The Press., 1895-12-26

A fine assortment of sleds at Hurley Send a copy of Stafford 1llusti-z1ted to some friend tor 6 Christmas present. Wln haVe a limited number bound in pa per in time for Christmas, at 75c.; In cloth. $1 50. At The Press office.
 -HurleN Bros. have an elegant line or diaries for 1896. Standard, Excelsior and American. An fnrniture at cost for the next 20 days at Reuben Converse's.
 -Christmaa Cards and Fancy Calen- dars for sale at The Press office.
 STAFFORD.
 Fred W. Howard, of the Press office, Is taking a much needed vacation of one week.
 A concert of more than usual merit will open the Choir Festival next Wednes- day evening.
 Business has been very brisk at the post office and with the express company this week.
 Quite a number of familiar faces of the young people are seen on the streets who are home from the schools and col leges fer the holidays. Miss Leila Foster comes from Smith College; Alice Walker from Mount Holyoke; Robert Smith from Worcester Academy; Ned Mcleod from Philadelphia Dental College: Frank New ton and John English from Bellevue, New York; Willis Reed and James B. COmins from Wesleyan.
 At the regular meeting of Star Con- mandery. 297, U. O. c. O., held Monday evening, Dec 23, the following officers were elected: N. C., A. L. Howard; ". NC, c. w. McKendrick: K. R., J. H. Reed; F. K. R., Mary A. Howard; T., E. A. Cleaveland; W. F., J. c. Cleave- land; W. H.. W. A. Ackley; W. l. G., Chas. II. Irons; w. o. G., Clarence Par ker; representative, A. E. Converse; al- ternate, s. F. Pease; 1st trustee, J. C. Cleaveland 2d trustee, A. E. Converse; 3d trustee, H. F. Parker.
 Three comets, two organs, piano, and other instruments accompany and help the volume of music at the Choir Festival next Wednesday evening.
 Special Christmas services were held at Grace church yesterday. There was holy communion service at o'clock m. and a similar service at Il o'clock with sermon and special music.
 A change of time went into effect on the New London Northern railroad, Monday. The train that went south in the morning at 7.20 now leaves at e.57 and the boat train leaves at 2. .85 -nass instead of 8.5S.
 U. o. Howard, the liveryman, made an assignment Monday to Lawyer Stew enson for the benefit of his creditors.
 Special services were held at the Con- gregational church Sunday. There was 8 large attendance both afternoon and evening. The church was prettily trimmed and the musical program quite pleasing. The violin accompaniment to the music, furnished by s. H. Holland proved har- monious addition. MT. Holland has been engaged to assist at the service next Sunday evening.
 -J. O. Howard is to go to Shelburne Falls to live.
 People who have not had the privil- ege of enjoying the singing of the St. Ed wards church choir will be pleasantly surprised when they listen to the soprano obligato of Mrs. D. Hanley at the Choir Festival next Wednesday evening.
 Christmas trees at the Congregation al and Episcopalian churches made the young people happy Tuesday evening.
 -Cyrns Banford, aged 55, died at his home on Westf5rd avenue Monday morn ing after 6 short illness of pneumonia. His death was no doubt hastened by a kidney disease which has troubled him for some time. MT. Banford was born in Plymouth, N. Y., but has been a resi-. dent of Stafford Springs for about 3C years. He was. the first bailiff elected by the borough and held the office fol several consecutive years. In company with his brother-in-Iaw. w. M. Crawford he was formerly in the hardware busi ness in the Foster block, and later wal in company with E. A. Converse in tht same line. He leaves a widow, two daughters, and four sons. The funera was from his late home Tuesday after ternOon.
 The following officers of the Y. P. s c. E. of the Congregational church have been elected for the coming six months President, Edith Baker; e-president F. T. Preston; secretary and treasurer H. E. Burwell; corresponding secretary Will H. Heald; prayer meeting, Mrs. J H. Roberts, G. s. Baker, Hattie E. Barnes Lettie Meyers, Edith Tuthill; look out Rev. A. J. Mcleod, Josie Hewitt, s. A Jacobs, Mrs. c. E. Butterfeld, Berthi Heald; social, Mena s. Adams; W. A Engley, B. P. Cooley, Charles Chandler Jennie Hewitt, Clara Baker; missionary Mrs. A. J. Mcleod, Annie E.. French Minnie Nothnic, Esther Chandler, F. H Baker; Sunday school, W. E. Demond Nettie E. Hall, Mary I. Newton, Margi Cooley, Olive Spring.
 The A. o. U. W. has chosen the fol lowing officers: Postmaster workman J. E. Middleton; master workman, T Hassett; foreman, W. E. Hanley; over seer, J. Sweetser; guide, G. Bailey; re ceiver, G. Lawton; financier, c. COmins recorder, J. Clifford; inside watchman c. Mccarthy; outside watchman, M. Lee representative to grand lodge, J. E. Mid dleton; alternate, H. F. Wise; trustee