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Archiver > VERMONT > 1999-05 > 0926643034


From: "Jackie M. Botala" <>
Subject: [VERMONT-L] more old papers....
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 17:50:34 -0700


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A Flag Tells the News

This is a story told by Fergusson Wright about a flag which
was on display at Enosburg Falls, July 4.

Back in the1860's news didn't travel as fast as it does now.
However, people were as interested in what was going on in
their country as we are today. Sometimes they had to devise
their own methods of passing on the news. Such was the
case during the Civil War period.
In Enosburg Center the patriotic women spent long hours
making a huge flag, 23 feet long and 16 feet wide. It was
made of woolen cloth which was woven and dyed by the
people of the community. It had 34 stars, as that was the
size of the Union at that time. The men made a 100 foot
flagpole which they set in cement on a ledge near the post office.
When news of the war was bad, the flag was at half mast.
This flag could be seen by the surrounding settlers, sometime
during the day, and gave them the news.

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Pack Peddlers

Common sites along the road in early days were pack
peddlers. Many were Syrians and carried two big valises
on their back.
One of these peddlers often seen in Cambridge was a
young Syrian girl who carried in her valises lace, cloth, pins
and other notions. She could speak very little English.
Two years ago I came across her in Highgate Springs,
still selling from door to door, but this time in an automobile.
She lives in Burlington and goes by the name of Margaret.

(Contributed by Ella Covey, Underhill)

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