The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 92

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064

USA > Vermont > Washington County > Montpelier > The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier. > Part 92

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NAT

LIFE

NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE CO

[VT. MUTUAL FIRE INS. CO.'s BUILDING, -RAILROAD SQUARE ]

with his force was removed to that station, and Mr. J. Edwards Wright was made the first permanent station agent at Montpelier, where he remained until Aug. 1851, re- signing his position at that time to engage in the purchase of wool in Ohio. A. V. H. Carpenter, now the General Passenger Agent of the Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R., succeeded Mr. Wright, and remained in that position until June, 1862, at which time he was relieved to take another po- sition, and J. W. Hobart was enstalled as the agent. Up to that time Mr. Hobart had been a clerk for both Mr. Wright and Mr. Carpenter.

As you are aware, Montpelier is at the terminus of a branch of one and one-fourth of a mile in length, and up to October of that year, all the trains passed in and out over the branch. In October they discontinued run- ning the main line trains into Montpelier, but in place estab- lished a branch train, consisting simply of a small engine, fitted up with seats each side of the tender.

This engine was called the "Abigail Adams." It was de- termined in the course of a very few days that it would be im- possible to do the business of the Capital with the facilities then provided. So the Presi- dent. Gov. Paine, ordered a small car built, as the engine had not sufficient capacity to handle a large car, except under the most favorable circumstan- provided, and when the business required it, the car was attached to this miniature engine, which in many instances proved unequal to the task, and the conductor, who was none other than the agent at Montpelier, the cars of the branch trains having been added to his duties, the baggage master, and many times the en- gineer, were compelled to push in aiding the engine the whole distance, and it was not unfrequently the case, that the pas- sengers themselves, in response to a re- quest, would aid in furnishing power to move the train.

new white cheese canvas over each car. ces. Meantime, however, a large car was The train was drawn by engine Winooski. John Danforth was engineer, and the writer of this was the conductor. Later in the day, passenger trains ran in charge of the same persons, and well do I remember the interest manifested and the commotion created among the people who came in from the surrounding country. There being a circus upon the meadow near Mrs. Nicholas' house, on the Berlin side, which taken together with the usual 4th of July as a holiday, the town was packed, and we were compelled to send men in advance to clear the way for the train. Every build- ing from which the cars could be seen was covered, every available window occupied, the tops of buildings were covered if pos- sible, and even the tree-tops were alive with people.

I cannot now give you the name of the first engineer of this little engine, but one of the engineers who is now there, came soon afterwards. (I refer to Mr. James Bowers, and I have no doubt he will give you the name.)

Warner Hine, who was then master of transportation, was the acting agent at In due time the small car was finished, and we had less trouble. This car proved quite a novelty, it having been finished that station during the summer of 1849. In the autumn of that year the road was completed to Waterbury, and Mr. Hine like an omnibus, with seats upon the side.

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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

This condition, however, did not last long, as it was found and admitted by the officers, who, by the way, were not over and above friendly to Montpelier, that the facilities were entirely inadequate ; so a full and quite a respectable train was provided, consisting of an engine called the "Flying Dutchman," a baggage and a first-class passenger car. Soon after the management chang- ed from Northfield to St. Al- bans, and Montpelier was evidently improved by the change. James Bowers, who is still there, was one of the engineers who ran the "Flying Dutchman." J. W. Hobart remained there until March, 1859, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, S. L. Howe, Esq., who was for some time pre- vious the assistant of Mr. Hobart. I am very nearly as familiar with the history of the railroad interest of Montpelier since this period, but asit covers a period of about 22 years, and my time is limited, I leave it for others, Mr. Howe and many others in Mont- pelier being perfectly familiar with affairs since the above date of 1859. It gives me much pleasure to communicate these facts, and if they are of any value to you in making up the history of the best town in the State, I shall certainly be very well paid. I know very well all the gentlemen whose portraits you have, and they certainly will prove a very valuable accession to your history.

I intended to have mentioned earlier in my letter that our Vice President, Mr. James R. Langdon, is perhaps more fa- miliar with the history of our road than any gentleman in Montpelier. He, I think, was one of the original board of directors, with Gov. Paine as President. If at any time you should desire to make any further enquiry, it will give me pleasure to give you such information as I may have. Hoping you will continue to be as success- ful as you have been in the past, in the progress and completion of your work, and extending the compliments of the season,

I remain very truly and

Respectfully yours, J. W. HOBART.

