Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-09-12
Laying Of Corner Stone of Build
ing Turning Point in It's
Career.
GOVERNOR PROCTOR THERE.
TIr Vigorously Applied the Mortar
President Nun Pattcn Master OF
Ceremonies - Mrs. Frederick
Billings Of Woodstock the
schools Good Angel.

Westminster, Sept 1O-The annual field
day at the Kurn Hattin Homes to-day
was of more than usual interest inas-
much as In connection with the usual
exercises the corner stone Of the new
school building was formally laid by
Governor Proctor
The attendance was considerably los.
sened by rain at intervals throughout
the day but about 400 friends Of the
school from far and near made the ef-
fort and were preseu. at the turning
point IN the career Of this now widely
Anowl home for boys. This additional
building has long been needed and will
greatly facilitate the work Of the homes.
The exercises by the boys were given in
the hall and consisted OF songs, drills
and recitations. The Hon. W. j. Van
Patten of Burlington. president Of the
homes. presided at the speaking which
followed.
MRS, B1LL1NGs's GENEROSITY.
Supt. G. f. Bishop read mis- annual
report which was very encoura ging.
During this summer an annex to tho
administration building has been
built containing a new kitchen on the
first floor and extra rooms on the Sec
|
$4,000 and the entire sum was con-
tributed by Mrs Frederick Billings OF
| Woodstock, the benefactress of the
school. This building is nearly COM
pleted and was open for inspection
| to-day Work on tho new 10000
school building has been commenced
and the entire sum has already been
raised. The Jennie Ball cottage, as 1t
Is called. Is being fitted up and will
accommodate 25 more boys requiring
two new instructors. What the school
now needs is money to run these ad-
ditions. The report of F.. l.. Walker
of Bellows Falls, the treasurer, was
pleasing The principal address was
made by the Rev. Clifford H. Smith of
Pittsforj, the vice-presidcnt of the
| homes
There ceremony of laying the corner
stone followed the exercises indoors The
new building is located a short distance
north of the administration building and
faces a M Gnifccnt panorama OF the New
Hampshire hills. The corner stone is
placed at the south east end and is of
| granite.
| GOVERNOR LAYS THE STONE.
President Van -'atten acted as master
of ceremonies The Rev. benjamin Swift
Of Woodstock. pastor OF the church at
tended by Mrs Frederick Billings, who
has been the prime factor in the cam
paign of raising the funds, offered the
prayer. President Van Patten then in
troduced His ExCellency, Governor
Proctor. who officiated in the ccermony
of formally laying the stone. Governor
Proctor made short but stirring address
directing the closing words of his speech
to the boys of the homes, who were
grouped about him. urging them to make
the most of their opportunities He then
took the trowel and vigorously applied
the mortar under tho huge blocks with
the assistance of the contractor, ]. D.
Cote. AS the stone was lowered into
place. the boys broke into loud cheers
The Rev. G.. Fl. Debevoise OF West
minister pronunced the ,enedicton.
Governor Proctor then held an informal
reception and met all of the boys. The
homes were thrown open to the visitors
for inspection and display of basketry,
art work, typography by the boys was
viewed in one OF the rooms.
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING.
Tho new building is to be 20 by 10 feet
in the main part. 1t Will he q frame
structure two stories in height and will
contain in the basement a manual train
ing room, small boys play room, heating
plant and toilet rooms. on the first floor
will be three class rooms and on the Sec
ond floor a gymnasium and auditorium.
The work Of raising the funds was in
, charge of Mrs. Billings who contributed
herself about 81 22o. or the remaining
$500 sh" was instrumental In raising
nearly all of IT, owing TO poor health
she was unable 10 be present at the exer-
cses to-day.
, The other officers Of the homes present
? were George p, Croft OF Boston, the sec
1 | retary, the Rev, George F. Chaplin Of Sax
, tons River and Gen. y, c. Williams OF
r Bellows Falls. directors.