davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
WlLLIAMsVILLE.
The Success Of Hon. Fred c. Elmer In
Business, Educational Affairs and
PoIItlea

Among recent visitors at the home of
nathan b. Perry in this village, as noted
III TINS column, was Hon. Fred c. Elmer
or Cleveland, Ohio, one of Windban N,
county's sons who spent a portion of his
ooyhood In Newfane. The writer knew
MI Elmer about 80 years ago as a
scholar in one of our district scbools
His school privileges had been limited
but with keen sense of the loss that had
come to him thereby he finished his last
term with the resolve that he would ac-
qulre by observation and industry what
had not come to him as a heritage. Az
ter a few years spent on a farm in this
vicinity Mr. Elmer went to Cincinnati
OHIO, and entered the employ of N r
feIry' a NeWfane man by birth and long
residence, but then conducting large
baking establishment in that city A
rev years later Mr.. Perry bought a SINH
lar business In Cleveland taking Mr.
Elmer into partnership, and making him
the manager, the latter having the privi-
lege of buying the whole establishment
when able to pay for it. The purchase
was made soon afterward, Mr. Perry's
Oldest daughter, Miss Minnie Perry, be-
coming Mr.. Elmers wife in the mean
time. In business way Mr.. Elmer has
been very successful, and he is now in
terested in several outside financial en-
terprises He is also connected in an ex-
ecutlNe manner with the management of
one of the large Cleveland banks
But 1t is Mr.. Elmer's prominent and
honorable connection with the public af-
fairs of his city which il is the most
pleasing to relate. His determination to
give his children i'm full measure the
school privileges of which he was largely
deprived gave him keen interest in edu-
cational affairs and at a comparatively
early age he became a member of the
Cleveland school board, and afterward
for some years of the school council, the
executive department of the school board
In this position the work of selecting
sites and constructing new school build
ings was largely in his charge. The mag
nitude of this work can be realized in the
statement that the school children of
Cleveland are increasing at the rate of
5000 per year So well did Mr.. Elmer
perform his duties that he is now
strongly urged to accept a nomination for
school director, the executive head of the
city school system, at a salary of $5O0O
In 1899 Mr.. Elmer was elected one of
the two members of the Ohio Senate from
Cuyahoga county which includes the city
of Cleveland, the largest city of the
state, with a constituency considera bly,
larger than that of the average Congress-
man. 1t is said of Mr. Elmer that he
made a most creditable record as senator,
coming out of the conflict with corporate
interests and doubtful combinations ever
present in the legislative bodies of the
large states, with a reputation as I'M
smirched by the breath of scandal as that
which the legislators of Vermont. to the
great glory of the state have ever been
able to maintain at home
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
SOUTH WINDHAM,

f. L. Burbee has sold his mill privi-
lege at West Dover.
r. Piggott has gone to Boston. The
family will go soon.
Mrs. Annie Peck and family moved to
Troy. N. H., Friday.
The thermometer reached II degrees
below zero last Friday morning.
Mr.. and Mrs E. L. Burbee were in
Bondvile and West Dover last week.
e. A. Howe has sublet his contract of
numbering in East Jamaica and is at
home.
Mrs. e. L. Holden is keeping house in
Battle Creek Mich, and boarding her
boys, who are at work in the sanitarium
there.
Miss Cheney of Jacksonville is teaching
in the Fisher district. School did not be-
gin here last week, as reported by the
Windham correspondent.
The Goodell mill will shut down Satur-
day night. The logs are not all sawed.
William Nideau and z. Bridgeo will go
to Manchester to work in a mill.
There is one factor in cutting evergreen
trees for the New York market that has
been overlooked in all discussions that 1
have seen, and that is that those who
cut them cut only the top of the tree
cutting from one to ten feet from the
ground, leaving the limbs below where
the tree is cut off to grow. covering the
ground and preventing anything else to
grow, which is positive damage If those
owning trees will observe in how short
time these little trees will produce tim
her through judicious trimming it would
do more than anything else to correct
the evil. The practice of selling them
as shrubs is like killing the goose that
laid the golden egg, for on very much of
the land that grows spruces nothing else
will grow.
The farm buildings of f. w. Stowell
situated in the west part of the town.
were burned early Sunday morning, with
all the contents Except a few things
together with two horses. two hogs, one
yearling. and the hens The house was
occupied by F. w. Stowell, who lived
alone, and his son, Elias Stowell and
family 1t was a narrow escape for
Elias's family, as the smoke had nearly
overcome them. They barely saved
clothes enough to dress with. One horse
and three cows were saved. f. w
Stowell. who owned the buildings, car
ried 5000 insurance. Elias Stowell was
not insured and the loss is a hard one
for him. as he has four small children,
one a cripple. The Stowells were taken
in by Fred Stowell, and it is not known
at this writing where they will live.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
CENTRAL VERMONT RAILWAY 90
Southern DiVtsiOn'
GOING SOUTH.


