USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Wallingford > History of Wallingford, Vermont > Part 9
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At one time in the early history of Vermont the settlement on Sugar Hill gave promise of being one of the most important towns of the State. Many would come from adjoining towns to get their horses shod, barter their produce, and have their grist ground. It has been claimed that the first sugar from the sap of the maple tree in Ver- mont made by white men was on Sugar Hill, hence its name. It was a rendezvous for the Green Mountain Boys and here plans were discussed for the best way of holding on to their grants. Over towards the White Rocks considerable interest has been shown by different parties in digging for buried treasure. It is surprising to think that the Captain Kidd chest could have been brought so far
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inland, but there are some people who still aver that it certainly "was around the Rocks somewhere." Excavations have been made with the firm belief that gold would be discovered and in the early part of the nineteenth century this was stimulated by the "rod men," who claimed supernatural guidance in selecting the places for treasure trove.
Generally the extent of their guidance was lim- ited to the peculiar use of a forked stick, and while it may have assisted the imagination in locating wells, it never produced any great results in dis- covering gold mines near the White Rocks. The mountain to the north which has braved the storms and tempests of many ages has been called Bear Mountain for nearly a century and a half. There is a tradition that one of the sons of the Jackson's named Reuben, whose father had settled in Jackson's Gore had a reputation for making maple sugar that was unexcelled. Ingeni- ous and attentive to his duties his proficiency was such that the Jackson's sugar always brought a little higher price at the store than any other sugar made in the vicinity. The youth was accus- tomed to the loneliness of the woods. At eventide he could look down upon the little settlement and see the "tallow dips" go out one after another as the residents retired for the night. The work of boiling down the sap to a suitable consistency or until it becomes "ropy" consumed from six to eight hours every night. While the syrup was cooling off after the fire beneath the kettle had been raked out, Reuben would go to the sugar house a few rods away from the "arch," where he would get a few hours sleep before resuming the duties of the next day. Forgetting one night to rake out the fire from beneath the kettle he
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returned to the arch and was surprised to see a big bear jump off the further side of the shelf of rock and make for the woods as fast as possible. The beast had evidently taken a great deal of pleasure in licking the syrup that had stuck to the ladle and skimmer. Reuben, thinking that the $10 bounty would be handy, in addition to the love for excitement, began to plan how he could cap- ture the bear. Bruin, like a good many humans, after once partaking of the sweet, would be sure to come back again for more.
The boy had often been told that the time to catch bears was when they were out, so that any delay in the arrangements might be disadvantage- ous. It so happened that a keg of powder had been left in the sugar house from the previous 4th of July and Reuben had been specially instructed to keep it dry. Now he strung several layers of sheep twine, which passed over the ledge of rocks in the rear of the "arch." The twine was liber- ally sprinkled with powder, thus serving the pur- . pose of a fuse. The keg of powder was placed in a hole, connected with the fuse and lightly tamped in so the force of the explosion would be upward. Next day Reuben carried on his work as usual, and when he left the boiling place he placed an unusual supply of maple syrup upon the ladle and set it over the keg near the arch. The boy climbed a tall tree near the sugar house which enabled him to watch all the paths. He had not waited long when he saw the black monster making its way from some obscure corner of the woods to- ward the kettle of syrup, and spying the ladle he laid down and commenced active operations upon his evening meal. While the bear was busy attend- ing to the bill of fare, the boy was engaged at the other end of the line. Hastily sliding down the
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tree and applying a lighted match to the end of the fuse he started the train of fire in motion.
There were no delays whatever, and the explo- sion of the keg of powder underneath the bear was sufficient to send him suddenly heavenward. The funny part of the story is that when he fin- ally reached a resting place after many peculiar twistings and numerous somersaults, he sat bolt upright in the great kettle of hot maple syrup, his forepaws resting on the rim of the kettle as "dig- nified as a deacon." When it became known that "Rube" had blown up a big bear, it was planned to have a moving bee the next day. All the farm- ers in the vicinity turned out with their yoke of oxen, and amid many "gees, and haws, and whoas" it was taken home, skinned and a general good time indulged in. A taxidermist at Hartford "sot the bear up" in proper position, and several who claim that this is the true account of how the mountain was so named, have seen the bear or someone else who claimed a similar privilege.
