davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

I mile away, Owrs Head Mountain, SINNERS
Cave and Knowlton's Landing, each 10 to II
miles from Newport, and Sargent's Bay, 1S
miles away. Commanding the lake like so
many solemn sentinels are Mount Oxford,
Owls Head Mountain, jay Peak, Mount Hor,
Mount Pisgah and Bluff Mountain. or what
the nature-loying visitor may discover IN the
surroundings of Newport and Lake Mem
phremagOg the hundredth part cannot be
told. This lake was a famous fishing ground
for the Indians, and it is equally well known
to sportsmen today. Pickerel, shad, black
bass and lake trout in plenty are taken, the
latter weighing from 10 to 20 pounds. The
woods on its banks swarmed ut one time with
the moose, deer. bear and small fur-bearing
animals; now pretty cottages peep forth from
many clearings and happy voices are heard on
tennis grounds. This lake afforded the Indians
q mode of easy communication between Cana
da and the colonies during the French am!
Indian wars, and frequently war parties
passed over this route and carried captives
away into Canada Stark, who commanded
the forces at the battle of Bennington, during
the old French war, was taken prisoner and
carried by way of this lake. Now the brass
band of the Lady of the Lake sends its echoes
through the valley and the soft twangling of
the guitar is heard at twilight in the birch
canoe.
Early History.
The early history of the town of Newport
begins a little later than the majority
of Vermont towns-at least it was
not chartered until the year 1903.
The first house was built previous
to that by Martin Adams, in 1893. He was
soon joined by others and in 1900 there were
eleven families in the town. Most of these
settlers came down the river from Barton Ga
little ahead of Runaway POndD and were in
duced to locate on the banks of the lake be-
cause the frost had not destroyed the vegeta-
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

Newport, the county seat of Orleans county
which is one of the extreme northern counties
of Vermont, having the Province of Quebec
for its northern boundary, is undoubtedly the
best commercial village of 20OO population in
Vermont. 1t is located on the western shore
of Lake Memphremagog. very near its south
ern extremity, and is reached by the Passump-
sic Division of the Boston 4 Maine and the
Canadian Pacific railways, the latter road ter
minating at this point. With only one eXcep-
ton the village of Newport has made the most
brilliant record in the way of growth in pop
ulation and business in the state, and in
beauty of situation, business and public build
ings and residences it is without doubt the
banner village of New England. And although
the history of Newport has been made in an
exceptionally rapid manner it is Il history of
solid growth, continuous and healthy, and her
advancement has never been of that UNI
reliable, spasmodic kind which has character
lied so many communities. Each year has
added new and substantial material to its
foundation. In her growth as Il commercial
center Newport passed the doubtful stage in
1884 when she was made the county seat of
Orleans county, and although there was not a
church nor school house in the village pre-
vious to the beginning of the late rebellion its
rapid growth may be said to have commenced
with IFS history as county seat.
Newport is Interesting as community be-
cause it is exceptional. Ones first impression
of it when stepping from one of its 10 daily
trains is always reliable, for its magnificent
hotels, its best and its poorest business blocks,
its beautiful residences, shady streets neatly
curbed with stone, and the lake with its
steamers and pleasure boats are all in full view
to bid you welcome. The merchants will bid
you welcome, too, and days sojourn here
will prove to any ordinary soul that Newport
has more solid enterprise to the square inch
than any other community on earth.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13
PROUTY a. MILLER.
of and Dealers in Spruc,
and HemlOck Lumber.

