Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-05-27

pie of Brattleboro is made this week by |
the trustees of the Austine bequest of |
$4,000. BY the terms of the announce
ment, published herewith, 1t will be seen |
that a notable addition to the list of Brat
tleboros humanitarian institutions is as
sured. Recently the Thayer farm on Ma
pie street, consisting of 200 acres and
owned by Hooker H. Winchester was
bought for the trustees, and it is their
purpose to establish thereon 1.-THE Austine
institution" for the care, education and
training of such persons as are not in
possession of their full faculties and
senses of hearing, speech or eyesght and
such persons as are otherwise defective.
This object is not in strict accord with
the terms of the will of Col. William Aus
tine, but 1t is authorized by a decree of
the court of chancery on petition of the
trustees and by agreement of Howard NJ
Eustis of Noble, Ala, Col Austine's heir
and executor and residuary legatee under
the will
When the trustees first took up the con-
sderation of the Austine bequest there
talk of establishing a sanatorum for
the treatment of persons afflicted with tu-
berculosis. Determined opposition to that
plan was made by the then chairman of
the board Of selectmen, and the opposition
was carried into the courts. An agree
ment was made to the effect that a tuber-
culosis hospital would not be established
out of the Austine fund without sub
hitting the matter to vote of the peo-
pie, and since then the erection of the
Proctor sanatorium in Proctor has, to a
large degree done away with the ne
Cessity of such an institution in this
town. 1t will be a satisfaction to all to
know that there will be no further con-
troversy over the Austine fund and the
trustees will be generally commended for
their wisdom in the choice Of the object
fo u-hi no will ha aNrnaudah
While the trustees are unable to make
a definite statement in regard to the size
of the Austine Institution, plans and
specifications not having been made, they
hope to begin the erection of the build
ing within year or two 1t will be built
Of some durable material, presumably of
brick, and it will be so constructed that
wings may be added as occasion demands
without destroying the beauty Of its
architectural lines.
Col. William Austlne.
Col William Austine was a retired
army officer He died in the Brooks
House Sept. 4, 1904, of congestion of the
brain, in his Goth year He was a vet
eran of three wars, the oldest graduate
of West Point on the army rolls, and the
Oldest retired officer of the United States
army. He served in the Florida war
against the Seminole Indians from 1888
to 1s42sas adjutant of the third artillery.
During the war with Mexico he took part
in the seige of Vera Cruz, the capture Of
San Antonio, and in various battles, and
was promoted for signal ability and gal
lantry. On account of i'll health he was
granted leave of absence from 1854 to
1861, and in the latter year he assumed
active duty in the garrison at San Fran
cisco harbor, where he was appointed
major Of the third artillery He retired
from active service in 1862, but he con-
tinued to serve as superintendent of the
mastering and volunteer recruiting service
of Vermont at Burlington for three
months after his discharge and was in
Brattleboro in the same line OF duty until
November, 1866. After his retirement he
lived quietly in the Brooks House until his
DEATH
The statement of the trustees, the sub
stance of the bill in chancery, and the
chancellor's decree are given herewith:
Statement of the Trustees.
We, the trustees OF the Austine be-
quest, have given very careful consider
alton to the purposes indicated by the
donor in his will, as well as to the exist
ing conditions and environment in Brat
teboro. There are established here sew
eral worthy institutions which are sue
cessfully accomplishing the benevolent de-
signs for which they were organized such
as the Brattleboro Retreat, the Home for
the Aged and Disabled and the Brattle-
boro Memorial hospital, and the field of
their activities should not be trenched
upon.
Hence with the cooperation and hearty
approval of the residuary legatee, and the
sanction and decree of the courts, the
trustees have decided to establish THE
Austine Institution" for the care, educa-
tion and training of such persons as have
suffered the loss, or are not possessed OF
their full facilities and senses of hear
ing. speech or oversight, and such per-
sons as are otherwise defective, including
also in their discretion the temporary
treatment of strangers and local invalids
peculiarly situated: the institution being
incorporated after the general plan of
similarly successful institutions elsewhere,
such as the Clark institution at North
ampton, Mass, and the Perkins institu-
ton at Boston, Mass.
For this purpose we have bought the
Thayer farm in Brattleboro, of something
over 200 acres. In making this purchase
we have not encroached upon the orig
inal fund, which will continue by careful
investment to increase.
The establishment and completion OF
this institution win be accomplished as
soon as is compatible with careful econ
omy and prudent management.
A. I. MILLER.
GEO. r. ANDERSON.
c. A. MILES.
GEO. c. AVERILL.
HENRY D. HOLToN.
JOHN CALVIN.
Legal History Of Fund.
The essential facts concerning the Aus
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