davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04

lowing Christmas and spent the day with
their daughter Mrs. Harry Nelson.
Mrs. Curtis Robinson and son, Ralph
of Springfield, Mass, visited at her
fathers, j. O. Smiths, from Wednesday
until Saturday last week. Mr.. Smith is
improving slowly from his recent fall
The schools in the place have taken up
their winters work after a weeks va
cation al Christmas time. Miss OBrien
Of Rockingham teaches in district No.
and Miss Frost of Bellows Falls in No. g.
About 30 of the friends and neighbors
of Mr.. and Mrs. Lemon A. Wilder called
upon them to congratulate them upon
reaching their fortieth wedding ami
versary last Thursday evening. Mr. and
Mrs. Wilder were married in Saxtons
River Dec 81 1866, Mrs. Wider's maiden
name being Miss Caroline Minard. AZ
ter living there a few years they came
to this town, buying the farm then own
ed and occupied by r. l.. Crowell, re-
naming there until a few years ago,
when failing health obliged them to sell
the farm which was bought by John
Doray. The farm buildings were de-
stroyed by fire last fall Mr.. and Mrs.
Wilder are now living in c. W. Brookss
tenement near the village. The gather
ing was a complete surprise to Mr. and
Mrs. Wilder, but they heartily welcomed
the guests and entered into the spirit of
the occasion. Bountiful refreshments
were served during the evening. The
company left al a late hour after heartily
wishing the bride and groom continued
prosperity and happiness.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
MASSACHUSETTS NOTES.

Three new directors OF the Shelburuc
Falls and Colrain street railway company
have been elected to nh vacancies brought
about 10y the recent change iu the control
OF tho road Tho new men are Moses
Newton of Holyoke. Martin ~ Brown Of
Wilmington. and Frank l.. Reed Of East
hampton. The directorate now comprises
the above mentioned and +. l. Daven-
port president. Lorenzo GrisWoid. @. W.
jerks and c. w. Hawks. W. : Ball has
resigned as treasurer. but his resignation
has not been accepted.
\ fine buck deer, weighing nearly 200
hounds. was killed by the cars on the
Central Vermont railroad near the South
Montague station. The animal had hand
some antlcrs. \ NJ. Lyman was called
and he distributed the meat to the sec
tion hands and a few nciChbnrs Three
or four deer have been killed in the same
spot within year. They came In search
Of food In adjoining gardens and We're
caught in the railroad cut before they
were aware of their danger \ deer was
killed and another deer wounded recently
by being struck by "A locomotive near
Dcorhcld
Frederick Payne 50, was killed under a
sawdust pile on South mountain. near
Shclburnc Falls Dec -. He drove with
a single horse To the mountain TO get "A
load Of sawdust. but he failed To return
and an investigation showed his body
covered with sawdust one hand sticking
out Of the pile. The ice and snow owl
IDENTIFY fell on him. forcing his body
against the sled and stunning him. II
DE had not been stunned the weight Of
the sawdust was not enough to prevent
him from throwing 1t Of. He was en-
ployed 10y =. G. Frost about q stable and
i'm other work. He had lived in Shelhurne
Falls many years. He is survived 10y "a
wife, daughter and brother.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
GRAFTON.

