Connecticut western news., 1874-06-26


 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of June 9th, 7th and Sth. Such havoc made among the roads and bridges was never known be- fore in this section. Although we look now rather on the desert order, in spots, many weeks will otelapse before the waste places will look green again. Who can however, doubt the Bible historical record of the Deluge, when in few hours the rains descended to such degree that places previously thought to be secure were so much food for rising waters. Those who took refuge during the storm at the houses of Dr. Reid and Mir. Mosher saw too we'll the force of the rising flood thinking as they did of the probable destruction of their lovely and shady homes How thankful we all should be that we came off so well. Although property has been destroyed, yet no lives were lost, and sickness, as the re- suit, hasnot invaded our homes. Guide not the hand of God, nor order the finger of the Almighty unto thy will and pleasure, but sit quiet in the soft showers of His provl- dencc.
 A Merited Token of Esteem.-John H. Cofing Esq of Van Deusenville (Mass. ) seems to have the faculty of doing exactly the right thing at exactly the right time. wednesday of last week he presented to Conductor Stlllson of the Housatonic road, a magnificent gold watch of the very finest quality. the work being as good as the world affords. On the inside of one of the cases is the following inscription beautiful ly engraved.
 Presented to ,LeYi B. Stillson, by John H.. Coffing, June l7th, 1874.
 The cost of this elegant testimonial of esteem to Mir. Stillson we do not know. but are sure it must be several hundred dollars.
 MT. Stillson has occupied the position of conductor on the Housatonic railroad for great many years. He commenced when quite young on that road as ''newsboy," :" and was promoted to the conductorship at an early age, and in all the many years of his service there, he has been uniformly popular. Having humanity in all its varied phases to deal with, he has managed his part so admirably and invariably to the sat isfaction of all concerned, that he is known and acknowledged as having no superior as railroad passenger conductor, and when Mir. Coffng presented him with this very valuable token of his appreciation of his services to the travelling public in his off cial capacity, he did what the myriads of MT. Stillson's friends will instantly recog- nize as one of the most worthy acts in his power. MT. Coffing loves to do good thing, and It makes our heart rejoice to see a man of wealth, like MT. C., who is not only the possessor of wealth, but of dis position to use some of it in such an ex- pression of appreciation of true merit and worth, as he did on the occasion alluded to above.
 Lakeville Notes.-The committee on humane institutions, accompanied by a few members of the legislature, visited Dr. Knights school for imbeciles Thursday of last week. The visitors, about twenty in number, were met by Dr. Knight and other gentlemen at the depot and conveyed to the institution, where bounteous repast await. ed them. After doing ample justice to the substantials and delicacies provided. they were conducted to the school, where the usual services of the school were gone through with. The faithful work done by Dr. Knight and his corps of teachers and attendants made itself manifest in the reel tations and other exercises of the school The singing, marching and gymnastic ex. ercises were such as would do credit to scholars of much higher order of inteIli- gence. The marching and military drill was enlivened by the music of the drum, played upon by one of the boys, whose execution was equal to that of a profession al drummer. The visitors appeared to be highly pleased with the appearance and ex- ercises of the school, which with the facil- ties afforded by the recent additions to the old building is enabled to largely increase it's usefulness. A special train conveyed the party to Canaan, where connection was made with the Housatonlc down train enabling them to reach New Haven in the evening. ......The recent addition to the Hol.
 
 veteran merchant Wm. Jones. improves it's appearance greatly. The new post-office is nearly ready for occupation, and we expect Postmaster Norton will soon take up his abode in his new quarters......A stranger answering to the name of Tom Collins has recently been the cause of considerable vexation to some of our young friends, es- pecially to the one suddenly interrupted in a most pleasing conversation with young lady of his acquaintance last week. This meddlesome stranger sent an urgent mes sage demanding an immediate interview, ; and our young friend was compelled to make hasty adieu and depart. He looked vainly for the mysterious Tom Collins for some time, and at last accounts he had not found him. It IS reported that Tom Col lius has gone off on tour with the man who sells strap oil, and that the object of their journey is to discover the wandering Jew There are some who say that Tom Collins is sell. We are inclined to adopt the latter belief,as the mention of his name to those who have been looking for him re- suits in display of temper and bad lan- guage which makes the inquirer feel alarm ed for his personal safety. JUAN.
 Artesian Wells.-You never bought an artesian well, did you, reader? We never did ourselves, but one of our neighbors did He didn't want it, he knew he didn't, and he told the agent so; but this agent was one of your determined fellows who never cry cave, and he had called on Neighbor X., bound to sell him 8 we'll and to sell it well too. He hung on and gave his stereo