Oftentimes, in doing research, a serendipity occurs so that while gathering information on one subject, another interesting story possibility occurs. Such was the case when gleaning through books and newspaper articles and seeing the name Michel Laramee occur over and over. To write this article, I gathered up scores of newspaper stories and anecdotes. Every community has its “interesting” citizens and Laramee was one of them. For  whatever reason, both “The Courant” and “The Chronicle” often wrote about him and his exploits, quirks and accomplishments. It should be noted however, that in the years 1900-1920, things were done differently, people responded differently and newspapers weren’t reined in by the need for political correctness. The articles this and next week will showcase a “local legend” and present a slice of life from one hundred years ago, often using the newspaper quotes themselves. Allen B. Lincoln, writing in his “Modern History of Windham County”, said of Michel Laramee, “Few men among the French-Canadians have been more highly esteemed than was Michel Laramee, known primarily as a skillful shoemaker, but widely popular as a sportsman and genial companion. His recent death by accident was deeply deplored”. Born in Quebec, Canada in 1856, he emigrated to Rhode Island to work in a cotton mill and then came to Willimantic in 1885 and began working at the Windham Cotton Mills on Bridge Street. He first boarded at one of the mill houses on Main Street but soon bought a house on Milk Street where he raised his family.  Within a few years, he had managed to establish three small businesses in Willimantic , the last of which was a combination shoe repair and taxidermy shop on Main Street. He became well-known in social and business circles and especially popular among sportsmen because of his knowledge of the outdoors and his understanding and love of nature. The taxidermy shop became a regular gathering place for sportsmen and gave Laramee the opportunity to work in an occupation he loved and at the same time trade stories, information and knowledge about outdoor activities. His exploits were the subject of frequent newspaper stories. From 1907: “Mitch Laramee, a well known hunter and woodsman went out for a short time and returned with two black ducks.It is unusual to see migratory birds in this section at this time of year”. From 1911 : “Mitch Laramee, veteran shoemaker, tree warden and trapper…has made his first foray into the woods and brought back eight woodcock and two partridges”.He, along with many prominent businessmen, was an active member of the Willimantic Rod and Gun Club, several times elected one of its officers, and was instrumental in the purchase of land and building of a new clubhouse for the organization. The location was exactly where Windham High School stands today (this week’s photo). Many other sporting clubs came to Willimantic to compete in rifle competitions. Laramee was one of the top shooters in the club year after year and twice won the club’s “Silver Cup”. The only other member to have won the cup twice was, interestingly, a priest, the Rev. Francis X. Mulville. Laramee’s love of dogs, hunting and fishing landed him in trouble too. A newspaper story said, “Chief of Scouts Michel Laramee was arraigned before Judge Arnold in the police court yesterday on the charge of violating the game laws by having five more partridges in his possession than the law allows”. (In the early 1900s, hunting was much more popular than it is today and many prominent citizens were hunters.  There were also several local clubs dedicated to the sport. One such was “The Muskrat Club” which was composed of a good number of prominent Willimantic citizens. Laramee was a member and so was often accompanied by other members on his hunting trips. These companions included the Town Clerk, State Senators and mill overseers and agents.) What had happened in this case was that he and one of these companions, had gone hunting in Chaplin and while neither had exceeded the limit, Laramee happened to have the whole game bag in his store and was arrested by game officers for having five more than the limit. He decided to simply plead guilty, pay a small fine and be done with it. A run-in with the local dog warden proved a bit more serious however. (to be continued)

                                         

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