USA > Vermont > Windham County > Rockingham > History of the town of Rockingham, Vermont, including the villages of Bellows Falls, Saxtons River, Rockingham, Cambridgeport and Bartonsville, 1753-1907, with family genealogies > Part 41
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Rockingham took her full share in the arrangements for. and the carrying out of, this monster gathering, which num- bered 30,000 people, in a large open plot of land on the very
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height of the mountain between Windham and Bennington counties, where only one farmhouse was in sight for miles. Over fifty citizens of this town signed the call for the Stratton convention. Although in the busiest time of the year, over one hundred voters had gathered June 6th at the "Hotel of Harvey Wood" in Rockingham, elected seventeen delegates and formed "The Tippecanoe Club of Rockingham." Sam- uel L. Billings, the tanner, was president, R. Walker record- ing secretary, Simon S. Davis, corresponding secretary, and George Perry, Henry Walker, John W. Moore, W. H. All- bee, and Ithamar Bolles executive committee.
It was "voted that the Whigs en masse attend the District Log Cabin Convention to be holden on Stratton mountain, a little east of the height of land, near the turnpike road lead- ing from Arlington to Wardsboro, on Tuesday, the 7th day of July next at 12 o'clock noon."
Also, "Voted that the first meeting of The Tippecanoe Club be holden at Cambridgeport next Saturday, June 13, at 4 o'clock P. M."
Gates Perry, Jr., J. W. Moore, and Samuel L. Billings were chosen a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws. The records are signed by R. Walker, chairman, with H. H. Baxter and A. Sargeant, secretaries.
The club held its final meeting Saturday afternoon, July 4. at the Bellows Falls Stage House, to complete arrange- ments for the town's part in the demonstration.
Monday morning, July 6, Rockingham citizens from all parts of the town gathered by appointment at Cambridge- port at 10 o'clock in every variety of conveyances, many on foot. They proceeded in a body to Townshend where they were joined by delegations from Brattleboro, Putney, West- minster, Chester, Springfield, Grafton and many other towns, making a monster cavalcade in which Rockingham's delega- tion was one of the largest, if not the largest. With the Brattleboro delegation was the honored guest and speaker of the occasion, Daniel Webster of the United States senate, in an open barouche drawn by four coal-black horses.
The Stratton Convention 465
The convention was called to open at noon of the next day, Tuesday. The Rockingham delegation, like the others, had provided themselves with tents and three days' rations. It is estimated that at least 250 went from this town, some how- ever, not going until Tuesday morning. The main delega- tion from here was one of the very first on the grounds, headed by the Walpole band. This was followed by a large wagon, sufficiently capacious to seat thirty persons, drawn by six powerful grey horses. Upon the front of this, was an elegant United States flag, eighteen and one-half by ten feet, , which had been presented by the patriotic ladies of Bellows Falls. Extending from the rear of the carriage was a large banner, on one side of which were a log cabin, and appro- priate scenery with the motto, "A True Emblem of Our Fore- fathers." On the reverse side it bore the legend, "Vermont Ever True to Whig Principles." Numerous other banners accompanied the Rockingham delegation. One from the village of Cambridgeport attracted as much attention as any, as it read "We Were Once Blind, But Now We See," and was carried by a number of gentlemen of that village who had formerly been supporters of Van Buren. The painting of the banners was done principally by Johnson of Bellows Falls.
After the Rockingham tents had been put up, one of them had as an emblem on the top, a huge pewter plate with the motto " Ilarrison Men Don't Use Gold Plate," referring to the proverbial extravagance of President Van Buren dur- ing his residence at the White House.
Throughout the convention, which continued until Wed- nesday noon, the late Capt. Walter Taylor was the chief marshal of the Rockingham forces, and also assisted many other delegations in a similar capacity. William Henry of Bellows Falls, later a member of congress, was a committee upon the resolutions of the convention, and was nominated as its candiate for presidential elector, to which position he was later elected. Cyrus Locke, a prominent citizen of Saxtons River, was one of the vice presidents of the convention and
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History of Rockingham
John W. Moore, editor of the Bellows Falls Gazette, was one of its secretaries.
