Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-04-11
THE LATE COL. BENEDICT.
(From the Burlington News)

1t seems like the passing away of the
established order Of things when man
like Col. George Grenville Benedict Is
called to his rest-a man who for two ordi-
nary generations of human life had been
as it were one of the landmarks of Bur
lington. a permanent figure, so 20 speak,
in our local life. II Is in a way almost a s
If some familiar feature OF the Landscape
had been removed. And this is true m
spite OF the fact that the feeling is large
ly impersonal, for Colonel Benedict never
took part in the hurry bury OF life and
was personally unknown TO a considera bic
number of the people among whom his
~ years of life were spent. His tastes and
instincts led him In far different directions
to the study Of music in which he was an
accomplished amateur. and Of the higher
art OF the theatre. IN which he was deeply
versed, having seen and studied all the
great actors and actresses of the elder
day; TO the investigation OF the civil ami
military history of the State OF which he
was so proud. and Of which the higher
characteristics were illustrated in his
character and career; and last but no.
least to the cultivation OF the social
graces, in which he had no superior. He
refined feeling and high mplishment
For a good many years Mr.. Benedict.
while retaining the edtorship OF his paper,
was not much Of his time in the ONCE nor
active with his pen. He was forceful
ana polished writer OF vigorous English.
When he did use his pen in editorial work.
therefore, the reader was left in no doubt
about the personality behind It. In con-
ha u 4 No., i, 81,
discussion of ordinary topics his editorials
reflected the quiet. literary and studlous
gentleman that he was In his newspaper
office he was we'll loved. He took great
pride in his paper, and was critical about
its conduct but he often pardoned errors.
There were times. however, when he knew
now to rebuke for a mistake so that II
would not be made a second time. To tho
public he seemed to have a shell OF re-
serve, increased by his near sight-to
those about him in Office and home he was
as genial and open as the daylight.
Colonel Benedct's life was happy, pros
porous and honored. and his death leaves
the community n sense of loss But his
work was finished, his life rounded out,
and we can only say, "Hail and farewell"
0rom the St. Adams Messenger)
To be on the editorial staff of news
paper for 81 years and its edtor-n- chief
for 40 years; to be an alumnus OF college
Tor almost GO years, and a trustee and sec
rotary of the institution for two score
years--these facts in themselves entitle a
man to distinction. But the name OF
George Grenville Benedict, whose death
was recorded In the news columns of the
Messenger yesterday. rests upon some
thing more substantial than mere length
OF days. or long periods OF service in any
capacity. Beginning as an active force in
Inc development of the industrial life of
his state he served his country later with
credit as soldier and officer in the Civil
war and, on his return to peaceful pur-
suits, assumed the duties of editor of the
Burlington Free Press, which he perform
ed with signal ability for long period Of
years, He was graceful writer. having
command Of the best English and was
able to support his views with great vigor
and clearness. Throughout his long ca
reer he stood invariably for high ideals