davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
BRATTLEBORO'S SPIRIT OF 1861
How the News of Fort Sumter's Fall Was Received
Here so Years Ago-George Bugbee's Conversion.

There were in Bratt lehoro few rebel
SmpathizeR-''oO pperhe ads' as they were
termed-who expressed satisfaction over
the fall of Sumter but they repented for
such manifestations of disloyalty. The
stories OF how these "'copperheads' were
suddenly converted TO the Union cause are
amusing. With the ann ouncement that the
rebels had triumphcd in their first attempt
at arms II behooyed the men of the north
to take active steps TO suppress any at.
tempt OF snccor or support, and the men OF
Brattleboro lost no time in informing the
most radical rebel sympathizers that the
time had arrived to talk and act differently.
The first demonstration Of this kind in
Battleboro occurred at the home of George
Bugbee who lived in the two-story brick
house west OF the present Grange block.
Mr., Bugbee kept boarding house and
much OF his time had been spent upon the
street for several days previous to the re-
ccipt OF the news from Charleston. With
the arrival of the news that Sumter had
fallen Mr.. Bugbee felt that his cause was
in the ascendency and he lost no oppor-
tunity to deridc the north for its attitude
toward the south. On Z he evening of Tues
day, April 10, Mr. Bugbee's neighbors
made him call and he was given a chance
to repudiate the rebel cause. There are
few survivors of that interesting occasion
in Bratieboro and they smile as they tell
how George changed his mind and espous.
ed the Union cause suddenly after a hall
dozen stones were thrown through his bed.
room window. He decided to retract when
he saw the temper Of Z he crowd and said
that lie was willing TO espouse the Union
cause. That simple stat ement was not suf.
iicient He was brought out doors and
commanded TO kneel down on the national
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
A Long Look Ahead in Vermont.

As a rule the discussion of paramount
issues in Vermont are relegated to the pc
riod of gubernatorial agitation As re
suit it is difficult matter to discuss any
serious problem on its merits. People in
general and partisans of one candidate Oh
another in particular are inclined to at
tribute this motive or that to the discus
sion of subject, searching meanwhile for
the man behind the gun, and if any especial
candidate happens to get in the way of the
sharp end of the discussion, it is at once
claimed he is the target.
Now we want to prepare the people OF
Vermont for situation which will inevi-
tably confront them and to do it before
any candidate for governor appears. The
presidential campaign will open not many
months hence and Vermont politics may
be expected to start in early, SO we should
be prepared to consider the situation intel
ligently.
in all human probability the paramount
issue in the next campaign in Vermont will
be the effort of the New Haven railroad
and the Grand Trunk and Central Vermont
to control the situation in this state. If
the fight between these two lines should
be settled in the meantime, then, of course,
the 'situation facing the people of Vermont
would differ in way, but such an outcome
does not appear likely at present
The question whether the New Haven
or the Grand Trunk shall dominate will
naturally be fought out chiefly in connec-
tion with the legislature, although both
roads will naturally be glad to have a hand
in shaping the appointments by the next
governor of public service commission.
The granting of charters and the pass
ing of measures like those involved in re-
cent railroad contests in this state rests
with the legislature and the representatives
of both roads in different parts of the
state may be expected to put their best
foot forward.
Now many people will at once query
which road should be given the preference.
Our answer is as short as it is uncondi-
tional. Neither Let the people rule.
The only safe course for our citizens in
the long run will be to make sure to Sc
lect men who can not be dominated by
either railroad for the house and particn-
larly for the senate where a small number
may hold the balance of power.
As the time for selecting legislators APP
proaches men will begin to take on various
shades of opinion on this subject, and the
only sure rule will be for the people not
to select sudden converts to represent them,
but men who have long stood upon an in
dependent basis for the maintenance and
the protection of the rights of the public
as against any corporation independent
basis for the maintenance firmly in their
minds at this time the people Of Vermont
may save themselves from ga sea of
trouble"
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14

