Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-10-23
Those Good Old Times.

Though in 1902 Randolph is a particu-
larly bright spot on the map and suffers
no eclipse except an occasional one of the
moon, a writer to the Independent States
man published in 1853, who signed his
article "Aiken.n drew a pen picture OF
prevailing conditions then, which would
incline one to think that perhaps there
may be something TO the heard plant
of s'those good old times,n or that Mr..
Aiken dwelt in an Acadia which existed
partly in his optimistical imagination.
The Christian denomination was con-
sidering at that time the establishment
and endowment OF a Literary and Theo-
logical seminary somew here in New Eng
land. and the citizens of West Randolph
and vicinity took a deep interest in the
movement, being DESTROYS that this place
should be considered an eligible one for
the location OF the new institution OF
learning. Mr.. Aiken proceeded to name
the advantages that might be claimed for
the village, and among Others were these I;
sThe health Of the place. In this West
Randolph is peculiar. Only two or three
cases OF consumption have been known
within a mile OF the village for twelve or
fifteen years. The pure atmosphere, the
character OF the soil, the situation of the
hills, the absence OF unhealthful fogs and
the abundance OF good water, all contrib
ute to this result.
ssThe scenery of the place. In this re-
spect Randolph is not equalled by any
inland town Of Verm ont. Its scenery is
bold, picturesque in the highest degree,
yet well rounded and pleasing to the eye.
From different points in the town the
highest and grandest mountains of the
state are visible.
sThe morals Of the place. This is con-
sideration of great weight and importance.
Say what you will for good instruction at
home, and honor and respect for oneself
and family, young men are much more apt
to be led into dissipated habits when the
avenues to dissipation are open than where
they are all closed and every species OF
vice is rebuked. Here there are no dram
shops, not even a place where lager beer
can be bought; no kind OF gaming is
tolerated, and throughout the town the
sentiment is general that virtue, good
morals and sobriety are better than their
opposites. But yet the people of Randolph
are intellectual, social, generous and
neighborly.
sin and around the village there are
many splendid and eligible sites; emf
nences graded by nature and seemingly
designed by nature for houses and gar
dens and shade trees. The people of Ran
dolph are a worthy class. IL IS the best
farming town in Vermont, and the men
who have reaped the fruits OF produc-
tive soil are ready TO make such advances
peeuniarily as will attest the interest they
have ever taken in all that promotes the
prosperity of the place and the advance
ntent and culture OF their children.
"Draw a line from the northern part of
Maine to the southwest corner OF Connec-
ticut and Randolph will be nearly in the
CENTER says Mr.. Aiken in the flush of his
but a trial Of this at once
makes plain the omission OF the word
straight in his direction about drawing
the line.
While we still have all the scenery,
health, water and farming facilities which
the early inhabitants enjoyed, and many
advantages of which they
never dreamed, still it is doubtful il
modern eulogist would have the seeming
confidence of Mr.. Aiken in representing
Randolph as more impregnable than Eden
10 insidious attacks OF the arch enemy.
(Other locals on next page.