USA > Vermont > Grand Isle County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 25
USA > Vermont > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Grand Isle counties, Vermont : With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers. > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83
In glancing over the pages of history we discover the gradual develop- ment in the arts and sciences. We notice that they go hand in hand- one discovery points to another, one improvement in the arts leads to others continually, and the results of the last few centuries show that observations of no apparent use led to the most important discoveries and developments. The falling of an apple led Newton to unfold the theory of gravitation and its relation to the solar system ; the discovery of the polarity of the loadstone led to the construction of the mariner's compass ; the observation of the muscular contraction of a frog led to the numerous applications of galvanic electricity ; the observation of the expansive force of steam led to the construction and application of the steam engine ; the observation of the influence of light on the chloride of silver led to the art of photography; the observation of the com - munication of sound by the connected rails of a railroad led to the in- vention of the telephone; the impressions cut in the smooth bark of the beech tree led to the art of printing-the art which transmits to pos- terity a record of all that is valuable to the world.
Thus is progress discernible in every successive generation of man. Gradually has he advanced from a state of rude barbarism and total ignorance to a degree of perfection which gives him almost absolute dominion over all elements, and in the pride of glorious and enlightened manhood he can exclaim with Cowper :
"I am monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute ;
From the center all 'round to the sea
I am lord of the fowl and the brute."
268
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
So long as mind shall occupy its seat, so long will progress be the watchword of man, and onward and upward will be his march to an endless and limitless ascent-where all the hidden and occult secrets of creation will unfold their mysteries to his comprehension and crown him master of them all.
The printing office has well been called the "Poor Boy's College," and has proven a better school to many ; has graduated more intellect and turned it into useful, practical channels, awakened more active, devoted thought, than any alma mater on the earth. Many a dunce has passed through the universities with no tangible proof of fitness other than his insensible piece of parchment-himself more sheepish, if possible, than his " sheep-skin." There is something in the very atmosphere of a printing office calculated to awaken the mind to activity and inspire a thirst for knowledge. Franklin, Stanhope, Beranger, Thiers, Greeley, Taylor, and a host of other names, illustrious in the world of letters and science, have been gems in the diadem of typography, and owe their success to the influence of an apprenticeship in a newspaper office.
The newspaper has become one of the chief indexes of the intelli- gence, civilization and progress of the community in which it is pub. lished, and its files are the footprints of the advancement and refine- ment of the period of its publication; and the printing office is now deemed as essential as the school-house or church. It has taken the place of the rostrum and the professor's chair, and become the great teacher. No party, organization, enterprise or calling is considered per- fect without its " organ "-the newspaper.
The St. Albans Adviser, Rufus Allen, editor and proprietor, was es- tablished at St. Albans in 1807, and was published for about one year, when it died for lack of support.
The Champlain Reporter was the name of the next journalistic venture. It was issued from the office of Ambrose Willard in 1809, on the corner of Fairfield and Main streets, St. Albans. It was a sheet that measured 24 by 19 inches It was edited by Abner Morton, a lawyer of eminence and ability. The paper advocated the claims of the Federal party. In .18II it was discontinued for want of patronage.
The Repository was the third newspaper venture. Colonel Jeduthan Spooner in October, 1821, commenced the publication of the Repertory
269
THE PRESS.
in Burlington and continued its publication until May, 1823, when the office was moved to St. Albans and the name of the paper changed to The Repository. It became one of the leading papers of the state and was continued until April 26, 1836. It took strong grounds against the anti-Masonic movement, lost its support and was obliged to suspend.
The Franklin Journal was started as an anti-Masonic paper at St. Albans, May 1, 1833, under the editorial management of Samuel N. Sweet, who was succeeded by Joseph H. Brainerd, who continued its publication until December 7, 1837, when the paper passed into the hands of Enoch B. Whiting.
