davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
PERSONAL NOTES.

As usual, friends, were entertained in town. Mrs Harvey Hurd and family spent Christmas with her daughter, Mrs Owens, in Meriden. Dr De Wolfe and wife of Danbury were at k. c. Tousey's. 0. Downs had family gathering at his house. F. s. Shelton and family spent Christmas at Stephen French's at Stepney. Albert Coan and fam fly went to Shelton. Mrs Lucy Nich- ols is home again. Mir and Mrs Cunning spent Sunday in Bridgeport. Mrs D. French entertained F. Turney and family ; also che French family. George Bennett had a family gathering Monday. Mrs Charles Hall is very sick, threatened with fever. When Mir Downs company start ed for home they accidentally collided with another team that was passing on the street and badly broke MT Canfield's wagon so that he had to get another to get home with. Rev Mir Gurney of the Methodist church preached two very in teresting sermons, last Sunday, appropri- ate for the occasion. Mrs Angevine and daughter spent Christmas in Springfield with Mir Keinard.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29

though small sum was charged, the proceeds of the evening were SS4. There seems to be a general wish that there might be more entertainments in the near future.
 Mrs Mary E. Hawley passed quietly away after a brief illness, December 22, aged SS years. The funeral services were held from the house, Saturday, Rev w. F. White officiating. MT and Mrs O. B. Burton and daugh- ter were with friends in Meriden over Christmas.
 The second anniversary of the Daniels Farm Endeavor society will be observed this year appropriately at the home of MT and Mrs Chester Brinsmade, Tuesday evening, January 3. If stormy, next fair evening. An excellent program has been provided and is in charge of Sher- man Thomas, who will do everything to make the event a pleasant one.
 Percy Ryan, who is at the Bridgeport hospital for treatment, is somewhat i'm proved and hopes are entertained of his returning home soon.
 New Years concert in Stepney. Don't | miss it.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29

ot Gloversville, N. Y., spent Christmas at the home of William $. Wortman on Fleetwood avenue.
 Alexander H. Sirine of Brooklyn, N. Y., spent Christmas, the guest of his relatives in town.
 Henry Burr, who has been conducting hat store at Westerly, R. l., for sever- al months past, is spending few weeks in town.
 Mrs Frank w. Mackenzie has been quite ill with the quinzy and the grip, but is now on the improve.
 Mrs c. M. Boughton is spending a few days visiting friends in Brooklyn, N. '.
 Charles Van Riper was home from school to spend Christmas.
 Bethel is good place to come to, to get something to eat. If you don't be- lieve it just keep your self in the vicinity of the depot the day before there is going to be a big feed, and when the trains come ill, just watch the people come, too. There is nothing like having | good reputation and it seems to have gone abroad. No license (ahem) you know is our motto and watch word. In many of the rooms of the schools about town. the closing exercises of last Friday, were made extra interesting many of the scholars receiving Christ mas gifts from the teachers and eX- changing amongst themselves. | Mass was celebrated at an early hOuT at St Mary church, on Christmas day. Other services appropriate to the day were also held.
 The lecture which was to have beer given by Chaplain McCabe in the MethO dist church on the evening of January 10, 1891, has been postponed until late' date.
 The reception which was given by thu New York dancing academy in military hall, last week Friday evening, p, oveC to be very pleasant affair for all wh' attended. This closes a term of lesson
 which the academy have been giving tt ) class of pupils in this town.
 Service was held at St Thomas churcl on Christmas day, at II o'clock. I'm
 new flagOn was used then for the frs time in the communion service. Miss Waleska l.. Ohler of Norwal
 -pent Christmas at her home on Grass
 Plain street.
 Fairchild Ferry of New York Cit
 ,pent Christmas with his father, Eli Fer
 ry, on Greenwood avenue. Frederick Warner and family ar pending a few days visiting Waterbur ! friends.
 ! The ladies foreign missionary societ of the Methodist church will meet at tn parsonage, this evening.
 The Methodist people will hold
 watch night service in their church, ne1
 Sunday evening, from 10 till 12. George w. Roe, the painter, has tn | contract to repaint the Baird & Hicko
 block, corner of Center and Chestnu n streets.
 Lloyd Andrews of Boston, Mass, hs F. been spending few days at his father , home in town.
 Charles Ohlwaller has taken postio e in New York City and expects to nov : his family there soon. :, MT and Mrs George Carroll of Sout y Norwalk have been the guests of ht
 mother, Mrs Abbie Fairchiid, on Fl
 street, for the past few days.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
usual at ? p m., with appropriate Christ mas music.
 Litchfeld County News. ROXBURY.
ROXBURY.
HELP ALONG THE ORGAN FUND.

