New Britain herald., 1923-02-08

was the reply, The academy yeaFl
 structure and now marks the site Oi
 the Hetel Bronson on Main street
 Al 2 o'clock every evening he Eetlres Tor the night, He dates this habll
 hack to his school days when the old Pennington town bell peaied the
 o'clock euFfew and everyone had to ! turn in,
 ''s0meIime We pTeiended We didn't
 hear t." he added with sparkle ol
 old time ire in his eyes,
 An Inventor Also
 For sh years he was an engineer
 for the old New Britain Knitting Co,
 During this time he invented and patented a rocking gFate for steam hoilers, which he called the Williams
 Block Crate" This patent he later sold 10 the Stanley Rule and Level Co, which concern marketed il as '"fhe New Britain Block grate," said still to be on the market,
 In all his ss years Of age he never had a vacation, When his eyesight failed sb years ago he stopped work, Two years later his wife died His only comforter today is Mrs. Latham, who ministers to his every wish,
 You don't feel you're old until you get to he ss," he told his visitor, ''Io yon remember any members Of the Knights Of Pythias?" he was asked He remembers three he has met since he joined the lodge. They are. Charlie Mercy Tom Mitchell and Billy cowlishaw." He was surprised to learn that MT. cowlishaw has jus, finished term in the highest offic. in the state. that of grand chancellor,
 Tales of men and women going rv church on horseback, tho women sit- ting behind tho men and the old fam- fly horse carrying double. arc told sy Mr. Williams. Children walked to church with their shoes in their hands and washed their feet in the brook, putting on their shoes just bc- fore they entered tho building.
 Along the street where stood the house in which he was born which later became Black Rock avenue. the old stage coach travelled from Middle town 10 Litchfeld. Mail came first 10 the Pennington post office and later 10 Berlin. and was received regularly every Friday.
 They Were Handsome Boys Then
 Mr. Williams has had some military experience. In fact. he says, when he was young, every man between the age Of IS and i5 was required to meet on the first day or May and Septem- ber for military drill. Because of s physical disability he was unable to get into the regular army when the Evil War broke out, but was mem- per of the old New Britain Grays for 1ears. This picturesque company held 'egular drills, and wore handsome tue uniform. trimmed In red. with )rass buttons and a square Colonial tyie cap.
 He comes from a long living family. lis mother died at the age of 94 and { sister at 93. His great grandmother ived to be more than 100. Besides { lis daughter. Mrs. Latham. he has a ( ol, Merwin William of this city. {
 I'm glad you came" he said to his ( -uest as the latter prepared to de- ! art. "I have not many friends left ( nd few people come to see me any I nore." When asked if he wouldn { i Ike to have members of his lodges ome to see him. although all of q or more younger. he re- 'lied, ''Yes. would be glad to have hem come,
 Day by day he sits in his easy chair, nIoking and thinking. surrounded by l Il the care a loving family can give 2 i'm, but always living, thinking, E roaming in the past. For Henry ! the world stopped goirg ( ound 25 years agoewhen the lights ( 'ent out. {