The Press., 1897-08-05
rhe uork of remodeling the boarding

The work of remodeling the boarding house into tenements has been begun.
 Unclaimed letters in the Stafford post office: Mir. John W. Baker, MT. Henry Young, Mir. George Pratt, Jr., MT. Frank s. Olds, MT. L. F. Judson, Jason J. Hal sey, Esq. MT. Michael Manner, Mrs. Gus tavis Spencer, Mrs. E. l.. Lyon, Mrs. Mary o. Smith, Miss Lizzie Rammon.
 James Holbrook, aged 79, died at his home early Friday morning. He had been in poor health for some years and his death was not unexpected. MT. Hol- brook was one of our oldest residents, having lived continuously in the village for many years. He was twice married, and leaves a widow and one daughter. Mrs. Andrew Damon, of South Norwalk. The funeral services were held at the house Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev. T. 0. Druley officiating, the interment being at the Street cemetery.
 In selecting last Friday as the time for holding their picnic, the Baptist society was very fortunate, as that proved to be an ideal summer day-something very rare this summer. The threatening and bad weather of the early morning, how dyer, prevented quite a number from go- ing who had made all preparations to at- tend, but enough were present to make the day pleasant one, and the occasion proved to be one of the most enjoyable in the annals of the society. The only mis- hap of the day was when one of Mrs. Frank Browns fresh air children fell into the pond. He was quickly rescued by George Taylor, none the worse for the ducking he had received.
 It Is now expected that the fresh air children, who have been with us for two weeks, will return to their homes in New York city tomorrow. It Is with some- thing of a feeling of regret that they leave us, for they have made many friends here by their gentlemanly and ladylike deport- ment, which reflects much credit upon their parents and teachers in New York. The people here have taken an active in- terest in their welfare, doing their best to make the little ones enjoy themselves, and as fast as it was learned that some article was wanted among them, someone has usually stood ready to give it. In 8 talk with many of them they express wish that If we could only stay little longer"
 Miss Mary Francis, of Ellington, Is a
 o1 Ix,f hn way, the Hill has had more than It's usual number of summer guests the past few weeks, the homes of Mrs. Dwight and Mrs. Gerould having been attractive places for the young people. The lawn party at the home of Mrs. Gerould, on Wednesday evening, was followed by an invitation dance for the same party, given by the gentlemen, on Friday evening. It was held in Spiritualist hall, with music by Lynch's orchestra, of the Springs, and pleasant time was enjoyed by all pres ent. The party of six young ladies from Belleville, N. J., (which is a suburb of Newark left Saturday for their homes, with many expressions of regret at leav- ing their hostesses and place where they had received so much enjoyment.
 The Grange entertainment, in the town hall Tuesday evening, was most pleas ant affair, gotten up hastily by the Grange for the entertainment of themselves and a few invited friends. It was at first in- tended that the children should furnish the entire program, but as there was some disappointment in regard to some of them, duet by Frank Lasbury and Mrs. H. F. Cady was substituted to fill in, which was a pleasant surprise and much enjoyed by the audience. While all the children did remarkably we'll there was a little farce, in which Misses Eva and Myrtle Brown, Miss Sears and Clarence Lasbury were actors, that de- serves especial mention, and which would have done credit to much older persons After the entertainment cake and lemon. ade were served, the children indulged ir games, etc., and social time was enjoy ed by all.
 The death of Esther W. Blodgett, at the age of 95, which occurred last Thursday
 deserves more than the passing notice that we were able to give last week. Hel
 maiden name was Esther w. Jennings
 and she was born August 10th, 1902, or
 Village Hill, just over the WillingtoI
 line. With one exception, that of Mrs
 Howe, at the Springs, Mrs. Blodgett wat
 the oldest person in town. Aside from
 few years spent in Wilmington, her whol,
 life has been passed In Stafford, wher,
 she has been most highly respected anc
 esteemed. She was twice married, thu dates of which we are unable to obtain her first husband being Marcus Smith who died somewhere about 1854, and wa
 buried up to the Village, where they haC
 lived for some years. Some years ago, il
 view of the ill-kept condition of the cem
 etery at the Village, E. c. Pinney had hi
 body taken up and re-interred in the fam fly lot at the Street cemetery, besid
 which she was placed last Saturday after
 noon. Her second husband was Bijal Blodgett. The funeral services were hell
 at the Baptist church Saturday afternoon
 at 3 o'clock, Rev. F. L. Batchelder offic
 iating, who, in a most excellent discourse
 gave many interesting incidents in tn
 life of the deceased. She was baptize and became a member of this church De
 cember 24th, 1918, at the age of sixtee years, and from that time she has been
 devoted member - nearly seventy min
 years. That the church was dear to he
 Is evinced by her will, which leaves on,
 thousand dollars to the church. the prin
 cipal to be invested in trust funds, an | the income from the same to be used a
 the society may see fit.
 stafTordville.
 Master Tyler E. and Master Otis E