Birchardville - The large mill owned by Frank E. Fessenden and one of the principal industries in that village, burned to the ground Saturday night. Fire broke out between 11 and 12 o’clock and was discovered by members of he family of Harry Cruise, a boarder, but the building was then completely enveloped in flames. The mill was a large story and a half structure, and under its roof were combined sawmill, planning mill, lath and shingle mill, gristmill and cider mill. It was well equipped, the motive power being furnished by a fine Westinghouse engine. The loss cannot be less than $5,000 and possibly more. There was no insurance. The cause is unknown and Mr. Fessenden is in doubt about rebuilding, but it is hoped that he may, as the loss is great to the community. A fire destroyed his first mill in 1896.

Uniondale - Falling out of a buggy while driving from Dundaff to his home here, his head falling between the spokes of one of the wheels, causing him to be strangled, was the very unusual manner in which Charles P. Coleman, age 34, met death at a late hour Sunday night. It is presumed that the young man was dozing as the buggy was going along over the rough road and that he fell from the seat in a somersault fashion and that the head fell between the spokes of the wheel and the horse kept on going. He was found by a man named Burdick, driving toward Uniondale. The body was taken to the home of his father, Charles H. Coleman, at Uniondale.

South Gibson - Mrs. Ella Belcher lost her pocketbook containing $21 between John Pritchard’s Store and Bruce Belcher’s, the first of last week. Search was made the same evening but it has not been recovered.

South Montrose - The [slat] mill will soon be in operation and with all new machinery it will be the best--equipped plant of its kind in the United States. It will give employment to about 30 men, besides making several thousand slats a day.

Rush - Work on the electric light plant is progressing rapidly. The company expects to install lights before Christmas.

East Ararat - Miss Tiffany, of New Milford, finished a seven months’ term of school here Dec. 5. She presented each of her pupils with a nice storybook on the last day.

Hopbottom - Winter has arrived before the completion of the town water plant, so that people who expected to enjoy the luxury of running water in their homes will hardly be able to do so for some time.

Montrose - One of the prettiest displays of college pennants in town may be seen at the Subway Lunch parlors. The handsome large alligator skin, which is among he decorations in the ladies’ cozy lunch room, was brought from Lake Como, FL, by Mr. Mack, as a trophy of his visit there last winter.

Clifford - The Village Improvement Society will serve supper and give an entertainment in Finn’s hall the evening of Dec. 13. ALSO: Rumor has it that we will have another milliner [women’s hat maker] in town. Good—the more the merrier.

Brooklyn - All are looking for a treat next Monday night, when a dramatic interpretation of the characters in Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” will be given at the Presbyterian church by Raymond L. Forman. This is the third entertainment in the winter series and it promises to be the drawing card of the season.

West Auburn - Our school commenced Monday, being closed for two weeks on account of a scarlet fever epidemic. There are no new cases and the schoolroom has been well fumigated.

Dundaff - H. W. Lowry has just had steam heat put in his house.

Forest City - “Prince,” one of the handsome black firehorses of the Hillside Hose Co., which was for many years the pride of the firemen, last week was sentenced to death and put out of existence by a well directed shot from the revolver of Barn Boss, Chris Wirts. “Prince” was 21 years old. His mate, old “Bill,” died about six years ago. A little later, “Prince” went blind. His years weighed heavily upon him, although he had, by no means, lost all of his ardor. Recently P. J. Fleming has had him for his keep, and while standing on the street a stone, thrown by a thoughtless boy, caused him to run away. He was badly crippled in the runaway and it was to end his misery that he was put out of the way. He was purchased by the hose company when he was six years old.

Thompson - Thanksgiving day at Tilman’s hall, Mrs. A. E. Smith lost a plain silver tablespoon. If anyone who helped to clear away the dishes after dinner took it through mistake, will they kindly return it to her home or at the feed store.

News Briefs - Idaho has had its first trial by a jury composed of women and they found one of their own sex guilty of brandishing a revolver. The jury adjourned while the jurors prepared the mid-day meal for their families and the papas were no doubt made acquainted with the facts of the case. ALSO: A movement is on foot in Scranton to close all saloons and hotel bars on Christmas Day. It should be generally adopted. One of the saddest features of this joyous Christmas-time is to see a father, a husband or a brother carousing in an intoxicated condition and taking away all the pleasure of the family from the joyous sacred holiday.