The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1897-08-13
GALLANT AND PATRIOTIC PERU.
Will Raise Monument to COmmemor-
ate the March OF Stark and his men
through the town on the way TO
Bennington-Th meeting Frt.
day Evening.

ate the March OF Stark and his men
through the town on the way TO
Bennington-1h meeting Frt.
day Evening.
The race Is not always to the swift
neither is patriotism confined to popu.
lous centers. On the contrary often
among the humble and those far re-
moved from the busy scenes of active,
progressive life this sterling American
quality can be found, sparkling and
bright. This was well illustrated Fri
day evening at the village Of Peru,
where several hundred persons Assem-.
bled, in answer to call for meeting
to further the project of erecting a
monHmenHto to commemorate the event
of Gen. Stark and his little army
marching, on the way fo Bennington,
through the town and camping within
a few rods of the village on the 9th of
Aug. 1777.
The town of Peru occupies but a
small space upon the map; it is located
high upon the mountain; its population
does not reach into the thousands but
for steady thrift, moral uprightness
and progressive spirit that is always
reaching out for something better-a
disposition to catch on to the band wag-
ont is the peer of many larger and
more favorably located town. And
this it was upon the part Of her citizens
and her sons that originated the idea Of
Stark monument.
DIR. r. B. Burton of New York
city, a native of the town and who
spends his summers beneath the shad
ows of her towering mountains, is cred
tied with setting the ball in motion
that gave us Fridays meeting and that
will eventuate in the erection of sub
stantial and creditable monument.
The meeting convened i'll the neat
and tastiy finished village church,
which was well filled with men and
women. Or. r. B. Burton called to
order and after briefly mentioning the
origin of the project then to be consid-
cred named Mark Lyon, Esq, as chair
man who was unanimously chosen.
Mr.. Lyon upon taking the chair brief.
ly referred to the object of the meeting
and called for nomination for secre-
tary. Geo. B. Whitney was chosen.
Rev. Mr.. Bruce was introduced who
opened the formal meeting with prayer
The choir then sang the star spangled
banner. DR.. Burton read report of
the progress already made in the incip-
lent stages of the enterprise. This was
Of an encouraging nature and tended
to show widespread interest.
P. H. Hutchinson, Boston lawyer
but a Vermonter, acquainted in this To-
cality having formerly resided in Wes-
ton and being a native of Chester,
where he spends his summers, was i'll
troduced by the chairman. Mr.. Hutch
inson spoke acceptably for over an
hour. His address was made up large
ly of historical facts and was full of in
terest. After briefly referring to the
mighty progress we had made as ma
ton during the 100 years since Stark
with his 1900 New Hampshire militia
camped almost within the sound of his
voice, he took up the military career of
the hero under consideration and traced
it from beginning to end, | ringing out
many noted but almost forgotten incl
dents of the days of the revolution, and
connecting him with familiar names,
such as Gates, Schuyler, Warner, Lin
coin and Others, of the great struggle
that resulted in establishing nation of
freemen such as the world had never
seen. He traced him and his gallant
men from old number 4 (Charlestown)
Springfield, Chester, Andover,
Londonderry, Peru, Winhall, Man
chester and down the Battenkill to
Bennington where he arrived in time
to defeat the British on the 18th; noted
the defeat of Baum and others thai
brought the discontinue of Bnrgoyne
and his final surrender at Saratoga.
The speaker closed with patriotic APP
peal for the erection of the monument.
Prof. Russell of Williams college
was the next speaker. The professor
spoke but briefly but very pointed
He wanted to see monuments every
where; they would quicken interest and
awaken patriotism; the stuff that heroes
are made Of is all around us; the brave
mau and the hero is the man that does
the daty OF the hour, etc.