Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-09-04

. tuition. No woman presumed to join un-
til aoout the middle OF the last century,
when Selinda Griswold became the first oil
that sex to secure membership. Later,
women were placed on the committee for
the selection OF books and took an inn
portant part in the enterprise.
The first library meetings are supposed
to have been held at the home OF Elijah
Lyman About 1912, the library was NOV
ed to the sold halln at BrookiieId Center.
The hall was over the tavern bar room,
and here the old chest containing the
worn volumes was kept.
Ii was after the women were admitted
that one auctioneer OF books, annoyed by
the hum OF conversation, said, 30, ladies,
with all your faults we love you still
still-still, " his voice gradually falling 10
a whisper.
In 1857 the library was moved to the
vestry Of the I'd Congl church. In 1881 it
was moved TO the Masonic hall, where IL
has remained until its present quarters
have been provided.
In all. 2407 books have been admitted or
purchased. At present, there are 1852
volumes. Two gifts of 800 each have
been received, from Hon. Warren Smith
OF Rutland and Mrs. Lucinda Smith.
The sketch closed with an earnest testi-
monial to the worth OF the library, as a
means Of mental uplift 70 the community
IN all these years.
W. 5. Ailis Of Norwich, Conn, was
unable TO be present TO perform the part
assigned him. The ladies' quartette, Mrs.
Ruth Angel, Mrs. w. w. Sprague, Mrs.
W. II. Sprsgue and Miss Gertrude Jack
son, sang selection, which was followed
BY the "star-spangled Banner" by the
chorus and people.
During the noon hour, lunch was spread
on the tables In the dining room below.
Many basket gave forth the cheer that
Il Characteristic OF Brookheld. Hot
coffee was served. Many took the oppor-
tunity 10 examine the hall and surround
ings
The afternoon session opened with
selection By the chorus.
To Hon. e. n. Bigelow was assigned a
historical sketch 81 the town. His article,
which Is bat crudely outlined below, was
the fruit OF long and careful research and
held the closest attention Of his hearers.
Mr.. Bigelow first gave a description OF
the system o. securing land grants from
New Hampshire prior 70 the establish
ment Of a state government la Vermont. I
Charters were secured for township gov
ernmcnts, after due examination by a
special legislative committee, ON payment /
o. q Gee 81 s2300.
The Brookaeld charter, granted By Yer /
mont 10 Phineas Lyman and 65 others, and /
dated Aug. s, 1871. was read. At this time 1
there was quite colony Of settlers in |
Brookheld, most OF whom came from /
Massachusetts and Connecticut, recog-
nized for their strength Of mind and /
character.
The first settlement in town was made
in i77g by Can't Shuhael Cross and wife
ON the farm now owned by y. Wheatley. II
The same year Il Il said that John Paine II
settled ON the East branch. Next year
quite a number OF settlers came. The II
names Of these pioneers have been pre-
served in town down 10 the present The
nrst town meeting was held At Mr. Cross
house Mar is, i7s5.
Town meetings were held at private
houses until the first meeting house was
in i782. Il was located south
rom Williams Malbridge's house, and is
part OF John Heath's present barn. In
SOP, the second church was completed
Ind In that meetings were held until lS47
ince which time the meetings have been
ield IN the third church basement at the |
ENTER.
A list OF the town clerks and their time
u service was given. Mr.. Bigclow him
elf i serving his fifteenth year. ,
In 1870, II was voted TO build a meeting \
louise and a tax Of $50 was laid for the
anne. The first church was brought to
with funds secured by bidding [
N the pews for wheat. II was a small
tructure, OF the familiar old style
Each family was required 10 support
he church unless il went through a form
4 putting on record its disagreement with
he kind OF worship. Payment was In D
produce Of the EARTH The early
reachers were named, also the salaries
hey received. G
In 100, the town was laid out into n
chool districts. Later, ladies seminary n
'as built at the Center. In 1894, there
ere al children ~ school age In town;
1870, 6ol, with 50 others enrolled as non
esident.
The town was divided into highway
istricts in 1871, and the speaker gave facts
iruction. n
The early doctors we're mentioned.
hen naturally followed the cemeteries.
he first cemetery was on the branch. on -
ne farm now owned by j. VI. sprague. u
he hrst laid out cemetery Is the one at
be branch, laid out in 1871.
Many miscellaneous facts were given.
he first case OF lawlessness I'm town was
sabbath breaking, and offences Of that
ature were frequently noted. II was
lstomary TO require families liable TO =
ecome chargeable to the town to depart 4
rookheld's vote on the question oflicense N
the early days was given, usually, ON II
le side Of no-license.
A valuable chapter OF Brookfeld's part
the civil war was presented. In all, the
wn had l33 men enlisted, Of whom Is
ed, l6 were wounded, five killed. and rs
ade prisoners. The town paid in boun- III
IS sss,075.S5. N
The sketch closed with an interesting
cord OF the political history OF the town, II
!. ! ne male quartette sang and responded III
it'll an encore.
A favorite son OF Brookfeld, Prof.
ndrew w. Edison OF New York city. gave
most helpful and inspiring address. He III
welt first on the Brookfield Of ton orrow. III
ggestlng many ways whereby, with II
Tie labor and expense, the town NAV ~
lproved and beautified. His reminis-
nses and apt stories illustrated every II
INT. He advised keeping the library III
'en two days a week, and that omar III
nifty be afforded for reading Of news III
pers and playing innocent games. He II
ought that Carnegie might sometime n
m the construction Of a special library
Hiding.
Mr.. Edison then turned to his theme N
oper, Education" His ANALYSIS OF
hat education really is and what stems -
necessary to attain il met with
rdial response from his attentive