Thurs Jan 6, 1870, Rutland Herald

Big editorial complaint about young men hanging out on the street corners at night:  "ribald talk . . . gross insult . . . great complaint has been made to the authorities of this nuisance impropriety . . . These young men who determine to resist all appeals at their honor and good sense may expect an exercise of the authority of the law."

Mechanicsville:  "has a lyceum in full blast"  Next meeting, topic of debate:  "That the African race has received more injustice at our hands than the American Indian."

  Fri Jan 7, 1870, Rutland Herald

Editorial on the "labor reform" issue of the 8 hour day.  Ten hours per day considered the norm.  "Even when we come to woman we find most of them work more than twelve hours per day."  Rutland Herald editorial stance:  Opposes 8-hour day reform movement:   "The relations between capital and labor there [Mass] have always been blended in unbroken harmony."

Geo. A. Merrill, Superintendent of Rutland & Burlington Railroad – big article on him – he's lauded; big celebration at his residence; Governor Page is present

Hydeville lecture:  Henry Hall on "Indian Footprints" – topic is US, NY, VT Indians

  Mon Jan 10, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Ladies Aid Society for the Relief of the Poor of Rutland" at the house of Mr. Hiram Cheney, Main St.

"Clothes line thieves are depredading again in this vicinity"

Caledonia County:  "Diphtheria is still prevailing to an alarming extent in Groton.  Within a few weeks nine young persons have been carried away by the fatal disease."

  Tues Jan 11, 1870, Rutland Herald

"The liquor law is not a dead letter in Castleton.  Two lively gin mills have been recently been closed up through its influence or power, and one or two other cider mills among us will soon be laid up for repairs unless they voluntarily cease running.  There is enough power in the law, if its friends will only use it.

YMCA activity in Rutland:  "Meetings were begun at Center Rutland Aug. 11, 1867 . . . until July 25, 1869 . . ."  Dedication of new YMCA rooms in the National Bank Bldg, downtown Rutland

  Wed Jan 12, 1870, Rutland Herald

Castleton National Bank robbed of $6,400.  Safe opened with wedges and sledgehammers; most of the funds safe; $2,000 reward

"Bank robberies have of late become almost every day announcements . . ."

Robber of store in Middlebury VT – thieves shot at – escaped – one captured:  19 years old, named Hyer – first offense, he says

Vergennes VT – store of J. S. Hickock robbed; safe blown open; burglar caught June 13:  John Fraine

Wed-Thurs Jan 12-13, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Good Templars" annual meeting – long and detailed reports.  Typical rhetoric:  "Eternal in our hatred to alcohol and its minions, servants, and sympathizers."

  Thurs Jan 13, 1870, Rutland Herald

Good Templars rhetoric:  "Prohibitory laws are the heavy artillery of temperance, and the strongholds of the rum power cannot be broken up without them."

Women's suffrage association meeting; lots of stuff about women's suffrage almost daily

Smallpox scare – Proctorsville – 7 cases, all recovered.  A big scare.

  Sat Jan 15, 1870, Rutland Herald

Sunday Services:  The principal churches in Rutland Village:

Baptist – Rev. E. Mills

Catholic – Rev. Charles Boylan

Congregational – Rev. E H. Griffin

French Catholic

Liberal Christian Society

Trinity Church (Episcopal)

Methodist

YMCA

Also services at:

The jail

The Pooler District

The Post District

The Herald's coverage of religious themes is extensive; very pious editorial stance

  Mon Jan 17, 1870, Rutland Herald

"A Row at West Rutland" – Saratoga RR – "a couple of brawny Irishmen got aboard at the station here . . . one of them, who said he was destined to West Rutland, positively refused to pay his fare . . . handed conductor Clark a 50 cent scrip" – a scuffle ensues – Herald says they should be "prosecuted."

  Tues Jan 18, 1870, Rutland Herald

Burglaries in Middlebury – convictions:  "Town room . . . densely crowded by a community who had been most grossly outraged by these villains. . . . 11 distinct burglaries."  One guilty party:  William George Hyer, age 19

"A sad accident in Salisbury village on the afternoon of 13th inst . . . young man Christopher Johndro . . . woolen mill . . . the skirts of his coat caught on a shaft in rapid motion, and he was instantly drawn to the shaft and revolved with it, and in less time than it takes to write the sad occurrence he was killed, his head being dashed in pieces . . . an excellent young man, much respected and beloved."

Hydeville:  Mumps and scarlet fever are afflicting many families here and in the vicinity

"Mr. J. Sutcliff, for several years general superintendent of the Eagle quarry, has retired from that position . . ."

Merchants in Hydeville:

E D Billings

Russell H Hyde

Hyde Brothers

J. Culver

Sad case of Job Spafford and wife, abandoned to the poor farm by selfish children . . . lengthy article

  Fri Jan 21, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Lecture at Hydeville:  Henry Hall lectures this Friday evening, at Hydeville, subject, 'The Castleton Fort' with incidents of garrison life, the whipping post, and scouting, Brigadier General Ethan Allen in Castleton, etc."

  Tues Jan 25, 1870, Rutland Herald

From "B.W.B." the Herald's Castleton correspondent:  Castleton Revival Meetings ongoing – Advent, Congregational, and Methodist churches – local news – juvenile crime, a 14 year old – "horrible infanticide" case in Swanton, where father kills crying infant.

  Wed Jan 26, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Starvation in Brattleboro.  The woman was taken sick and starved nearly to death at the house of her half-sister, when another citizen came to remonstrate, and was turned out of doors.  The selectmen then interfered, and carried the almost dead woman to a neighbor's house, where she died the next day.   A scanty bean diet was all that had been afforded her for many weeks."

  Thurs Jan 27, 1870, Rutland Herald

Fire in St. Albans

Robbery in Stanformd, of Winchell & Sanford:  "money, boots, shoes, some clothing"

Middlebury:  "Juvenile Temperance Army" will meet at Congregational Church

Merchant's Row on West St.

