Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-07-30
TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL

many q Woulu De glau VI some Vi
the suggestions contained in a letter
from Hon. John Barrett, a native of
Vermont, from which we publish the
following extracts:
"Born and raised Vermonter, with
my old home in Grafton, Windham
county, and maintaining all the time
a deep interest in the states welfare,
although during the past ten years
public and private business have kept
me largely beyond it's borders, l am
with others, sincerely anxious to see
Vermont's Old Home Week a decided
success in every way. While person
ally l probably a have at heart no
more concern thar every other patri-
otto Vermonter, there has been spec.
ial opportunity for me to develop in
terest throughout the United States
in this occasion.
'In other words, having visited
nearly every state and most all the
leading cities Of the country more
than once during the past two years,
since my return from extended diplo
matte service in the Orient, it has
been possible for me to come ia con-
tact everywhere with Vermonters and
test or arouse their interest in the Old
Home Week idea.
"It may please Vermonters every.
where to know that l have found a
uniform and widespread desire among
sons and daughters Of the state to take
advantage Of this week to return to
their old homes and meet long separ.
ated relations, as we'll as old friends
and associates. They may not come
this year, but they will come some
other year, especially it they hear
that the first trial has been a success,
and that the event is to be annually
celebrated.
"Let US bend every effort to have at
least q celebration in every county.
and If possible in every town. If
this is done the movement will be
generally discussed by the newspapers
and 1t will be advertised to the extent
Of making those who did not return
the ACCESSIBILITY Of coming
next year. Even if occasions are not
elaborate it would seem as If some lit.
tie observance Of the week should be
planned.
"There could at least be a meeting
in the town hall where some local
man Of prominence could give an his
torical address at very little expense
to the town or community. 1t would
be a start in the right direction,
which could be enlarged upon the
following year.
Sat SIN FIR G c I found manyold
VermonterS. At least one-half OF
them expressed the intention of re
turning to Vermont this year or next
and in the event that their old homes
had been sold or gone into the pos
session Of others they were intending
to buy them back II possible and to fit
them up or repair them if necessary.
"In Portland, Ore, Seattle, Wash
Los Angeles, Denver, New Orleans,
Chicago, St. Louis, Washington, and
New York I have repeatedly heard
similar expressions Of interest, thus
showing how general is the love Of the
state excited by the old-hcme move
ment.
II am one of.:.hosy who are extremely
Of the lasting material ben.
fit that will come to the state from
succe ssful observance of old. home
week.
1T will not only bring large num-
bers Of Vermonters to annual reunions
but it will bring much money to be
expended in Improvements as we'll as
IN the development # the %agricultu-
raj, geological, timber, water power
resources and residential, business and
manufacturing oppol tunities which
are not now as fully, appreciated as
they deserve.
"All credit is due to those men and
newspapers that are working so hard
tor the success Of Old-home week and