The old fashioned singing schools were in vogue during the middle and later parts of the past century. Groups combined of neighboring towns met occasionally and celebrated the conclusion of the term of study and social enjoyment, with a grand concert. Sometimes singers of more than local repute assisted in making the occasion a decided success. Amateur plays and theatricals have always held a strong interest in the com- munity, and the histrionic ability displayed by some has been deserving of great commendation. The presentation of dramas and comedies has been frequent, and vary from the ever popular "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to an "Aunt Jerusha's Photo Album."
In common with other places, happenings occur
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that furnish conversation for certain periods of time and occasionally form opportunities of ex- pressing a community spirit. When in the early days William Fox was excavating for clay to make brick to build his house (where Mr. Clayton Brown lives), one of the shovellers was killed by a mass of clay and soil falling upon him. When the Town Hall was erected, it also cost a life. Mr. E. I. Kilbourn, who was foreman of the job, climbed upon the scaffolding that reached nearly to the top of the building and by a misstep was precipitated to the ground below. This accident occured November 1, 1906, and it caused great regret.
The spirit of Wallingford as a town is rapidly changing with its development of commercial industries. The quiet atmosphere of the past is giving way to a stir and bustle, which indicates to the visitor or commercial traveller, that it is "a live town," and especially so for Vermont. To many the change seems welcome, to others it suggests that no great gain comes without some loss. But the fact remains that in this growth there come greater responsibilities unto all, to keep the goodly reputation of the past not only as untainted as possible, but to add unto it an increasing lustre for the future days. The wel- fare of the community demands the highest type of citizenship, and the sharing of responsibility, so that all assume their part with but one idea, and that, the advancement of town interests. The spirit of co-operation has been the prominent ex- pression from the days of the early settlers, and if in the complexity of our present social life, con- ditions may appear different, every effort must be made to make this same principle of co-operation the greatest factor in the Town life.
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
As in every farming community the chores come around with great regularity and when they were done it was no uncommon thing to have some- thing to do provided for the boys, for "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do." The girls knit or worked on their samplers, some of
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SAMPLER WORKED IN LINEN, 1835.
them becoming very proficient. The women spun and wove, making the cloth necessary for the family. In the memory of one still living there is the recollection of the first piece of bought carpet brought into the valley.
The people of the vicinity were fond of reading as indicated in the early beginnings of the library. But it was not a community in which authorship was common. The first instance of any printed work was that by the Rev. Benjn. Osborn, first pastor of the Congregational Church, who wrote a metaphysical treatise upon "Truth Displayed," which he considered the great work of his life.
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The Rev. T. M. Hopkins also published a work entitled "Spots on the Sun." Rev. H. H. Saunder- son wrote the article on "Wallingford" in the Vermont Historical Gazeteer (1867) and later pub-
GIRL'S SAMPLER WORKED IN SILK, 1812.
lished for the town of Charlestown the history of "Old No. 4, Charlestown, N. H."
Aldace F. Walker, a son of Dr. Aldace Walker, wrote a book on "The Vermont Brigade in the Shenandoah Valley," published 1869. In 1894, the Rev. E. M. Haynes, formerly a pastor of the Wall- ingford Baptist Church but at the time residing in Rutland published "A History of the Tenth Regi- ment, Vt. Vols." He was the chaplain of the regi- ment, leaving his home in Wallingford to go to the front. John T. Trowbridge published in 1903
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"My Own Story," with recollections of noted per- sons. The scene and characters of one of his most popular books "Neighbor Jackwood" are taken from the surroundings of Wallingford. To quote his words regarding this book, "Though I was hardly conscious of it the thing was taking shape in my mind when I went to spend the summer (of 1854) at Wallingford, Vt., in the bosom of the Green Mountains. In the broad and beautiful val- ley of Otter Creek I found in an old farm house a quiet place to live, and think, and write. I gave four or five hours a day to Martin Merrivale, and had ample leisure in the long summer afternoons, to bathe in the streams, wander in the woods, climb the mountains, and in the course of my rambles make extensive acquaintance with the country and the people. One day, while explor- ing the interval about the confluence of Otter Creek and Mad River, which became Huntersford Creek and Wild River in the novel, the scene of the fishing adventure of Mr. Jackwood and Bim, lost like them amid the tortuous windings of the two streams, still further lost in my own imagin- ings, I suddenly saw rise up before me out of the tall grass the form of an old hag. And it was not an old hag at all, but a beautiful girl in disguise; nor yet a girl but really a creature of my own imagination, which appeared as vividly to my mind's eye as if it had been either or both. "Both it shall be," I said, "a forlorn maiden in the guise of an old woman, lost here in this labyrinthine streams! A mystery to be accounted for." And the phantom-like projection of my fancy took its place at once in the plan of the story, giving it life and form from that hour."
