The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-08-12

alSH-poSI ana pears tne following
inscription.
THE OLD WHITE SCHOOL
HOUSE
1917
Among the Early Attendants
were
Rev. Charles w. Cushing
Rev. Haynes P. Cushing
Alfred b. Darling
Alfred B. Darling was an early
pupil Of this school. He started
life as one Of a large family on a
small farm. He was EARNED out"
during his minority, to man in
Pinkham, but through the interest
Of an uncle, secured a position in
New Hampshire with a hotel-keep-
er, and set out for it on his 21st
birthday with $50 capital, given
him by the uncle. By faithfulness
he soon commanded increasingly
responsible positions and eventu
ally became proprietor of the Fifth
Avenue hotel in New York and
one of the most successful hotel
proplietors of his time. He was
always loyal 20 his home town,
giving generously in a quiet way
to preserve mementoes of its
early pioneer days, and it was
largely through his interest that
the Union Westinghouse at Burke
Hollow and the Old White school
house were kept in their original
forms.
Elmer A. Darling gave reminis-
censes of the three men whose
names appear on the marker. Re
ferring to his uncle, he said that
he was himself proud to keep the
family traditions, and if a fund
was raised to again repair the old
schoolhouse, he might be relied
upon to stand in his uncle's place.
Mr.. Darling said further:
"Charles Wesley Cushing was
an educator of national reputation
He combined rare qualities, a keen
intellect, fine .ocial instincts and
good business ability. He was
principal of Newbury Seminary,
which prospered greatly under his
care, and later of Laselle Semin-
airy, at Auburndale, Mass, which
became one of the great education
al institutions of the country dur
ing the years of his service there.
He was a scholarly man, wrote
many books and is held in loving
remembrance as one of the great
and able men of the Methodist
church.
His brother, Haynes P. Cushing
is too well known in this vicinity
and to the older Of those present
today to require extended mention.
He was powerful preacher of
the Beecher type, with large
fund of convincing anecdotes with
which to clinch his arguments. He
had a keen sense of humor, great
sympathy and insight and was
known and loved throughout the
state"
The closing remarks were made
by Rev. Mr.. Suitor who said that
in these days of hurry and unrest,
it is well to pause and consider
some of the qualities that made
the boys and GIRLS of these old dis
hict schools the reliable, substan-
tial and often distinguished citi-
zens they became. With few aids
TO education, except, perhaps, the
birch rod and the blackboard,
which was used for the first time
in the town of Burke in this school
they developed powers of applica-
lion and concentration, a keen ri
yalry in scholarship, notably in
spelling and arithmetic, which it is
hard. to arouse in pupils today.
They mastered a few subjects
thoroughly, and by so doing, be
came masters of themselves and
their own fortunes, and thus be-
came the firm bulwarks of the
state. Our present-day school chill
lren will do we'll to emulate them.
The whole program was delight
'ullyinformal in character. 1t was
followed by q business meeting at
which it was voted to merge the
interests of the Burke Historical
society with those of the Burke
club, placing their af-
airs in the keeping of the histo-
'ical committee of that club of
which Mrs. M. V. Belden is chair
nan. A balance Of funds in the
treasury is to be made the basis
If a fund to repair the old school
house, and these repairs are to be
arranged at an early meeting Of
he committee. 1t is the purpose