davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

mess of the Company was increased to a
requirement of over nine hundred cars in
1899 when it was merged in the Pullman
Company: DR.. Webb becoming a Director
in the latter company. AS Indicating Dr.
Webb's relation and bearing toward his
employees during those years. no better
fact could be cited than that of the pres
entation to him of a very large and val
liable loving cup by the four thousand
employees of the Company on his retire.
ment from its presidency. This action of
the army of workers at a time when DR..
Webb had laid down his authority over
them, is high tribute to his character
and ability, his courtesy and kindly in
terests in those under his authority. The
building of a Railroad through the Ad-
irondack wilderness, and the development
of that region, with its new cities and ho-
tells, and the hundreds of thousands o,
visitors annually to that section, is a
lasting tribute to the tireess energy and
determination to succeed which Dr. Webb
evinces in all his undertakings While
Dr. Webb has been interested during
these years in large business enterprises
without the State, he has closely identi-
fled himself in the best interests of YER
mont and is today engaged in some of its
largest business enterprises In 1896 ne
was elected Representative from the
Town of Shelburne, serving on the Mill
tary and Railroad Committees. He was
reelected in 1898, and served on the same
committees. lie has done much to force
the better recognition of the State
throughout the Union, and was instru-
mental in providing means for Repre-
sentation at Yorktown Centennial, Wash
ington Inaugural Centennial at New York,
Mckinley Inauguration, and the Grand
Memorial, the latter two representation
being solely due to his efforts He was
also instrumental in the establishment of
the Military Post at Fort Ethan Allen,
and Mrs. Webb and himself are the nap
Ply possessors of a beautiful loving cup
presented them by the members of the
First Vermont in recognition of the
thoughtful interest in their welfare at
Camp Thomas, Chckamauga. DR.. Webb
is withal a pattern of the public spirited
citizen, seeking for the good of his state,
his country and the welfare of the peo-
Pile. The home life of DIR. Webb is
model of domesticity. His hours of leis-
ure are spent with his family at Shell
burne Farms, or in fishing and hunting,
in which sports he delights. But while
he and Mrs. Webb are devoted to their
Shelburne home, where they entertain
large numbers of their friends they are
not unmindful of the duties that are inn
posed upon them by their wealth. Their
benefactons are numberless and gener-
Gus, but are bestowed modestly and with
out ostentation.
fond lover of horses, every day at
home brings its visits to the Breeding es-
tablishment, when the horses are fondled
and admired, the younger receiving the
major attention. DR.. Webb follows
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

and boating, while the views and drives
are numerous and the walks pretty and
gloriously shaded. The Adirondacks,
Mount Marcy, Mcintyre and Seward
Cancels Hump and Mount Mansfield can
all be plainly seen from Lone Tree HILL
the highest point on the estate. This
most enhancing picture is not, however,
viewed only by the distinguished owner
and his chosen and intimate friends, for
never for a day Sunday excepted)
since the estate came under the control
of DR.. Webb have the great gates been
closed to the public. Indeed DIR. Webb
was once heard to remark; do you sup
pose l have spent all this time and mon
ey on Shelburne Farms simply to look
at the beautiful picture myself. Let the
public enjoy it too" on alighting from
the train at Shelburne Farms there is af-
forded the visitor to the farms the first
indication of the owners handiwork, for
the depot building and the cottages in
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

William Seward Webb. Easily accessi-
bit to all sections, its location is an ideai
one, extending from point about six
miles directly south of Burlington, along
the eastern shore of the great Lake
Champaign Made up of a number OF
small holdings acquired by purchase from
several Vermont farmers 1t has been
transformed into a private park and,
besides a spacious country residence,
contains within it's borders al the natur-
al advantages necessary to the full en-
joyment of outdoor life by the family
and friends of wealthy country gem
tleman. There is a diversity of lake and
mountain scenery seldom met with on
private property. Lake Champlan
stretches for 100 miles in either direction
affording ample facilities for yachting
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

