Putnam patriot., 1930-10-09
OFFICIALS AND PROMINENT
 CITIZENS ATTEND FUNERAL
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and he had the full confidence of the city officials to whom he was ac- countable.
 When the board of water commits sioners. out of accord with the com mon council as to how the water works system should be improved. resigned. Mir Thurston. with Ernest B. Kent and Henry Dubois, was ap- pointed by Mayor Richard as the new board of commissioners. The ap- pointment was made at a meeting of the common council, September I. 1928. Mr. Thurston was chosen chair man when the board organized.
 From the time Of his appointment Chairman Thurston has devoted most of his spare time to the perplexing problem that confronted the board He entered upon his new duties with an open mind After a thorough investigation the board recommend ed to the council the million gallon standpipe plan. A special city meet ing was called and the voters evil denced their confidence in the new water board by voting the necessary appropriation.
 Then the responsible task of draw ing up and letting the proper con- tracts began. Mir. Thurston worked hard and faithfully and finally brought about the commencement of the work which he was never to see completed.
 Under Nervous Strain
 In carving forward the work in Ia tf. .1. N. at the same time attending to his arduous duties as manager of the Putnam Light & Power Company. He was under considerable nervous strain. One close to him has said that he was in a highly nervous state at the time he was affected with the poison from his diseased tooth. Whether or not he was carrying a greater burden than even his ap- parently strong constitution could withstand and was therefore not as we'll able to throw off the attack of poison will never be known At least he was accomplishing and devoted long hours to the tasks he had as- sumed for the city.
 The offices left vacant by his un- timely death will be hard to fill He war fitted through a highly technical education to perform the tasks as- signed to him. His death is a blow Co Putnam and he will be greatly missed by the city officials and by the citizens whose faithful servant he was.
 Ralph Emerson Thurston was born in Fall River. August 6. 1877. son of the late Edwin C. and Sarah H. Thurston. and a brother of the late Edward A. Thurston. an outstanding attorney-in-law He received his early education in the schools of Fall River, attended Worcester Academy and then entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. from which he graduated in 1902 After several years with the Chicago Edison Elec- tric Company and later with the Narrangansett Electric Light Com pany, of Providence. he came to Put nam as superintendent of the Put nam Light & Power Company.
 His Affiliations
 Mir. Thurston's affiliations were with Putnam Lodge of Elks, of which he was a Past Exalted Ruler. He was custodian of the Elks Block in which the lodge Is situated and was one of the outstanding members of the order. He was also a member of Quinebaug Lodge of Masons, Putnam Chapter. R. A. Nj. Montgomery Council. King Sol omon Lodge of Perfection. Connec- ticut Consistory. Columbian Com mandry. K. T.. and Palestine Shrine club. He was also a member of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs. International Association of Fire Chiefs. Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. University Club of Bos- ton. the Masonic club and the Put nam Country club of this city. He was widely known and had a host of friends in Putnam and in Fall River His only surviving relatives are a sister. Mrs. Cora B. Terry. and a nephew Attorney Carl A. Terry, both of Fall River.
 Draped in Mourning
 The funeral is at two o'clock this afternoon. It is planned to toll the fire alarm at that hour. When the news of the Fire Chiefs death reach ed Putnam. fire headquarters in Union Square was draped in mourn ing and the flag put out at half staff ] The hose house of No. 2 Conpans was also draped. Assistant Chiefs Dumas and Cloutier. foremen of the several companies and a representa-. tive of the membership in each com pany are attending the funeral. The Elks. the Masons. the Common Coun. ell and the police department arc represented. At the meeting of the common council. Tuesday night Mayor Richard with Aldermen Chad wick. Deane and Berthiaume were named as a committee to draw uT suitable resolutions on the death of