The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-11-20
Sc YEARS OLD.

Sc YEARS OLD.
Interesting "reminiscences of a Well
Known Meriden Carriage Maker.
Walter Stickney. of 20 North George
street, the we'll known carriage manu-
facturer, was SC years old November
Is. Mr.. Sickney was born in South
Hadley, Mass, November 16, 1916, and
is one of the oldest carriage makers in
Connecticut, and works every day in
the week at his shop on State street.
where he has been in business for the
last &c years.
Mr.. Stickney was one of seven chill
dren, his father, whom he was named
after, being the first dentist in Amer
lea. He attended the public school of
his native town and worked on his
fathers farm till he was II years old
when he went to New Haven to learn
the carriage making trade in 1888 with
George Hoadley. When he served his
apprenticeship he became foreman OF
the shop, which position he held for 10
years and after 20 years service with
Mr. Hoadley, in 1855 he went to Win
sted. During the time of the civil war
he could get no work at his trade, and
in the latter place he opened up shop
of his own, which he conducted till
1876, when he moved his business to
Meriden and began operation in shop
that Deacon Clark fitted up for him,
Il. L. 1aNr
rain or shine Mr.. Stfckney goes to his
shop and works from till 4 o'clock.
He still enjoys the best of health, not
knowing what days sickness is. His
only ailrnent is that he is little deaf.
He has a fine memory, and it is quite
interesting to hear him tell about the
early days of Connecticut.
While in New Haven Mr.. Stickney
had the honor of being invited by the
board of directors of the New York
and New Haven railroad, as it was
known at that time, to Meriden, in the
first passenger car that was ever run
over the run into the town Of Meriden.
That was in 1888. and the track only
went as far as the bridge over Harbor
brook, near the Bradley e. Hubbard
factory. When the engine came to
stop at he end of the tracks Mr.. Stick
ney says that the directors and invited
guests got out and formed a bucket
brigade and filed up the engine with
| water from the brook, so they would
have plenty of water to carry them
back to the Elm City.
While working in New Haven Mr..
Stickney and a man named L. Storier
| went to New York city and were initia-
| ted ito the Ancient Order of Foresters,
| the only court at that time being in
New York. Soon after that Mr.. Stick
| ney and Mr.. Storier instituted Court
Elm City, which was the first court
organized in this state and the second
| in America. Mr.. Storier was the first
| chief ranger of the court, and Mr..
| Stickney the second. The court had
| their headquarters on the corner of
| Chapel and State streets, in the Brew
ster block Mr. Stickney, while In New
Haven, Joined a military company. and
| later became captain of the Govern
ors cot Guard. and for one year was a
member of the Elm City volunteer fire
department Shortly before leaving
Winsted to come to this city, Mr..
| Stickney was presented with gold
headed cane, suitably engraved, by the
mebers of the Good Templars. He has
never held any public office and at the
present time does not belong to any or
| ganization.
He was married twice, the first time
in New Haven in 1899. and the last
time in this city in 1894. He had no
children. His father lived to be eighty
six years of age, and his mother was
seventy-five when she died, and his
grandfather passed away at the age OF
eighty-seven,
Mr.. Stickney, who is big man, at
tributes his good health and long life
mostly to the excellent care he has al
ways taken of himself, as he never
used intoxicating liquors or tobacco in
| any form.--Meriden Record.
| TIJE ToTTvTp on pEEF