The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-06-20
CHATS AND SKETCHES
About Town and Elsewhere.
nAYTErTn IN MONTPELIER.

In 1924 the Vermont Legislature, in
response to the Recommendation OF
Governor Van Ness TO invite Lafayette
ITO extend his tour into Vermont" re-
quested the Governor to do so, and di-
re ct the military and other necessary
preparations. Accordingly the GOV
ernor wrote the General, who respond.
ed with cordial acceptance. Lafay-
cite entered Vermont on the morn
ing of June 29, 1925, accompanied by
his son, George Washington Lafayette,
and his secretary, M. lie Vasseur. He
WAS met by Gen. Daniel Kellogg, sec
rotary Of the council, and aids, Co.'s.
J. N. Cushman and Austin, delega-
ton from the Windsor committee of
arrangements, and a committee from
the Legislature of New Hampshire.
After crossing the Connecticut river
on Cornish bridge, he was received
by the committee, and welcomed in be
half of the citizens of Windsor by Hon.
Horace Everett, in o short address, to
which Lafayette made an appropriate
response. Shortly after his introduce
ton to Governor Van Meas by Mr..
Everett, the Governor made an adj
dress, which was replied to by Lafay-
etc. The same day, al Woodstock,
Royalton and East Randolph, the Gen
eral received and responded TO ed-
dresses.
AS an an evidence of the rapidity OF
his progress from Windsor 10 Mont.
pelier, q distance of more than seventy
miles, it should be noted that he laid the
cornerstone Of one Of the buildings Of
the University Of Vermont ut Burling-
ton on June 20. He travelled bv the old
stage road, aud according to tradition,
q relay OF black horses was stationed at
intervals of twelve miles, with orders
to the drivers to make the Intervening
trip in one boatri The horses were to
BIZ "run," and to be on time. elf il kill
ed themV
At South Barre dinner was waiting,
of which the General partook at the
house of Carver Bates. q cannon was
fired from hill near by on his arrival.
"Sam" Cook rode ahead of the stage
on fast horse as GUdnt courier.
Elaborate preparations bad been
made at Montpelier for the Generals
reception. The school. children, decked
in red, white and blue ribbons paraded
all the afternoon, but the General did
not arrive till evening. AS the stage
entered the village, Harry Richardson
rode through the streets at breakneck
speed, shouting, Lafayette is coming"
Every house was illuminated, the
Shepard House at the head of Barre
street, kept by Jonathan Shepard
having q candle at every window-pane
Watson Jones drove the stage. The
military marched to the top of the hill
on Barre street, opened to the right
and left, and sat down, or "stood at
ease" to await the arrival of the 'Na
toms Guest" At last, the stage came
in sight, drawn by four black horses.
1t stopped, and General Lafayette, his
son George Washington Lafayette, hii
secretary, M. lie Vasseur, and Governor
Van Ness alighted, and entered ba
rouche, the military and spectators al
cheering. The barouche passed thro
the lines, the parade was formed, anC
the General was escorted up Main
street to where the old Academy
stood, where the military counter
marched, opened to the right and left
again, and the barouche and carriages
passed through to the old Pavilion
Hotel, where the General made short
address. 1 W
On the morning of the Goth, the la
dies of Montpelier assembled at thu
Congregational church, where an ad
dress of welcome was delivered by Mrs
Erastus Watrous, to which the Genera
replied in fitting terms, closing will
the words, 81 wish you happy" A
the State House reception was held
at which Lafayette met the cold sol
diers." AS each veteran was present
ed, he asked, "Under whom did yoV
server" To this question one Arbuckle
Hessian who "staid behind" after th'
battle of Bennington replied, "Unde
BurgyUne, Sirl" much to the General
amusement. During the day Lafay
cite proceeded to Burlington, and from
there to New York, where he embark
ed for France. r
Other notable visitors to Montpelie
have been Edward, Duke of Kent
father of Queen Victoria, in 1893, VIII