The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2, Part 45

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: White River Junction VT : White River Paper Co.
Number of Pages: 848

USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 45

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PRODUCTION .- The production of this compa- ny amounts to about 25,000 cubic feet. or 150, 000 feet superficial measure, 2 inches in thick- ness, per annum. Particular attention is given to monumental stock.

A short distance from Ripley & Sons is the mill of CLEMENT & SONS. This firm stands amongst the oldest. The mills and offices are situated in Centre Rutland, in the vicinity of the lofty railroad bridge. The partners are, C. Clement, of Centre Rutland, and W. C. Clem- ent and Percival W. Clement, of Rutland. The senior partner has been engaged in the business at this place for the past 22 years. The firm was, originally, Barnes, Clement & Gilmore ; was then changed to Clement & Gilmore; and, for the past 10 or 12 years has consisted of Clein- ent & Sons. The quarry is situated at W. Rut- land, adjoining one of the Rutland Marble Com- pany's quarries, and it is leased from the latter company by Clement & Sons. This quarry has been opened and producing marble for the last 5 years. The deposit that the company are now working is 35 feet in thickness, and con- sistsof 12 strata or layers. The angle at which they are quarrying is about 40 degrees. The marble obtained from this quarry can be simply classified as the " Rutland marble," which is well known throughout the country. The Diamond Channeling Machine is used in the quarry.

The cost of transporting marble from the quarry to the mill, in Centre Rutland, is 60 cents per ton. The sales of this company are mostly in thin stuff to wholesale dealers in New York. The mill, in Centre Rutland, is a solid structure, and contains 16 gangs of saws -part of them Merriman's patent. The old mill contained 12 gangs; but an addition was made 5 years ago, of 4 new gangs. The mill runs night and day, and is propelled by water power -- the latter having a fall of 23 feet.

EMPLOYEES .- There are employed about the quarry and mill from 75 to 100 men. Several

SHELDONS & SLASON .- This firm ranks next to Ripley Sons on the scale of age. The firm con- sists of Charles Sheldon of Rutland, Charles H. Slason of West Rutland, John A. Sheldon of Rutland, and Charles H. Sheldon of West Rut- land. The senior partner. Charles Sheldon, has been engaged in the business here for the past 25 years. The firm was originally Sheldon. Morgan & Co., and then Sheldon, Morgan & Slason ; and, since 1857, Sheldons & Slason. The quarries are under the supervision of Hi- ram A. Smith, who has been with the company for the past 19 years. The mill is under the superintendence of George Washington Free- man, who has retained his present position for 20 years. The quarries that are worked by this firm are 4 in number. The last quarry was opened several years ago. The layers in this quarry dip to the east, at an angle of 45 degrees at the surface. The marble is mostly cut by hand, by the use of the ball drill. The marble taken from this quarry is particularly devoted to monumental stock, and 2, 3, and 4 inch head- stone.

In the month of May 1873, this firm shipped 110 cars of marble, which is a remarkable shipment, regarding the time in which this quantity was shipped. This marble of course comes under the classification of "Rutland marble." The mill is substantially built, and is situated at the quarries. Its dimensions are 240 feet by 80. It contains 24 gangs of saws, Merriman's patent, and is run night and day. It is propelled by a double engine, of 200 horse power, manufactured by C. H. Brown & Co., of Fitchburg, and engineered by E. Shepard and C. J. Lee. Since writing the above, Shel- dons & Slason have erected a new mill, adjoin- ing the other, which contains 8 gangs of saws.

This firm employ 225 men in connection with their mills, quarries, work-shops and mar- ble yards. Several of the men have worked for this establishment for the last 23 years. The production of this company varies from 360, 000 to 400,000 feet per annum, superficial meas- ure, 2 inches in thickness. Connected with the establishment, and situated near the mill, is the store of H. H. Brown & Co. Mr. Brown had been located in the same place for the past 18 yeurs. The sales last year amounted to $80,000. Adjoining Sheldons & SInson are the works

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of Gilson, Clement & Woodfin. This firm con. sists of W. Clement, E. P. Gilson, of Centre Rutland, and John Woodfin. This property was formerly owned by Adams & Allen, of Fairha- ven. The quarry adjoins that of the Rutland Marble Co. It was opened 15 years ago by Adams & Allen, of Fairhaven. The dip of the quarry varies; it has been perpendicular, but has, at present, an angle of 45 degrees. This company do not themselves work the quarry, but have a contract with the " Sullivan Machine Co.," of Claremont, N. H., to cut for them for a number of years. One Wardwell machine and two gadding machines, manufactured by said Company, are used in the quarry.

