The Newtown bee., 1903-09-18

Then in Autumn. when rude chilling winds
,r whistled high,
| close by.
And we gathered them up with our hearts full
By such treasures made happy AS children
| When that tree cut down. how sad was /
each face.
And the house raised there. to i'll filled its
From its boughs we could hear the first bob'o-
There its autumn farewell fingered morntully
On my ss EYES sadly turn to the old seAo0Ao"Se
When the ice erp crust, the brook and the SHOWS
From its walls we went forth to the gay
laughing slide.
They cal it = ruin. a blot Or the town. 81. NO.
Grant it shattered and old but If e'er It's re-
Twill seem like the death OF some friend
deeply loved.
In closing he said: "The happieSt
days of my life were those that spent
here in this glorious old town OF
Bridgewater.
c Rev Mr. Hooker of Wilton was in
PRODUCED. He said: 81 am not a son |
of Bridgewater but am very glad to be |
with you to-day and to renew old
friendships. Three or four years of
my life were passed very pleasantly
here, and as | came here to-day there
are SO many [ miss whom God has
called up yonder. 1t is great privi-
lege to be here to-day and l trust we
may all have the privilege of similar
Henry G. Sanford, president OF the
association, then read letters from
|. Rev A. E. Dunning of Boston, Mass,
Congressman Hill of South Norwalk,
Senator o. H. Platt of Washington
and Andrew w. Gillett of Denver,
Col, expressing their regret at not
being able to be present. Mr. Gillett
in his letter mentioned a great many
things that happened when as boy
he lived in Bridgewater.
L. d. Sanford of Bridgeport was in
PRODUCED. He said in part: 'My life
is divided into four quarters. The
- first quarter belongs to Buckeye, the
~ the last two quarters to Bridgeport.
We Here is where 1 found my wife and so
We of course l feel great interest in this
20 grand old town. Bridgewater has
tn givenstO the world a number of brainy
W men who have gone into all professions
"a in life. Such men are Rev A; p. Dun
I'D ming of Boston, editor of the Con-
he gregationalist. 1t is great pleasure
tn for me to be here to-day and l shall
W. hope to come again another year."
Rev E. F. Atwood of Hartford, chap
VI lain of the state prison, was intro
en- duced. He said: II am glad to be
We here to-day, and as it will be impossi-
ly, they have asked me to say some
ng thing so that you all can see and heal
er. me. 1 came to Bridgewater a stranger
)re but now have many;warmfriendS here
mt and l have spent while among you
sn many of my happiest days. Connects
e. cut has furnished more men to fill
ro- prominent places in the world than an.
vas other state. This mas been proven by
statistics, and old Litchfield county is
vas the best county in the state. 1t is a
me privilege to Re here and enjoy thi
du day and see you all once more"
40, John Minor of Roxbury was intro
|. duced. He said: II am no orator, but
vas vas am very glad to be here to-day and SCI
lgs SO many happy faces in dear OLE
'ur Bridgewater. and to shake hands will
10 so many old friends and renew mem
a cries of days gone bS. The veteran
1l9 heroes of Revolutionary days are thos
!eu to whom we owe great praise, and
ION am proud my wife is daughter of on
DIS of those heroes"
til. Rev G. II. Smith of Kent was intro
OF duced. He said: 81 claim that al
a son of Bridgewater, for l lived her
"a seven years, and they say we complete
luh ly change, SO on these grounds L clail
eS, to be a son of this fine old town. L d
Gu not believe anyone here to-day is NOR
~ glad to be present than myself.
uiu know you are glad to hear me t0-da
[lS for when l was here not many of yO
ek used to come to hear me preach.
cen shall always have a warm corner i
,od my heart for Bridgewater."
me Frederick Cotfman, who is 81 year
son old, was introduced. He said: 1.-The
hey say l am the oldest man in tow
an6 If ,,,lSt no have live
the among you for 60 years and am THANK
=, full to God for His care of my lif,
$ of Although our town, since the day
-. first knew it, has lost many of its me
VIII and much of the business has gone t
5 of larger places, we are thankful for whs
is left and are glad we can say tn
~" town of Bridgewater is free from deb
hro' Am glad to be here to-day and see 20
ALL" Mr. Coffman is still quite a
'he active man, and his farm speaks fC
itself.
cher The literary exercises closed by th
cho- singing of "America," led by Willia1
o. Corning of Marbledale.' The ba
ii the ance of the afternoon was spent
WV handshaking and social chat: In tn
old evening a sociable was held in tt
onr Town hall. Although it was not opel
ly expressed. everyone departed wit
way a vote of thanks to the people {
day. Bridgewater for their kind hospitalit
re- and for the pleasant day which all ha
las enjoyed.
'''- Some of the older people prcser
who were: Frederick Cotfman, 81 veal
mad old; Charles II. Treat, 81 years ole
"'' Mrs Nary E. Treat, SO years ole
imp Charles Sanford of Bridgeport. so veal
,r. old: John Minor of ROxbury, Edwi
g. Sanford Of Bridgeport.
t in Among those present from out {
,,. town were: Dwight Wheeler an
family, Mr. and Mrs l.. ID. SANFORD
Il . -