Source: Progressive Batavian, December 17-1869 The Batavia Water Works. - The apparatus secured to our village for the purpose of suppressing fires, and thus enhancing the security and value of our property, was thoroughly tested on Tuesday last, and demonstrated an efficiency highly satisfactory to our citizens. We have little time time or room to particularize this week, and it must suffice to say that in just ten minutes after the fire was kindled, the steam gauge indicated thirty pounds of steam--and in thirteen and one fourth minutes sixty pounds. Hose pipes were attached to the hydrants at four different points in our village, and four unbroken, one-inch streams were thrown, at the same time, to a height exceeding one hundred feet. We are told that the Engine costs $9,000; that a mile and a quarter of water-pipe has been laid in our streets at an aggregate cost of $8,000, and that other expenses, including the cost of the Engine House and Fireman's Building, will swell the total to about $30,000. These fig! ures seem pretty steep, but, if they proportionately increase the security of our property, can well be afforded. * Attica. The numerous stores are fast selling large quantities of dry-goods, groceries and hardware. Business here is very active in receiving and forwarding to various markets the great amount of surplus products of the rich valley of the Tonawanda and vicinity. The Wyoming County Teachers' Association is to be held here the 31st inst., which promises to be both a profitable and pleasant gathering. Married.-On the 9th of December, by Rev. M.P. Forbes, Mr. George W. Barber, of West Batavia, to Miss Alice D. Wood, of Attica. Our musical friends have resolved themselves into a "Choral Union" with Prof.. Gregory as President, and Prof. David Wilder as Conductor. They promise us a treat some time during the winter. Our people, especially the younger portion, are preparing to give "Santa Claus" a warm reception. We understand the First Bapt't S.S. is to have a merry time Christmas Eve., at which, the central attraction will be a tree heavily laden with presents. Other societies are to have demonstrations, but upon what evenings we are not informed. Improvements are also very apparent. The __omis House, renovated by M. Farnham, Esq., presents a fine appearance. To those who wish to __ __ the Free Will Baptist Church we would say, that they need not "climb up some other way," for the right way has been greatly improved, much to the credit of the Society. The closing exercises of the Fall Term, at the Academy, was an entertainment of high tone and character and was duly appreciated by the large audience in attendance. This institution, under the competent leadership of Prof. L. Gregory, and with an efficient corps of teachers, is prospering finely, and fast reaching a higher plain of excellence, affording the youth of the vicinity a rare opportunity for improvement in the arts and sciences. The winter term commenced on Monday last with about two hundred and fifty pupils, nearly one hundred of which are in the academic department. Obituary.-The following notice of the late Merrit C. Bigelow, of Attica, we find in the Buffalo 'Repress' of Friday last: Not for many years has the community been called to deplore the loss of one so beloved, so respected, so trusted in all the relations of life as was the subject of the above notice. Mr. Bigelow was an only son of the late David Bigelow, of Batavia, formerly of Bethany, in Genesee County, and was born and reared in the latter town; but in 1844, when scarcely more than a youth, came to Attica to engage in mercantile business, and has resided there ever since; so that most of his career as a man was identified with this place. He married, in 1818, the eldest daughter of the late Rev. David Scott, of this place, who with their two children survive him. His advent in life may be said to have been fortunate in the fullest rational sense, his parents having ample means to bestow on his education, and themselves possessing sterling qualifications for moulding and training his early life in those principles of honesty, morality and benevolence which bore such good fruit in all his after years. Gifted by nature with a remarkably fine and well balanced intellect, he possessed the rare abilities, seldom united in a single individual, of discernment, of analysis and of intuition, so that he was seldom misled in business matters, or deceived in his estimate of men. He was bold, enterprising and self reliant, and was indefatigable in everything he undertook, so that in a few years he had gained a competency by his own exertions, while at the same time he took a deep interest in public affairs, and never spared his time or his money when either were needed for the general good. His elegant home was the scene of a genial and refined hospitality, dispensed to rich and poor alike,-manhood, truth and