St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-09-03

W. c. T. U. TREE PLANTING.
White Ribboners Pay TrIbate to the 7emory Of
Madame Willard Mother Of Frances e. Willard.

Stanton district school house in the
town of Danvlle, about three miles
above the village OF North Danvlle,
stood in the early part of this century
log house. This house was occupied
by John and Mary Thompson Hill, to
whom in 1905 daughter was born,
who was years afterwards herself the
mother Of daughter, now one of the
most prominent and best beloved women
in the land-Frances E. Willard, leader
Of the W. c. T. U.
Last Monday morning, after the clos
ing service of the weeks state temperance
camp meeting, large number Of white
ribboners started for the old Hill
homestead in North Danville. Some went
from Lyndonville in teams and some
took the train to st. Johnsbury and
went in teams from there. The old
homestead, now the Stanton district
school house, is on the very top of large
hill, commanding magnificent view,
with which Miss Willard was charmed.
Miss Willard took dinner at the home of
George Stanton, a descendant from the
family in which was Eliza Stanton, the
dearest friend OF her mothers early child
hood days. Mr.. Stanton owns most Of
the old Hill farm of over 200 acres. His
residence is just short distance from
the school house and most OF the teams
were put up there, horses occupying
every available htching place in his barn.
basket picnic was first enjoyed and
then fully 500 people were called to order
by the state w. c. T. U. president, Mrs.
Ida II. Read of Shelburue. All those who
could claim any kinship to Miss Willard
occupied seats in front of the speakers
] stand. II Miss Willard ever imagined
she was possessed OF very limited num-
ber of relatives she must have been agree
ably surprised Monday, for those re-
J. served seats held at least hundred or
two cousins more or less removed
IT The exercises opened with the singing
:, of the hymn, "How Firm Foundation"
:. Mrs. Read announced that all the hymns
f; to be sung were once favorites of Madame
J. Willard and Miss Willard when many
{; miles away had sent them to those ar
I. ranging the programme Tor this occasion.
, Miss Carrie Drew played the accompani-
ments.
IS Miss Willard here told how she used to
r, hear her mother speak OF the days in the
id log house when her grandfather would
a get the old family Bible out in the even
~ ing and read while his good wife would
o. be working industriously at the spinning
wheel, eagerly listening to the words
from the good book. Then they would
}. close the day by singing the dear old
4. hymn, How Firm Foundation"
The Goth Psalm was read from the old
g. Stanton Bible and prayer was offered by
he Mrs. Catherine Lent Stevenson of
e, Chicago, national corresponding secre-
n tary. Another hymn, "There are Lonely
Hearts to Cherish" Selections from the
10 Bible were then read by several ladies.
ee A solo, Home, Sweet Home, was pleas
ingly rendered by Mrs Sumner OF Man
q chester, N. H. Mrs. !. Fl. Drew, president
OF the Caledonia county union, spoke a
few words of welcome and closed with
IS, clowning Miss Willard as queen OF the
he day with wreath of flowers picked from
~ the fields her mother used to play in.
Miss Willard accepted the wreath as a
s. token of the good work 10 be dom in the
'ir future and with he hope that they would
be led to increased steadfastness in the
cause. Mrs E T. Housh OF Boston de-
y, scribed the contents OF the box to be buried
y" with the roots of the tree. The box con-
OF tanned the minutes Of the last state meet
It. ing programme of the camp meeting
of just closed, programme of the days ex-
=. ercises, white ribbons, etc. She said that
- the tree would grow, birds would build
n, their nests in it and would have new
en- song which would be, "Wil-lard, Viii
oh lard, Willard" Mrs. Chesley OF Snef.
/. field said few words about the old
'e Willard home in Wheelock and presented
&, Miss Willard and Others with little
"a flower picked from the cellar of the old
nt Willard homestead.
;. Mrs. Read made short talk, saying
10 this was the greatest day Vermont had
ne seen in long time and one that would
R. be long remembered We prize Vermont
er as the home OF the queen of all mothers
~ one who left us glorious heritage, our
- leader. She spoke few words to the
tn good brothers. advising them to show
y, their loyalty with their vote. She
IS wouldn't give that cent with the hole in
al it some one put in the contribution al
W Lyndonville last week tor the man who
en- claps here and then goes and votes just
er, the opposite Mrs. Catherine Stevenson
m said that her first great work was tc
"a edit and read the proof OF that great
W. book, Miss Wizards tribute to hel
at mother This work learned her to low,
Miss Willard. The w. C.. T. U. stands
he for better nation. 1t strengthens th
REQ children mentally and physically by thei
''I kindergarten and physical culture classt S
OF which helLs strengthen the home, the on
icy word that makes everything. Miss Ann;
ter Cor, on OF Chicago called to the platform
,ch Eliza Stanton Drew, daughter of Nj
y" and Mrs Ora Drew, named after tn
mt dearest friends of Madame Willard
cir childhood, and also the little daughter {
self Mr.. and Mrs. Will Clement, France
90 Willard Clement. A few remarks wer
80, also made by Mrs. Clark oi Peacham
OF Miss Willard then sp IKE at some lengt
by OF her mother. She said that as a chil
she herself was very fragile, SO much s
bv that her mother was exceedingly caret,
and tender of her. She always wante
Ha .~l.