davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

Nathaniel Thurber, the grandfather
of the subject of this sketch, one of
three brothers, came from the Isle OF
Man and settled at Unity, n. H.
Hiram Thurber, one of his sons, early
in life came to Corinth and was long
time a farmer and resident of the town
and reared a family of ten children,
five of whom are now living, Samuel
u. Thurber is a merchant at Fitch
burg, Mass, Ann E. married A. P.
Rowell of Corinth, Maria M. is Mrs. E.
R. Currier of Penacook, n. H.
Hiram A. Thurber is farmer and
produce dealer resident in Berlin with
a business route in Barre. The Thur
bers of Corinth are branch of wide
" extended family, prominent men,
bers of whom are H. X. and F. B.
Thurber wealthy merchants of New
York city.
Frank w. was born here in 1916,
and educated in the common schools
and at Cookville Academy. On attain
ing his majority he went to Penacook,
n. H., and for seven years was there
engaged in the manufacture Of ex-
ceisior, and married Miss. Amelia
Crowther ofMiddlebury, Mass, in 1874.
Then he purchased bakery and con-
Quoted that business a year. Soon af-
ter he formed the firm of Thurber &
Hastings and carried on the business
of an undertaken and harness maker
for five years. Then his health having
become impaired and desiring change
of climate, he sold his business to his
partner, and purchased small farm of
forty acres at Cookville in 1881.
Out OF door employment in the
bracing air of his native town soon re-
stored his health, and he engaged in
the familiar harness and undertaken
business, which he has since success
fully conducted. During the last de-
cade very many of the old people of
the town have deceased.
MIR. Thurber and wife have two sons.
Charles F., promising young teacher,
and F. Waldo Thurber a student at the
graded school. Their hospitable home
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26
SYLVESTER THOMPSON.

Sylvester Thompson of East Corinth
born in 1928, was one Of thirteen chill
dren of James Thompson, only three
of whom are now living. Sylvester left
his home at the age of fourteen and
went to Lowell, Mass, as bobbin boy.
Later he served an apprenticeship OF
three years at the tinsmith trade and
worked at it more than five years at
Lowell and several years in Boston, and
went into business for himself at South
Boston.
In 1868 he came to Corinth and the
same wear married Maria H. Hudson,
and bought the Virgins farm of 100
acres, one mile from Cookville. Four
years of farming was a sufficient exper-
iment and in 1872 the farm was sold
and the family moved to East Corinth.
After short time he bought the site
and built the house where DR.. Fox now
lives and resided there until 1887 when
he purchased the building which is now
the Saginaw House, which he thorough
ly repaired and rebuilt, and also built
the adjoining tin shop, with nice hall
overhead. In July 1887 he opened
the Saginaw House, a commodious
brick hotel, together with good livery
and feed stable, and since that time has
entertained the travelling public very
acceptably. Mrs. Thompson is genial
and motherly lady, who takes personal
interest in the comfort of each of her
guests and we found the Saginaw House
a pleasant and home-ike place during
our brief sojourn in the village.
Mr.. Thompson is lover of horses,
and has handled many good ones in
his day. Some two years since he sus-
tanned severe attack of the grip since
which his general health has been much
impaired, but he still works little every
day at his trade of tinsmith which he
has continually and successfully follow
ed in this village.
Mabel Thompson, the only child, is
now Mrs. Geo Hayward of East
Corlnth.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

