POST-OFFICE BUILDING

      The present post-office building was begun in the opening of 1857, and finished in the winter of 1858 59. The cost of its construction in round numbers was $56,000, exclusive of the furniture. The supervising architect was the well-known government architect who built the Vermont State House, Ami B. YOUNG; J. J. R. RANDALL, architect, of Rutland, was superintendent of construction and disbursing agent. The contractors were B. F. COLBY and Mr. BIRD. The building is fire-proof, constructed of Boston pressed brick, and iron, with the foundation and underpinning of Vermont granite. The roof was originally covered with galvanized iron, but this was replaced about ten years ago by a roof of copper. The basement was intended for a United States prison, and a number of cells were built for the accommodation of United States prisoners; but only one person has ever been confined in any of them, and he only for a day and a night.

      The appropriation for the erection of this building was obtained through the instrumentality of the Hon. Solomon FOOT, who at his death bequeathed his splendid library to be kept in the building. It now fills the north end of the second story.

      Before Rutland could boast of a hall of its own for the transaction of public business, the town meetings were held alternately in the east village and at West Rutland. The old court-house on Main street was the accustomed place of meeting in the former village. In the spring of 1853 the town entered into a contract with Josiah HUNTOON, under a part of the provisions of which he began the erection of the first town hall. On the 6th of the following September Mr. HUNTOON conveyed the land and appurtenances to the town by deed, in which was recited the condition that he was to occupy the basement and lower floor under a lease from the town. The building was then nearly completed. It stood on the south side of Washington street between the building on the corner of that street and Main street on the east, and, the building then occupied by TUTTLE & HUNTOONS as a printing establishment. The second floor of this hall was devoted exclusively to town business, and the third floor was occupied by the Masonic order of Rutland, and also served the purpose, occasionally, of a lecture-room. It was unhappily destroyed by fire in the fall of 1868. The present town hall, its successor, was not erected until 1872, when it was completed under the supervision of John CAIN. The lower floor is occupied by the village departments, containing the steam fire engine, municipal court-room, village records, clerk's office, village police and a lock-up. The upper story, which has a seating capacity for about one thousand eight hundred persons, is used for the transaction of town business, and for various public meetings and entertainments.

      The High School building was erected in 1852, but was rebuilt and enlarged in 1879, so that the village now has a school building it may well be proud of. It is beautifully located on a hill near the head of Center street, commanding a fine view, at the same time receiving the benefit of the healthful air of the higher land. It is a handsome, commodious structure, built of pressed brick, with stone trimmings, and well ventilated. It also contains a library of about 2,000 rare volumes, which are kept in a room nicely and appropriately furnished for that purpose. The school has also valuable apparatus for astronomical and philosophical illustration, the whole being under the charge of the principal, Oscar ATWOOD, M. A. (See account of Rutland schools in history of that town).

      Previous to the establishment of this institution and its erection in 1877-78, prisoners guilty of felony were confined at Windsor. The original idea of the institution was to make it a place of confinement for convicts sentenced to less than twenty years imprisonment and jail prisoners. In 1878 the Legislature so amended the laws that the original purpose of the institution as a "work-house" was altered to its present status as a "house of correction," and the criminal laws were changed so as to allow the court at its discretion to sentence persons convicted of an offense punishable by imprisonment in the State prison, to this house of correction. The institution was built in pursuance of an act passed by the General Assembly in 1876.

      Rutland was selected as the site, upon condition that the county should contribute $20,000 towards its erection, thereby gaining its use as a county jail. The buildings are located just west of the village line, on the bank of East Creek, and cost about $60,000. The institution is divided into a north and south wing, or extension, with kitchen, guard-room and chapel between; contains seventy-five cells, four of which are lined with boiler iron and furnished with solid iron doors. These are used for confining dangerous or refractory inmates, and is, indeed, about the only mode of punishment inflicted, the present management relying more upon kindness than harsh measures to preserve discipline. When a prisoner enters the institution he is first obliged to make thoroughly clean his person, and then is dressed in a clean suit of clothes, and from that time until his release habits of cleanliness and good manners are constantly enforced. All conversation with fellow-prisoners is prohibited, and in health a full day's work required. One day in each week they are gathered together for religious instruction and advice, and at all times the superintendent and keepers are ready by kind words and kindly admonitions to strengthen their resolutions to lead a better life when released. The female prisoners are kept well employed in making, mending and washing the prison bedding and clothing.

