Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1919-01-03
DEATH COMES TO
ATTORNEY BACON
Former Public Service Commits.
sioner Had Pneumonia
One of Vermont's Keenest Lawyers
Recently Formed Law Partnership
with Harvey & Whitney.

with Harvey & Whitney.
| Robert Colburn Bacon, a.. formerly
chairman of the Vermont public service
commission, a member of the law firm of
Bacon, Harvey g. Whitney and one of the
kcenest members of the legal fraternity
in Vermont, died about 5 Yesterday
morning of double pneumonia in his
home at 80 Western evenue. The an
nouncement of his death came mexpect-
eddy to most of the townspeople, as it
was generally supposed that he was re-
covering from an attack of influenza
Attorney Bacon went to Montreal last
week on business for the law firm of
which he was member returning Satur-
day. On his return he was not feeling
well, and next day his illness was pro-
nounccd to be influenza. He was not AZ
well Monday, and that night he had
temperature of lO3H, but on Tuesday
his condition was improved and at noon
he had only half degree of fever. That
night he became worse and Wednes-
day forenoon pneumonia developed in
one lung and in the afternoon the other
lung became affected. That evening he
had very high respiration and his ply
stefan, DR.. Harry p. Greene, stated that
he had only a fighting chance for recov-
cry
He was born in Washington, ID. c.,
March t. 1874, II son of r. A. and Joseph
inc (Colburnl Bacon Later he lived in
Springfield W.T. with an uncle, his par
ents having died, and while living there
attended Dartmouth college. After grad
uating from Dartmouth he attended the
Boston university law school. He then
came to Brattleboro and studied in the
law Office of Waterman, Martin & Hit
and then took a course in the New York
law school and was admitted to the Yer
mont bar in 1899.
In 1901 Mr.. Bacon and James f. Hook
err of Brattleboro, a graduate of the
Columbia law school, formed part
nership continuing until June, 1904, wheT
it was dissolved. Mr. Bacon then contin
ued the practice alone several years, re
tanning offices in the Ulery building.
Mr.. Bacon was elected a member o.
he board of village bailiGs in the an
nual village meeting in May, 1904, ant
|, at once, thereafter became village at
torncy. In the Republican county con
vcntion in 1906 he was nominated fol
state IS attorney unanimously by accla
} nation, and was elected for the two
wear term. He proved a fearless pro
scouting officer and made friends in all
narts of the county. In 1911 he was
elected president of the Central New
Hampshire Power Co. of Maine.
Gov. Allen NJ. Fletcher appointed Mr.
Bacon member and chairman of the
Vermont public service commission in
July, 1913, to succeed c. d. Watson
If st. Adams, but in November, 1914
he resigned and was re-appointed tC
inish the original sixyear term, to end
Feb. |, 1919. 1t was explained at the
time that his resignation was a ster
% obviate complication that might
arise under the statutes.
81 consider Mr.. Bacon Il very able
Attorney declared Governor Fletcher
ut the time of Mr.. Bacon S resignation
Gin fact one of the abest in the
state, and he added "There are one
or two other positions which he may
have if he will accept them
Mr.. Bacon expressed a preference
however for the work he was then d|
ng and he was re-apponted chairmd
Of the public service commission. H
,flice for some years was in the Am
lean building, and later in the Wilde
building. Last November he tendere
his resignation as member of IL
commission to return to private pra
ticc and formed partnership wit
Tohn n. Harvey and Harold f. Whit
ney in the former Clarke G. Fits la |
Offices, and the firm name became Bacol
Harvey & Whitney.
Attorney Bacon was associated witt
the late Attorney Fits in some of the
latter's important cases, and he dem
onstrated his ability in justice, county
state and United States courts anC
had appeared before the supreme court
Of the United States. Among the minol
, offices which he had held were those OF
Justice of the peace and town grant
t juror.
He was member of Columbian
lodge. No. &c. F. and A. NJ, Fort DUN
, mer chapter, No. -, Royal Arch Ma
sons, Beauseant commandery, No. 7
Knights Templar Wantastiquet lodg,
of Odd Fellows, Quonekticut tribe Of
1 Red Men, the Vermont Wheel club, al
, of Brattleboro, and the Order of tn,
Elks.
On Oct. Is, 1900, Mr.. Bacon married
Miss Georgianna L. Cook of Brattle
$ boro in Christ church (Episcopal) il
E Springfield, Mass, Rev. John Cottol
Brooks performing the ceremony BE
sides his wife Mr.. Bacon leaves on,
sister, Emily j., Mrs. Edward NJ
S Wheatley of White Plains, n. Y, and
f nephew and niece, Edward and Marjori
q lWheatley,
The funeral will be held in st. Michael
Episcopal church Saturday at 3 o'clocl
a and the burial will take place in Morning
G side cemetery.
o BY the death of Mr., Bacon Vernon
loses one of its brightest and mos
promising lawyers and Brattleboro
c citizen whose sphere of usefulness wa
= exceptional. Possessing unusual menta
v attachments and naturally studiou
:, disposition it was a comparatively cas-,
. matter for him to achieve marke
n degree of success in his chosen pro
n fession, which he practiced with an en-
$ thusiasm due to an inherent love o
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