davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27

being introduced by Sir Walter Raleigh
on his return from trip to our con-
tinent, against the protest of the
church people. He was also guilty of
introducing the potato at about the
same time.
The first Biographies were rather
odd, without any maps, and a book
dated 1929, which proved an old geog-
raphy, by J. Olny, containing maps
hardly to be recognized by scholars Of
to-day. This forms but small part
OF the books Mr. Peck has, and most Of
them are OF very ancient print. He
also has magazines bearing the date of
1894 that are curious productions, and
quite number Of amusing records. A
levy was noticed bearing the date of
1851, when money was being raised for
furnishing the Presbyterian meeting
house and building bell frame. There
was curious record Of a sheep COM
pany bearing date 1928. 1t seems at
that time farmers all put their sheep
into a big flock of say about Thousand
sheep. A shepherd was hired to care
for them and for every night during
the summer the farmers used to bid
for the privilege of having the sheep
lie on some of their poor land. At the
close of the season they balanced up
and this particular year dividend OF
eight cents and two mills was declared
on each sheep, so that the farmers had
had their sheep cared for all the season
without cost and were paid dividend
on each sheep besides. From some
records in his possession it was also
seen that at one time Newtown had a
band. This was in 1888 and was
MADE UP OF THE FOLLOWING MEN:
Josiah B. Fairchild and Charles Seeley
each played a Kent bugle, Ammon
Williams a serpent, William Prindle
base horn, Edmond Fairchild trumpet,
Isaac Blackman and Peter Nash cor
net horns, Edward Bailey, Sidney Mid
dlebrooks, Elijah Tarrill, o. Still
son, William Sommers and Benjamin
Glover clarionets, George E. Sanford
piccolo, Elias Beers, James B. Beers
and Peter Fairchild flutes, William
Scudder base drum. In those days
Bridgeport had to send to NewtoWn
for it's band of music and the band was
on an excursion trainto that city when
the train ran off the tracks into pile
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
REPRINTED FROM THE BEE OF MAY "a,
1895.

Believing that few Newtown people
realize what fund of knowledge of
the actions and the implements used
by our forefathers in their work, is
. stored away in the front room of the
residence of Charles Henry Peck, the
room he has been pleased to style as
his Office, THE BEE in this article will
endeavor to give faint idea of some
thing of its magnitude as an education
al force, were it rightly appreciated
and applied.
At the outset, in justice to Mr. Peck,
it should be stated that the idea of
giving this article for public gaze did
not originate with him, for he is not a
man that courts public favor or news
paper notoriety, but one fine balmy day
he was "bearded in his den" and cheer
fully stood the shower of questions
that fell on him from the scribe who
called. Mr. Peck is not man to make
friends on first sight. There is about
his nature a reserve that on first ac-
quaintance might almost be taken for
a GOODNESS, but once in his home and
confidence, there are few men of more
kindly disposition or who have more
willing ear or helpful sympathy for
those whose lives he touches. His
fondness for children is very marked
and let one Of the little folR visit his
museum he is all attention and while
he often playfully draws them out and
awes them with questions regarding
some funny things they see, to test
their character for observation, he al
ways leaves them right, and if they
will they can learn much of benefit
before leaving his presence.
And what is true of the smaller chill
dren is also true of the children of an
older growth, but how few of us ever
stop among the hurry burly of life to
think OF what our ancestors did, or
what they used! For such information
we trust to luck, or to some such public |
benefactor to do the work for us. How
nice it would be had every town it's
Historical society,"
Mr. Peck
is PERFECTLY AT HOME
among his collection, knowing almost J
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
DANBuRY DIVISION.

Da nbury-North (Main st. station) 6l5 80
ass. sunday sos a N. 6.io p m sunday
North. $50 p m.
White St, Sorth: IS. 1875. m,
South IA. sss lib a NJ Zoo. az "
Bethei-NorIh.t us. Iois. m, soa ssm. $40
6.+S.7: m. sunday, 1909 a m. SCI p m-South
sos, $50. SD. 9.45, II. 81 m, LOG, 7.0l p m.
Reddins, North 7.os. am. ses, Ga, 7.ss m.
Sunday. 1908 m, STA p m. South, 6.12, Sc
I:5S m, 7.C7 p m: Sunday, Sis a m. 6.23 p m.
Sunday,959 m, $40 p m. South. did. s-56 a
m E& Hll m: Sunday; So m, 65 M
SIS. e.s7 7.4s p m. Sunday, ass a m, Sos
pm South.6.si, As. 81, 1900 a m. 1s.oS 40.
Georgetown-North,6 5a a m, lI.49, : ga. 7.39
p m. Sunday, 9.49 m, 7.59 p m. South, 6-25.
SIS m. 12.1l. 7-2fp m. Sunday. s.Sl a m. 6.36
d m.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27

