The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-06-23

Nearly all the fax and wool that was
used in the town was raised by the farm.
ers and the women used to spin and
weave them into articles of clothing for
their own use. There were several tan
neries in Monroe and the preparing OF
bark, that was used in the tanning, was
an important Industry among the farmers
during tHe spring. Situated on the
banks of the Boys Halfway river still
stands building in which webbing, hats,
cotton-twiDe and hoopskirts were manu-.
featured. In Hammertown there was q
factory which employed about Is or &c
men to hammer out the scythes that
were used at that time. Carriages were
also made in Hammertown. During the
second administration of President
james Monroe, Huntington was divid-
ed into two separate towns. The north
ern portion was named after the Presl-
dent. The first town meeting was held
June l6, 1928, and Ebenezer Beardsley
was sent to Hartford (1824)as the first
representative of the town of Monroe.
He was elected by the democrats and
the town continued democratic for 81
years or until 1878 when Charles B.
Wheeler was elected representative by
the republicans. Monroe was noted for
it's private and select schools. Although
inferior in some respects to the schools
of to-day the elements of knowledge and
good morals were thoroughly taught.
Monroe has been the home of number
of prominent men of the state. Twice it
had the honor OF being represented in the
State Senate, once by Col Judson Curtis
of Stepney and once by Charles B.
Clark of the Center. Monroe is also not
ed for it's mineral deposit all native silver,
mica, quartz and feldspar has been found
in small quantities near the surface. The
railroad which the New York, New Hav-
en- and Hartford Co. built through the
town a few years ago has more effectual-
ly connected itawith the outside world, as
it insures at least daily mail through
out the town. In 1892 Monroe was great
ly startled by the news that a Copper
mill was to be erected In Hammereown.
A new depot was built and several other
buildings, including tenement, store
and finally the mill itself was I'm
ished and started work. For while it
prospered but now 1t ia closed and
scarcely anything ia heard of what was
then predicted to be the building up of
Monroe. The Town bah which was built
q few years ago has been quite q notice.
able Improvement. The popus ton OF
the town in 1890 was 994 In 1897 the
children between A and 16 years of gee
numbered 181. The grand list lie 1878 ,49l
and the rate of taxation u mills. There
has been good deal of talk about build.
ing dam across the Housaton1c rivera
little below Zoar Bridge which will be
second to none except Niagara Falls. II
the dam Is built mills will of course be
erected and Employment to good many
people. The town will then increase in
population and resources and will prob
ably boast of mayor. A public High
school in the Center would I know be
largely attended, especially IL my indus
trious young schoolmate, Edward B I,
should teach Latin and the agile
Charlie of my schooldays be trainer in
athletics for the boys. Owing to the
large population of young people near
Zoar there would be in all probability
have to be a trolley line run from there
tn the Center High school and other lines
would be.convenient. My fancy has tax
en- wings and l must come back to cold
reality and will close by quoting:
who'll press for gold this crowded street
- A hundred years to come?
WhO'u tread yon church with willing feet
hundred years to come?
Pale, trembling age and fiery youth,
And childhood with Its brow of truth,
The rich and poor on land and sea,
Where win the mighty millions be
A hundred years to come?
We all within our graves shall sleep
hundred years to come.
No living soul TOR US VIII shall weep
hundred years to come.
But other men our land shall till
And others than these streets shall fill
And other birds Will sing as gay,
And bright the sun shine as to day.
hundred years to come"