LAKE BOMOSEEN, CASTLETON, VT., 
 
 K. H. ir AliKER. Proprietor. 
 
 Four miles from depot; one mile from Taghkannuc isle. 
 Hotel and picnic house combined. Picnic rooms, boats, groves, 
 barn, everything for comfort. Ferry to Taghkannuc isle. Sandy 
 beach. Fine scenery. Permanent and transient boarders accom- 
 modated with good rooms, and board at reasonable prices. 
 
 a^ df^ 4^4 ^J&^ 4^^ 
 
 On the eastern shore of Lake Bomosgerli 
 
 One mile from Taghkannuc isle ; four miles from depot. 
 Ferry to the isle ; picnic house, boats, barns, groVes. All 
 needed conveniences for visitors. 
 Boarders can be accommodated at his house near the water. 
 Prices reasonable. 
 
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 f rtlir «i3iiii0isrrii: 
 
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 IT^ EHRIiY KI3'F0^Y, C0NVEY?INCE^, 
 
 FISHING. IIUNTI.NC. 
 
 TiKsoiri's. isla.]s.ds-thp:[r names. 
 
 roMl'II.KIi }'.V — 
 
 / 
 
 G D. SPENCER, 
 
 tirst Apiiniiitrd Aqent of Virffil d' Co.'s, uoir National Exprei 
 OliCidtor of flic Troy d- Canada Junction Telegraph Co. in »S'( 
 Allxinx : fornierhj Organist in Congregational Church, Caatleton ; 
 a rail note of Castleton Seminary ; Clerk in a I>ry Goods 
 ■ Johhing flouxe in New York; Merchant at Cafitleton ; 
 Cor. Secretary of V.-M. C. A., Fairhaven ; Cor- 
 resjxindent of various Newspapers ; Secretari/ 
 of the Rutland County Merino Sht 
 
 of the Rutland County 
 ihicers' Association ; Lover of 
 and Hater of Meanness. 
 
 <eep P ro- 
 ll ight 
 
 POULTNEV: 
 
 JoiKNAi. Job Printinc Okfick. 
 
 1882. 
 
Fo7 
 
 B:^S7 
 
■5(tPREFACE * 
 
 . " 
 
 The report of what piirjiorlcd to he the acts and cIomijj^s of the 
 Rutlaiul County Historical Society at its celei)ratioii on Lake 
 Bomoseen in iSSi.and the pretended naming the Ishtnd, de- 
 mands the appearing of this pamphlet, to let posterity know the 
 Historical Society, as a hody. were not responsihle for the name 
 of that day ; it was furnished hy an individual. But the name 
 agreed upon hy the owner of the Island ami society is an appro- 
 priate one. May it cling to the lovely spot as long as Bomoseen 
 wasiies its shores, or a creeping thing inhahits the earth. 
 
 G. I). S. 
 
LAKE BOMOSEEN 
 
 Lake Bonioseeii is a beautiful lake, situated in MubbaidtDii 
 and Castletoii, about nine miles in length, and from one-fourt!i 
 to three miles in widtli. the northern extremity of which is rather 
 narrow and forms in Ilubbardton what is called the Marsh ; this 
 extends south some two miles, where for the next mile until the 
 bridge is reached it varies from one-fourth to one-half mile wide ; 
 at the bridge it narrows to some forty rods, and immediately 
 widens until Cedar Point is reached, when we come to the bay 
 upon which West Castleton is located. From here to " Smith's " 
 landing the distance is three miles ; there are various bays and 
 points which increase or lessen the width of the lake for about 
 five miles, when what is termed the Creek is reached, when it 
 narrows down to about twenty-five to thirtv rods until Hydeville 
 is reached, where the waters are utilized for various manufac- 
 turing industries. From the bridge to the mouth of the creek 
 the shores of the lake are bold. Most of the way the shores are 
 either slate or gravel. Its waters are pure and clear. It was 
 originally surrounded by a heavy growth of pine. The land on 
 the western shore was originally covered by a heavy growth of 
 pine, and was owned by the Castleton Land Company, which 
 was composed of D. B. Fuller of New- York, G. T. Hodges of 
 Rutland, and Willis S. Hodges of Clarendon, who had three saw 
 mills at Hydeville. The logs were cut in the winter, drawn 
 upon the ice and made into a raft ; after the ice left the lake the 
 rafts were floated to Hydeville, converted into market plank, and 
 found their way to Troy and Albany. A. W. and F, W. Hyde 
 purchased a two-third's interest of the Castleton Land Companv ; 
 a new firm named Hyde, Fuller Si Hyde were the controllers ot 
 the property. 
 
6 
 
 In early days the Indians loved to camp near these waters. 
 The name, Bomoseen, '• Beautiful waters,"' indicates the appre- 
 ciation the savages had for one of the loveliest sheets of water on 
 the earth. It ever presents new attractions and new beauties. 
 On the east side of the creek there is what to-day is termed the 
 '• Indian fields," a place where the Indians camped. Hardly a 
 year passes, even at this late day, but some relic is unearthed 
 that proves the grounds were once the habitation of the wild 
 man. The tributaries to the lake once afforded fine sport for the 
 sportsman. '' Williams* " brook, that enters the lake between 
 Cedar Point and West Castleton. was once alive with trout ; even 
 at the present day the angler is rewarded in speckled beauties 
 for his time and trouble. ''Johnson's " brook was once a great 
 place for suckers. Tons would be taken from it each year ; of 
 late years they have removed further south. The lake once af- 
 forded large quantities of salmon trout. Some very large ones 
 were taken. In the summer of 1837 ^^^^ ^'"^^^ large one was taken 
 from its waters by S. H. Langdon, David Wilkinson, James and 
 Julius Drake, which weighed eighteen pounds ; it was 
 cooked for these men and their invited guests, such men as Hor- 
 ace and Orson Clark, I. T. Wright, E. L. Ormsbee, Thomas 
 Ormsbee, P. W. Hyde, and many others, at the "Mansion" 
 House, kept by Chester Spencer. Occasionally a small trout 
 has been taken from the waters since. Many old fishermen still 
 think that at the present day in the deep waters west of Tagh- 
 kannuc island there are many salmon trout. In 1S39, Julius T. 
 Buel (him of spoon notoriety) conceived the idea of placing 
 pickerel and Swago bass in the lake, without having the fear of 
 God before his eyes, or the sport of posterity at heart; he did 
 place within the waters of " Beautiful Bomoseen " the aforesaid 
 pickerel and bass. Pickerel are now taken from the lake that 
 weigh thirty pounds ; from rS to 25 is the usual weight for large 
 pickerel. Swago bass are a gamey fish to take ; when taken the 
 angler is well repaid, for they are a fine fish ; some have been 
 taken that weighed nine pounds, five to six though is the average 
 weight. Rock bass are found under old stumps and logs. The} 
 
are fine fish to eat as a change from salt pork. Perch are a very 
 pretty fish to look at, pleasant to take ; we will say no more in 
 their favor. The bull head or pout are taken in large numbers, 
 mostiv in the niglit when taken from clear water, and when cor- 
 rectlv cooked are second to no fish that swims in fresh water, for 
 the table. White fish are taken in the fall only, with a net ; then 
 thev go to the shores in large quantities ; they seldom weig'i 
 over ten or twelve ounces, and are said to be fine, salted. Sun 
 fish occasionally take the hook for the bait, and to torment the 
 angler. 
 
