Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-10-13
Holy Rollers at West Derby.

The following report is from a Ver-
mont daily and the Monitor cannot
vouch for it's veracity.
West Derby was the Mecca of the
Vermont Holy Rollers during the re-
cent end of the world vigil. An apostle
OF this singular sect went to West
Derby several weeks ago and began
Vigorous campaign announcing the
near approach of the millennium. 1t is
said that several Derby people who at
first looked on the whole move with
amusement, became strenuous be
levers. It is also said that the con-
verts were given vigorous treatment
in preparation for the great event,
one method being to place the can
dldate IN PROSTATE position and then
administer long and severe drubbing
Ito drive out evil and inoculate the
convert with the Holy Ghost" One
aged man possessed of considerable
means gave away several thousand
dollars and was about to dispose of
his farm in like manner when his son
arrived and succeeded in getting him.
self appointed the old mans guardian
Just before the papers were drawn.
Many of the farmers neglected their
gard of things temporal. Unlike
their brethren at West Duxbury
Mass, the Rollers gathered at West
Derby did not believe they were on
ground exempt from the coming end
of the world. They believed that after
eight days of prayer and meditation
they were to be carried skyward in a
white cloud, while their wicked neigh.
no w.t.
and, still living float in their own
blood. The pilgrims met on each OF
the eight evenings at various private
houses, the sessions being held in dark.
ness. Although for the most part the
community regarded them with amuse.
ment and pity, few heartless jokers
could not let the situation pass un.
noticed. On one evening one of these
funny fellows attended the Rollers
meeting. while his friends assembled
on neighboring hill with bugle, can.
mons, megaphone, and large quantity
of brushwood. When the fanatics hac
worked themselves into proper pitch
of excitement, he stole out and signaled
the hilltop. Immediately the bon
fire and cannon were touched off, the
shrill notes of the bugle pierced
Vic CSCIl1llS 4ulOG 0uO tIlC HAL WIFI Tie
megaphone got busy. The effect was
enough to satisfy the boys most san
guine expectations. On another eve
ming the Rollers received an equally
startling shock from an altogether
different source. A Canadian steam
boat, stranger to the Vermont end Of
Lake Memphremagog, came down t.
Newport to be inspected by govern
ment officials. When they tried GU
the searchlight, with no malice afore
thought they happened to direct its
powerful rays into the windows of
house where some fifty of the Roller
were assembled. In an instant ever.
person in the room was on his fee
and rush for the door followed
The men and women shouted, ''It'
come, it come!' rolling in the roat
and leaping in the air. When the,
found out it was a little Canadian
steamer instead of the angel Gabrie
their faith was undiminished and the,
resumed their prayer and meditation
After tarrying the prescribed eigh
days, and one or two more to max
sure. the pilgrims gradually dispersed
having received word that the finalit,
of material things had been postpone
| for 20 Years