The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1898-03-03

Mrs. ]. o. Booth is quite Ill with heart
trouble.
The reading circle will meet on Mon
day night with w. P. Amadon.
Miss Bessie Neville was guest of her
brother, w. Wilkinson, over Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs Homer Odell are receiving
congratulations on the birth of little
daughter.
Episcopal service will be held in the
school house at Buff Cap next Sunday
afternoon at 3 O'Clock All are cordially
invited.
Robert W. Andrews, who was at the
time of his death, Saturday, Feb. Goth,
the Oldest resident In Staffordville, was
born in Wales, Mass, In May, 1914. The
son of Alanson and Phebe Green An
drews, his early life was spent on farm
with his uncle, the late Robert Andrews
He received but a scanty education in the
district school of his day. At the age of
sixteen he came to Staffordville to learn
| the trade of gunsmith, in the employ of
the Ruggles Pistol Company's works.
This work was congenial, and proved to
be the first Important step in developing
the inventive talent, which nature had SO
generously bestowed upon him, and led
to his patenting a pistol with a sliding
| dirk incased in the handle. The tragic
| death OF Mr.. Ruggles. caused by the dis
| charge of a pistol in the hands of care
less shop mate, caused a dissolution in
the cOmpany's business and turned Mr..
Andrews attention to important work of
improvements in wooden machinery. En-
tering the employ of Messrs. Howe &
Converse, loom builders and general ma
chlnists, gave him an opportunity to de-
velop his ingenuity, not only in improving
the old. by raising the excellence of the
standard of their products, as we'll as the
applicqt ion of new ideas. In 184S he was
admitted to the partnership, making the
firm of Howe, Andrews & Converse, from
which he withdrew two years later, in Or
der that more of his energies could be
given to the perfection of power looms
and kindred machinery. One of his val
liable inventions at this time was the ro-
tary flock cutter, now in general use in
New England wooden mills. His pet idea
was the development of what became
known as the Stafford loom, R. w. pat
ent, built by Howe & Converse from 1852
to 1867, and after a test of nearly half a
century stands without a rival. In 1880
Mr.. Andrews discovered an entirely new
principal for operating fancy box har-
ness motion, with open or closed shed.
This was secured by letters patent, and
sold to l.. J. Knowles & Brother of Wor-
cester. Among the list of less prominent
out important inventions, may be noticed
the discovery of the idea of the double
bar scale, and the idea of hard metal foot
on britannia tea-potS, as manufactured by
Messrs. Boardman Bros. of Hartford.
tie was the first to discover the independ-
ent jaw chuck, which has proved of ines
TINA BILE value to machine shops and mills.
His last invention, secured during the
year past, was on a picker check attach
ment for the modern loom. Mr.. An
drews was positive man, active in pol
itics, prominent as a republican, having
been honored by second election to the
Connecticut Legislature. The large at
tendance at his funeral attested the re-
gard and esteem in which he was regarded
by his neighbors. Two children survive,
George P. Andrews and Mrs. II. E. Cham
berlin of Westerly, r. l.
West Stafford.
Mrs. j. R. Washburn is very sick.
Miss Genie Ellis was home over the
Sabbath.
Mr.. and Mrs. Pease have been visiting
at vi. a. Gays.
Miss Nettie Kibbe, who is working in
Springfield, is very sick.
Mrs. Washburn of Stafford Hollow has
been visiting friends here.
F. z. Fairfield sold a valuable COW to
G. Fontenale last Friday.
A. L. Adams closed the winter term of
school in the Birch district last Wednes-
day.
D. J. Glazier has sold his fine pair of
Herford oxen to Selectman Young in Toll
land.
The young people of the G. E. society
are preparing for an entertainment to be-
given M arch 10Th.
Miss Carrie Bork is making several
weeks' stay with her brother, H. G. Bork,
and family in South Hadley.
Miss Madge Andrews has returned to
her home at StaffordviIIe, after spending
several days with her brother.
New machinery has been put into the
Perkins and Waiste thread shop, but no
new windows have been added.
Miss H. L. Smith was the guest of her
aunt in Springfield Friday. She intends
to pass this week with relatives in Somers.
Subject of the Y. P. S. v. E. next Sun
day evening, at Z o'clock. ''What Is a
profitable Sabbath ?" Leader, H. A.
Glazier.
A number from this village and vicinity
attended the oyster supper at A. U.
Charters Thursday evening, and report
an enjoyable time.
We are pleased to state that Albert F.
Packard and family will move, about
April first, back to their former home
near the school-house.
Names of scholars in West Stafford
grammar school who have not been
absent during the winter term ending last
Friday: Joseph Gagne, Fred Graves,
Mary Jensen, Mabel Graves, Eva Roberts.
The center school closed last Friday
for four weeks vacation. The follow
ing is the report of the primary depart
ment with Josephine E. Newell as teach
er. Pupils neither absent nor tardy
during the term of twelve weeks, Della
r. Goyayne, George r. Andrews, John
G. Hansen, Raymond r. Roberts and
Charlie L. Roberts absent one day,
Avery w. Andrews, Neils s. Jensen and
Archie Ramsey.
UNION.
Mashapaug.
The post Office in this place has been
made money order Office and is doing
quite a money order business. 1t is
great accommodation to the residents OF
this vicinity.
Department Commander CD. Bates and
staff will visit D. P. Corbin post, "a, next
Tuesday evening. Every member of the
post Is requested to be present. All
soldiers are invited, especially the Stat
ford comrades who will ha mora than