  Sat Jan 29, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Accident at South Shaftsbury.  Elon Mattison, an employee of the Eagle Square Manufacturing Company and one of the oldest square grinders in the county, while engaged at the works last evening, by the bursting of a large grindstone (weighing some 2800 pounds and performing 175 revolutions per minute) received severe injuries, one of his legs being broken, and several of his ribs crushed."

Capture of the Clarendon robber

  Mon Jan 31, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Ripley Sons Safe Blown Open" – 2 a.m. Sunday, in Center Rutland – loud explosion – got away with $25 – a huge amount of explosive – way more than was needed to open the safe

Wallingford:  Henry Hall will lecture on "Vermont in the Days of Ethan Allen, and Vermont To-Day"

"A New Disease.  A new disease has made its appearance at Hudson NY.  It somewhat resembles typhoid fever.  In Irvington, and Madalin, and Red Hook a number have fallen victims . . . It is probably the disease known as the relapsing fever."

  Fri Feb 4, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Mr. Lyman P. Goss, formerly of Rutland, has recently been appointed the Superintendent of the Eagle Slate Co. at Hydeville.  Mr. Goss is a quarryman of ability and experience . . ."

RR accident on Vermont Central RR, Burlington – man killed

"Destitute.  The Albia (NY) woolen mills ceased running in October, and the operatives have been reduced to extreme misery for want of employment and food.  Eight or ten families have become so destitute as to be obliged to keep to their beds for warmth, having no fuel."

  Sat Feb 5, 1870, Rutland Herald

Fair Haven – Masonic festival – "The hall was appropriately decorated with Masonic emblems, including the 'celebrated goat' and 'gridiron'.  There was a goodly number present from Whitehall and other neighboring lodges." – A lot of Masonic activity reported in the Herald

    Tues Feb 8, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Accident at West Rutland.  About 10 o'clock yesterday forenoon an unanticipated discharge of a blast occurred in Sheldon and Slason's newly covered marble quarry in West Rutland; by which a boy named Michael Tigue sustained severe internal injuries, one of his legs being also so badly injured that it is feared amputation will be necessary, if indeed his other injuries do not prove fatal previously.  It seems that on Saturday several holes were drilled in which one of the walls of the quarry, which were filled with powder, and all were supposed to have been exploded, one, however, going off by the rock between it and another blast being torn completely out and most of the fuse, powder, and tamping being blown out by the rock . . ."  (more on the details of the accident)

Wallingford.  Henry Hall lecture:  "Indian Footprints, Part II:  Indians that Formerly Inhabited Vermont."  Notices of Henry Hall lectures frequent and laudatory.

  Wed Feb 9, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Michael Tigue . . . boy injured at Sheldon and Slason's quarry at West Rutland . . . suffered amputation of his leg yesterday . . ."

"Grand Temperance Rally.  The anniversary exercises of the Ladies Temperance Association of Rutland will be held Friday . . ."

  Thurs Feb 10, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Castleton. . . . A respectable assembly of some twenty couple of colored people came off at the Bomoseen House a few evenings since, commemorative of the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln.  Most of the male portion of the party were knights of the razor and sheers, therefore it was styled the 'barber's ball.'  Their conduct was in all respects orderly.  They hailed from St. Albans, Burlington, Rutland, Poultney, Salem, Whitehall, Fair Haven, and other places."

[Note:  1870 census from ancestry.com lists 96 "colored" persons in all of Rutland County, distributed as follows:  Benson (6), Castleton (10), Clarendon (4), Danby (2), Fair Haven (10), Hubbardton (1), Mount Holly (4), Pawlet (11), Pittsford (1), Poultney (4), Rutland (44), and Wallingford (1).  Two "colored" barbers in Rutland were James L. Taylor, 62, and his son Edward Taylor, 23. ]

"The arrivals at the Bomoseen last week numbered 235."

  Fri Feb 11, 1870, Rutland Herald

Home for Destitute Children in Burlington – local fundraising effort for

    Sat Feb 12, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Trotting at Hydeville.  A trot for a purse of $75, $50 to the first and $25 to the second best horse, took place on the ice on Lake Bomoseen at Hydeville, yesterday, which attracted quite a crowd of spectators . . ."

[ continuation on Wed Feb 16: ]   An estimated 4,000 people attended the trot on Lake Bomoseen from "Rutland, Poultney, Wells, Granville, Whitehall, Fair Haven, Hydeville, and Castleton, and other towns."

"Accidental Death.   Mrs. Bryant, a lone widow of Waterbury, was recently found by her neighbors dead at the foot of her cellar stairs, having evidently been killed by falling down."

  Feb 11-12, 1870, Rutland Herald

Frank Lidell, Fort Edward, killed in a well-digging accident.  Buried alive.  Two separate stories, pretty detailed.

  Mon Feb 14, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Ladies Aid Society for the Relief of the Poor of Rutland will meet at the house of Mr. H. H. Paine on Grove St."

  Tues Feb 15, 1870, Rutland Herald

Brandon:  "town rowdies" slash and cut the harness and reins of Capt. Cook's horse during a minstrel show

Brandon:  smallpox scare – one death

"Sneak Thief.  A man aged about 35 or 40 years, well dressed and of good appearance, has been hanging around about town for several days past, with no visible business, except the nefarious one which he practices.  He watches his opportunity about a residence until he finds the male portion of the family absent, when he sneaks into the front or back door, as the case may be, and helps himself to what loose clothing or other valuables he may find.  If caught in the act, as he sometimes is, he makes an excuse that he is hungry and asks for some cold victuals. . . ."

Henry Hall lecture in Rutland Village Hall, solicited by many of the city's most prominent men, was very well received:  "Ethan Allen's memory we always loved and revered, but never so much as since hearing Mr. Hall's lecture. . . ."

  Wed Feb 16, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Brattleboro. . . . John Demsey, a workman on the new bridge across the Connecticut River at Brattleboro, was on Friday knocked from the bridge by a swinging timber, and fell 25 feet to the ice below, striking on his head and shoulder.  He was taken up senseless and supposed to be dead, but it is thought that he may recover."

"Killed.  A Frenchman named Louis Gangon was mistakenly killed on Saturday while at work on an embankment on the Woodstock Railroad near Tuftsville, by being crushed under a mass of frozen earth, which suddenly cracked off and fell upon him."

