USA > Vermont > Addison County > Bristol > History of Bristol, Vermont (1762-1940) > Part 5
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The history of a water supply in Bristol village begins in 1811 when, in the fall, a company was incorporated to supply the residents of the village with water. In the principal aqueduct the water was brought first in hollow logs, then in lead pipes which proved so unsatisfactory that the logs were again used. In 1841 pipes were made from water, cement, lime and river sand. These pipes proved successful and were probably used until the Munsill system was established. In the smaller aqueducts wood logs were used exclusively.
November 25, 1883, the following residents of Garfield Street met and formed the Garfield Aqueduct Company: C. E. Smith, J. J. Dumas, M. P. Varney, S. D. Farr, E. G. Prime, Clark Huntington, Frank Green- ough. At this meeting it was voted to assess each shareholder $20 to mect the expense of buying pipe. A meeting was held April 26, 1884, at which the constitution and by-laws of the company were adopted and officers elected. The supply of water was confined to the residents of Garfield Street and to S. D. Farr on North Street and to T. S. Drake on East Street
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who owned the spring from which the water was taken. Mr. Drake leased this spring to the company January 3, 1885. The company was of short dur- ation, the last recorded meeting being held April 10, 1889.
BASEBALL
Baseball has formed an integral part of the recreational life of Bris- tol ever since the elose of the Civil War. The Mountaineers, a nine consist- ing of William Harlow, Eustaeh Oaks, Charles Corey, Ransome Dunn, Charles Wildes, Homer Nimblett, Neweomb Munsill, Fred Woodridge and William Clark were playing games during the 1870's that thrilled the heart of every baseball fan. For seven years this team was undefeated and won the state championship at Essex Junction one year by defeating the Rustlers, a team of pieked players from different clubs in the state. William Harlow, who died in 1935, was the last survivor of this famous nine.
In the '90's the Bristols, a semi-professional team roeketed to fame under the management of Hoyt Landon. The names of Wilder, Wasson, Drake, Farr, Shedriek and Daggett come to mind in connection with this team.
The home grounds of the Mountaineers was our present park which was then used chiefly as a grazing ground. The ball field where the Bris- tols played was Riverside Park, on the south side of New Haven River aeross from the Basin, a plot now overgrown with trees. This park was reached by means of a footbridge which was so often washed out by high waters that the field was finally abandoned. Several places were tried after this but were found unsatisfactory. The need of a recreation field beeame aeute about 1922 and the Recreation Club was then formed and bought the land which now serves as a field for baseball and other sports. In 1923 work was begun on the field under the direction of V. I. Patnode, chairman of the grounds committee, to make a baseball diamond and lay out two tennis courts. The task was a hard one for boulders and stumps had to be blasted out, debris removed and fill-ins made. In the spring of 1924 the diamond and the courts were realities and could be used although some further grooming was necessary. Water was piped on to the field, the grounds were wired for electricity and the bleachers were built. This dia- mond serves the High School for its eontests as well as serving the towns- people.
BRISTOL BANDS
The desire for band eoneerts has been manifest in the people of Bristol for many years. As early as the '70's concerts were being played on the common where the people gathered for the double purpose of listening to the band and meeting their friends, as they still do. In 1884 the Cornet Band made its appearance and at this same time there was a Cornet Band in
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Lineoln and great times were enjoyed by these two who often played to- gether. In 1886 a rival, the Citizen's Band, appeared to share the honors. Neither band was mentioned after the appearance of the Bristol Military Band, still a very live organization, which came into existence in the middle '90's. The only lights available to the early musicians were kerosene torches, one of which was supplied to each member. While the band was playing the torehes would be held by the young lads present.
The Bristol Military Band has had a much easier time than the earlier bands for it has had the advantage of electric lighting almost from the beginning and for a number of years has had a bandstand which has recently been covered so that minor showers need not end the concerts. Within the last decade girls with musical talent have been admitted to the band and at present one sees a considerable percentage of youthful members who look very gay in their smart band uniforms which consist of white caps and trousers and blue coats. The leaders of the organization have been George Guinan, Howard Hasseltine and John Selden. Each year the town appro- priates a sum of money for the support of the band and the members unlike those of the early bands are supplied with their instruments. The band has been a great benefit to the town because of the trade which is brought to the local merchants from the surrounding towns on band concert nights which occur every Tuesday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
OUTLOOK CLUB (By Mrs. Jennie Norton)
On the afternoon of June 19, 1900, a small group of eleven women met and organized a club, known for some time as the Literary Club. Later, when the Constitution was adopted, it was changed to the Outlook Club of Bristol, and has remained as such for four decades. The membership was limited to twenty-five with dues 25 cents annually.
