The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-03-16
AN OLD TIME HOTEL.
Some "Reminiscences Of the Old BrattleborO
HOuse-B artenders Who have Become
Han

| Some "Reminiscences Of the Old BrattleborO
Observation-Disclosures Who have Become
Famous.
(Corres oudence of the Boston Sunday Globe)
Comparatively few people now recall that
one of the towns famous old hotels, the old
Brattleboro house stood where now Is located
one of the largest business blocks In town
Crosby's block. OF course the older pc ople
recall II We II but 1t Is now 25 years since II
was burned.
| At one time 1t was known as Smiths and
| at another as Chase's stage house. 1t was
built by Samuel Dickinson In 170o Mr..
Dickinson was one OF the old time landlords.
He lived until 1917 and his body was buried
in Prospect Hill cemetery.
From the time of its erection until 1t was
burned its landlords we're Samuel Dickinson
Salem Sumner, Erastus Dickinson, John r.
Blake, Maj Henry Smith, Col. Paul Chase
Lemue W 1itney, VIM. q. Perry and Charles
" Lswr nee.
The property was at one time owned by
Francis Goodhue but at the time of the fire
was owned by Blake Bros. OF Boston, and It
was from that firm that the land was pur-
chased BY Edward Crosby who during bis life
was one OF Brattleboro's most public spirited
men.
Some of the men who at one time were
clerks or bartenders In the old hotel and after
WaTuS Ulaut tueIT udIh Ill ZIG "Ollu WcTc Ls
Fesst nden, William Chamberlin and Simeon
Leland.
Mr.. Fessenden was a native of the town
and for many years held important busine SO
positions ia Hartford, and at one time was
president of one of that city's large Insurance
companies. Mr.. Chamherlin was promi
nent merchant In New York, and, It Is said,
began business by retailing goods from
wheeIbarrow. starting with capital of 800
loaned to him by Maj Henry Smith, who was
at one time Ike ping the hotel.
The name of Leland is known all over the
country In connection with great hotels.
As the story runs, 1t was the custom In
1912 to roll into the big Darroom a hogshead
OF first.class old West India rum. and supply
customers from the faucet. hogshead In
those days lasted only week.
A little later the only hall IN the village for
public gatherings was In this hotel. The ball
was dedicated in 1916 by one OF the famous
old suppers. and. OF course, dancing, In which
ali the steps were put In.
There IL an old time story to the effect that
while the dancing was at its hight came the
sad news OF the death OF Mrs. Barber, who
was highly respected and liked by everyone.
1t was proposed by some of the company that
out Of resp ct for her memory the remainder
of the festivities should be abandoned. but
Judge W hitney said: "Let the dead bury the
dead. On with the Dance" and that settled
the question Of adjournment.
II was In this sane hall that theatrical
company acted, ana so excellent were their
dramatic representations that the vicinity
patr0nfzed and applauded the company for
long season, continuing for weeks
Tragedy was popular In those days. The
tone Of the dramas was high. Indeed It is
SAID mat the play Of George Barnwell, the
London Apprentice" was for mora effect
equii to humber OF campmeeting sermons.
Some one has treasured one OF the old play
bills. Underneath the title of the drama
were the words:
How wretched is the man who's wise too
late;
Bv nv example learn to shun my fate.
Underneath this is rude cut. representing
Barnwell hanging by bis neck upon gallows
an example of being wise little too late.
Where now are some of the finest stores in
the village, In those days came the famous old
stage coaches. with their six horses, cracking
whips and toofing horns.
Some Of the older people can remember
Che ter w. Chaplin afterward president of
the Boston g. Albany railroad. d P.Kings.
ley Asher Spencer aed Lowell F4rr, four of
the widely known proprietors of the old
stage lines.
Col Paul Chase. one of the landlords of the
old hotel served several years as high sheriff
Of the county. and Maj Henry Smith was
chosen bis successor 10 that Office.
Another hotel that " rs widely known was
the Vermont house. that stood where the |
town ball and Episcopal church now are.
Prior to 1873 on the location named stood |
common wooden dwelling bou,e, In that
year It was fitted up for hotel bv Willard |
Poueroy Some OF it's landlords were Chester
W. Pomeroy, Hiram and Alonzu Joy and |
Can't l. G Lord, who was the last landlord
he was popular with the travelling public,
sn6 bis military title came from his being the
commander of the LAFAYETTE light infantry.
Some Of The older people recall the VISIT OF
ane Of the militia companies visited from
Lowell In 1918 Both commands visited
Did Wanta~t'quet and had q glorious time.
At that time the hydrOpathtc institution OF
Dr.. WesselbGft was In lis glory, and there
lad been huilt on the mountain log house
hrte stories high for the use of the water
,ure patients.
V'de enough to stand upon and q fl It roof
rhe soldh r. covered the building and the stir.
ing music of the bands could be readily
lesrd In the village.
Then a. now. the town had hundreds of
ummer visitors, and In those days many
anne from the south. In the summer sea.
ons from lS47 to 1860 such celebrities as
1rngfeliow, Henry Ward Beecher, Count La
Porte. who was at tina lime one of the faculty
Il Harvard, but had been minister OF finance
Il France under Charles Y. Col Thomas
Ventworth H'g.insOn y ames Parton, FANNY
Re n, Catherine Beecher, Or Kane OF Arctic
anne, Mrs. Harriet Beecher stowe and Prof.
towe were FRI quently seen on the streets
Among those from the south were Johr
t0ddard o. Savannah. Gen. Buckner and U.
. Senator Eu-t'ce OF Louisiana.
In 1916 the old hotel was remodeled and
andsome brick front of three stories erected. I
stood until 1857, ~hen 1t was burned. At 1
all. which stood In the rear. This was Guilt ,
" Twin TOWpsey