Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-07-27
GOOD OLD BENJAMIN BROWN.
A Warm Tribute From His Friends
in Brandywine Hundred.


They Send Greeting to Him in His FAR
OF Western Home, Whore He Arrived
Safely, After a Pleasant Journey "a His
Upright and Useful Life.
Special Correspondence OF Gazette and Journal
CLAYMoHT, July 20.--Benjamin Brown, a
lifelong resident of Brandywine hundred,
left Claymont June 30th for Rochelle, ILL.,
Mr.. Brown is 50 years of age and blind.
He had been toll.gate Keeper near the
Practical Farmer Hotel for more than 20
years, and his circle of acquaintance and
friends was very large. He combined
shoemaking with his other work, and was
a good mechanic Of the old school. Alfred
du Pont Bird recently told your GORE
spondent that Mr.. Brown made the first
pair of boots Mr.. Bird had ever worn over
So years ago.
Mr.. Brown was famous mower long
before the moving machine came into
use. With several other men he went
from farm to farm cutting grass, wheat
and oats. He was strong and vigorous and
the amount Of work he could accomplish
was a wonder TO his friends. He was
twice married, his last wife dying less than
two years ago. His children are all in the
west and Mr.. Brown longed, more and
more, to join them there. Mr.. and Mrs.
William q. Lodge and other friends we're
soon at work. The station agent of the
the facts known TO George w. Boyd the
courteous assistant general passenger agent
of that company, and he wrote a letter TO
employees, which was handed to MIR.
Brown. 1t asked them TO assist the passen-
ger who bore it, and help him in every
way possible. A through ticket being pro-
vided, Mr.. Amor G. Forwood went as far
as Philadelphia, and securing parlor car
seat, placed Mr.. Brown in charge,Of the
conductor. Mr.. Brown arrived At his des-
tination safely and without any trouble
whatever, though he had TO change cars in
Chicago.
AT the solicitation of the friends of Mr..
Brown, the Claymont postmaster has
written the old gentleman u letter. which
| follows and which explains itself:
| CLAYMoNT, July 10. 1896 Mr.. BeI.janl,n BroIun,
| FGg Station, H.-DEAR SIR: Your many friends
| OF Brandywine hundred uesire me To write you
| letter, expressing their kind feeling aud APP
probation. This is one OF the privileges CONF
| ing 10 me as postmaster, but beg " assure
/ you 1t is a pleasant task.
The inquiries made concerning your arrival
at your western home have been many and
| kindly. Your old naighbors and friends send
| you cordial greeting anu warmest love. They
| regret that u public meeting had not been
| Called before your departure, that expression
| might have been given to The kindly feeling
cherished for you, from the lips and hearts OF
| those with whom you mingled for so many
| years, IN sunshine and storm. some of your
| ltltuuS ulu uOl oven KNOW Oh your CouLoul-
| plated departure until you had gone.
| Your long aud useful lie, your industrious
| habits, your s0Drlety and faltnfulness. nave
| been a standing evidence OF your worth rs a
man. In your removal from our neighborhood
We have lost u truo friend and a worthy and
| upright citizen.
We earnestly pray that God may bless you
In your affiIctlon aud sanctify 1t to youl
eternal good.
May the God OF love, Who has SO kindly led
| you thus far, still sup ort anu lead you, ever
| 10 the end. May you have the sweet aud com
| fortlng assurance that He will never leave mol
torsake you, aud that underneath are the
everlasting arms
Leaning on Him you will fnd a might,
| helper, and "at evening tune II shall be llgntI
You will DO glad TO learn that the friends anC
neighbor9 are quite we'll, for the most part
And now, must say good bye. In the blessec
land TO which We are all 30 rapidly lOurneyiDg
the Inhabitants mover say II am sick Thos,
blind here shall see clearly thsrel And, VIVA
shall they sect "Eye hath not seen, nor cal
hoard OF the unspeaKable Joy of that beautiful
home. There shall DO no night there" Got
comfort your heart and mind with such biisn
tnl contemplation, and bring us all safel!
there at last
Write soou ard teI, Us all about your Jour
ney. We would be p.eased to hear from yol
often.
On behalf of the citizens at your old Brandy
wine hundred home, am your humble friend
EBRR n. BALDWIN.