USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Hartford > Pictorial history of the town of Hartford, Vermont, 1761-1963 > Part 7
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W. H. Laird & Co., a dry goods store, conducted their business in this building at the time this photograph was taken in 1882. A portion of the Barnum and London Show's circus parade can be seen in the foreground.
A Weighty Matter
"Edson & Chadwick have a new pair of scales in their market. The old ones were unreliable. Two-thirds of the time they were obliged, when weighing meat, to press down upon the pan with the little finger and thumb in order to give the customer full weight. With the new ones only the finger is necessary."-The Landmark, July 18, 1885.
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VIEW OF MAIN STREET IN WHITE RIVER JUNCTION WITH JUNCTION HOUSE IN FOREGROUND - 1884
DONE
CLOTHING.
-
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OLD GROVER BUILDING ON SITE OF PRESENT FIRST NATIONAL BANK OCCUPIED BY WHEELER BROTHERS CLOTHING STORE, WOLFE'S RESTAURANT, DR. HOFFMAN -DENTIST, DR. S. J. ALLEN, AND THE LANDMARK - 1884
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
Graded School, WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VL.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION SCHOOL BUILDING
GRAMMAR SCHOOL BUILDING
The building now used as the Municipal Building has served in many capacities. It was originally called "Hartford High School" and housed the entire White River Junction elementary classes and served likewise as the High School for the Town of Hartford.
This building is actually two buildings combined. The first half, or northern portion, near Maple Street, was built in 1884. A news item covering the school meeting at the time stated that "the meeting was well attended and showed some bad blood, though none was shed. It was voted at the school meeting to have a high school, to have a suitable building erected for the school, a com- mittee to select a site, draw plans and estimate costs of same."
An estimate of $10,000 was made and the following item picked by "The Landmark" from a neighboring newspaper tells the final story :
"White River Junction has a new $10,000 schoolhouse-" (Float- ing Item)
The Landmark-"It is time this slander, which has been floating about the state for some weeks, was refuted. We are to have a
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
house, which, with its grounds will cost not a cent less than $15,000. At a school meeting held Tuesday evening the building committee reported that the entire cost of the whole thing to this date is, in round numbers, $13,600, which is not far from $3,000 in excess of funds received by them. After some discussion it was finally voted to issue bonds amounting to $15,000 to pay all indebtedness of the district as to schoolhouse matters. As $2,000 has already been raised by a tax levied at a previous meeting, it will be seen that when all is finished up we are in for a $17,000 house, and perhaps more. But it will be one to be proud of. The newspapers, therefore, will please not insult us any more by talking of our $10,000 school house-This Junction is able to owe and knows how."
In 1895 a complete duplicate of the old school building was built and joined to it on the south making a fine looking structure. It had eight well-lighted, well-heated rooms. These rooms were occupied by the first and second grade primary, first and second grammar, preparatory high, and high school. One room was used as a recita- tion room for high school pupils and one for the kindergarten.
There is an amusing sidelight concerning the Town Meeting in 1895, in which the school addition was to be considered. Town Meetings were rotated between the villages of Hartford, White River Junction and Quechee. As has been the reaction to such pro- posed expenditures throughout the years, villages throughout the area protested against expenditures where they felt that they were not being directly benefited. The meeting that year was held in Quechee. There was much heated debate and very little action. Just when it seemed likely that some action would be taken someone entered the hall and announced, "The train for White River is leaving in ten minutes." The hall was immediately emptied except for about ten Quechee residents. All outsiders had to catch the train. A special town meeting was called in White River a month later to settle the unfinished business.
THE QUECHEE LIBRARY
The Quechee library association organized May 3, 1884 with a roll of over sixty members. Mrs. E. Gilson, Mrs. C. R. Whitman, D. L. Cushing, J. C. Parker, Rev. F. N. Carter, A. P. Dunsmoor and Henry Safford were elected executive committee.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
QUECHEE PUBLIC LIBRARY
LIBRARY BUILDING, QUECHEE, VERMONT
The library opened in the millinery rooms of Mrs. M. A. Kendall, October 11, 1884, with about 250 books.
In 1891 the bandstand located opposite the general store was fitted up as a library and all books transferred there.
A campaign to raise funds to build a library was started in 1907. Five thousand dollars were raised and the present library was com- pleted and opened to the public in 1909. The Quechee Library Asso- ciation was incorporated that same year.
