Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-04-29
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Bridge.

Editor of The Phoenix:
read with interest the article in your
issue Of the 18TH inst. entitled his
torical facts about the old bridge lac
article fails to give all the facts ana LOT
that reason | ask for space in your paper
to add other facts to the history Of the
"Old Bridge" l have in my possession
a copv of the original survey Of the
bridge road, so called, through the land
of Ezra T. Cone in Westminster, Vt;
beginning on the east side OF the
main street at the south bar-post leading
into Ezra T. Cones meadow, from thence
south 90 degrees, east "a rods to the
southwest corner of the bridge which
is contemplated TO be built across the
Connecticut river between Walpole and
Westminster. Said road is laid three
rods wide lying on the nortnerly side OF
said line. Surveyed April 25th, 1905 by
Nicanor Townsley. Aaron Hitchcock.
Nathaniel Mcneil, selectmen."
Hence you see that the Westminster
survey referred to amounted TO few
feet from the southwest corner OF the
bridge to low water mark
In the allusion to the old bridge com
pany your article of the 18th carries the
idea that the company was seeking TO
profit by a sale OF their rights to the
towns without telling what actually was
done. My parents were stockholders In
that bridge company and as soon as my
father, the late John Vernon Farr' conlu
get TO Walpole after two-thirds OF the
toll bridge had gone down stream he
called on the late Herbert Bellows, VINO
was the owner of the largest block OF
stock in the bridge, and offered to donate
his stock and as much more IN money
towards establishing a free bridge be-
tween the two towns II Mr.. Bellows
would do likewise Mr.. Bellows replied
that he put his money into the bridge
as an investment and he was going to
have it out" My father replied; You
are worth dollars to me cents, but
have Travelled 16 years and appreciate
the benefits OF a free bridge Father
went home discouraged for he knew that
with the largest stakeholder against him
he had an uphill task to secure a free
bridge But his parting words had the
desired effect The following morning
Mr. Bellows drove around via Bellows
Falls to return my fathers call. As he
drove into the yard he accosted father
with the remark: "Well, Farr, have
thought better Of your proposition and
| am ready to do your bidding"
Hence they agreed to each start
| paper in their respective towns heading
them with their own subscription OF
stock and cash. Through the efforts of
the two men not only was the stock in
the toll bridge donated, but large
| amount of money was secured toward
constructing a free bridge. These con-
| tributions were turned over to the towns
Of Walpole and Westminster on condition
| that free bridge be constructed and
maintained between them. The offer
was accepted and not only has free
bridge been enjoyed by Walpole and
| Westminster nearly 40 years, but 1t has
| been enjoyed also by tourists on their
way from Boston to the Champlain val
ley or from New York to the White
| mountains.
Trusting that what have written will
add to, rather than detract from, the in
terest OF your readers in the first free
bridge TO span the Connecticut river
between Cheshire county, New Hamp-
shire, and Windham county, Vermont
| 1 am,
Yours for the public good
WILLIS V. FAIR.
Burlington, VT, April 20, 1910,