The Press., 1917-05-24

The whole community is over- whelmed with sorrow at the death of Deacon Frances Wayland Pratt that occurred on Saturday at his Pleasant View home, the news coming like a shock to the many who were not aware of the serious nature of his illness. Francis Wayland Pratt was the only child of Eliza Johnson of original Wilmington stock and of Joseph Pratt of New Hampshire ancestry. He was born in Providence, R. l., June 27, 1856, where he resided until after his marriage with Estelle Josephine Gee, both being members of the Cranston street Baptist church there. The family purchased the Pleasant View farm in Willington and returned to the much loved maternal family affiliations in 1881, and here the efficient years of his life have been spent, although for several years he was assistant superintendent of streets in Providence. He has faithfully
 
 offices of the town that he represented in the legislature in 1905. He, has been always a regular church at tendant, one of the board of trustees for years, senior deacon and secretary of the Sunday school. The work that has made him most widely known has been for ten years as county supervisor of repairs on the state roads where he has proved an efficient and popular official. Deacon Pratt was a likeable man of fine appearance and pleasant address, and always added dignity as presiding officer when called upon to offioiate in church or town affairs. He was a Godfearing and God serving man, hOme-loving man, and as has been truthfully expressed one who showed forth in his daily life the much talked of community spirit. Being secretary of the Town Cemetery association he was called upon to meet people who were in sorrow, and his kindness and sympathetic attitude has often been appreciatively spoken of For many months he has been great sufferer, but going faithfully and cheerfully over the wide territory of the county where ever duty or business called. On Sundays often leaving his sick bed only long enough to go to the Hill for the Sunday school and church service. The end came sudden ly from a paralytio shock. He is deeply mourned and will be greatly missed. He leaves his wife, two sons, Robert Preston Pratt of Willimantic and Harold Winthrop Pratt of Provi- dence. The oldest son, Merrick John- son, Pratt died several years since Roy died in infancy and Carl at the age of 12. The daughters are Mrs. Clara Louise Joslyn and Miss Alice Walker Pratt, a teacher who is at home. There are ten grandchildren. The funeral was largely attended at the church Tuesday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. Chas. A. Parker, assisted by Rev. Earl Darrow, the former pastor. MT and Mrs. Darrow sang the Christian Good Night, and MT. and Mrs. Darrow and Mrs. R J. Jones sang Beautiful Isle of Somewhere The pail bearers were w. H. Hall, W. H. Bracket, w. H. Marsh, G. P. Rugbee, James Service and J. A. Hemmeler. State Highway Com missioner Bennett with Superintendent of Repairs MT. Ulrioh, Chief Clerk Clinton G. Nichols, Division Foremen Campbell, Welden and Hammond, Division Superintendents Cook, O'Brien and Davenport and all em- ployes under MT. Pratt attended the funeral A large gathering of friends from Stafford Springs were present. The floral pieces were numerous, in- cluding a large one from the office of the state highway commissioner. He was buried in the Wilmington cemetery.
 South Wilmington.
 One cent equals one dollar at the one cent sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week at McCormick's drug store, Stafford Springs.
 Miss Mary Zusick and Miss Algo Pobuda were in Hartford last Satur day.
 Miss Ruth Green was home from Providence over Sunday, returning Monday morning.
 Walter A. Allen and family visited with MT. and Mrs. John A. Houchens last Sunday afternoon.
 MT. and Mrs. Edward Wockomurkea and daughter of New York are visit. ing with Mir. Wockomurkea' parents.