USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Wallingford > History of Wallingford, Vermont > Part 8
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Marshals of the Day. East Wallingford Cornet Band. St. Patrick's Hibernian Benevolent Society. R. A. J's. Citizens on foot. Citizens in carriages.
There were about fifty carriages in this decid- edly interesting procession. The R. A. J's caused much amusement by their laughable and gro- tesque make-up. The boys performed their parts well and were heartily appreciated. The parade marched to what is now the ball ground in the northern part of the village. Here all the exer- cises were held and articles for exhibition pur- poses placed in Floral and Centennial Halls. The President of the occasion was Col. Dyer Townsend. He called the gathering to order and requested the Rev. H. H. Saunderson to lead in prayer. The Rev. Aldace Walker, D. D., was the first speaker and he announced as his subject "The Changes of a Century." Although brief it was exceedingly appropriate and interesting.
After this address Mr. Joseph Haskins, an aged veteran of 94, who was born in Hollis, N. H., but who had resided in East Wallingford for many years, was invited upon the platform and sung an old Masonic song called "King Solomon,". with
THE LATTER DECADES OF THE XIX CENTURY: 175
wonderful force and vigor. The audience cheered him enthusiastically. The old man a little later walked up Main Street and when near to where Mr. Cary now lives he sat down on the curbing of the sidewalk, and Mr. Eddy seeing he was some- what in distress went to his assistance, but noth- ing could be done, for the old veteran's head fell against Mr. Eddy's arm and he was gone. At two o'clock in the afternoon addresses were given by the Rev. Edwin M. Haines upon "The Progress of Agriculture"; Henry Clark of Rutland upon the "Batcheller Manufactures," and by Hon. D. E. Nicholson and Henry Hall.
This was followed by Joel C. Baker, speaking on "The life and public services of Matthew Lyon." It will be recalled that Matthew Lyon was for some time a citizen of Wallingford and with Abraham Jackson, Jr., represented the town in the Dorset Convention of 1776 (See page 30). The evening was passed in family reunions and the East Wallingford Band gave an out door con- cert. On the following day the weather was finer and a larger crowd gathered than on the preceding day and the smoothness with which all the exer- cises passed off was very noticeable.
In the afternoon addresses were made by Col. Dyer Townsend, after calling the assemblage to order, asked the Rev. Aldace Walker, D. D., to offer prayer.
"Almighty Father we thank Thee that we are permitted to assemble here today under so favor- able auspices and on this interesting occasion; that we are permitted in this pleasing manner to com- memorate the anniversary of our beloved town. We bless Thee that Thou hast cared for us as a town during all these hundred years; that Thou cared for those who dwelt in ancient times upon
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
these hillsides and in these valleys. We thank Thee that those men were fitted so well for the work assigned them; for what they did for social, religious and educational interests here; that they established law and order throughout the State; and as our attention is called today to the deeds of those men, may Thy good spirit guide those who may speak and those who may listen to them. And as we honor those who founded our institu- tions, our praises will ever be given to Thee. Amen."
The historical address was given by the Rev. H. H. Saunderson. It occupied about an hour and a half and closed with the following tribute:
"Wallingford is a true Vermont town in this, that it has always been on the side of liberty. The period of its settlement was one in which the elements were surcharged with contention. It was just preceding the war of the Revolution. And it was one in which the liberties of Vermont (not Vermont then but the New Hamp- shire grants) as well as those of the nation were at stake. But the patriots of the Green Mountains were equal to the situation and though during the period of strife antedating their existence as a state, they were in many narrow and stormy straits, yet the star that never sets at last beamed out for them with a serene and refulgent light. You are familiar with the names of the champions of human rights and civil liberty who brought this about. The names of Chittenden and of Allen and Warner are to you as household words. And with these men in spirit were the Jacksons and Iveses and Bradleys and generally the early sett- lers of the town. They were all men, to use the expression of Mr. Benjamin Bradley 'who were for God, for liberty and the independence of the
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New Hampshire grants.' " A Rutland daily newspaper is quoted as saying, "We have never seen a large gathering of the kind where every- thing seemed to be so quiet and orderly in man- agement and in the general behavior of the crowd as was the case in Wallingford during the two days just past. Not a person was intoxicated, no fights or rows of any sort occurred to mar the gen- eral enjoyment of the affair, and a fine company of people made up the crowd upon each day. Those who opposed its inception at the outset cannot fail to acknowledge and admit that there is abundant enterprise in town for an affair that does honor to its managers and originators."