every article by heart, its origin, use,
and of whom he procured it. He de-
lights in having it respectfully exam
ined and his guests are always charm
ingly entertained, for the good wife is
equally interested with Mr. Peck and
has whole-souled, motherly influence
that casts it's spell on those who are
her guests.
The subject of this sketch was born
in Newtown, Newtown with her elm
bordered Street, the mother OF many
sons and daughters always proud to
own her for nativity. The particular
house was the Charles Warner place at
the foot of the Street. His father was
Charles Peck, farmer by occupation,
who also was something of mechanic.
His mothers name was Free Love
Nash Peck. Soon after his advent, his
father built the home now occupied by
Hermon Peck, and moved his family
thither, but before Charles had reached
his 10th year he had had the great
misfortune to lose both parents. For
time his home was with his uncle,
Hezekiah Peck, his guardian, but at
the age of Is he began caring for him
self, working out and in teaching
school. His first school was at Ben
nett's Bridge, but afterward he taught
in Taunton district and elsewhere.
Before his 21st year he had welded
Hannah Dibble Fairchild and went to
farming on the place now owned by
Charles johnson, on his own hook, and
afterward bought the farm where
James Farrell now lives. In 1867 he
received the appointment under john
sons administration as postmaster for
| Newtown. About this time he sold
the farm to James Farrell and moved
back to Mr. Johnson's place, where he
staid short time, but in 1872 moved
to Newtown Street, to his present
home, which at that time he rebuilt
and fixed over. In 1873 he was elected
town clerk
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
A POSITION HE HELD,

continuously and with much credit,
for II years.
But before the sanctuary of his per-
sonal career, which has stood so high
in the community, let US draw the cur
tain and enter at once into the museum,
where we found Mr. Peck at home that
bright morning. Being Intercepted
Mr. Peck proceeded. How did happen
to start such museum? Well I will
tell. You know for some years l have
been in the auction business, which OF
course gave me great chance to see
old relics and the like sold for almost
nothing and great chance to pick
them up. But l tell you truly, l don't
think should have ever had much of
a collection had it not been for my boy.
His name was Lewis Henry Peck and
he was always deeply interested in
relics and old books. 1t was from him
1 received the inspiration for antiques.
We used to be together great deal in
looking for such things. and reading
old records, for which he had special
fondness, until his death. You will
remember the circumstances that he
was drowned in the Housatonic river.
Mr. Peck spoke very feelingly of his
boy and tender light lit up his face.
l sort of lost my interest after his
death and had commenced to give
away some of the collection we had
gathered, when l said to myself, that
won't do, l will go to work and make
little museum in memory of the boy
and perhaps | can do some good in
showing it to the children and others
interested, and be of little benefit in
that way. If it had not been for the
boy l doubt whether l had commenced
it, but now l take an honest pride in
what l have accomplished, for many
have told me who have Travelled ex-
tensively that my collection is one of
the best of the kind they have seen,
and / have some articles that l doubt
if there are more like them now in ex-
iStence. This room 1 now use for this
purpose was originally intended for an
duCClOu IOOIll WulCll l. was W run III
connection with julius Fairchild, son
of Legrand Fairchild, who was in New
York. He was to send me goods from
the city to sell
BUT BEFORE OUR PLANS
were completed he died and for some
time DR. Bennett used it for his Office |
After he left l concluded I wanted it
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
HIGHLAND DIVISION.

