St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-03-26
VOL. LXV---NO. 1872
FIFTY-THREE YEARS SERVICE.
Retrospect Suggested by Patrick Train
Or's Removal from Town.


Last Saturday when our esteemed
townsman, Patrick Trainor, closed his
work at the scale factory foundry and
transferred his floor to his successor,
it marked the close OF SO years of faith
full and continuous work in the Fair
banks shops. Only two men in the
entire factory now were there when Mr..
Trainor came; they are Col Frank
Walker and Caleb Marshall. In those
days the foundry was on the other side
of the river from its present location, and
Mr.. rrainOr says that about six mould
ers did all the work, and only about 100
men were emp oyedin the entire establish
ment The ruroad had reached Wells
River and freight was hauled by a four
horse team. During of the time since
he completed his trade MIR. Trainor has
done contract work, and many mould
ers here and in various parts OF the coun-
try today learned their trade with him.
1t is no small compliment to the faith
fulness and ability of Mr.. Trainor that
he held so good position for more than
half century, and neither is the praise
that he bestows on the Fairbanks COM
pany for their treatment of him during
all these years thing to be considered
lightly, tor this matter OF kindly rela
tions between employer and employee
has done more toward making St Johns
bury what it is today, perhaps, than any
one thing.
II the changes at the factory have been
great during Mr.. Trainor's residence
here, the changes III the village have been
greater. To theyonnger generations the
days when Ephraim and Samuel Jewett
were the village merchants seem like
ancient history, yet they were here when
he came. There was but one church
then, the old North. Railroad street was
not thought OF aud Summer street was
open as far as Central street only. The
ell part of the St. Johnsbury House was
the only hotel, the present court house
yard was the cemetery, and the place
where the post Office block stands was
the village garbage dump.
Probably no other St. Johnsbury man
ever helped to erect three churches in
which he was to worship, but Mr.. rrain-
| or has this distinction. He is the last of
that small band of Catholics who built
the old church on Cherry street, the
foundation OF which was put in under
his direction. When Notre Dame was
built he was a large contributor, and
later was one OF the leading spirits in the
founding and building of St. AlovSius.
In the days when ST. Johnsbury was
mission station of the Catholic cuurch,
the vlsi ing priests and sisters OF charity
were always entertained at his home,
and his means and strength have always
| been freely given to the support of the
church OF his faith. The death of Mrs.
Trainor last fall ended long and happy
| union, for had she lived until July Is,
| they would have reached the 50th mile
stone of married life. After her death, at
! the earnest solicitations of his children,
he consented to give up work and to-
morrow he will accompany his daughter,
| Mrs. Dr.. Gartland to White River Juno
| ton, and in the future will make his
! home with her He will retain his two
houses here, in one of which he has lived
| for the past 80 years, and will make oc-
casional visits to look after these inter-
ests. His removal will be a great loss to
St. Aloysius church and to a host of
Shopmates and other friends, but he NAV
be sure that the best wishes OF all will
follow him