Morning journal and courier., 1891-03-20
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Part of the Gifts of the Late Dr. Fall
 colt of Guilford Received Yester-
 day.
 Two large boxes of books were received by the Historical society yesterday. They contained the portion of the library of the late Alvan Talcott, M. D., of Guilford, re- lating to family and local history. Some years ago Dr. Talcott determined that the New Haven Colony Historical society should be the custodian of the results of his long genealogical investigations. He accordingly labelled these books with the name of the society and also specified in his will such as he wished it to possess. There are altogether about fifty volumes, but this number fails to indicate the value of the gift, owing to the rarity of some of the books and the peculiar value give to others by the doctors marginal notes and addenda.
 He also bequeathed to the society his manuscript history of Guilford families A copy of this is now being made by the town of Guilford, but when this is com pleted the original will be forwarded to the Historical society.
 Sometime since a correspondent to the New York Herald, in describing Guilford, wrote as follows:
 A sketch of Guilford without some pie ture of Dr. Alvan Talcott, Guilford's gen salogist, would be incomplete indeed. After speaking of Dr. Talcott's benefac- tions to Yale college, the article continues: "But Dr. Talcott's chief title to Guilford's veneration and gratitude is the wonderful record of the births, marriages and deaths for every one of the original families of that town from the hour of it's settlement, which he has prepared at intervals of the practice of his profession there since 1841. There is probably no other manuscript volume like this in point of scope, magni- tude and exactness in the entire country. It is an actual forest of family trees. As one studies it, the succeeding generations of Guilford's yeomen seem to have risen, fourished and fallen for the mere reward of embalment in it's neat pages.
 BOARD OF FINANCE. Long Deliberation over Policeman
 McAvoy's Bill For Defending a
 Slander Suit.
 President Cunningham presided at the meeting of the board of finance last even- ing. Messrs. Bromley, Hitler, Cleaveland and Rebman were present.
 The board approved the bills of the fire department, $2, ,701. 19, and the police de- pertinent, s4,6s6.
 The bill of Policeman McAvoy, $165, for defending his lawsuit for islander, was pre- sented for approval. President Andrews of the police commissioners was present, also ex-Mayor s. A. York, who was the attorney for Mrs. John Horan in the suit referred to. MT. York thought the city should not pay the bill and gave many reasons for his opinion. He stated that an impartial judge and jury had rendered @ verdict in Mrs. Horan's favor and against the policeman. He read the alleged slan- der as published in one of the city papers. This article was read at the request of one of the members of the board
 MT. Andrew explained that the bill was presented to the commissioners with statement as to how it was contracted He said he understood that the commissioners had right to approve the bill and the city had a right to pay it.
 Judge York gave further particulars about the case. He said the articles found in Mrs. Horan's house, which were called stolen property by the officer, were all ac- counted for and he gave minute particulars regarding how many of the articles were ac- counted for. He stated he had proved in court where the articles came from. The question is this: Are you ready to pay 8 policeman's bill which comes out of a islander suit.
 The board went into executive session when the reporters and others retired. As considerable time had been devoted to the subject and the hour was late, the meeting adjourned to next Saturday eve ming.
 A vote of thanks was passed to MT. Cunningham for the impartial manner in which he presided.