USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bristol > Bristol, Connecticut : "in the olden time New Cambridge", which includes Forestville > Part 41
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
WILLIAM CHAMPION RICHARDS.
One of the best known residents of Bristol, and one who was inter- ested in all that pertained to Bristol, his native place, past, present or future, died suddenly on the evening of March 6, 1908, of apoplexy. He had just started for his office and stopped a moment to talk to Henry B. Cook, a life-long friend, and passed on a few steps, when Mr. Cook saw him supporting himself by a tree, hurried to his assistance, and reached him just as he sank lifeless to the pavement.
Mr. Richards was born in Bristol, August 3, 1845. He was educated in the common schools of the town, and at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in a New Jersey regiment. For many years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, as merchant and salesman, and for nearly thirty years as a physician in company with Dr. F. H. Williams.
Mr. Richards devoted much of his leisure to the study of microscopy, and had a fine collection of diatoms and other microscopic specimens. He was an enthusiastic local historian, and also a collector of Indian and other relics, taking great interest in the historical collection of the Bristol Historical Society, one of the best collections in the state; due largely to his untiring energy in its behalf.
He was the owner of considerable remunerative real estate near the center of the borough, and part owner of the four-story block in which his office was situated. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and of Gilbert W. Thompson Post, G. A. R.
Mr. Richards was for many years a staunch Spiritualist, and a man of very pronounced opinions, ready at all times to give a reason for the faith that was in him. No man living, probably, enjoyed the perpetra- tion of a practical joke upon some one, in a harmless way, than he, and some of his escapades will long be remembered by his more intimate friends. He was married in 1870, to Miss Lizzie Graham, who survives him, as do four children: Nathan B., of South Manchester; Mrs. Morti- mer Clarke, and Mrs. Charles T. Treadway, both of Bristol; and Miss Christine, of Maryland.
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WILLIAM GAYLORD.
William Gaylord, son of Billy* Gaylord, was born in Burlington ;. Conn., 1819. His father engaged in the manufacture of cloth in Bur- lington in the year 1826. William was thus early trained in all of the branches of cloth-making and succeeded his father in the business about the year 1850, where he remained until 1864. In 1865 he removed to . Bristol, and there spent the remainder of his life. For twenty-four years he performed the duties of sexton in the West Cemetery.
-This was not a nickname, but his full name.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
AUTO TRAGEDY.
[* From the Bristol Press, August 22, 1907.]
During its thirty-six years of activity the Press has chronicled many sorrowful events, but not in all its history has it been called upon to record so sad and tragic an affair as that in which Charles J. Root, his aged mother and aunt were killed and his sister fatally injured.
No happier party, comprising Charles Root, his mother, Catherine R. Root, Miss Mary P. Root, Miss Candace Roberts and Miss Catherine Root, a fourteen years old niece, left Bristol last Sunday, Aug. 18, 1907, and not many people enjoyed automobile riding so much as these people.
They were bound for the Berkshire Hills in Massachusetts. A few hours later the family was practically annihilated, only the little girl escaping.
The accident constitutes the most tragic and sorrowful one in the annals of automobiling in this country, and Bristol was saddened as it has never been before. The news of the disaster was so overwhelm- ing that it was some time before it was given credence. The people . whose lives were so suddenly obliterated had for years been so active in so many ways in the life of Bristol that their deaths brought keenest grief to almost the entire community.
The party left here soon after nine o'clock Sunday morning. Mr. Root and Miss Roberts occupied the front seat of the big Stanley steam touring car. The other three were on the rear seat. The route led through Torrington and Norfolk which was reached about noon. From there the route was to Ashley Falls in Massachusetts. Near the Ashley Falls station the fine, hard highway runs parallel with the rail- road tracks for perhaps a mile and is only a few feet distant. While the Root automobile was speeding along this road an overdue express train came in sight at terrific speed. The highway crosses the track at an abrupt angle. Express train and auto reached the fatal cross- ing almost at the same moment. Just how it happened can never be 'known but the automobile struck the train, probably the baggage car, a glancing blow and was instantaneously and completely wrecked. The occupants were hurled out with awful force, apparently striking their heads against the train, and were then carried some distance. All were frightfully mangled. Mr. Root and Miss Roberts were killed instantly. Mrs. Root had her skull fractured and died while being taken to Great Barrington. Miss Root had her skull fractured and her right shoulder crushed.