democrat as there was in town. According
to The Phoenix, which at that time was
published by Charles Cummings:
The news OF the attack on Fort Sumter
by the rebels at Charleston created the
greatest excitement in our village, and
when a despatch announcing its fall was
received the deepest Indignation was mani
tested The war spirit of our citizens was
fully aroused Tuesday afternoon april
16) the American flag was raised between
our office and the Brattleboro House after
a neat and appropriate speech by Captain
Phelps and amid the cheers of those at
tending the impromptu gathering Anoth-
er flag with stars and stripes was given to
the breeze above the street against the
American House. Tuesday evening a large
number of people called upon some of those
whom they had reason TO suspect sympa-
thized with the rebels, and gave unmistaka-
BILE signs Of their Indignation. No violence
was committed. 1t was well to condemn
treason but it is not well to institute any
other rule than the supremacy of law.
Capt. j. w. Phelps of this village is
favorably named for the command of the
first regiment. Captain Phelps resigned his
commission in the army about two years
ago but he is ready to serve his country
again He distinguished himself at Mexico
and is said by General Scott and other
competent judges to be an able officer. He
is as true as steel.
The same issue OF The Phoenix contained
the proclamation of Governor Fairbanks
calling an extra session Of the Vermont
legislature for April %, and President Lin.
coins call for $4,000 troops, of which Yer
mont's quota was $50 men. The sentiment
Of the people of Vermont concerning the
rebellion finds no better illustration than
the action of the legislature which appro-
priated 100000 for war expenses and
adjourned in As hours from the time of
assembling Col. Kittredge Haskins was a
member of this legislature.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
BRArTLEBoRo. FRIDAY. APRIL II, 1871
THE COST OF EASTER BoNNETs.

While Easter bonnets are parading tho
pnmaee Of birds that check crop pest
losses to food and cloth products in the last
year that amount TO over $40 for every per
son in the United States are reported as
chiefly due TO the destruction of these
feathered insect eaters. According TO sta
tistics just gathered by the government bio
logical survey at Washington it is declared
that the cost of living has been raised 10
cover a billion dollar loss in agricultural
produce from the inroads OF insects and
rodents that would be largely wiped out II
their natural bird foes were protected from
the feather men, market butchers and pot
hunters. Every year that such commercial
interests are allowed TO thin the ranks OF
the insect eating species higher prices must
be paid by the ultimate consumer for yege-
tables, fruit, cotton cloth and many other
necessary staples, il is predicted.
On last years cotton crop alone loss of
between S25,0O0,000 and S30,000,000 is
shown to be borne by every onewho buysa
bit of cotton goods, principally because the
birds that destroy this pest are being killed.
While Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Mis-
souri,, Alabama and Arkansas are now i'm
pregnated by this costly crop plague, orni-
biologists report that bird life is becoming
so wasted throughout the whole cotton belt
that the boil weevil may soon spread over
every plantation with little opposition from
the natural forces that help to hold it in
check. Every dollars worth of such dam
age that the bird guards could prevent, 1t is
pointed out, must come in pennies from the
pockets of the American people.
Almost every article of food except meat
has been found to come to the consumer to-
day with an added cost to cover many mil
lions of dollars of loss that the government
experts have proved is largely due to the
increasing lack of insect.eating birds to
drive away the pests that are spreading
over the fields. Such staples as corn are
now known to fall short Of supply that
means lower prices, in some measure, on
account OF the depletion of the wild birds
and the consequent increase in their nox-
ious insect prey. II the orchards, fields,
gardens and plantations of America were
not being guarded by fewer and fewer of
these insect eaters each year their yield
would be increased and the price of their
products lowered.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
For the Women to Think A bout
Written Especially for The Reformer

