USA > Vermont > Lamoille County > Morristown > History of Morristown, Vermont > Part 22
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
His notices of marriages appeared under the heading Sailed and deaths under the caption Wrecked, and every issue could be depended upon to contain something unusual and entertaining.
The "News" was established in Hyde Park in 1877 to succeed the "Newsdealer," but four years later this too was combined with the "Citizen"; and, for a score of years, "The News and Citizen," published jointly at the two towns by the Lamoille Publishing Co., consisting of L. H. Lewis and H. C. Fisk, was the local paper for Lamoille County. In time Mr. Fisk withdrew from the partner- ship, and in 1922 Mr. A. A. Twiss bought out Mr. Lewis.
Then there appeared a newcomer in the shape of "The Morrisville Messenger" which was started by J. E. Harris in January, 1901. "Jack" Harris, as he was called, was a well known newspaper man, who had gained his experi- ence on "The Burlington Clipper" and "The Hardwick Gazette" and had made his reputation as a writer who, in a very caustic semi-humorous style, commented freely on the political affairs of both state and nation. In fact, it is said that he started his new venture because certain officeholders were dilatory in helping him to a position. The paper offered him a medium of reminding them of his continued existence. It seems to have been efficacious, for in October he was appointed doorkeeper of the Senate.
While Mr. Harris was publishing the paper, it had been printed by the press of "The Burlington Clipper" which had been moved to Essex Junction by L. P. Thayer. When Mr. Harris settled with Mr. Thayer, he gave him "The Messenger" subscription list, remarking
%
'
239 .
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
that it ought to be kept going as it had paid well. To a natural newspaper man like Mr. Thayer, who was then controlling several papers, this was a challenge which he did not refuse. He had just sold "The Vergennes Ver- monter" to R. W. McCuen and according to the terms of sale the printing plant had to move out of town. He found a desirable location, the Currier store was vacant, and the plant was soon lodged in the quarters which it has since occupied.
F. W. Sault was the first manager, but was succeeded by D. H. Lamberton, who was responsible for starting the Cambridge, Bakersfield, Stowe and Wolcott editions. After Mr. Lamberton left, Mr. Thayer came in person to run the paper with and for his son, H. S. Thayer, until the World War broke out and the young man enlisted. For twenty-two years Mr. Thayer resided in Morrisville. In 1920 A. B. Limoge of Burlington, who had received his training in the Free Press office, came as business manager. At length poor health compelled Mr. Thayer to spend his winters in a warmer climate and Mr. Limoge purchased the paper and has since run it.
THE POSTOFFICE
In the early days the presence of the postoffice in a village gave official recognition to its importance as a center of influence. So when Dr. James Tinker secured the location of the first postoffice in town at the Corners rather than at the Center, it gave the former hamlet pres- tige quite out of proportion to the importance of the few pieces of mail which were left there by the stage on its way north from Waterbury and Stowe. First established about 1812, this office was in use about ninety years.
Dr. Tinker was its incumbent for many years and among his successors were Joseph Sears, about 1850; Samuel Olds, in the late 50's; Orrin Lyman, in the early 60's; A. B. Smith, in the late 60's; Bishop Ashe, in the early 70's; M. C. Mower, in the late 70's, and then Eben Douglass, who had the longest term except Dr. Tinker. He was succeeded by James Hill, who soon gave way to M. W. Carleton, who was acting at the time the office was discontinued, in 1901. £ Located at various places in the village, it was fixed at the store when Mr. Ashe assumed the office of postmaster and remained there ever afterwards.
-
1
240
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
For a time after the stage from Stowe was routed by way of the LaPorte Road, the mail was left at the Had- ley farm, but later was taken to the Morrisville office. At first the postmasters carried the mail to and from the office, but later regular carriers took it. Among the men who were well known figures in that capacity were Moses Rankin and Leonard Matthews, who, with his handsome horse, Comet, made the trip for many years.
