From Historical Rutland : an illustrated history of Rutland, Vermont, from the granting of the charter in 1761 to 1911 by Rev. F. E. Davison, Rutland, Vt.: P.H. Brehmer, 1911, page 2:
TO A TRAVELER entering Rutland for the first time the most conspicuous thing is the mountain peaks, under whose shadows the city rests. The whole landscape is dominated by the sky-piercing summits. It is much like that in writing history. When the historian, as in this instance, sweeps the horizon of 150 years his eye is caught and focussed upon the principal events that raise themselves out of the dim distance and it may well be possible that at such long range, fog bank and cloud may be credited with substantial reality. Out of the wealth of material put into permanent form by his predecessors, the author of this souvenir volume has selected what he conceives to be the subjects of most vital importance to future generations.
It has not been his province to create–only to compile, rearrange and set in order for ready reference some of the facts concerning the past and present with which this generation may not be fully conversant. Grateful acknowledgment is hereby made to the files of Rutland Herald, the "History and Genealogy of the Mead Family", "Graham's History of Vermont, History of Rutland County by Smith and Rann, Hemenway's Vermont Gazetteer and Child's Gazetteer and Business Directory of Rutland County. No work of man is perfect and the maker of this book does not flatter himself that it will stand the test of absolute accuracy. It is sent forth with the satisfaction of knowing that it is an honest attempt to secure the facts and to present them in a concise and readable form. As such the author craves the reader's consideration.
F. E. Davison.