Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-09-01
THE BENEFLCIARIES
In Brattleb Under the VIII
of Thomas Thompson

Formed nm Organization Saturday
Evening for the Protection OF Thear
Interests---Con Adopted ana
Officers Elected.
Over 200 Young women met in Festival
hall Saturday evening TO form an orgahl-
cation for the protection of their interests
under the will of Thomas Thompson, de-
ceased. who beuueathed to the seamstreses,
needle-women and shop girls OF brattle-
boro one-half of the income OF MS estate
which now amounts to nearly SZ'OOU,VVo
and which is invested largely in prontaole
real estate in Boston.
The meeting was held in response 10
request issued last week by the committee
annointed by the citizens of Brattleboro to
taLe measures looking toward the procure
ment. for the Brattleboro bene6ciaries, OF
the amount bequeathed to them.
Judqe e. L. Waterman, chairman OF the
committee, called the meeting to order and
stated that the heirs of Thomas Ihomp-
con had given notice to the trustee OF the es-
tate that they should contest the will and
that the trustee deemed it his duty, for his
own protection, to get a construction OF the
will from the court. He would, therefore,
bring petition in court and serve it on the
benefciaries. 1t was therefore necessary TO
have the bene6ciaries organized.
Judge Waterman then suggested that
+emnorarv officers be chosen, and Miss
Mary ]. Donnell was elected presiding Off
Ger and Miss Minerva Tyler secretary. A
constitution was then presented by Mrs.
Mary Amidon, which was adopted. The
principal portions of the constitution are
as follows:
This association shall be called "The Society
of the Seamstresses Needlewomeh ana ohoP
Girls of Brattleboro, and all persons Oh elter vi
the above classes of labor or employment, IN
said Brattleboro, NAV become memOers OF salu
society by subscribing to TINS conStitu'!oh s
THE purpose Of this society shal De 10 care 10.
and protect the interests of all persons IN sal1
Brattleboro, employed or engaged IN elther Oh
said classes; to provide or secure rellet ana sup
1SoTt for ali such as may be in temporary need
Prom want of employment sickness or mlstor
tune, and to secure, protect anu caIe Ioi gu
nueatbed or appropriated, Oy any person or from
any source, for the support, rellel or oehenV OF
said classes or either or them' ., - ,,-oi
The executive committee shall nave geneIal
oversghtand charge of the affairs OF the society
shall take in charge any funds bequeathed or ue,
ysed for the benefit of the same and protect the
interests of this society therein, in any tleau9n
or questions which may arise IN RELATION 70 the
same and may employ any agent or agents Io o.,
that purpose, and may employ COUNSEL 70 ioo 'i
after and protect the interests OF this society," ana
of the classes of persons above Named or any Oh
them. .. hall h.
held on the last Saturday in August and spec
ial meeting be called by the secretary upon pc
tition in writing by three members.
DIR. H. D. Holton, another member OF
the committee, announced that no oollga-
ton would be assumed by subscribing tc
the constitution, after which the constltu
ton was circulated among the audience fol
signatures. Nearly 200 persons subscribed
their names, and it is believed that nearly
as many more names will be secured. A
committee consisting of Miss Lillian Wood
Miss Ruth Sawyer Miss Augusta Fox
Miss Mollie Austin and Miss Carrie Smitl
was appointed to circulate the constitution
through the town. Any one who had no
had an opportunity to sign the constitution
may do so by calling at the store of Don
nell & Davis
The following officers were then elected
for the coming year: President, Mis-
Mary j. Donnell; vce-president, Mrs
Mary Amidon; secretary, Miss MinerV'
TYLER; treasurer, Miss Florence Howe
executive committee, the president, Mis-
Addie Fay and Miss Susie Hanrahan.
These resolutions were adopted:
Whereas. We learn that Thomas Thompson
late of Boston, deceased. by his last VIII OF
Queathed the income OF large sum OF none
for the relief and support of needy seamstresse'
needle women and shop girls OF Bratteooro, an
Whereas we are informed that an effort is bein
made to set aside this benehceut provision, there
fore,
Be it resolved that we hereby express our dee
and sincere appreciation for the generous gift {
Mr. Thompson and in behalf OF those OF our nun
her who NAV now or ever be in need, our hear
felt thanks for the noble bequest.
And further resolved that the executive con
mittee of this society be instructed and empoy
cred to employ such counsel as they deem nece
sary and proper to represent the interests OF Il
seamstresses, needle women aud shop girls
Rrat n
be had relative to the said will of Thomas Thom
son.