Connecticut western news., 1897-10-14
GREAT HARRINGTON.


 After suffering one or more strokes of paralysis stephen D. Smith, retired | merchant and we'll known citizen of this town, died Friday afternoon about o'clock at his residence on Castle street Mir Smith was born at Egremont Dec. | 21, 1916. His mother before her mar riage was Miss Page, and his father was also named Stephen. The father died at an early age ana is buried al | North Egremont Young Stephen was brought up by his mother until he was | old enough to earn his living He worked for various farmers till other occupations suggested themselves He learned the carpenters trade and,in win ters was in the employ of Major Chat | field, noted man in town between 50 l and 60 years ago. In 1889 MT Smith assisted in the construction of the Berk shir, House on the corner of Main and Bridge streets. About the same period, or perhaps little earlier, he worked op the large two story farm house put up for Isaac Bnrghardt in that part of | Great Burlington called Seekonk About 1855 he planned and aided in the construction of the great house for David Leavitt at Brookside, and few years later on the house for one of the younger Leavitt's; afterwards the resi- | deuce of the late J. Milton Mackie among the pines south of this village. | Of course this was but small part of his carpenter work in this and adjacent | towns. Previous to this he became 8 clerk in store at Seekonk and ID l842 he kept store at Afford in one part of the SO called Hamlin house. A few years after he bought place at See- konk and resided there for some twenty years when he moved with his family to this village. In 1859 Mir Smith built the brick block adjacent to the city store on Railroad street and engaged in the sale of family groceries. He con- tinued this business for 33 years when he sold his block to John w. Morgan, news dealer. and retired from mercan- tile life. Over 50 years ago he married Fiche, daughter of the late John ard Katie (BurghardD Lester of the west part of this town. Ia politics Mir Smith was life long democrat of the Jackson school. In 1872 he was elected as one of the assessors and in 1875 was one of the selectmen in this town. He also served for year as an engineer of the | fire district. He is survived by his widow, one son Edward, and daughter Ida, wife of William Benson. The fu- neral was attended Sunday at 9 p. m. from the family residence on Castle street Rev Dr l. s. Hartley, rector of St. James Episcopal Church, officiated and the burial was in Mahaiwe ceme- tery.
 | Edward Loftus, who has been in poor health for several months, was found dead in bis bed Saturday morning. He was born in Ireland in 1887 and has re- sided in this town for 40 years. He is survived by wife, four daughters and two sons His funeral was attended from St. Peter's Catholic church Mon- day at 9 8. m, with burial in Water street cemetery.
 l Now that cattle show is over, politics both state and county are being some what discussed. John O. New, the old register of deeds in South Berkshire district who failed of renomination in the county convention of democrats at Pittstield, has announced himself as an independent candidate in opposition to l Malcolm Douglass. the regular nominee This will put the chance of MT Doug lass election in danger and probably de- l almost entirely. The republican candi- date for the same office is Charles D. Gorham, for many years mail agent on the Housatonic railroad, He would be an efficient register. George W. Mellen, of this village. " ho was nomina- ted for state senator from this district, announced Saturday that he had declin- ed the nomination. It is thought that | k for representative in the 7th Berkshire district, position he held at the state house in Boston last winter. The con- vention of his party for making the nomination will be held Saturday. The republicans held their convention last Saturday at the Town Hall W. B. Peck, of South Egremont, was chair man, and B. L. Bosrdman. of Sheffield. secretary. An informal ballot showed IA votes for Frank Briggs and votes for Elias T. Clark, of Sheffield On motion the nomination of Frank Briggs was made unanimous and he was de- clared the republican nominee for rep resentative in the 7th Berkshire district. At present Mir Briggs is deputy sheriff and secretary of the Housatonio Agri- cultural Society. He is also prominent in Odd Follows and other organizations and has host of friends in both parties who believe he should be sent to the state legislature.
 For its size this town has large number of secret societies, clubs and other orders The last to spring into existence is the Klondike Court of For esters, No. 135 which was instituted here last Thursday evening. The cbiel ranger is Benjamin Smith and the other officers are too numerous for mention Visiting delegates were present from Lee, Pittsfeld and Dalton and ban quet was enjoyed by about 125 of the order.
 The stone house erected by Joseph Gibson on Main street, for several yeari the home of the late Fred. T. Whiting is being demolished in order to make room for the extension of 160 feet te tle Berkshire Inn. Caleb Ticknor proprietor of the Inn, gave about SIG, 800 for the property and of course wher the house is taken down it makes tn, lot cost that amount. However tn, property is on Main street and therefor, very valuable.
 The Western New England Iron Steel and Hardware Association held business meeting and banquet at tn, Berkshire Inn Friday forenoon. E. l. Ellsworth of Hartford, Ct !, presided ant