The Newtown bee., 1892-09-02
0RONOQUE.

Oronoque is a pleasant, fertile valley in the northern portion of Stratford, nestled closely beside her twin sister, the placid "Ousatonic," that wends it's wind ing way from among the hills down to Long Island Sound. The general thrifty appearance of the farmers we find locat- ed along the valley and adjacent hills speaks for itself.
 Through period of 90 years or more have come many changes, as elsewhere. The hand we pressed in kindly greeting, no more gives us welcome. From their doors comes the stranger and, as wepass, in tender memory, we cannot suppress the silent tear. The many pleasant scenes of the past are gone to Times re- membrance and, ere short decade, those of us who remain will be counted among those of the past. So Time wings it's way, doing it's silent work as in the case of Henry Johnson, an old resident of this place, who died on Thursday morning, August 25, and was buried Fri day, 26th.
 Mir Johnson was a respected citizen, having lived in Oronoque many long years; was a blacksmith by trade and will be missed by the community.
 There are many interesting reminis- cences of Oronoque and vicinity. As re- lated by an old gentleman of nearly three score and ten, one among the first build ings erected in Oronoque was barn on hill nearly opposite the residence of Mrs Gideon Tomlinson.
 He says, though standing on an emi- hence exposed to all the clements, it was never known to be affected by the strong winds or struck by lightning. In after years, he assisted in pulling it down and manner that, after the posts were all saw ed off, it was with the greatest difficulty that 1t could be induced to come down. It was covered, as were many of the houses of that day, with rent oak shin gles four feet long, which would be cu- riosity to most people of to-day. Soon after, several houses were built in that vicinity. Among them one by Capt Gid con Tomlinson on the site now occupied by the present Mrs Gideon Tomlinson. In erecting the houses, he says that the ladies (bless 'em,) in those days,as some times now, exercised somewhat the spir- 1t of petticoat government and admonish- ed their lords and masters to "build lem high atween jints, as the prayin' an sing in 'ud sound better"
 The site on which the house of Mrs Gideon Tomlinson stands is represented by five generations.
 During a recent storm, tree opposite, but few rods from the residence of George Tomlinson, was struck by light hing. No damage, save divesting the tree of its outer garments.
 Oronoque is peculiarly located in it's singularly uniform distance from sur rounding villages, Birmingham, Hunt ington, Milford and Stratford on the Ousatonic being about five miles from each and everywhere. Also, in their be- ing no market or store of any character, with the exception of post office, be- tween Birmingham and Stratford, as, since the death of Samuel Morse, the vil- lage merchant, the store has been closed. His son-in-law, Frederick Humphrey ,has an extensive apiary, last year having put upon the market over 800 pounds of hon. ey. This year, he expects to increase the product to nearly 1500 pounds.
 The farmers are busy securing their crop of salt hay, which is their great ad- vantage over their fellow farmers, few miles inland.
 Oronoque and vicinity are rejoicing over the fine new river road to Birming- ham which is now open to public travel. It brings them in easy communication with adjacent villages over an almost lev el avenue, affording beautiful view of the Ousatonic river, with it's varied seen cry almost unbroken the entire valley, which must be seen to be appreciated.
 Miss Mabel Hatch and brother, Master Ralph of New York, who have been boarding with Miss Myra Curtis, have gone to Chicago, their future home.
 Samuel Wells has very promising l two-year-old colt, which, with proper may be heard from in trotting | circles in the near future.
 There are rumors, not of war; of weddings. Not of strikes, but of buildings. of the "belles'' that are ringing; Of the boys that are singing. There's somebody coming. hurrahl hurrah she's coming, she's coming, to father-in-iaw We care not fig for gossip's old tongue. she's pretty, she's witty. she's ever so young 1h get up and dust, you village gallant, The country boy whistles and never says can't With all your fine trappings. you think you
 are game,
 let the country boy whistles and"gets there"
 the same.-[W.
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 WHITE HILLS.
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