The Press., 1894-12-13


 lard was a physician of eminence, who believed in the springs, and whose repu- tation as a medical man won the confi- dence of others in the subject of his be- ized by a good class of people. Gov Johnathan Trumbull ("Brother Johna- than" as Washington affectionately call ed him. with his family were early regis the old wen-kept register bristle with names of national fame from 1905 to 1913.
 About 1872 Dr. Willard doubled the size of the hotel, making it full size, as shown in the above cut. It is reported that from this time on he was embarrass- ed, probably by having put too much cap- ital into the business. In 1915 he sold out to Sheriff Elisha Johnson, who had the distinction of serving as ex- ecutioner of the only murderer ever hung in Holland County. In 1886 the property was bought by Jasper Hyde, and in 1844 by the Granite Mill company, of which
 
 who kept the house during all these peri ods: In the '40's and 50s it's patronage I was very large. Later the house grew 10 be considered old-fashioned and uncom- fortable. Other resorts offered modern ized and better hotel accommodations. The property for several years was owned by Ephraim Fenton, of Brimfield, Mass. who made little improvement. At an in- terval it was owned by Charles B. Pome, roy, now sheriff of Windham county, who built new barn and made some repairs to the house. In 1886 it was bought by Julius Converse, with view to building new hotel, but his intentions were devi lated, first. by the burning and rebuilding of his mill, then by failing health, re- sulting in his death. And now an. as sociat4ons of the best men of Stafford have pretty good assurance that the title, Stafford Springs House, if it be l deemed best to continue the old name tC the new building, will again be bid fol 
 as lovers of grand scenery, good air, pie turesque drives, combined with good fare and all the comforts of first-class hotel
 The following is from 'Gazzetteer ot the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island," published in 1919:
 These springs were known to the na tive Indians, who used to bathe in then and dlink the waters. They first made them known to the English, soon aftel the settlement of the town. But they hao not acquired much celebrity, until about the year 1765, when a case occurred, cal culated to establish and extend their rep utation. It was an effectual cure of 6 most obstinate cutaneous complaint which had completely baffled all medicina skill, and resisted all other applications The publicity which was given to this case soon raised the reputation of these springs; and as consequence of which they immediately became a place of re sort of persons afflicted with various dis eases, and from almost every quarter Since the reputation of the springs has been established, they have annually, 1T the summer season, been 8 place of much resort for the purposes of health or pleas ure; and within the last five or six years it has been estimated, that the number o visitors has annually been from six tt nine hundred. The accommodations art ample and extensive; a very large ane elegant building having been erected which is occupied as hotel and board ing house besdt & which, there are sev eral other boarding houses in the vicinity Hitherto, the arrangements have beer upon scale of such liberality and ampli k0 oil hn and most of the luxuries which are to bt found at any watering place in the United States. It has been estimated, that fol some years past, the receipts from visitors have amounted to five or six thousand dollars annually. The money, which k thus brought into the place from abroad is great advantage to the town, and one from which almost every class of citizens is in some measure directly or indirectly benefited; the farmer finds 8 market fol small meats, vege able, butter, poultr. and other articles of his produce, and thu mechanic for his industry.
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