The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1905-08-25

observance may be held, all friends CO.
operating, to extend our list, so that
Huntingtonians everywhere may gath
er with us at Old Home time, or, should
this prove impossible, may send their
word of greeting. 1 need scarcely say
that having gathered for this observ-
ance it is our cherished purpose to re-
new and strengthen the old ties which
bind us closely together as fellow
townsmen and friends. They ought
to be cemented. Not only should we
greet each other with warmth and
kindly personal interest but we should
aim to draw up close to one another.
With SO much in common and no sell
fish considerations to hinder we can
certainly do this. Just as we are
proud and happy in a large bond as
fellow citizens of our great republic, so
in the lesser which unites us as fellow
members Of parent town let US heart
lily rejoice. Were nothing else accom-.
plished such result alone would JUS
tify Old Home observance.
Taking another view of present pur-
pose we who are here need to meet in
thoughtful conference and touch the
past. In young country like our own
Huntington, looking back to 1889, it's
date of incorporation, and still farther
back to it's traditions and early history,
may rightly be called an old town. The
voices lately waited to US over the
hills from Newtown on the occasion of
her splendid bi-centennial celebration,
while venerable indeed do not result
in causing US to feel youthful. And
just because we are old is it not our
privilege and duty, before it is too
late, to gather up our ancient tradi-
tions, prying keenly into all available
records, making full and patient lin
quiry land investigation, asking the
aged who are still spared what they
have to tell, and to the best of our
ability securing mementoes of bygone
years. In an article on "The Honor
able Old Town of Huntington" pub
lished about year ago, the writer,
Miss Jane DeF'orest Shelton, made a
strong and persuasive appeal for
prompt and effective measures in this
work. Miss Shelton reminded Us that
"men and women of patriotic purpose
and enthusiastic love for thel past are
doing much work in other towns;" al
so that ''every town history is part
of the history of the nation" At last
years observance much was said to
this point and forward step taken in
the appointment of certain commit
tees. Attention was particularly d.
rected to the old burial plot now hard
ly to be delineated on the Harry
Brownson property; this matter would
seem to deserve early attention. Look
out over this park where we are assem-
bled and the eye will rest on COM
monplace object, yet an object Of local
historic interest, milestone from the
first mill erected in the town on the
Birdsey Lewis property, in the west
ern part of Huntington. Let us col
lect and cherish such mementoes, sim
pie though they be, of the far past.
Each Will nave It's tale to tell of life in
our town century or more ago. To-
day before we part company can we
not take further steps towards the end
in view? Should we not vest in a COM
mittee or in some individual authority
to solicit and care for such memen-
toes? Might it not also be wise to
choose a town historian. ASSIGNING as
bis part the collecting of old data, let
tiers, quaint deeds, records and so
forth, and to whom all communica-
tions would be addressed? Doubtless
other suggestions Of like nature will
be made, and how valuable in this
cause will oe the interest and concert
ed action Of all present.
A last thought as to the purpose of