USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Morristown > History of Morristown, Vermont > Part 17
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A few years later another reorganization took place, and in 1872 the Lamoille Valley Fairground Co. was formed. It was decided that the Old Fairground, which had seemed so commodious and satisfactory when leased, should give way to a more convenient place. In May, 1872, Salmon Niles deeded to the new company a tract con- taining a little more than seventeen acres, upon which a race track was laid out, a floral hall built and other build- ings added as they were needed. This move was made in the face of bitter opposition. Many questioned the advisability of making the change, and the local merchants felt they would lose greatly by it as the new grounds were too remote for them to receive any patronage. On the other hand, there was the greater accessibility of the new grounds ; a fine spring of water, which later failed them; and, above all, the proximity of the new railroad which was then rapidly approaching Morristown.
Since 1872 many changes have been made in the man- agement. In 1885 the length of the fair was increased to three days, and in 1928 to four days, but in 1932 it was changed back to the three-day period. In 1901 the grounds were sold to a stock company, consisting of O. M. Waterman, George M. Powers and Walter Churchill of Morrisville and Orlo Luce and J. J. Vearen of Stowe. Another change was made in 1926, when a new stock com- pany, composed of Lamoille Valley men, took it over, and that year the first night programs were given, with fire- works and vaudeville forming the chief attractions.
No fairs were held in 1890 or 1900, in part because of financial conditions, and in the later instance because of the prevalence of smallpox in this section.
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On August 30, 1912, came another red letter day in the history of the organization, for on that day Theodore Roosevelt was the guest of honor. The Colonel was mak- ing his whirlwind tour of the state in his famous Bull Moose campaign, and the management found he would be able to stop here for a short time on his way to Barton. So they voted to continue the fair another day in order to secure him. The Colonel and his party arrived in town about 3:00 P. M., and were escorted to the west end of the grounds, where Mr. Roosevelt and his secretary and a small party took seats on a big float decorated with bunt- ing, pictures of Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt, and a fine bull moose head at the front. This float was drawn by fourteen yoke of oxen and the procession, headed by Capt. S. B. Waite of Hyde Park and the Morrisville Mili- tary Band, moved around the track to the grandstand. Here for about a half hour Mr. Roosevelt addressed an audience of 6,000 people, defining his idea of progressive principles. He then left for his next engagement. While Lamoille County voted Republican as usual in November the Colonel had many warm admirers here who welcomed the opportunity to listen to him.
The country fair has reflected the changing life of the people as clearly as any other institution. At first it was purely agricultural in character. The exhibits and attractions were local, and it made a pleasant diversion to go for a day or more and see what one's neighbors were doing in the line of fancy work, cooking, raising stock, or dairying. The day in the open, visiting with friends from neighboring towns, was a relaxation enjoyed by all. Gradually other attractions were added. Among the first of them was the balloon ascension and many a person can remember the thrill with which he saw Bonnette or some of his successors soar away into the distance in his balloon and the eagerness with which the news of his safe descent
was awaited. Then came the addition of Fakirs' Row, the merry-go-round, the midway and the aeroplane. To secure this entertainment and to ensure good trotting the fairs have been obliged to arrange their dates so that these attractions can make the circuit; and the fair, especially since the night performances, has more of the nature of a carnival than the old time country gathering. But one thing here remains unchanged, namely, the beautiful panorama which lies before the spectators standing on the
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height. To the east, west, and south is the rim of moun- tains with the green valley in the foreground.
Certain men have given untiringly of their time and strength for the maintenance of this institution, and among them should be mentioned O. M. Waterman, who was secretary and director for twenty-three years; A. A. Niles, who acted as secretary for more than twenty-five years, and the Hon. George W. Hendee, who was president of the association for about thirty years.
SOLDIERS' REUNIONS
The fair ground has served as the gathering place for many other bodies, among them various soldiers' organi- zations. The first of these meetings was in 1886 when, on October 5 and 6, the veterans of the Civil War assembled to renew old associations. An organization was perfected known as the Lamoille Veterans' Association, though its membership was not confined to this county. In fact, several of its officers were from beyond the borders of Lamoille County. The principal features of this first reunion were the campfire in the evening, with speakers from a distance, and the sham battle which was staged. "Black Betsy" was taken over from the village to participate, and the old soldiers once more listened to the crack of muskets and breathed the smoke of battle.
