The Newtown bee., 1900-08-03

the Beach family. Revs George T. Lins.
ley rector Of Trinity Episcopa church,
and Oils W. Barker, pastor of the Con.
gregational church in Newtown, had
charge Of the ceremonies. Rev MI Lins.
ley offered prayer and Mr. Barker deliv-
cred an eloquent and fitting Grafton.
Promptly at o'clock those who were
taking part In the exercises began to
raise the stone, which was Of gray gran
tie, and put it in place. A smsll copper
nox Was brought to view and placed in
the stone. In it was copy of the NEW
TOWN BEE and several coins OF 1900 is
sue from penny up to 81. After the
services refreshments were served on the
lawn and general good time was expe-
rienced by all.
1t is about year ago that Miss Beach,
who resides in New Haven, suggested to
the trustees of the Library association
that if they would raise enough to pur-
chase site ,she We u,d build a substantial
library on it. The trustees got together
and considered the proposition. They
thought that thei fer was very f1attering
and came to the conclusion to grasp it.
A committee was appointed to select q
site and to raise money sufficient to pay
for it.
K. W. Fairchild had plot of ground
which he offered at fair price at the head
of Newtown street. 1t cost the associa-
tion just 5000 which was raised BY sub.
scription. No better place could have
been chosen for the building. The land
is high and picturesque. Directly across
the street from it is the handsome resi-
dence Of Mrs S. c. Glover. TIE surround
ings on all sides are attractive.
After the plot was secured Miss Beach
was added to the association. She en-
ployed New York architect, who sub
mitted plans, which were accepted and
the contract for the construction of the
building was given to the A. W. Burritt
Co., Of this city. The stone work was
sublet to Thomas Jackson, the mason,
also OF this city. 1t is thought that it
will be completed by the middle of No
VemOer or sooner.
1t is to be one story and half high
and will cover lot 6Ox7O feet. 1t is to
De constructed entirely of stone in the
rough laid in cement. The interior will
be finished in hard wood. The main
room will be large and airy. The build.
ing will be fitted out with toilet room,
cloak roofas and all the necessary ap.
planes which 60 to make place con.
venient. When completed large mum.
Der OF people in Newtown have agreed
to endow the library.
1t would probably be interesting to
know something about the man in whose
memory Newtown is to be honored BY q
building which will stand as long as the
present generation.
AT the time OF the war Rev Mr. Beach
was rector OF the Newtown chuy Oh, and
also had charge OF the Redding parish
Although he vas an American and re-
csived his education at Yale, his sympa
thies we're with the English. He was q
confirmed Tory. Every time he preach
cd and offered prayer, he would pray fol
King George. The patriotic natives II
Reddi1 & became enraged at the man anc
prevailed upon him many times to cease
praying fol. the king. He only prayed til.
more.
A number OF Redding citizens got to.
gether one Sunday evening aid contrivet
20 make away with the preacher. Nor,
OF them wanted to do anything them
selves, SO they concluded to hire ona O.
the soldiers to enter the church while tn
elderly man was preaching and fire bull
let through his heart. The soldier wa
bribed with Gallon Of rum.
In the midst Of the sermon a sharp re
port from a rife in the rear Of the edific
rang out. The congregation was panic
stricken. The bullet from the gun whiz
zed past the head of the preacher al
buried itself in the old.fashioned sound
ing board, directly in the rear of the pu]
pit. Ia those days all churches ha
SOUND ing boards, so that the sound woul
be thrown to tn. front Of the church.
The rum had been given the soldier be
fore he ensered the church and he wa
very much intoxicated. It was though
that this was why the bullet did not tax
effect. Mr. Beach never stopped preach
ing and at tue conclusion OF his sermo
. prayed long and loud for King George
The bullet was extracted from tn
, wood and is now in the same church 6
Redding on tablet hanging on the wal
Since that time the church has been r
modelled. When Mr. Beach preached
it there was large rooster on top Of th