New Britain Herald Newspaper, January 7, 1925, Page 3

RECALLS CITY OF CIVIL WAR DAYS e Mrs. Wilson H. Pierce Observes Her 815t Birthday The stories of those who went away to service in the Civil War have often been heard but the storles of the women who stayed at home and experienced the hardships lucldent to wars are not heard so ofton. Such a story is told by Mrs. Wilson H. Plerce, who yesterday ob- sorved her 81st birthday at her home 101 Pleasant street, where she has Iived for over 50 years. Mre. Plerce was born January 6, 1844, in Middletown, the daughter of James Coats and Ellen White Coats. Mrs. Plerce's father enlisted in the Union Army and saw active service with Rev, Lyman Johnson and the late Ira Hicks. Her uncle, Albert Plerce, who previous to the Civil War was employed by Lyman John- son was killed fu the Civil War, Came Here At Age of 15 Mrs. Plerce attended the public schools in Middletown (but came to New Britain when she was 15 years of age so that the greatest part of her life which she recalls was spent in this elty, In 1866 she was mar- ried to Wilon H. Pferce of Spring- fleld by the Rev. Mr, Goodwin. Two children were born of the union, Ernest C. Plerce of this city and the late Mrs, John Ecreen, who died about threa, years ago. Her storles of the existing condi- tlons during the Civil War are in. teresting. As during the last war, prices on many commodities were almost prohibitive. During that time the late Darius Miller was a dealer in grocerles and provisions and enjoyed the respect of many of the townspeople for his willingness to extend credit during the period when credit extension was more or less of a problem. In Old New Britaln New Britain of that day present. ed a picture very much different from that of today. The west side of Main street was bullt up of resi- dences and Booth's block was as yet unknown. On the south side of Church street, opposite:the present site of the Stanley Rule and“Level plant of the Stanley Works, was a canal'which ran through the present location: of the Unlon Works. Thas land around the canal. was very swampy and Mrs. Pierce distinctly remembers crossing it by means of boards placed over it. Wilson H, Pierce worked in the ploneer plant of the “Ruls Shop” under the direc- tion of J. Spencer Douglass, who e short time ago observed his 98th birthday. Mrs. Plerce's husband was Killed about £0 years ago when he was thrown from a wagon after the horse became -frightened and There are many ‘possible reasons for Mrs. Pierce's long life but prob- ably one of the principal ones is the fact that she has always observed regularity in: her habits. She has been very careful in eating and has enjoyed long hours of sleep. An- other thing which undoubtedly has been instrumental in prolonging Mrs. Plerce’s life is the beautiful disposi- tion which has made for her a host of friends and gained for her the characteristic name of ‘“meother.” Mrs. Plerce has been the reciplent of cards and letters addressed: to “Mother Pierce” as she is called by her frlends and members of Trinity Methodist church, of which she jm a member. In her younger life Mrs. Plerce was very active in church work and was a zealous and ardent worker in the interests of the Good Templars. A short time ago she finished & table ecarf which her daughter, the late Mrs, Screén start- ed, Mrs. Plerce is interested’ in keeping abreast of the times in news. Bhe reads the newspapers regularly but deplores the class of books which is being circulated in * the pountry today. Probably another significant thing in Mre. Plerce's longevity is the fact that in her advanced age she has been able to be comparatively active. Yast summer she enjoyed a trip through western New TYork state, returning by automobile. She has been the reciplent of many greetings from friends and yesterday afternoon about 20 friends at her home to help her cele- GOOD EYE - GLASSES Are the kind that give no trouble, the kind that fit comfortably and fill every requirement of good vislon., This'is the kind that is fitted st Goadwin’s. The kind that cause eyestrain and headaches to be & thing of the past, My Specialty— Comfortable Vision Frank E. Goodwin Eyesight Specialist 327 MAIN ST. Tel. 1905 HIGH GRADE REPAIRING AND REMODELING HUDSON FUR SHOP 13 FRANKLIN SQ. Tel. 770 The Pathway of Fools WHEN Jim Hamilton married Ruth Mason, they had little to “go on” but love. A few acres of land, a few head of cattle—these and their love for each other promised happiness. For five years they toiled side-by-side. Their fortunes grew. Children came, bringing an added measure of com- fort. They were supremely happy and contented with their lot. Then—oil was discovered on the little ranch. Overnight, Jim Hamilton became rich beyond his wildest dreams. Influential business men, financial promoters from the East, sought him out—cultivat- ed his acquaintance—finally induced him to move to New York City where he and his family could live as befitted their new station in life. + So to New York they went, under gentle protest from Ruth, who was well content to have just a home in Texas with her children, her Jim, and their wonderful love. Alas! How hard she tried to fit into the new luxurious scheme of things! Jimbecame instantly popular—especially with women. One, an exquisite creature of patrician beauty fascinated him beyond expression. Like other beautiful women he came to know, she seemed to possess every grace, every refinement, that Ruth did not. And this is just the bare beginning—a mere in- troductory background to one of the most astound- ing, most heart-gripping life-dramas that it is ever given human beings to play. Did Jim remember the little wife who had labored so faithfully, who had sacrificed so willingly, who had devoted herself, body and soul, to the man she loved? Did she ad- mit defeat, and surrender him to the “other woman” —or did she battle tirelessly, fiercely, savagely, to hold her mate? And what of the other woman? Did her artful wiles, her subtle allurements, prove winning weapons in this bitter conflict between two women, so widely different—this woman's war for a man'’s love—for his very soul ? Only Jim himself, out of the hall of memories, can bring you a clear picture of this terrible crisis in his life, and its dramatic outcome. Told with a most compelling frankness, and of vital interest to men, here is a true-life narrative that it