Suspected robbery and murder in the burning of the store of Birchard of Dummerston.

  Thurs Feb 17, 1870, Rutland Herald

"The Rum Stream" – lengthy anti-liquor poem by the Rev. A. F. Bailey.  Brief excerpts from a much longer poem:  ". . . and the old River of Rum with poison now flows / the vilest and wickedest compound of woes . . ."  Etc.

  Fri Feb 18, 1870, Rutland Herald

Brattleboro:  Continuation of story of starvation:   "Hygienic Starvation at Brattleboro" – very long and detailed article on "alleged starvation of Flora Stoddard at Brattleboro, by her half-sister, Mrs. George C. Haskins, is one of the most extraordinary that ever darkened the criminal annals of Vermont. . . ."  The gist of it is that Flora Stoddard was intentionally starved to death under a 'hygienic' diet of watered-down foods.  Weird.

  Sat Feb 19, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Concerning the various cases of sneak thieving, robbery, &c, that are recorded, we may safely say that the symptoms of an epidemic of knavery are alarming . . ."

". . . . wood thieves are the latest nuisance.  Sufferers better powder some of their chunks."

  Mon Feb 21, 1870, Rutland Herald

Women's Suffrage Convention at Rutland Opera House, Feb. 21-22.  Speakers include William Lloyd Garrison and Julia Ward Howe.  Several very long articles on the convention in subsequent days.  A very big deal.

"Ladies Aid Society for the Relief of the Poor of Rutland will be held at the house of Mrs. Geo. R. Weed on Main St."

  Wed Feb 23, 1870, Rutland Herald

500 people at Rutland Opera House for the Women's Suffrage Convention.

 Sat Feb 26, 1870, Rutland Herald

Annual Report of the Town of Rutland Selectmen.  "From the report of the Overseer of the Poor, it appears that the amount drawn by him. . . . [was] $4,517.00.  All of this has been expended in the care of the poor under his charge.  Eleven persons have been buried at town expense during the year."  The report includes reports by the following committees:  "Report of Town Liquor Agent, Mr. B. W. Marshall . . . Report of the Overseer of the Poor . . . Town Treasurer's Report . . . Auditor's Report."

  Sat Feb 26, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Wm. N. Bacheledor of the Bomoseen House, Castleton . . ."

  Tue-Wed, March 1-2, 1870, Rutland Herald

RUTLAND TOWN'S POLITICAL CLASS, 1870.

From the Rutland Herald, Tues-Wed, March 1-2, 1870

"Town caucus at the Village Hall."  Present are 90 of 1,800 voters

Martin G. Everts, Chairman

Henry Clark, Secretary

Committee of 12 to make nominations for city posts:

Horace H. Dyer

Charles Sheldon

W. C. Dunton

John Cain

J. G. Griggs

Nahum Johnson

J. Mead

John Engram

Redfield Proctor

S. M. Dorr

H. G. Clark

George C. Thrall

Thanks of the meeting tendered by Mr. Wilson, Superintendent of the B---- and Saratoga Railroad

NOMINATIONS AND VOTES

[Note:  The Herald published two separate lists on March 1 and 2:  the first of nominations, the second of those elected and the number of votes each received.  Here I combine the two, with original slate of nominees indicated by asterisk (*) and number of votes each received in parentheses.  Again, the number of eligible voters in town exceeded 1,800, according to the Rutland Herald, making the voter participation rate in this election about 19%  (343 / 1,800).]

Martin G. Everts.  Moderator

B. M. Marshall.*  Town Clerk  (343)

Franklin Billings.*  Selectman  (140).  Overseer of the Poor  (105).  Town Agent  (338)

John M. Hall.*  Selectman  (343)

R. R. Mead.*  Selectman.  (341)

D. Verder.  Selectman.  (200)

William Gilmore.*  Lister  (343)

Horace H. Dyer.*  Lister  (342)

Nahum Johnson.*  Lister  (230).  Fence Viewer  (340).

Evelyn Pierpoint.*  Lister.  (329)

J. W. Cramton.  Lister.  (300).  Fence Viewer  (340).

William M. Field.*  Constable  (338)

Walter C. Dunton.*  Town Treasurer  (343)

Daniel Wing.*  Overseer of the Poor  (127).  Lister  (119)

Joel M. Haven.*  Auditor  (326)

William R. Gilmore.*  Auditor  (326)

John A. Sheldon.*  Auditor  (326)

Charles H. Joyce.*  Grand Juror  (326)

Joel C. Baker.*  Grand Juror  (326).  Superintendent of Schools  (124)

Edward H. Ripley.*  Grand Juror  (326)

Lorenzo Sheldon.*  Grand Juror  (326)

E. F. Sadler.*  Inspector of the Leather  (340)

Ben K. Chase.*  Sealer of Weights and Measures  (209)

John Cain.  Fence Viewer  (340)

W. H. B. Owen.*  Trustee  (155)

 

On changes in the original nominations:

"On the nomination of Selectmen, the ticket was adopted with the substitution of Daniel Verder for Franklin Billings.  Mr. Owen having declined as one of the Listers, John W. Cramton was substituted in his place.  When the nominations for Overseer of the Poor was taken up, on motion of Col. Redfield Proctor, the nomination of Mr. Wing was laid on the table.  On the motion of Charles Sheldon, the meeting was adjourned."  [March 2] 

CORRELATION OF 1870 TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH 1870 CENSUS

The following correlates these newly elected members of Rutland's Town Council (March 1-2) with the 1870 U.S. Census (June-Sept). 

[Notes:  HH = household no.  F = family no.  Dates refer to the date the census listing was made, pgs to page no. of census mss.  Money values:  first figure is value of real estate, second figure value of personal estate.  All listed as born in Vermont unless otherwise indicated.  Sequence of names is same as above.]

 

B. M. MARSHALL.  [TOWN CLERK AND TOWN LIQUOR AGENT, 1869-1870]   32.  Grocer.   June 24, p. 45.   HH 305 / F 389.  $8,000 / $4,000.  Lives with Eunice Wooster, 65, at home, and Louis Marshall, age 7.

