house in the township, so this house was a preaching place
for all denominations, when the services would not interfere
with the school.
A payment of five dollars was made by the township trus-
tees for the privilege of holding elections in this school build-
ing.
Spelling schools and singing schools met in this "town hall"
and young people enjoyed the social opportunity.
There was a debating club, of considerable importance in
helping young men to try their skill in oratory, or sharpen
their wits by controversy. They had rules that secured to
them an exclusive selection of membership.
Many intellectual contests were held there by the young
men engaged in debating. The growth of minds, and the
friendship of hearts, nursed in that building, will continue
while life shall last with those thus associated.
THE WIND-STORM OF 1826.
The severest wind-storm ever known in Rutland from its
first settlement, came on Sunday afternoon, October 29th,
1826. The school-house just mentioned suffered greatly. The
upper story as swept off entirely, and the roof only was ever
replaced. The strong current of this wind was not more than
a quarter mile in width, showing greater strength in some
places than in others in its course, which was a little south of
east. It came from Salem township, but did little damage
until reaching the brick house of Felix Benedict, the upper
part of which was blown down. In the village of Rutland, a
frame House, the residence of Mr. Beebe, was blown all to
pieces, but fortunately the family had gone out of the house,
and so escaped with their lives. Passing over a hill a half
mile east, which was covered with heavy timber, it completely
felled the standing trees. Then pitching over another hill
into the valley of Hysell run, it removed all the timber except
