The Press., 1901-01-24
HOME NEWS.
STAFFORD SPRIN Gs.

l.. X. Lord OF Parker, Dak., mas been
visiting In town the past week.
The second of the "old time dances"
will be held at the opera house next
Wednesday evening.
The orange crop In Stafford is looking
well. The only grower OF this delicious
fruit locally is A. c. Eaton. His oranges
are about one. quarter grown and looking
we'll. He will raise much larger crop
than last year, barring accidents.
Nathan D. Royce, 81, was found dead
in his barn near his residence on Village
Hill last Friday evening. Mr.. Royce
was In the borough on the afternoon Of
the same day, and was apparently as we'll
as usual. He returned to his home and
went to the barn to do the chores for the
night. AS the time passed and he did
not come back to the house Mrs. Royce
became alarmed and summoned Seth
Schofield, a neighbor. Mr.. Schofield
went to the barn and found Mr.. Royce
had fallen and was dead. Medical Ex-
amtner Newton was called, and after ex-
animation pronounced the cause of death
paralysis of the heart. The deceased
leaves a widow, three daughters and q
son. The daughters are Mrs. Frank
Brown of Illinois, Mrs. Frank Stone of
Florence, Mass, and Mrs. Robert Nc
Mel of Rockville. The son, Ernest D.
Royce, Is a book-keeper at the Forest
Vile mill. The funeral was held from
his late home Tuesday afternoon, Rev. j.
s. Wadsworth officiating. The burial
was at the Stafford Springs cemetery.
Josiah Converse, a public spirited citi-
zen and representative of one of the
leading families of the town, died Sunday
morning, after a brief illness of Bright's
disease. He was a son of Solva Converse,
one of the pioneer woolen manufacturers
of the town, and lived here all his life
with the exception of a short interval
spent at Cape Cod when young man for
the benefit Of his health. He began his
business career by working in his fathers
mill, where he had charge of the dyeing.
Later he was In the manufacturing bust.
ness for himself at West Stafford, where
he remained until his factory was burned
down. He next engaged In manufactur.
ing at Orcuttville for several years, selling
out to his brother, Julius Converse Al
heavy stockholder in the Mineral Springs
mill, but later both he and his brother
Orrin Converse, sold their interests tc
Julius Converse. Since giving up manu-
featuring Mr.. Converse had given his
time to looking after his real estate inter
ests and other investments. He had beer
quite successful and amassed considerable
property. He had served the town ir
various capacities, and represented IL IL
the Legislature In 1867. AS public ser
want he was conscientious and faithful ir
his dutit s. The deceased was liberia
without ostentation. There are many II
town to-day who have received helping
hand from him, and who will feel thu
keen regret that the loss of friend en-
tails. His private benevolences were no
the only indications Of his generosity
The local cemetery Is an instance of hi
public philanthropy. At the death of hi'
father Mr.. Converse inherited the ole
cemetery, known as the Methodist ceme
terry, as part of his estate. A few year
ago he decided this cemetery, with a larg
tract additional, to the Stafford Spring
cemetery association. In all that make
for good citizenship the deceased was no
found wanting. Upright In all his dealin,
with his fellow men, faithful to his fami
ly and home, courteous to those wit
whom he came in contact, the town
poorer for the death of this old schoo
Christian gentleman. Josiah Convers
was born in Stafford. February 1924. H
received his education In the publ
schools OF this town and Ellington, sup
plemented by course at Wesleyan acad
emy. He married Miss Elizabeth Orcutt
one of the eight daughters of Warren Ol
cutt, who survives him. The union wa
blessed by three children, none of whor
are now living. OF the children one die
quite young. boy, Wilfred E., died
December 1887, aged Is, and daughter
Miss Mabel, who died in January 1895, g
the age of 25. Besides his widow, on
brother, Orrin Converse, and one sistel
Mrs. Hannah Washburn, both of thi
town, survive him. The funeral wa
held yesterday afternoon from his lat
home. Rev. Julian s. Wadsworth off1c
ating. The burial was in the Staffor
Springs cemetery.