Connecticut western news., 1874-11-06

Haven; bounded on the north by Mount Washington and Sheffield, inl Massachu- setss, on the east by the Ousatonick river' which separates it from Canaan, on the south by Sharon, and on the west by tnt State of New York. Its average length IS 9 miles, and it's average breadth about and a half miles. comprising an area ot about 5s square miles.
 The township is broken, consisting o' elevated hills and deep and extensive wales. generally of a calcareous character; this town being embraced within the limestone district or Connecticut, which is confined to its nor hwestern border, adjoining the State of New York. The hills and mort elevated lands consist principally of granite, the calcareous rocks and soil being con- fined to the valleys and more level tracts.
 The principal mineral in the town is thai of iron ore, which is found in great abund- ance. In the western section of the town three mines of iron ore have been opened and worked, from which large quantities of the ore are annually raised, which is used not only to supply the forges and fur nsces which are in operation here, but portion of it is conveyed to neighboring towns. These mines are believed to be equal to any in the United States; the ore being very rich, and of an excellent quality. Near the centre of the town there is also 6 mine of iron ore, which has been opened. and another in the northwest part of the township; from both of which compara- lively small ouantihes of ore are annually raised. These mines are source of con siderable wealth, and afford stlmulous to enterprise and industry.
 The soil of the township is either cal csreous loam or gravellY loam; varying according to the geological character of the internal structure. The former is very rich and productive, is admirably adapted to a grain culture, particularly wheat, ot which it carries large crops. Rye, oats, Indian corn, barley, fax and peas are also cultivated with success. This is one ot the best towns for grain in the State; and it is probable there is more wheat annually raised here than in any other. Grass also fourishes well in this town, and the lands afford excellent grazing; but the attention of the farmers has been principally directed to the cultivation of wheat and other kinds of winter grain.
 The Ousatonic river washes the eastern border of the town, and forms it's bound ary; and Salmon river, a small stream, runs through the town in a southeasterly direction. and discharges It's waters into the Ousatonick. Upon Salmon river there are number of excellent sites for mills and other water works; and there are several bridges across the Ousatonick, and fall of the whole body of water of the river of about sixty feet, which is very con- siderable curiosity.
 There are four ponds in the town well stored with fish, particularly pike or pick erel, Northeast pond, Mountain pond in the west, Furnace pond in the south, and Long pond in the southwest section of the town.
 Although the agricultural interests of this town are dourishing. and occupy 8 very great proportion of the attention and industry of the inhabitants, yet the advan- tages and facilities which i. affords for various kinds of iron manufactures have not been neglected.
 Of the manufactures of iron there are 8 forges. 2 blast furnaces, l anchor and screw manufactory, scythe manufactory, and shops with hammers, operated by water power for the manufacture of gun barrels, sleigh shoes, hoes, &c. In addi- ton to these manufactures. there is l but ton factory, grain mills, saw mills and carding machines. There are merchan- tile stores.
 The Salisbury and Canaan turnpike road leads through this town from east to west. but is road of little public travel.
 The population at the census of 1910 was 2s2l, and there are $40 dwelling houses. 2e4 freemen or electors, and companies of militia.
 The amount of taxable property, esti mated according to the laws for regulating lists, including polls. is $5l, ,e26; and th, valuation of the lands and buildings of tht town, in 1915, which included 28, ,O53 acres amounted to $e77, ,2sl; being an average value of $24.l4 per acre. In l799 the val. uation of Salisbury and Sharon together. amounted to $6l2, l34 being about $65,. 900 less than the valuation of this town alone in 1915.
 The town contains l located Congrega- tional society, and of Methodists, both of which are accommodated with houses for public worship. There are also some Episcopalians.
 There are l4 school districts and schools. soclal libraries, one consisting of about 600 volumes, the other, which is for young persons, contains about 400 volumes, and was present from the late Caleb Bing- ham, Esq, of Boston; physicians, at tornies and Congregational clergyman ill the town.
 Salisbury was first settled by three Dutch families from the State of New York, ir the year 172o. which was l2 years befor. the town was laid out. These families set tied upon the border of the Ousatonick, ii the vicinity of considerable Indian set clement, consisting of peaceable and friend y natives. The township, having been granted to proprietors, was laid out into lots in l7s2, and the first settlement under their authority. was in TAO. It was in- corporated In l74l. -.-. .- Abram Wynne, aged 90 years, while walk. ing on the track of the New York, Kings