The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-05-18
ALLEN NJ. FLETCHER


NJ. Fletcher removes perhaps the most
notable man in Vermont in keen
, thinking and courageous acting on
questions which c.me TO him 10 decide.
His death under rather tragic circum-
stances is a great shock to the people
OF the state.
Mr.. Fletcher won his buiness sue
cess before he came 20 Vermont TO
live and for the past twenty years
while he has been active in political
and state matters not SO much has
been heard Of his business activity.
As a matter Of fact, however, he was
always in buSiness even up to within
few hours Of his death. He had ex-
tensive real estate interests in Indiana
and Mississippi as well as in Vermont
and WIS a considerable investor in
securities of various kinds.
With all these things he kept in close
and constant touch and in the vigor
and b. badness with which he could act
in business crisis he had no superior.
He was probably the greatest user of
the long distance telephone in the
state Of Vermont There was rarely
day in which he did net spend an hour
or so in teleph' mic communication.
OF course it wss his political career
which made him best known in YER
mont and he has been a participant in
many heated controversies but no one
ever accused him CT failing TO have the
courage Of his convictions or Of hest
ttaing to do what he believed TO be
right regardless Of public clamor or
widespread criticism.
He was in the legislature FIVE terms
and those who were with him in the
several Legislative assemblies of which
he was a member will agree that there
was no other man at Montpelier who
could see so far ahead or reason more
clearly on any issue Of real Importance
and these were the only issues in
which he was. seriously interested.
He was not avery effective speaker
but had the faculty Of carrying his
point by the force and keenness Of his
mind which made him more than a
match in almost any Legislative con-
.roversy.
When he BECAME governor he
promptly found himself in conflict with
'ome Of the easy-going methods that
lad grown up in state affcirs and he
lad the holiness 70 undertake TO set
hem right even though they temper
Irily interfered with his popularity.
ie had the bigness to leave il to the
uture to decide whether or not he was
light and in most cases the eventual
'erdict has been that his judgment
vas correct though he was not always
actful in putting il in force. Even
shile in more or less conflict with the /
louise and Senate he accomplished ,
lore Of benefit TO the state than al !
most my governor in fifty years. Ii
He was intensely interested in Yer '
1ont and loyal to its interests. His !
lSt conscious hours Of life were spent {
! company with the writer Of this
rticle and were devoted almost ex-
lusively 10 a discussion q his state \
nd what could be done for its lasting i
God. Contrary 70 the thought Of b
ANY he had no intention Of being a l
andidate for any Office but was will J
ig he might be thought to be a can
date II BY 50 doing he could hold Up {
le public conscience 10 higher ideals 5
. public matters. v
There vas another side 20 Hr. /
letcher's character known only 10 his e
.nily and closer friends By some he 8
as thought cold, stern. and unforgiv- Z
z but only BY those who did not b
now his true mind. He vas one Of Z
le most kindly and gentle men in q
errnsnt He would 20 farther 20 do b
friend favor than 70 gain q person q
advantage No matter where he a
a. he kept in closest possible contact s.
IN his family and was never salts q
4 70 retire a. nigh; without calling v
} his home 70 converse FOR a few
snents with his wife and children a
His many deeds Of charity and kind N
80 vii never be known. as most Of n
EN- were done 90 quietly and unos- p;