The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1891-10-09
STRATFORD.

Charles Sanford had raspberrleS Tor
family of six at supper, Sunday, picked
in his garden.
Mr. Barnaby of Bridgeport is to occu-
ply the Sedgwick place on East Broad
way.
The community was greatly shocked,
Sunday, to learn of the sudden death at
Washington bridge of Asael Drew, who
for 10 years has been in charge of the
railroad draw. Mr. Drew was at the Gen.
ter of the draw arranging his lights for
the night. A down freight was passing
which so occupied his attention that he
did not see the rapidly approaching
ghost train on the up track. He leaned
over from his position just far enough
for the train to strike him in the head,
throwing him violently against an iron
girder and then dropping down through
the bridge to the pier below. Death was
probably instantaneous. Undertaken
Frank Curtis took charge of the remains.
Mr. Drew was a widOwer with two child
rem, a daughter who for the past year
has kept house for his father and a son
in business in New Y ork. All his arrang-
ments were made for his marriage on the
18th to we'll known Stratford lady who
is Frustrated under the sudden affiiction.
He was in his 63d year and, during his
ten-years' residence in town, had made
many friends by his genial disposition
and pleasant ways. Funeral services,
Tuesday afternoon, at his late residence
interment, Wednesday, at Waterbury by
the side of his wife, who died some
four years since.
Another of our old and prominent
townsmen has passed away. Hon F. A.
Benjamin died at his residence, Saturday
evening, after long illness, aged 81
years. He was son of Col Aaron Benja-
min, gallant soldier of the Revolution
airy war and an officer on the staff of
Gen Washington. His early years were
spent in New York in active business,
from which he retired about 1853. In
1854, he married a daughter of Rev G. Il.
Bedell, a prominent clergyman of Phila-
deiphia, for years rector of st Andrew
church in that city; one of the noted
men of his day. After two or three
years spent in Europe with his wife and
infant son, he returned and built the
house in this place in which he resided
until his death, passing portion of each
Winter in New York. His wife died
some two years since. In 1862, he serv-
ed as State senator for this district and
was also an elector on the Lincoln ticket
in 1864. His voice and means were free
ly at the disposal of his country during
the trying days of the great civil war.
He leaves one son. In the death of Mr.
Benjamin, the town loses public bene-
factor; man always at the front when
any questions came up looking toward
the progress and welfare of his native
town. A man of strictest integrity and
stainless honor, he leaves behind repu-
tation of priceless value, as noble rep
resentative of a high type of Christian
manhood. Funeral services were held at
Christ church, Wednesday afternoon.
The Chautauqua circle has received
new books and the first meeting was
held with Miss Todd, Tuesday evening.
Rev John Pegg will officiate in the M.
K. church, next Sunday.
Charles Stage reports the safe arrival
of his wife's baggage, which strayed
away during Mrs Stages trip to Canada.
Mrs Charles E. Stage and Miss Sadie
Powers reached Ottawa 10 days ahead of
their trunks, but they were traced out,
found at White River junction and for
warded.
Mrs Georgia Brakeman is visiting in
New Haven.
Henry Brakeman is doing mason work
on the new Baptist church in Danbury.
Bearers at Asael Drew's funeral: Ezra
Whiting, S. G. Dickinson, H. b. Stagg,
j. w. Thompson.