Up to the time of the assembling of the convention, no arangement had been made, nor had it been deemed possible. for Daniel Webster to visit Bellows Falls. On account of the prominent part which Rockingham took in the convention, and at the urgent invitation of its large delegation, Mr. Webster, Tuesday morning, decided he would return this way and speak to a Bellows Falls audience Wednesday after- noon. Although the notice was very short and there were no telephones or telegraph in those days, a crowd estimated at over 3,000 people had gathered, filling the whole of the public Square and as far down Bridge street and up Westminster street, as the eye could reach.
It was the middle of the afternoon before the barouche that brought Mr. Webster, coming by the way of Grafton, Cambridgeport and Saxtons River, reached the Mansion House, where he was entertained while here. Its proprietor at that time was Captain Theodore Griswold. Mr. Webster soon appeared upon the upper balcony of the hotel and, being introduced, spoke in his eloquent and expressive manner for about an hour and a half. A number of those present at the time speak of the breathless silence of the great audience, except when they gave forth their mighty cheers, thus manifesting the deep interest they felt in the principles expressed, and their just respect for the speaker. Gates Perry, Jr. of Saxtons River and Deputy Sheriff Tim- othy H. Hall of Westminster kept order, and tradition says you could have heard a pin drop in any part of the Square. Aged men of to-day, boys in '40, still fire up with excitement at the remembrance of the intense interest and enthusiasm shown by the audience, and the impressive, because unusual, sight of the solid sea of upturned faces.
During Mr. Webster's stay in Bellows Falls it is known that he went into two other houses besides his hotel. These were the house on the Old Terrace, now occupied by James H. Williams, then by Solon Grout, a prominent politician of
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Mount Kilburn Named
those days, and the small dwelling near the south end of Atkinson street, on the west side, now owned by W. H. Bodine. Charles Hapgood lived there in 1840, and Mr. Webster, having an errand there, stepped into the front hall. Mrs. Hapgood often in after years pointed out with great pride a certain rug in her house as the one upon which "Daniel Webster once stood." He went from here to Keene, N. HI.
THE CHRISTENING OF MOUNT KILBURN
The mass of rock which rises abruptly from the east bank of the Connecticut at Bellows Falls was early known as "Falls Mountain," later, "Fall Mountain," and it was not until Tuesday, September 23, 1856, that it received its present name, "Mount Kilburn."
The class of '57 of Amherst college, to the number of twenty-nine, came here on the noon train of thatday, and early in the afternoon were joined by fifteen members of the class of '57 of Middlebury college, and five or six seniors from Dartmouth. All were guests of the Amherst class, who had inaugurated the movement and were the principals in the exercises, aided by Dr. Stearn, president of Amherst, and the elder Dr. Hitchcock, also of Amherst, one of the most noted geologists of that time. An invitation had been extended to the senior class of Dartmouth to be present also as guests of Amherst, but President Lord had declined to accept.
After dinner at the Island House, the Bellows Falls band headed a procession consisting of the students and a number of local invited guests which marched across the river and to the top of the mountain, Professor Hitchcock calling the attention of those present to certain interesting geological formations during the ascent. After reaching the summit and admiring the beautiful view of the valley from that point, a selection was rendered by the band, and Dr. Stearn in a few words stated the object of the gathering and introduced J. H. Boalt, a member of the Amherst class, as the orator chosen to perform the christening rights. Mr. Boalt began speaking from a granite platform, when he was accosted by
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a student purporting to be a New Hampshire man, who objected to the naming of the mountain by those from Massa- chusetts, giving his reasons therefor. He was followed by another student representing the Vermont people, who gave reasons why such an act as the christening of the mountain should not be done without due regard to Vermonters. Another in the garb of the Irishman, and imitating well his brogue, expressed great indignation that they should think of "taking way his mountin." He had squatted on it and the "praste " had told him that this was a free country and that whoever squatted on any part of it could claim it as his own. Being told that the "praste " had given his consent, Patrick waives his claim and tells them " to take the mountin and along wid ye." D. H. Rogan of the Amherst class, represented Texas' objections to the ceremony, closing his speech with a tribute to the red man. I. C. Clapp, also of the class, here came forward clothed from head to foot in Indian costume, representing himself to be the only survivor of a numerous tribe that once roved over these hills and valleys. In a simple and interesting manner he recounted the traditions of his tribe, pointed out their various haunts as seen from the mountain, and in tones of sadness pictured the wrongs that they had suffered at the hands of the paleface. Appealing to the sympathies of his auditors, he asked if it was not his right to affix a name to this mountain, once the free hunting ground of his tribe. All cried out, "Yes, yes, yes, it is the red man's right." He only asked that they "Give no Indian name to this mountain, for it will only serve to keep in remembrance the wronged red man ; soon I shall go where my tribe have already gone, to the land of the Great Spirit : then may we be forgotten."
