The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-09-12
A DESERTED VILLAGE
OF MODERN DAYS
(Hartford Times.)

In the northeastern. part of Con-
necticut, only a few miles from sew
eral prosperous towns, is the little vii
lage having the Indian, name, Apa-
Quage. This village is also ceMed
Ford Ned owing to tradition, which
speaks of a man called Ned who
used to ford the stream before a bridge
was built
Whichever road leading to this 10
cality is taken, it can be reached only
by way of steep hills which slope down
to it from every side.
The most attractive road occupies
narrow space between a winding
stream and steep hillside which meets
the highway at a sharp angle In
early summer, people passing can look
upwards for several feet at a, bank of
laurel, wild rose and verdure-and
down at a clear blue stream, which
leads to a mill pond in whose waters
are reflected the foliage of surround
ing trees.
Few eople visit this region An oc-
casional fisherman comes to the pond
lovers of romantic scenery drive this
way; artis-s come al Il take away on
canvas memories for future days But
whoever comes cannot fail to De i'm
pressed with a sense of loneliness and
departed joys.
The rows of houses which formerly
stood by the mill Iond are now Simply
heaps of ruins. The location of for
n1er- wooden mills is marked by mason
ry, the dam and old hume The bridge
nearby is fast going to decap. A sense
of peril comes to one as he crosses the
rickety timbers during the spring
months, when rushing stream pours
over the dam, then hastens onward
Under the rafting woodwork-wasting
the energy-formerIy a, source of water
power for two busy mills
Many people, perhaps some readers
of this article, can recall the time
when ApaQuage was thriving little
town. the scene of happy village life.
The wooden mills operated by Charles
Hilbert employed many people. Thei
houses, now in ruins, were occupied by |
happy families. A boarding house
stood near the mill
The employees of the mills, mostly
young people, in the evening congre-
gated the wool flakes and made
the surrounding hills echo with their
song. During the winter skating par
ties and dances were enjoyed-young
folks from surrounding towns coming
to Apaquage to join IN the merry max
ing. Sleigh bells rang merri1y on the
air, as. with happy voices, s1eighing
parties started on long journeys over
the snow.
Former residents recall one evening
when a merry group walking about
the village noticed a horse and sleigh
by one of the village houses The own
er of the conveyance was calling on his
sweetheart. The girls of the company
hesought the young man who was act
ing as their escort to give them a
sleigh ride. With grave misgivings
(for he didn't know how to dr1ve) the
young man yielded to feminine plead
-ings. The patient horse was stealthily
taken and with subdued screams of de
light the party clambered into the
sleigh. For awhile all went we'll Sud
denly, in crossing a water bar the
sleigh overturned and the occupants
found themselves in a ditch by theI
roadside. In dismay, at this exhibit
ton of their drivers Ignorance of
ing their forlorn escort to return place
the abused horse in his former posi-
ton of martyrdorn, and silently depart
into the darkness.
The scene of the overturned sleigh
was near a house owned and erected
by Charles Hilbert. This house was
built on a luxurious plan. It's furnish
ings, driveway and park were both
costly and beautiful Deer were kept
in the park, lawre5 graded and care
fully cared for, and the owner of tn g
mansion dispensed hospitality to many
guests.
For a few years prosperity refgned,
then the mills were closed. Soon after
wards the beautiful mansion was de-
stroyed by fire.
All that remains is a foundation OF
stone, fallen chimneys and decayed
fruit trees.
The mills are silent now, the village
deserted. No Industries, no inhabit- |