Connecticut western news., 1877-01-05
SUPERINTENDENT FRANKLIN,S
 FUNERAL.

SUPERINTENDENT FRANKLIN,S
 FUNERAL.
 The funeral of Hugh w. Franklin, the late superintendent of the Housatonic railroad, was probably more largely attended at his late residence in this village, last Sunday afternoon, than that of any other individual who ever died in this town. A train of five long passenger cars and two locomo- tiVes from Pittsf1eld, bringing the em- ploYes of the road and the representative men of Berkshire county, arrived at 12:25, noon, the time indicated on the special time table made for the occasion but the train from Bridgeport, with seven long passenger cars. which was also drawn by two locomotives, was about an hour late, and did not arrive till past o'clock, the hour appointed for the service to bcgi n The cars and locomotives of both train. were trimmed with crape, and for two or three days previous to the day of the fun eral, the depot buildings along the entire length of the road were appropriately draped in mourning. A train from Hart ford over the Connecticut Western road brought Superintendent Yeomans, of the Connecticut Western road, Superintendent Mch1anus, of the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill road, Superintendent David son, of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford railroad, Superintendent Beach, of the Naugatuck road, and other railroad officials. The trains all came heavily loaded, bringing probably not far from a full thousand people, and as the house was nearly full of those who came with teams before the arrival of the trains, an idea approximating the true number pres ent can be obtained.
 The late arrival of the Bridgeport train accustomed delay in the commencement of the funeral service at the house, which was conducted by the Rev. Elisha Whit tlescy, rector of Christs Episcopal church in this village. After the regular funeral service, the Rev. MT. Whittlesey spoke as follows
 MIR. wHITTLEsEY's REMARKS.
 It is the second time within the closing year that we have been gathered here. amid the scenerles of death. Truly "man goeth to his long hOme and the mourners go about the streets" The magnitude and the character of the aSsemblage would of themselves indicate that he who has died filled large place in the public esteem. and Tn the business operations of the dis trict in which he lived and moved. And such was the case.
 As residents of North Canaan. we feel that this Is another and a conspicuous one, of series of deaths which during the last three years have been rObblng us of our peculiar treasures and hopes and which also tend to end the old history of the place, and introduce new era and order of society.
 MT. Frauklin, born and reared here. boar ing an ancient and honorable name h the local history, had early achieved for him. self distinction and weightV trusts, by which he contributed character and prom lsa to the town. While faithful to the cor poration with whose operations his whole bu mess lite was associated. he did not part Wlth'the.charactero of devoted citizen, always interested ln the hopor and prosperi- ty of his birthplace, maintaining with great cordialIty and consideration personal rela- tons with individuals and families here; so that we mourn to-day the loss of dear friend, as well as guardian of the pubic safety and welfare.
 Our deceased friend possessed qualities which made him favorite with the gen erallty of men. Without much demonstra- tlveness, conspicuousy not gwen to win ming the good opinion of others by artitice, he nevertheless enjoyed it by reason of his ready and helpful sympathies with all clasSeS-by hlS warm m-heartednessan and by a certain downr ght honesty of intention, which awakened confidence and esteem,
 Beyond the boundaries of hls native town Mir. Franklin was mainly known and 1t was throughout the whole extent of our valley, as the energetic and faithful servant of the HousatonIc railroad com pany, and of the business and travelling public as well, And that, winch we may say was the one service and work ot hls lie, IS additional ground, not only of ad- mlratlon for hls personal achievement, but of our grateful remembrance. Corpo- ratlons-nOtably railroad corporations are sometimes regarded with suspicion as Ii they were tue enemies and oppressors of tho public. Whereas, they are rather. per haps witha incidental and transitory wrongs, agencies ot Q beneicent Provi dence for promoting the convenience. prosperity and happiness of society. One who is charged with experimenting the multi1arlous mt, dolngs of such an engine of the common hweal, serves every in- terest of families and communities. One might we'll throw a religious principle and pdrDose into such an office. That is to live unselishly. to plan and watch and labor as for others, and for theirIgood and of soci- ty. not primarily for ones self: as indeed such ought to be tho tone and temper of each ones several llfe-work. How far our deceased friend realized thls character of hls calling we cannot say but this we such institutions who overlooks, provides for. assumes the responsibilities of their doings, IS an agent in the hand of God. for the well-belng and progress of man kind. And we can say of him that, wheth- CT he was fully conscious or not of all these relations of his toward man, he wrought faithfully and efficiently. In his position he was capacious, patient, Vigi- lant, untlrlng ill the performance of his duties, both to the company and to those whom the company serves. He was in stant In season, out of season. The road was his life. It was completely mapped out Ill his brain, with all It's clustering in- terests. In the delerlum of his closing days, his laboring thoughts turned on it's pressing matters. such as would have re- ce1ved hls earliest attention had he been well. As our trains, both freight and pas Senger, have arrived and departed with due regularity, ,and. year after year, as they brought loved ones safely to us as they have taken us from home and returned us talther again, not only without accident, but with peaceful security from it, have we thought how considerably these bene- fits were the fruits of extensive and pains- taking supervision on his part, coupled with resolute determination that incapa- ble and untrustworthy men should not be permitted to do mischief along this estab b. llshed channel of commerce and communi- tion.
 The following is the honorable record of his connection with this important servlce: It began April 1, 1854, when he assumed the duties of agent at Canaan. He was contin. ued at this post two years aud one month wEen on May l, 1856, he was appointed conductor. and acted in that capacity ull August 1. 1864. Then he resigned, and was off the road till February 6. 1869, when be was appointed acting superintendent. and a month 1a:er, March l, 1869. advanced to the office and trust of superintendent which he held until Lis death-in all, eigh- teen years and three months.
 Solemu1nterests of every man are those which are designated by the word RELIC ION-the relation of the Srenture to the