Mr. Bowers gives the engineers : Wm. Patterson, James Bowers, Henry Wallace, William Greenleaf, Fred Webster, Henry Buckley, Ed. Eaustice, Chas. Greenleaf, Wm. Dolloff, B. F. Merrill, William Gould, Robert Gregg, David Daniels, A. S. Caswell.

[PAVILION HOTEL, OPPOSITE CENTRAL VERMONT DEPOT.]

Through the hall of the Central depot you pass on a broad pavement of brick over to State street and the Pavilion hotel, from the steps of which you look back and have a good view of the depot. The view was taken from the steps of the Pavilion. It is at the Pavilion the Governors always stop during the sessions of the Legislature.

The baggage masters have been : Z. R. True, Gamaliel Washburn, S. E. Bailey, C. T. Hobart, H. W. Drew, T. W. Bailey, E. W. Thompson, W. H. Pingree, James Finn. The station agent was conductor on the Branch till the Barre road opened, since which T. W. Bailey has been con- ductor. S. L. Howe is the present station agent.

The Telegraph and Express Office .- The Vermont and Boston Telegraph Company was incorporated by the October Session of the Legislature, 1848, and a station es- tablished at Montpelier in connection with an express office of Cheney & Co., of Boston, opened in 1849. The express office was first kept, until the opening of the passenger depot, here, in the Hubbard building. Col. H. D. Hopkins was the first manager of both the telegraph and express office, and for 24 years after - Bigelow was the first telegraph operator. Mr. H. W. Drew, who succeeded Col. Hopkins, is the present express agent and manager of the telegraph office ; Mr. A. G. Trulan, operator.

The ner after the ( the

MONTPELL run under W since this ru J. G. Farw The conduc have been. Levi Boutw Smith, of of JonesTile lage, and E Supt. - Gen'l Pas Train Maste Engineer James H Boutwell.G Charles .N Lawrence a

[WATCIM

Col. P wide cir who had was sing savage kindly en

ANEC

MONTPELIER.

563

The next building of like public interest, after the Central depot, is the depot of the

MONTPELIER AND WELLS RIVER R. R., run under W. A. Stowell's administration since this road was opened, Nov. 24, 1873 ; J. G. Farwell station agent to the present. The conductors from here to Wells River have been, H. S. Boutwell, son of Colonel Levi Boutwell, of Montpelier, George Smith, of this village, Henry Whitcomb, of Jonesville, Charles Ferrin, of this vil- lage, and Eugene Rand, present conductor.

Supt .- W. A. Stowell; Cashier and Gen'l Passenger Agent, Fred. W. Morse ; Train Master, Henry W. Whitcomb.

Engineers and firemen .- John Carter, James Hadlock, Charles Field, James Boutwell, George Cummings, Geo. Morse, Charles Noyes, W. S. Keeler, Herbert Lawrence aud Harvey Edgerly.

ESTABLISHED 9 TOWATCHMAN & JOURNAL

BOOK BINDERY & JOB PRINTING.

DAILY JOURNAL.

J & J.M. POLAND

[WATCHMAN & JOURNAL BUILDING, STATE ST. ]

ANECDOTES OF LEVI BOUTWELL. BY COL. H. D. HOPKINS.

Col. Boutwell,-there was not in all the wide circle of his acquaintance a person who had seen another like him. His face was singularly expressive. He could look savage enough to chill you with fear, or kindly enough to inspire the confidence of

the most doubting and timid. He said in his life-time a thousand things which for genuine originality and severity were worthy of a professional satirist. Many a time have we seen in town or village meet- ing a prosy debate cut short, and the vote reached by one of his brief, gruff speeches, as in the meeting of the Wells River rail- road company in Jan., 1874. The meet- ing was about to ballot for directors, when one gentleman suggested that the Board should consist of five instead of nine, as heretofore. Another suggested seven ; still others were on their feet ready to make some motion or suggestion, or engage in a little speech, when the sturdy old Colonel sprang nervously up, and said, " I think, Mr. Chairman, we will have it nine. I want some to watch, as well as others to pray." This speech was the end of the debate on that subject. The nine direc- tors were immediately ordered, and the election made.

Once he was sitting in the bar-room of

CLARKS . JOURNAL BOOK BINDERY,

STATE STREET PONTPELIER.

[RIALTO BLOCK, STATE ST.]

the " Pavilion," with his knees well spread before that familiar old fireplace, while he looked intently on the burning pile before him. His face bore a specially stern look. Some one came in, and saluted him with, " How are you, Colonel ?" His reply was as apt as original. " Well," he said : "I manage to keep tolerably even tempered,

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VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

[WASHINGTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE, STATE STREET.]

thank ye; mad as the devil clear through all the time."

