Founder of The Ridgefield Press.
No date on this article, unfortunately.
BAXTER'S STORE TUMBLES
Baxter's Store is no more.
The two-story frame building on North Salem Road in which D. Crosby Baxter, founder of The Ridgefield Press, sold everything from pins and needles to barrels of molasses came tumbling down a few days ago, its decrepit and long-unused underpinning giving way to little more than a strong push.
Only a pile of rubble now remains on the Harold C. McElwee property near Tackora Trail of what was once a flourishing general country store. Mr. Baxter, who ran the business in the days after he ceased being a publisher and printer, stayed on the job until late in life. Once, not long before he retired, he won a bet. Using his wooden arm alone he hoisted a barrel of molasses single-handed onto a counter in his store. Others than the loser of the bet watched admiringly.
The last man to run the store was the late William S. Bouton. He gave up the project when the first chain stores wreaked havoc with the independent mercantile set-up in town. The store has stood virtually unused for a quarter-century or more.
(Note: According to one of his daughter's, he did NOT have a wooden arm. His hand was off just above his wrist.)
From the Brewster Standard – March 16, 1923
D. Crosby Baxter
D. Crosby Baxter, for nearly three-quarters of a century a resident of Ridgefield and father of the Ridgefield Press, died March 7. Mr. Baxter had been an invalid for the past three years and confined to his home.
Darius Crosby Baxter was a unique character and his individuality stood apart from the average. He was born in Somers, N.Y., the son of Harvey and Rhymany (Northrop) Baxter, November 18, 1842. His parents came to Ridgefield when he was 11 years old. He received his education in New York City.
As a young man he started in the shoemaker’s trade but unfortunately the loss of his left hand in a blasting accident compelled him to abandon it. His next venture was as a storekeeper. On December 15, 1865, Mr. Baxter married Miss Flora M. Farvor, of Washington, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter lived at one time in the Walter Bailey house, West Lane, and later in the Henry Mead place, Catoonah street. Subsequently Mr. Baxter bought the Amos Smith place on Main street and lived there.
It was then he started the Ridgefield Press. The first edition was printed in the basement of that place January 13, 1875. After five years Mr. Baxter moved the Press to its present location where it was sold to the late Charles Lee.
While conducting the Press Mr. Baxter also published a paper in Thomaston, Conn., for a short time. In his varied activities he engaged at one time in a livery and sales stable. He had the distinction of driving a carriage to meet the first train to arrive in Ridgefield. After disposing of the livery business he conducted a store in North Ridgefield for many years until failing health compelled him to discontinue it. Mr. Baxter was gifted with good business acumen and a sense of humor. He had many
He is survived by his widow, five adult children, Frank F. of Ridgefield, J. Crosby, of Greensboro, North Carolina; Mrs. Burton Clark, Mrs. Harry Scofield and Charles H. of Ridgefield; also twelve grandchildren. Another daughter, Inez, wife of Dr. Powers, died in 1888.
Mr. Baxter’s funeral was held on Saturday at his late home, Rev. E. D. Bassett officiating. Burial was in the Ridgefield cemetery – Danbury News.
No date on this article, unfortunately.
BAXTER'S STORE TUMBLES
Baxter's Store is no more.
The two-story frame building on North Salem Road in which D. Crosby Baxter, founder of The Ridgefield Press, sold everything from pins and needles to barrels of molasses came tumbling down a few days ago, its decrepit and long-unused underpinning giving way to little more than a strong push.
Only a pile of rubble now remains on the Harold C. McElwee property near Tackora Trail of what was once a flourishing general country store. Mr. Baxter, who ran the business in the days after he ceased being a publisher and printer, stayed on the job until late in life. Once, not long before he retired, he won a bet. Using his wooden arm alone he hoisted a barrel of molasses single-handed onto a counter in his store. Others than the loser of the bet watched admiringly.
The last man to run the store was the late William S. Bouton. He gave up the project when the first chain stores wreaked havoc with the independent mercantile set-up in town. The store has stood virtually unused for a quarter-century or more.
(Note: According to one of his daughter's, he did NOT have a wooden arm. His hand was off just above his wrist.)
