The Press., 1904-04-20
THIRTY YEARS AGO.
Items of local interest taken from the columns
of The Press, thirty years ago.l
April 23, 1874.

The Congregational society of this
village has elected officers for the
year: Committee, W. Fl. Cooley, J.
V. Squier, F. J. Chandler; clerk, W.
RI. Smith; treasurer and collector, J.
W. Chandler.
AS being of interest to our Stafford
readers we present a few facts relative
to the life and character of the recent
ly deceased Col. Ephraim Dimmick,
who died Mach %. He was born in
the extreme northwest part of the
town in 1897, and was the second of q
family of seven boys and two girls.
But three of the seven survive, Deacon
| Orwell Dimmick of West Stafford
being the only one resident in the
town. The girls both died when
quite young. All of the boys were
literally educated for those days, and
all were more or less engaged in teach
ing when young, Col. Dimmick spend
ing large part of his early life in
that occupation, both in this vicinity
and in New York state. An incident
is related of his experience in New
York state: The law had just been
enacted establishing county examin-
ing board for teachers, and Col. Dim
mick presented himself as the first
candidate before the board of the
county, in which he was teaching.
The newly fedged officials were fully
sensible of the Importance of their
trust, and the magnitude of their re-
sponsibility, but hardly seemed to
know how to begin an examination.
An old lady present finally suggested
that it would be we'll to test him upon
reading. The suggestion was received
with approval, and the old lady pro-
duced printed copy of sermon-one
of the old-fasbioned kind, running MP |
to "fifteenthly.'' This the colonel |
began, supposing that few minutes |
reading only would be expected. |
Soon, however, he observed that his
little knot of listeners had settled |
themselves complacently in their regu-
lar meeting attitude, and evidently
expected the whole sermon. The Job
was formidable one, but seeing no
way out of the dilema he uuickened
his speed of reading, and finally got
through the task. The examining
board glanced at each other and nodd-
ed approval of the reading qualifica-
tion, but the critical old lady thought
he read "a leetle too fast.' And the
colonel admitted that he did hurry up
little when he saw that he must go
through the entire sermon. However,
he passed satisfactorily. Near the
outlet of Square Pond is standing a
house built by Col. D., in the base
ment of which he established store.
He soon, however, removed his bust
ness to the south end of the pond.
keeping store in the house now oc.
'upled by his son, Harlan. About
This time the post office of Square
Pond was first created, he being the
lrst postmaster, and continuing there
Is postmaster and merchant for many
7ears. In the beginning of his mer-
antile career he keep rum, as did all .
merchants in those days, but early
cit conjunction of conscience con-
erning that part of his business, and
DON snmmarily pitched overheard
hat branch of his business and be-
anne, as he has always been since, a
trong believer in and advocate of pro- /
lbltlon and abstinence. The last ,
wenty years of his life were passed e
this village. He Joined the mi c
tia when young, as a corporal, and
5ep by step rose to the office of CAP
ain, from which place he was pro- Il
loted directly to the colonelcy. He B
7as an efficient officer, and the men b
nder his command were remarkably r
ell drilled and disciplined, while at =
re same time few officers were SO :
opular with subordinates. Gen. =
uller, formerly of Somers, whose II
cath We recorded last week, was Col. e
s successor in command of the regi- e.
emit. He was remarkably method
al man, carrying order and method II
ITO the commonest everyday duties. q
robably he has done more business
18th the probate offices than any man .
lat has lived in Stafford. Among
is papers were found records of over N
'rty estates settled by him. and ir
lese were not all. il
Born. : In Williamstown, Mass. 81
'th, son to H. G. Preston of Stat b
I'd Springs. Il
Married.-In Eastford, 18th, Henry y
Bosworth and Margaret G. Buell., :"
tn of Eastford.
In Belchertown. Mass, by Rev. W. :,
Lyman, Theodore p. Needham of = !.
afford Springs and A. Maria Skies =
BelchertoWn. :.