The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-09-22
A Red.Letter Day for W. G. T. U.
FRANCIS WILLARD AT HRR MOTHERS
BIRTHPLACE


1.-THE best ever held on Lyndonville camp
grounds was the way the Presiding Elder
OF st. Johnsbury district described the W.
Q. L. U. camp-meeting, and the tree-plant-
ing in honor OF Frances Wizards mother
was very fitting and memorable close to
the intellectual and social feast. A little
white school-house stands on the spot where
the Hill homestead was, about two miles
from Danville Green, on slightly eminence
with the Mt. Washington range looming up
in the distance. Long before one o'clock
the three roadways were edged with rows
OF carriages for some distance, a large num-
Der coming from st. Jobnsbury and Lyn-
donville. Out In this humble country
school-yard was gathered an array Of talent
that would honor any platform OF our
country. The souvenir program, prepared
for the occasion by Mrs. Ida Fl. Read, Ver
mont W. g. T. u. president, was under d.
rection Of Miss Willard. The hymns, being
those her mother heard at the family altar
and loved to sing on that spot se eve
the family, and the relatives are few, but
those present, near or remote, were seated
on the platform opposite the porch on
which Miss Willard sat. North DApville
Union spread q table for the distinguished
guests and fr ends after which the exercises
opened. "How Firm q Foundation"
"There are Lowly Hearts to Cherish were
| sung by quertetto. Prayer offered by
Mrs. X atherine l.. Stevenson, Chicago, ILL.,,
nat1Onal corresponding b6Cr6bhry. scripture
was read by Mrs. Helen Rice Of Boston, ma
tional L. T. l.. superintendent. Grown Of
Gems was selections from scripture hay
| ing reference to trees and read by various
members OF Vermont union, after which
beautiful white wreath was brought and
with appropriate remarks placed on Miss
Willard's head. Mrs. Emile Martin OF
New York city then sang "God Save the
Queen" A solo Home, Sweet Home"
moved many to tears and it was with quiv-
ering lip and weeping eyes that Miss Will
lard stood before the people to bring US
some of the treasures, relative 30 mother"
that were hid away in memory's casket.
| AT the first she said she did not know as
she would be able to speak, but soon con-
troled her emotions and spoke longer than
we dared to anticipate, owing to her being
under resting orders. In simple winning
way she spoke Of many scsnes Of her moth
er's life. her love Of nature, hearing her
when by herself talking to the stars, her
great affection for seat-mate at school,
Elizabeth Stanton. whom her mother
grieved much over leaving behind, land
am going to carry some flowers to Elizabeth
Stanton's grave at Wheelock," said she.
Fidelity to mother being trait OF the fam
lily, Miss Willard loved her mother 30 much
because Madame Willard was 30 devoted to
her mother. An incident OF girlhood was
that Of being invited to party by certain
young man and found the company dancing
and playing cards. Mary Hill told the
young man she was member Of the Pres
byterian church and her parents would not
approve OF her being there, politely request
ed him to take her home directly, and then
he could return and stay as long as he
liked. "She went home and the young man
never came any more. Wasn't that grit?"
resp onse OF yes from audience) FINALLY
she found the best man that ever lived and
married him."
AS Miss Willard proceeded she spoke OF
her mothers loving and tender care for her,
frail child, and the lofty ideals held before
her the incentives to nobility, and to win
place in the world. We have not space for
the address entire, but one sentence stands
out before all others, character is habit
crystalized." Her mother was one who
cult vated the habit Of cheerfulness, content
her to speak discouraging word.
Miss Anna Gordon, Miss Wizards insep-
arabic young companion, spoke OF the fit
ness OF school-house succeeding the home,
and asked for two children present named
Frances Willard and Elizabeth Stanton, Of
about eighteen months. A photographer
called out for a picture and Miss Willard
arose in the background. Mrs. Esther
Housh OF Boston, honorary president OF U.
w. G. T. o., whom Miss Willard called
"Housley," came forward with the box OF
treasures to place under the tree for the tree
to draw life from, and holding the various
articles in view made very appropriate re-
marks, worn copy Of State Minutes. Home
Guards, camp meeting programme, etc.
Miss Gordon added her bow OF white rib
bon, as did many others. Two trees were
set, one for Madam May Hill Willard, the
other for her husband. Mr.. John Drew of
st. Johnsbury, cousin Of Miss Willard,
superintendent Miss Willard threw the
first shovelful OF earth and demurred when
another took pail Of water saying, IT
think you ought to have let me done that"
The state and national officers in turn threw
in spadeful of earth and little was left for
the men to do. Rev. Joseph Hamilton, who
escorted Miss Willard, assisted in attaching
a silver inscription to the tree. A stanza OF
"O.d Olken Bucket" sang as the tree was
watered, photograph Of group taken, the
same repeated at the second tree, when af-
ter remarks by Ira Drew, the company dis
persed. Mrs. John Drew and Mrs. Read
were to be congratulated on the success OF
the occasion. Washington county was rep
resented by Plainfield union, to whom we
are indebted for this report.