Connecticut western news., 1896-12-24
GREAT HARRINGTON.

The public schools of this town clos ed Friday for a vacation of two weeks Exercises relating 10 Christmas were held iu all the schools. At the Bryant schsol house, where the five grades of primary schools are kept, the exercises consisted of reciiatious, declam ations and singing. The various rooms were finely decorated with evergreens of different kinds, including laurel. A well loaded Christmas tree was the at- tractive feature in the first, second and fifth grade of school. The pop corn. with bags of candy, colored balls and oranges with numerous presents made a pleasing sight for the young pupils. The exercises in grades one and two were public. while in the other grades the scholars and teachers had their fun all to themselves. A grab bag caused good deal of merriment.
 The W. H. Stevenson lodge of train men have made the usual preparations for thelr annual concert and ball on New Years eve. The decorations of the Town Hall, furnished by New Haven company are the same that were used at the Yale College junior prome- made in the Second regiment srmory, New Haven.
 The weolen mill in Water street now run by Hugh Sheridep, started in full operation Friday. It is said that there are orders for cloth that-will keep the operatives at work for the next six months.
 l. F. Jones, who was agent of the Housatonic railroad at this station a few years ago, was in this village Thursday visiting old friends. Mr Jones Is now agent of the Nickle Plate road at Buffa- To. N r.
 John V. Hollenbeck, of New Haven. who has spant the winter for several years at the Miller House, arrived at his old quarters this week.
 Charles W. Ray and his brother-in- law, Dr Small. will at once rebuild their block on Railroad street, which
 was burned in the great fire. E. R. Lorrain will do the wood work and John Viola the masonry. The block will be two stories high of brick.
 The new brick store of John A. Brew CT, which was burned less than year ago, was opened for business last Thurs day. The building is said to be the most costly in the village.
 Jefferson Mckinley, we'll known as Uucle Jeff" a highly respected. indus trious colored man. died at the home of William Chine on Church street in this village Mon day. His exact age is not known. but from conversations with him few years ago It appeared as if he was born between l785 and l789 His birthplace was at the tavern of John Hart at Stattsville, N. c. His irst master was Johu Hart, who had s store in Charleston and employed Jeff as errand boy On the death of Hart, Jeff was exchanged for female slave and became the properly of General Baarvard, whom he served as valet He was next with the sheriff of the county for seven years, when he was sold aud taken to New Orleans from whence he was sent up the Sabine river to work on the plantation of MT Walker, who afterwards became governor of the state. h 1856 on the death of Governor Walk er he became the property of one of the governors granddaughter, with whom he remained until the arrival of the Union troops, when be ran away and joined them. He went to Port Hudson, La., where he joined the South Berk- shire company, 18th Massachusetts Vol | unteers. and became their cook When the 18th returned home Jeff came with them and settled in this village He began to raise vegetables and
 berries, which be peddled through the village and accumulated some prop: erty. He owned two honses ou Church street and had about $500 in the savings | bank. He was one of the founders of the African M E Zion Church and a | member of the same. Several V ears ago he married Margaret Cooley of this viii lage. who died about 1893 The funeral of MT Mckinley was attended yesterday f,om the colored church on Elm court At the annual meeting of Cncinnatus
 L-dge, F X A. M., Friday evening ! these officers were elected. Charles H.
 Booth, w. M Orlanio c Bidwell. $.
 W John Fred Whinng. w.; Charles J. Burget, treas; Isaac R. Prindle
 sec'v Charles J. Potter. chaplain Frank H Briggs. marshal; Fred J Fuller. S
 D John Fl. O Church. J D Frank $.
 Rowe, s &; Chester Dalz-ll. s {;
 Henry T. Robbins. organisf; Gilbert H
 Cook, tyler The installation will be
 held the evening of Jan. s. with Miles
 I. Huntington as installing officer.