Mrs. ]. NJ. Edison went to Brattleboro
Monday.
L. Einstcin Of New York is boarding
at the hotel
Clifford Woodland has been spending a
few days in Athens.
Miss Hattie futile Of Brattleboro has
been visiting relatives here.
Lewis Walker visited in South windham
from Wednesday until Sunday.
Mr. and Miss Bacon of Bellows Falls
visited Miss Ruth Cove Friday.
Mrs. II. r. Church entertained a party
of friends at her home Tuesday evening.
Mrs. Lizzie Wellman has been spending
a week at her home in West Townshend.
Mrs A. G. Rice and Carl Rice Of Bel
lows Falls visited here Thursday and
Friday.
c. II. Palmer and Miss Florence Adams
have been spending a few days in Will
Evansville.
Mr. and Mrs. William Colburn attended
a meeting OF Pomona Grange in Peasville
Wednesday.
Mr. and Mrs W. II. Burlingame are &C.
cupying Miss Sarah Ayers house during
her absence.
Mr. and Mrs. J. b. Barrett have moved
from Mrs. Reeds tenement to w. 5.
Homcnway's.
I'm Simonsvllc from Friday until Tues
day Of this week.
Miss Sarah Ayers went Friday to Bos-
ton. where she will spend the remaining
months Of the winter with Mrs. A. II.
Willard.
The village schools were not in session
from Friday until Wednesday on account
Of the absence Of the teachers, Miss HaZ-
eltne and Miss Adams.
tanned a party Of about 90 during the
holidays. including all their children, who
were together for the first time in sew
eral years.
Mrs Thaddeus Park entertained a few
friends Thursday evening in honor Of
Carton Park ana his friend Ralph Jones.
The parlor was tastefully decora ted with
tiny red bells and evergreens, and the
evening passed pleasantly with games
and contests. Refreshments were served.
Fire was discovered in d. d. Kent's
blacksmith shop Thursday morning about
. o'clock. the flames had made such
progress that 1t was impossible TO save
anything from the building. which was
burned to the ground. Mr.. Kent lost all
his tools and several cords OF wood. He
carried a small insurance.
Mrs md Mrs. s. ]. Walker met with
a serioLs accident Sunday morning as
they were driving toward South Wind
ham. When opposite w s. Hemenway' S
the horse suddenly became unmanageable
and plunged down the bank. which is
steep and rocky at that point. Mr.. Wal
ker was not seriously injured but Mrs.
Walker was thrown about 80 feet and
injured her back and knee and received
severe bruises. She is now confined 10
the bed. The horse. which was one Mr..
Walker has owned l. years, was dead
when he reached II a few moments after
the accident.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04

of wide usefulness. and of complete self
effacement have been dwclt upon. there
remains in our thought of John Mcrrifcld
an indescribable, elusive quality of trans
parencc, Of childlke simplicity and manly
genuineness which touches the heart and
kindes resolve, and that will abide al
ways. When next any of us sees John
Merriheld may no blush mantle the check
for some act we would not have had him
see or know
His life was gentle: and the clements
So miXd in him that Nature might stand
And say to all the world, This was
mani"
The Funeral.
Mr. Mcrrifed's funeral was held in the
Methodist church in williamsville a half
past one Tuesday afternoon. For an hour
previous to the funeral the members Of
the immediate family, personal friends
and those who came from distance gath
cred al the well-known homestead where
the body lay i'm the casket which was
covered and surrounded by tributes Of
flowers which came from many friends
Soon after 1 O'Clock the company at the
house gathered about the Casket anu Rev.
j. G. Hasclton, pastor of the Methodist
church, offered prayer The body was
then taken to the church, attended by
u
Mr.. MeTihelds neighbors and townsfolk
The audience room was completely filled
and some only found room on the stair
way or in the vestihule
The funeral service was conducted by
Rev. VIM. NJ. Newton the presiding elder
who had come to Williamsville to hold
quarterly meeting. The service open
ed with the selection. zone Swe, tly
Solemn Thought" by the choir Rev.
Mr.. Hascltou read from the Psalms
Mr.. Newton followed with the ia
milar passages from /. Corinthians and
offered prayer. The choir sang Rock
Of Ages" and Mr.. Newton then delivered
a brief eulogy, speaking as to friends and
neighbors, with evident appreciation and
warm personal feeling. of those qualities
OF sincerity, unselhshnCss devotion to
duty, and thoughtfulness for others which
marked Mr.. Merrihold's whole life, and
most of all his life in the Nowfanc COM
munity. The service closed with the
hymn, abide with Me"
Judges +. l.. Waterman and ]. L.
Martin, Attorney General Fitts. and other
Brattcboro lawyers and citizens Assistant
Judge +. b. Pier. and men Of prominence
from different parts of the county, with
Hon. John +. Weeks Of Middlebury
Speaker Thomas G. Cheney and Fred l..
Hamilton, clerk of the House Of 1906
occupied seats which had been reserved
FOR those coming from a distance.
John d. Pierce acted as conductor Of
the funeral The bearers were II. +.
FreyenhaEcu. &. G. Hovey L. G. Thayer.
G. u. IaZcllc, 6. W. Dickinson and c. *.
Stcdman The burial was in the family
lot in the Wiliamsvillc cemetery.
Besides many tributes Of flowers from
relatives and personal friends at home.
i'm BrattlcbOro and elsewhere. there were
beautiful floral pieces from the Sunday
school and the Epworth League of the
Methodist church rls Villa IN 81 lilo com
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
The Value Of Farm Products in Vernon,

