davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
History of Waterbury.

We wish to acknowledge a Christ
mas gift of a copy of the History of
Waterbury from Editor Whitehill OF
the Waterbury Record. We also wish
to congratulate Publisher Whitehill on
his enterprise in getting out such a
book. He has done his town a real
service and added to the rich fund IT
local history of Vermont life. The
writer of the history was Theodore G.
Lewis. We append review OF the
book by the Rutland Herald.
The book is a respectable quarto of
nearly 400 pages, bound in red board
and embellished with a number of ex-
cellently imprinted half-tones, the
subjects being identified with the his
tory of the town and village.
The contents are voluminOuSly tab
uIated, covering six periods. The hrst
begins, not only with the charter of
the town in 1853, but actually with the
records of aboriginal trails and the
murderous expedition of de Rouville,
who passed down the Winooski valley
in 1904 to murder, rapine and pillage
in Deerfield, Mass.
The second period begins in 1900,
With Ezra Butler ana MS dCClN1llSS DIS
a prominent feature. The third extends
from 1880 to 1850, decade crowded
with eventful history, and the Dilling-
ham family and their services to the
town and the state as features.
Down to 1875 the history deals with
pertinent local matters, with the echo
es of the Civil war, the services of
brave soldiers and the post-bellum up
buildings graphically told. From 1876
to 1900, the history is practically con-
temporary, with the Mount Mansfield
railroad, Senator Dillingham;, the state
hospital and the village incorporation
as factors in the story.
The final decade and a half brings
the history to 1915, with the address
of Senator Dillingham; at the unwilling
of the Soldiers monument, May 80,
1914, as an appendix. The book is
something of a model in care of COM
pilation, scholarly phraseolOgy and
succinct, but complete narrative.
Mr.. Lewis has certainly made his
title clear as a Vermont historian, as
the historical references to state af
fairs and progress show a research
and familiarity with our common
wealth's spirit and accomplishments
which suggest his fitness for greater
work
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
National Guard Suggestion.

St. Johnsbury for years has had a
company of the Vermont National
Guard composed of young men who
meet regularly for drill and attend
the larger meetings of the organiza-
ton in the state or in connection with
the regular army. Our attention has
been called to the fact that the public
takes very little interest in the work
of this military organization and that
it is worthy of greater interest. We
think this is true and the presence of
a few spectators at their regular drills
would undoubtedly encourage the
members. of Company D. Possibly
with the return of warmer weather
the members could awaken greater
public interest by having drills out OF
doors. People could not fail to see
them then, at least. 1t is said some
employers discourage their employees
from joining the company by telling
them they cannot be excused to attend
the annual muster. 1t would seem
that these employers might be per-
forming a real public service by grant
ing them the necessary time to per-
form the necessary duty with the To-
cal company.
We believe real enthusiasm for the
national guard might be aroused by
the organization of rifle clubs in the
various towns of the county and hold
ing an annual meeting of all these
1r;I CHI
under the supervision of the local mill
tia company. Congress last year
passed law authorizing the free is
sue of rifles and ammunition to riffs
clubs organized by civilians. Under
this act ten citizens in any locality can
organize themselves into government
rifle club and adopt bylaws approved
by the secretary of war. The club
then affiliates with the National Rife
Association of America and is issued
by the war department one new Krag
rife for every five members of the
club and 100 rounds of ammunition
to each member annually for use on
the rifle range.
Undoubtedly there are ten young
men in each town in this county who
would be glad to organize a rifle club
and train themselves in rifle practice.
It would not require a great amount
of time and would perfect them in
shooting ability. Then county
gathering with contests between the
local units would arouse competition
and interest and, if drilling could be
arranged, they would acquire some of
the rudimentaries of military service.
Until this country has adopted laws
compelling a certain term of military |
service by all young men this would |
seem a very effective way to intro |
duce a slight degree of preparedness.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
DEATH OF JOSEPH A. DeBOER
Was Head of Insurance Company And
Prominent in Vermont Affairs.