For years the club had a miscellaneous program. It studied foreign countries, people and customs, the United States and Vermont. Members derived much pleasure and profit from the Bay View Course of Reading which was continued for years. The social affairs of the Club were out- standing, as everyone was untiring in their efforts to make each occasion a success.
The Club has sponsored many worth while projeets for village im- provement thereby becoming an organized factor for the promotion of these things which make for betterment.
The Club joined the State Federation of Women's Clubs in 1912. This broadened its view and increased its activities. It has, through the Federation Extension, secured many fine speakers. The State Federa- tion meetings are a source of inspiration to those who attend, and the visits of Federation Presidents have kept members in touch with the great work and given an incentive to move forward with renewed zeal.
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BRISTOL
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BRIS
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BRISTOL
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Bristol Baseball Team
Back row, standing: Clarence Currier, Frank Farr. Will Hatch, Sidney Sayles, Clinton Hanks. Arthur Gove. Middle row : William Ridley, umpire, Charles Hatch, scorer. Front row: Edgar Farr, Wilfred Daggett, William Whittemore. Gillette, Ernest Guindon.
HISTORY OF BRISTOL, VERMONT
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The club joined the General Federation in 1936. Its membership is limited now to fifty members with dues $1.50, but the club hopes soon to increase that number as it has a Community House where the meetings can be held during the warm months.
The future looks bright for the Outlook Club!
COMMUNITY PAGEANT-1921
August 25, 1921, a community pageant portraying the history of Bris- tol was staged on the grounds of "The Maples" the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe Thomas. Approximately 150 people, many of them descendants of the early settlers of Poeoek, as the town was first known, took part in the pageant which was sponsored by the Outlook Club. Among other histor- ical seencs which were staged was one which showed an Algonquin encamp- ment. These Indians were supposed to be the first visitors to the present town of Bristol. Following this a seene was enacted portraying the incidents of John Brodt's stay in Bristol. Brodt, who was an escaped eonvict from New York state, was the first white settler in the town and lived here for 12 years with only a dog for a companion. Brodt was discovered by Captain Bradley and some other surveyors who told him about a eabin only a short distance from his hideout which was occupied by two pioneers, Samuel Stewart and Eden Johnson. In the next seene Bradley was shown present- ing Brodt with a pardon which he had secured from the state of New York after which Brodt left Poeoek to return to his former home.
After these historieal episodes there was an interlude of folk daneing, the music being provided by an orchestra of eight pieces.
The next scene portrayed the legend of the "Money Diggings" begin- ning with the coming of the old Spaniard, DeGrau, to Bristol and his tale of accompanying some Spaniards when he was a very small boy to the spot at the foot of South Mountain where he elaimed silver had been mined and hidden.
An old fashioned singing sehool was next conducted by Judge Erwin Hasseltine and the "pupils" who took part in it were dressed in old fashioned garments which had been laid away for years in the attics of the town.
Other interesting seenes were the appearance of Colonel N. F. Dunshee, nearly 90 years old, who as a young boy had joined the California gold rush in 1849 and the re-enaetment of the first wedding in town when Samuel Brooks took for his bride an Indian maiden, Betsy Rorapaugh.
The last historical ineident to be shown was that of planting trees to beautify the streets which had been donc by Harvey Munsill and his niece, Rose Moore.
The pageant was elosed by a minuet and grand ensemble in which about 150 persons participated, dressed in old-fashioned clothes and Indian costumes. The pageant was repeated the evening of August 26 and was attended by a large audience as it had been the previous evening. .
O.K
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Lodges and Societies ocieties
MASONS
(Compiled by Horace Farr, Secretary)
Libanus Lodge No. 71 F. & A. M. was eonseerated December 13, 1826, by the Grand Lodge of the State of Vermont under the direction of Philip O. Tueker as Grand Master and Louis Fillimore as Deputy Grand Master.
The first offieers installed were:
Worshipful Master
Henry Soper
Senior Warden .
Horatio Needham
Junior Warden
John Howden
Treasurer
Philo S. Warner
Secretary
Paul P. Holley
Senior Deacon .
