The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-08-29
LA FAYETTE IN MONTPELIER.

This story Of La Fayette's visit to Mont
pelier was told the writer by the late
George 5. Hubbard, who will be remember
ed by our readers ~ the sprightlyold gentle-
man with silk hat and cane, who was n IA
miliat figure on Out streets n few years ago.
Mr.. Hubbard WAS born in Lenox, Mass,
January II, 1906 and was therefore in his
ninety-tourth year az his death. He lived
in Lenox until 1871 or when he removed
to Moretown, VI. He came to Montpelier
in 1916, where he worked at his trade rs a
blacksmith. He served fifteen years ss a
drummer in the Montpelier Light Infantry
| Company.
Nearly year had elapsed since La Fayette
! landed 10 New York ciCy for nal visit to
-the iufant Republic he had helped to estab-
lish. That year had been spent in saving
ing round the circle" from Now York to
Boston, from Boston to Albany, from AL
bany to the Mississippi river, then down to
| New Orleans, and back again through the
southern states to New York city. He had
visited every state but the last-last in ad-
mission, but not last in patriotism and graf
| itude to the illustrious Frenchman who had
done so much for the career Of American In
| dependence.
On the 10Th OF October, 1924, the Vermont
Legislature passed resolution inviting
Gen La Fayette to pay visit TO Vermont,
and appropriated a sum OF money for the
necessary expenses A committee was also
appointed to arranged for the Generals recep-
| ton and entertainment. On the morning OF
| Inc ZOJu VI June J0b NALlOnb 6uebJ ell
| tered Vermont at Windsor, where he was
duly received by The Governor and the
committee. He came to Montpelier from
Royalton, through Barre, where be stopped
for dinner. His arrival at Montpelier had
| been set for an earlier hour, but he did not
arrive until after dark. The military and
the school children, Che latter bedecked
with ribbons and HJwefs), had been para
ding most OF the afternoon, and at last
holsemsn rode up announcing LA Fsyette
is comiDg!'
About u NJ. the military marched to the
top Of the hill en- Barre street, opened to
the right and left, and BAT down upon the
ground. At last there came in sight stage
Tor cosc0) witch four oiack horses" with
the General and escort inside WATSON
Jones was the driver. As the coach stop
ped, all who were assembled broke out into
cheers OF welcome, A barOuChe was in
readiness which the General, his son George
Washington La Fayette his secretary, and
the gentlemen who accompanied him en-
tered. The parade was formed, and moved
to Main street, and up to the old Acsd-
envy, which stood near the triangular plot
OF ground in front OF the John Hubbard
place, then conntermarched, opened TO the
right and left, allowing the carriages to pass
through, and then down to the old Pavilion
kept by Mahlon Cottrell. The General
went in for few minutes rest, then came
out upon the balcony, took off his hat and
said: Gentlemen, 1 am too tired to speak
/
morning"
The following persons rode In The ba-
rouche with Lafayette: his son, NJ. LeVar-
rem, his secretary, and Judge Prentss. The
old soldiers who had served In the Revolu-
ton were all assembled to see the General.
The next morning all Montpelier assembled
at the old State House, which stood on the
"fAt near the front steps of the present
ediice. The "Revolutioners" were parad.
ed in two lines in the hall running
through the State House each with green
sprig-(nOt clover blossom)-in his hat
J Harry Richardson introduced each OF the
veterans TO the General, who passed down
one side and up the other, speaking a few
words TO each. Among the veterans was
Abner Arbuckle, an old Scotchman who
| NAMED behind after the close of the war
10 LaFayette's question, Under whom did
you server" Arbuckle replied, "Upder
Burgoyne, sr'' which raised quite laugh
in which the General joined. After the re
view, Lafayette made speech. He spoke
like Frenchman, with a strong accent
HIS English was good, he stood mp straight
and looked like soldier. His hair was
grsyish, but his son had sandy hair. The
, Generals face was ford; he was dressed
in American style; and except in his hair
3 he showed no signs of the nfirmities of age
: He shook hands with all who were present
ed TO him, and then, the parade being dis
missed, walked back TO the Pavilion.
: On the evening of his arrival there was
banquet at the Pavilion, which was largely
, attended. According to tradition, a relay
Oh Tour Tor SIX black horses was stationed
every twelve miles along the route from
windsor to Burlington, via Montpelier, and
the Trip between stations was to be made
Ill one hour. The horses were to be 'run ;
! and ITO be on time if it killed theml' The
generals time was limited, and he was only
able 10 give TWO days to his visit to Yer
mont.
MIR. Hubbard, who furnished the material
Ior TINS sketch, beat the drum in the parade
, The cane he always carried was presented
TO his uncle in Middletown, Conn, by Gen.
eral La Fayette. There were some forty OF
nifty evolutionary soldiers who were able
10 marcn IN the procession. Among them
was ELDER" Ziba Woodwork, a Baptist
minister OF celebrity, David Hatch and his
, DroJher, Judge Ware and others also march
ed. Harry Richardson acted as marshal
mounted upon spirited horse. The Light
infantry company turned out with sixty
muskets, uniformed in blue coats, white
pantaloons, and caps with red feathers
Tue "old Floodwood" uniformed militia,
also para ded, and the Artillery company
escorted the Governor. The fife and drum
corps Played Yankee Doodle" and Hal
10 the Chief:' Captain Issaz Riker, father
OF Rufus HI ker, was one of the musicians
: de served in the War OF 1912, under Harri
/. son at the battle of Tippercanoe. George
D. Hubbard, Gas has been said) was one Of
tho vi uHuers. ne VOJeu Tor JACKSON ana
for every president since, twenty in all.
> His "La Fayette" cane is an orange stick
with silver band and "false holes" fol-
tasses.
According to another tradition, the
coach in which La Fayette came from Wind
sor to Montpelier. was cream-colored, and
drawn by six ,ohite horses. Clark Day rode
a ahead as an duant courier crying out as he
passed thro' town or village, LA Fayettt
4 is comingl Turn outl Turn outl La Fay
cite is comingp' He was son OF Ira Day
8 the owner OF the stage-route from Windsor
5 to Montpelier. The school children were
Z dressed in white and strewed flowers in the
: way as the general passed. Mrs. Smith
= mother OF Mrs. @. j. Gleason, was one OF
| them.
: La Fayette entered the State at Windsor
r the % h, aud laid the cornerstone of a new