The Newtown bee., 1904-09-09

troubles or their afflicted COWnSmen.
 There were no telephones to carry the anxious message to the Doctor, and no automobiles by which he could hasten
 to the waiting patient, but the saddle
 with it's saddlebags brought the doctor quickly, and with him came the looked
 for cheer and hope. In close succession
 to them came Drs William Shelton,
 Jones and John Tomlinson, who held
 high the standard of true and pract1- cal medicine. While the character or
 their work may have passed from
 memory, their names to-day seem to kindle anew the we'll known sincerity
 for their work, that held them so closely to the people of the perloo.
 The cOurtly manners of Dr Shelton associated with his most generous nature gave most envious position in the early history of our town, and building of the Connecticut Medica! Society has become valuable part or it's history. Almost as yesterday we bring into life again Dr Joseph Tom linson, and Dr James H. Shelton, bear ing the shorter, yet not less respectful names, Dr Joe and Dr Jim, which tells plainly how closely to the people they
 lived their lives. Dr TOmlinSOn, the erect and stately gentleman of the old school, twas known and read or all men," No one ever doubted his po- sition in religion, politics or medicine.
 His positive character he carried in his face, lived it ip his life, and with it filled large space in the hearts of
 the people. His life work did not cease without his individuality becom- ing strongly impressed upon his son, our own esteemed and beloved Judge
 TOmlinSOn. We can never clear from our memory the unique personality and whole souled greetings of Dr James
 H. Shelton. No man ever carried so
 far apart the true and generous warmth of heart, and his peculiar per SOnal presence. The nObleneSS Of his nature, and the brightness of his mind so overpowered everything beside, that the people ever brought its joy and confidence. The good old town of Huntington has for a long period of years carried the burden of the medical men bearing the name of Shelton. We have all read the poetry woven around
 the lives of Priscilla and John Alden,
 and recall the lines of LOngfellOw,
 where the anxious maiden in her effort
 to overcome the modest bashfulness of
 her lover says, Why don't you speak
 for yourself, John," so with you as
 Priscilla, and as John Alden, will
 speak for myself or rather for the
 medical part of the family. It is a bit
 of family history it is true, yet none
 can deny but that it enters into much of the life of the old town. Dr Will
 liam Shelton in the year 1789 entered
 upon his life work, and at once at tained to prominent place in his profession. It was not permitted him to enjoy very long practice, for his unselfish sacrificing labor in the great fever epidemic of 1919 completed his life work, a grievOus loss, which the
 town most seriously felt. Upon his
 sons devolved the duty of cOmplet- ing the unfininished work of their father. William selected Stratford for his field and James HI. his native town. | For many years he we'll sustained the reputation of his father, and not until 1868 did he cease his long period of
 earnest and self sacrificing labor. In l the following year, 1869, it became my
 great pleasure and high privilege to take up the honorable work of my
 predecessors that of my uncle and his father How we'll it has been others l must record. You will pardon know l this bit of family pride, for few fami- l lies think can show three generations of medical men in close succession covering the long period of 115 years. 1 How long the dear old town must bear I this burden can not tell, but let me assure you, that when it lays down the Shelton burden, it will still possess medical men, whose ability and earnest
 1ass in life will ever be worthy of your C oM fdence and regard.