She was removed to the House of Mercy in Pittsfield.
The only one to escape was Miss Catherine Root, and the manner in which she came through the crash is little short of miraculous. She was buried beneath the wreckage of the machine which for some un- accountable reason did not take fire. She was taken to the home of a friend in Great Barrington. She was dazed but appeared not to be seriously hurt, and was brought to the home of her parents, here, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Root, on Monday.
The train, which was in charge of Engineer Arthur Strong and Con- ductor William Jaqua, stopped and all possible assistance was given. Medical aid was quickly secured, and all that was possible was done. The knowledge of the accident was received by Frederick C. Norton to whom a telegram was sent asking him to notify the relatives. Mr. Norton had declined an invitation to accompany the party. The tele- gram was received at half past one o'clock. Within an hour Represent- ative A. F. Rockwell and wife and Mr. Norton went to the scene in Mr. Rockwell's automobile. Soon after Dr. A. S. Brackett, W. H. Bacon and R. A.' Potter, a cousin of Mr. Root, also went to the place in Mr. Bacon's auto, and took charge of the bodies, which were cared for and brought to the home here Tuesday morning.
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CHARLES J. ROOT. MISS MARY P. ROOT.
MISS CANDACE ROBERTS. MRS. JOEL H. ROOT. "FRITZ"
This photo was taken by John Berkin, June, 1905, on the lawn of the Root home. dog "Fritz" was a great pet and died about August 1st, 1905.
The
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BRISTOL CONNECTICUT,
It was the saddest home coming ever known here. There were few dry eyes among those who gathered at the station when the caskets arrived and were taken to the desolated home.
The passengers on the train, among whom was Fred H. Barnes, a son of Seth Barnes of Bristol, heard the crash and realized that an acci- dent had happened.
The only eye-witnesses, aside from the engineer and firemen, were two young girls Josephine and Anna Tinkever, who live near the cross- ing. Their testimony is not very clear. The engineer insists that he repeatedly blew his whistle to give warning of the crossing.
Miss Catherine Root, when able to talk about the affair, said that no one in the car had the least intimation of danger and she can recall only a sudden collapse, the cause of which she cannot realize.
Mr. Root, as well as his sister and mother, were extremely deaf. He was a skilled operator of his machine and often ran it at high speed, but his friends had entire confidence in his ability to control it. He had met with minor accidents, but never showed any inclination to avoid responsibility and always showed consideration for others who might be inconvenienced. He was an enthusiast and loved his machine as most men do their spirited horses. On this fatal trip the canopy was . on the machine, and the gasoline tank whistle was out of order, making a continuous noise. His friends are confident that he never for a mo- ment realized his danger and turned for the crossing, dashed into the train and to the death which came to him, without warning. They say that had he known his imminent danger he could and would have kept a straight course and taken his chances with the fence and bank into a meadow.
Miss Mary P. Root, who sustained a fractured, skull, broken shoulder and other injuries, was removed at once to the House of Mercy in Pitts- field where she died without regaining consciousness.
Miss Root was one of Bristol's most talented women. She was a graduate of Vassar, class of '80, and was known all about the state and New England as a prominent. D. A. R. worker.
At the time of her death Miss Mary P. Root had a biography of Gideon Roberts in preparation for this work, and her article, "The Founders and Their Homes," appears on page 193.
The family was one of the best known in town. Its members have long been prominent in business, social, religious and intellectual affairs. The father of Charles and Mary, was Joel Henry Root. He was born in Broadalbin, near Saratoga, N. Y., December 5, 1822. He was the third son of Samuel Root, an elder in the Presbyterian church of Mayfield, N. Y., and Philotheta Ives of Bristol, Conn.
On the early death of his parents, he came, a boy of five years, to live in Bristol, in the home of his uncle, Joel Root, whose wife was Piera Ives, the sister of the young Joel's mother. His grandparents, Amasa and Huldah Shaylor Ives were among the earliest settlers in Bristol and lived on Federal Hill. His grandfather, Moses Root of Meriden, was a soldier in the Revolution, enlisting when only seventeen years of age, who married at the close of the war, Esther Mitchell, daughter of Moses Mitchell, of Meriden.