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INCFOC
MILITARY BAND
THE WALLINGFORD MILITARY BAND.
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
CHAPTER XVI.
Miscellaneous.
I T must be confessed with a large measure of regret that the compiler has not been able to arrange the contents of this book as logically as it should have been. The sequence has been broken, and chronologically it does not appear to best advantage. Hence a chapter entitled "Mis- cellaneous," which comes to be somewhat of a catch-all, for even a long period of time. But facts can be of interest when widely scattered and if the arrangement has been made so that they are readable, the advantage of having one place where it will seem "apropos" to place anything, is greatly appreciated.
The streets of Wallingford run north and south with cross streets in an easterly directon. Since the common use of cement in making sidewalks, great progress has been made in this respect so that the appearance of our thoroughfares are be- ing greatly improved by increasing lengths of cement walks.
Much of the building in the vicinity is being made of cement construction, and hence is in keep- ing with the requirements of the age.
It seems a great advance from the early days of log huts and primitive means of travel, but "the earth do move" and nowhere are modern improvements more warmly welcomed or more readily adopted than by the people of the town. The telephone is in large use not only as a business but now a household necessity. Talking machines and adding machines, player pianos and vacuum cleaners have become commonplace.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows have a lodge of their own and now own what was for- merly Hulett's Block, purchasing it in 1909. Here Pico Lodge I. O. O. F. and White Rocks Lodge Daughters of Rebekah have their monthly meet- ings. Among other fraternal orders there are branches of the Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum. who meet in Greeno's Hall. In the same place the Women's Relief Corps also hold
CI
QUE
THE ODD FELLOWS' BLOCK.
their meetings. Each year they have charge of the Decoration Day Exercises, for which the town generally appropriates $50.00.
There are many fine residences and one advant- age is that they are not limited to any one particu- lar street. Depot Street was opened in 1852 and is the first thoroughfare one sees after alighting from the train. It is well shaded and has several fine residences.
Upon the Main Street going north several styles of architecture are seen, but each seemingly suffi-
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. A. C. BLANCHARD.
cient unto itself, without a conspicuous semblance of uniformity that would be monotony indeed. The home of Mrs. Justin Batcheller is especially fine,
MRS. JUSTIN BATCHELLER'S HOME.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
RESIDENCE OF MRS. E. J. KLOCK.
surrounded with spacious grounds and beautiful gardens that tempt one to linger and delight in the great combinations of colors. Before the little cottage as well as the more elaborate homes, green lawns afford pleasing contrasts. The residence of Rev. and Mrs. E. J. Klock is one of the oldest in town, formerly known as the Meachem place.
It is supposed that on or near this site the first little cabin used for a tavern was built. At right angles and running in a westerly direction is Elm Street, a pleasant little thoroughfare. At the foot of Elm Street and running parallel with Main Street is Railroad Street.
Both Railroad and River Streets have become lined with homes since the coming of "the iron horse." A number of new houses have been erected upon Hull Avenue (called by some Staf- ford Ave.) and it looks as though this old road- way to the East may be lengthened before many years.
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
RESIDENCES OF G. L. AND C. N. BATCHELLER.
Main Street in Winter is ever a pretty sight. Whether one sees it with the first white covering of the season or the last sugar snow of the year it is beautiful. At times it is held in the mighty grip of Old Boreas and the trees sway and swing with the wintry blow. There are some splendid
T.
THE DEPOT.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
RESIDENCE OF MRS. N. J. SCRIBNER.
el trees on the Main Street and two of them were removed this last spring, partly to straighten the road and because of danger through decay. Near the home of Mrs. N. J. Scribner can be
HOME OF SENATOR H. B. BARDEN.
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
seen the waters running under the roadway after turning the cylinders in "the Old Stone Shop." Bordered by cobble stones and with a little moss and ferns showing here and there it affords a pleasant change to the eye. Across the road is the residence of Senator H. B. Barden.
