Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1921-08-26
HISTORY OF FOUNTAIN
TOLD BY CENTURY CLUB
Cooperation of DR.. Noble and Joseph
Battell With Women Made
Ornament Possible


Now that the fountain has been put
in running, or spouting, shape again,
many newcomers to Middlebury will
be interested in the following history
of one of the villages most beautiful
adornment The story of the foun-
tain was submitted to The Register by
member of the Century Club which
originated the idea of thus decorating
the junction of the two busiest streets.
The History Of the Fountain
With the restoration of the fountain,
it might be of interest to review the
circumstances attending the building
of it. To those remembering how some
of our most loved citizens who are with
us no more worked to make the build
ing of this fountain possible, it has
seemed almost like disreSpect to their
memory to see the lack of care bestow-
ed upon it and it is hoped that in the
future this may be obviated.
In the year 1907 the Century Club
voted to erect fountain as a gift to
the village providing a suitable site
could be obtained. At a trustee meet
ing held July 80, 1907, the trustees
voted that "the fountain offered to the
village by the Century Club be ac-
cepted and that a suitable location be
provided for said fountain by the trus-
tees and that a committee consisting
of Trustees Noble, Jackson and Burns
act with the committee of the Century
Club on a location suitable for the cree
ton of the fountain"
In the summer of 1908 the committee
of the Century Club consisting of the
president, Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Tay-
lor together with the trustees named
and Mr. Battell met a representative
of the ]. L. Mott Co. and selected the
fountain now standing in the square
1t was found that the cost of the
fountain exclusive of any work OF
foundation. etc, was $500 The Club
at that time had $500 and was willing
to give it all. DR., Noble was most
anxious that a cheaper fountain should
not be erected and offered to give to
the Club the 5000 needed which he did.
He desired that his gift should remain
unknown and l think up to this time
it has, but it seems fitting that those
who knew and loved him should know
how deep an interest he took in this
gift to the town Mr.. Jackson was un-
firing in his efforts to have the work
of the best possible nature. Hon.
Joseph Battell's gift of $1,000 which
made it possible for the town to ac-
cept the fountain showed his great
personal interest in the matter and his
appreciation of the Club. 1 desire to
quote the resolution introduced by DR.
Noble and passed by the trustees Janu
airy 20, 1909
"Whereas the Century Club con-
ceived the idea of donating the entire
sum in their treasury to the village of
Mddlebury as a public benefaction, be
it
Resolved, that we the citizens of this
village, recognizing the unselish pub
lie spirited motive of the members of |
the Club, do at this time formally ac
cept their gift of the beautiful foun-
TAIN situated between the railroad |
bridges, and extend to the Club our
sincere thanks for their substantial
contribution which so materially adds
TO the OedullIylng Oh our village
"Whereas the Hon Joseph Battell .
donated to the village of Middlebury
$1,000 for the purpose OF providing
suitable foundation and surroundings
for the fountain thereby making it
feasible for the village to accept the .
gift of the Century Club, be it
Resolved, that we the citizens of the
village of NIiddlebury desire to express
our appreciation of this latest mani
festaton of Mr.. BattelPs generous in
terest in everything that pertains to
the best welfare of the village and ex-
tend to him a vote of thanks for this
substantial gift"