The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-04-01
HISTORY OF DORSET GRANGE

Because no one else would assume
this particular task, have been asked
TO write the history of Dorset Grange
through the thirty years of its active
life.
My duty is simple and do not pro-
pose to give you an exhaustive account
Of the period from 1890 to 1920; but !
will try to lead you through the years,
hoping the journey from the past may
not prove too long or wearying and
leaving the anecdotal part to Bro.
Sheldon, who is admirably qualified
for the effort.
Various data which ! give you has
been culled from the old reports Of
secretaries, whose reflections in their
minutes" differ from those expressed
toGay, even as those years hence will
have their special features.
The m tier of organizing a Grange
lad been gravely considered By a
number Of farmers who were present
at public agricultural meeting in
town on February 18th, 1890 This
meeting was addressed by MIR. Messer
of Rochester, VT, master on the vcr.
mont State Grange, speaking ON the
subject of Oranges.
The following day meeting
occurred at which q names were en-
rolled, Bro. Messer duly administer
ing the obligation and oath of the
order, initiating these applicants as
fourth degree members. Additional
names were secured so that As were
chosen as charter members: thus was
the structure begun.
The officers Of the first year were:
f. +. Gilbert, master; Martin Pad
dock, overseer; Mrs. l.. p. Snyder, lee
turer; Eugene Simmons, steward; A.
o. Chapman, assistant steward; John
Manley, Jr., gate keeper; George VII
Hams, treasurer; w. j. Holley, secre-
terry; Mrs II. A. Williams, chaplain.
The installation of these officers occur
red 30 years ago tonight.
Arrangements were made for reg
ular meetings and the hall was rented
Of the Post for so cents an evening.
A janitor was secured and a commit
tee on music was appointed, who after
ward purchased an organ for 5000,
the expense being shared by the Post
and Corps.
At that early meeting the custom
was introduced of sending messages Of
sympathy to a member detained at
home by illness; and we may imagine
how that brother was cheered by the
friendly faces and kindly handshakes
even as delegates on similar errands
still carry sunshine to the shut-ins
The lecturer, Mrs. Snyder, presiding
over that first literary program, read
an article on cooperation and the
benefits to be derived from the
Grange. The sentiment was without
doubt similar to that expressed today
by loyal Grangers everywhere, who
believe in the farmer and his oppor-
tunities.
At that time the farmer was per
haps not so much student as a work
Ct while the present day farmer
studies much to know the variety Of
soil and the chemistry Of nature. while
= also reaps the benefit Of scientific
research and enjoys the service Of
wonderfully improved machinery. The
achievements of today's farmer places
him at the head of the worlds produc-
tive factors and Il Is a wide gap be-
tween his burrows and those of the
pl0wman Of 80 years ago.
One of the early questions discussed
BY Dorset Grange was concerning the
relative prices Of maple syrup and
sDgar and Il was decided that syrup
n Csc a gallon was equal to sugar al
eight cents 2 pound
An exciting debate on the Effects q
Hliteraey against intemperance seems