THE MORRISVILLE POSTOFFICE
The official recognition of the status and importance of the village of Morrisville came with the establishment of the postoffice here in 1833. Its first incumbent was Levi B. Vilas, who held the position less than a year and then moved to Johnson and later became a well known figure, both in this state and in Wisconsin, to which he removed. This vacancy was filled by the appointment of S. A. Willard, who entered upon his duties about March 14, 1834. On that date he received his first letter which was brought from St. Albans bearing ten cents postage. During the last half of that month thirteen letters were received and in the month of April twenty-four.
When comparing this volume of business with what is done today, one must take into account the difference in the rates of postage. Then a single letter composed of one sheet of paper if carried thirty miles or less required six cents in postage, when taken from thirty to eighty miles the amount was ten cents, from eighty to 150 miles twelve and one-half cents, from 150 to 400 miles eighteen and three-fourths cents, and over 400 miles twenty-five cents. If the writer was very diffuse and wrote two sheets, the rate was double that of a single sheet and a triple letter paid triple postage.
The office in that early day was "the little red shop" formerly standing on the Miles property now owned by the bank. Judge Willard was succeeded by Edward L. Mayo, another lawyer. The task of caring for the mail was not arduous and the small salary was doubtless a welcome addition to their remuneration as lawyers. During Mr. Mayo's term the office was on the second floor of what was later to become the Morrisville House.
On December 1, 1841, Daniel Gilbert became post- master and in the Christmas rush of that first month received sixty-four letters and mailed eighty-one. Mr.
241
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
Gilbert added these duties to his regular work as a cabinet- maker and the office was in his furniture shop, later occupied by Doty's furniture store, now a garage on lower Main street. Mr. Gilbert held the office for twenty years, with the exception of four years, when J. C. Noyes served and moved the equipment to his home in the brick house on the corner of High and Main streets, now occupied by James Eaton, where it was located in the room now used as a rest room.
In June, 1861, Thomas Gleed, another attorney, was appointed, and upon his death his term was filled out by his widow, and the office was in the Masonic Temple on the corner now occupied by Peck's Pharmacy. This building was burned in 1869 and the office was moved tem- porarily to the saddle and harness shop on the Miles place until the corner block was rebuilt. Another attorney, J. C. Robinson, then secured the position and served for twenty years until a turn in the political wheel placed the Democrats in power, and Charles Rich became their nominee.
In 1873 it became a money order office and the increas- ing business demanded the full time and attention of some one rather than the use of the position as an adjunct to some other profession. Also, it was desirable to have larger and more convenient rooms. In 1889 the building now occupied as a milliner's shop by Mrs. Ella Warren was built and equipped expressly for a postoffice and George F. Earle with his wife as assistant was the for- tunate occupant of the new plant. With the return of the Democrats to power Daniel C. Spaulding succeeded to yield place in 1900 to H. J. Fisher.
During the latter's administration another important change was made in postal matters, the introduction of rural free delivery. This necessitated more space than could be provided in the rooms then in use and with the building of the Drowne block in 1901 the office was moved into its present quarters. Mr. Fisher was succeeded by C. L. Gates, who benefitted by the Wilson regime. With the return of the Republicans to power E. W. Gates was appointed, who was succeeded by John E. Stewart. The force now consists of the postmaster, an assistant post- master, two regular clerks and an auxiliary clerk.
The office soon outgrew its facilities and the year 1928 saw extensive changes. A long term lease of the present quarters was taken, and new lock boxes and new equip-
242
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
ment throughout was added. During the flood rehabili- tation period this office was the center from which huge truck loads of mail sent in from surrounding places was sorted and re-routed to different districts.
Probably the government has undertaken no activity which brought richer returns to the rural population than free delivery of mail. Today the automobile, the tele- phone, the radio and frequent trips to the creamery bring the farmer into touch with the outside world; but formerly his weekly trip to the village to dispose of his farm products, to lay in his supply of groceries, and get his mail was almost his only point of contact. When Uncle Sam's agents brought his mail to his door, it made possible access to the daily newspaper and easy communication with dis- tant sections. In 1901 two rural free delivery routes were established in Morristown, and W. W. Fairbanks and E. S. Robinson were appointed carriers. The former soon resigned and was succeeded by I. N. LeBaron, Jr. When this work had to be carried on entirely with horses, the job was no sinecure, but it brought returns in increased enjoyment in living. Since that date two additional routes have been laid out so that now practically all sec- tions of the town are reached by the carriers and the offices at the Corners and Cadys Falls have long been discontinued.