John Baeon
Junior Deaeon
Harvey Munsill
Tyler
Enos Soper
Senior Steward
Daniel Nimblett
Junior Steward
E. K. Dunton
The first petition for membership in Libanus Lodge No. 71 was received from Daniel Collins and he was elected to membership on January 10, 1827.
The first petitioners for the degrees of Masonry were: Elijah Fergu- son, Mason Bushnell, Theron Downey, Edward Swett, Frederick Smith.
In 1826 there resided in Batavia, N. Y. one William Morgan who was denied admission to the Lodge at Batavia and though he elaimed to be a Mason he apparently could not furnish proof of his membership. How- ever, he became vindieated and in company with a David C. Miller, who had reecived the first degree of Masonry at Albany, N. Y., eoncoeted a seheme to publish a malicious book on "Freemasonry." This action eaused considerable resentment in the community and Morgan was arrested on several charges of petit lareeny, the purpose being to separate Morgan and Miller. However, his fine was paid and he was released and imme- diately re-arrested on the charge that he owed a tavern keeper the sum of $2.68 admitting this debt he was onee again committed to jail. The following day a man by the name of Lotus Lawson appeared and paid the amount necessary to seeure the release of Morgan. As to what happened after that there are two different stories. One is that Morgan was foreed to enter a coaeli and was then driven across the country to the mouth of the Niagara River and into Canada. But the other story is that he went volun-
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tarily and that he received $500 for leaving Miller. This was paid and he left his guides and went into Canada and as far as is known never returned. In either case Morgan was taken to Fort Niagara, until arrangements could be completed for his leaving the country, but sinee nothing was generally known of his movements after this time the aetion gave rise to the theory that Morgan had been taken away by force and had met a violent death and it was this theory that fostered that Anti-Masonie Party in the United States.
As early as 1832 there were 141 Anti-Masonie newspapers in the United States. The election in 1828 gave Solomon Southwiek, the Anti- Masonie candidate for Governor of New York, 33,335 votes. Martin Van Buren, a Freemason, had 136,000 votes, but in 1830 the Anti-Masonie eandi- date ran behind the leader by only 8,531 votes, 120,361 against 128,892. The Anti-Masonie Party was not confined to New York alone but spread over the whole of what was then the United States and Vermont was no exeeption for she was the only state that ever eleeted an Anti Masonie gov- ernor or east her electoral vote for an Anti-Masonie eandidate for the Pres- ident of the United States.
The most bitter form of enmity arose and charters were stolen, lodge rooms defiled and equipment destroyed in numerous cases. It is little wonder that many lodges eeased to meet and surrendered their eharters. Feeling in Bristol ran at sueh a high piteh that Libanus Lodge was among those that surrendered their charters and the last meeting was held on September 8, 1829.
In September of 1858 several of the Freemasons of Bristol met and appointed H. Munsill to seeure a dispensation under which they might meet until the next session of the Grand Lodge of Vermont. The dispen- sation was seeured and the first regular meeting was held October 11, 1858, and the following officers were eleeted or appointed:
Worshipful Master H. Munsill
Senior Warden
H. Needham
Junior Warden .
W. H. Holley
Treasurer Amos E. Hasseltine
Secretary
L. Munson
Senior Deacon Levi Hasseltine
Junior Deacon
H. Atwood Tyler
B. Vinton
Of the above it is interesting to note that Bro. B. Vinton served in the one office from that meeting in October, 1858, until March, 1871, a period of nearly 13 years, and the records show that he seldom missed attending any of the many meetings held during this period.
On February 14, 1859, Libanus Lodge was installed as No. 47 in the Grand Jurisdietion of Vermont by the Officers of the Grand Lodge under the direction of Philip G. Tueker as Grand Master and D. S. Potter as Dep- uty Grand Master.
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The previously chosen officers were installed and H. J. Soper and H. J. Hoffman were installed as Senior and Junior Stewards respectively.
In the year ending December 27, 1859, an all-time record was estab- lished for the conferring of degrees as follows:
Entered Apprentice Degrees 33
Fellow Craft Degrees . 32
Master Mason Degrees 30
Making a total of 95 for the twelve months.
On May 13, 1861, the Lodge voted a sum of money to be expended for the purchase of a piece of land for the ercetion of a Masonie Hall. In the ensuing months the building was erected on a site, the location of which is not positively known, somewhere on the north side of the main street in Bris- tol. On November 11, 1861, it was voted that all further communications be held at the new hall so it is evident that the building was completed at about that time.
