The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-03-14
GILL HOME DESCRIBED.
Odd Fellows Institution at Ludlow
Written About by w. r. Scott,
Formerly of Barre.

Black river, and in this valley is nestIec
tho quiet village Of Ludlow. The rail
road ON its way from Rutland to Bel
lows Falls, passes Through on one side
Iof the valley, while on the other side
il located tile Gill odd Fellows Home
midway between Rutland and Bellows
/ Falls. Situated on q high plateau, over
looking the valley, and looking to the
east, view is presented unsurpassed
anywhere in the country, To the west
1.-The lofty head oil Mount Okemo raises
its proud form as though keeping guard
over Ludlow and it's surroundings.
The home was given to the Odd Eel
lows Of Vermont July 2. 1895, by the
late James $. Gill, at that time not a
member Of the order, and unaequainted
With the aims and objects OF Odd Eel
lowship. After learning something Of
the mission OF the order and tile object
of the home, and recognizing the good
that could be done IN such an institu.
fion, he voluntarily presented to the
order the property which consists of a
large house and l4i5 acres Of land, vail
ned AZ $4,000. After the property pass
/ ed into the hands of the grand lodge,
lex.Gov. Mccullough, came forward with
q gilt Of money sufficient to build an
lup.to-date barn.
The house Is T-shaped front, 36x66
feet and rea extended back 90 feet, three
stories high, with basement and attic
On eile first floor is large reception
room, parlors, dining room and kitchen
The second and third floors contain rs
well fitted sleeping rooms. There is also
a large toilet and bath room on each
iloor. The basement Is equipped with
modern heating apparatus and laundry.
The buildings are supplied with pure
spring water and are lighted with cleo
trieity 4 broad piazza extends along
three sides Of the main building There
il also well.kept lawn and a handsome
flower garden. These afford ample OPP
portunity for rest and to those who are
able TO work chance 10 take care Of
them.
The furnishings Of the house are com
plcte in every respect Every room Is
furnished hy some subordinate or Re
hekah lodge, who raised the money to
pay for the same in various ways. This
money was put into THE hands Of the
grand lodge committee to be expended
lid buying the heavy furniture for the
sleeping rooms. So that uniformity
might prevail. The paYlor was furnished
By Wauxastiquet lodge, No. 3, OF Brat
tleboro: the Office and reading room by
Hiawatha lodge No. ~, of Barre, and
the dining room by Altemont lodge, No
30, of Ludlow.
After The property passed out Of The
as .F
Der 81 Altemont lodge. NO. 30. Of Ludlow.
shortly after this he met with an acct
dent al his hotel in East Cambridge,
Mass. which resulted in his death a
fine portrait Of him hangs III tine parlof
of the home His memory will always
be held III remembrance IN coming to
THE rescue ut the right time
TIE homie Is under the control of a
board Of trustees. and Is open te infirm
and INDECENT members Of any branch 81
the order who are unable 10 earn a live
liheod By reason Of age and broken
health Here. also, the widow Of a &c
ceased brother title children, and half
orphan children, and a Rebelsah find
home. While the founders 81 the home
made the platform broad enough tD
eoyef ali intirmities yet it ii not used
as q hospital for the care Of persons 4
temporarily disabled by sickness Of az.
eidenf
An annual tax Il levied on each mem
Der Of subordinate and Rebekah lodge
to carry on lle work OF taking care at /
The house and grounds The house Il
hy superintendent and ma
tren. Mr.. and Mrs Geo. +. rrask who +
are hired hv tile trustees to run the
house and look after The best interests
IL the inmates That they are doing
this Il the unanimous verdict of the
entire household
Since the home was dedicated. Nav
%, 1895, there have been Z inmates, II
il whom have died ut the home and
one withdrawn The first resident was
Nov. III, 1896. and died Nov
M. 1902. The tender ministfatioHs rs
5his one brother are a practical demon
itration that the home Is not failure
md ii net, as some have thought, a
white elephant on che members Of the
,rder The establishment Of this insti-
.ution and the carrying On Of this noble
york i lust What every member Sub
eribes t0 when he takes bis obligation
before the altar Of odd Fellowship.
An elevator i under consideration,
nd Is already much needed. It i diff
ult for several of the older ones to get
ii and down stairs. even 10 the second
loor. Should ii become necessary to
Irish oil some rooms in tile dormitorYsE
which now seems probable in the near
uture, an elevator would be very handy.
lutte sum Of money IS already IN
land for installing one in the home.
have been prepared showing
lie house. and also group pictures OF
lie inmates and are on sale. The mon
= received for these Is known as The
Elevator Fund It would be well for
very lodge IN the state to get q supply
i these post cards and see that they
he sold to every member. thus giving
hem an idea OF the home and its sur
and at The same time help
ny the much -needed elevator
4 library has been started and al
eadv there IS quite 4 collection Of books,
here Is only one book case TO hold
hese and that tile gift Of Rev. Norman
eaver of Rutland There are magazines
] abundance and plenty Of newspapers
Tt what Is most needed is more bound
olumes. such as history. biography sto-
les, etc Such contributions viii be
ighly appreciated During the long
inter evenings time drags heavy, and
5 most Of the inmates are great read
Is. they naturally crave reading mat
sr.
In order to drive away the dull cares
+ q winters evening a fine graphaphone
as been placed in the parior. Inns
a. =. L.. f....a. 81 a iii the money s