Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-24
WESTMINSTER WEST.
To Improve the Cemetery.

The cemetery here is an old one, dating
back nearlyto the first settlement of this part
of the town, or more than hundred years.
1t is understood that the first person bur
led in the yard was Mrs. Lydia Ranney,
who died in 1857 in the seth year of her
age. Her daughter Lydia married Eben-
eZer Goodhue and was the mother of the
family that has been so prominent in the
history Of the West parish. From that
time on the larger part of the burials in
this part of the town have been in this
cemetery. But the grounds were not laid
out with much order and have not been
kept in as good shape as our modern taste
demands. There has been talk for some
years as to entering upon an organized eff
fort to improve the appearance of the Gem
etery by putting things in better shape,
but nothing has been done until now in
this line. Last season Hon. Homer Goodhue
caused fine monument to he placed upon
his lot near the entrance, and granite
wall, extending from the entrance along
the east side of the tomb and of his lot,
was also butt at his expense. The town
has removed the gate and picket fence
near it and has put in an iron fence and
gate of very tasteful pattern. These i'm
provements have served to arouse atten-
]
and meeting was called for May to act
upon the matter. At this meeting a COM
mittee consisting of Harlan Goodhue, j.
H. Clark and F. j. Houghton was chosen
to recommend the best plan for an organi-
cation for permanen. care of the cemetery
and to report week later. At this meet
| ing, May 16, the committee unanimously
reported in favor Of making use of the act
passed by the legislature in 1894, with ref
erence 10 funds which might be contribu-
ted for cemetery improvement 1t empow-
ers towns to receive such funds and to elect
a trustee under whose direction the income
of such funds shall be expended, as the
donors may designate. The meeting ac-
cepted their report and directed the com
mittee TO have a town meeting called for
the purpose of accepting the act. Hon.
! VIM. B. Cutting was chosen a committee
to solicit funds to be placed with the town
| if the act is accepted. Meanwhile, as
there can be no avails from this source for
the present year at least, every person pres
ent agreed to give days work in labor OF
money, and it is expected that the people
of the place will turn out generally for
work there after the planting is over
Charles q. Miller was chosen to have
charge of this work.
Mrs. Alfred 5. Hall has been at hel
fathers for the week past.
The road scraper has made its appear
ance under the charge of the road com
missioner and will be employed in this part
of the town for about three weeks.
Dea. o. F. Buxton went to the Massa
chusetts general hospital on Wednesday il
company with A. P. Ranney. He expect!
to remain for some weeks in case there i!
hope of benefit from treatment there. He
has not improved much of late.
The village was enlivened last Saturday
by the occurrence of a justice trial before
Dea. E. Hall. Geo. F. Goodell sold tel
bushels of potatoes to the proprietor o
the Commercial House, Bellows Falls, al
he claimed at 60 cents per bushel upon de
livery. The buyer claimed that the sal,
was at the rate of 80 cents and refused Il
pay more. A third party delivered the pc
tatoes, and when Mr.. Goodell went to the
Falls he could get no satisfaction eXcep
that the potatoes were in the cellar and i
he were not satisfied with so cents h
might take them away. A writ was issueC
and the matter came before the justice 70
decision. Lawyer Weston appeared 70
the defence and Anthony Schwenk iron
Stoddard d Haskins's office, happening |,
be in the village, was engaged by Mr. Good
ell. The result of the trial was in his ia
vor.