Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-05-13
CELEBRATION AT OLD tt.
Vermont Daughters of the American Rev
olution Make Pilgrimage.

Vermont Daughters of the American Rev
olution Make Pilgrimage.
On May 10, the 1881 anniversary of
the taking of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan
Allen and the Green Mountain boys, the
Ethan Allen chapter of ID. A. r. made
an excursion to the fortress. Chapters
from Burlington, Brandon, Rutland and
Plattsburg, as we'll as Middlebury, were
represented, forty-one ladies in all being
present. The honored State Regent
Mrs. Burdett was among the number.
Through the courtesy of the Rutland
railroad a handsome car was provided at
Leicester junction for the use of the
society.
AT Ticonderoga the delegations were
met by the president and representatives
of the Historical Society who devoted the
day to the Daughters, contributing in
every way possible to their comfort and
pleasure. After all were assembled at
the fort, an appropriate chapter from
'The Green Mountain Boys" was dram
atically rendered by a member of the
Brandon chapter, and then the following
poem, prepared by request for the occas-
ion, was read by Mrs, Margaret Holmes
Francisco of the Rutland chapter:
Lines read at The celebration of the capture
OF Fort Tlconderoga, May 10, 1898, under the
auspices OF the Vermont Chapters Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution.
vkRMoNT's WAY.
Where the green hills pierce the azure
And the foaming torrents glide,
Where the nine and silver birches
Cast cool shadows side by side,
Where bright lakes on natures bosom
Clean like jewels rich and rare,
And the sun from pine and balsam
! Scatters perfume through the air,
Vermont's people live and flourish,
| Stout of heart and brave of mien,
And when wrong has need of righting
"VermOnt's Way" is best, ween.
"Vermont's Way" you ask me straghtway,
Why and wherefore call it so?
Listen then, and you shall quickly
All the why and wherefore know.
Gathered round this old Forts ruin,
Daughters of "Heroic Dead"
Hear how once DER this same greensward
"Vermont's Way" to victory led.
Once when night was swiftly changing
To the roseate hues of day,
In this fortress all securely
British soldiers sleeping lay.
Stars were shining down above them,
Waters rippled soft below
Where the lakes broad placid bosom
Hues of day began to show.
What had they to fear or question,
Gold laced minions of the king,
Should the raw-boned "Yankee farmers"
Rash defiance dare to fling?
Hark! the shout of Yankee soldiers
Sleepy Britons spring to bay.
Useless now. The tort is captured
Double quick" in "Vermont's Way"
Years have passed-a century even
Since that May day far away.
Comes another Vermont hero,
Conquering still in "Vermont's Way"
Midst a scene of tropic splendor
Once again the day is born;
Waving palms and bright hued songsters
Greet the heralds of the morn;
dangerous airs, with perfume laden,
Lull each sense to soft repose;
Nature gives to bird and flower
Every hue the tropic knows.
Hank Olympia's thunders open
Passage through Manila Bay;
Spanish fleet is captured-sunken
"Double quick" in "Vermont's Way"
Hail, bold Dewey Brave vermonter,
Vermonts Daughters of today
Send you greeting for your valor,
Nictor of Manila Bay.
"Dust to dust" is still returning,
"Old tbs" walls have fallen low;
But the flame on Freedoms altar,
Sons ana Daughters keep aglow.
IT'S Allen here, and Dewey there,
And Freedom still as ever;
Our country first, our country last,
And LIBERTY forever"
MARGARET HOLMES FRANCISCO
The ladies then separated to enjoy an
informal luncheon in cOngenial circles in
the shelter of the ruins, after which
small parties under able guides furnished
by the Historical Society made study in
detail of the historic spot.
When all had returned to the station
Mrs. Burdett presided at a short business
meeting, when votes of thanks were
given to Miss Wright, regent of Ethan
Allen chapter, for cOnceiving and exc
cutting the plan for the days celebration,
to the Historical Society for their hospit-
able reception, to Mrs. Burdett for has
tening her return from New York to add
to the success of the occasion, to Mrs.
Francisco for her appropriate lines, and
to the Rutland railroad for its kindness.
The day was mild and beautiful and
everything contributed 70 make the &C.
casion delightful and long to be remem-
bered.
ALICE X. MCGILTON, Historian.
Another Vermont Centenarian.
Gardner Upham of Windham cele-
brotod hic 10Oth bfrth6ox. loc ,r,ooI- NJ,