The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-10-06
UTWELL- T1RN UM GO.

James M. Boutwell, has sold to H.
". Varnum Of Burlington, one-half
of his famous dark granite quarry in
Barre. The deal, which had been
under consideration for some time,
was completed on Thursday. The
new interest takes possession on Sat-
urday, Oct 1, incorporated under the
name and title of the Boutwell,. Var
mum Company, having capital stock
of 5000, 600, all paid in. The inoor-
porators are the persons Immediately
in interest.
The story of the beginning and
growth of this branch of the Barre
granite industry is extremely interest.
ing aud in striking manner illus
trates tho wonderful possibilities that
Lief not in all local Investments
particularly in this Of granite.
In 1887, J. h. Langdon bought of
the estate of one Cutler for 49, coo,
the property first known as the Lang
don Dark Granite Quarry, siuce 1895
as the Boutwell, Dark Granite Quarry.
In 1890. Mr.. Boutwell,, who had been
dashing engineer-one of the get
there" kind-on the Montpelier and
Wells River Railway, became the
MANAGE of the quarry. Under his
management the quarry prospered,
and in 1895 Mr.. Boutwell, bought the
property paying $40, 900 for it. A
conservative estimate of the value of
the stock that had been quarried dur
ing the eight years of Mr.. Langdon s
ownership would be 5000, COO. The
association of these 8gures with the
price Tor which the property was
bought in 1887 conveys an impressive
| idea of the value of granite property
and ths possibilities of the granite
business, under resolute, pushing and
skillful management.
Up to 1895 the largest annual pro-
duct of the quarry had been 36, 00O
cubic feet of stock, the value at that
time being $1.OO foot The annual
product of the quarry in late year
has been from 80, 0O0 to 100. 900 cubic
feet of stock, valued at from Sl.20 to
a. 90 a cubic foot.
AS to the personnel of the Bout
we'll Varnum Co.. Mr.. Boutwell,
engineer, quarry manager, quarry
owner, mayor of his native city,
bluff, big hearted, good fellow, public
spirited citizen-who can tell Mont
pelier anything about Jim Boutwell,
He started in business without dol.
lar to his name. When he bought
the Langdon quarry there were those
who said he had better stick to his
engine. His business success is due
to the qualities he displayed behind
the throttle in the locomotives cab, -
push and fearlessness, mingled will
discretion and Judgment that showed
he was not entirely the daredevil fol
which his exploits ON the miraculou
grades and curves OF the M. g. W
mad given him the reputation.
Mr.. Varnum is a wealthy citizen o
Burlington. His representative il
the business is his son, Guy r. Var
mum, who gives promise of the quail
tiles that will make him a bushes
associate after Mr.. Boutwell's owl
heart. Young Varnum is 81. HI
graduated from the University o
Vermont at the last commencement
and on the Tuesday following tn
day he took his sheepskin he began
ON the bottom floor, the work o
learning the granite business, unde
so competent preceptor as j. M
Boutwell,. He shoveled, drilled
worked at the derrick, did the thing
: the employees in general do; hi
hands were banged and sore. his bone
and muscles aohed, but he stuck t
: his stunts and his purpose to lear
everything about the business, begin
ming at the very bottom. He ha
been captain of the University bal
team, and in that Office showed tha
he had some OF the qualifications re
a, quired in captain of industry"
The new company has an unsuI