Manufacturers Of and Dealers In Spruce
and HemlOck Lumber.
In the line of lumber manufacturing New
port has two very large and important con-
Germs whose influence upon the general pros
perity or the village as commercial point is
not only felt but thoroughly appreciated by
the people Of the place. These firms are the
Prouty Il Miller and the International. The
first mentioned firm consisting of Messrs. j.
A., and G. II. Prouty and 0. c. Miller is con-
ducting business that was established Il
quarter of a century ago by Mr.. j. A. Prouty
father OF Il. IL. PrOuty, the present managing
proprietor. The business was founded, how
ever, under the firm name of Simpson &
Winn with J. A. Prouty as member, and
was afterward sold to D.. III. and J. G. New
ton OF Holyoke, Mass, who were in turn sue
cecded Messrs. J. A. Prouty and 0. c. Miller.
G. II. Prouty became member of the firm
nine years ago and soon became the business
The firm occupy about ten acres
Of "made' land in the western portion of the
village where they have the use of large bay
for logs. The mill as shown in the illustra-
fion covers an area of 10000 square feet and
is fully equipped in every respect. 1t is oper-
ated by a 1OO-horse power Corliss engine and
three boilers of 5O-horse power each while
about 40 wOrkmcn are given continual en-
plOyment. This plant Is running to its full
capacity which means $4,000 feet of lumber
per day. In connection the firm operate two
clap-bOard mills and last year cut over three
million feet of cIapboards. The firm also
own and operate mill at Roxton Falls, p
O., where they employ 30 workmen, but all
lumber dressing is done in the fully equipped
planning department of their Newport mills.
Prouty ~ Miller transact very large whole
sale business in all the New England states,
having aside from their mills in Newport and
ROxtOn Falls both wholesale and retail lllm-
ber yards at Brockton and Taunton, Mass, in
charge of w. II. Lewis, who has been con-
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13
A Manufacturing Center

has been in operation for some time, and by
referring to the articles upon the International
Company, the Prouty & Miller lumber firm,
the Moir Granite Company. the Frost Veneer
factory and other important firms, it will be
discovered that thousands of dollars are dis
tributed monthly to skilled workmen who
spend their earnings in Newport. The broom
factory operated by j. r. Huse employs 20
workmen, while the recently established laun-
dry of C. A. Phillips employs IL large number
of workmen and is doing good business.
The shoe factory of G. j. Hibbard employs
from 10 to 20 operatives and the new whole
sale and retail bakery Off. f. Lambert & Co.,
is making good start. The large eOverall fac
tory of b. f. Moore ~ Co., has been estab-
lished some time, as has also the very success
ful and well-equipped planning mill of T.. r.
White. There is also IL retail marble and
granite works, besides several minor manu-
featuring institutions that are necessity in
all communities. Over i'm Batesvile ten min
lltes walk beside the Veneer factory is the
shingle mill of f. c. Bates and a wheelwright
shop, while in West Derby is G. Il. Grandy's
foundry and machine shop and an extensive
bottling works. Newport offers many and
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

what may it be expected to do when some
thing really happens to give ii a startY That
question will be answered in the near future,
we predict, by Newport's
Board Of Trade,
Which was organized in 1892, and which
from the beginning has had its sleeves rolled
up to the eldow. About its first move was to
secure that most prosperous of concerns, the
Moir Granite Co., described elsewhere. The
province of the board is to investigate and
recommend new enterprises, but it Is deemed
advisable not to recommend those of an eX-
perimental nature. The objects of the associa-
tiom are the advancement of the public inter-
ests Of the village of Newport; the develop
ment of all legitimate enterprises tending to
increase its prosperity; the uniting of the en-
ergies and influence of its people upon all sub
iects affecting the welfare of the village and
the cultivation of friendly relations among the
business men of the village and vicinity. The
nucleus of
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

