The Newtown bee., 1892-07-01
SATURDAYS HEARING.

SATURDAYS HEARING.
 The testimony for the layout was clos ed by Stephen C.. Beach, Dominic Me Guire, William c. Swenson, H. Stanley Brinsmade, Orville s. Mallett. The town opened with Horace G. Scofield, but the hearing adjourned to Tuesday without finishing with him.
 MT Beach testified regarding the lots through which the layout runs. First lot is rye and meadow; second, meadow and fodder corn; third, fourth and fifth, pasture, with lane through fifth. Ev- cry lot has water. First two shallow wells, from which cattle drink part of year and, part of time, water is drawn. Third lot contains well and spring, fourth has access to brook. Layout cuts off water in first, second and fifth lots.
 Dominic McGuire's testimony was giv- en with brogue and honesty that caus- ed good natured merriment from both sides. Lives on upper end of Daniels Farm street, but prefers to use Long Hill road to Bridgeport, though mile or more out of his way, because quicker and easier. Old hill nothing but ledge of rocks and never calculated that he was safe coming down it. Would cost mint of money to fix and wouldn't be fixed then, because you put gravel on rock bottom and it don't stay there. Had cat tie that weighed $500 and it was as much as they could do to take half ton up the T.. Think new road ought to be laid out, be- cause old road ain't fit to travel and any one who thinks anything of his horse flesh would hate to have them carry loads up that bill. Saw Mill hill to Long Hill is pretty steep, but nice good road, not rocky; shouldn't wonder if part of hill was 12 feet to 100. After you get to Long Hill, it is nothing to get to Bridgeport. Cart to Shelton lately. Brought 1900 of coal up Daniels Farm hill, last Fall; could have brought ton if road had been good. Going to Bridgeport with a load, would go by Saw Mill hill, but, coming from Bridgeport with load, I'd come by Daniels Farm. If dirt would stay on old rocky bed and grade as easy, shouldn't grumble, but don't think it could be done.
 W. c. Swenson bought farm at Dan- iels Farm two years ago. Used to live at Cutters Farm, Monroe. Think fair value of land on layout $40 to $50 acre. Should say, if road was properly fenced, benefits would equal damages. Wire My hOr slipped, last Winter, going up old hill, slid back till hind wheel struck, when it regained it's feet. Think old road is from IA to l6 feet at top; below, from Il to l2. Think it would be common convenience to have better road. Bought piece of land lately adjoining my farm. If no water in field, value of land materially diminished. Don't think deep cut at up- per end of layout would injure. lots. Think it would be easier for Beaches to cart manure up to upper meadows by new layout. Cutting road diagonally through land where part of road bed is several feet above lay of land part of the way and several feet below rest of way wouldn't ipjure land more than benefits. In Winter, drifts are bad on hill. Ice would probably be increased if cut made deeper.
 H. Stanley Brinsmade, farmer, lived about mile north of top of hill for about 2S years. Pass over road twice daily, four times daily for two or three days week. Nearly always load both ways. Hill objectionable as to length, steep grade, material of which upper part is composed, repair that it is usually in and want of material to repair with. No ma terial in highway to repair road, unless let fences down. Dirt has been taken, this year, from near Stephen Beach's, ,l5O feet back from brow of hill. Rock at top of hill soft and shelly; quite seamy. In nature of steps for 100 feet from brow of hill. Water comes from surface and from seams in rock. In Winter, it is muddy or icy, making bad way to get up or down. Snow has to be shovelled out occasionally. Use brakes in getting down; some use shoes or chains. Gen. erally hitch one team behind, if two yokes. Difficulty going up is steep grade, rough road bed, length of hill cannot get up with full load. Never got stalled there; always take precautions ahead. Either join teams with some one, or load accordingly. My ancestors used to carry two teams and join, making three yokes to each load; in that way could carry nearly full load 1900 is out side that I can take up. Have fair