Joel H. Root's boyhood was spent partly in Bristol and partly in Whitesborough, N. Y. In the latter place he attended the Oneida Institute of Science and Industry, an institution founded in 1827, per- haps the first school in the country established "to blend productive manual laber with a course of study." Before he was thirty he went into business for himself.
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In 1867 he bought the land known as the Island, and erected there a factory where, for the remainder of his life, he engaged in the manu- of piano hardware and of brass butt hinges .*
Mr. Root was married, August 4, 1852, to Catherine Roberts, daugh- tor of Wyllys, and granddaughter of Gideon Roberts, and in 1859, he purchased the property on High street which has ever since been the home of the family. He died April 11, 1885.
His children were Charles J., and Theodore, and Miss Mary P. Root. The home on High street was a delightful one and many warm friends enjoyed its charming hospitality.
THE ROOT FACTORY ON ROOT'S ISLAND.
R. N. Blakeslee of the Bridgeport Post writes to the Press as fol- lows :-
"The news of the shocking death of Charles J. Root, his mother and aunt has cast a heavy pall of gloom over every one who has known this estimable family. To the writer the death of Charles J. Root is especially saddening. I remember him more intimately of course dur- ing our childhood and young manhood days. As school chums we were inseparable and our vacation days were spent together. Charlie, as we always called him, was a splendid fellow, always cheerful and full of fun. He was upright, clean and a perfectly moral young man, and a true friend. These qualities won for him a host of friends. The attach- ments formed in our younger days have always remained although for more than twenty years we have been but little in each other's com- pany. We bow in humble submission to the "Reaper". who respects no human ties and in silent prayer seek that preparation which is need- ful in the hour of human extremity."
* After Mr, Root's death the business was formed into a joint stock company.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
MRS. CATHERINE ROBERTS ROOT.
The death of Mrs. Catherine Roberts Root, although she had lived the alloted age and was eighty years old last January, brought the great- est sorrow to the scores of friends in Bristol who had known and loved the woman for many years. Her life was one of great profit to those who knew her, and their remembrance of the fine old lady will be a precious heritage in the future. Few women have lived in this or any other community who possessed the rare qualities of character that graced Mrs. Root. Born in Bristol, she was the daughter of Wyllys Roberts, a substantial resident of this town, and the granddaughter of Gideon Roberts, who, coming home from the Revolutionary War hung up his old gun and powder horn and started the great American clock industry. He it was who first manufactured clocks in the town of Bris- tol, and he usually made up enough during the winter season to last him on a trip through the Southern states in the summer; and this small sized industry started away back in the eighteenth century is what developed into the great clock factories of the Ingrahams and the Sessions to-day. All honor is due the memory of Gideon Roberts; and Bristol will not soon forget his work here.
Mrs. Root spent all of her long life here and Bristol was glad she did, for few women have lived in the town who possessed more gentle manners and solidity of character and intellectual attainments. Her edu- cation was obtained in. Bristol and in early womanhood she taught school in different places, one of which was in the town of Simsbury where she "boarded around" as was the custom in those days. Her success as a teacher was eminently successful. She was a great reader of books all her long life, and although she did not receive a college education she had a fund of knowledge that would reflect credit in a graduate of Vas- sar or Wellesley.
In 1852 she was married to Joel H. Root, for many years one of the solid and prominent business men of the town. They moved into the house on High street in 1859, where they have lived ever since and which was one of the very first houses to be built on that street. Several chil- dren were born to the couple and their married life was an extremely happy and successful one. Her husband died in the spring of 1885 and her son Charles, then only a young man, took hold where his father left off and not only increased the estate left by the elder Root, but made one for himself as well.
Mrs. Root was a talented and thoroughly intellectual woman. Among those well qualified to judge she was considered a person of acute and unusual intelligence; her knowledge of history and philosophy was ac- curate and complete, while the general fund of knowledge she always pos- sessed was of the character that embraced a wide range of polite litera- ture and political history. It was a pleasure to sit and talk with the rare old lady on any of these subjects and hear from a woman who had not been able herself to read a book for a dozen years or more, her opinions of current topics and recent books. Her daughter and Miss Roberts, her sister, used to read to her hours at a time as she was unable to do so herself on account of failing eyesight.