 In the fall of the year the hunter is amply rewarded for his 
 industry in shooting the wood and black duck which live upon 
 the shores of the lake, and propagate their species. The blue, 
 green and gray teal, whistle wing and canvass back ducks are 
 found around these waters, and snipe and wood oock are found 
 in the marsh in their season. A few years ago very few people 
 visited the lake for pleasure ; there was no means of conveyance. 
 A few skirts for private use constituted the navy of the lake. 
 Deacon Endearing Johnson had a large scow, made of sufficient 
 size to convey a team to the west shore of the lake. Julius 
 Drake had three skirts and a boat house near his house, north of 
 the Indian fields. Chauncey Ingleson had a large freight boat 
 constructed. Merrill and Buel, Charles Merrill, now cashier of 
 the Maiden National Bank, Maiden, and Gustavus Buel, late ot 
 Castleton, constructed a fine sail boat and placed it upon the 
 lake. One day the boom swung around and knocked a man 
 into the lake ; he was drowned. Prejudice against the boat en- 
 tered the breast of visitors, when the boat was in no way I > 
 blame. S. H. Langdon, for his own use, built a large bout 
 house a little south of Drake's, had several skirts and one small 
 sail boat. After a few years t'ne boat house was sold to Jarvis 
 Larnared. and on the ice was removed to a pciint near the picnic 
 house of Cortce, and converted into a hotel. It was afterwards 
 burned. A. \V. Hyde, wlio ever had a passionate fondness for 
 the beauties of the lake, had a steamboat made for the waters. 
 The boat was a nice one ; the engine and boiler were also nice ; 
 
but they would not work together ; the engine was too small for 
 the boat. It rotted at its wharf. The West Castleton Railroad 
 & Slate Compau)- constructed a large " horse" boat, to convey 
 their slate from the quarry to Hydeville, where it was shipped, 
 hut was used only a short time. A. W. Hyde thought he had 
 gained knowledge from experience, and built the second steam- 
 boat, but met with no better success. J. H. Wiswell and W. A. 
 Clark purchased in Worcester, Mass., a very nice steamboat, 
 named " Naomi," and placed her upon the waters. She made 
 regular trips from Hydeville to Taghkannuc Isle, Coffee's , John- 
 son's and return ; was used for parties and evening excursions. 
 vShe was a beautiful little boat, capable of carrying sixty persons. 
 She would glide swiftly through the waves, would ride them as 
 easily as a duck, and take in no more water. A large barge, 
 decked over all, was put upon the lake, capable of carrying two 
 hundred and fiftv persons. One person who lived upon the 
 shore of the lake, out of pure cussedness or meanness, started 
 the story and put it slyly in the ear of visitors, that the Naomi 
 was unsafe. The story spread with the same velocity as does 
 small pox, and the owners concluded not to put her upon the 
 waters for the season of 1882, although she was as safe for Bom- 
 oseen as the Great Eastern was for the Atlantic. It would be 
 safe to sav that at the present time there are upon the waters one 
 hundred skiffs or dories, capable of carrying six hundred people. 
 Year bv vear, one by one, have the resorts increased, until at 
 the present time there are many resorts for visitors, from the 
 picnic house to finely furnished hotels, that furnish for the guests 
 the daintiest game, gotten up in the most approved style, from 
 frogs, turtle soup, turtle pot pie, to ox tail soup, and fish cooked 
 to a charm. A W. Barker, at the Taghkannuc House, Tagh- 
 kannuc Island, has everything in fine shape for the accommoda- 
 tion of guests, whether they visit the island simply as a lovely 
 resort, to drink in the charms of nature where it is presented in 
 all its beautv, or for the purpose of rowing or fishing. The 
 island contains some nine acres ; at the southerly end a ravine 
 some ten rods wide makes its way up a gradual elevation some 
 
thirtv rods until tlic summit is re.icheil. Upiju cither side of the 
 ravine an elevation or rid<;e divides the ravine from the lake. 
 until it reaches the summit, when a plateau is reached, and 
 gentlv declines to the water's edge upoii either side and the north 
 end of the island. There are many stately trees, hickory, ma- 
 ples, elms. oa'<, ash and birch, upon the ishuul, which were 
 left when the island was cleared and the tire did not ruin. Aside 
 from this, there is the growth of the past forty years, consisting of 
 cedars, white birch, bass wood. pine, and other woods. The 
 underbrush has been cleared away ; a fine view is to be had of 
 the island. He is continually beautifying the place, but in so 
 doing he is studiously preserving all the ancient landmarks. 
 Thousands of chowders have been compounded by Hart, David. 
 Jim. Tom and Midd., and hosts of others ; besides the mixtures 
 made bv Bill, Gabriel, Steve, Sandy. Charlie, and a host of 
 others, who, as thev grew from bovhood to manhood, loved to 
 visit this lovely retreat, preserved in its old position. Yes. 
 lovely as nature left it, with its roc'<s, crags and knolls. Even 
 the cellar is to be preserved and fenced in to mark the place 
 where once stood Hart's ice house ; he and a few of his friends 
 were so kind as to fill it with ice in the winter for the free use of 
 those who visited the island in the summer, and which Jim and 
 Chan burnt; we will be charitable enough to believe it was ac- 
 cidental, not intentional. He also has a nice cottage, capable of 
 accommodating a fiimily of from six to eight. Already there is 
 a fine lawn from the hotel south to the water. From it the broad 
 lake opens to your vision until the lake narrows into the creek- 
 From the ridge, on the western shore of the island, a fine view 
 is obtained of the slate works of the Lakeside Slate Companv. 
 at West Castleton ; also of the Billings' quarry, and quarrv and 
 mill at Cookeville. Between these the finest scenery of hill and 
 mountain may be seen. On the easterly ridge mav be seen nearh 
 all the resorts on the lake. From the summit mav be seen 
 Cedar mountain, a point of slate rock that makes into the lake, and 
 makes one point of the bay in which is situated West Castleton. 
 This mountain with more propriety could be called "Echo" 
 
lO 
 
 mountain, for in the evening it returns the most natural echoes. 
 Otten have I sat in a boat with others on a lovely moonlight 
 eve and sang. The words we sang came wafted back to our 
 ears as though an angel voice returned them as we sang " Great 
 is the Lord." Were this lovely isle under Italian skies and a 
 trip across the Atlantic was necessary to reach it, many would 
 visit it who now thin^< there is no beauty there because it is so 
 near home. He also has a fine barn for the use of those who 
 use the congealed water for winter sports, one other attractive 
 feature to the lake, it is so hemmed in by mountains the waters 
 are ever smooth, scarcely ever a ripple even upon its surface. 
 There can be found bays, and they are always smooth, it makes 
 no difierence from which direction the wind comes ; therefore, 
 it is one of the best sheets of water in the country, it being so 
 smooth, for regattas, and so easy of access, it being only a few 
 rods from the depot at Hydeville to the creek, which is naviga- 
 ble for the steamboat. Another, and the greatest feature of the 
 Island as a place of resort, the culinary department, under the 
 watchful eye of Mrs. Barker, than whom there are few bet- 
 ter cooks in the country. The fried frogs she gave me were 
 equal if not superior to any I ever obtained at Delmonico's, Mr. 
 Barker contemplates putting a large addition to the house the 
 coming fall, and continumg the work of improvement until stopped 
 by the frost. For the season 0^1883 he has engaged a steam- 
 boat capable of carrying one hundred people with safety, and 
 tow the barge with two hundred and fifty. The season of 1883 
 will have boats enough on the lake to, at one time, move an army 
 of a thousand. 
 
