Connecticut western news., 1894-01-11
THURSDAY, JANUARY II, 1894.
GREAT HARRINGTON rs. GREAT
 CANAAN

GREAT HARRINGTON rs. GREAT
 CANAAN.
 Fifty years ago the town of Great Harrington, Mass, could boast of only SOC inhabitants, nevertheless the town bore great title, viz, Gredt Barring ton. We do not know when, where or how the town acquired it's high sound ing title; nevertheless such an imposing title vas given it and it has proudly and deservedly, worn it ever since. In all probability the town was christened Groat Burlington soon after its settle ment, more than 150 years ago. Be that as it may, it is immaterial to the purpose of this editorial the object of which is to solve problsm which has for about 35 years ve1ed the inhabitants of the riRage of Canaan, Litcbfield County, Conn, and also vexec everyone far and near who wanted to visit the village of Canaan or communicate by mail, telegraph, telephone or express with its inhabitants. This vexation of soul dates back to the tune when the town of Canaan was divided into two towns, about 35 years ago. In tue di- vision, the south part of the town re- tained the original name, "Canssn, and the north part of the town was giv- on the name of North Canaan. Then confusion began, and has continued to the present time. While the wise men m town meeting assembled were wraDg- ling over the names to be given the two towns, an eccentric but humorous indi- vidual. (she late Aaron Wright, who dubbed himself "Uncle Daggett') sug- gested that the north part of the town be called .sGoehen" To comprehend the full meaning of Mr Wright's sug- gestion, 1t must first be understood that one of the selectmen Henry Ivesl was . frequent speaker in that memorable town meeting, and said selectman had formerly lived in. Goshen. Conn.,, and WAS always boastiug about Goshen. Alter said selectman had been quite officious in said meeting and had occu- pied altogether too much time in mak- ing several speeches, Mir Wright brought down the house" by remark ing in his droll way, "Perhaps MT Ives would like to call the town GOSHEN r
 We'll, if Mir Wright's suggestion had been adopted the dilemma and perpetual confusion would not have been much greater than the ones which the people created, at that time. by naming the south part of the town, "Canaan" an6 by naming the north part, ''North Ga man."
 Now we will explain as follows wh, confusion exists: The south part of the town retained the original name O .sCanaan" but there Is neither pos office, telegraph office, telephone office express office, nor railway station b, tQo nAmc Oi OdunAu iu 1hO tou" V Canaau. On the contra in the to,cn ol North Canaan there is 8 post office telegraph office, telephone office fro express offices. 8 union railway sta ton for two railroads, savings bank an academy, high school, lime com plny, and other institutions, by th' name of "Canaan." In the to,oa of Ga naan are two railway stations. viz, Fall Village and Lime Rock; three pos offices, viz. Falls Village, South Canaan Huntsville; and telegraph, telephone and express office named Falls Village No wonder that confusion reigus in tn minds of people throughout the worl' in regard to the location of Canaan an, North Canaan. No wonder that letter and messages, especially legal docu ments, go lastray before they reach thei proper destination. No wonder tha people from a distance who wish to wis it the old torn of Canaan stop at tn wrong station and then enquire "Wher am I at?" No wonder that the presen generation censure the fathers for thei short-sightedness in dividing tow and not adopting names to correspon, with, or describe, the localities. Unles the name of the riAage of Canaan changed, or the name of the totrn c Canaan is changed, this confusion vii increase in ratio proportionate to tn growth of the riHage of Canaan, and tn growth of the entire world.
 The riHage of Canaan to-day has mor inhabitants than the whole to,on of Gres Harrington had as late as 50 years ago If Harrington was great in those day certainly the village of Canaan is to-da greater, and at least is entitled to b named Great Canaan. Yea, verily eve to-day when Great Burlington wants t sell cloaks it comes to the riHage C Canaan for customers and opens 8 fou days cloak sale in the Warner Hous parlors. What tribute that is m countrymen to tue village of Canaaf Great Ceasar, what an acknowledgemen of Canaan's greatness! Yea, verilJ Great Canaan. Certainly it is time t name this village ''Great Canaan"
 At least eleven different states hay post offices named Canaan. Severn