Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-10-07
HOLY ROLLERS
IN VERMONT
Half Hundred Waited at West
Derby for End of the
World.
SEVERAL FALSE ALARMS
Practical Jokers Took Advantage of
the situation md Gave the Pill
Erins nm Imitation of the
Milienium-(savc Away
Their Property.

West Derby. Oct 3-This town has just
emerged and partially recovered from
an experience similar TO that of West
Duxbury. Mass. Derby being the mecca
Of Vermont Holy Rollers during the re-
cent end of the world vigil.
An apostle of this singular sect came
here several weeks ago and begun Wig
orous campaign. announcing the near
approach of the millennium. 1t is said that
several Derby people. who at first looked
on the movement with amusement, be-
rame strenuous believers Ii is also
said that the converts were given Wig
orous treatment in preparation for the
great event. one stunt being to place the
candidate in PROSTATE position ard
then administer long and severe drut-
bing Ito drive out evil and innoculate the
convert with the holy ghost"
One aged man, who possessed OF con-
siderate means. gave away several thou
sand dollars and was about to dispose
OF his farm in like manner when HE sen
arrived and succeeded In getting him
self appointed the old mans guardian
Just before the parers were draWn.
Many of the farmers neglected 'heir
crops and there was general disregard
" things temporal.
Unlike their DuxhurY hrethen the Rollers
gathered here did not believe that they
we're on ground exempt from the COMING
end Of the world. They believed that afte-
eight DAYS of prayer ard meditation
.hey were to be carried sltyward in a
white cloud. while their wicked neigh
eors would be cut into small pieces and,
still living. foat about in their owr
oood.
The local pilgrims met on each Of The
eight evenings al various private houses
the sessions being held In darkness
Although for the most part the com
munity regarded them with amusement
and pity few heartless pra ctical toker'
could not let the situation pass unnoticed
On one evening one Of these funny fel
lows attended the BOILERS meeting. while
his friends assembled on a neChborine
Hill with buzle. megaphone and a large
quantity Of hrushwood. When the
fanatics had worked themselves into
proper pitch Of excitement he stole on
and signalled the hilltop. Immediately
the bonfire was touched of. the shrl
notes Of the buele pierced the evenns
o,,iet and the man with the megaphons
got busy. The effect was such as tc
FaIISIN tHc buys IiicSt edHSuihe NNP"'t"
lions.
On another evening The Rollers received
en equally startling shock from an al
together different source. A Canadian
steamboat stranger TO the Vermont enc
Of Lake Memphremagog. came down 4
Newrort 70 he inspected nv government
officials When they tried out the search
light. with no malice aforethought the,
happened to direct It's powerful rays int
tie windows of n house where SOM
nifty Of the Rollers were assembled I,
an instant every person In tho room wa
on his feet and rush FOR the door fol
lowed. The men and women shoute
ITS come. It's come"' rolling In the roa
and leapinp in the air. When they foun
out Il was a little Canadian steamer in
stead ~ the angel Gabriel their fait
was undm'nished and thev resumed wit
their prayer and meditation.
On the evening following the landin
Of party who had been UP the lax
for a c,amhake and added somewhat t
the noise Of their brass band upon land
inC served as another false alarm.
After tarrving the prescribed eigh
daya and one or two more to make sur
the pilgrims gradually dispersed. havin
received word that the inality OF materia
things had been postponed for twent
years.