Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-02-19

formulated the plans under which Bur-
lington expended the proceeds of its first
bond issue for permanent roads.
One Of the splendid projects for n greater
and more beautiful Burlington which Mr.
Van Patten long ago advocated, but did
not live to see materialize was a bouie-
ward along the lake shore north of Bur-
lington. He lamented Burlington's lack
of a fine drive along the shore of Lake
Champlain for our visitors as we'll as
ourselves. He %onducte a party of other
enthusiasts along what could be the
route Of such a driveway pointing out its
beauties and showing its advantages. 1t
would be a fitting and handsome tribute.
IL Burlington should some day construct
as a memorial the Van Patten boulevard.
Mr.. Van Patterns love of children was
the handspring OF still other praise
worthy projects thar those hitherto emu
mcrated. Fo was a thorough believer In
parks for the benefit of all concerned as
well as Fairgrounds for the special BEN
~ u wv hbtlc oiits III pi'N S'i's
Allen park for this community, 1t was his
particular pleasure that here would be
n place where the children could have
their swings and slides and other means
open air.
After he had seen Ethan Allen Park
materialize his thoughts turned again to
the lake he loved, as affording a n oppor-
tunity for still another park by the side
Of the water. He long advocated the pur-
chase by the city of the entire John A.
Arthur farm. where a large park could De
developed with a bathing beach as one
Of it's attractive features. This project was
later contaminated in part. although the
city did not buy that portion of the farm
which Mr.. Van Patten believed should
be made an addition to Lake View GEM
etery. Other instances OF Mr.. Van Pat
tens public spirit and progressive nature
could be given. but these wnl readily
suggest themselves to different residents
Of Burlington.
The part which Mr.. Van Patten
took in connection with tho indus
trial development Of Burlington
Is worthy of special emphasis. His ac-
tivity in the building up Of the enormou
business of the Wells & Richardson COM
pany has already been mentioned. lie was
one of the prime movers in establishing
in Burlington the Queen City Cotton COM
pany In which he was largely interested.
Later on he developed the Champlain
shops at the corner Of Main and Battery
streets, and many a handsome natural
finish interior in Burlington buildings
testifies to the artistic taste as we'll as fine
workmanship done under his supervision.
The large plant established in this city
for the Matted Cereal company is another
monument to his progressive spirit as
we'll as his vision. It Is significant in this
connection that success crowned his eff
work out his own ideas unhampered. It
thus becomes evident that his versatility
and good judgment in business were as
pronounced as his broad and generous
sympathies were all-embracing in con-
~nection with his manifold benefactions
1t is to be noted that Mr.. Van Patterns
chief concern was for the higher and the
finer things Of life. His attractive quail
tiles made him not only respected. but
also loved by all. It thus becomes evident
that it was not what Mr.. Van Patten ac-
formulated. but what he did and what he
gave OF himself for the city of his love
and the State of which he was proud and
for humanity as a whole. that really
counts in the final analysis. His love Of
the beautiful led him constantly to seek
to cultivate the aesthetic sense in others,
as well as to satisfy love of the beautiful.
He was ever making parks and small
plots about public buildings to blossom
with sweet flowers. He sought to carry
beauty and Joy into the lives of all our
people. In his death we nave lost our
most public spirited citizen. and our chill
ldren. their most loving public b%enefactor.