Connecticut western news., 1898-12-15
GREAT HARRINGTON.


 ic Agricultural Society was held at the Town Hall last Thursday. For society that has upwards of 1900 members the was very small, the highest number of votes cast being 45. The meeting was called to order at 10. 30 a. m. by President c. H. Slater of Tyrin. ham. The minutes of the last annual meeting of the doings of the executive committee at their quarterly meetings through the year were read by Secretary Briggs and approved. The report Of Treasurer Bidwell as printed was, after some debate, accepted. No fault was found with the report but some ques- tions by way of explanation were asked the treasurer and promptly answered. The total receipts of the year were $1O.- 202; and the expenses $l0,O ,O79. leaving cash on hand of $123. Owing to recent improvements the society through its treasurer has had to borrow money and the outstanding notes against 1t are to John Dimon S3.000; Sarah M. Turner $5I9; and A. M, Potter $512; bills paya- ble $100. The permanent fund of the society. invested in Berkshire and New York Central railroad stock each $500, and Great Burlington savings bank $l,- IFS. 53 making total of $2. IFS 53. At the conclusion of the reports vote for officers resulted as follows: President, Charles H. Shaylor of Lee; first vice. president, E. l.. Van Deusen of Shef- field; second vice-president. John A. Brewer of Great Burlington; secretary, F. H Briggs; treasurer, O. c. Bidwell. both of Great Burlington; executive committee for two years, B. l.. Board man of Sheffield, W. 0. Hinman of Ct. Burlington, Fred s. Aymar of Stock bridge. On motion of P. A. Russell the meeting voted to build 60 additional feet to the grand stand, on the north end of the present structure. There was some opposition to this motion and fears were expressed by J. l.. Milligan of Afford, Theron l.. Foote of Lee and others that the society would become badly involved in debt. But MT Rus sell showed by the figures that the grand stand is paying dividends or interest of 45 per cent and his motion finally pre- vailed. As there was but little other business the meeting dissolved.
 Agricultural and exhibition hall at the fair grounds is being newly shingled on both sides.
 After being in peor health for some time Merritt Brooks Wolcott, son of Mir and Mrs Wolcott of this village, died last Thursday aged 13 years.
 E. D. Humphrey is repairing his har- ness shop which was damaged by fire last week.
 Presiding Elder Mickle is expec ted in town this evening to hold quarterly conference at the M. B. church.
 The Epworth League gave an enter tainment and supper at the Methodist chapel Friday evening.
 The property of the late Mrs Hannah Reynolds on Rosseter street was sold last Thursday to Milton Fl. Reynolds for $1.35O.
 Mrs Ralph I. Taylor sold her house. hold goods at auction Saturday and with her mother, Mrs G. W. Briggs, will soon leave for the west; to join MT Taylor.
 The Collins house property belonging to the insolvent estate of George Fuller was sold at auction Saturday to Egbert l. Fuller for SIC. 900. This part of the property consists of the hotel known as the Collins House and upwards of four acres on the east side of the railroad.
 At meeting of the Thursday Morn ing Club today Mrs H. o. Joyner will read paper on "Women in Law"
 The large old time farm house at San ford hill, midway between this village and Seekonk, was destroyed by fire Sunday night. The place is owned by John F. Sanford and occupied by Peter Anthony. The fire was discovered in the woodshed which joins the main building on the west; at about Il. 30 o'clock by Mrs Anthony who aroused her husband. Their sons wife, Mrs James Anthony who slept up stairs, was called. Mir Anthony succeeded in dressing himself but the women escaped only in their nightclothes. As there was tin roof on the house it was near ly two hours in burning but the smoke was so dense that but little furniture was saved. There was also destroyed several dollars in money; over 100 bush- els of corn and oats and 50 bushels of buckwheat which was stored in the up- per part of the house. Mir Anthony, who Is veteran of the civil war, regrets the loss of war relics including nIs dis charge papers. Their son James An thony also lost about $125 worth of fur niture which was boxed up and ready for shipment to Milton where he intend ed to locate. There was no insurance on the household goods or grain and | the loss makes Mir Anthony a poor man. The direction of the wind from the northwest prevented the destruction of the barns which are located quite near the house. It is understood that J. F. Sanford was insured but the loss is not stated. The house was one of the old est in town and was built by Rev David Sanford who settled on the hill as early as 1757 A number of young men heard the alarm and went up from this village; but about the first to arrive was William D. Warner and his sister Lotts who saw the fire from their house in Seekonk and drove to the scene of des. truction.
 John M. Smith. head of the firm of Smith & Murray, owners of many de- partment stores, died at his home in Springfield. Mass on Monday morning. Smith & Murray conduct the Berkshire Store in this village.