Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-12-15
spread, the people of the Otter valley
had another awakening.

l
Sherman, Gen. Samuel p. Strong, VII.
liam II. White and other prominent men
took part In the discussion. This meet
ing evidently had immediate effect: for
In the Rutland Herald of March, 1913,
we read that the survey and drawings
for the line Of railway from that city to
the "height of land' at Mount Holley
had been completed by an agent, Mr..
Powers. The paper suggests that all
towns from Rutland to Burlington make
an immediate survey. George II.
Hodges, r. r. ThraIl and George w.
Strong are named in the committee.
In July the Herald points out that
crisis is approaching, and again urges
the Importance of making immediate and
accurate surveys to Burlington through
the valley of the Otter. On Aug. 8 a
meeting took place at Rutland and
committee of nine was selected to procure
a survey from Burlington to Bellows
Falls. The meeting declared its sense
that the most eligible route to Fitchburg
was by way of keene, if charter could
be obtained; otherwise by way of
Brattleboro. Evlde ntly the object was
to forestall the eastern route advocates by
presenting the actual survey before the
latter could take similar action.
The revalry between the eastern and
western routes found its way into the
legislature in this year, 1913. Charters
were granted for both the Vermont
Central and Rutland railways.
The Boston capitalists behind the
Fitchburg system took an active interest
in the rivalry, and finally at meeting
held Sept 20, 1914, 1t was voted that the
line be built via Brattleboro. This was
most encouraging to the eastern route
people, but the Rutlanders did not
abandon hope.
The year 1915 marked the height of
the rivalry. On Feb. 10 at a meeting in
Burlington a vote was registered in
favor of the Rutland Bellows Fails
Keene connection with the Fitchburg;
and a committee, of which Hon. Timothy
Follett appears to have been a men,
Der, was appointed to go to Boston and
present personally bC fore the Mlssachu-
sets legislature and capitalists the
advantages of the western route. This
delegation spent the spring and summer
in Boston, and from letters written to
friends 1t appears that they met with
alternate success aud defeat in their
Efforts. but on the whole did very good
work.
On May G, large and enthusiastic
NEE ting took place in Rutland, presided
over by General Brown. A survey and
profile Of the route of the Rutland was
presented by Samuel II. FELTON, of the
Fitchburg road, and in his estimate of
coat, he placed the figures excessively
high with the apparent object of dis
couraging the entire project. The de-
sired effect was not produced, however,
for the subscription books for the capt.
tai stock of the DAD were opened by the
commissioners on the same date.
July 3 the Rutland Railroad corpora.
ton was organized in Rutland, and the
following directors were chosen:
Timothy Follett, Samuel Baker, Ira
Stewart, Charles Linsley, John A
Conant, Chester Granger, George F.
Hodges, William Henry and Henry n.
Fullerton. Judge Follett was chosen
president and Samuel Swift clerk. At
this meeting Judge Follett, who just had
returned from Boston, reported that the
Fitchburg road had thrown its influence
in favor Of the Central Vermont route.
But at this time 100000 had been sub.
scribed for the Rutland project along the
route alone.
The determination and perseverance of
the Rutland's friends was remarkable in
face of the many discouragements placed
in their way. During the whole of 1916
the Central Vermont gained steadily, and
had on its side all the most powerful in
fluence. The Fitchburg stockholders
voted by a large majority to connect
with the Central.
A change came late in the year, how
ever, and 10 1917 the required amount of
stock had been sold, including $4,000 to
the Fitchburg. Contracts Immediately
were let for the construction. In April
work was progressing the whole length
of the line. A Brandon company took
100000 contract for car building. The
road bed from Burlington to Brandon
cost only S7175 per mile. All contracts
were let at much below the estimates.
The newspapers of the East spoke
with enthusiasm of the pluck of the
Rutland roads directors in going ahead
in the face of such opposition as it had
received.
On Sept. l. 1919, the engine Middle
bury" ran into this village from Bur-
lington, and was welcomed by the ring
ing of bells and firing of cannon. Sixty
miles of the track had been laid, and
freight trains ran from Bellows Falls to
Ludlow. Oct. % trains ran from Bur-
lington to Rutland.
Dec. Is, 1919, clear and beautiful
winters day, the last spike on the Rut-
land road was driven on the summit at
Mount Holley. A train of five cars from
Boston met another of the same number
from western Vermont, to commemorate
the opening of the road from Boston to
Burlington. A cannon had been pro-
| wi no kLhaalrary nf