 At the bridge on the west side we find Johnson's Club House, 
 so named by parties from Albany, Troy and Hoosac, who yearly 
 visit this resort. Johnson would be easier recognized did we 
 call him Deacon ; all the claim he can lay to the title is his 
 grandfather was a very good deacon ; but I regret to say the 
 present Johnson takes more pride in accommodating his guests 
 than in worshipping his ''elder brother;" but he has a nice 
 comfortable place where his guests can get away from everything 
 
II 
 
 but their sins, ami these will stick to them even if they go to 
 Washington. His house is sufficiently large to accommodate 
 many guests ; his wife is a fine cook ; he has one or two cottages, 
 and the best of all a fine camping ground. The Club have their 
 tents and all paraphernalia for fishing and cooking. Here one 
 is certainly away from bank notices, protests, and statements. 
 The finest fishing grounds on the lake are in this vicinity. Any 
 one who wishes to " drive dull cares awa\' " will find when ho 
 reaches the Deacon's he has found just the spot. 
 
 The first house after we cross the bridge is Theron Goodwin's. 
 If we are looking for a comfortable place of resort, and have 
 tarried at Theron's, we will not be so anxious to find a better 
 place that we will run the risk of trying it. Theron. like Deacon 
 Johnson, is a whole-souled Yankee : neither of them have corns 
 on their feet because of wearing tight boots, but when you are 
 seated in one of their boats, the wind blows, you will be thank- 
 ful they have such brawny arms, and are not afraid to use them. 
 He accommodates many in his house ; has some fine camping 
 grounds ; his wife also well understands the first and last princi- 
 ples of cooking. In fact all the men but one who keep resorts 
 on the lake are blest with wiyes who well understand the art of 
 making food palatable, and he will have just such a wife ; all 
 the arrangements are made when the minister makes one out of 
 two. If you never laughed, hear Theron laugh, and vou will 
 join in the refrain, soto voce. 
 
 As you go down the lake some mile and a half from Theron's 
 you will come to Ponds', who have erected a large, commodious 
 house for the accommodation of families ; they are a pleasant 
 family- ; have a fine farm ; keep one or two boats for the accom- 
 modation of their guests. They do not pretend to entertain tran- 
 sient guests, but kindly and comfortably care for those who seek 
 a retreat to recuperate their wasted energies ; they do not pre- 
 tend to be fishermen, but care for their farm, and otier a fiiic 
 retreat for families of children or those worn out by excessive 
 toil. 
 
 A half mile more we come to Coliiee's Picnic House, the fi«st 
 
one we mention designed especially for transient guests. His 
 picnic house is large ; on the ground floor is a large room for a 
 dining hall for parties, tables and benches in primitive style. At 
 the south end is the kitchen with a good cook stove. At the 
 northern end is the ladies' dressing room, with every needed ap- 
 pliance for their comfort and convenience. On the second floor 
 we find a fine dancing hall, for dancing of course. In the dining 
 hall is a tank of ice water, free to all, also a soda fountain, free 
 for five cents He has some fourteen boats, which he takes 
 pride in keeping neat and clean, and so well caulked they will 
 not leak. His house is of suflicient size to accommodate twenty- 
 five guests ; had he sufficient room he could usually have from 
 fifty to one hundred ; he has ample barn room, and careful as- 
 sistants. He is a quiet, pleasant, accommodating man ; does 
 all in his power that his guests may have a good time ; no one, 
 when he knows his pleasant retreat, regrets having called upon 
 him. This was the first place started, about 1855, by Com- 
 modore Fordyce S. Heath, but the accommodations he then 
 erected, though large enough then for all who visited the lake, 
 have given way to larger and better anayed buildings. 
 
 We say good-bye to Coffee, receive a pleasant smile, paddle 
 another half mile and we reach Walker's, a new, large, neat 
 house, situated upon a bank of gravel. The house has twenty- 
 one rooms, three stories and a basement, which is used for a 
 picnic house A current of air most always passes through this 
 room, making it ver}^ comfortable for picnickers. The stove in 
 the kitchen of the hotel can be used. A fine office, dining hall,- 
 parlor, supplied with a piano, and kitchen on the first floor ; on 
 the second and third floors are sixteen sleeping rooms. The 
 house stands upon the very shore of the lake, so an attractive 
 place is offered those who wish for fun, water and retirement; 
 will soon have some bathing houses ; he too has a fine barn, a 
 pleasant w^ife, and is winning his way into the hearts of his 
 guests by his pleasant, genial ways and accommodating spirit. 
 
 We now take a good row, pass Walker's bay, Birch point, 
 round Mason's point, are almost tempted to steer for Taghkannuc 
 
13 
 
 isle to see if we cannot get another dish of Mrs. Barker's ice 
 cream, but we pull on, soon pass Drake's old boat house, and 
 are soon in the creek. We see a neat little dock and dock house, 
 not large enough for the Great Eastern, but sufficiently large for 
 the " Naomi," and Commodore Clark. We alight, pass through 
 a pretty grove of pines, soon reach the Russell House, kept by 
 C. M. Hawkins. The house is capable of accommodating 
 seventv-five persons, and for many years has been liberally pat- 
 ronized by the public. Mr. Hawkins keeps a fine hotel, is very 
 attentive and accommodating. When his wife arrives he will 
 not be obliged to devote so much of his time entertaining his 
 guests, for she will help. He is but a short distance from the 
 depot. In 1SS3, when the new steam boat makes its appearance, 
 it will make from tw-o to three daily trips to the Island and the 
 bridge. 
 
 Thus it will be seen the lake presents attractions to all those 
 who wish a jolly good time in roughing it at Johnson's or Good- 
 win's ; tiiose wlio wish a quiet home, pure air, with pleasant 
 host and hostess at Pond's ; those who go for the day to picnic, 
 or the week to fish and frolic, at Coflee's and Walker's ; or those 
 who love the beautiful, to eat and see, at Barker's, on Taghkannuc 
 isle ; or those who seek more for a place where silks and satins 
 are worn, and one is afraid to eat onions and raw pork, at the 
 Russell house. Truly, all can be accommodated around the 
 shores of this beautiful lake. 
 