closely the development of each of these
youngsters knows them by name their
breeding, recognizes the characteristics
of their pregenitors most predominant in
each and it is a remarkable fact that
Notwithstanding his manifold other inter-
ests, he can instantly recall and give de-
tailed description of each of several
thousand horses raised past and present
He has given much time and expense in
effort to improve the horse interests
of Vermont and bring about the condi-
tons of twenty-five years ago when buy
ers would point with pride to the fact
of a horse being Vermont Bred" Be
lieving the loss of this prestige to be
more particularly -ue to decrease in size,
DR.. Webb several years ago imported
Stations of good bone and muscle, and
then placed them at the disposal of the
farmers in various sections of the state.
And when these We're not patronzed suf-
iclently to warrant results aimed for, he
bred their mares free and agreed to buy
the progeny, in order to provide an OBJ
ject lesson of what the progeny might be.
Much more might be written on this sub
ject, but as the purposes of this sketch
are simply to emphasize some of the
Characteristics of a man in public life, it
would not be proper no go beyond a brief
outline on this subject a detailed des-
cripton Of his home would also be alien
to the purpose However the publisher
has been favored with a number of views,
showing some of the important improve
ments on the thirty-hve hundred acre
homo of DR.. Webb, which are herewith
reproduced and the parting information
given the writer by the management was,
that "Dr, Webb says he does not beautfy
this place for exclusive motives. The
gates have been open from Monday morn
ing to Saturday night since its inception
and your readers are all welcome"
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

DR.. VIM. Seward Webb of shelburne,
Vermont, was born in the City of New
York on the 31st day of January, 1851.
The name Of Webb traces strongly
through our country's history to the ar
rival of Richard Webb four years after
the mooring of the Mayhower at Ply
mouth Rock Richard Webb settled at
Cambridge, Mass in 1926, subsequently
moving to Connecticut, where he took an
active part in the administration of col
onial affairs General Samuel Blachley
Webb, the grandfather of the subject of
this sketch, was a distinguished revolu-
tionary patriot. lie was with Warren at
Bunker HILL CALAMITY leading his regi-
ment of minute men, and was among the
first called upon to shed blood in the
cause of freedom and liberty. Later, he
raised and equipped at his own expense,
the 3rd. Connecticut Regiment and par
ticipated in the battle of Long Island,
commanding the light infantry with the
Brevet rank of Major General General
Webb was on the staff of General Israel
Putnam, also Aide-de-Camp on the staff
of General Washington, and wrote the or
der for the PRONUNCIATION of the Declara-
ton of independence in New York City.
He participated in the battles of Long
Branch, Trenton, and White Plains, was
twice wounded and finally captured by
the British, and held a prisoner over two
years, an offer of exchange from the Am
erican Government being refused owing
to their high regard for his valor and
fear of his staunch advocacy of the Am
srican cause. In recognition of continued
valuable services General Webb was APP
pointed Master of Ceremonies at the In
auguration of Washington and had the
honor of escorting the President elect to
the place of Inauguration, and then of
holding the Bible while Washington
kissed its sacred pages when he took the
oath of Office as first President of the Am
erican Republic. General James Watson
Webb, the father of DIR. w. Seward Webb,
entered the army as Lieutenant at the
age of seventeen, but there being no ur
gent requirement for services he resigned,
and became editor and proprietor of the
New York Morning Courier, and later
merged this paper with the New York In
quirer under the title of Courier Inquirer
the metropolis General Webb was a man
of deep convictions, keen intellect, and
strong will, and attained distinction as a
diplomat He was nominated Minister to
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

about 10 hands one inch, or 10 hands 2
inches, good bone and substance, round
ribbed and shortbacked and a bit Of
action, and for which they are willing
to pay $500 or 500 cash. DR.. Webb's
hope, as expressed in the foregoing, Is
that our farmers will try and breed a
utility horse and leave the race-horse to
those who can better afford to take the
risks and assume the vexations attend
ing them. His desire is to bring back
to the state of Vermont the old type of
draught horse, with this difference, that
with the use of the hackney he will be
a little finer. The residence and the
farm buildings at Shelburne are splendid
structures, as may well be imagined by
glance at the accompanying illustra-
tons and there are others now in course
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

