New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-26
LcBoUp OF VETERAN CONDUCTORS.
NEARLY FORTY YEARS OF ".TICKETs'-A WORN
nIrr EACMn YIELDS soe 925.

NEARLY FORTY YEARS OF "TICKETs"-A1 WORN
OUT FAEM" YIELDS sos.825
Norwich Conn.,, Oct. 90 (Specia)-Thc New London
Northern Railroad which begins at London passes
through Norwich and ends at Bratteboro, VT, not
only Is one Of the Oldest railroads in tile country
hut its history Is remarkable on account OF the long
service OF many Of It's conductors. Until they went
ont OF the service Of the company week or so ago
two ~ them certainly had about two generations
Of people get on and of their trains since they began
70 punch tickets on the Northern road. Tho two men
noted arc Conductors Henry B. Downer, seventy two
wears old and james S. Williams. over seventy, both
residents Of New.London Both grizzled old
veterans genial, wholesouled companions, faithful
officials and are known to every professional teacher
IN New. England. II Mr.. Downer had remained In the
service of the company until April next he would have
had Just thirty nine years OF CONTINUOUS service as
conductor on tho road. Mr. Williams had been thirty
nine years a conductor on the road in August. The
veterans were retired at about the same time, that
thu. might he replaced by young men. Conductor
Downer and his wife are a remarkable old
couple, both being hale, vigorous and sprightly.
It Is now ffty-two years since they were
married. and two years ago they celebrated their
golden wedding at their homo In New-London. which
was attended by all the officers and employees OF the
road between New London and Palmer Mass, and by
railroad people in all this region. They received
multitude Of gold and silver Gifts from their friends
at this time. and the employees Of the Northern road
gave them 81 900 Conductor Downer is wcltOd do.
and Conductor Williams has quite large pot Of
wealth.
Another old conductor the northern section Of
the road between Palmer and Brattcboro, was also
retired at the time. lie Is Conductor Hastings,
who is about sIxty.hvc years old. and had been
conductor the road for twenty-five years. Mr..
Hastings had accumulated small fortune at one
time but not long ago. 1t IS said, lie lost most OF 1t.
still another veteran conductor. the beSthnown and
liked official the road. is Conductor Horace b.
saunders who used to reside in New London. and who
now has one of the prettest and cosiest homes In
Palmer. Mr. Saunders Is at least sixty five years
DID, and has been carrying the punch the Southern
section of the Northern road for not less than twenty
five years lie Is handsome, stawart man. with full
whskcrs keen blue eyes and stern look, but with
warm heart. lie is secret society man. fond OF
joke. genial, and favorite in half dozen cities.
Horace goes the Massachusetts, Legislature pretty
regularly but soon as he gets through making
laws for the Bay state he takes his punch and Is
conductor again.
Another veteran is Conductor J. H. Cody, who used
to run the boat train between NcwLondon and Brat
teboro, and dismissed from the cOmpany's SER
vice few weeks ago The oldest railroad official in
continuous service I'm the State, perhaps IN the
country and In the world is Samuel W. Bentley, who
has been employed on the Ncw-iavcn and North
ampton and the New Hartford branch railroads for
forty years. lie has been u conductor for the
last thrtytllree years, 50 Doth Mt Nlllafns ana ME-
Downcr are away ahead of Mr. Bentley in the length
of their service conductors. Since they began to
work for the road they have passed through the ad
minstratiOns OF six railroad presidents, Of whom only
two are living, and Of eight superintendent only
three Of whom survive. Not one OF the gentlemen
composing the board Of directors at the time they
first became conductors is now living. Not a pas
sengcr was ever seriously hurt while In charge OF
Conductor Downer Me,srs. Williams and Downer
were in charge Of the first trains ever run over the
Northern Railroad.
wornout farms deserted hometeads in Connecticut
and whenever a young farmer goes West to grow up
with the country wrestlc with cyclones and fight grass
hoppers. they trumphantly proclaim that the tariH
did it," that ii is impossible for Connecticut farmer
to scratch out living here nowadays. Perhaps they
would like hear the story OF william l.. Wains agrl-
cultural career, who died few weeks ago In this
county, and whose will has Just been probated. Mr..
Vain dwclt on a hard wild farm in the wilderness at
the foot of lofty Lantern Ill., in Ledyard. about ten
miles southeast Of thi, city. He began life with little
money but was shrewd. sagacious. prudent and eco
nOmcal. lie turned everything to account on his
farm worked hard but not to excess dichercd some
what and made money right along. lie lived well;
was a good providcr.7 rural housekcepcrs say but
did not throw away money on gimcracks, SILK
underwear or gold headed canes. Ills will shows that
at the time of his DEATH a few weeks ago. had Just
SJs 62o Of property His will Is q somewhat peculiar
one lie bequcath.d to his wife, to whom he had been
married nineteen years, COW. Il second hand car
riag and the Of small sum of money. so long as
she remains unmarried hy former wlie he nad
TO them the estate is left, and among them divided
equally. The widow is KIM hearted and most es-
TO her husband In hi, long last illness. and as q
neighbor Sad. II hardly fair that She is not
happily provided for.