This week, we will finish our look at the life of Mitch Laramee. Laramee always had a great love of dogs and was considered to be, “the best trainer of partridge and quail dogs in Eastern Connecticut due to his knowledge of the habits of dogs and game. In a locally “famous” case involving the dog warden, Laramee had been charged with assault on Dog Warden George Worden. Laramee owned several dogs and it was felt that the argument which led to the alleged altercation was over these dogs. The dogcatcher claimed that while attempting to capture two loose dogs, he was, “struck a blow on the neck by Laramee”. Under the headline, “Famous Dog Case Settled”, the Courant reported that Laramee told the Court, “ Your Honor, I did make a few swings at the officer but the range was short swing in the officer’s long reach. Never once struck him so of course I didn’t assault him”. Judge Foss said that technically, Laramee was guilty of resisting the dog officer but the judge fined him only a dollar. The story ended by saying, “(Laramee) paid the fine. Both men shook hands and, after court, exchanged treats with light drinks and cigars”. A headline in 1914 said, “Mitch Laramee Angry”. “Constable Mitch Laramee is very angry and said last night that if he meets the dog that attacked his bird dog, the meeting would not be a healthy one for the bulldog”. Apparently the bulldog had jumped the bird dog and got the bird dog’s leg in his mouth. The bulldog did not let go until a Patrolman beat the bulldog several times on the head with his blackjack. The bird dog’s leg was badly injured. And. In yet another encounter with dogs, a strange dog had reportedly come into town and had bitten several other dogs and people. And so Chief of Police Richmond, Town Clerk Fenton and Mitch Laramee ,”got a team and with pistols and shotguns started out in search of him”. They found the dog on the corner of Union and Broad streets where he was in the process of attacking three other dogs. “With one shot from the trap gun of Mr. Laramee, the animal was brought to the ground but not before he had succeeded in biting some fifty or seventy-five other dogs”. In 1908, Laramee was elected as the Tree Warden of Windham and served in that position until his death. It was said that it was his knowledge of woodcraft and his popularity in the town that got him elected in spite of being on the losing ticket. He served in that position until 1920 when a tragic accident ended his life. He had been doing his duty as Tree Warden and was cutting a large limb off an elm tree on Meadow Street. The limb extended across the street and had been almost cut off where it met the trunk. He was preparing to lower the limb to the ground using a block and tackle. As “The Chronicle relates it, “(Laramee) stood on the limb about eighteen inches from the trunk with one hand grasping a rope and the other wielding a sharp axe cutting away the remaining part of the limb. According to residents on Meadow Street, Mr. Laramee had his attention in part directed to keeping children away from the place. Suddenly, the limb was severed from the trunk and the limb came down along with Laramee. A bystander asked if he were hurt and he said, “Yes, I cut myself with the axe”. The axe had cut the femoral artery and almost severed his leg. “Laramee was game according to those who saw him after the accident. ‘Boys, I know it’s tough luck but I am not going to die’, he said.” Within an hour, though, he died. It had been said of him that he loved to work on trees and carried that love of nature which was characteristic of his life. “The Chronicle” wrapped up the news story of Michel Laramee’s death by saying, “(He) enjoyed a wide circle of friends and was always in a pleasant mood, his companionship was much sought. He was kindhearted and generous and honest in his business dealings. His death was a shock not only to the members of his family but to his numerous acquaintances”. An editorial in the paper that same day said, “In the death of Michel Laramee this forenoon by accident, the town loses one of its best citizens. …By his upright conduct and his many social qualities he became beloved by all. Probably no man in our community understood the woods and everything pertaining thereto better than him. He was a steadfast friend and an ideal citizen.”  I’m proud to say that Michel Laramee was my great grandfather. Today’s photo is of Michel Laramie. On his left is his son Pierre who would later become Mayor.

                                         

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