The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-09-25

| cOunJrymen. Mr.. NOrdgren sailed for
Sweden December 25th, 1880.
1t may not be out of place to here say
that the Commissioner has not con-
sidered 1t the object of the State to make
this Bureau an agency for selling lands,
but rather bureau to impart informa
tion which will bring seller and pur-
chaser into business relations. The OBJ
! lection to the establishment by the State
of real estate agency, with its respon-
sibilities and temptations, is apparent,
but it is competent, as the Commissioner
thinks, for him in the way indicated to
assist our people to help themselves
through individual enterprise and town
action. Many towns have already organ
lied boards Of trade to look after their
interests in this matter; some private
companies have been organized to act
as agents for those having lands to sell.
This is as it should be, and the Commits
sioner cheerfully encourages such efforts
| by giving all the information in his pos
| session relative to this subject, being
careful not to mislead parties who CON
template coming to Vermont to make
for themselves and children home
r. ARRIVAL OF THE swEDEs.
In his efforts to secure a colony of
Swedes for Vermont, Mr.. Nordgren met
with violent opposition from represen-
tatives of transportation companies
and emigrant agencies. False repre-
sentatiOns were made, and he was sub
jected to personal attacks in some of the
Scandinavian newspapers. The attacks
could be traced to those interested in
Western and other sections desirous of
securing immigrants for themselves.
Success, however, crowned his efforts,
and representatives of twenty seven
well selected families reached New York,
April 23d, 1890, and atonce proceeded to
their destination.
The party was divided into three col
onies. One of seven families went to
Wilmington, Windham county; repre-
sentatives of thirteen families went to
Weston, Windsor county, and the re-
mainder to Vershire, Orange county.
Many of the young men left their wives
in Sweden. Only fifteen women
men, women and children numbered
sixty-five.
The immigrants were fine, strong,
healthy body of men and women, and
did not suffer in comparison with the
crowds which curiosity attracted to the
stations when they left the trains
Teams were in readiness to convey them
to their future homes. Shelter, pro
visions and stoves we're provided, and 9
hearty welcome was given them by theil
new neighbOrs. The strangers were de.
lighted with the reception and our people
were delighted with the strangers. At the
only hotel, where one party was obliged to
remain over night, everyone stepped up
to the hotel register and recorded hi
name and home in Faderland, in a clear
bold, legible hand.
Like our forefathers, they brough
their pastor with them, who located il
Weston with the largest colony.
They paid their own passage and rail
road fares. The transportation from
railroad stations end temporary enter
tainment were supplied by the people o
the towns where they located. Inter
prefers, assistants, stationery, and post
office stamps (they all wanted to writ,
home at Once), were furnished by the
Commissioner; the expense of whicl
was taken from the $4,000 appropriation
and which he considered legitimate ex
, penditure. From this fund was also pal,
Mr.. Nordgren for four months time AM
expenses, amounting to total of 81, ,25O
The colony at Wilmington has been
! continuous success. Messrs. L. K
Wheeler and Hosea Mann, Jr., hav
spent much time in making the new
comers contented, and by furnishinI
them with all the work they wish out
side of their farms. None have left tn
colony, and all seem satisfied, as show
by their sending for friends from Swe
den to joih them. The same i
tmeasurably true at Weston, Wind
sor county. While the peo
pie gave them a hearty welcome, AM
have been kind and considerate, yet VI
could wish that there were more busi
ness men who would sympathize will
them, gain their confidence and look ou
for their interests. 1t is unfortunate
when a spirit of suspicion of these hon
est people prevails. Yet there,is no grea
reason to complain, and the Swedes il
J Weston are happy and contented, ant
like the people, and have sent for friend
to join them. One left the colony a
: Vershire and came to Weston, while tw'
were induced by relatives in the West Il
leave Vermont and join them. They
however, had no fault to find with Yves
ton, as they were doing well, liked tn
town ndpeople, and were liked by thos
who knew them. r
The Vershire colony was less success
lul. DO ldI do btl6 ldlub hClO
they were better than either Weston o
: Wilmington, but we we're mistaken abou
the amount of work to be obtained b.
the new settlers, especially in winter.
is evident that those without money can
not remain idle many months, or worl
|, where there is no immediate return, an
make payments on their lands. Tn
Swedes fully appreciate this, and had fore
seen the difficulty mentioned. One wen
| to Weston as before stated, one family
now in Bennington, and seven other
made their own arrangements to go b
Essex county to make homes for them
selves there. They were perfectly salts
, fled with the treatment in Vershire, an
left honorably and with a good reputa
/ tion for honesty and industry. The pee
D pie were very kind and liberal with theT
and they fully appreciated it. Mr.. Hia
, Cotton especially, took much interest il
them, in many ways endeavOred to max
) the colony success, and the disappOint
, ment of the citizens of Vershire and vi
cinity, in losing their colony, is to be re
! gretted. The Swedes were liked, an
5 without exception, wherever the
worked, their employers were more tina
satisfied, Their regret at leaving good
| kind friends was plainly manifested, an,
, to their credit we will add that none hav
changed location, leaving debts behind
In one case, though with scarce none,
} enough to pay railroad fare to the West
the evening before starting walk of fiv
, miles was taken TO pay woman for tw
D meals.
!, Those who left Vershire and settled il
Essex county are not lost to the State
! but have bought lands and are bringin
them under cultivation, and information
| has been received that they are contente
J and satisfied. .r
!, Experience confirms the truth of tn
statement frequently made by the Com
missioner that in order to make a colon
perfectly successful in any town, the i'm
migrant without money must be locate'
where he can get employment when hi
[ own farm does not demand his atten
/ tion. Also, kindly and considerate treat
} ment is indispensable, and any attemp
to overreach is quickly detected and lon
} remembered. These people must b
{ women, which they are, in order TO gail
, their confidence and secure their perman
| | ent residence among us.
| The founding of colony of those uE
: able to speak our language demands al,
: in many ways from those among whOT
the colony is located. 1t is pleasant t
{ feel that in most of the towns in Vel
mont, where there is an opportunity 70
| those desirable people to re-occupy tn
{ lands, there are those who will cheel
/, fully and gladly look after their interest
. until they are able to take care of then
} selves.
al MANUFACTURES.
Q In March Of the present year, circu
: lar was issued from this Office calling o
= the listers for information relating I
$ manufactures, quarries, mines, and th
+ products Of the dairy.