Danbury-East. 1:3s. .37 m, 7.O5 m. West
els m, !. 81, rs pm
Hawley yille-Easl. $50. n.4s a m, III m.
North Sewtown- St. +:.5s = a m, ~ NJ.
West. ssh a IN. 2.36 200 D m.
Sandy Hook-East 7.51, 1l.56 a IN, rs M;
West $50 a m, 2.3O, 7.OI m.
Southbury.East. s.o7, Los, 7.36 m. West
s.42 m, 2.21, Csc D m.
sic a m. Il. IA. 7.42 m. West.
S.36 m, 2.l5, 6.46 d m
Waterbury-Due, $50 a m. 1874. s.Oi p m
West. S.13 II M. 1.5O, ga pm.
Trains stop when signaied ONLY.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
BOrsFoRD TO BRIDGEPORT.

Botsford-North, 7.s2. 1881, 1lO3 m, 4-53 6.5e
pm; Sunday. 7.3S a m; South. 7.G. s-2a II 8
q m, 414, 6;52 m; Sunday. Gle m See
Botsford above.
Stepney-Norlh. IA. 1O.11, Us m, -. &c
m; Sunday. :-24 a m: South. us. So LIS a
Long HilI-North, f.-1s, 1O.o6, loo a N, "a,
$50 m; Sunday, Els m; south 80, ST.,
umbull-NortA f..Is, 1000. 10-sO m, 80,
$50 m; sunday. f7.12 a m: South. rs. Sc,
n ;j,!a am; IL M M sunday % iS rs m; ~
go m; Sunday. 200 a m; Arrive, rs. ass
a m. I2G5. AS. rs p m; Sunday, Gas y. m.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27

mentioned famous band, left, and Mr.
Peck has it. 1t is the base horn Mr.
Prindle blowed so hard on, but he did
MT 'bust it, "and it is probably the on
ly instrument that survived the shock
of the band and is in existence now.
The minerals are well represented in
the collection in specimens of rock con-
one lump of iron ore with history. 1t
came out Of house up at the Rack
cts which stood where the house now
occupied by George Ruffles stands. At
the time it was left there man by the
name OF Blackman kept tavern. The
ore was transported from a mine out
near where the Croton water shed now
is, up the Shepaug valley on the backs
of horses, and this house was popular
stopping place. But this was more
than 100 years ago.
The dummy of a ladies' head makes
quite striking show. This dummy
was formerly used in shaping the old
poke bonnetS Of years ago, and Mr. Peck
has hunted high and low for bonnet
to tit the dummy but as yet feels his
attempt has peen rather unsuccessful
for she don't take to modern ladies
| When we looked at three or four old
turnkeys we were glad we did not have
to go to the dentist of old. It's bad
enough in these days, but what must
have been the torture when teeth were
pried out of jaw with these horrid
old root extractors. There were some
wool carders hanging by themselves
that Mr. Peck says were used by Peter
Hall in the year 174O, and also reaper
that was used by Gershom Dimon in
1870. Probably the row of wooden wa
ter bottles holding all the way from
pint to gallon must have belonged t
the days of the reaper and no one know:
how many drinks they carried to tn
field for
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
WATERFOWL BRANCH,

Waterbury--Leave, Gas, aeS. 1I17 m, lso.
3.45, 5l0 6.12, 6.53, $50, lilo p m. Sundays,
9.53 a m, sos p M. Arrive. $40. 7.45. 1912 m.
days, 653 m, 4.5s m.
watertown. Leave. 6:ss 7:ss los am. ls.4s
6.35 m. 40 m. Arrive, ZOE, SIS, lila m
LA. 4G2, 5.27, 6-27, 7.10 $40, u-36 p m. Sun
days, 1909 m, $50 m.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
TOWN TOPICS.
CHARLES HENRY PECK.

aARDING HIS WONDERFUL COLLEC-
TON OF CURIOs.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
THE POOR THIRSTY REAPERS.

