The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-08-12
An Enthusiastic Meeting

clatlon meeting at the church IN Peru
on Saturday evening, Aug. 9th, was
one of the most enthusiastic gather
ings in the history of the town.
About two years ago DR.. r. B. Bur.
ton, of New York city, former res
ident of Peru, conceived the plan Of
erecting monument on the site, or
near by the place where Gen John
Stark and his brave New Hampshire
men encagped in the town of Brom-
ley, now Peru, on the night of Au-
gust 6, l777 while on their way to
Bennington to engage in that memo-
rable battle fought on the 10th Of
that month. The doctor soon enlist
ed the interest of number of former
residents Of this town and at meet
ing called on the evening of Aug. G.,
1897, an association was formed and
officers and committees were elected
to further the project.
When the president of the associa-
tion, R. l. Batchelder, called the
meeting to order last Saturday eve.
ming every seat in the church was oc-
cupied and manyihad to remain stand
ing until seats were provided for them
in the aisles. About one half hour
was taken in listening to the reports
made by the several committees and
discussing several designs presented
by W. H.. Fullerton of Manchester
Depot. A vote was taken aud the
several designs were recommitted to
the committee on designs with power
to make selection from these Oh
others that may be submitted to them
not to exceed in cost five hundred
dollars which sum lnsures shaft OF
imposing design and lasting quality.
A letter was read by Dr.. Burton,
corresponding, secretary, from 6
great great grandson of Gen. Stark
now living in Concord, N. H., ir
which he regrets being unable to at
tend the meeting but plans to be pres
ent at the unveiling of the monument
After the business, which was be-
fore the meeting had been completed
the President, in few we'll chosel
words, introduced Hon. ]. L. Mar
tin of Brattleboro who spoke for hal
an hour in his usual pleasing and in
teresiins style, the audience giving
the speaker warm reception and thu
| closest attention. The burden of hi
remark was a contrast between tn
days of Stark and the present, soci
ally, politically and in the race TO
bread and butter.
Hon. j. X. Batchelder of Airing
ton, the next speaker, spoke for 2
minutes taking as his theme the per
sonnel of the heroes of. III and tn
great Importance attached to the vic
tory won by these yoeman at the bat
tie of Bennington giving it plac
among twelve of the most importan
battles fought in the history Of th
world. In this connection he hearti
| ly endorsed the project of erecting
monument in view of the fact that s
many of the heroes of this histori
battle are buried somewhere outsid
of the State.
| Interesting remarks were made b
NJ. j. Hapgood and Geo. X. Davis
Esq. The programme Of the evenin
was interlarded with patriotic song
rendered by chorus, assisted by Rev
Mr.. Atwood who sang with fine effet
the solos.
Every body present seemed to /
imbued with patriotic spirit al
both the speakers and singers recei'
ed liberal applause.
The display of articles one hundre
or more years old was large and son
of the relics exhibited were very va
liable. This display was well patro
lied which added to the receipts fro
the ice cream and cake sold netted
nice sum to be credited to the mon
ment fund.
Tie subscription book is in Il
hands Of Mrs. Nj. b. Lyon, chai
man Of the finance committee, and '
: notice that it has already received Ii
: eral pledges. DR.. Burton is dow
. for s35 and other sums ranging fro
4 five to ten dollars subscribed by fc
t mer residents gives assurance of su
I cess to the project.
9 1t is confidently believed that t
full amount will be pledged and t
3 monument in place ready for the CT
n emony Of uuveiling Aug. 6, 1899.