Mr. Boalt was then allowed to resume the christening ora- tion from which the following are a few extracts :
" We have assembled here to-day for the novel purpose of christening an infant mountain. We have gathered together here, like the priests of ancient Rome, in order that we may invest, with the "toga virilis," this beautiful eminence, which to-day must cease to be considered a hill. * * * Does not its silent majesty continually rebuke the petty aims and objects, the idle hopes
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Christening Oration
and mean jealousies which form the business of our daily life? It is easy enough for us, many together, to prate of the superiority of mind over matter. But let one of us come alone into these mighty solitudes and then, if he can and dare, boast of his supremacy. * * But were this mountain to com- mission me, as her advocate in this cause, I should ask you if any human apparel could surpass the varied splendor of her autumnal dress? Her toilet is made with the whole sky for her mirror, and the reflection is from the eyes of angels. The little stars send each a pearl to decorate her waving hair and the inquisitive rays of the morning sun seek out these tiny pearls and shining through them, shed a softer and a purer light from their holy contact. She employs no cosmetics but these two of nature's, the dew of heaven and the light of God. *
"It seems appropriate, then, that a mountain like this should perpetuate the name of one whose unblazoned deeds would put to shame the easily acquired glory of many whose names stand first upon the scroll of fame. Long time ago, not far from the base of this mountain the first settler in these parts, assisted by only three others, maintained an obstinate and suc- cessful resistance against one hundred times their number of Canadian Indians, thereby preventing in all human probability, the massacre of hun- dreds of their fellow-countrymen, in a similar state of undefence. It is time that this valiant act, whose equal we make bold to say does not exist within the recollection of man, not even excepting the case of Leonidas and the Per- sians-it is time that this noble deed of self-relying courage, which has too long slept unnoticed and unsung, should receive from us a fitting testimonial. Let us, then, honor this neglected hero with a monument which the proudest might envy. Yes, the very trees bow their acquiescence in this new title to their ancient home, which by the authority and in the name of the class of 1857 I do hereby denominate Mount Kilburn. And although the torrents of rain, which have recently fallen are not usually considered as of good omen, I can see in them but another manifestation of the ever kind hand of nature, who is unwilling that her mountain should receive its new name without a clean face."
At the conclusion of Mr. Boalt's oration the class united in singing a song, "The Titan's Workshop," composed expressly for this occasion by A. L. Frisbee, a member of the class. Messrs. Boalt and Frisbee occupied the respective positions of orator and poet at the graduation exercises of their class in the following spring.
President Stearn then introduced E. G. Cobb of the class, who also delivered an interesting oration. He said in part :
" It seems peculiarly appropriate that we turn occasionally from the prin- ciples of abstruse science and investigations of theories, to the external world where nature is our teacher. And now that we have rallied from the blue hills of Massachusetts it gives us joy to extend the hand in friendly greeting to those who have come from the Green Mountains and valleys of
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History of Rockingham
Vermont, from the villages and country round about, to meet us here on the confines of the ' Old Granite state, where the hills are so lofty, magnificent and great.' And as, but a short distance below, in this beautiful valley, three rivers meet and mingle their joyous waters, so let us from three honored states, unite our sympathies and congratulations on this festive occasion.
