The Press., 1897-09-09
WELLINGTON.

l AcAOOA OoJ HI tONA'
 Mrs. Eliza Trask has returned from her visit to New London.
 Miss Emma Leckler, of Asbury Park, N. J., is at Geo. A. Cosgroves.
 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, it vies in wilderness 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. Braokett, Chas T. Preston; negative, Rev. c. H. Brown, Geo. A. Cosgrove.
 Altho' the wild carrot Is a beautiful flower, sentimentally called "The queens handkerchief" 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 a member and the chairman of said board. That said course may not cause any embarrassment in the administration of the schools I re- sign at the beginning of the school year, so that my former colleagues may fill the vacancy, as the law provides. I 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 l 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 1t. Very respectfully,
 CHAs. T. PRESTON. 1 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 Press. The large structure that crowned the brow of the hill south of east of the Wilmington railroad station, with It's re- gently added cupola and weather-vane, was pleasant landmark for miles up and 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 large dOrmer windows, was filled with the sum- mer's product of the large and fertile farm. Besides the heavy crop of hay and the rye from forty eight acres, there were stored 300 bushels of last years corn, a quantity of newly-purchased grass seed, } all the farming tools, including a new model reaper and binder just purchased, wagons, carriages, etc. Mrs Johnsons , fine young driving horse, Kitty" and two valuable COWS were burned. There were tnsurances of $3,5OO-placed in the Holland and Middlesex Co.'S. The total loss cannot be far from $8,000. The cause of the fire still remains a mystery. Theorizing individuals suggest incendia- rism, the ubiquitous tramp, and sponta- neous combustion. A gang of Italian la- borers was employed on the estate during the summer, and suggestions have been made that a revengeful hand set the fire. The owner, however, knows of no reason for such an act. AS fire 1t was mag nifioent sight, and long to be remembered by those who saw 1t. The flames could be seen as far down the valley as Mans field Depot, streaming up like vast red fountain against the northern sky After the covering of the structure was burned, the immense frame stood perfect and brilliantly defined for moment, every post, beam and rafter living brand, and when the doomed edtfice fell metoors oi flame and sparks shot upward from the mass of burning hay and grain that laiC through the center of the basement like g mountain chain of living coals and valleys with streams and vapors or flame. MT and Mrs. Johnson desire to thank the . friends and neighbors who rallied SC quickly, and by their efforts saved tneil dwelling house from destruction. He wal out of town at the time, and the nervous . shock to her and to her feeble and ageC parents, Lathrop Manning and wife, was @ trying one. Mir. Johnson, one of the old stock of Wilmington, is an enthusiastic o and hard-working farmer, as well as al enterprising business man, large-heartec and publto-spirited, and his friends great < ly lament over this setback. N South Wilmington Correspondence.
 GARD OF THANKs.-The children of tht I late Mrs. w. w. Richardson wish tt r thank all the friends who 50 kindly as sisted them during their recent bereave / ment.
 George s. Elliott of Willimantic spen labor day at G. Halls.
 Amos Chaffee Is in Rockville this week : making money at the Rockville fair
 Miss Mary Miller has returned to Brat il tleboro, Vt., where she has been engaged to teach.
 a Quite number from this place attend ed the dance held at Hillside Hall las Q Friday evening.
 School in this district began Monday n Miss Callie E. Hopkins of PIaintield ha ., been engaged to teach.
 Clarence Essex and Linneaus Nichol enter Willimantic high school this fall