THOUGHT DEAD.
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But Acton Man Suddenly Returned.
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Simon Conant Revisits Home
After Many Years Absence. |
Acton people were treated to a surprise one day recently when there appeared among them Simon Conant, who has been mourned as dead for a number of years as he has not in any way been heard from since 1863.
He learned the painter's trade when a young man, and before the war worked at that business for some time in the various towns round about Acton. When the war broke out he enlisted, and served faithfully until he was discharged for disability. He then returned to Boston, where he followed his trade for a time and then suddenly left that city, and from that time to the present, no word concerning him has reached his family in Acton.
Mr. Conant made his appearance at the home of his brother entirely unannounced, and there was of course great astonishment over his return. He has very little to say about his life since he left Boston, except that for a time he travelled extensively in this country and in Europe, and that for the past 20 years of his life he has been living on Long Island.
A few weeks ago his wife died and then Mr. Conant decided that he would seek out again the friends of his childhood, and for that purpose he came to Acton.
His sisters, three in number, had all married and are living in Leominster and after a few days at Acton he went to visit them at their homes.
So far as can be learned from the little that the wanderer has to say, the story of his life is an interesting one, although while living at Long Island there can have been little of an exciting nature in it.
Why he has not, during these years, communicated with his family is not known, and he is not volunteering much information upon the subject.
However, he received a genuinely hearty welcome to his old home, and it is hoped that he will find much enjoyment in again visiting the scenes of his
youth.¹ |
CONCORD
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ROAD APPEARS TO BE PAYING. |
| It seems a little strange to see a Newton Street R. R. car running between Concord and the Junction but, when it is understood that this means half hour service and that a new car is ordered it looks different. On the present schedule the car leaves the square, 20 minutes past and 10 minutes of, the hour, the first named connecting with the Boston car at the square. The management must have found that this end of the road is paying, for it was a move of their own as the selectmen were inclined to be lenient and not ask for the half hour service this winter. The cars so far are well patronized, many of the Main st. residents finding it easier to ride than walk when the mud on the sidewalks was so bad. The L. & B. have ordered a number of new closed and open cars of the latest pattern and when in service they will look well on our streets. |
AN ELOPEMENT |
| Miss Gertrude Avery and Frank Watson who has been employed by McManus Bros. left town suddenly, Sunday, to be married. This was known to Watson's employers but not by the Clarks for whom Miss Avery was working. . . .
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CONCORD JUNCTION
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P. Rohan has been spending a week at his home in Vermont.
The reformatory population is slowly but surely increasing, present number 991.
Mr. Howe of Grove st., will occupy one of the tenements in Mr. Lapham's new house on Commonwealth av.
Miss Lena Ring attended the concert given by the Odell Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin Club of Boston on Tuesday night.
The Winthrop campers will shortly hold a reunion. It is proposed to charter an electric for a run to Billerica and have a supper and dance there.
Mrs. Clifford of East Acton while on her way home on Friday afternoon met a heavily loaded team and in endeavoring to get by the sleigh upset in a heavy drift and she and the driver were both thrown out.
The half hour schedule of the electrics between the Junction and Concord is much appreciated by our people and is a move in the right direction. Cars now leave the Junction at 5 minutes past and 25 minutes of the hour.
Two well known young men started out on Friday evening to call upon a young lady. All went well until they arrived at the house and went to drive past the stable. On the way they encountered a heavy drift which stalled the horse and before they could get him out he broke both shafts. At the close of the call, the young lady's father loaned them his sleigh to go home with but before getting out of the yard the sleigh was overturned and another shaft splintered. They concluded that next time they will go afoot. |
MARLBORO
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John Bradley, Boston, was a visitor in town, Saturday.
Joseph H. Brokaw, Northampton, was in town, Sunday.
George Desmaris has returned from a visit at Fall River.
C. B. Mowry, Ayer, spent Sunday with friends in town.
Thomas O'Gara, Whitman, spent Sunday with relatives in this city.
Jessie F. Smith, Schenectady, N. Y., was registered at the Windsor, Sunday.
Mrs. George W. Howe, Lincoln st., is among the latest sufferers with the grip.
John H. Harris of Huntington ave., is still confined to his bed with rheumatism.
Emil Cole has returned to Northampton after a short vacation from school work.
Mrs. Charles Warren, Hayden st., is slowly recovering from an attack of pneumonia.
Mrs. Sumner L. Howe, Bolton st., who has been ill for several weeks, is more comfortable.
William J. Burke, inspector at the immigration department, Boston, was in town, Sunday.
William Clancy is listed to play with the Rochester, N.Y. Eastern league team, the coming season.
Dr. William J. Campbell will assume his duties as house physician at the Worcester City hospital, March 1.
Cornelius Dwyer enjoyed a ride in a sleigh Sunday. This is the first time he has been able to go out since he submitted to an operation some time ago.
Miss Bessie Cornwell, Park st., who has been spending the winter with her aunt at Atlantic, Iowa, is going to Flagier, Col., to visit other relatives residing there.
Cora Bell Robinson of Somerville entertained a party of little friends on Saturday afternoon at the residence of her grandfather, Chas. F. Robinson, Newton st. It was the fourth anniversary of her birth. |
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