CADYS FALLS OFFICE
The office at this place was opened in 1858 with V. W. Waterman postmaster. The office was in his house and the mail was delivered by the stage running from Water- bury to Hyde Park. After the railroad was built the mail was brought from Hyde Park until in 1892 a mail catch was installed beside the track and the sacks were deposited there. That year C. B. Terrill was appointed postmaster, and the office was moved into the store where it remained until it was discontinued in 1906. Later postmasters have been Erwin Lilley, Fred Waterbury, and A. H. Calkins.
PUBLIC HOUSES
The tavern of the olden days was quite a different institution from the modern hotel and met quite a differ- ent need, but both have played an important part in the development of our civilization. From its settlement Morristown has been well supplied with such houses of entertainment.
There is no doubt that the first tavern keeper in town
.
243
1
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
was Elisha Boardman, but some question has been raised as to where his hotel was located. His descendants main- tain that it was north of Cadys Falls, where the roads fork, one leading to Johnson, the other continuing to Hyde Park. This was the point at which the Boardmans located upon coming to town and unquestionably a house of entertainment for man and beast was kept there and is so reported in Heminway's "Gazeteer." But according to Mr. S. L. Gates, Judge H. H. Powers and other authori- ties on early local history, Mr. Boardman first settled at the Center opposite the cabin built by Jacob Walker, where his hotel served as town house and schoolhouse for a time as well as a hostelry. Here was hung out the oblong sign bearing, besides the name Boardman's Inn, the suggestive picture of a tankard and glasses. This sign is still in the possession of his great-grandson, Milton H. Boardman.
When it became evident that the Center was only a geographical point and not the place at which the popula- tion would focus, it was natural that a tavern should be opened at the Corners, and Joseph Sears, son-in-law of Jacob Walker, combined the occupation of hotel keeper with that of cabinet maker, and here in the house later known as the Rood place now occupied by Eli Fisk he ministered to the needs of any traveler who passed by what was then the main highway from Waterbury and Stowe to Hyde Park and points farther north.
Near Cadys Falls the Boardmans had served the traveling public for some time when Edmund Town built a two-story structure at the village in 1853, which, for thirty years, was used for hotel purposes and later served as a dwelling house.
The construction of the LaPorte Road, which diverted the Stowe travel from the Corners, made feasible the open- ing of some place of entertainment for teamsters and others along that route. Here Mr. William Clement built a large house with a dance hall on the upper floor which he maintained for some years. Anticipating by several decades the present day of unique names for such places, he termed it the Call-and-See House. When he sold this property to Lyman Woodworth, the dance hall was retained and served as a social gathering place for a time. Then the dwelling house became just a roomy farm house until the advent of the automobile once more created the need for the over-night lodgings and it is again used in that capacity.
.. .. ... .
f
244
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
The rise of Morrisville naturally led to the establish- ment of a tavern there and Mr. S. L. Gates is authority for the statement that E. V. Herrick was its first hotel keeper, but how early in its history is not known. Some time before 1853 the Morrisville House, standing on the site of the present Randall Hotel. was christened. Here for many years its proprietor, F. L. Matthews, was a well known figure and the hotel was the scene of many ban- quets, oyster suppers, dances and general good times as well as a home for the traveling public. Perhaps Mr. Matthews' successors lacked his capacity to serve as a host. at any rate for years there was an almost annual change of managers. Among them were A. S. and M. T. Whipple, E. O. Hammond in 1870, Munroe Jocelyn in 1871, George Orcutt in 1872, B. S. Wilson in 1873, Foster Brothers in 1875, and E. C. Carpenter in 1878. In 1879 a Mr. Rob- bins of Swanton bought the property only to have it totally destroyed by fire in April of that year. The hotel was rebuilt, however, and for several years L. B. Boynton was connected with it as owner and sometimes as manager.