"Black Betsy" perhaps deserves a word in passing. This cannon was secured for the town soon after the Civil War, probably by Col. D. J. Safford, and for many years every celebration of any importance was ushered in by a salute from her. Of late years she has been mute, and with the erection of the Soldiers' Monument in Academy Park she was placed there to keep guard over it and the memories of the soldiers of 1861-'65.
The eleventh of these annual reunions was held here in 1896, but after that date they seem to have been held at the G. A. R. halls in the different towns until finally the thinning ranks of soldiers led to their being discontinued. The last one recorded was at Johnson in 1915.
During the World War the first muster of the Second Battalion of the Vermont Volunteer Militia, including com- panies from St. Johnsbury, St. Albans and Newport, as well as the local company, was on the fair ground. The American Legion has also held county meetings there and
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it has served as an athletic field from the days when the No-Names, Morristown's famous baseball team, were at their height to the present. The State Firemen's Asso- ciation met here in 1909 and the level fields adjoining have been used as a landing place for airplanes in connection with the fairs and also for air meets held here at different times.
Another occasion for merrymaking of quite a different character is reported in the "Vermont Weekly Tribune" of March 9, 1854, as follows:
"The one hundred and twenty second anniversary of the birth of him who was 'First in war, first in the hearts of his countrymen', was celebrated at Morrisville on the 22d inst. £ The 'Morrisville House' was full to overflowing
at an early hour. 'Our host' with his usual urbanity and good nature gave us a hearty welcome. The wants of every guest were more than anticipated; they were sup- plied. We were summoned to the Hall at half past six o'clock, where we found that indispensable requisite to every festival, Music, in the persons of friend Eastman and his accomplished band. Age was there-side by side with blooming youth, manhood with its strength; child- hood in its helplessness-wives, sweethearts, daughters, all were there.
"J. Miles, Esq. now brought forward and introduced Dr. as Chairman of the meeting, after which Mr. L. F. Warner introduced as orator Geo. W. Hendee of Morrisville and as Poet, Freeman O. Hodge of Lowell. Music by the band, after which Mr. Hendee in a most happy and masterly manner gave us an intel- lectual treat. Subject-Washington. A feast to the soul. It was good to be there. Then followed the poem, by Mr. Hodge, entitled "Vermont" which is herewith trans- mitted to you and speaks for itself.
"Music, dancing, supper-and such a one, it was one of Matthews' best; toasts, music, dancing-rain-snow-blow; morning ; and we all went home.
"Your's truly, "ONE OF THEM."
The poem referred to didn't speak loudly enough to the editor to cause him to print it, but as this issue of the "Tribune" contained poems by Whittier and Alice Cary, Mr. Hodge could hardly have hoped to compete with them.
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It is interesting to compare this celebration with the one held a little more than three-quarters of a century later when, together with the rest of the United States, Morristown devoted February 22, 1932, to commemorating the bi-centenary of Washington's birth. The observance began at sunrise with a salute given by the firing squad of the American Legion, followed by a fife and drum corps which paraded the principal streets playing patriotic music. At 11:30 o'clock the public were invited to meet at the town hall, where they engaged in singing patriotic music until President Hoover's address at Washington was brought by a radio installed for the occasion at the hall.
The climax of the event was the evening meeting which was enjoyed by a crowd so large that not all were able to
secure seats in the hall. £ A brief appropriate musical pro- gram was the prelude to a short colonial play. But the
main feature was a scholarly historical address by W. A. Beebe of Underhill, former principal of Peoples Academy. At the close of this the memorial trees planted in honor of the Father of His Country were dedicated and turned over to the village trustees. The American Legion then gave a costume ball at the Barracks. The celebration was sponsored by the Woman's Club, and achieved the distinc- tion of being reported in the "New York Tribune".
On March 4, 1865, a jubilee meeting was held at the ' town hall to celebrate the recent victories of the Union army and the inauguration of President Lincoln. The Hon. G. W. Hendee was the presiding officer and P. K. Gleed, "Father" Gleed, as the Rev. John Gleed was affec- tionately termed, Dr. Horace Powers and others appeared on the program. The general rejoicing of that occasion was turned into mourning in a few short weeks when word was brought by a messenger on horseback from Water- bury of the assassination of the beloved President.