The department of agriculture has just
issued a bulletin showing the acreage.
production and value OF the principal farm
crops I'm the United States i'm the year
1906. Statistics for Vermont are given as
follows:
Corn-Acreage, 56,491; yield per acre,
$50 bushels production . ,005, $50 bushels
price per hushel 80 cents; total farm
value, S1.1S3,2oi.
Spring whcat-Acreage. 1855: yield per
acre, 22.3 bushels; production, 3Os52
bushels; price per bushel, Sc cents; total
farm value, S26.6l9.
Oats-Acreagc. 1886; Weld per acre.
80 bushels. production . SEQ. 726 bushels
price per hushcl, 43 cents; total farm
value, Sl,23O972.
Barley-Acreage. 12.S10; Weld per acre,
3e.S bushels production. i20,l6S bushels
total farm value, $260,50i
Rye-AcreaEe, 1854; yield per acre. Is
bushels production, 30,520 bushels price
per bushel, GO cents; total farm value,
SlS,922.
Observation-Disclosures, 1905; yield per
acre, 81 bushels; production, l6l, S26;
price per hushel IS cents; total farm
value, 1913. $50
Potatoes-Acreage, 263OO; yield R.r
acre, 101 bushels; price per bushel, So
cents; total farm value, Sl,460, 965.
Hay-ACreaEe. S705S0; yield per acre,
120 tons; production. 1,O4i $50 tons; price
per ton, $40; total farm value, $40. 446, $50.
Tohacco-AcreaGe, 1879; yield per acre,
100 pounds; price per pound, 1875 cents;
total farm value, S575l1.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
WESTMINSTER WEST.

C. w. Powers returned to Worcester
Saturday.
Mrs. B. ]. Houghton has been i'll with
bronchitis.
Mr. and Mrs Frank Shattuc1 have been
visiting in Londonderry recently.
Louis Miller of Boston is spending a
week at his mothers, Mrs. Martha Mil
lers.
A number of the young people held a
pleasant gathering at the town hall
Wednesday evening
Miss Sadie Holden and her brother,
Sharon, who are attending school in
Townshend, are at home for the holidays.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Harlow and fam
lily spent Saturday in Brattleboro at
Mrs. Harlow's brothers, Judge A. F..
Schwenk's.
Rev. Mr.. Fisher gave an excellent
New Years sermon last Sunday morn
ing, the subject being, THE open Door"
or Opportunity"
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. p. Ranney and family
were in Brattleboro the Wednesday fol-
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04

Honest John" lie was not a politician
Of modern times lie never asked a man
to vote for him in his life. Less than a
week ago the writer was talking with Mr..
Merrheld. and the latter, with tears in
his eyes, said that he felt Infinitely well
satisfied If half the things said of him
i'm the late campaign in which he was
a candidate for the Republican nomlna-
ton for lieutenant governorship were
sincere. He said 1t was worth more to
him than the Office he sought
[St. Johnsbury Republican,
Dear Honest John Merrineld has Joined
the great majority. His enemies were a
minus quantity. All Vermont was his
friend.
tMoTisville News and Citzcn.1
Honest John Merriheld" is dead This
intelligence will undoubtedly cause many
man i'm Vermont to express sincere
sorrow. lie died suddenly at Brattleboro
last Saturday As clerk of the House,
representative and senator. and twice
speaker he made a host Of friends by his
genial and kindly ways, as we'll as by his
strict integrity He was Honest john
all the time and his service to his town,
his county and his state as "A public serv-
ant has been Of such a character that IL
will lnEcr long I'm the memory Of the
people. Surely death has claimed a good
man, an honest man and an upright man.
Peace to his ashes
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
1906 Great Year for the Explorers.

1906 was a notable year for the eX-
plorers. Peary got nearer to the North
Pole than any of his predecessors, Amund-
sen completed the navigation of the
Northwest passage, Harrison and NIKkel-
sen engaged in explorations Of the Beau
fort sea, Barrett and Huntington eX-
plored the Takla Makan desert, and the
Duke Of the AbruzZi scaled Ruwenzori
and DIR. Cook Mount Mckinley the high
est peaks of two continents. And we
arrived right on the edges of great eX-
ploits in the upper air. 1t was also an
earthquake year. with disastrous shocks
in California, Chile ana Samoa, less but
still serious shocks in Colombia, the
Windward islands, India, Formosa, Bos-
mia, Great Britain, oregon, Texas and
the New Hebrides, aud the appalling
eruption of Vesuvlus The worst disaster
was that i'm a French mine, which cost
1000 lives; but Others. on land and sea,
We're numerous in this and other coun-
tries.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
Mr.. Merriteld's Speech Accepting the
Speakershp October, 1902

