The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-04-30

, first appeared in 1867 and was published
by Hawley Brothers. 1t was particu
larly weak. In the presidential cam
paign of 1868 plumber of young lawyers
of the Democratic faith wrote political
articles for its editorial department. The
contributions were brilliantly aggressive
They made the Press prominent paper
in its party. Among the contributors
was Jerome B. Parmenter. He was then
upon the threshold of a career rich in
promise. Fresh from college he had
after making very creditablewar record,
entered into the law partnership with his
brothers. The talent for literary work
was so largely developed in him that
before his experience, as a writer for the
Press he had closed his law books to
take up his pen. His work during the
campaign of 1868 induced him to leave
the procession of the law and become
a journalist. He purchased half inter
est in the Press, and few mon hS subse-
quently the late Charles c. Clark of Hud-
son bought the other half, and the inter
ests of the Hawleys in the journal became
entirely extinct.
1.-THE firm of Parmenter & Clark made a
good newspaper. Especial attention was
paid to the presentation of local news.
The editorial articles, which, for long
time, were chiefly from Col. Parmenter's
pen, were scholarly vigorous and chal-
lengers of attention. Mr. Clark's death
occurred Feb. ~. 1873. Col. Parmenter
subsequently became the owner of the
establishment, and his sole proprietor
ship continued until April LIST, 1888,
when George E. Eaton, whose death
occurred on January 18th, of the present
year, purchased an interest. The part
nership continued until the formation of
the Troy Press company, in which at the
beginning the members of thefrm of Par
menter d Eaton had a controlling inter
est. In December, 1880, the holdings of
both and of other stockholders were
bought by Mr.. Tucker, and Col. Par
menter's connection with the Press
ceased. Before the sale his health had
been failing, and his physical condition
was regarded with apprehension by his
friends.
1.-THE history of the Press for twenty
one years is therefore the history of
Jerome b. Parnenter He was conscien- |
tlOusly a Democrat His fealty to his |
party did not depend on the issues that
arose and disappeared as this or that
of members came to the |
front. The principles on which his
party was founded seemed to him to be
the salvation of popular government.
He fought for those principles vigorous
Iy, untlinchingly and manfully His con-
victions were constantly manifested in
that Press, and their manifestation gave
Jhe paper prominence as an uncOmpro-
missing champion OF Democracy"
The Press thus summarizes the family
history of Col. Parmenter, and continues:
THE incident which caused Co.. Par
nenter to relinquish his army service
Vas permanent in its effects. Applica-
ion to mental work was invariably fol-
owed by feeling akin to exhaustion.
soon after his return from the army he
vas married to Miss Emma Stewart of
and he made his residence
n that village largely in the hope that it
would benefit his health. One son, Ed
ward, ged %, survives with his mother.
Cor some years before his connection
With the Press ceased Col. Parmenter
vas obliged to husband his physical re-
ources. After his retirement he vainly ,
ought for renewed strength. The :
earch was futile. Months ago his
riends learned with sorrow that the bat
lie was unequal. Spinal meningitis was
making progressive and certain inrOad :
N the sick mans vitality. To-day the !
truggle is ended. !
jerome b. Parmenter was more than =
writer of articles. He was the most 6
orrect writer of English ever connected :
With the newspapers of Troy. He was a y,
nan of the most thorough literary cul-
ure. He loved good books, good pic ;
ures and good deeds. The strength and =
irility that he displayed in his political
rticles gave to many the impression that 4,
e was combative man. He was not. !
lie was gentle, sympathetic spirit. He
'as ardent and impulsive, and his q
'armth and impulses always led him in f."
he direction of generosity. He had a "
athOlic spirit and was tolerant of any
hing except meanness. There was
eeming reserve in his manner that in =,
uced some to think him cold and dis
mt. Those who knew him best can
ear testimony that the manner that !
ave rise to this thought wronged the !,
IAN. His friends knew that he was y
arm and genial, that his soul was filled +,
18th poetry and that his heart sorrowed :
yer all the misfortunes that came to :,
Tiers. l
"FOr one more the sun of life las set
hen if hopes of friends could have con-
rolled it would have been at its meri- =
ian. The purposes of the Creator are !,
in mystery. We who group in '
he dark, hoping that sometime light .
ill dawn, cannot question them. =
.mong the men who have created and |.
haped the profession of journalism in
his city death has been constantly busy.
has cut many of them off in the years /"
nat are ordinarily productive of the best
-Ork of men. Of all that are gone, none =
ad more knightly soul and truer and y
igher desires than jerome b. Parmen- ,
sr. His life, if measured by years, has y
cen shortened; if it be appraised by y
ork and results, the schedule will show o.
nat it was full and complete" y
Sever'l years ago Col Parmenter's ! !
ealth became impaired. He is borne =
own by disease in the prime of man r
God, but his finished work is source
pride to his surviving family and 81
lends. 3
AS the end approached Col. Parmenter y
ecame unconscious and remained in D
lat condition during the last few days
his life, until the moment of dissolu b
on came. Members of his family and
,latIves surrounded his bedside as he Il
reathed his last. il
The funeral was held from his lite p
,sidence this morning at 1890. Il
A number of Troians were present, e
cluding Gen. Alden and others of Col. ii
regiment, journalists Nc o
illan and Pratt of the Press and Teie- d
am. The Rev. u, Martel was assisted n
the service by the Rev. MI Conover. p
I'd the interment was in Bennington. b
The Odd Fellows Anniversary. :"
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