The garments also are made almost exactly
/ alike--sleeve, pocket, collar and straight
side seam.
How many of us give enough attention tt
our speaking voicesg There is nothing more
irritating or firing than a shrll, loud, rasp
ing voice, and yet so many otherwise de
lightful people seem to be apparently una
ware Of this most disagreeable fault.
In choosing wall papers, one cannot &c
far wrong if she selects plain colors without
figures Putty color is one of the newer
ones
If the suit you elect to buy has the high
cut skirt and you are too short wasted to
wear it becomingly have the tailor cut the
skirt off at once to the usual height and put
it into an ordinary band Don't wear an
unbecoming garment just because it is new
style.
A great many of the first Of the seasons
hats are particularly attractive because of
the straw, bead or ribbon ornaments with
which they are trimmed
"The easiest way to clean house is to do
It all at once, turning everything upside
down, having all carpets taken up at the
same time, all the windows washed in sue
cession. all the paint scrubbed in one piece
Of work. If the family can be banished,
this plan may be followed, but when the
ordinary business of the home has to 60 on,
such drastic measures should never be prac-
ticed. The house should be cleaned room
at time, but before going to these make
an attack on the closets,'' says Christine
Terhune Herrick in WON ans Home Com
panion for April. Devote one day to the
china closet. Take the china and glass out,
put it on table and scour the shelves.
Have blow-gun and inject insect powder
into any cracks or crevices Of the shelves
as encouragement to invading insects.
Wipe off every piece Of table ware before
you put it back and discard ruthlessly
broken and cracked pieces ''When you put
your china on the shelves use care in its ar
Tall pieces should go at the
back, and so should piles of saucers and
plates. Be careful not to make the pile of
plates too tall. Plates If delicate china at
the bottom of stack nay be cracked and
broken by the weight of the china upon
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14

/ flag and repeat an oath Of allegiance ad
ministered by Captain Phelps who few
weeks later took comm and of the First
| Vermont volunteers.
| There are other instan ces of sudden con-
version of "copperhead in Brattleboro,
though the town authtri ties took steps the
day following Mr.. Bugbee's Admission to
the Union" to prevent further demonstra-
tons They issued a statement that no
citizen should be molested in his home but
how religiously this mandate was carried
ont will be shown later
With the announcement from the south
THAI the rebels were in possession Of Sum-
ter came an outburst of sentiment against
Jefferson Davis by the people of Brattle-
boro and the president of the Southern
Confederacy was hung in efliW on gibbet
erected on Main street directly in front Of
the Brattleboro House. Not content with
expressing their contempt for JEFF Davis
and his cause by hangin & him in effigy the
stuffed figure was cut down and burned.
John S. Tyler, G. A. Miles and Captain
Todd were among the young men who
helped convert local "copperheads."
In the unwritten history of Brattleboro
in the War of the Rebellion should be
familiarly known. was am ardent supporter
of the Union cause. This West River farm
er had seen pictures of flags but his color
scheme was rather at variance with that
used in the manufacture Of the national
colors His was of yellow and white as he
had no red cloth The stripes OF yellow
were sewed upon large sheet Of white
and the designer was liberal in his starry
effect. With the announ cement from the
south that Sumter had been fired upon
word came that one Of Brattleboro's we'll
known summer guests, Harvey Bawtree,
was to become lieutenant In the Confed-
crate army. Mr.. Bawtree had spent his
summers in town for several years and
came from the south
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
AN ASSURANCE.

Whittier has the idyllic flown? We are
moved to ask the question by reading in a
contemporary of the progress of an up
lift" movement at Brattleboro, vt. ga
bigger, buster, better Brattleboro" is its slo
gan. One of the speakers tells the people
that the aim can only be realized by Brat
tleboro's returning. to great moral prin-
ciples." Brattleboro's condition SENS to be
parlous, and yet to the tourist it appears
a pretty, pleasing place, inhabited by like
able people. Artists love it for its pictur-
sequences and the casual sojourner sees no
appalling necessity for its "uplift." If the
idyllic cannot find stronghold there,
where? Perhaps the local Catos are trife
too Catonic. Castine, Maine, seemed to
Bostonians who visited it in the not remote
past delightful old town of dreamers,
guileless, kindly; yet when the construc-
ton of railroad to connect it more direct
ly with the outer world was proposed the
senior deacon said "Never! Castine is
wicked enough now!"--Boston Transcript.
The foregoing paragraph no doubt re-
fleets the feeling of many metropolitan
folks to whose minds the name Of Brattle-
boro brings thoughts of fresh air and sun
shine, attractive streets, comfortable and
well kept homes. And for their enlghten-
ment it may be said that we still possess all
these attractions. No doubt it seems
strange to people living in communities
whose civic problems are so much more
magnitudinous than ours, that there should
be need for Brattleboro to set in motion
uplift machinery so elaborate. Perhaps 1t
is not surprising that the somewhat com
plicated organization of our recent cam
paign, with its various committees and sub
committees and resolutions and creeds,
should cause outsiders to wonder about the
wherefore Of it all. But the movement was
the result of no immediate and threatening
evil; it was due to the belief that no COM
munity is so superlatively good that it
cannot be made better by an organized
effort for self-improvement. That this
doctrine is sound no practical student of
civic progress can deny, and when we as
sure our outside friends that the much
wishedfor Better Brattleboro will have to
be an improvement over something already
very good there ought to be no further
cause for misgiving.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
Ferguson and Temperance.

