Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-10-21
ANOTHER TOWN MADE HAPPY
Dedication OF Barrett Memorial Hall,
StrafiOrd.


That town so small and unpretentioui
as Strafford should find itself the recip.
lent of fine memorial hall is fact calcu
lated to move the pride OF every resident
of that historic place, so delightfully."- stu
ated among the hills. Not less pleasing i,
the nature of Che gift, coming as it die
from the son of a former WE'LL beloved
couple Of the town, Col. Z. $. Barrett 81
Cleveland, Ohio, whose parents were Hon
Hiram and Hannah Moore Barrett.
The hall is fine, substantial structure
the base being of granite and the remain
der of wood, 70x30, finely finished, the
front portico being supported by large
Ionic columns. The audience room has q
seating capacity OF $40, and the building
cost $4,000. This beautiful hail was dedi-
Gated to the uplifting and Improvement
OF the town, its children and children's
children, TO last through all time.
The services in dedication of the hall
we're held Thursday afternoon, Oct 18th.
On the platform were seated Hon. JUS
tin Morrill,, Rev. Henry Cummings Of
Strafford Rev. William Paul OF West Fair
lee, Justice Scion Berry OF Thetford, Hon.
$. +. Frary, Judge A. Is. Cobb, ID. CLYDE,
Esq, Prof. 5. X. Chsndler, the astrono-
mer, of Cambridge, Mass, james Tyson
of Baltimore, Md, the venerable Loren
ID. KibliDg, James S. Morrill,, and C.. S.
Barrett of Cleveland, o., the donor OF the
building. The auditorium vas well filled
The stage bore plentiful array of house
plants in blossom.
Services were opened with prayer by
Rev. Mr. Cummings, followed by the pres
entation speech with deed of trust TO trus-
tees-James $. Morrill,, Josiah Kendall
and Hons. b. Buell-by c. 5. Barrett. The
indenture of gilt was read by j. S. Nor
rlll, giving II 800 for the support OF the
hall, which is 10 be used for all laudable
purposes except town and freeman's meet
ings, the ball to be used as the trustees
should direct for lectures, concerts, theat.
ricals or other moral gatherings
The acceptance OF deed and gift was by
Hon. ! b. Buell OF Stratford. Hon. ID. G..
Hyde gave an address in memory of the
late Hiram and Hannah Moore Barrett. A
reminiscent speech was made by Senator
Morrill, in his tender, sympathetic man
ner, which was interspersed with many
mirth moving bits OF wit, bringing the
audience 20 cheers and laughter and clos
ing with grand retrospect OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Barrett, commencing the generous
gift Of the donor, ana impressing upon the
trustees the importance OF their trust.
He wanted 10 impress upon the trustees
TO see to it that once in a month, at least,
meeting OF literary character be held,
such as lectures on men like Franklin,
Jefferson and Others, and to be sure that
the entertainment be OF an uplifting, ben
eficial order And while an occasional
evening might be given to Terpsiohore. in
the words OF our ola Elder Buzzell, ''Let ii
be a manners school,"
Hon. n. ID. Cobb gave an interesting
history Of the Barrett and Moore family,
The head OF which was for many years one
OF the honored mercantile men of the
town, and expressing thanks to Col. Bar
rett for his gift.
resolution was offered by Senator
Morrill, extending an invitation TO Col
Barrett to visit Strafford each season, and
his motive was chat he felt assured that be
would soon have, not only ancestors, but
a family and posterity to look after here.
the meeting closed with the singing OF
America by the entire audience, led by
Gilson's orchestra OF Bethel
The curtain, printed by Will Flanders
Of Chelsea, fell, disclosing fine painting
Of historic cold City Falls