Trains leave Brattleboro as follows;
523 a. m. daily for Springfield ana ne"
York. 49,, md
74O a. m. for Millers Falls, Palmer and ana
New London. Connecting at M t Il
Falls with Fitchburg division Boston e
Maine r. r., at Palmer with BosIoh *
Albany r. r., at Willimanuc anu a
New London with N. " NJ H. II
siG a. m. for Springfield ana New York 70 TX
lO15 a. m. for Millers Falls and polnts on
the Fitchburg division Boston q Maii''
2i2 p. m. for Springfield and New YORK
4S5 D. m. for Springfield and new LIE
ABS D. M for Millers Falls ana s'a aSaine
on Fitchburg division Boston q h9 a. ~
r. r. Palmer and New Lohuoh am
New York via Norwich Line
GOING NORTH.
Trains arrive at Brattleboro as IiI oiI0TSJb
HOO a. M from New York via Noi WIZ"
line and New London.
100 a. m. from Springfield; nails
LOO D. M from Boston via MlIleSgs 4 n%sAeld
229, 545 and 1909 p. M, from SPI deeiiv(.
and New York. Q0.09 p. m. runs , uotiy Z, .
10 D. m. from New London cohhectine
from Palmer, Millers Falls anu iii''
mediate stations. ,.,,,+ notice
Subject to change WlthoutD other-
Trains run weeks days only eAoeP'
R. s. Logan. Vice President and Generai
S. N7 ". cgGS,lN41NGs. G. P. A. st. Adams.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
In Conqress.

In the Senate Monday the bitter con-
troversy between South Carolina Sena-
tors was ventilated in acrimonious dis
cussion, eliminating in a challenge from
Senator Tillman to Senator McLaurin to
resign with him on the spot, in order, to
use his own language, that they might
be able ito wash their dirty linen at
home" Mr.. McLaurin did not take up
the gauge. The incident was brought to
an abrupt close by Senator Lodge moving
an executive session.
The United States Senate in executive
session Tuesday began the consideration
of the Hay-Pauncefote canal treaty. An
adjournment was taken in order to give
the Democratic caucus an opportunity
to consider the treaty.
In the House Speaker Henderson an
nounced the appointment of the commit
tees. A general speech on the Philip
pines was delivered by eX-Speaker Grow
of Pennsylvania. Mr.. Burke of South
Dakota, formally announced the death
of Senator Kyle, and as a mark of re-
spect the House Immediately adjourned,
to meet again on Friday
Senator Hoar offered a resolution Mon
day to authorize the President to enter
into negotiations with other civilized
countries for the purpose of selecting
some island or other suitable territory
to which anarchists might be transported
and confined
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
BONDVILLE.

VIII Percy of Elizabethton, Tenn, is
visiting in town.
George Chatfield, who has been in Cali
fornia three years, is at home again.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gilbert L. Burbank are
attending the state Grange at White
River Junction.
on account of the prevalence of whoop-
ing cough the Methodist Sunday school
voted on Sunday not to have a Christmas
tree at the church, as has been the usual
custom.
Louis Brooks's buildings at Graham
vile were burned Saturday night. The
barn was discovered to be on fire about
midnight, and in a short time the house,
a small one, was in ashes also. The most
of the household goods were saved, as
were also the horse and COW. The cause
of the fire is not known but as a barn
that was on an unoccupied place belong
ing to Mr. Brooks was burned in the fall,
both fires are believed to be of incendiary
origin. The property burned Saturday
night was insured.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
Building the Biggest Dam In New
England.