John H., son of John w. Metcalf,
was born in Piermont, n. H., IN 1928,
was reared on his fathers farm, and re-
ceived such an education as the district
schools of his native town afforded.
He became a member of the state
militia at IS, and attained the rank of
lieutenant before he was Fl.
In 1850 he went to Illinois on tour
of inspection, and remained there two
years, during which time he was ap-
pointed postmaster. Struck by the
gold fever in 1852, he purchased an OK
team, and in company with cavalcade
of prairie schooners started from Lone
lack, near independence, Mo on the
long journey across the plains, taking
the government trail by way of Forts
Kearney and Laramie, the entire trip
consuming more than six months. The
desolate path on the alkaline plain was
strewn in places with the bones OF cat
tie and the debris of broken wagons,
that marked the trail of the forty-nln-
ers. Wells that were dug and gave
fresh water one day the next would be
impregnated with the noxious alkalies
of the surface soil, and were poison
Gus to man or beast. He remembers
standing in one place where he reached
with one hand into a spring of warm
water, and with the other into spring
of cold water.
During the journey cholera broke
out in the company, and proved fatal
in several cases. They first struck Pla-
cerville, known as Hangtown. For a
time he engaged in mining there, but
soon went to Sacramento. That was
the winter of sag, long remembered,
when the city was partially submerged.
Mr.. Metcalf then tried his hand at
placer mining, at place called Fiddle
town. 1t rained necessarily for days,
and the miners at night laid down in
their wet working clothes in the mud,
covered only by tent. He received
four dollars per day. Flour brought
81 per pound and beans two shillings.
For weeks the bill of fare was beans
and water for breakfast, water and
beans for dinner, and water, beans and
whiskey for supper. Failing health de-
manded a change and he went to lone
City, and worked in a store and board
ing house. He was elected and serv-
ed as constable three years, very i'm
portant Office in that restless and UNI
ciuilized community. He returned to
his home by way of the Isthmus, in
1883. He married Hannah Taplin OF
Corinth, in 1860, settled in his native
town, Piermont, and engaged in farm
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

ing eight years. While t,.ere, he was
on the board Of selectmen three years.
one year chairman. In 1869, he NOV
ed to the Lowell farm on Taplin Hill,
where he has since resided. This farm
of 100 acres of excellent upland, com
mands wide prospect. Here is one
of the best sugar orchards in the state,
containing more than a thousand trees,
set up with tin buckets and Bellows
Falls evaporation. Mr., Nletcalf usually
markets more than three pounds of
excellent sugar to the tree for which he
receives remuneratve price. Mrs.
Metcalf died in 1880, and in November
1881 he married Ellen A. Taplin.
Charles H. Taplin, the only living
child by the first wife, is resident OF
the town. ]. H. Metcalf has been
many years member of the Congrega-
tional church and for neerly score OF
years a deacon he has served the town
as selectman, and ill politics is prohl-
bitionist.
Deacon Metcalf is recognized as an
exemplary and honorable man in every
walk of life and has enjoyed wide and
varied experience with men and affairs
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

Reuben Page was soldier OF the
Revolution and settled as one OF the
earliest pioneers in the north east part
of Corinth known as Page HILL. This
was an unbroken wilderness. Herear-
ed a family of twelve children none of
whom are now living.
Ebenezer Seaver, man OF remarka-
BILE ingenuity was the first blacksmith IN
this part of the town, and also a gun
smith. William Page, one of the sons
of Reuben, learned the blacksmith
trade of Mr.. Seaver married his daugh-
ter Clarissa and followed his trade dur
ing life in this village. Two of his sons
Charles and Frank, have carried on the
blacksmith trade many years here and
Charles NJ. the son of Charles, is IN
company with his father Including
Mr.. Seaver, the maternal grand father,
four generations in direct descent have
largely conducted the blacksmith bust
ness in this village during nearly cen
fury.
Charles Page, the subject of this
sketch, was born on Page Hill in 1896,
and except few years Of his earliest
childhood all of his life has been spent
in Corinth. He learned the trade in
boyhood of his father and in IS4o built
shop and run the business for him,
self several years. Then he worked al
his trade seven years for L. F. Hale
now of Bradford. In 1874 he built
the shop which he has since occupied
This shopis headquarters in this sec
ton for farming tool repairs, with NOV,
ing machines a speciality, as Mr.. Page
keeps repair stock of all the leading
machines constantly on hand. He has
for twenty years been engaged in the
sale of moving machines, horse rakes
cultivators and harrows. The lmprov-
ed Walter A. Wood moving machine l;
his leader for 'o5.
In 1892 Mr.. Page built the frs
creamery in town at East Corinth, a
building 4Sx26 feet and two stories
high. A portion of this building he
uses in his own business as an lIor
machine shop. Under this roof is the
key that unlocks the present industrial
situation of the town.
Mr.. Pages pleasant residence is just
opposite his shop. He married Sarah
J., daughter of J. Curtis Colby in 1857
Their three children are Hattie M.
Ellen NJ, Mrs. E. P. Sawyer of Tops
ham, and Charles NJ, young man o
"a, in company in the business. MI
Page has stood by the old town "througl
thick and thin" and is one of its mos
loyal and useful citizens.
Honor to the honest and industrla
blacksmith, the knight Of useful toll
whose hands have wrought many skill
full works for the general good.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

