Connecticut western news., 1897-06-17
GREAT HARRINGTON.

The largest gathering of representa- tive women ever held in this village ss- sembled at the Congregational church last Thursday. The occasion was the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Federation of women's clubs. About 15O delegates, representing 60 clubs, were present and in addition to these were so many women from this and ad- jacent towns that the large audience room Of the church was filled with an attentive audience. As Julia Ward Howe, the president of the federation, was detained at home by illness she sent a we'll written letter of regret. The first vice. president, Miss O M. E Rowe. of the New England woman's club, presided with great ability. The meeting opened at 10 45 a. m. The ad- dress of welcome was by Miss Emma W. Sheldon, president of the Thursday Morning Club of this town. The report of the secretary, Miss Florence Everett, of Boston, showed that 180 clubs and 15, 900 members are connected with the association. The old board of officers with Mrs Julia Ward Howe as president was reelected. At the afternoon ses- sion Miss Pearl Sexton, of this village, entertained the audience with a solo. Mrs Mary F. Sanford, the poet of Southern Berkshire. read her produc- tion entitled "Comradeship." The afternoon was chiefly devoted to sym posium of the club idea. Miss Helen A. Whittier, of Lowell, read paper on the problem of large department club, and this was discussed by Mrs May Al den Ward, president of the New England women's press association. "Clubs as a civic and ethical force" was set forth in paper by Mrs Emily Williamson, of Elizabeth, N. J., discussed by Mrs Ruth Gibson, of Medford, and Mrs Ellen s Morse, of Marlboro. As an interlude, Miss Constance Parker. of this village, rendered an appropriate song. Henry T. Bailey, state supervisor of drawing, read an essay on "Club influence for the beautiful" This was discussed by Mrs E. D. Cheney, of Boston. Five minute discussions of "Clubs as fac tor in individual development" was par ticipated in by Mrs Mary D. Hall, presi- dent of Sorosis, New York city, Mrs Clara S. Lowell. of Worcester. Mrs Frank L. Young, of Dorchester, and Mrs Frances Hornbrooke, of the social science club at Newton. At the evening session Mrs Alice Ives Breed, of Lynn, brought greetings from the general fed eration of women's clubs; Mrs J. O. Croly, of New York city, the New York state federation; and Mrs Esther B. No Ia of ha necticut federation. Mrs Alice F. Pal mer, of the state board of education, gave an address on Comparison of American and European Public Schools" Daniel B. Childs, of this village, gave song; and Farting song written for the occasion by Mrs Sara T. s. Leighton, president of the East Boston home club, closed the exercises of the day.
 Patrick Dunn IS preparing to build a $3, ,000 house on Russell avenue and has contracted for its erection.
 Richard Wood, highly respected citizen of the town. died Friday at the home of his daughter, Mrs W. W. Rice, on Castle Hill avenue. Mir Wood was | a son of Richard and Hannah Wood and was born at Lancaster, England, in 1891. l He migrated to this country at the early age of 12 years and has since lived | the greater part of his life in this viii | lage. When young man he entered | the employ of the late John O. X Asa 0. | Russell, of the Berkshire woolen com pany, and soon became an expert in wool sorting. Such was the confidence | reposed in him that he was appointed wool buyer for the company and on various trips he made through the coun- | ty large sums of money were intrusted to his care. It is related of him that some years ago he made large purchase of wool and was at once offered bonus oi l $lO, ,OOO for his purchase. But in place of selling and taking the profits him self, he telegrapbed his company and received an answer not to sell. MT Wood remained in the employ of the Russells 53 years and at last retired be. cause of poor health. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs Rice, widow o1 the late Dentist w. W. Rice, and Mrs Sidney A Fuller of this town The flu. neral was attended Monday at 4 p. m. from the house. Rev Leon D. Bliss wood cemetery.
 | WOTk uaS begun on AuureW u nuD bells new brick block on Railroad | street.
 The commencement exercises of the graduating class of the high school vii
 occur to morrow evening at the Towr
 Hall. The class motto is "Now benG to the oar"
 Robert L. Van Deusen, formerly local editor of the Courier and specia correspondent to the Springfield Re
 publicn, has secured a position on tht
 New York Evening Snn.
 Mrs Olivia Hoyt, widow of John W
 Hoyt of New York city, died at tn,
 home of her n-law, Dr John Bates
 on Main street in Great Harrington. Jun,
 12, aged 85 years. She was grand
 daughter of Count D'Anterroches, whe
 with his cousin. the Marquis De Lsfay
 cite, came to this country during tn,
 Revolutionary war. The remains o
 Mrs Hoyt were taken to Greenwood fo
 burial.