In 1891 this property was purchased by Carroll F. Randall, who moved the Morrisville House back to serve as dining room and kitchen of the new structure, while facing Main Street, he erected a three-story building. Thus the old Morrisville House, after a half century of existence, was succeeded by the Randall Hotel. For more than thirty years Mr. Randall was proprietor of this hos- telry. and was one of the best known hotel men in the state, his genial personality making him an ideal landlord. Since his death. the property has changed hands several times, but it still seems to retain something of the imprint of his personality.
For years the village supported two or even three hotels at the same time. The Exchange Hotel. the Union House and others appeared and disappeared from the stage of action, but among the most important of them was the Lamoille House, which occupied the building where Aiken's market and the Quality restaurant are now housed. In March, 1909, this was burned and when rebuilt was made into a business block.
The most important competitor of the Morrisville House was the Vermont House, built and managed by A. G. West, who had served his apprenticeship in the hotel busi- ness as proprietor of the Morrisville House. Mr. West
245
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
came here from Northfield in 1837 when the village con- tained but sixteen dwelling houses, and few citizens con- tributed more to its growth than he. £ This hotel was situated on Portland Street on the site of the Kelley block now occupied by the Ben Franklin Stores. It was intended to cater particularly to railroad patrons, and its destruction by fire in 1893 was one of the largest conflagra- tions which has ever visited the town.
The changed modes of life have revolutionized the hotel business. The restaurant, the tea room, and the over-night lodging place have grown up to meet the needs of the automobilist, and they may have for future genera- tions the same glamor of romance which now surrounds the old tavern.
CHAPTER XVI
THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MORRISVILLE
E ARLY in the 80's some of the more progressive citizens began to discuss the advantages to be gained by having the village incorporated so that better streets and sidewalks might be secured, and other civic improvements obtained. On November 26, 1884, the act of incorporation was passed by the state Legislature, hav- ing been introduced by H. C. Fisk, then senator from Lamoille County. But then, as always, other residents weighed the effect such a step would have upon their pocketbooks and fearing the advantages of a corporate existence would be overbalanced by the increased cost of maintenance at a meeting held the February following they refused to incorporate. Not until seven years later when the enthusiasm of the coming centennial was already leavening the prevailing indifference did they agree to take that step. In June, 1890, upon motion of Governor Hen- dee the act of 1884 was accepted and the following village officers elected : President, Frank Kenfield; clerk, W. H. Robinson; treasurer and collector, A. M. Burke; trustees, P. K. Gleed, Seymour Harris, O. D. Matthews, A. F. Whit- ney, and H. P. Munson.
Within the next few weeks various steps were taken to promote the welfare of the village. The fire depart- ment was enlarged; Dr. C. C. Rublee was appointed the first health officer; street lamps were authorized; pro- visions for sprinkling the streets were made; and at the first annual meeting a survey of the village for a sewer system was ordered; and action looking towards a more satisfactory water system was discussed; and, truth com- pels one to add, arrangements were made for a "lock-up," showing that human nature even in an incorporated village was still faulty.
One of the most far-reaching improvements of the period was the beginning of the development of the municipal electric plant. The Lamoille River has always contributed materially to the beauty and prosperity of the town. To the present generation "Pulpit Rock" is but a name sometimes applied to the narrow ridge of rock
LAKE LAMOILLE
PULPIT ROCK
247
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
which rises almost perpendicularly from the river below the power house. Years ago at the end of this lofty crag there was a rock shaped like an old-fashioned pulpit, into which one could step and obtain a splendid view of the falls. Long years ago this rock fell because of the action of the frost, but the name still clings to the place. Beauti- ful as the spot was, it was the practical side of the falls which interested men. From the railroad bridge to the point where the stream from the south joins the main river there is a fall of seventy-five feet. Here the Saf- fords threw the first dam across and at least two others were built before the big municipal dam of 1924 was con- structed. Various industries, such as grist mill, pulp mill, tub factory, and others have utilized this power. Tradition says the Fairbanks family were impressed by the possibilities of the place, and attempted to locate here before establishing their scale works at St. Johnsbury, but were unable to make satisfactory terms with the Saffords.
