The Press., 1914-05-06

and were fortunate in getting a good start in business.
 The first that recall as sending out a team in that line was Origen Dim- ock, who as early as 1884 or 5 had very fine pair of buck skin colored horses and fine wagon, very showv team, and his second son Dewitt in charge, MT. Dimock supplying the goods from his own store. Later the business was taken up by the late O. P. Rider and the late Truman Johnson aud the late Norman Holt, and for time they each were quite successful Their business consisting for the most part in supplying the country stores with wares as were in demand in their trade and could be easily carried in quite large quantities in their large wagons. Some of their routes extend ing we'll into northern Vermont and New Hampshire and usually occupy ing several weeks at each trip. The writer recalls that the late Winfield S. Holt was quite successful in this line of business for several years, even so long as his health would per init his continuing it.
 The late Charles P. Rider marie l Miss Janette, the oldest daughter of the late Origen Dimock some time in the forties and for several years made his home in the old hotel which is now known as Maple corner He carried on at various times variety of manufacturing in small way
 At one time doing quite business in the manufacture of coarse cards such as were used extensively in livery stables and for a time had for pat ner his cousin, J. G. Rider, but they were too much alike, each wanting his way and the partnership was soon dissolved by mutual consent.
 The writer has in an old account book an account with the Willington boot and shoe company and thinks that MT. c. P. Rider was at the head of the concern, but of this has ID exact knowledge. This company built a 2-story house, No. at Maple Corner. The account only ran a few months and the principle item of the account was a derssed hog of 300 lbs., and a portion was paid in sugar and trans fer with Amariah Dexter and the bal, ance in cash. had entirely forgot ten that there ever was such a firm in Wilmington. Soon after the death of his parents in 1851, in the settlement of his fathers estate, o. P. Rider .:,GGs .G into possession of the Rider homestead ans it was ever his home until he went west, and there the most of his children were born. ~,.,
 After my return to Willington frol2 Rockville, Conn. where I had spent three and one-half years in learning the trade of a carpenter until 1 re moved from my native town MT. c. P. Rider was one of my stauncll friends. Although he was some ten years my senior we hoth took an ac. tive interest in the dear old Baptist church and of course we were on the right side MT Rider from his early manhood liked di play and we used to think that he would like to be thought as one of the wealthy ones in any community, but what would have been called wealthy in the days be. fore the civil war would now be placed among those of limited means. I recall hearing MT. Rider remark at one time that he never wanted to be worth any more than $50, ,OOO.
 Tn the early days of the old militia laws each town had a company of militia that had to responl to a call about twice each year for company in spection and drill anI once in several years for a regimental review. In the fall of 1877 the 23d regiment was called to meet in Windham and 5 of that regiment, and MT. 0. P. Rider was our Captain and the writer held a commission as ensign and my captain insisted that should respond although l was out of the limits of Wilmington. Captain Rider was a born leader and he wanted that his company should appear as we'll as any in the regiment and he insisted that all should appear in white trousers. We gathered on Willington Hill the day before we were to meet at Wind ham and all drove there together and had quarters for the night, our con- pany all together. I roomed with my captain and had retired early, but about ten o'clock the captain came ill and said to me, it is of no use the boys are in for a little fun and you must go out with them for bowl of oysters. We went out and found a sleepy oyster seller and had the oys- ters and then went for a little serenad- ing of some of the principal people, which was done with three cheers. We were all young men and the cheers were gwen with will. In our march we came to the home of Hon. Geo. S. Catlin, member of congress. Before we had time to cheer, gentle man came to the door and said that MT. Catlin was very ill and wished that we would be quiet. Captain Rider offered the apologies of the company and we quietly retired. Our Wilmington boys were all total ahsti- -G