The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1898-03-18
BETHET,
INTERESTING HISTORY

The voters of Bethel cast their first
ballot ia the old County Court house at
Danbury, 43 years ago this spring. Beth
ell was incorporated town In 1866, at
the May term Of the General assembly.
The writer has vivid recollect'o1 of
these da3 and Of taking the oath of
freeman, casting our first and last ballot
in the old Mother town The town board
consisted Of Capt Charles Dart of Bethel,
Frederick Wildman end Daniel Hamilton
of Danbury. In those days Danbury had
more of the appearance OF a country
village. The residences were large, old
fashioned buildings, standing IN large,
rOomy dooryards mostly fenced in with
expensive picket fence. The people
drank water from those old-fashioned
wells. The water was cool aud spar-
king which they drew up in the old
oaken bucket, and was free for all to
quench their thirst, without the price of
nickel. Forty three years has made an
almost magical change In the Maip street
of the old borough. The changes have
been most wonderful. To-day we see in
the place of the old residences large
brick blocks, fiue public buildings which
are equipped with all the modern i'm
provements of the day. The old County
Court house still stands, aud looks near
ly as it did half century ago. 1t is no
longer fit place for County Court to
be held. The old building is ouf-of-date
aud not up with the times 60 ahead
city like Danbury should have, to say
the least. A plain, substantial county
court house that will correspond with all
the other public buildings, and to be
equipped with all the modern improves
ments. A photog raph of the old county
court house should be taken and laid
away among the old relics of the place.
Then let the county commissioners do
their duty and give this end of the coun-
ty fair play, replace the old building
! with new one that will be up to the
| times.
| GoRMAN, wIxTED & GROVES HAT SHOP
DESTROYED, THURSDAY NIGHT.
The factory owned by Arthur H. SEN
ior, in Bethel, and occupied by German,
Wixted & Grove, hat manufacturers.
was burned to the ground, Thursday
night, at $50 o'clock. The factory was
located short distance below the depot
on the line of the D4nbury and Norwalk
railroad. It was well built and nicely
fitted up with improved machinery for
the hat manufacturing business. The
main building was two story frame
structure with basement, and boiler rooms
on the south side. The factory was built
By Mr. Senior and occupied by him for
some time, for the manufacture of cor.
sets. The fire broke out In the east end,
near the finishing room, and in a she ri
space of time spread to all parts OF the
building. Mr. Seniors barn and lumber
sheds we're bat short distance I, ON the
burning building, and If there had been
airy wind they would probably have
| caught fire. It was hot q re for the fire.
men to fight, and they were driven back
several times by the intense heat. They
stood their ground well, however, and
did good work in saving the property
near by. German, Wixsed e Grove
moved to the Senior factory, January /.
Ii ID the third time that the firm has euf.
fered loss by fire, hayir g been burned
cut twice previously, at the old Evil
lows shop. The firm had just put in
hydraulic presses and we're receiving
fair orders Mr. Seniors loss on factory
and boiler, piping, etc, Ia put at NJ 800,
which is partly covered by insurance.
Besides the machinery and tools owned
by the firm there were hats and trim.
mings, and other mater lals required ID
the manufacture Of hats. The Arm car
Yied Insurance on stock and tools. The
firm are negotiating 10 have the orders
that they have on hand filed By G, H.