The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-07-13
WEST DERBY.
Once Appropriately Called the ''SIeepy
Hollow" of Vermont.

Once Appropriately Called the "sIeepy
Hollow" of Vermont.
Just across the lake bridge from Newport i
West Derby. Situated on bluff ON the cast
shore of Lake Memphremag0g, commanding
a view of the lake and of Newport, and of the
whole northern limits of the Green Mount
aims, no finer place for residences could be
found in the state. In fact, at present 1t Is d
village of residences, mostly, with plenty OF
room for more, and the population Is equal to
that of Newport or Barton, within the town
corporation. For many years West Derby
was called the "Sleepy Hollow" of Vermont.
terprse of this vicinity, which was followed
by % years of Rip Van Wrinkle sleep. Ten
years ago it awoke by the sound of the Inter-
national Company's gong and commenced a
new life, which has since been very healthy.
just south of the village are Ball's Bluffs on
the immediate shore of the lake and 80 feet
above it. Nearly surrounded by the lake
waters these bluffs are in fact peninsula, for
the waters of Pender's Cove reaching well in
land nearly cut off the bluffs. They are COW
cred by growth of Norway and soft pine,
with an entire absence of underbrush. This
beautiful spot is approached by "Lover's
Lane" shady street on which there are no
buildings-''Lov Lane because lovers do
congregate there and walk its shady length or
turn aside into its beautiful groves of pine,
beach, romance and natural beauties.
| dozen or more summer cottages, well
built and conveniently arranged are occupied
every year. Seats, swings, hammocks and
lovely hooks are near the very edge of the
bluff, and here nature is seen in its loveliest
mood. There is room for more cottages. A
steam pump has been recently placed upon
the shores of the lake and water is pumped to
each OF the cottages. The purest of drinking
water is obtained grOm newly bored well,
and the location being within gunshot of all
the modern cOnveniences of Newport, makes
it one of the most desirable health and pleas
ure resorts in America.
enced notable increase in the past few years.
The foundry and machine shop of c. T..
Grandy has been in operation about nine
years. The machine shop is completely
equipped with six lathes, an iron planer, a
milling machine and three drills, while there
is a blacksmith shop and foundry in connec-
ton where a general foundry business is
prosecuted. There is also store-house in
connection where is carried line of betting.
valves and fittings. A large business is done
IN repairing saws for lumber mills-hammer-
ing and re-toothing-a this is the only firm
in the state doing an extensive business in
that line Mr.. Grandy is known all over the
United states as an expert at hammering
saws, and being recognized as an authority on
this difficult work, he receives requests for
information and advice from all parts of the
country west, north and south.
Another extensive institution is the bottling
works OF W. III. Darling & Son, who occupy
large three-story building and were estab-
lished in 1887, with II. w. Darling, the son,
as manager. This firm employs seven men,
including two travelling statesmen. The plant
with its complete equipment of machinery is
operated by steam power and very extern
sive business is done in the botting of all
carbonated drinks, while they manufacture
the celebrated Newport beer, non-intoXicat-
ing drink. They also bottle Wheatley & Bates
notwithstanding hop bitter ale, made in Shelf
field, England. and for which this firm are
sole agents for Vermont. The purest of wa
ter is used by this firm, as it is taken from
very deep artesian well. III. w. Darling has |
had II years experience in this business, and |
for three years had charge of the works of |
Begley & Sons of New Britain, Conn.,, an ex-
ttensive establishment employing 20 men. He
is native by birth of Canada. 1t is but sim
PIE truth to say that Mr.. Darling has worked |
This business up from a small beginning to |
one of the most successful in Vermont.
west Derby contains five stores, prominent
among which is the large general store of L.
I. Carr, established about three years ago. 1t
Is one among the best stores of the character
n this section, carrying full and complete
Inc OF staple and fancy groceries. all that the
"oi,S S"h MUM VI Ill general uTy ana fancy
FOODS, including dress fabrics, a good line of
lain and fancy crockery and glassware and
mall wares-household articles of all kinds
nd is an extensive dealer in the best brands
I flour. Delivery wagons are continually on i
ne go over the entire community, and eyery-
hing possible is done for the accommodation
customers. Mr.. Carr is Young man, full
, the brim with business and enterprise,
lleasant always in his dealings with the peo-
le, and is doing all in his power for West 6
There are also in West Derby four black
NTH shops, one large canning establishment,
lree carriage shops an extensive truck farm,
lie large pulp mill of Spaulding & Shepley,
lree carriage shops doing large business,
nd two sash. door and blind factories.
West Derby is how Incorporated as a vii !
&c under the town system, but steps are
eng taken to obtain village charter from $
he state legislature. A water works system
I'd other public Improvements are contem-
!; for the near future. and the village is
king on Il substantial and healthy growth.