Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-11-07
THE PUTNEY COLUMN.
ALBERT HENRY WAsHBuRN.

Town Who Carried on Large Enter
prises in California.
Albert Henry Washburn, general
manager and superintendent of the
Yosemite Stage & Turnpike company,
who died at the Barton sanitorium in
california October 25 from gastrtis,
was born in Randolph, but lived later
in Putney. from which town he went
70 California in 1859. He was known
throughout California and in fact all
over the country, and was much es-
teemed for his noble qualities He
was a brother of julius Washburn,
who now lives in Putney. and of Ed
ward p. Washburn and John S. Wash
burn. formerly of that town, who went
70 California in 1878. He also leaves
an invalid wife and a daughter. The
three brothers in California have been
associated in running the Yosemite
stage line and hotels in the valley and
on the road to it for many years. The
San Francisco Chronicle, which pub
lished large portrait of Mr.. Wash
burn. said in part: Mr.. Washburn s
large faith in the future of CALIFORNIA;
marvellous scenic attraction led him to
devote the greater part of his life to-
ward preserving the valleys natural
beauties from destruction and making
the place more accessible to the pub
lie 1t was a labor of love with him
as we'll as a business venture, and he
never wearied of telling his acquaint-
ances about the various points of in
terest there. He was himself famil-
lar with almost every foot of ground in
the valley. but was always ready to
r4i Of ri
enioyed the wonders of the place with
a zest that never cloyed. 1t was this
capacity for approaching and explain
ing the different features of the land
scape that gained for Mr.. Washburn
the personal friendship of the many
eminent men whom he has piloted
through the Yosemite. Such were the
late General U. S. Grant, who called
Mr.. Washburn his double" DR.. 10
seph N. LeConte. the noted scientist
and countless others of worldwide
fame. Hundreds of his friends have
seen the famous show place of Cali
fornia at his expense. His hospital
ity was proverbial.
The deceased was about &C years o
age. He came to this Coast in 1853
and engaged in business and MINING
until 1866 He then began on thu
great task which occupied him till tn
day of his last illness. During thi
time he expended in road-buildini
about the valley upwards of S15O,OOC
Many of these roads involved grea
engineering difficulties, on account o
the steep grades to be overcome an
the necessity Of cutting much of tn
way through solid rock. The finar
cial risk involved was great but Nj
Washburn's faith in the ultimate ou
come of his labors never wavered.
was finally justified by the tide
tourist travel that set in, this seaso
having witnessed an influx of som
1000 visitors.
The following notice of the funer;
of Mr.. Washburn is from the Sa
Francisco Bulletin of Oct. 2S. 9TH
funeral of the late A. Fl. Washbur
took place at IL o'clock today from S
Paul's Episcopal church on Californi
street. It was largely attended. an
the chancel was banked with beautif'
floral offerings. tokens of sympath
and cherished attachment for ma
whose sturdy, noble character had lie
deep impress on the hearts of mar
who mourned sincerely at the funers
There was a large representation
railroad men present at the service
and many prominent business men
the city. From Wawona and the Y
semitic Valley came scores of the Ell
ployes of the pioneer stage drive
Every man and woman who could
spared from the duties of their P
sitions, hotel people. teamsteI
drivers. hostlers and workmen ge
orally on the rolls of the Yosemi
Stage and Turnpike company gat
cred at the church to pay their I
spects to one who had been a xii
and appreciative employer The So
vices were simple, the rites of q
Episcopal church being celebrate
The honorary pail bearers, chos
from among the close personal frien
of the deceased stage owner, were
S. Wilson, d. w. Hitchcock, John
Irish, R. H. Pratt, T. H. Goodma
Thomas P. Hayes, L. F. Rowell, a.
G. S. Givens, who represented the
semitic Valley commission. The ;
tive pail bearers were chosen frc
among the old stage drivers. some
whom had driven the Yosemite stag
in early days and since the line W
first established by Mr.. Washbul
1t was very affecting to see them
this last honor to the man they h
known and loved as a friend. A sp
ial funeral train left Third and Tow
bend streets at 80 o'clock, and
interment was in Cypress Lawn cen
terry"
The public schools will close today
the usual autumn vacation.
Miss Alice Perham of Cambridge
has class of pupils in fancy work
this village.
n. C. Newcomb has sold his farm to
ney NJ. Bailey of this town. Mr.. Bal
will take possession April LIST.
Fred r. Pember returned Monday FIR
a visit to the Mechanics Fair in b
ton and the legislature in Montpelier.
There will be social dance in