is of even more vital importance that every woman, every girl, should read. It bares a man’s soul completely: stripping it of every shred of concealment. It gives an amazingly clear insight into the workings of his mind and heart—and brings understanding of his nature and instincts as no other story could do. “When Riches Come,” as it is entitled, is really a man’s love story written for women. Nothing exactly like it, that we know of, has ever before appeared in print. There is a powerful lesson here for all men, all women. It appears as one of the big features in the February issue of True Story Magazine. Don't miss it! On the newsstands today. Other Heart-Stirring True Stories in the February Issue Are: “The Price of Fame”—More than anything else, Nellie wanted to become a great actress. So with hopes high she went to Hollywood in search of a‘career.” ' Like hundreds of other girls who go westward each year, staking their all on the flimsy hope of becoming movie stars, Nellie did not dream of the price exacted for fame by those who shape human des- tinies in the movie colonies. A powerful, thrillingly dramatic true-life story that every girl should read. “The Evil Men Do”—When Evelyn became private sec- retary to the great Enoch Blair, his interest in her set her head in a whirl. First came his invitation to dine—then long rides in the country. Before she was aware of what had happened, she found herself caught in the grip of a nrad ad- venture from which she seemed powerless to escape — and that could have only one end. Don't fail to read this startling, heart-gripping chapter lifted directly from the book of a young girl's life, “Human Wreckage”—When he married Helen Kirke, he thought his happiness was complete. Then he met Olga Harmon, a famous dancer—a woman with all the beauty, all the fascination, all the feminine arts and wiles that try men’s souls. Came a moment of madness when wife, home, honor, all were forgotten. It could have only one ending. A confes- sion that ranks as a masterpiece in the true-life stories of men. In the Same Issue: “The Tell-Tale Tattoo” “Up From Nowhere” “Through the Flame” “Her Fighting Mate” “As God Intended” “Just in Time” “The Jilted Woman” ng Way to Hn?pineu" “Love’s Redemption” “Mirror of Beauty” “A Strange Marriage” “Her Big Sister” “Tinsel and Gold” “Why Men Change” “The Binding Tie” “Her Former Lover” A Letter From the Heart of an Indiana Social Worker Editor “True Story”—Dear Sir: I am assistant matron in a school for delinquent girls in a small Indiana town and each evening we have an hour of reading for the inmates, from seven until eight o’clock. I have always tried to pick out the best literature obtainable for them, that which is uplifting to their poor lives. A week ago I pur- chased a copy of the “True Story” Magazine with no intention of letting these girls read it. It was the first one I have ever read and I have no words with which to explain my surprise at the value of this book. A lot of people make evil of it but let me tell you how much I think of it, how much trust I put into this magazine. Tonight just three quarters of an hour ago I took this book into the girls’ dormitory and I told them I wanted to read them a story. I turned to the one in the September issue entitled “Her Birthright,” the two thousand dollar prize winner, by the way, and read it through word for word. As Iread the arms of one of the girls nearest me went around my neck, and I felt her body shudder. There were sobs through the little audience, and when I had finished all wanted to talk at once, so I told them I wanted each one of them, there being sixteen in number, to tell me what they thought of the story. One of them Lty cra st ‘llr‘ill i M Il “You fool! What did you think [ married you for! Your good loks? Your personality?”’ She laughed—a mocking laugh, that made myover-taut n rves quiver. —from “When Riches Come,” in February True Story. said, “Oh, Mrs. — —, If I had only had that book a year ago, I would not be here today a disgrace, the mother of a baby without a name and I only seventeen.” Another little girl, she is only fifteen and will become a mother in a couple of months more, cried as if her heart would break and said she felt better to hear another story like hers, and she uttered a short prayer for this girl and for her sisters in this home. So I have made this resolve: Each month, not one, but three or four magazines will be placed with these girls so they can all enjoy them and read them themselves. ‘What they get from these wonderful true stories will give them heart to live their days here, but the greatest good they will reap from them will be when they have served their time here and are again put out o the cold world to go the right path or the wrong. But so great is alief in “True Story” that I fervently believe they could not pos= step from the narrow road again as long as they read the stories is book, and they say they can hardly wait until the October issue t. It is all they talk about, and when they are performing their uties through the day, I frequently hear them discussing “True Story” and with an eagerness that is worth worlds to see. A lot of people would not approve of me putting this book in the home, but I know what good it can do because I HAVE SEEN and what better proof have we? A Macfadden Publication Magazine rue Sincerely yours, Use This Coupon If You Cannot Get True Story At Your Newsstand If You Enjoy True Story,You Will Also Like These Other Magazines inthe MacfaddenGroup Dream World True Romances A delightful journey to the land of love and romance awaits you in No more fascinating stories are written than those appearing in Dream World —the magazine of beautiful stories. Out the 15th of True Romances—the sister publication to True Story Magazine, the month—25¢ Out the 23rd of the month—25¢ True Detective Mysteries Fiction-Lovers Magazine Every red-blooded reader likes mystery, action, thrills. You'll find The fiction story has its place. The most fascinating fiction by the them aplenty in True Detective Mysteries. Out the 15th of the best writers appears each month in Fiction-Lovers Magazine. Out month—25¢ the 23rd of the month—25¢ S S S I S R ) l-TRl'F, STORY MAGAZINE ‘ 64th Street and Broadway, New York City + Special Offer. 1 encloas #1.00, for which st 10 receive § issues of TrueStory ind simply mail us sue at omce.) Cit State.__ T