Joseph Arend DeBoer, president OF
the National Life Insurance Company
died at his home in Montpelier at
a. m. Saturday after a long illness.
Mr.. DeBoer was born June II, 1851,
in Warffum, Holland, son of John
Arend and Anna Peters (Kuiper) De-
Boer.
When he was four years old his
father died. He was brought to the
United States by his mother in 1867,
and for several years, his home was
in Albany, N. Y. He was graduated
from Albany public schools and en-
tered Dartmouth college in 1880, and
graduated with honor, receiving the
degree of A. B. in 1884, and Master of
Arts in 1887.
Young DeBoer paid his way through
High School by selling papers on the
streets of Albany. He also worked
his way through Dartmouth.
He later taught Greek and Latin in
the Holderness, N. H, School for
Boys, and for four years, 1885-89, he
was principal of the Montpelier I'm
ion and Washington County grammar
schools.
On Aug. 1, 1889, he became actuary
of the National Life Insurance COM
pany in whose service he has since
remained, becoming it's secretary as
we'll as actuary, in 1897.
He has been secretary of the Yer
mont Historical society, trustee of the
Vermont Episcopal Institute and trus-
tee of the Montpelier Gallery of Fine
Arts, a member of the Montpelier
Board of Education, and was char
ter member of the Actuarial Society of
America.
He was member If the Montpelier
Board of Trade, of Aurora Lodge of
Masons, also of the Apollo club. He
has been a delegate to several Repub-
lican state conventions and was elect
ed state senator in 1900. He was
elected representative in 1908.
Mr.. DeBoer was married Dec. %,
1885, to Miss Augusta Featherly of AL
bany, N. Y. Four children were born
to them, three daughters and son.
The funeral was held Tuesday
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
EAST CABOT

(Mrs. VIM. D. Barr, Correspondent
Harry Houghton was a guest of his
mother at LanesbOro several days last
week.
G. D. Morse and daughter Marion
were at st. Johnsbury Tuesday to visit
Mrs. Morse, who is slowly gaining at
the St. Johnsbury hospital.
Enos Hopkins was a visitor at Cal
ais Monday and Tuesday, the guest of
his daughter, Mrs. Charles BaIentine.
G. w. Heath of Walden was in this
place few days ago looking after his
personal property.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. G. Roy spent Christ
mas at Charles Roys at West Barnet.
S. A. Chandler of Danville was an
over-Sunday guest of his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Harry Chandler.
Mr.. and Mrs. o. K. McCosco of West
Danville were guests of Mr.. and Mrs.
w. ID. Barr Christmas day.
Carl Durgan spent Wednesday at
st. Johnsbury on business.
H. A. Young, Mrs. Young and Cor
don spent Friday with her parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. John Armstrong.
Mrs. Eta Davenport was a guest
of friends at Harvey's Hollow Wednes>
day.
Jason Bailey, the cow tester of East
Montpelier was in this place last week.
This was his first trip here. There
are four farmers here who belong to
the association.
Mr.. and Mrs. Mark PeIow and child
rem of st. Johnsbury and Mr.. and
Mrs. George Blair and children Of
Harvey's Hollow were at Mrs. Eta
Davenports Christmas day.
Walter Weir was called to his home
in GranitevilIe Wednesday by the ILL
ness of his father, James Weir.
R. S. Barr is slowly gaining at the
Mary Fletcher hospital in Burlington,
being able to be on the recliner little
while each day.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carl Durgan and
children spent Christmas at Thomas
O'Brian's at Cabot.
Mrs Mary Hazlet and son joseph
of Cabot were at Gilbert HIPS two
days last week.
Hollis Witham of Walden was a
weekend guest at G. A. Durgan's.
Read the ads and save money.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
Head of National Guard.