The Franklin Messenger, Enoch B. Whiting, editor and proprietor, St. Albans, made its first appearance December 14, 1837, and continued under the proprietorship of Mr. Whiting and editorial management successively of Wilbur P. Davis, J. Mclellan, William H. Whiting, Henry C. Parsons, Almont Barnes and Albert Clarke, until August I, 1870. In 1861 Mr. Whiting started a daily paper called the Telegram, which was afterwards changed to the St. Albans Daily Messenger, the name of the weekly being changed at the same time to its present name. August 1, 1870, it came into the possession of Albert Clarke and J. Dorsey Taylor, by purchase, who also purchased the Vermont Transcript and consolidated it with the Messenger. Mr. Clarke became sole proprietor in 1874, by the death of Mr. Taylor. In September, 1880, Mr. Clarke sold the paper, S. B. Pettengill becoming nominal proprietor, and the latter also obtained the St. Albans Advertiser and consolidated the two, since which time it has been known as the Messenger and Adver- tiser. In May, 1882, S. B. Pettengill retired and was succeeded by D. W. Dixon as chief editor. In March, 1885, Dixon retired and was succeeded by the present editor-in-chief, Warren Gibbs. In 1837 the proprietor promised " to make it a welcome messenger to every fireside circle where religion, morality, useful knowledge and general informa- tion are respected," and he and his successors have kept the promise. The Messenger and Advertiser of to-day stands at the head of Vermont journalism.
The Franklin Republi. in, of Sheldon, appeared in 1837, J. W. Tuttle, editor and proprietor. It was a creditable sheet and edited with ability. It was continued until 1839, when it ceased.
270
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
The North American, of Swanton, made its first appearance April 10, 1838, under the management of H. P. Thomas. It was edited by sym- pathizers with the so called " Patriot war" of Canada, until the close of the Canadian rebellion, when it passed into the hands of J. B. Ryan, who continued its publication until August 13, 1841.
The Vermont Republican was started at St. Albans, July 16, 1839, by C. G. Eldridge, who was succeeded by D. A. Danforth, who continued its publication until April, 1846.
The Loco-Foco, at Swanton, made its appearance August 15, 1839. It was a small political sheet and survived but a few weeks.
The Swanton Herald was established at Swanton in 1852 by Ripley & Chamberlin, and published by them until the spring of 1853, when it passed into the hands of Rev. A. J. Samson, who continued its publica- tion until 1854.
The Democrat was started at St. Albans, by Myron F. Wilson, in Au- gust, 1852. In 1853 it passed into the hands of Darwin Mott, who continued its publication until 1855. In. August, 1858, it was revived by Myron F. Wilson and George Church, who continued its publication until the fall of 1861, when Church enlisted in the army and the paper was discontinued.
The Franklin County Herald appeared November 5, 1853, at Swan- ton, under the management of the Drury Brothers, Lucius H. Drury being editor. The paper was discontinued in 1855
The Vermont Tribune was established at St. Albans by Samson & Somerby, January 5, 1854. After a few months the paper passed into the hands of Z. K. Pangborn. After a struggle of about one year the paper was discontinued.
The American Journal, at Swanton, was established by an association of citizens, under the management of H. N. Drury, with Revs. Will- iam A. Miller and A. J. Samson as editors, March 10, 1855. March 14, 1856, Messrs. Miller & Samson withdrew and H. N. Drury became manager, with Albert Sowles as editor. The paper was discontinued March 27, 1857.
The Swanton Journal, issued at Swanton Falls, appeared May 15, 1857, under the management of H. N. Drury, with Albert Sowles as editor. It was discontinued November 6, 1857.
271
THE PRESS.
The Synchronist, by John Sawyer, jr., editor and publisher, appeared at Swanton, September, 1859, as a bi- weekly, and afterwards as a weekly. It was a spicy, well-edited sheet, but for want of patronage suspended publication after one year.
The Franklin County Herald and Swanton Advertiser was issued at Swanton Falls, March 7, 1862, by J. Ketchum Averill, editor and pro- prietor. The paper was continued six months at Swanton, when a change of base was made to St. Albans, but before a paper was issued from the St. Albans office Mr. Averill gave up his venture and enlisted in the Seventh N. Y. Volunteers.
The Vermont Transcript was established at St. Albans, in March, 1864, Henry A. Cutler was its publisher, and George F. Houghton its editor until May 20, 1866, when Wilbur P. Davis became its editor and owner. In May, 1868, Mr. Davis commenced the publication of The Daily Tran- script. In 1868 C. H. Baker and J. H. Montefiore became editors and proprietors. In 1870 the paper was sold to Clarke & Taylor, who merged it with the Daily and Weekly Messenger. The paper had gained a large circulation, and was one of the leading papers of the state, as the price paid for it attested. It was sold for $5,000.