In January of 1872 the hall was destroyed by fire and the following meet- ings were held in the Good Templers' Hall in the Dunshee Block. On Feb- ruary 12th it was voted to rebuild and the following resolution was passed:
Resolved that we will rebuild our Hall and for this purpose that a building committee of three, with discretionary powers to procure a deed if necessary from the owners of the proposed Union Block for a site in the 2nd or 3rd story thereof as they may deem expedient and contract with them or with other parties for the building of a hall. The material style, form and finish to conform with the proposed block or they may contract by the front foot pro rata for the same and may from time to time draw orders on the Treasury ... Resolved that this committee have power to make any other arrangement they may, in their judgment, deem proper . . .
On March 10, 1873, the committee reported on the cost of the Hall and it was voted to hold all future meetings in the new hall.
The new Hall was dedicated by the Grand Lodge of Vermont on No- vember 11, 1873. (It is clear from Lodge records and Publie Land Ree- ords of Bristol that this Hall was located on the third floor of the block occupied in recent years by the First National Stores and Wixon's I. G. A. Market and owned by Mrs. D. A. Bisbee and called the Bisbee Block.)
The last meeting was held on October 24, 1898, and the building was destroyed, along with several others, carly in the morning of October 26, 1898, by a disastrous fire. This time, however, the property of the Lodge was partially covered by insurance. There followed considerable dis- cussion as to rebuilding the Hall but apparently the other owners of the block had a stronger claim than the Lodge on building rights and they stated if the Lodge re-occupied the third floor they would stand no part of the expense of the roof for the building but the Lodge would be obliged to protect them. Evidently the members thought that this was a little too much so they gave up the idea of building for a time.
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Brother E. J. Bristol and Mr. Geo. A. Danforth stated that they pro- posed to build a new building of fire-proof construction near the site of the former Lodge Hall and offered them the second story of the building at a reasonable rental and the proposition was accepted.
Until the new Bristol-Danforth bloek was completed the members of Bristol Lodge No. 36 I. O. O. F. offered Libanus the use of their hall in the Hatch Block and accordingly the Masons of Bristol met there until February, 1899.
The new block being completed the first meeting was held in the new rooms on Mareh 13, 1899, and the hall was dedicated by the Grand Lodge of Vermont on April 5, 1899.
An item of passing interest is revealed in the seeretary's report for the year ending Mareh 10, 1902, which states that during the year 38 meet- ings were held, 25 of these were special meetings for conferring degrees and a total of 60 degrees were worked which would lead to the conclusion that this partieular year was second only to 1859 in the activity of the Lodge.
On March 1, 1909, the lease expired and for some reason the Lodge decided not to re-lease the rooms but instead moved farther down the street to the Dike Block.
Many times the matter of once more building a separate Masonic Hall has arisen and in 1922 the Lodge purehased the Lawrence Lots on Main Street, being those lots between the Lathrop and Farr or Tomasi Blocks. Estimates were secured as to building costs but in order to erect a suitable building that would be in keeping with the appearance of the surroundings would cost a prohibitive sum and in 1925 the idea was again temporarily abandoned and the lots were sold to Mr. V. I. Patnode and a storage building was erceted on the site.
EASTERN STAR
In May, 1901, the order of Eastern Star was installed, with forty- seven eharter members, five of whom are living: Mrs. Seraph Sneden, Mrs. Nellie Greenough, Mrs. Virginia Kilbourn, Mrs. Minnie Smith, and Clinton Hanks.
There are 102 members in this year, 1940, with Alpha Sargent, W. M. and Ray Blodgett, W. P.
I.O.O.F. (Compiled by John E. Cragen)
Bristol Lodge No. 36 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted at Bristol, Vermont, July 8, 1898.
The following were charter members:
E. K. Smith Ira Kingman M. B. Gove
A. J. Hoag C. L. Clifford R. F. Hatch
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11
Country Club House
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL, VERMONT
W. A. Ferguson Edgar Walker W. W. Hatch
Edison Tart N. D. Bissonette W. J. Brown
J. J. Dumas
B. L. Beers F. G. Levarn
E. B. Palmer
I. E. Stewart C. S. Wardwell
W. F. Chase
Fred R. Garvey
P. R. Hill
W. M. Hughes
E. N. Dike
G. A. Thayer
W. A. Kinzie R. E. Barnard
Bristol Lodge grew and expanded from July 8, 1898, with twenty-six eharter members, to a membership a few years later of one hundred and forty-five members.
