The Press., 1894-02-08
ROCKVILLE.

- Senator Phelps, of Rockville, and Judge Bissell, of Naugatuck, comnis- sioners on the estate of the late Christian Koch, rendered decision in the Koch probate case on Friday. The case was heard last month, and excited great in- terest. The late Christian Koch left no will or adoption papers at his death. His two supposed adopted daughters, Miss Bessie Koch and Mrs. Margaret Held, presented claims against the estate for 5000, money earned by them and given to Christian Koch. The evidence showed that the girls supposed they were Koch's own children until September, 1879, when they were told that they were not his children. At that time MT. Koch told the girls that he would consider them the same as his own children, and if they would give him their earnings he would give them his property at his death. This the girls agreed to, and paid over to him all of their earnings for many years, until they left home. The commissioners de- cided that Miss Bessie Koch be allowed the amount of her earnings from Septem- Der, 1S79 the time of the agreement in regard to the property, until January l., 1893, less $2 a week for her support, which was furnished by MT. Koch, leav- ing balance in her favor of $2, 327. .S4 Mrs. Margaret Held will receive the amount of her earnings from the same time, September, 1879, until September, 1888, about the time she was married, less S2 week for her support, leaving bal ance her due of $1 ,04091. The commits sioners decided that the Koch estate had been increased through the earnings of the girls, since the agreement in regard to the property, by the amounts they now allow them.
 The Rock mills are running out stock and closing each department as fast as possible, preparatory to closing the entire mill. The mills employ over 400 persons when running their full capacity. The similar action, and it is probable that a number of the mills will be closed this month. The mills are unable to secure any orders, and do not propose to manu- facture goods with no prospect of sales.
 Peter Wendhiser, one of the oldest merchants of Rockville and prominent citizen, died at Ormond, Florida, Jan. 31,
 
 with neuralgia of the heart, and went to Florida a few weeks ago for the benefit of his health. His wife and son, George, were notified of his serious illness and started for Florida, but had not arrived there at the time of his death. He was born in Germany in 1885, and on coming to this country located in Pittsfield, Mass. He came to Rockville in 1860, and entered the employ of A. J. Metcalf < Co. furni- ture and coffin makers. In 1866 he opened the first large furniture and undertaking establishment in the town, on West street. The venture proved a success, and in 1870 he put up large three-story building to accommodate his business. June 3, 1873, the building and entire stock of goods were destroyed by fire, his loss over in suIance being $5,000. In less than 8 | week he had hired and fitted up new store in the Cogswell block. In Septem Der, 1880, he sold the business to B. H Preston. In 1867 he invented and patent ed an undertaker's ice box, which was th' 1 first to go into general use. For few years past he was engaged in the music business. He was 8 very successful busi ness man, and accumulated large prop erty.