Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-07-19

Public exercises in dedication OF the
addition to the Brattleboro free library
building and In acceptance OF the Biits
to the library were made Monday even
ing, and although the heat and humio-
ity were noticeable all present mani
tested deep interest In the program
which markd a noteworthy event In the
history of one OF Brattleboro's really
attractive and valuable institutions. The
exercises took place in the audience
room in the second story Of the addition
and the audience filled row of chairs
extending entirely around the room. The
papers read in acceptance Of the gifts,
contained valuable historical material,
and they are printed herewith PRACTICAL
ly entire.
DR.. Henry D. Hoiton. president of the
library trustees, presided and stated first
the purpose OF the meeting. He said the
addition to the building was made pos
sibie by q gift of $500 from Mrs. c. A.
Loud of Boston, together with a conec-
tion Of books and works of art. In MEM
DRY Of her husband, funds OF like am
cunt furnished through the Brooks trus-
tees by the heirs of George j. Brooks,
the giver Of the library to the town,
and an additional appropriation of $1,000
by the town. DR.. Holton called upon
Judge James M. Tyler to speak in ac-
ceptance of the Loud gift. Mrs. Loud
came to attend the dedication, but was
taken Ill at the Brooks house and was
obliged to remain at the hotel She sent
some beautiful flowers. which were
placed on the counter down stairs. 1t
might be said here that Mrs. Richards
Bradley also sent a large basket Of
sweet peas, sweet alyssum and aspara-
gus fern in memory of the late William
Gar Bradley, for many years librarian.
Judge Tyler told of how the addition
had made the architectural symmetry Of
he hsti1 tnn rIx nd ,f
how 1t became possible at this time,
and then told who Mr.. and Mrs. Loud
were and how the gift came to be made,
speaking as follows: mot many persons
here have in memory the time when
Brattleboro academy, with its hundred
and fifty students. under its principal,
Roswell Harris, was one or the best in
stitutions of its kind in New England
Young men and young women from all
the country round attended 1t. Many
came from western New Hampshire, and
a large number Of towns in northern
Massachusetts were contributors to Its
prosperity. Ashburnham, Royalton, Win
chendon, Warwick, Mortified, Bernards-
ton, Colrain, Leyden and others sent
students to it. A young man, Charles
A. Loud. came from Winchendon. When
/ was beginner, small boy, he was
nearly ready to graduate. He was
handsome man in form and feature. He
HdO a nne voice ana was eloquent IN
the lyceum and mock courts of those
days. He became acquainted with Maria
Prouty, beautiful West Brattleboro
girl, a student at the academy. Their
Acquaintance ripened into a love affair
and an engagement, and a few years
later they were married, and they passed
a long and happy life together, residing
in Winchendon and Boston until Mr..
Louds death in 1906
Mr.. Loud studied law two years with
Hon. Edward kirkland in the offices
now known as the Childs insurance Of
fees, but he finished his studies in New
York where he intended to practice and
where he did practice law successfully
a few years; but he became Interested
In manufacturing, and in his later years
he gave his attention to banking, in
which he was very prosperous. He was
lover Of books and of art and made
large collections of paintings and curios
and choice editions of standard books.
A part of these collections this library
is now happy to possess.
Mr.. Loud always maintained a strong
anection for this town where he ac-
Quired his academic education and where
he won his wife. Mrs Loud. loves her
native town for it's natural attractions
and its sacred associations and memo
RES. She has been a summer visitor here
many years. Her attention was drawn
to the Brooks library, in which she be-
came deeply Interested, and she finally
thought 1t suitable institution on
which to bestow part of her husbands
treasures. Mr.. Charles A. Miles, who
was FOR years valuable member of the
town board of trustees had several in
terviews with Mrs. Loud in Boston and
mad considerable correspondence with
her which resulted in her donating the
valuable collections that you have seen
today to the library and the sum of
1880 towards this addition to the build
ing, TO the end that the Loud collection
may nave a suitable department of its
own. The. town by a unanimous vote
appropriated $500. and $500 more came
from the Brooks heirs fund. This is how
inns addition became possible It could
not have been made now without the
ana and impetus Of Mrs. LIQUIDS gifts.
! am authorized to state that Mrs Loud
mas given the library $500 more by her
VIII, but the special purpose of this be-
quest Is to provide for the care of the
Loud collection for all time.
contract was made with very
competent architects and builders. ana
been completed. '" mas
speaking Cor the trustees OF IN.
BROOKS library building. we apprec,ate
snese valuable gifts Of Mrs. Loud and
srateiuiiy accept them, and in This We
are sure that We express the Sentiment
" th,s community. And, speaking for NV
friend. Mrs. Loud. she earnestlv honas
that these gifts Of hers may In the CONS
ing years be an inspiration for tha
young to higher mental attachments and
broader lives" ""u
He also referred to George J. BROOKS
giver OF the library. as the towns great
est est 6enefactor mentioning the fact of
Mr, Brooks's death just before the dav
arrived for. the dedication and of the
postponement of the program to Jan.
o. 1881 He recalled the gift of sf5,OOo
10 the library from Mr.. Brooks's heirs
Mo Mo were his sisters. Mrs. Cabot ana
MIS- Goodhue. and his nieces and nenb-
ews, 70 pay part of the cost OF main
grade. '"e oooks or nigh
o.. In closing Judge Tyler mentioned the
a ga coo tnat the library. Contained some
$500 ana BOOKS; and that there were AZ oOo
annual withdrawals, "a Der cent e ne;nS v
notion He thought too much att.n,inn
was being paid to romance s a,den no.,
biography, history. science. art ana n ,ma'
ry were being neglected but he pUr a
direction. ." '"e right
The gift Of Mrs. Loud, which noas
possible the addition ha,,t-- Ao~e