 At the northern extremity of the lake is a second island, which 
 puts its bald head out of the water, as much as to say to naviga- 
 tors, " Keep away^from me." Most of the surface of this island 
 is rock ; still upon the northern portion of the island some vege- 
 tation is found. This island is known as " Rabbit" island, and 
 was appropriately so named. Tradition says, in times long since 
 past in the winter rabbits would gather upon the island ; instinct 
 would direct them to leave for the main land before the ice went 
 out. An early thaw of thin ice, it left the lake suddenly, thus 
 the rabbits' bridge was gone ; inhuman humanity went upon the 
 island with sticks and killed the little innocents, who have con- 
 
siderable Yankee blood in their veins; when trouble nears they 
 fain death, thus made themselves an easy prey to the hunter. 
 '"'■ The Island" is the only name that would readily stick to the 
 other island. There is something peculiar about it ; man is the 
 onlv animal that loved to stay upon this piece of I'eal estate. It 
 was once attempted to keep swine on the island, but they at- 
 tempted to swim ashore, and, like the young lady trolling for 
 n husband, cut their own throats. Cattle left upon the island 
 will swim to the main land, unless prevented from so doing by 
 a high fence. 
 
 When parties wished to visit this lovely retreat they would 
 always go to '' the island." Here we may ask, " What is in a 
 name?" About the year 1S39, Alfred Houghton, then, or after- 
 wards, captain of the steamer Knickerbocker, on the North river, 
 who once kept a grocery under the saddler's shoj) of Geo. W. 
 Ellis, on the spot now occupied by B. W. Burt, and was famil- 
 iarly known as "• Pug," who, like all Castleton boys, loved " the 
 island, left his boat for a trip, in conjpany with another North 
 river captain, came to Castleton. Of course they took a trip to 
 ''the island" Ellis, Hart, Stave, Ed. and Pitt had all necessa- 
 ries packed for a trip to " the island" for " i ug." Dave could 
 not go ; the company started for Julius ; on the way they stopped 
 for Jim. The lake was reached ; they entered the boats ; catch- 
 ing the fish was quick work. Hart of course did his best on the 
 chowder ; with good appetites it was disposed of. The fragrant 
 Habannas were lit. "Pug" arose, and his voice commanded 
 attention; he says, " Boys, did this island ever have a name.^" 
 " No," burst from every voice. " Suppose we give her a name .''" 
 •' All right," says Hart, (who owned the island, and spoke as 
 one having authority.) "What name do you propose.'*" Pug 
 says, " Chowder Island " " All right," says Hart ; " All right," 
 said they all. Then Pug took in his hands a bottle of champagne , 
 and said, "As long as time shall last, let this lovely spot be 
 known by the name of ' Chowder Island.' " The bottle came in 
 contact with a rock. The juice of the grape, or Jersey light- 
 ning, went trippling down the rock, in honor of the name, and 
 to seal it to the latest posterity. 
 
15 
 
 The first time the ishmd was deeded separately was in 1794. 
 In 1S36 it was deeded to S. II. Langdon from John Meacham. 
 In i860 the island came into possession of Thomas J. Ormsbee, 
 as administrator of J. O. Drake, as "Chowder Island." This 
 is the Hrst time it left the possession of S. H. Langdon. After 
 it was named by " Pug" Houghton it went as Chowder Island. 
 It was owned by various parties until 1S77 ; was deeded to John 
 A. Leggett, who erected the Cruso House. Mr. Leggett became 
 financially embarassed ; John W. Cramton, assignee in bank- 
 ruptcy, sold to G. \V. Chaplain, Jr. ; subsequently, Chaplain 
 sold one-half interest to John W. Cramton. On September 11, 
 1880, John W. Cramton and George \V. Chaplain, Jr., gave a 
 quit claim deed to Jane Barker, the present owner, who has 
 purchased the same for a life home for her son, A. W. Barker, 
 who now keeps the hotel, and is assisting nature with art to make 
 Taghkannuc island one of the loveliest spots on this lovely earth. 
 R. R. Drake claimed to have a title to " Chowder island." Mrs. 
 Barker was sued for possession. She placed the case in the 
 hands of John Howe, who always investigates a case before he 
 advises his clients. He said this time to his client : " The island 
 is your property ; no court on earth will dispossess you of it." 
 At the county court he was successful. The plaintiffs, the van- 
 quished party, appealed to the supreme court. The case was 
 handsomely argued before that body. When they handed down 
 their decision it was sustaining Mrs. Jane Barker in her owner- 
 ship of "the island." Thus, nearly two years had been lost in 
 bringing the island to that state of perfection it is susceptible 
 of reaching, and Mrs. Barker is determined it shall attain. Her 
 whole soul is wrapped up in the island. 
 
 Rutland county has a historical society, organized for the 
 avowed purpose of gathering the stray threads of history and 
 weaving them into one compact whole. When the deed was 
 given Mrs. Barker it was simply for the island, describing the 
 same ; the words " Chowder island" were not used ; had they been 
 Mrs. Barker had that respect for the acts of those who have passed 
 away from our midst, and acknowledging the right of one who 
 
i6 
 
 owns a piece of real estate the same right as the father has to 
 name his child. S. H Langdon owned " the island ; " he ac- 
 cepted the name, '' Chowder island " This name should have 
 clung to it as long as the waters of Bomoseen washes its shores, 
 or the sun looks down from its heights to cheer the earth. Where 
 lives the vandal who would attempt to give another name to 
 " Sunnyside," the late home of Washington Irving, and named 
 by him? The name is half the attractions of the place. I can 
 imagine Commander Woodward, of the U. S. navy, after leaving 
 " Neptune's salt wash " for a furlough, that again his foot is 
 planted upon "■ his native heath," how he would again love to 
 visit "Chowder island." When looking at the old chowder 
 stone he would say : " ' Pug ' Houghton named this lovely spot 
 ' Chowder island ' after eating a chowder, and my father was 
 with him. There are associations even in the naming of real 
 estate the despoiler has no authority to eradicate. ' You have no 
 right to do evil that good may come.' " 
 
 It was proposed by the Historical Society to, on the fourth of 
 July, 1 88 1, hold a celebration on the island, on our nation's 
 birthday, and give the island a name. Any person who had ex- 
 amined the records for the history of the island must have known 
 it had been named "Chowder island." By what authority did a 
 man who had not one grain of interest in the island, either pecu- 
 niarily or from association, dare change the name .^ Mrs. Barker 
 readily consented to what seemed the wishes of the Historical 
 Society, who appointed a committee consisting of Henry Hall, 
 A. N. Adams and J. M. Currier to search for and find a name 
 appropriate for the island. The two former are natives of Rut- 
 land county, are as good historians as there are in the State, ripe 
 scholars and perfect gentlemen, above a mean thing. J. M. Cur- 
 rier is from Troy, Vt. ; has been in the county but a few years, 
 knows ndthing of its history except what has been written and 
 what he gets from the older inhabitants, I allege that the com- 
 mittee of the Historical Society and Mrs. Jane Barker did agree 
 upon the name " Taghkannuc " for the island. The celebration 
 was to be iield on the island. To be ready, the boats of the 
 
I? 
 
