USA > Vermont > Caledonia County > St Johnsbury > The town of St. Johnsbury, Vt. ; a review of one hundred twenty-five years to the anniversary pageant 1912 > Part 22
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THE COTTAGE HOTEL. One morning before breakfast in 1852, the lot on which this building stands was purchased of Dr. Bancroft by Richard B. Flint, in exchange for a horse valued at $200. At that time Mr. Flint put up a house twenty-two by twenty-eight feet, which in after years he enlarged to fifty by seventy feet with three stories, and opened as the Cottage Hotel. It was well named, being a strictly temperance house, with a quiet home like atmosphere and family cordiality that won exten- sive patronage and made it for more than thirty years a favor- ite traveler's home. Mr. Flint opened the first livery on Railroad street ; he had fine horses and was a reliable dealer ; during the Civil war he purchased and personally delivered in one bunch at Washington 253 horses for the government service, all but one of which were accepted as sound and in prime condition. He fur- nished a total of 1240 horses for cavalry service.
Shortly after the outbreak of the war Governor Fairbanks was to go on a special engine via White River to St. Albans to dispatch a regiment. Mr. Flint said he could shorten the time by landing him on an engine at Montpelier. He took a pair of horses that had been on a dump cart part of that day, put them in trim for the trip, drove to Marshfield, there treated each horse to a quart of bran in water, brought the Governor to the Montpelier engine in three hours from St. Johnsbury, without a wet hair on
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the horses, merely running over a Plainfield skunk that wasn't spry enough to get out of the way.
THE SHIRE TOWN 1856
In 1796, on the organization of Caledonia County, Danville, a central and important town, was constituted the shire, and re- mained such for sixty years. After the opening of the Passumpsic Railroad, St. Johnsbury, by reason of its rapid growth and ac- cessibility began to be regarded as the business center of the County and the most desirable place for the County buildings. The question of a change of location was recurring from year to year, till 1855, when by an act of the Legislature a Committee of three disinterested persons was appointed to examine and select the best location between Barnet and Lyndon for the Court House and other County buildings. The men who served on this Com- mittee were Thomas Reed of Montpelier, Judge Hebard of Chelsea, John Pierpont of Vergennes. After due examination made, this Committee met at St. Johnsbury, Nov. 29, 1855, and made their report, as directed, to the County Judges. Hon. Thomas Bartlett appeared urging the claims of Lyndon, Joseph Potts Esq. argued for Barnet, Judge Poland for St. Johnsbury. The Committee rejected all consideration of pecuniary offers from the different towns, basing their decision solely on the ques- tion of best accomodating the people of the County. They made choice of St. Johnsbury for the shire town.
The bill that authorized this change had passed the House by a vote of 170 to 19, and had the unanimous vote of the Senate. It authorized the County Judges to purchase suitable grounds, and secure contracts for the erection of the necessary buildings. They immediately purchased the old burial ground, from which all bodies had been removed in anticipation of this event. Question as to the validity of the title that could be given, having been in the air, a bond in the sum of $10,000, signed by citizens who were said at the time to be responsible for more than half a million, was given to the Judges. This instrument, with the fifty-two names upon it, is here entered as an interesting item in the history of that period.
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BOND
"Know all men by these presents that we who have hereunto signed our names and affixed our seals, are held and firmly bound unto the County of Caledonia in the penal sum of Ten Thousand Dollars, for the payment of which sum well and truly to be made to the said County of Caledonia, we bind ourselves and each of us, our heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents, in testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names and set our seals at St. Johnsbury in said County, on this sixth day of Feb- ruary, A. D. 1856.
