Today In Brattleboro History

Historic events for Mar 16

1816 John Burnham born

Inventor and engineer John Burnham is born.

1940 Lost Overnight on Stratton Mountain

Seven out-of-town young people, ages 10-17, were located on Stratton Mountain by a search party after they had lost their way on the Long Trail.

1849 Mail Stolen from Stage Coach

On Saturday night last, the through mail from Keene to Brattleboro was stolen from the stage at Chesterfield.

1849 Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer

Gov. Coolidge has appointed Friday, the 6th day of April next, to be observed in this State as a day of “public humiliation, fasting and prayer.”

1866 Be On The Lookout

The following telegram has been received here directed to Sheriffs and Constables: Bellows Falls to Brattleboro - look out for a man about 25 years old, rather tall and slim, dark complexion, black hair, side whiskers, Scotch cap, light pants, dark coat. A woman was with him supposed to be a man.

1866 New Street on Frost Property

A street is to be opened from Flat street west of the residence of Willard Frost to extend through the land owned by the Frost family, lying between Elliot street and Whetstone Brook, to enter Elliot street near the bridge leading to Thomasville.

1866 Heel Manufacturing

The manufacture of heels for ladies shoes, as a distinct branch of business, is quite new in this vicinity. It is, however, being carried on now by Messrs. Pierce & Ladd, now occupying one of the rooms on Main street, in Goodhue’s building nearly opposite the American House.

1877 Lottery Swindlers Promise Prizes

The lottery swindlers are busy at their old games again, and several parties hereabouts have lately received circulars containing the interesting intelligence that they have drawn valuable prizes, which will be forwarded on receipt of the 10 per cent “assessment” voted by the officers in charge.

1877 School Exams To Be At Town Hall

Owing to the limited accommodations which the High and Grammar school rooms furnish to visitors on examination day, it has been decided to hold this year’s examination of those schools at the town hall.

1883 Roller Rink at Town Hall

A Boston man has engaged the town hall for a roller skating rink, to be opened in a few days.

1883 New House at Pearl and South Main

H.E. Bond’s new house, corner of Pearl and South Main streets, is completed, and he expects to move into it next week.

1883 Miss Stedman’s Easter Cards

Some beautiful hand-painted cards by Miss Stedman of West Brattleboro are included in the line of Easter cards shown by Cheney & Clapp.

1883 Col. Fuller Pays For Library Improvements

Col. L.K. Fuller having offered to give the library room at the town hall some needed improvements at his own expense, the work now in progress, necessitating the closing of the library for a few days. The repairs will be completed about the middle of next week.

1888 Move The Esteyville Schoolhouse?

The warrant for the annual school meeting is out today. The only article outside of the regular business is to see of any action will be taken in regard to moving the Esteyville school house, which, it is claimed, now obstructs the highway.

1888 Childhood Fairyland of Snow

Brattleboro was never lovelier, certainly, than early on Wednesday morning. The night had been perfectly still, succeeding the great storm, and three or four inches of light feathery snow had fallen, covering every tree and shrub and twig to its outmost tip, while everything below was the same pure white covering. The scene was a symbol of absolute rest and stillness, or like a vision of enchantment out of childhood’s fairyland.

1888 22 Foot Snow Drift

The biggest drift yet reported is one of 22 feet in front of Lyman Bliss’s in the highway past the “Bliss farm.”

1894 Ice Out of Connecticut River

The ice went out of the Connecticut last week, and the water has been at its spring height this week, setting back up West river quite a distance.

1894 Photographs of Masons

The Masons have voted to have the individual pictures of the members hung in the lodge rooms, and Photographer Howe has the contract for taking them.

1894 New Fire Signal for Estey Factory

One long whistle will be sounded at the Estey factory hereafter when the watchman discovers a fire and no alarm has been pulled in, and he does not know the exact location. Afterward it is expected that people in the vicinity of the fire will pull in the proper alarm. The last two fires were seen at the factory before the alarm was given.