The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-23
PAWTUXET VALLEY.
Euclid Mumford Stricken With
Ap0plexy.
Signs OF Activity Along the Shore-An
Aged Man Found In Lot.

Euclid Mumford, one of the oldest and best
known residents OF Phenix, and instructor In
the carpenter shop at the state reform
school at Sockanosset, was stricken with par
alysis at his home on Ames street Sunday
night and Is in precarious condition.
Several floclxs of wild geese passed over the
valley yesterday on their way north, and the
blue birds and robins have made their APP
pearance-sure signs. so the local weather
prophets say, OF spring. Along the shore
signs Of activity are being manifested and the
boatmen are launching, rigging and overhaul
ing their craft preparatory to the coming sea
son. The fishermen report the fiat fish un'
usually plenty for this season OF the year, and
this, with the decrease in the number OF
tramps who apply for lodgings at the police
stations, is considered a sure sign OF APP
preaching summer.
Rev. Father Coyle of Taunton, former
resident OF the valley before he entered the
priesthood. preached to large congregation
in s. S. Peter and Paul Church at Phenix
last evening.
At the meeting of the Town Council at APP
ponaug yesterday the petition OF "a number or
the taxpayers of Phenix was received asking
thelCouncl to establish grade on High and
Main streets at Phenix. AT present the own
ers of the Music hall and Spencer block prop
critics are anxious to rebuild, but do not wish
TO commence the erection Of the buildings be-
fore a grade is established Both OF the own
ers are anxious to rebuild at once and as Mt
present there is dearth of stores in Phenix,
it is hoped that the grade viii be established
at once.
II IL not often that any OF the present gem
GRAFTON have the opportunity TO listen to a
conversation in pure Gaelic, but those who
happened to be in the vicinity of the Lippitt
police station this morning heard, probably
for the first time, a conversation carried on In
the pure Gaelic as it was spoken a hundred
years ago and is still spoken today in some
parts of Ireland. Yesterday afternoon some
Of the employees of the Centreville mill
noticed some one lying in the lot in the rear
of the company's barn at Centreville, and
word was sent to the residence or town ser
geant Elihu X. Shippee. Mr.. Shippee was at
the time attending the meeting of the Town
Council at Apponaug and his son, Everett
Shippee. responded to the call and going to
the lot found an old man, probably about 70
years of age, lying on the ground nearly dead
from exposure Mr.. Shippee carried the old
man to the barn. and being unable to ascertain
who he was or where he belonged, had a
carriage made ready and finally carried the
old man to the police station at Lippitt, whore
he was placed in charge Of officer Parkinson,
who acts as jantor Of the station. The old
man was nearly exhausted when he reached
the Hotel Titus" and was Immediately
given bed in one of the cells and covered up
with blankets. Officer Parkinson, seeing the
old mans condition, procured plentiful hot
% frnn m %
house, which he ate as though he was half
starved. After he had finished his supper, an
other attempt was made to fnd out who he
was and where he came from, but all of the
information that could be obtained was that
| his name was Michael Mack. AT first he said
| he lived between Natick and River Point.
but when closely questioned as to the location
of his house he said he came from New York,
and finally informed the officer that he came
from County Mayo. in Ireland As this wes
all the information that could be secured last
evening, James Trimble. who is probably the
only man In the Pawtuxet Valley who speaks
the Gaelic fuently. was sent for, and this
morning the two natives of the Emerald Isle
had long talk in their mother tongue. much
to the surprise and interest of those present.
Mr.. Trimble was unable TO ascertain any more
about the man than those who spoke this
Queens English, and finally left the police
station In disgust. saying that the old man
was more of knave than fool. The man is
about five feet in height and fairly well dress
ed and appears to be over 20 years Of age.
When found he was dressed in black and
white striped shirt. dark vest and pants, lace
shoes which were apparently new and ablacls
derby hat. He had no coat at the time,
but his coat was found in the lot in which he
was first seen. Mr.. Shippes will hold him for
few days or until he finds out who his rela-
| tions are, and il not able 10 do so the old man
| will probably be committed TO the state in
| stitutions i'm Cranstop.
The Guild of st. Andrews Church meets
| with Mrs. A. G.. Sprague at River Point this
evening.