The Lodge and its members were so progressive that in the early part of the 1900's an eneampment branch was instituted, taking in a great number of the subordinate branch.
The 1915 encampment and its members were so successful that they were asked to help organize and institute various other encampments in the other nearby districts.
A few years later in 1916, a Canton branch was formed here at Bristol consisting of a uniform rank. The Canton members were as active as the other branches, contributing to the community by participating in the Memorial Day and Independence Day celebrations. They were always a gala unit with their uniforms and plumes.
Later came the Orange degree, the highest to be obtained in Odd Fellowship.
Bristol Lodge, its members, together with the other branches and its members have always had a true community spirit, working always for the betterment of the community, sponsoring and lending whatever help they could to other local activities.
There arc now sixty-eight members. W. J. Gaudet is now Grand Master.
ONAWA REBEKAH LODGE (Compiled by Mrs. Herbert Flagg)
In the year 1900 on the 30th of October, a eharter was granted to Onawa Rebekah Lodge No. 43 and the Lodge was instituted on that date. Members names which appear on the charter are as follows:
R. F. Hatch
Bertha E. Stewart
Mrs. Franees Hateh
P. J. Bristol
F. T. Briggs
Mrs. P. J. Bristol
Mrs. Mabel Briggs
N. D. Bissonett
Carrie E. Patterson
E. N. Dike
At this meeting the Grand Lodge Officers were present and con- ferred the degree on twenty-nine candidates, after which officers were clected for the following year. Mrs. Hatch was unanimously eleeted as Noble Grand, Alice Sumner as Viee Grand, Carrie Patterson and Bertha Stewart as Secretaries and Mable Briggs as Treasurer. Following the
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election the appointed officers were named and then all were installed by the Grand Officers present.
During the next few years the Lodge membership grew rapidly and much of this prosperity was due to the cooperation and enthusiasm shown by the members. The records show that in 1902 Mr. Hatch gave the use of the hall to the Lodge for the previous two years, so that they might start the third year free from debt. During the years that followed Mr. and Mrs. Hatch found many opportunities to be of help to the Order in which they here so interested and for many years he was Degree Master for the Rebekalıs.
In 1905 the first District meeting to be held in Bristol was presided over by Alice Sherwin, District Deputy President.
In 1908 new robes were purchased and they have been in use ever since that time, when the degree has been worked.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS
The Independent Order of Foresters organized Court Bristol No. 4101 on March 15, 1900, with 39 charter members. The first meeting was held in the Sons of Veterans Hall. April 30, 1900, the Foresters sub- rented the IOOF Hall for two meetings a month. The first Chief Ranger chosen was T. H. Foss. At the present time there are 30 members with Alba Lathrop as Chief Ranger and Mrs. Mitchell Lathrop recording sec- retary. Meetings are now held in the Community House.
P .- T. A.
There is a very active Parent-Teachers' Association in Bristol vil- lage which was formed about 12 years ago and has achieved fine results in coordinating relations between the parents and teachers. The present president is Mrs. Glenn Jackman. A similar organization was founded at the Bristol Flats school in the early 1920's and by the effort of its mem- bers has done a great deal to improve the school building and grounds. Mrs. Wallace Rockwood is president.
SCOUT TROOPS
In 1937 Miss Grace Bosworth organized a Girl Scout Troup. There was no meeting place available at first so a vacant house in the Prime Hill district about a mile from the village was obtained for the Troop's use. Miss Bosworth and the Girl Scouts put in a great deal of effort to make this building into a suitable clubhouse. Miss Bosworth soon saw the need of a more central meeting place for the girls' and boys' activities and it is in a large measure due to her efforts that the people of Bristol became conscious of the acute need of a Community House and working with her attained Gaige Moor as a community center. In 1939 Mrs. Floyd Ladue and Mrs. A. Harry Roller organized a second Girl Scout Troop made up of younger girls than those in Troop 1.
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There are two Boy Scout troops in Bristol. The first one was or- ganized about 1938 and is at present under the leadership of Rev. Loren Heaton. The second one, recently organized is composed of younger boys led by Wyman Estey.
W.C.T.U.
One society of early origin which is active today is the W. C. T. U. and the date of its beginning is not known as the records were destroyed. Miss Helen Weller has given unstintedly of resources and time to this organization and the union is known as the Hellen Weller Union. Mrs. Joel Page was the first president, and Mrs. Arthur Jacobs is president now.
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