FRANKLIN BILLINGS.  [SELECTMAN, OVERSEER OF THE POOR, AND TOWN AGENT]  63.  Farmer.  Aug 25, p. 122.  HH 855 / F 1022.  $5,000 / $5,000.  Lives with Josephine Billings, 60, and Emma Knutson, 19. 

JOHN M. HALL.   [SELECTMAN]   47.  At home.  July 21, p. 79.  HH 542 / F 656.  $16,000 / $4,000.  Lives with Sarah Hall, 36, and two children ages 9 and 1. 

ROLLIN R. MEAD.   [SELECTMAN]   52.  Selectman.  Aug 26, p. 190.  HH 1187 / F 1525.  $6,000 / $3,000.  Lives with Leonette Mead, 48.

GEORGE [DANIEL] R. VERDER.  [SELECTMAN].  The Rutland Herald identifies the candidate who replaced Franklin Billings on the Selectmen slate as "Daniel Verder" and later as "D. Verder."   Census data show no Daniel or D. Verder in Rutland Town in 1870.  They do show George R. Verder.  27.  Clerk and baker.  June 24, p. 45.  HH 304 / F 386.  No property.  Lives in household of 12 people, including a hardware store clerk; a manufacturer of nuts and bolts; a physician; and an engineer.  This is very probably the new Selectman; the Rutland Herald likely got his name wrong, twice.  His election as Selectman was unusual, in that he was not on the original list of nominees, which implies that he got onto the slate and elected via back-room organizing.  He was also the only person elected to the Town Council who owned no property, and its youngest member.  In light of these facts, the Herald's misstating his name may not have been accidental, but part of a longer tradition of razzing green political wannabes, especially those who hadn't yet "made it" in the world of business.  That there was another Daniel in the room (Daniel Wing) who was apparently opposed by Redfield Proctor for Overseer of the Poor (marble magnate Proctor was a major political player), and among this group's poorer members, might have added to the slight, while also giving Henry Clark, the meeting's secretary and the Herald's editor, a ready excuse for getting George Verder's name wrong, twice.

WILLIAM GILMORE.  [LISTER]   60.  Farmer.  Aug. 6, p. 138.   HH 972 / F 1140.  $75,000 personal estate.  Lives with Mary Gilmore, 87, at home, and Kate Foley, 30, domestic servant, b. Ireland.

HORACE H. DYER.  [LISTER]   50.  Farmer.  Sept 3, p. 220.  HH 1378 / F 1753.  $2,500 / $40,000.  Lives with A. Jane Dyer, 27, keeping house; Horace E. Dyer, one month; 2 domestic servants, 2 farmhands, 1 chore boy, and 1 dry goods salesman.  Horace H. Dyer is probably the son or nephew of Alanson Dyer, 70, at home, and brother or cousin of Emily A. Dyer, 57, at home, HH 264 / F 341, p. 39, who live in the same house as N. L. Davis, Superintendent Rutland Railroad – all three of whom, in turn, live two doors down from Bridget Waters, 20, my Irish immigrant washerwoman unmarried head-of-household great-grandmother, who is arrested in Aug 1874 for "getting her liquor from a cucumber" (see posting by CHabes on RootsWeb Rutland VT on Bridget Waters).

NAHUM JOHNSON.   [LISTER AND FENCE VIEWER]   61.  Farmer.  Sept 2, p. 214.   HH 1336 / F 1707.  $2,000 personal estate.  Lives with Mary E. Johnson, 20, keeping house, and 2 domestic servants.

EVELYN PIERPOINT.  [LISTER]   54  (male).  Real estate speculator.  June 25, p. 38.  HH 256 / F 331.  $30,000 / $60,000.  Lives with Sarah Pierpoint, 50, Alice Pierpoint, 25, and Annie Pierpoint, 6.  This household is six doors down from my great-grandmother Bridget Waters' (HH 262).  Note the proximity in age of Bridge Waters (20) and Alice Pierpoint (25).  Both also have small girls in their families:  Mary Waters, age 11, and Annie Pierpoint, age 6.  The difference their in families' net worth is $90,000 (Bridget & Mary Waters, $0, vs. the Pierpoints, $90,000).

WILLIAM M. FIELD.   [CONSTABLE]   55.  Sheriff.  July 20, p. 77.  HH 533 / F 647.   $20,000 / $50,000.   Lives with Minerva Field, 53, Fred W. Field, 20, clerk post office, and Kitty Field, 16.

WALTER C. DUNTON.   [TOWN TREASURER]  39.  Attorney.  July 18, p. 71.  HH 492 / F 599.  $10,000 personal estate.  Lives with Emma Dunton, 31, and Agnes Dunton, age 4.

DANIEL WING.   [OVERSEER OF THE POOR]   73.   No occupation listed.  Aug 25, p. 187.  HH 1159 / F 1493.  $3,000 personal estate.  Lives with Mary Wing, 67; Kate Madison, 16; and Charles Wing, 18.

JOEL M. HAVEN.   [AUDITOR]   48.  Treasurer Rutland Railroad.  July 21, p. 83.  HH 572 / F 689.   $20,000 / $3,000.   Lives with Harriet Haven, 48, and Franklin Haven, 7.

WILLIAM R. GILMORE.   [AUDITOR]   31.   Dry goods merchant   Aug 6, p. 138.   HH 969 / F 1139.  $5,000 personal estate.   Lives with James Gilmore, Post master West Rutland; Mary, 25; Charles, clerk post office; Annie J., 3.  Lives next door to Lister William Gilmore, 60, farmer (see above).

JOHN A. SHELDON.   [AUDITOR]   30.   Marble dealer.   July 1, p. 56.  HH 381 / F 476.  $6,500 / $1,500.   Lives with Caroline, 24, b. NY; Chas, 2; Augustus, 1; Mary Carley, 16, domestic servant.

CHARLES H. JOYCE.   [GRAND JUROR]   40.   Attorney at law.    June 6, p. 11.   HH 74 / F 89.   $13,000 / $2,000.   Lives with Rowena, 36; Inez, 15; Chad, 4.