Upon the library shelves there are three books by a native of Wallingford, Mr. Birney C. Batch-
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eller, an expert engineer and skillful inventor. In 1897 J. B. Lippincott Company published for him "The Pneumatic Despatch Tube System" and this was followed a year later by the printing of a paper read before the Society of Arts, Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, Boston, on "A New System Pneumatic Despatch Tubes." Both books are well illustrated and possess great value as Mr. Batcheller is an authority upon these subjects. He has also done considerable work in the test- ing of high explosives, having entire charge of construction for the U. S. Government of the dyna- mite guns for national defence, on both the Atlan- tic and Pacific coasts. In 1902 the Lippincott Company printed for private circulation, a memo- rial volume to "Anna Louise Batcheller," a ten- der and loving recollection of a beautiful soul.
Among the writers for young people, Mrs. Eugene Smith, writing under the name of Mary Gilbert, has written considerably for "St. Nich- olas" and other magazines. National folk stories, especially of Russia have been described in such a way as to make her in this realm of literature, very popular with the children, as well as with those who are older.
While there are no breed farms for fancy stock in the neighborhood, there are many farmers who own cattle and horses of good blood. The Morgan horse is a favorite and several fine animals are driven by residents of the town.
The dairy produce is one of the most important hence the necessity of keeping a high grade of cattle. For differing purposes, and at various times the particular breed that is most in demand changes, and within recent years the Holstein is bred more commonly. Formerly the Jersey, Ayr- shire and Durham cattle were great favorites.
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"Slowly the lowing kine doth make their way Homewards at the close of day."
How much a part of the landscape do the cattle become? Nothing appears so attractive as the silent herds grazing upon the hillsides, or the groups of feeding sheep, and frolicking lambs, creating impressions of repose and beauty in many pastoral scenes.
The music of the brooks is heard as with devious windings they find their way into the Creek.
"There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet."
The quiet influence of nature is assuredly one that tends to the expansion of all that is good, a broad- ening of sympathy, a deepening love for justice and right, for "God made the country." In the
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correct interpretation of beautiful surroundings there is that which draws one into the sense of God's presence, and the recognition of His laws. All along the valley of the Otter Creek there is that which, in the beauty of its surroundings, streng- thens the soul in worship so that its inhabitants can say with the Psalmist, "I will look unto the hills, from whence cometh my help," and the answer comes back to consciousness strong and clear "My help cometh from God who made hea- ven and earth."
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HISTORY OF WALLINGFORD.
CHAPTER XVII.
The Pageant.
A T THE town meeting in March, 1911, the attention of the voters was called to the fact that this year was the 150th year since the granting of the town's charter by Benning Wentworth, the first royal Governor of New Hampshire. An appropriation of $250.00 was granted for the purpose of celebrating such an anniversary and the following committee appoint- ed: W. C. Mason, A. W. Ferguson, W. P. Carey, H. G. Savery and Rev. Walter Thorpe. This com- mittee was later increased by adding the names of Mrs. N. J. Scribner, Rev. Fr. T. O'Donoghue, E. J. Chilson and D. A. Maxham. After meeting the committee organized with Rev. Walter Thorpe as chairman and A. W. Ferguson as secretary. The committee in a letter sent to every voter in town suggested that the form of celebration should be by means of a historical Pageant that would faith- fully depict "the days of ancient times." There were two reasons that led the members of this committee to give much thought and time for the careful planning of such a presentation; first there could be no better way of recalling the heroisms and sacrifices of the past than by actually repro- dueing them and secondly the educational influ- ence of such a presentation removed it far out of the realm of the merely spectacular. If the date of the Pageant had been a few weeks earlier it would have been the first representation of its kind in the State of Vermont. However, Hartford,
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THE PAGEANT.
