The Vermont Tribune, Ludlow, Friday, August 2, 1889 Bartonsville 8/2/1889 About 35 of the friends and neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. Elisha HALL gathered at their home, the 30th ult., to suprise as well as celebrate Mrs. H.'s 74th birthday. A surprise indeed it proved. After a little delay by reason of social attentions, Mrs. H. was presented a purse of $7.75 cash and the best wishes of all present, with a hope of many future anniversaries of the day. A happy response was given by Mrs. H., after which a social good time followed, interspersed with games and other amusements, till a late hour, when ample refreshments were served by the ladies, and all dispersed to their several homes feeling that a worthy subject was a happy recipient of a small favor thus bestowed. Some time since (2 weeks perhaps) Miss Arabell GIBSON, an old lady 84 years old, living alone, thought to visit a Miss Maria BURGESS of Grafton, at a distance of four miles. She started on foot, as is her custom, and when she got about 2 1/2 miles on her way thought to go across lots, as it would be nearer, but got lost. She crossed a brook several times, and once she slipped and fell, striking her shoulder in such a way as to injure the cap of the joint. She finally wandered about, her clothes much wet, till she brought up at a Mr. RAY's, who offered to bring her home; but she persisted in walking, and on arriving home was nearly prostrated. She refused a physician's services and is now and has been in a very precarious condition, having no use of the arm yet, and it is much discolored and swollen. Neighbors go in and do for her all she will allow. Her ideas seem paramount to all persuasion. Transcribed by Ruth Barton -- Ruth Barton mrgjb@sover.net Dummerston, VT

On 2/23/2012 8:35 AM, Ruth Barton wrote: ... > ... She finally wandered about, her clothes much wet, till she > brought up at a Mr. RAY's, who offered to bring her home; but she persisted > in walking, and on arriving home was nearly prostrated. She refused a > physician's services and is now and has been in a very precarious > condition, having no use of the arm yet, and it is much discolored and > swollen. Neighbors go in and do for her all she will allow. Her ideas > seem paramount to all persuasion. ... Ruth: A type of granite-headedness common in "Old Vermonters", now as then. Darrell