Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-12-05

time G. M. C. Hatch also owned the
shon after which the books were re-
moved to the dressmaking rooms OF
Mrs. ETA. M. Brown in the Dana house,
above the postoftice, and there remained
tor 70 wears till 1888. Meanwhile, since
1863. several village ladies had success
fully maintained a ladies' library, de-
voted to essays, fiction and more mod
ern literature, which the older library
association had somewhat ignored.
The ladies' library was for eight years
kept at the residence of the late Aaron
Davis. but in 1873 was removed to the
photograph gallery of Ilirn l.. BlxDy,
he generously rendering the use OF ms
rooms to hold the bookcases and allow
inc the patrons to meet there saturday
afternoons to exchange books. In
February, 1885, these two rival organl-
cations voted to unite, and their books
and library furniture were takento one
of the law office rooms OF Geo. H..
Stow in the second story Of the old
Union store building, being the same
room in which the old library was first
located. This united organization, UNI
der the name of Chelsea Library asso-
citation and Ladies' Library, with oyer
one thousand volumes of books, had a
hourishing existence for four years,not
howeyer,as free public library which,
neither of the societies ever had been,
because membership and assessment
fees were necessary to provide money
for purchasing new books. In the early
morning of Feb 10, 1892, the Union store
building with all its contents was de-
stroyed by fire, set at midnight by an
incendiary, doubtless the same wretch
ed tiend who had made an unsuccess-
full attempt only thirteen nights before.
Access to the library rooms was impos-
sible and all its property, both its fur
nitnre and some 1900 volumes, were
burned. The accumnlations of half a
century were gone!
But strong and energetic friends of
the library Immediately arose. That
very night at the residence of DR.. M.H.
Corwin. few citizens met, among
them Rev. B. b. Sherman, j. A. R.Cor-
win, j M. Comstock and others, who
considered means for restoring the IL
brary. Mr.. Sherman suggested that
nonresident natives of Chelsea also be
asked to contribute, and at subse
quent meeting, more largely attended,
he presented the draft of circular
which he recommended should be print
ed and distributed among the more
prosperous Chelseans resident abroad
His plan was at once adopted and at his
own expense he furnished and mailed
a large number Of printed circulars
stating the lbrary's terrible loss and its
great need of immediate help. Early
and generous responses were received,
proftering contributions of money and
books.
Among other replies came one from
Hon. Alden Speare, ex-mayor of New
ton, Mass, who, born on a Chelsea
hillside farm, had left town fifty years
before and, engaging in mercantile pur-
suits, had become one of Boston's mer-
chant princes. In his native town he
sought to erect lasting monument.
He wrote Ernest A. Corwin, one of the
selectmen, to meet him at his Boston
office and, as a result of the interview,
Mr.. Speare offered $4,000 for library
If the town would appropri-
ate an equal sum to build a town hall
In conjunction with it. AT the ensuing
March meeting the town eagerly ac-
cepted MIR. Speare's generous offer and
soon purchased site on which to
build. This site was afterwards
changed to the Hyde corner opposite
he hotel-the most spacious and Access
'ible building lot in the village, so
anxious were the townspeople to graf
~ Mr.. Speare in the selection Of an
appropriate spot wherein to locate his |
Elegant gift. Meantime the town, at |
Is first meeting after the fire, appropri-
tied 5000 towards Il public library, and
private subscriptions increased this
um to $500 or more, with which few :
volumes of new books were
Fought to start the Chelsea public Ii
,rary. Its first location was in the
econd story of j. A. X. Corwin's store
building, where it remained until Octo-
'er. 1894, when the new building was
dedicated Some delay had occurred
wing to difficulty in selecting from
'arious architects plans and in chang
no the location for the building. Mr..
'peare had at different times increased
lis original offer till it amounted to
$3.50, the muniticent sum this noble
on of Chelsea has given for the Alden
peare Memorial library building, that
might he, to quote the words in
cribed upon the tablet which adorns
he wall above the handsome fireplace,
"site and home for a perpetual free
ibrary."
Sons OF Veterans.