      During the summer of 1879 M. R. BROWN entered upon the contract now in force for the labor of the prisoners, and L. G. BAGLEY is now his partner in the enterprise. (See "Marble Industries of Rutland.") This contract, for finishing marble, was to continue for a term of five years from September 1, 1879, and is terminable by either party upon six months' notice. It has since been extended five years longer. By its terms the contractor is to pay twenty-five cents a day for the labor of each prisoner employed up to August 1, 1880, and thirty cents thereafter. I. M. TRIPP was first appointed superintendent, but resigned his office before the close of the first month, and G. N. EAYRES, the present superintendent, was appointed to fill the vacancy. To the good character, judgment, prudent and careful management of Mr. EAYRES much of the success of the institution is due.

      Immediately after the organization of the county, Tinmouth, being the center of population and the home of the most prominent men of the county, was selected as the shire town. The court-house was neither more nor less than the inn of Solomon Bingham, located on the Tinmouth Flats, one mile east of the present meeting-house, on the east side of the highway. It was built of logs, was one story in height, and about forty feet long. The family occupied one room and the courts were held in the bar-room, which sufficed to accommodate all the attendants upon the courts of those early days. The jury retired for consultation to the log barn almost adjoining. In this house was also held the first county election more than one hundred years ago. The jail was also built of logs and stood about a mile north of the courthouse, at the intersection of the roads from Tinmouth village with the East Road, on the north side, on the line between Buler WALDO's farm and the Spafford farm, and about fifteen feet from the hotel. It is said that a blanket first served as a door.

      In 1784 Rutland was adopted as the shire town, and the courts thereafter held session, until 1792, in the old gambrel-roofed building still standing on West street in Rutland village. Externally it was then substantially as it is now. It had two rooms, one with a floor and the other with none. The west one was the court-room, having a floor and elevated seats on the north side for the judges, and benches for the jurors, witnesses and spectators. The east room had no floor and answered all the other purposes of a court-house, grand and petit jury-room, etc. The jail, which was built of logs, stood a few yards to the northwest of the court-house.

      It was in this building that the first United States District Court ever held in Vermont had its session, on the first Monday in May, 1791, with Nathaniel CHIPMAN as judge and Frederick HILL as clerk. The State Legislature held sessions here in 1785 and 1786. In November, 1786, the anti-court mob enjoyed in this building their momentary triumph.

      In 1792 funds were raised by contribution, and a more stately court-house was erected in Main street, just above the old Franklin House. It was framed and stood facing the north. The Legislature, during its first session therein, on the 25th of October, 1792, passed "An act for the purpose of raising by lottery the sum of one hundred and sixty pounds lawful money, for the purpose of defraying the expense of building the new Court House in Rutland." In 1828 the citizens, deeming it necessary to rebuild the already time-worn structure, again raised funds by voluntary contribution, and contracted with George W. DANIELS, who bricked up the outside eight inches thick, and sub-let the wood-work to W. W. BAILEY. In 1844 the building was extended a distance of forty-four feet. Thus the structure served all the purposes of the agents of the law in their work of redressing injuries, repressing crimes, and, generally, of distributing justice. It was destroyed by fire on the morning of April 3, 1868. The court, which was in session at the time of the fire, held the remainder of the term in the office of Judge PROUT, the presiding judge; one term it was held in the Christian Association rooms; two terms in the old town hall, and the rest of the time, until the new court-house was ready for occupancy, in the United States court-room. The present court-house was begun in 1869, and first occupied in the first week of March, 1871. Its cost, including a small outlay for finishing touches superadded during the ten years after its first service, was $72,000. In the spring and autumn of 1885 an additional sum of about $5,500 was expended upon it for improvements. The rear entrance was opened, the clerk's office was enlarged, the court-room was made more comfortable and handsome, and new heating apparatus was added.

      This association was organized in the office of John HOWE, of Castleton, on the 11th day of June, 1880, by the election of the following officers: Barnes FRISBIE, of Poultney, president; James SANFORD, of Castleton, vice-president; John M. CURRIER, of Castleton, secretary; and R. C. ABELL, of Westhaven, treasurer. The object of the society, though clearly indicated by its title, is said in Article II of the Articles of Confederation to be "the collection and preservation of historical facts, more particularly such as relate to the county of Rutland." At a special meeting held in the vestry of the Congregational Church, in Castleton, on the 26th of October, 1880, the most important measure adopted was the appointment of a committee consisting of one person from each town in the county, to make arrangements for an appropriate celebration of the centennial of Rutland county.

      The celebration was held on the 4th of March, 1881, and created a deep interest throughout the county. Many valuable historical papers were read, interesting letters were received from former residents, and the proceedings throughout were such as to create an abiding interest in the society and its work.

