The Press., 1912-01-24
HOME NEWS.
STAFFORD SPRINGS.


 The following from the Sunday Re
 publican will be of interest here, a
 MT. and Mrs Laford formerly lived il
 this borough:-
 Iu their little home near the wir
 mill in Palmer, surrounded by chil dreu, grandchildren and great-grand children, MT. and Mrs. Michael Lafor' cele brated yesterday the Goth anniver sary of their marriage. For thre' score of years this couple, througl summers heat and winters s cold, havI worked together, brought up theii family, keeping them warmed and fed and in spite of misfortunes such a few couples have to face, still lool toward the future with cheerfulnes and outrage The aged couple re ceiVed their friends with the warm. hearted hospitality characteristic o the Frencl people, and were genuinely happy over the many oongratulation' showered upon them. It was an es pecial pleasure to the old couple tG have with them six of their sever children last evening, with theil families. Three of their 10 children died young, the others are married with families of their own. Of these Mrs. Virginia Deshayes of Worcester, Michael and George Laford, Mrs GeorgianR Larine, Mrs. Alvina Smart and Mrs. Mary Barsalow were pres ent. There are 21 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, many of whom were also at the reunion. Among those who called were many of the officials from the wire mill, where MT. Laford Is we'll known. and friendl from other sections of the town. One and all wished the happy couple many returns of the day, wish which their unusual good health and cheer ful outlook on life lead one to thinb may be realized. Few men have been so handicapped ill the battle oi life as has Michael Laford. Born al St. Thomas, Ont July "A, 1884, young Michaels mother died when the lad was two years old. At this tinle his father deserted his little family. He lived with relatives and part oi the time was very cruelty treated, SC at the age of IA he ran away to Mon treal and found work and later en. gagged in numbering. He was married Jannary 20, 1852, to Miss Mary La Mothe by Father Belle. He latel worked in Clinton and Malone, N. Y While working in sawmill he fell on the saw and lost both arms. This was 43 years ago. In speaking oi what followed this accident MT. La. ford said: "Six weeks after this went to work with two teams. I har. messed the horses, drove them, loaded and unloaded the logs. The boss asked who helped me. said did il alone, and he told me 1t was too hard for me. I couldn' t stand it. I said I would work as long as could. drew three loads of logs day, loaded, bound and unloaded my own lead, some of the logs being three feet through at the butt Later I went tc Stafford, Ot. and 23 years ago I came to Palmer. That year I drew 18OO cords of wood for Jason A. Palmer and 900 cords for o. W. Studley. Many night did not come home at all, stayed out in the moonlight moving the wood were the teams could get it. l worked hard, but hard work never hurt me '' With one arm severed al the wrist and the other at the shoulder, most men would be helpless, but said MT. Laford: "There are but three kinds of work cannot do. cannot chop wood, milk a COW or mow grass y An abstainer from alcoholic drinks, MT. Laford likes to smoke and fills and lights his own pipe. An example to many another man. equip psd with both hands, he builds the fire. shakes the stove, takes out the ashes, lighting the kindlirg with ease. He also takes off the chimney, fills and lights the lamp when occasion requires. He also brings in wood aud coal and puts on his own shoes, but cannot tie them up Mr. Laford is an expert berry picker; with a half bushel bafkat he will go tl the huckleberry patch and if the fruit Is reasonably thick comes home with g full basket. There ma be some leaves and stit ks." he says. but they can be picked out easily y He enjoy 6 farming. and few years ago did his share of the labor. He is an expert potato raiser handling his hoe with the remnant of an arm as Ekillfully as any man. He fought potato bugs with paris green, sprinkling the vines with whisk broom, fastened to his arm. No help Is needed to plant beans or corn With a pail on his neck he gets the kernels in line on the stump of his left arm and careful ly counts them out, co Vering them with his foot. In this way he planted and covered field of two acres of corn not long ago. MT. Laford uses only a knife which he has strapped to his wrist in feeding himself, but has be- come so expert in it's use that he has no difficulty in preparing his food and eating 1t. In the hay field 1t takfs a good man on the load to keep the hay out of his way as fast as. he .can pitch it on with the fork held in the curve of the left arm.
 Have you telephone in yonr home If not, why not9