Brattleboro Union High School - Colonel Yearbook (Brattleboro, VT)

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THE DIAL 9 books to be purchased in the very near future. Some other rules and regulations read as follows: persons visit- ing in town or temporarily residing therein were re- quired to deposit live dollars when taking out books, at the expiration of the allotted time, the fee was to be returned to the borrower, provided that all the rules and regulations had been carried out, the librarian or the trustees were the only persons allowed to enter the al- cove and take books from the shelves, except by special permission of the trustees, gentlemen were obliged to remove their hats upon entering, and the use of tobacco was strictly prohibited in the reading rooms. MANY of you have probably heard of Mr. George Jones Brooks, for, indeed, he was a man of repute. His fortune was accumulated primarily on the Pacific Coast, where he had gone in 1850. He became the first, and for a time the only paper-selling agent on the Coast, after becoming wealthy he retired. Then he invested part of his fortune in San Francisco real estate, and returned to Brattleboro, where, in 1871-1872, he built the Brooks House at a cost of about 35150,000. Further to show his interest in our community, Mr. Brooks engaged an architect from Springfield, Massa- chusetts, to draw plans for the new Brooks Library Building. These were completed by january 1, 1886, and after receiving many bids, Bartlett Bros. was hired to construct the building. The main structure was 50 by 28 feet in size, with a wing 33M-3 by 40 feet for the main library. The foundation was of Dummerston granite, and the superstructure of pressed brick laid in red mortar with terra cotta and brownstone trimmings. The interior finish was done by many skilled jobbers, and their work certainly shows that they were true artists in their field. Two reading rooms, one for women and one for men, and a large lobby comprised the main part of the library, while in the basement were located a committee and trustees' room, one for natural history specimens, and a boiler room. just a few days before the building was to be dedi- cated, Mr. Brooks died suddenly. of heart failure. On the morning of his death, there were found on, his desk in his library two sheets of paper upon which he had com- menced a preliminary draft of his dedication speech, so it was thought proper that this should be read on the occasion. From his will it was found that he had appointed five trustees to carry out his wishes. It was provided that, in case the building was not constructed before his death, a sufficient sum should be set aside to complete and furnish the library according to his plans and specifica- tions. A further proviso stated that this amount, includ- ing what had been expended during his lifetime, should not exceed 3515,000. In a codicil to his will, however, Mr. Brooks set aside an extra sum of 357,000 or what- ever additional amounts might be needed for the com- pletion and furnishing of the building, including the grading of the grounds. Several days before his death, many prominent resi- dents prevailed upon Mr. Brooks to sit for a painting, so that upon its completion it might be placed in the library. Mr. Robert Gordon Hardie was engaged to paint the portrait in his studio on Canal Street, and just the expression of the face was finished when the end came so suddenly for Mr. Brooks. UST before the library was reopened in the new building on August 4, 1887, a gift of 351,000 came from Mr. Lucius Pratt of West Newton, Massachusetts, for the purchase of such books as the Board of Trustees might select. The first annual report after the opening of the new library showed the total number of volumes to be 5,999 in February, 1888, a substantial increase from those of the very first library. Many legacies and donations were received from time to time until there were so many volumes that space was lacking in which to store them. At a joint meeting of the Brooks Library Trustees and the Brattleboro Free Library Trustees, plans for an addition were submitted by Pellett Bros., estimated to cost from 357,500 to 358,000. A check for 352,500 was received from Mrs. C. A. Loud, and the Town generously contributed 353,000. The new, large addition was constructed in the rear in 1912. A regional station of the Vermont Free Public Library Commission was established here in july, 1948, from which the Book Wagon serves many communities. There is much proof that we appreciate our library opportunities today. Statistics speak the truth. In 1948, 13,250 people lived in Brattleboro, the library was open 301 days last year and 66 hours each week, new bor- rowers registered numbered 826, the number of vol- umes was 39,578, 2,053 books were added during the year, of which 228 were received as gifts, the largest number of books issued in one month was 9,924 in last March, the greatest number in one day was 554 in November, the average daily circulation was 304, mak- ing a circulation per capita of 7.5, adult circulation was 72,483, while the juvenile was 27,895, making a total circulation of 1o9,s16, the gain over the year before was 6,015, discards were 695, and reserves were 3,502. Brattleboro has indeed been fortunate in having a fine public library. We can sincerely thank our forefathers for this invaluable community blessing. 7 -Mary Frame: La Rom

