley Stone, late of Wilmington and who now
lives at Hinsdale, N H, totally blina.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

Stamford Wheeler G Bratt0n one of our
Oldest ana most respected citizens, died July
Is hi of cancer in the stomach. Mr. Bratton was
born here and has always made his home in
this town. In 1865 he was elected to represent
the town in the legislature, serving two years.
He was IS years old and leaves a widow and
six children. The funeral was held from the
Baptist church IN Stamford, Rev Mr. Chase as
sisted by Rev Mr. Hall of Williamstown Off
claiing.