Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-10-05
HISTORIC MANCHESTER.
The Old Town is Rich In Rcvolut ionary As
sociations--in Interesting Historical In
formation Obtained from mine Host
Orvis of the Equinox.

Orvis of the Equinox.
Especial Cor Of the Troy Daily Timcs1
MANCHESTER Vt, Sept. 2S-Just now,
as the season is closing. the summer guests
are taking their departure and the forests
are DOMINIC their fall attire of red aud gold
On leaves, IA visit TO this place has peculiar
charm The air usually has a clearness and
magnitying quality suggestive of q skillful
ly-made lens looking through which brings
into sharper outline every object within
range The mountains stand forth with a
perfection of contour not observed at other
seasons. There are brace and balm in the
atmosphere and one finds walk along these
excellent roads or climb up the hillsidcs.
with the glorious views unfolding at every
turn, an experience fraught with invigorat-
ing enjoyment.
Historic Ground.
Amid such surroundings il is natural to
revert to associations that have invested this
beautiful mountain region with a special
interest. All this territory indeed is historic
ground. for here were enacted some of the
most stirring scenes i'll connection with the
great struggle that resulted Independence
for the nation and statehood for Vermont
OF course oIsa must go TO Landlord Orvis of
the Equinox House for tips on this or
any other subject, and talk with him
about Manchester history is sure to evoke
great deal of valuable information
The birthplace ola state.
"What can you tell me about the early
history of Manchester - he was asked
"Wcll, small as it is, Manchester Ina :
borne a very important part in the affairs
of Vermont and of the Union In fact it
was really the birthplace of this state You
know that for years before the revolution
there was conflict of jurisdiction over this
region between the colonies Of New Work
and New Hampshire The country was
known as the New Hampshire grants but
New York claimed ii by virtue of Il charter
from Charles II. to the duke of York.
Gov. 1iyon of that colony undertook to en-
force his authority and was resisted by the
Green Mountain boys and in great wrath
issued n proclamation ordering the leaders
TO surrender within 80 days under pain of
conviction of felony and death without
benefit of clergy, in word declaring
them feons and outlaws Among the men
thus al'raigned were Ethan Allen Seth
Warner, Remember Baker, Peeg Sunder-
land and John Smith You see John Smith
had already become famors-or infamous
as Gov. Tryon undoubtedly regarded him.
The special distinction of having c15O or
$3.50 i'll standard dollars of the present day
set upon his head, was given Ethan Allen,
while only $50 each was offered for all the
others
Their Stamping Ground.
''What had all this to do with Manches-
ter =
A great deal Manchester and its vicin-
ity formed the stamping ground of these
rough and ready fellows. Here they me.
and planned and plotted and dispersed to
their mountain fastnesS when the New York
governors pursuit became too hot. But the
revolution changed all that and turned the
attention of the Green Mountain boys in an
| other direction-that of common enemy
| the British, The situation in Vermont was
anomalous. Between the hostile claims of
New York and New Hampshire. there was
| no organized or permanent government,
and in this condition of things re
course was had to council of
safety. 1t was this council which really
ruled Vermont during the revolution. Its
| first meetings were held in an inn that stood
on the site of the Equinox house. exactly
where we are sitting now, and here was
passed the decree condemning to confsca-
| ton the property of tories. The Green
| Mountain boys were as ardent rebels against
King George as they had been against Gov.
| Trvon. and the loyalists living here had To
! 90 without ceremony. The funds OBJ
tanned through confscating their property V
We're the 'SinewS of war for equipping the
mountaineels for their campaign against
the English foe. One of the most effective
and daring deeds of that time was Ethan
Aliens expedition against and capture of
| TiConderoga. Crown Point and Skenesbor-
| ouch and there is not the slightest doubt