The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-02-14
BEDDING
Special to The Times.)

assessors arises almost wholly from application of the boards rule fixing a value of S15 per acre on all land be- low the grade of land classed as till able. Some years ago the lowest fig ure was $5 an acre placed on rough woodland so recently cut over that the second growth had not fairly started. Later the minimum became s10 with upward graduations accord ing to quality, but this year every thing was practically assessed at S15 The result was that such increases az were made came from the lower grade and the reductions from the higher On one farm in hometown the decrease from the latter cause amounted to about s1,G00, although the owner was satisfied with the previous valuation. Of the dozen or more who appeared before the board of relief last Satur- day all except two protested on ac- count of the s15 rule. Among these were Charles Bronson, Mrs. Mary Jones' Albert Gorham, representing his wife's estate, and Harry Grasmuk. Redding Grange appealed from the assessment of s1,200 on It's building, a raise of $200, and Commodore IAuttgen was represented by his foreman in making a general appeal. The next and final meeting of the board will be held Feb. 21.
 The death of John Reynolds, which | occurred on Monday morning, re- moves another of the considerable number who came from Ireland a half century or more ago and locat- ed in Bedding where they and their descendants have since formed so use- ful and desirable an element in the l life of the community. In these days when 80 many of those dependent on their own labor for support complain of the difficulty in getting ahead" or even "gettfng along 1t is instruc- tive and interesting to recall what these early Irish incomers accom- plished under conditions seemingly less favorable than those now exist Ing. As a rule they came when young men and were practically l without means. They hired out as farm hands for small wages and with their savings in due time bought a dwelling and some land for which they were seldom able to pay in full Subsequently they wiped out the debt and added to their holdings. Despite the original handicaps they raised good sized families in comfort and responsibility, contributed literally, considering their means, to their struggling church and so far from being merely dull stones of toll man. aged to brighten their lives and those of their families with a reasonable amount of recreation. Also 1t was l hp hof
 have a keener appreciation of school opportunities than did most of the native" stock. It was to the class described that the late MT. Reynolds belonged.
 He came to this country from County Leitram Ireland, with his wife and their one child, 46 years ago and two years later arrived in Bedding. He hired out to the late William Dennison and some years afterwards purchased the Hester Nichols farm property on the lower slope of Sunset Hill where he has since lived. The number of his chil- dren increased to 12. Two of them, John and Michael, died from
 consumption in their early man hood and those surviving are: Misses Catherine and Annie of New York, Miss Ellie of New Haven, Miss Julia of Hartford, Miss Rose of Ridgefield. Mrs. M. Joseph Sullivan, Mrs. Pat rick Sullivan, James and Charles, living at home, and Thomas, an able seaman in the navy. The deceased is also survived by his wife. His age was 76 and he had been a semi j invalid for several years from heart trouble. The funeral was held yes- terday with services at the Catholic church in Bethel.
 Those acquainted with Jonathan Bartlett Sanford, IT,, of Bedding Center were not surprised when they learned through publication of the official army reports that he had been decorated for bravery by the high commands of both the Amerf-
 can and British forces. They had felt that he would make good to the limit of his opportunities despite a tempermental reserve and modesty which removed him to the furthest possible distance from the f1reater and swashbuckler type of soldier. The American citation which accompanied the award Of the Distinguished Ser vice Cross reads as follows:
 During the operations against the Hindenburg line near Vaudeville France, Sept. 29, First Sergeant J. B. Sanford gave proof of great devotion and bravery when he gallantly in- sisted on remaining with his com rades in spite of the fact that he had been severely wounded in the leg
 During the advance he later received other woundes through shell fire
 thereby demonstrating his courage and devotion to duty and setting a splendid example to his comrades" In addition to this honor Sergeant
 Sanford was awarded by the British commander the British Military Med.
 al for valor He enlisted in August 1917, with the 7th N. Y. regiment which later became a part of the
 1O7th U. S. Infantry. He went acros.
 as a corporal in the following Maj
 and his attainment of the rank O. f '"Top" sergeant evidently came abou , through successive promotions Tn, : wounds he received at Vaudeville kep = him nine weeks in the hospital. Hi I age is A. W. c. Sanford, head o ' the local war bureau, has sent t, Q Hartford a copy of the report reIat T ing to the bestowai of the honor . above described with request that
 be added to the roll of honor whic, f he recently forwarded and thus mad a part of the historical record. Ser . geant Sanford is expected to reac]
 home with the 27th division the lat . ter part of this month.
 ' IT annaorc the o.o-:l ling failure to Albert Gorham in hi