The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-05
FORTUNE FOUND
IN DOORYARD
Amasa Houghton Discovers a
Bed of Trap Rock on His Prem
Uses Which Government Of
fiCiaIs Say Is Valuable
RICH FIND WAS MADE
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO

But Until Sample Had Been Sent
to Department of Agriculture
at National Capital for AnaIy-
sis 1t Was Not Known How
Valuable Find Was
Special to The Spy.
Webster, Nov. 4.-Amasa Houghton,
a well-known citizen of School Street,
believes he has fortune in the dis
covery of a bed of trap rock. He sent
specimen of the rock to the United
States department Of agricultural,
bureau of chemistry, in Washington, D.
&C., some time ago and today received a
letter from the national board that his
find is a valuable one.
Last summer as The Spy then exclu-
sively announced, Mr. Houghton sat in
his back yard, on the grass, bordering
over various questions relative to the
management of his farm and house
hold he noticed a bunch of moss grow
ing in the yard, and the fact set him
to wondering what induced moss to
grow in the middle of a grass plot. He
pulled out his jack-knife and exca-
waited. Beneath the moss, as he ex-
pected, he found a bed of rock, and a
closer examination proved it to be
vast bed of trap rock. Elated with his
discovery he excavated for several
yards adjacent and found the rock con-
tinued in all directions. He knew he
had made valuable discovery, but de-
cided it would be best to send sample
of his find to the Washington experts,
and today he received an answer that
has pleased him extremely
Trap rock is used in matchmaking
roads. 1t is the top layer in the con-
struction. Logan Waller Page in
charge of the road material laboratory,
sends various figures to Mr.. Houghton,
which follows: Specific gravity, rs;
weight per cubic foot, IT'S; pounds of
water absorbed by cubic foot. 8; de-
partment's coefficient of wear, 65.9; per
cent. of wear, 10; French coeff1cient of
wear, ga; cementing value, Is, and re-
cementing value, TO-
Mr.. Fred A. Brown, chairman of the
district committee and a leader in poll
tics, stated to the Webster correspond
ent of The Spy, today, that he was I'M
able to pick the second winner in the
race for the honors in the Legislature.
He stated that this year was an I'M
usually quiet one, but that the vote
would be so split in the district that in
his opinion it was nearly impossible to
positively pick the winners. Henry
Brandes, he considered, will sweep the
district. He thought that it would be
close race between E. N. Bigelow and
Joseph W. Negus for second place. He
does not figure Tetrault of Southbridge
or Anderson of Webster in the race at
all.
Candidates Bigelow and Brandes
were out on the street today and it was
Irumored they intended to work together
for their election. If these men are
working together it will be something
new for both, as in former years they
never were obliged to- although this is
the first year that they have been pitted
against each other.
A rumor was circulated in town to-
day that the French voters of South
bridge intended to knife both Webster
candidates, but it was not verified. If
that is the case it will defeat Bigelow,
as there are more French Democrats
in the Spec town than Republicans.
Chief of Police NJ. L. Dilaber says
there are only about a half dozen So
cialists in that town.
Rumor has it that Tetrault of South
bridge will be elected. Last year, how
ever, he was defeated, but by a close
vote. Tetrault claims he will secure
800 votes in Southbridge and 400 votes
in Webster, and if the Democrats in the
other towns support him he will be
elected. Fourteen hundred votes will
elect any man in the district 1t has
been stated that what votes Anderson
will poll will be from the account of
Mr.. Brandes.
| Joseph P. Love, candidate for senator
from this district to succeed Mr.. Glenn
ence of Southbridge, closed a success
full campaign this evening.
Charles Lueth of Boston, formerly
in business here, returned to the Hub
Monday after visit with his brother,
Albert J. Leuth.
! Henry ]. King went on duty Mon
/ day as the day patrolman, succeeding
/ officer Stephen S. Hawkins All of
the police officers changed their beats.
| %. F. Chaffee of Oxford, former
probate officer here, was in town Mon
day.
Peter Steele of Brockton is visiting
his parents here for a few days.
! Michael Drumgoole of Worcester is
spending a few days in town
| The employees of Corbin's shoe fac
tory enjoyed a holiday Monday, while
account Of stock was being taken.
! John Berger, an eight year old
lad, in some way got his foot caught
in the rails at the Main Street railroad
crossing Monday and was unable to
extricate it. Hammond Shumway as
sisted in unbuttoning the shoe in order
to get the boys foot free. 1t was finally
accomplished Had young Berger got
his foot caught half an hour earlier,
when the Hoy train was due, it is
probable he would have been injured.
The town should spare no expense in
abolishing this nuisance.
Frank P. Baker has moved his fam
lily to Providence.
Duty Shippee has gone to Worces-
ter, where he will take care of the
boilers in the State Mutual building.
"A telegram received Monday an.
nounced the death of DIR. Daniel Davis
at Rochester. N. Y, Sunday, from all
ment incident to old age. DR.. Davis
| was born in Holden, Mass, June 15
| 1915. He located in Webster in the
40's and for years was the leading
physician in this vicinity. He lef
| Webster for Rochester. n. Y. in 1855
| where he has since resided. He leaves
daughter. Mrs. George W. Davis o.
| Worcester, Mass.