Vt., enjoys that distinction for they presented their Pageant on July 4th. The town appropria- tions were voted at the same time, viz. the annual town meeting. August the 15th and 16th were the days appointed, and at the same time the towns of Thetford and Bennington were produc- ing historical pageants. Through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Stone, a site was chosen bor- dering on Elfin Lake. For several weeks previous to the presentations many gave valuable service in helping to clean up, and prepare the grounds.
"IN THE WOODS BY THE LAKE."
Roads were made, brush burned and the natural slope of a hill turned into a splendid vantage ground for clearly seeing the various episodes. Electric light was carried over and no expense was spared to make the occasion in every way a success. Seating capacity was built for 900 people and the open air stage constructed so that a fine perspective of approaching and departing com-
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panies was revealed. Back of it was the lake, glistening like an immense jewel. Other towns may have had bigger Pageants, still others may have reaped larger financial gains but none have been able to excel in the beauty of the background and surroundings that were revealed "in the woods by the lake." It made a magnificent sett- ing for many beautiful pictures.
Both the Chapel and Town Hall were utilized for rehearsals and as the time for its production came nearer the one subject was "the Pageant." It certainly afforded a topic for conversation.
About two hundred and fifty of the townspeople participated in the production, and too much can- not be said for the helpfulness and splendid spirit
MISS MYRTLE ANDREWS.
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of all who assisted. The chairman of the commit- tee was director of the Pageant and he was ably assisted by Miss Myrtle Andrews. The training of the children and the colonial minuet was entire- ly in charge of Miss Andrews. One thing that in a measure seemed distinctive is the fact that pre- vious to the first representation there was a ser- vice held in every church in town, Catholic as well as Protestant, on the Tuesday morning (15th.) At two o'clock Governor John Abner Mead gave an address from the balcony of the hotel. To look upon the crowd that gathered gave one the
impression of a motley array. Men dressed as Indians and Green Mountain Boys, rubbed should- ers with colonial aristocrats and British Regulars. Some of the ladies were costumed sufficiently quaint as to provoke amusement, yet all in excel- lent taste. The Wallingford Military Band played several pieces and at the close of the Governor's address all roads led to the lake. It is a question whether there was ever seen such a long procession of pedestrians wending their way over the sand bank. From the railroad track it appeared like an immense black sinuous snake twisting its way into the woods. Every convenience had been arranged for both team and automobile, and promptly at three o'clock the performance began.
The first episode represented the days of the wilderness and there was seen the coming of the red man. The chief chose a site for the camp and the squaws were shown carrying the tepees, mak- ing ready the camp and preparing food. In the meantime a number of braves after the incantation of the "medicine man" prepared for a typical Indian war dance. At first slowly and with hideous contortions they circled around and then as the dance progressed they entered into it with an
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A BAND OF INDIANS.
abandon and a realism that was consummate act- ing. The picture of the customs of Indian life was intensified by the Indian maiden's song and the "smoking of the pipe." Indian scouts bring to the camp an alarm which is verified by the distant firing of a gun in the woods. Immediately the word of command is given, camp is quickly broken and the Indians are seen on the trail again. The rea- son for their alarm is seen in the stealthy approach of two scouts or backwoodsmen, forerunner of the white pioneer. Their skill in woodcraft is shown and they easily read as in an open book the evi- dences of the previous camp. The second seene represents the Indians to have turned from the trail of the hunter to the war path of the warrior. Upon the Otter Creek moved many Indian bands. It was known as the "Indian road." Raids upon the early settlers were frequent and when success- ful, resulted in a return with captives who were
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THE PAGEANT.
