Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-05-18
ADDRESS BY JUDGE WALES.
Interesting "Reminiscences of the Early
History of Burlington.

The meeting of the Vermont Antigua
rian society ned in their rooms last even
Ing was well attended. After minor mat
ters of business were attended to and n
report made of valuable contributions by
the Misses Stacy, A. r. WILLARD, c. T.
Miner, G.. A. Dow, c. f. Allen and Others,
Judge Wales was introduced. lie re-
fcrred to the growth Of Burlington during
its first century, stating that its pOpula-
tion had increased during that time
twenty-fold. If the rate of growth of the
city should be the same during the next
Hundred years the population would then
be 100000. He referred to the project Of "A
deep water canal connecting the Great
Lakes with the Atlantic by way of Lake
Ch1mplain and expressed the belief that
such canal would be built and that Bur
lington would bo greatly benellted there
by
When Burlington was first settled thirty
squares containing two and one-half acres
each weCe laid out in the best part Of the
town of which City Hall Park is one. The
others have not been preserved, but this
provision shows the desire of the found
crs of Burlington that the future city
should be an attractive place. The early
business men of burlington were an excel
lent class of men-strOng and successful
who took an active interest in all the af-
fairs of the surrounding country, fee
quenty attending their jolliicatiuns and
thus keeping in touch with their custom
ors. In the early days Pear street was
the principal business thoroughfare. Very
few first class mecchsnts were located on
Church street. that street being occupied
chiefly by tinsmiths, mechanics, wool
workers. shoemakers and plenty of rum
shops. The manufacturing interests were
few. Glass and leather We're manufac-
tured. Whiskey and beer We're also made
here.
Judge Wales refewed in a very interest
ing manner 10 his first visit 10 Burlington.
Soon after his birth in 1920, Ebenezer Tor
rey Englesby, d leading me1chant aud
business man of Burlington visited the
Wales home a Westford and his name,
Toirey Englesby was given to the child,
who in later years has been known as
Judge Torrey F.. Wales. When he was
nine years old he had strong desire to
visit Burlington that he might see the
lake, and its steamboats, and above all
that he might see Mr.. Englesby, for whom
he was named and his famous garden.
His father, having occasion to come to
Burlington with load Of salts or potash
for the glass factory gave the boy permis-
sion to accompany him. This was in the
year 1929. From the Stanton House, where
the present village Of Essex Junction is
located, to Merrills hotel, now the Fam
ny Allen hospital was an unbroken
stretch of forest The finest of the
pine timber had been cut out and
sent to Montreal, some OF which had
been sent to England. CThe movement of
lumber Is now in the opposite direction.
Canada sends 1t here) Near the present
location of the twin bridges was woolen
factory operated by a Mr.. Brewster. This
was carried away by Il great freshet
which occurred the following year. 1880.
Winoosk was then very small. There
were two or three stores this side of tho
rix thn rnt lit,h Avrfx x.is1ey ", d
lington, his father took him to the old
camp ground, now Battery Park, from
which place he saw Lake Champlan for
the first time. He then visited the lake
shore and saw the steamer Congress,
which looked very large to him. Mr.. En-
glesby's house and famous garden. where
Judge Wales Office is now located, were
then visited.
In 1897 Judge Wales entered the Univer-
sity and this city has been his home since
that time. with the exception of year or
two spent in the South. When the rail-
roads came they took away much of Bur-
lngton's business. This city had been the
centre of trade for 10, 600 people. including
a portion of Canada and New Hampshire.
Five, seven, and nine horse teams came in
from all directions with great loads Of
goods and produce. The building of rail-
roads stopped all this. Business men lost
heavily in the building of the roads. Real
estate fell rapidly in value and was not
worth over one-tenth of It's present valua-
ton. Nearly all the business houses fail-
ed and the banks suffered but the losses
were borne by the stockholders. Bill hold
ers and depostors never lost a dollar in
Burlington banks. Utter ruin seemed to
stare the town In the face. Business men
saw that manufacturing enterprises were
necessary. Thirty thousand dollars was
raised and the Pioneer shops erected.
These shops were built Of brick. four stor-
les in height. 400 feet long and extended
from lower Pearl street to Cherry street.
Judge Wales was secretary and treasurer
of the corporation. The shops were par
TALLY occupied, when on Fast Day morn
Ing In 1885 the structure was burned. The
situation was most discoura ging but
about this time the lumbermen came 10
burlington. among them Lawrence Barn
es. Mr.. Barnes offered to rebuild the
shops If the citizens would raise 5000
This was accomplished, though with con-
siderable difficulty. Every night the citi-
zens would gather in the city hall to learn
of the progress made In raising the $500
required and the reading Of the names of
the subscribers to the fund evoked loud
applause. This 5000 Mr. Barnes gave TO
the University. Since that time Burling-
toms growth. though not rapid, has been
healthy. Judge Wales also spoke of The
testamentary disposition of property. The
address was exceedingly interesting and
valuable.
Hon. G., G. Benedict and j. A. Arthur
explained why Pearl street was the nrin-
cipal business street in early days Re-
marks were also made by c. F.. Allen. A
vote of thanks was rendered Judge Wales
for his interesting paper and the meeting
adjourned.