Connecticut western news., 1919-09-04
PROTECTIVE LEAGUE
MEN HONOR CHIEF
Rev. A. Hamilton Nesbitt Is
Presented With Gold
Watch

Rev. A. hamilton NeSOltt, VINO was
head of the American Protective
League in Litchfield County during
the period of the war, was the guest
of honor at dinner last Wednes-
day at Cox's Hotel, Savin Rock.
Seven Torrington men attended.
The dinner was provided by one of
the seven, who was himself an officer
and an active and valuable worker in
the league.
The event was not wholly a sur
prise to Mr.. Nesbitt as he had been
informed by letter several days ago
at his summer cottage at Pond Point,
near Savin Rock that party of his
friends from Torrington would motor
down Wednesday evening to visit
him. The letter was sent in order
to make certain that he would be at
home. The real purpose for which
the visit was made, however, was
complete and most pleasing surprise
to Mr.. Nesbitt. This surprise was the
presentation to him of token of the
affection and esteem of those who
were affiliated with him in the work
of the protective league in Torring-
ton. The gift was a gold watch, of
handsome design and suitably en-
graved. 1t was purchased with sub
scriptions from go members of the
league here.
Mr.. Nesbitt effected the organiza-
ton of the Litchfield County branch
of the league, which rendered valu-
able aid to the department of justice
during the war, and in the course of
his work he came in close contact on
many occasions with the members in
Torrington, who found him q loyal
and true friend and an earnest pa
triot.
At the time that he was engaged
in league work, Mr.. Nesbitt was sta
toned in Canaan, where he served as
pastor of the Canaan Methodist
Church. He is now pastor of one of
the large churches in New York
City, to which he was transferred at
the last session of the New York East
Conference. He came to Connecticut
two or three weeks ago to spend his
vacation at Pond Point and as soon
as his former co-workers here
learned of this they made arrange
ments to visit him. That his popu-
larity is not confined to his Torring-
ton friends alone is indicated by the
fact that just before the local men
arrived at the cottage Wednesday
evening, Mr.. Nesbitt had been en-
tertaining party of his former
parishioners, who had gone all the
way from Canaan to visit him.
Those in the Torrington party
were Major William E. Besse, Will
lam A. Gleason, Charles E. Bennett,
Charles Brimble, Charles F. Cooper,
Frank w. Klein and John H. Thomp-
son. They were warmly welcomed
by Mr.. Nesbitt and his wife and after
a brief stay at the cottage they re-
turned to Savin Rock with Mr.. Mes
bitt. An excellent shore dinner was
served, at the close of which the pres
entation of the watch was made.
The presentation speech was by
Mr.. ,Gleeson, who paid a fine tribute
to Mr.. Nesbitt as a man, as a minis
ter and as a patriot. He wished Mr..
NSSDlII IIlS USSI VI luCh III Ills ilSW
fields and assured him that no matter
how far away he might be, he would
always be remembered with affection
by his friends in Torrington. Mr..
Nesbitt expressed his deep apprecia-
ton and said that there would ever
be a warm place in his heart for the
Litchfield Hills and for the people
whom he met here. He said that any
time that any of the members of the
league should be in New York they
would be cordially welcome at his
home there. Major Besse was also
called upon for a few remarks and
he too paid splendid tribute to Mr..
Nesbitt, not only as a patriot and a
worker but as a loyal and sincere
friend.
The occasion was altogether most
delightful and will be remembered
with keen pleasure by all who were
in the party.-Torrington Register.