operation and the International does a large
business in buying Canadian lumber and
dressing it here, having facilities for dressing
5000 feet per day. They always have on
hand all kinds of Quebec and Vermont spruce
kiln dried hard and soft wood flooring. spruce
pine and ash sheathing, factory plank, hem
lock boards, sidings and Innings. and Il special
department is the manufacture of spruce and
pine box shocks (the sides. bottoms and tops
of dry goods boxes all ready to be nailed to-
gether) of which they make 10000 feet per
day. Another feature is the production of
chair stock in which they do an extensive and
increasing business. In all departments the
international company employs usually l40
workmen and distributes to these employees
$4,000 in cash mot orders every month.
which means something to the merchants and
citizens of Newport. They ship 1900 ears or
from IL 10 Is million feet of lumber per year
and carry in stock nine million feet. To im-
press upon the reader the enormIty of the bus
mess no further facts or comments are need
ed but we cannot conclude without u word
respecting the gentleman at the helm. Mr..
q. &. Miller. the manager in charge, i Il ma
tive by birth of Westtield and was born July
Is. 1912. He was educated at the Westfield
and grammar schools and al the age
of 81 years was elected to the Office OF town
auditor which he has held continually ever
since i'm Westfield and i'm Newport Was
lister one year and justice of the peace several
years and at present represents Newport in
the state legislature. In 1892 he was a dele
gate TO the Democratic national convention at
Chicago and was one of the committee to no.
tify President Cleveland of his nomination.
MIR. Miller has been connected with and man
ager of the international company nearly
eight years and il is only Justice 10 say
that during his administration the institution
mas enjoyed prosperity unequalled in its for
ner history. lie is a gentleman Of wide and
~ ON xrtasr
lffairs. Mr.. Miller and J. A. Prou;y who is
president of the International. together with
!. III. Prouty form the lumber firm OF Prouty
/ Miller.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

superior advantages as manufacturing place.
Her railroad facilities are all that could be de-
sired. building is cheap. because of the abun-
dance of raw material at hand, and as Il per-
manent residence place it is unequalled.
Every modern public improvement known to
municipalities has been provided BY the en-
terprse of its citizens, and .among;them is one
of the best
Electric Light Plants
in the'state operated by the Newport Electric
Light company, of which G. A. Prouty might
be called the president, treasurer and board
of directors. The plant began operations in
1S91sand is located 1-2 miles from the village
on Clyde river, being operated either by steam
or water power. Both the are and incandes-
cent systems are in use, Is ares upon the
streets and 1900 incandescent in the business
and public buildings of the village. There is
probably no town of its population in Ver-
mont using as many electric lights. The VII
lage has a remarkably good supply of water
from two systems'Of
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

ganiZed in 1S93is doing good social work by
maintaining re;ltIing and recreation rooms for
all young men who wish to become members.
The village has an excellent brass band of Is
members whose headquarters are in The fire
department building But of the many feat
ures that 60 to make Newport the most de-
lightful
Residence Place
in New England the half cannot be told here.
1t is Il typical village. built and growing in
increasing strength by the public spirit ofsits
citizens. Its prosperity is general and its
inner home life contented and happy. In
business there mas been but two failures dur
ing the past 30 years. As q point for the
erection of summer residences this is the cap
ital of Northern Vermont summer resorts.
There is no prettier spot of earth than Balls
Bluff (See description of West Derby and
there are number of the most picturesque
sites within the village limits. Here on this
beautiful peninsula where b years ago there
was not school-house or church. there are
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

well patronized. The store in Newport Is one
Of the largest in Northern Vermont. and Is
one OF the most attractive. The entrance
saesroom, 34xtS feet. is given upfo a magnif-
icent line Of general dry and fancy goods. fine
fabrics in dress goods. ladies furnishings of
every character. Here also j. one of the larg-
est stock of ladies'. mems. boys, youths and
ehildren's shoes of all styles made. and in the
continuation Of this salesroom which forms
right-angle. and which j. Il l-2x47 10 feet in
dimensions. j. found very large
and choice line OF staple and fancy
groceries, canned and bottle goods.
etc. Back of these Is large storage apart
ment. 22xsi. for the storage of surplus stock,
while in the basement or cellar, s2x9S we find
amounts of -four, oils, nails, salt.
points. butter, salt meats and surplus grocer
ies Of all kinds. A leading specialty Is made
of Hour. and at present 800 barrels are found
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

