****************** Spirit of the Times Batavia, Genesee County, New York State January 21-1865 We have been "poking fun" at a number of our delinquent subscribers for the past few weeks, but as yet they don't seem to take--don't appreciate the joke. We will endeavor to express ourselves more plainly. Gentlemen, come forward and pay all arrearages, and one year in advance, you will then see where the laugh comes in. Try it, then have your buttons sewed on more firmly that you may have a hearty laugh with those "who have gone this way before you." * Death of Benjamin Follett. We noticed with sorrow the death of Benjamin FOLLET[sic], Esq., of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly a resident of this village, and an obituary of whom we published from the Buffalo 'Commercial.' Mr. F. who was a son of Nathan, and nephew of Federick[sic] Follett, was we believe, a native of this village, and was certainly one of the most popular and accomplished business men in the State of Michigan. As a citizen of enterprise, untiring energy and ability, and a man possessed of many rare and valuable traits of character, he will long be missed and mourned. Mr. F. stood deservedly high in social and religious as well as business and political circles. He was a son of whom "Old Genesee" may justly feel proud, and a few, of her many gifted and energetic sons who have passed away have left behind a brighter or more unblemished name than Benjamin FOLLETT. * * Fatal Accident. A sad accident occurred at the residence of Wm. NICHOL Esq., in Alabama, by which the eldest son of Mr. David S. CLAPP unfortunately lost his life. It appears that Mr. CLAPP with his two sons was thrashing clover seed at Mr. NICHOLS' when the band which connects the horsepower with the cylinder flew off. Mr. C.'s son was at the time feeding the machine, when seeing the belt slip, jumped off, and seized a crow-bar to apply to the jack wheel to check the motion of the horses, which by this time were rapidly increasing their speed; as he applied the bar the wheel burst, a large piece striking him on the side of the head and face, smashing in his cheek bone and fracturing the skull badly, killing him almost instantly.--Deceased was about 18 years of age, and was a promising and enterprising young man. * * County Court. This court convened at the Court House in Batavia, on the 10th inst.--Present Hon. Moses TAGGART, County Judge, and Hallock STILWELL and Sam'l. CHURCH, Esqs., Session Justices. The following were sworn in as a Grand Jury: Stephen F. CURTIS, Foreman Albert AUSTIN, George ROOT, Amos CROSSMAN, Samuel J. P. SMEAD, Stephen OSGOOD, Cortland CROSSMAN, John W. GARDNER, Wm. C. Mc_RILLUS, Alexander LEONARD, William E. HESTON, Daniel COLBY, Austin INGALSBE, John B. STANDARD, Nathan H. ROCKWELL, Austin WALKER, Chester CALKINS. David CARY, Henry M. PECK, and Wm. COVILL were each fined $10 for non-attendance as Jurors. The following cases were tried and decisions rendered:- Wm. H. STORY and Horace B. FERREN, respondent, against Heman BROWN appellant; Judgement of Justice affirmed. John L. McLEAN, resp't. against John F. PLATO appellant; argued; decision reserved. George BRISBANE, resp't. against L. Jud MACOMBER, appellant; argued; decision reserved. John SANDERS resp't against Solomon MOOK, appellant; Judgment of Justice reserved. Duncan CAMERON, resp't against Ira FISHALL, appellant; Judgment of Justice reserved. Robert HAIR, resp't against Levi PALMER, appellant; argued; decision reserved. William A. HYDE, against James CROCKER, Motion to set aside Judgment; denied with $10 costs. Lyman BURNHAM, appellant, against James FARNHAM, resp't. Motion to dismiss appeal denied with $7 costs. Joshua GREGG, resp't against Elisha M. CARPENTER, Cyril D. CARPENTER and John D. ODELL; Judgment for Resp't, for $65. * * Snow on Side-Walks.-In another column will be found the Ordinance passed by the Board of Trustees in relation to cleaning snow from side walks. We hope it will be rigidly enforced, as many of the walks are almost impassable. * * Notice.-The Annual Election of Officers for the Batavia Fire Department, will be held at the room of Pioneer, Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, Tuesday, Feb. 14th, 1865. Polls open from 7 to o'clock[sic] P.M. By order of Department. * * Loan Commissioners.-The new Governor has appointed as Loan Commissioners for Genesee County, A.T. TRYON, of Batavia, and J.G. BIXBEY, of Le Roy, who have been confirmed by the Senate as such. * * Donation Visit.-The friends of the Rev. H.B. BRASTED, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Bergen, are invited to meet at the Hotel of Mr. S. GIFFORD, in that town, on Wednesday Evening, Jan. 25th. * * Notary Public.-M.L. BABCOCK, cashier of the National Bank of Batavia, has been appointed Notary Public for this County. * * Frozen to Death.-We heard last evening (says the Troy 'Times') that a small boy who had been employed to drive hearse at a funeral to St. Mary's burying ground was brought home frozen to death. The weather was intensely cold and the air filled with drifting and falling snow. * * Eclipses.-This year there will be four eclipses--two of the sun and two of the moon. The eclipses of the sun occur on the 25th of April and the 15th of October; those of the moon on the 11th of April and the 3d of October. * * MARRIED. In Alabama, on the 12th inst., at the residence of Geo. W. ABERDEEN, by Rev. L.S. GAGE, Mr. John CALLAHAN, of Buffalo, to Miss Eliza A. ABERDEEN. Also at the same time, Mr. George E. ABERDEEN to Miss Laura ROATCH, of the same place. * * DIED. In Stafford, on the 17th instant, Mrs. Ann WOOD, relict of the late Leonard WOOD, Esq., of Tawstock, Devonshire, England, aged 75 years. In Batavia, on Sunday evening, January 15th, Mrs. Adaline M. HURLBURT, widow of the late George HURLBURT, in her 64th year. In Cohocton, on the 11th inst., Isabella, only daughter of F.N. and Abigail DRAKE, in the 14th year of her age. In Batavia, on the 7th inst., William H., son of Wm. and Caroline BROWNELL, aged three years, three months and twenty-four days. Another form we've laid to rest In yonder churchyard low, Another bright and youthful guest Is from his parents gone. Our hearts are sad as we look around And see his sisters three, For he is gone, yes, Willie's gone, His form we do not see. So many hopes on him were placed, He was a lovely son; Yet God designed him as a guest, And early took him home. He loved his parents here below, And Mary was his pet, Yet he is happier now we know Than when with them he met. His form we shall not see again, While here on earth we stay, To us he never will return While toiling on our way. Then weep no more, we soon shall meet Before our Father's throne And then those children we shall greet, Who are safe at home. Oh happy home where we shall meet, No more to suffer pain, Death nor sorrow come not there, We ne'er shall part again. By His Sister Ellen. * * submitted by Linda Schmidt *********************************************