The following letter from f. A. Shaw q
Northfield, VT, deals intelligently with :
subject in which many people are interested
at present:
The columns of the Free Press Of Apri
i contained a report OF meeting of the
Anti-SaIoon league in which it was stated
that in the matter of the resignation oil
Mr.. G. j. Ferguson the committee were
OF the opinion that the criticisms of Mr.
Ferguson's methods by the press and in,
dlviduals came from the enemies of TEN.
perance. and that it was the best judg.
ment OF the committee that Mr.. Ferpu.
son should continue his work as superin.
tendent.
This is the most unfortunate conclusion
in view of the facts. The temperance prob
lens OF the state cannot be handled by the
Anti-Saloon league or by any other organic.
alton without the allegiance of large ma
lorlty OF the newspapers which have been
allenated by the methods and policy of the
league or Its superintendent and are now
characterized as enemies of temperance
The press of the state, except a small
minority stand for no license. temper
ance position; but very large majority
refuse to endorse the methods of the Anti.
Saloon league. Now the league forfeits its
right to leadership in the temperance work
OF vermont when 1t antagonizes these
forces for temperance and sobriety.
There is another large group of men who
have been giving of their time, money and
influence to bring about no" vote in
their towns, but who refuse to ieopardize
their cause by permitting the league, as
now constituted, to have any part in the
work; these too are labeled as enemies of
temperance.
And there are not a few sincere clergy.
men in the state who give untiringly OF
their energy to fight the demon of intern
perance but who decline to open their pull.
pits to the league. These also are enemies
of temperance.
1t is time we had referendum on the
of the Anti-Saloon league.
BY what authority does group of men
declare its policy? Is it a representative
body? Are its methods of organization
omen to light? Let us know the facts.
Meanwhile if Mr.. Ferguson cannot com.
mand the respect and adherence of the safe
and sane temperance workers of the state
who have borne the brunt of battle since
before the AntiSaloon league came into
being. let the so-called committee accent
his better judgment" and permit him to
step aside in favor of another man.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
ESTATE OF AUSTIN NJ. ALLEY.
STATE OF VERMONT.

/ MAJ Il Of NENmONI.
~ District of Marlboro, IS.
The Honorable Probate Court for the DsrTf
Of Marlboro.
| To all persons interested in the estate q Aass
M. Akley. late of Brattleboro in said ps'S'
deceased. Greeting: ~.
At Probate Court, holden at Brattieboro W. W
and for said District on the 18th day OF Arrl ~.
an instrument purporting to be the last WI WIZ. =
Testemen of Austin M. Akiey, late of Bra'llsSs. Y,
in sad Di. trict, dece a. ed. was presented ~
Court aforesaid, for Probate. -. l.,
And it is ordered by said Court that the Es'r ~ y
of April, 1911. at the Probate Office in salo y.
| tleboro, be assigned for proving said insuuns
and that notice thereof be given to all pess
concerned. by publishing this order three We
successfully in the Brattleboro Reformer, . ls ".
paper circulated in that vicinity, in said DisuA'
previous to the time appointed.
Therefore. you are hereby notified 70 ApS
before said Court at the time and place solss.,
and contest the probate of said will II you "'|
cause. n
Given Under My Hand, at Brattleboro hS'|
Dist let, this 18th day of April. 1911 ,.,s
l5-l7 A F. SCdWENk, Jug
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
ESTATE OF JOHN A. MERRIFIELD
CTATE OF VERMONT.

