The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-20

The village Of Stockbridge is one Of the
| Oldest, most conservative. most beautifully
situated. and most thoroughly ordered Of
the Massachusetts villages. 1t has always
been regarded by its fortunate inhabitants
as model rural community. and as such it
has been celebrated throughout the Union
The first Of the village improvement So
cieties was established in Stockbridge
1t looked after the health Of the many
trees along the streets and country roads
1t made the throwing Of paper or any,
thing unsightly by the wayside dis
graceful deed. 1t created public opinion
which no resident dared to offend by keep
ing his place disorderly or violating the
laws OF good taste in its general manage
ment Even the grass lining the roads was
cared for like lawn. Hence Stockbridge
has deserved the reputation for beauty and
good order upon which it has prided itself.
The civilization Of Stockbridge has been
developing for two centuries. 1t was one OF
the towns in Berkshire county earliest set
tied; and its records show that throughout
its long history it has been governed with
careful and minute regard to the welfare
OF its inhabitants. 1t has always been a
very religious community from the time
when JONATHAN EDWARDS brought there
his severe doctrines; and 1t has been dis
tinguished for the intelligence and refine
ment OF its people.
II anywhere life and property should
be secure. where should the immunity be
found II not in this model Massachusetts
village? 1t would seem to be the place OF
all others where bolts and bars would not
be necessary; and they were not necessary
during great part of its history. There
were no thieves to enter There was no
Jail In the village. and none was needed
Everybody. from Selectman down to the
humblest inhabitant. was expected to do
right himself and to respect the rights of his
neighbors. II a COW strayed, its owner had
no fear that it would be lost. 1t would he
returned to him in that model community.
Moreover. the whole region surrounding
Stockbridge was inhabited by an orderly
and GoD-fearing population. All about was
Arcadian peace. There was no pinchlng
poverty. and very little outward wicked
ness manifested itself.
This happy community has been in
creased OF recent years by the addition OF
many OF the most cultivated people of
America. and they have been DESTROYS OF
preserving its ancient repute. Six miles
from Stockbridge is Lenox. which has Le
come the richest. statcliest, and most fash
ionable of the hill towns of the country
and as 1t has been built up. its mapnifi-
cent homes have extended down the road to
Stockbridge until the two places are prac-
tically joined. Stockbridge. moreover. has
been dry village, SO far as the public sale
OF liquor is concerned. 1t has been a sober
place in every sense. Nobody has been
stimulated to disorder by a village rum
shop. People had no fear of brawlers when
they went abroad at night. They felt as far
away from the wickedness OF the rest of
tho world. OF Boston. for instance. as IL
they were in another and better planet
For the last two or three years. however,
this peaceful rural community has been
turned into Q place OF danger and fright
In all New York there is not n district OF
half Its population where cool and deter
mined burGlaries have been SO numerous
and SO successful In this city that
species OF crime has been pretty eifectually
squeched by the vigilance OF the police; but |
in Stockbridge it has flourished greatly, and |
for the reason that not one of the burglars |
has yct been captured and punished.
The latest OF this long series OF crimes !