Col. Boutwell was a supporter of the " Church of the Messiah "-Unitarian- and a faithful attendant upon its services. Two or three years ago, in the summer season, some little boys of the neighbor -. hood got in the way of loitering about the door and vestibule of the. church during service hours Sunday evenings. As they became familiar, they become also bold and somewhat noisy. At length they got so curious as to go up and push the door to the audience room a little open, and look in. Then if somebody in the audi- ence changed position a little, so that they apprehended danger, they would " cut and run "; but presently, when all was quiet again, they would repeat the experiment. At length Col. Boutwell became much dis- turbed, and felt he could stand the uncivil conduct of the lads no longer. So he went out to rectify things, and give the lads some lessons in morals and good man-

ners. The boys left the house by the shortest way, and run, some up street, some down, and some across. The Col. pursued hotly in one direction. Leaving his hat in the church, he soon lost also his wig. But without stopping to replace that, he followed on. At length he closed in with one of the intruders, and shaking him and cuffing him in a way more frightening than damaging, and heading him toward the church, he said, " what are you about here, you little cuss, you ? Why ain't you up in there getting some religion, as you ought to be, instead of being out here raising the devil in this way ?"

The Colonel was uncommonly bald, and without his heavy dark wig looked not a bit like himself. Once he was in the wash room of the Pavilion, and for convenience in his ablutions had laid his wig aside. Presently a young, spruce feeling chap, with extremely red hair, came in too. Noticing the Colonel's nude head, he in- quired, " well, Uncle, why don't you have

PRE (From "THE P Waldo. "At IC comed br : at Mr. SE was then f marshals. a A little b announced Magistrate the village. and proces horseback Main street under dire Returning President ·First Li Lieut. E the State from the In fr three ani students the schor uniform, garlands f

[ARGES & P

some hair pudent ques Looking sa saucy yo they made Tept my hair nothing left then, '1 had rather that for im fools." The was perfere

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MONTPELIER.

some hair on your head ?" It was an im- pudent question, and the Colonel knew it. Looking savagely on the red head of the saucy young stranger, he replied, " When they made me, and had me all finished ex- cept my hair, they told me that they had nothing left except red hair. I told them, then, 'I gad,' I wouldn't have any. 1 had rather go without. They might save that for impudent young popinjays and fools." The young inquisitive and joker was perfectly willing to drop the subject.

ARGUS AND

H.ATKINS.

[ARGUS & PATRIOT BUILDING, MAIN STREET ]

PRESIDENT MONROE'S VISIT.

(From " THE PRESIDENT'S TOUR," By S. Putnam Waldo, published at Hartford, Ct .. 1819.)

"At IO (A. M.) he was met and wel- comed by the committee of arrangements, at Mr. Stiles', in Berlin. The procession was then formed, under direction of the marshals, and proceeded to Montpelier.

A little before 11, a discharge of artillery announced the near approach of the Chief Magistrate of the nation. On entering the village, he alighted from his carriage, and proceeded with the cavalcade, on horseback, to the Academy, through the Main street, lined on each side by citizens, under direction of Joseph Howes, Esq. Returning to the head of State street, the President dismounted, was received by the ' First Light Company,' commanded by Lieut. E. P. Walton, and conducted to the State House under a national salute from the 'Washington Artillery.'

In front of the State House, between three and four hundred masters and misses, students of the Academy and members of the schools in the village, dressed in a neat uniform, each tastefully decorated with garlands from the field of nature, were ar-

ranged in two lines facing each other, in perfect order. Previous to the arrival of the escort, the two companies of Cavalry, with an expedition and regularity which did them honor, had placed themselves at a proper and convenient distance on the left of the juvenile procession.

The President walked through this assem- blage of youth, uncovering his head, and bowing as he passed, entered the State House under a fanciful arch of evergreens, emblematic, we trust, of the duration of our liberties, on one side of which were these words : ' July 4, 1776 ; ' on the other, · Trenton, Dec. 26, 1776.' When in front of the house, in the portico of the second story, the Hon. James Fisk, chairman of the committee of arrangements, in presence of the military and a great concourse of assembled citizens, delivered the following address :

To the President of the United States :-

"SIR :- The citizens of Montpelier and its vicinity have directed their committee to present you their respectful salutations, and bid you a cordial welcome.

The infancy of our settlements places our progress in the arts and sciences something behind most of our sister states; but we shall not be denied some claim in a share of that ardent love of liberty, and the rights of man, that attachment to the honor and interest of our conntry, which now so dis- tinguish the American character ; while the fields of Hubbardton, the heights of Wal- loomsack, and the plains of Plattsburgh, are admitted to witness in our favor.