 island and lanterns were painted *' Taghkannuc," also a sign 
 with that name placed upon poles out on one dock. Trouble 
 arose between Currier and Barker. The celebration was held 
 upon the eastern shore of the la'-e. Another name from the one 
 ;;o-reed upon or presented by the committee and accepted by- 
 Mrs. Barker was given. Had the fact leaked out that this thing 
 was to have been done, the old frequenters and lovers of the island 
 would liave been there en masse^ to have entered their protest. 
 Now the island is owned by Mrs. Barker ; she has absolute con- 
 trol over it. If she wishes to call it Sleepy Hollow she has a 
 perfect right to do so. Even a historical society has no right to 
 fix a name obnoxious to her or against her wishes. In this case 
 it was one individual, upon his own responsibility, against the 
 expressed wish of the Society, as expressed by its committee. 
 I am aware I have made a severe charge. It becomes my duty 
 to substantiate mv position, which I shall do by quoting from 
 correspondence relating to the name now in the hands of A. W. 
 Barker. The first quotation shall be from a letter from Henry 
 Hall, one of the committee of the Historical Society on the name 
 for the island, who writes : 
 Mr. A. \V. Barker,— 
 
 Dear Sir: — J'he name " Bomoseen " is, it seems to me, a very undesirable 
 one for your Cas'.lelon lake. I want to have it changed! I also want a good 
 name for your island in the lake. But I want others to like the new name. 1 
 think of no one more interested in the matter at present than you. How do you 
 like for a new name, this, "Taghkannuc?" The first syllable is pronounced as 
 if spelt 7'ur. Write me how you like it. It will look nice and Indian-like writ- 
 ten. How do you like it as spoken? * * * * Think of this matter; don't 
 talk with other folks much about it at present, unless you think it the best way. 
 I have for years contemplated something of this kind. Yesterday I attended 
 the meeting of the county Historical Society at Castleton, and mentioned the 
 subject to several. I think all are in favor of a change in a name. * * ♦ * 
 This eftort to give a better name to your lake and island is a missionary labor, 
 and I want help in the business, as we don't get any lawyers fees fur the work. 
 * * * * Think it over; talk with your wife, and such others as you think 
 best, and write me what you learn from others, and what you think yourself 
 about the matter. In the future your lake and island wilt be famous. They can 
 
 be made so soon. A good name will help materiallv. 
 
 Yours, etc., ' HENRY HALL. 
 
i8 
 
 Now, if language means anything, the only conclusion that 
 can be drawn from this letter is, the Historical Society wished 
 to change and furnish a name for lake and island. Henry Hall, 
 a historical expert, was commissioned to perform this duty. 
 His first business appears to be to get the consent and approba- 
 tion of the owner of the island to the name he had selected. 
 His second object was to see if the name suited the public. 
 
 Upon the receipt of this letter, Mr. Barker wrote his mother, 
 then in Brooklyn, conveying to her the proposition of the His- 
 torical Society, as presented to him by their agent or committee, 
 Henry Hall. Mrs. Barker at first did not like the name ; but 
 another son, with whom she was stopping in Brooklyn, says: 
 " Mother, the Historical Society of Rutland county have, by 
 their committees, been searching history for an appropriate name 
 for your property. They have found an Indian name, one, 
 doubtless, connected with the days when the . red man inhabited 
 the spot. I think you better write Alonzo you like the name, 
 and will accept it." She immediately wrote A. W. Barker that 
 the name was pretty and acceptable, and she would accept it 
 for the island. Mr. Barker met J. M. Currier, secretary of the 
 Society, and said to him : "Mother says she likes the name se- 
 lected by Mr. Hall for the island, and will accept of the same. 
 You please inform Mr. Hall of her decision." He promised to 
 do so. 
 
 In the latter part of May the project of having a Fourth-of-July 
 celebration upon the island was agitated in Castleton and sur- 
 rounding towns. Several meetings were held at the Bomoseen 
 House. The compiler of this wrote to various newspapers in 
 and out of the State, expecting to gather a large crowd. H. 
 Howard Billings of Hydeville, T. S. Sherman and C. S. Proctor 
 of Castleton, F. W. Redfield and Walter E. Howard of Fairhaven, 
 were elected an executive committee, J. M. Currier, secretary, 
 and D. D. Cole, treasurer, to arrange for a celebration of our 
 nation's birthday upon the island, when the Rutland county His- 
 torical Society would give it a name, baptize it the second time. 
 The committee worked hard and earnestly. At all celebrations 
 there must be a dinner. Mr. Barker receives this postal : 
 
»9 
 
 What will you furnish (loo) one hundred dinners on the coming Fourth to" 
 guests and managers of the celebration? L). D. COLE. 
 
 To this letter Mr. Barker replied, one dollar each. No man 
 that has had any experience in catering for the public, especially 
 in furnishing warm dinners in a grove, where the tables and 
 seats must be erected for one meal, stoves put up, crockery liable 
 to be broken, will say this price would have more than have 
 paid the first cost of dinner. Coffee and Bixby, on the east 
 shore of the lake, had each subscribed $25. Several were fear- 
 ful they w'ould not like it if the dinner was on the island. Mr. 
 Barker proposed to give for the celebration fifty dollars, by fur- 
 nishing the Historical Society one Hundred dinners for fifty dol- 
 lars. For a time this seemed to satisfy; but the secretary, not 
 the treasurer, was looking after the financial part of the celebra- 
 tion, lie wished Mr. Barker to take pledges for his pay. Thus 
 did L. W. Reddington of Rutland or A. T. Woodward, M. D., 
 of Brandon, agree to pay for two dinners each ; they were eaten 
 by four men from Pittsford. Mr. Barker must go to Brandon 
 and Rutland to get his two dollars. On June 24, 1881, Mr. 
 Barker received the following epistle : 
 
 A. W. Barker, — 
 
 Dear Sir: — I send you with this letter pledges for fourteen dinners from 
 this place. It is not final, for I have another paper started for the same purpose, 
 and I send you this one to let you know what I am doing for our historical 
 dinner. I have sent off several of these to different towns, and requested them 
 to forward them to you on Monday next. When we have our dinner, we ai.i 
 WANT rr AT ONCE, SO we can hear the after-dinner speeches. * * * » 
 Don't consider that this paper is all I am going to do. * * * * 
 
 Respectfully, JOHN M. CURRIER. 
 
 Mr. liarker replied to this letter he did not propose to go 
 about the county to collect subscriptions to pay for a dinner, and 
 must, under the circuinstances, withdraw from any participation 
 in the celebration. To Mr. Barker's reply, under date of July r8, 
 he receives the following : 
 
 Mr. Barker, — 
 Dtar Sir:—\ was sorry that you came to the conclusion that you did, for 
 we intended to do a good thing for the lake, and all its friends. ♦ * ♦ * 
 If the day was rainy all were willing to pay for a dinner whether they had it 01 
 
not. How do you know? * * * * We shall do nothing to your injury. 
 Thank you for your kind invitation to myself and family. I remain as ever a 
 great admirer of Lake Bomoseen and all its scenery. 
 
 JOHN M. CURRIER. 
 Als J a postal saying: 
 
 The Society's committee will visit your isle this week or the first of next, to 
 arrange for the day's celebration, and confer with you about a name. What 
 would you think of KELLO WANDA for a name? * * * * 
 
 JOHN M. CURRIER. 
 
