The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 107

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press
Number of Pages: 1066

USA > Vermont > Washington County > The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer: > Part 107

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ten minutes, we found ourselves at Leba- non. We remained a little more than an hour, undergoing the hospitality of Mr. Campbell,-the great Bridge-Making En- gineer, who built the bridge across the Hudson at Troy-and arrived at North- field, again, a little after 3 o'clock, P. M., having travelled from Montpelier about 116 miles.

No persons were admitted to the special train provided by the Governor for this Legislative excursion, excepting specially invited ; and very few special invitations were extended. Ex-Governor Eaton, Professor Benedict, Mr. Brainerd of St. Albans, Mr. Upham, and a few others. There were about 250 on the train, and probably, two-thirds of them had never before seen a railroad. This class of leg- islators (?) was very inquisitive about the

whole matter, asking a thousand questions that a well-informed boy might as well have answered. But I only want to tell you about my participation in the excursion : In the cars between Northfield and Bethel, I wrote off a song for the occa- sion, which, for its local allusions and hits, was received with great good feeling, and which Mr. Houghton, Mr. Shafter and I had to sing, tolerably often, before we got back again. I really don't think it worthy of publishing abroad. But Fred Houghton made a copy which will probably appear in the Tuesday's Boston Atlas. I say this to you, to invoke your charity for me, and my vanity, or good nature in con- senting to have it printed. But I did, and " there is the end on't."

Caroline (the Governor's sister,) is now | on a visit to the Governor's. She

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wanted to go with us on our excursion over the road, but as there were no other ladies on the train, she declined.

A long and glowing description of the new railroad, and the first great excursion ride of the Vermont Legislature upon it, appeared in the Thursday issue of the Bos- ton Argus, following, if we rightly remem- ber, filling a page or more of the Argus, and with the impromptu song born of the ride-which it was stated in the paper was sung some thirty times aboard the train, going and returning, at the flush feast of Belknap-his grand dinner to the Legisla- ture-which was sung more and more up- roarously as on waxed the hour.

" THE RAILROAD SONG.

WRITTEN BY GEN. CLARKE ABOARD THE CARS BETWEEN NORTIIFIELD AND BETHEL.

Tune-" DEAREST MAE."

We took an early start to-day, And braved a rough old ride, To reach the place where PAINE, they say, Wins people to his side ; The iron-horse was breathing gas In the "sequestered vale,"

And every one ambitious was To ride upon a rail!

Hurrah! Hurrah!

For Governor l'AINE, the Rail-er! He builds his roads o'er rocks and hills, AND GOES FOR GENERAL TAYLOR!

Hurrahl Hurrah! Hurrah! If it don't beat all natur'! To see the " wisdom and the virtu'" Of our great Legislatur'

A riding through the hills and vales, From Northfield to the river, On Governor Paine's new-fashioned rails! I'never! did you ever? Hurrah! Hurrah! &c.

I tell you what it is, old boys, This ride we are not loth in, Especially when we do the thing Free gratis and for nothin'! And when, besides, the dinner comes On just such terms again,

I'd like to know who will not sing, Hurrah for Governor PAINE! lIurrahl Hurrah! &c.

I wish to introduce a bill- I offer it quite humbly, And move Its passage through these cars, By this 'ere J'int Assembly :- Section 1 provides that PAINE Shalt have the right to go With his old Railroad where he will; He'll do it whether or no ! Hurrah! Hurrah! &c.

The 2d section has a clause, As sharp as any cat's, That when old BELKNAP comes along, We'll raise our cotton hats,-

Because he has a rough old way In that old pate, 'tis said, Of doing things when he takes hold; They call it " GOING AHEAD! " Hurrah! Hurrah!

For BELKNAP, high and low! He goes ahead because, you see, He's got a head to go!

In section 3, it is declared, That that 'ere long man, MOORE, Who straddles this old iron horse, And brings us through secure, Shall be the Chief old Engineer, By special legislation, Of this 'ere J'int Assembly here,- As ZACII shall of the nation! Ilurrah! Hurrah!

Let's make the echoes roar! 'Though other roads are safe enough, The Central Road is MOORE!

