Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-07

to Norwich itniz open space will Be
their memorial when other facts con-
corning their lives are forgorten.
How far-reaching their influence has
been none can tell; the same spirit that
prompted them to benefit their native
town has also Influenced other citizens
to give Laurel Hill park. the large tract
OF land now known as M0hegan park
and the fair Lothrop meadows.
Magnificent gifts have been made all
over the land for park purposes. but we
place our memorial fountain reverently
upon this little plot given BY men who
were among the pioneers in this move
ment.
While we perpetuate the memory Of
these two whose love for their fellow
men prompted this gift. let us, as we
enjoy this grateful shade, not forget
George 3. Ripley who lived In the third
house below at our left, now occupied
by his daughters, the Misses Ripley.
He. too, loved his fellow men and with
desire to serve them outlined the park
with young trees, thus identifying the
gift Of Mr.. Perkins and Mr.. Hunting
ton.
We as chapter in this public way
wish to thank all of our friends and
the descendants OF these two gentle-
men who have contributed literally
toward our fountain fund, and we
would also thank Mayor Lippitt and the
city. officials who have on this 250th
anniversary set you trees to replace
those planted by Mr.. Ripley which are
now suffering from blight and must
soon die.
Fifty years hence, when others gather
under the shade of these trees as we do
today, may they receive fresh inspira
| tion from Us, as we from those who
| have preceded us, and so the influence
of those who have gone before repeat
itself for good in the generations to fol-
low. -.
Fountain Unveiled.
Miss Mary Lanman Huntington,
granddaughter OF Jabez Huntington,
and Miss Helen Lathrop Perkins. great
granddaughter OF Hezekiah Perkins,
proceeded directly to the fountain. which
| is about three hundred feet from the
| speakers stand and removed the stars
and stripes. which revealed the granite
| fountain with bubbling sanitary drink
| ing tubes and with drinking bowls on
the lower sides for dogs and birds.
This ceremony over. Mrs. Bishop,
continuing, said:
Mayor Lippitt: In your custody and
| that of the city Of Norwich we place
our memorial fountain. May 1t, like
| this open space and these trees, prove
blessing to the children who play here
| from early spring to late fall; to the
visitors who come in increasing num-
bers to our city and loiter in this park;
to the lovers who occupy its benches,
and to those who come from the heated
| quarters of the town and spend their
summer evenings here.
1t is not a large gift which we leave
| with you today, but we hope that In
the dispensing OF one Of Gods free gifts
to the public it may bring unalloyed
| comfort.
| Acceptance by Mayor Lippitt.
Mayor Lippitt bowed gracefully and
accepted the gift in behalf of the city
in the following words:
| Mrs. Bishop and Ladies of Faith
| Trumbull Chapter:
We rejoice that there are not only
Sons but also Daughters" Of the
| American Revolution equally patriotic
! the one with the other; and that in
these piping times of peace" when
| there arc no rude alarms of war, no
call for them to make clothing and
send supplies to the soldiers at the
! front or nurse the sick and wounded in
hospitals. they can and do commem-
crate their illustrious deeds in enduring
| bronze and granite.
That also they recognize the service
/ Of those public spirited citizens who
| with generous forethought have long
ago learned the great truth that the
] highest happiness to be gotten out oil
/ life is secured by contributing to the
| comfort and happiness Of others.
With that purpose you have gath
| eped here today to perpetuate with this
l. FL H.. II. amt~.a4A -
| to their former homes, the memory oil
those honored citizens. Hezekiah Per.
kins and Jabez Huntington, who gave
/ this open space" for the comfort anC
enjoyment Of present and future gen
| erations.
In the name and in behalf Of thu
city Of Norwich, which have the dis
tinguished honor to represent, CRATE
fully accept your beautiful and appro
pirate memorial gift, with the assur
ance that it will be to all who shall
i hereafter enjoy its "unalloyed com
fortp not only perpetual reminder o
the generous donors Of this Little Plaii
but also of the loyalty and patriots
zeal Of the ladies Of Faith Trumbul
chapter. Daughters Of the American
Revolution.
| Address by Rev. {. w. Bishop.
Rev. Edwin W. Bishop, D. D., a ma
tive of Norwich, now of Oak Park. Ill
delivered the address of the occasion
He said:
Madam Regent, Daughters of tn
/ American Revolution, Fellow
Countrymen and Fellow Towns
men:
These days through which we ar
now passing are full of intense interes
to every inhabitant and to every nativ
son and daughter of this beautiful city
rightly called from time immemoria
''the Rose of New England" With 1t
princely streets and stately elms-
alasi that so many which used to b
yonder are no more-with it's digni
fed homes, with its magnificent school
and with it's splendid traditions tina
root back into a great historic pas
Norwich is the fond mother OF prou
sons and daughters who at this tim
throng back to do her honor and rev
erence 1t seems but few short year
that ] was a student in the Academ
yonder. though when I consult the cal
endar I am reminded 1t is over TWEEN
ty; little longer when as a CROWN
lad often wandered through this Lit
tie Plain on my way to Broadwa
school; a little longer yet not much
when as frolicking boy learned I
skate on Fanning's ditch, acquired tn
art of swimming at Spalding's dan
and fished for crabs at Trading Cove