"The condition of the above obligation is such that, if said Caledonia County shall erect a Court House upon a piece of ground in the Village of St. Johnsbury heretofore used and occupied for a burying ground ; but from which, persons buried there have been removed-for the use of Cale- donia County ; and the said County shall never more hereafter be disturbed or molested in the occupancy of said land for that purpose so long as they shall so occupy it, but shall quietly enjoy and possess the same-this obliga- tion shall be void and of no effect. But if said County shall ever be evicted from the occupation of said land for the purpose above named, then shall this obligation be in full force and effect, and the obligors covenant to indemnify and save harmless the said County against all loss and damage sustained by such eviction." Signed
Ephraim Paddock
Ephraim Chamberlin Francis Bingham
Emerson Hall
Erastus Fairbanks
John Stevens
T. Trescott
Wm. S. Watson
H. H. Deming
A. J. Willard
A. H. Wilcox
Franklin Fairbanks
Joseph Boles
J. P. Bancroft
J. C. Bingham
Levi Fuller
Frank Deming
Geo. A. Merrill John Hawes
Asa L. French
Ephraim Jewett
Moses Kittredge
S. G. Brackett
E. F. Brown
Jona. Lawrence
T. M. Howard
D. Boynton Isaac Woods
B. Moulton
Hubbard Hastings
Thaddeus Fairbanks
William Sanborn
E. C. Redington
Noah Eastman
A. G. Chadwick
J. S. Carr
B. B. Clark
Horace Fairbanks
James K. Colby
Beniah Sanborn
Horace Paddock
Thomas Spooner
Russell Hallett
Lambert Hastings
Samuel Jewett
Selim Frost
Nathan Ayer
Calvin Morrill
S. W. Slade
J. M. Warner
George Downing
E. D. Blodgett
The way was now clear to proceed with the work of construc- tion. The Court House as originally planned was to cost $13,000. To secure architectural features not possible under that specification, individuals in the town subscribed an additional amount of $1200. This secured the erection of a building of brick with brown stone trimmings in the Italian style, fronting 96 feet on Main street, enclosing a court room 52 by 57 feet and a town hall 52 by 65 feet dimensions, with requisite official rooms and offices.
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TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY
The contract for building was awarded to E. and T. Fair- banks and Company. Work was begun in May, and in December it was pronounced "finished in a most substantial and workman- like manner, every item in the specifications having been execut- ed with the utmost fidelity." Of the entire expense of $14,200 rather more than two-fifths in cash was met by the town of St. Johnsbury, viz .- for the Town Hall $3000, share of County tax $1770, individual subscriptions $1200; a total of $5970 in bills paid, plus special consideration on the estimated valuation of the site, which would bring this town's investment up to half the ap- praisal of the completed work. Thirty-three years later import- ant improvements were made on the interior, and in an annex on the east side a commodious vault was installed for records and documents, finished November 1889, at an expense of $9995.75.
The new building was completed in time to seat the Decem- ber term of Court 1856, Judge Poland presiding. At the close of the session Hon. C. S. Dana gave a reception to members of the bar and citizens at the St. Johnsbury House. Among those who participated in events of the evening were Stoddard B. Colby, S. B. Mattocks, Ephraim Paddock, James D. Bell, C. W. Willard, Bliss N. Davis, Thomas Bartlett, Geo. C. Cahoon, Pliny H. White, Erastus Fairbanks. The fraternal courtesies and fel- lowships that graced the occasion were declared to be character- istic of the Caledonia Bar. The new and well appointed home of the Court elicited congratulations and praise, and a hearty wel- come to it was given by citizens of the town.
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CATTLE FAIRS AND FAIR GROUNDS
Old fashioned cattle fairs were held in different towns of the County irregularly till 1834, after which date they became an an- nual event. An account of the Fair of 1838 is given on page 201. In this town the exhibitions were held on Main street and the ad- joining fields; there were at first no horse trots unless "the old French Morrill horse was warmed up" for the occasion. House- hold products, needle work, butter, cheese, preserves, etc. were displayed in the Meeting House or some other sheltered place. Big pumpkins would be piled up outside. On the level fields
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where Summer street now runs, were held the plowing matches ; exciting times with the crowds of spectators, the shouts of Gee Buck and Haw Star to the oxen "when the old fashioned Fair- banks swallow-tailed plough would rip up the furrows." A more systematic management of the Fairs began with the formation of
THE CALEDONIA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
At the call of 63 men of the County, this Society was organ- ized in the Inn of Joseph Hutchinson, present site of the St. Johnsbury House, Jan. 23, 1844. Henry Stevens of Barnet, Pres- ident ; J. P. Fairbanks, Secretary. From the records of this first meeting of the Society is taken the following : "Whereas, it has been reported that Caledonia County surpasses any other County in the Union in the value of her agricultural products in propor- tion to her population; therefore, Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed whose duty it shall be to ascertain the facts and report at our next meeting whether Old Caledonia up here in Vermont is really the Banner County of the United States." The said Committee was named, but no record of their findings is at hand. Under management of the Agricultural Society the annual Fairs were conducted with increasing popular interest during the next ten years ; meanwhile the need of suitable and permanent grounds was becoming more urgent and imperative.
