The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1890-10-17
John Blake:

Seldom has this community received
such Il shock as was communicated to it,
when it was announced that John Blake
of Walnut Tree hill district dropped dead
suddenly on Friday morning, as he was
about to begin his daily labor in the Rub
Der factory. He had been convcrsing
with shopnate, James Lavey, on in
different subjects and, ut the sound of
the whistle calling all TO work, he start
ed for his work bench. A moment later,
he was seen to sway and fall to the floor,
in a heap. Immediately, there was
rush to where he lay and soon sympa-
thetic hands laid the mans head on
bale of cotton sheeting, while every eX-
pedient was used to fan back the fitting
spark of life. The news of the accident
spread like wild fire through the differ
ent depart nents OF the factory and in
tense excitement prevailed. Daniel
Blake, IL brother of the unfortunate man,
was notified and rushed at once to the
scene of the calamity, only to reach
there to witness the last gasp of his be-
loved brother, but no sign of recognition
or greeting. The death Yves painless; as
with the first shock came unconscious
ness and from unconsciousness he glided
into death peacefully and without pain.
Besides the assurances of religion, this
must be source of consolation to the
sorrowing friends.
The funeral occurred Sunday, 18th,
| church n tha nalnatary
the Glen and was attended by represen-
tatiyes from every Catholic family in
this town and by friends from New York,
Bridgeport, Danbury and elsewhere and
with hardly an exception was the largest
funeral gathering ever within st Roses
portals. The deceased was connected
by blood or marriage with most of the
Catholic families here. The reverend
pastor, Father Donohue, spoke feelingly
| to the concourse of friends and neigh
bors. telling the short and simple story
of the dead man. lie was faithful unto
death to his family, his church and his
country and, when God called him, he
/ found him at his post of duty. And,
i though death came suddenly, the past or
had a firm belief that death did not find
him unprepared. The pail bearers were
Messrs Bernard and Michael Heating OF
New York city, his cousins, and John
McInerney, James Leavey. Patrick L,
Keane and John keating, shopmates OF
the deceased.
Mr. Blake was born in historic County
/ Clare, Ireland and, at the time of his
death, was 30 years Of age. lie came tc
this country IS years ago and, for years
was an employee of the Rubber company
He married Miss Bridget McMahor
about 1860, who survives him, together
with four children, one son John anC
three daughters, Misses Mary, Maggie
and Katie, all grown or fast attaining
manhood or womanhood. Surely the
daily witnessing Of their honest fathers
life ought to be sufficient Inspiration fol
) his children to follow in his footsteps
and to all who knew him a good exam
pie. BY his industry alone, the de
ceased acquired and held considerable
property in this community. His success
illustrates once again the capacity Of
! the Irish exile for moral and materia
progress under the ngis of freedom an6
goes far to prove ~ claim that the Gel
Is the real hope III Americas future
Thomas J. Corbett.