John Cain of Rutland was a talented immigrant from the Isle of
Man who came to Rutland in 1832. He was an architect, surveyor,
editor of a weekly newspaper, postmaster, as well as town moderator.
However, John's outspoken Democratic views in a Republican town
and state often placed him at odds with many community leaders.
In 1857 new railroad engines were being named. John apparently wanted
one to bear his name but knew that he had little chance of securing
that honor by his own request. The following letter is a most interesting
attempt to circumvent his lack of popularity with the right people.
Rutland Nov. 18th 1857
C. C. Holden, Esq.
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you a letter which I wish you would copy in your
hand writing & on a larger sheet of paper & get as many of your
friends to sign it as you can & sign it yourself & enclose it in
a sealed envelope by mail to E. A. Chapin Esq., Superintendent of
R. & B. Railroad, Rutland, Vt.
If you do this, I do not want any body to see these letters of mine,
in my handwriting, but you burn them up. If you could get on a dozen
or twenty names & send it to Chapin as early as tomorrow's mail
I would be glad. As I think they will name the engine in a few days.
I do not wish the least hint thrown out that I have any hand in
this.
You know what I want is that you act as if all was voluntarily on
your part & I will endeavor to reciprocate someway & sometime.
Respectfully yours,
John Cain
P.S. Try and send it in tomorrow.
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