Le Protecteur Canadienne was what its name implied, a French paper. It was commenced at St. Albans in 1869, by Rev. Z. Druon. Mr. Druon was succeeded by A. Mousette, with Fred Houde as editor. In 1872 it was sold and removed to Worcester, Mass.
The St. Albans Transcript was established August 1, 1870, by J. H. Montefiore and A. N. Merchant. In November of the same year A. N. Merchant became sole proprietor, with J. P. Stapleton as editor. Its publication was continued until 1872.
The Franklin Journal, A. N. Merchant, editor and proprietor, was commenced in Swanton. After about one year the press on which it was printed was removed to St. Albans, and the publication continued about three years, the last year under the proprietorship of C. S. Kins- ley, of Burlington.
The Vermont Temperance Advocate was issued at St. Albans, by Clark & Taylor, in 1871, with W. H. H. McAllister as editor. It was estab- lished as the organ of the Good Templars of the state. It suspended after a year's struggle.
272
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ÍSLE COUNTIES.
The St. Albans Advertiser was established in 1873, as a morning daily and weekly paper, by a stock company. A. J. Samson was its first business manager, and Lucius Bigelow its first editor. Hiram S. Hart, A. P. Cross and J. F .. McGowan followed one after the other as business managers, Stephen E. Royce, Edward S. Sears and S. B. Pettengill acting as editors. The morning edition was discontinued after about two years, and the daily issued at noon, then at 5 P. M. Once or twice the daily was discontinued and a semi-weekly edition substituted. When the daily was finally re-established the weekly was discontinued. After thousands of dollars had been sunk in the enterprise it was con- solidated with the Messenger in September, 1880.
The Swanton Courier, T. M. Tobin, editor and proprietor, was com- menced at Swanton, March 10, 1877, and is still continued with enough patronage to make it a paying venture.
The Fairfax Advertiser, bi-weekly, was commenced at Fairfax, in 1879, by F. H. Sanborn. It was a small sheet and existed a little over one year.
The Enosburgh Reporter was established at Enosburgh, as a weekly, in 1879 by W. S. Roberts. It was discontinued in 1880.
The St. Albans Herald was established at St. Albans by Eastman & Mombleau, in November, 1881. It was a spicy, aggressive little weekly that made things lively for mock reformers and "rule or ruin maniacs." It was sold by copy only, and often as many as 2,000 found ready sale each publication day. It was consolidated with the St. Albans Home Journal May 1, 1882.
The St. Albans Home Journal was established by Charles H. Hibbard, October 1, 1881, and issued weekly by him until June, 1882, when it was purchased by J. H. Montefiore, and consolidated with the Vermont Record.
The Vermont Record was issued June 29, 1882; J. H. Montefiore, ed- itor and proprietor. It was a neat, twenty eight-column weekly. After a prosperous career of six months Mr. H. M. Mott, of Champlain, N. Y., became the proprietor and editor by purchase. The paper continued under Mr. Mott's management about four weeks, when it suspended.
The Vermont Sentry was established at Swanton, February 2, 1882, by Fletcher Tarble, and was managed by Charles R. Jamason until that
.
273
RAILROADS.
gentleman became editor and proprietor. The press and material of the office was moved to St. Albans, and the paper issued by Mr. Jamason until November, 1887, when the office was purchased by a syndicate of gentlemen, who issued the paper under the editorial management of Hiram P. Dee until the following February, when F. C. Smith became editor. Mr. Smith held the position until March 15, 1890, when he was succeeded by Hiram P. Dee as editor.
The Vermont Farmers' Advocate was established by George P. Beard, editor and proprietor, March 1, 1891. The Sentry plant was purchased, and the first number of the Advocate issued March 5, 1891. It aims specially to advance the interests of farmers by advocating the farmer's cause, and discussing the living issues of the times. It has secured the confidence of the leaders of the farmers' movement, and is the only farmers' paper at present published in the state.
The Frontier Sentinel was established at Richford, in 1866, by M. F. Wilson. The paper soon passed into the hands of J. B. Bowditch, who edited the paper for a period of about eight years with marked ability, when he retired from its control. The paper passed through several hands until 1878, when it was discontinued.
The Richford Gazette was established at Richford in 1878; M. J. Ma- loney, editor and publisher. It is an aggressive, wide-awake sheet, es- tablished on a firm, paying basis.
