By Morris Rote-Rosen
Returning from the Wells cemetery, where we paid our last respects to Lester L. Hopson, we met Levi Pratt, Wells nonagenarian. He leaned on the fender of the car, thought for a moment as his eyes became moist, and said, "Lester Hopson was a GOOD man." It was a fine tribute to one of the most respected citizens of the town of Wells, coming from one who had known several generations of the Hopson family. Then Ruel Park came along and said, "Lester Hopson never made an enemy." And those who knew Mr. Hopson in life know that no finer epitaph can be engraved on the stone marking the last resting place of L. L. Hopson than those expressed by Levi Pratt and Ruel Park.
It was our privilege to have known Mr. Hopson for many years. we will always picture him sitting behind the glass show case of the village grocery store, getting up and joining the groups around the store, summer or winter, for a discussion of any topic. Always agreeable, with a gentle disposition and pleasant smile, he commanded respect from every one and received it. Although in failing health for some time, his replay to those inquiring about his health was always the same: "I'm feeling better now." Within a few weeks of his death we saw him climbing the fence on the John Hayes farm, wearing hip boots and fishing jacket, trout lines stuck in his hat, with a pop in his hand. He was a great sportsman.
At the service in the little Episcopal church on the village green in Wells, friends from all walks of life filled the pews, many standing in the rear of the church and some being unable to find room inside, standing in silence in groups under the shady elm tree on the lawn. At his grave side, that narrow gulf which sometimes separates those of different race, creed or religion, vanished in thin air as they gathered in a spirit of brotherhood such as exemplified the life of Lester Hopson to see him laid in his final resting place. Even the tree leaves, which had been motionless in the humidity and the heat of the few previous days, rustled a requiem by a north breeze, and the tiny American flag markers, snapped at their holdings, as the casket reached the grave.
As a citizen, as a friend, as a neighbor, as a councellor and adviser, Lester Hopson left an indelible imprint on the memories of his fellowmen and a monument to the town of Wells. To know Mr. Hopson was to love him for his fine character for his broad vision and for his understanding. Only death could obliterate that pleasant way of his and his smiling and cheerful greetings in his daily life. He met every one on the level. It is once in a lifetime that a community produces a man of the calibre of Lester L. Hopson, who as Levi Pratt and Ruel Park said, was a good man who never made an enemy. No finer record can be left behind by any one. The town of Wells was better off for having Mr. Hopson for its own. The town of Wells has sustained a great and irreparable loss.
John M. Zubell of North Hebron was mystified by that floating burlap bag in the pond which "had something soft in it". He poked at it and called in the State Police. The solution of the mystery: A dead calf ... Recruiting Sergeant Smith, who makes his regular stops at the Granville post office, is part Comanche Indian and a native of Oklahoma ... Some one deserves a bouquet for taking steps to make the Roman Catholic cemetery in Middle Granville look clean and attractive. It impresses every one who visits it ... In reporting the three eligible who passed the examination for the office of Granville postmaster, we were not given the full report which includes a fourth eligible one - Acting Postmaster Charles Statia, who also passed the exam with a high rating.
The provisions in the New York State Bonus Law, that a veteran must be a resident "at the time of application" for the bonus, has worked a hardship and has been unfair to many Granville veterans, whose home has always been Granville, but who had to seek work elsewhere, or find a home, because of the housing shortage, in nearby states. Some Granville veterans lose out temporarily because of their residence being in Vermont, or in some other state. However, it is expected that when the amendment to the Bonus Law is approved by voters of the state of New York in 1950, these veterans will receive the benefits to which they are entitled.
A Fair Haven man appealed to the Granville police to help located his son who had just been released from the Windsor, Vt., state prison and for whom the father posted a $1,000 bond to appear in court on a Monday morning. Asked why he bailed his son, knowing his record, the father said: "What would you do if he were your boy? I furnished bail because as a father I thought that it was my duty to try to help him. On the other hand by helping him he jumped the $1,000 bond which I put up for him. I know he is a bad boy, but what would you do if you were in my place?" It is the old, old problem of the battle of juvenile delinquency. It is anybody's answer.
Sharon, four-year old little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Woodruff, gave an unrehearsed and spontaneous dance recital to the large audience on the closing night of the Wells carnival. Because of the glaring footlights on the entertainment stage, Sharon could not distinguish the large crowd watching her. She toe-danced, tried a tap dance, wiggled in the latest oriental style as she performed a hula-hula and finally taking hold of the ends of her little dress she curtsied to, what she thought was, an imaginary audience, while the crowd standing around the platform roared in approval of her graceful moves. A natural born little dancer if there ever was one.
When we met Clarence Wilbur of Tinmouth, on the village green in Wells, during the Old Home Day celebration, the subject of discussion turned up to be John D. Kelley. Said Wilbur: "I read 'Main Street' and John Kelley. John and I used to slide down hill together when we were boys. John was once an organizer for the Woodmen", continued Mr. Wilbur, "and he drove his mare on one of his business trips. He hitched the mare in the shed and when John came out he got the surprise of his life. He found the mare's family had increased by one colt." John Kelley may still remember that incident.
In Albany recently, on our way to the State Education Building, we met Benedict Maloney, former Granville resident, now one of the building engineers. "If you want to see something interesting," said "Bennie", "go up to the fifth floor of the building and take in the Indian exhibit." It was good advice and we spent most of the afternoon studying the exhibit of the aborigine of the Empire State, one of the finest exhibits of its kind. Life-size Indian figures portray the life, habits and customs of the red men of our state. One of the exhibits showed skeletons unearthed with their ceremonial paraphernalia furnished the dead Indian to take along with him to his happy hunting grounds. It was an afternoon well spent.
Fair exchange: When Ed MacEachron handed the master of ceremonies, at the Wells carnival entertainment, a hot dog to refresh him the favor was returned a few minutes later when the M.C., had a little boy draw a prize winning cake number. The winner: Ed MacEachron ... Why not give some credit to Carl (Sparky) Hall, that tireless little fellow, who can be seen wearing a Legion cap at military funerals although he wasn't old enough to serve either in World War I, or World War II. He has been sounding "Taps" for practically all the Legion funerals recently and has been a willing worker, offering his services voluntarily whenever asked to perform a community task. Carl merits a salute of appreciation.
The long touted semi-pro football eleven is having its curtain raiser the coming Sunday afternoon, September 12, on the high school athletic field, when it will lock shoulder pads and helmets with the Scotia Packers. This is the long awaited opening game and many of the local football fans are eager to see the gridiron babies in action. There are forty-five huskies, all former star footballers, from Granville, Pawlet and Poultney, trying for a regular berth in the line up and the rivalry is keen. Any one trying out will have to make good to stay on the team. The opening game should have a bearing on the result.
With the Scotia Packers booked for the coming Sunday, and the Watervliet Garnets scheduled to play in Granville the following Sunday, September 19, local football enthusiasts will have a good bird's eye view of what is in store for them during the eight home games by the new born semi-pro team. Granville has the reputation of being a good football town and there is no doubt that the team will receive the support it deserves. The management and members have had this new team in the making for nearly a full year. The blankets will be removed Sunday. Let's see a record crowd to cheer them on to victory.
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