It cannot be said that the Congrega- tiOnalists are badly off for organs, tor already they have no less than three. But for some time it has been their upiII- ion that none of them is worthy of the church and congregation. Towards ob- taining new one about $50 has already been secured. And now the members of the choir are making d vigorous effort to raise couple of hundred dollars more, that, once tor all, an organ worthy of the place may be procured. They have hit upon a novel, yet very simple and easy plan, and one which promises tn be both popular and successful. There is to be series of eekly meetings, 20 III ali. held in the Town hall on Tue-day evenings at 7.3O They go by the name of organ rn- tertAinments. Twenty persons will be selected. each one to have the sole re- -ponsibility of providing the program and preparing the hall for d single even ing. Already the committee. consisting of Mr. Edward Preston. Mis. Wanzer and Rev J. Jone- Vaughan, have arrang
 ed for about half the evening" Mre l Preston initiates the series n Xt Tuesday evening by concert. in which -evtr iI artists from Woodhury Wlll appra, , among them being a haniui>t and mol
 quartet. The following week M.r-r
 Leavenworth hopes to arrange for d | StereOptlCOn entertainment. Then comes
 Miss Beardsley with a varied program.
 On the 23d MT Vaughan gives sketch
 of Haudel and NJ Seeley is arranging r.
 have it illustrated by selections from
 Handel's music. On the lat ru' ~dav in
 January Mis- Grace Prindle N ill present
 a draml. Next comes the master of tht
 high school, MT Winslow, who no d"ubr
 will induce his scholars to furnish a very
 interesting program. ItiS fortunate that
 MT Sanford's night falls on Sr Valentine
 eve. The following meeting " ill be held not on Tuesday, but Thursday, for Mf>'
 Wanzer holds Martha Washington re , ception. It is hoped that by this time
 the new organ will be placed in tht church. so that the next program may
 be-a recital on the new organ. A fam ! fly subscription of a dollar is all the : committee asks of those desiring to al
 tend. This, of course, is bur a nomina ] fee, being at the rate of only five cents 1 } night for a family. And since the fee i
 at this low rate, it is expected that al ] most every family in Roxbury, irrespect r i've of denomination, will subscribe. Sub acriptions to be paid in advance to Mir
 Edward Preston.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
LITCHFIELD.
A SWEDE GOES INSANE.

On Tuesday morning, a Polish Swede who worked for Frederick Marsh. be- came insane. MT Marsh and his mother live about mile and one-quarter north of the village. MT Marsh noticed that his man acted strangely and asked hi- nearest neighbor, Ezekiel Campbell, tt
 stay with his mother and the hi, ed man
 until he could go and get some one who could talk with the Swede. NIT Camp
 bell went as requested. It seems the man had put on his best clothes the night before, over his old clothes, and supposing him to be sick, MT Campbell induced him to take off his Sunday suit. After a little the man began to acr strangely, picking up one thing after another in the kitchen, and finally pick ed up butcher knife and stabbed MT Campbell very suddenly. The blow was aimed for the heart, but struck rib and glanced downwards, making bad gash some four inches long. MT Campbell started for his own house, but short distance away, with Mrs Marsh, the man following them with the knife. MT Campbell picked up stone and the man kept little back. When Mir Campbell neared the house he called for help and his folks opened the door and let him
 and Mrs Marsh in. The Swede ther went over G0 MT AIi1o'S premises neal by, and commenced shouting and mak
 ing a racket. MT Mayo went to the door to see what was the matter, and the man came for him with the knife. MT Mayo just had time to close the door, when he struck and the knife went clear through the door. He drew it out and struck the door twice more. Mayo then left the door, which had no fastner on, and took fiat iron from the shelf and then went to the door again and told the man to go away. The man again drew back the knife ready to stab him. Mayo struck him with the flat iron and knocked him senseless. He then tried to get the knife away from him. but could not open his hand. After few minutes the Swede came too and got up, leaving the knife lying on the ground and went around the other side of the house, Mayo secur. ing the knife. The man knocked on the other door with his fist and went to the cellar door, then came around towards the front of the house, when Mfr Marsh came with the interpreter and another nan, and overpowered him and bound him and sent tor the sderi6s who brough
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
MONROE.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH MATTERS
 The annual society meeting of the Congregational church will be held on Saturday afternoon, at 3 p. m., at the church.
 The children of the Congregational Sunday school spent very pleasant evening at the church parlors on Satur- day last. After many games, the jim gling of bells was heard and old Santa Claus appeared laden with gifts, with which he made all the children happy. $. B. Beardsleys family are in town and attended the family reunion at pr k. N. Beardsley's.
 Miss Mamie Benkard is visiting her aunt, Mrs Goldsborough.
 Mrs Smith and daughther, Agnes, are at Hobart Beardsley's.
 MT and Mrs Gillian ate Christmas l turkey at Arther Hinman's.
 F. D. Hollister spent a few days with his daughter, Mrs J. W. Sears at West Haven, recently. Miss Minnie Lewis is having week s vacation and is spending it at home.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
STEVENSON.
PERSONAL CHAT.