SIAIE Ot NEhMONI.
" District Of Marlboro, SIS.
The Honorable Probate Court for the Dsn'
Aforesaid:
To all persons interested in the estate q Va
A. Merrifeld. late of Newfane in said psEnf
dece ased, Greeting:
Whereas said Court has assigned the ait q
of April, 1911. next, for examining and slsil
the account of the executor Of the estate Y
deceased and for a decree of the residue Of Y
estate to the lawful claimants Of the sane Y
ordered that public notice thereof be given rl
persons interested in said estate by puthhnss,i
order three weeks successfully previous to =
day assigned, in the Brattleboro RefWng.
newspaper published at Brattleboro in sad y
trict.
Therefore. you are hereby notified to appeal
the Probate Office in Brattleboro. in said Dkfs-
on the day assigned, then and there to contest
allowance of said account if you see cause on I |
establish your RICH. as heirs. legatees, and sE'a
claimants to said residue. ,
Given Under my Hand, this 18th day Of Ala
1911.
i5-i7 AT. sCHWENE. Juill
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14

An Annotated Continuation of the Yer.
mont Digest compiled by Guy B. Horton
Of Burlington is now being distributed Ia
lawyers. BY an original method all new
material is closely connected with previous
decisions upon the same subject and so ar.
ranged that the existence of later decisions
upon particular point of law is apparent
at glance, and plan is begun for supple
ments, keeping the digest up to date. Al
though this Continuation covers but six
volumes of the Vermont reports-7S to 81
the labor necessary to digest and arrange
the material has been far greater than for
any previous volumes owing to the change
in form and contents of the decisions in.
Guided All citations of Vermont cases
(some 1000 in number) have been traced
and annotated to the earlier decisions. Mr..
Horton was. actively associated from the
beginning with Robert Roberts in commit
ing and editing the Vermont Digest and
has closely followed that work in arrange.
ment and form of statement. Announce
ment. is also made that Mr.. Horton has
completed a volume upon Vermont Cita-
tons which win be issued soon.
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
ESTATES OF
sARvILLA ]. JOY AND JOHN NJ. joY
cTATE OF VERMONT.

CTATE OF VERMONT.
- District Of Marlboro. SIS.
The Honorable Probate Court for the Ds-l
Aforesaid:
To all persons interested In the estates q i
villa J. and John NJ. Joy, late of BrattleboDhz
District, deceased. Greeting:
Whereas. said Court has assigned the 2it
Of April, next, for examining and allowing tea
counts If the administrator of both OF the ez,
of said deceased and for decree Of the resSa'
said estates to the lawful claimants Of the ~
and ordered that public notice thereof be gyr
all persons interested in said estates By PUBLISH
this order three weeks successfully preyrz'
the day assigned. in the Brattleboro Reforrs
newspaper published at Brattleboro in said d
trict
Therefore, you are hereby notified to appsrl
the Probate Office in Brattleboro, in said Drir.
on the day assigned. then and there to conte,
allowance of said accounts If you see cause, sott
establish your right as heirs. Iegatees and hst
claimants IN said residue.
Given Under My Hand. this 18th day Of Ar
1911.
i5-i7 H. Z. EDDY, Regsz
The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1911-04-14
Legal Notices.
STATE OF VERMONT.

'
. District Of Marlboro. Es
The Honorable Probate Court for The D,.
aforesaid:
To ali persons interested in the estate ON.
Benjamin ID. and Amy Weeden Greeting.
Whereas. application In writing hath lee, n.
TO this Court by the guardian ofMari0n. Bs,s'.
%. and Amy Weeden for license 70 sell h. !
estate of said wards, viz;
The house and lot on Western Avenue in b-..
boro In said District, representing that NJ I
| thereof for the purpose Of putting the presi.
such sale at interest, or investing the ar,
stocks or other real estate. or using tts NJ
| thereof for the benefit Of said wards az d. !
| dir ects W would be beneficial for said wards :
Whereupon. the said Court appointed Az !,
signed the 18th day Of April, 1911. Of a, !
hate Office in Brattleboro. in said District ui.
and decide upon said application. and orderrs !.
public notice thereof TO be given 10 ali p,,,
| interested therein. by publishing ths -
three weeks successfully In the Brattlebgs !
former, a newspaper published az Braue6s,
said District. which circulates in the bsag,
hood Of those persons interested there, X
which publications shall be previous 70 d. 4
APPOINTED for the hearing.
Therefore, you are hereby notified 70 8ppz,s
fore said Court, at the time and place afssx,
then and there In said Court, to object 70 them,
ing OF such license. II you see cause
Given Under My Hand at Brsttleboro. 4 4,
District, this cath day Of March, 1911
1918 A. F. SCHWENK, IA,