In seetlon 4, it is set down, That 'mong these mountain ridges, The name of CAMPBELL shall resound : The IIERO OF THE BRIDGES! And that the man to carry out A project very mighty, And show that "it is bound to go," Is that 'ere same " OLD WHITEY!" Hurrah! Hurrah: Let's keep the chorus humming! For word has passed along the line- That same old " Campbell's coming! "

As an amendment to the bill It's moved to add a section, Which has a tendency to raise A rather sad reflection :-

It is that Governor PAINE do seek- (Why, what's the man about ?)

To keep the family on earth- The race must not run out! Hurrah! Hurrah!

For PAINE, the bachelor ! The wonder groweth every day, What's he unmarried for ?

Amendment 2d is proposed :- It is to make provision That shall our thanks to CAMPBELL show With very nice precision. He has a head that's great to plan, A will that never flinches; We wish you'd find a bigger man Than CAMPBELL, of his inches. Hurrah! Hurrah! For "Whitey," brave and true! Ifis heart goes fitly with his head? So say I-what say YOU ?

Now if the President will rise, And put the thing to vote, I'd like to know your sentiments Upon this bill I've wrote; And so, to end the matter well, Before we take a glass,

I hope you all will answer " AYE! " And let the old bill pass. Hurrah ? Hurrah!

Please put this vote again ; All you who are affirmative, flurrah for Governor PAINE!

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I think I may declare the vote- I'll do it if you will, And now announce to this J'int House The passage of the bill; It is before the Governor- We care for no Veto-

If Governor PAINE won't sign the act, Our COOLIDGE will, we know! Hurrah! Hurrah! &c.

It now is moved that we adjourn, And in the usual way ; For plain it is, at this late hour, We break up " without day ;" And when we'reach our homes again, We'll tell the wondrous tale, How PAINE has rode this J'int

Assembly on a rail!

Hurrah! Hurrah! &c.

As for the title of our bill, It Is decreed to be :-

" An act to lighten public cares, And aid festivity."

So now farewell to Governor PAINE, To BELKNAP, CAMPBELL, MOORE! This J'int Assembly is dissolved; 'Twas liquorfied before!

Farewell! Farewell!]

Gov. Paine felt an interest in education and religion. He donated the land on which was built our Academy, and $500 in money, and gave the institution an excellent apparatus. His executors donated (that is he gave in his will), the Catholic church the land for their church and cemetery. He gave the land for Elmwood cemetery, according to his expressed desire before he went to Texas, and he built the church in the Depot village, now occupied by the Congregational society,from his own funds, wishing to have a convenient place for the people to attend meeting. By all which we see the desire of his heart for the wel- fare of his race.

The Rev. Ezra Gannett, D. D., of Boston, remarked, in preaching his funeral sermon :

The early life of Charles Paine was passed under circumstances suited to pre- pare him for the part he afterwards filled. Born almost on the commencement of a century remarkable for its control of me- chanical agencies, and the development of popular institutions, he entered on the period of his vigor at a time for the favor- able exercise of his peculiar abilities. His father, the late Judge Paine, was one of the most honorable citizens of the State, and merited the respect which was award- ed him. The influence of his home doubt- less laid the foundation of that character which in subsequent life raised the son to

a not less conspicuous position. Amidst the green hills of his birthplace he breath- ed the air of a manly freedom and a vir- tuous energy. Nature spoke to him in her clear and sweet tone, and he listened in the uncorrupted delight of youth. Sur- rounded by a yeomanry that have ever maintained a frank independence, in union with honest industry, intelligent, brave and hospitable, free from the vices of suburban communities, and strong in their local attachments, he acquired the traits which ripened into a wise and noble man- hood. The love of his native State, the inborn passion of every son of Vermont, lost none of its fervor as his judgment grew more mature. He loved her mountains and her streams, her history and her people ! At the age of 17 he became a member of Harvard college. It was there my acquaintance with him began, and there that the bonds of friendship, which 4 years of various fortunes served but to strengthen, were knit between him and his fellow-students! Among them was not one who regarded him with any other feel- ings than those of respect and esteem. Thirty-five years after," added Mr. Gan- nett, "they first met in the halls of Cam- bridge ; nearly one-half of the surviving members of his class were assembled, by his invitation, around the board, which was spread with an ample hospitality. I recall that scene with special interest, for it shows me the host and friend happy in the sympathy of an occasion which he made delightful to others. I see his erect form, his open face, his princely demeanor. I hear his words of cordial greeting, and feel no painful obligation, since I am sure of his enjoyment of the re-union, for which we were indebted to him, whose hand we shall never grasp again, for the ineffable recollections of that day.

