The Newtown bee., 1891-04-24
WOODBURY..
Holm i. HOLMES

It is WIN SduueSS tlldL we UdhS pen "
write of the pathetic circumstances OF
the sickness and death of John -. Holmes.
Three weeks ago, he was in full health
and strength, with the promise of long
life. To-day, he is numbered with the
dead. after distressing illness. He had
an attack of grip, followed by congestion
of the lungs. Then the case became
complicated with an affection of the
heart, after which he sank rapidly to the
end, suffering great pain, dying Ihurs-
day, April Is, 1891, at ! p m, aged 36
years. He was born in Charleston, 5.
{. His mother was free woman and
as, by the laws of the State, the child
followed the status of the mother, MIR
Holmes was born free. His father was
a slave, but, having learned the carpen-
ter's trade and become skilful mechan-
ic, he bought his freedom before the Re-
beIlion broke out. Mr. Holmes left no
living relatives except Samuel Terry OF
New York, brother of his mother. He
came from New York in answer to tele-
gram and reached his nephew's bedside
a few hours before his death, too late to
obtain recognition, as he was UNCONSCIOUS
from that time till the end. The uncle
was much overcome at his sudden and
unexpected loss. Mr. Holmes has been a
resident of Woodbury. some Is years and
has gained the respect and friendship of
our people for his many good qualities.
Enemies he had, as who has not? But
they were few in number and belonged
mainly to that class of men who were
not sufficiently acquainted with the facts
they undertook to detail to state them
correctly. He had the kindest of hearts.
There was no sacrifice he would not make
for friend. Was any acquaintance sick
or in need of assistance, he was the nrst
to proffer aid. His demeanor toward all
was genial, gentlemanly and kindly.
None ever heard a profane or slanderous
word from his lips or one of doubtful
propriety. He was of temperate habits
and earnestly sought to raise himself
above the level of his race. He was stu
dious and provided himself with fine Ii
brary. For the last few years, ne has
been student at law in the office OF
William Cothren and expected to apply
for admission to the bar at the June ex-
animation. He had political ambitions
which were gratified to some extent by
his election as doorkeeper of the house
of Representatives at Hartford in 1888
and his election as Justice of the peace
in 1890. He had reached the degree OF
Knight Templar under the jurisdiction
of the Colored Grand Lodge of Free Ma
sons. He will be missed. He filled
niche in our town that cannot easily be
filled. His funeral was attended from
the First church, Sunday afternoon, Rev
Messrs Freeman and Wyckoff of the First
and Strict Congregational churches oftlc-
iating. Beautiful floral offerings covered
the casket and large concourse OF peo-
pie attended the services.
The selectmen were acquitted in the
case of Mrs Meramble, as were Harley
Warner and wife, who boarded the old
lady for 2l weeks at So so a week. The
Jury failed to agree, however, in the case
of Roderick Atwood, who has had charge
of Woodbury's poor. The ground taken
by the prosecution was that Mrs Meram-
BILE was simply murdered, being neglect
ed at Harley Warmers and her death has
tened by the Sunday trip to New Haven
hospital, drive of % miles, last Winter,
when her hip was broken. The defense
denied that the thigh was broken, or, it
was, DR. White broke an old fracture in
working at it. DR. Tuttle of the New Ha-
ven hospital and DR. Carmalt were called
on this point. In regard to the ride to
New Haven, it was testified that Mrs
Meramble, after having been supplied
with new underclothing which had been
previously warmed, was given hot milk
punch, and lay on bed of straw arrang-
ed on the floor of the wagon, with hot
bricks at her feet. The driver was given
stimulants which were to be administer
ed to Mrs Meramble if she needed them
and they started off. Harley Warner, at
whose house Mrs Meramble boarded, tes-
titled that she had the use of the best
room in the house, situated on the south
west corner, where it was bright and sun
ny good portion of the day and that in
the adjoining room, which the old lady
also had access to whenever she desired,
there was fire night and day when it
was cold. A number of the substantial
citizens of Mr. Warmers neighborhOOd
were called upon to testify to their repu-
tation for kindness and humanity.
George Saxton was married, last week,
to Miss M. Loretta Oakley at the home
of the brides brother in Danbury.
In the case of William Cothren against
Roderick Atwood, the committee, Judge
Welch, reported a balance of 1854 5s in
favor of the plaintiff, which, with the
taxable costs, will make judgment of
about $3.50 in Mr. Cothren's favor.
All the property of the estate of Eliza
beth L. Curtis was sold at auction, Sat
urday, G. Platt Crane auctioneer. The
homestead was bid off by Arthur d. War
ner at $1,000.
George F. Moore has returned from
Boston.
Alfred Birch came in from the North
with drove of cattle and horses.
A. w. Mitche1l's house took fire, last
week, from burning brush heap, but
was soon safe.
James S. Stone, who has been i'll, is re-
covering.