The Green Mountain Journal made its first appearance October 15, 1878; Charles L. Reed, editor and proprietor. In 1881 the name of the paper was changed to the Richford Journal, under which name it is now published.
CHAPTER XVII.
HISTORY OF VERMONT AND CANADA, VERMONT CENTRAL, CENTRAL VERMONT, AND CONSOLIDATED RAILROAD COMPANIES.
T HE first effectual act incorporating a railroad company, whose line of road was designed to run through Franklin county, was passed by the General Assembly of this state on the 31st of October, 1845. By its provisions Benjamin Swift, John Smith, Lawrence Brainerd, 35
274
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
Sanford O. Gadcomb, Victor Atwood, Abel Houghton, Gardner G. Smith, Romeo H. Hoyt, Samuel W. Keyes, Stephen S. Keyes, Timothy Foster, George Green, Bradley Barlow, Peter Chase, Jacob Wead, Will- iam Green, Hiram Bellows, Homer E. Hubbell, Isaac Patrick Clark, Alvah Sabin, Joseph Clark, Albert G. Whittemore, Daniel H. Onion, Oscar A. Burton, Horace Eaton, William Clapp and Asa O. Aldis, and their associates and successors, were constituted a body corporate by the name of the Vermont and Canada Railroad Company, with a capital stock of $1,000,000.
As originally contemplated it was the purpose of this company to build " a railroad, with single or double track, from some point in High - gate, on Canada line, thence through the village of St. Albans to some point or points in Chittenden county, most convenient for meeting, at the village of Burlington, a railroad to be built on the route described in the act to incorporate the Champlain and Connecticut River Railroad Company, and to some point or points in Chittenden county most con- venient for meeting a railroad to be built on the route described in the act to incorporate the Vermont Central Railroad Company ; and with the right and for the further purpose of extending a railroad from any point in the aforesaid route to some point on the western shore of Grand Isle county, passing across the sand bar to South Hero, as the said com- pany may hereafter designate," etc.
The same act, by subsequent provisions, while it fixed the capital stock of the company at one million dollars, also authorized its increase beyond that amount, if found necessary in order to complete the con- struction and proper equipment of the road. Samuel W. Keyes, Ste- phen S. Keyes, Abel Houghton, Lawrence Brainerd, John Smith, Hiram Bellows, Joseph Clark, Lemuel B. Platt and Daniel H. Onion were by the act appointed commissioners to receive subscriptions to the capital stock of the company in the counties of Franklin, Chittenden and Grand Isle; their proceedings to commence within five years, and to be con- ducted in conformity with the law and custom governing such corporate organizations. And it was further provided by the act that when one thousand shares of the stock should be taken then the commissioners were authorized to call a meeting of the stockholders for the purpose of perfecting the organization of the company.
275
RAILROADS.
The requisite amount of stock being in due time subscribed to and taken, the organization of the company followed, in the choice of a board of directors, comprising John Smith, Charles Paine, S. S. Lewis, S. M. Felton, Lawrence Brainerd, William Farrar and Heman Carpen- ter ; also of officers as follows : John Smith, president; Samuel H. Walley, treasurer ; Lawrence Brainerd, clerk.
But it appears the Vermont and Canada road was not built in accord- ance with the original design of its corporators. It was understood that the Ogdensburg road, so called, would have its terminus at Platts- burgh, and had it been so constructed the passage from the lower Hero to the opposite side of the lake might become advisable ; but the Ogdens- burg company changed their eastern terminus to Rouse's Point, making it a wise policy on the part of the Vermont and Canada company to so alter their route as to complete a connection between that point and the village of Burlington, and the Vermont Central and the Rutland and Burlington roads, and to abandon that part of the original line that contemplated crossing the sand bar. This proposition not only met with determined but with the most bitter opposition on the part of cer- tain Burlington people and the hostile element elsewhere. But it was nevertheless accomplished, as the legislature of 1847 passed an act by which was repealed that portion of the original act that established the proposed line of the road across the sand bar.
The route of the road having been satisfactorily established, the com- pany at once proceeded with the work of construction, and that despite the fact that its finances were not sufficient in amount to build more than a tenth of the road; but in this extremity the managing officers of the Vermont and Canada company negotiated and agreed upon a lease of their road of date August 24, 1849, to the Vermont Central com- pany, by the terms of which it became of vital importance that the work of construction be hastened with all possible speed. To this end John Smith and Lawrence Brainerd of St. Albans, and Joseph Clark of Milton, gave both their means and energies to the enterprise, with the result of the completion of the road by the summer of 1851.
