Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-07-08

Deerfield both OF which may be found
in the Rockingham free library.
Among the early settlers OF this town
was Benjamin Bellows, who was large
real estate owner in this region on both
sides of the river and who was proprietor
of the slower meadow" some two miles
above this place. He was moderator of
the first town meeting of Rockingham after
the charter had been granted in 1853, held
various other offices, was enterprising as to
the growth and advance nent of the town,
possessed the confidence OF his fellow
townsmen, and from him our village took
its name.
The first religious organization in this
place was Emmanuel Episcopal church,
consisting of DR.. Samuel Cutler and II
others in 1898. The Methodist Episcopal
church was organized in 1885, They built
church that year on the site OF their pres
ent edifce, which was then a broad and
unoccupied field, and which called forth
much criticism even from its friends be-
cause of such isolation. To-day its loca-
tion is very central, and our village, count
ing North Walpole, has seven churches,
and with the completion of the new high
school building just in process of erection,
six fine school houses of as good rank as in
any New England village, and with the
free library opened eight years ago, have
we not with us the best and most valuable
elements for the upbuilding of Christian
and useful community?
Our village became separate munici-
pality in January, 1884. The legislature
in November previous had passed an act of
incorporation for that purpose At the
first meeting under this act on the accept
ance of the charter, Carlton Chase was
chairman, and S. II. Taylor, clerk. The
act was rejected, yeas 13, nays 25. There
were then 106 voters in the village, less
than half being present. Among those
who voted for the act of incorporation
were Carlton Chase, Alexander Fleming,
William Henry and DR.. j. H. Wells. An
adjourned meeting was held, canvass of
every voter made, and the charter was
adopted by yeas IA, nays 80. The first
bailiffs under this charter were John Saw
tell. Stephen J. MelIish, John H. Wells
and William Conant The last named was
the father of w. j. Conant, who is now
resident of this village. The first five
wardens were: Carlton Chase, S. r. b.
Wales, H. f. Green, Simon Pettis, Will
liam Henry. OF these Carlton Chase was
hen and Tor many years had been rector Of
Emmanuel church, afterwards bishop Of
New Hampshire, a strong and able man.
Mr.. Wales was the father of S. r. Wales,
long, and now we'll known citizen of this
place, and grandfather OF George r. Wales,
one Of our leading merchants, and Mr..
Henry was afterwards member of con-
gress. Col. Alexander Fleming mentioned
above was father OF S. c. Fleming, who re-
sides near the pine grove.
In 1S26-1 much interest prevailed rela-
tive to steamboat navigation on the Con-
necticut river. 1t prevailed here and a
steamer 75 feet in length and IA feet wide
came to this village. 1t was built in 1926,
and called the Barnet after the town up in
Caledonia county where it was expected to
90. Once it reached the town of its name
sake, passing the locks at Bellows Falls.
During this period Gov. Clinton and party
of New York came up to this place explor-
ing with reference to canals and naviga-
ton. In November, 1927, the boiler oi
the Barnet exploded between Hartford and
New York and that was the END of thai
boat. The next steamer was the Vermont
August 4, 1929, she came to Brattleboro
and the next day to Bellows Falls, and OF
the sixth began her return trip. Steam
navigation on the Connecticut was soor
abandoned. The water was either toe
little or too rapid.
In the next two decades, however, Bel
lows Falls continued to grow, in which
time the bank of discountAnd the Saving:
Institution were instituted and were soor
followed by the four railroads now center
ing at this place. In 1943 DR.. S. M. Blake
then the editor of the Bellows Falls Gaz
cite, wrote vigorous editorials advocating
the railroad enterprise and in few year.
had the pleasure of seeing them all com
pleted and in operation. DR.. Blake, WE
are glad to say, '.still lives" in this village
vigorous in body, clear in mind and ye
good for many days Of science and philoso
ply. While the people in the early day
OF Vermont railroads generally received
those enterprises with favor, there wer'
not wanting those who thought they onl,
meant ruin, like the good man in Massa
chusetts who, a few years since, objected
to the approach of an electric railway neal
his premises because so much electricit,
would greatly decrease his resources il
preventing his hens from laying eggs?
The greatest growth in Bellows Falls ha
occurred in the last quarter of century
1t is now all in sight and therefore nee'
not here be held up to view or given in de
tail. 1t is mostly the work of those VIII
have brought their capital here, or made
after coming. 1t stands to the credit G
good, thrifty and common sense busines
men, as well as to the favor and value G
our village and town. Nor has it lacke
the element of public spirit as is well at
! tested by the churches, schools, ibrar
and various benevolent associations.
What shall be said of the future or poss
bilities of Bellows Falls? 1t is claimed tina
the electric street railway enterprise fur
nishes an extra opportunity for expansion
I There is yet left considerable territor
within the limits of our village for homes
\ Much more would be accessible with tn
I street railway in operation, and two vi
lagos would have an opportunity to doubl
I their population, doubling their markets t
$ the surrounding country, and increasin
: the valuation of our town as well as thu
multiplying its attractions. This will a
+ come. Some of the most conservative G
: our business men have said it is but que:
ton of time. The great majority of th
$ people are waiting to give this enterprise
i cordial welcome, and when it comes, the
enthusiasm will lead them to wonde
n why it did not come sooner.
e In 1884 the number OF voters In this vi
;. lace was LOG, indicating at that time