The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-12-15
JAS. H. WALBRIOGE
PASSED AWAY At
AGE OF 50
One of The Last Vermont Col
of the War
HAS HAD A uARlED CAREER
Before tho War He Was a Member
OF the California Vigilantes For
Several Years

Col James H. Wabrldge, VINO has
been in falling health for several
years died at his home in North
Bennington at one O'Clock this morn
ine.
Colonel Walbridgc was the orgaur
ger and captain Of Comapny a, sec.
end Vermont regiment of volunteers
and was one of the few survivors
among the 81 officers who at differ
ent times during the civil war held
regimental commands over Green
Mountain state troops The second
regiment composed the first body Of
troops from the state of Vermont TO
be enlisted for three years and Was
mustered into service at Burlington
June 20, 1861 Captain Walbridges
company was composed almost OK
cmsively of Bennington county re-
cruits. Many of them re-enlis.ed
when their terms expired and sory.
ed through the entire war.
Up to the time he observed his
S5th anniversary Col. Walbridge had
retained the remarkable mental and
physical vigor which had carried him
through the trying periods Of ali IN
usually active life. Early Ia he
winter of 1910 he experienced q sew.
ere attack of grip and since that
time his slight, military figure mas
been missing from the streets OK he
little village of North Bennington IN
which he had passed the larger por-
ton OF his life since he resigned bis
command in April, 1864.
Few men now residing in Vermont
have lived lives OF more varied nc.
tiyity. During his youth and early
manhood he was a sailor before he
mast, California gold prospeo,or
pioneer printer, member Of the ,gl-
lance committee that made tho final
restoration of law and order IN san
Francisco. three years an officer IN
the first lighting regiment thai Yer
mont sent into the civil war and az
ter fhe war went to Panama who're
he was superintendent OF docks
when tho late Tronor ". Park was
president OF the Panama railroad
ocmapny.
50 far as is known he was at he
time of his death the only person IN
Vermont who p0ssossed a Ger a.
cato Of membership In the Home
Guard of San Francisco" the orsant
cation that drove the laNless oies
ment out OF the city Of the Golden
Gate in 1856 and he treasured Il
moro than any Of bis personal be-
lcnglngs.
Col Walbrdge was native Ut
bennington, having been born Jaiy
20, 1926, in Hinsdillyille, a small
manufacturing hamlet about ;wo
miles from the home in which he
passed away. His father Stehbins
u, Wolbridge, who Was also born in
Hnsdillville, was farmer and wool
en- manufacturer and the son WHOM
a small boy learned the trade Of
weaver. When but youth be
showed evidence of that restless
bu, sturdy energy which durius
three years Of service resulted in his
promotion FROM captaincy TO the
head Of a regiment with "a record of
rs of the severe engagements OF Tho
civil war and which In The number
Of men killed in action stood 2ith
ont of over 2000 enlisted i'm the fcucr
al army AT the ago OF lG he latt
home TO become ono of the crew
OF q mackerel schooner which Cruis-
ed oft the Massachusetts, coast aud
followed tho life for two summers
bsing employed during the winter in
his fathers WOODEN min During the
year chat he was ~ years old he
Went 10 Springfield. Mass. and work
ed Tor three years in the paper mills
OF that city. From Springfield nc
went 10 California early Ia 1882. The
journey to the Pacific coast was no-
complished by the way OF the. Isih.
mus Of Panama which he crossed nv
travelling IN canoe manned By Indi-
ans To the head OF the Charres river
aud walking the remainder of ,he
distance.
Upon his arrival in California ne
went Immediately into the noun.
iains and worked for a time in the
placer mines. He PANIED out suin-
cicnt gold TO give him q start in
business and located in san Francis
co There was 20 opening for his
trade. that OF a paper manufacturer.
SO he went a step beyond and be.
came a printer. He had shipped 70
him from the east The FIRST power