CAMPMEETING
Another important event in the community for a good many years was the annual campmeeting, which was usually held the second or third week in August. Before the summer vacation had become so common, this occasion filled the need for change and relaxation.
At just what date the first campmeeting was held in Morristown cannot be definitely ascertained, but in 1868 and possibly a short. time before, such services were held in the grove by the river at Cadys Falls. It was prob-
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ably a gathering of local people who were attracted by the charm of the place. Just when and why the change was made to the beautiful maple grove near Morrisville is not certain. Doubtless many things contributed to bring about the removal. £ Salmon Niles, who owned the new site, was one of the prominent members of the local Metho- dist Church and may have been influential in bringing it about. As the movement grew in popularity, quarters larger and more centrally located may have seemed desir- able. It will be remembered that the new railroad had reached Morrisville by 1872 and may have been the deter- mining factor in making the transfer.
In 1882 Salmon Niles leased to the Morrisville Camp- meeting Association "a certain piece of land known as the old M. E. Campground in the Salmon Niles sugar place adjacent to the fair ground, it being a strip of land running from the St. Johnsbury & Lake Champlain Railroad to the fair ground, where meetings have been held for the last ten years." If the period stated was accurate it fixes the date as 1872 and in "The Vermont Citizen" of August 28, 1873, we read of the extensive preparations for the gathering to be held in the Niles grove that year. The grounds were enlarged, a boarding house run by H. H. Elmore was added and tickets on the Portland & Ogdens- burg Railroad were sold at half-price.
That the meetings increased in popularity is shown by the fact that in 1880 a new preacher's stand was built, and arrangements for seating 2,500 people were made, and preliminary steps were taken to make it the recognized campmeeting of the St. Albans district. In 1882, the association took a twenty-year lease of the grounds and expended $500 in repairs. The new preacher's stand, built only two years before, had been burned, but was now replaced, the seating capacity was increased, and it was the only campmeeting in the district.
While the officers were in the main local they were not confined to this town. In 1883 there was the follow- ing slate: President, B. F. Morse of Elmore; Vice-Presi- dent, Newton Terrill of Morrisville; Secretary and Treasurer, A. A. Niles of Morrisville; Railroad Agent, W. H. Hyde of West Berkshire; Assistant Agent George Story of Hyde Park; Executive Committee, Rev. M. P. Bell of Morrisville, Newton Terrill of Morrisville and A. F. Whitney of Morrisville.
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Towns as far distant as Essex and Sheldon had built cottages which were the headquarters for their residents while many individuals owned camps or pitched their tents for the week. The presiding elder of the district took. charge of the services. In 1886 it was estimated that there were 1,500 teams on the ground on Sunday.
During the 80's the temperance movement was promi- nent and this campground was chosen as the place for the annual State Temperance Campmeeting, which was usually held during the first two days of the regular period of gathering. From its platform were heard temperance speakers of national repute, such as Mrs. J. K. Barney of Rhode Island, Bishop Hamilton of Boston, Gov. John P. St. John of Kansas, Mrs. Ellen Foster of Iowa, Neal Dow of Maine and Mary Livermore of Chicago and Boston, while prominent. Methodist divines from all parts of the country participated.
Today one looks in vain for any sign of the old camp- ground, and the question arises why this change. Various reasons contributed to bring about its abandonment. Chief among them was the change in the spirit of the age which has caused the campmeeting everywhere to lose its hold on people. There was a decreased interest and attendance, and the depredations of the tent caterpillars injured the grove so that it was finally cut down. So with the expiration of the lease the meetings were given up. On August 17, 1902, the last hymn was sung, the final benediction given, and the property was later disposed of at public auction. Thus a chapter of the town's history was closed. But in imagination one can still see the speaker's stand with its rows of singers and ministers, the wooden seats filled with an audience, part of which were under a canvas roof, but most of them under the blue dome of heaven, the circle of tents and cottages which enfolded the seats, the fagots which cast a wavering light upon the assembly, and in the background the stillness of the forest.
