Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-07-13


born on the 23rd of December. 1905, in
Sharon. Windsor county, ". on farm
rented from her father. Solomon Mack.
MIR. Wells went to the town records and
fcrs of the land from the original grantee
down through Solomon Mack to e. IL.
Robinson. and the final transfer from C.
II. Robinson and wife last May to Joseph
+. Smith. trustee in trust for the Nor
mon Church. Finding that the western
boundary of the old Mack farm was tho
and that the Mack farm house, OF which
only the foundations remain, stood across
the town line (Joseph Smith having been
Dor in "a room on the Sharon side Of tho
line), the Mormons purchased a tract Of
sixty-cight acres. lying partly in Sharon
and part in Royalton, comprising the on
stood. On the site OF the farm house they
propose to erect a monument of granite,
the design of which Il cut is given IN tho
Mormon paper 1t is described rs follows !,
| The foundation Will be concrete twelve
feet square First supcrstructurc base
tw, I've icct square. sixteen inches thick.
:, cond base nine feet square by two feet
thick. Inscription die cube SIX feet
square. Moulding seven feet four inches
| by two feet Sin inches. The shaft four
feet at base by three feet at top. thirty
eight and half feet high, a foot for each
year OF the prophets life. snrmount"d by
| a pyramid cap three feet high
| The whole of the supcrstructurc Will be
of dark Barre granite, highly polished
| from base to pinnacle. It's total hoiGhl
Will he about fifty feet and the weight OF
til, ston. about one hundred tons.
| III, die bears tho eruption; Sacred
to the memory Of Joseph smith. tho
Prophet born here, SRI p'ccuUcr. lSo5,
Martyr,d. Carthage, H., 9Th June, iSii.'
Mr. Wells says:
/ The foundation stones of the farm
house are still in place. also tle wallis
OF the cellar and the h"arthst"ne and
door stone and the old we'll now filled
with botildcrs, is stll visible, and con
| tains water. The orchard of apple trees
was quite extensive and many of the old
| trees the trunks of some Of them two
| feet in diameter, are standing ana bear
| ing fruit. The hill, so largely covered
| With apple trees in bloom, Siirniounted
| by the ruins Of the farm house. is very
| picturesque and beautiful. 1t is also iso-
| lated quiet, lovely sylvan spot. sur
! rounded by some Of the most charming
| scenery of the Green Mountains OF which
| varied and extensive views are obtained
| from many points of vantage ON In"
| premises. 1t is probable that tho plac"
| has not changed in its physical appear
| ancc for at least 50 years 1t has been
| known to persons stll living for that
| time as the foundation of the house in
| which J"speh Smith, the rropA"t, was
born. They derived their knowledge of
il from older members Of their own fam
| lilies and neighhors who spoke Familiarity
| and commonly of it as such. I inter
| viewed and took down the testimony of
some of these and have arranged to pro-
cure that of others and to have their
testimony recorded and rcrpetuated ac-
cording to tho Vermont law.
Upon concludinr the purchase of the
premises. designs were prepared for
| some improvements. and especially for
IA suitable monument 10 be erected at
the prophets birthplace in commcmora-
ton of his Tooth birthday.
| These plans have been approved and
| will he carried out. 50 that before the
22rd OF December 1900. this spot. which
must ho dear to the hearts of all Lat
ter-Iav saints Will he marked by an
enduring beautiful monument.
| The inscription running around the
moulding is from the Rible-Iames.
chan. j. verse :: "If any of you lack
wisdom. let him ask of God that givcth
to all men liberally and upbraidoth not.
and il shall he given him" These words
led Joseph Smith to seek the Lord and
started him upon that marvellous mis-
sion and work. which lifted him from
| obscurity to Il place and fame in the
world that has truly caused his name
| ito he had for good and evil among
all nations. kindrods and tongues"
The feeling of friendly interest shown
by the people met at Royalton and
Sharon made the work there very pleas
liant.
Being on the main line Of the Central
Vermont RAILWAY by which through
trains in connection with tho Grand
Trunk system arc run from Chicago tn
Roston ii will DO very convenient for
travellers from thc West especially mis-
sionari"s in going to and returning from
foreign missions. to stop over and spend
| a day or two at this place. which will
forever possess an interest for them AS
tho hirthplaco of one who they honor
and revere. In tho improvements pro-
posed some accommodation Will be pro-
vided for such visitors. There is. how
ever. nothing in the exaggerated dreams
~ some newspaper specials to Justify
tho thought Of establishing there a holy
shrine, or n "Morman'' mecca, to which
tens Of thousands will make the annual
PILGRIMAGE
a decent respect for tho memory of n
man whose lifes work has led to the
| establishment Of n church of sound
faith and community of integrity
numbering three or four hundred thou
sand living adhcrents. is reason enough
WHY, in tho days Of thoir prosperity
they should scck to secure the place
whore he was born and TO set MP there
monument and memorial that shall t"s-
tify 10 mankind Of tho love and respect
in which he is held
1 " Will he 50 received by tho Intelligent
people OF tho world; and ii will he n
source ~ comfort ana happiness to the
followers of Joseph Smith that they have
done this honor to his memory. as u
prophet Of God. IN this hundrcth ami
vcrsary Of his birth"