The Press., 1897-01-28


 borhood stands ready to start subscrfp- tion paper with handsome sum if there is any chance of carrying the thing through. The young men in that part of the town are in favor of the plan, and will join the company as soon as it is organ ized. The advantage of having another station in this part of the town is the ad- ded protection to property in the immedi- high ground, which would lend speed to the removal of the apparatus to other parts of the village
 The Opera House has been hired for Tuesday and Wednesday, February 23 and 24, when the "Old Homestead" will be presented by local talent for the bene- fit of Grace church. The cast, so far as assigned, is as follows:
 Josh Wh1tcomb. Dr. Smith Cy. Prime, Richard Ellis Seth Perkins, Geo. w. Eaton Reuben Wh1teomb, Chas B. Ptnney Pat. Clancy, Jerry Enright Happy Jack, J. Carl Converse ED. Ganzy. M. O'Halloran Judge Patterson, Geo. w. Eaton Frank Hopkins, c. B. Ptnney Henry Hopkins, M. OHalloran Jno. Freeman, Hoboken Terror, R. G. Ellis Lem Holbrook, - Francois, Jerry Enright Dude, Officer, Postman, &c., - - Tilda Whitcomb, Mrs. G. J. Bailey Rtckety Ann, Miss McDonald Anna Hopkins, Miss Btssett Mrs Hopkins, Miss Mcdonald Nelly Freeman, Miss Brown Nelly Patterson, Miss Brown Mrs. MurdOck, Miss Bissett The New Pastor for St. Edwards Church.
 Bishop Tierney has appointed Rev. R. c. Gragan, of Manchester, to succeed Rev. D. H. Lawlor, deceased, as pastor of St. Edwards church. Rev. MT. Gragan arrived Monday, and is to take charge at once, but returned to Manchester for a connection with the affairs of the church there. The following from the Hartford COurant shows the regret of the Man. chester practitioners in losing Father
 
 ed surprise to the people of St. Bridget's church when the Rev. R. c. Gragan, the pastor, announced at the vesper service last night that that was the last time he would be with them as their pastor. He received notice from Bishop Tierney that he was to take charge of the church at Stafford Springs, succeeding the Rev. D. H. Lawler, lately deceased. Such an an- nouncement following the special services which were had in St. Bridget's parish on Sunday morning and the fact that the new church building Is only about half com pleted, cause deep regret by the people of the congregation. He has not taken his final leave but will return during the week to close up some matters in con- nection with the affairs of the church. He will be succeeded by the Rev. Father Murphy, who has been stationed at New London. Father Gragan came to St. Bridget's church from Seymour two years and nine months ago. Since locating in Manchester he has increased the value oi the parish property $9,500. Work has been begun on the new church building and the mission church has been built at Vernon, which was part of the St. Brid- gets parish until January 1, when it was set of to the church at Rockville. Father Gragan has made an excellent record during his stay in Manchester and his | DariShiOnarG ro0rot bio roroo,,oI IT, boc the interest of his people at heart. He was a firm believer in the cause of temper. ance and his work for temperance not only in his church but on the public plat form was in no slight degree the cause O Manchester going no-license during tht two years he has been located here."
 The following is from the Manchestel Herald in regard to the appointment o Rev. K. c. Gragan at St. Edward' church. "The appointment is marked promotion. The parish is nearly twic, as large as St. Bridget's, has a granit, church, fine rectory parochial schoo and convent. A requirement. of the new pastor that he speak French as abou 800 members of the parish speak only that language. MT. Gragan is a fuen French linguist and that fact, coupled with the administrative ability he has shown in other parishes, led BishoE Tierney to select him for the Stafford Springs church. The parish is in pros perious condition and Fr. Gragan wht has been more than busy for the pas two years may now settle down to lift of comparative ease. He will leave t, assume the duties of his new appointmen the latter part of this week.
 Fr. GIagan deserves his promotion and while the community with whom he hal labored for the past two years will regre to part with him, his friends will heartily congratulate him on his advancement He has steadily grown in favor among his associates. A man of few words ant unostentatious manner, he has made him self known and admired by his accomplish ments. By patient labor and sound judg ment he has accomplished wonders il Manchester and Vernon. The story 0 his achievements in establishing parisl in new church in Vernon and in paying of the debt of St Bridget's and moving this congregation into new church, al within the space of two years, is too fresh in the minds of our readers to neeC repetition"