The library program has been supported and maintained by com- munity fund-raising projects throughout the years. Direct aid from the Town was voted for the first time in 1962.
GOVERNOR SAMUEL E. PINGREE
Hon. Samuel Everett Pingree was born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, August 2, 1832. After finishing public schools he attended the academies at Andover, New Hampshire, and Mc- Indoes Falls, Vermont. He entered Dartmouth College from which he graduated in the class of 1857. He then studied law in the office of his cousin, Hon. A. P. Hunton, of Bethel, Vermont, and was admitted to the bar in December of 1859.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
PORTRAIT OF GOVERNOR PINGREE
Soon afterwards he opened an office in Hartford, Vermont, in partnership with his brother, Stephen M. Pingree. His practice was interrupted by service during the Civil War from which he was mustered out, July 27, 1864, after having served with valor and having attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
He returned to Hartford where he resumed his law practice and made rapid progress in his profession. In 1868 he became State's attorney for Windsor County and gained prominence as a criminal lawyer. In 1882 he was elected lieutenant-governor of Vermont by a large majority and in 1884 he became Vermont's 43rd governor. He served with ability and wisdom and his admin- istration was among the best in the state.
After serving his term as governor, he was appointed chairman of the State Railroad Commissioners and held that office for eight years.
When the White River Savings Bank was organized in 1886 he became its first president.
During the same year that he was admitted to the bar he was elected Town Clerk of Hartford, Vermont, a position he held for fifty years.
He died in Hartford, Vermont, June 1, 1922.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
GIBBS' LIVERY STABLE, WHITE RIVER
GIBBS' LIVERY STABLE
Lyman Gibbs was born in Brandon, Vermont, January 30, 1858. His family moved to Woodstock while he was young and he received his education in the Woodstock schools. After finishing his school- ing he found employment in a meat market in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.
The first mention of Lyman Gibbs in Hartford town records was on September 12, 1885, at which time he purchased Southworth's Livery Stable. In 1884, Nathaniel P. Wheeler in company with E. C. Gilbert opened a grocery store just around the corner from Lyman Gibbs' Livery. Attracted by Lyman Gibbs' success, Nathaniel Wheeler approached Mr. Gibbs and, after reaching an agree- ment that was mutually acceptable. Wheeler bought Mr. Gibbs' business on July 3, 1894. Lyman Gibbs was an active individual and this sudden termination of his employment proved more than his spirit could take. Five days later, on July 8th, Gibbs wandered back to his old stamping grounds, bought back fifty per cent of the busi- ness and entered the well-known partnership of Gibbs and Wheeler.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
This combination proved very successful and in 1901, deciding to further advance their fortunes the partners united in the pur- chase of the Junction House from William Barron. They retained their livery business, using these facilities to cater to their many hotel guests. At the time of the purchase the success of the enter- prise seemed doubtful but the two men offered the traveling public the best accommodations that could be obtained and their reputation for hospitality and friendliness made their hotel a focal point for travellers. In 1912 Mr. Gibbs opened the first Ford agency in the village. As in all his previous ventures, this business became a success under his management.
Finally failing health forced Mr. Gibbs to curtail his activities and in 1923 he sold his share of the business to Nathaniel Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler sold the garage portion of the business to William Wilmot shortly afterwards and Mr. Wilmot operated it until his death in 1936. Mrs. Wilmot died shortly afterwards and the garage was sold by the estate to Huber Kendall who operates it at the present time.
After his retirement, Mr. Gibbs assisted his son, Alfred, in his meat market for a short time. His busy career ended by his death October 7, 1924.
NATHANIEL P. WHEELER
Nathaniel P. Wheeler was born on a farm in Norwich, Vermont, February 3, 1863. He remained on the farm and attended the local schools until he was sixteen. He found employment at that time as a clerk in the General Store of F. F. Holt in West Hartford, Ver- mont. Working as a clerk in Holt's store for five years, he saved a tidy sum which he invested in a general store in White River Junction, Vermont. At this time he formed a partnership with E. C. Gilbert calling the business Gilbert and Wheeler.
On July 3, 1894, Mr. Wheeler purchased L. A. Gibbs' livery business. Five days later Mr. Gibbs bought back half-interest in the business and the livery business was named Gibbs and Wheeler.
Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Wheeler combined their resources to purchase the Junction House in 1901. The hotel and livery business flourished under their management for many years. Due to failing health,
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE WITH NATHANIEL P. WHEELER
Mr. Gibbs retired from the business selling his interest to Mr. Wheeler in 1923. Shortly after assuming full control of the hotel, Mr. Wheeler changed the name from the "Junction House" to the "Hotel Coolidge" in honor of John Coolidge, father of President Calvin Coolidge.
On January 29, 1925, the hotel was completely destroyed by fire. Within a few months a new hotel was built in the same location, opening again as the "Hotel Coolidge". This is the hotel that pres- ently occupies the central location in the village of White River Junction.
When Nathaniel P. Wheeler's busy career ended by his death, July 21, 1930, the village of White River Junction lost one of its most colorful business men.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
The desire for a bank in White River Junction was evident as early as March 18, 1882 when the following article appeared in "The Landmark":
"Our 'heavy' citizens are agitating the organization of a bank with a capital of $100,000 and it seems with good prospects of success. Certainly it would seem that this is a good point for a bank, so convenient for communications in all directions. We cannot trot to Windsor or Woodstock twice or three times a week."
Plans, however, did not materialize until February 6, 1886. It was on this day that the First National Bank was organized with a capital of $50,000. The first president was George W. Smith with George W. Gates vice-president. Serving as directors were George W. Smith, George W. Gates, George W. Barnes, Edward Morris, and Wyman Pettee.
On April 9 the U. S. Treasury Department authorized the bank to open for business. The first banking quarters were on the second floor of the Smith & Son block.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
The bank was a success from the start and soon required larger quarters. On May 31st, 1892, the building presently occupied by the bank was completed and business was transferred to the new location.
In 1895 a small wooden building 16 x 30 feet was built by the bank in the adjacent lot between the bank and The Landmark building. This was leased to T. Oneido for use as a fruit store.
The wooden building was torn down in 1915 and a three-story brick building was erected in its place. The ground floor served as the retail and wholesale outlet for Howard Drug Company and the upper rooms were used by the local lodge of Odd Fellows and affiliated bodies.
After Mr. Howard's death the ground floor of this building was vacated. In 1956 the bank expanded its present quarters by remov- ing the separating walls and joining the two buildings to double the size of their banking facilities.
The total capital funds of the First National Bank at the present time are approximately $500,000. This thriving establishment fur- nishes employment for twenty persons.
Presidents of the bank since its opening have been :
George W. Smith 1886-1905
Solon F. Frary
1905-1907
John L. Bacon 1907-1909
Robert E. Smith 1909-1917
Leonard D. Wheeler 1918-1930
Charles L. LeBourveau
1930-1951
George W. Smith
1951-
THE WHITE RIVER SAVINGS BANK
The White River Savings Bank obtained its charter on No- vember 19, 1886, and commenced business in 1887. The first presi- dent of this bank was Ex-Governor Samuel E. Pingree. Curtis A. Kibling was the first treasurer. One of the incorporators was Alfred E. Watson of Hartford village who became treasurer in 1888. He held this position until 1911. Governor Pingree retired as president of the bank in 1912 and Alfred E. Watson received the appointment. He held the office until 1915 at which time the bank was taken over by the Hartford Savings Bank and Trust Company.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
HEADQUARTERS OF FIRST WHITE RIVER SAVINGS BANK
The Hartford Savings Bank and Trust Company obtained its charter February 12, 1913 and in July 1915 became the successor of the White River Savings Bank. Alfred E. Watson was the first president of this bank.
Mr. Watson was also Town Moderator for 45 years; School Di- rector 45 years; Chairman of the Board of School Directors for many years and Town Auditor 12 years. He was a Grand Juror, Justice of the Peace, Town Representative and County Senator.
He originated the Watson Prize Speaking Contest in 1915, and also donated land to the town for a playground in Hartford village. Mr. Watson died December 28, 1950, at the age of 93.
On March 11, 1940 the Hartford Savings Bank and Trust Com- pany discontinued business. The Inter-State Trust Company pur- chased the building. At the time of sale Charles LeBourveau, treasurer, and Everett J. Eaton, secretary, signed for the Inter- State Trust Company and I. J. Davis, treasurer and Charles E. Bogle, assistant treasurer, signed for the Hartford Savings Bank.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
WOOLEN COMPANY BUILDING
THE HARTFORD WOOLEN COMPANY
On the site presently occupied by the Hartford Woolen Mill, in Hartford village, Elias Lyman, 3rd, erected a cotton factory in 1823. Elias Lyman and his brother Justin became involved in a lengthy lawsuit which terminated with a dissolution of the partner- ship between the two men and the sale of all the property jointly owned by them.