granite nine feet deep, and are three feet in
thickness at the bottom and two at the top. 1t
is S2x93 feet in dimensions with basement
under whole, and the interior structural work
is supported by massive granite columns. The
entire basement, and the larger portion of the
ground floor, is occupied by e. Lane ~ Son.
while upon the second floor are found the
tailoring establishment of Mr.. Kenyon and
the Office of the Mutual Life Insurance Co. of
New York. On the third floor the Odd Fell
lows have a finely fitted hall. But the opera
hall forms the great attraction of the building
and is one of the finest to be found outside the
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

TO the stability of her CONNER
cial interests. but when il is considered that
the village i completely surrounded by and
receives the trade of larger and richer ,ry-
means a surprise. The erection of so many
costly business buildings within the past de-
cade was only in the nature of preparation
for brilliant future that has already been
realized, and the prediction that within the
next decade Newport will lie incorporated as
city Is by no means an idle one. The village
Of such solid, sure basis and reliable char
acterisiics will never deyiafe from the line IL
has lived. and when village builds up such
an exceptional record without any apparent
incentive other than it, natural surrounding.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

From the time when the first sign keep
of the Grass appears 10 the autumn DAYS
when all nature j. dressed in gold Lake Menu
phremagog forms Newport's greatest atfrac-
tion as health and pleasure resort. This
beautiful sheet Of water il thirty miles long
and from one TO four miles wide. and two
thirds of il lies in the Province of Quebec.
The remainder of il lies between the towns of
Newport and Derby and Coventry and Salem.
a tour with the LADY or the Lake OF with
one Of the many elegant private yachts that
course her surface diseloses the ideal of scenic
beauty. at least a. far north a. Georgeville or
Gibraiter Point, which are Is miles away.
Other points Of interest on the lake side are
Black River with it, wild scenery (only one
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

nected with the yards there many years,
where their annual sales will aggregate fully
100000 per year. They have on hand in
Newport and RoXton Falls six million feet of
lumber and nine million feet of logs. From
their mills i'm Newport Prouty & Miller ship
from 60 to 20 car loads per month and by
combining Newport and RoNton Falls the
shipments amount to II million feet of lumber
per year. Aside from this business the firm of
Prouty .E Miller also own controlling interest
in the mills of the international company,
which are described elsewhere. Mr.. j. A.
Prouty. the senior member,was born in New
port in 1917 and from his continued promi-
hence in business and political affairs has long
been known as one of the old war horses of the
village. lie became interested in the lumber
business here in its infancy and hauled lumber
to the cars before the present splendid railroad
facilities were enjoyed. He was manager of
the firm of Simpson & Winn until the prop
erty was sold to the Ncwtons when Mr..
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13
Continued ON sd page. )

saturday evening a. Oliver Barnard was
sitting in his buggy opposite the Lincoln Ium-
her company's store at Lincoln. Newell Has
kins drove rapidly around the corner anl the
wheels Of his buggy collided with BsrnapI's
buggy. The latter was thrown out. striking
on his head. making him unconseiasS. lie re-
maincd in that condition about three halr-.
IL i Thought. however. that no ,sr.s,is re-
suits will follow.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13
NUMBER so.

IN this basement. but everything else j. found
N proportion and the prices are never ont of
tune. In fact by buying in large Tuantitie, Il.
Lane Il Son are enabled TO pass all c0mpeti-
tors in the way of prices. Everybody who
comes to Newport should visit the store
whether they buy or not. 1t is very elabor-
ately and fastefully displayed store, lighted bv
Il double furnace, and the salesroom. includ-
ing the counters, are elegantly finished i'm
cherry and birch. A large force of courteous
and obliging employees are always at your ser
vice, and endeavor by all means to render tho
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

