The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-10-21
HIS ssth ANNIVERSARY
Will be Observed Tomorrow by Mel
vim w. Wadsworth

Fellows home in Ludlow, will to-
morrow observe the 99th anniversary
of his birth. Up TO the time of his
entrance to the home he was a life
long resident of Bennington.
To most of the younger generation
the name OF Melvin w Wadsworth is
unknown, or at least, unfamiliar.
And it is not strange that it is so,
perhaps. But there are those in
Bennington who have passed middle
life to whom the name brings back
many recollections of the past.
In the possession OF the name they
recognize one of the last connecting
links between Bennington as it now
is and as 1t was at the time when
the postoffice, the court house. the
library and other public structures
we're on the HILL when such fam
Gus hostelries as Gates Hotel, the
Stark House, the Franklin house, in
this village, and the Old sWalloomsac,
as 1t was then known and the State
Arms fourished and received and
entertained, in the manner for which
they were famous
II Is small wonder, then, that Mel
vim w. Wadsworth's name is well re-
membered by the older residents. But
his name not only recalls visions OF
early Bennington, but presents Wis
ions of struggling young republic,
and in the eye OF the mind many of
the events of the exciting period OF
1872 are seen clearly.
Melvin W. Wadsworth was born in
Bennington October %, 1872, the son
of Samuel Wadsworth and Patty S.
(Rudd) Wadsworth The Wads-
worths at that time we're living in
roughly built house on the side of
Mount Anthony The house and the
generous extent OF property was ia
miliarly known TO the villagers as
the "old Wadsworth homestead" The
summer residence of ]. c. Colgate
now occupies its site.
Melvin was the youngest of 10 chill
dren and is the only survivor. Mr..
Wadsworth was one of those men
who are known and loved and res
pected by all, but of whose history
comparatively little is known. II is
probable that when the subject of
this sketch was quite young. his par
ents removed to another town, tenn
porarily at least, or young Melvin
may have passed his early childhood
on the gentle slopes of Mount An
thony.
However, in his "reminiscences he
seldom reverts to his early childhood
and in view Of his later life, this is
not unusual.
Melvin Wadsworth was stage
driver between Troy and Boston in
1888, before the day of the railroad.
He was conceded one of the best dri-
yers, the most fearless and success
full of any who guided the cumber-
some coaches over the dangerous
trail between those two cities. Many
stories of his exploits are told of
Wadsworth A glimpse at the true
character of the man can be had
from several experiences that he had
and which he took great delight in
relating. At one time when he was
in Buffalo, he was without employ
ment and applied at the Office of a
stage coach line for a position as
driver. The agent of the company
| looked him over and asked what re
concentrations he could offer. Wads-
worth was equal to the occasion and
Immediately held out his hands for
proof OF his ability. He got the
| job
When he resided in Bennington he
was employed as driver for a number
OF years by the famous |. and s.
Weeks company of this town. The
name of l. and S Weeks was well
known throughout this entire section
| Wadsworth had been employed by
them as a lad and when he grew W
he was associated with this company
for number of years On this oc
casion he had just left Bennington
for Boston. His route took him &c
Manchester. through 10 Charleston
n. H., and thence TO Boston. Wher
he started he had neglected to pro
vide himself with money Nothing
deferred by this condition, Wads
worth continued on his course anC
everywhere he went would simply
mention the magic name OF !. and S
Weeks and-he completed the jour
ney
Melvin Wadsworth, the last OF tl'
old. picturesque stage drivers, was I
master of the rod and gun. The sto
ries related of his hunting and fish
ing expeditions, and they were made
when the brooks abounded with fist
and the forests were rich with game
are numerous and unexcelled ii
point OF thrilling experiences ant
generous captures. IL is little won
der then, that he later became nc
ted trainer of hunting dogs.
In 1850 while residing in Benning
ton. he became a member of tn
Stark lodge OF Odd Fellows and /
one OF the Oldest Odd Fellows in tn
county He took all the degrees ant
rose to the rank of vice grand. Tn
office OF noble grand was at one tim
proffered him. but this he decline
on the ground that he was incapabl
OF filing IL properly. He becam
past vice grand and later became ver
cradle warden and served on tn
. state staff in 1883 and 1884
He was admitted to the Gill HON
j