 A. T. Woodward, M. D., of Brandon, writes: ''I have n . 
 time t • look after subscription papers, but will want two dinners." 
 
 Mr. Barker has the f'lh.wing: 
 
 The Highlands, Rutl.\nd, Vt., 7th Tulv 1881 
 Mr. A. W. Barker,— i j j^ ■ 
 
 Dear Sir:— I suppose it is about as well to laugh, even better than to fret 
 our gizzards, at any of the untoward events of this wicked woild, for it is sorter 
 wicked, except so far as our friends are concerned. Last winter, or some months 
 ago, I wrote you in reference to a name for Castleton lake or island or both, and 
 never heard a whisper in response until your letter of June 30th arrived. * * * 
 I went over to Castleton the Fourth of July, in the cars with H. Clark and Red- 
 dington, expecting to have a good visit" with you; but the lake somehow had be- 
 come suddenly so dangerous a highway for commerce and travel that the His- 
 torical Society was to hold its special meeting on the continent of America. 
 Soon after the forenoon exercises closed we held onto the table and chairs, and 
 I succeeded in getting something to eat. I footed it most of the way to Castleton 
 village. * * * The principal object in writing you is to thank you for your 
 card and invitation to dinner, and ask, what is ta be done about a name, etc? 
 * * * What do you say to another project ? ♦ * * 
 
 Yours truly, HENRY HALL 
 
 What other conclusion can be arrived at from the evidence pre- 
 sented than that " Taghkannuc" was the name agreed upon be- 
 tween the committee of the Historical Society and the owner for 
 its name.? That J. M. Currier, secretary of the society, foiled 
 to convey to Mr. Hall, as it was his duty to do, the assent of 
 Mrs. Barker to the name he proposed. The secretary rode to 
 and from the village and lake in a fine carriage ; Henry Hall 
 walked. The whole trouble arose from the fact that the secretary 
 of the Historical Society usurped the functions of treasurer of 
 the citizens. He could not control all things ; hence all this 
 trouble and perplexity has arisen. The committee never visited 
 
21 
 
 the island to confer with Mr. Barker. The secretary, upon his 
 own responsibility, changed all the plans and arrangements of 
 both the society and citizens, put a new name to the island of his 
 own. He must have known Alfred Houghton and S. H. Lang- 
 don, who owned the island, once named it ; they had that right. 
 Who gave J. M. Currier, from Essex county, authority to change 
 it? If he is individually and alone, the Rutland county Histor- 
 ical Society, furnishes food and drink for them, then Hon. 
 Barnes Frisbie, H. Hall, H. Clark, A. N. Adams, and others, 
 may as well retire. At every meeting of the society since he has 
 attempted to have something relative to Neshobe. At a meeting 
 at Fairhaven, E. H. Phelps read a beautiful poem dedicated to 
 Neshobe. A picnic was gotten up on Mason's point ; two poems 
 to lovely Neshobe were read. He is smart enough to get good 
 men to do his work. He sent to Delaware for one poem, and to 
 Benson for another, when a fine poem was read, which suggests : 
 
 E. L. Barber of Benson 
 Had just partaken ven'son, 
 Imagination was wild, 
 He talked like a child. 
 
 Neshobe, say, who was he? 
 ]So one his face e'er did see; 
 A myth and perhaps a ghost, 
 But never on earth a host. 
 
 The name 'twas from fancy came; 
 It was never known to fame : 
 This name the isle shall not bear, 
 While its friends shall watch with care. 
 
 Taghkannuc bold was the chief, 
 Not afraid of wave or reef; 
 His good name the isle shall bear : 
 Before 'tis changed have a care. 
 
 Mr. Barber is one of Rutland county's best men, and thought 
 he was only doing right. Ask anyone if Mrs. Barker has not a 
 right, if Henry Hall has not a right, if the citizens of Castleton 
 and the frequenters of this lovely island, scattered as they are 
 over the inhabitable globe, have not a right to question the acts 
 and results of the acts of John M. Currier.^ The associations are 
 sacred to the many who have whiled awa}^ many social hours 
 upon the lake's crystal waters, or its lovely isles. While they 
 
22 
 
 all are willing to concede the right to the owner of the island to 
 bestow upon it such name as she wishes, they can but esteem 
 Mrs. Barker that she had the respect for the name given by Capt. 
 Houghton that she would not have consented to the changing the 
 name had she known of it ; but being in ignorance of the fact, 
 and the Historical Society wishing to furnish a name and having 
 chosen a historian to select it, a man ripe in years, knowledge 
 and experience, whose first wish was to find a name that would 
 be satisfoctory to the owner, and after that was done and had 
 been accepted by the owner, the knowledge of the acceptance 
 being kept from Mr. Hall by one whose duty it was to convey it, 
 is it a wonder that Mrs. Barker and all old friends of the island 
 are dissatisfied.'* 
 
 If we look for a history of the word Neshobe, we find it to be 
 the name by which the town of Brandon was once distinguished 
 from its sister towns. The name was then given to a stock horse 
 in Addison county. Thompson, in his "■ Green Mountain Boys," 
 applies the name to a scout ; a fictitious name in a fictitious book. 
 All the history of this imaginative "brave" given at the pre- 
 tended naming of the island, was mere bosh and imagination. 
 No trace of history can be found narrating the name. The ques- 
 tion naturally arises, was the name intended as a direct insult to 
 the owner of the island because of trouble about collecting pay 
 for the dinners .'' 
 
 The name "Taghkannuc" was appropriate, as an Indian 
 chief by that name did once inhabit the island. Henry Hall 
 loves history. His life has been spent in searching the pages of 
 ancient and modern history. In his i-esearches he found this 
 name. The Historical Society asked him with others to present 
 a name. He presented to the owner of the island " Taghkan- 
 nuc." It was accepted. The Historical Society and the owner 
 of the island are in harmony concerning the name. The trouble 
 has arisen from the fact that one who had the power did apply a 
 name of his own choosing, upon his own authority, vested in 
 him by his own will, not by the acts of the Historical Society. 
 Jim, Julius, Pitt, Ed, Cull, Pug, and a host of others who loved 
 
23 
 
 to frequent the island, have passed from our midst. Hart and 
 Dave still linger upon the '" shores of time." May they, ere 
 they visit for the last time the old island, know it has a name af- 
 fixed to it that shall be handed down to the latest posterity. The 
 intentions of the Rutland county Historical Society were noble 
 and beneficial, and were it rightly conducted, would result in 
 good to posterity. But they must be exceedingly cautious, and 
 not have the society converted into a mutual admiration society, 
 and make truth bow to fiction, or make all its acts yield to the 
 peculiarities of one man. 
 
 Upon the eastern shore of the lake, near Coffee's picnic house, 
 may be seen a marble monument, sacred to the memory of 
 Sancho Tanza, who was a dog, not a very handsome, winsome 
 one, but a family pet. One day he died. He was owned by 
 one Charles H. Slawson of West Rutland, who crossed the river 
 of life in 18S2, as noble-hearted, generous man as ever trod God's 
 earth. He had this monument erected. 
 
