The Press., 1899-01-26

lit was occupied as dwelling house ana
harness shop by family of the name OF
Mcpherson. 1t NAV not be generally
known, but this building was used for the
first post office In Stafford Hollow, or
Stafford, as designated by the post office
authorities, and that Hannibal Converse
was its first postmaster. That was nearly
seventy years ago, and the locating OF the
Office here was the occasion of much Dlt-F
terness and strife. At that time there
were but two post offices in the town OF
Stafford. One was located in the west
parish on what was called Stafford Street,
and the other in the east parish ON Stall
ford Street. The office in the east parish;
at that time, and for many years previous,
had been located in the house which:
stands just In the rear OF the old Stafford
Inn, and at present owned by George
GoOdell. Rodolphus Woodwork, or
Judge Woodwork, as he was called, was
then and had been fer long time the
postmaster. Mr.. Woodwork dying, his
son made application for the same posi-
ton, and then the fun commenced. OF
course there was no Office at the Springs,
or even any village to speak Of. Stafford
Hollow, or Old Furnace, as 1t was called,
had been steadily growing, and it was
the metropolitan center Of the town. An
application was made to have the Office
removed from the Street to this village
and the most violent opposition was the
result. The whole of this section of the
town became engaged in the strife, which
was only settled by the appointment OF
United States commissioners from Wash
ington, who decided upon this village for
the loo alton of theEofice. The old build
ing. was selected as the place, and Mr..
Converse received the appointment of
postmaster. Thus ended one OF the most
bitter strifes ever inaugurated In the town
of Stafford, and its evil effects were visit
BILE for many years afterwards. Since
then 1t would take more than an ordinary
prophet to tell all the uses to which 1t
has been put. But whatever joys or sor-
rows the old building has ever known,
we very much doubt il in all its history
any more real enjoyment was ever wit
messed, or any more hearty laughter ever
heard within it's walls than can be heard
nightly at the present time, especially If
Mr.. Cady or Owen Kelly happen to be
one of the company.
| Stafordville.
| Mrs. Morris Ritter spent Sunday with
her sister in Hartford.
Thomas Cavanaugh has had his ice
house enlarged and filled with ice to sup
ply customers next season.
John Dodds started Monday morning
for BridgetoD, Me-, where he has accepted
a position as boss wool sorter.
| Monroe Blanchard of Kansas City, Mo,
who was called here to attend the funeral
of his mother last week, is still In town.
| Mr.. Coe of the Summit Wooden COM
pany is in town this week, having recov-
cred from his sickness Of several months
| West Stafford.
Mrs. George Ellithorpe is i'll with the
grip.
Mr.. and Mrs. Michael Roberts were in
Springfield last week.
| Mrs. Wilbert Lull is quite ill. DIR.
Nichols is in attendance
Miss Clara Van Heynigen has gone td
Amherst to work in the straw shop.
| The Junior Endeavorers are preparing
an ente1 tainment to be given Feb. 22d
| G. P. Broadway will erect an addition
to his machine shop as soon as the wealth
er will permit.
Mrs. Belva Wilbur Is spending several
weeks with relatives at Meriden, Spring.
field and Longmealow.
eft of good drinking water, thanks to the
exertions of Committeeman Frank Fair
field.
The monthly conservation meeting of
the Y. P. s. G. E. will be held next Sun
day evening. Subject, Gods army"
Miss Nora Patten leader.
. There lie some talk of starting a CO.
Operative store, or farmers exchange, in
the village. Judging by the loads of gro
eeries brought in from out Of town, it
would seem to be profitable.
The reading club, which was started
last year, will be continued. 1t is hoped
that all who enjoy good literature will
give their names to Miss Truesdell this
week. The fee of 81 entities the men,
for one year.
Levi r. Lull has been in Hartford for
the past three weeks, under the care OF
DIR. st. John. Mr.. Lull lost the sight OF
one eye several years ago, and of late the
other eye has been affected. He has the
sympathy of the entire community, and
it Is hoped his sight may be fully recov-
fered,
The following was taken from Thurs
days Courant Henry A. Buck will sail
for London to-day for the purpose of in.
teresting English capital in an invention
that he has Just completed. The inven.
ton Is device on a steam engine, where.
by fully so per cent. of the fuel now used
will be saved"
Harry A. and Orrie, sons OF F. W
Preston, have recently secured good po
sitions in or near Boston. The former
successfully passed the required civil ser
vice examination, filed bond, etc., and Ii
on the list of U. S. mail carriers Tht
latter is in the service of Allen, Hall 4
Co, interior decorators.
The c. e. social was postponed from
1 Tuesday to Thursday evening, on accoun
of the rain. The "conundrum supper
tainment that will follow Miss Mabe