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 31
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It was seven and a half years before through connection was finally consummated. The last rail was laid in the town of Fletcher on the 17th of July, 1877. A special train left here in
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the morning carrying a hundred people, another from Swanton coming east met this one in the field where the rails were to be connected. Col. A. B. Jewett, Supt., handed a silver spike to Governor Fairbanks, President of the road, requesting him to drive it home as the last act in uniting the rails between Con- necticut River and the Lake. This done, there were cheers and a tiger ; addresses were made by Judge Poland and Hon. John B. Brown of Portland, who said that that city had put three millions of dollars into this enterprise, which, when first proposed to them by Governor Fairbanks ten years before, they had regarded as an impossibility.
"The scene at the joining of the rails was one of deep inter- est. Hundreds of men and women had come from the towns about, to witness the ceremony that was to give them a Railroad. The place was significant ; away from city or village ; away from all habitation ; in a broad valley skirted by a luxuriant wood ; a fit place for the last crowning act of such an enterprise. And when the shouts went up and the last sounds of the doxology had died away in that secluded place, there were many thankful hearts and some moist eyes to testify the genuineness and depth of feeling which pervaded that assembly."
THE ST. JOHNSBURY AND LAKE CHAMPLAIN ROAD
An immediate and very gratifying reduction in freight rates to and from St. Johnsbury went into effect on the opening of this competing route. There was a prompt and notable drop in the price of coal and other commodities. The towns along the line eagerly welcomed the easier contact with the business world and the more advantageous marketing of their products. As an in- vestment proposition however the new road failed to reap the financial advantages that were anticipated. Both the construction and up-keep, and the running expenses were unexpectedly heavy. The indebtedness increased and the bonds and the stock depre- ciated. Litigation arose, a receivership was appointed and re- organization was effected, under the name of the St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Railroad, which assumed the management July 1, 1880, with the following officers :
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Horace Fairbanks, president ; William P. Fairbanks, secretary- treasurer; Albert W. Hastings, clerk and cashier; Charles H. Stevens, general freight and passenger agent; John R. Rust, road engineer ; George E. Howe, master mechanic-all of St. Johnsbury ; Col. A. B. Jewett of Swanton, superintendent. A new and substantial steamboat was purchased to ply between Swanton and Plattsburg ; important improvements were made and the prospect brightened.
By purchase of the bulk of stock the Boston and Lowell came into control of the road in April, 1885; somewhile after the Boston and Maine in like manner purchased it, and has continued to run it as an independent line yielding a very considerable annual deficit.
ADVENTURES OF THE ST. JOHNSBURY
The first locomotive put upon the Lake Road after the rails were laid to Hyde Park was the ST. JOHNSBURY NO. 1, built at the Portland locomotive works. Her first engineer was Alanson Burt under whose steady hand she ran for many years, and with whom she shared some experiences during the early troublous days of that road, not set down on the regular schedule. On the 19th day of May, 1876, while creeping along the track this side the East Village after the great flood, she suddenly lurched and rolled over into Moose River on the Hovey meadow. While she lay there on her left side half submerged in water, the river proceeded to dig itself a short-cut channel which presently penned the engine up on an island of its own. The process of landing her again on the rails afforded entertainment to a multitude of interested spec- tators from different parts of the town.
Some years later under similar conditions she again took a bath by tumbling into the Lamoille River near Cambridge. En- gineer Burt was fished out thro the cab window by the conductor. Life on the Lake Road after a while came to be too strenuous for the ST. JOHNSBURY and finally her trips on the rail were ended ; she was sold for $340 and her boiler was converted into a station- ary engine.
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MEMORIAL OBSERVANCES
PRESIDENT LINCOLN April 19, 1865
"Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues -plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking-off."
Consternation and grief made the day a solemn one. It was Friday, one week from the Black Friday on which the assassin's bullet did its fatal work. Factories, shops and schools were closed at ten o'clock, and the tide of population flowed into Union Park and the schoolhouse grounds. The assembly was marshalled into line by Col. C. F. Spaulding and his aids ; at the front a military escort of two companies of infantry and one of cavalry, followed by veterans recently returned from fields of battle ; then came the group of 36 misses representing the re- united states of the Union, the small army of school children and various groups of citizens.
