The Storm Hit Spring Birds Hard.

Spring birds, which got here ahead of their annual schedule, have suffered keenly from the snow during the last week. Song sparrows, robins and blue birds, which had arrived in great numbers, had a sorry time trying to find something to eat, and continually buffeting the winds has worn them to the point of exhaustion. A kindness can be done these feathered visitors by scattering crumbs on the snow.

PROPERTY OF THE LATE JOHN W. McNAMARA SOLD.

The summer home of the late John W. McNamara of Albany, located at the base of High Point, in the Helderberg mountains, has been sold to Rev. C. M. Hardendorf of Cleveland, Ohio. The amount of consideration is not made public, but it is believed to be not far from $10,000. The place has been standing idle for several years, but has been kept in fine condition ever since the death of Mr. McNamara. George B. Passage of Altamont has been the caretaker and has looked after every detail. The purchase includes all the furniture, bedding, clothing, dishes, books, mirrors, etc., in fact everything that is necessary in a first-class home. Many beautiful heirlooms left by the former occupants go with the purchase.

A most magnificent view can be obtained from this place, and on clear days one can look nearly fifty miles away. The house has undoubtedly one of the finest locations of any place in New York state.

The building was originally owned by a Miss Fenelon and was known as the Fenelon cottage. Miss Fenelon was a prosperous dress maker, of Albany, who conceived the idea that this point of land would make an ideal location for a home. Work was begun on the building of the house about the year 1887. After its completion Miss Fenelon became involved in a breach of promise suit with the late Aaron Livingston. Her savings went toward paying costs of court and attorney fees, and finally she gave up the place in disgust and removed to Albany, where it is said she still resides. Soon afterward J. W. McNamara, one of the attorneys in the case, became owner of the property.

LOCAL HAPPENINGS.

The latest thing in Altamont is a “Tobacco War.” Several of the local merchants say that one of their competitors here has been underselling them on cigars, cigarettes and tobacco for some time past, and have banded together in an attempt to make him quit. As a means to this end, they are selling their tobacco goods to the public at cost (so they say; we don’t know what the cost prices of the goods are). To date there have been no casualties. The competitor in question is said to have declared that he can sell his tobacco goods as low as any of them, and that the others can’t run him out of business. Meanwhile the tobacco users of Altamont are having a great time, getting their “smokes” at ridiculously low prices, considering those charged in other villages.

STONY HILL — DISTRICT 6.

The people of this vicinity woke last Friday morning to find all signs of spring gone, and the ground covered with snow; the wind blowing a gale, drifting the snow in huge banks. All traffic was stopped, and telephone poles were blown down. No mail was received here from Thursday night until Sunday morning, when the roads were opened enough to let the mail be brought through in a sleigh. ​