Mr. Griffith Entertains.
The Danby Senator Gives Some Rutland Gentlemen a Day’s Outing.
Through the courtesy of Senator Silas L. Griffith of Danby a dozen Rutland gentlemen spent Saturday at his magnificent mountain resort at Lake Griffith. The trustees of the Rutland Savings bank have this delightful outing at Mr. Griffith’s invitation each year. Among the party invited Saturday were Wayne Bailey, E. C. Tuttle and son, H. H. Brown, Edward Dana, H. 0. Carpenter, Fred A. Field, F. H. Farrington of Brandon, Sheriff D. P Peabody, T. J. Lyon, Charles A. Simpson, Dr. John A. Mead, C. B. Hinsman, Receiver D. D. Muir of the Merchants National bank, M. A. Green, L. H. McIntire and C. T. Fairfield, two or three of whom were unable to go on account of pressing business. The party left here on the 6.30 o’clock train Saturday morning and on arrival at Danby were met by Mr. Griffith with three mountain wagons to which were hitched splendid specimens of horse flesh. Before the start a look was taken into the offices of S. L. Griffith & Co., the largest lumber manufacturers and timber owners possibly of New England. A new private office finished in rare and beautiful grains of wood was much admired. To show the host’s progressive republican-ism and as an indication of his hustle he produced a private brand of cigars with the cover labeled’ “Our Candidates In 1900, McKinley and Roosevelt.” This was, it must be remembered, within 30 hours of the ticket’s nomination at Philadelphia.
The 10-mile, drive up the mountain was taken by The long way, stopping half way at one of the mills of the company that runs night and day. Glimpses here and there suggestive of the extent of the immense lumber enterprise were seen. All these thousands and tens of thousands of acres of wooded land are the property of Mr. Griffith and his partners. The club house was reached about 10 o’clock and the senator’s estimable wife and household there added to the warmth of the party’s welcome. Lake Griffith is delightfully situated nearly 2400 feet above sea level, the banks being lined by acres of June pinks now in the fullness of bloom. Boats were taken and trout fishing commenced. So full of trout is the lake that with difficulty were the fish caught by hooks in the mouth in the way dear to sportsmen. More frequently would the fish crowd each other out of the water and flop into the boat, or in making a cast the fisherman would strike the speckled beauties on the back or tail and bring them in thus hooked, before any fish could strike at the bait. But it was all the greatest of sport and thoroughly enjoyed by all of the fortunate guests. The dinner and supper served to the hungry party were each fit for a king. Barnum is M. Griffith’s famous old-time chef and all of his creations would have been a credit to the Waldorf-Astoria.
The ride in early evening down the mountain was taken by the short steep road winding around the mountain’s steep rocky side. This road was much of it blasted out of the rock and was built solely for Mr. Griffith’s lumber business at a cost it is stated of $18,000. It several points the timber at the roadside was cleared and a view was had of the beautiful valley to the north and south. The green meadows and tin hillsides in the lengthening shadows of the evening presented a picture of inexpressible beauty and betokened happy prosperity. At South Danby, or Griffith proper, an inspection was made of the fish hatcheries, breeding and settling ponds, which are famous as being the largest and most complete private fish producing plants in the country. A visit was also made to Mr. Griffith’s conservatories where an abundance of flowers was presented to the gentlemen.
The party returned to Rutland on the evening train, full of praises of Senator and Mrs. Griffith’s hospitality. They are having prepared in regular form to present to their host and hostess a diploma conferring upon them the honorary degrees of D. L. H.—doctor of the laws of hospitality.