To the tolling of bells the long line moved slowly down the streets and into the South church. The heavy drapery of mourn- ing on the white walls of the auditorium was relieved by con- spicuous Bible verses. The interval of silence was broken by low tones from the organ and the chanting of a psalm ; the deep feeling of the audience had expression in the prayer of Rev. L. O. Brastow, the pastor, and in scriptures read by Rev. E. C. Cum- mings. The serious countenance and grave tones of Judge Poland gave impressiveness to his portrayal of the martyred President as a public servant. The simplicity and moral grandeur of the man, his high-souled dedication to the service of his coun- try would abide as an inspiration and example to all future genera- tions.
This occasion was memorable for its peculiar solemnity and important life-lessons, and would have been yet more so could it have been foreseen that this was first in a series of commemora- tions of similiar tragedies yet to come.
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PRESIDENT GARFIELD
September 26, 1881
"God reigns and the Government at Washington still lives."
On the speaker's stand erected front of the Court House were displayed these words-with which at a critical moment, Garfield, leaping into a balcony, had quelled the fury of the mob in New York City. At two o'clock veterans of the army and citizens were escorted to the grounds by the Band which played a funeral march. Prayer by Rev. B. M. Tillotson. Col. Franklin Fair- banks presided and in the course of his remarks said that the great bell on St. Paul's Cathedral in London had tolled for the death of President Garfield, a thing never done before except for royal personages.
There were four addresses. Hon. Henry C. Ide pointed out that Garfield's training in self-discipline, in resolute command of himself during his boyhood and student days, laid the enduring foundation for his subsequent splendid and patriotic career. His quite remarkable achievements as a military officer were vividly portrayed by Henry C. Bates, Esquire. Judge Poland had been Garfield's comrade for ten years in Congress ; he gave him fore- most rank as a statesman of broad vision and courage whose con- duct actuated by purest patriotism had won the unbounded confi- dence of all parties. Rev. E. T. Sandford represented Garfield as a religious man who on all occasions and before all people radi- ated the light and warmth of a devout Christian spirit. The ser- vices of the day were long and impressive, 2000 people were there, and at the end they seemed in no haste to leave the spot. where a great bond of sympathy had been holding them on their feet so long together. Business was suspended during the after- noon and evening.
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EX-PRESIDENT GRANT
August 9, 1885
"The man who by his consummate military ability had saved the nation, always in his life put simplicity before distinction and duty before pleasure."
This time it was not tragedy but commemoration that as- sembled the people on Saturday afternoon in Music Hall. Gen- eral Grant had rounded an eventful and honorable life with a peaceful death. The introductory address was by Gov. Horace Fairbanks, who considered the greatness of the military leader surpassed by the greatness of the private citizen, whose place was now forever secure in the esteem and love of his countrymen. Judge Poland continued in a similar strain; with indomitable firmness and patience Grant had commanded great armies, with the same he calmly faced the bitter misfortunes of later life and the dreaded malady that put an end to it. The remarks of Dr. C. L. Goodell of St. Louis were felicitously made, as is indicated by the words above quoted.
In the class that was graduated at Yale College in 1859 was a breezy lovable young Southerner, Rector by name, from the state of Texas. During the civil war he belonged to the picked cavalry of the Texas Rangers whose dashing exploits were well known throughout the South. It happened that Rector, who in the meantime had become Judge Rector of Austin, was spending some while in St. Johnsbury visiting this writer, his classmate. He readily accepted an invitation to participate in the Grant Memorial services, and was introduced as a representative of the Confederate Army. "I am most happy," he said, "as one born in the South and educated at a New England College to join heartily with you in this commemoration. * Now, after the grass has been for twenty years growing green on the hillocks where your friends and ours are sleeping-we of the South are ready to say and we do say that our defeat was for the best *; the blight of slavery has been removed, our interests are linked with yours, this great country now undivided is ours as well as yours and we of the South will stand by you in defending
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it." Such sentiments as these from Southern lips had not before been voiced in this town and they were received with prolonged applause. Judge Rector's fluent, frank and cordial manner of speech won every heart and gave éclat to the occasion.