In spite of the fact that at Chittenden,
one of the coolest places in the state
there are now over two feet of snow
the Chittenden Power company has de-
cided to proceed with the work of con-
structing their dam at that place, which
probably will be the largest dam ever
built in New England. On account of
the extreme cold at Chittenden, the
Italians who have been at work on the
dam during the past six months have all
quit within the last few days, but the
company will now Immediately fill their
places with $50 Russian laborers. who are
naturally fitted to work in just such a
climate.
The work of building the dam from now
on will be done in a novel manner, by
the aid of three immense stoves, which
have been specially constructed for the
purpose from bone iron. These stoves
will be kept red-hot, thus warming the
air within a large radius. The sand,
cement, and water used in the mortar
will be warmed. and the stones will be
heated before they are laid. The stoves
will be kept hot throughout the night
in the vicinity of the. freshly laid work
so as to Thoroughly dry out the masonary
before it can possibly freeze. Some 5000
barrels of cement will be used in the con-
structiOn of the dam.
Inree cnllufen OF MTS. marx fucker or
South Barre have died from scarlet fever
during the last week, two on Saturday,
only three hours apart. Another child is
i'll with the same disease. The father
of the family died a few months ago.
The President sent the following nomi-
nations to the Senate Wednesday: Olin
Merrill, collector of customs for the dis
trict of Vermont, re-appointment; Zophar
M. Mansur, collector of customs for the
district of Memphremagog, Vermont, re-
appointment Postmasters, Vermont,
Barnum L. Austin, Johnson William H.
Sargent, South Royalton; John A. Shell
don, Rutland; Orrin II. Jones, Whining
ton.
The Avenue House at St. Johnsbury
was raided Tuesday, and bottled liquors
to a total value of 5000 to $500 were seized.
F. NJ. Black, the proprietor was ar
rested. On Wednesday in the county
court before Judge Munson he furnished
$1,000 bail pending a hearing. Mr.. Black
claims that the liquor was kept for the
travelling public and was not intended for
local consumption. This seems to be the
general impression in st. Johnsbury.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
Mrs. Polly NJ. stratton is in.

Mr.. and Mrs. c. e. Park visited rela-
tives in Springfield. Mass, the past week.
Mrs. Oliver p. Morse, accompanied by
Bonnie Williams, is visiting in Harris
vile, n. II.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Robbins have re-
turned from their wedding trip and are
staying for the present at f. II. Richard
sons.
The literary and musical entertainment
given at village hall Wednesday even
ing by the Universalist young people was
up to the usual standard of excellence
and drew a full house.
At the last young peoples meeting at
the Methodist vestry j. A. Young gave
a very interesting account of a trip made
by him to Palestine a few years ago Mr..
Young has travelled extensively in for
eign lands and has a very happy faculty
of imparting his experiences.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. w. Freyenhagen left
Monday for a visit of two weeks with
relatives in Cedarhurst, L. l., their for
mer home. They were accompanied by
Mr.. Hendrickson, father of Wesley Frey
enhagen. who returns to his Long Island
home after visit of several months here.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
The Eminent Kidney
and Bladder Specialist,

There is a disease prevailing in this
country most dangerous because so decep-
tive. Many sudden deaths are caused by
itAheart disease, pneumonia, heart failure
or apoplexy are often the result Of kidney
disease. If kidney trouble is allowed to ad-
vance the kidney-poisoned blood will attack
the vital organs o. the kidneys themselves
break down and waste away cell by cell.
Then the richness ofthe blood-the albumen
leaks out and the sufferer has Bright's
Disease, the worst form of kidney trouble.
DR.. Kilmer's Swamp-ROot the new dis
eovery is the true specific for kidney, bladder
and urinary troubles. 1t has cured thousands
of apparently hopeless cases, after all other
efforts have failed. At druggists in tifty-cent
and dollar sizes. A sample bottle sent free
by mail, also book telling about Swamp
Root and its wonderful cures. Address
DR.. Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, N. T. and
mention this paper.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13

~ roof Of our ents the official Tec0ds
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
NEW SUBSCRIBERS.

The Phoenix will be Sent to New
Subscribers from this date until jan
uary I, 1908, for $3.50, the regular
yearly subscription price.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
Auction Sale!
Monday, Dec. 10, 1901

WILL be sold at Public auction alScs PnowR as
w ton Centre. Nt' on the pi'''
tbe RacOn Place,
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13

NEW GOODS
FOR
SUITlNoS
AND
TROUSERS
AT
w. II. HAiGH's.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13
Please Read This.

