THE NEW ENGLAND FAT MEN’S CLUB & DANVILLE’S DIVINE COMEDY
By Joseph A. Citro
THE NEW ENGLAND FAT MEN’S CLUB
In November 1903, a unique and lighthearted chapter in the social history of New England began at Hale’s Tavern in Wells River, Vermont. Jerome Hale, the tavern's proprietor, observed that he and his ten companions around the fireplace shared a notable characteristic: they were all conspicuously obese. This observation sparked a whimsical yet profound idea — the formation of "The New England Fat Men’s Club."
The club, founded on a blend of humor and camaraderie, had a simple qualification: members needed to weigh at least 200 pounds. By their fall 1904 meeting, the club had grown to 110 members, a testament to its appeal. The club provided a space where its members could celebrate their size and enjoy each other's company without judgment.
Meetings of the club were a spectacle of cheer and competition. They commenced with a ceremonial weigh-in, followed by a variety of sporting events tailored to the members' unique capabilities. From a hundred-yard dash that inevitably turned into a two-hundred-yard effort due to momentum, to a tug-of-war with a chain replacing a broken rope, the events were both amusing and inclusive.
One memorable contest was the potato race, humorously won by Jerome Hale himself, who, at a mere 207 pounds, could still see the potato between his feet. Baseball games were won either by score or total team poundage, adding a strategic twist to the game. The pie-eating competition, always won by Mr. Wentworth of Somerville, Massachusetts, was a crowd favorite.
The meetings also included elaborate banquets, with tables custom-designed to accommodate each member. These lavish feasts were as much a part of the club's tradition as the jovial competitions and business meetings.
The club's fame spread, and by 1925, membership had soared to 10,000 from 38 states, transcending its New England roots. However, as times changed, the club's appeal waned. By its 20th anniversary in 1927, only a few members remained, marking the end of an era with the death of Jerome Hale.
The New England Fat Men’s Club remains a charming footnote in the region's history, a testament to the spirit of acceptance and the joy of embracing one's uniqueness.
DANVILLE’S DIVINE COMEDY
In July 1838, the small town of North Danville, Vermont, became the backdrop for an extraordinary tale involving John P. Weeks, a 26-year-old farmer. This story, documented by Weeks and supported by 31 signatures from local residents, including church deacons, ministers, and doctors, delves into the mysterious realm of near-death experiences.
That fateful summer, Weeks fell gravely ill with a disease known as inflammation of the bowels, a condition often fatal in that era. Despite the efforts of doctors and prayers from clergymen, Weeks's condition deteriorated rapidly. On the sixth day, as death seemed imminent, something miraculous occurred. As his family prepared for his funeral, Weeks suddenly sat up, alive and coherent, to the astonishment of all present.
In the aftermath of this inexplicable event, Weeks recovered fully and lived to be 70. He narrated his experience during those moments between life and death, describing a journey of celestial magnitude. In his written account, Weeks detailed seeing two angels approach him, leading to his spirit leaving his body. One angel guarded his physical form, while the other guided his spirit on an otherworldly journey.
Weeks described traversing a dark, despair-filled realm, witnessing countless souls in torment. This was followed by an ascent along a radiant path to a realm he referred to as Paradise. He portrayed Paradise with the simplicity of a Vermont farmer: a level land with short grass, no trees or stones, and a delightful climate. Further, he spoke of a second Heaven filled with genderless angels and a third Heaven dominated by God's golden throne.
Instructed that his time on Earth was not yet complete, Weeks was shown Hell once more and tasked with warning others about its horrors. Upon agreeing, he was returned to his body, experiencing a sensation akin to entering a cold room. Revived, Weeks fulfilled his promise to the angels by spending his life sharing his journey to Heaven and Hell, cautioning others about the fate that awaited in the latter.
John P. Weeks's account remains a fascinating and mystical chapter in the history of North Danville, a narrative that intertwines faith, the afterlife, and the unexplained in a small Vermont town.
Joseph A. Citro is a Vermont author, folklorist, and longtime collector of New England’s strangest stories, from ghostly happenings to local legends and unexplained curiosities. Known to many as Vermont’s “Bard of the Bizarre,” he has spent decades preserving the tales that linger along back roads, old houses, covered bridges, and quiet hillsides. In Passing Strange, Citro shares folklore with a curious eye, a storyteller’s warmth, and just enough mystery to make you look twice on the ride home.