Today In Brattleboro History

Historic events for Apr 20

1846 George H. Clapp born.

George H. Clapp born on this day.

1888 Improved Order of Red Men Forms

Improved Order of Red Men, Quonekticut Tribe No. 2, formed in Brattleboro.

1770 Sargent Buys Retreat Meadows

Colonel John Sargent purchases a farm in the location of the current Retreat Meadows.

1796 William Wells Appointed Minister

Rev. William Wells appointed minister at a salary of 80 pound per year in Brattleboro.

1892 Dr. Lawton Superintendent of Asylum

Dr. Shailer E. Lawton is made Superintendent of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane in Brattleboro. Dr. Lawton changed the name of Asylum to "the Retreat."

1849 Extracts For Sale

Purified Oil of Lemon, Rose, and concentrated extract of Vanilla, prepared by Dr. J. K. Holton, for sale by J. Steen.

1849 Crockery and Glass Ware For Sale

Crockery & Glass Ware at Cost. At the Sign of the Elm Tree. Will positively be sold for Cash at Cost, as we propose to give up that particular branch of trade. Townsley & Sons.

1877 Seasonal Tramp Increase

The number of tramps demanding accommodations at the hands of the town authorities averages six or eight per night, and is larger than ever before at this time of year.

1877 Village Meeting Votes To Aid Brattleboro and Whitehall Railroad

There was a full attendance at the town meeting on Saturday afternoon, and the result was a vote to aid the Brattleboro and Whitehall railroad by a strong and decisive majority. $50,000 of stock is authorized to be purchased, and the appointed commissioners authorized to borrow the sum.

1883 New Paint For Street Watering Cart

The street watering cart, made gorgeous in a new coat of green and red, began its summer’s work yesterday.

1883 New Pressed Corn Beef

The proprietors of the new union meat market are introducing a very nice article of pressed corn beef of their own manufacture, which, being free from the objections urged against the ordinary canned variety, ought to find a ready sale.

1883 S. M. Waite In Town Preparing for Case

S. M. Waite once more honors the town with his presence. It is understood that he is here with his counsel to look over the books of the bank and make ready for the arguments before the referee in the case of the bank stockholders against his estate.

1883 Two Canoe Excursions on Connecticut

There are to be two excursions of canoeists down the Connecticut this season, one starting from the head-waters the last of May and the other the last of June. The first of these will comprise a fleet of 20 birch canoes built by the Penobscot Indians on their reservation in Maine.

1883 Y.M.C.A. Established in Brattleboro

Meeting held to establish the Young Men’s Christian Association in Brattleboro. Annual membership fee fixed at $1. The names of 60 persons were presented who had signed a paper asserting their willingness to become members.

1888 Magic Lantern Entertainment at Y.M.C.A.

Rev. F. J. Parry will give a magic lantern entertainment for the boys in the Y.M.C.A. rooms next Thursday evening.

1888 Several Properties Considered for New Town Farm

Mr. Herrick has not yet decided on a farm for the town, though two or three are under favorable consideration. If necessary the four charges at the present farm will be boarded for a few weeks. They can be well cared for at West Brattleboro for $12 a week.

1888 Village Meeting To Consider Prospect Street Park

Annual village meeting warning article: “If the village will accept the proposed park on Prospect street and pay $125 for it with one year’s interest.”

1894 Real Summer Weather, Hundreds Climb Mountain

Last Sunday brought the first suggestion of real summer weather, and the afternoon invited irresistibly to out-door life. Probably not less than 200 people climbed the mountain.

1894 Bicyclists Ignore Rights of Pedestrians

Bicycle riders who monopolize the sidewalks and ignore the rights of pedestrians ought to be called down. Among the worst offenders are several adult riders.