 Tradition says that at the foot of a large pine tree on " Tagh- 
 kannuc" isle lie mouldering the remains of the daughter of 
 " Taghkannuc," an Indian brave and chief, who with his tribe, 
 used to visit the Indian fields, spoken of in the preceding pages. 
 She was taken sick and died ; her remains were taken to the 
 island, a favorite resort for the tribe, and left in charge of the 
 great spirit. 
 
 Was not the name selected by Mr. Hall an appropriate one ? 
 Did it not show his researches had been to some purpose.? and 
 did he not deserve better treatment than was meted to him.? If 
 the secretary of the Historical Society had intended to have a 
 name of his own selection, why the formality of asking Mr. Hall 
 to spend the time to search, unless it was the intention of said 
 secretary to snub all connected ? 
 
 On Lookout point, "Taghkannuc" isle, is a broken tablet, 
 which the following letter will explain : 
 
 Sheffield, Mass., June 19, 1881. 
 
 Dear Sir:— Yours of the l6th instant came duly to hand, and in reply would 
 say that during the Centennial there was a Leffion formed called the Centennial 
 
24 
 
 Legion, composed of one military company from each of the original Thirteen 
 States, to make a parade on the Fourth of July, at Philadelphia. The Old 
 Guard, of which I was a member, represented New York, and I went with them. 
 We, the old guards, entertained the southern companies in New York, and Mr. 
 William Emerson Barker, of Boston, had arranged for our Southern brethren an 
 emcanipment at his country place near that city (Welesley), and his committee 
 came to New York to receive them, insisted that a delegation of our committee 
 should go with them to Boston. About si.K of the old guards went. It was a 
 royal affair and lasted one week, after which we all returned home. At the last 
 dinner, at each plate on the table lay a glass bottle, shaped like a pig, filled with 
 brandy; there was none at mine, but during speech-making after dinner, I was 
 presented with a beautiful basket boquet, apparently, but upon opening it, was 
 found to contain two live pigs. Pigs were a great hobby with Mr. Barker; his 
 piggery alone costing some five thousand dollars; where he kept all kinds, and 
 this breed of which he presented me a pair, was given to h;m by the Queen of 
 England a few years previous, and was of the famous Berkshire breed. I had 
 these pigs sent b\' express to Castleton; one was smothered and the other was 
 kept at friend Langdon's One day W. F. Bixby photographed it for me, after 
 which it died; what was the cause none of us knew. I had it buried upon the Is- 
 land in the lake; on the tombstone was put: Fkatern.^i, Welcome A Pig 
 
 Died Berkshire. The name "Fraternal Welcome" was from Mr. Bar- 
 ker's fete, which was called that. It was my intention to have raised here and 
 sent during the fall following a young Pig to each of the companies who were 
 present at the fete, so have a sort of a barbecue or reunion, but like many other 
 plans, it failed. 
 
 I would say here that the fete of Mr. .Barker's was a "big thing." It cost him 
 some $25,cx)0, and was heralded all over the south (the affair, not the cost), and 
 was, I believe, the means of doing a great deal of good towards "healing the 
 breach," as this was the first instance of southern military visiting the north since 
 the war. 
 
 The Washington Light Infantry, of Charleston, represented South Carolina; 
 Fayettsville Independent Light Infantiy, of Fayettsville, North Carolina; Norfolk 
 Blues, Virginia, and others I cannot think of just now. * * * 
 
 Hastily Yours Respectfully, 
 
 CHAS. G. CHILD. 
 "The remains of the pig were put into a casket and taken to the 
 island for burial. John Doolan, John P. Ryan, Jaines J. Swee- 
 ney and William H. Burke acted as bearers. Their services 
 were paid for in cigars and whiskey. The marble monument 
 was furnished by T. Smith Sherman. Mr. Langdon, referred to 
 by Mr. Child, was at the Centennial in Philadelphia when the 
 
pig died ; when he returned, as his old cronies framed the story, 
 he took his praver book and a bottle of lager, went over to the 
 island and read the Episcopal burial service over the pig's grave." 
 But we have grave doubts as to the correctness of this report. 
 Mr. Langdon loved his wife too much to do such a thing. 
 
 In view of all tacts presented, can Mrs. Barker or the old 
 fuiends of the island, who have spent many happy days of youth 
 on its greensward, eating the chowder, or fry, singing songs,, 
 dreaming of the future, be blamed because they do not feel like 
 accepting a name for the island, a name furnished in opposition 
 to their wishes, and those of the owner of the island, and the 
 Historical Society? If there was any doubt of Mrs. Barker's 
 right to fix the name upon her own property, that doubt would 
 vanish in the minds of most reasonable people, wdien it was 
 known Mrs. Barker was from the stock that made us a nation. 
 Most Americans have heard of General Lafayette, a Frenchman, 
 of the position he took in our struggles for freedom. He brought 
 with him from France men who entered the contest as Ameri- 
 cans, fought as Americans, and with Americans secured the 
 peace that brought the liberty we now enjoy. That an Ameri- 
 can should fight for self is one thing, that a Frenchman should 
 cross the broad Atlantic to fight for another is still another thing. 
 With General Lafayette there came, in the ship I^randywine, a 
 man named Pier Appell, one thoroughly Aersed in naval warfare 
 and naval tactics. He entered our navy, and became a mark for 
 British gunners. He was in the employ of our govermnent, ex- 
 tending to our natives the knowledge in his possession. He 
 remained in the services or employ of the American government 
 until he was eighty-six years of age. Because of age and infirm- 
 ities, he retired from his loved employment, for the country of 
 his adoption. Pier Appell was the father of Mrs. Jane Barker, 
 who now is the owner of "Taghkannuc" isle, by which name 
 she wishes it known as ; the name furnished by Henry Hall of 
 Rutland, and accepted by her. This controversy is not pleasant 
 for Mrs. Barker, or the compiler, but it has been forced upon 
 her bv the acts of one person, and she desires to assert hty rights. 
 
26 
 
 and that of the compiler's, because of his respect for the memory 
 of Captain Houghton, and the remembrance of the many happy 
 youthful days he has spent upoft the waters and its island, with 
 many who have crossed the stream of life, and others wh© are 
 scattered around the earth. 
 
 The following poem was not written by E. H. Phelps, Esq., 
 of Fairhaven, but by one who has great respect for Mr. Phelps 
 and his poetical genius, and has taken the liberty of making 
 copious extracts from one of Mr. Phelps' poems for this work, 
 without giving quotation marks. The best you may call Mr. 
 Phelps', the poorest the compiler's : 
 
 TAGHKANNUC. 
 
 Taghkannuc ! Pray tell me who was he ? 
 What was his family pedigree? 
 An Indian brave, I am simply told, 
 A painted savage, saucy and bold, 
 Who roamed the forest in days of old, 
 
 And hunted for scalps and glory; 
 Whose name to us has been handed down 
 As an Indian scout of great renown. 
 
 The hero of song and story. 
 
 But though he was as an Indian scout, 
 He lived like other braves no doubt, 
 Whom all the children have read about, 
 
 A sort of a savage wonder; 
 A free and easy child of the woods. 
 Who had but little of this world's goods, 
 
 But lived to;scalp and plunder. 
 