COUNTY FAIR OF 1847. ST. JOHNSBURY PLAIN. SOME PREMIUMS
Best yoke oxen $4 Best heifer or bull calf $2 Three year old steers $3 Two year old colt 3 Stud $5
Milch Cow $3. Fine wool buck sheep $3
Best acre wheat $5 Corn $4 Oats $3 Potatoes $3
Six squashes 50c Square rod onions 50c Box honey 10 lbs. $1
30 1b. tub butter $3 Tub maple sugar $3 100 lbs. cheese $2
Best ten yards of domestic
Woolen frocking $1 Fulled cloth $1 Flannel $1 Carpeting $1
Six straw hats 50c
6 Palm leaf hats 50c Linen table spread 50c
THE CALEDONIA FAIRGROUND COMPANY was organized in 1855. This was a stock company of 50 shares at $20 each, in + which, to secure wider distribution of the stock no person at the first could hold more than two shares. Enough however was
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taken to secure the purchase of the grounds above Paddock Vil- lage now occupied by the Catholic cemetery. These were fenced and fitted up with a temporary track and cattle sheds and a build- ing 30 by 100 feet, at an expense of $1000. Members of the Ag- ricultural Society were entitled to free tickets. Others paid fifteen cents.
The Fair of Sept. 15, 1855, the first one held, far surpassed any other ever had in the County. Entries were double the usual number ; this town had a string of 28 yoke of oxen; ten thousand people were in attendance. Col. George A. Merrill was Chief Marshal; the parade of the Fire Companies was a great attraction, continued with 150 torch lights in the evening. "In the numbers present, in the variety and extent of articles and animals entered, in the orderly and well arranged conduct of everything, the County Fair of 1855 stands without a parallel in the history of the Agri- cultural Society, and seldom if ever has been surpassed by any County Fair held in the State." A man from Manchester, N. H. remarked "I've attended a good many State and County fairs, but never one where such admirable arrangements were observable throughout. You Caledonia folks have a knack of doing things that we haven't yet learned."
At the Fair of 1856, the first balloon ascension in the town was made from these Paddock Village grounds, by John Wise of Boston in his "Young America." This balloon was inflated with 10,000 feet of gas. The day was a good one; in fifteen minutes he was above the clouds sailing away to the northeast; in an hour and a half he landed in Stratford, N. H., forty-five miles away. The next evening he returned and gave a story of his voyage to 800 people in the new Union Hall.
On the 11th of October, 1857, the Caledonia Fair Ground Company was reorganized under legislative act of that year, and negotiations were begun for securing the new grounds on the Passumpsic road. The purchase was made, a half-mile track was laid out, the floral hall erected, being at that time the largest in the state. These new grounds were first opened for the Fair of Sept. 28, 29, 1859.
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EXPANSION
ON THE NEW FAIR GROUNDS
The Fair of 1859 rivalled all preceding ones. The new grounds were admired as having peculiar and perfect adaptation to the purpose ; the interest awakened among farmers, mechanics, artisans, ladies and in fact everybody throughout the County amounted to enthusiasm. Waterford marched 111 yoke of oxen thro the gates, said to be the largest and finest string ever made up in one town in the state. St. Johnsbury's team of 75 yoke was escorted by the Cornet Band; among principal owners were Charles Stark, Nahum Stiles, Royal Ayer, W. C. Arnold, Zelotes Spaulding, Leonard Shorey, Harris Knapp, Hollis Roberts. The large muscular Natives and Durhams were interspersed with beautiful dark red symmetrical Devons, and a sprinkling of Ayre- shires and Herefords. Sheep, swine, horses and colts were abundant and excellent; a span of yearling colts, Black Hawk Morgan, gentle and spirited tho not yet used to harness, were greatly admired-also the white stallion finely mounted by Col. Geo. A. Merrill, Chief Marshal. There were many superior trot- ters on the course notwithstanding this region had been drained of its best to supply the city markets. Amongst the dairy pro- ducts were 40 tubs of nice butter and 13 large mellow cheeses ; more than 400 articles were displayed in Floral Hall, a large ex- hibit of homespun making one of the chief attractions of the day.
At the Fair of 1860 there was an agricultural car built at the Center Village, an immense vehicle drawn by 55 yoke of oxen. In 1861 this car was utilized for transporting young cattle, sheep, pigs and fowls, and hanging on the outer walls were products of the field-squash, pumpkins, corn, wheat, oats, the whole moving like a huge triumphal car thro the streets.
The Fair of 1863 is remembered for the first appearance of a horseless. carriage. "The great novelty known as Roper's Steam Carriage attracted universal attention and wonder. It was greeted with loud huzzahs as it came on to the track and many took the opportunity of riding in so novel a vehicle. It is lower than a common buggy ; it has created excitement on the roads around Boston."
