Connecticut western news., 1874-08-14
The Sharon Band.-Thirteen members

creased the load to about twenty individu- als, passed through our village last Monday en route for the Twin Lakes, where we un- derstand it ia their purpose to encamp dur ing the present week. With countenances brimming full of fun and music, it is to be presumed they will have very enjoyable time. As they had their musical instru- ments with them, wag at our elbow says they probably are going up into the wilds: where their music wont disturb folks, to practice! This remark was a libel we couldn't endure for a moment, and the wretch was promptly broomsticked out doors. Our friend, Cooley James may not be guilty of the above slanderous remark, and then again perhaps he didn't say he should enter protest against their proceed ings because their music would drive all the bullheads into insanity;--but aside from nonsense, this band is among the best in Western Connecticut, and if it should be their pleasure to treat our citizens to some of their choice music on their return, they may be assured it will meet with a hearty welcome.
 Sad Accident at Amesville.-On Satur- day las tbut a few moments before the hour for closing the shop, James Fleming, a young man in the employ of the Housatonic R. R. Co. awhile assisting in repairing belt was caught by the same and without sec ohd's warning was carried whirling around the main shaft. His cries for help were speedily answered, but before the gate coulsl be shut down he had made nearly 25O revolutions. Surely he was bound to the rack, for the belt had passed around his body and shaft and was holding him to his death in an iron grasp. Drs. Maltbie and Averill were soon at hand, and all that anxious friends could do was done, but in vain: At 1 o'clock he expired, retaining perfect consciousness till within few mo- ments of his death. The funeral on Mon day was largely attended; the repair shop employees turning out en masse. Behind him James has left the reputation of beng a kind and dutiful son, an honest and faith ful workman, and has always been held in high esteem by his employers and comrades in labor. c.
 The following communication was re- ceived Wednesday afternoon
 The Irish citizens of Amesville and vii cinity, and friends of the late James Elem ing, who came to his death by being acci- dentally entangled in the machinery at the repair shops on Saturday evening, desire to express their gratitude for, and apprecia- tion of, the sympathy and general kindness extended to them by the American people of the place, and by the employees of the Railroad company in particular, and they receive it as token of the respect in which the deceased youth was held by all who knew him. ...-
 MICHAEL SMITH.
 Falls Village, Aug. 1lth, 1874.
 Stockbridge vs. New wMilford.-Prof. B. Northrop writes to the L1adependent: Stock bridge itself is not naturally more varied and beautiful in it's landscape than many of the grand old towns of Connecticut. The efforts of a society for village improve ment, called the Laurel Hill Association, ) organized about twenty years ago, have transformed Stockbridge into one of the most inviting towns in Massachusetts, and have thus added greatly to it's wealth. The Laurel Hill association was originated by a ady who now enjoys there the rich fruits of her taste and efficiency. In order to in- kindred movement in Connecti- gut, l published the details of the Stock bridge plan, showing that it had been a great pecuniarY benefit to the town, increas- ng the market value of every house, build ng lot and farm. The shade trees now Found in parks enclosed with iron fences, he find hedges on both public and private with other improvements, tell why the hotels are thronged with summer guests. Only men of aff1uence come so lar from the city to erect their country mansions. .-...
 Some three years since, commended his sketch to two young ladies in New Milford, Conn. The result of the move nent which they initiated makes it wor- hy example for general imitation. They carefully studied the Stockbridge plan. A village improvement association was form d. With the funds New Milford street las been completely transformed In place of a little dirty stream, or in every drought an unseemly line of mud, capa- ;ious egg-shaped brick sewer has been quilt with thousand feet of lateral pipes md twenty-four sand wells and basins, with ron grating. Fifteen thousand feet of ;obble gutter have been completed. The Green, formerly uneven, without fence. ;rossed by loaded wagons and cut up by uts, has been we'll graded, concrete cross walks made, and the whole enclosed with ] temporary fence. With the improve nents already completed, and others plan led, the three acres in the long parallelo- ram here enclosed will make one of the inest parks which any Connecticut town an show. The influence of tn ese improve nents is already felt in attracting wealth nd culture from abroad and enhancing the 'alue of property at home. The nature of he ground, the need of sewer, and a arge amount of earth for grading made his work expensive. A fraction of the lb- ral expenditure here made would accom- 'lish the same results in scores of towns where the Green is all graded by nature.
 A village improvement association like hat of New Milford might be easily formed D scores of towns. Such an association las recently been formed in Thomaston, nd several thousand dollars have been xpended in beautifying that village. Oth- r towns are moving in the same direction. The people are everywhere ready for the york, if only some suitable person in each community would start the movement and 'rganize an association. The conditions of membership should be easy, like the pay oent of one dollar. or planting under the IRnnf YrvN NE fl1