River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-08-08
A Letter From Vermont.
Roselawn Place, West Pawlet, vt.
July 81. 1901.

July 81, 1901.
DEAR EDIToR:-
assume that you are glad to hear
few words from your native state,
from a native, at least yearly. 1t is
said that there is more fire. ternal feel
ing found among Vermonters, based
upon common birthplace, than ex-
lists among natives Of any other state.
I5e that as it may, Vermont, on Aug
ust l6, the anniversary of the battle
of Bennington in 17i7, will have an
sold Home Day." upon which the
history and associations, political, fam
lily and ancestral, will be discussed, in
public and private, and natives are
urged to be in the state on that day
If possible. New Hampshire's day,
similar in character, was great sue
cess A magazine called the Yer
monter published in St. Adams, is
well sustained, and is devoted wholly
to Vermont history, men and things.
1t is monthly, costing but $100 per
year.
The heat and drought have done far
less damage to Vermont than to 9th
er states west and south, and the hay
crop is very large, and others are prob
ably an average. There are no fail
ures. A journey through northern
Illinois and Iowa made this fact very
emphatic.
The attractions Of Vermont as
summer resort are becoming better
known daily and the number of guests
increase year by year. The pure water
and unriyaled scenery, the famous
dairy products, the world-renowned
maple sugar, not to speak of spruce
gum, white clover honey, apples and
mince pies mot successfully initiated
elsewhere) need only to be known to
be loved. That the climate is health
full is shown by the large numbers OF
people beyond the three-score-and-ten
limit. The writer's mother, more
than four score, with no ailment OF
mind or body, is one Of many cases in
which age touches the Vermonters SO
lightly.
1t Is said that there are more Yer
monters outside or the state than in
1t, fact which has a sad side and
causes regret that the state is so small
that all born in 1t cannot find remun-
erative employment at home, especl-
ally so because the state patriotism is
so intensely strong. The love Of the
Swiss for their rocky homes, famous
in history as they are for their gallant
and successful battles against foreign
fees, is parallel case. Until her adj
mission to the Union In 1890 Vermont
was an independent republic, for
about twenty-five years, fighting Brit
ish, Indians and Workers, and receiy-
ing cold shoulder from the United
States, although Ethan Aliens cap
-ture of Ticonderoga was the first de-
cisive victory Of the Revolution, and
the battle Of Bennington compelled
the surrender of Burgoyne.
In education Vermont is making
progress, especially in the matter Of
establishing high schools which will
prepare for college. This work in the
past has been done by scores of private
academies, but even If some of these
should thrive, the state sees that 1t
should make high school education
absolutely free. Libraries are being
established, free scholarships in Mid
dlebury College and Norwich Uniyer-
sity admiral Dewey's school are pro-
Yided, and free text books in the pub
lie schools. Vermont lets other states
experiment and try "fads' and then
appropriates the tried and best.
Vermonters are beginning to appre-
ciate and preserve their antiquities.
The state has passed a law that the |
Old cemeteries, many containing the |
remains Of Revolutionary heroes, shall |
be properly cared for by the towns
In which they are situated. Perhaps |
the fact that Admiral Dewey, Capt. |
Clark Of the Oregon, and Col Wood |
of the Rough Riders and now govern
or Of Cuba, are natives of the state
makes 1t more appreciative Of the |
dead heroes Of the past.
H. Seward Webb, millionaire Of
the Vanderbilt family, has bought a
large tract Of land in Shelburne and
made it his home. The tract is now
a paradise. In many towns outsiders
are buying homes for summer or per-
manent use. Artists visits are very
frequent to put on canYas the match
less beauties Of forest, crag and dell.
HENRY S. BAKER.