integrity, being the sole but indispensable passports to his house and to his heart. His friends relied on him as they relied on no other man, and the poor and friendless and distressed, always found in him a friend who never failed them, but responded to their needs with a Christian kindness of heart, and with a profuse-almost a lavish-hand. For more than a year he had been in failing health, and knew that his earthly career must soon be ended; but no word of complaint ever escaped his lips, and while he seemed to care little for his own sufferings, he calmly proceeded to set his house in order for the coming of the final conqueror. In his last brief illness he met his approaching fate with a courage and fortitude worthy of the man, and with his last words professed a joyful faith and hope in the love and saving grace of "the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world." For his faithful and devoted wife; for his orphan children; and for an affectionate sister, the companion of his infancy and the trusted friends of his mature years, an entire community has the most profound sympathy. Standing by the tomb, as the mortal dust of our deceased friend is lowered forever from our sight, we strew his grave with flowers and water it with our tears, while we inwardly exclaim, "This was a man!" Attica, December 9, 1869. * West Bethany.-Cheese Factory Meeting.- The farmers of West Bethany and vicinity are to hold a meeting at their School House, on Friday evneing of hti sweek, to consider the feasibility and practibility of establishming a Cheese Factory in their midst. Donation.-The friends of Rev. D. Jackson, propose to hold a donation gatehring at the Church here, on Wednesday afternoon adn evening, Dec. 22d. for his benefit. * Bethany. Boy Killed.-Michael McGraw, a bright, active lad of some nine years of age, inmate of the County House, died on Saturday night last from injuries accidentally received the afternoon previous. With his companions he was "tetering" on a long pole, one end of which was on the ground and the other in the crotch of an apple tree near the County House. The springing of the pole, worked it out of the tree and it fell upon the boy, breaking some internal blood vessel, and thus causing his death. * Stafford. Horse Stolen.-On Monday night last, a fine bay mare, (one of a span for which $400 had been offered and refused,) two horse-blankets and a buffalo robe were stolen from the barn of Abial Gardner, in the northwest part of this town. In the morning, when the theft was discovered, vigorous measures were at once instituted to recover the property and secure the thief. Riders were pushed in various directions and the telegraph called into requisition. By aid of the latter the thief was arrested and property recovered at Corfu, by officer Vaughn. The covetous man proved to be one Charles Rugg, a young man recently from Pike, Wyoming Co., who had engaged to labor for Mr. Gardner. The probabilities now are, that he will do a little labor for the State first. * Corfu. Accident.-Mr. John Hume, of this place, fell and fractured his thigh a few days since. Run Away.-Mr. Delos Eddy's horse took fright in our streets and "broke" for home the "the best he knew" on Monday last. Luckily no no one was hurt. Married.-Mr. William Hutton and Miss Emma Darrow, were joined in the "holy bonds of matrimony" on Saturday, the 11th inst., Rev. Charles Remmington officiated. H. * Elba. The supper given at the Bateman House, in this place, on Friday evening last, by the Ladies of the Presbyterian Society, was a most excellent one, and succeeded beyond their expectations. The entertainment was all that could be desired, the sociality exceedingly enjoyable, and the financial results, over seventy dollars, net. Quite a number of Batavians were present, most of whom were formerly residents here. Mr. Bateman, the hotel-keeper, is worthy of special mention in this connection; as he freely tendered to the Society the use of his house for the occasion, and closing his bar, did all in his power to make the evening one of pleasure to the Society and its guests. On Wednesday evening next, 22d inst., the young ladies of the Presbyterian Society here, hold a Sociable and Fair at Good Templar's Hall. The proceeds to be devoted to upholstering their Church. Invitation general. * DAILEY's Advertisements. One Hundred and forty barrels Sugars just received at Dailey's. Fifty five chests Teas, of all grades just in at Dailey's. Try Dailey's new crop Gunpowder Tea-Just received, over Union Pacific Railroad. Just come. It costs just $1.40 per pound. No more, no less. Genuine Moyune flavor. Rio Coffee for 25c per pound at Dailey's. Genuine Old Government Java Coffee at Dailey's. * submitted by Linda Author of, "Bethany: The Poor House and the People" Web-Page Editor: BETHANY ~ Its Past and Present ~ http://www.arkwebshost.com/family/bluebird/TownOfBethany.shtml