The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume], December 24, 1913, Image 1

About The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917

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A REAL THRILLER
THE WEATHER
Now Running in The Farmer
Tarzan of the Apes". Don't
miss it. ,
FAIR, COLDER TONIGHT
VOL. 49 NO. 303
BRIDGEPORT, CONN., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1913
PRICE TWO CENTS
CHRISTMAS IN
JAIL IS WISH
OF LOVE SLAVE
More of Adelaide Branch'
Strange Life Story Is
Brought to Light
QUARREL LED TO
DEATH OF COUCH
Wife of His Heart, Three
Years Voluntary Prisoner,
Will Lose Herself Forever
(3peclal to The Farmer.)
Monticello, N. T., Dec. 24. Begging
the hospitality of a eell in the county
jail for Christmas aay, and protesting
that as soon as she Is well enough
she will leave this place, to be lost
to Its townsfolk rorever, Adelaide
Branch, central figure of a romance
that .beggars fiction, was granted her
strange request today by County
Sheriff Kinney.
Miss Branch, the former school
teacher and book saleswoman, who tt
hide her Illicit love for Attorney Mel
yin II. Couch, for three years led a
prison Mfe in hiding in a secret office
in h suite in an office building in
the center of the townyia nervous
wreck . Never physically strong, she
has been so wrecked, toy the tragic
death of the man or whom she said
she was "the wife of his heart," and
the attending sensational disclosures,
that she has been unable to pluck up
courage to set out to race the world.
"I'll go im a few days; only let me
stay here until I'm strong enough to
. leave this place forever, she implored
Sheriff Kinney. This forenoon it be
came known that after a conference
of authorities, the sheriff had agreed
to accede to her unusual desire...
"The woman has been cleared of all
responsibility for the death of Couch,
-who died in her arms last Sunday
morning, but she has begged Sheriff
Kinney to let her remain in jail a few
days longer and her request has been
granted..
"I want to die and be burled
beside "Mel", she said, today. "I am
sick, at heart and- sick physically,
cannot face the worli now."
Miss Branch will be permitted to
remain until she has regained her
strength. " The woman refuses to give
any Information concerning her rela
tives, but 'her plight has aroused much
sympathy and it is' not believed she
c. -will experience any difficulty, in find
tag a .home, although she says -she is
destitute and has no place to go.
Misa Branch was offered her liberty
- last night, although the fact was kept
secret until late today. District At
torney Cooke, County Judge Thorn-
- ton. Sheriff Kinney, Justice K. D. L.
Niven and David S. Avery, who is
chairman of the Democratic County
Committee and who was a close friend
of Couch, last night held a conference
which lasted for over two hours. Af
terward they went to the Jail and held
the hearing.
It was found that there was no
good reason for holding Miss Branch
and her discharge was ordered.
The woman, however, begged to be
allowed to stay, and her nervous con
dition was such that Justice Niven
ordered that no one should be allowed
to disturb her. She safd that she did
not want to see any one, even her
own brother if he should come. It
was learned that she has a brother
living at Hart wick, near Cooperstown,
N. X.. and that she was very much
afraid he might come here and repri
mand her for her conduct She is also
said to have a brother living in Iowa.
Miss Branch taught school In some
of the public schools of the state, and
afterward attended the Oswego Nor
mal school for three years, but was
compelled to give up because of ner
vousness. It was at that time that
she started selling books. -
Miss Branch has offered to fix
Couch's papers, and this offer may be
accepted If the authorities find the
papers in bad shape. She had taken
entire charge of his clerical work dur
ing her stay with him.
Standing at the window of her cell
this afternoon, Adelaide Branch
caught a glimpse of the hearse con
taining Couch's body as it passed
through a blinding snowstorm over a
distant hilltop on the way to Rock
Hidge Cemetery.
In the carriage following the hearse
sat Couch's legal wife; but the woman
who styles herself ."the wife of his
heart," and who for love of the dead
lawyer remained a virtual prisoner in
. a secret room adjoining his office for
three years, had pleaded in vain to be
allowed to attend the services or to
have one last look at the face of the
man she loved. The woman's request
had been laid before Mrs. Couch and
had been refused.
Today for the first time since she
was discovered Sunday morning aid
ing behind a thin partition only a few-
feet from Couch's dead body. Miss
Branch talked freely of her relations
with Couch. Througi her own ad-
i, missions it is learned that the lawyer
died in her arms, folrowing a lovers'
quarrel, and that the woman blame's
, Sieraeif for causing his death.
