The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-09-21
Gospel Village Tract Ac-
quired From Congrega-
gational Church
8 OLD QUESTION
I THEREBY SETTLED
Church Gives Warranty
Deed Cemetery Com.
Pay Most Of Price

1 b
At special meeting Of the Barre
/, City council last night the steps lead
ing UP to the requirement Of the Gospel
i Village common from the Congrepa-
i tional church society were taken and
the deed transferring the property to
| the city viii be passed some time to-
day. The purchase price is 1900, Of
which the cemetery commissioners are
\ TO pay 1900 and the cityg
BY the transfer, a public question
that has agitated the community moreg
or less for score Of years is settled.
The desirability Of ownership of the
three acres Of land BY the city has
scarcely been in question; bHt the wis
dom Of paying good money for the
/ property has divided the people into
two camps, so to speak. one camp be-
lieving that the Congregational church
did not have valid title to convey and
that the common virtually was pub
lie property and the other camp believ-
ing that the church society did have
full title and that the city ought to
acquire by purchase.
Under the eonsummation of the trans
fer at this time, the latter camp wins
! its contention, and the city takes az
warranty deed from the Congregational
| society, not a, quit claim deed as the
church some years ago offered to give.
Several attorneys, on examining the
original deed to the church more than
a century ago, declared that tie church
was justified in giving a warranty
deed, it being claimed that money ac-
tually was paid for the property, the
amount being $50, and that stipula-
tion that the land should forever be
used as a common" around the meet
inghouse was Of no effect as an en-
eumbrance Of the property The meet
inghouse on the plot of ground ceased
to exist nearly four score years, ago,
and the land has lain idle except as it
has been used by this. that or the 9TH
er person for any purpose desired, chief
ly for recreation sports.
In course of time, the highway which
had run along the eastern side Of the
common" was diverted diagonally
across the plot Of ground and became
a part Of Hill street although never an
accepted street through the common"
Within two years, the cemetery com
missioners took down the stone wall
and hedge marking the southerlv
boundary Of Elmwood cemetery and
plotted out a large number of graves
Later, on survey being made, il was
found that some of the graves project
ed over onto the common by as much
as five feet. So that is why the ceme
terry commissioners came to be inter n
ested in the requirement of the com
monv by the city, the expectation be-
ing that the city would turn over to
the cemetery commissioners that Sec
tion of the common in which the new
graves were plotted.
The city school department, too. is
more or less Interested because the
Lincoln school faces on ard abuts the
common" in an easterly direction from
the cemetery. The street department
also has its connection with the case
because of the expectation that an "ac-
cepted. street will be built through the
common" No doubt the park com
will, likewise, desire TO
share in the benefits of ownership by
the city as the tract of land has many
possibilities for landscape development.
and there is much space for park
Allotment Of the land for the various
is one OF the matters which
the new owners, the cemetery commits
siohers and the city of Barre treally
ihe title goes TO the city,, win prob
sbly have TO settle soon.
Another matter calling for attention
S enactment of law permitting the
saI ..f hr.lt 1a <.f
-lmwood cemetery. as the new graves
ire within 20 rods Of occupied build
ngs. The abutters concerned have
igned an agreement with the city to
valve whatever rights they have in
he matter and are understood to be
eady to cooperate with the city in
ecuring the necessary enactment at
n early date. The last one Of the abut-
ers. George 7. Ball. came to final sd
ustment with the city officials last
light just before the city council heard
he report of City Attorney Dnfficy on
he status of the negotiations.
CITY Attorney Dufficys verbal report
fas accepted and the understanding
ras that the signature TO the deed
iould be secured some time to-day.
The sale of the common TO James
'rearson. one of the abutters, was all
ut consummated a few weeks ago
Iowever. Mr. Grearson consented 10
-ithhold action when il became appsr-
ut that the city was likely TO be the
urchaser.
In connection with the purchase Of
he common by the city.it Is inter
'ting to note that a 76- 6-year-old deed
No. 2s horseshed on the Congrega-
oual church grounds from the Congre-
stional church to Thomas Wilson was
corded during the past week The
was sl3 The transfer m
half Of the church was made By Ma
lsniel l. Dodge. president Of the pro-
-ietors of the church society.