New Britain herald., 1915-04-08
Stanley Quarter 5 History
 Nicely ToHby Miss Andrews
Many Interesting Incidents of the Old Section Related and Pleasant References Made to Some of the
 Neghbors Who Made Their Homes There.

, shoes and cowhide boots that were so | universally worn, Timothy Stanley had a tannery opposite the Stanley 1 tavern, and here for many years, he piled his useful trade. Truly an enter prising and industrious family, these Stanleys of the old days. The ances- tors of those who, later were so active in establishing and fostering our large manufacturing concerns.
 The youthful mind loves excitement and so the house standing at the head of what was for many years called Spiritual Lane. but is now Wells street, held for me an avenue of some interest. William Smith was the first one of his name to live there, but it was his son Samuel who was the hero of the event am about to relate. MT. Smith owned many fine sheep and was accustomed to keep the wool for several years in his attic then sell when prices were ad- vantageous. He had Just done so and was known to have a large sum of money in the house. One winter night as MT. Smith rested in fancied security several men. rushed in and attacked him. It was bold and at the same time a cowardly attack for the. men wore masks to conceal their identity. MT. Smith had the valient assistance of our old neighbor. Charles Gaffney and a hired man, and their defense was determined and fierce, and during the light several of masks were torn off. I believe that the names of Gilbert and Martin have always been associated with the at tempted robbing, the former a rela- tive of the Gilbert, wno died in state prison as the murderer of Mr. Cad we'll. When the smoke of battle cleared away MT. Smith remained in possession of both the field, the money, but some wounds, not serious remained to show how near to being a tragedy the affair had been.
 It is said that propinquity works wonders in affairs or the heart, so we need not be surprised to find the An cestral Kilbourne homestead just south of the Smiths; for did not father and mother of our good neighbor prove the truth of the old adage? This seems a good place to introduce to you the very remarkable man, James Kilbourne, quite the most remarka ble man ever born in Stanley Quarter. The reason that we have known so little about him here is, that the great CT part of his life was spent at the west. It seems that when the cellar of the Bodwell Bungalow was being dug big old cellar wall was found. : Of course. that aroused curiosity and led to the discovery that a ,Kilbourne had owned the property many years ago. A3curious coincidence that after passing through other lands our neighbor should buy 1t, in ignorance of its having been owned by his fam fly before. It was on the spot indi- cated above that James Kilbourne was born in 1770 There he lived un- , til he was fifteen years of age, at which time his father having met with financial losses and seeing his affairs at low ebb, gave his boy his time to do with as he would. Barefoot. light clothed, With not a cent in his pocket, the boy started. He walked thirty miles before finding any one to aid him. At Tariffville he found good friends and later at Granby. At nineteen he was married and a little later owned three clothing mills. He oe~oiiie piospsIous, put @ little later the fumes from the dyes so filled his system that he became an invalid Tor over a year. His business left to others, fared as business usually does, when so left and he lost all he had. Soon after that he started on horse pack for the west. At Worthington. ohio, he founded the city, took his family and ten other families ont there and for fifty years he dominated