Among some of the older inhabitants there is still a trace of an old story to the effect that when the early settlers first came that they came upon the skeleton of a man, east of the residence of Mrs. Earl, or what is now the southwest corner of the public school yard. The bones had long laid where they were found. Beside them was a rusty gun bar- rel, the wooden stock of which had de- cayed. The body was thought to be that of a soldier of the French and Indian wars. Who he was or how he came to his death, whether by treachery of a com- Crispin B. Egerton. rade, by open foe or lurking savage, by disease or as a prey to wild beasts was never known. It was Wallingford's mystery. There have been happenings more or less tragic, some causing great sadness. One of the most recent was the murder of Mary Jane Johnson, October 10th, 1909. She was a middle-aged maiden lady who lived beyond the creek near the American Fork and Hoe Company's works. Robert Eddy was accused of the crime and found guilty of murder in the second degree. He was sentenced
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MISCELLANEOUS.
to 15 years, which he is now serving in Windsor, A little more than a year earlier a terrible tragedy had occurred upon Sugar Hill, when Delia B. Congdon was murdered, July 24, 1908. She was an inoffensive, simple, sweet-spirited girl, troubled with difficulty in speech and hearing, and the shock it gave to the community can still be re- called. An escaped inmate of Waterbury Insane Asylum named Elroy Kent was accused and after some time apprehended in Massachusetts. At his trial he was found guilty of murder in the first degree and at present is under sentence of death. Away back in the early part of the nineteenth century there occurred "The Patch Hollow Tra-
gedy." Rapidly returning to primitive wilder- ness is what was formerly well settled land. On the east side of Bear Mountain running in a northerly and southerly direction is Patch Hollow. At the time of the tragedy the Mount Holly road, as it was called, passed over the highlands, north of the present road, by way of Congdon's and Clemons'. About a mile east of the Clemons place a road branched off north running through Patch Hollow. Upon this road five families lived. At the south end. Luther Hale, who made wooden plows for the farmers of the vicinity. Next lived David Patch, who had built a substantial house and reared a large family. Then came Simon Patch's and away to the right lived Edmund Patch.
Further on north, a little away from the road to the left, Rolon Wheeler had built a log house 24 x 18 and here was the scene of the tragedy. Wheeler had married a daughter of David Patch and was a man of violent passions and jealous dis- position. Report said he was guilty of indiscre- tion with his wife's sister and the community to
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
show resentment for such conduct, planned to turn out and give him a coat of tar and feathers and perchance ride him on a rail. They were well organized and comprised young men from the vil- lage, from Sugar Hill and even Shrewsbury. Threats were made so publicly that Wheeler hearing of them swore that if attacked he would defend himself. Visiting the village, he went to the blacksmith shop of Thomas Draper, made a large file into a two-edge knife and fitted it to a handle. It appears that Jarvis Learned had been selected to lead "the rioters" but on the appointed day he was called to attend his sister's funeral in Danby. He afterwards felt fortunate to think it was not his own. On the night of May 11, 1831, the party set out from the village. Several carried jugs of rum, one a bucket of tar, another a sack of feathers. The detachment from Shrewsbury got lost in the woods, either from darkness or too fre- quent potations, and after wandering about for a time went home and reported they'd had a great time with "Old Wheeler." Next day, hearing how the affair terminated they were glad to make it known that they had never reached the house. In a field south of the "hollow" the parties from the village and Sugar Hill met, compared the con- tents of various jugs and proceeded to disguise themselves. Isaac Osborne at the time a foreman in James Rustin's hat shop, was appointed leader. The party followed along the road until they came to .Wheeler's house and there called for admission. They claimed they were going fishing in Shrews- bury Pond and wanted some fire. Wheeler had placed against the door a rail long enough to brace against the opposite wall and feeling secure paid no heed to them. Finding it impossible to force the door, they pried a hole in the gable end of the
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MISCELLANEOUS.
