Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-10-16

| wishing 10 get down to rock bottom, he
took upon himself the expenditure of time
and money incident to a trip to England
and France where he came in contact with
well known scientists, among others A. j.
Hipkins, the representative of the English
government on the subject of pitch, and
Rudolph Koenig, the eminent scientist and
manufacturer of scientific Instruments in
Paris. After a very exhaustive study of
the question of pitch Mr.. Fuller returned,
and at a meeting of the Piano Manufactur-
| er's association, which was attended also
by manufacturers outside of New York
city, he made an address stating the result
of his research, and recommending A 435
| double vibrations as a standard for Ameri-
can manufacturers of musical instruments.
Mr.. Steinway at that time in introducing
Mr.. Fuller said: "Your committee has had
a number of long sessions, and chiefly to
its able secretary, Col. Fuller, who made
it a work of love, is due the results.
He has gone forward and brought us a mass
of historical and scientific research and
proof that l, who have devoted many years
of my life to that study, and thought 1
knew it all, have humbly to admit that 1
knew but very little of. Ihave now learned
most of what do know from Col. Fuller"
He then called upon Col. Fuller to give a
synopsis of the information acquired, which
was given in an address, and which
was afterward published and very largely
circulated among piano manufacturers. AS
a result this pitch was adopted, and event
ually will constitute the pitch, not only of
all pianos and organs, but of all orchestral
and band instruments. This action was
characterized by the most prominent man
ufacturer in the country as lone of the
most important, perhaps the most impor
tant in the annals of musical history"
and created for Col. Fuller a standing sec
ond to none in the musical world.
During his work upon the subject of in
ternational pitch Gov. Fuller made col
lection of tuning forks, several hundred in
number-by far the most remarkable and
complete collection of its kind in existence,
and one which, if destroyed, could not be
replaced. By special request of the di-
rector-general of the Worlds Fair at Chi
cago this collection was exhibited in the
musical department at the great exposition
and was given an award by the judges.
Scientific Attachments and Connections.
Mr. Fuller had for many years been a
member of the American society for the
advancement of science, the American So
ciety of mechanical engineers, and the
American institute of electrical engineers.
He was greatly interested also in astronomy,
and several years ago erected an observa-
tory of his own at his private residencq-
equipped with the finest equatorial telescope
in the state of Vermont, and in connection
| Herewith was library of scientific and
technical works, perhaps the most COM
plete in the state. 1t was a characteristic
of Mr.. Fuller to seek the most exact in
formation concerning every subject with
which he came in contact, and this infor-
nation he pursued with a tireless energy
which knew no rest when any subject of
researcl vas once in hand.
The - y of good roads received from
Mr.. F. much attention during his
Off r. and in connection
VII ems, not only of
Font but of the -, -
was instrumental in developing very con-
siderable public sentiment regarding this
matter. He presided at the first national
gathering called to discuss this subject. 1t
was held at Asbury Park in July, 1894.
For long time before this he had felt
genuine and active interest in this subject
and he retained it ever after.
Gen. Roy Stone, who is the government
commissioner of good roads, and who has
so enthusiastically advocated the matter at
all times, was in frequent correspondence
with Gov. Fuller in regard to this matter.
1t was at his earnest request that the
| Governor visited Atlanta during the expo
sition in 1895, and although very much
weakened in body, attended the meetings
| called in the interest of good roads and
gave valued counsel. To him, perhaps, as
much as TO any man, is due the increasing
interest in this very important development
of the country roads.
His Interest in Education.
AS result of Mr.. Fuller's meager oppor-
tunities early in life, he came to recognize
the need, like many another man of
abridged early training, of increased edu-
cational advantages for those who early in
life were not furnished with means suf-
ficient to attend expensive outfitting schools
He has taken deep interest in educational
matters for many years, and perhaps the
chief monument to his interest in this re-
spect, is the Vermont Academy, at Saxtons
River in this county, preparatory school
second probably to none in New England
in efficiency and breadth of scope Mr.
Fuller became a member of the board
trustees of this Academy at the beginnip
of its organization in 1872, and continue,
in this capacity up to the time of his deaf
having for 10 years been the president OF
the board. During nearly all thisperiod he
has not stinted his gifts of time to personal
supervision of the affairs of the school, and
his advice both as to the educational and
financial management of its interests has
been deferred to very largely by the MEM
bers of the board.
Believing that exact agricultural train
ing was desirable, he several years ago
bought and presented to the school farm of
adequate acreage, closely adjoining the
property of the Academy, which he subse-
quently equipped with proper machinery,
with model farm buildings, a flock of blood
ed sheep and other stock. The new ideas
which he inaugurated in practical farming
have created widespread attention in that
community. AS further indication of his
interest in the educational equipment of
the Academy, he bought and presented a
very fine equatorial telescope, which was
made by John Byrne of New York city,
and has been of great value in the study of
astronomy. In connection with B. f.
Sturtevant, now deceased, of Boston, he
contributed very largely to the erection of
a recitation hall which, in honor of the
principal donor, was named Fuller Hail."
These, and many other instances might be
cited as proving his intense interest in the
matter of early education.
| This same interest was shown many
years ago when the members of the firm of
j. Estey & Co. contributed many thousands
of dollars toward the inception and full
equipment of Shaw University in Raleigh,
N. O., school which, during the 25 or 30
years of its life, has attained a reputation
secoud to none as a training school, col