PRESIDENT MCKINLEY September 15, 1901
"From the high place whereon our votes Had borne him-clear, calm, earnest, fell His strong words, like the prelude notes Of some great anthem yet to swell."
Memorial services were held Sunday evening, September 15, in the North Church, which was appropriately draped for the oc- casion. Selections from the Midnight Mass of Dudley Buck were rendered in the opening anthem. There were three ad- dresses by three of the village pastors-Geo. W. Hunt, Rector Pickells, Edward T. Fairbanks. The two former deprecated pre- vailing social conditions which had bred discontent and encour- aged anarchistic tendencies ; we must devote our energies to building up civic virtue, reverence for law and the righteousness that exalteth a nation.
The remarks that followed took direction from the Presi- dent's farewell words-"Good bye; it is God's way ; his will be done." God's way is to bring order out of chaos, to turn disaster into victory. Man's will works its cruel deed; God's will takes it up, reverses its aim, forces it to work the very opposite. God's will be done in turning this bitter tragedy to the sobering and sweetening of popular thought, to bringing in good will and sym- pathy, purity of life, broadening charity and reverence for sacred things.
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
PRESIDENT HARRISON August 26, 1891
A hundred years of events in her history had passed before the town had opportunity to welcome a Chief Magistrate. Then
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on the 26th of August, 1891, President Harrison accompanied by Senator Redfield Proctor and party, stepped from the train and was escorted by 800 citizens with banners and music to Under- clyffe, where entertainment was given by Col. Franklin Fairbanks. In the evening, which was brilliant with flags and swinging lan- terns, the President addressed 15,000 people from the front balcony of the Athenaeum.
He remarked that the taste, beauty and elaboration of the decorations which greeted his arrival here exceeded anything he had seen elsewhere on this trip. He paid a graceful and eloquent tribute to our national flag as representing the heroism and the ideals of the American people, and added :-
"I am most happy to witness in this prosperous New England town so many evidences that your community is intelligent, industrious, enterprising, and your people lovers of home and of order. You have here manufacturing establishments whose fame and products have spread throughout the world. You have here public-spirited citizens who have established institutions that will be ministering to the good of generations to come. You have here an intelligent and educated class of skilled workmen ; nothing pleased me more as I passed through your streets today than to be told that here and there were the homes of the working people of St. Johnsbury, homes where every evidence of comfort was apparent, homes where taste has been brought to make attractive the abodes in which tired men sought rest, homes that must have been made sweet for the children and comfortable for the wives whose place of toil and responsibility is there. This is what binds men to good order, to good citizenship, to the flag of the constitution ; and I venture to say that all our public policy, all our legislation, may wisely keep in view the end of perpetuating an independent, contented, prosperous and hopeful working-class in America."
A Boston man, some years after, said, "I had occasion to meet Benjamin Harrison up at St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he ad- dressed a large crowd of people and shook hands with hundreds of them. I never shall forget the grip the President gave my hand ; it was a grasp that meant sincerity, whole-heartedness, strength of character ; it won him hosts of friends during his polit- ical career." +
This demonstration in honor of the President was initiated and conducted by the Board of Trade; popular interest in it was in- dicated by subscriptions of nearly $1000 to ensure its success. It
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was in all respects a brilliant occasion and justified the President's appreciative acknowledgement. The long column of uniformed orders and citizens in five divisions with three brass bands moving along the gaily decorated streets made an imposing display. There was a halt at the Public School grounds on Summer street, where 250 children gave salute and sang America under direction of Harry May, after which they placed a huge floral key in the hands of the President as a symbol that he now had the freedom of the city ; it was accepted with a graceful response.
