Last July, Mrs. Edith Bird Bass of Peterborough unexpectedly found herself the owner of THE GRANITE MONTHLY. Mr. Pearson, the former owner, had stipulated that he should relinquish the conduct of the magazine with the Septer issue. Not feeling able, on account of prior duties, to assume active editorial and business charge of the magazine immediately, Mrs. Bass prevailed upon the writer to act as editor until January, 1923. Although Mrs. Bass has, by personal letter to the patrons of the magazine, made known these facts, it may be fitting for the acting editor to make some announcement in the magazine itself.

In the last two months the writer has been impressed anew with the fact that THE GRANITE MONTHLY, in spite of its moderate circulation, has a firm hold upon its readers and contributors. This is fortunate, because the undertaking is not, in the nature of things, one which can be financially profitable, but must be viewed as a sort of co-operative undertaking in which many join for the maintenance of a magazine devoted to the past, present and future of New Hampshire.

The subscribers and advertisers

are playing an indispensable part by furnishing the funds with which to pay the printer, the engraver and the postmaster. Quite as importtant a role is that of the contributors, from whom comes voluntarily a stream of history, essay, fiction and verse for which no editor can fail to be thankful.

Mrs. Bass intends to maintain the general policy of the magazine and has in mind a number of features which cannot fail to interest our readers. These will be announced from time to time.

In spite of the fact that the field of the magazine is limited, there is practically no limit to the attractiveness which it can attain in both material and dress, provided only that the circulation can be so widened as to furnish the necessary funds to pay the increased production costs. Plans are already forming with a view to enlarging the circulation. This is a matter in which every reader of the magazine may be of assistance. Can you not carry your present co-operation a step further and, by suggestions to your friends and to us, help us to enlarge the public which we reach and thereby enhance the value of the magazine?

ELWIN L. PAGE.

CHARLES C. BUFFUM

Charles C. Buffum, Register of Deeds for Cheshire County, died of heart failure while driving his car through the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, on October 16. Mr. Buffum was a native of East Dorset, Vermont, the son of Parris E. and Ann R. Buffum, and was born February 4, 1849. He was educated in the schools of East Dorset, and moved to Keene at the age of twenty-two. For some time he was employed by the Cheshire Railroad,. then was for seven years assistant postmaster. In April, 1883, he assumed the office of Register of Deeds. Had he lived to the end of the present term, he would have had forty years of continuous service. He was a candidate for re-election this month.

As a Register of Deeds, Mr. Buffum was painstaking and progressive. During his administration of the office he was active in re-copying and re-indexing the records and in adopting such modern methods as would make the registry of greater value to the public.

Mr. Buffum took an active part in the life of Keene. He was a member of the Unitarian Church, its treasurer for several years and interested in its activities. He was a Mason in his fraternal affiliations. He was at one time treasurer of the Union School District of Keene and for some years a member of the Board of Education. He had also been treasurer of the Elliott Hospital. From time to time he served as Special Justice of the Keene Police Court. Formerly a director of the Keene Savings Bank, he was at the time of his death a trustee of the Cheshire Couny Savings Bank.

In 1873, Mr Buffum was married io. Sarah, the daughter of Warren Wilson. She survives him, as do three sons; James Caleb of Webster, Massachusetts; Robert Earle of Boston; and Charles Edward of.. Boston.

JOSEPH H. KILLOURHY

On October 19, there died at Laconia, as the result of an automobile accident a few days before, Major Joseph H. Killourhy of the staff of Governor Brown. Major Killourhy was one of the most popular of the younger men in central New Hampshire. He was born in Meredith about forty-five years ago, but had lived in Laconia since early boyhood. His attractive personal qualities and his activity in sports and military affairs made him a wide circle of firm friends, not only in La