He is indeed to be pitied who can behold such scenery as this and not carry away a vision of beauty in his soul that will make him a stronger and a nobler man. It is, moreover, a fact well established in the world's history, that the inhabitants of mountainous regions are usually noted for firm prin- ciple, energy and nobility of character, as well as for strong love of freedom. Wherever dwells a race of mountaineers, there dwells a race of free men who will maintain the right. They cannot breathe free mountain air and gaze on the glorious hills and then yield tamely to oppression. If a foreign foe should again invade our shores, where should we look for defence sooner than to the northern and New England states? Vermont would again pour forth her hardy 'Green Mountain boys' and these granite hills would ring with shouts of freedom, as of old. And now that contentions have arisen among us as a people, and a great principle of right and wrong, liberty or bondage, is to be tested at the ballot box, shall we look to the cities, where multitudes ever stand ready to sacrifice principles for gain, for vindication of right, or shall we rather look to those who dwell in the mountain fastnesses of the land? Let the shout of freedom that has sounded from Maine in her late election and which has been so nobly answered by Vermont, give
* answer. * * I do believe that the contemplation of such a prospect as lies spread out before us to-day exerts a silent but powerful and enobling influ- ence over the hearts of men ; and that among our hardy mountaineers there is yet hope for our land. Ile who breathes this fresh air, hears the roar of the great cataract below us and gazes upon these immovable heights, will catch their spirit and himself be free, firm and energetic. * * * But a few rods from Cold River on the road to Walpole is the place where Kilburn's hut once stood, from which as a fort he, with three other men aided by his wife and daughters, gained over a host of savage foes a victory, second in valor to none recorded in history. He now lies buried in Walpole, of which town he was the first settler in 1749. History has paused to say of him : ' He possessed an honest heart, lived uprightly and died in peace.' He fought for his home, rude though it was ; he loved the very hills that girt it around, and it is but right that such names should live upon the mountain tops. I rejoice to-day in being one of those who after the lapse of nearly a century since his death, have assembled here to do him honor. History is imperfect and there sleeps in our churchyards full many a noble hero whose deeds are lost in silence and forgot. Surely it is an act worthy patriot scholars to draw forth the names of such from obscurity and place them before the world."
When Mr. Cobb had concluded his address, the band rendered another selection and A. L. Frisbee was introduced as poet of the day. His production was recited in a pleasing
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Banquet at the Island House
and appropriate manner and was well received by the audience. The exercises on the mountain were completed by the concluding blessing and invocation for the future pronounced by Dr. Hitchcock in a very impressive manner, the students and guests standing with bared heads.
At four-thirty, the Amherst students and their guests sat down to a bountiful repast at the Island House, which was then in its prime and managed by C. R. White. As soon as those present had thoroughly discussed the menu, H. W. Jones as toast-master, called on President Stearn of Amherst to respond to the following toast, "Our Alma Mater, The noble ship will enjoy prosperity while she has in her stern (Stearn) a guide to virtue and noble action." Dr. Stearn, in reply, after a word of appreciation at the way the exercises had been carried out on Mt. Kilburn during the afternoon, excused himself from any extended speech, saying that he was no geologist himself, but that there was one present who was (alluding to Prof. Hitchcock), and he presumed by this time he could, and undoubtedly would, soon give the solid contents of Mt. Kilburn.
The next toast was "The American Geologist,-His great- ness is only exceeded by his goodness of heart." Prof. Hitchcock arose to respond amid most enthusiastic cheering. Among other things, he remarked upon the beauty of this village and the view from the top of the mountain. He dared to say it was finer than that from Mt. Holyoke. There was a fine view there, but no cataract. He had no doubt the valley below the mountain was once filled across to the moun- tains on the other side. Mt. Kilburn was about 830 feet in height and 1,200 above the surface of the ocean. It was absolutely certain that the valley below had been worn away by the water and ice. The drift agency was powerful. He spoke of the beautiful terraces in all this vicinity and of the intense historic interest of the mountain in connection with John Kilburn and Colonel Bellows. He thought the moun- tain had been appropriately named. After giving two or three interesting incidents of Kilburn's life and heroism, he
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History of Rockingham
made the statement that he "hardly thought that the history of the world furnished a parallel to the courage and heroism of Kilburn in defending his fort. The Indians were driven away at that time and never dared to return." Prof. Hitch- cock highly complimented the people of Vermont for their interest in scientific labors and spoke of the exhaustive geological survey for which its legislature had just made provision, and which was completed within the next three years under his own personal supervision. He closed by alluding to the feelings of sympathy between Amherst and Middlebury colleges. They had had the same experiences and the same class of students, who stood at the head of all the colleges of this land, and at the head of the religious world.
The next toast, "Our Guests from Middlebury," was responded to in a happy manner by H. H. Thomas of the senior class of Middlebury. Among other things he said :
" If I am not mistaken, there is in your vicinity a mountain which bears the euphonious and poetical name that my college mates have conferred upon me. I refer to " Mt. Tom." I infer, sir, from its name, that it anciently belonged to our family and I intend to head a small party of classmates, retake it, and honor it with a more elegant name. We shall always rejoice to see you in old Vermont, and we pledge you a hearty reception, whether you come to christen our mountains or to see our sisters."
