The Press., 1893-12-28

lNGIlutbJJ cFouluS.
 There is to be an auction sale of stock etc.; belonging to the estate of the late Mrs. Emily R. Hutchinson. The hero consists of dairy cattle, and as the result of years selection is above that of the average farmer.
 The s. c. E. had Christmas tree Monday evening, and the local editors name was called twice when the gifts were being distributed, circumstance having it's precedent so far in the past that mem. ory fails to recall the date, and the chil- dren in district enjoyed the gifts.
 ASHFORD.
 (Correspondence.)>
 The death of the venerable and hon. ored Silas Preston, of Eastford, which occurred 18th inst, and who was until 1871 lifelong resident of Ashford, and who was in his day very prominent and useful citizen, deserves more than 8 mere mention of his decease. He was born in Westford Society, Ashford, about one and a-half mile southeast of the village of Westford, in 1798, and his age was 90 years, g months and 19 days at his de cease, outliving nearly all of his genera tion. who did much to make Ashford a strong town half century ago. He mar ried in 1920 Betsey Wright, of West Ash ford, one of leading family in the town, and who died Nov. 11th, 1883, after sixty three years of married life. They had eight children, three sons and five daugh- ters, all of whom are now living except Mary, the second daughter, who was the wife of the late Holstein Brown, of Vest ford, and whose death occurred some ten years ago. Of the sons Ezra, James H. and Augustus H., all reside in Providence, R. l., where they located early in life, and have been very successful merchants and business men of that city and of the daughters Susan, who married Nelson Spaulding, of Providence, R. l., has for sevhral past years resided with the father. giving him most faithful. constant and noble care and attention in his declin- ing years. Emily married the late George Brown, of Windsor, Conn.,, and who was for many years 8 merchant at Stafford and Providence, R. I. Sarah is the wife of Edwin Bugbee of Willimantic, and ) Julia the wife of Albert H. Reynolds of Putnam, and all have filled prominent and useful places in the communities where they have resided. Mir. Preston started early in life in the business of shoe manufacturing and farming, and which he made his life work, and was successful financially beyond the average of the men of his generation, relinquish- ing his farming interest about 1867, when he sold his farm and purchased resi- dence one mile nearer Westford village, and where he resided until his removal to Eastford about 1871, and continuing the shoe business until advancing years con- pelled his retirement. He was one of the original stockholders of the Stafford Bank, and attended it's first meeting of organization in 1854, and one of its di- rectors from July, 1859, to January, 1871. and in his active days had a large person. al and business acquaintance among the had very many strong and warm friends, and was held in high esteem. He was active in the organization of the Eastford Savings Bank, and it's first president. re- tiring at 84 years of age. MT. Preston started politically as an old line whig, and one of the original free soilers and repub licans7 he always clung to his principles, and held the respect and honor of politi- Cal friends and opponents alike; and held many public positions. and was for many years a srlectman, and representative from Ashford in the Conn. legislature of 184O (EastfoFd then being a part of Ashford). and was member of the judiciary com mittee, and the last survivor of repre- sentatives from Ashford prior to 1S47, when Eastford became separate town MT. and Mrs. Preston were early members of the Baptist church in Westford, and were very actively identified with same, and liberal supporters financially, and ex- erted marked and atrons influence in it's success and prosperity, and had promi- nent place in it's history for more than half a century, and of the eight children all became church members. He had the interests of the community at heart, and was evidently ce-maker, and when ever any differences arose between ind- viduals, or in church and society, he al- ways strove to bring about a reconcilia- tion, and generally with good success He was consistent man, always of ster- ling worth, strict integrity, true to his principles and convictions, and which were recognized by his fellow-townsmen as was shown by the high esteem in which he was held by every one. The funeral services were attended at his late resi- dence in Eastford, Saturday, 23d inst. l Revs. c. M. Jones and John P. Trow bridge, of Eastford, conducting the ser vices, and burial in the cemetery at Vest ford. where family monument was erect ed some years ago.
 Westford Correspondence.
 Emily J. Chism was the winner in the Hartford Courant's prize puzzle con- test for December, making only one miss out of the nineteen problems.
 Governor Mitchell of Florida says the Corbett-Mitchell fight shall not come off in Jacksonville nor anywhere else in Flor ida. He says he has the power to stop it, and will call out the military if necessary.
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