New Britain herald., 1926-03-19
PLYMOUTH PEOPLE
 ARE REMINISCENT
Recalling Today Personal lnti'
 macieS With Col. Coolidge

Plymouth, Nt,, MaVCH I' Ff- This little hamlet, home for nearly IS years of Col. John c, Coolidge realized with shock today that an institution had passed. In the stress O, the final crisis last night tho neighhors grieled over the death or a distinguished townsman, but to- dav came time for reflection, Not one Of those who met in tho gen eral store to discuss the tragic events of the night could recall Plymouth without Its "sQuire'.
 From early morning on the sad dened neighbors despite that re- pression which Is their New Eng land heritage. recalled incidents in inc life of their first citizen. Long before he became nationally known as the father of a president. Col. Coolidge was an important figure in the life Of his town and district He was a public man, holder from time to time of every office in tho tit of the citizens. solid in hnance' sound of judgment. A silent man Of grave dignity, he inspired re- ,pect rather than invited intimacy His leadership never was dl7pu'ed' Inc ncighbors recalled.
 To the native many Of his char acteristics were taken for granted because they were shared by ms kind in this Vermont township
 stranger come to live among the Green Mountain folk, Rev John White of sierbuene today paid this tribute:
 "Colonel Coolidge was the high est typ, Of Vermouter. There IS no Higher praise"
 In office he vas conscientious ana Efficient, the neighbor7 agree AS sheriff he proved himself fearless and many important arrests were credited 10 him, He was born 10 politics and fought his political bat ,les stubbornly but fairly. Occa- sionalIy he met defeat, but for the most part victory was his portion
 Tacit,lrn like most o' his people, Colonel Coolidge was q kindly man of deep affections. His dry hnIhor vas the foundation of wealth o' anecdotes. His long experience in public affairs added 10 na'ural reticence and in his later years his usual answer 10 direct question was T don't know
 Made Funeral Plans
 Once his grandsons, Calvin and John. turned this weapon against him, The colonel did not favor dancing and one night the boys, then visiting here, attended a dance al the public hall. Next morning Colonel Coolidge asked where they had been the night before, The boys replied in chorus II don't know" The colonel pursued the matter no further.
 The philosophy of the squire" was evidenced in his attitude when h. knew that death was at hand Months ago he called Selec'man Azro Johnson in and made all ar- rancemon'S for his own funeral Tn" s,Irc,man was given the task Of preparing grave. Th' plot in the town crm.1"ry already was marked with stone bearing the nam John C. Coolidge" His business affairs wcr" in order long before hc vas doomed 70 inactivity.
 Th" ucighbors tell about how they first learned Of the colonr,t imminent breakdown. He loved tt sit with his fellows in tho genera .storo, keeping in touch with th' activities of the village, l. was no ticod that the colonel, usually aler and bright, would fall asleep in hi chair beside tho stove. Then th ncighbors learned that hn sat m night after night at his houo a' tending 10 the heavy corrrspon "ucc which developed after his so' became president Plymouth at tributes his breakdown 10 tho ro responsibilities ho assumed as fathn O the nations chi~f cXocutiyo.
 The iron will which drove hin 70 gre, thousands of tourists | inc presidents birthplace when h WIS 100 sick for tho task was cvi d"nr"1 throuGhou, his long illness Tn 'no mijs' of heart attack, hi physician sail Col Coolidge ~ouh remember som" unporformcd rns' ul would sorrr ljs tody to ob' is ndomiahla wii1
 From his ,a'her, the Ilymout' 'olk saN rr"erIut CooIidg" na lnhori,"d many or tho rualirj" that brought him 10 'hc h,rhrs position in his country
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