The campground also served as an ideal place for hold- ing political rallies and here county gatherings were often held. These rallies were always Republican in complexion as no opposing party in Lameille County was ever strong enough to stage such pretentious ones as were put on here. On this platform have appeared the candidates for the highest offices of the state, supplemented by spell binders of national repute from beyond its borders. In 1896 Gen.
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P. J. Conlon of Boston and Governor, later Senator, Dil- lingham were the main attractions. In August, 1902, Morristown welcomed her native son, the Hon. Leslie M. Shaw, then secretary of the treasury, together with Gov- ernor Mccullough and Fletcher Proctor. Professor Maxam, the popular campaign singer of that period, con- tributed to the entertainment his well known musical hits. From this platform have been expounded the cardinal Republican doctrines of protection, "the full dinner pail," and sound money, doctrines almost as important in the minds of the assembly as the ten commandments and the moral precepts which were enunciated during the camp- meeting.
The political gatherings were not always held on the campground, for in 1888 a big meeting was staged to cele- brate the victory of Harrison and Morton. Black Betsy, which figured in so many gala days, was taken to the old fair ground to contribute its part to the occasion, a huge bonfire was laid up there, and a procession lead by the Morrisville Drum Corps and the Hyde Park Band paraded the principal streets. The culmination of the event was the speech-making which consisted of remarks by P. K. Gleed, G. W. Hendee, G. W. Doty and D. J. Safford of Mor- risville, R. W. Hulburd of Hyde Park, and C. H. Stearns of Johnson. This array of talent leaves no doubt of the high grade of eloquence and the genuine wit which enlivened the occasion.
Another diversion of quite a different character which flourished, especially in the 80's, was the squirrel hunt. These events were nominally in the interests of protecting game and destroying animal pests such as red squirrels, owls and other animals which were predatory by nature. Two teams, which included everyone who had any interest in hunting, were selected and staged their contest in the late fall, usually in October. In '82 the captains of the opposing forces were Benjamin H. Sanborn, later to be the founder of the well known publishing house of B. H. San- born & Co., and L. B. Boynton, for many years hotel keeper and dealer in real estate here. The year following George M. Powers, later chief justice of the state, and E. E. Boomhower, a well known blacksmith, led their respective sides to victory or defeat. Again F. B. Living- stone, a prominent business man who later went to Cali- fornia, and C. C. Rublee, one of the leading doctors in the
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county, led the opposing forces. On one occasion the scores reported were 21,040 to 10,070. The rating of the different animals cannot be determined, but it would seem that many a squirrel or other pest met his fate that October day.
As a reward for their prowess the victors were enter- tained at some public eating place.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Undoubtedly the high spot in the history of gala days in Morristown was the Centennial Celebration, held on July 4, 1890. At the March meeting of 1889 a committee consisting of H. Henry Powers, G. W. Hendee, P. K. Gleed, I. N. LeBaron, and M. C. Mower were appointed to lay plans for it, and the year following $500 was appropriated and an executive committee was elected to carry out the details of the affair. G. W. Doty, Frank Kenfield, A. O. Gates, O. D. Matthews, and R. L. Fairbanks were the men upon whom fell this task and they entered into it with enthusiasm and ability and secured the hearty cooperation of the townspeople. The grounds were on the south side of Harrison Avenue, which was not built up at all then. Here on the lots now occupied by Mrs. George A. Morse was erected a tent capable of holding 2,000 people. The whole village was gay with flags and bunting, but the centerpiece of the decorations was the arch which spanned the head of Congress Street, designed and built by C. W. Fitch. Upon one side, it bore the inscription "Grateful for the Past-Hopeful for the Future," and upon the other side, "One Hundredth Anniversary of Settlement."
The event really began on the Sunday before, with a sermon delivered by the Rev. W. A. Robinson, a native of Morristown, whose father, the Rev. Septimus Robinson, was pastor of the local Congregational Church for twenty- six years. On the evening of the third the Sherman Mili- tary Band of Burlington gave a concert in the tent and at sunrise on the Fourth, Black Betsey ushered in the momentous day by a ringing salute. Already on every hillside people were astir about their tasks so as to reach the village in time to secure a good position from which to view the parade which started at 10:30, with G. W. Doty as chief marshal. It contained several bands, the Bur- lington Cadets, the local G. A. R. Post, together with posts
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from several neighboring towns, floats representing Joe and Molly, the Walkers riding in an ox cart, Uncle Sam and the States, and various organizations.
