News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-06-03

ing Will Be Completed at a Cost o
$4,000. Secretary Shaw Will DeIiv
-er Address.
From the Burlington Free Press
The Old Home Week idea in Stowe
is not waning as it is in some sections
of the state. The event has been sue
cessfully observed here each year since
it was established and this year
promises to eclipse all previous ef-
forts in that line as that week has
been set for the presentation and dedi-
cation of Akeley Memorial Building
to the town. The building is now in
the,hands of the finishers and it is con-
fidently expected will be ready for dedi-
cation during Old Home Week. Mr..
Thomas has obtained a promise from
Secretary Shaw to be present aud de-
liver an address. Mr.. Akelty will also
be present.
In addition to this it is probable
that a program covering every day
in the week will be arranged. One
will be devoted to the dedication of
the Memorial Building, another to
the Grange, third to the reunion of
old residents at the Palisades and an
other to sports, etc. There will be a
concert by the Stowe Military Band,
George A. Burnham, director, each
evening, and during the week min
strel show will be given under the aus
pices of the Band.
A general meeting was called Thurs
day evening and elected officers and
committees and also considered fur
ther plans for Old Home Week.
The donor Of the public building is
Healy Cady Akeley of Minneapolis.
He was born in Stoweabout IS years
ago. His parents were living at the
time on what is known as the Shaw
farm above Moscow. His father died
while Mr.. Akeley was still quite young
and he had his own way to make in
the world. Stored away in many q
house in Stowe is a map Of three
counties with all the roads and the
names of the hOuseholders given
Some of the older inhabitants will re-
member when Mr.. Akeley, then a
young man, trundled q whet harrow
all over town, making surveys and
getting information for the making
of the maps. Mr.. Akeley studied law
in Waterbury and was admitted to
the bar. Not long after he left bis ma
tive town for the west. He settled In
Michigan, practiced law for a time
but he made his fortune In the lumber
business. He has resided in Minnea-
polls for the past Is years.
Mr. Akeley is related to several fami-
dies in Stowe and has always taken 8 IN
interest in the welfare of the place.
One of his relatives is II. G Thomas.
Mr.. Thomas was born In Stowe in
1916. He served in Co. E 3D. Vt. reg
iment in the Civil War. In 1867 he
went to Grand Haven, Mich, where
for two years he was in partnership
with Mr.. Akeley. In 1851 he went to
Minneapolis, where he Was In business
until 1896 when he returned to Stowe.
Soon after becoming a resident of
Stowe Mr.. Thomas began raising
funds for the purpose of building d
soldiers monument. Upon hearing
Mr.. Thomas plans Mr. Akeley said he
thought it better to build for the living
than the dead. He then proposed to
give the town building which, while
serving as memorial for Stoves de-
parted soldiers, should also be of
lasting benefit to the citizens of the
town. This most gracious and unso-
licited Offer was accepted and plans
for carrying it out were at once en-
tered upon. The entire charge of the
work was placed in the hands of Mr..
Thomas and his sister, Mrs. Julia
Cakes. Mr.. Thomas has decided
upon plans and details, bought all
the materials, engaged all the help
and receipted all the bills.
To Mrs. Cakes was given the office
of treasurer. All the money expended
has passed through her hands.
Mr.. Akeley made this proposal
while On visit to Stowe in the sum
mer of 1901. He it was who first
suggested the site afterward chosen
dor the building, on the northern side
of central Main street on the ground
occupied by the Gov. Bingham house.
This and the Stockwell house were
moved away and work was begun on
the foundation in the fall of 1901.
The corner stone was lai on Memoir
ial day, 1902 From the first every
thing has been done in the most
thorough manner. No pains or ex-
pense has been spared to make every
part of the building the best ofits kind
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING.
The building is in old colonial style
throughout, with solid red brick walls
and light Barre granite trimmings
1t is 48xS8 feet outside, with two
stories and basement. The base.
ment is of granite, broken ASHER
work. The windows are all of plate
glass, except the tops of the windows
in Memorial hall, which are of heavy
amber ripple glass. Four white col
umns and six pilasters support the
roof OF the colonial porch. The floor i:
of concrete, the root of the building il
slate, the Hastings and conductors o.
copper. The cupola has an octagor
base, and dome supported by slen
der white columns, and urmounteC
by fagsta fl rising 25 feet above the
dome and 60 feet above the ground
Tho Urounds in front will no finishar