Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-23
WESTERLY DEATH DUE 10 STORM
Mrs. Evan Burdck, 82, Terror-Srcken During Tuesdays Ligtning and Darkness Office for Orson C. Roges- Sheriff Wilcox Captures Youthful Thieves

The first church bell ever sounded in the village of Westerly, now owned by Christ Episcopal church. is to be placed on the church grounds just as soon as a location can be definitely decided. and upon a granite pedestal suitably inscribed. The committee ap- pointed for the purpose selected location on the Elm street side of the church and on line with the Broad street frontage. Excavation made when there was an objec- ton filed against the site selected. and location in the rear of the church edifice, the one selected by the late William Hoxsey. was suggested The work of erection of the pedestal for until the matter of location is defin- iteiy and satisfactorily settled.
 This bell was formerly in the steeple of the Union Meeting house which was erected in 1s23. on the site of ta,e old town hall. The church building was razed in 1872. and the bell was purchased by Christ Episco- pal church to replace the one destroy cd when the Episcopal church in Union street was burned. Another church building. now Hibernian hall. was erected on the site of the burned building. When the present granite church was erected the old structure was sold to the Hfbernian society, but ths bell was not included in the sale, ms it was intended to use the bell In the steepie of the new edifice. The, late Edwin Milner presented chime bells. and the old bell was placed in storage where 1t remained for many years. The plan to place Westeriy's first church bell in prominent place has long been under consideration by the officers of Christ Episcopal church and that plan was about to become ef- fectfys, when objections were inter posed that resulted in delay,
 The bell summoned worshipefs to the Union Meeting house which was the cradle where each Christian de- nomination now in Westerly, except the Christian church and the Catholic church mustuFed their serti- ments and increased their numbers until they were able to stand alone.
 Rev. Lewis Alexander Piatts, D. D, and Mrs. Piatts, celebrated their ss,asn wedding day. at @ the M Milton dntss9 church. July 4th. Dr. Platts was pas tor of the Seventh Day Baptist church in Westerly. in 1SS0-S2 and was suc- eeeded by the late Joseph W. Mor- ton, D. D. The following report of the event taken from the Sabbath Record er fs of local interest
 @An informal reception was given Dr. and Mrs. L. A. Platts on the eve of the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage and 8 large number throng- ed the church to offer loving congrat- ulations. President Dalend at the pipe organ and Mrs. Ellen Place with her violin rendered beautiful music. Eighteen people were present who at tended the wedding of fifty years ago. J. D. Bond described the scene, the large crowd present at the commence Inent occasion, the wedding ceremony at the close, the rain, and Elder Still man Coon holding his big umbrella over the happy couple like benedic- tion while President Whitford pro- nounced the solemn words of the ceremony.
 ''Mrs. Henry Osborne added her inn pressions of the occasion. MT. and Mrs. SherriIl Clark, and MT. and Mrs George Lanphere having already passed their golden wedding mark were called on to give advice, which they did in characteristic fashion Principal Vernon Huntley spoke 1T behalf of a large number who had been received into the Milton church during Dr. Platts' thirteen years pastorate. Several pastors referred te the good work of Dr. Platts at other | places.
 Pastor Randolph presented to Dr - and Mrs. P1atts, as a slight token oi the loving regard of friends, fifty dol lars in gold. and he wished all pres l ent as happy golden wedding as that which they were witnessing.
 "Dr. and Mrs. Platts responded 1T expressions of heartfelt appreciation giving very interesting "reminiscences of the past and looking forward tt happy reunions in the brighter world beyond. Dr. L. A. Platts, Jr., sang sepg and the band played Silver Threads Among the Gold, bringing the evening to a very fitting close"
 Mrs. Abby Jane Burdick, widow O
 Evan Burdick, died suddenly late or :. Tuesday afternoon from heart fail ure, presumably superinduced by tn, excitement incidental to the brief bu severe tempest that prevailed As tn, sky darkened and the black cloud rolled over Westerly from the north west, accompanied by thunder ant lightning, Mrs. Burdick, always ap prehensive of danger from lightnin, became very much excited and callet r to her sister. Mrs. Ransom Hoxie, wh, resided near her in Dison street t. 7. call Mrs David Franklin Stillman ,, neighbor, as she believed she wa about to die. Within five minute Mrs. Burdfck was dead.
 .a Mrs. Burdick was in her eighty third year and was for many years member of the First Baptist churc
 and president of the Women's Aid so ciety. She is survived by fou
 cox, Mrs. Leander Collins, MT. Charles W. Austin and Mrs. Ran
 som Hoxie.
 orsen C. Rogers, of Pawcatuek. wh