Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-09
OFF FOR KLONDIKE.
Probability That Mr.. Fletcher
Preceded Aldrich Party.
Had Full Outfit and Was Last Seen In
Grafton Last Friday-Other Notes.

Grafton, Feb, S,-All evidence taken
into consideration, 1t is generally be-
lieved that William G. Fletcher of this
town preceded the Aldrich party on
their way to Seattle, Washington, en-
route for the gold fields. Mr.. Fletcher
has been enthusiastic over the rich finds
reported from the Yukon and other
points in the northwest territory during
the past ten months, and had made cal
culations to leave with the Aldrich par
ty which left Worcester last Friday, but
owing to some delay in obtaining his
outfit, announced that he had postponed
the start until some time this week. All
things tend to strengthen the belief that
he left Friday morning last, intending
to meet the party at Worcester or some
other point, and journey onward to
Seattle. One of these is the fact that
Mr.. Fletcher put himself to considera-
BILE trouble to obtain the address of a
former Grafton party who is now and
has been for the past five years, man
aging a hotel in Seattle. Another
is that he had been offered his
expenses if he would accompany the
party, as they very much desired his
mining knowledge. Mr. Fletcher was
last seen in Grafton last Friday morn
ing, when he was being driven in a
sleigh in the direction of Millbury. The
members Of his family will not admit
that he has started for the north, but
have no hesitancy in saying that he has
not abandoned the adventure. Mr.. Da-
vid L. Fisk, who is financially interested
in the disappearance of Fletcher, was
asked this morning If he thought Mr..
Fletcher had given up his trip, to which
he supposedly answered: why, he's
gone, hasn't he?"
Mr.. Fletcher is a veteran of the civil
war and a member of the G. A. R., hav-
ing been honorably discharged. By
trade he is a carpenter, and has fol-
lowed that occupation during recent
years. During the fifties, he prospect
ed in the Black Hills Of South Dakota,
and also to some extent in Montana,
LAST OF THE YEAR.
The last meeting of the selectmen un-
til after the March election, was held in
the town clerks room, last evening.
Bills to the amount of $4755 .O2 were or
dered paid. The amount was divided as
follows: Poor department, 1896 81
schools, s2162. 05; snow bills, SALT 81; fire
department, $65 81 inspector of cattle,
$48, 85; overseers Of poor, $3.50; fire in
surance, 1892. IA; town house committee,
$S2.M; miscellaneous, $3.50 90 More
than one-half the snow bills are vet to
be brought in, those from the north end
of the town and that Of Superintendent
of Streets Frank Vinton being the only
ones in. Eight hundred dollars is con-
Sidered as a. very conservative estimate
of the cost the recent storm has already
been to the town, and with a heavy
rain 1T would probably be nearly
doubled, though If the snow melts
gently, there will be little more dam
age.
OPEN FIVE NIGHTS A WEEK.
The executive committee of the Pub
lie Library had a special meeting last
evening, and decided to open the read
ing room five nights in the week, Mon
day being the night it will be closed,
until the first Of April This change Is
made with the expectancy that much
benefit will be derived from the free
access thus afforded.
HILL TOWN NoTBs
The democratic town committee had
meeting in the court room, last eve
ming, and arranged to hold their eau
Gus the 25th of the month, thus follow
ing the republicans by one day.
Commander Howe and Comrades
John E. Mcclellan and Perley Goddard
attended the annual encampment Of the
G. A. R., in Boston. today, as delegates
from Grafton.
While driving through Baskerville,
yesterday afternoon, Joseph Norcross'
horse became frightened and ran away.
Mr.. Norcross was thrown out and the
sleigh badly wrecked, but he received
no injuries.
A large number of the members of
the Baptist Y. P. U. attended an en-
tertainment and supper at the North
Grafton Baptist Church, this evening,
where they report having a royal time
and being admirably we'll entertained.
twenty-five Of the employees Of the
Rogers Young Company enjoyed a
sleigh ride to Grafton Last night, where
they had supper at Hotel Kirby and en-
joyed themselves till late hour.
The date Of the institute to be held
by the Worcester Agricultural Society
and the Grafton Farmers Club is Feb
20. Speakers OF note have been obtained
and everything planned to make 1T a
success. The ladies will serve an album
dant dinner in the basement Of the town
block during the noon hour.
L. B. Dodge Of Boston, who has been
spending a ten days vacation with his
parents, on North street, returned this
morning.
Mr. Charles Rogers, who has been
visiting his daughter, Mrs. George
Rugg, during the past two weeks. re-
turned this morning to his home, in
Brockton