PRESIDENT TAFT
October 9, 1912
A train of automobiles went from this town to Montpelier on the ninth of October, 1912, a month before the national election, and returned with President Taft, reaching here at noon. After luncheon at Underclyffe, the party was escorted by various orders in uniform, including the veterans of Chamberlin Post and the boys of Champlain Guard and of Company D to the Athenaeum. Factories, stores and schools were closed and the streets were gay with profusion of bunting. The President was presented by Alexander Dunnett, Esquire. The crowd cheered, the President smiled. He made ready contact with the audience by referring to his selection of a St. Johnsbury man, Judge Henry C. Ide, to serve on the Philippine Commission; one result of which was the introduction of many Vermont ideas among the people of the tropics. Having found Mr. Ide a careful guardian of the public interests in that position he subsequently gave him the appoint- ment of U. S. Minister to Spain. He said :
"Vermont is a small state but her soldiers did heroic service in the Civil War and her able men have given her distinction in public affairs ; they have proved to be a safe reliance in the councils of the nation. New responsibilities have come upon us since becoming one of the great world powers. A powerful nation, like a wealthy man, is in duty bound to aid and benefit those who are weaker. This is what we are trying to do, aiming
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to promote peace, to develop natural resources and increase hap- piness among all."
It did not appear that day that the public duties of the Presi- dent had seriously reduced his avoirdupois. As an experiment in that direction he said that he went one time to Murray Bay in Canada, and while there was the recipient of one of our famous St. Johnsbury scales, on which to mark his downward progress. He was sorry to have to say that this scale didn't suit him; it was too correct and honest to give him the desired encourage- ment.
EX-PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT August 30, 1912
Early in the evening of August 30, 1912, Ex-President Roose- velt arrived here on his return from a tour in Orleans County. The band stand front of the Court House was made ready for his reception with flags and bunting and eight strings of electric lights radiating from it. To this rostrum the Colonel was escorted by several hundred men of the Progressive party, with abundance of enthusiasm and red bandanna. There was no introduction of the speaker, for the reason that immediately after mounting the platform he plunged with characteristic promptness into his ad- dress and held his audience for an hour and a half to an interest- ing exposition of the principles of the newly-formed party of which he was the head. He spoke with moderation and distinct- ness and his statements were received with hearty applause. The occasion was enlivened with music and songs by the Consolidated Band and the Progressive Male Chorus. Newspaper representa- tives from New York and Boston kept eleven typewriters busy and seven men were employed at the telegraph stations forwarding messages.'
OLD HOME WEEK August 11-17, 1901
In June of the first year of the twentieth century Governor Stickney, in accordance with an act of the preceding Legislature,
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designated the week which included Bennington Battle Day, Au- gust 16, as Old Home Week; with an invitation to the 200,000 native sons and daughters of Vermont living elsewhere to come home and re-visit the scenes of their childhood. In the spirit of this Proclamation a committee of citizens was appointed to issue in- vitations and provide suitable entertainment for all who might re-visit St. Johnsbury. Letters of invitation were sent to all whose addresses could be found.
On Thursday evening a general reception was held at the Museum while a tremendous downpour of rain was deluging the streets. Friday evening, August sixteen, found about 250 people assembled in Pythian Hall. Edward T. Fairbanks presided, the Mahogany Quartette rendered the Bill of Fare in astonishing terms, and the people devoted their attention to it with very evi- dent satisfaction. After introductory words of welcome from the chair, Hon. Daniel C. Remick of Littleton was presented. He said that his father was born in Barnet, his mother in Danville, himself in Hardwick. But he was a St. Johnsbury boy during the years when his father, S. K. Remick, was proprietor of the old Passumpsic House ; still further he claimed an earlier relationship to this town on the ground that Enos Stevens who went down country with Jonathan Arnold on the interesting quest narrated on page 59 of this book-there found Sophy Grout whom he mar- ried and brought back to Barnet, and this same Sophy was great aunt to Dan Remick ; therefore Remick was to that extent a St. Johnsburyite ! He brought greetings from the state of New Hampshire where the Old Home Week idea was born, and fer- vently advocated civic enthusiasm and public spirit in the town. Hon. J. B. Gilfillan responded for the state of Minnesota, where so many Vermonters live, and there isn't one of them who is not proud of the state and the town he was born in. Reverent mem- ories fill the soul of every returning son and daughter.
