The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-06-26

c+,1- thdt oIeS pays all debts - The First Congregational church. suiit In 1717. on the corner of Park ISOs to Broad street, between Bank ana John streets. The early church was finally struck by lightning and aessroyed, and the worshippers gath Sleo at the new church. It was a wooden structure. painted white was burned in 1S47, and another building 2 erected in it's place. This latter church was razed few years ago and on it's sue today are parked hundreds of au- tomobiles
 When the old white meeting house, which was called the North church, was in its hey-day of religious, social and financial prosperity, John Conklin was sexton. His stewardship includ ed various duties and John was most eAact1ng in the performance of his work. He owned a, hearse which he Crove. and was director of the funeral or any member of the church who happened to die. He also attended to opening the graves and, after inter- ment. saw to it that they were prop erly filled and closed. In winter time he took care of the stoves-wood burners-which were placed in various parts of the church and surrounded by huge zinc screens to prevent ad- 3oln1nS pewS from catching fire. John also pumped the organ on Sundays. He rang the church bell for services, and in case of fire, sounded the alarm for the two hose carts and two hand pump hre engines to rush to the blaze.
 Man of Many Duties
 Another important function of Sex ton Conkfp was the tolling of the church bell whenever anyone in the community passed away. The num- number of years the departed had passed on earth. It is this particular custom around which this story re- wolves.
 J7r7 ho, stands the huge Stratford avenue bridge, stood formerly the old wooden Lower bridge. of which Tommy Wyatt was toll Collector. On it was a gate which he opened for any team that wanted to cross. and from the driver he collected a sixpence. if it was a sin gle team, and a shilling if it were double. Across the foot-bridge walk alongside of the driveway, was a small gate kept closed unless a pedestrian desired to pass. From each foot pas senger Tommy got two pennies.
 70 It is easy to judge from this de- scription that travel across the old bridge was not so lively it is to- day, so MT. Wyatt had plenty of time on his bands This, however, he used to good advantage, by manufacturing small beer within his simple little toll house This pop beer as it was called, was very good and finally be came famous. Customers were just as thirsty then as they are now, and Tommy Watts Ginger Pop and Small Beer'' were well and favorably known, respected aand enjoyed by al- most everybody in Bridgeport
 In fact, so famous did this beer be- come that Tommy's neighbors began to Surmise that the toll collector was 1amassing a small fortune.
 John Says His Piece
 However that may be, no matter how much Tommy Wyatt was hoard ing up, he owed John Conklin a small balance on a bill for funeral John, who was thrifty soul, became more or less disgruntled over Tommy's neg feet of the account, so. during a dun ming call on Tommy, John used some forceful expressions which aroused the toll collector to the extent that he declared: rom orrow, at 12- o'clock. I will pay your bill - if I am alive!" This satisfied the sexton, and he walk ed away.
 The next day at noon the old North church bell began to toll off the num- Der of years a departed soul had passed Over and over the solemn knen enumerated the span of life of