The mill is substantially built, and contains 8 gangs of saws-Merriman's patent-which are propelled by steam, by one of Brown's en- gines, of Fitchburg, having a capacity of 80 horse power and running night and day. There are in all 80 men employed about the mills, quarry, sales room and marble yard. The sales of this firm are more particularly of monumental marble, and special attention is given to the same. The production, per annum, amounts to about 40.000 cubic feet, or 210,000 feet super- ficial measure, 2 inches in thickness.

THE RUTLAND MARBLE CO .- This company has existed for about 10 years. The superin- teudent is John N. Baxter, Esq., of Rutland. This company is very extensive in all its ap- pointments and resources, and possesses a large area of marble territory. There are 4 quarries worked by the company. Their quality of mar- ble, of course, falls under the general head of " Rutland Marble." Eight diamond channeling machines are used in their quarries, and 3 of Wardwell's machines. The marble is mostly worked into slabs, and the principal sales of the company are in thin stuff. Several other firms are supplied with marblo by this company, un- der contract. The mill is a solid structure, and contains 24 gangs of saws (Merriman's patent), running night and day. Its engine was made by the well-known firm of C. HI. Brown & Co., of Fitchburg. It has a capacity of 200 horse power.

In connection with their extensive works in West Rutland, this company have also a branch mill, of 8 gangs, at Salem, New York, known as the Baxter Manufacturing Company. There are employed in connection with the mill and quarries, 250 men. The products of this company amount to about 60,000 cubic feet, or 360,000 feet, superficial measure, 2 inches in thickness, per amaun. A short distance above

the mill of the Rutland Marble Co., is situated the quarry of

SHERMAN, ADAMS & WILLIAMS. The firm consists of Carlos Sherman, B. F. Adams, and S. Williams, all of Castleton. Their office is situated at Castleton village; their quarry at W. Rutland, and their mills at Castleton and Hydeville. The senior partner of this firm. Mr. Sherman, has been engaged in the marble busi- ness here for the past 32 years. It was in 1833 that Moses Jackman and Smith Sherman made the first opening, for marble, that was ever made, to any great extent, in Rutland. This, their crucial experiment, was undertaken in the vicinity of the quarries which are now known as lying on the "south side of the main road." Afterwards, Mr. Carlos Sherman entered into the business, and, in 1857, the firm of "Sher- man, Holly & Adams," sprung into existence, which was changed, in 1862, to " Sherman. Ad- ams & Langdon," and, in 1873, the present firm of "Sherman, Adams & Williams," commenced. The quarry is situated in W. Rutland, and is under the supervision of Mr. L. B. Smith. It was opened in 1855. Five diamond cham. eling machines, 1 gadding machine, and 2 cutting machines are used in this quarry. The miks in Castleton and Hydeville contain 24 gangs of saws, Merriman's patent. From 100 to 125, men are employed about the mills. Their an- nual production amounts to 50,000 cubic feet, or 300,000 feet, superficial measure, 2 inches in thickness. North of Sherman, Adams & Wil- liams' quarry are the mill and quarries of

NATHAN PIERCE, of Rutland. This estab- lishment was formerly owned by the Manhat- tan Marble Co., and was purchased about a year ago from the latter by Mr. Pierce, who owned considerable of the original Manhattan stock. This quarry and mill is just getting into run- ning order, hence it is impossible to give a full report of its present capabilities, etc. Two quar- ries have been opened, though but I is at pres- ent worked. The Wardwell cutting me-'

used, and considerable is cut -

ball drill. The mill er. saws,

propelled by a 60 . .. gine, made by

the Corliss Engir, A Providence, R. I. It runs night and

THE SUTR ILA .D FALLS MARBLE CO.

The quarrie mills that are being worked

by this com .re among the oldest in Rut- land. The . . o from their quarry falls nier

the geuer . A of clouded marble, and varns

from a ' i ght color to their dark monraing

vein. light and dark mouru ng weits ale

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very popular and hence their sales are very ex- tensive, in this quality of marble. They em- ploy about 130 men. The officers of the com- pany are: President, John B. Page ; Secretary E. M. Sayre; Treasurer and Manager, R. Proctor. Several quarries are being worked by the company. The oldest quarry was opened 37 years ago. In the quarries, 1 diamond channeling machine, 6 Wardwells, and 2 gad- ding machines are used. There are 2 mills, the upper and the lower. They contain 24 gangs of saws, all but 4 of them Merriman's patent. The mills are propelled by water, and run night and day. Their annual production amounts to about 60,000 cubic feet, or 360,000, 2 inch, superficial measure. This company also saw about 15,000 cubic feet per annum of " Rutland Marble," for Parker, Gilson & Dewey.

