Vermont, the Green mountain state (Volume 4) online

in establishments, 14.2 per cent in wage earners and 38.2
per cent in value of products. Hosiery and knit goods
were manufactured in fourteen mills, a gain of four,
and the value of products had increased 65.9 per cent.
There were 10 cotton mills, with an output valued at
$1,027,000.

In 1901 President McKinley appointed Henry C. Bates
of St. Johnsbury Judge of the Court of First Instance in
Iloilo, Island of Panay. His district was one of the
most important in the Philippine Islands, having a popu-
lation of four hundred thousand, and he was the only
Judge. He held this position for six years, until ill
health made his resignation necessary. He died in
1909 at Berkelev, California.



346 HISTORY OF VERMONT

Mason S. Stone, Vermont's Superintendent of Edu-
cation, in 1900 was appointed Superintendent of Schools
for the Island of Negros in the Philippine group, a posi-
tion which he held for three years.

Governor Stickney issued an Old Home Week procla-
mation, on June 20, 1901, carrying out the purpose of the
Legislature of 1900, which passed an act providing "that
the calendar week which includes the sixteenth day of
August in each year shall be designated Old Home
Week, and set apart as a special season, during which
any town or group of towns may arrange for appropriate
celebrations to welcome returning Vermonters and other
guests, and for exercises of historic interest." The
Governor extended, in the name of Vermont, "to all her
absent sons and daughters, wherever they may be, a
most cordial invitation to come home and revisit the
scenes of childhood."

Celebrations were held in forty or more cities and
towns. One of the notable events of the celebration
was the visit of more than one hundred and fifty of the
members of the Vermont Association of Boston. A
special train was chartered, which left Boston August
13. A special train conveyed a reception committee to
White River Junction where the Boston visitors were
met. Senator Dillingham extended a welcome and
President E. J. Sherman responded for the visitors. The
two trains then proceeded to Montpelier, the capital city
being in gala attire. A reception was held at the State
House by Governor and Mrs. Stickney. The Boston
delegation then proceeded to Burlington, where the
night was spent. On the following day there was an



BEGINNING OF A NEW CENTURY 347

excursion on the steamer Reindeer through the northern
part of Lake Champlain.

Bennington observed Bennington Battle Day in a suit-
able manner. Capt. Charles E. Clark was the guest of
honor at Bradford. Montpelier entertained Capt.
Charles E. Clark, Hon. John M. Thurston and Rev. Dr.
George B. Spalding. Capt. G. P. Colvocoresses,
U. S. N., was a guest of his native town of Norwich.
Rutland's program extended through nearly the whole
week, ending with a concert by a choral association.
Albert Clarke, secretary of the Boston Home Market
Club and chairman of the United States Industrial Com-
mission, spoke at Rochester. St. Albans organized a
military, civic, industrial and floral parade, the last
named feature being particularly fine. It is said that
the attendance was between fifteen thousand and twenty
thousand persons. Among the speakers were Congress-
men George Edmund Foss of Illinois and John Barrett
of Oregon.

Judge E. J. Sherman of Massachusetts spoke at
Springfield and Rev. Dr. Cyrus Hamlin at Townshend.

At the solicitation of the Buffalo Society of Vermont-
ers that the Green Mountain State should be repre-
sented at the Pan-American Exposition, about four thou-
sand dollars was raised, and a A^ermont room was fur-
nished in the New England building. The Buffalo
Society furnished a custodian. August 8 was desig-
nated as Vermont day. Exercises were held in the
Temple of Music, which were attended by eight hun-
dred Vermonters who had assembled from many States.
Dr. W. D. Greene, president of the Buffalo Society of



348 HISTORY OF VERMONT

Vermonters, presided. Director General Buchanan and
Mayor Diehl of Buffalo, welcomed the visitors, and Gov-
ernor Stickney responded for Vermont. The principal
address was delivered by Senator Dillingham. Senator
Proctor and Congressman Foster also spoke. Governor
and Mrs. Stickney held a reception in the evening.

