St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-03-02
VERMONT NEWS.
Joseph Wood of Weston Claims to Be 10
Years Old.

Years Old
Joseph Wood of Weston, Windham
county, is undoubtedly the oldest person
in the state, for Thursday he celebrated
his 10th anniversary. According to the
best information obtainable, he was
born in Canada. near the city of Mont
real, February "a, 1900. Industry and
frugality have been traits which have
distinguished him throughout his life,
and as result he has always been able
to enjoy pleasant and CO mfortable little
home. AS young man he was a laborer
and wood chopper. In his ancestry he
takes the greatest of pride. His parents
were of the true Partisan French. They
came from France to Canada about three
months before he was born. His grand
father lived to be 112 years old. Until he
was so years of age Mr.. Wood lived in
Canada among his relatives and friends
He then came into Vermont, and has
since made his home in the town of Wes-
ton. He has been twice married. By his
first wife he was the father of four chill
dren, and by his second marriage one
child has been born. His later marriage
took place sixty-two years ago and to-
day Mr.. and Mrs. Wood are both strong
and well, Mrs. Wood is 79 years old and
was born February 5, 1881. About 10
years ago Mr.. Woods eyesight began to
fail and he is now totally blind.
Not School In Town.
Mason S. Stone, State superintendent
of education, left Friday morning for In
dianapolis, Ind, where he goes to attend
this week the national meeting of State
superintendent to be held Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday. Mr.. Stone is
planning to return to Vermont in time to
attend next Saturday and Sunday the
re- afR tr Ri
During the past few days returns have
been coming rapidly into Mr.. Stones of
fee at the State House of the number of
children of school age in the several towns
in the State. One received Friday morn
ing from Somerset was a curiosity even
among those from the sparsely settled
towns of the State. Somerset reports
not a single person in town between the
ages of 5 and Is. and inasmuch as there
are no children of school age in that
town no schools are supported therein.
state Y. M. C. A. Convention.
The annual convention of the Vermont
Young Mems Christian Association will
be held at Montpelier on Friday, Satur-
day and Sunday, April 1917. Boys
work and county work will be leading
topics for discussion and among the
speakers likely to appear are A. E.
cretary, E. M. Robinson international
boys work secretary, David R. Porter,
international secretary for High Schools,
Herbert Carleton, general secretary OF
the Brotherhood of St. Adams and ]. N.
Barss, superintendent of the state indus
trial school at Vergennes. A three days
programme is being arranged. A ban
quet will be served on Friday evening of
the first day.
Suicide atIs1and Pond.
George Spaulding, of Island Pond, over
70 years old, killed himself Friday morn
ing at the residence of Alonzo Danforth.
He retired in his usual spirits at night
and was called at seven O'Clock Friday
morning, when he answered that he
wanted no breakfast and would rise
later. At one O'Clock in the afternoon the
room was entered and the aged man was
found to be dead. 1t was then supposed
that his end had been brought about by
natural causes but while the body was
being prepared for burial a revolver was
found in the bed and it was then discovered
that he shot himself through the heart.
MIR. Spaulding was a sober Industrious
man but of late had been discouraged
owing to i'll health.
Vermont Butter Tub Company.
Articles of Incorporation have been
filed with the Secretary of State by the
Vermont Butter Tub company for the
purpose of carrying on the manufacture
of butter tubs and other wooden ware,
lumber, ETC., at Barton and other places
in the state of Vermont. The capital
stock is given at $4,000, divided into
shares of 500 each, and the incorpora-
tors are E. w. Chandler of Oak Park,
ILL.,, c. E. Nelson of Derby Line, Charles
Taylor Hall of Montgomery Center,
John Young of Newport and George B.
Young of Newport.
New Masonic Temple.
Col. Ollin Scott of Bennington has
made gift of $4,000 for the erection
of masonic temple there and Mrs.
John H. Norton has donated the site for
the same on North Main street in the
center of the village. Mr.. Scott is life
long resident of Bennington and presi-
dent of the Bennington Battle Monument
Association. In recent years he has made
several donations of similar character
and has under way the erection at Ben
nington Center monument to Col. Seth
Warner the Revolutionary hero.
Thought to Have Valuable Gold Mine.
Joseph Dncharme of Westfeld is said to
have recently received letter from
Boston firm offering him So, 900 for gold
mining privileges in his pasture. The
firm sent prospector last fall to hunt
for more asbestos lodges in the vicinity of
Westfeld and Lowell, and found what
appeared to be gold bearing ore, which |
upon analysis proved to be that. Mr..
Ducharme has not decided to sell his
rights at once.
A petition has been filled in the federal !
court to have the Rae Electrical Equip |
ment company of Springfield adjudged an
involuntary bankrupt on the ground of |
its admitted inability to pay its indebt- |
edness. The petition sets forth that the |
is indebted to Harry A. Bing- |
ham of Springfield to the extent of $12,- /
900 for cash advanced; to A. ]. Crosby |
of the same town, 81 900. in an account |
stated; and to Miss Margaret Cray, |