Capt. Ira L. Reeves, former head OF
the university of Vermont military de-
partment and recently chosen presi-
dent of Norwich university, was last
week elected colonel of the 1st Yer
mont regiment, Vermont National
Guard, at a meeting held in the SUI
preme court room at the State House
Capt. Reeves and Lieutenant Col
Fred B. Thomas of Montpelier were
opposed to each other in the contest
for the office to succeed Col. Herbert
T. Johnson of Bradford, resigned, and
the former won, it is said, because OF
strong support given him by Adjutant
General Lee S. Tillotson. There. were
no other changes made in the field
officers personnel inasmuch as Capt
Reeves was promoted over the others
heads.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

appointed by the general committee
to take charge of the Gentlemen's
Night to be held in the Universalist
church in January: @. H. Hastings, S.
w. Chapman, G. A. Croweu, Karl
r. A. Cutting, d. w. Chap
lin, c.. A. Miltimore, Z. F. Cutting
Wesley Blodgett, r. H. Bazin, F. l.
Russell, Jacob Richardson, Jr., Irving
Willis and Richard Southworth.
Mrs. Helen Puffer was at her home
in st. Johnsbury for the weekend.
Postponed from last Sunday be-
cause of the storm, Christmas service
and tree at st. James Episcopal chap
ell at 2:45 p. m. Sunday with music by
the choir of St. Andrews.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
Democratic Discontinue.

In the passage of the resolution con-
full year the democratic party per-
formed a very unpleasant task Mr..
Kitchin, sponsor for the resolution in
the house, said, 1--WE democrats know,
of course, that this bill is unpopular. ("
But the unpopularity of the bill is not
so damaging to the democratic party
as the statement Of real conditions Of
the treasury and the real cause of the
deficits acknowledged to exist made by
the republican minority. We present
some of these facts.
An uncontradicted statement by
Congressman Fordney of Michigan is
that During the last seven months
prior to the war in Europe, at which
time the Underwood Tariff Act was in
effect, imports which were made were
more than $1OO,OOO,OO0 greater than
in any corresponding months in any
previous year in all our history, and
customs receipts during that period
averaged about $22,2OO,OOO a month,
or an average of about 100000 per
month less than was collected under
the Payne Tariff Act. For the last
eight months of this calendar year, to
the first day of November the foreign
imports, Notwithstanding the war in
Europe, exceeded the imports for the
same period under the Payne tariff
law in 1913 by $56,O0O,OOO, and the
customs receipts were $77,000,O00
less" No clearer showing that it is
not the European war but is the tar
if law of the democrats that causes
the shortage of funds can be desired.
Mr.. Fordney also stated that he Sc
lected from figures furnished by the
government a list of articles sent
abroad on account of the war in for
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

The commission form of government
is slowly gaining, there now being
eighty-one of the 2O4 cities of 10000
or more inhabitants in the United
States under that form of government.
Five of these cities are in New Eng
land. Vermont should begin agita-
ton for an enabling act to be passed
by the next legislature so Vermont
towns or cities can adopt that form of
government. Everywhere this form
of government has been introduced ex-
penses have been reduced and where
it has not been introduced expenses
are steadily increasing. With the
rapidly increasing expenses of nation
al and state governments the necessity
of a cheaper but efficient local govern
ment is more keenly recognized. Yer
monters want the privilege of trying
this improved method of doing NUM-
cipal business.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
Vermont,s Road Policy.

The Enosburg Standard in a long
and interesting editorial condemns the
present road policy of the state of
Vermont, claiming that the state has
expended $3,1S6,419 on road work and
has no mudless or dustless roads to
show for it, that there are weak links
in the improved roads while in other
states they have solid trunk lines, that
no other state in the Union has adopt
ed the Vermont policy and therefore
1.-THE concensus of engineering opinion
throughout the United States is against
Vermonts present policy" 1t also
says
Ten years from now, if the same rate
of state appropriations for highway
work is maintained. Vermont will have
spent $4,000, 900 for this purpose,
and this sum, at the rate of $4,000
per mile, the cost of mudless and dust
less roads in other states, would give
1000 miles of this kind of highway
throughout the state.
In adopting a new policy in highway
matters. Vermont need not seriously
mortgage the future, for in the opinion
of the Standard it is possible to for
mulate a financial plan that will give
Vermont what the other New England
states have built and are building,
mudless and dustless roads. good in
summer, spring and fall, covering the
main line highways throughout the
state.
First let us look at the statement
that ten years from now the state will
have spent $1O.OOO.0OO for road work
and could have at that time 1000
miles of mudless and dustless roads
Ten years from now will be nineteen
years after the present road policy was
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