JOEL C. BAKER.   [GRAND JUROR AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS]   32.  Attorney.  June 11, p. 17.  HH 118 / F 143.  $500 personal estate.  Lives with Addie Baker, 23.  Shares house with John D. Stowers, engine builder, b. NY.

EDWARD H. RIPLEY.   [GRAND JUROR]   30.  Marble dealer.  Sept. 12-13, p. 247.  HH 1611 / F 1985.  $1,200 personal estate.  Lives with William Ripley, 73, Bank President, $136,800 / $76,000, Jane B., keeping house, Chas H., 28, marble dealer; 2 domestic servants ages 17 and 28; 2 bank clerks; and one groom, 28, b. Ireland.  This is the very last page of the Rutland Town census, presumably back in the center of town.

LORENZO SHELDON.  [GRAND JUROR]   69.   Allo physician.   Aug 8, p. 143.  HH 1000 / F 1182.  $12,000 / $28,000.   Lives with Mahala Sheldon, 65; Lucy Goss, 32; Harley C. Sheldon, 29, deputy sheriff; and Grace Goss, 9.

E. F. SADLER.  [INSPECTOR OF THE LEATHER]   50.  Manufacturer boots & shoes.  Born MA.  June 3, p. 5.  HH 36 / F 45.  $12,000 / $1,000.  Lives with Sarah L., 45; Minnie, 18; and Frank, 15, all b. VT.

BEN K. CHASE.  [SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES]   39.  Jewelry and watch merchant.  Born NH.  July 6, p. 60.  HH 410 / F 512.  $20,000 / $10,000.   Lives with Lucy A., keeping house, b. NH; George M., 5; Harry, 3; Robert Barlow, 25, jeweler, all b. VT; and Margaret Campbell, 41, b. NH.

J. W. CRAMTON  [FENCE VIEWER]  49.  Landlord Bardwell House.  July 21, p. 79.   HH 544 / F 658.  $75,000 / $50,000.  Lives with Hannah, 35, keeping house; May E, 25, at home; 3 laundresses b. Ireland, 2 f. cooks, one b. Ireland, one VT; 2 f. in kitchen; 1 pantry girl b. Ireland; 6 table girls; 2 chambermaids; and many wealthy professional guests.

JOHN CAIN  [FENCE VIEWER]   61.   Editor Rutland Courier.   b. Isle of Man.  Aug 6, p. 137.   HH 981 / F 1150.   $5,000 personal.  Lives with John A, 27, farmer; Jeweto P., dry goods merchant; Mary E, 20, at home; Mary Sullivan, 13, domestic servant; Thomas Sullivan, laborer, b. Ireland. 

W. H. B. OWEN.   [TRUSTEE].    Unable to locate in 1870 census.

End of listing of Town Council Members.

MEMBERS OF MARCH 1 NOMINATING COMMITTEE NOT ELECTED TO CITY OFFICE (7 of 12, with Martin G. Everts, not on Nominating Committee, making 13):

MARTIN G. EVERTS.   [MEETING MODERATOR]  52.  At home.  June 16, p. 31.   HH 221 / F 270.   $33,000 / $4,000.    Lives in a household of eight, including George Hathaway, 32, treasurer marble company; C. Lee Stimson, 30, machinery manufacturer; Edward Palmer, 33, dry goods clerk; Edward Beach, 19, clerk jewelry store.  

HENRY CLARK.  [SECRETARY]  42.  Editor, Rutland Herald.   July 6, p. 58.  HH 394 / F 493.  $7,000 / $2,500.  Lives with Henrietta Clark, 34, and Louisa Clark, 15.

J. G. GRIGGS.   50.   Farmer.   Aug. 29, p. 201.   HH 1249, F 1603.   $1,000 personal estate.   Lives with Ella B. Edmundson, 23, housekeeper; M. McLaughlin, 25, domestic servant.  Lives three houses down from A. J. Mead and family. 

A. J. MEAD.  55.   Farmer.   Aug. 29, p. 200.   HH 1246 / F 1600.   $12,000 personal estate.  Lives with Ellen B. Mead and 5 Mead children, plus Mary Northrup, 62.  Live three doors down from J. G. Griggs.

JOHN ENGRAM.  42.   Farmer.  Sept. 9, p. 241.   HH 1562 / F 1935.   No property.   Lives with Ann J. Engram, 48, and 3 Engram kids.  Lives two doors down from Redfield Proctor and family.     

REDFIELD PROCTOR.   39.   Farmer.    Sept. 9, p. 241.   HH 1559 / F 1933.   $20,000 / $3,600.   Lives with Emily J. Proctor and four Proctor kids, plus Anna Connely, 15, domestic servant, b. Ireland.  Lives two doors down from John Engram and family.

S. M. DORR.   46.   Attorney.    b. NY.   Aug. 31, p. 201.   HH 1283 / F 1639.   $12,500 / $40,000.   Lives with J. C. R. Dore, 44, Author, b. French Canada; Russell R. Dore, 22, marble dealer, b. NY; 3 other Dore kids, 2 eldest b. VT, youngest, 11, b. VT; 2 female domestic servants, b. Ireland, ages 31 and 35.

GEORGE C. THRALL.   28.   Farmer.   July 21, p. 80.   HH 549 / F 663.   No property.   Lives with Luna [Laura] B. Thrall, 28, keeping house, b. Ill; J. Chapman Thrall, 2 months; Mary Thrall, 69; David Higgins, 19, laborer.  Thrall family in Rutland is extensive; eldest is Chauncy Thrall, b. 1802.

SEQUENCE OF ENUMERATION (to help figure out who was neighbors with whom; HH = household):

HH 36:  Sadler, E. F.

HH 74:  Joyce, Charles H.

HH 118:  Baker, Joel C.

HH 221:  Everts, Martin

HH 256:  Pierpoint, Evelyn

HH 262:  Waters, Bridget (my great-grandmother; not a political player by any stretch)

HH 264:  Dyer, Alanson (presumed relative of HH 1378, Horace H. Dyer)

HH 304:  Verder, George

HH 305:  Marshall, B. M.

