Morning journal and courier., 1893-03-20
CONNECTICUT DISPATCHES.

"hoe III eohhE on Aoout tnt State. UEIeSvnLx, March 19.-A disastrous fire, which resulted in the destruction of the Case Bros.' paper mill, and for time
 threatened much valuable property in the center of the town. broke here shortly before seven o'clock last night. The flames first made their appearance in the lower part of the paper mill and were soon burning on the floors above. The mill is located near the Pennington river bridge and in the midst of the principal stores of the town, and 1t was with the greatest diff ficulty that the spread of the flames was stopped. At one time, the Western Union Telegraph office, the Harrington bridge and the store of N. O. Woodruff, were threatened with destruction and 1t was only by the greatest efforts on the part of the fire fighters that these structures were saved. Soon after the fire WAS discovered, 1t was apparent that with the poor facIli- ties for fighting fire the local fremen could do but little, and aid was at once sum- moned from Pennington. A large engine was sent over from there and rendered valuable assistance in subduing the flames.
 
 was entirely destroyed and its walls fell in ruins. The loss is about $l5 900, insured. The origin of the fire is unknown. Case Brothers, the owners, are the proprietors Of another mill at Manchester.
 NoRwALK, March 19.-It Is now report. ed here that the Rev. Wilbur F. Watkins, father of Rsv. s. H. Watkins of this town, who disappeared some months ago while visiting at his son's home, Is in Chicago There are numerous sensational features connected with the case, and the interest in the mystery which surrounds it is added to not little by the news just re eceived here that the missing minister has been deposed by Bishop Whitaker. Some months sgo scandslous stories were current among the members of Rsv. MT. Watkins congregation in the Church of Our Savior in Philadelphia, in which the pastors name was prominently mentioned. As 6 result an investigation was ordered by the bishop and the venerable MT. Watkins was ordered to appear for a hearing. He did so, and there were some startling develop ments in the examination.
 Before the hearing was completed, the Rev. Mir. Watkins visited his son here, and shortly after he suddenly disappeared. Every effert was made by his relatives to locate him, and 1t was for some time thought that he had become insane and committed suicide. Not @ trace of him could be found, and the son has continued the search for him up to the present time with no result. A few days ago, Bishop Whitaker received a letter from the mis. sing divine renoupcing the ministry and that he was no longer a member of the Protestent Episcopal church.
 The letter, it Is said, was dated Chicago, and had evidently been mailed there but few days before. In the spistle MT. Wat kins gave no reason for his action, but it is | very plaiR that it was the result of the in- | of his conduct while pastor in | Philadelphia. The bishop has now an- nounced that MT. Watkins is deposed and | DO longer has the right to administer the | sacraments of the Episcopal church. The | relatives in Norwalk have done everything 1 to locate Mir. Watson and will | probably follow up the clue to | ais whereabouts offered by his letter, | but 1t is evident that the fugitive wishes | 10 live where be is unknown. When he | eft here 1t was learned that he went to his | bankers in New York and drew all the | money he had there. and it was supposed | from remarks he made then that he was bound to Europe. The church in West | of which he was pastor, is at | tended by many of the most fashionable | ioEiachto III thC TuohcR SAtSp anu tuO Il charges against Mir. Watkins and subse- | ,uent proof that they were well founded | caused the greatest sensation.
 NORWICH, March 19.-Mr. A. Walt Pear | ,on assumed direction of the Bulletin as chief, Mr William Carter Thomp. 'on took charge of the city editors desk md Mir. Albert S. Sparks commenced his Il luties as night editor. Mir. Hitchcock, Tho has just resigned as editor -in-chief. caves soon for New York state. He an- louuces that he has given up the news paper business for good.
 NORWICH, March 19.-The new works of | he Ponsmsh Electric company at Baltic Ire nearly completed. READ LETTER FROM DR. NEWMAN
 sMYTHK.
 BRIDGEPORT, March 19-The ministers n all of the Protestant churches of the ,ity to-day read an open letter on the pool elling question from Rev. Newman Smythe # New Haven, asking for the co-opsrs- ion of the congregations in the effort to | Itamp out the evil. It Is probable that | teps will be taken and money raised for | tome organized effort in this city. In | 'ome of the churches collections were | aken up to day to aid in the campaign of | he Law and Order league in the coming | election. The league will print and dis | ribute 10000 tickets and will make a ,ard fight.