At 1:30 the audience gathered at the tent where the following program was presented;
Music
Prayer-Rev. W. E. Douglass, Pastor of the M. E. Church Address of Welcome-
Hon. G. W. Hendee, President of the Day
Music
Historical Address-Hon. H. H. Powers
Music
Centennial Poem-
Rev. P. B. Fisk, Pastor of the Congregational Church Song-Sermon from the Mountains-
Music by Prof. W. F. Whipple Words by Rev. P. B. Fisk
Toasts and Responses
Hon. P. K. Gleed was toastmaster and in his inimit- able manner presented a group of men particularly qualified to discuss the subject assigned them. Gov. W. P. Dilling- ham responded to the toast, My Green Mountain State; the Rev. W. A. Robinson spoke on The Churches of Mor- ristown; Lieut .- Gov. U. A. Woodbury addressed the G. A. R. in particular ; the Rev. Edwin Wheelock, who held an unusually long pastorate at Cambridge and was for years a trustee of Peoples Academy, paid tribute to the influence of this institution in this section of the state. The Hon. M. W. Terrill of Middlefield, Conn., a former business man here, whose ancestors were pioneers at Cadys Falls, responded to "The Merchants of Morristown"; the Hon. Leslie M. Shaw of Iowa, later secretary of the treasury, spoke of the great West and its future; the Rev. George H. Bailey of New York, pastor of the Universalist Church when the present structure was dedicated, took as his theme, "The Ministers of Morristown"; the Hon. George Wilkins of Stowe, himself a well known attorney, responded to the toast, "The Lawyers of Morristown."
To entertain such frivolous ones as did not care for the intellectual feast provided by these toasts, a ball game between the No-Names of this town and a team from John- son was staged, and the Burlington Cadets gave an exhibi-
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tion drill. At nightfall many of the "men-folks" had to return home to do the chores, but came back for the fire- works which were to afford the climax of the event. Rain injured some of the set pieces, yet they presented a spectacle which was to linger long in the memories of the boys and girls who were allowed to sit up to see them.
It was estimated that more than 10,000 people were present, and the entire event was a distinct credit to the town. Not the least of the permanent benefits coming from it was the historical address of Judge Powers. From the lips of men and women whose fathers planted the town, he gathered the facts which have formed the basis for all subsequent records of our early history.
MEMORIAL EXERCISES FOR PRESIDENT MCKINLEY
On September 19, 1901, this town, in common with thousands of others throughout the country, held memorial exercises for President Mckinley, recently assassinated. The citizens assembled at the Congregational Church, where a selected quartette presented suitable music and the Rev. I. P. Booth, pastor of the Universalist Church, had charge of the program. Different phases of the lamented President's life and work were presented by H. P. Munson, George J. Slayton, Frank Kenfield, Prof. W. A. Beebe, George W. Doty, F. G. Fleetwood and Congressman H. H. Powers. Thus was added another note to the chorus of love and sorrow which arose from all parts of the land.
DEDICATION OF SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
Morristown has always been proud of the military record of her sons and has shown her pride by electing individual veterans to high office and by supporting the work of their organizations. So the project of erecting a Soldiers' Monument, while discussed for some time before undertaken, when finally launched met a hearty response.
At the March meeting of 1910 Col. G. W. Doty, a tire- less worker for the memorial, made an earnest appeal to the voters and Mr. C. H. A. Stafford presented the follow- ing resolution which was adopted:
"Resolved, that the Selectmen are hereby instructed to draw their order for one thousand five hundred dollars to be paid when a Soldiers' monument is erected on Academy Park to cost not less than two thousand five hundred dol- lars, the balance to be raised by subscription. W. A.
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Beebe, H. A. Slayton, and F. G. Fleetwood are appointed to act as a building committee for the town in conjunction with a committee appointed by the G. A. R. Post, and said committee are to select kind and style of said monument."
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