The woman looked pale and hag
gard. She was attractive looking
when Couch first met her, but her de
votion to (him and the secret alliance
and its incident confinement have
aged her terribly, he says that she
wishes to drop out or sight, in order
not to cause ' the Couch family any
more notoriety. "I am simply going
to vanish," is the way she puts It.
The quarrel which overtaxed
Couch'' enfeebled hwart and led to his
death originated In Miss 'Branch's re
helling against th solitary life she
had been leading. "Tou will have to
be with your family all Christmas
day," fb told Couch, "and I can't
-bear to be here alone without a chance
to speak to a soul. I've 'been thinking
it over end I want to go to Goshen
and . spend 'the day with Mrs. Ostram,
where I used to bord."
Couch objected. Possibly he feared
that liberty would prove so attractive
a novelty to Miss Branch that she
would cot be willing to return to her
Continued on Fags Two)
TOLMAN'S LAWYERS
WANT HIM FREED
Theatrical Effects Fail to
Produce Desired Result
From Governor
Accompanied , by theatrical effects,
the attempt . to wrest from Governor
Glynn at Albany, yesterday, a pardon
for D. H.- Tolman, the loan shark,
now in prison in New York state,
failed to move the executive to en
thusiasm. He directed that the ap
plication be filed with his pardon
clerk and to take the usual course.
Tolman's imprisonment was of con
siderable interest in Connecticut, his
several loan offices in this state hav
ing included one in Bridgeport which
for a time did a mrivlng 'business.
But Tolman ran afoul of thue author
ities of many states, and in October
last "was sentenced to six months' im
prisonment for the practice of usury.
Former XT. S. Senator. Charles A.
Towne, accompanied by Attorney
Benjamin 33. Spellnsan, his law part
ner, the wife and son of the convict,
and four women managers of loan of
fices in Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester
and Albany, invaJed the capitol.
Tome and Spellmarf had big bundles
of papers, said to represent loans or
$500,000 which they said they would
burn if executive clemency was exer
cised. This did not produce the de
sired - effect on tne governor, who
.without much ado, referred them, to
his pardon clerk.
Later tjhe governor said Tolman's
case "would be considered in tne reg
ular course. .'
MANY CI1IES ARE
AFTER FEDERAL
RESERVE BANKS
President Has Yet Intimat
ed His Preference for Per
sonnel of. Board ;.
Washington, Dec. 24 With all the
power of a law fresh from the pen
of President Wilson behind them.
Secretary McAdoo and Secretary
Houston today began working out de
tails of the nation's new financial
system. :,.. - , .
The two cabinet members; acting as
an organization committee will de
termine the preliminary moves to the
actual installation of the machinery
that is to operate the federal reserve
"Although the law provides that, the
two secretaries shall join . with the
comptroller of the currency in the.
preliminary work of reorganization.
the office of comptroller is vacant
and it has been decided that the two
secretaries, constituting a majority of
the committee, may go ahead. Later,
the members of the federal reserve
board of seven will be named by
President Wilson. The secretary of
the treasury and the new comptroller
will be members of that body and
the other five will be chosen from
private life. If President Wilson fin
ally has made his selection of these
five places it is not known in Wash
ington.
The first step to be taken by the
secretaries will be the selection of
cities where federal reserve banks,
the backbone of the system, are to be
located. The law provides for not
less than eight and" not more than
twelve and i the organization commit
tee is empowered to employ counsel
and summon witnesses and papers to
go deeply in the location of the re
serves.
Its decision is not subject to re
view except by the federal reserve
board.
It is possible that before the ques
tion of notices is decided the orga
nization committee will visit cities
suggested and base its report on in
formation- gained at first hand.
Cities that can hardly be kept off
tentative list would include New
York, Chicago, St. Louis, San Fran
cisco and New Orleans, with Denver,
Atlanta and Seattle or Portland, Ore.,
near the top. - Philadelphia, Balti
more, Washington, Boston and sev
eral others are asking for designa
tion. -
The organization committee is em
powered to prescribe regulations for
membership in the system. Applica
tions from all over the United States
have been flowing into the treasury
for several days.
An unusual flood, however, arrived
today and one. of the first duties of
the committee will be the promulga
tion of rules for their acceptance. Na
tional banks have 6 0 ' days in which
to file application.
Plenty of Expert .