THE EUREKA MARBLE Co.'s works are situated at what is known as the " double road crossing," 2 miles north of Centre Rutland. This compa- ny has existed for about 3 years. Its officers are : President and Manager, Wyman Flint of Bellows Falls : Treasurer, G. H Babbitt. The marble produced here is classified as the light clouded marble, very fine and beautiful. Some specimens are exquisitely veined and shaded, and marked with many graceful lines of light and dark blue. The company is, comparatively speaking, a new one. They employ about 20 men. The quarry is near the mill; it was opened 7 years ago. Two diamond drilling ma- chines and 1 gadding machine are used. The mill contains 8 gangs of saws, Merriman's pa- tent. and is run by day, but not at night, by a Ryder engine of 100 horse power. The pro- duction amounts to 15,000 or 20,000 cubic feet per annum, or 90,000 to 120,000 feet,superfi- cial measure, 2 inches in thickness.

" The Columbian," "The Sutherland Falls," and " The Enrela" marble companies, produce what is known as the variegatedj or colored marble. Their quarries, however, are probably not on the same vein: consequently the color, veins, striation and variegation of their marble differs considerably. The rest of the compa- nies, mentioned in this article, work and pro- duce, from the same vein, the " Rutland marble."

of Rutland will at once be recognized. Such and similar interests as these are what build up a town and increase the wealth of its inhabitants. HISTORICAL INCIDENTS.

ACCOUNT OF THE MURDER OF JOSEPH GREEN, a young merchant of Rutland, by James Anthony, a hatter, and of attendant circumstances, as remember- ed (after the lapse of about 62 years) by SIMEON IDE,

As nearly as I can fix the date, I will state, that it was early in February, 1814, that Mr. GREEN had made his usual preparations for a trip to Boston to purchase more goods. The stage, by which he was to take passage, at that day left Rutland very early-say at three or four o'clock-in the morning; and he, as was customary with business men of that village, at about 9 o'clock of the evening, took leave of his family, with his valise in hand, and, for those times, a large sum of money in his pock- et-book,-left his house to take lodgings at the hotel from which the stage started, so that he could sleep undisturbed till near the hour of starting in the morning. From what afterward appeared in evidence at the trial of Anthony, it was supposed that on his way to the stage- house Green called upon him at his hat-shop, and was there killed, stripped of his clothing and money, and his body concealed under a wood pile in the back part of the shop.

I have the impression that it was late in the following morning that the friends of Mr. Green ascertained that he had not taken the stage for Boston ; and later, before they had reason to suspect that he had met with " foul play." It was stated that Mrs. Green met Anthony on the street between 8 and 9 o'clock the next morn- ing, and that he pleasantly saluted her with- "Good morning, Mrs. Green," and inquired as to the health of her husband and the little ones.

As soon as it was ascertained that Mr. Green had not left in the early morning's stage, the excitement among the villagers became very great. I cannot distinctly call to mind the particular circumstances which led them to sus- pect Anthony. A contemporary and compan- ion of those early days, whom I have consult- ed-then and still a resident of Rutland-writes me that he thinks " it was several days after the murder, before the body [of Mr. G.] was discovered." He says further: "I can state from my own recollection, that Anthony's face showed evidence of his having had a severe contest with some one; and Mr. James D. But- ler inquired of him how his face became so bruised ? Anthony replied, that he slept up-

We have thus given a list of the marble com- panies of the county, and a description of those of the town of Rutland. From the amount of the respective annual productions of the latter, a rough computation can be made of the amount of their annual sales, which probably exceeds $1,000,000, by a considerable amount. The importance of the marble interest to the town | stairs in his shop- was thirsty in the night, and

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in coming down stairs fell and bruised his face. Mr. Butler was not satisfied with this explana- tion. Elder McC'uller was in Anthony 's shop while Mr. Butler was making these inquiries of Anthony, and ran his cane into a pile of wood under the stairs, and feeling something unusual there, requested to have the wood re- moved. It was removed-there the body of Green was found, and Anthony was immedi- ately taken into the custody of keepers." * ** " Soon after the body was discovered, his pock- et-book, and all his money, were found in his own house, which led to the suspicion that An- thony had an accomplice in the deed. Anthony made a particular statement of the matter, which be delivered to Maj. Osgood: whichi statement was never made public-it was con- jectured by many-on account of the charges it contained of the complicity of two other per- sons in the murder-one of whom, by the name of Warner, a shoemaker, was arrested ; but no evidence was found against him, and he was discharged."

