The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-01-02
CONCOURSE OF PEOPLE
 ATTEND HOLMES OBSEQUIES
Respected Citizen Laid to Rest fir
 Family Plot at Union Cemetery.
STAMFORD
(specia1 to The Farmer

Stratford, Jan. 2.-The funeral ser vices over the remains of Benjamin Holmes took place this afternoon at his late residence on Elm street. A large concourse of people attended and this fact attests the respect and affection in which the deceased was held in the community. Benjamin
 was one of the eight children of John Holmes who came here from Maine dren were born in Stratford and the only survivors of the large family is Selectman John E. Holmes. The family early took an active part in
 life of the community and were in- fuential members of Christ church All of the children of John Holmes senior reached maturity but the fam fly has been followed bF singular fatality. The seven broth hers and sis
 ters all died in the samel manner. In each case a stroke of paralysis was followed by a rapid decline and a fatal end in a short time. Two weeks ago Benjamin Holmes was discovered
 used to reach the roof of his barn. Tt was generally supposed that he had fallen from the roof and that his con
 dition was duei to the fall. In fact, siderable and had no effect on his physical condition. He had evidently
 been overtaken by the stroke of para lysis when he reached the ground. The victim was allowed to believe that such was the case, by his family. It was feared that a Knowledge that he S-A~ family would affect his condition un- favorably. Benjamin Holmes was a man of attainments but of very re- tiring disposition and always lived very quietly. He was a life long and consistent Democrat in political mat ters and was an authority on the his tory and principles on which the par ty was founded. He persistently re- fused all public office although fre- quently urged to represent his party. l Two children, Isabel and Frederick, 1 survive. The widow has the sym pathy of a large circle of friends. | Rev. N. Ellsworth Cornwall read the impressive service of the Episcopal l church. The interment was in the | family plot in Union cem etery.
 MT. and Mrs. Charles F. Judson of King street are passing. the holiday | season with their son, John Judson | in Orange, N. J.
 Mrs. John Stevens has returned from a visit with her sister in Hol- |
 pr. G. F. Lewis. health officer, re- ports only one case of scarlet fever family recently moved into town i and occupying the house at the cor ner of Harris and King streets.
 ceived by Chief Allan Judson to be l placed in the fire house of the Tax payers Improvement club at Johnson avenue. The hose will be placed on | Center fire house which has been thoroughly repaired and put in fine 
 wagon maker. The apparatus at the new fire house will consist of hook and ladder truck, 8. hose cart and two large chemical tanks. Residents
 may look for some rivalry when the fire bell rings in the future. The fire company first on the scene will carry oH the honors. The autO-chenical of course will not figure in these runs The apparatus will supply a pressing need in the vicinity of the new fire house and residents of this district rest n Iodo that there is well equipped fire fighting force close by.
 MT. and Mrs. F. A. Aufford Of Jud~ son Place have announced the en- gament of their daughter, Nina May to Herbert W. Fryer of Sutton ave nue. MT. Fryer is an electrician and town. Miss Aufford graduated from the High school at the last com Miss Russell at the Stratford library. She is considered not only one of the most popular but also one of the
 most attractive young ladies in the town. She is a universal favorite all though an ardent advocate of woman suffrage, the youngest in the town The young couple will receive the best wishes of a large circle of friends The dance of the Outing Club on New Years eve was the most success full event ever given in the Audi torium. The hall was filled to over flowing and everyone present enjoy ed the evening thoroughly. The club mas not gwen a dance in several years and the revival of their popular af- fairs was welcomed with enthusiasm
 The annual crop of good resolutions and freak bets is now being register ed. The crop ranges in importance from abstaining from tea and coffee to hot Scotch and high balls. Tree Warden George Webb and George o. | Lines have renewed their bets of last New Years. This year tn wager is S25 and the one who removes the 1 hair from his face first will be obliged to pay the other that sum in good | and lawful money of the realm. An other bet involves box of Cave 1 cigars which shall be presented by l the one who first smokes to the ab- | stainer. There are some side bets on 1 the result of the contest Last year 1 the tree warden was obliged to buy | the suppers for the Dingbat club 1 when he clipped his flowing beard | with the scissors. The Iuxuriant | growth became entangled in the ice ] tongs and fnterfered with Webb's l work and he was obliged to violate i