Testimony, Says Court
"I never knew a case in which you
couldn't get as many experts on one
side ae on the other," declared Judge
Bennett in the superior court this af
ternoon when Attorney Clark of Stam
ford began to talk about securing ex
pert testimony in the action brought
by Henry Osterman against the city
of Stamford. Attorney Clark said he
cpuld bring 18 experts. "Oh, we could
never hear that many," suggested the
court, "Three will be - enough."
Osterman secured a temporary in
unction restraining the City of Stam
ford from authorizing a bond issue
for the purchase of a $30,000 tract of
and. It was alleged that the city
intended to use the land as a site for
fire and police, houses whereas the
bonds were authorized only for fire
purposes. The City of "Stamford's
motion to dissolve the injunction was
heard this morning but Judge Ben
nett reserved decision.
A large pan of cooked poultry beads
will be the only delicacy at one
Christmas dinner in Bridgeport to
morrow. Investigator Alexander F.
Morrissey of the Charity Department
making the discovery today. The wo
man explained that they were unable
to buy fowl 'for dinner, but that a
nearby marketman had given her all
of the heads from hi a store.
SHARP REBUKE
FROM BENCH
FOR ATTORNEY
Judge Nicholson Censured
for His Attitude In Vehi
cle Co. Case
FAVORED MILLER
FOR RECEIVER
Superior Court Judge Ben
nett Plainly Upset Re
vokes Appointment
On the charge that he tried to de
ceive the court, Judge Edward K.
Nicholson was scathingly rebuked by
Judge Bennett in the . superior court
this morning when a hearing was held
to confirm the appointment of Harry
D. Miller as temporary receiver for
the Bridgeport "Vehicle Co.
Yesterday Judge Nicholson went to
Judge Bennett in the latter's chanv
bers and asked the court to appoint
Mr. Miller as temporary receiver. He
represented that Miller was a per
son well qualified to have the position
and the court made the appointment.
When a hearing on the matter was
held this morning Attorney James A.
Marr, representing the Vehicle Co.,
was on hand to object to the appoint
ment. He claimed that an $8,000 suit had
been brought against- Miller alleging
misuse of the company's property. As
Attorney Marr started to read the pa
pers in this action, Judge Nicholson
objected. ' ' '
"Do you believe Mr. Miller is a prop
er person for the place in view of
what has happened ?" Judge Bennett
inquired of Judge Nicholson.
Judge Nicholson said he knew all
the circumstances and thought Miller
was the proper man. The court then
severely criticised Judge Nicholson.
He said the attorney had deceived the
court by not telling- him about the
previous suit against Miller. He de
manded to know why Judge Nichol
son hadn't told him. -"It slipped my
mind, , declared Judge Nicholson.
I can t believe that." replied the
court. "This is a matter which will
affect your professional standing and
the court cannot help but remember
it. Judge Bennett said it was mani
festly improper for the lawyer not to
acquaint himself with all the facts
when applying t fqjr Miller's appoint
ment.
Judge Nicholson ihtemipted to say
that if his continuing-- in--the case
would prejudice he might -wish to
withdraw. But Judge Bennett said, "I
don t care to hear anything further."
The court then instructed the clerk
to vacate the order for the appoint
ment of a receiver and to throw the
whole proceeding out. ..........
In the preliminary examination At
torney Marr had sought to show that
Harry D. Miller was not the owner of
J. 16 shares of Vehicle Co. stock as he
alleged. He- demanded to know if
Miller hadn't disposed of the stock
but the witness denied it. -
Then Attorney - Marr made the
statement that two important court
orders were - missing' from the files
of the case and he Intimated that
Miller might know something.: of
their disappearance. v The witness de
nied any knowledge of ' the papers.
He asked the court to protect him
"from the slurs and insults" of the
lawyer. Subsequently the papers
were found. It was learned that they
had been mislaid when the lawyers
were- inspecting the files.
After Judge Nicholson's objection
had ' been overruled, Attorney Marr
read the complaint In the suit
brought against Miller by the Vehi
cle Co. Miller denied any wrong
doing in this connection and said ev
erything could be explained at the
proper time. This $8,000 suit is still
pending. "
KIND LADY PROVIDES
TREEAtlDCHRISTMAS
CHEER FOR TWENTY
. Christmas joy is this afternoon be
ing experienced by more than a score
of the most needy children to be found
in the Water and lower State street
section of the city, through the efforts
of ah unknown Bridgeport woman and
officials of Bridgeport Christian Union.