though it is to be feared it was not al
ways water. DR. Vile presented the
collection with some interesting wood
en- clogs worn inI Holland. Mr. Peck
has the record of the first Morris fami-
ly that ever moved into town. It is
in the shape of a pair of old fashioned
names, worn by the old horse that drew
the first Morris family from Stratford
to Newtown in the year TAO.
Mr. Peck says he can gen.
orally tell the way his visitors minds
runafter talking with them and watch
ing what they observe most closely, in,
few minutes. Well, he must have
had presentiment he had struck the
right chord for the writer when he
stuck the cash. 1 guess all newspaper
men have a weakness that way, but it
is to be hoped no one else does. In
his collection are the old "shin plast-
ers" in denominations of 3, 5, 10, Is 25,
and so cents. Mr. Peck explained how
they came to be issued. 1t was in '65
and '66 that small change was scarce
and postage stamps were used to make
small change with, and they would get
so dirty that it was almost impossible
to tell whether they had ever been
cancelled or not. To relieve this
strain Tor stain) on the postage stamps
the shin plasters made their appear
ance, at Uncle Sans bidding. He has
paper money issued by a number of
states. Some of it dates back to 1776
and contains the rings of the Is origin
al states. There is also good collect
ion of old coins, probably many of them
peing of considerable value above
their market worth. There is picture
of the Congregational church, the old
corner store and town house, and the
Grand Central hotel as it looked before
it was built over, painted by George
Redstone in 1871, that Mr. Peck priced
quite highly. At about this time we
came across a set of carpenters tools
that
MUST HAVE SURVIVED THE FLOOD.
and been used before it's day in the
VI -luO AIN ny WA
They are made of wood evidently whit
tied out, and comprise monster brace
with the bits and reamers' compass
es, calapers, planes, etc. How they be-
came the property of Trowbridge
Camp we did not learn.
In this same collection was hand
affair for the formation of spoons with
the patterns belonging with it, which
Ziba Blakesly and his son, William, own
&c and used. 1t is composed of block
of wood followed out proper size and
an iron pummel to shape the spoon
with when placed on the block. A hoe
made by Ives Glover, in 1920. is also
here, and close beside a piece of old
lead pipe that was the first ever laid
in town when they used to take sheet
lead and roll it around rod and sold.
er it together. Mr. Peck's cellecti on OF
old wooden bowls and pitchers is excel
lent, some dating back to 176O. Among
the lot one plate made of iron, which
tells pretty good story. 1t seems
that certain D. B. Beers had an aunt
who married an Episcopal clergyman,
a Mr. Barber by name. This marriage
was blessed by an unusually large IA
mily of children and they seemed to
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
[00d's JdrsdpdriH0
and Pills

Are the medicines to take-they do
the work thoroughly and agreeably
and never fail to do 1t.
Hoods are the medicines you
have always heard recommended.
81 cannot recommend Hoods Sar.aparills
too highly as . spring medicine. When We
take it in the spring We all feel better through
the summer" MRS. 8. II. NEAL. McCrays. IA
hoods sarsaparllIa promises &c
cure and keeps tho promise.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27
March
.ADnI NAV

There is a best time for doing
everything-that is, time when
thing can be done to the best adj
vantage, most easily and most ef-
fectively. Now is the best time
for purifying your blood. Why?
Because your system is now trying
to purify it-you know this by the
pinples and other eruptions that
have come on your face and body.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1903-03-27

IS Year, rs Gents for Six Months, 50
Gents for Four Months: Four Cents Copy
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-06-04
DETERMINATIONS nARYLAsp.
The superb Summer Resort ON the Line
ofThe Baltimore a Ohio Railroad.

This superb summer resort, in the
heights Of the Allegheoies, $500 II.
above sea level, is an attractive
place for persons desiring to happily
combine recreation, rest and
intellectual uplifi. 1, vas last year
visited by $4,000 persons, repre-
seniing 40 States of The Union.
The Chau,auqua program under
the direction of DIR. w. l.. Davidson,
IS one of the best which genius can
devise or money procure.
Besinning MAY IS, ,icse,s to this
resort will be placed on sale and
continued through the season, good
for return until October 3tst.
Special rate tickets for the Camp
Meeting in July aud the Chau,auqua
IN August will be sold
For particular Information about
fares and time oi trains. apply TO
ticket agents az the y. x O. X. X.
Information abou, attractions at
Mountain Lake Park furnished IN
reply TO inquiries addressed to Mr..
l.. A Rudisill, Mountain Lake Park.
Md.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-06-04
"And be was walked around 10

"And he was walked around TO
an Officer"
ale was"
"And he gave up his szso for
5000 placed in tin box and locked
before his eyes"
"rhat was the way"
"And he brought that tox all the
way home and busted it open to
find it filled with old paper9"
Exactly as you say, Abe. He'd
bin took in. He'd bin done for.
He'd ben eiernally hornswagglcd
and made a fool Of with his eyes
wide open, and when he realized it
he tried to hang himself with a log
chain. Next day he wanted to
jump into the well. Last night he
tried to choke himself on a ham
bone. This morning l tied him up
down cellar, and that's him groanin'
and sobbin' now. Abe, can't nuthin'
be did, Can't them fellers IN New
York be arrested and hung for
deceivin' and robbin' my innocent
Joe and leayin' him wreck on his
old fathers hands9"
1t was beyond me. All / could
DO was to tell him TO keep Joe on
diet of tacks and pounded glass and
hope for the best, and the poor old
man was wiping his eyes as drove
away.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-06-04
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
Still Having Trouble I'm His Depart.
ment.

