The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1895-12-06
Fairfield County News.
SHELTON.

T. dlIIlcIu OOuuUy AOVG =.
SHELTON.
THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The dedication Of the public library,
last Wednesday afternoon, was very
important event for this place and town.
About four years ago .. =. Forman,
then principal of the public school,
started the project of a fine library and
the late D. w. Plumb took great in.
terest in the efforts then made and was
very prominently connected with the
movement. Two or three public meet
ings were held in the Town hall and
voluntary subscriptions received which
amounted to about $240O, Mr. Plumb be-
ing among the larger givers. In the
month of February, 1892, at town meet
ing Mr. Plumb offered the resolutions IN
favor Of a free public library to De sup
ported by the town, which were unani-
mously passed. The matter then had to
rest until the town meeting in the fall,
when three quarter of mill tax was
voted by ballot according to the statute,
and Immediately afterward the select
men appointed as directors, D. w.
Plumb, Charles III. NettletOn, DR. w. 5.
Randall, j. Tomlinson, d. 5. Brinsmade
and Charles G.. Burr. The directors Or
gained by the appointment OF d. w.
Plumb, president and J. Tomlinson sec
retary and treasurer. The directors Sc
lected rooms, appointed a librarian, fur
nished the rooms and opened one as
reading room, December Is of that year.
They also purchased about 1000 volumes
Of books and opened the library on Feb.
ruary 1, 1898. Books have been added
since at different times SO that now there
are about $500 volumes. Mr. Plumb soon
after the opening of the library made the
offer that he would put up building Tor
the purpose and present 1t to the town II
che latter would furnish lot. Several
sites were considered but about that
his health failed him and all action was
suspended, but he several times remark
ed that he hoped to recover and to give
his personal supervision to the erection
of the library building. But in June OF
chat year he suddenly died and left no
provision to carry out his wishes, as to
the building. Having left large pro.
portion of his property to his brother,
Horace s. Plumb of Bridgeport, the
latter having heard of the desire Of his
late brother to erect q library building,
very generously offered to give the re-
quisite amount or the sum OF $25,O0O for
| the purpose to be expended under the
direction of DIR G. A. Shelton and Mrs
| l. ssAA~~
/ Mrs Plumb offered to give a very eligible
lot near her residence, which was
another very generous gift. The plans
and site were accepted at special town
| meeting, held in March, 1894, and under
the direction and oversight Of DIR Shell
| ton and Mrs Plumb, the present hand
some building has been erected and
completed. On the archway over the
entrance chiseled in the stone is the
name "Plumb Library Entering un'
| der this is an open court and on the LEFT
| is tablet in bronze with a medallion
| bust of the late d. w. Plumb and an ap
propriate inscription. Massive doors
open into the vestibule, from which or
the left is the entrance to the spacious
reading room. This is shielded from the
entrance by large pictured screen Of
glass in panels. In one panel is figure
of female representing art and II
another, literature. The walls of this
room are decorated and are finished tt
the ceiling. There is large open fire
place and it is well lighted with hand
some colored glass windows. Directly
opposite the entrance is book room nc.
ted up with shelving for 10000 volumes
The librarians desk is a handsome piece
1 Of workmanship. On the right OF thu
i entrance is the directors room, which il
-
decorated, and an open fireplace sur
mounted with a fine mantlepiece, is, very
attractive. There is next to this al
i ante room for the librarian. The heat
ing is done Ey steam, radiators beinf
placed In convenient situations for tht
| purpose. The lighting is by both ga
8 and electricity, handsome chandelier
and side lights being conspicuous. Th'
foundations and walls up to the Window
are of Portland brown stone and the re
mainder of terra Gotta brick, the roo
being laid with tile. 1t is as whole il
the most complete style of architecture
Before it was completed it was foun,
that the original appropriation woult
not be enough to finish it within abou
$4,000, and Mr. Plumb told the trustee
TO go on and finish the work and b
would furnish the additional means q
he wished it to be complete in every re
spect. 1t is a very great ornament t
1.-the place and gift Of unusual munif
cence to the town, which should feel no
! only very grateful, but should keep tn
memories Of the donors and those VIII
,, we're active in its construction ever
their minds and hand their names wit
! kind and grateful membranes dow
to posterity.
The walls of the Blake block are neal
o ~ completed, the building being fiy
e stories in height. Mr. Blake, who hs
i, been in Europe for the past two or thre
! months, returned last week and has bee
looking over the work accomplished Q
the building while he was absent.
n On Thanksgiving day some Norwal
/ firemen, who had been attending ba
: in Derby the night previous, came ov'
: TO this village and attempted to visit Il
rooms Of the Echo Hose Co., but Il
members Of the latter would not ]
= them in as they were in an intoxicatt
I, condition. Also company OF into1
!. Gated men came over from Dert
y and visited the saloons for drinks, b.
9 were refused in each one because
= their condition.
: The three churches united and he
o Thanks giving service, Thursday for
noon, in the Congregational churc
Rev DR. Kidder preached the sermon
: s.Causes for National Thanksgiving
There was small audience present.
On Sabbath last Rev Edward Tho
son Of New York addressed the cong
cation in the Congregational church
the Observance Of the Sabbath. as rep
E. sentative of the Sabbath League OF