The Press., 1897-12-30
sTAFFoRD's EARLY DAYS.

\
Speaking OF the old and new brings to
light an interesting "Reminiscences Of Stat
ford's earlier days. The place halfway
between the Springs and the Hollow, on
the east road, and now called the Wright
place, was originally known as the Old
Doctor Stanton place. From DIR. Stan
tons possession, on his death, it passed
into the hands of Amasa Fuller, who, a
number of years later, sold it to his SON.
in-law, Marvin Cummings. Mr.. Cum
mings bought the place in good faith Of
his faIher-in law and paid him his full
price, but when he came to take possess
sion he learned to his sorrow that it was
mortgaged for it's full value, and he was
obligedtto pay for 1t the second time. At
his death it came into the possession of
his son, Milton Cummings, since which
time its history is familiar to the present
generation. In It's earlier days the house
must have been reached by q lane from
near the MOulton corner, as the so-called
east road from the Springs to the Hollow
was not in existence previous to 1916, it
having been opened by the town in that
year. There was a road running from
Stafford Street to West Stafford, short
section of which, from the Moulton cor
ner to the top of the Dell Needham hill,
was Incorporated in the present road.
The other section, running from the top
of the same hill, down through Needham's
pasture, crossing the brook and the west
road, coming into the West Stafford road
near the Martin Hunt place, was thrown
up by the town some forty years ago.
That part of the road at present leading
ner at the Moulton place, and from the
Martin Hunt place to West Stafford, is
the same old road In use more than one
hundred years ago. The house must be
an ancient one, for the doctor was very
old man In 1901, but he practiced for
some years after that, for just how long
we are unable to state. There are at
the present time men living in town who
positively know that he was practicing in
their fathers families along about 1900.
The late Governor Hyde used to relate
many interesting anecdotes of the old
doctor which he obtained In his youth.
In those days nearly every one rode horse.
back, and the doctor and his mare were
known for miles around; 1t being stated
that he always owned the best horse in
town. He was a very eccentric old fellow,
but withal he must have been very eel
ebrated physician, as he was often called
in council many miles away. The singu-
lar fact'in connection with the old doc
tors life is that he lived to be 115 years
of age, and was in active practice at 1O5.
It is further stated as fact that for the
last fifty years of his life that he drank a
quart OF Santa Cruz rum every day.
The doctor was an inveterate snuff
taker, md ia connection with this habit
quite remarkable cure of his is related.
He was called to Woodstock to attend a
lady suffering with a severe attack OF
quinsy; in fact, so bad was the case that
the local physicians had given her up and
DIR. Stanton was sent for as the last hope.
This lady stood very high in the social
Fcircles Of that place, and much interest
was felt by the townspeOple in the result
of the DOCTORS visit. @Dr. Stanton ar.
rived and Immediately went into the sick
room. After short examination of the
patient he took out his snuff-box, anc
after taking pinch himself, offered it tc
the lady, which, of course, she Indignantly
refused. But the doctor insisted, saying
that 1t was his prescription, and compelled
her to fill her nostrlls full. OF course
she commenced to sneeze, and sueeze she
did with vengeance. During her strug
giles the swelling broke and all danger tt
the patient was over. DIR. Stanton, with
out waiting longer, started for his horse
and as he prepared to mount he remarked
to the by-standers, "The absurdity o
these fool-doctors sending all the way t.
Stafford for me to come and save wo
mans life when all she needed was
pinch of snuff" All s.