Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-12-28

New York and New Hampshire. the en-
tire management being under his direc-
ton, subject only to the inspection and
approval of the engineers employed by the
state.
Mr.. Perry was born in Ferrisburg. in 1854.
his family moving in his childhood from
there to Shelburne Falls where he grad
uated from Arms academy. At the age
of IA he began to assist his father, who
was a contractor engaged in building
roads in several towns in Franklin county.
The elder Perry had charge of the con-
struction of the new Newfane' road
along the banks of West river, between
Brattleboro and West Dummerston. This
work was undertaken in 1871 and in 1877
the Perry family became permanent resi-
dents here.
Mr.. Perry was manager of the Bradley
farm three years and for % years owned
farm beyond West Brattleboro. but he
sold this two years ago and now lives
in West Brattleboro village. He first
took charge of the highways in Brattle-
boro IN 1889. when he was elected select
man on the board with the late Col.
George w. Hooker and the late Addison
B. Hall He was reelected selectman two
terms and was then chosen road commits
sioner two terms, being the first man to
fill that Office after it was established by
act of the legislature.
In 1880 a crushing plant was installed
cadam roads ever laid out in Southern
Vermont The effect of this work was
largely spoiled by the building OF the
street railroad, but the stretch OF ma
cadam on Linden street still stands to-
day as a good illustration of a permanent
highway. In 1891 and 1892 in conjunction
with the selectmen, Mr.. Perry did an ex-
tensive work in putting in the surface
drainage on Canal. Washington and Pine
streets, on Chase, Linden and Oak streets,
and on Spruce street and Western ave
nue. About this time a section of ma
cadam road was also built on North Main
street.
Twelve years ago Mr.. Perry was called
to Massachusetts, to build state macadam
roads, and his work there was so salts
factory that he continued to direct the
operations nine years, building stretches
of roads in Shelburne Falls, Charlemont,
auckland, Colrain and Ashfield- Most of
these roads were macadam, but some
were built for permanence with gravel.
When Mr.. Perry first went to Shelburne
Falls to begin this work the people were
skeptical and looked upon work by the
state as interference in local AFFAIRS, but
today they have come to realization OF
the value of good roads and gladly avaii
themselves of state aid whenever 1t can
be secured. Another important under
taking entrusted to Mr.. Perry in Western
Massachusetts was the driving of a big
IQnncl cyJ lccA AO4A6 NAAOAoN $500
for the New England Copper company In
Rowe. This tunnel is in use today In the
work of the company in extracting cop
per.
Mr.. Perry spent two years in directing
the construction of macadam roadways
in Cambridge, n. Y, and the past season
did similar work in Hillsboro, Deering,
Newport and Sunapee, n. H, force OF
men going from Brattleboro as his ASSIST
ants. This was all state work, Mr. Perry
managing all the details, but the state
engineers inspected the work before II
was accepted.
Mr.. Perry married in 1880 Miss Eva j.
Miller of Brattleboro. Mr.. and Mrs
Perry have two sons and two daughters
one son is engaged in the real estate
business in Springfield, Mass, ana Inc
other is a recent graduate of the automo-
bile school in Worcester.
Before receiving his appointment MT
Perry was called to Montpelier for con
sultation with State Highway Commits
sioner Gates and Gov. Proctor. Mr.. Gates
will soon call the different county super
visors together and the general plan o.
the work in the state will then De iaie
out. -.
The provisions of the new highway la ,
and the objects and the scope OF ~
work which will be undertaken are SUP
dects discussed interestingly by the sus az
commissioner in an interview In the y
Adams Messenger which Is reproouoe'
herewith.