 His cares were light and his wants were few; 
 He had no bank notes falling due. 
 And his wife and daughters never knew 
 
 About the styles and fashions; 
 He loved to hunt as he loved to eat, 
 And it was simply fun to get the meat, 
 
 That furnished his daily rations. 
 
 His house or wigwam was rude indeed, 
 
 But perfectly answered every need; 
 
 When the glad earth smiled and the sky was fair, 
 
 He lived and slept in the open air, 
 
 And cared not a cent for a cover; 
 But when the weather grew cold and bleak. 
 He built a house that was quite unique, 
 A dozen poles run up to a peak. 
 
 With deer-skin covered over. 
 
 His dress was arranged with simple taste; 
 
 A wampum belt encircled his waist, 
 
 And his feet and ankles were well encased 
 
27 
 
 In moccasins made of leather, 
 And trimmed with beads in the neatest style, 
 \Vhile on his head he wore no tile, 
 
 But simply a turkey's feather. 
 
 His frock and leggins were deer-skin, tanned, 
 And trimmed in a style that was simply grand; 
 And his manly cheek, by the breezes fanned. 
 
 Was painted red and yellow; 
 A.nd when he walked out to meet the foe, 
 With his knife and tomahawk, arrows and bow. 
 
 He was really a killing fellow. 
 
 Long vears ago, ere the pale face came, 
 He roamed these hills and valleys for game; 
 He hunted the fox, the deer, and the bear. 
 Or anything else that was covered with hau"; 
 And when these grew scarce he didn't care, 
 
 But turned to hunting his brother; 
 Natural hunters these Indians were, 
 And this is the reason, I infer, 
 Why, next to hunting for food and fur, 
 
 Thev loved to hunt one another. 
 
 And when returned from war or chase, 
 
 As the shadows of night came down apace, 
 
 These noble sons of the Indian race. 
 
 Encamped by brook or river. 
 Joined in the dance, and the songs they sang 
 Down through the shadowy valleys rang. 
 And the hills re-echoed their savage slang : 
 
 The thought of it makes one shiver. 
 
 But though trained to the arts of war and strife. 
 His heart could respond to a gentler life; 
 And oft as the day began to fade, 
 He was wont to emerge from the forest shade, 
 With the choice of his heart, a dusky maid, 
 
 The fairest of Indian daughters, 
 To seek the lake and the birchen ^oat, 
 And bathed in the moonlight silently float 
 
 O'er Bomoseen's silvery waters. 
 
 Long years have flown since maiden and brave 
 Floated and wooed on the sparkling wave; 
 Their dust lies under the earth's green face, 
 And no man knoweth their resting place; 
 
 But Taghkannuc dieth never; 
 His name still lives in the island green, 
 That rests on the bosom of Bomoseen, 
 
 And thus it shall live forever. 
 
 Thus have I presented facts, and only facts. The name 
 Neshobe is simply temporal, imaginative. No human being 
 ever bore the name. It was created in a vivid imagination. 
 Like the rose it may be beautiful in its day, but when that passes 
 
28 
 
 all is gone, " Taghkannuc " is the name of an Indian chief, 
 who once trod the island. The bones of his daughter are 
 mingled with the dust of the island. The name is spiritual, eter- 
 nal ; will last when the things imaginary have passed away. 
 
 On September 26th, Josh Billings gave the Historical Societv 
 a lectiu'e, out of which the society should have netted fifty dollars. 
 The details of the lecture were conducted by the secretary of the 
 society, upon the one man power principle ; that changed the 
 name furnished by the society for the island to one suiting himself. 
 There were nearly three hundred present at the lecture ; still, re- 
 ceipts were not enough to meet the expenses. The status of the 
 :inimal may be plainly seen. 
 
 Mrs. Barker desires to give names to three unnamed promi- 
 nent points on Taghkannuc isle. She makes the request that 
 posterity will have that respect for her wishes that they will re- 
 spect in time to come the names given, out of respect to the earh 
 frequenters of the island. She desires to name the north-east 
 point of the island, "Hart's" point, and the north-west point, 
 " David's " point ; the south-west point, " Cottage " point. The 
 old name for the south-east point of the island is "Look-out 
 point. She will have signs painted so designating these points 
 These points are so appropriately named no one can fail to con- 
 cede to her wishes. Thus, S. H. Langdon's'and David Wil- 
 kinson's names will be handed down to the latest posterity. 
 
 Mrs. Barker wishes it distinctly understood that she finds no 
 fault with the Historical Society. Her I'elations with the society 
 have been pleasant. She hopes they will succeed in every laud- 
 able means employed to learn for and hand down to posterity the 
 early history of our State. The trouble is a personal one which 
 the society have had nothing to do with, and they can do no less 
 than to disavow on their part any part in misnaming the island. 
 
 Now, let our watchword be, 
 
 *^"01d "Taghkannuc" dieth never, 
 His name shall live on the island green 
 That rests on the bosom of Bomoseen, 
 And thus it shall live forever. 
 

 HYDEVILLE, - VERMONT, 
 
 At the Oatlct of liake Boraoseeii. 
 
 €. M. HAWKIFS, FKOPKiaroK, 
 
 5r-V? 
 
 This House is situated near Lake Bomoseen, separated from 
 it by a beautiful grove. 
 
 Sail boats and dories are supplied for the use of guests. 
 
 Only a few rods from the depot. 
 
 A good livery attached. 
 
 Situated in the midst of the loveliest scenery in Vermont. 
 
 The lake is a beautiful sheet of water, some nine miles in 
 length. 
 
 Three miles from the hotel is Taghkannuc isle, of nine acres, 
 with a fine hotel. 
 
 The water is clear and cold. Fishing fine. 
 
 The season of 1883 will find upon the waters a fine steamboat. 
 
 A quiet retreat to recuperate from exhaustion. 
 
^w 
 
 TAGHKANNUC H0U8E, 
 
 Taghlsannuc Iile, Lake Eomoseen, Castleton, Vt^ 
 
 A. W. BARKER Proprietor. 
 
 Three miles from Hydev'ille depot ; five miles from Castleton 
 depot ; three miles from Johnson's bridge. 
 
 A steam boat decked over all, four water tight compartments, 
 capable of carrying one hundred, will be upon the lake in 1883 ; 
 make three daily trips from Hydeville to the island, Walker's. 
 Coffee's and the bridge^^ 
 
 No lovelier resor^Rr^e found in America. 
 
 Nine acres in th^J^land, devoted to lawns, groves, walks, etc. 
 
 Fine air ; no dust or heat. Charges reasonable. New York 
 papers, one o'clock p. m., publication day. 
 
 Three miles to the Russell House, Hydeville. 
 
 THE POULTNEY JOURNAL, 
 
 Published at Poultney, Vt., by 
 
 R. J. HUMPHREY & SON. 
 
 Devoted to those things that are beneficial to the Agriculturalist, 
 
 Miner, Mechanic, Manufacturer, Merchant, and seekers 
 
 of comfort. First class Advertising medium. 
 
 Terms, $1.50 per year. A fine 
 
 Job Office attached. 
 
P^'^^'^d-TSA.