Connecticut western news., 1874-08-28

Massachusetts in the year 1880, met in fam fly reunion at Uxbridge on the l2th of this month An historical address was delivered by Judge Alphonso Taft, grand dinner discussed and numerous toasts drank, after which permanent organization was form ed. Messrs. Roscoe c. and Robert l.. Taft of Ashley Falls are members of the eighth generation of this large family. The Compendium, the local paper, among oth- CT things says:
 We do not believe that any family on earth numbers greater proportion of hon. orable members, ,-men of distinction in law, medicine, literature and all the honest professions and csllings.
 Heavy Block of Granite.-A heavy block of Norfolk granite has reached the Hoosac tunnel in safety and will be dress ed, marked 'Hoosac tunnel. l874,' and set up over the west entrance of the cavern. The block weighs fourteen tons, and its transportation has been a heavy undertak- ing. To move it down from the quarry to the West Norfolk station on the Connecti- cut Western road, eight yokes of oxen were employed. One pair was put in front of the block and the others were attached to chain, and the chain was fastened to the rear of the wagon, so that all the strength of the creatures was exercised in holding back on the hills. There is an un- interrupted descent the whole distance, and slowly the great mass of stone was allowed to roll along to its destination. n.-Hartford COur0nt.
 Canaan.-NlR. EDIToR.-The lime kiln of Pierce X Lawrence will be ready in a week to start again, as they have succeeded in binding the stack and are erecting the sheds and cooper shop. The loss will not be over one third of the amount at first re- ported and possibly not as much as that... AS there is talk of abolishlng tue railroad whistles, and it is ascertained that the vote in favor of the measure would be unani- nous outside the corporations, it might be well to add another provision, viz, to have conductors and brakemen wait till train has stopped and the nose ceased before they cry out the name of the station. A railroad car in motion is not good place to hear and distinguish sounds, and when the brakes have been applied and the din greatly increased as they near station, the passengers at the middle or farther end of the car are very little enlightened by the conductor or brakeman opening the dcor and singing out Ca-a-a-n n na-a-n, or K-a-a- n-n-n-a-a.a-n; Change c-a-r-r-r-rs. It is a great nuisance, and ought to be remedied in my OPINION. Lakeville Jottings. Lakevlle mer- chants tell us business with them is really improving. Their trade is getting to be good and they are corrcspondingly happy as they have right to be. At the Lake vile huckleberry depot, (Mr. Jones' store, ) over hundred bushels of berries of the va rious kinds have been bought and sold this present season quite a large portion of them belng whortleberres. The new post office proves to be one of the best institu- tions in town. It is, us it was before as for that matter, centrally located and is very conveniently arranged for the business of the office. We congratulate Postmaster Norton on the fiue appearance of his new quarters. ......Just here comes an item from Lakeville friend about the Lakeville Academy, that will very appropriately hitch on to this batch of Jothngs. He says:- "We are glad to learn that Rev. Geo. B. Ferguson of Millerton will commence a first class school in the Academy at Lake. vile on the l4th of September next. MT. Ferguson with his family will become resi- dents among us, and it is hoped that the support he deserves will be given him, iu order that his stay may be permanent. Bridgeport observatory.-An exchange says it is proposed to establish an astro- nomical and meteorological observatory in Bridgeport. Should the effort be success ful, the institution will be under the man agement of Professor Clarence Sterling, formerly of that city, and now connected with the Dudley observatory at Albany. In such an event Professor Sterling would bring with him the celebrated telescope which occupied him so long in construct ing, as well as his library and scientific in struments. It would be very important to the educational interests of the city were the plan carried out. A plan for proposed observatory has already been drafted by Mr. George fallser, which meets the ap proval of Professor Sterling and others in terested. The front of the building will be 96 feet in length, and the material will be wood and corrugated iron. The extreme depth with the rear wing will be 70 feet. At one end of the observatory is revolv. ing tower 25 feet high for life principal tel. escope, and near the center another for a smaller telescope. The plans provide for a spacious veranda, reception room and at- e1ters for the prosecution of scientific work Such building it is estimated could be erected at cost of not over $5,OOO. The site suggested is near the residence of T. s. Synnot on Golden Hill. Most of the prominent citizens of Bridgeport support the scheme.
 Camp Meeting Notes.-There are now erected on the grounds of the Pine Grove Camp Meeting Association, over twenty cottages built of wood, and when we were there last Tuesday, between twenty and thirty tents. The first of the regular servi- ces with preaching was conducted by the Rev. R. Kay of Housatonic, Tuesday fore. noon. The Rev. Kay gave discourse fraught with ideas and good sound reason, which was listened to with interest," The attendance was not large, indeed quite small, as is usually the case so early in the week. The strokes of the carpenters ham, mers had not entirely ceased, and the busv