Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-07-07
BOY PRIMERS.
More About early Days Of Randolph
and Its Enterprisins Youths.

and Its Enterprisins Youths.
George Partridge OF San Francisco, Cal,
IN answer to an inquiry for the biography
of Calvin Edison, one Of the famous twins
known as 'the living Skeletons gives
some entertaining "reminiscences of his
boyhood at Randolph Center in the follow
ing letter. Mr.. Partridge, one OF the first
journalists in this town, is now publishing
al san Francisco "The Pick and Drill. a
handsome sixteen-page monthly devoted
to the mining and oil interests Of the Pa
cific coast. He writes
Il never preserved the pamphlet asked
for. II was a pretended biography Of
Bony Edison for distribution when he was
exhibited in black tights around the coun-
try, written by the late Rev. q. y. Max
ham, familiarity called 'Gustave. Bony
could not recognize himself as he read il
any more than Rip Van Wrinkle when he
saw himself in the glass. 1t would GER
tainly amuse me TO read il again.
''But how little we think OF preserving
passing things that in after life we would
prize as history. For example, / never
preserved a single copy OF the Autumn
Leaf or Enterprise, that ] made the
presses for and worked SO hard at night
times to PRINT, and only one copy of the
'Nonpareil.' which followed the latter.
How ] would enjoy reading over the ef-
forts Of So years ago.
"When came here in 1885 / found a copy
OF the Autumn Leaf in the possession Of
Mrs Eastman, who was Bessie Parish,
printed in 1s47. Now 60 with me, she
said, and see a man you will be glad to
meet. He proved TO be Leland II. Wake
field one of the editors. He left Randolph
in 1919 and had never heard a word of
him. He made his way TO Portland, Ore,
was early postmaster of that city and one
OF the founders of the First National
bank, great bank today, in which he
is still interested. He removed to Oak
land, was a member of the Common
Council and is a wealthy and highly re-
spected citizen. Our acquaintance was
pleasantly resumed. His brother ] met
once in Portland and he was a wealthy
and prominent citizen. By the by, may
mention another Hill boy, who viii be re-
mem bered by many now living, Henry Z.
Boardman. / used TO visit him In Mar
shalltown, Iowa. He became one Of the
ablest lawyers in Iowa. He died a few
years ago at II years Of age, and left an es-
tate Of TWO million dollars, most OF which
be left to the son OF his brother, Edison.
sin the 'forties, the Center was probably
a livelier place than il is now. In fact II
rather beat the West village which has made
such a march abroad. There were two
stores doing quite large business and we
Floodwood. IL was a great day for US
bows. odd Pinney' was ever present
in the corner OF the old meeting house
that made a good nook for his ginger
bread and cider cart. The day was the
event OF the year, more interesting 10 the
boys than the town meeting or Nose
Cheney and Pennock's winter singing
schools.
0But the boys were put to their trumps
for amusement. There was relief oeca-
sionally in the itinerant lecturer, who
came with the magic lantern, the electrical
machine, the orrery and astronomical Ian
tern. the manikin and mesmerism. These
suggested the organization OF the Academy
OF Arts and Sciences. We duplicated in a
crude way the magic lantern, but eoiors
battied US, also the electrical machine,
which actually shocked the community.
The orrery was duplicated in way and
David gave profound lectures on the
heavens. The manikin, however. stumped
Us. was the only mechanic in the insti-
tuition and had to do all the making.
Then David thought il would be hne
thing to print paper. Forthwith l made
a little tread press. Squire Nutting had
DR. Reesi encyclopedia that contained a
picture of the old elbow press. Then cut
a word in large type, and my delight at
getting a good impression may be mag
med, but il read the wrong way. large
press was then made and a small font OF
second hand type was purchased in Bos-
ton for s12, which made one page, and the
Autumn Leaf was launched. 1t took
four impressions for its four leaves. After
these issues a still larger press was made
and The Enterprise was printed for II
mortal months, twice as large. The boy
editors were G. n. Markham and Truman
II, Stafford, the remarkable prodigy in
mental mathematics, then about II years
old. He died a few years ago, a professor
in Ann Arbor. II was no doubt the best
paper ever printed and edited by boys, all
under IS wears old. in the United States.
"Towards the middle OF the year, some
OF the bows who helped set type went
away, and others were too tired 10 work
or write at night. Henry had gone to
Law school and the work fell on me.
can hear The squall of that tread press to
this day.
"The 'Nonpareil' followed for year.
One of our contributors to the Enter
prise who lived in Hartford, Ct, wished
10 ioin me, but could not print any more
and was to start for college. Much read
ing of our exchanges had given me as
taste for the old furniture and sleigh fac
tory, which had given me trade, now
ever, something Vermont boys IN those
DAYS had to learn more than nowadays.
He offered TO print the paper at Hartford,
kent at the business another year while
studying This young man was ID: NJ
Bartlett, who became famous as a wash
ington correspondent and secretary OF the
Japanese Embassy. After the second
number he went to London with Emu
Barrel. the learned blacksmith. He wrote
letters to the 'NonpareiP every month,
which were published in book, entitled
Nv hat / saw in London. He was sue
ceeded by NJ. II. Burleigh, the poet. The
'Nonpareil was beautliuly prlnteu
ouarto OF eight pages Of the highest order
Of literature 1t was but 25 cents year
and the circulation was over lO,OOO. II
was losing adventure in penny splitting
| times and expired in one year.
"But must tell OF the personnel OF ths
! little acorn the Academy of Arts anc
Sciences. Henry was the oldest, heuten-
ant in the army, and after the war NUM-
cipal Judge OF Minneapolis. George wal
| second assistant provost marshal general
- Ill. kn u .