The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-01-26
Number 43.
DECADENCE OF FARMING
TOWNS.

Mr.. Editor Probably the next United
States census, which occurs in 1900, will
disclose the fact that most of our rural
towns will show decrease in population.
Taking three or four of our last decades
as precedent, we find the decadence
largest in the farming districts. Wood
stock, Ashford, Eastford and Union, all
farming towns, show a steady decline in
its population. In some sections this
cannot be readily accounted for, but In
the above named towns perhaps fairly
good reason can be assigned.
From 1910 to the close OF the civil war
this vicinity was largely engaged in the
manufacture of boots and shoes. This in
dustry gave employment to both young
and old, while the father and sons bottom
ed the shoes, the good house wife and
daughters did the "fitting" of the uppers,
and as many families worked at this busi-
ness, especially in the winter. 1t afforded
a ready money employment and the young
people remained at home.
Amasa Carpenter, Ellis and Barlow OF
of Woodstock, the Marcys and Corbins Of
Union, Richmonds of Westford and Burn
hams of Eastford were all extensive manu-
factures in this line of goods. But to day
not q vistage of this industry remains land
nothing but the little shops or building
sprinkled throughout the towns reminds
us of this once pleasant and profitable oc-
cupation. Even some manufacturing
towns are showing signs of decay. Prob
ably the borough of Stafford Springs will
show small gain, but possibly at the ex-
pense of remote parts of the town. Stat
fordville, once the pride of the people Of
this part Of the town, gave evidence of be-
coming strong rival Of the Springs vii
lage, as it was called in those days. Dur
ing the most successful years of the late
E. A. Converse four wooden mills were
running, four stores were doing a good
business, machine shops and foundry,
with its fifty men employed, a school
register of one hundred and thirty schol-
ars, and savings bank. Two churches
were built and we'll sustained for many
years. So much prosperity and enterprise
gave encouragement to the people, and ii
required but few words to arouse them
to belief that this village was destined to
become the big end Of the town" But
dark shadows came over the village and
remained for years. Just as present
things are Frightening up little and it
is possible the finger Of decay will be
arrested and Staffordville be itself again.
Another evidence Of decay in this vicin.
ity Is the fact that the ruins of twenty OF
more dwelling houses can be seen between
Staffordville and Wales. Mass. The Alvir
Andrews farm, midway between the two
villages, was famous for Its products o
Indian corn, iron ore, and potash. To-day
nothing remains of its former grandeur
but the charred timhers of the buildings
and grand old oak tree. Wales is
among the inland towns thaHhave suffered.
In the successful days of the late Elijah
Shaw this village ranked high as a manu-
featuring center. At this time six woolen
mills were in full operation, and the census
Of the town was rapidly increased. Stores
multiplied and a market was furnished
the farmers fol- wood. Hard times and
burning of mills and dwellings have deci.
mated the place to great degree, and so
when the next census comes around 1t will
disclose the fact that many of our New
England towns, both farming and manu-.
featuring, are 'going back" H. K. O.
Stafordville, November, 1898.