Early in the fall of 1901 Vice President Theodore
Roosevelt came to Vermont on a trip that was destined
to be historic. Coming directly from the West, his first
stop was at West Rutland, where he visited the marble
quarries and mills with Senator Proctor. In the after-
noon he visited the Vermont State Fair at Rutland and
spoke to an audience of more than seven thousand per-
sons on "The Strenuous Life." Accompanied by Sena-
tor Proctor, Colonel Roosevelt came to Burlington in
a private car placed at his disposal by President Clement
of the Rutland Railroad. He was met at the station by
Col. LeGrand B. Cannon, Ex-Gov. U. A. Woodbury,
Mayor D. C. Hawley and other prominent citizens.
Fully three thousand persons were assembled to welcome
the distinguished visitor and he was greeted with cheers.
Escorted by two troops of the Eleventh Cavalry from
Fort Ethan Allen, and accompanied by citizens in car-
riages, the party proceeded to Colonel Cannon's resi-
dence. The city was decorated with flags and bunting,
and all along the route the Vice President was greeted
with applause.

The Howard Opera House was crowded in the eve-
ning to hear Colonel Roosevelt's address before the Ver-
mont Officers' Reunion Society. He paid a high tribute
to Vermont soldiers, saying in part : "WTmont was



BEGINNING OF A NEW CENTURY 349

not a rich State, compared to so many States, and she
had sent out so many tens of thousands of her sons to the
West, that it was not improbable that as many men of
Vermont birth served in the regiments of other States
as in those of her own State. Yet, notwithstanding this
drain, your gallant State was surpassed by no other
State of the North, either in the number of men accord-
ing to her population which she sent into the army, or in
the relative extent of her financial support of the (Civil)
War. Too much cannot be said of the high quality of
the Vermont soldiers."

Following the public exercises a banquet was held at
the Van Ness House. Ex-Gov. E. J. Ormsbee presided
and Colonel Roosevelt was one of the speakers. The
Vice President said in part:

*'You have no seacoast, but whenever there is a
battle on sea, there is sure to be a son of Vermont there
and he is sure to be taking a prominent part. * * *
Every great man in your history is a great name in the
history of the country. I have met your sons. I have
stood beside them in battle. I have seen what they
could do and in thanking you I want to say that I think
the entire Nation appreciates what you have done.
There are other States larger, richer, more populous, but
size, riches, population, come second to energy, courage
and patriotism."

A reception was held at the Van Ness House on Fri-
day morning, September 6, and at least three thousand
persons met Colonel Roosevelt.

The annual summer outings of the Vermont Fish and
Game League, for several years were notable gathering?^



350 HISTORY OF VERMONT

not only because men of national reputation were secured
as speakers, but also for the reason that on such occasions
many of the prominent men from all parts of the State
assembled and exchanged opinions on matters of State
interest, political and non-political. The Vice President
had been secured as the principal speaker for the 1901
meeting, which was held on Friday, September 6, on the
grounds of former Lieut. Gov. Nelson W. Fisk, at Isle
La Motte. More than one thousand persons were in
attendance. Vice President Roosevelt and other speak-
ers and guests were taken from Burlington to Isle
La Motte on Col. W. Seward Webb's yacht, Blfrida.

Dinner was served in a great tent on the spacious
lawn of the Fisk homestead. President John W. Tit-
comb of the League presided and introduced Congress-
man D. J. Foster as toastmaster. Among the speakers
were Jeremiah Curtin, translator of "Quo Vadis," and
Winston Churchill, the well known novelist. Colonel
Roosevelt was happy in his remarks and was in a par-
ticularly joyous mood. He referred to a favorite hunt-
ing companion, "Phil" Stewart, son of Ex-Gov. John W.
Stewart, with whom he had gone on big game expedi-
tions. He paid a high tribute to Senator Proctor, say-
ing, "He has been a better soldier, a better business man,
a better statesman, because he has had the spirit of a first
class hunter."

The Vice President retired to the home of Mr. Fisk
for a brief rest before holding a reception, but was
called soon on the telephone by the wife of Supt. J. K.
Butler of the telephone company, who informed him that
a rumor was current that President McKinley had been



BEGINNING OF A NEW CENTURY :351

shot at Buffalo. With a cry of anguish he dropped the
receiver and flung his hands to his head, exclaiming,
"My God!" Superintendent Butler kept the wire open
for the use of Colonel Roosevelt, who sent a message to
Buffalo asking for further particulars. The news re-
ceived verified the earlier reports, and after consultation
Senator Proctor went out to the waiting throng, who
wondered at the unexplained delay in the holding of the
reception. His face showed the deep sorrow that he
felt, and in a voice broken with emotion he said:
"Friends, a cloud has fallen over this happy event. It
is my sad duty to inform you that President McKinley,
while in the Temple of Music at Buffalo, was this after-
noon shot twice by an anarchist, two bullets having taken
effect. His condition is said to be serious, but we hope
that later intelligence may prove the statement to be
exaggerated." At this startling announcement a moan
went up from the waiting throng, and women and not a
few men wept. This sad event made the old stone house
on Lake Champlain, the ancestral homestead of the Fisk
family, an historic building.-