HH 381:  Sheldon, John A.

HH 394:  Clark, Henry

HH 410:  Chase, Ben K.

HH 492:  Dunton, Walter C.

HH 533:  Field, William M.

HH 542:  Hall, John

HH 544:  Cramton, J. W.

HH 549:  Thrall, George C.

HH 572:  Haven, Joel M.

HH 855:  Billings, Franklin

HH 969:  Gilmore, William R.

HH 972:  Gilmore, William

HH 981:  Cain, John

HH 1000:  Sheldon, Lorenzo

HH 1159:  Wing, Daniel

HH 1187:  Reed, Rollin

HH 1246:  Mead, A. J.

HH 1249:  Griggs, J. G.

HH 1283:  Dorr, S. M.

HH 1378:  Dyer, Horace H.

HH 1559:  Redfield, Proctor

HH 1562:  Engram, John

HH 1611:  Ripley, Edward H.

HH 1707:  Johnson, Nahum

  Tues March 1, 1870, Rutland Herald

French Catholic Fair . . . benefit for new French Catholic Church.  Leave donated articles for Rev. Father Gagnier on Lincoln Ave.

"Castleton:  A large and indulgent audience listened attentively and quietly at the Liberal Christian Church last Saturday evening, for nearly two hours, to Mrs. Lucy Stone Blackwell on the woman question, or, in other words, the right of women to vote and hold office . . . Mrs. Stone will have to speak louder, longer and stronger than on this occasion to convince our people, or any great portion of them, that it is woman's sphere to vote and hold office . . ."

Town Officers' Report:  " . . . the expenses for the year 1869 are considerably larger than any previous year since the war.  The auditors report that it will require a tax of sixty cents on a dollar of the grand list to meet the liabilities of the town.  This is twenty cents on the dollar more than last year, caused in part by high wind, high water, poor bridges, and high medical charges, the latter by reason of the small pox raging so fatally and fearfully among us a year ago this winter."

On Feb 26, Charles Reynolds, age 11, brought before Grand Juror Morse – sentenced to one year in Reform School at Woodstock, for "defacing the school house, making obscene pictures thereon, and for disturbing the peace by a continuous abuse of the smaller scholars in the school . . . a bad boy in almost all respects, disobedient to teachers, untruthful and ungovernable generally . . . It may interest tobacco dealers and older narcotic worshipers to know that this boy has used the weed continuously . . . ever since he was seven years old, and if a pickling in that juice hath any virtue, this lad will certainly be saved."

  Wed March 2, 1870, Rutland Herald

Town meetings and town officers elected listed for:  Brandon, Castleton, Mount Holly, Shrewsbury, Wallingford, Pittsford, Poultney.  Other towns listed in subsequent days.

 Thurs March 3, 1870, Rutland Herald

Inventory of Probate Court cases

 Sat March 5, 1870, Rutland Herald

"An epidemic that would carry off some of the most impudent of our street boys would be a good thing for the public, and might not break the hearts of the parents of the deceased."

  Sun March 6, 1870, Rutland Herald

Ladies Aid Society for the Relief of the Poor of Rutland will meet at Mission House on Main Street, Mon March 7 at 2 p.m.

  Mon March 7, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Rev. Miles Grant of Boston, preached at the Advent Chapel, on West Street . . . an eminently plain and practical discourse on the relations of Master and Servant, Parents and Children, and Husbands and Wives, in which each relation was happily sustained with forcible illustrations.  There was much excellent advice, good common sense, and the spirit of true christianity [sic]. . . ."

"The following lines are respectfully dedicated to those loafers who take so much pleasure in sunning themselves on Center Street:

"Standing on the sidewalk / Smoking my cigar / Nothing under heaven / My happiness can mar

"Staring at the ladies / Surely what a treat / Bless me!  This is pleasant, / Loafing on the street."

Fair Haven.  Good Templars – plays performed Thursday and Friday.  Thurs:  "The Spirit of '76" and "The Limerick Boy."  Friday:  "Ten Nights in a Bar Room".  Lauded by a reviewer for revealing the evils of "liquid damnation" and illustrating the "very lowest of degradation by the use of 'Hell fire' . . ."

  Tues March 8, 1870, Rutland Herald

W. C. Dunton – long letter on "Taxation of Railroads."  Dunton disagrees with Dorr.  "I hope Mr. Dorr will acknowledge his mistake."

"Proctorsville.  On Saturday last Mr. James Bemis, while at work in Haskell's Mill at Duttonsville, on a planing machine, had his right hand cut off in the center of it, leaving but the thumb.   A year or two since he had three fingers of his left hand cut off in a similar manner."

"Middlebury.  A young lad by the name of George Bertrand was on March 2d, arraigned before Justice Simmons, charged with a misdemeanor in mutilating shade trees in our village.  It was proved that with a hatchet he had cut several seriously."  Sentenced to Reform School at Waterbury for two years.

 "A girl . . . Susan Fassett from Weybridge . . . [accused of] stealing jewelry from the store of O. S. Dickenson & Company of our village . . . fined one dollar in costs, and one week's imprisonment in our county jail."

"Young man . . . Piper . . . in Salisbury . . . charged with adultery."

  Wed March 9, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Hon H. H. Wheeler, the presiding Judge of the County Court, arrived in town last evening and has quartered at the Bates House."

Street signs:  "The Village Trustees have authorized the placing of signs designating the name of each street upon street corners. . . ."  Lauded as a good idea; other big towns are doing it and it helps, especially visitors.

Town meeting called for Friday March 18

Henry Hall lecture at Village Hall:  "St. Paul in Italy."  Tickets at:  Bardwell House; Chaffee & Hargers; Tuttle's book store; the Stevens House; the Bates House; and the stores of N. V. Brooks, E. N. Merriam, and Spaulding.

"The Next Dance. . . . Washington Engine Company No. 2 . . . next social hop . . . Friday evening next . . . The Rutland Quadrille Band [will] furnish the music . . . to benefit of Mrs. H. G. Litchfield . . . in memory of her late husband" who was crucial in getting the Wash Engine Co into its present tip-top shape.  Organizing committee of the benefit dance:  E. F. Sadler, A. Ross, Isaac Gibson, George P. Russell, G. W. Chapin, Jr., and George M. Chase.