III further evidence were needed
that Postmaster General Payne was
seeking by every means at his
command to prevent the revelations
of corruption ia the Postoffce
Department, ii has been furnished
by his treatment of the charges Of
Seymour Tulloch, formerly cashier
of the Washington city postoffice.
When Tulloch's charges. which had
been prepared at the special request
of the Postmaster General, were
received Mr.. Payne characterized
them shot air" a ''stump speech"
''nothing but words" etc. Taking
the verdict of the Postmaster
General the public was prepared TO
believe that Mr.. Tulloch had failed
to make good his charges. Then,
In defense of his position, Tulloch
made public his statement and the
public was amazed to find that his
charges were of most serious import
and were accompanied by abundant
detail. Later the Postmaster Gener-
al announced that in any instance
where he could ascertain that alleged
employees of the Department had
enjoyed a sinecure, performing no
work, which Tulloch alleged in
number of instances, the Depart
ment would Immediately begin
prosecution to recover the salaries
paid. While on its face this appear
ed to be an expression of great
virtue, the inspectors are aghast at
the announcement which they say
will mean the absolute closing OF
every avenue of information that
might have remained open to them.
1t will be recalled that when Mr..
Payne removed Machen, step
which the inspectors looked to as
absolutely essential because it would
give employees sufficient confidence
to enable the inspectors to get
information from them, the Post
master General Immediately took
occasion to discharge an emyloye
who had made charges which he
could not substantiate, so as to
nullify the effect of Machen's
removal. Now, say the inspectors,
the Postmaster General has rendered
all their efforts futile by his latest
pronunciamento. The question
everyone is asking is, "Will the
President sanction this sort of
proceedings" but it is admitted that
only the removal of the Postmaster
General would efface the impression
he has so studiously created, that
every person who imparts informa-
ton regarding the scandal will get
into trouble.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-06-04
Ia All the Ordinary Forms Kept
Constantly on Hand and Orders
Filled Promptly. Spe cfal
Blanks Printed to Order.

Filled Promptly. Special
Blanks Printed to Order.
ssS- DEEDS Five Cents Each, 90
Cents per Dozen, or 50 90 per
Hundred.
Bay Coal LEASES, Notice to Tres
passers, Gas and Oil Leases,
Consta b c Sale Bills, Title
Bonds, Bail Bonds, Appeal
Bonds, Bond for Stay Of Exc
cution, IndemnifyiDg Bonds,
Commitments, etc, / cent each.
sSS- SUBPGNAs, Attendance Bills.
Summons, Justice and Consta-
BILE Fee Bills, Second Summons,
Executions, Dispositions, Alb
stracts, Venires, Writ Of Fer
Facias, and Any Kind of Justice
or Constable Blanks, 10 Cents
Dozen or SO Cents per Hun
dred.
BsS- Commissioner Summons.
Notices, Attendance Bills, No
tees TO Lien Holders and No.
tary Blanks, Release of Trusts,
General Release, etc, Cent
each or 10 Cents per Dozen.
ssg- Blank Statement Tabs and Bill
Heads, S and 10 Cents. En-
velopes, S Cents per pack.
Type Writer Paper, all grades.
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BaS- Blank Receipt Books, (. 10.
IS and IS Cents. Above are
bound and with perforated stubs
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leather and indexed, Is Cents.
2oo-Page Indexed lie gers,
well bound, IS Cents Day
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bs5- Ink and Muscilage, Cents
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to S Cents. Pencil and Ink
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RAJ Wedding Cards, Visiting Cards,
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japanese Napkins, IS Cents per
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Bs6~ Call or Send your Order for
anything Blank or Printed at
The Argus Printing House,
Price ST. Kingwood, w. Va.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-06-04
OUR CLUBBING LIST.

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