eign countries and. found for a per-
iod of nine months Of this year there
has been an increased expectation OF
$765, 100000 of war material and q
falling off of 100000, 900 in that time
of ordinary exports" Thus it is seen
despite the war Americans are import
ing more products of foreign labor
and exporting less of their own manu-
features than they did under the re-
publican tariff. At the same time
they are receiving less revenue from
the increased imports, are obliged to
impose direct internal taxes to keep
the government running and have not
reduced the cost of living.
1t was also shown by Congressman
Longworth that by a change in book
keeping it was made to appear that
on October first there was $88,0OO,O 600
larger balance in the treasury than
there was on the last day of Septem-
Der, while as a matter of fact Their
was less money there. This was don
by counting as available cash balance
money that had been appropriated for
specific purposes only. By this jug
Cling of figures it is made to appear
from day to day that there is $685.
100000 more money available for gen
eral expenses than there really is.
To be so pitilessly exposed as frauds
in keeping the accounts of the govern
ment and as the destroyers of so much
American industry at such distinct
loss in revenue is most discomfiting
to the democratic majority in con-
gress. At the same time it is filling
the republicans with confidence that
the American people will insist at the
first opportunity on change in their
government. We may f1ttingly refer
to the party now in power as discom-
flied, respondent, doomed democrats.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
Limit to Real Widows.

The Brattleboro Reformer says
There is pending in congress- a bill to
pension widows, and minor children of
officers and enlisted men who served
in the war with Spain, the Philippine
instruction, or in China. Reduced to
simple terms, it provides that on the
death of any soldier who served in any
of the above named conflicts, his wild
ow, if she has no means of support
other than her daily labor and an &C
tual net income not exceeding $3.50,
shall receive a pension of $12 per
month during her widowhood, and So
a month for each child under 16 years
of age. If the mother re-marries, the
chiId's pension shall continue until the
child is 6 years of age, but that of the
mother will automatically stop. The
bill further provides that in case a
minor child is insane, idiotic, or other
wise permanently helpless, the pension
shall continue during the life of the
child, or during the period of such
disability"
We would add the suggestion that
the bill be amended to make it apply
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

build 1000 miles of the roads the
Standard recommends in nineteen
years. The total mileage of Vermont
highways is 1881 and rebuilding
1 200 miles of it once in nineteen years
would hardly satisfy the people or sol
idify good roads to a marked extent.
We have for the $3.186.419 already
highways in Vermont.
If Vermont is to build mudless and
dustless roads without mortgaging the
future it will be the only state to adopt
such a policy. So far as we know
other states have created tremendous
ly heavy bond issues to build their
trunk lines of mudless and dustless
roads, and if Vermont should attempt
to do otherwise it would be just as iso-
lated as it is in it's present policy. The
argument that the concensus of opin-
ion is against it now and therefore the
state is wrong would apply as firmly
then. Experience shows that bonds
are necessary to any large construct
ing of mudless and dustless roads.
The following resolution adopted by
the State Grange of New Hampshire
is a timely comment on the policy of
going heavily into debt to construct
roads.
Resolved, That the State Grange of
New Hampshire reaff1rm its position
and emphaticaIly demand that high
way improvement in New Hampshire
be undertaken only as it can be paid
for without the creation of public debt.
The Manchester Union commenting
on the Oranges action says
The Grange, as already stated, has
a habit of committing itself to thor
Oughly progressive and practicable
projects only; and to these it gives the
most vigorous, the most level-headed,
and the most persistent support until
they are brought to realizations In
it's championship of the pay-as-you-go
plan for highway improvement, it pro-
ceeds with characteristic sagacity. The
proposition is altogether prudent and
wise, and should be stoutly supported
by the citizens of New Hampshire
generally.
We repeat that the construction
of dustless and mudless roads on any
large scale is impossible without the
creation of large debts and the crea-
ton of large debts for that purpose is
not satisfactory where it has been
been tried. Finally Vermont is not
able to construct 1000 miles of roads
costing $4,000 a mile as the Standard
advocates and it might as well recog-
nize that fact now as ever. 1t will be
much better for the state to improve
its roads as fast as it can afford to
and pay for them as fast as they are
improved. To attempt to build mud
less and dustless roads through the
sparsely settled sections of Vermont
would be as foolish as the erection of
a New York sky scraper for a country
store at the cross roads and the major
ity of Vermonters know it. Therefore
they are not anxious for a change in
the states road policy.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
WATERFORD

