The Press., 1894-09-27
LOCAL TOPICS.
Penned and scissored,


 The new republican state committee has in it exceptionally good material. Men like Austin Brainard, the efficient secretary of the last committe, Frederick Farnsworth of New London, Percy s. Bryant, James P. Platt, James A. How arth, P. B. Sibley, John I. Hutchinson. John M. Douglas are tried material, and republicans know from experience that good work will be done by the new mem. bers from this county, H. s. Abel of staf- ford Springs and Thomas A. Lake of Rockville.
 At the opening of the superior court at Rockville last Thursday, Archibald w. Buchanan, a juror from Mansfield, fell from the jurors platform and dislocated his left shoulder. The accident occurred while MT. RnchaRnan was moving a chair to the edge Of a platform six inches high.
 Quite number of young people were confirmed at St. Mary's church, South Coventry. Sunday morning, the 9th, by Bishop T'ierney of Hartford. In the af- ternoon Bishop Tierney consecrated the new cemetery south of the village. Be- sides the Rev. Father Gibbons of this ahurch there were present and assisted in the services Rev. Father DeRruyoker of Willimantie, Rev. Father Coyle of Stafford Springs, Rev. Father Fitzmaur- ice of Dayville, formerly of this place, Rev. Father Lawler of Pomfret and Rev. Father Clark of Rockville. The bishop and priests were escorted from St. Mary. s church to the grounds by the male mem= bers Of the ohuGoh.
 Arrangements have been made to settle the Koch probate case out of court It will be remembered, perhaps, that Christian Koch Of Rockville died intes- tate, leaving an estate valued at about $5,000. He had brought up two children, daughters of 8 relative, who, until reach ing nearly mature years did not know that they were not his children. The mat ter was then talked over with MT, and Mrs. Koch who said If the girls would pay over all their earnings to him the girls should have the entire property after the death of his wife and himself. MT. Koch's wife died two or three years ago and Mir. Koch married again. In 1893 MT. Koch died, and no proof could be shown that the children had ever been legally adopt ed. Under the law the property would go one-half to the widow the other half to the state. The two girls, Bessie and Margaret, presented claims against the estate for $6,O05.9 95 for money earned and for nursing MT. and Mrs. Koch during their illness. The matter was referred to Hon. Charles Phelps of Rockville and Judge Bissell of Naugatuck, commission CTS of the estate, who awarded the sum of $s,3s PA and an appeal was made from rom the decision.
 Considerable time was spent in empan= neling the jury and the ease proceeded. The first witness called was MT. Phelps, one of the commissioners, who explained how the amount was allowed. M. pantA, a relative of the Koch girls, waa then called and gave about the same testimo- ny as was presented before the hearing of the commissioners. At p. m., the court adjourned for dinner. During the noon hour arrangements were made whereby the case will be settled out of court. The property, which consists of a house on Village street and one on Ward street, will be sold and the estate settled. One half of the amount will be paid to the widow and an appeal will be made to the legislature to pay the half to the girls.