Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1906-10-12
LARRABEE'S POINT.
Christening the New Ferry Boat.
Historical Review of the Place.
Large Crowd Present.

A correspondent sends the following
account of the christening of the new
ferry boat at that point. The event took
place at Kings hotel. Mr. j. Henry
Magonigle, of New York, made the fol-
lowing remarks on the occasion:
Ladies and gentlemen:-We have as
sembled here today for the purpose of
celebrating an event which is of no small
consequence to Larrabee's Point, and
which may be conducive to bringing
back to it some of its former popularity
as point of embarkation. There stands
a yet substantial building erected in 1923,
just S3 years ago, which was then, and
Tor many years since, the distributing
center to very large district of every
kind of merchandise; and just below us
are the forlorn remains of what was
once Furnishing mill to which millions
of feet of timber were floated, to be
sawed into marketable lumber for build
ing and other purposes. These were
very large industries at that time which
made Larrabees Point of some import
ance, and which still point to a prosper
GUS era of the past.
The facilities for crossing the lake
IL
years been entirely inadequate, so much
so, that the travel and traffic in great
measure have been diverted from their
logical direction and have sought point
further north, where greater conven-
fences were offered, and more rapid
service than that existing at Larrabee's
Point. Hence, there has been a con-
slant falling off of the patronage of the
farmers and others, which this place
formerly commanded, who preferred to
go few miles further with the assur-
ance that they could make up the diff
ference in distance by the time saved
in prompt transit across the lake; in
other words, they found that for them,
the furthest way around was the surest
and quickest way across.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, our friend
MIR. King, realizing and approaching
this condition of things, has concluded
to add to the present facilities additional
means of conveyance across the lake
not in the petty spirit of rivalry or oppo-
sition, but by offering to the public the
same facilities as those offered by your
neighbors at Crown Point, that the
straying travellers in outlying sections
may be brought back to the legitimate
and logical crossing point to the State
of New York. With this disideration
in view, has he had this unique and
substantial vessel built; and l hope that
every enterprising citizen of this section
will heartily cooperate with him in fur
thering this enterprise.
don't know, my friends, that |
can say anything more to emphasize
this matter, other than to wish Mr.. King
good-speed and all prosperity in his very
laudable and praise worthy undertaking;
and in order that this vessel shall be
a recognized factor in transportation he
has concluded to have her formally and
publicly baptized, which Mrs. Jessie
Plumb will now proceed to do.
Mrs. Plumb, who is very near rela.
tive of Mr.. J. G. Brown. the we'll known
artist of New York city, took her place
and said, "By the authority in me
! vested, herewith name thee 1.-THE Lar
rabee," at the same time breaking the
bottle OF wine over the bow of the yes
sci.
After the cheers and applause follow
ing this act had subsidized, Mr.. Magon
igle again stepped forward saying he
had one word more to say, which h,
wished to whisper in Mr.. Kings ear:
''Mr. King, few of your friends il
recognition of your efforts to add to tn,
travelling facilities of this place, and as
mark of their personal regard and ap
probation as man and public spirited
citizen, desire me, as their representa-
tive (and assure you, it is yer,
pleasurable duty, to present you will
this flag, on which they have had in
scribed the name of your vessel. Ant
we all hope that the Larrabee may neve
strike her colors, but win and accom-
plish the object for which she has beer
built"
The running up Of the flag wa
greeted with great cheers. The fla,
is fine piece of blue bunting, 6x1O, tn
name, "Larrabee," being inscribed il
large white letters diagonally across it