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TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY
The New Fair Grounds became the general rendezvous for athletic sports, military drills and camps, also the tenting field for traveling entertainments, caravans, circuses and miscellaneous attractions that came along. At one time we saw the Cardiff Giant lying here in state, another time the old rickety Deadwood Coach was set upon and plundered by Buffalo Bill's Wild West riders, as 16,000 witnesses could testify. The announcements of the Fair Ground Company record a voluminous list of side shows, races, parades, balloonings, exhibits and events, terrestrial and aerial, thro fifty years, from the day when the 200 yoke of oxen first paced around the race track, to the bright afternoon in 1910, when Willard made his aeroplane flight, saluted by 10,000 ad- mirers.
At the Fair of 1912 the receipts were $12,437.50, the ex- penses $12,227.24.
XXII
WAR
"Deeming it their duty to fight for the cause of Liberty and the Greeks, even against Greeks."
Plato.
"When Greeks joined Greeks then was the tug of war."
.
SUNDAY QUIET-A TELEGRAM-PROCLAMATION FROM THIS TOWN -RALLY AT TOWN HALL-VOLUNTEERS-LADIES' AID - THIRD REGIMENT-FLAG PRESENTATION-THE TENTH AND ELEVENTH-FROST AND CHAMBERLIN-ARMY LIFE-NOTABLE ESCAPES-THE LAST GUN-SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-WAR AGAIN -COMPANY D.
PREPARING FOR WAR
While our people were in the quiet of Sunday morning wor- ship, April 14, 1861, the community was startled by a telegram announcing the fall of Fort Sumter. On the 15th of April President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops, of which the State of Vermont should furnish one regiment.
It happened that at this time the Governor of the State was Erastus Fairbanks, thus it also happened that the first official docu- ment of the war in Vermont or in any other state, was penned and issued in the town of St. Johnsbury, the same day. It read as fol- lows :-
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TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY
STATE OF VERMONT
BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. A PROCLAMATION
Whereas an armed rebellion against the government of the United States exists, the object of which is to subvert and revo- lutionize the government: And, whereas, the President of the United States thro the Secretary of War, has made a requisition upon me for a regiment of men for immediate service, to which requisition I have responded by issuing the proper orders to the Adjutant and Inspector General :
Now, therefore, I, Erastus Fairbanks, Governor of the State of Vermont, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Consti- tution, do hereby issue my Proclamation for convening the Gen- eral Assembly in an extra session ; and I do hereby summon the members of the Senate and House of Representatives to meet to- gether in their respective Chambers at Montpelier together with the officers of the two houses, on Tuesday the twenty-third day of April, instant, at ten o'clock, A. M., for the purpose of adopting measures for organizing, arming and equipping the Militia of the State, and for co-operating effectually with the General Govern- ment in suppressing insurrection and executing the laws.
Given under my hand and the seal of the State at St. Johns- bury, this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty Fifth.
ERASTUS FAIRBANKS.
By the Governor, Geo. A. Merrill
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs.
That the spirit of the Governor was intensely moved appears in his Address to the General Assembly, every word of which also reflected the sentiment of the men of Vermont.
"The enormity of this rebellion is heightened by the consid- eration that no valid excuse exists for it. The history of the civilized world does not furnish an instance where a revolution was attempted for such slight cause ; no act of oppression, no attempted or threatened invasion of the rights of the revolted
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WAR
states has existed, but the principle has been recognized and ob- served that the right of each and every state to regulate its domestic institutions should remain inviolate." * *
"It is devoutly to be hoped that the mad ambition of seces- sion leaders may be restrained and the impending sanguinary conflict averted. * * The United States Government must be sustained and the rebellion suppressed at whatever cost of men and treasure. May that Divine Being who rules among the na- tions and directs the affairs of men interpose by his merciful Providence and restore to us again the blessings of peace under the ægis of our National Constitution."
The Legislature responded promptly and liberally ; placed a million of dollars at the Governor's disposal, and before the regu- lar session of October had convened, six regiments had been raised and equipped, also two companies of sharp shooters and a squadron of cavalry.