Hon. David J. Foster of Burlington was introduced as one who in his Academy days took pains to acquire the art of public speaking. He used to ride up to the Plain on a poky old horse and one day asked for a pair of spurs. His father gave him one spur. He wanted two. The father assured him that if he man-
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aged to get one side of the horse along the other side wouldn't be far behind. David had kept his elocutionary side well to the front and in due time he landed in Congress. Mr. Foster was warmly greeted and paid an eloquent tribute to the Green Mountain State, especially complimenting the mothers, wives and daughters who had contributed so largely to her fair renown. Hon. F. G. Fleetwood spoke gracefully ; he said that frugality, temperance and industry had been important elements in the making of Vermont ; he was glad to be again in his native town, the finest town in the Passumpsic valley ; happy the man who was born in St. Johnsbury, or who had lived here, or who had married a St. Johnsbury girl. Mr. E. H. Wolcott brought greet- ings from Boston. Senator Hale of Lunenburg paid warm tribute to the home at the south end of the Plain where the girlhood of his mother had been spent. Music and song varied the exercises of the evening, and appreciative responses to the letters of in- vitation were read by the secretary, Arthur F. Stone :-
"We love Vermont and loyally wear the green of memory for her men and mountains. There is no town quite like St. Johnsbury, the town I was born in and I am proudly proclaiming the fact."
"With happy memories of old days in that beautiful village among the hills, my dearest wish would be to be with you during Old Home Week."
"Cordial greetings ; I retain lively affection for St. Johnsbury and its people, and would gladly recall with you the cherished memory of St. Johns- bury friends whom we shall see no more."
"Success to all such efforts as Old Home Week to foster local attach- ments and perpetuate the memory of our forbears ; to nourish the spirit of liberty and strengthen our national ideals."
"I am always happy to reckon St. Johnsbury my home, to recall the surpassing beauty of its scenery and the charm of its generous friendships."
"We shall never forget the happy years spent in St. Johnsbury and the unnumbered courtesies there received. The praises of St. Johnsbury have been sung many times and she is worthy of them all."
"It is gratifying to know that E. T. F., my old comrade at the Battle of Bennington ? or was it the Battle of the Night Hawk or some other -? is president of Old Home Week Association. Greetings to the good old Town." +
"I am always thankful for those blessed years during which our home was in St. Johnsbury. Nowhere else are there such men and women as Vermont's best."
.
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"In a state that has reason to be proud of her history St. Johnsbury is one of the most beautiful villages, and she need not blush for her sons and daughters who are far away helping to fashion other commonwealths."
"My affection for St. Johnsbury, my only old home, has not diminished one iota during forty years of absence."
"Though we've been away in Florida for nearly a quarter of a century, St. Johnsbury is still to us the dearest spot on earth."
THE JAPANESE EMBASSY
On the first day of August, 1872, Mr. T. Hida, Commissioner of Public Works and Mr. K. Nagano, Foreign Secretary, members of the Japanese Embassy to this country, came up to St. Johns- bury to see how scales were made. They were brought on a pri- vate car to Wells River; thence on a special train of two cars. While approaching St. Johnsbury, Nagano remarked that he would like to ride on the locomotive. He was introduced to the engineer and given a seat in the cab ; here he watched every movement sharply and was permitted to take a hand in the opera- tions by ringing the bell. Suddenly the whistle blew down breaks ; the train running at forty miles an hour was halted just as the engine reached a timber that had fallen across the track. Nagano, much agitated, made haste to return to the car, and was less communicative than when he had gone forward.
On reaching St. Johnsbury the train was reversed and ran around to the scale factory where two hours were spent inspect- ing the works. With keen and intelligent eye the Japanese fol- lowed the entire process of manufacture from the foundry to the sealing and packing rooms. Passing under the flags of Japan and United States which, with low bows and uncovered heads were respectfully saluted, they were taken into carriages and driven thro the village. Arriving at the Atheneum they were given a salute by the St. Johnsbury cornet band. At seven o'clock a banquet was served by Landlord Gilmore at the St. Johnsbury House, 57 items on the menu. Addresses followed by Gov. Hendee, Henry D. Hyde Esq. of Boston, Hamilton A. Hill, Sec- retary of the Boston Board of Trade, and local speakers. Escorted by the band and lighted with rockets and fireworks, the orien-
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