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THE BROOKS LIBRARY N the spring of 1821-about 128 years ago-when I the first bank of Brattleboro, now the Vermont- Peoples National Bank, was being established, there was another group of men and women actively engaged in organizing the first Circulating Library. Brattleboro was then 97 years young-the first settle- ment was made in 1724-and it is interesting to note that Guilford, at that time, was slightly larger than our fair town. In those days, it was said that Brattleboro was organizing a bank and a library merely to show that rival town that it, too, could grow. The first library was originally housed in the sarne quarters as was the Brattleboro Bookstore, which loca- tion now would be between the places of Dunham Brothers and Houghton Sc Simonds on Main Street, des- ignated as Hall's old long building. Afterwards it was located in the Fisk Block, now where Lunden Sc Adams is situated, and later in the newly-erected Hooker Block. The new establishment held itself out to the public as accommodating all those people who wished to avail themselves of a cheap mode of reading. It contained about 500 volumes to which additions of later publica- tions were to be made as they appeared in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and other places. This very declara- tion proves that the worthy citizens of Brattleboro ac- cepted a reading establishment as a good proposition and were striving to make it up-to-date according to standards of large cities in our vicinity. The terms of this honorable institution were as follows: to sub- scribers, the fee for one year would be 33.50, six months, 31.87, three months, 31.00. To non-subscribers or persons taking books occasionally, six cents on the dollar was levied. To companies or classes, formed from a different town and composed of not less than five in- dividuals, the tax was 3512.75 per annum. This class also had the privilege of borrowing two volumes to a sub- scriber at one time. One week was allowed for the read- ing of small volumes, while a two-week interval was granted for the larger ones. Persons living at a distance were favored by being permitted to keep a volume of any size for two weeks. A special fine was imposed on overdue books at the rate of three cents per day, and persons damaging, obliterating, or losing any volumes were liable for the value thereof. IN 1842 a meeting was called for the purpose of tak- ing measures to organize the Circulating Library into a Public Library. This ambition was realized as G. C. Hall offered the free use of a room in which to keep the establishment, a regular librarian was selected, and shares of stock were issued. In addition to organizing a public institution, the amount of reading matter was in- creased to 2,000 volumes from the extra amount of capital. E. J. Carpenter, proprietor of a bookstore on Elliot Street, took over the control of the library in the year 1855, and it was under his direction until 1882. During thistime, and while it was located in the Blake Block, now the Vermont-Peoples National Bank Building on the corner of Main and Elliot Streets, the great fire of 1869 occurred and caused severe damage, resulting in a loss of one-half of the volumes. After this catastrophe, the library was moved to the Market Block on Elliot Street, where it remained until the Town took over its management. The library's most generous philanthropist during these trying years was the late A. H. Bull, whose gift of S122,000, known as the Bull Donation, was largely re- sponsible for the usefulness and strength of this estab- lishment. There was a condition in his will, however, that provided that the citizens of Brattleboro should in- vest JBSOO at the time of his offering. Other provisions were made by him: the library was at all times to be kept insured, no books were to be purchased except those approved by the Clergymen of the Town or a committee appointed by them fin many cities a similar aim, with respect to comic books, is being fulfilled todayj, the library was not to be kept open at all on Sunday, at the expiration of twenty years from the date of his will, November 16, 1852, the Brattleboro Library Association was to spend at least twenty dollars annually for books to increase the reading matter, the books given by the Bull Donation were to bear a special label distinguishing them from the others, the library was to be kept open every day and evening except on Sunday. If the Brattleboro Library Association failed to comply with any of the aforesaid rules and regulations, then the obligations would become void. AT a town meeting held on March 7, 1882, the voters decided to establish and maintain a free public library in Brattleboro. The next month the Town took over the books and property of the old Brattleboro Li- brary Association, and, during the course of that sum- mer, the lower part of the town hall was fitted up for public library purposes and was accordingly opened on September 18, 1882. The sum of 351,000 was also ap- propriated by the Town for the foundation and main- tenance of the library during that year. A meeting of the Trustees was held on May 15, 1882, just before the opening day, in order to plan and arrange for the operation of the Brattleboro Free Public Library. The hours it was to be kept open were from 9-12 a.m.g 2-5 p.m., 7-9 in the evening three days a week, with the exception of Sundays, Fourth of july, New Years, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Memorial Day. Mrs. An- nie E. Fulton was chosen the first librarian and her im- mediate duties were to catalogue the library by the deci- mal system and to prepare a manuscript catalogue of

