Putnam patriot., 1924-06-13
A. B. Lincoln Lauds Spirit
 |. of Windham County People
WIDELY KNOWN HISTORIAN GIVES POWERFUL AD- DRESS AT PLAINFIELD DINNER LAUNCHING
 DRIVE FOR "WINDHAM HOUSE"
Declares That Is Proper That Direct
 Financial Campaign

tbe drive for sl00,000 or more to buId "Windham House" at Connec- tse College for Women at New Io- lon, was given by Allen B. Lin- eol editor of the History of Wind Fo County" Mir. Lincoln spoke on sTae Spirit of Windham County" H. spoke in part as follows:
 The Spirit of Windham County
 Inquiry into the historic background of me spirit of Windham County-the spirit of the present movement to es- tablish "Windham House" at Connec- ticut College for Women--reveals it as the spirit of the pioneer; the spirit of the forward look, with readiness and willingness to work and even sacrifice for the opportunities and correspond ing obligations of social progress.
 It was first manifested in the com ing of the founders from Roxbury to | oodstock and from Norwich to Old ' indham Town. It is the spirit of Israel Putnam, who dared to lead where any dared to follow" It is the spirit of Col. Thomas Knowlton of Ashford and Harlem Heights; it is the spirit of Plainfield, pioneer in tex tie industries and in mechanical in- veations of worldwide benefit; the spirit of old Plainfield Academy, send ing forth youth with thorough school ing, to become men and women effici- ent in social service. and including many who won distinction; the spirit of Heny Dorranee. he of wise foresight in the fundamental in- dustry of agriculture, with in- defatigable energy demonstrating, how far, right here in Connecticut. We could cooperate with wool manu- fracture to economic saving and public advantage, if only We would go about it intelligently; the spirit of his wor- thy helpmeet, Sarah Frances Dorranee a ministering angel whose only thought and purpose in life was how she could be of service to her family, her neighbors. to the community; the spirit of killingly, where, in 1909, Mrs. Mary Kies obtained ''the first patent ever issued to any woman in the United States for a new and use fal improvement in weaving straw with silk'; the spirit of Hampton. em- bodied in his day and generation by Governor Chauneey Cleveland. who carried into the public service rugged
 nesty. self-sacrifcing patriotism, ef-
 Ient planning for the public good olalities still of enduring value in gov efnment, however lacking they seem to be ''in spots" just now; the spirit of old Windham Town, pioneer in the eodiheation of legal lore. as in "Swift's Digest, even yet a source of informa- ton and helpful suggestions for prae- teing lawyers, and where. in the col eaial days, Hetty's pet eosset, Dido. '
 as shorn of its wool. which was
 forthwith earded, spun and woven into
 l Ilinsey-woolsey" suit. all by Hetty's aEn delft hands, to outfit her brother is he went forth to seek his fortune. with an equal willingness OH his part to work and work hard for success. and counting difficulties only a chal- lenge to the best endeavor.
 Pioneer Spirit Dominates
 And so might go on, did time per nit. Illustrating this pioneer spirit from each of our fifteen towns. But the record may be fittingiy summed up ly recalling the invaluable service. lifelong, faithful, intelligent, reveal ing to us all and to many far beyond our borders, the detailed story of the se which have briefly and all too inadequately sketched-I refer to the crowning service of our beloved His lorian of Windham County, Ellen D. armed of Thompson.
 Let me add that an historic service worthy to rank with Miss Larned is that remarkable Epic of Windham" written for the bi-centennial of the town of Windham by Theron Brown, a native of Willimantic. class poet of Tale '66, editor of the Youths Com panion" for forty years. 1t is won derfui blending of accurate local his tory with classic legend, with graphic portrayal of the joys and struggles of colonial life. all told in charming mater of varying mood. It is worthy of place in the teaching of local his tory by the schools; and if you haven't rad Theron Browns version of the famops Prog Fight" you've missed a thrill which no modern movie can e,4aall
 It was Windhazn County man who, even in later days engaged in pioneer worh of clearing the forests, and liv- ing with his helpers in the woods, sud denly met his "soul mate"-none of your silly, vicious triangle" affairs, but a real finding of the woman of his ehoiee-and having then only a log cabin for shelter, he exclaimed, "Now that I have a wife, what shall do with her?" And forthwith. he set out with his own hands and brain to plan and build a home in the nearby vil- lage, where in the passing years he played mans part in the world, and feared a family of children who have since gone forth to live their lives in the same spirit of service and achieve ment.
 Need Trained Women
 In somewhat similar emergency, our own Windham County, realizing the modern spirit of woman, and that es- pecially by full enfranchisement she has been married to the body polite 10 Co express it-andis confronted by Hew opportunities and responsibilities Nindham County in common with the rest of the state and country Is con- tronted with the problem, what to do with her And, true to the ancient and persisting spirit of the pioneer, recog- rzing also that trained fitness Is more than ever necessary to equip young women for life's work, the people Of this county have set out Co cooperate with the Connecticut College for Mom-- en by building "Windham House and to rally all the people of the county, bespeaking also the generous eoopora- ton of former residents, and oi de-