Governor Paine was not a man of pro- fessions. His words were not many, and they never were uttered to secure admira- tion or to forestall an impartial judgment. It is not strange, therefore, that he said little on the subject of religion. But such actions as speak more loudly than words attest both the reality and the character of his faith. This edifice is a memorial of the value he set on the institution of public worship, and an unsectarian administra- tion of religious truth. On this point he was strenuous and consistent. The most emphatic disapproval of dogmatic exclu- siveness which he could have left, as well as the most decisive testimony to his faith in the great Christian truths, is given in the paper by which he makes a final dis- position of his property.

This remarkable document contains also

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unimpeachable proof of that disinterested concern for the good of others, and that desire to see all classes of the people en- joying the means of knowledge, virtue and happiness, which I think gave to his char- acter its largest claim on our fond remem- brance. As a testamentary provision, I should not be surprised to learn that it is without a parallel. Brief but distinct in its language, it is as peculiar for the mod- esty as for the liberality which it evinces. Leaving all details to the friends in whom he reposes the utmost confidence, and avoiding any suggestion that might have the effect of connecting his name with the uses to which his bequests may be put, he only requires of those whom he appoints as trustees that, after assisting such per- sons as they may think have any claim arising from consanguinity, friendship, or obligation incurred by him, they 'use and appropriate whatever property he may die possessed of for the best good and welfare of his fellow-men, to assist in the improve- ment of mankind ; recommending that they do it without sectarianism or bigotry, ac- cording to the intention of that God whose will is found in the law of the Christian re- ligion, in which,' he adds, 'I believe and trust.' What could be more characteristic or admirable ?

The manuscript from which I have quoted bears a date somewhat distant from the present time. But if evidence were need- ed that he retained the same feelings to the close of his life, it is furnished, to say nothing of other facts, by an incident which I am permitted to relate. A short time before his departure for Texas, Mr. Paine was reminded by a friend that he had never made an explicit declaration of his religious belief, and was requested to say what doctrinal tenets he had adopted. After a moment's hesitation, he took from his pocket a slip of paper bearing the stains of age and use, which he gave to his friend, and said, ' There is my creed :'

"Abou Ben Adhem-may his tribe increase- Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold. Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the presence in the room he said. *What writest thou ?' The vision raised its head."

" And with a look made all of sweet accord, Answered, 'The names of those who love the Lord.' . And is mine one ?' sald Abon. 'Nay, not so,' Replied the angel. Abon spoke more low, Bul cheerily still, and sald, ' I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow men.' The angel wrote and vanished. The next night It came again, with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God liad blest, And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest."

This admirable sermon concludes : "A gloom hangs over the village in the warm summer's day. The sky is clear, and the air is healthful ; yet every aspect of nature

is sad, and the scene around us impresses us like a funeral monument. And such it is. Our hearts cast their own shadows upon the landscape. We have come to lay the remains of him whom we loved in the grave. He died far away from us, and far from the spots that were dear to him. but we could not leave his dust in that dis- tant land. The hope, tenderly expressed in their first anguish of bereavement, is realized :

That noble form, so proud, so calmly bold, Shall make its last sad resting place amid The scenes he long had loved and cherished, Within the State o'er which he was a Ruler.

Here will we lay his mortal frame in the grave which he would have chosen, in front of the temple which he built to the glory of God, and in the midst of the proofs of what he had done for man. The associations of this hour shall henceforth invest the spot. Business and travel shail own its sanctity, and time shall guard it with watchful reverence."

Hon. Heman Carpenter said in his eulo- gy on him, at a meeting of the citizens of Northfield, upon receiving intelligence of his death ;

" By his influence and his energy the charter of the Vermont Central Railroad was obtained, and to him we are indebted for the accomplishment of this stupendous work ! There is his Monument ! And when we are dead and forgotten, then fresh in the memory of the future will be his name, as long as the iron horse shall traverse our State, his name will be cher- ished by the honest and hardy sons of the Green Mountain State. He also gave an impetus to other railroads.