The Vermont Central Railroad Co., to which occasional reference has been made, was brought into existence by virtue of an act of the legis- lature passed October 31, 1843. The capital stock of the company
276
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES.
was fixed at $1,000,000, and the commissioners appointed to receive stock subscriptions were Charles Paine, John Peek, Wyllys Lyman, Daniel Baldwin, E. P. Jewett, Andrew Tracy and Levi B. Vilas. The company was organized on the 23d of July, 1845, by the choice of a board of directors, and with Charles Paine, president; Samuel H. Walley, treasurer ; E. P. Walton, clerk. The route of this company's road, as finally established, extended from Windsor up the Connecticut River to the mouth of White River; thence to the summit in Roxbury, and down the valley of Dog River, entering the Winooski Valley near Montpelier ; thence continuing in the Winooski Valley until it reached the western terminus at Burlington. The work of constructing this road was commenced in 1847, but was not completed until the fall of 1849, the first train passing over it in November of that year.
As already stated, the Vermont and Canada company, on the 24th of August, 1849, by its president, John Smith, entered into an indenture of lease with the Vermont Central company, by its president, Charles Paine, by which lease, with supplements and amendments afterward exe- cuted to the original, it was agreed that the Vermont Central should equip and operate the lessors' road as one continuous line with their own for the period of fifty years, and pay to the lessor company the annual rental of eight per cent. of the entire cost of their road, buildings, fixt- ures, lands, and property. And further, the parties to the lease agreed that in case the Vermont Central should default in the payment of the rental, and the same should remain four months in arrears, then the Ver- mont and Canada company was given full power and authority to enter and take possession, not only of their own road, but as well of the Vermont Central proper, and themselves operate and manage the entire line, applying the receipts to the payment of the rent in arrears, and the balance acrue to the benefit of the lessees. Still further, for the pur- pose of carrying into full effect the stipulations of the lease, the Ver- mont Central, for due consideration, granted, bargained and conveyed " unto the Vermont and Canada Railroad Company all lands, depots and easements, property, rights and privileges," which the Vermont Central might or could, by any way or means, lawfully sell or convey, as an earnest or guarantee of performance on their part, to be void if the con- ditions were fulfilled, but otherwise operative.
277
RAILROADS.
It may be stated in this connection that the total cost of the Vermont and Canada road, construction, buildings, fixtures, lands and appurte- nances, amounted to the sum of $1,348,500, upon which the company was entitled to receive rent at eight per cent. per annum, payable semi- annually, amounting to $104,880, and to be continued for the term of fifty years, if the conditions and stipulations should be faithfully carried out by the lessee company ; but which, as a matter of fact, were not so faithfully executed and observed after June 1, 1854.
The Vermont Central company duly entered upon the management of the continuous line of road, but in the construction of their road, and the equipment of the joint lines, there had been incurred a considerable indebtedness, for the payment of which the company had not the means at immediate command. To relieve themselves from this embarrass- ment the directors, on the 13th of October, 1851, authorized the officers to issue their obligations to the extent of $2,000,000 to pay the persons to whom the company was indebted, which obligations were provided to be secured by the execution and delivery of a deed of trust or mort- gage of their road, franchise and property, to William Amory and Charles O. Whittemore, of Boston, and John Smith, of St. Albans, who were appointed by the directors as trustees for the purposes of the deed. The deed itself was executed the 20th day of October, 1851, and covered not only the property of the Vermont Central company, but their leasehold interest in the Vermont and Canada road, subject to the rights of the latter company under its lease and amendments and sup- plementary agreements. The conditions of the mortgage deed to the above named trustees provided that in case the grantors failed to fulfill in the matter of payment of principal or interest of their obligations, then the grantees, trustees, or their successors were authorized and empowered to take possession and manage and control the roads, and apply the receipts to the purposes of the trust.
On the 20th day of May, 1852, the president and treasurer of the Vermont Central company, in pursuance of an order and authority from the board of directors for the purpose of paying other debts cre- ated in the completing and full equipment of their road, issued their obligations to the creditors to the extent of $1,500,000, and secured the same by the execution of a second mortgage deed, in trust, to H. H.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.