Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-02-28

Austin aud Roger Orchard were the first mer-
chants In Fayetteville, moving down from New
fame hill in ls2l into the small store which after
ward formed an l. Of the house Mr. Bircharl
was iailer for two years following 1885, and
meanwhile built the large store and house facing
the south on the east of the common. A. & X.
Brchard continued trade till 1876, then A. Birch
ard alone five years, when he took In partner
the late Franklin Sawyer, a notable merchant in
his day. Both Orchard and Sawyer were men
of marked character and unusual business sagac-
ity They men Of fine personal appearance
and each in his way gave good tone to the
place, an influence continued for years by Mr..
Orchard after he retired from trade, In his
general business and social capacity and as
Windham County bank treasurer he made a
strong record. Mr.. Sawyer was a popular and
successful merchant here for a longer period
than any other man This much in fitting re-
trOspection Of the Brchard firm the founders OF a
line of mercantile business In Fayetteville which
was finally divided by Sawyer opening a store in
his house, once known as Jones's exchange,
burned 10 years ago, on the site now occupied by
n. NJ. Bachelors store.
After Mr. Orchards retirement In 1850 Sawyer
and 5. p. Miller composed the firm in the old store
ill 1853 then Sawyer & Smith till 1883, when 3
T.. Miller, VINO had succeeded 10 the Haynes Baker
store in the hotel building, moved back TO that
old store, the favorlte stand for so many years,
the place where il Is said all merchants have done
well, and several exceptionally well. Miller sold
to Goodnow Morse, then It was uoOdnow alone,
and he bought the building for $40, and finished
the second hOor into a tenement. Mr.. Birchard re-
tanning the pleasant southwest corner for the
savings bank room. In those days another room
was occupied for millinery business, and the vii
lage library was kept there in charge of Mrs W.
II. Goodnow. GoOdnow sold TO + W. BlOdgett.
who carried large stock for the place. He took
In as partner for year or more A. t. Edwards,
and then Edwards < Pierce bought out Blodgett.
After Perce's retirement in 1888 Mr. Edwards
hired Fred Rice TO run the store which arrange
ment was shOrtliyed. Rice returned TO Jordan
& Marsh's and Edwards soon sold the stock TO A.
V. May for S42OO Mr.. May soon added $1,000 10
stock and made many improvements about the
store. lie is energetic, nervous man and
could not rest till lie had brought everything 10
thorough order. Such Sticking up as he gave
things lie made the store very attractive IN
arrangement Of goods, and added wellstockrd
ten-cent counter,
His permanent clerk, Harlan WnslOw Of Towns
bend, was efficient, faithful aud orderly. Both
were 80 neat that lingerrrs by the stove no longer
dared TO eject favOrte juice ol more than amber
hue from mouth to polished stove. No house
keepers could have kept things more tidy. Alack
day that the pleasant old store must 90!
The old building has been so long associated
with Uncle Sans business that II should have q
word To the post office. Sawyer was first post
master in that building; at least he had the Oftict
there from n to ~, after which IL boarded
round" with j Dunklee, DR.. Warren, and back Il
Dunklee's in the Pierce and Buchanan terms
then s. p Miller had il In Orchards, aud after lac
sold out II went tagging. None of the desirable
central places wanted II. Finally, Wakefield had
! il In the hotel year, when Il was again trans
! frrred 10 the old store, where il gained resi-
| dence" ill the last year of Cleyelands term
! when Mr. Burdtt took il tu n. NJ. Batchelder's
store where Il remains with Mr.. Batclclder a.
postmaster.