Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-10-25
OLD RENNINcroNIANs.
An Interesting Historical sketc

An interesting Historical Sketch.
Vermont, in common with other New
England States, regrets to see her sons
and daughters leave their native hearth
stones to seek homes in the distant West
But it has been ever thus. The writer
remembers when, nearly three-fourths of
a century ago, many Vermonters left the
State and settled in what was then known
as the Holland purchases, in western New
York, then looked upon as almost the ex-
treme limit of our western civilization
But as we now survey our broad land,
reaching from ocean to ocean, that spot
then 50 far away seems now at our feet
A few hours ride behind the iron horse
covers the distance which in those times
took days and perhaps weeks to accom-.
plish by the ordinary mode of travel.
Again, Vermont in common with all
New England, is proud to know thai to
her sons and daughters many of our
western States are largely indebted for
the push, enterprise and intelligence that
have placed them in the front rank OF
that glorious galaxy so famous through
out the civilized world. We who remain
among The green hills of Vermont reiol,e
to know that those who have gone ont
from among us, have not forgotten their
native hills, nor hose they left behind
them, in proof Of which we have only to
recall the numerous societies of the Sons
of Vermont scattered throughout the
United States and established in MANY
foreign countries.
We BenningtOnians have right to be
proud of our share in this glorious con-
tributon. Our sons and daughters are
widely scattered through the land, and
of their locality, achievements and hon.
orable standing in the homes of their
adoption, together with their names and
localities would be pleasing theme to
dwell upon, but their number and lack
OF space .forbids.
About the year 1S49, there came TO
Bennington two young men from Wood
stock. They were both printers 0y
trade. Mr. A. j. Aiken. the eldest, hav-
ing just entered his majority, while Mr..
Charles Fl. Lull, the younger, was still
in his minority.
These young men, two born Vermont
ers, full of life and energy, and also full
of Democracy, but of better kind than
prevails at the present day, were looking
out for the chances and one soon pre-
sented itseli. The old Vermont Gazette,
established by Anthony Haswell in the
early days of Vermont, who was man
of much importance in those times-a
history of his life and doings would
make interesting reading-had the honor
of being Postmaster General of the State
of Vermont when she was an lndepend-
Gp.hN ....l,A.
against powerful odds, New Hampshire
on the east, New York on the west and
| Great Britain trying to subdue the rebel
lious spirit in all the colonies, and while
the State was fighting for her own rights
which were afterwards accorded her, she
was loyal to all the other States and did
valiant service in assisting them to OBJ
tain their independepca
The Vermont Cad n con-
trolled by the Hasw. il Just
before Messrs. Aikei line to
Bennington. At thu man
aged by few leadin the
| town.
The repeal of the VI had
| the effect to split the barty
of the North, and as that
split, John C. Haswe the
founder of the Gazette of
the name who had fun the
paper, left the old part a
| leader in what was knOS M Nee
soil party in Vermont. Me
| question of the extensioi lIto
the recently acquired JeI be-
cJme of such vital impi lie
North, the majority of Is
siding with the South, thai f
the stock in the old party Is a
thing of doubtful quantity fhf
tlemen who had control of
became anxious to sell out VI
portunity was at hand. The ~
young printers and finding
politically, closed n bargain
aud the Vermont Gazette pas
hands of strangers, Messrs
Lull becoming it's owners and
who conducted its publicatiof
| firm name of Aiken & Lull
one year, when Mr.. Lull withd
the firm, leaving Mr.. Aiken sol
tor and editor.
Mr.. Lull went into the State ~
and engaged in mercantile BUSH
was financially successful, and