Castleton. . . . "One night last week four of the men in the employ of the Pencil Manufacturing Company spent the night at a hotel in the neighboring town to the north, in the morning they returned home pretty drunk and ready for a first rate fight; complaint was made to Grand Juror Pond, papers were served upon them by Sheriff Caswell, and a fine of five dollars and cost was imposed on each by Justice Brown for drunkenness.  The next morning they went to work sober and wiser men, with the remark that they were served just right.  It cost them between eleven and twelve dollars each."

"Some forty or fifty of Bachelder's friends attended his first anniversary as a hotel-keeper, in the parlors of the Bomoseen House last Friday evening, in the manner as it is termed now days, of a social hop, accompanied with rare music, and a rich supper."

Herald editorial against taxation stance for railroad taken by Mr. Dorr of Town Council.  Dorr letter printed in full in another column. 

Rutland County Court.  Hon. Hoyt H. Wheeler, Chief Judge.  Hon. James K. Hyde and Hon Bradley Fish, Assistant Judges.  March term commenced.  Jurors listed for all towns:  Benson, Brandon, Castleton, Chittendon, Fair Haven, Hubbardton, Mendon, Pittsford, Pittsfield, Sherburne, Sudbury, West Haven, Rutland.  For Rutland:  Benj. W. Marshall, Walter C. Landon, Harvey W. Kingsley (the latter excused from service).

Announcement to Selectmen of Rutland:  "Request town meeting . . . to see if the town will vote to rescind the vote passed at the annual town meeting, March 1, 1870, to instruct the Listers to put into the grand list of 1870, the railroad property located in the town of Rutland."  Petition signed by:

L. G. Kingsley

W. G. Veazey

J. C. Dunn

H. A. Sawyer

C. H. Joyce

Charles Sheldon

H. G. Clark

B. H. Burt

W. Y. Ripley

John N. Baxter

W. C. Clement

W. Y. W. Ripley

Chas Clement

Henry Clark

Walter C. Dunton

Henry F. Field

B. F. Dunklee

Harvey Kingsley

John A. Salisbury

Loring Atwood

George C. Hathaway

H. C. Tuttle

A. S. Marshall

George A. Tuttle

H. E. Adams

A. H. Tuttle

H. G. Clark

James H. Dyer

Ben K. Chase

Chester Kingsley

William D. Goodnow

A. H. Post

B. W. Marshall

J. S. Bowman

H. H. Paine

W. B. Mussey

Foregoing petition addressed to Selectmen J. M. Hall, R. R. Mead, and Daniel Verder."

Attempted Suicide.  James Wheelock, in a sudden outburst of insanity, attacked his brother Lewis, in their house in Bartonsville, with a fire shovel, laying bare the scalp with heavy blows, but not stunning him enough to prevent him from defending their invalid sister from the maniac's attack.  Repulsed thus, James went into another room and cut his throat.  The brothers are bachelors, nearly sixty years old, and live with a helpless sister.  James has been threatening suicide for some days.  He will recover from this attempt, but he ought to do it in an asylum."

  Thurs March 10, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Springfield."  Sunday Feb 27:  ". . . store of Chase Brothers, Druggists, . . . broken open . . . ten dollars in change and scrip in the money drawer, together with other property, was stolen . . . today a young man named Frank Micott, a Frenchman, resident and loitering about the place was arrested . . . "

  Fri March 11, 1870, Rutland Herald

Schools:  West Street School . . . taught by Mary J. Reynolds . . . the graded school at Center Rutland

  Mon March 14, 1870, Rutland Herald

Letter from S. M. Dorr, re Railroad Tax, dated March 11

"Death of a Former Slave. . . . James West . . . 'Old Jim' who has long been in the service of Gen. H. Henry Baxter, has long been known in this county, and especially in Rutland.  He was formerly a slave in Maryland, and escaped, and while on his way to Vermont . . . came to Castleton, where for several years he was the familiarly known and faithful servant of the late Hon. Zimri Howe.  He came to Rutland . . . for years he has been the obedient servant of General Baxter.  For two years he has been an invalid.  At first his disease was supposed to be rheumatism, but soon developed itself as dry gangrene.  He lost one foot two or three years ago, and several weeks since the other was so diseased that it literally rolled off – only a little cutting of the dry skin was necessary to separate it from the limb.  His has been a painful disease, and he has been a great sufferer."

"West Rutland.  The St. Patrick Benevolent Society of West Rutland, have accepted the invitation of other Irish associations, and will visit that city on the 17^th . . . A magnificent Irish flag, costing $150, has lately been purchased by the friends of the organization and presented to them . . ."

Editorial complaint of Rutland Herald of young ladies "knitting tatin" during Henry Hyde's lecture of March 12, and a riposte from "One of the Young Ladies" of Wallingford:  "They intended no insult to him, although they were aware of his constitutional aversion to work . . ."  Very funny exchange.

 Tues March 15, 1870, Rutland Herald

Public dogfight:  " . . . 60 men . . . assembled near the Depot Part at the [---] of Center Street . . . farmer . . . mechanic . . . butcher . . . merchants . . . clerks . . . the lawyer . . . the doctor . . . the printer . . . everybody seemed to be on hand and eager for the fray – except the police."

"Loafing as a Fine Art.  . . . down the street from the Post Office to the Bates House, between the hours of 7 and 9 PM . . . you will find a set of interesting individuals ranged along the side-walk, like so many spittoons waiting to be washed. . . . The principal business of these fellows seems to consist of advertising rum shops and 'gin mills' and the open countenance they display . . . we have sewers for carrying off filth and laws for abolishing nuisances – why cannot something be done to rid the streets of these foul-mouthed loafers?"

"St. Patrick's Day.  Our Irish fellow citizens will celebrate St. Patrick's Day by a lecture on 'Native Land' by Rev. M. J. Keating at the Rutland Opera Hall in the evening . . . Admission 50 cents."

