The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1900-03-09
BETHEL.
NuNErY-Two YEARS OLD.

NINETY-Two YEARS OLD.
Abel Beers Rlack man, an aged and
highly respected citizen of the town, Gel.
ehfated his 92d birthday at his home on
Blackman avenue, last Saturday. He
was born in the town Of Bethlehem, this
state, March 8, 1908. Mr. Blaekman for
one of his advanced age in life enjoys
very good health and on events of the
past his memory is bat slightly impaired.
Early in life he married Lucy ID. Bar
nam, lately deceased,a granddaughter of
Capt Daniel and wife Lucy Starr Hickok.
Mr. B!ackman, later in life, purchased
Grandfather Hickok home lot, where he
built home in which he now resides
with his daughter, Miss Mary r. Black
man. Last Saturday Mr. Blackman ap-
oeared to have happily enjoyed his BIRTH
day with his children and grandchildren,
Mr. and Mrs Edwin Short and daughter,
Grace, and Mr. and Mrs George Osborn
aud son, Arthur. The three sisters fur.
oished the table with sumptuous repast
"hIcn was duly appreciated, especially
oy Ia Blackman, who related many in
teresting incidents OF his early life and
nis real estate transactions to procure q
nome. Perhaps the writer may add q
lew lines from memory. Abel B. Black
man and his late deceased wife, Lucy M,
united with the Congregational church,
June 4, 1S43 after O season of great relig-
ious interest. For many years the fami-
lY were regular attOndents at church and
Sunday school. During the year 1865
there&Was considerable unpleasantness
in reference to the minister when Mr. and
Mrs Blackman severed their come ction
with the old society and by letters of rec
omendation united with the Methodist
church, where since the family have en-.
j0yed religious services. Mr. Blackman
has held many town ffices and has been
elected representative to the General
Assembly, which flee he filled with hon
or to himself and to bis town. He also
took an active part in the advance move
ments for better public schools and has
lived to see the old slab seats and badly
ventilated schoclh0uses removed and re.
placed by others with modern improve
ments. Doubtless he remembers the
time when one meat market supplied the
town with meat; best steake, 10 and II
cents pound; shanks, York shilling
each and liver thrown in to the bargain !;
tall0w candles, II cents per pound, eight
candles to the pound, and family using
more than eight candles per week was
considered extravsgant or one candle
each week day night and two Sunday,
one extra for the young ladies' company.
wood was universally used for fuel.
Matches had not come into general use.
Mapped hats were generally worn. The
changes in the mode OF living since 80
years ago has been or rat indeed!
ANNUAL MEETING OF CEMETERY AssoCr.
ALTON.
The annual meeting Of the Bethel Gem
etery Association was held at Masonic
hall, Monday evening, March 5. A re-
port of the secretary, superintendent and
treasurer was read and accepted. The
assets, a mortgage note and money in
the Savings Bank amount to nearly
Sl4OO. The auditors reported accounts
correct. The following officers were
elected for the ensuing year: President,
Phiio Gilbert; vice president, Samuel S.
Amber; secretary, GRANVILLE A. Dur.
ant; treasurer, Henry A. Gilbert; d.
rectors, A. L. Benedict, s. S. Amber.
G. G. Durant, Fl. A. Gilbert, Phllo ell
bert, e. G. Judd; superintendent, A. L.
benedict; assistant superintendent, Fl.
A. Gilbert.
DEATH OF MIR AND MRS JAMES STERILE.
The illness and death of two well
Known and highly respected people of
EImWood district comes with great sud
dennass to the family and friends. John
SGielle died from short illness of pneu-
monis and was buried on Wednesday of
last Week In Eimwood cemetery. His
wife, MRS Stierle, who died of the game
complaint on Friday, was buried on Sun
day by the side of her late husband.
Two sons and two daughters survive
them, Frederick, William and Lillian
Stierle. and Mrs Richard Snffin.
WOLF PITS AND VICINITY.
Miss Bertha Mead has returned home
after having visited friends in Newtown,
Augustus Orr, who has occupied the
Hurlburt farm for the last two years. ex.
poets to move to Br0okfeld, April /.
chester Wilson has entertained his
father and mother from Danbury.
MISS LoEtie Gorham is visiting in Nor
walk.
The rain storm OF March was the
heaviest storm this year, washing the
roads go they were nearly impasaable. |
The selectmen OF Bethel sent out their
men on Friday to repair them.
John Fennell has entertained company
from Danbury.
Mr. and Mrs George Hawley Of Bridge |
port have lately spent few DAYS on |
5eiden Hill, the guests of Miss jose |
phine Scboonmaker.
Mrs Hannah Peck, sn aged lady on |
Elm street, has been quite poorly the |
past week.
John Keller has had severe attack of |
heart trouble at his home on Chestnut |
street.
Andrew Sherman, who has been very
III with pneumonia, was reported more |
comfortable yesterday.
Robins made their appearance last
Sunday