Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-09-29

and in 1901 was transferred back to
Gardner, assuming the position Of ticket
agent. For the past four years he has
served the public in this capacity and
enjoys his task heartily. During the half
century that Mr.. Brooks has been identi-
ned with railroading there has been
marked change in the ownership and
management Of the lines that form a
closely woven network OF steel bands all
over New England. Originally there were
scores OF small railroad companies own
ing locations here and there. Gradually
they were leased or bought up by the
larger organizations.
When Mr.. Brooks first took I'D the
work the Fitchburg railroad ran from
Boston to Fitchburg The Vermont &
Massa chusetts railroad ran from Fitch
burg to Greenfield, with a branch from
Millers Falls to Brattleboro. The Ches-
hire railroad ran from Bellows Falls to
South Ashburnham. but had an arrange
ment with the Vermont & Massachusetts
whereby II ran its trains through from
south Ashburnham to Fitchburg with
It's own crews and keeping all the fares
and freight money received, paying the
Vermont & Massachusetts railroad $50, 900
year for this right.
When Mr.. Brooks first went to Gardner
as station agent there was one passenger
train each way a day, and one regular
freight train. A small engine drew a
baggage car and one passenger coach
Air brakes had not been thought OF.
Hand brakes were the means employed
for stopping the cars. There was no
telegraph system from station to station
The train running from Brattleboro to
Fitchburg had the right OF way. II il
failed 10 put In an appearance on time
owing to accident, snow blockade or other
cause, the northbound train could not
start out until the southbound train had
I'D
engines burned wood for fuel. A huge
woodshed, holding 800 cords of wood, at
the Gardner station. kept the tenders well
filled. Mr.. Brooks and one assistant
Barney Hennigan, did all the freight and
passenger business at the Gardner sta
ton. which today requires the services
OF SO men. Gardner then had less than
5000 population. One side track was SUI
ficient to accommodate all the freight cars
that were switched of to unload or re-
ceive freight at Gardner
The Boston, Barre and Gardner rail-
road, now the Worcester division of the
Boston & Maine, had not been thought of
IN those days. Later the Fitchburg rail-
road bought the Cheshire railroad, leased
the Vermont & Massachusetts road, and
gained control OF the Boston, Barre q.
Gardner road. All these in turn were
leased about 10 years ago by the Boston
a. Maine under the name Of the F1tchburg
DdAAh6 bTOOkS long resi-
dence In Brattleboro he saw many changes
take place In railroad interests and man
agement The Vermont & Massachusetts,
road sold its line from Brattleboro to
Millers Falls to the New London & North
ern. Vermont capitalists began the con-
struction OF the Brattleboro & Whitehall
narrow gauge railroad, but failed to COM
plete 1t, so the New London & Northern
road took up the work, and after its COM
pletion leased it to the Central Vermont
railway. The track was changed over to
the standard gauge a few months ago,
the work being performed in one day.
Mr. Brooks was superintendent Of the
narrow gauge road for IS years.
He served as agent at Brattleboro for
both the Vermont & Massachusetts, and
the Vermont Valley railroads. Fifteen
freight cars made an average train, and
II by chance the engine was able TO hsnI
rs cars 1t was called remarkable while
in Brattleboro Mr. Brooks became deeplv
interested in Masonry. He is a member of
Columbian lodge, A. f. and A. M, Fort
Dommer chapter, r. A. NJ, Beausant
commandery, X. T., and Connecticut VAL
ley council, all OF Brattleboro. For 21
consecutive years he was treasurer Of
these four bodies. He also belongs 10