St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-08-20

Alexander Harvey of Barnet was elected
president and William Chamberlin secre-
tary. The first treasurer was not elected
until the annual meeting in 1897. The
charter makes the Board SELF perpetual
ing, gives it absolute power over the
school and all its belongings, and makes
and the Board has always so under
stood it and acted accordingly.
In all the century there have been but
eleven presidents: Hon. Alexander
Harvey in 1895; Rev. David G~oodwillie,
1893; Hon. William Chamberlin, 1873;
Rev. Leonard Worcester, 1923; Hon.
Tohn W. Chandler, 1899; William Mat
locks, Esq, 1910; Rev. Thomas Good
willie, 1871; DR.. Josiah Shedd, 1915;
Rev. Thomas Goodwillie again, 1852;
Rev. James M. Beattie, 1867; DR.. Luther
F. Parker, 1884; Hon. Cloud Harvey,
1892. The century which began with an
honored son OF Barnet, ends with the
first presidents worthy grandson.
There have been but seven treasurers,
the most important officer, in the cen
fury. Gen. James Whitelaw was chosen
in 1897; Hon. John W. Chandler, 1906;
Samuel A. Chandler, Esq, 1910; Rev.
Asaph Boutelle, 1855; Hon. Ezra Carter
Chamberlin, 1856; John Varnum, IT.,
Esq, 1870; Hon. George p. Blair, the
present incumbent, 1889.
There have been but eight secretaries.
Hon. William C%hamberlin was chosen in
1895. For more than 80 years the
board met at his house. His record.
though plain, shows the popularity of
thought and spelling and the quaint
handwriting of those early days. Rev.
Leonard Worcester succeeded him in
1912. / am glad he learned the printers
trade in his youth, Tor his copy is as
plain as copper plate. as though he had
prepared it for the printer. DR.. Josiah
Shedd was chosen in 1889. Rev. David
Merrill, an honored son OF the town and
alumnus of this Academy, succeeded him.
From 1861 to 1865, Rev. Asaph Boutelle
was secretary. In 1865, Hon. Mordecai
Hale took the pen. In 1870. John Var.
mum, Jr., commenced his contribution to
the secretary's book. In 1889, Hon.
George P. Blair was chosen secretary
and remained with us until this day.
In 1888. Gov. Erastus Fairbanks was
elected a trustee, but find no record Of
his ever acting with the board, probably
because he was too busy inventing some
thing that should make ST. Johnsbury a
bigger" town than Peacham.
The exact date Of opening the school |
cannot ascertain, but it was sometime
during the latter part of the year 1897.
Ezra Carter, Esq, a graduate OF Dart
mouth college, was the first preceptor,
al a salary OF $333.33. All parties agree
that no mistake was made in securing
the first instructor. Mr.. Carter was
peculiarly suited to the times and the
place. Strong physically, vigorous men
tally, he aimed straight at his object and
accomplished it.
Master Carter died at the early age of
thirty eight, but he gave a grand impe-
tus to the school, and in the right direc
ton, and his character and worth grow
brighter as the years roll away.
Time would fail me to speak of Evarts,
and Chassell, and Christie, and the
Chamberlins, and Merrill, and the Wor-
cesters, and Bartlett, and Lord, and
Chase, both father and son, and Bradlee,
and Rix, and Miller, and Pearson, and
Morrill,, and Thompson, and Watts, and
Tirrell, and Cambridge, and Others whose
names even | have not time to mention
all these have lone a work here in this
humble school among the green hills oil
Vermont which shall last long after their
monuments have crumbled into dust,
Many of the forty-one principals have
reached eminent distinction in their
chosen callings. i'll law, politics, theology
teaching, and the various departments o.
business. Volumes might be written o
4Laeo o,,l tIn,r hapafo cttnpc RI u1nuEtnH
OF one principal who, from 1867 tC
1895. ratified round in the place filled by
so many able men tor three.quarter:
of a century, | may not speak; but
the hundreds and hundreds of young
ladies and gentlemen who. during thos,
twenty-eight years, pursued their Studio:
in the Caledonia County Grammar school
it is not my purpose to pass by in silence
In the prime of life, most of them today
they constitute a glorious army whose
elastic tread is felt the broad eartf
around as it marches forth on its impe
rial mission to bless and benefit man
kind.
think it was the purpose of the found
ers OF the academy to furnish a free schoo
to all pupils in the county, but they soor
realized the cost of such a school, and a
their annual meeting in November, 1897
they voted that each pupil entering
school on or after December l, 1897
should pay one shilling per month in ad
vance for procuring wood for winter
purchasing a book for records and othe,
contingent expenses OF the school, and al
persons who apply tor admission, not il
the county, pay four shillings per mont
in advance. At their annual meeting ii
November, 1898. they voted that eacl
pupil pay 25 cents per quarter for tn
purpose Of procuring globes, and TO
other necessary expenses. This is tn
first record I find of using our presen
system of dollars and cents in none.
matters. At the annual meeting OF tn
Board the next year, we notice a vote t.
make the tuition seventeen cents in ad
vance Tor each quarter, to cover the ex
pense of an addition to the academy
At the annual meeting OF the Board II
September, 1900, they passed a very sig
ni6cant vote, tar-reaching in it's conse
quences.
Voted 9Th That the several engage
ments entered into by the Inhabitants c
the Town OF Peacham, as proposed in tn
memorial of William Chamberlln to tn
Legislature of this state, in their beha
(being the Condition on which the gran
fixing the County Grammar school I
Said Town was made) have been iull
and Principally fulfilled"
AT the same meeting the trustees vote
to maka The t,ition one shilling Der Qual