held for ransom, sold into slavery, or adopted by the tribe. A call sounds over the waters, the In- dians are seen running to the water's edge and a canoe with Puritan captives rapidly comes into view. They are brought to shore amid many ex- pressions of feeling. The squaws assist in gibing the prisoners and preparations are made for tor- ture. One of the most dramatic incidents was in the running of the gauntlet. One of the prisoners
WATER SHADOWS ON OTTER CREEK.
attempted it but he was beaten down and after being bound was ignominiously rolled aside for future sport. Another dashed through and with a great burst of speed out distanced his pursuers and dove right into the water and so escaped.
The third scene showed Capt. Eliakim Hall and two companions on their way from Wallingford, Conn., to Portsmouth, N. H., there to receive from Governor Benning Wentworth the charter for the
new township of Wallingford, Vermont. The horsemen are seen as they make their way through the woods and then received by the Governor's Secretary (Theodore Atkinson). Their interview
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with the Governor is presented and also the sign- ing of the charter. They are urged to remain to one of the social functions of the town, "The Gov- ernor's Lawn Party," but after excusing them- selves they take their way homewards.
A delightful picture of the aristocrats of the colonial period is reproduced in this scene. The gallant, girded with sword and bewigged, dressed in the costume of the period presents his respects to the governor. His companions with low cour- tesy and graceful movements add the finishing touch to a remarkable scene. Then is introduced the Minuet. Its stately movements excite admira- tion and gave great pleasure in each presentation. There will be seen how the principle of contrasts was used to enhance each scene.
THE COLONIAL MINUET.
With the fourth episode the captain and his companions are seen returning to the old home in Connecticut. Their friends are told that the char- ter is secured and upon the village green is seen the inimitable boy in frolic, and little maidens
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THE PAGEANT.
dancing round the May pole. Old English folk dances are reproduced and when finished the youngsters laughingly capered off the green.
The coming of the first legal settler, Abraham Jackson and his family, was realistically shown. Others soon follow, the Ives's, Halls, Bradleys, Clarks and others. Some on foot, others on horse- back and several drawn by oxen. The marking out of the homestead and the commencement of life amid the new surroundings is seen and the hardship and sacrifice can readily be imagined as some of the settlers enter the forest bound for the new home. Some of the trying conditions that met the early settlers are seen in the hurried move- ments of the "Green Mountain Boys." They were upholding the rights of the New Hampshire grants in a controversy with the State of New York. The warning of one who was a "New Yorker" proved an interesting scene. The excitement was carried into the town meeting and too much can- not be said for the spontaneity and realism with which such a gathering was presented. Party passions ran high and the first fatal result in Wallingford was seen in the carrying down of the Tory who was shot upon Green Hill. After the battle of Hubbardton it is said that de- tachments of British troops camped on the West Hill near the Newton homestead. There was presented a detachment in charge of an officer, who gave a glimpse of the camp life and the glow of the camp fire and the bright colors of the uniforms were enhanced by the background of trees.
A Green Mountain Boy
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A COMPANY OF BRITISH REGULARS.
A scene that has already been described in an account of the Fox family (see page 49) was reproduced in the capture of Governor Isaac Tiche- nor. The make-believe In- dians could hardly be dis- tinguished from the real thing. Social life was evi- dent in the Quilting Bee and Paring Bee. The in- teresting, even animated gossip is indulged in and the manifestation of social courtesies and neighborly helpfulness revealed. When ISAAC TICHENOR. the young people of the Husking Bee came in, garbed in quaint costumes of the long ago "then old and young of both sexes took part, their jolly
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THE PAGEANT.
labor lighted in the open field by the hunters moon or a great bonfire. When the work was done the company feasted on pumpkin pie, doughnuts and cider. Then the barn was cleared of its litter of husks, (Si Allen sent for) and when the fiddler mounted the scaffold and made the gloom of the roof peak ring with merry strains, to which two score solidly clad feet threshed out time "in coun- try dance" and "French Four."
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