From the Brewster Standard – March 16, 1923
D. Crosby Baxter
D. Crosby Baxter, for nearly three-quarters of a century a resident of Ridgefield and father of the Ridgefield Press, died March 7. Mr. Baxter had been an invalid for the past three years and confined to his home.
Darius Crosby Baxter was a unique character and his individuality stood apart from the average. He was born in Somers, N.Y., the son of Harvey and Rhymany (Northrop) Baxter, November 18, 1842. His parents came to Ridgefield when he was 11 years old. He received his education in New York City.
As a young man he started in the shoemaker’s trade but unfortunately the loss of his left hand in a blasting accident compelled him to abandon it. His next venture was as a storekeeper. On December 15, 1865, Mr. Baxter married Miss Flora M. Farvor, of Washington, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter lived at one time in the Walter Bailey house, West Lane, and later in the Henry Mead place, Catoonah street. Subsequently Mr. Baxter bought the Amos Smith place on Main street and lived there.
It was then he started the Ridgefield Press. The first edition was printed in the basement of that place January 13, 1875. After five years Mr. Baxter moved the Press to its present location where it was sold to the late Charles Lee.
While conducting the Press Mr. Baxter also published a paper in Thomaston, Conn., for a short time. In his varied activities he engaged at one time in a livery and sales stable. He had the distinction of driving a carriage to meet the first train to arrive in Ridgefield. After disposing of the livery business he conducted a store in North Ridgefield for many years until failing health compelled him to discontinue it. Mr. Baxter was gifted with good business acumen and a sense of humor. He had many
He is survived by his widow, five adult children, Frank F. of Ridgefield, J. Crosby, of Greensboro, North Carolina; Mrs. Burton Clark, Mrs. Harry Scofield and Charles H. of Ridgefield; also twelve grandchildren. Another daughter, Inez, wife of Dr. Powers, died in 1888.
Mr. Baxter’s funeral was held on Saturday at his late home, Rev. E. D. Bassett officiating. Burial was in the Ridgefield cemetery – Danbury News.
Founder of The Ridgefield Press.
No date on this article, unfortunately.
BAXTER'S STORE TUMBLES
Baxter's Store is no more.
The two-story frame building on North Salem Road in which D. Crosby Baxter, founder of The Ridgefield Press, sold everything from pins and needles to barrels of molasses came tumbling down a few days ago, its decrepit and long-unused underpinning giving way to little more than a strong push.
Only a pile of rubble now remains on the Harold C. McElwee property near Tackora Trail of what was once a flourishing general country store. Mr. Baxter, who ran the business in the days after he ceased being a publisher and printer, stayed on the job until late in life. Once, not long before he retired, he won a bet. Using his wooden arm alone he hoisted a barrel of molasses single-handed onto a counter in his store. Others than the loser of the bet watched admiringly.
The last man to run the store was the late William S. Bouton. He gave up the project when the first chain stores wreaked havoc with the independent mercantile set-up in town. The store has stood virtually unused for a quarter-century or more.
(Note: According to one of his daughter's, he did NOT have a wooden arm. His hand was off just above his wrist.)
From the Brewster Standard – March 16, 1923
D. Crosby Baxter
D. Crosby Baxter, for nearly three-quarters of a century a resident of Ridgefield and father of the Ridgefield Press, died March 7. Mr. Baxter had been an invalid for the past three years and confined to his home.
Darius Crosby Baxter was a unique character and his individuality stood apart from the average. He was born in Somers, N.Y., the son of Harvey and Rhymany (Northrop) Baxter, November 18, 1842. His parents came to Ridgefield when he was 11 years old. He received his education in New York City.
As a young man he started in the shoemaker’s trade but unfortunately the loss of his left hand in a blasting accident compelled him to abandon it. His next venture was as a storekeeper. On December 15, 1865, Mr. Baxter married Miss Flora M. Farvor, of Washington, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter lived at one time in the Walter Bailey house, West Lane, and later in the Henry Mead place, Catoonah street. Subsequently Mr. Baxter bought the Amos Smith place on Main street and lived there.