(Mrs. A. M. Sunburg, Correspondent
Lois Sunburg is home from he1
work in Littleton during the holidays
Clara Shackway spent last week
with her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
Shackway, from her school in Man
chester, N. H.
Mrs. May Lewis and daughter were
recent guests at her brother, George
BedelPs.
Frank Fisher, who is working in
Woodsville made a short call at his
home here Christmas Eve.
Mrs. Ollie Gay of Littleton is visit
ing at Mr.. and Mrs. Lyman Priests
for a few days.
H. M. Parks and niece were Christ
mas guests at Ed Chambers in West
Waterford.
George Bedell is driving team for
Fred LeClair.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

only to those who were wives of SOL
diers during the time of their military
service. The country should free it
self from the burden of supporting adj
venturesses who marry a derelict vet
eran simply for the sake of getting a
pension for years after he is dead. Any
woman whose husband volunteered
his service to his country should be
provided for but the woman marrying
an ex-soldier is no more entitled to
government aid than any other wife.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

Everyone is sorry Henry Ford is
sick but the fact he deserted his peace
party secretly to start for home indi-
Gates what a complete failure it has
been. One by one we hear of the
members leaving the party in a huff
and it looks now as though Mr.. Ford
sot much more fighting blood aboard
his peace vessel than any other Ameri-
can of the centuries.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

Joseph A. DeBoer is gone but he
leaves a vast amount of successful
work behind for the people of Yer
mont to enjoy as long as they hold
true to the high standards of citizen
ship he maintained. The state feels
it can i'll afford to lose such man as
he has been, but it can prove its
right to his ability only by adopting
his ideals and working as unselfishly
as he for public good.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

it in just a few seconds, without fuss
or trouble. What's the use applying
sa1ves that make toes raw and sore,
make II misery to walk, tape that
sticks, greasy ointment and other con-
traptions. Get rid Of corns the easy
way, quick, simple, sure, new way.
That's common sense. Try "Gets-It"
also for warts and bunions. "Gets-It''
can't hurt,-the corn loosens, and comes
right of,-clean on.
"Gets-It" is sold at all druggists, CSC
a bottle, or sent direct by z. LaWrence
& Co, Chicago. Sold in st. Johnsbury,
and recommended as the worlds best
corn remedy by Q. G. Bingham, Chas.
Searles & Co., and Flint Bros.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
Annual MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the stockholders of
the Merchants National Bank of st. Johns
bury, VT. for the election Of directors for the
year ensuing " i'll be held at the Office of said
Bank on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 1916, at 2 O'Clock
p. m.
CHAs. w. RUITER. Cashier.
st. Johnsbury. VT,
Dec. 8, 1915.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29
GOODNIGHT CORNS.
GOOD-BOY "GETS-IT''
New-PIan Corn Remedy That Never
Fails. The Simple, Common
Sense Way.

You poor corn-limper, with corn
wrinkles and heart painsl Sit down
tonight and put a few drops of Gets
It," the simplest corn remedy in the
world, on your corns. You can apply
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

AdVertIsers-An copy for advertise
ments must be in by noon on Tuesday
to insure it's insertion in the issue of
Wednesday. Our subscription books
are open to your inspection.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

The stockholders of the Caledonia Nation
al Bank are hereby notified to meet at their
banking rooms at Danville on Tuesday, Ian
nary 18th, 1915. at one O'Clock + M. for
the election of Directors for the year ensu-
ing.
ASA wEssON. Cashier.
Danville, VT,
Dec. 1, 1915.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

Entered at the st. Johnsbury post
SMco as second-class mail matter.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-29

Local notices. wants. for sale. etc.
notices 10 cents a line. three inser-
tions. Probate notices $500 each for
three insertions. Dissolution. liberia
three Insertions. Card of thanks. IS
cents. Obituary poetry. 10 cents a
HnA-