      The semi-annual meeting of 1881 was held January 13th of that year, in the vestry of the Congregational Church, in Castleton. Henry CLARK delivered an address on historic monuments; Rev. J. K. WILLIAMS read a sketch on Dr. Lorenzo SHELDON; a number of interesting relics were exhibited; the by-laws were somewhat changed, etc.

      At the annual meeting of 1881 (August 10), held in Adams's Hall, in Fairhaven, an interesting session was had; papers were read, poems delivered, and President Barnes FRISBIE delivered his annual address, which was ordered published, and the same officers were elected, with the addition of Joseph JOCELYN as the second vice-president. Thirteen new members were admitted. 

      The present officers are as follows: President, Hon. Barnes FRISBEE; Dr. John M. CURRIE, secretary; Henry CLARK, and Dr. James SANFORD, vice-presidents; R. C. ABELL, treasurer.

      This society was organized and held its first fair at Castleton in 1846. Its first officers were William L. FARNHAM, of Poultney, president; Orel COOK, Rutland, secretary; Zimri HOWE, of Castleton, treasurer.

      For many years the annual fairs were held, alternately, at Rutland and Castleton. One year, 1852, the annual exhibition was held at Poultney, and is the only exception of its being held at other than the places named. In 1860 the annual exhibitions were permanently located at Rutland. Some forty acres of land were purchased, situated about a mile south of the village, and buildings, sheds and race track erected, and the annual fairs have since been held thereon, the Vermont State Fair being held upon the grounds nine years.

      After the usual seasons of alternate prosperity and depression, this society is now upon a sound foundation, is well managed and is popular with the inhabitants of the county. It has about $800 in its treasury, with all debts paid.

      The following named gentlemen have held the office of president of the society since the organization: William L. FARNHAM, David HALL, Henry W, LESTER, Joseph SHELDON, Bradley FISH, Alpha H. POST, Henry HAYWARD, A. D. SMITH, Pitt W. HYDE, Lensey ROUNDS, jr., L. Howard KELLOGG, Henry F. LATHROP, J. S. BENEDICT, Horace H. DYER, Henry CLARK, N. T. SPRAGUE, H. D. NOBLE, Seneca ROOT.

      The following gentlemen have filled the office of secretary: Orel COOK, ten years; W, H. SMITH, ten years; Henry CLARK, fifteen years; Miner HILLIARD, three years; Lensey ROUNDS, three years; C. C. PIERCE, from 1887 to the present time.

      Following are the officers for 1885: President, Seneca ROOT, Hubbardton; vice-presidents, J. L. BILLINGS, Rutland, and Redfield PROCTOR, Rutland; secretary, C. C. PIERCE, East Clarendon; treasurer, H. H. DYER, Rutland; clerk, J. D. GREEN, Rutland; auditors, T. C. BOBBINS, Rutland, D. P. PEABODY, Rutland, A. S. COOK, Brandon; trustees, Seneca ROOT, chairman, L. G. FISH, Rutland, E. F. SADLER, Rutland, E. D. HINDS, Pittsford, J. W, CRAMTON, Rutland; finance committee, T. C. BOBBINS, Rutland, W. C. LANDON, Rutland, G. H. CHENEY, Rutland, A. D. SMITH Clarendon, Lester, FISH, Ira; directors, Rollin GLEASON, Benson, Fred H. FARRINGTON, Brandon, James T. FREEMAN, Castleton, L F. CROFT, Clarendon, Edwin HORTON, Chittenden, E. A. SMITH, Danby, J. R, SHELDON, Fairhaven, S. W. ST. JOHN, Hubbardton, Lester FISH, Ira, F. B. PARRETT, Middletown, L. P. HOWE, Mount Tabor, William B. HOSKINSON, Mount Holly, Alonzo ORMSBY, Mendon, D. W. BROMLEY, Pawlet, C. W. BRIGHAM, Pittsfield, A. C. POWERS, Pittsford, F. W. MOSELEY, Poultney, Henry HAYWARD, Rutland, D. W, TAYLOR, Sherburne, D. K. BUTTERFIELD, Shrewsbury, James M. KETCHUM, Sudbury, Bartlett STAFFORD, Tinmouth, Russel LAMB, Wells, Joel TODD, Wallingford, R. C. ABELL, Westhaven; general superintendent, Frank S. HALE, Rutland; marshal, H. C. HAYWARD, Rutland; assistants, Burt WHITE, Clarendon, R. M. SPAULDING, Rutland.

"History of Rutland County Vermont with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men & Pioneers"
Edited by H. Y. Smith & W. S. Rann, Syracuse, N. Y.
D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1886
History of Rutland County
Chapter X.
(pages 148-154)

Transcribed by Karima, 2002