But with the progress of invention, water power gave way in a measure to electrical power; and it is as a source of electricity that the Lamoille River has con- tributed most generously to the development of the town. Because it was undoubtedly the most important act in the life of the village the resolution, passed on August 21, 1894, which inaugurated the municipal electric plant, is given in full : "Resolved that a committee consisting of G. M. Powers, C. H. Slocum, G. W. Doty, H. A. Slayton, and H. P. Munson be appointed and authorized to contract for and establish an electric light plant for the incorporated village of Morrisville with full power to purchase for and in the name of said village such power as they shall deem wise and to develop the same for said purpose and to make all contracts pertaining to the establishment of said plant and do all things necessary to complete and put in opera- tion said plant and to borrow money on the credit of said village corporation to an amount not to exceed $18,000 to carry the purpose of this resolution into effect."
How wisely the committee discharged its duties con- stitutes the story of the Water and Light Department, for a more adequate water system was as important as better lighting facilities.
Willard K. Sanders, from the office of the Water and Light Department, gives the history of these undertakings as follows :
-
248
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
THE WATER SYSTEM
At the time that the village was incorporated there was no municipal water supply in operation, the water being furnished by a Waterbury firm, by the name of War- ren & Somerville. This firm had established water lines running from springs on the Elmore road about two miles above the village, to a reservoir which was located in a field near the farm now occupied by R. L. Barrows, and from there the water was piped to the different customers in the village. Under this arrangement, there were times when in spite of the small number of customers connected the service was quite limited and very little fire protec- tion afforded. Naturally this led to quite a bit of discon- tent among the patrons and a village committee imme- diately began to look about for a supply of water which could be used for a municipal water system, and in 1894 such a supply was found on the Bugbee farm three miles east of Morrisville on the Wolcott road. At that time,
Col. George W. Doty was on the board of trustees, and not wishing to wait for action on the part of the village, personally purchased the entire farm for its water supply and later the village authorized the purchase for the sum of $1,800. The land immediately around the spring was fenced in to avoid pollution, and the balance of the farm re-sold. This water supply was constant during rainy periods or extremely dry periods and bubbled forth from the foot of a steep bank with a capacity of nearly 300 gallons of clear, pure water every minute. A line of pipe was run from this spring to the farm now occupied by R. H. Sharrow and thence through the Woodward pasture over the hill to the reservoir which, though not in use, is still standing just above the residence of T. J. Stewart. The water line was not completed that fall, but seeing that competition was sure to come, the firm of Warren & Som- erville sold their entire system to the village, January 2, 1895, thereby forming the nucleus of our present system. Finding that by improving the springs on the Elmore Road, a larger supply of water could be obtained, it was decided to discontinue the old reservoir which the private company had built and to build a larger one on the site of the present one at the village limits, this being done in 1895. Thus a constant supply of water was assured from two sources which would be adequate for domestic use and for
249
HISTORY OF MORRISTOWN
fire protection. Following this, the business of the de- partment steadily grew until in 1897 it had 275 water customers and in 1906 represented an investment of $37,631.
By this time the reservoir built in 1895 was beginning to show the effects of the weather, it being a wooden build- ing with a pitch roof, and a little later, half of the roof was blown off, exposing the village water supply to the elements and laying it open to contamination, so that plans were made to replace the old reservoir. In 1912 plans were completed and the present reservoir was built. It was of concrete construction, 100 feet long, fifty feet wide, and thirteen feet deep, and had a capacity of 450,000 gal- lons; the cost of construction being $4,448.05.
For a time this new reservoir had ample capacity for the needs of the village, but a little later the demand exceeded the supply, caused by the growth of the manufac- turing establishments and creameries so that a survey of the system was made and it was found that by moving the intake of the Bugbee line down stream about 200 feet, the water supply at that point would be doubled, so in 1916 a concrete dam thirty feet long and four feet high was placed across the brook 200 feet below the old intake and a new intake installed, thereby forming a small pond about forty feet in diameter whereby the supply of water could be conserved during the night when the demand was low and held in reserve for the larger day time demand. A small building was erected over the intake in such a way that all water entering the intake was filtered through fifteen inches of sand and gravel before entering the pipe line. Also at this time an electric pump was installed in the basement of H. A. Slayton's store. This pump had a capacity of 250 gallons per minute and was used to pump water from the little reservoir line into the big reservoir line.
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.