roof and Isaac Osborne, James Sherman and Silas Congdon sprang into the house. Then commenced a terrible struggle in the dark. Sherman got Wheeler by the hair and began to drag him out when Wheeler commenced to use his knife with deadly effect. The rail was knocked down and others rushing in from the outside added to the confusion. Benj. Brownell received a stab in the side. Jas. Sherman received fourteen wounds. Silas Congdon seized the blade of the knife in his hand and it was twisted around and wrenched from him, cutting out the inside of his hand. Isaac Osborne fell across the bed and died without a cry. During the struggle Wheeler slipped out of his shirt, dived under the bed, raised some floor boards crawled under the house and made his escape into the woods. Meantime those within the house had got hold of Osborne's body and drew it about the floor thinking it was Wheeler. It was not long before they noticed the man was dead when they dropped the body and hastily left the house. In the mean- time Mrs. Wheeler with many shrieks had run for her father's house. The "rioters" (for so they were termed in the indictment) hurriedly dis- persed and James Sherman made his way to Dr. John Fox's home so as to get his wounds dressed. He informed the good doctor of the circumstances, urging him to hasten to "the Hollow," fearing that some one was killed. Many times afterwards in recounting the experience, Dr. Fox claimed that what he saw within the log hut was the most terrible sight he could recall. By the dim light of a bit of tallow candle he noticed the livid body of Osborne on the bed and the cabin literally soaked in blood. It is a question how Wheeler, who had passed out entirely naked, spent the night in the woods. Before daybreak he fled into
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
the Hartsboro section, stole a shirt from Mrs. Horton's clothes line and selected an unfrequented barn to spend the day in. It was entirely empty excepting two bundles of rye straw. With these he made himself a straw dress and thus clad made his way across country to his sister's home in a part of the town of Pawlet called "Tadmar." Here he was arrested the following day and brought back to Wallingford for trial. The court was called in the Hotel but so great was the inter- est that it moved to the Baptist Church. Upon hearing the facts of the case the prisoner was dis- charged. His acquittal was unexpected and it tended to intensify the excitement. After Wheel- er's release he with his wife left town and after- wards lived near Danby Corners, from thence going to the great west.
The "rioters" in turn were held for trial in the county court and according to the records Joseph Hagar and Reuben Wood were fined $60.00 each, and James Huntoon, James Sherman and Herman Mighells $40.00.
For the foregoing account I am indebted for my information to Dr. J. E. Hitt, who wrote an article upon this phase of Wallingford's history and before it was printed was at great pains to see it was authentic. The dreadful tragedy must have left its blight upon "Patch Hollow" for shortly afterwards the dwellings were unoccupied and it has never since been used for residence.
A few years afterwards there was a sad fatality in South Wallingford which cost the lives of three young men. Seth Aldrich who lived about fifty rods southeast from the John Ames farm had built a log house 12 x 8 for the burning of char- coal. On Sunday, January 20, 1839, he had gone to church to hear a Rev. Mr. Hawes of Clarendon
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MISCELLANEOUS.
preach and his son Marcus accompanied by two friends, David Remington and Abram Cole prom- ised to attend the fires, claiming that every pre- caution would be taken. They desired to remain overnight and the father reluctantly consented. About midnight young Marcus came to the house to get some apples and potatoes for roasting. The floor of the cabin was littered with straw but they had been admonished to brush the straw towards the fire. It is supposed that the boys fell asleep and a bundle of straw that had been placed near the door was blown over into the fire. Immedi- ately the interior was ablaze. Young Remington reached up, removed some of the boards on the roof and climbed out. Marcus Aldrich followed but fell back into the burning straw. Remington reached down and assisted in dragging him up when the two dropped in front of the cabin door, and saw young Cole crawling over the fire. The three boys must have suffered excruciating pain, Cole and Remington were so burned as to be blinded and they followed the sound of Marcus Aldrich's cries of agony as he made his way home- wards. The father was awakened and when the door was opened Marcus said, "O father, we are all burned to death." Medical help was secured as speedily as possible but it proved of no avail. Marcus lived until the close of the day, David Remington continued in pain thirty-six hours, and Abram Cole lingered five days. This proved to be one of the saddest catastrophes.
Wallingford has been blessed in having as physi- cians men highly respected for their skill and effi- ciency. At the present there are three doctors in town and they are all graduates of the same medi- cal institution, viz., the Medical Department of the University of Vermont.
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
William I. Stewart, M. D., is the oldest in point of service. He is a veteran of the Civil War and has practiced medicine in the town for many years. At the close of the war he began to pre- pare himself for his life's work and later settled in Dorset. He returned to Wallingford and ever since has been continuing a ministry of healing and enjoying the respect of many friends.
DR. W. I. STEWART.