It was then he started the Ridgefield Press. The first edition was printed in the basement of that place January 13, 1875. After five years Mr. Baxter moved the Press to its present location where it was sold to the late Charles Lee.
While conducting the Press Mr. Baxter also published a paper in Thomaston, Conn., for a short time. In his varied activities he engaged at one time in a livery and sales stable. He had the distinction of driving a carriage to meet the first train to arrive in Ridgefield. After disposing of the livery business he conducted a store in North Ridgefield for many years until failing health compelled him to discontinue it. Mr. Baxter was gifted with good business acumen and a sense of humor. He had many
He is survived by his widow, five adult children, Frank F. of Ridgefield, J. Crosby, of Greensboro, North Carolina; Mrs. Burton Clark, Mrs. Harry Scofield and Charles H. of Ridgefield; also twelve grandchildren. Another daughter, Inez, wife of Dr. Powers, died in 1888.
Mr. Baxter’s funeral was held on Saturday at his late home, Rev. E. D. Bassett officiating. Burial was in the Ridgefield cemetery – Danbury News.
No date on this article, unfortunately.
BAXTER'S STORE TUMBLES
Baxter's Store is no more.
The two-story frame building on North Salem Road in which D. Crosby Baxter, founder of The Ridgefield Press, sold everything from pins and needles to barrels of molasses came tumbling down a few days ago, its decrepit and long-unused underpinning giving way to little more than a strong push.
Only a pile of rubble now remains on the Harold C. McElwee property near Tackora Trail of what was once a flourishing general country store. Mr. Baxter, who ran the business in the days after he ceased being a publisher and printer, stayed on the job until late in life. Once, not long before he retired, he won a bet. Using his wooden arm alone he hoisted a barrel of molasses single-handed onto a counter in his store. Others than the loser of the bet watched admiringly.
The last man to run the store was the late William S. Bouton. He gave up the project when the first chain stores wreaked havoc with the independent mercantile set-up in town. The store has stood virtually unused for a quarter-century or more.
(Note: According to one of his daughter's, he did NOT have a wooden arm. His hand was off just above his wrist.)
From the Brewster Standard – March 16, 1923
D. Crosby Baxter
D. Crosby Baxter, for nearly three-quarters of a century a resident of Ridgefield and father of the Ridgefield Press, died March 7. Mr. Baxter had been an invalid for the past three years and confined to his home.
Darius Crosby Baxter was a unique character and his individuality stood apart from the average. He was born in Somers, N.Y., the son of Harvey and Rhymany (Northrop) Baxter, November 18, 1842. His parents came to Ridgefield when he was 11 years old. He received his education in New York City.
As a young man he started in the shoemaker’s trade but unfortunately the loss of his left hand in a blasting accident compelled him to abandon it. His next venture was as a storekeeper. On December 15, 1865, Mr. Baxter married Miss Flora M. Farvor, of Washington, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter lived at one time in the Walter Bailey house, West Lane, and later in the Henry Mead place, Catoonah street. Subsequently Mr. Baxter bought the Amos Smith place on Main street and lived there.
It was then he started the Ridgefield Press. The first edition was printed in the basement of that place January 13, 1875. After five years Mr. Baxter moved the Press to its present location where it was sold to the late Charles Lee.
While conducting the Press Mr. Baxter also published a paper in Thomaston, Conn., for a short time. In his varied activities he engaged at one time in a livery and sales stable. He had the distinction of driving a carriage to meet the first train to arrive in Ridgefield. After disposing of the livery business he conducted a store in North Ridgefield for many years until failing health compelled him to discontinue it. Mr. Baxter was gifted with good business acumen and a sense of humor. He had many
He is survived by his widow, five adult children, Frank F. of Ridgefield, J. Crosby, of Greensboro, North Carolina; Mrs. Burton Clark, Mrs. Harry Scofield and Charles H. of Ridgefield; also twelve grandchildren. Another daughter, Inez, wife of Dr. Powers, died in 1888.
Mr. Baxter’s funeral was held on Saturday at his late home, Rev. E. D. Bassett officiating. Burial was in the Ridgefield cemetery – Danbury News.
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