Mir Barrows of Middletown, c. w. Bradley and wife took Christmas dinner at Fred Isbell's; also Miss Carrie Rad- cliffe.
 Mrs Birdsey McEwen was with her in- valid mother a part of last week.
 William Sherman of New Haven was with his parents on Christmas day.
 F. D. Jordan and wife of Rutherford, N. J., partook of the festivities with his parents on Christmas day; also Edward French.
 Mrs Nichols French and son put in Christmas hours with the family of Charles Botsford.
 Miss Lena Sherman of Falmouth, Mass, is at home for week.
 Miss Rose Dillon spends Christmas with friends in Meriden.
 A piano was brought to the residence of Fred Isbell. last Saturday, to while away the dull hours.
 Mrs Silliman Sherwood visited her son in shelton, last week.
 People are not all alike in ways of pleasure. We observed one man lying
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29

AN In the December number ot the
 HEROIC Forum Julius II. Ward writes in- LITERARY tercstingly of Francis Parkmau.
 LIFE. who has just passed away. Among other thing he wrote, this especially is wor thy of noie He writes: of the story of Fran cis Parbma r's life should be written as he liv- ed IL. as the mind rose above and controlled the body, i will make one of the most thrill ing narrau es of heroic effort that has ever been given to the world. His achievement was great, ut 1t was produced under dinicul- ties which lowed the man to be gre-ter than his work. he strength of his purpose is to be measured b the difficulties which beset him. For great portion Of the 90 years he could not use his yes continuously for more than i've minute ]. He had the industry and the his life was spent in the handling of historical materials, b it he was compelled to follow the lie ofa rec'use. Much as he enjoyed society, he could not bear the strain of it. He must choose betv cen his pleasure and his work, and 1t was always in favor of the work No other literary man of the period has labored under great 1T difficulties. "The Oregon Trail" was dictated to his companion among the sav- ages, and all his other volumes were dictated to a member of his family who prepared them for the press. When asked to be allowed to see his manuscripts, he replied, al have none." He could not bear the strain ot writ ing and IL vas only with the utmost care and seclusion from excitement that he could work at all. For half century he lived a life of "repressed activity" (these are his own words) having his mind wholly unimpaired, but unable to use 1t beyond certain limit on the penalty Of having it taken away from him."
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
AT THE STATION.

Mrs Aida Fogg of Waterbury is spend ing the holidays with her sister, Mrs T. E. Mower.
 MT and Mrs Horace Sherman and fam fly were entertained over Sunday and Christmas at w. B. Stewards.
 The creamery is rapidly progressing and will soon be completed. It is report ed that Clark Peck of Brookfeld will move into part of it and take charge.
 Mrs John Trelevan has been quite ill with pneumonia, but is slowly recover ing.
 Miss Agnes Gillette and friend is home with her father, David Gillette, for a few days.
 Mrs Donald Forbes is again on the sick list. Mrs Leroy Warner was summoned to take care of her daughter, Mrs Bucking- ham of Worthwhile, who is quite i'll, on Saturday.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES

The Methodist Sunday school had their Christmas tree on Monday evening. Two handsome evergreens, one either side of the pulpit, reaching well rp to the ceil- ing, prettiiy decorated and trimmed, be- side the usual ground pine wreaths, ,gave the church gladdening look. The house was well filled and the program both pleasing and instructive, was nicely pre- sented. Valuable gifts were received by the superintendent, who, unfortunately, was absent by reason of the grip, the or ganist and teachers of the school, and all members and many of the aged and sick in the neIghborhood were presented with a box of confections and sweet Floridas. The boxes were quite unique, made of tin, of oval shape, in pretty cOlors, bear ing the inscription, s'Stepney Methodist Sunday school" picture of old Santa Claus and .Merry Christmas, 1893. .'' The program was as follows:
 Singing by the school.
 'Christmas Gifts" Carrie Osborne 'tXmas Greeting" Ernest Northrop "In Trouble" Mabel Hayes aAImostEF lEi Roy Bates ssXmas Eve,' Eddie Nichols 'tKitten's Amas,' Edna Booth ssThe Discovery of Santa Claus"
 Infant Class Cant be boy but once," Raymond Bates "XmaS Time,' Nellie Johnson "Good Shepherd,'' Anna Platt "Bethlehem, Emma HubbeI "Outside, Lillie Johnson aThe Wondrous Star,'' Frances Platt ssKines WintRr,o Louis Booth ssThe Lost Sheep,' Matte Fischer Cantata by the choir.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29

we'll attended and complete sale was made, although it was cold and a great stock. MT Hawley is hustler at selling goods.
 George Coley and wife were at MT Ab- bott's in Bridgeport, spending Christmas.
 Zachariah White died on Tuesday af- ternoon. His sickness has been both long and distressing, being unable tc take food in any quantity for weeks. He has gradually wasted away.
 Arthur Hull of Brown university ii spending the holidays at his home.
 L. M. Slade, Esq, of Bridgeport wal the guest of his brother, Christmas day
 MT and Mrs 5. V. Nichols of Bridge port are spending the holidays at l.. o Osborne's.
 Misses Florence and Ellen Hayes o New Haven are with their father, Edsoi Hayes.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
LONG HILL.
A SHOOTING MATCH.

The long expected shooting match be- tween w. A. Gabler and Benjamin Fur ney came off on Monday, the 25th, at 10 o'clock on Mrs Nichols grounds, in the presence of 800 spectators. At the ap- pointed time MT Gabler walked in with his gun as did also MT Turney. Both ap- peared in fine style. Among the & ecta- tors were friends from New York, YOn- kers, Danbury, Birmingham, New Ha- ven, and Bridgeport. k. c. Tousey acted as judge for Mir Turney. J. W. French acted as judge for MT Gabler and Charles Hall as referee. The score resulted nine to four in favor of Mir Gabler.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
in New Haven County
SOUTH BRITAIN.
PERSONAL CHAT.

Misses Abbie and Susie Mitchell are entertaining school friend through the holidays.
 Joe and Artie Mitchell are home for a week.
 About 90 guests were sumptuously en- tertained at il. F. Mitchell's on Christ mas day. Among the number were Mir MiEchel's brothers and sisters and fami- lies, also son, Amos, and wife.
 Rubie Pierce Is spending weeks va cation with her mother and brother.
 Dea Hoyt and wife entertained friends and ne ighbors at Christmas time.
 Dea N W. Mitchell has been quite sick with grip but is better now.
 s. $. Putt and family are nearly all sick with hard colds and grip, but are improving at the present writing.
 A church sociable will be held at Mrs Lucy Camps on Friday afternoon ard evening.
 The rec caption at the Congregational parsonage last week, was quite a sue. cess, socially and financially.
 Gideon White and family spent Christ mas with Mrs Whites sister in Wood bury.
 II. F. Downs and wife spent Sunday In town.
 Miss sh pard from Newtown was with her molhe and sister for Christmas.
 Miss Grace Goulden has bden with her
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29

CoNEECTIGU This Is what the Connecticut
 CANNOT Farmer says about the propO-
 AFFORD sition to wind up the Water
 TO LOSE town fair, and it's worth re, wATERT0WN beating About the worst bit
 FAIR. Of agricultural whichhas come to Us ltcly Is the vote of the stochhold CTS ot the W tertown society to give up the fight sell its grounds and retire from busi nesa. Ther, ls Il little hope, we judge, from Oar talk wit President French, that this act ion, taken n rather thinly attended meet uoctlcut ca mot afford to lose Watertowl fair"
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
FINE ENTERTAINMENT IN PROSPECT

There will be concert in the Metho- dist church on New Years. .night, Janu- ary l, of high order. Miss Lillian Hyde of New Y York, an honored graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, now teacher in the Forest Park Uni versity of St Louis, Mo-, a pianist ot great brilliancy, will give choice selec- tions and with our Miss Moore, also a talented graduate of the Conservatory render most pleasing piano duets. Les lie E. Vaughan of Bridgeport, whose rep utation as fine violinist is already es. tablished beyond dispute and who cer- tainly has no superior in the city, will take an important part in solos and du- cts. Other vocal talent of Bridgeport, together with an elocutionist who is sure to please and entertain, never before hay ing recited in the place. Also home tai. ent will assist in making one of the finest programs we have as yet ever given. Ad mittance, to correspond with the present financial conditions, namely, 20c. Be sure and come. We promise you some thing very fine and worth having.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
BETHEL.

