This memorial to a great Vermont educator is the happy thought of one
of his pupils, Miss Caroline S. Woodruff. The idea immediately found
favor wherever it was known that such a tribute was contemplated. An
organization was perfected known as "The Charles E. Putney Memorial,"
to arrange for the publication of this book. Hon. Charles W. Gates
of Franklin, Vermont, was selected as chairman, and the preliminary
expenses of the enterprise were taken care of by a finance committee
consisting of Hon. F. W. Plaisted of Augusta, Me., Mrs. Fletcher D.
Proctor of Proctor, and J. F. Cloutman of Farmington, N. H. The
committee in charge of securing the material for the book and its
publication were Miss Caroline S. Woodruff of St. Johnsbury, Rolfe
Cobleigh of Boston, and Arthur F. Stone of St. Johnsbury. The
publication committee realize that there are many former pupils of Mr.
Putney who would have been glad to have contributed to this memorial,
but believe that the tributes in the following pages are representative
of the sentiments of all who sat under his inspiring teaching, and are
stronger and better men and women because of his marked influence upon
their lives.