Putnam patriot., 1921-11-18

in tne musical circles of Che church
 Following the short funeral ser vice at the church the body was borne forth bg the following members of Israel Putnam Lodge of Odd Fellows who acted as pail bearers. j. Fred eriek Ash. Walter D Torrey. Harry W Sharpe, William ?. Warren. James H. Mccullough and Allie King. The funeral procession moved ta the Grove street cemetery where the body WIS committed with the ritualistie service of the order And there he was left sleeping. as was his wish. be- side the wife whom he lad to rest .ea wears. long. dreary. lonesome years they were to him, ago.
 And so passed ouf from the fife of this community L. 0. Williams It. may truly be said of him that he was liked by all who knew him. He was of a genial disposition. almost joyial. and loved te tell or listen 0 a story. He was teeming with anecdotes of Putnam of the long ago. He had a wonderful memory for events and people, come and gone. in this and nearby towns He was never heard to utter disnaraeine remarks about anyone. He saw the best side of ev- cry nature Although childless. he was unusually fond of children. and would often stop to chat with them. His acts of philanthropy were done unostenjatiously. He did not care for public praise; he never sought or held public office. but his counsel was of ten sought He Led a clean. upgght manly Christian life; he was never heard Co Use profanity; he never used tobacco CT intoxicating liquor.
 Mir Williams applied himself close r to business affairs. His long eon- nection with The Patriot brought him in close touch with ali movements for the betterment of his home town and city. He was always ready and will ing to support all good movements, and Co give such aid and advice as Was requested ef him. His musical talents were always at the service Of any worthy cause without charge His whole life was eentered in his home, his business. and his music.
 Mr. Williams was always active In bis younger days he was a member of the Putnam fire department. He was a member of the old Mechanics band and Music Block orchestra He was an active member of the Putnam Chamber of Commerce.. and was of ten appointed to committees when public movements were in progress. He and his wife were both active members of the congregational church.
 It was in June. 1913. that Mrs. Will Hams died. Mir Williams had been away for the day. He returned in the evening after dark, and upon turning on the light discovered his wife's dead body upon couch in the sitting room of the home. He was never again the same man. The shock was too great for him to bear His thoughts were constantly of her whom he left in life with cheery good bye in the morning. Co return to find her cold in death the same evening. The torture of his great sorrow slowly but surely undermined heretofore healthy constitution The culmina- ton came when he was stricken about three years ago. He fingered for a period of weeks in a serious eondi- ton. but recovered so far as to be able to return to his business But he never again was able to resume the active part in the business that had been his. In September. 1919. he sold his interest in The Patriot Co his late partner's son. who later sold the business 10 the present proprietors,
 Lewis Owen Williams was born in Putnam. June II. 1858, son of Lewis and Mary (0wen Williams. He at= tended the public schools and was graduated just as the Putnam High school started. He entered the high school and was among the members Of the first graduating class. While still pupil in the high school he became interested in printing. He carefully saved his money, bought small printing outfit, and established him. self as an amateur printer.
 After leaving school he followed his natural bent. He sought and secured position on the then only newspaper in the town. The Putnam Patriot He became a printers devil and assisted in this humble sphere in getting out the first edition of the sheet in 1872 under Editor Stone.
 In 1882 The Patriot changed hands. The plant was purchased by A. w. Macdonald of Mount Vernon, \. |. This was in the month of June. MT Macdonald. having closed the deal left for Mount Vernon to bring hls family to Putnam. The night he left Putnam for New York, Union block, in which the plant was situated, was destroyed by fire and the plant was 3 total loss. With characteristic kind- ness and thoughtfulness, hl. Nii- Hams. then a young man of 24 years, sent the following telegram Co his em- plover. hoping to somewhat lessen his burden "Union block destroyed by fire. Win help you all l can. L. O. Williams.
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