Frederick H. Lyon, foreman of the trimming department at the hat factory of Edwin Short, was somewhat surprised 8 few days since. when the trimmers over which he had presided for number of years, got him in d corner as it were, and one of them acting as spokeman for the others presented him with 8 hand some easy chair as token of the es- teem in which they hold him. Mir Lyon. as we said, was surprised but he thanked the ladies kindly for their acceptable oIft
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
BAN TAM.
AT ST PAUL's CHURCH.

The soeiable of the ladies of St Paul,s church culminated in a fair. which was held in the hall. Friday evening, the 18th.
 inst. and in which, by the sale of fancy
 articles manufactured by the ladies aux Hilary, netted the sum of about S7O. The school closed, last Friday. by an entertainment in the hall in the evening. in which the scholars. old ard young. engaged in dialogues, readings and reel
 tations. very much to the pleasure and qualification of all. Fifteen cents ad,Dis-
 sion was charged, the proceed to be applied to the purchase of books for a school library.
 Christmas eve services were held in St Paul's church. by the rector Music.
 which was by the Sunday school, was very fine.
 The Baptists had Christmas tree in their church, Christmas night, for tie
 benefit of their Sunday school. Helen Coe and Arthur Marcy were
 married at the home of the brides par-
 ants, Christmas night, by Rev MT Spen- cer of Litchi1pld.
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
NICHOLS.
CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.

CHRISTMAS EtS1If llIES.
 An exceedingly pleasant Christmas entertainment was given by the Nichols school, last Friday afternoon. Recita- tions and carols suitable, were nicely rendered, especially the latter. Certain ly Miss Coomes is to be congratulated on the improvement in singing since the organ came. Then, too, large Christ mas box, overfowing with gifts for teacher and scholars, added to the plea sure. Quite number of spectators were present and enjoyed it with the children. N. B. Curtiss made few re- marks and alluded feelingly to the mo- ments of pleasure and pain, he had eX- perienced within the walls of the school house. When one recalls to mind the stalwart arms which ''welded the birch" quarter of century ago, when Brother Nathan was boy, the moments of pain are understood. In strong contrast is the disipline of latter years, and surely quite as successful, for while the teacher evidently enjoys the pleasure with them, she just as evidently means business when the fun is over, and her pupils understand it.
 The Christmas exercises of the Metho- dist church and Sunday school were a grand success. The recitations by the little ones, carols by the school and Christmas music by the cholr, on CnrlSt- mas eve, were enjoyed by large con gregation, and in connection with these was the festival of Christmas night, when l50 of the children, teachers, officers and friends, sat down to tables grooming with Christmas cheer, and ate their fill, and what with a tree for the little ones, gifts for the larger ones, a lovely chair for August Muir, the retir- ing superintendant, purse for Rev H. Whitney and oranges and popcorn balls for every one, to say nothing of huge basket for the poor, one would hardly have supposed such a thing as hard times were stalking through the land. CHRISTMAS AT TRINITY CHURCH. Trinity church was open for service on Christmas day with the celebration of holy communion.
 The annual Christmas tree, and chil- dren's festival of Trinity church Sunday school was held in the church, Tuesday afternoon last, and goodly number gathered to witness the happiness of the little ones as they gathered about the lighted tree singing their carols and securing their gifts.
 On Sunday next service will be as
The Newtown bee., 1893-12-29
STEPNEY.
WILD DEER SEEN.

Just at night on Sunday, as one of our young men was on his way in search of dears, he was wonderfully astonished to see wild deer of the forest in large meadow, property of Edson Turney, who, together with other members of his fam fly, saw the handsome animal, which up on being disturbed, bounded away as on ly deer is capable. It is said there are quite few now in Connecticut and that they are protected by the state for five years with $25 penalty.