The factory came into the possession of Justin Lyman who leased the property to Horace Barbour and Stephen Kimball of Lowell, Massachusetts. The factory was completely destroyed by fire in 1835 and Mr. Lyman decided not to rebuild.
In 1853, Sylvester Morris of Norwich, Vermont, purchased the foundation of the factory on which he built a mill for grinding plaster. Two years later he added machinery for turning out chair stock.
Edward W. Morris bought the business from his father in 1857 and fitted up a mill for manufacturing chairs. He operated this business in partnership with his brother Ephraim.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
In 1886 the chair business was abandoned and the two brothers in partnership with Charles Cone, Henry Hanchett, Daniel Cush- ing, Vincent Brennan, Dr. Rand of Hartford, and also Dr. Wm. Smith of Hanover, New Hampshire, organized the Hartford Woolen Company.
Ephraim Morris died in 1901, followed in 1905 by his brother, Edward. Charles Cone, son-in-law of Ephraim Morris, assumed operation of the mill. Mr. Cone died in 1935 and his son, Morris, who had joined the firm in 1919, became Hartford Woolen Com- pany's president and general manager.
In addition to his responsibility as manager of the Woolen Com- pany, Morris Cone also served as vice-president of the Inter-State Trust Company in White River Junction and was a member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank in that village. He was also trustee of Public Funds of the Town of Hartford. Mr. Cone died in 1949.
Morris Cone's son, John C. Cone, is the present owner of dress- ing, spooling, winding, and weaving operations in one of the mill buildings in Hartford village. Mr. Cone owns several stores for which he provides sweaters, mill ends, yard goods, novelties, and other materials produced by his mill. These stores are located in White River Junction, Manchester, Waterbury, and Stowe, Ver- mont, Bristol, New Hampshire, and on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
THE HARTFORD RAILROAD DISASTER
Train No. 50, known as the "night express", left White River Junction for Montreal at 2:10 a.m., February 5, 1887, one hour and thirty minutes late. There were seventy-nine passengers aboard. Four miles from White River the train reached the trestle known as the Woodstock bridge. The road near the bridge had been recently relaid. Testimony later revealed that much of the iron used here was worn and had been curved in a cold state and was unfit for a mogul engine.
At a point 510 feet from the abutment at the south end of the bridge, while the train was moving at a speed of less than twelve miles per hour, the rear sleeper "Pilgrim" was thrown from the rails but kept to the roadbed until it came upon the bridge. It then swung to the deck of the bridge, and plunged to the frozen river below, a distance of forty-three feet, drawing with it the two
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
SCENE OF HARTFORD RAILROAD DISASTER
coaches in front. The coupling between the coach and the combina- tion mail and smoking car broke saving the rest of the train. Being lighted by oil lamps and heated by wood stoves the wreck soon burst into flames. The flames soon caught fire to the bridge which col- lapsed alongside the flaming cars. The wind blowing the flames of the burning bridge directly on the cars made rescue work impossible. At the time of the wreck the temperature was eighteen degrees below zero.
When the conductor in the forward coach noticed trouble in his car, he pulled the bell and the engineer let on full brakes. When he saw the rear sleeper topple off the bridge, the engineer then opened the throttle and pulled away from the rest of the train taking the engine and the other two cars to safety. He then sent the brakeman to White River to give the alarm and secure help, and he, with the aid of the fireman, baggage master, express mes- senger, and postal clerk, took axes, shovels and bars and hurried to the rescue of the sufferers until driven away by the flames. Thirty-one persons died, thirty being burned beyond recogni- tion. Many others were injured. The accident is still considered one of the worst in railroad history. Shortly after the tragic Hart- ford railroad accident this song was published:
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
THE MONTREAL EXPRESS
In the country far and near
Each day you'll read and hear Of shocking accidents by land or sea,
But the saddest I recall
Is the latest of them all, The Central 'Visions railroad tragedy.
'Twas the Montreal express.
It was speeding at its best; Near Woodstock Bridge it struck a broken rail,
When down with a fearful crash
To the river it was dashed And few survived to tell the horrid tale.
Chorus: It was shocking to relate.
It was sad to contemplate, No hand could paint a picture of the sight.
