Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-23

The old frame structure in Canal street, now being razed to make way for the new Crandall building, of brick and modern design, was the original Leonard house., and formerly stood next to the First Baptist church and on part of the site of the Dixon house, now the Rhode Island house. The building was moved to Canal street just before the work on the Dixon house was commenced in 1866. The old building adjoining the old Leonard house in Canal street, was the former home of the Dixons and was located ] next the Leonard house in Dixon square. In the long ago what Is now the business centre of Westerly will lage was commonly termed as Pawca- tuck, just as Pawcatuck today Is gen. orally referred to as Westerly. In this connection the following from the Pawcatuck correspondent of the Nor. wich Bulletin, fifty years ago. is of interest:
 "Pawcatuck in 1874 was a port of entry and a place of importance. It comprised at that time Westerly, and that part of the town of Stonington bordering on the Pawcatuck river. Within the entire district, comprising a territory six miles in length along the river. and three miles in width, there were twelve two-story dwelling houses that had at some time been painted white, and the rest of the res- idences were built of wood. also, and retained their primeval color. The old meeting house on the hill Gin rear of the present town halD was one of native color and the only place of public worship, save occasional ev- ening meetings in the red schoolhouse on the hill. (The site of the present Hibernian halD. Such was the native simplicity of Pawcafuck.
 "A number of enterprising men from the adjoining towns formed a com h11i1 ho ct yr1fI (now a part of the plant of the West erly Textile company with basement and attic. of selected stone, mostly taken from the Hinckley farm, and worked into the building in different sizes and in their native shape. This building was one of the wonders of the age, being visited by the infiabi- tants of the country for miles around, and admired for its size and beauty!"
 The plan to have a triangular con- test of hand fire engines for prizes, on Thanksgiving day, between ancient fire fighters owned in Westerly, Mo- ank and Old Mystic, has been aban- doned. The Westerly Veteran Fire mems association members were 1ieving that their Star can force stream a greater distance than can any hand engine in the state of Con- necticut. An admirer of the local organization had offered to put up $50 towards purse that would have made the contest worth while. The West erly vets believe that at some date in the good old summer time that ar. engagements can be made for the trian- gular contest, and that thereafter they will become annual events.
 The Narra gansett and Watchemocket fire companies will meet in annual contest on Thanksgiving day, at Grosvenordale field, Watchemocket, and squirt for the Tales cup, given by Warren R. Tales when he was foreman of the Narragansett company of Riverside. 4 @
 The Chapman farm, so- called, To- cated on the Shore road, and com prising over two hundred acres and a substantial farmhouse. which was re- gently purchased by Dr. John Champ lin, is not to be utilized as a summer hotel and a winter school for boys, but is destined tc become an exclu- sive summer colony. The tract con tains several miniature ponds, rolling land, plains and wooded land, and the location is one of the most desirable in the section. The farm house and immediate grounds are to be improved and rented as a summer home and be ready for occupancy the coming sea- son. The entire tract is to be sur veyed and avenues and building sites plotted.
 It is the plan to divide the tract in to estates of twenty five acres each and dispose of these to be used as private summer homes, which will be on a par with the best in the Watch Hill colony.