Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-07-07

mands upon it. The spring of this
same year also witnessed the erection
at the head of the Great Plain of the
monument to the memory of the SOL
diers and sailors of the Civil war.
This theater was opened in 1890. The
following year the Otis library was
made free, and in 1892 enlarged, and
thus the way prepared for the invalu-
able work it is now doing. The year
1893 was made memorable by the COM
pletion of the William w. Backus hos
pital, for whose beautiful location, adj
mirable plant and ample endowment
Norwich owes an inestimable debt of
gratitude to Mr.. Baclxus and to that
most generous of her sons, William A.
Slater In 1894 the Masonic temple
was dedicated, and in 1906 the new
postoffice was opened.
Frank T. Brown.
An untoward event of the last few
months impels me to depart from my
resolve to remain silent concerning.
those who have been participants in
the activities and life of this people
during the more recent years. l knew
Frank T. Brown at the Academy and
at Yale. 1t was my privilege to con-
tinue my acquaintance with him, and
to observe his career during the years
which have since passed. / saw his
steady progress in his profession, and
in the confidence of all who knew him
until the time had come when he
could, without presumption, claim to be
the peer of the select few best lawyers
of the state, where his professional
brethren cheerfully recognized his right
to that high position. and when the re-
wards of such a reputation were COM
ing to him. His. foot was already upon
the topmost round of the ladder, and
he had justified his right by virtue of
both ability and character, to assume
the succession to Strong and Halsev
and continue that notable line, when
the end came. The loss to COM
munity like this of man of such abil-
tiles such force, such character, such
courage for the right and such public
spirit is one which 1t is hard to meas
ure. Who is there that, taking heed of
his example and of that of those whom
he followed, shall prove himself worthy
to follow him?
$4,000 in 1885,.
The year 1859 saw this town group
of approximately $4,000 persons. They
were, as l have already had occasion to
notice. largely of the old New England
stock, and retained to a striking de-
gree the strong and sturdy character.
istics of their inheritance Their homes
were scattered over a territory which
Providence had lavishly endowed with
it's gifts of natural beauty. Towering
hill looked out upon towering hill, and
down upon fertile valleys and gentle
rivers. Woodland and rock and
meadow in striking contrast added di-
versity to the scene. Many of these
homes were of historic interest, and
carried ones thoughts back to the
early days. The principal thorough
fares We're lined in profusion with at
tractive houses set in generous spaces
which bespoke the taste, the prosperity
and the comfort which characterized
the life within. The symbols of pros
perity, content and happiness were dis
closed on every hand. 1t was easy to
discover the dominating presence of
the typical New England character and
thrift. The homes of the lowly as well
as those of the comparatively rich told
the same story. For miles about lay a
thriving farming community which
looked to Norwich as its business. So
cial and political center. Its members
were of the same New England stock