Many of those we now represent, ven- tured their lives in the Revolutionary con- test, and permit us, sir, to say, the value of this opportunity is greatly enhanced by the consideration, that we now tender our respects to one who shared in all the hard- ships and dangers of that eventful period, which gave liberty and independence to our country ; nor are we unmindful that from that period until now, every public act of your life evinces an unalterable at- tachment to the principles for which you then contended.

With such pledges, we feel an unlimited confidence, that should your measures fulfil your intentions, your administration under the guidance of Divine Providence, will be as prosperous and happy as its commencement is tranquil and promising ; and that the honor, the rights and inter- ests of the nation will pass from your hands unimpaired. JAMES FISK,

For the Committee.

" To this address the President made an affectionate and appropriate reply, which was received with three times three ani- mated cheers by the citizens.

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The President then, with his suite, com- mittee, marshals and clergy, visited the schools in the Representatives' room, which was adorned with maps and globes drawn by the scholars ; while the front of the gallery and chandelier displayed a beautiful variety of vines and ornaments. The scholars received him by rising, and Mr. Hill, the preceptor of the Academy, by saying, 'I present to Your Excellency the finest blossoms and fairest flowers that our climate produces'-he replied, ' They are the finest nature can produce.' After

7-/7-17-

CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH, MAIN STREET.

inspecting the maps and globes, with ap- probation, he retired ; was received at the door by the ' Washington Artillery,' com- manded by Capt. Timothy Hubbard, and escorted through a line of citizens extend- ing from the State House to the dwelling of Wyllis I. Cadwell, Esq., where he par- took of a cold collation served up with ad- mirable taste and elegance.

The schools then formed a procession, preceded by the 'First Light Company,' with instrumental music, and moved to the Academy. In passing the President's quarters they saluted him ; the masters, by uncovering their heads; the misses, by lowering their parasols.

The President having signified his pleas- ure to dispense with the escort of cavalry,

after taking an affectionate leave of the committee of arrangements, ascended his carriage, and resumed his journey to Bur- lington."

GEORGE W. BARKER. BY COL. H. D. HOPKINS.

Mr. Barker was at one time postmaster of Montpelier, and then high sheriff of the County, and at the time of his death, a well-known railroad contractor at Manito- woc, Wis. For many years he was, in Vermont, a leading man at the Capital, and exert- ed a strong influence in shaping the action of the democratic party, both personally and through the Vermont Patriot, with which he was for a time connected. When the Vt. Central railroad was build- ing, he was one of the contractors, and made about $10,000-a hand- some amount for the time. He subsequently took a contract on the New York end of the Rutland and Washington railroad, but when a crash came in the affairs of that road, he, with others, was obliged to succumb and go down. MATTHEWS. His loss was a heavy one, and involved others than himself, notably the late Hon. R. R. Keith, who suffered to the amount of $15,000. Mr. Barker's next venture was at Paineville, Ohio, and would have result- ed favorably to him but for the fact that the company proved to be insolvent. His next move was Manitowoc above named. Judge Keith, who knew Mr. Barker better than any other man in Montpelier, though he lost by him, always had confidence in his capacity and integrity. Mr. B. was a genial man, a kind neighbor, and especially delighted to speak encouraging words to young men, and the results of some of his endeavors in this line happen to be known to the writer of this brief notice. Mr.

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MONTPELIER.

Barker was a man not to be forgotten. In stature, he was very large, and in manner, exceptionally genial. Though a man of position and well-formed opinions, he could tenaciously maintain his own view of a question without wounding the feelings of another. Mr. Barker was very fond of church music-especially of the fugue tunes in vogue in the early years of the present century, and he, Ferrand F. Merrill, Capt. A. A. Sweet and Dr. Gustavus H. Loomis, all of whom were as fond of that style of music as Mr. Barker was, used to have many a pleasant sit-down together, re- hearsing them, and deploring their de- parture from the choirs and the choir re- pertories. Of these four gentlemen, only Capt. Sweet is living at this present writ- ing, Jan. 1882.

MATINENS

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE C. SHEPARD, MAIN STREET.

ing a home as the town can boast of. Mr. Shepard availed himself so well of our schools and Academy, that he has been able to discharge successfully every public duty. He is prominent socially, polit- ically and financially. For some years he was Director, Vice-President and Presi- dent of the old Bank of Montpelier, and he has been Director and Vice-President of the Montpelier National Bank. He represented the town in the Legislatures of 1862 and '63, and has also represented his Congressional District in a National Con- vention of the Republican party.