Gentlemen of tie House Of Rcprescn-
tativos.-l sincerely thank you for this
evidence of your confidence in me
fully realize the fact that ! shall not be
equal to the duties to which YOU have
called me unless / receive in very large
measure your help. This / ask for and
believing that it will be granted TO me, ]
accept tho trust that YOU have placed in
my hands and pledge YOU my best Efforts
to- administer il impartially.
We have been summoned here by the
people of our state to act for them on
questions of more than ordinary interest
and Importance. We come with widely
differing views ON some Of the questions
which We are to- determine. To har-
monizc these views on some basis which
shall be Just to all interests as far AS
possible may seem to us a difficult task.
But We will perform IT, my fellow mem
hcrs. II we place uppcrmost, as ! believe
we will. one purpose that purpose the at
tainmcut OF the greatest possible public
good. Let us then. resolve. as we take
the oath OF office this morning. to sinH
behind our pledge Of fcalty TO state and
country every personal preference NOT in
accord with this high purpose. Acting
in this spirit and seeking the guidance Of
tho Higher Power in all our labors, may
we not confidently expect to accomplish
the work that has been given us TO do In
that manner which shall best suhscrye
the highest interest Of our state.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
JOHN H. MERRIFIELD
His Sudden Death on Saturday,
December 20

An Event Which Carries a Sense Of Per-
sonal Loss to Friends in Every Town
in Vermont-a Character Which Was
Unique In Its Modesty, Simplicity and
Service Of Everyday Fathfulness.
John II. Mcrriheld, clerk of Windham
county, died at the Brooks House last
Saturday afternoon at 5.25 from angina
pectoris, after an Illness of but a few
hours. He came to Brattloboro i'm the
morning from his home in Williams
vile. as was his daily custom, arriving
at his Office in Crosby block soon after
10 o'clock. He was then apparently in
his usual health, although he had not
slept well the night before Shortly be-
fore 11.3O, while w. \. Brooks of South
Newfane was i'm the Office to consult with
him regarding the settlement of an es-
tate, Mr.. Mcrriheld suddenly complained
of a severe pain in his chest and sank al
most helpless upon a settee. A sofa was
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
The cOId Weather PouItry FoOd

Fowls have a natural craving for animal
food especially when the weather is cold
All kinds of grain are good but to produce
lots of eggs, an occasional ration of green
cut bone and meat is absolutely essen
tial This product can be obtained Of
Carroll S. Page, Hyde Park. VT. He will
ship a 20O-lb. barrel to any address on
receipt OF $3.50 and at this price pays the
freight to any railroad station in New
England or the Middle States. Money
may be sent at his risk by registered letter,
postal money order, check or express
money order.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04

According TO the Chicago Tribune, the
total of embellishments and similar thefts
for 1906 amounts to $14,739,653, about
$4,000, 900 more than last year. OF this
total $40, 745, 3S7 was stolen by officials of
banks, S1,6S4,554 by public officials other
than post office employees, S22,5S5 by the
latter, S379,571 by agents, S24S, 100 from
loan associations, S223,6S7 by means of
forgeries, and the other defalcations,
amounting to S1.42S, 969, were so varied in
their nature that they must be classed as
miscellaneous.
Calumet & Helca, whose shares are now
quoted around 5000 and which have made
the fortunes of so many Bostonians, is
still easily without a parallel in the his
tory of copper mining the world over.
The original Calumet sold at 81 a share in
1866, which was its lowest quotation; but
that Of course, was prior to the wonder
full discovery of its richness. Five years
later it sold at 500 a share, and within
the past 20 years is has been quoted as
low as $175. Ten years ago it sold at $500,
and within the past four years 1t has
been quoted at less than half the price 1t
is selling for now, although II went as
high as 1896 in 1899. The present price Of
5000 is the top. The aggregate of its div
idends is now close to $4,000 900.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
Record Of the Life Saving Service Of the
United States.