Mrs. Root's life will be long remembered. Her dignified manners and thoroughly lovable Christian character will long be the pride of those who were fortunate enough to be her close and intimate friends. Of great or famous deeds, this woman did none; but the simple story of her fine, noble life is enough to inspire a love for the things that amount to something in this life.
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
CHARLES J. ROOT.
Charles J. Root was born in Bristol 48 years ago. He had long been identified with Bristol's manufacturing business and mercantile interests. Early in life he assumed the management of the factory on Root's Is- land and developed a profitable business in making automatic counters, piano hinges and novelties. Only a few days ago he let the contract for a new brick factory to Messrs. Fogg and Currie. In recent years he had given a good deal of attention to real estate matters and had done much to develop the town. Some years ago when the street grades were changed at Gridley House corner, after a long railroad fight, he purchased the Gridley House property and spent thousands of dollars in remodeling it and conventing it into a modern building.
Some years later he purchased the old Ebers building and site ad- joining the Gridley House, tore down, the ram shackle wooden buildings and erected one of the finest business blocks in town, as well as in this section.
One of his earliest enterprises in the building line was the erection of the Grand Army Hall on North Main street. In addition he owned a number of houses on the Island and other property about town.
Mr. Root's activities were many and far reaching. Quite a number of years ago he became interested in orange growing in Florida and had a fine grove and winter home in Rockledge, Florida, where he, with the family, spent portions of nearly every winter. He was also one of the early promoters of Sachem's Head, where he had an attractive summer home. He was greatly interested in mining enterprises, especially in Butte, Montana. He was one of the heavy stockholders and a director in the Raven Mine of that city. His interests included other mining properties to a considerable extent. Mr. Root was an enthusiastic auto- mobilist. He was one of the pioneers in that line here, and was one of the first to bring a machine into town. He was an auto expert and few men derived as much pleasure as he from one. He delightd in inviting friends to ride with him and share in the pleasure. He often took long runs about the country, always with members of his family or friends. While afflicted with extreme deafness, his friends felt . that he was an unusually competent operator because he seemed always to have good judgment and a clear head, as well as perfect control of his machine.
While very active in business affairs, devoted to the town of his birth, and contributing much to its upbuilding, he cared little for po- litical or public life. His membership in Bristol organizations was con- fined to the Bristol Social Club and the Business Men's Association.
Mr. Root had a comprehensive knowledge of and liking for me- chanics. Before he was twenty-one years of age he invented an auto- matic counter from which he realized considerable money, and which he manufactured afterwards. He possessed great determination as well as business acumen and his large fortune was made mostly within the past twelve years, by his own unaided efforts. He handled his large business affairs with skill and ability, and had he lived a few years longer would undoubtedly have become one of the wealthiest men in town.
He was modest and unassuming, and found his chief pleasure in his home life and in the company of his intimate friends. He had a keen sense of humor and was a delightful companion and host. His untimely death is a sad ending to a busy, useful life, and brings keen sorrow to many a heart.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
MISS CANDACE ROBERTS.
Miss Candace Roberts, daughter of Wyllys Roberts, and sister of Mrs. Joel H. Root, was also a native of Bristol, and had spent most of her life in this town. She also received her education in the schools of Bristol and spent a good deal of her early life in teaching school. She taught successfully in East Haven and lived in that town for some years. Many years ago she removed to Bristol and has lived in the family of her sister. Mrs. Root, for the last thirty years.
Miss Roberts was a quiet, unassuming woman of fine tastes, good intelligence and an almost invaluable assistant to her afflicted sister. For many years Miss Mary Root and Mrs. Root were quite deaf, and during these years she had charge of the household. She had a lovable and attractive disposition and endeared herself to everybody with whom she came in contact. Her friends in Bristol were legion. She was a thoroughly good, Christian woman.
She was a member of Katherine Gaylord Chapter, D. A. R., as lier grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary War. She was a long time member of the local Congregational church, and also a member of the Delta Reading Club. She was interested in all the things that went for the advancement and intellectual culture of the town.