E. P. W.

COL. ABEL CARTER,

who during the last days of his life occu- pied the house now owned and occupied by Col. Fred E. Smith, on Elm street, was a man to be remembered. He was by trade a saddler and harness-maker, and a man of very positive feel- ings and opinions, espe- cially in politics. As an abolitionist, he was out- spoken, even to bitterness, and delighted to get into . an argument with a con- servative whig, that he might ply him with hard questions. His hatred of slavery, slave-holders and their apologists-Northern dough-faces, as he delight- ed to call them, was most intense. He was sheriff of Washington Co. from 1833 to 1837, and held the office

GEORGE C. SHEPARD, youngest son of | of Sergeant-at-Arms at the State House one year, 1837 to '38.

the late Jonathan Shepard, was born in Montpelier, Aug. 26, 1820, and has been eminently a Montpelier man, not only spending his life here, but bringing a wife here, who is a grand-daughter of one of the earliest citizens of Montpelier, Thomas Brooks, and daughter of Joseph Brooks, who was a native of Montpelier ; and he brought her to a beautiful Montpelier home, in the dwelling of the late Hon. Samuel Prentiss, which has been remodel- ed and improved so as to become as charm-

Another prominent and well-known cit- izen of Montpelier for many years previous to 1868, was

GAMALIEL WASHBURN,

who occupied a small cottage house on Elm street, opposite the old cemetery. He was for many years jailor, and also janitor in the old Brick Church, and his polite attentions to the needs of all wor- shipers there, are well remembered. He was a prominent Mason, and as such was

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highly respected. Two lodges of the order are named in honor of his memory, one at Danville, and another in Montpelier. He died in Dec. 1868. H. D. H.

THE OLD BRICK CHURCH.

BY COL. II. D. HOPKINS.

[From a full account of the " Old Brick " and the new "Bethany " church in files of the Argus & Patriot.]

Appreciating the uses of Christian wor- ship, the fathers of the town began in 1817 to discuss the propriety and necessity of a house for this purpose. The first act was the forming of the "Montpelier Meeting-

MATTHEWS

INTERIOR OF BETHANY CHURCH.

house Society, consisting of 62 gentlemen at first, and which list embraces, we judge, all the then prominent men of Montpelier : Samuel Prentiss, Samuel Goss, E. P. Wal- ton, Geo. Worthington, Nicholas Baylies, Sylvanus Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, Holden Putnam, Jonathan Shepard, and others. In Dec. 1820, the list was augmented by 25 names more. Of these active men none are now living.

The society at its first meeting, Nov. 4, 1817, voted to build a house, Sylvanus Baldwin, Jeduthan Loomis, Samuel Goss, Calvin Winslow and J. H. Langdon to re- port a plan; Lovewell Warren, Joseph

Wiggins, Joseph Howes " to view the sites proposed, ascertain prices and conveniences of each." Nov. 12, "committee on plan " made their report, not accepted ; were in- structed to furnish a plan with steeple or cupola.

Nov. 24th, it was voted the house should be for the use of the First Congregational- ist Society in Montpelier, under the control of the proprietors ; the sale of pews to commence at the State House, Nov. 29th ; every note for the purchase of a pew should be payable to the society, and divided into three equal annual payments, one-half in neat stock or grain, and one-half in money ; and the house was to be 60 x 70 feet, " exclusive of cupola or stee- ple," with 122 pews.

Three lots were sharply contested for, one the site of the old brick house back of Mrs. Hyde's ; one the lot of Mrs. Joseph Reed, oppo- site the State House, and the other that on which the Brick church was built. They had to resort to the ballot, taken at the State House, Dec. 10th, which resulted for the Houghton "spot." The house cost over $6,000. We cannot state when it was ready for occupancy, but its use was tendered to the General Assembly for the Election Sermon on the 2d Thursday, Oct. 1820, and to the Masonic Society the day previous, and Dec. 29th, 105 pews had been sold for $7,620, of which Calvin Wins- low, the contractor, received $7,000. The highest price paid for a pew was $151, by Joseph Howes. Richard Wilkins, Jedu- than Loomis and Samuel Goss paid $150 each for a pew; Chester Houghton, $140 ; Jonathan Shepard, $120; Salvin Collins, $117. And the old Brick church remained the Sabbath home of this society for more than 45 years. The last service in it was Sunday, May 6, 1866. In a few days the walls of the old church and the

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The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 92

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press Number of Pages: 1064

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064