Vermont Vicinity News: Middlebury, Waterbury, Vergennes and Other Towns

MIDDLEBURY. With one school district yet unreported, there were in Middlebury last year forty-nine births and fifty-two deaths, the number of marriages in town being twenty-nine. Twenty-four of the deceased persons were over sixty years of age. Another of the regulation soirees will be given at the College boarding hall next Tuesday evening. Several witnesses were subpoenaed against a Middlebury saloon keeper and supposed liquor-seller, on Tuesday, but there was no trial, the state accepting a plea of guilty to one offense, it being felt that the only object of the prosecution was to prevent future sales.

On the same day a barrel of beer directed to a mythical "Kelly" was seized at the depot and deposited with the town agent, Sayre. There was a two-mile roller-skating race at the East Middlebury rink Saturday night, the competitors being Quinlan of Bristol and Cote of Lincoln. Quinlan won in 7:52, but it was a close race, and Cote, who was a short distance ahead, fell just before the finish and thus lost the race. The Chi Psi society men of the College had a fraternity banquet at Colby's, Tuesday night. Prof. C. B. Mead, principal of the Middlebury graded school, has purchased the M. T. Shackett farm on South Street, one of the best and best appointed farms in Addison County; the price paid was $9,000. Several new street lamps with double burners have been put in here by a Burlington party, and give the best of satisfaction. Mr. John Powery was unlucky enough to break one of his wrists while attempting to get onto a moving sleigh on Wednesday. The Bitney boys have received a haul of back pension on account of their father, who was killed in the war; "Polly" Bitney gets about $700 and the others smaller amounts.

The ice harvest has about all been gathered in here. The quality of the ice turned out to be better than expected. Edward M. Parker, M.D., son of Professor Wm. H. Parker, has established himself for the practice of his profession in Brockton, Mass. William Kyle has sold his place in Brandon and intends to return to Middlebury to live. The pension of Otis Abbey has been increased by $2 per month, and several other parties in this vicinity have lately had their pensions raised. William Smith of East Middlebury has recently been put on the pension roll, getting four dollars per month and something over $30 in arrearages. In the account of the marriage and arrest of Joseph Bruso, printed last week Saturday, it was hinted that the bride already had a husband to whom she was legally bound. This seems to be an error, but there is no doubt that Bruso now has two or more living wives, wife number one living in Keene, N.H., and intending, it is reported, to come up and make it warm for her unfaithful spouse.

BURLINGTON FALLS. There was a large attendance at the masquerade at the roller rink on Thursday evening, the costumes being various and handsome. The band furnished excellent music. There was an oyster supper and donation given at the Methodist church parlors on Friday evening for the benefit of the pastor, Rev. G. W. H. Clark.

VERGENNES. There was a somewhat notable gathering at the residence of Hon. George W. Grandey of this place, Tuesday evening. It was the occasion of a surprise party gotten up by his two sons, George W. Grandey, Jr., of Port Henry, N.Y., and Jessie W. Grandey, the youngest son. Early in the evening twelve of those present were in one room without premeditation, and it was ascertained that the twelve gentlemen averaged seventy years of age, the twelve representing eight hundred and forty years in all. It was a very pleasant occasion, being in commemoration of Gen. Grandey's seventy-second birthday. Hon. A. T. Smith was very neatly introduced by Geo. W. Grandey, Jr., and made a few well chosen remarks. Hon. E. K. Woodbridge followed, and Rev. Mr. Robertson returned the thanks of the family for the compliment and pleasure of the visit. There were some fifty or sixty prominent gentlemen and ladies present.

WATERBURY. Through the kindness of Graves, '86, U.V.M., a party of six or eight from the senior and junior classes spent a very enjoyable evening recently at the house of Miss Wyman in Waterbury. The ladies of the company were from the Montpelier seminary and Waterbury. All were very hospitably entertained, and to the U.V.M. delegation, at least, the company was an exceedingly pleasant affair. Eckley, '86, U.V.M., was in town recently.

BAKERSVILLE. The oyster supper of the Methodist church on Thursday evening was largely attended and a very pleasant time was enjoyed by all. The proceeds will amount to nearly seventy dollars. Prof. Fuller announced on Thursday evening that a rehearsal of the singing chorus would be held on Tuesday evening, followed on Wednesday evening next by the grand concert. At the academy lyceum held on Friday evening, the question of reading the Bible in public schools where taxpayers object was discussed by a traveling lecturer of quite a "cranky" make, who lectured on chemistry at the Pleasant street hall on Saturday evening.

FAIRFIELD. James Fitzgerald, formerly of this town, has returned on a visit from Minneapolis, Minn., where he has been for about two years. He is looking well, reports a good position there, and will return in three weeks.

The teachers of the Montpelier Graded school, ten in number, with some of the teachers from the Methodist seminary, are to visit Burlington, next Friday, to see the city schools, and compare notes with the Burlington teachers.