The Press., 1904-05-25
in 1901. Three sisters. Mrs. Id

mother, Mrs. Rufus Robbins. Mary was good young woman, and in the various families she had been em- pioyed she was highly esteemed and greatly beloved-a families in Nor wich, Ellington, West Stafford and other places can testify. Her funeral was attended from the home of her mother, Mrs. Rufus Robbins, where she died, Sunday afternoon, Rev. T. c. Denman officiating. Relatives, friends and all her acquaintances alike mourn her untimely departure. The interment was by the side of her step father, Rufus Robbins, in the new cemetery.
 We append another letter, this time from former highly respected citi- zen of this town, once pupil of the late Rev. Dr. Locmis :-
 Addison, N. Y., May 12, 1904. MT. Charles T. Preston :-
 Dear Sir and Brother :-The read l ing of Brother Johns letter in The Press brings to mind scenes and mem | OA~o0 oA oAAO AOnS5 US5Os GAAA PAouu OA the land of my birth, not that it's sur face is smooth, or it's soil fertile or inviting to the agriculturist. It is the product of character that prompts me to write to say a word of the good old town of Wilmington and the men and women living there seventy five years ago. And while no name of that period stands high on the roll of fame, the general average of mind and character would compare favor ably with many places of larger pre- tensions. It is the one word solid, or substantial, that comes to me as expressing the general character of the Wilmington people of seventy five years ago. And while there was a good average of "Yankee'' solid sense in such names as Prestons, Vintons, Westons, Glaziers, Johnsons, Taylors, Holts, Dimocks, Riders, and others, yet it is no disparagement to any of the above named to place the name of Judge Hiram Rider at the head of the list of the solid men of Willing ton of the last century. Of Judge Hiram Rider I write from personal and intimate acquaintance. By na- ture, nor education, was he polished, but rather otherwise. There was in his nature an element of severity that at times came to the surface, not pleasing, even to his friends. He was far removed from all suspicion of malicious design, yet he could use the English language in 8 manner that none could mistake his meaning. On 8 certain occasion he said to the writer: People call me severe, but I am not more severe than evil de- serves His office as sheriff for nine years gave him large acquaintance with the dangerous element in socie- ty. and while acting as judge his de- cisions were generally sustained by the higher courts He had supreme regard for truth and integrity at all times and places. But the choicest element in Judge Riders makeup was his deep religious character, and while never demonstrative in public expression, he was wise in counsel and prompt with his means, his heart was always in the right place, and no man of the 18th century holds a of the writer than Judge Hiram Ri der, who died of the terrible malady that prevailed in Wilmington about 1S44, making true the scripture, "The memory of the just is blessed. Of the character of the present popu- lation of Wilmington the writer has no knowledge, but will hope that the good character of the men and women of the 18th century is being dupli- cated by the men and women of this 2Oth century.
 Samuel D. Merrick,
 At 89 years of age. South willington.
 Charles W. Wolfe will supply the Baptist pulpit next Sunday.
 James Steele of New Haven is the guest of his sister, Mrs. Mary Mun- dell.
 Mrs. w. O. Eldredge spent Satur- day with relatives in South Man chester.
 Miss Hattie Phillips of Worcester, Mass, is the guest of her uncle, Wm. H. Bracket.
 Regular communication of Uriel lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M., Saturday evening, May 28. Work in the F. O. degree.
 Mrs. E. J. Holman and Mrs. E. J. Pratt attended the W. c. T. U. con- vention in Rockville Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
 Mrs. Harriet Morrison left Tuesday morning for New Haven. Her triI will include visit to her brother, who lives in Philadelphia.
 Mrs. Santermere moved last week from this village on to the place owned by her brother, Edmund La bonte, on the Holland side of the river.
 W. H. Hall has just had pavilion built among the shade trees at the , north end of his lawn; designed main. } ly, we are told, for the use of the , children.
 Thunder and lightning, hail and rain in whole waters, followed by g starlit sky, within fifteen minutes, was a sample of our weather last Thursday evening.
 Gilbert Spicer has just had all eight-foot windmill set up over his we'll for the purpose of supplying water for his house and barn. He will have a five-barrel tank in the upper part of his house, furnishing water for the fancots