MOULTON ARMORY HISTORY REVISITED

Abby McIntosh, Keithie Srague, Bill Moulton III, Cslr Dave Hartnett , Gary Rogers, Mayor Kiss, Sue Prim

KEITHIE SPRAGUE REMEMBERS BILLY MOULTON

KS: Yes. And that was one of the hardest things when my girls went up there to high school, that they called it Edmunds and I’d always say, no it’s not, it’s Burlington High School. And there’s another thing – … Billy Moulton. He was one of the star basketball players in Burlington and he died. He was in the National Guard with my brother and he was the first Burlington boy killed overseas. And Moulton Armory – I still haven’t gotten over them turning Moulton Armory into what it is today. I’ve felt as if – how quick we forget. I’ve been over there and I haven’t seen a plaque with his name on it.

MS: Our armory here?

KS: Mmm-hmm.

GR: Which became the National Guard Armory?

KS: It was the National Guard when it was built. And the name Moulton Armory came from because Billy was the first – he was in the Battle of Normandy and he was killed.

MS: Somebody could look into that.

GR: I’m thinking that.

MS: Somebody could – I mean there’s room for a plaque in there.

KS: I would hope so.

GR: And a little story.

KO: Definitely.

GR: A story about him and how it was originally – a little history of the armory…

from Keithie Sprague's Oral history, recorded and transcribed by Gloria Reynolds, Mary Scully, and Kaitlin O’Shea. Printed in the Appletree Point Historical Society history of the North End, 2011.  

Today the Moulton Armory is a community and recreation center with a large basketball court where hundreds of Burlington people of all ages shoot the hoops and scramble. We think Billy would have liked this. The flag and the commemorative will be on display at the community center, and efforts are underway to return the original plaque that Keithie remembers to the center.

REMEMBRANCE, Nov 10, Heinebereg Senior Center. Billy Moulton, a Burlington Hero.

Capt. William Arthur Moulton, Jr.

1920-1944

Captain William Arthur Moulton, Jr. was born in Burlington, Vermont on May 9, 1920.  He attended public schools in Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School in June 1937.

While in high school he participated in football, track, and was an outstanding basketball player.  He was a member of the team that played in the Northeast Inter-scholastic Basketball Championship finals at Portland, Maine in 1937.  He attended Green Mountain Junior College from 1937-1938.

Moulton enlisted in the Vermont National Guard as a Private in Company K, 172^nd Infantry Regiment on 3 October 1939.  When the Vermont National Guard was called to active Federal Service in 1941, Moulton went as 1^st Sergeant of Company K.  During the North and South Carolina maneuvers he led Company K as 1^st Sergeant since a sickness had afflicted the unit’s officer and many enlisted men.  For his outstanding accomplishment in this regard, Moulton received the Regimental Commendation.

Moulton entered the officer’s candidate course at Ft. Benning, Georgia in February 1942 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of that year.  Lt. Moulton’s first assignment was with the 79^th Infantry Division, then stationed at Camp Pickett, Virginia.  He was promoted to 1^st Lieutenant early in 1943 then to Captain on 22 August 1943.  He commanded two companies of the 314^th Infantry Regiment 79^th Infantry Division.

Captain Moulton was killed in combat on 23 June 1944 during the Normandy Campaign, France during World War II.

Biggest Fish Tale Told by the Piano Player

      Yup, the biggest fish tale was recounted by the piano player. About 20 years ago, dogs baking wildly woke Christine Hebert on a foggy night. A new dock had recently been built at the Auer Family Boathouse, with a light that extended out into the water. Christine looked out to see what was alarming the dogs, thought someone might be taking a boat, and to her astonishment she saw a large creature rise up out of the water right under the light. It was Champ, green with algae, a dinosaur head and humps on it's back... s/he was seemingly curious about the new dock, and the light. The next night, a juvenile appeared, looking like a smaller dinosaur and also causing a dog barking frenzy. Christine woke her mother and took her to the window to be a witness. If you go down to the Boathouse before they shutter up for the winter, you can hear these stories for yourself.

John Shappy's father could build a boat in 8 days, without power tools. His secret? Lots of smart, strapping kids who picked up the art and didn't need much sleep! The boat cost $150, and the Shappy identifying mark was placed up under the bow. If someone stole a Shappy boat, they went to jail.

Charlie Auer encountered a skunk, and successfully used the trick of shining a light in it's eyes while quickly picking the skunk up by its tail. A skunk can't spray unless it's feet are on the ground.  Problem was that Charlie walked by a log, the skunk got a foothold, and Charlie got it good.

By popular demand, we'll do a follow-up mid-winter.

ORAL HISTORIES OF THE RIVER'S END - ANNUAL MEETING SEPT 25, 2011

Friends, we have amazing news!  Rolfe was contacted by the Great Great Great Grand Son of Felix and Martha Powell, Lou Schultze. He lives in Oregon, and he found Rolfe through our website. He has set the record straight about Felix Sr and Jr.  Lou is a "Genealogical Detective."  Maybe he'll write the chapter on Felix Powell for our history, and present it Annual Meeting next year! 

Now, this year!  Christine Auer Hebert will be transforming upstairs at the Heineberg Club into a 50's dance hall. The Annual Meeting will be Sunday 3-3:30. Sing-Along and dancing will be led by Christine on piano from 3:30-4:00, when magically the dance floor will become a story-telling circle -- "Oral Histories of the River's End." led by Charlie Auer and Tim Prim. Everyone is encouraged to tell us what they have heard or remember. Spread the word! Bring people who love to sing, or have a story to tell.

Wondering what to wear? Photo, left. Prize for most authentic. Free creemee coupons for everyone who comes in period costume! 50/50 raffle to benefit the Auer Boathouse piano fund.

We'll have the quiz and updated history for members, with new chapters on the Abenaki settlements from Fred Wiseman, transcribed interviews with Keithie Sprague and Julia Smith Northrup, and an architectural study of the historic Eastman homes (now the only authentic work of master architect Louis Sheldon Newton that remains on the Point).

Come for the meeting, stay for the fun -- or skip the meeting and come straight to the sing-along, swing-along, and stay story-telling.

Refreshments -- someone tell us what they served at dances in the 50s? Rum/Coke? Well, we'll have the coke.


50/50 Raffle to benefit the Auer Boathouse Piano Fund. 


Decorations are originals that Christine had in storage from the dances at the boathouse.

Fourth of July Quiz

Felix Powell's memorial tablet erected by the DAR in June 1923.