The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-03


Earned -- Fortunes Made -- Ex-Lfeu-
tenant George g. Sumner.
Hartford, May 2.-The subscription
book publishing business, which cen
tered In Hartford at the time Of the
civil war, large fortunes having been
made in 1t, has practically become ex-
tlnct. The book canvasser's day has
passed, Twenty-Five years ago hun
dreds OF canvassers were out for Hart
ford publishers. AT the present time
they can be counted on the tips of one's
myers. One of the first subscription
books published In this locality was
sent out into the world from the town
or Wethersfield. The publisher was
William Boardman, a man of great
force OF character and an eager adnairer
OF Thomas Jefferson The book In fact
was entitled Writings and Opinions of
Thomas Jefferson" It was issued in
1883 and Is now infrequently met with
by collectors. Mr.. Boardman learned
the printers trade in the old Hartford
Times office under Samuel Bowles and
John Russell, father of DR.. Gurdon w.
Russell, who Is now past ninety years
of age. Mr.. Boardman was selected by
Adr Bowles to go with him to Spring
field when the Republican of that city
was founded. The whole outfit, type,
press and machinery was taken from
Hartford up the Connecticut on fiat
thnffN111 hnat Tho III c1yo Cd a vAia
neer undertaking. Not one Of the men
interested in 1t, not even Sam" Bowles
with his far-sighted newspaper sense
could have foreseen the splendid out
come of the venture. After the found
ing Of the Springfield Republican Mr.
Boardman went to Norwich in this
state and established the Norwich Re
publican. His enthusiasm for General
jackson led him to support at the OUT
set that heros aspirations for the pres
idency. He was anxious that the Nor
witch Republican should be the first pa
per In the state to unfurl the Jackson
banner, but he was told by Gideon
Welles not to take that course, as ii Ibe-
1orged to the Hartford Times to take
the initiative. Gideon Welles was at
THAT time democrat of the democrats
and hand in glove with the Times
management, Mr.. Boardman's health
became impaired by excessive work,
compelling him to give up the newspa-
per field. In 1s41, after he had
launched the subscription book publish
ing business that grew ito such proper
tions in Hartford in few years, he
took up the coffee and spice trade, that
commanded his interest and manage
rient through the rest of his life. He
started In partnership with John Fox,
of Wethersfield. In 1845 he began bus
mess for himself and built UP in few
years the largest coffee and spice trade
In Connecticut, His sons, William #. J.
Boardman and Thomas Jefferson
Boardnaan, the latter bearing the name
of his favorite statesman, were admit
ted to partnership with him He was
merchant prince in Hartford for years.
His name is indelfbly connected with
the South Park Methodist church in
Hartford, of which he was one of the
founders and the richest patron. He
died here November s. 1887, leaving a
priceless heritage for those who should
come after him. William F. ]. Board
man, who has been engaged for a num-
her Of years In preparing the Boardman
Genealogy, has the work now In the
printers hands. It's publication will
complete an enterprise that has long
had d place in the heart and mind Of
the author, Mr.. Boardman. He has
given it some Of the best thought of his
life, sparing nothing In the way of time
and money that would ensure complete
ness and scholarship.
There Is no end of political allegiance
towards the late United States Senator
O. Fl. Platt In this state. In touch with
the splendid eulogies that have been
made In congress within a few days, the
Hon. H. Wales Lines, of Meriden, has
had the facts of Senator Platt's home
reception after his election to the SEN
ate given anew. The story, which is
one Of absorbing interest, fittingly pre-
ltldes the Meriden centennial, which is
now near at hand. The reception,
which was a spontaneous outburst of
public feeling in Meriden towards Uni
ted States Senator Plat, took place on
wednesday evening, January %, 1879
Senator Lines was mayor of Meriden ait
that time and g. member Of the state
senate. The distinguished citizens Of
Meriden and members of the legisla-
tltre, who participated in the event in
cllided the Hon. Abiram Chamberlain
Charles L. Rockwell, Judge Levi E.
Coe, John w. Coe, Senator oliver Hoyt
of the old Twelfth district, the Hon. l.
Luther Spencer of, Sufleld, Marcus E.
Baldwin OF Woodbridge, who had voted
steadily Through the whole caucus until
the last ballot for Governor Henry B.
Harrison of New Haven, but on the
last voted for Platt, Samuel M. Gard
ner of Derby, DR. G. Grove Wilson and
Cephas Rogers of Meriden. One of the
Interesting features of the function was
the coming of Mayor Lines workmen
to pay their respects to Senator Plat.
Two hundred Sunday school scholars,
who knew the senator In the church
where he worshtpped, called and re-
ceived liis recognition. 1t would not be
ainiss to add that this band of boys has
done yeomans work In Meriden for
good citizenship under the memory OF
the Platt reception. Senator Lines was
chairman of the committee in charge of
the Platt campaign at the Capitol 1t
was to him that the notable dispatch
from Mr.. Platt was sent, directing the
policy that was to he pursued in sup
porting his candidacy. That dispatch
in its entirety is a credit and honor.
Its reproduction is refreshing:
New Haven, Conn.,, Jan. IA,