William E. Locke was born on the
paternal homestead in Corinth in 1861.
His early training in the invigorating
labors of the farm developed strong
physique. After leaving the district
school, young Locke attended the
Cookville graded school and complet-
ed his studies at Bradford Academy.
He studied medicine with DR.. ]. H.
Jones of Bradford, and graduated from
the Hahnneman medical college Of Phil
adelphia IN 1884. He Immediately re-
turned to Corinth, contaminated a
matrimonial engagement with Miss
Lena Sanborn of Barton, VT, settled
at Cookville among his old friends and
associates and at once entered upon an
excellent and increasing medical prac-
tice Of more than ten years duration.
DR.. Locke observes an increasing
tendency toward harmony and CO.
operation among Practitioners of the
different schools. He is member of
the Vermont Homeopathic Medical
Society. DR.. Locke has the right phys
ical and mental make up for his pro-
fession. He possesses vigorous vital
temperament and that Astounding
geniality and livliness that diffuses hope
and sunshine in sick room. The old
plan of singing to the patient that time
honored hymn, CLARK from the tomb
doleful sound" as the preliminary Of
copious bleeding both in purse and
person is not in Locke's line of prac-
tice.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26
CALEB c. SARGENT,

Son of Jonathan and Sarah (MarSton)
Sargent, was born in Gambia, N. h.,
Dec. "a, 1885. His ancestors in each
family branch were of English extrac-
ton. His paternal ancestor, William
Sargent, SON of Richard Sargent OF
the Royal Navy, was born in England
in 1902, and came to America, 1t is
said, on the Mayfiower and landed at
Ipswich, Mass, about 1880. His great
grandfather, Moses Sargent, of Can
dia, N. H., was a soldier of the Revo-
luton and one of the original proprie-
tors and leading men of the early days
of that town.
The early life of the subject of this
sketch was spent on his fathers farm
until he was about eighteen years OF
age when under the inspiration OF his
mothers counsel he resolved to &C
quire a liberal education. By great
industry and perseverance he was able
to realize this purpose. He pursued
course of study at Blanchard Acad-
envy. Pembroke, y. H.. and graduated
from Dartmouth in the class of 1900.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

Ben understands the business and is
popular salesman, but it is said that he
is rejecting seriously on the text And
the Lord God said it is not good that
the man should be alone" and con-
templates taking partner for life
Mr.. Scribner is an excellent repre-
sentative OF the progressive, active, in
telligent young men in whose hands
are devolving the public and business
interests Of the town. At the death OF
G.. c. Cook, the former town clerk and
treasurer, Mr.. Scribner at the age of "a,
was appointed to fill this responsible po-
sition which he has since filled by cleo.
ton, and is also justice OF peace and
president of the Corinth Creamery Co.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

aunt then he was compelled 10 push
his own way, working on a farm until
he was 81. and obtaining such mstruc-
tion as the winter terms of the district
school afforded. After attaining his
majority he went to Boston, where he
remained nine years engaged in team
mo AT the commencement OF the
civil war he enlisted in the End Mass.
Light Battery This battery was hrst
stationed at Baltimore and afterwards
sent to Fortress Monroe, and witness
ed the naval combat between the Mon
itor and Merrimac. Soon after ne &C.
companied the command to Ship Island
and New Orleans in Gen. Buffers ex-
pedition. He was present at the flrst
attempt of Farragut to capture Vlcks-
burg. and afterwards participated in al
most all the battles and hostile expedl-
lions in the department of the Gulf, in
Guiding the successful attack upon MO
bile When his term of service ex-
PRED, he promptly and periodically re,
enlisted as a veteran volunteer, ana
with his command marched from Mo-
bile to Montgomery, and thence to (,
Vicksburg, where he remained until
honorably discharged in 1865, after
more than four years of active and con-
tinued service, during the latter part OF
which he acted as quartermaster ser
geant. Soon after his discharge, he
came to East Corinth, and in company
with his brother purchased and carried
on the grist mill in that place for toul
years. In 1876 he moved to Tops
ham aud engaged in the manufacture
of bobbins and spools, and erected ar
extensive plant for that purpose. He
was the victim of a disastrous fire II
May, 1894, which consumed his large
mills, dwellings and stock, on which he
sustained an absolute loss of $4,000
Soon after he moved his family to Eas
Corinth, and in company with his son
Alfred c., purchased and thoroughly re
paired the saw mill and put in gooe
stock of timber.
Mr.. Jackman was married in Brad
ford in 1869, to Mrs. Nancy c. Row
land, and four children have been borl
to them, Alfred c. graduate of ST
Johnsbury Academy class of 'S9, Win
throp T. a student at Norwich Univer
sity, Henry A. Jr, and Mary E.
H. A. Jackman is an ardent republi
can. A man of few words, but prompt
decided and resolute in action, ant
with persistence that in the end i
bound to succeed in whatever he un
dertakes. He has served several term
as selectman, and represented Tops
ham in the House in 1876. A mem
Der of the G.. A. R. and for two year
served as commander of Ransom Pos
No. 7, of East Corinth.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26
SCRIBNER.

