The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-04-07
NEW YORK'S VERMONT SOCIETY
1t Was Formed Through the Efforts of Former Guiord
Woman What Perseverance Accomplished

son had been a leader in college and |
would be most desirable as president; I
being possessed of great diplomatic |
ability and a pleasant main to meet.
Il had hoped Mr.. Stoddard would |
see some of these men for me but he
said he had not the time, advising that
4 interview them personally. At first
/ thought | could never have the cour-
age to approach them but Mr.. Stod
dard said | could, at least, try.
u went to Mr.. Mathewson s Office
but did net find him in, however. / left
my card with his secretary and later
called him by telephone, telling him of
the proposed plan to form a Vermont
society in Manhattan Borough, to hold
its meetings there He was interested
at once, told me of another man who
would help it along and made an APP
pointment with me for an interview.
A circular letter had been previ-
ously prepared and passed upon by Mr..
| Stoddard and Others In the letter |
asked for names of those who would
| be likely to forward such a movement
and in response received a great num-
| Der of names, 200 of the letters were
sent out, replies being sent by about
half that number. Mr.. Stoddard loan
ed me his Dartmouth year book, pub
lished every tenth year, and suggested
searching the college lists and year
books for names of Nermonters who
reside here. | obtained the year books
of Middleburv college (also nice let
ter from DR.. Thomas), the year book
of Vermont University and of Norwich
University, all of which l searched
carefully for names of Vermonters in
New York. l also obtained the Alumni
| g. .R4r-
connection with the year books
found.
After the 200 circular letters ha(
been sent out the Brooklyn society be
gun to fear that their organization
would be disrupted by the formalitie.
of the Manhattan society and as Mr.
} Mathewson was Vice-presidcnt of thu
Brooklyn. chapter and Mr. Edison
member. it was thought best not t,
n send out any more letters at that time
T | In May, 1908, a meeting was callet
of those who had been active in tn
: project. at the Office of Mr.. Edison an,
t about 40 were present.
$ Unfortunately for me, | was take
e i'll the day before the meeting am
e could not attend but sent my report
e and such material as l had collected
G Mr.. Mathewson was chosen chairma
Il ana committee OF hVe appointed I
" confer with the Brooklyn society, II
It viting them to become the nucleus O
n a larger organization. A vote of thank
o was extended me for my efforts whic
d was forwarded to me by Mr.. Edison
was also chosen a member of the con
o mittee and their recording seeretar,
q Another meeting of the committe
h for further conference with til
d Brooklyn society was later held, whic
n resulted in an amicable agreement b
Re which the two factions united undo
l. the name of the Vermont Society {
W New York, this happy result being du
IS largely to Mr.. Mathewson and Mr.. f,
S. son.
Is John L. Burdett, a cousin of Rifle
1t Burdett, of Estey organ fame, was
h. good worker for the cause and a meu
v Der of the committee, as was also Sy
r vester Deming, treasurer of the Pan
* ma railroad.
a This is the true story of the begiI
III ming of the Vermont Society in Ne
ne York, as illustrating what may be a
ke complished by perseverance. Nj
a Blanchard disclaims any credit for Il
ce achievement but l have ample pro-
n of her untiring efforts to make it
on success, in letters from those wi
Lr. worked with her. She had no infiue
W tial friends to help her, but 81