A NINE-ACRE FARM, / IL story f hGHTs
"a six rooms, barn "A by ~ aaN,ce of fruit.
Nice trout brook. on stage road, PriS " Wv
SlOO down IN. GUM, Brattleooro' w.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13

w ION ION Centre. VI, on the place known Us
the Bacon Place
Monday, Dec. 10, 1901
at O'Clock, p. NJ, the following i''o''''
Property; ,,,uo 3 wears old. weight about
1909 OH lbs good roadeT safe fo hearty To' new
drive Bre R@ggy Robe, Dgster a little
Piano BOX p BsTTels Apples, WheeoqFEr rs
good h hns' pick, Shovels Hoes FaAes' r'iA''
scythes, Snaths' etc
HOUSEHOLD FURNlTUhE, o ,
-. S+ove ROYAL Grand Range, l
good T9os some stove Pipe new Sh @bairs
P et Bedstsqd f. P 3 RaEs qV Wash Ta6
Rockers od L3u SHOT Gun, few CARPENTER a6d
Churn rree So saw, Buck saw MA AAes "''D
d dtSeS things TOO numerous 70 WALLER
nummerston Centre, Dec 4 i9oi'
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-13

VERMONT FARM MACHINE co., Bellows Falls, Vt.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-12-20

coooooooopO ooooooooO
1VA :. I Al,ES : :
LEGENDS ABOUT TIE
FLORAL EMBLEM
s., D.
1oooooooocoo oooooooooooo
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

"a G71STIETOE. associated with
NGI both comedy and tragedy.
INV IL owes it's elevation to the
glory of IL prominent Christ
mas decoration to the relics of Druid
ical superstition and again. even fur
ther back. to traditions of Morse my
thology, in which it played an impor-
tant part.
Long before kissing was invented or
ballads We're made and sung the mis-
tletoe was Il sort of fetch and is as
capricious as most heathen dcities, in
asmuch as it has Il .ualked preference
in the choice of a tree to grow upon,
the oak, the larch AID the pear being
the least favored, while it loves the
poplar. hawthorn. lime maple, noun
tain ash and, first and foremost of ALL
the apple tree. 1t roots firmly, grows
slowly, gradually stiles the tree it en-
braces and then dies itself! In ancient
lore it had rare medicinal virtues, but
these have found oblivion with the
lapse of time.
Morse fables tell lis that Baldur, the
bright and the beautiful, the god of
light, was regarded with jealousy by
some of the other deities, and Friga, to
protect him, made everything in heav-
en- and earth swear to do him no
harm. But disregarding the mistletoe
as being so slight and weak she omit
ted her pYecaution in its case. LolSi,
the malevolent fire god, seizing this
chance, bewitched twig of mistletoe
till it swelled to the size df spear
and, slyly giving it to blind Hodur,
told him to throw it among the gods
when they We're ut play.
1t struck Baldur and killed him, but
Friga miraculously restored him to life
and thereafter guarded the mistletoe.
which the gods at her pleading decided
should be unable to do any mischief
again unless it touched the earth. For
this reason it always hung on high. and
the vigilant goddess was propitiated by
sign of amity and good will.
Many of the most important rites of
the Druids We're performed in connec-
tion With it, and today men and maid-
ems hold that it constitutes II sanction
for salutes that might otherwise be
too daring. Yet the old mysterious
glamour of it's power to harm still
clings to it and imparts Il touch Of SUI
persttious witchery to the tragic fate
of the gay young bride who. mad with
merrimcnt, hid in the oak chest that
proved her tomb.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-12-20
chri.tmna Fenstinr.

During the middle ages the whole
Christmas season was given up to rev.
els and iollity. in which eating and
drinking had Il prominent part. The
Saxon instinct of our English ancestors
led them TO make of every holiday an
occasion for feasting. Plenty to eat
and to drink was their idea of festi-
val. no matter how sacred might be its
associations. On Christmas they not
only lined their st";nachs with good
capon. as did Shalespcarc's Justice
but stuffed themselves With all sorts of
rich. nouriShing food and strongly com
pounded pnddings and pies.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-12-20

and mistletoe Was TIE cutting ana
hauling home of the Yule log. The IA
vorite Yule log was Il cross grained
block of elm or the rugged root of a
tree of fantastic and grotesque form.
Formerly the members of the family
and guests sat down in turn on the
Yule log, the throne of the master Of
the revels, sang Yule song and drank
to merry Christmas and happy new
year. AS part of their feast Yule
dough or Yule cakes We're consumed.
These bore impressed figures in the
shape of an image. Sometimes they
were made in the form of an infant.
Nor was the manger overlooked.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-12-20
The Chri..n,ns rree.

OF all the Christmas greens the tree
IS the aristocratic monarch. Used not
so much as an actual decoration itself
as Il background for decoration. it
figures as the central ornament in the
Christmas festivities. Its trimming is
Il matter of mystery. its burden of
lights. tinse! and tincry the rarcst
spectacle that Juvenile eyes ever look
career an epoch in home life to be long
II melnbcred.- ed.-Philadrl' !. Times.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-12-20
MERRY XMAS WAYS.
HOW THE ANclENTs CELEBRATED
THE COMING OF YuLeTlDE.

