A magnificent mausoleum stands in the quiet hills of West Windsor, Vermont. This extraordinary monument showcases early 20th-century artistic grandeur. It preserves the legacy of Daniel L. Cady (1861-1934).
Larger Than Life Persona
They called Cady “the Unique Poet” of New England. His poetry celebrated rural Vermont life in vivid detail. The mausoleum gives visitors insight into Cady's fascinating life. His final resting place perfectly reflects his larger-than-life persona.
The Man Behind the Monument
Daniel L. Cady's story begins with humble origins before he transformed himself into a celebrated Vermont poet. Born in 1861, Cady initially pursued a career in law before retiring in 1911 and returning to his beloved Vermont.
Fortune Changed and Newfound Wealth
It was here that his fortune changed dramatically when he met and married Mary Wells in 1912. Mary's first husband had recently died, leaving her a substantial fortune. With this newfound wealth, the couple purchased a luxurious home in Burlington, Vermont, reportedly worth over $1,000,000 at the time – an astronomical sum in the early 20th century.
This financial windfall allowed Cady to fully dedicate himself to his genuine passion: poetry. Over his career, he authored over 600 poems and published six books, including his four-volume series “Rhymes of Vermont Rural Life” (1919-1934). His folksy tone and simple style, meticulously detailing rural Vermont life, brought him a celebrated verse.
“Vermont Dried Beef”
He even dedicated one poem to the humble subject of “Vermont Dried Beef,” showcasing his devotion to documenting every aspect of his beloved state's culture.
His literary contributions earned him recognition across New England, with honorary awards from Norwich University and the University of Vermont. Though he never actually received a doctorate, he began styling himself as “Dr. Dan Cady” after receiving these honors, revealing the self-importance that would later manifest in his grand mausoleum.
A Monument to Match His Ego
Cady's mausoleum stands as perhaps the most tangible evidence of his outsized self-image. Positioned prominently on a hilltop in West Windsor, the structure cost a staggering $38,000 to build (equivalent to approximately $500,000 today). In designing his ultimate resting place, Cady drew inspiration from no less than Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb, creating a structure that commands attention and ensures his legacy would be physically imposing.
The Elegant Mausoleum
The mausoleum features polished marble and imported cypress wood from Florida, materials chosen for both their beauty and durability. Inside, an epitaph in Latin reads: “His poems breathed the spirit of New England” – a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his literary career to capturing the essence of the region.
The positioning of the monument was no accident. Cady deliberately placed it where it would overlook his hometown, ensuring that even in death, he would maintain a presence in the community. He made this intention explicit in a 1931 letter where he wrote, “People will have to look up to me whether or not they want to”—a statement perfectly encapsulating the poet's blend of local pride and personal vanity.
The Drunken Poet's Legacy
While some referred to Cady as “the Unique Poet,” others dubbed him “the Drunken Poet” – a nickname that speaks to both his colorful personality and perhaps his lifestyle. Despite his sometimes inflated sense of self-importance, Cady made a genuine and lasting contribution to Vermont's literary tradition through his detailed documentation of rural life in the early 20th century.
Cady's legacy lives on today, preserved by his imposing mausoleum and community celebrations. In 2013, local historian Adam R. Boyce started “Daniel Cady Day” in West Windsor, dressing as the poet and giving readings of his work. The tradition continued for several years, with residents sharing their favorite Cady poems and anecdotes before making a pilgrimage to the mausoleum itself.
A Monument in Transition
Time has changed the appearance of Cady's grand monument. The dense cluster of pine trees and shrubs now partially obscures the once proud and visible monument, hiding the mausoleum within. This gradual envelopment by the Vermont landscape he so loved adds a poetic dimension to Cady's last resting place, as though nature itself is embracing one of its most dedicated chroniclers.
Visiting the Mausoleum
For modern visitors, the journey to Cady's mausoleum offers more than just architectural interest. It provides a tangible connection to a bygone era of Vermont culture and to a distinctive literary voice that, while perhaps overshadowed by contemporaries like Robert Frost, still resonates with the authentic character of rural New England.
The monument stands as a reminder that legacy takes many forms. Although Cady built his mausoleum to ensure he would never be forgotten, his carefully crafted verses celebrating the minutiae of Vermont life ultimately form his most meaningful contribution. His tomb, with its grand design and prominent placement, simply underscores what Cady himself understood: that the preservation of cultural memory, whether through poetry or stone, is a worthy endeavor that connects generations across time.
For those who make the pilgrimage to West Windsor, Daniel L. Cady's monument offers a unique window into Vermont's literary past and a testament to one man's determination to ensure that his voice, like the spirit of New England he captured in his poems, would endure long after his passing on April Fool's Day, 1934. The mausoleum is on the hill above the school off Strawberry Hill.
An epitaph in Latin inside the tomb reads: “His poems breathed the spirit of New England.”
A special thanks to the U32 Chronicle for the photos in this article
Thank you for visiting Vermonter.com! Please subscribe to our email list for the latest articles!