Middlebury.  Horse trot and more gambling – over 1,000 people estimated; editorial rebuke of how gambling leads to crime, "vicious habits" – strong moral condemnation.

  Wed March 16, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Railroad Accident."  A few miles south of Poultney; Peter Munin killed, two others seriously injured.

"Revival Meetings . . . Advent Chapel . . . Ester Grant . . ."

 Thurs March 17, 1870, Rutland Herald

Long letter from W. C. Dunton against Dorr's plan for railroad taxation.

"Town Talk.  Considering the various cases of sneak thieving, robbery and 'skinning' in town, we may safely say that the symptoms of an epidemic of knavery are alarming."

"Coal is coming down in price which is a comfort to the poor."

  Fri March 18, 1870, Rutland Herald

Town meeting on the question of railroad taxation

Henry Hall lecture on "The Battle of Hubbardton."

 

  Sat March 19, 1870, Rutland Herald

Minutes of town meeting on railroad taxation issue.  Selectmen of Rutland, held in Town Hall, West Rutland. 

Speakers: 

B. W. Marshall, Town Clerk

John Cain

Gov. Page

S. M. Dorr

Henry Clark

N. P. Simons

Jesse L. Billings

Evelyn Pierpoint. 

Gov. Page's resolution passed 307-87. 

More details on Poultney train accident  [see 3/16/1870]

  Mon March 21, 1870, Rutland Herald

Rutland County Court.  Peter Tasey of Troy, NY, for stealing an overcoat, the value of $20.  Plea: guilty.

Rutland Real Estate Conveyances:  dozens listed

St. Patrick's Day festivities reported on:  Children in procession to Catholic Church, Rev. Father Boylan, mass; procession to Opera House; on stage:  Rev. Fathers Boylan, Gaffney, O'Reilly, Halpin.  Mr. Murphy does song and dance.  Well received.  Favorable article.

  Thurs March 24, 1870, Rutland Herald

Rutland County Circuit Court, Wednesday March 23:  "Mary Ann Stocker and Mary Ann Clifford were on complaint of State's Attorney Wood, brought into court to answer the charge of grand larceny, in stealing clothes from the clothes line of Elizabeth Howe on the night of November 1, 1869, to the value of $20."  Both plead guilty.

"Mr. J. F. Butler . . . has again taken up his quarters in his old stand on Center Street, in Morse's block . . . fresh and salt fish, oysters, &c . . . Mr. Butler is so well known to the people of Rutland and vicinity . . ."

  Fri March 25, 1870, Rutland Herald

Chicken thief stole a chicken from Mr. J. L. Eddy.

  Sat March 26, 1870, Rutland Herald

Masquerade ball at Bardwell House:  "_the_ event of the ball season."

  Mon March 28, 1870, Rutland Herald

"Annual Report of the President of the Board of Education" by N. P. Simons, President, Board of School Trustees, Rutland, March 26, 1870:

"To the School Trustees of the Rutland Graded School" for the school year ending March 31, 1870":

No. of children 4-18 reported for 1869:  1,597

No. of children 4-18 reported for 1870:  1,605

High School average attendance winter term:  70

Grammar School average attendance winter term:  64

Miss Parmlee's Dept:  38. 

Green Street Schools:  73. 

School St. Schools:  84. 

West St. Schools:  194. 

Turnpike Schools:  67 

(all average attendance; these are winter term figures; figures for all terms listed)

So many absences attributed to:  "The first, and, as I think, the main cause, is the ill-health of many of the children who attend our public schools . . . There are, especially among the American population, many frail children – children who lack that healthy physical development belonging to healthy childhood."

Condition of the schools.

High School:  Mr. Dana, Misses Herrrick and Carleton

Grammar School:  Misses Wright, Proctor, and Parmlee

Secondary Schools:  Misses Melden, Grandy, Pitkin, Spaulding, and Hitchcock

Primary Schools:  Misses Reynolds, Hine, Murray, Ruggles, Lee, Burnett, and Green.

Very long report; lots of florid rhetoric on the importance of education.

  Tues March 29, 1870, Rutland Herald

State Normal School in Castleton under Superintendent Rev. R. G. Williams.

  Wed March 30, 1870, Rutland Herald

Annual School Meeting at High School, Tuesday, March 29, 7 p.m.

Horace G. Clark, Moderator

Sidney W. Rowell, Clerk for the next year

J. M. Haven, Financial Report

Walther C. Landon, Treasurer's Report; re-elected treasurer

Henry Hall, Auditor's Report; re-elected auditor

G. C. Ruggles, elected Trustee for Fifth Ward

D. E. Grandey, elected Trustee for Seventh Ward

John N. Baxter, resigns as Trustee for Sixth Ward

George Willis, elected Collector

Col. Merrill, on Trustees, nominated for President Dr. E. V. N. Harwood, Secretary Albert H. Tuttle

Joel M. Haven, report read recommending new high school building at the site of the old Franklin House on Main Street; recommends municipal bonds

Also mentioned:

N. P. Simons

J. B. Kilborn

Walter C. Dunton

Geo. A. Merrill

Warren H. Smith

Norman Weeks

School Committee:

Geo. A Merrill

John B. Page

Warren H. Smith

Loring Atwood

Melzar Edson

N. P. Simons

L. L. Whitcomb

"Danby . . . Much sickness prevails at present in this vicinity, one or two being dangerously sick.  Lung fever is the prevailing disease."

Temperance lecture by Rev. E. Mills of Rutland, in Joslin Hall, Poultney.

  Thurs March 31, 1870, Rutland Herald

Rutland County Circuit Court, March Term 1870:

Sentenced:

John Sullivan, larceny, 2 years.

Peter Tasey, larceny, 1 year.

Adelbert Lucas, obtaining money under false pretenses, 2 years.

Thomas Bryan, burglary, 6 months.  "This sentence was made light from the fact of the existence of extenuating circumstances, it being prompted by exposure, cold, and hunger."

Mary Ann Clifford, larceny, 6 months.  [see Thurs March 24]

Mary Ann Stocker, larceny, 6 months.  [see Thurs March 24]