Little they thought that death was nigh
When they bade their friends goodby On leaving home upon that fatal night.
It was in the dead of night.
No words can paint the sight. The sleeping cars were filled with human freight.
When this fatal train was dashed
To the river with a crash,
A hundred souls went out to meet their fate.
Horrors met the victims' gaze
For the wreck was soon ablaze And fainting cries for help were sad to hear. None responded to the call;
They must perish one and all; Alas, kind friends, no help for them was near.
One I never shall forget, Was of little Joe McGrette, Who was with his father on that fatal train.
Although wounded by a fall,
Still he heard his father's call, And to free him from the wreckage tried in vain.
"It's no use, my boy," said he,
"For there is no help for me," And then the cruel flames around him curled.
Little Joe began to cry,
When his father said "Goodby; "We'll meet again up in the other world."
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
TESTING THE NE
HAR FORD BRIDGE
OF THE LATE ACCIDENT.
12 LOCOMO IVES.
RT
NEW BRIDGE REPLACING THE ONE DESTROYED BY FIRE
TESTING NEW RAILROAD BRIDGE
After the railroad accident, through trains were dispatched over the Montpelier & Wells River railroad. The iron bridge built by the Vermont Construction Company of St. Albans, Vermont, was tested January 15, 1888. Twelve engines, representing a weight of 850 tons, were allowed to stand on the bridge for over two hours, and the deflection was found to be only 5/3 of an inch. After this test three engines were coupled together and run across the bridge at a speed of 40 miles per hour.
The total length of the bridge was 650 feet.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
1
PORTION OF CAMP MEETING GROUNDS
ADVENT CAMP MEETING GROUNDS
On August 16, 1887, Adventist members purchased of Orrin A. Taft six acres of land on a sparsely wooded plateau above the Connecticut River about one mile north of White River Junction. This area they designated as the Advent Camp Meeting Grounds. The first camp meeting was held September 11, 1887.
Shortly after the purchase members began to build cottages on the grounds. Within a few years twenty-two cottages were erected. Below this plateau, between the Camp Grounds and the river, are the tracks of the Passumpsic Division of the Boston and Maine rail- road. On Thursday, May 9, 1895, a disastrous fire occurred destroy- ing eleven of the twenty-two cottages. The fire was believed to have been caused by sparks from a passing engine igniting dry leaves on the grounds.
In 1962 special services were held at the Camp Grounds in observance of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the organization.
At the present time there are fifteen cottages on the grounds. The property has been recently enhanced in value by the erection of a large tabernacle.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
F
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, WILDER, VERMONT
CHURCHES IN OLCOTT - NOW WILDER
Starting in June of 1886, church services in Olcott, Vermont, were held in a public hall and in the schoolhouse. These services were conducted by professors and students of Dartmouth College.
On August 9, 1888, a preliminary meeting was held for those interested in the organization of a Congregational Church in the village. As plans for the organization got under way the services of a regular pastor was obtained.
The Church was organized on Sunday, October 14, 1888, with eleven members.
Plans for a suitable building in which to conduct services were then developed. Daniel O. Gillette donated land for the edifice which he deeded to the organization on April 23, 1889. The services of S. S. Ordway & Company were secured for the erection of the build- ing. The church was completed and publicly dedicated June 13, 1890. This church was situated at the head of Hartford Avenue on a one hundred and fifty by two hundred foot lot.
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF OLCOTT
A Parsonage was purchased and added to the church property on May 5, 1893.
An ardent supporter of the church and generous contributor to funds for these buildings was Mr. Charles T. Wilder, owner of the Olcott Falls Company.
Originally named "The United Church of Christ in Olcott", the name was changed, at a meeting of the members in March of 1898, to "The First Congregational Church of Wilder". This was brought about by the official change in the name of the post office and rail- road station from Olcott to Wilder in December of 1897.
On January 31, 1890 Daniel O. Gillette deeded a parcel of land 100 by 119 feet to F. P. Marston and Joseph Ellis "being conveyed to the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Olcott and their successors in office in trust for the use and benefit of the
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HISTORY OF HARTFORD
ministry and membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States of America subject to discipline, usage and min- isterial appointment of said church."
The Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated April 16, 1890.
After about thirty years of services the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Congregational Church formed a Federation and for several years services were conducted in each church for six- month intervals. Finally in 1923 the membership voted to conduct all services in the church at the north end of the village that was build by the Congregational Society in 1888.
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