News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1909-08-25
VERMONT PRESS ASSOCIATION
Guests of Mr.. N. T. Vail Of Speedwell Farms
A Delightful Time at Lyndon and on Lake
Memphremagog and at Newport-Largest
and Rest Meeting Association Ever Held.

The Vermont Press Association has had
many pleasant outings during the long
period of it's existence. 1t has gone many
times outside the state to famous water
ing places and the larger cities and has
| attended the Worlds Fair at Chicago
! all of these trips are pleasantly remem-
bered by those who participated, yet
J it is conceded by all that the meetings
last year and this rank among the best
ever held and both have been within
the confines" of the state. Last year the
meeting was at Proctor andis very pleas
antlv remembered. This year the Associ-
alton were the guests of Mr.. T. n. Vail OF
Lyndon. Several weeks ago the Associa-
ton, through it's Secretary, was invited
to accept the hospitality of Mr. Vall,
who had learned that the Association
was looking around for place to meet
and out of the generosity of his heart
and that alone, asked it to be his guests
for couple of a days. The invitation was
accepted and that no mistake was made
all who were in the party readily admit.
The members of the Association with
their wives and few invited guests,
started from their homes in various parts
of the state last Thursday morning and
when all reached Lyndonville there was
a gathering of about one hundred. 1T
was the largest gathering of the state
press in its history, all parts of the state
being represented.
Thursday noon about thirty of the
party, which went from the west side
reached St. Johnsbury, where they were
met by President Stone of the St. Johns
bury Caledonian and escorted to the
Avenue House, where Mr.. Wallis hospi-
tally began. Here lunch was served
and at 100 a special train, with the
private car of Mr. Vail, carried the party
to Lyndonville, where the remainder of
the party were met. Automobiles and
carriages were in waiting and soon all
hands were en- route for the home of Mr.
v All, dDOul q HlllC anu a nan lSlctI
The ride was pleasant one through the
village of Lyndonville and out to an ele-
walton where is located the large estate
of many hundred acres known as Speed
well Farm" the home of Mr.. Vail The
party were cordially greeted by Mr.. and
Mrs. Vail and at once given the freedom
of the place.
The afternoon was spent in visiting the
various greenhouses, covering several
acres, in which were growing heavily
ladened peach trees, grapes of various
varieties, fig trees, orange trees, lemon
trees, flowers of innumerable variety, etc.
Peaches, right from the trees, were served
the party. A magnificent trout pond,
filled with "speckled beauties" was also
visited. Many were the Explanations
when a grasshopper was thrown in and
two or three big trout jumped out OF
the water after it.
Next the party took in the barns filled
with blooded horses and Swiss cattle
all sleek and fat and with surroundings
modern in every respect. large barn
for cows is just being finished. In it $50
cows can be tied UP" without the least
crowding-in fact there can be no crowd
ing as each cow has a stall of its own,
the stanchions and partitions all being OF
iron piping. A galvanized bucket for
every COW is fastened in its place and the
flooring is cement, with patent machinery
for carrying in the hay and grain and
carrying out the manure. Everything
for the convenience and comfort of all the
stock and cattle on the place is provided
and the latest inventions in all these de-
partments is found here. But to enlarge
I'll i
with the wish of Mr.. Vail, as he is very
much opposed to publicity. Sufficient to
say that "Speedwell Farm" ranks
among the first in New England in it's
well-tilled land, magnificent horses and
handsome cattle and it was a rare treat
to be permitted to inspect the same.
At five o'clock a clam-bake was served.
This was intended to be held out of
doors, but owing to the threatening
weather it was served in the large coach
barn, where five long tables were spread,
all decorated with evergreens, cut flowers
and golden glow. AS to the feast itself.
it was par excellence; clam-chowder and
steamed CLAIMS, followed with the various
vegetables and fish, topped off" with
coffee and watermelon, making a feast
81 fit for king" Everything was served
III lLC DSSI vi SltlS, Will dIlCIllNC
courteous walters, whose efforts seemed
to be to fill the editors up chuck full,
which they succeeded admirably in doing
Col. Jack Norton, of st. Adams, who has
attended many clam-bakes and often had
a hand in preparing the same, allowed
this to be =" the best ever" After linger-
ing around the festive board a couple of
hours, all hands adjourned to the music
room where one of the finest musical
ever rendered in the state was
carried out. Mr.. Vail enjoys music and
has in his home magnificent pipe organ
(said to be the finest in New England),
the pipes of which are all concealed with
in the walls, connected by wire some
thirty feet from the keyboard. An
" echo organ" is also located in another |
direction. A grand piano and other mus
ical instruments are also in the house. |
On this occasion Prof Frank Taft, a |
noted player of New York City, presided |
at the organ and piano and Prot. John |
Cheshire, also from New York, rendered |
several selections on the harp, at which |
he is recognized as master. The several !!
pieces given, together and singly, were I
Of the finest and showed the rare skill /
Of the artists A "Victrola," from which |