Josiah Scribner came to Corlnth
from Andover, N. H., with his fathers
family, when he was three years old /;
married Emeline Fellows and settled
on farm in the southwest part OF the
town. Two of his sons, Benjamin and
Pearl went to California early in the
fifties when the gold fever was at its
height, and died there. John M.
Scribner was the "home boy and still
resides on the old homestead, being
one of the progressive and substantial
farmers of the town, is school director
and has served as selectman.
Benjamin B. Scribner, one of his
three children, was born here in 1867,
he received the advantage of a good
education in the schools of the town,
which was supplemented by a course
at the Randolph Normal school, from
which he graduated in 1855. The
following winter he tried his apprentice
hand at teaching school. In March,
1886. he commenced his mercantile
experiences as a clerk IN the store OF
Geo. c. Cook of Cookville, and re-
NAMED there until MIR. Cooks death in
1891.
Mr.. Scribner's services were so ac-
ceptable that he was retained by Mrs.
Cook until August, 1898, when he pur-
chased the stock and has. since con-
Quoted the business, and has good
stock of general country merchandise,
including dry and fancy goods, choice
groceries. flour, boots and shoes, paints,
oils, drugs, crockery and hardware.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26
LOCKE.

An outline sketch of three genera
tons of the Locke family Of Corinth,
forcibly illustrates the transition ten
denotes of the times. David Locke.
though not one of the pioneers of the
town, was an early settler, and farm
er on the old methods. His son John
B. Locke is an active and progressive
farmer, fifty years resident on the same
farm. following the recent changes and
Improvements in the calling. and Will
lam E. Locke the subject ofthe present
sketch is the resident physician and a
popular and res pected citizen.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

dairy interest was neither as eX-
tended nor as we'll organized as
at present. The creamery sys-
tenn has come to the rescue OF the
average farmer, come to stay.
The tide is now setting in the
right direction, and IN spite OF
the hard times, there is tw inkle
of hope and courage in the Cor
inthian eye.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-26

DIR. Locke is the representative OF
Corinth elected by the republican par
ty. with the largest majority given in
twenty years, and served creditably on
the committee on the insane.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-04-12
RISING SUM- CECIL COUNTY. MD, FRIDAY, APRIL

so and should have been in the vigorous
enjoyment of his manhood, but he be-
gan to fail. In the last months of his
life I staid great deal with him, and
he talked freely about his old ambitions
and their sudden end
II am sure" he said, "that l did
right in giving all up Sooner or later
Isabel would have found out-would
.have been made to feel somehow-that
other people knew the truth. In such
case the only safety lies in flight.
''But if you had staid your own career
was certain.
Perhaps - with the explanation
whenever my name was mentioned,
You know, l suppose, that he married
Sir Robert Byrne's daughter And sac
would have heard it."
"Tell me-" said, "who were the
residents of the village-the people we
met at dinner"-
81 do not know. Why do you ask?"
Evidently Isabel knew nothing Of
them. Perhaps, after all, the wicked
old man lied about them.
81 am glad to think" Paul went on,
''that we never met any of them after.
ward, because perhaps they knew.
Thank God, never, never for a moment
after the marriage did Isabel feel that
her fathers sins were visited upon her. :"
"Why, Paul." I said, 'they were,
but you shifted the burden to your own
shoulders and bore it for her. Did Isabel
ever learn why you left London?'
"No, she never knew, and she never
suspected. The man Brundish died a
very little while after of drink, be-
lieve"
"And you never regretted all that
you lost?'
"Never-not for moment. LONG
mans Magazine.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-04-12
THE FAIRY STONE.
1t Is Found In Virginia and Is Supposed
to Be a Talisman.