PATRIOTIC RALLY
On Tuesday, 16th of April, the day after the President's Proclamation, St. Johnsbury Town Hall was filled to overflowing in a patriotic rally, presided over by Hon. A. G. Chadwick. The Proclamations of President Lincoln and Gov. Fairbanks were read, stirring addresses were made and resolutions unanimously adopt- ed pledging support to the government and devotion to the Flag of the Union. Friday evening, April 19, there was a patriotic Band Concert with spirited rendering of national airs and speeches to fit the occasion. Monday evening, April 22, another rally was held; addresses were made by Hon. Chas. S. Dana, Chairman, by Judge Poland and the Governor, after which seventy men gave their names in writing as volunteers for military service. Indi- viduals pledged $1700 for equipments and supplies, also thirty revolvers, and the Fairbanks Company appropriated $2000 for the families of enlisted men. The Center Village raised a separate fund of several hundred dollars.
Of the 70 men who volunteered that evening the following were in active service at the front :-
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TOWN OF ST. JOHNSBURY
Henry G. Ely
Charles L. Paddock
John W. Ramsay Henry C. Newell
A. E. Worthen
Curtis R. Crossman
Samuel W. Hall Orren Chase
Oliver W. Heyer
John P. Eddy
C. R. J. Kellum
Fred E. Carpenter
Hiram Hanscom
William E. Parish
John Green
John H. Hutchinson
E. P. Warner
A. O. Kidder
A. F. Felch
William L. Jackson
John S. Kilby
Albert J. Ayer
C. F. Spaulding
Carlton Felch
William Norris
A. C. Armington
On Saturday of the same week, April 27, a Ladies' Aid As- sociation was organized at the Town Hall with upwards of 150 members, for such aid and comfort as they might render to the soldiers and to the cause. Among the resolutions at that time adopted was the following :-
"Whereas, our citizens and friends have offered themselves to endure the toils and hardships of war, therefore, we will consider all our time and energies consecrated to the work of fitting them for their service ; also, Re- solved, that in consideration of the need of strict economy to supply the necessities of our Country, we, the ladies of St. Johnsbury, will retrench our individual expenses and will purchase during the coming season only calico or low priced muslin for dresses unless for some special reason other material should be required. We will also observe the same economy in all our ap- parel, laying aside costly gloves and purchasing plain bonnets and no un- necessary articles whatever."
THE THIRD REGIMENT
Military activity began to appear on our streets ; Hon. C. S. Dana was appointed recruiting officer ; Col. Hyde of Hyde Park, a West Point man, drilled 100 men day time and evenings. St. Johnsbury was fixed on as rendezvous for the Third Vermont Regiment, which now began to muster on the Fair Grounds, in Camp Baxter, so named from the Adjutant and Inspector General Baxter. Instead of tents for shelter the main building on the grounds was enlarged to a length of 340 feet, furnished with three tiers of bunks for 1000 men. Dining tables ran thro the center of the building, and a reservoir was built for spring water from the neighboring hillside. There was also a building put up for the culinary department, another for hospital service, and the Camp Baxter Post Office was installed, From this office after the Regi- ment was made up, more than 300 letters besides newspapers were mailed in one day. Some one remarked that two-thirds of
Franklin Belknap D. C. Haviland
Charles Hodgdon
Thomas Bishop
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this mail matter was addressed to Nellie, Susie, Katie, Jennie, etc., indicating a good number of sweethearts left behind among the hills.
Ladies of the town did much for the cheer and comfort of the Camp. "Thanks to the Ladies for the profusion of beautiful bouquets. The fragrant captives from garden and bower are the more welcome from the fact that roses are seldom dropped in the pathway of the soldier." One of the Vergennes Company wrote "To find such a large and beautiful place nestled among the fertile hills of northern Vermont was a matter of surprise ; but the sub- stantial bounty provided for us by the Ladies of St. Johnsbury is what might be expected of true Green Mountain Girls." Flowers, fruit, jellies, needlework, books, periodicals and other miscellany were included in the substantial bounty referred to.
THE REGIMENTAL FLAG
Among other things the Ladies of St. Johnsbury raised among themselves $100 for the purchase of materials which they made up into a Regimental Flag. This was sixteen by eight feet in size and was formally presented thro the hand of the Governor on the Fourth of July. This being the first Independence Day after the outbreak of the war, an intense patriotic feeling was manifest and throngs of people filled the town. At sunrise a national salute of 34 guns was fired from the twelve-pounder on the high bluff south of the Plain overlooking Camp Baxter, ac- companied by a half hour ringing of all the bells of the village. This was repeated at noon and at sundown. There were 1500 people who came in on the morning trains, and every road into the town was thronged for miles with vehicles and men on foot, till more than ten thousand were assembled at the camp grounds. At two o'clock P. M., the men were drawn up in line of battle, fronted by the Governor with his staff and the Ladies who had the Regimental Flag.
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