Connecticut western news., 1872-11-29
The People Mourn.

ing counties, paid their last tribute of re- spect to one of it's most honored and best of citizens; The Hon. George Coffing who died suddenly in an apoplectc fit at his residence in this village last week Thursday, at a little past l2 o'clock, noon. MT. Coffing complained of illness On Tues day evening and on Wednesday sent for his physician, who told him he was threat ened with Typhoid fever but hoped to break it up. He called on Thursday mor- ming about 10 o'clock and told him his symptoms were better and thought he would be out in few days. At l2 o'clock noon, Mrs. Coffing gave him the medicine prescribed, after which he lay back in the bed to get some sleep and Mrs. C. left the room. In about fifteen minutes afterward, Mrs. Coff1ng heard him breathing quite heavily, and asked her daughter, Clare, to step in and arouse him as she supposed he was suffering an attack of nightmare. As soon as Miss c. enter ed the room she was instantly alarmed, as he was then gasping and apparently very near his dissolution. Summoning her moth CT :o his bedside Mrs. Coffing entered the room, and pretending his critical con- dition ran to the door and called to an em- ploye to go for assistance, and before she could agaln reach his room he was dead Thus it was: Without one moments warning this man whom the people loved was snatched from this world into eternity. No lingering diseas~, carrying with it its al tendant suffering was his lot, but before any could realize that he was in danger he had passed to that realm, wh, nee none return. No last kind word was he permitted to speak to those of his kin dred who We're near, and for him none was necessary to contribute toward a kind ly remembrance by those who are left be- hind, for his life; his entire life was fraught with kind words, and not only do his nearest kindred and friends know this but the hundreds and thousands with whom he has come in contact in the extensive business of his life will bear cheerful and ample testimony of this fact, In tine death of MT. Coffing the town of Salisbury suf- fers an rreparable loss. In each and every affair of the village and town he invariably took lively interest, contributing with ex- ceeding great liberality to everything per- tajning to the general good of all; nor were his universal and true benevolence and generosity confined to public enter prise: The individual who applied to hin for assistance, if possessing semblance of merit was meoer disappointed. His purse strings would loosen never so quickly as for the purpose of relieving individual suffering. and yet 50 quietly, and always in | such way that his assistance would be the least likely to be known by others than l the one benefited, would he bestow his acts of kindness and benevolence. Concerning his business we know not sufficiently to l speak in detail, as our knowledge is ill common with that of all in this region ; viz: that it is immense his pay roll num- bering about 22OO men. For twenty years he has been engaged in creating the world of business over which he was the controlling spirit, adding each year to il as much as could be systematized and managed harmoniously with what before was in existance his growth in bis ability to manage it, nurtured by his experience being commensurate with his added respon. abilities. But we must not say more. In this brief but general account of a few of the characteristics of him whom zoe hau. a1 lost, it was not our purpose to write his obituary. That sad duty must devolve upon one whose acquaintance extends back to the earliest Infancy of MT. Cotf1ng, a16 who is able to do the subject and the man full justice, which account we expect tc publish as soon as it can be prepared; very likely in week or two, yet, knowing the subject of these remarks about two years, and in that short time having seen so many of the admirable qualities of the man, which, notwithstanding his unpre tending and unassuming nature, aeoatld show themselves. our temperament would not admit of an absolute silence that would leave the field entirely to him who is expect ed to follow with the full and comprehensive biographical sketch of this great and good man. This sudden and unlocked fol death, which has rent asunder the heart strings of his beloved family, has taker deep hold of the sensitive nature of the people, and we must speak, and aU will speak of him who made himself so neal by the associations of his everyday life.
 His funeral was largely attended las Sabbath at tue Congregational church ir this village. A train of SIX long passenger cars loaded to their fullest capacity came from Stockbridge over the Housatonic anG Conn. Western railroads, leaving large number in Canaan and other, places, who were not able to find standing room on tht train, and another from Millerton with fou cars, brought to the funeral a great mum
 Der, the mass of whom we feel assured came not to gratify their curiosity, but tt pay true homage and respect to an eminen citizen. After prayer at the house at abou one o'clock, the bearers with the casket followed by the mourners ands procession entered the church, which was filled abso
 lutely full; seats being placed in the aisle
 and in every available space, and wher
 benches could not be placed was occupied
 by those who were compelled to stand. A
 least twelve hundred individuals were il
 attendance. The casket, with it's massiv
 silver trimmings, was mounted with an ele
 gant crown and anchor of tube roses, an immediately in front of the pulpit were tw
 large and heavy crosses of the same deli cate and snowy white flower. The SCI
 vice at the church was commenced wit the 237th hymn in the "Songs For Tn } Sanctuary"
 "God moves in g mysterious way, etc.,
 ], After prayer by the Rev. MT. Colwe
 and the 5O5th hymn "Come Ye Discon