Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-09
VERMONT HAPPENINGS.
WHAT A WEEK BRINGS FORTH IN
THE WAY OF NEWS.
The Happenings of Seven Days on Our
Hills and In Our Valleys Condensed
and Photographed for Busy
free Press Readers.


farm on the Saxton's river. known as
Little Egypt. To the south Of this is Il
plateau of something over 30 acres as level
as floor This is already being cleared
OF bushes and stumps. The bushes on the
entire 80 acres will be removed with dyna-
mite. A fine half mile track will be con-
structed In the spring, a grand stand
built and the whole enclosed by a high
fence. The track at first will he made 80
feet wide. whereas the regulation width
is 80 feet. Ii is probable that the track
will be ready for bicycle racing as early as
the middle of the summer. Sometime the
interior of the field will he put into shape
for foot ball and base ball games,
Earl, the eight -ycar-od son Of C. II.
Lul of Montpelier, had narrow escape
from drowning IN the Winooski river
Christmas afternoon. lie was crossing on
the ice near Morc's stone sheds. when he
broke through and sank up to his should
ers The current was strong and he was
just being carried under the ice when his
brother C!Sfl. who has seen him sink,
fastening to his aid, succeeded in grasp
ing Him by the collar and dragging him out
on the solid ice The little fellow was
faint from the cold bath and was taken
to neighboring house, where his wet
garments were taken off and warm blank
cts wrapped around him.
a horse belonging 10 Park Pollard mar
rowly escaped being struck by the Boston
flyer Tuesday, Dec. 81, at proctorsvlle
and an express wagon containing
barrel OF flour was quite do
mohshed The horse had been loft
unhitched outside the railroad station.
He started to cross the track at a jump.
but failed to get the wagon out of the way
in time. The horse stopped after run
ming a few rods and was uniniurcd and APP
parently not frightened.
Tho following sentiments of Senator
Thurston of Nebraska. who is "A native OF
this State, were written in a Vcrmonter's
album and were published in the Rutland
Herald ! love my native State. Vermont.
My ancestors for four general ions con-
quered a frugal substance from her rug
ged hills. Two of them fought unon her
sacred soil for independence ana one
my father, proved the ardor of his inner
tied patriotism. and gave up his life for
the preservation Of the Union.
one of her daughters crowned my life
with love, and blessed my western home
with jewels of motherhood.
So let me live, so let me die: that dear
Vermont. my mother. may he glad to
write above nv dust, This WAS my SON"
JOHN NJ. THURSTON.
United States Senator
The recent high wind did considerable
damage in Chester At the depot village
the tall smokestack used by the Union
Soapstone company was blown down, caus-
ing suspension of work till it can be put
in place again.
The ancient elm on the land of Mrs. n.
o. Perkins near the fence of George w.
Chaplin on West street, recently cut down,
was growing before u white man had set
tied in Rutland. The tree had 1H rings
which would carry the date of the tree
back to 1863, the year that Col. James
Mead of Manchester. y. r.. bought 7oo0
acres in what Is now Centre Rutland. lie
lnI wi ia ia hp yea
lowing. This elm was one of several
growing on West street, an old military
road running to Lake Champlain. one Of
these ems near the West street burial
grounds was felled a few weeks ago
Near it stood in the old days n yellow
birch. Both of these trees were blazed
and are known to have been landmarks
for travellers. The elm on the Perkins lot
was probably the Oldest in Rutland. Near
II was n spring which used to furnish
water for cows and horses on West street.
In working the trunk up into cord wood
AN odd discovery was made by the chop
pers. Buried Is inches from the surface
was a peg about six inches long driven in
an auger hole. The head of this peg was
split and Il wedge inserted TO secure II.
At the point OF the peg was n wad of hui
han hair From the growth Of the wood
over the head OF the peg ii would seem
that the peg was put there in 1920, when
these elms, like the historic one which was
demolished by gale before the civil war,
are native trees that take root in wet soil,
and they arc not necessarily from u second
growth after the virgin evergreen forests
have been chopped over.
An event which seemed to give promise
of serious results occurred in the Metho-
dist church at Morrisville the finishing
touches were being made upon the decora-
lions and Examinations of Christmas eve.
Fortunately the exciting events transpired
before the large audience had gathered
and while three men were present. An
illuminated star placed overhead between
the trees caught fire from the lantern he
hind. Mr.. White climbed up to eXtnguish
the flames when the lantern tilted and
sheets of flaming oil dropped to the plat
form, on the carpet and bunting used for
for decorations. The fire was quickly eX-
tinguished.
Harry c. Allen of Randolph has in his
possession commission issued to one of
his ancestors, William Carley, as an en-
sign in the first company in the fourth
regiment and fourth division of the mill
tia of this State" The commission was
issued by Thomas Chttendcn, the first
governor of Vermont, and was attcsted by
Truman Squire. the first secretary Of
State. The document is dated August /,
1796
out at the closing exercises of the fall term
at the State Normal school at Castleton:
Dec %, 2.3O y. m, sermon at Congrega-
tional church by Rev IL. II. Randall of
Poultney; Dec 80, Jan. |, examinations by
State board of examiners; oral examine
tons Wednesday; Jan, 2, 1000 Il. m, class
reports by teachers; Jan. ., 300 p. m,
graduating exercises at Congregational
church, address by Prof. NJ. r. Sanford of
Middlebury; Jan. 2, 1880 p. m, concert at
Congregational church, followed by rccep-
ton at Normal parlors. The next term
will begin Tuesday, Jan. 81.
The money order business for 1895 at the
Brattleboro postoffice shows an increase of
$40, 632 over that of 1894 The total amount
of business represented by 1891 transact
tions was 1852, 400. of which amount $3.50, S94
represents the orders issued and sl3l,5
the sum paid.
A very welcome gift of 800 for the pur-
chase of books for the public library at
Chelsea has been received from George S.
Shaw of Davenport, Iowa. Mr.. Shaw is a
native of Chelsea. He has large lumber
interest in northern Minnesota.
Frank Gould of South Wardsboro found
a strange bird dead In the road the other
day 1t had short legs, set far back, and
webbed feet like a duck 1t was shaped
like a duck. had beak like crow, and
was larger than partridge. The head
and back were black and all the rest of
the body was pure white.
Elijah Somers of Sharon met quite a SER
ious accident while at work for f. H.
Noyes December 2S. The staging gave
way letting him fall about 10 feet and he
struck on the frozen ground, sprainng one
ankle.