Litchfield enquirer., 1874-05-14
Winsted.

three weeks since to do some stone work in Norfolk. From there he went tp North Canaan, the week ago last Friday, where he obtained liquor and became intoxicat- ed. Desiring to take the Conn., Western tram in the evening back to Norfo.,,zz, l:s got on the Housatonic cars going north and was ft.by the conductor at Ashley Falls. He was last seen at that place by the depot, as the train moved of: In the morning the track walker reported at Ashley Falls that some one had fallen through the railroad bridge above as there was light snow and a human tracks was seen to go parkway across and then stop, with no return. All the indication on the bridge showed that some one had walked parkway across and then fallen through. The water beneath was at least 8 to 10 it. deep. Atwood has not been heard from since, and there can be but little doubt but that his dead body is in the river. The town of Winchester has a man en- ployed to daily walk up and down the river bank in search of the body. It is a sad case. Atwood, before he became a confirmed drunkafd, was the best stone mason in this part of the county. He also had great skill in moving large build ings. A year or two since he moved the Beardsley house barn across Mad river over the top of the town bridge. Every one who knew him feels that is was li- quor which caused his death.
 Long Lake is fuil for the first time in about four years. The fact makes all the owners of our manufactures look happy. It is now beautiful sheet of water and nearly up to the level of the travelled high way.
 A new company to be called ''the T. c. Richards Hardware Co.," is about or ganizing to manufacture small articles of hardware. They will employ from thirty to fifty hands and are to be located on the stream which comes from the lake. The new Silk Go. have the sills on the foundation for their establishment and will probably put up the frame the con- ing week. We have a new Gas Go. with about $6O, GOO capital. They are to build tl.o ~ite ef tlro wtIsted Plating Com pany's shop which was burned last Fall. Miles of gas pipe are to be laid the coming season and we shall expect by the coming Fall that gas can be used by all our citi- zens at reasonable cost.
 On the 22d day of December last, the town, at special meeting, voted by ballot on the License question, and by vote of S1 to g instructed the selectmen to make no recommendations for license for one year. The liquor dealers being somewhat fearful about their status, have called three several meetings since, trying to repeal the former vote. The third meeting was holden last Saturday. They introduced their resolution and it was dis cussed pro and con, then laid on the table and the meeting by an overwhelming vote carried motion to adjourn over to the 17th day of Oct. next. That will end their special town meetings for the pres ent. This borough is all stirred up on the temperance question. A meeting of all citizens in favor of suppressing the sale of spirituous liquors in town is called for Tuesday evening, 18th inst, at Camps Hall. Two of the dealers have already been arrested for selling. They are all feeling anxious and are worried. -.
 -~-.., -..ay ,, 1874.
 DEAR EDITOR A few weeks since I referred to an intention on the part of some voters here to call on our unlicens- ed liquor dealers, and talk with them kindly about their business. I thought you might like to know whether anything of the kind was ever done here. The idea was carried out. Three of the pastors, each taking two from among their people. It was nobly meant, and in the main we'll received. The total abstinence society here, which has been laboring so long both by argument and love to promote the cause so dear to it, had a right, of course, to know all about the results of such an effort. The Temperance people know what noble women sympathized with with the object of the callers, and of one who informed pastor anonymously that she followed the movement with her prayers. Any stories contrary to this in formation, started since, they cannot but think originated in the wish which is father to the thought" No one among the callers hung back to say he was sorry he came. No one of the visitors was charged upon the spot with being a large buyer recently But I forbear. If any of the noble band have had cruel alternatives presented to them to lead to the aban- donment of plans they had marked out for themselves, let the responsibility rest on those who presented them. It would seem that no one could be willing to take it; so much would 1t be like the cry of the Jews, ''Let his blood be upon us, and our children" It would be quite as ter rible as that incurred by the fathers who make drunkards of their children by deal ing in liquor during their early years
 A dear friend of mine says she "hopes the Temperancep people have learned where they stand since the election" Why bless me, Mir. Editor, there is not even girl among the Good Templars that did not know before, where their voters stood. They know that their vote doubled during the past year; and if it keeps on, at this rate, it will be worth the attention of good men in all parties. Perhaps I am dabbling too much in politics for our time is '.not yet come," but if anything could make me long for woman suffrage it would be the hope that we could do something for this cause. I say sonaething; you voters never think of pivino mn tb,. Iavs aoainst