The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-04-17
SATURDAY, APRIL II, 1920.
THEODORE N. VAIL.

Theodore n, Vail, developer of the
great American telephone system, en-
ioyed nationwide acquaintance and
was recognized as a great financier. His
name was almost a household word
throughout the country and vet there
were many characteristics Of the man
known only by his personal aequain
tances. Some of them should be made
public in order that people may more
fully appreciate the man who passed on
"a Johns Hopkins hospital Friday morn
ing.
Mention of Mir. Wallis name brings to !,
many Nermonters the suggestion of
great wealth. \ vision of the great es-
tate he once owned in Vermont, with its
paIatial buildings, great herds and flocks
and thoroughbred horses, comes to the
mind and one is sure such things could be
had only by a man Of great wealth. But
wealth was not the greatest possession OF
Mr. Vail. To very unusual degree he
understood common people and their ne
| cessities. He could give as practical sug
| gastions to the man struggling along with
| Il heavily mortgagcd farm as he could to
the big men Of Wall Street. He studied
a9 closely the needs and possibilities OF
! Vermont soil as he did the needs of the
tremendous public service corporation of
which he was the head. His great knowl-
edge of and sympathy with common folks
was more pleasure to him than his ability
to- amass wealth.
| Greater than his wealth was Mr.. Walls
capacity for work. Years ago he might
| have retired from active life and given
himself up to the enjoyment of his
wealth without thought of exhausting
his financial resources or curtailng his
pleasure from lacl; of means Instead
Of that he responded to the appeal Of the
heads Of the American Telephone and
Telegraph Company in 1907 to get into
the harness and resume management of
the company's business. Although he
had reached an age when most men hope
to be able 60 lay down the cares and re-
sponsibilties Of active business he gave
unreservedly his physical and mental
powers to the further development and
usefulness of the great institution. He
worked to the end more to the advantage
OF others than himself.
In the death of Mr. Vail Vermont loses
one Of its greatest and best friends. All
he asked OF Vermont was the pleasure OF
its scenery, the peace Of its quiet, the
Inspiration of its hills, the sunlight OF
l its valleys, and close association with and
confidence of its people He brought
capital 10 rather than taking it away
1 from Vermont; and, when he had devel
I oped his great property at Lyndon to it,
4 greatest degree Of usefulness, he gave il
to the state 10 be utilized in the develop
I ment OF practical and successful young
I farmers, which he conscientiously be
lieved is its greatest need. While al
\ this service for the state and the prom
hence he enjoyed suggested slight re
turn from the people in the form of pc
litical honors, he never asked for them
The only reward he sought was the low
and esteem Of the people and actual i'm
= proyement of the rural life of the state
Afost generously and intelligently he la
bored for this purpose and the most fit
= ting monument Vermont can erect t
. Thnodorp n Vail lis friend and bauafa n
tor, is greater body of practical, pro
; gressiye and contented young men an
: women on It's fertile farms and in it
: most sacred institution, the Vernon
/. home.