Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-07-28

E. C. Ellis. Not since the centennial OF
| 1875 has Barnard witnessed such a day.
1t is estimated that fully 800 people were
| in attendance. 1t was unanimous vote
that the reunion be held in the same place
next year. In the evening the pavilion
was crowded, q large number keeping
step to the music till "the wee sma'
hours" Surely no one will argue that
Barnard is not the place for all occasions
OF this kind.
one of the most disastrous fires that has
visited the town in long time occurred
| in Barnard Saturday morning, the I'D.
All the fine buildings OF John c. Hathorn
went up in smoke within only about one
hours time. The house, filed with good
furniture, clothing, ETC., the barn crowded
with hay, carriage houses, harnesses, wag
ons and all kinds of farming tools are all
gone, nothing of any importance being
saved except the live stock. Partial insur-
ance. Mr.. Hathorn had one OF the finest
residences on the North road and SO far
has been a very successful farmer. Young,
industrious and ambitious, he was forg-
ing to the front at rapid rate. We trust
this blow will be like the storms and
winds OF winter against the trees, which
make the roots take frmer hold, and in
few months we hope to see new house
and barn in this desirable location. Sat-
uEudy LuOTuiuB ~ D y CtOCk dO4u Whbs hb
usual, up and ready for work. After build
ing fire in the kitchen stove he went to
ths barn to milk. Very soon, hearing a
noise from one of the horses, he turned
toward the house ana saw what at first ap-
peared like a cloud of dust. Opening q
door which connects through the carriage
house to the kitchen, he was met by vol
ume OF smoke. This gave him an electric
knowledge OF the situation and, rushing
TO the house, he burst in door and reused
the family. Then running quickly to the
barn he succeeded In liberating the stock.
None of the neighbors reached him in
time to be OF much assistance as the heat
became go intense that all that they could
do was 10 look on and see the fire do its
work. John has hosts OF friends who sin
cerety sympathize with him in this hard
luck, but all have faith that with his more
than six feet of true Yankee pluck Rich
ard will soon be himself again.
BARNARD's oLD-TIME HoRsEMEN.
Perhaps one OF the most successful of
these was Celim K. French, proprietor OF
Silver Lake House for many years.
Mr.. French was a native of Barnard and
spent long life as one of its prominent
citizens, always ready with time and mon
ey to aid in all public-spirited enterprises.
He was never without more or less
horses, some OF them ranking high as
trotters and gents drivers. One in par
ticular that we recollect was Magic.
2:251-2. This colt Celim bought for Ss5
and sold for 5000. He went into the hands
OF j. j. Bowen of Boston and, after win
ming number OF races, was sold to gen.
tleman in New York for a large sum to
drive on the road with a mate.
A horse called the General was owned
by MIR. French for a number OF years and
was favorite animal and a good trotter.
II was sold to Mr.. Sturtevant OF Brooklyn,
N. Y, and by him driven on the road a
number OF years.
The late Mr.. Aldrich OF Providence, RI,
was partner of Mr.. French in owning n
good many horses, some OF which were
choice on the track or road, and among
them was horse called Nary which at
tanned some celebrity as a race horse.
Celim French was a good feeder, good |
litter and fairly good driver. His horses |
were always in good health and clean in |
their looks. Harness and carriage or sulky |
were all in good shape when he scored |
down for the word In race.
How well remember one time at Wood |
stock fair when Celim owned mare called |
Lady Lightfoot that was entered In race |
advertised to come of In the afternoon,
but the program being changed, 1t was |
called in the forenoon. Mr.. French drove |
the mare down from Barnard in the fore |
noon and arrived on the ground while the /
''~-~ ~~c&e~-6 g. %N~ " eo y s-4eA WdC L
always went prepared for changes in the |
weather, and among other things had an
umbrella strapped on the sulky. Celim |
claimed his entry and chance In the race,
was told by the judges to go right up and
score down behind, trailing the rest, which
he did, going around the first turn quite |
In the rear, with the umbrella in plain L
view. One OF the judges called out, "There
goes level headed man, for think 1t will /
rain before he gets around" Celim laid
up and made no drive for the heat, but in
the intermission OF twenty-five minutes
he unstrapped his baggage, took off the
and then landed three winning
heats, carrying home the money to the
surprise OF all, and none more than the
Judge who was looking for rain.
Ceiim Z. French was not only a good
horseman, but coon and fox hunter of
the first class. Nothing suited him better
than following the hounds over these hills
In winter time and no man knew their
better. The old gun that has
been in the family for nearly a hundred
years has stopped many Reynard in his
flight.
MIR. French died in 1855, respected by all
The town. He was succeeded by his son,
Henry 0. French, as proprietor of the Sill
yer Lake House, and Mr.French still owns
and keeps this fashionable summer resort.