The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-05-11

men IN vermont, largely because
of his real estate holdings in In
dlanapOlis.
Former Governor Fletcher who
was 90 years old had presided as
chairman of a board OF judges at
prize speaking contest at Mid
dlebury college, after which he
came mere with former Lieut.. Gov.
Frank (. Howe of Bennington, 4
fellow judge and his former asso-
ciate in office while governor.
Except that he said "he was
little tired" before retiring, Mr..
Fletcher gave no indication OF
weakness. When he failed to keep
a breakfast engagement with Nj.
Howe, the latter went to his room
and found him dead.
Mrs. Fletcher is in the West for
her health. Three children also
survive the former governor.
The following interesting life
story of Allen NJ. Fletcher from
the pen of Charles r. Cummings,
editor Of the Vermonter and for
mer resident of St Johnsbury, was
published in the Vermonter in
June 1916:
Vermont has very few men to-
day in public life with the snap
and aVowed determination of Alien
NJ. Fletcher. His interest in public
matters is not of a passive nature.
Whatever he has to do is done
with a clear conception of duty as
he sees it. His record as Governor
of Vermont in 1912 shows remark
ably well the attitude of the man
on all public questions.
Allen Miller Fletcher comes Of
sturdy Vermont stock. His grand
father was Jesse Fletcher of West
ford, Mass, a soldier of the Re-
volution who moved with a brother
to Ludlow, Vermont in 1855, be-
coming the second settlers in town
He was the first town cerk of
Ludlow and the second represent
ative to the general assembly
Stoughton A., the last of tiGteen
children and the father of the sub
ject Of this sketch, was born in
Ludlow in 1903. He went west
when young man and finally set
tied in Indianapol 5, Indiana.
Allen NJ. Fletcher was born in
indianapolis in 1858. He moved
to Vermont permanently in 1900,
occupying ancestral acres in Cav
endish, which in connection with
those in Ludlow have always re-
mained in the possession of the
family.
Mr.. Fletcher's interest in his
home town is ev.nced in many
ways. He has several farms. is a
breeder of good stock and pract-
ices scientific forestry. He is fam
iliar with Vermont, our hand ps
and our opportunities. His keen
eyes are not without purposcfut
re ource. He is another of the
men of Vermont who keep com ng
to the top with positive ideas. AS
sertiveness seems to becoming a
fad in Vermont today.
Congressman Gardner of M1ss2-
chusetts said recently; "Peoplc
live life-they love the man who
hits out, they love the man who
is going somewhere Mr.. Fletcher
might have their esteem it would
seem. Since he came on the la
mond he has struck out good
many high average ba'ters. He
has also, in turn, put few balls
over the fence.
His legislative experience BEGAN
in 1902, as representative from
Cavendish. He was senator from
Wind or county in 1904, a repres-
entative again in 1906-8-10, taking
an active part in the discussion Of
all measures before the General
Assembly, and became Governor
in 1912 in which capacity SOUGHT
to bring about many chances from
established state practices. That
he acted vigorously, according to
the dictates of his own conscience,
is not to be doubted. He acted,
his friends say, for what he be-
leved to be for the best interest;
of Vermont.
He showed little p9tience with
men he considered were not rend>
RING fullest service for value re-
cciVod.
He believe, in "humanizing'
the court and favors .cpislation
which VII tend to simplify legal
procedure.
] n this ro-rect the addrcs- Of
Iudvc Wendell p Stafford at the
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