"To me " (said Mr. Carpenter) "this dispensation of Providence is overwhelm- ing. Language fails to express the deep emotions that thrill through every nerve. He was my friend when I needed a friend. For 17 years I enjoyed his intimate and uninterrupted acquaintance and confidence. I see him now as I last saw him, when a few friends took him by the hand and bade him good bye, with tears in their eyes, as he left the station here in the cars for his journey South. The words of one of the friends, as the train left, have made an im- pression upon my mind that time will nev- er efface. 'That car carries more men from Northfield than it will ever bring back.' That was the fearful belief of us all when he left, and sadly true it has proved indeed. It carried the living man, it can only bring back his earthly remains. It carried him in whom human nature can stand up before all the world, and say ' He was a man !' "

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Hon. John Wheeler, of Burlington, formerly President of the University, said of Gov. Paine :

"On his return from college he showed no inclination for professional study, but asked to enter upon the employment of practical life, both to lessen the labors of his father, and to advance his interests. This he was allowed, without much thought that he would do otherwise than soon grow weary of it, and call for a different mode of employment. 'I was greatly surprised,' said his father, 'at the readiness with which he took hold of labor, the energy with which he followed it, and the capaci- ty and completeness with which he finish- ed it. I found he could do as much and as well as I could in my best days.' Those of us who live in Vermont know that such a parent could scarcely give higher praise."

Charles Paine was elected Governor of Vermont in 1841 and 1842,-in the lan- guage of Hon. E. P. Walton :

" The youngest man, I think, in the gubernatorial office in the State, I am sure there never was any man who more highly esteemed the claims of age and wisdom and experience, or was more ready to dis- tinguish and encourage whoever among the young gave hopeful promise of an hon- orable and successful public career.

" What, then, shall I say to you who have known him ; to you, who have been the witnesses of his life ; to you, who have esteemed him beyond all other men; to you, who feel that you have lost more than a father or a friend-both-lost all? I can only say it is right now for you to weep. Grief is the necessary burden of this day, and of many days to you; but when the fountain of your tears shall fail, when you shall become weary and worn, because of your great grief, then will it be fit for you to rejoice that one has lived so briefly, yet so well, and so honorably, so unremittingly, and so successfully labored in important services for his neighbor- hood, his State and his country-that you feel his death is an irreparable loss, and a public calamity. Weep now. It is good to weep.

" His ambition in that great undertaking, (building the Vermont Central Railroad) was of a character which the world justly esteems to be noble ; he aimed to win for himself an honorable public name, by ren- dering a great public service. However much of direct personal advantage he nat- urally and properly may have expected from it, I am sure his chief purpose was to win an honorable name. In the brightest days, he looked joyfully to this reward, and in the

darkest, when every other hope seemed to fail, this remained to solace him. It was on one of these darkest days, and at a time when courage, hope and health were all failing, that he said to me, in his famil- iar mode of conversation, ' Well, Walton, whatever may become of the corporation, they cannot rob us of the road! It is done ; it will be run ; and the people will. at any rate, reap the blessings which we designed. Oh! if it were not for that, I really believe I should die.""

In Governor Paine's first message to the General Assembly, in 1841, there is one topic presented for their consideration that I wish to preserve. (Mr. Gregory.)

" Education is a subject which cannot fail to command your earnest attention. It is true that no community can boast of more widely and universally diffused in- struction than ours, and it might therefore appear useless to urge the topic upon your consideration. But we must continually bear in mind that it is not the result of ac- cident that the people of this State, with so few exceptions, can all read and write, and have enjoyed the benefit of at least a good English education. They owe their happy and enviable condition in this re- spect entirely to the unceasing solicitude and wise legislation of our forefathers. While our State was yet almost a wilder- ness, those who themselves felt the want of education were most careful that their children should not be grown up in igno- rance, and the efforts they made to estab- lish and support common schools and sem- inaries for the higher branches of learning, must forever command our gratitude and admiration."

Such sentiments are "like apples of gold in pictures of silver," and show the character of the man. He took an inter- est in the education of all our people, and did not fail to speak an encouraging word when it would do good. He took an in- terest also in agriculture. Desiring to improve the stock of cattle in this vicinity, he imported a full blood Durham into town, and for many years the milking qual- ities of the dairy were improved to a good degree. It was by his influence that the Washington County Agricultural Fair was held one year in Northfield, on what is now called Central street ; and it was one of the most successful fairs ever held in this county. He loved good cattle, and good horses.

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He built and kept in" good forder a fish |William Rogers and E. A. Webb it was a pond near his hotel, where he lived, and popular resort, and in good times, when the Vermont Central and Northfield were in their days of prosperity, it was no un- common thing to have from 50 to 100 guests at this house at a time. took great delight in feeding the fish from his hand. Gov. Paine's celebrated fish pond, 10 x 8 rods, was one of the curiosi- ties of the Depot village.