RESIDENCE FREDERICK CALVIN NORTON, STEARNS STREET.
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THE SCHOOLS OF BRISTOL
BY MILO LEON NORTON
HE early history of the schools of Bristol is so thoroughly treated in the various historical articles in this book, that more than a brief mention is unnecessary. Quoting from an article written for the Bristol Magazine, of November, 1906, it was there stated:
"If it were asked what were the two leading traits of the Puritans who founded Connecticut, the answer would be: first, an all-pervading devotion to religion; second, a deep interest in education. Their first care was set up religious worship, and their next duty that of estab- lishing schools for the mental training of their youth. For the estab- lishment of these two institutions, the church and the school, they freely taxed the slender resources at their command, and voluntarily and cheerfully bore the burdens incident to their maintenance.
In New Cambridge, after the establishment of the first ecclesiastical society in 1744, and the building of the first meeting-house, in 1747, it was. voted, December 4, 1749, 'that [we] would have a school kept in this society six months, viz., 3 months by a master and 3 months by a dame. Josiah Lewis, Benjamin Gaylord, Joseph Adkins, and Caleb Abernethy, were chosen a committee to order the affair of said school.' This was the first actual school board of the town. It was not until 1790 that a regular school board was organized and no official act of the board was recorded until 1796. In 1766, five districts were formed, and in 1798, Fall Mountain district was added to the number. In 1842,
FEDERAL HILL SCHOOL.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
-
BRISTOL HIGH SCHOOL.
PEACEABLE STREET SCHOOL AND SCHOLARS. 1907
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thirteen districts, as they now exist with some modifications, were organized and their boundaries defined."
In 1854, the school board voted to consolidate Districts Nos. 1 and 2, but upon the presentation of an urgent petition from the voters of No. 2, the vote was rescinded. Soon after Districts Nos. 3 and 4 were consolidated, and a new schoolhouse built, about 1856. This has been twice enlarged. The old schoolhouses of Districts 3 and 4 are still standing, remodeled; one occupied by Deborah Sanford, on West Street, the other by Thomas J. Lane, on South Street.
At present there are eleven school districts, the number four having been omitted since the consolidation. The Copper Mine District has also been merged with the Edgewood, or ninth district. There was tabulated in the last annual report of the Board of School Visitors (1907), an enumeration of 2,682 children of school age in the town of Bristol. Of these 2,090 were registered at the various district schools, 437 attended private schools, including St. Joseph's parochial, and the German Luthe- ran schools, and 174 attended the High School. The total expense of conducting the public schools for one year, was given as $47,884.02. Deducting what was paid for books, apparatus and repairs to buildings, the actual expenses amounted to $43,772.18. Of this amount $25,686.15 was paid from the proceeds of town taxation, $7,284.75 from the State, and other sources, the balance being made up by districts 1, 2, 3 and 13. The High School is conducted at an expense, in round numbers, of $10,000 per annum.
The Board of School Visitors consists of Noble E. Pierce, chairman; Arthur S. Brackett, Mrs. Edson M. Peck, Carlton B. Ives, Michael B. O'Brien, Charles L. Wooding, Secretary.
The Bristol High School was established in 1883, F. A. Brackett, Principal, graduating its first class in 1886. High School departments were also maintained in the schoolhouse of District No. 1 and at Forest- ville in the schoolhouse of No. 13. But the princpal school was that in
SCHOOL AT PINE STREET CORNER.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
the No. 3 schoolhouse. The present, elegant High School building was erected in 1892. At first a spacious hall for entertainments, lectures, etc., was provided on the second floor, but as the attendance kept in- creasing it became necessary to fit up the hall as a schoolroom. At present the attendance is so large that the building is entirely inadequate for the needs of the school, and its enlargement is an imperative necessity, plans for which have been prepared by an architect, at an estimateed cost of $27,000. The present attendance is about 216, including pupils from out of town, and is increasing from year to year.
SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 10
BY MRS. DAVID BIRGE.
School District No. 10 of Bristol is situated in the western part of the town, adjoining the town of Plymouth. The boundary line between Bristol and Plymouth is also a part of the line between Hartford and Litchfield Counties.
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