The Press., 1897-10-07
PROSPEROUS STAFFORD.
Hartfnrd Cnnrant.A


 Among the towns lying east of the Connecticut River, in proportion to dis tanee away, none has contributed more to Hartford's growth and wealth than the rugged town of Stafford.
 For more than thirty years the drift has been toward Hartford and to-day the city numbers among it's honored men a goodly number from this town, and many a young man can trace his lineage back to the Springs, the Hollow or New Furnace, as the several villages are call ed. Stafford has always been az sresive and progressive in spite of the loss of so much brain force so liberally transferred to the Capitol City. It's people are a very democratic body with strong individuality and determination and persistence that has enabled them to meet and cope suc- .cessfully with ealamities and overcome difficulties which would have we'll nigh obliterated some communities.
 For nearly four years past the town has suffered much from the terrible depression in the woolen industry and when it is re- membered that woolen manufacturing is about the only industry in town, is is re- markable that none of it's fourteen manu- featuring concerns has faltered financially nor failure nor suspension of note oc- cured in any line of business during all this depression. The tide evidently turn ed the past summer, fore all hands wear more cheerful countenances and to-day more people are employed than at any time before since 1899. No one in any line or calling can excuse idleness by in ability to get work. The difficulty is to get laborers to meet the demands of all the work being pushed through. The noted mineral spring has come to the front again very prominently through the efforts of the manufacturers syndicate. On the site of the old and historic Springs House the syndicate has erected one of the finest and best appointed hotels out side of the large cities and in many re- spects it compares favorably with any hotel of it's size in all New England. Stafford has good schools, improving roads, public library eight different church denominations, several of which are pro- vided with one or more church edifces, not an open saloon and seldom has an opportunity to see an intoxicated person on it's streets.
 Of course the town would not be con- plete without the local Agricultural Society. If there is any one thing the town brides itself on it is it's annual fair. Here the town concentrates itself for three days and enjoys the attractions and entertainment which a select committee has been a year providing, for so anxious are the people and the representatives to have the best and most attractive enter tainment given outdoors, that they are providing for the coming year long before the show in operation has closed it's exercises.
 Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs day everybody will be at the fair, and it is surprising what cattle, horses, sheep, swine, poultry vegetables, dairy products, fancy work and the innumerable products of the region round about will be gathered on the society grounds.
 One peculiar feature of the Stafford fair is the fact that once started there are no pauses, everything goes from opening to close and it is truly continuous show. Horse and cattle exhibits, bicycle races, trotting, running and pacing races follow, in quick succession, while acrobatic ex- hibits, mid air balancing, trick bicycle manoeuvers, balloon ascensions, trapeze evolutions, clog dancing, spectacular effects and trained animals exhibits be- wilder the average country boy and girl and delight the old people. This year being sort of thanksgiving time over the return of prosperous times, the town will try to give vent to it's extra enthu- siasm through double attractions, and, to help along, has arranged to bring out the great geological exhibit so long in the old library building at Boston. If any of the twenty lions coming should get loose in Stafford woods it is not likely the crack hunters of the town would wait for the 18th for the opening of the season under the new game law. Stafford should have direct communication with Hartford, it's it's people are loyal to the city and would frequent it often and give it's merchants much patronage - were transportation facilities better.
 As 1t is, Springfield, althought farther away as it is reached, secures a large trade from Stafford and would feel in a marked degree the division of the Stafford patronage and great hopes are being builded on the completion of an electric line to eventually connect the two places by Rockville. The New England road should be continued from Rockville to Southbridge and by so doing connect it's own lines and secure large amount oi business sure to come to route offering such facilities. H. -
 The constitutional amendment was | bo1 roeooJ o