The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-11-22
LIBRARY DEDICATED.
Jaquith Free Library Opened at Marsh
field. History of the Donor.

MARsHFIELp, VI, Nov. 16 The Jaqnith
Free Public Library at this place was dedi-
Gated and opened to the public today. The
exercises were held in the Library build
ing which comfortably seated a large COM
pany who had gathered to enjoy the exer-
cses connected with this eventful day in
the history of the town.
Promptly at the appointed hour the exer.
cises were opened by selection by the la.
dies quartette, Come to Our Hearts and
Abide" followed by prayer by Rev. G. G.
Gorse. George Wooster, brother-in law Of
MIR. Jaquth, was the first speaker. His re-
marks were very interesting and were con-
fined principally to a brief history of the
life OF Mr.. Jaquith, who ne said started in
life a poor boy aud was bound out until he
was fifteen years OF age. His business ca
reer began with peddlng with a cart in
Nj Massachusetts,, he giving a note TO MIR.
Wooster for the horse that he used on the
cart. He followed this for seven years
when he married Mr.. Wooster's only sister
and located in Templeton, Maos. There,
with their united property, he entered into
partnership with two others, he afterwards
buying out his partners and very success
fully carrying on the business himself. He
afterwards moved to Gardner, Mass that
being his home when he died. Mr. and
Mrs Jaquith lived together twenty-seveu
years and there was only four days d Her
ence in the date OF their deaths They had
no children and by will left their property
TO the Wooster heirs with the exception OF
some requests, among them $1,000 to the
town Of Marshf4ld, $1,000 for use in care Of
the cemeteries and Sc 600 for the founding
and maintaining of free public library at
Marshfisld village on condition that the
town should provide a suitable place. pay
all running expenses and purchase no inn
moral books. They, failing to comply with
these provisions, then said sum to revert to
the Wooster heirs.
One year ago last March the town accept
ed the gift with the provisions and last
March voted to raise the maximum amount
SO per each rateable poll allowed by the
state law, to provide a suitable place and
today sees the result in the pleasant build
ing now dedicated. Mr.. Wooster further
said that he hoped the library might be pro-
duCtive of much good, and that he hoped
the people would receive the gift in the
spirit that it was given and that the provt-
sions Of the will would be so faithfully
kept that not dollar OF the money would
ever go to the Woosters Following was
song by Mrs e. V. Spencer entitled Just
az the Sun Went Down." next a deClama-
ton 'Lincon's Last Dream" by Brooks
Hudson.
Then followed the principal address of
the day by Rev. S. G. Lewis Of Danville
who very ably addressed the company.
He said in part: This il an age OF reading,
Were it not for books the past would be a
blank that he saw before him the book
OF all books" the Bible, and that the truS
tees should be commended for not emitting
this in their selection Minds are bent by
the act of reading; how and what shall We
read? First If possible the great books of
the world, also books that give Instructions
upon ones chosen vocation. You should
associate with books az yOu would with
people, choosing the good from the bad.
He was glad Mr. Jaquith was SO far seeing
in this matter as to make the provision
which forbade books Of immoral classes en-
tering the doors of this library. OF MI
Jaquith, he said, by this generous gift he
showed he was a man who had the inter-
ests of others in mind, and in this bequest,
time might prove he bad done far better
| than he could have even thought. While we
today accept the gift remember the giver.
Following his address was a recitation by
Miss Edith Gillette entitled "Tommys
Prayer" singing by the Quartette, zone
Sweetly Solemn Thought" and short
closing prayer by Rev. Miss Billings and
the library was formally declared opened
by chairman of the trustees, o. II. Smith
Mr.. Smith announced that the library
would from this time on be open Tuesdays
from TO 9 p. M, ami Saturdays from 9 A,
M. to 9P. NJ. Rules and regulations will be
found inside the cover OF each book. Only
| about half the number OF books to be pur-
| chased were on the shelves Of the library.
| The officers OF the library are as follows:
Trustees, O. II. Smith, chairman, e. @.
Pitkin, secretary and treasurer; E. A.
| Thomas, j. Berton Pike and s. II. Packer.
Mrs. e. A. Thomas, librarian.