Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-20

| have been the Work OF an lnoendiary.
A SAD CAsE.-Wo have received the
following from the gentleman whose sig
nature is attached This is a strange and
unnatural incident that is too horrible to
believe, but we know nothing further of
it than is related by our correspondent
whom we make responsible by his sigma
ture:
"Died, i'll Cavendish, Nov. 10Th, 1869,
Job Spaford, aged 90 years"
Editor Rutland Herald The above
brief obituary notice appeared in the
Weekly HERALD of Nov 25th, and L
think that there are some circumstances
connected with the closing scenes of this
old mans life that should be laid before
the whole civilized and enlightened
world had hoped that other and more
allie correspondence would have, ere this,
laid TIE CAPE more fully before the public
than ara allie 10 do; but if you will
allow me small space in the columns of
the HERALD, | will narrate to its readers
what has come under my personal obsorv-
alton.
When ! came to Cayendish to live,
which WAS two years ago, Job Spafford
and his wife lived all alone in an old, but
quite comfortable house, situated in as
pleasant spot as Smithville affords and
they were pointed out to me as the Oldest
couple in the place, she being two years
| his senior how long they have lived to-
gethar kGQw got, but true it is that they
have three living children, one son and
two daughters. About ta0 years ago the
old folks became nearly helpless, and as
not one of the children could be induced
to come aud live with them, near
neighbor becoming alarmed at the pros
pect Of their accidentally burning their
own home and his also, entered complaint
to the town officers, and the result was
that VIM. Smith, Esq, was appointed
guardian over them. Last October there
came . marked change over the aged
couple. Being robbed Of the care of a
granddaughter by sickness, they we're
often compelled to attend to their own
wants, and lettering with palsied step
around the house they often fell on the
stove and elsewhere, and the last time
they were both unable to arise without
assistance, believe, and they were both
sick for some days, she being unable to
arise. One morning Mr.. Smith asked me
in to see the old folks with him. We
found the aged wife abed, and he was
.Srying, with teaoup and staff in hand to get
| to the kitchen stove to make little tea
for mother" as ne called her, and with
voice choked with emotion he saii that
g he had not had anything to eat, but
little tea for two days" Mr.. Smith told
| them that he was going to have their
daughter, who is married and lives in
Weathersfeld, Vt, come and stay with
them awhile, at which their Joy was
great She came and staid few weeks,
was lonesome, and went home After
that they lad hard time. No efforts of
Mr.. Smith could bring help, SO the town
officers offered any enc foRr dollars per
week if they would go and take care OF
the old folks. This had the effect to
bring another daughter, Mrs. Bond, who,
by the way, is a widow lady without any
fixed habitation, as I understand, and
who is worth two thousand dollars easy,)
who consented to stay with them, like a
dusiful child, until they became able to
be removed to the Tom FARM When
told that they must go, the old man was
almost crazy, andibsgged and prayed to be
allowed to remain at home; but among the
children, and three grand children, two
of whom live within stones cast of them,
there was not flial affection enough to
save the old folks from the poor house.
Their son is poor, but all of the children
but him are abundantly able to support
them. One daughters husband is said to
NfS mn