Vice President Roosevelt determined to start at once
for Buffalo and the Elfrida carried him to Burlington,
where he arrived at 8:15 p. m. When asked by a re-
porter for a statement he said: "I am so inexpressibly
grieved, shocked and horrified that I can say nothing."
A special train hurried him to Proctor, where he had
left his baggage. He was accompanied by Senator
Proctor, Col. Fletcher D. Proctor, President Clement of
the Rutland Railroad, his son, Robert, Ex-Gov. John W.
Stewart and H. G. Smith, a Rutland official. At Proctor



352 HISTORY OF VERMONT

the baggage was taken on, the party left the train and
the special returned northward.

President Clement, who accompanied the Vice Presi-
dent, had made arrangements that the telegraph wires
should be kept open all night and as the train speeded
onward every operator at every station was directed to
deliver to Colonel Roosevelt the latest reports from
President McKinley. The Vice President scanned the
bulletins. '*Oh, I hope it is not serious," he said as the
news came that the stricken President was resting
quietly. "Colonel Roosevelt," said President Clement,
"this is the most eventful night of your career. I am
afraid you will be called upon to assume the responsi-
bilities of the President's office in a short time." "Oh,
I hope not," replied the Vice President, "not that I fail
to appreciate its importance, but I don't want it to come
that way." Never at any time, whatever the nature of
the news which flashed over the wires, did the future
President show anything but the deepest sorrow con-
cerning the tragedy.

Following the death of President McKinley Governor
Stickney issued an appropriate proclamation.

Early in January, 1902, President Roosevelt appointed
a native of Vermont, Gov. Leslie M. Shaw of Iowa,
Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Shaw was born in
Morristown, November 2, 1848. At the age of twenty-
one years he went to Iowa, and the following year en-
tered Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, from which
he graduated in 1874. After being admitted to the bar
he opened a law office at Denison, Iowa. He soon be-
came interested in banking and was elected president of



BEGINNING OF A NEW CENTURY :5r,3

the banks at Denison and Manilla, Iowa. During the
campaign of 1896 his speeches for McKinley attracted
wide attention. In 1897 he was elected Governor of
Iowa on the Republican ticket and was reelected, resign-
ing to accept a position in President Roosevelt's Cabinet.

Late in the year 1901, President Roosevelt appointed
Charles li. Darling of Bennington Assistant Secretary
of the Navy, and he assumed the duties of the position
on December 16. Charles Hial Darling was born in
Woodstock, May 9, 1859, graduated from Montpelier
Seminary in 1880, and Tufts College in 1884, studied law
w^ith Norman Paul at Woodstock, was admitted to the
bar in 1886 and began the practice of his profession the
same year in Bennington. Governor Ormsbee appointed
him a Judge of the Municipal Court in 1887, a position
w'hich he held until 1901. He was elected President of
the village in 1895, and represented Bennington in the
Legislature in 1896. He formed a partnership the same
year with O. M. Barber and this legal, firm built up a
large practice. He was elected president of the Ver-
mont Bar Association in 1900.

During the period of service as Assistant Secretary of
the Navy, Judge Darling served under Secretaries Long,
Moody, Morton and Bonaparte, and he was Acting Sec-
retary more than half the time he was in office. Early
in September, 1903, Acting Secretary Darling granted
Commander Robert E. Peary a three years' leave of
absence for the purpose of attempting to discover the
North Pole. In a letter containing instructions for the
explorer, Secretary Darling said: "The attainment of
the Pole should be your main object. Nothing short will



354 HISTORY OF VERMONT

suffice. The discovery of the Poles is all that remains
to complete the map of the world. That map should be
completed in our generation and by our countrymen. If
it is asserted that the enterprise is fraught with danger
and privation, the answer is that geographical discovery
in all ages has been purchased at the price of heroic
courage involved in the undertaking, and this depart-
ment expects that you will accomplish your purpose and
bring further distinction to a service of illustrious
traditions.

