Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-01-11
SOUTH wINDHAM.
A BIT of Local History.

The sale of the mercantile business of
VIM. Harris Il Son to II. l.. Gould removes
an old landmark and one which has had a
controlling influence in the affairs of the
town for a long time. VIM. Harris came
here and established the business in 1922,
carrying it on until in the early forties,
when he took in as partner VIM. Harris,
jr., and the firm became VIM. Harris &
Son. The business was carried on by
them until near the close of the life of
VIM. Harris, ST., some time in the seven
ties, when he transferred his interest to f.
II. Harris. VIM. Harris, jr., died about
three years ago, but the business has been
carried on as formerly until now. In for
mer years the store drew large trade from
all the surrounding country. 1t was said
that no article could be called for but could
be found here Many stories are told char
acteristic of the push of the firm in it's ear
lier years, of which We will relate one that
the writer has often heard. In the early
days when the freighting to Boston was
done with teams, Mr.. Harris took down a
large quantity of pork, for which he could
not find a sale. He at once proceeded to
to buy up all the pork that came into Bos-
ton and soon produced corner which was
quite profitable to himself. 1t was this
firm that bought up the land now covered
by the pond at Windham Mills and built
the stone dam that holds the water back,
thus furnishing the power for the business
carried on there.
Death of Asa whitman.
The body of Asa Whitman, former
resident, who died at the home of his
brother Ara in North Londonderry, was
brought here for burial beside his wife
Tuesday. Mr.. Whitman was Sc years old
and had lived on the farm on which he was
born until two years ago, when the place
passed into other hands. He had four
children, Yates, who died in his youth,
Charles, who died in Florida few years
since, Lucinda, who married Ransley Har-
rington and was postmistress here under
the Harrison administration and died two
years ago, and Alma, who has cared for
her father in his old age and who of his
family alone survives him, Mrs Whitman
having died three years ago Mr.. Whitman
was one of four men who were born within
less than year of one another and have
spent most of their lives here. These were
George Adams, 81, who enjoys good health
and attends to his stock in his barn a
quarter of a mile away; Dea. Nelson Kings
bury, who is in comfortable health Mason
Pierce, who died three years ago at the age
of nearly 81, and Mr.. Whitman. Ransley
Harrington, who was about two years
younger, also lived most of his life here
until two years ago, when he went to live
with his son George near Windham Cen
tire. Can any place of its size produce a
better record of longevity?
II. n. Shaw of East Arlington has made
a flying visit here.
E. L. Dady is worse. 1t is thought he
has had slight shock.
Merrill Pierce, a former resident, has
been in town on business.
w. G. Adams is the recipient of box
of oranges from friend in Florida.
Ed. Lackey, who stole sleigh, buffalo,
harness, meal and clothing at Millville and
a wagon at Arlington several weeks ago,
has not been found yet.
d. Z. Robbins has taken The Vermont
Phoenix about As years. Mr.. Robbins
says there have been many changes and a
great improvement in the paper. He would
hardly know how to get along without it.
The will of the late Calvin Stowell gave
portion of the farm with the buildings in
which he lived to his widow Fred Stowell
has now bought the widows share. E.W.
! Stowell has the remainder of the farm, in
Guiding the buildings in which he lives.
A peculiar case was that of Mrs. Ellery
Clayton, who died Sunday Mrs. Clayton
had been in poor health for some months
but was able to visit her sister, Mrs. Moran,
New Years day. She returned home
about II O'clock. In a short time she fell
asleep, and never awOke, dying Sunday
afternoon at o'clock. The funeral was
held at the house Wednesday, the burial
being at Pawlet
Ernest Burbee met with an accident in
his mill Tuesday. Something was wrong
with the machinery and he went below to
fix it when his foot slipped and he fell, hit
ting his head against a gear that was re-
volving 300:or 400 times a minute, knock
ing him senseless and cutting an ugly cash
in his head. 1t was narrow escape from
death, since if he had fallen few inches
farther it must have taken the top of his
head off.