Record Of the Life Saving Service Of the
United States.
The efficiency Of the United States life
saving service is demonstrated again in
the annual report for the past year, which
contains the following information: There
were SIS disasters of all kinds within
the scope of their operations; 40 vessels
were totally lost; 1920 persons were in
volved in the list Of disasters OF whom
%, only. persisted; 'S1l persons were sue
cored in life-saving stations, and re-
ceived 1927 days succor. The property
involved was valued at SIS, ,14O; Of
which S12 226, 100 was saved, a sum equiv
alent 10 more than six times the average
annual cost of the entire life saving SER
vice. Assistance was also rendered to
1245 vessels in addition TO those above re-
corded. SiXty-siX persons who had fallen
from wharves. docks etc, were rescued
by members of the service Night sig
nails given by the coast patrol prevented
disaster to 161 vessels, and 13 were warn
ed in thick weather by day.
Two proposals for the improvement of
the service have been for some time be-
fore Congress. one is to give surfmen
at least SIS a month while on duty, with
presumably an advance for station keep
ers. The second, which is more favored
by the men themselves than a direct in
crease of wages, is to establish a re
tired list" like that of the army and
navy. Their argument is that theirs is
an extra hazardous occupation and there
fore pensionable. They would put up with
small pay If assured that when they were
worn out by long years of battling with
storm and sea they would not be turned
out to get their living as best they can,
old and with their earning capacity i'm
paired. This proposal is opposed by Sem
ator Hale and Representative Hepburn as
establishing the precedent of civic service
pension, and their objection will prevent
immediate action. To their objection the
retort is made that the service is an "en-
listed" force and that it has been made
by legislation an auxiliary to the navy in
time of war and is therefore on a parity
with the revenue cutter service, which
enjoys the benefit of a retired list.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
NEW YORK MISUNDERSTANDING.

The clubbing price Of The Phoenix and
the New York Tribune Farmer 10 now
$500 a year. The change Of price took
effect April list, In accordance with tina
announcement previously made.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
PRESS TRIBUTES.

The whole state will mourn the death
of Hon. John II. Merriheld Of Newfane,
He held his friends and they banked on
him. lie was a gentleman OF the old
school and well deserving of his title of
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
SLOWS
Your Stomach"

IS the way people in China say
Good Morning" The greeting of
almost every nation is an inquiry
after health. The Chinese have the
root of the matter. A strong stom-
ach is the foundation. Look after
this organ and the general health
cares for itself Man is so consti-
tuted it cannot be otherwise. 1t is
the mission of
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
From Governor Proctor.

was much surprised to learn OF John
Merrheld's death. While ! had known
that his health had not been robust
had supposed he had been better for. the
past year. | have known him for about
20 years, during a large portion Of that
time quite intimately. No one could
know him as ! have without having for
him a feeling Of the highest respect and
admiration He was q man OF excellent
natural ability. ana while exceedingly
modest, his high sense Of duty compelled
him to use his strength and ability for
his own development and thus for the
real good Of others. As member Of the
House Of which he was speaker ! came
to know him more intimately and that
closer acquaintance only strengthened my
opinion Of him as man and citizen OF
the highest order. In his death Vermont
has lost one Of her best citizens.
FLETCHER D. PROCTOR.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
PERSONAL TRIRuTES-

The following expressions are from men
who knew Mr.. Mcrrihcd long and well
through his many years Of service in the
Vermont Legislature.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04

French theatres give 10 per cent Of
their incomes to the poor. The gift aver
ages $1,000, 900 a year.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
From Fred A. Rowland, x-secretary of
State,

The death of John II. Merrfield re-
moves a figure unique in the recent his
tory Of Vermont public affairs. Probably
no man connected with the legislative
branch of the state government within a
generation possessed so generally the af-
fectionate esteem of the citizens Of our
state; and this in spite of the fact that
he was i'm no sense a leader of men, was
not possessed of any of the brilliant quail
tiles that ordinarily attract a following,
and was painfully distrustful of his ca
pacity fully to meet the responsibilities
which his friends thrust upon him. The
explanation lies in his scrupulous and I'M
swerving devotion to what he believed to
he the right his utter freedom from sell
fish considerations, his painstaking and
unsparing effort faithfully to perform the
duty at hand and his generous and ear
nest devotion to the cause or friend that
had his sympathy, In the minds Of many
Vermonters he stood for the ideal public
servant in point of character and pur-
pose and had he lived to he rendered the
nomination for an executive state office,
the vote cast for him would have been a
splendid tribute to the man and a refresh
ing exhibition of the popular regard and
confidence thar is inspired by character,
mOdesty and sincerity
FRED a. ROWLAND.
Montpelier, Jan. 2.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
BEECHAM'S
PILLS

to keep the stomach well, the liver
active and the bowels regular. They
dispel sickness and create health.
Dyspepsia, Indigestion, Bilious
ness or Constipation cannot exist
when Beecham's Pills are used ac-
cording to directions. For over so
years they have cured disordered
stomachs, and are now a world-fa-
nous remedy. They merit your
confidence.
Sold Everywhere. In boxes 10c. and Csc.