In my diary, kept while I was an operative in the office of the RUTLAND HERALD, I find the following entry, under date of March 4 1814: "This day witnessed the trial of James Anthony for the murder of Joseph Green. both · inhabitants of this village. The number of spectators who attended was immense. The aceused having heard the indictment read, plead not guilty. The Jury, after hearing the evi- dence against him, and Judge Chipman's charge -having left the Court but a few minutes-re- turned with a verdict of Guilty."

And further on in my said diary, I find written as follows: " April 14, 1814. This day attended the execution of a dead man !- The assemblage to witness the execution of James Anthony was unprecedented in this part of the country. The village was literally filled. I was called out to do military duty on the oc- casion. About noon we were marched from the Green [now called the " Common, '] to the place of execution, [in the meadow, one or two hundred rods N. W. of the old original framed meetinghouse-in which, ou a very cold winter- day. that year, I once heard Parson Haynes, in his high-collar'd over-coat and striped wool- len mittens, preach one of his evangelical ser- mons, to a large congregation, warmed only by the preacher's eloquence, and here and there a lady's foot stove ]-where the gallows was erect- ed and the same exercises were performed that would have been, had not Anthony hung him- self."

On the morning of the day fixed for his exe- cution, Anthony hung himself in jail ; and the opinion prevailing at that day was, that the deputy Sheriff, who had charge of him, was guilty of gross neglect of duty-if not of com- plicity with the felon, in the act of self-bomi- cide.

One of my companions of those early days, R. R. THRALL, Esq., from whose note, in reply to my inquiries the foregoing extracts are made, thinks I was mistaken in my memorandum of April 14, 1814. quoted above, relative to the 'hanging of a dead man.' He thinks it was a live dog they hung. He says: " The town was full of persons [men, women and children] who had assembled to view the execution. They were disappointed : but some persons were de- termined to gratify their desire to see an exe- cution, and they hung a dog upon the gallows."

I did not note in my diary, that I had sees a dead man hung: but merely "attended," with the mass of humanity, near the place where such an absurd and unseemly act. as I then, (and those around me, ) supposed, was to have been officially performed. I did not actu- ally see a " dead man" or a live or deal " dog" hung on that occasion. I had been legally warned to attend, and was in the performance of my duty as a member of the " floodwood" militia, and was kept, as I desired to be kep:, at a respectful distance from the main point of attraction ;- and, from that day to this I have taken greater pains to keep away from, than to "witness" the execution of malefactors.

November, 1875.

HISTORICAL INCIDENTS OF THIS VI- CINITY .* BY HENRY HALL.

CAPTURE OF A SCOUTING PARTY.

In May 1779, a scouting party in the ser- vice of the State, consisting of Ephraim Ste- vens commander, Benj. Stevens Jr., Ebenezer Hopkins, Jona. Rowley, Jr., all of Pittsford started on a reconnoitering expedition, down Lake Champlain. Having procured a sk.f they rowed down the western shore, discov- ering no indication of the enemy the first day, except hearing one Indian whoop. On their return the next day, as they were approach- ing a point of land on the western shore, some 18 or 20 Indians, Tories and British rose up, and their leader called on the scout . ing party to surrender. Though within gun shot, Stevens thundered out to Lis men

* Published in tho Rutland Herald in 1849.

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to turn their boat and row for their lives for the eastern shore. The hostile party imme- diately jumped into a large crazy boat and began the chase with a running fire of mus- ketry. The fire of the enemy proving harm- less for awhile, our party hoped by their al- most frenzied efforts to escape to the Ver- mont side,-but at length, an Indian with a long rifle was seen to lay down on the boat and take deliberate aim. The flash of the rifle was seen and young Rowley dropped his oar, and fell, shot through the head, while the skiff, now propelled by but one oar quickly whirled around and our little party lay at the mercy of their pursuers.

Rowley was scalped and thrown into the lake, and the other three carried as prisoners to Montreal.

