The Press., 1899-11-30
THIRTY YEARS AGO.
[Items of local interest taken from the columns of The Press, thirty years ago.]
Dec. 3. 1869.

Gold was down to 121 3 on Monday, tho lowest point reached since 1862.
 Hon. Pa ley Converse, aged 77 years, died at his residence on Thursday evening Nov. 25. MT. Converse, from his birth resident of this town, unidentified himself With all it's prominent interests. He was honored ip return with the confidence and respect of the community, ny being re- peatedly s.l cted to fill important and responsible trusts. For number of years he was sent to the state legislature, first as representative and then as senator. For many years he was president of tht Stafford bank, and after its organization as National bank, he retained the presi- dency until the commencement of the present year. One of the founders of the village, it's spirit of enterprise is largely due to his example and influence. The first wooden mill erected in this town, hat at Fox,illage, was projected and bu It by him nearly 30 years ago. He was large owner at different times in all the woolen mills in town. In 1852 he dis posed of his interest in the Mineral Springs mill to Solva Converse & Sons, and organized another company aud built the mill and village of ConversevilIe. As a business man his example has exerted 8 most salutary influence upon the younger men of our town. Beginning with but small capital, by industry, perseverance and undertaking integrity, he amassed a property equal, perhaps to that of any of his townsmen. Scrupulously honest, he was incapable of a dishonorabie act. or strict morality, he sought to preserve pure the morals of the place by employing in his works only those of whose moral character he was assured. The funeral was held at the Methodist church last Sabbath. The church was not large enough to hold all desirous of attending Brief services were held at the house, proceeding the removal of the remains to the church. RAv. MT. Bray otfl"iated. s. T. Preston, M. Rowland, E. A Con- verse, Wm. A. Foster, F. A. Harwood, L. w. Crane, M. B. Harvey, Elijah Fair man, Harvey Orcutt, and G. H. Baker acted as bearers.
 At the auction sale of the building as- sociation last Saturday, the most vest erly house on the north side of the street was bid off by John Brockbank for $1, ,825, the one adjoining by Cyrus Banford for $1,900, and the most westerly on the south side by Anthony Adams for $1 ,75O The afternoon was stormy, and the bid. ding not very spirited, and the sale was therefore adjourned. It Is now decided we believe, to dispose of the rest at pri vate sale.
 0. T. Preston has sold Guy Cartons farm in the northwest part of Wilmington to Ephraim Parker of Holyoke, Mass. for $1 1000; also has sold M. Murray's farm in Stafford to w. R. Warrington ot Bennington, Vt.. for $1 ,05O; and Thomas TO. Lathrop's farm in east village, Holland to Mir Kingsley of Northampton, Mass. for $1 800.
 | Thomas G. Hodgson is about to open a store under the boarding house of Morse & Elden in the lower village in Coventry.
 Major Morgan of Palmer, from farm of 20 acres, has raised this season 2OOC bushels of corn, 800 bushels of potatoes, 100 bushels of rye, large quantity of oats and kept 35 head of cattle and 33 horses on it besides.
 BoRN.-West Wilmington, Nov. 19, 1869, son to 0. F. Macfarlane.