The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-06-19
HELD IN
HONOR OF FIRST
SETTLEMENT
l50th Anniversary Observance
at ShadOwbr0Ok Farm
GOV. DIX OF NEW YORK HERE
Flag Raised and Speeches by Ex-Gov.
J. G. Mccullough and Former
Speaker ]. X. Batchelder.

| q -- -~a"eN~est,
The 150th anniversary of the first
settlement in the town of Bennington
was observed Saturday afternoon and
evening at the summer home of Sey-
mour Van Santvoord of Troy, Shadow
brook farm, just south of Old Ben
nington village The present sum-
mer residence occupies the site of the
first log cabin built within the town
ship. The celebration was of a pri-
vate nature, the guests being largely
personal friends and acquaintance OF
the host.
The guests began to assemble
shortly before four o'clock Gov
ernor Dix was among the early
arrivals. His party came in two au-
tomobiles from Thomson and besides
Mrs. Dix and his nephew, John Dix
Coffin, included Major Eckford de
Kay, Military Secretary and Captain
Rayner Underwood and Lieut.. Brown
of the governors staff, all in full uni
form. The distinguished guests were
received by the host and hostess as
sisted by former Governor McCul-
Tough and Mrs Mccullough, Colonel
w. w. Gibson, Commandant of the
Watervliet Arsenal, General A. j..
Parker of Albany, Mr.. and Mrs.
James A. Eddy OF Troy. Before 8
O'Clock most of the 200 guests pres
ent had arrived, coming for the most
part in automobiles from Troy, Al
bany, Saratoga, Greenwich, Manches-
ter. VT, and Pittsfeld, Mass, besides
a large contingent from Bennington
including many Of the summer resi-
dents. During the early part OF the
afternoon they wandered about the
farm, visiting the COW barns to in
spect the milking of 80 cows, which
was in progress, the horse barn, the
sheep fold, the piggery and the model
dairy, where they were served with
sweet milk and fresh buttermllk
The old part of the farmhouse also
was an object of much interest. The
antique interest. Among the latter
ed substantially in its original form,
besides containing many objects OF
antique interest. Among the latter
are a table made of wood from the
first apple tree planted in Vermont,
the first rocking chair brought into
the state, the warming pan and
bellows used in the old house and
two pieces of blue china discovered
in 1910 in a built-in cavity in the old
staircase. There was also on eX-
hibition an original letter of George
Washington addressed to the church
of which one of Mr. Van Santvoord's
ancestors was minister desk used
by Alexander Hamilton when writing
several members of the Federallst,
the cane used by Napoleon at st.
Helena, and an original water color
of Napoleon painted on board II
Orient, in the Egyptian Expedition OF
1898.
At 5 minutes of six bugler sound
ed the assembly and at promptly SIX
O'Clock a large flag was bent ON mai
yards of the 20 foot hickory pole,
which was cut on the farm and had
been raised earlier in the day. The
flag was raised by Charles Dunn,
friend and neighbor of the host. Mr..
Dunn. who is a veteran of the civil
War and a member of the family OF
the so-called fighting Dunns, wore
his grand army uniform and as the
flag touched the block, the old sol
der reverently removed his hat as
the first gun of the Governors salute
was fired under the direction ,ol
Major Sanford l.. Cluett of the Sig
nal Core, N. G. s., N. Y.
From the north porch which had
been profusely decorated with the ma
tional colors, Mr.. Van Santvoord
then introduced the speakers, the
guests standing on the lawn near the
flag staff. Mr.. Van Santvoord said
that while strict military regulations
did not accord a governors salute to
the chief executive of sovereign
state outside the limits OF his own
commonwealth, he felt sure even the
residents Of Vermont who were pres
ent. would, on such an occasion ap-
plaud the 10 guns which had peen
fred in honor of the Governor OF the
Empire State. He said that 1t was
many years since a democratic gov
eronr of New York had had the
temerity or even the opportunity TO
come into the rock-ribbed republican
state of Vermont, where If a demo
orat ever wanted to be on the win
ming side and at the same time save
his self respect he was Obliged to
vote both tickets the same day
which was frequently done. In order
that the Governors courage might
not fail he would permit him to hold
in his hand, while speaking, the orl-
ginal hickory cane carried during MS
life by Andrew Jackson.
Governor Dix responded most hap
pily. He spoke entirely ofthand
and many who heard him declared
that it was the best extempore ad-
dress he has ever made. In accept
ing "Old Hickory's" cane he declared
that he reserved the liberty not to
comply with the condition, that II
was merely a "loan" from the host.
After commenting upon the fact that