To answer the calls that come at all times of night as well as by day, does not make a very alluring pros- pect. When in addition they come under differing con- ditions of wea- ther so that winter's snow and chilling blasts must be
faced, it is realized that a sense of the heroic must enter largely into such a profession. At least it seems to be especially true upon the Vermont hills where endurance and courage are almost as necessary as skill.
John Henry Miller, M.D., serves as the local health officer in addition to his regular practice.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
After completing his course at the U. M. V., he took a post graduate course as interne in New York and Montreal hospitals. For almost five years he has been settled in town attending to the needs of a growing business.
DR. JOHN H. MILLER.
One of the finest appreciations in English Lit- erature of the physician's work is that of Ian Mac- laren's "The doctor of the old school" as found in "Beside the Bonnie Briar Bush." The Dr. McClure typifies the attitude of the profession to- words disease and death, waging a relentless war against the one, and not allowing the encroach-
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
ments of the other until human possibility has reached its limit. Graduates of "new schools," or "old schools" possess the love and respect of their fellow men as they are animated by the same passion to help the human, in minimizing pain, eliminating disease and promoting in every way the better health of their fellowmen. In the writ- ings of Pilpay, the Brahmin gymnosophist, who lived several centuries before Christ, there are many sayings which have been exemplified in ex- perience. One reads, "We ought to do our neigh- bor all the good we can. If you do good, good will be done to you."
DR. SHERWIN A. COOTEY.
Sherwin A. Cootey, M.D., comes of a medical fam- ily. His father had an exten- sive practice including the towns of Mt. Holly, Shrews- bury and East W a l lingford before leaving to continue his practice in the city of Rut- land. Drs. Cootey and Miller were members of the same class in the medical schooland after gradua-
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tion, Dr. Cootey continued his work in connection with one of the largest hospitals in Connecticut, and settled in Wallingford in 1907. He succeeded to the practice of Dr G. G. Marshall (who became an eye and ear specialist in Rutland), and is rap- idly realizing a goodly measure of success in his chosen work.
One of the in-
fluences in the growth of a place is a high calibre of citizenship and the providing condi- tions to sustain the same. Wallingford has been fortunate to have within its borders people of means and educa- tion. Some of the early proprietors were well to do, others sought to better their condi- tion. One of the ISRAEL MUNSON. families that came in the early part of the nineteenth century bought two hundred and fifty acres of land. This was Isaac Munson who came from New Haven in 1814. Two of his sons, Isaac, Jr., and Israel built for themselves, and later increased their possessions especially through the benefactions of their father's brother, Israel. He had formerly been a practicing physician, a graduate of Yale, but put it aside to enter busi- ness, and became so successful that in later times he would have been termed either "a merchant
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
prince" or a "captain of industry." Unto nephews and nieces he bequeathed large sums and the houses where C. D. Childs, Mr. Crary, Pitt G. Clark lives, the Andrews farm and where Mrs. H. Earl lives, in addition to the Munson farm, shows the very practical way of the bachelor uncle in providing for his relatives. The Munsons have been intersted in the town and sought to make it worthy in every respect. Their farm lands were among the most fertile and productive in this region.
Mention should be made of an organization that with the Woman's Relief Corps, stands for the development of loyalty and patriotism, and that is the Daughters of the American Revolution. They were organized October 11, 1902, and re- ceived their charter on February 3, 1903. The chapter is known as "Palestrello, No. 595." It gets its name from the wife of Christopher Colum- bus, the great discoverer. Stated meetings are held and the excellence of their programs com- bined with the delightful social contact proves a source of attraction to all of its members.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
One of the more recent organizations in town is the Fire District of the village. It was organ- ized June 10, 1907, and controls the lighting and fire protection of the village. At the present the streets are lighted by means of power transmitted by the Rutland Light and Power Company. The fire department is divided into hose and hook and ladder companies with their foremen and C. V. Howley acts as chief. He has held the position since the organization. What was formerly the old town hall has been repaired and turned into a place for the storage of fire apparatus and a place of meeting for the firemen. Practice meets are held and considerable rivalry of a healthy na- ture exists between the various companies. In case of fire, signals of warning are sounded by the ringing of the Congregational Church bell, the Baptist Church bell or by the steam whistle at the Wallingford Mfg. Company, according to the location of the conflagration. Efforts are being made to make the work of this department as efficient as possible.
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