The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-08-20

The town Of W III small Connec-
ticut village Of about fifteen hundred in
habitants, situated on a bay of Long Island
Sound, which, surrounded on both sides
by high promontories, runs far enough,
into the land to make a safe and comInodi-
OILS harbor. This is often filled, ut certain
seasons of the year, with sloops and fishing
snacks 70 the number Of forty Or fifty !;
which, with their neatly painted hu1lg aud
white sails. make quitea picturesque sight
Most Of Glaa5 og.neFs OF the vessels reside
here, and are interested In the fisheries,
which are the great Source of wealth and
Importance to the town. The vessels are
provisioned and fitted out here, which
gives employment, and is quite source of
wealth to a number Of wholesale houses.
Situated on plateau rising gradually
from the bay, the village, with its white.
tWo-story houses, neat churches, and pub
lie buildings, presents very pretty ap
pearance. The inhabitants are inGlustri-
Gus, generally we'll educated, social and
intelligent. ..--
Among the prominent citizens OF the
village was James Johnston. His father
before him had resided here. After his
death he too had continued to do so, fol-
lowing also his fathers occupation, that Of
a fisherman, to which he had been brought
up. He was said to have pursued this call
ing successfully, inasmuch as he owned one
or two eloops, and was reported to be
worth considerable property. He was a
strong built, robust looking man, probably
between fifty aud sixty years Of age, very
active for llia years. To sec him walk and
sec him work one would easily strike twcn-
ty years from his age.
His education had been limited, but he |
was person Of good, sound, common
sense, and by observation had acquired MI /
excellent knoNltdge of men and things in |
general. ~.
His family consisted Of himself. wife, |
and four chldren-two boys and two girls.
The boys were sent early to school, and ac-
4uired fair English education. After
wards they engaged in helping their father
IN his hazardous and laborious occupation. t
When the rebellion broke out, and the call |
was madc,to chastise treason ahd save the
imperiled country, the father. though Il
waFiil-hGarted patriot himself, felt that it
WAS necessary for him to stay at home to
provide for and take care Of his family.
But he gave his brave, mauly BOYS to his
country, though the youngest was only
the eldest, eighteen. They enlist
cd, we're sent West, served under Grant at
' icksburg aud in various other battles, and
finally marched with Sherman TO the sea.
They did thtif duty faithfully, and at The
.loss, Ut the war the oldest was honorcd
with the rank of second lieutenant. the
sergeant ma ior. They returned
the same honest, manly, supplemented
fellows they started out War had in no
way lemoralized them. On their return
they again engaged with their father In his
hsaineas. i
AIRS. Johnston, thc mother. was fine
specimen OF motherly, matruhlr New
England woman. | should think from her F.;
appearance that sl,e was OF Quaker descent.
Her kind, plati1 countenancc framed with
In saeat, plain cap; the snow white hand
tcrchief neatly folded across her breast {
eoked like it. But though her language !
Tas simple and plain, she did moi .,,scthc {
quaker rhraseology. The kindness of her
aeart could be seen in her face; conse-
luenuy there was no person i'll the village
% much in request as she. Ii in joy, the
,eighbor's did not think it complete with
'1t her, fin sorrow, poverty, Of distress, t
he was their ministering Angel. IN sick '
'ess, toe, her soothing, gentle voice and {
find t1Hfsl1ga and ministrations could do Y
'1nrc than the doctor to restore the pa
lent. t
The two daughters-one eighteen and J
he ether twenty years old, were worthy {