He built the hotel in the Depot village, and before its alteration the cars came across the common from both directions, and would stop at the south end of the building for refreshments. In the days of

VERMONT CENTRAL RAILROAD CO., IN DIRECTORS' MEETING, Aug. 25, 1853. 1

Resolved, That this Board has with deep sorrow received intelligence of the death of the Hon. Charles Paine, late President of

CHARLES PAINE

SON OF

BORN

DIED

PAINE

HOTO-ENG. CO. N.Y

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this Company, and in consideration of his placed over the Governor's remains in our indefatigable and important services in originating and sustaining the corporation, and of his honorable character as its chief officer, we deem the event a suitable one for the official action of the Board.

Resolved, That in token of our individual respect and regard, and the high estima- tion in which we hold the character and memory of the deceased, we will in a body attend his funeral obsequies.

Resolved, That the President be em- powered and requested to furnish free passes to the relatives and friends of the deceased, for the purpose of attending his funeral at Northfield, on the Ist inst.

E. P. WALTON, Jr., Clerk.

The following were the committee for Gov. Paine's funeral : Samuel W. Thayer, Jr., John Gregory, Moses Robinson, Heman Carpenter, Perley Belknap, Elijah Smith, Jr., Northfield, Dec. 16, 1853.

A handsome granite monument was

beautiful Elmwood, by the generosity and munificence of his friend, Benjamin P. Cheney, Esq., of Boston, at a cost of $1,000, on which we read the following epitaph :

"Happy in his parentage, a youth of preparation Was followed by an early maturity of usefulness, Invigorated by many virtues, and adorned By many manly aets;

Devoted to his native State, he applied

Ilis talents, his wealth, and his strength to the Advancement of her great publie works,

And the encouragement of her institutions of learning. Having bestowed upon Vermont benefits of which The value cannot yet be justly appreciated,

He considered the wants of the world and the age, And, while seeking a path which should unite The Atlantic with the Pacific coast, he died In a distant land, far from those who loved hin. Having merited well of the Commonwealth And his kind, his remains were here interred, Hallowed by public honors, and private tears."

[Gov. Paine, after a sickness of 26 days, died at Waco, Texas, July 6, 1853, age 54.

Mortal shall

put on Immorta

ELMWOOD CEMETERY.

BY DR. PHILANDER D. BRADFORD.

nated to the people of Northfield by their late benefactor, ex - Governor Charles Paine.

April 1, 1854, many of the citizens of the town met in the office of Hon. Heman Carpenter, to ef- fect an organization under the general statutes, sub- sequently known as " The Northfield Cemetery As- sociation." Hon. Heman Carpenter was chairman, and George Nichols clerk.

A committee of five were appointed to prepare articles of agreement, and a code of by-laws. At an adjourned meeting, April 8, the committee present- ed a code of by-laws, which were adopted, and an organization was per-

Within the corporate limits of the vil- fected by electing a president, clerk, treas- urer, and five curators.

lage of Northfield, just north of the same, upon a beautiful piece of table land, is situated Elmwood Cemetery.

Governor Paine having deceased, his administrators, James C. Dunn, of Bos- ton, and Miss Caroline Paine, of New

The ground originally comprised an area of 6 acres and 36 rods, and was do- | York, agreeable to his expressed wish, ex-

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ecuted a deed of the above mentioned land to the Northfield Cemetery Association. The deed contains the following words : " In consideration of one dollar and good will paid to our full satisfaction, we grant, confirm, and convey to the Northfield Cemetery Association the following des- cribed land, etc., for the burial of the dead, and for no other purpose." The cu- rators proceeded at once to inclose the grounds, lay out lots, avenues, walks, and open areas, causing the lots to be num- bered, and a chart to be made of the same. But death was faster than they, on the 26th of the same month, even before the grounds were inclosed, the remains of Daniel Stevens were buried there, his be- ing the first grave in the cemetery. In October, 1855, an act was passed by the Legislature of Vermont incorporating the Northfield Cemetery Association. The

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The history of Washington county, in the Vermont historical gazetteer:, Part 107

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press Number of Pages: 1066

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890, [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt., Vermont watchman and state journal press
Number of Pages: 1066