"Bellows Falls,-Beautiful in situation, charming in scenery, but most favored in the nobleness of its citizens," called up Rev. Dr. Clap, at that time rector of Immanuel church. He said he was too old to attempt a speech on an occasion like this, nor had he ever been accustomed to such things.
He would, however, in behalf of the people of Bellows Falls, return thanks for the kindly terms in which they had been pleased to speak of this place, and took pleasure in introducing Rev. Samuel E. Day, pastor of the Congrega- tional church, who responded at length, referring to many of the lessons taught by the day's exercises, and the high and noble thoughts engendered. He closed as follows :
" I will not attempt to speak geologically of the interior of the mountain for I am not skilled in science, but should Mt. Kilburn be overturned by any
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After-dinner Speeches
convulsion of nature, I am sure of one specimen, that would be found under- neath it, not fossil, not mineral, and not vegetable, but of the genus homo, and that is ' the American geologist' ready to see whatever might transpire, and to gather up some new contribution to science. But, seriously, to you young men, I would say, not as your teacher but as your elder brother, as you have to-day been climbing some of the physical eminences of this valley, may this day's work be prophetic of your future efforts in life to ascend (and as successfully ) the high moral and intellectual elevations among men, and (I speak it reverently ) as did the Deity upon Mount Sinai, where He gave the ten commands to men, there from those high places give laws to those around you :- social, civil and intellectual laws, assured that by how much higher the summit you attain, with so much the more authority will your influence be clothed, and by so much more respect will your opinions be received by your fellows."
Among the later speakers were A. N. Swain of the Bel- lows Falls Times and Hiram Atkins, editor of the Bellows Falls Argus, then published here, both of whom responded to the toast " The Press." P. B. Goodsell, who was principal of the Bellows Falls high school, also spoke briefly. W. H. Wells, Dartmouth, '54, responded to " The Dartmouth Veto, this is the Lord's doing, it is marvellous in our eyes," referring to the refusal of President Lord to allow the senior class of that institution to participate in the exercises. Other speakers were George Partridge of Winchester, Va., Amherst, '54 ; Messrs. Boalt, Cobb, Frisbee, J. P. Lane, Mathew Walker, George B. D. Pepper, D. H. Rogan and others of the Amherst '57 class ; Henry Miner and H. B. Furniss of Middlebury, '57 ; Manager C. R. White of the Island House, and others. J. P. Lane of Amherst was the chairman of the committee of arrangements for the affair and was highly complimented upon his success.
A number of members of the two classes are still living and speak with interest of their recollections of the event. Among these Rev. A. W. Wild, now living near Cambridge- port, Vt., has been a well-known Congregational clergyman for many years. In a recent letter upon the subject he refers to other members of his class (Middlebury) who were present, as follows :
" Henry F. Severens in 1886 was appointed U. S. Judge for the Western District of Michigan, then to succeed Judge Taft in the Superior Court when
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History of Rockingham
the latter was sent to the Philippines. L. D. Eldredge was a well-known lawyer and business man of Middlebury, a partner of Gov. Stewart and member of legislature and senate, and for many years treasurer of Middle- bury college. T. H. Davis was a typical southerner from Richmond, Va., served in the Confederate army, was captured by U. S. troops and is said to have died in Texas. J. N. Diament was a Congregational pastor and Home Missionary in New York and at the West. He died in ISSS. A. S. Barton was a Congregational minister in various places in Vermont, among them Saxtons River and Townsend, dying in 1882."
Other members of the Middlebury class present on that occasion were :
H. H. Thomas, Henry Miner. Henry S. Foot, H. B. Furniss, E. G. Hunt, I. M. Porter, Lamen Redfield, Charles HI. North, and C. W. Lawton. Of the Amherst boys, the following list were here, J. II. Boalt, J. P. Lane, - Blodgett, E.G.Cobb, A. L. Frisbee, J. E. Elliott, S M. Hathaway, Richard Folsom, W. S. Carr, Mathew Walker, J. Kimball, J. W. Faust, George S. Biscoe, B. H. Abbot, David Beals, Jr., Dennis Wortman, Jr., J. D. W. Weaver, H. M. Bridgeman, George D. B. Pepper, George A. Beckwith, A. L. Clark, Henry W. Jones, Arthur Folsom, James H. Palmer, F. Shaw, D. H. Rogan, I. C. Clapp and F. Burt. Only five students from Dartmouth were present, Henry M. Wells, Charles A. Carlton, D. T. Corbin, C. C. Conant and L. J. Shaw.
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