The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-07-30
Mrs Kate C. DuttOn Asks
Town of TOwnshend to
Furnish Site
SPECIAL TOWN
MEETING CALLED
Benefactor Is Native Of Townshend,
Widow Of Col. Henry T. Dutton-
Plan to Enlarge Present Lot to Re-
duce Danger from Fire.

duce Danger from Fire.
Through the generosity of Mrs. Kate
C. Dutton of Gainesville, Florida, the
town of Townshend will again have a
modern town hall All the donor asks
the town to do is to furnish the site.
Townshend had the very great misfor-
tune to lose its town hall in the disas-
trous fire which swept the east side of
Main street on the night of May 8, 1918,
when the Townshend Inn and the resi-
dence of DIR. L. j. Parker also were de-
stroyed. The town hall was new and
modern building, erected in 1910 at an
expense of approximately $4,000. The
burning of the town hall was a very
serious loss to the town, which certainly
is to be congratulated in being the re-
eipient of SO generous gift.
Mrs Dutton, the donor, is the widow
of Colonel Henry F. Dutton of Gaines
vile. She was born in Townshend,
daughter of l.. III. and Marcia III. Ca
than, and her early life was spent in
Townshend. On May %, 1864, she mar
ried Henry F. Dutton, then lieutenant
colonel in the Eighth Vermont regi-
| ment The old Cathan homestead in
Harmonyville for many years has been
occupied by them as summer home.
| Colonel Dutton was born March 16,
1887, in Ludlow, (Vt.), and at the time
| of entering the service of his country
was teacher in Leland and Gray semi
| nary He enlisted in Company HI Eighth
Vermont regiment, and was commits
stoned captain Jan. IL, 1862, and rose
| to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In
Carpenters history OF. the Eighth Ver-
mont regiment is the following tribute
| to his ability.
"Lieut Col Henry F. Dutton, one
of the most efficient and popular officers
in the Eighth regiment, was so severely
wounded at the battle of Opequon that
| he was unable to continue in the service
and was honorably discharged Nov. 16,
| 1864. He entered the service as captain
| of Co. H, and having an active, well dis
! ciplined mind he soon made himself mas
| ter of the situation and was equal to
any emergency, whether in camp or un-
der fire. He was one of the best field
officers in the brigade and could move
regiment in battle with the same ease
as when on parade. For valiant service
as commander of the picked detachment
at the destruction of the gunboat Cot
ton he was complimented by Colonel
Thomas in his report made to the adju-
tant general of Vermont
/ After his discharge from the army he
engaged in the phosphate cotton and
banking business in the South, and was
enlinently successful. He died March
IA, 1916.
Mrs. Dutton has chosen the following
citizens of Townshend to assist her in
carrying out her plans for the building:
Finance committee, Charles s. Mills
Edgar HI. Allbee and Fred t. Randall.
Building committee, John II. Ware
chairman, Edward B. Batchelder
Charles w. Cutler, Harry f. Howard
and Henry c. Stratton.
A special town meeting has beer
called for Tuesday, Aug. IL, at p. m.
to see if the town will vote to purchase
land to enlarge the lot now owned by
the town in order that the new hal
, may be placed at greater distanc,
: from other buildings and thus lesser
the danger from fire. 1t is hoped tha
good number will be present and show
/ their appreciation for this generous gift