Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-01-13

There was consummated in Brattloboro
this week a sale of about 5000 acres Of
timberland i'm Somerset and Stratton
which will be of vital Importance i'm the
effect it will have on the vast wooded
area. 1875, 900 to $50, 900 acres in extent
in the counties of Windham, Windsor
Rutland and Bennington. 1t is sort Of
echo of the big deal which was attempted
last summer but which was abandoned,
and the story of its relation to that effort
makes an interesting chapter.
The land sold this week is known as
the Peck property. formerly the Chase
property w. w. Peck e. Sons of Nor
risville sold 1t to Fremont II. Wright Of
Auburndale. Mass, and some Boston men.
who the Boston men are is not stated,
but 1t is rumored that they are backed
by Thomas w Lawson which makes the
sale all the more interesting because of
the understanding that the deal which
was attempted last summer was backed
by the Standard oil interests.
The Peck cumberland Is covered with
heavy growth Of spruce, with a fair
amount of hard wood. The price paid by
Mr. Wright and his associates was APP
proximately $l75, 900. The tract contains
about 10000 600 feet of timber. Mr.
Wright controls the section owned by the
Battenkill Lumber company Of ManChes-
ter. consisting Of $4,000 acres. also other
lois amounting TO from EuVO 10 5OOO acres,
making an aggregate of about $4,000
acres owned or controlled 10y one manage
ment, and from which may be cut 200
900 900 feet of saw logs.
The sale of this tract gives Mr.. Wright
the key to the outlet of this great timber
territory, including not only his holdings
but the adjacent properties. 1t means
that a railroad will be run into the tim
Der belt. which will draw from the Peck
property the big Griffith tract. the Tudor
property, the timberland owned by the
Gallup Lumber Co. the Battenkill Lum-
Der Co, and other areas. just when this
will be done or 10y whom II will be
carried out cannot be told at present.
The Rutland Railroad company already
has sgnihed Willingness TO run branch
line into the heart OF the lumber region.
The Brattlehoro Il Whitehall road Nigh,
be extended. and ii is understood that
Mr.. Wright would prefer to have the
lumber hauled this way rather than
over the Rutland railroad on the west
side OF the mountain range. The Iiooslc
Tunnel Il Wilmington road also might
he extended. but iuasmuch as the owner
ship OF that road rs antagonistic to Mr.
Wrights interest it is not likely that this
will be done.
The holdings which Mr.. Wright con-
trolls are sufficient alone to guarantee
railroad permanent business The intcn-
ton is not to cut off all the timber. out
to cut it according to the rules OF scien-
ufc forestry, removing certain amount
each year To reach the Peck tract the
Brattleboro & Whitehall road would have
to be extended about 20 miles and be
converted into a broad gauge road To
reach the Peck tract IL would cross the
lands owned by the Gallup Lumber Co.
the BattenlNll Lumber Co. the Tudors
and portion OF the Grifiith estate. The
Gallup property is located I'm Winhall and
Stratton and the Battenkill property in
Winhall, Stratton, Sunderland and Man
chester The Gallup Lumber Co. now
haus its timber eight miles To the Brat
tleboro & Whitehall railroad This com
pany is planning To draw to the Rutland
road at Manchester after this winter I'M
less the Brattehoro & Whitehall road is
extended. The distance would be about
the same. but the additional advantage
Of a broad gauge road would be afforded
The Gallup company cut 5000. 900 feet
last winter. 1t is desired 10 increase the