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ROYALLTYLER-JURIST EXTRAORDINARY ERMONT has always had many famous people of vwhom it could be proud. Although some of these noted persons have received world-wide acclaim, still others have been less well-known. One of the latter is Royall Tyler, a man who never received all the praise that he so richly deserved. Royall Tyler was born in Boston, Massachussetts, in 1757. His people were Wealthy and influential. The colonies, at the time of his early childhood, were in a state of great confusion and turmoil, the Stamp Act and the Boston Massacre were only two- of the intolerable actions of the English government toward the people in the new world. Despite the heavy taxation and political agitation, the Tyler family prospered, and they lived quietly in Boston for several years. Shortly after his fatheris death, young Tyler, than nearly fifteen years old, entered Harvard College. An amusing incident occurred while he was an underclass- man there. Tyler and his roommate one day decided to go fishing, their idea of the sport, however, was an un- usual one--they tried to catch a pig on their line. From their room directly over the main entrance to the dormi- tory they dangled a properly-baited hook above the heads of a litter of pigs in the yard below. Intently watching their novel experiment, the two young men failed to notice the approach of the president of the college. This stern, austere man paused on the steps of the building to remove his hat and wipe his forehead. The culprits spied him and hurriedly tried to draw up their fishing equipment, however, they hadn't learned that haste makes waste. In their great rush, Tyler and his companion caught their hook into the dignified gentleman's wig and jerked it high into the air, thus exposing the unfortunate president's bald head to the world. For their prank, the two classmates were severely punished. This was the only time that Tyler received a penalty for a misdemeanor at Harvard-he became more careful after this escapade. After his graduation Tyler studied law with john Adams for a few years at Cambridge and was admitted to the bar in 1779. Having serving in the army during the Revolutionary War, he returned to Cambridge to practise law. After he had taken part in the suppression of Shays' Rebellion, Tyler returned to Boston where he opened his law office. At this time drama was becoming more and more popular in America, especially in Boston and New York. Tyler was intimate with several directors and actors, and at their insistence he wrote his first play in 1787. This comedy was the first drama written by an American to be produced on the stage. Since the charac- ters were typically Yankee and different from any others evercreated, the young author chose for his title, The Contrast. One of the characters- Brother jonathan - is supposed to have been the model from which we have drawn Uncle Sam. He followed his first success with an- other comedy, May Day In Town. Royall Tyler be- came the pet of society, and he lived a carefree, easy, and free life. EVERAL years later, in 1790, Tyler decided to give I up his social life in Boston, and he moved to Ver- mont, where he settled in Guilford, then the most flourishing town in the new state. He had been engaged to Abigail Adams, daughter of john Adams, but she had broken the engagement when she went to England with her father. Perhaps this was one reason for Tyler's leaving Massachusetts. His practice in Vermont grew steadily, and his reputation spread over all of New Eng- land. His extensive legal activity, his literary ability, his wit and humor, and his sociability made him popular throughout the state. Once when Royall Tyler was attending court in Charlestown, New Hampshire, he was asked to deliver the sermon in the Episcopal Church because of the ab- sence of the minister. After the service Tyler was heard to remark, I was strongly urged to turn my thoughts to the Church, being assured that I had mistaken my voca- tion. He added that he didn't dare to become a minister, however, because he remembered the free, almost too gay life of his youth. He didn't want to bring any dis- grace upon the sacred cause. Several years later Royall Tyler returned to Massachu- setts, where he married Mary Palmer in Framingham. Many years before, when he was a young man of about twenty, he had gone to visit in the home of his good friend, joseph Palmer. It is said that Tyler took his host's infant daughter from her mother's arms and said, This child shall be my wife. Years later his statement came true, when 'he was thirty-seven years old and Mary was nineteen. The young couple was separated for a time while Royall returned to Guilford where he had bought and fur- nished a house. It wasn't until the following winter that Mary and her infant son were able to join him in Ver- mont. At that time the easiest method of traveling was by horse-drawn sleigh, so it was necessary to wait until February to journey from Massachusetts to the green- mountain state. On the night of her arrival in her new home, Mary Tyler's husband told her about the surrounding country and the people of the new neighborhood. He described the natives as friendly, open, and hospitable, they have no distinction among themf, Royall Tyler had indeed become a Vermonter, by adoption if not by birth. The Tylers later moved from their Guilford home to a large farm a mile from the West Brattleboro meeting-house. HILE he was living in Guilford, Mr. Tyler wrote wthe first American novel ever to be republished in England. The title of this work was The Algerine