The Press., 1897-09-09
WILMINGTON.

There was no observance whatever or labor day in town.
 Mrs. Eliza Trask has returned from her visit to New London.
 Miss Emma Leckler, of Asbury Park N. J., is at Geo. A. Cosgrove's. Joseph W. Pratt is visiting his grand son, Merrick, in Worcester, Mass. Mrs. Frank Joslin is boarding at New London at present for the benefit of the salt air.
 The town hall now looks as good as new. In fact, 1t vies in whiteness with its near neighbor, the Congregational meeting house.
 Miss Clara E. Nichols has been making pleasant vacation visits in Ellington, and with her sister and her family, among the mountains of Shelburne, Mass.
 Grange meeting tomorrow night. Lee turer's hour, debate on the ever new reso- lution, "The pen Is mightier than the sword" Affirmative, Geo. w. Bracket, Chas. T. Preston; negative, Rev. c. H. Brown, Geo. A. Cosgrove.
 Altho' the wild carrot is beautiful flower, sentimentally called "The queens handk kerchief," 1t is deadly affair. The state, 1t seems, is waking up to it's ex- termination. A fine of $5 turks in the penalty, when, after due warning, the owner refuses to cut down the noxious | weed.
 The following resignation was received by the secretary of the board of school visitors Tuesday,
 Rev Chas. H. Brown, Sec Board of School Visitors. Dear Sir: I hereby tender my resignation as 8 member and the chairman of said board. That said course may not cause any embarrassment in the administration of the schools, re- sign at the beginning of the school year, so that my former colleagues may fill the vacancy as the law provides. l desire to herewith record the fact that my relations with them have been invariably most pleasant. The chief reason for the above action Is that am not in accord with the methods of the local "ring" of the politi- cal party to which I belong and which placed me in the office. Besides, my con- tinued incumbency must be distasteful to it. Very respectfully,
 | CHAs. T. PRESTON. A Large Fire and Heavy Loss.
 The biggest fire in the history of the town was that which destroyed Legrand Johnson's large new barn and stables at midnight last Tuesday. It was singular fact that the calamity was not generally known until the evening of the following day, at least in the center of the town hence, no report could be sent to The l ho the brow of the hill south of east of the Wilmington railroad station, with its re- gently added cupola and weather-vane was pleasant landmark for miles up anc down the valley and from the adjacent hill highways, and all, the old townspeo pie, at least, took pride in 1t as being one of the largest and best appointed barns in eastern Connecticut The building virtually four stories In height, including basement, and roof with its rows of larg, dormer windows, was filled with the sum mer's product of the large and fertil, farm. Besides the heavy crop of hay ano the rye from forty eight acres, there wer' stored 300 bushels of last years corn, quantity of newly purchased grass seed ) all the farming tools, including a nev model reaper and binder just purchased wagons, carriages, etc. Mrs. Johnson , fine young driving horse, Kitty" an two valuable COWS were burned. Ther were insurances of 3,5O0-placed in tn Holland and Middlesex Co.'S. The tota loss cannot be far from $9,OOO. Tn [ cause of the fire still remains mystery ! Theorizing individuals suggest incendia rism, the ubiquitous tramp, and sponta neOus combustion A gang of Italian Ia borers was employed on the estate durin the summer, and suggestions have bee made that revengeful hand set the fire The owner, however, knows of no reaso ! for such an act. As fire 1t was a mag nificent sight, and long to be remembere by those who saw 1t. The flames coul, be seen as far down the valley as Mans field Depot, streaming up like a vas
 red fountain against the northern sky
 After the covering of the structure wa
 burned, the immense frame stood perfec
 and brilliantly defined for moment, ever
 post, beam and rafter living brand, an
 when the doomed edifice fell metoors (
 flame and sparks shot upward from tn
 mass of burning hay and grain that lai
 through the center of the basement like
 mountain chain of living coals and valley
 with streams and vapors Of flame. M
 and Mrs. Johnson desire to thank tn
 friends and neighbors who rallied s
 quickly, and by their efforts saved the
 dwelling house from destruction. He wa
 out of town at the time, and the nervou , shock to her and to her feeble and age
 parents, Lathrop Manning and wife, ws
 a trying one. MT. Johnson, one of tn
 old stock of Wilmington, is an enthusiast and hard-working farmer, as well as a . enterprising business man, large-hearte
 and public-spirited, and his friends grea . ly lament over this setback.
 South Wilmington Correspondence.
 CARD OF THANKs.-The children of tt 'f late Mrs. w. w. Richardson wish t r thank all the friends who 50 kindly a. |. sisted them during their recent bereav'
 ment.
 George s. Elliott of Willimantic spel v labor day at G. Halls. ,. Amos Chaffee is in Rockville this weel
 making money at the Rockville fair.
 Miss Mary Miller has returned to Bra Il tleboro, Vt., where she has been engage
 to teach.
 o Quite a number from this place atten ed the dance held at Hillside Hall la Q Friday evening.
 n School in this district began Monda n Miss Callie E. Hopkins of Plaintield n' .s been engaged to teach.
 Clarence Essex and Linneaus Nicho . enter Willimantic high school this ia