St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-05-18
VERMONT NEWS.

|. r. McJrACns a pOflcGudu OF bufiiuS
ton, was fatally shot May ID by pris
oner whom he had arrested in the lumber
district. Several persons saw the shoot
ing, but the man succeeded in making his
escape McGrath died before medical
aid could reach him. Two honrs after
the police arrested Frank Drake, a de-
serter from the 18th cavalry who was
found hiding in a lumber pile. From
conversation which a witness OF the
shooting heard between McGrath and
his prisoner just as they were lea wing the
lumber yard, the police believe that the
crime was committed by deserter from
the fort. Drake, however denied all
knowledge of the shooting. and no
weapon. was found on his person. The
police are inclined to believe that he is
innocent. but held him for further exam
nation.
The lumber yard is favorite place for
deserters from the fort, as it is there
that trains are made up for the south,
and it is possible to hide in the piles and
escape to New York or Boston.
While the police were examining Drake
they received word from Vergennes, 20
miles south, that a man answering in
some measure the description sent
broadcast throughout the state, had
been seen to leave train from Burling-
ton about 10 p. m.
Some time had been wasted in getting
the dying officer into the ambulance, and
picking up the story from the few persons
who had seen the shooting. During
that period several trains had pulled out
of the yard. Frank Lavallee, night
Waterman in a lumber yard, saw Nc
Grath with his prisoner. He heard the
shots and saw the man running back
through the yard towards the dock.
There he Jumped into boat and rowed
out towards the lake. 1t is thought his
intention was to reach the New York
side.
Baptist Church Celebration.
The First Baptist church of Bellows
Falls celebrated its semi-cenntennial
May and 9. The regular services on
May partook OF memorial character,
while special anniversary services were
held on the afternoon and evening oil
May 9. The morning sermon Sunday
was preached by Rev. c. R. B. Dodge OF
St. Johnsbury, who for ~ years was
pastor of the local church. A commun-
ion service followed the morning meeting
at which 100 present and former mem
bers participated. The roll of the church
was called at this service, and rs men,
bers responded. In the evening a spec
iaf historical meeting ofthe Young Peoples
society of Christian Endeavor was held,
and an historical address was delivered
by F. H. Mark of Bellows Falls. The
preaching service of the evening was in
charge of Rev. W. B. Davidson, the de-
nominational state missionary.
The anniversary exercises proper,
which took place Nav were opened by
devotional song service. Mrs. ]. R. Ball
of Sherbrooke, P. O., read an original
anniversary poem, and historical adj
dresses concerning the Sunday school and
Spring and Rev. c. w. Jackson, re-
spectively. The ministers of the various
churches were present and made short
congratulatory addresses, after which
the afternoon meeting adjourned for a
banquet of the congregation 10 the
church vestry.
Loyal Legion Meeting.
The annual meeting and banquet of
Vermont Commandery, Military Order
of the Loyal Legion, was held Tuesday
evening. May 10, in Burlington. Mem
bers OF the commandery from all parts OF
the state were present.
The business session was held at the
rooms of the commandery in the Hay
ward block, beginning at $50. The re-
ports of the officers for the past year
were received and other routine business
was transacted. One of the features of
the session was the presentation of
memorials to Gen. Stephen Thomas and
Commander Allan Brown. Both men,
oria1s were splendid tributes to the men
for whom they were written. Officers
for the ensuing year were elected as
follows:
Commander, Col. Redfeld Proctor, U.
S. ", Proctor.
Senior vice-commander, Admiral George
Dewey. U. S. N.
Junior vice.commander, Brevet Major
Gardner S. Blodgett, U. S. A, Burling-
ton.
Recorder, Brevet Captain Henry o.
Wheeler, U. S. ", Burlington.
Treasurer, Charles E. Beach, U. S. ",
Burlington.
Registrar, Lieut.. Carlos q. Williams,
U. S. ", Burlington
Chancellor. Major Charles L. Wood
bury, U. S. ", Burlington.
Chaplain, Rev. Edwin Nd. Haynes, U.
S. v, Rutland.
Council, Major Walter S. Vincent, o. S.
V, Burlington; Captain Marshall 81.
Twitchel, U. S. ". Kingston, Ont; Lieut..
John c. Blackmer, y. S. ", Manchester
Depot; Major Henry w. Hovey, o. S. A.,
Mortified.
After the business session banquet
was served in the Van Ness house, which
was followed by post-prandial exercises.
Several new applicants were elected to
membership.
New Church Organized.
The Rev. Hiram F. Reynolds of Barre,
who is pastor of the Pentecostal church,
has organized new society in Johnson,
the &c members formerly having been
members of the Methodist Episcopal
church at that place. The split evidently
occurred with regard to the doctrine of
holiness, although the bishop acceded to
the request of a majority of the society
at conference and sent them man who
preached their doctrine. 1t yet remains
to be seen whether the Rev. I. T. John
son, a local Methodist preacher who has
supplied the Methodist church at John
son for two and half years. will become
the pastor of this new flock. He was
candidate for the general conference last
month. Not being a member of confer
ence he was technically a ''layman" and