Ebenezer Stevens, a young man of extra- ordinary strength and activity fell, in the division of the captives, to the share of the Indians. Having reached the St. Lawrence, Stevens and his captors entered a boat -as they approached the shore near Montreal, Stevens saw a party of savages drawn up in two lines facing each other with a narrow passage between them extending to a large stone house 40 or 50 rods distant-when he stepped on shore he was attacked by them with clubs and soon knocked down-holding his arms over his head to defend himself by his great strength and activity he soon rose, when a young squaw pointed to the house and cried "Run ! Run !" He rushed forward on this hint and soon reached the house with little more injury. The Indians threw away their clubs and greeted him with applause, and kindness. The Indians of the village, male and female, were soon gathered together and prepared for the carousal usual on such occasions. Some of the females first took from the warriors and others all their guns, tomahawks, knives and other weapons and secreted them. Next they passed round the rum in abundance, even in open kettles -all drank freely and Stevens was urged to partake with them. He, however, drank as little as possible, being determined to re- main sober and ready as far as possible, for any emergency, using much art to deceive them as to the quantity, he drank. The ca- rousal being ended, most of the party retired, while some of them were so deeply steeped in the debauch that they had fallen fast asleep. Stevens slept but little. Soon as

morning came he was up, the Indians still asleep. Suddenly the door opened and an Indian who had not been there the night be- fore, entered and fixed his eyes long and keenly on Stevens. Stevens immediately recognized this Indian as one of a party that visited Pittsford before the war, on a bun- ting expedition and one with whom he had there had some quarrel or difficulty.

This Indian soon disappeared and imme- diately two large stout Indians came and stood in the door, apparently as sentry. In a short time the young squaw who had befriended Stevens the day before came and stood behind these two with looks of intense sorrow and even weeping-Stevens says, "By this time I made up my mind that my of l acquaintance, on Otter Creek., was determined to wreak his vengeance on me by a cruel sacrifice of my life in the barbarous manner the Indians are sometimes wont to do. I determined to place myself in the hands of a less dangerous enemy or lose my life in the at- tempt. I looked around for some weapon but saw none sufficient to use. I then thought I would try to pass the two In liaas in a quiet and peaceable manner as if I wanted carelessly to view the premises. Slowly and awkwardly I approached the door but one of the Indians sprang forward, | placed his hand on my breast, and shovel me back into the room. I quietly yieldel to his push and made as though I was about to resume my seat, but as he was returning to the door I sprang with all my might and threw both prostrate on the ground, I dew like lightning through the door and the young squaw again cried " Run ! Run!" but I need no urging this time. In the midst of my speed I met a small British guard, who had in custody my two companions, B. Stevens and E. Hopkins. I pa-sed them swiftly, their officer hailed me, told me to stop and I should not be hurt. I first intendel to leave them all, but taking into view all the circumstances of my situation, I conclu led it would be impossible to escape, and being promised that I should receive no harm, I returned and surrendered to them." He and his companions were soon taken to the British garrison. Here he was visited by his brother Roger Stevens who had turned Tory and was then a Captain in the British 1r. my. Roger reproved Ephraim for joining the rebels, and disloyalty to the King.

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Ephraim retorted, accusing Roger of desert. ing his country and cursing the King. Roger promised Ephraim the liberty of the City if he would give his word not to leave it. Ephraim spurned the offer with indigna- tion, and the three captives were sent to prison. Here Ephraim for his praise of the Americans and contemptuous speaking of the King and his cause, was hand-cuffed and fet- tered. His great strength enabled him to break the ordinary iron fetters, and he was. soon loaded down with heavy irons and with his companions put on board a vessel, sent to Quebec, and there thrown into a dungeon.

Their keepers suppo-ing them safe here, took off their fetters. They soon dug their way out of the dungeon and eluding the vig- ilance of the sentinels in the depth of winter, thay proceeded up the St. Lawrence on the ice, travelling in the night and secreting Ebenezer Hopkins married a daughter of Stephen Mead-was the father of Rev. Josiah Hopkins, formerly the settled minister died a few years since at Crown Point. themselves by day-suffering keenly with cold and hunger. One bitter cold night, Ephriam being a little in advance of his party, fell | in New Haven, Vt., and is supposed to have through the ice .- He immediately reinstated himself on the firm ice before his companions Benj. Stevens, Jr., lived many years on the farm in Pittsford, which his cousin Rog- er Stevens forfeited by becoming a tory and died in Cornwall June 15th 1815 .* came up, but completely drenched with water which anos: instantly became ice, he knew he must find a fire before morning or perish. This was etremely difficult. The British gov- PITTSFORD FORTS. ernment had threatened severe punishment to any who should aid any escaping prison- ers-but there was no other alternative but death.

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The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2, Part 45

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: White River Junction VT : White River Paper Co. Number of Pages: 848

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: White River Junction VT : White River Paper Co.
Number of Pages: 848