Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-02-10
"a BASE FABRICATION ?
Two DissimiIar Communications Re-
garding Case Of Destitution.

no other notice than the paper that
you sent them Selectman b. M.
Newton and Overseer of the Poor F.
Z. Furber proceeded to investigate
the case Of Thomas Barrett, near
Bridgewater line they found nearly
the whole base fabrication to use
these terms they found perfectly
contented family happy hale and
robust plenty to eat and plenty Of
fuel and two good warm fires, also
all comfortably clothed. Mr..
Barrett informed them that he
was much better OF than last win
ter as he had had plenty of work
all winter which he did not
last winter, he was then asked if
he had a horse die. yes, did
you skin il, yes, what did
you do with it, l drew it down
into the spruces and buried it..
what did you feed it on hay,
was the reply where did you
get your hay l bought it of Mr.
Dugan, how did you get it, l
took two wool sacks and famed
them together by pressing it in l
could get 100 pounds in when
that was gone got more upon
investigating they found about
half a sack Of good hay they
then told Mr. B. what took them
there he says. why I think my
horse was poisoned and would not
have dared do it, they then went
and found the horse in a hollow
place covered up with spruce bows
as he could not get dirt it being
frozen so hard, the horse was cut
in two to make it so he could draw
it on a hand sled but other wise all
in tack he was asked why he
skinned it and he said he thought he
could use the skin to make some
snow shoes, for another winter. MIR
Furber has been there several times
before as the town cared for Mr.
BIS mother and also buried her and
he says he found them much more
comfortable than at any previous
visits, now right here | think little
advice not amiss when smelling
around for bad odors please assure
your self that your nose is not long
enough to cross the line as it may
lead you into unpleasant difficulties
for the town of Reading also the
authorities are not quite ready to be
maligned in any such way, and can
take care of their poor while
longer without outside inter1er-
ence, one thing is sure Messrs New
ton and Furber are indebted to some
one for hard days work for which
they are not quite ready to extend
quest in justification to themselves
and the town.
Mrs. F. c. FURBER.
The correspondents criticism of
the item in the Age Of Jan. Fl re-
ating to the Barrett family seems to
call for some amendment under the
In the first place the
Age did not "malign" the town Of
Reading or its authorities, as re-
terence to the item will show. 1t
merely called attention to the condi-
hat time, as reported by a man
whose word it has no reason to
doubt, and who again, over his own
signature, states the conditions as he
'ound them. AS he says, after his
visit to the Barrett place, the Kings
Daughters OF Woodstock sent a large
bundle of good warm clothing to the
family, which accounts for their
'hale, hearty and robust" appear
ance when visited by Mr.. Newton
and MIR. Furber. Here is MIR. Pin
ney's letter, which appears to make
unnecessary the production Of fur
Their evidence in substantiation OF
the Ages statement:
Mr.. Pinney's Statement.
BRIDGEwATER Feb. 7, 'o6.
Editor Spirit Of the Age:
Dear Sir: AS there seems to be
A misunderstanding in regard to the
matter of the Barrett family in Read
ing, as noted in your paper of re-
cent date, l would like space to state
the condition of said family as l
found them on my visit there.
was sent there by DR.. Jewett Of
Woodstock, local officer Of the HUI
name Society, to investigate a COM
plant entered to him in regard to a
horse kept by Barrett. l went there
and found the horse in poorly fed
and so reported to DR..
Jewett. Barrett agreed to take bet
Ter care OF the horse, and the matter
was allowed to rest, but later the
horse died.
AS regards what food the family
lad at that time am unable to state,
is my business there did not call me
@ investigate, but the family were in
| destitute condition as regards
clothing. The four children, two
IF whom are girls, were all without
shoes or stockings, and | am IN
ormed from reliable authority that
such has been the case all winter.