~ rs Ouuu III lrSlHlA anu rs SuppOScu
to Be Talisman.
The "Mother of Statesmen" has pro-
duced number of good things from
first to last-chivalrous men; fascinat-
ing, soft voiced women; fine horses
and the like, but that popular fad
should originate with her is an alto
gether new departure. Everything must
have beginning, however, and who
knows, now that the fairy stone has found
such favor in the world of fashion,
what possibilities she may develop in
this direction? These queer bits of pet
rified earth are indigenous to Patrick,
southern border county of Virginia,
cut off from Henry, and called, like the
latter, in honor of the statesman and
orator, Patrick Henry They are not ex-
cavated for, but lie loose upon the sur
face of the soil, and though restricted
to two or three parts Of the county ex-
ist in great mum bers and various sizes.
Upon each stone representation of
the cross is distinctly though delicately
traced, and legend concerning them
states that band of fairies, dwelling
at Jerusalem during the life of our Saw
iour and witnessing the awful scene on
Calvary, were so Mortified by it that
they fed to this remote region and
transformed themselves into these pet
rified emblems. The legend has given
rise to innumerable superstitions, and
from time immemorial the stones have
been worn as amulets by those living in
the vicinity in which they are found.
The reputation was local, however,
until that era in Virginia's history
known as ''the BOOM" Then her super
stitions and sacred traditions, along with
her other commodities, became objects
Of barter. Speculation fixed its calculat-
ing eye upon the fairy stone, and it was
taken from its native bed and expert
mented with in order that it might be
rendered marketable. 1t was soon dis
covered that no tedious process was nec-
essary for its development. A sharp in
strument passed along the outline
stamped upon its surface converted the
jagged stone into symmetrical cross
and little polishing and a plunge into
a bath of boiling oil gave the requisite
smoothness and the rich mahogany color
one sees in tho stone of commerce. A
tip of gold at the four extremities and
ring to which chain might be attached
gave the finishing touch to it, and when
thus simply mounted fairy stones sold
for 81 apiece.
The traditions concerning their Won
der working power are as inexhaustible
as the beds from which they are taken
and would furnish endless themes to
writers Of fairy tales and folklore stories.
They are supposed to ward off evil and
bring good luck to their possessors, but
in order to do this must be worn around
the neck and next to the son.-Phil-
adelphia Times.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-04-12

Among the periodic waves which
strike our great centers there is none so
strange as that of mysterious disappear.
ances. Such a wave selects its victims
from all classes, ages. Men, women and
children are impartially its prey. Some
times the absentees return in a dazed
condition unable to tell of their where
abouts. Others present mystery dark
er still, for they never return and are
no more heard Of Foul play, IA crazed
fever for wandering, premeditated
flight, are called to account as causes,
but some of these mysteries have neither
apparent cause nor end 1t is queer
and weird feature of our modern life
that these mysterious disappearanoes can
SO easily take place and their subjects
be neither traced nor recovered in spite
of our crowded civilization. But per-
haps it is because of it.-Baltimore
American
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-04-12
Tracked by Bits OF Dog.

A woman novelist told funny story
the other day about the numerous let
ters she received from ambitious young
writers, asking her to put their works
ON the market. They would "gladly
give her percentage of the sale if she
only would" Among such letters was
one from young lady who had chosen
a highly dramatic plot for her story. in
developing which the good young hero
inc is carried off by the wicked villain.
They are pursued by the good young
man. The good young heroine had a pet
dog that followed her and snapped at
the villain S heels. The villain became
enraged and shot the faithful brute.
Fragments of the little animal are found
scattered all along the road by the good
young man, who by the assorted bits Of
dog by the wayside runs down tho vii
lain. n.-Philadelphia Press.