The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-06-22
Concerning a Seizure of Cider.

Editor Waterman A statement in last
weeks Argus purporting to correct and
complete an item in the Free Press, which
it says was -" not only incorrect, but incom-
plete to a marked degree" duplicates N.Y.
self so closely that it devolves on me to
make reply. As for the item in the Free
Press, L never read it until the paper was
handed to me on the train; as for Heber
Smith, no such person ever lived at Water
bury Center unless at a time immemorial;
and the cider which has been nailed up and
kept =" for number OF years" l know moth
ing about.
The Argus says 1 was evidently bothered
about the forty or fifty gallons of cider
which was found when an investigation
was made. Although such might have
been the case, my disturbance must have
been brief as by patiently waiting such a
quantity would soon have disappeared.
When the officers reached the place, to
which | accompanied them, there were sew
eral tanks of cider containing from $50 to
400 gallons apiece, and others partly filed
in all about $500 gallons, l should say
This was pronounced to be from nine
months to four years old, all prepared by
Professor Horsford's material in such a
manner that it cannot turn to vinegar, and
is strongly intoxicating. Is it any wonder
that man connected with an institution
which advertises place exceptionally free
from evil influences should be somewhat
disturbed " that one small cellar " in such
small place as Waterbury Center should
contain such a large quantity of CIDER"
l did not go to Justice Kennedy and ask
to have warrant sworn out against this
place, because to my knowledge cider was
being taken out of the cellar and causing
some considerable trouble. did not ask ito
have f. n. Smith cited before the select
men," but directed the justice to issue the
warrant against " some person to the COM
plainant unknown"
AS regards the liquor having been sold
have no knowledge, and as for the temper
ance people deciding to have the trade
stopped, think it would puzzle anyone to
discover who ever interfered with it be-
side myself and one other, excepting some
women who sent very humble letter. beg
ging the proprietor of the establishment TO
discontinue his traffic. Mr.. Smith, admin
istrator of the estates of Mr.. and Mrs.
Hayes, both of whom died last winter, hav-
ing announced that he was strongly OPP
posed to handling the cider and making no
mention of it in his inventory, it was de-
cided to relieve the place of it, somewhat as
the pied piper did Hameln town of the
rats. Mr. Smith being holden, as he says, by
the estate felt compelled TO have the return
of the writ made to him-which was done.
An out of town officer was employed be.
cause it was not desired to impicate in any
manner whatever any person in the town.
| The place was guarded for two nights while
the matter was quietly arranged by Mr..
Smith and myself together with Messrs.
Joseph Wheeler and X. II. Mather. After
ward we met at Justice Kennedy's office,
Governor Dillingham; appearing as advisor
for Mr.. Smith and Judge Stanton for my
self, and a settlement was quickly effected
by which a disposition would be made OF
the liquor.
We saw no evidence of 1.-THE assault
which it was supposed would be made -
only as we were informed by two town
officers that it was with difficulty they re.
strained an attack. If the argus were bet
ter acquainted with Mr. Smith it would
have known that there is no call to defend
his character, especially in matter fol
which no one ever thought of reproaching
| him.
So far nobody has been specially injured
or nothing hurt unless it be the dignity o.
the mob" 1t is believed that we shall bt
able to close the matter properly among
ourselves; and the property having beer
purchased by a gentleman of thorough
principle, the outlook is encour aging. Very
truly yours, PORTER II DALE.