the immediate vicinity were erected under
his personal direction and, like all else
connected with the enterprise, are in per-
feet taste. The drive from the depot
over the well kept roads skirting the
eastern boundary of the estate is at all
times delightful and the immense farm
buildings, when they come within range,
give one the idea that there lies thirty
ing village. 1t is with these buildings
and their purposes rather than the gran
deur of the surroundings that this brief
descriptive article is intended to deal.
There is a reason for the establishment
of Shelburne Farms, of which these
buildings are a part. The desire to ex-
ert an influence for the benefit of the
horse breeding industry of the state and
to bring back to Vermont the fame that
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

was formerly hers in this respect, was
born within DR.. Webb years ago and
"Shelburne Farms" is tangible, living
proof of its fulfllment. There the own
er's ideas and theories as regards horse
breeding-have been and are being put to
practical test. 1t is not the purpose OF
the writer to introduce any controver-
sial matter into a review of Shelburne
Farms. DR.. Webb's arguments and con-
tentions are well and fully explained in
a book published by him in 1898 and
showing a knowledge of his subject that
have commanded the attention and respect,
if not the support of all students of the
horse His aim has been to induce farm
ers to abandon attempts to breed race
horses which many have made simply to
find themselves with a lot of medium
rate, undeveloped trotters on their hands,
nearly all little bit off and unfit for
sale when a buyer comes from New
York or Boston, looking for something
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

of erection. They include the private
stable where are kept the harness and
saddle horses required by the family and
guests while at the Farms. Everything
there is plain, solid, practical and de-
noting a thorough appreciation of the
needs of mans best friend. The boxes
and stalls are all roomy and well ventilat-
ed, while the harness room and coach
house are pictures of neatness. Within
a half mile of the house is the sheep and
poultry farm where is kept a fine flock
of choice and carefully selected South
downs and Hampshiredowns that would
bring prizes for excellence at any county
fair. The dairy building and cattle
barns are located on the east side of
the estate and there is found a large
herd of the purest Jerseys of the famed
Rioter-Pogis blood. The farm barn is
an immense structure built on three sides
of a square, the fourth side consisting
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07
SHELBURNE FARMS.

One of the beauty spots of Western
Vermont Is the 1000 acre estate of DR..
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-07

Continued on p'eccding page.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

Recently published lists Of prices
charged by prominent portrait-painters
remind us that If modern artists take
the cash, eighteenth century painters
often took their time. Augustus Hare
says that Lord Marlborough asked Sir
Thomas Lawrence again and again to
send home the portrait he was doing
Of Lady Marlborough and her child.
Il allow l have been long time" re-
piled the artist at last. but II Lady
Marlborough will kindly bring the baby
and give me another sitting, l really
will finish" We'll, Sir Thomas" was
the answer, my wife will be happy to
give you another sitting whenever you
like it. but the baby is in the Guards!"
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12
Coioratio'~ Debt.

