The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-03-06
rnE pMAvn or enoneM oLouen.

THE DEa1U or GEORGE OLOUGH.
Interc3ting Reminis CenCes of Former Town
Governments-A Pathetic Ending of the
life of Former Aims superin-
tendeut,
(CommunlCated,l
Although the sad occurrence of GER
tain circumstances connected with the
recent death Of George Clough--who
was in age some ways past three score
years-have not taken place within the
last few days, vet they are of general
interest as an object lesson, and have
never at any previous time received
newspaper notoriety. 1t is evident that
the narration of some of them will not
be althoSether creditable to the citizens
OF WestVille. George Clough was for a
long time an official at the allnshouse
on Martin street Prior to 1870 he was
sup-keeper under Hinman, and also
previously with the late Mr.. Davis. In
S'l-2-3 Clough was superintendent,
ana at the time William p. Shelton and
Willis M. Anthony were town agents in
the order named. He was a great fla
vorite of Sheltons, who had q policy
and a way of making the almshouse
expenditure and income equal in the
annual exhibit of town accounts.
In the month of December, 1873 j. j.
Sargent was elected a selectman, and
appointed a committee on the aims
house. At once the search light of a
thorough investigation was turned on
the management. The result was that
Cloush failed of a re-appointme An
thony, the town agent, was so displeas-
ed at this that he resigned the office,
but as this had no effect. on Selectman
Sargent and his three colleagues, An
thbny reconsidered his action.
Some years after this Clough filed q
subordinate position at the almshouse,
but only for short time. Since he had
been a continuous resident of Westville,
he had been a prisoner at the county
Jail. and during the last years and
months Of his eventful life, the tickle
and uncertain fortunes of time and cir
cumstancc seemed to weigh heavily
agains' him. He had no family, and the
word home had no meaning for him.
Without credit, q human wreck, soon to
be cast on a. "shoreless sea-" His bent
form when seen on the streets and ave-
nues of the city's western suburb, was
typical Of advancing years, and of sor-
row and affliction.
A scant maintenance was obtained
from the saloons, stores and some fami-
lies as an all round man, willing to do
tobs-no matter how mental the work.
and ready to answer at all times any
ones beck and call.
His abode was not fit habitation for
ma n ar hn ns.t,- al 6of p1
ON Fountain street, which the owner
had considered untenable years ago.
The blasts of New England winter
howled through it's broken windows,
which now and then contained an old
hat serving as an Intellectual barrier
against the cold, rain and snow
There is not to-day horse, COW or
dog in westville but has as good. if
not better, quarters than Clough had
during the last six months Of his life.
and previous to his removal on his
deathbed to the town institution. In
this old deserted building, right in the
center of the village within a stones
throw of Franklin hall and the post
Office, in midwinter Clough was taken
With his last sickness, with no medical
attendance at any time, no fire in the
room-possibly there was no way to
make one-and only few dirty rags on
his bed. He had no wife or gentle
hands to smooth his fevered brow; not
a friend to wet his parched lips, or give
him so much as "a cup of cold water"
According to the town assessment,
there are nearly two millions of assess
ed property in the Westville school dis
trict. In addition to this it is said that
there are more non-taxable bonds and
securities held here than in any other
part of the town, the city excepted Yet
not single Westvillian obeyed or
needed the Bible command, and there
by failed to secure the promised re-
ward in this particular case-"Tnas-
much as yet have done it to the least
of one of my children, We have done il
unto me"
Occasionally townsman or village
schoolboy would venture to look
through the broken windows to see as
matter of curiosity whether there was
anything that had q semblance Of life
within the old house and also to find
out, if possible, what had happened to
Clough, for he had been missed from
the streets Of the village for many
days.
Finally the attention of the authori-
ties was called to the situation of the
poor, sick and friendess man and his
Wretched environments. He was re-
moved to Springside. For a time he
seemed to rally, but as a citizen re-
marked, he had been too long without
care and medical aid for any possible
hope of recovery. His race in the jour
hey of life has now been run, and what
ever was meritorious or wrong in his
career cannot now be changed, and
must stand as a permanent record
When his star was at its zenith he
had the reputation of being a severe
master, and many had prophesied that
his life would be pathetic in it's ter
mination.
WHITING FOR ASCENSION.