structure in marvelously tidy village of New
port is what is known as Lanes block which
was erected by Mr.. T.. Lane in 1892 There
may be larger, but there is not u more sub
stantially built business house in Vermont, and
in pleasing ARCHITECTURAL design it stands with
few equals outside the larger cities. 1t is
stories high, and in viewing the building one
gets the impression that Mr.. Lane attempted
to erect structure as ornamental as the vii
lage is enterprisng. The walls of this model
structure stand upon foundation of solid
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

larger cities of New England. 1t is planned
after the most approved modern design with
inclined floor and balcony. furnished with
modern folding chairs. lighted by elegant elec-
trc chandeliers and electric foot-ights, while
the stage is ample for the largest of theatrical
organizations. 1t is visited. too. by the best
companies travelling, such as that of Mary
Howe. the beautiful and gifted soprano and
VIM. LAWN, the eminent tenor The build
craving, was finished at a cost of over $50 200.
and is one of Newport'S greatest advertise
ments. Over - 800 square feet of floor in this
building is utilized by the mammoth general
store of Z. Lane & Son, who began business
in these quarters on Jan. TO- 1893. Originally
Mr.. Lane began business across the lake in
March. 1853, and yet conducts general store
in Derby Center which has been in operation
since 1877 and in charge of w. NJ. Taylor dur
ing the past II years. A large general line of
goods is carried in the store there. and it is
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

Water Works.
known as the Raymond and the Prouty &
Miller or village system. The RAYMOND il
owned by It. &. Raymond. l.. +. Kay. o.
Newcomb and L. J. Farrell and the water is
taken from the Murphy spring one half mile
east of the village. and from the Rand spring
one mile south. This system was originally
designed 10 supply the Memphremagog House
and was commenced in 1868. The reservoir,
which was constructed in 1877. has a capaci-
~ OF 1900 cubic feet. and the descent of
watfr creates pressure Of - pounds 10 the
square inch.
The water for what is commonly known
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

as the Prouty 4 Miller system Is pumped
from the lake by that firm, at their lumber
mills, and the system has pressure of so
pounds to the sTaare inch
But the present systems do not compare
with that which u expected to be construct
ed in the near future. A charter is to be OBJ
tanned and $4,000 expended in bringing
water from Derby Pond. This system will
have Il head of 400 feet and when completed
will be one of the best IN New England. Ten
thousand dollars has been expended by the
village during the past five years in the con-
Of a model
System Of Sewerage,
and in the improvement Of streets and side
walks. The village Is remarkably well situat-
ed for drainage, aud above all things it is n
healthy place. The atmosphere is of except
iOnal purity and Is particularly favorable for
the restoration to health of persons afflicted
with pulmonary complaints, malarial disor-
ders and hay fever. It is also an absolute
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13
BRATTLEBoRo VERMONT. FRIDAY 49, 1894

the button the enterprzing citizens of the
place have done the rest and prominent ex-
ample is presented by their very attractive
trotting park. The half-mle track In this park
is one Of the best in the state. The park is
nicely embellished, having very substantial
large dining-room 4OXSO feet in dimensions,
while there is stabling for $50 horses. This
park has been the scene of many grand gath
erings and trials of speed.
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13
VOLUME XVIII.
N E w POR T.
A Modern Gem in Grand Old Setting.
The Busy Capital of Vermont's Summer Resort Re-
gions.

Miniature Chicago in Surroundings summer
Viaget
Charming Location and Unsur-
Of
The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13

Miller became manager for the new firm. He
represented the town in the state legislature
ut two different periods and has held about
all the town and village offices within the gift
of his fellow citizens. Mr.. Prouty is also pres
ident of the international company. Mr.. q.
ii. Prouty (his son)who is the Junior member
and present manager. was also born in New
port and is well known as a gentleman of SUI
perior ability as business man. q. &. Miller
is the efficient manager of the International
company. With the extensive ramifications
of this business as given above the firm of
Prouty & Miller may be fairly rated among
the leading lumber merchants of New Eng
land.
ELAINE 4 son.