Senate Bill No. DDS. by Senator Sell
domridge, providing for constitution
al amendment to take care of the in
debtedness of the state. gives n state
ment of the debt already accrued.
The first part of the proposed amend
ment is to provide against the pilng up
of another such debt as that which
now faces the state, and the second
part provides for the payment Of the
entire debt which now exists.
1t is set forth in section / that the
state shall not contract any debt except
for the purpose of erecting public
buildings for the use of the state, to
suppress insurrection, defend the state
or, in time of war, to assist the nation
al government. The present constitu-
ton is construed by many to provide
for the same thing, but instead Of par
ticularly setting forth that moneys
shall be expended for the state by the
governor only in times of war and in
surrection,. it adds eases of emer-
gency," which has been construed by
governors to cover all manner of ex-
penses and deficiencies. The express
language of Senator Seldomridge's
amendment will leave no doubt about
this matter.
The bill further proposes that the
ueDJ Ill any one year LOT pubic Dullu-
ings shall not exceed one half mill on
each dollar of valuation of taxable
property within the slant. 1t is further
proposed that it shall not be lawful
for the General Assembly to appropri-
ate money except for insurrections and
war, in excess of the revenue for the
preceding two years. At present ap-
preparations are made on anticipated
revenue
Then it proposes this disposal of the
present Indebtedness by an issue of
four per cent. bonds to be sold at not
less than par value:
Warrants now held in the public
school fund of the state to the
| on which warrants there will be
due on November 30. 1902 ac-
crued interest amounting to-. 4Ol, ,45s. 3.
| Which interest will then be sub
public schools of the state
| Warrants belonging tc other
state funds amounting to..,.... 81. JOB 81
On which warrants there will be
due on November 30. 1902. ac-
crued interest amounting to-. 55, Co.. G.;
persons amounting to............. 27s, 22s. .Gi
| On which warrants there will be
| due November so 1902. accrued
interest amounting TOM. 2is. ga. o.:
The bill then estimates the deficiency
of the Thomas administration-with
lnleTpsl-HI SltD,ooJ.oD anu proposes a
bond issue to pay this amount besides
the following sums:
| Soldiers and Sailors home. ....s 20 000. q
| Penitentiary ...................... 20 000. Ok
/ University ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 10000. .O(
| Insane asylum -.,-,-.............. 19.46I.9i
| Certificates OF Indebtedness 81, SCI. AZ
| Stock destroyed by order of
veterinary board .,............. $500 OK
! Scalp bounties :'.....:.......;... 25.00o OK
Accrued interest to November
80, 1902 ..;..... ;,..;.....,.......... s4,742 90
| Warrants issued for the state
capitol building -, ,....,...... 57s.o77 ot
! On which warrants there will
| be November 80 1902. accrued
interest OF .........-...,......... 1Os. 1888 s,
! Total Indebtedness of Colo
rado . ........................ 81. 1914. 49, a
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

The Englishmap has found death in
his pot of beer. 1t appears that some
Of the brewers have been "trating" the
national drink with sulphuric acid
made from iron pyrites, which con-
tains arsenic, and that the poison has
passed with the sulphur into the brew
ers' sugar, product of starch, In guam
tity sufficient to produce serious con-
sequences and widespread alarm.
Many cases of alcoholic neuritis have
been traced to this cause In Birming-
ham, Liverpool and Chester, and nearly
800 are reported from the district OF
Stafford alone, of which sixty-one have
proved fatal. The growing use of min
eral chemicals. in the preparation OF
foods as well as of drinks. may
threaten civilization with a new brood
of diseases.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

One of the most wonderful fish sto-
ries of the century is told in the New
York Press of DR.. Ralph Smith, a
noted surgeon of Jacksonville. While
in bathing in surf about up to his
waist over on the east coast, a big
shark swan between his legs, forcing
him to a sitting posture and swimming
out to sea with its burden astride. The
sensation nearly cost the doctor his
hair and whiskers. He declares he was
on the sharks back fully half a min
ute. When the monster got In deep
water he slid off,
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

At Sheboygan. Wis. the other day.
Maltese cat took long ride inside
the rim of a fiywheel The animal
jumped into the wheel at the Plymouth
Refrigerator company's plant, and re-
mained there two and one-half hours.
AS the wheel is about thirty eight feet
in circumference. and makes eighty
seven revolutions in a minute. the cat
Travelled at distance of about ninety
three miles. When the engines were
stopped pussy was alive and well sx-
cept for little lameness.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

In the House the other day, Repre-
sentative Dalzel. referring to the
French chamber of deputies. said that
IF there were a more disgraceful and
infamous parliamentary body in exist
ence he would like to know where 1t
was" II we are to be world power"
our statesmen will have to learn that
one Of the essentials of that position is
official good manners toward the other
members of world-power society.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

The largest tree in Switzerland is
to be found in the Melchthal, perched
on the mountain side. at height OF
A50 feet. At its base 1t measures in
circumference forty feet. The cir
conference OF its trunk. six feet from
the ground. is twenty-six feet. and one
of its branches is four feet in thick
ness. The diameter at the top Is
eighty-four feet. This mighty giant OF
the forest shows great signs OF age
but is in a perfectly healthy condition
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12
Honor to Whom Honor I. Due.