The Mistletoc and the Yulc Log We're
In MISUNDERSTANDING Began u
Week Before Chrixtmax Day But
There Was No SANTA Claus.
~T is said that the American GUS
toms of celebrating the greatest
of all festival days, Christmas,
are descended from or are si..-
vivals of the old world customs which
existed in England Il couple of CEN
turies ago. Yet when these latter are
examined into it requires wide stretch
of an unusually elastic Imagination to
link the ways of the present day with
those of the seventeenth or even the
eighteenth century.
1t seems probable that tho folks of
half dozen generations ago crowded
more mcrrimcnt into the Christmas
season than we of this age do, and they
went about it with the same prear-
ranged systematic care that a CONNER
cial prince now devotes to some great
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-12-20
GATHERING THE HOLLY AND M1sr1Eron.


financial coup, but the fun was Of
boisterous kind. quite inconsistent with
the crowded way of living these days,
says the Washington Post. If one of
the old merrylnalSers could come to
life OH Christmas day and celebrate
the festival in the way fashion and
custom demanded in his time. he would
probably find himself in the lookup
charged with rudely disturbing the
peace.
Noise, bluster, fcasting. drinking and
horseplay were the chief features of
the old time English Christmas. Gift
making existed as it had for many pre-
vious centuries, but that was merely
an incidental feature and not nearly so
| important as the work of the pompous
butler. upon whom devolved the re-
sponsibilty of carrying into the dining
hall the great boar's head.
| The oldtimc Christmas began Il week
before the arrival of the day, Just as
the shoppers of today rush out With fat
purses to lure the holiday bargain. But
purchasing gifts did not bother the
heads or weary the bodies of the old
world folks.
The gathering of the holly and mis-
1 tlctoc for the decoration of house and
church WAS their initial task, aid it
was performed hy the village en- masse.
headed by brave pipers and fiddlers.
who filled the forests with the joyful
melodies of Christmastide. 1t was the
pagans who first used holly and mstle-
toe for obselvances, and the practice
was adopted by the early Christian
churches. The Greeks and Romans also
used them in their religious ceremonies,
as did the Druids and the Celtic and
Gothic nations. SO the young maid OF
today who stands alluringly under Il
| sprig of mistlctoe may lind satisfaction
in knowing that she is following the
precedent of centuries.
In Drnidical times the simple peas
ants hockcd in crowds to join the pro-
cessions. in which the Druidical priests
We're the foremost actors. The train
was headed by the bards singing canti-
cles and hymns. y herald preceded
three Druids. furnished with imple-
ments for the purpose OF cutting
the mystic plant-upright hatchets of
brass, fixed to slaves. Then follow
ed the prince or chief of the Druids,
accompanied by all his flock and
followers. The chief mounted the
oak, with golden sickle detacll.
ing the mstletoe and presenting 1t
to the priests. who received and bore
the branches away with deep rev
crence. On the first day Of the yeal
the branches. after resting on the
Druidcal affairs in the interval, were
distributed among the people as a
sacred and holy plant. the Druids cry
; ing, "'rhc mistlctoe for the new year!
! Many We're the superstitions attach
ing to this plant. Among the latter
day charms associated with it, wher
suspended in bunch in the servants
hall, was the traditionary and favoritt
. observance of kissing the maids undel
7, it's branches. the superstition prevail
ing that the maiden who missed bein.
: heartily kissed under her mistletoe n
!, Christmas would forfeit her chance ol
early matrilnony and certainly not b'
: married in the ensuing twelve months
"A medieval observance which al
}. ways followed the gathering Of holly
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-12-20

Faces of the loved and lost
Throng the courts where we assemble;
Rubicons Of years are crossed
As in Yule's sweet walks We ramble.
Oh, the dear, the ever mourned!
Yc, in more than olden beauty.
Are like angel guards returned.
Sharcrs in this holy duty.
Children with their banners, see.
In the chapel alcovcs gather;
Happy they with him to be
Children OF common Father.
Hear the organ's prelude ring
With the welcome 10 the morning,
While the festal ccnscrs swing
And the altar lights are burning.
Lovely Yulc. though shadows steal
unawarcs DER all thy brightness,
Though yon naked boughs reveal
Marble mounds Of snowy whitcness,
Yet the wreath of Christmas day
Green and fragrant ever livcth.
For the Hand that took away
Is ;he Hand that once more givetll.
William b. Chisholm