"In conclusion I am pleased to inform you that the
President of the United States sympathizes with your
cause and approves the enterprise." A peninsula dis-
covered by Peary in the Arctic region was given the name
of Darling. On returning from a later Polar expedi-
tion, which was successful, Peary wired Mr. Darling
from Indian Harbor, via Cape Ray, Newfoundland:
"We own the top of the earth."

Judge Darling was Acting Secretary during the
Panama revolution. On November 2, 1903, he tele-
graphed the commander of the Nashville in care of the
American Consul at Colon: "Maintain free and unin-
terrupted transit. If interruption is threatened by
armed force, occupy the line of railroad. Permit land-
ing of no armed force with hostile intent, either Govern-
ment or insurgent, either at Colon, Porto Bello or
other points. * * * Government force reported
approaching the Isthmus in vessels. Prevent their
landing if in your judgment this would precipitate a con-
flict." The instructions which he sent Admiral Glass
of the Marhlehead were much the same as those alreadv



BEGINNING OF A NEW CENTURY 355

quoted, but contained an order to prevent the landing of
any armed force with hostile intent at any point within
fifty miles of Panama. If in doubt he was ordered to
occupy Ancon Hill with a strong artillery force.

The situation was so serious on the evening of Novem-
ber 3 that President Roosevelt was called from a perusal
of the election returns to consult with Acting Secretary
of State Loomis and Acting Secretary of the Navy
Darling. Later Mr. Darling conferred with Secretary
of State Hay, Rear Admiral Taylor and others. As
Acting Secretary of the Navy he ordered several war-
ships to the Isthmus. On November 3, he ordered the
cruiser Atlanta, at Kingston, Jamaica, to proceed with
all possible dispatch to Colon. On the same day he sent
a message to the Nashville saying: "In the interest of
peace make every effort to prevent Government troops
at Colon from proceeding to Panama. The transit of
the Isthmus must be kept open and order maintained."

In the fall of 1905, Secretary Darling accepted an
invitation from President Shonts of the Panama Canal
Commission to accompany the board of consulting engi-
neers, which included some of the most eminent Ameri-
can and European engineers, to the Isthmus, to investi-
gate the type of canal to be constructed.

When Secretary Moody was transferred to the office
of Attorney General, Judge Darling was prominently
mentioned as a suitable man for head of the department.
He was not selected for a Cabinet position but was
appointed Collector of Customs for the District of Ver-
mont, and assumed the duties of the office, January 1.
1906. Upon his retirement President Roosevelt wrote:



356 HISTORY OF VERMONT

"You have been a particularly painstaking, hard work-
ing and efficient public servant in your position as Assist-
ant Secretary of the Navy." He was reappointed Col-
lector by President Taft. When Judge Hoyt H.
Wheeler retired, Attorney General Moody urged the
President to appoint Mr. Darling United States District
Judge, and the President was quite willing to accede
to the request, but Judge Darling declined to be consid-
ered as a candidate. After his retirement from the
customs service he engaged actively in the practice of
law. In 1918 he was defeated by a narrow margin for
the Republican nomination for Governor of Vermont.
He has been Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Masons, and President of the Vermont Society, Sons of
the American Revolution.

In 1902 President Roosevelt appointed as Commis-
sioner General of Immigration, Frank P. Sargent, a
native of East Orange, Vt., and formerly Grand Master
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen.

During the summer of 1902 arrangements were made
for a tour of New England by President Roosevelt.
After a visit at Secretary Hay's summer home in Sun-
apee, N. H., and a hunting expedition with Senator
Proctor in Corbin Park, N. H., the President arrived at
Windsor in a tally-ho coach, driven by Winston
Churchill, the author, about 11 a. m., on Saturday,
August 31. A special Central Vermont train had
brought Governor Stickney, Secretary of the Treasury
Leslie M. Shaw, Senator Dillingham, Congressman
Foster and others to meet the Presidential party. Sena-
tor Proctor came with the coaching party. Governor