The railroads have been greatly
abused as soulless corporations that
were grinding the life blood out OF the
people. The great Galveston disaster
has, however, revealed the fact that
the managers of these corporations
have hearts which are susceptible of
being touched by the cries OF distress.
Their trains were placed at the dis
posal Of all those engaged in relief
work on the coast. Provisions and
supplies were carried forward free of
charge, committees from every sec
tion of the state were furnished trans
portation, and when the refugees from
Galveston began to pour into Houston
and 1t became serious question what
was to be done with them the railroads
solved the problem by furnishing
transportation without charge to all
who wished to leave and to any point
they wished to go. Grand Master An
derson informs us that but for this
fact Houston would have been overrun
with people who had to be cared for.
and that suffering and distress would
have been largely increased as well as
the cost of meeting conditions which
would have prevailed. Bro. Anderson
desires us, through these columns, to
thank the different roads for the great
service rendered mis- committee at
Houston. If it were possible we would
be glad to see parallel columns, in one
of which should appear the acts of
these railroad corporations in a time
of great calamity and distress. and in
the other the amount contributed by
the little two-by-four demagogues who
are always trying to array the prejuS
dices OF the masses against any arN
every kind Of enterprise.-From Nv
Texas Odd Fellow.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

Modern science is extremely exact.
The engineers who have been consid-
ering the problems arising out Of the
proposed Nicaragua canal provide for
a waterway nine inches deeper than the
draft of large ocean steamships. The
reason is that as fresh water is not
SO dense as the water of the sea, yes
sci will sink deeper when it enters the
canal
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

Many of the purchases made by the
Shah of Persia last summer in Eu-
rope, as well as some of the presents
made to him, went to the bottom of
the Caspian sea by the sinking Of the
steamship Vera in a storm. Among
them were the eighteen carriages
bought in Paris. There is no chance
Of recovering anything, as the Vera
went down in 500 fathoms.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

An impatient man in Camden, N. j..
who was eager to acquire wealth and
acquire it quickly, sent money to an
advertiser who promised, on receipt of
q dollar, to tell any one ''how to get
rich" Here is the useful advice he
received: Work like a slave all your
life, spend as little as possible, and
never marry"
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

Already the first edition of Lord
Roseberys Napoleon: the last Phase,
consisting of 10000 copies, has 3een
exhausted in England. The Athenaeum
utters many disparaging walls over
the book. and says that it is written
in a style not historical. but rather
adapted to that of after dinner speak
Ing
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

years. were found recently in a chest
in hut occupied by Hermit Ypsilanti
Smith, who died a few years ago. He
had lived near Fletcher. Miami coun-
ty. o., for forty years. and was not
known to have a cent. His mind was
deranged years ago by the death OF his
wife. Pension vouchers untouched for
years were also found, amounting to
about 81 500.
The Elk Mountain pilot., 1901-02-12

Forty-five thousand dollars in gov
eminent bonds. with the coupons still
Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1901-190?, 1901-10-28
KNIGHT OF mOnRY-HOKsE.

He rode away with flashing eyes
To fight in distant lands:
His charger was a coal-black steed
His sword was in his hands
81 may be gone a hundred years."
He said. "and so FAREWELL
The papers | shall send to YOU
My valiant deeds will tell"
His mother waved a last good-by
And sped him on his way.
When you come back to me-" she
cried,
Twill be happy oayI~
He rode across the nursery,
And through the garret dim,
Then paused TO view the country round
Beyond the windows rim.
The day was warm. he journeyed far;
He said, "Ill rest awhile,
And then again my steed and
Will ride full many a mile"
They found him there as night came
on,
His flashing eyes were closed;
With arms around his chargers neck
The warrior reposed.
Youths Companion.