BEGINNING OF A NEW CENTURY 357

Stickney extended a welcome in behalf of Vermont.
The guests were driven to "Runnymede," the Evarts
homestead at Windsor, where they were entertained by
Maxwell Evarts. After lunch the party proceeded to
the fair grounds, where eight thousand people had
assembled, and the President was given an ovation. In
his speech he referred to the fact that at Windsor the
first American Constitution definitely forbidding slav-
ery, was adopted. He said in part: "Vermont had
done what it has done throughout our history, and fur-
nished the leadership in our public life, which it always
has furnished, — has shown that healthy sanity of public
sentiment which has so prominently distinguished it, be-
cause Vermont has understood that while it was a mighty
good thing to produce material prosperity, it was a better

thing to produce men and women fit to enjoy it.
^ ''fi ^

"Your forefathers, the men who founded the Green
Mountain State, the men who made \^ermont, then not
a colony, but a State, a power in the Revolutionary War,
did their work because they were not afraid to work.
They hewed this State out of the wilderness; they held
it against a foreign foe; they laid deep and stable the
foundations of our State life, because they sought not the
life of ease, but the life of efifort for a worthy end."
Secretary Shaw spoke briefly. The President called on
the widow of William M. Evarts, a native of Windsor,
the day being the fifty-ninth anniversary of her wedding.

A great crowd had assembled at White River Junc-
tion, where Ex-Gov. Samuel E. Pingree introduced the
President, who said : ''Vermont is one of those States



358 HISTORY OF VERMONT

which I feel most typically represent the American ideal,
for Vermont has owed its leadership not to its natural
resources but to the quality of citizenship that has been
bred within its borders." Five thousand persons had
gathered at South Royalton to greet the Chief Magis-
trate of the Nation. At Bethel one of the President's
auditors was Mrs. Chapman, a woman lacking only a
few days of her one hundredth birthday. He was intro-
duced by W. B. C. Stickney, and after referring to
the venerable woman, and to a horseman more than
ninety years old, who drove a horse at the Windsor fair,
he said: *'I think this is a State that favors longevity."
Chief Judge John W. Rowell of the Supreme Court
introduced the President at Randolph, where an audience
of three thousand persons awaited his arrival. He said
in part : "The orderly, law abiding liberty of our people
is the secret of our success as a Nation. It is that spirit
that you have shown here in Vermont, the spirit that
has made Vermont do far more than her share in
national leadership, in example to the Nation — the fact
that here you have been able to work out a reasonable
approximation to the ideal which as a Nation I think we
have before us — the ideal of treating each man in his
own worth as a man. I never have felt the slightest
sympathy for Vermont ; you are not that type — you don't
need it. Vermont has practically realized that when
you came to judge a man it is an outrage to discriminate
for or against him because of his being rich or poor —
that you ought to judge him by the stufif that is in him.
A little way back I passed by the station at which Sena-
tor Morrill used to get on the train. When he was home



BEGIXXING 01^^ A NEW CEXTUR^^ :i59

he lived nine miles from the railroad — lived as anything
hut a rich man — in a village; and yet he was one of the
men who throughout this Nation counted for most."

A salute was fired by the students of Norwich Univer-
sity as the Presidential train passed Northfield. A great
throng variously estimated from fifteen thousand to
twenty thousand persons welcomed the President to
iVIontpelier. He came to the capital as the guest of the
Vermont Society, Sons of the American Revolution.
Greetings were extended by Mayor J. M. Bout well.
There was a parade through the main streets, the Presi-
dent, Governor Stickney and Mayor Boutwell occupying
the first of fourteen carriages. A detachment of cavalry
and a battalion of infantry from the Vermont National
Guard acted as an escort for the President. Houses and
places of business were decorated with flags and bunting.
The President was met at the State House by Col.
Fletcher D. Proctor, president of the Sons of the Ameri-
can Revolution. A spacious stage had been erected in
front of the State House, which was occupied by Sons
and Daughters of the American Revolution and State
officials. A song, the words of which were written by
S. E. Royce, was sung by the St. Albans Glee Club.

The President was given a great ovation when he
was introduced by Colonel Proctor. In his speech, after
referring to the need of both decency and efficiency as
rules of life, he said: "I want first to illustrate what I
mean by the two men whom Vermont, this inland State,
contributed to the navy of the United States, and to the
glory of the entire Nation in the Spanish War, Admiral
Dewey, and our friend here whom I do not have to name



360 HISTORY OF VERMONT

(Admiral Clark, who was present). Now, gentlemen,
Admirals Dewey and Clark had to have in them the
courage, the desire to do decently, but it could not have
done them any good if they had not learned their trade
as the chances came. Dewey went into Manila Bay.
Admiral Clark took the Oregon around through Magel-
lan Straits and then into the fight at Santiago, and there
bore himself with signal valor. They did that because
they had made the most of that raw material so they
could meet the demands made upon them. Dewey could
not have begun to go into Manila Bay if he had not been
trained year in and year out in his profession."

The first stop beyond Montpelier was made at Water-