A Christmas tree" generously decorated
with gifts, trimmings and holiday
"goodies" was turned over to the chil
dren at 2 o'clock.
The generous woman was struck
with the appearance of some of the
children. Seeking the officials of the
Union, she asked that a tree be. se
cured and presents bought. Sufflicient
money was provided. Assistant Su
perintendent John M. Lark in made, a
trip through the section and " invited
the most needy children he could find.
Assistant Superintendent C. W. Simp
son had general charge of the observ
ance. TELEGRAPH OPERATOR
KILLED BY POLICE
IN ELUDING- ARREST
- Syracuse, N. Y., Dec. 24 Frank
Kenyon, 22 years old, telegraph oper
ator in the West Shore Railway sta
tion at Amboy, was shot and killed
early today in the home of Bert Web
ster, aged-23, in the Main street of
Amboy. j
Kenyon, whose home was in Fair-
mount Station, went to the Webster
home early this morning, broke in the
front door and arousing the family
who gathered in one room at the
sound of a pistol shot, said:
"If you come near me, I will shoot."
Webster moved and Kenyon is said
to have fired the bullet missing its
target. . Rushing into an adjoining
room, Webster procured a gun and,
returning, is alleged to have shot Ken
yon dead. Webster then fled.
MERCHANTS, BE LOYAL
Following his desire that
Bridgeporters buy in Bridge
port, the merchant shoul.l
be among the first to pat
ronize home industry. Many
things are "Made in Bridge
port" which do not appear
to be on sale here. Not long
ago a newcomer in town de
sired a paper cutter, one of
those stiletto-like arrange
ments for opening envelopes.
He sought for one in a
Bridgeport store. He had
heard that Bridgeport was a
town of varied industries.
He expected to buy a paper
cutter "Made in Bridgeport,"
but he didn't. . It bore the
stamp, "Made in Germany."
He hasn't yet found out why.
He thought some Bridgeport
concern should be able to
make and market them in
this city as cheaply as they
could be imported. This may
not seem important but ii
brings out the desired point:
That Bridgeport merchants
should find out what Bridge
port manufacturers have to
offer and then do their pur
chasing here whenever pos
sible. BASKET DINNERS
FOR 1,000 PERSONS
ON CHRISTMAS DAY
It -was announced today that Christ
mas dinner baskets sufficient to feed
from 1,1)00 to 1,200 people will be dis
tributed tonight and tomorrow from
Salvation Army headquarters, 30 Elm
street. A few will be distributed to
night but most of them at 7 o'clock
tomorrow morning. The Christmas
tree and entertainment for 500 of the
poor children in the city will be New
Tears night.
At Bridgeport Christian Union,
known to the down and outs as the
"little lighthouse on Bank street,
Yuletide cheer will be brought- to be
tween - 40 and' 50 men tomorrow to
whom ther" institution is their only
home. At 1:30 o clock in the Union's
hall a turkey" dinner with all fixings
will be served under the direction of
Superintendent C. W. Simpson and
Assistant Superintendent John M.
Larkin. Following the dinner a group
photograph ' will be taken and gifts
win he distributed. '
DISTRIBUTION OF
STOCKS BREAKS UP
MARKET'S ADVANCE
New Xork, Deo. 24. Opening.
Stocks moved irregularly In the early
trading today with a smaller volume
of business than at any opening since
the upward movement began last
week. There were signs of heaviness
among the eastern railroad stocks,
selling of which was influenced by-
reports that November statements
would ehow large decreases in earn
ings.
Norfolk & Western lost 1 3-8 and
New York Central 1. Initial prices
showed a majority or small gains, but
after (the opening The whole list
sagged. Active bidding for Reading,
however, steadied the list and there
was some Improvement after half an
hour of trading. Reading, Canadian
Pacific and. Sugar rose 1. ' .
Noon The halting action of the
market despite efforts to bring about
a continuance of the advance by bid
ding up special stocks, made it evi
dent ' that " distribution was in pro
gress. Some selling was attributed
to disappointment of traders that sing
ing of the currency bill and the ac
companying statement of the Presi
dent failed to exercise a bullish in
fluence, the effect apparently having
been discounted on the recent rise.
Pronounced weakness of various
stocks set backhe whole list. Nor
folk & Western dropped 3 1-2 to 100
1-2, its heaviness fceing- attributed to
reports that Pennsylvania would re
linquish control of the road. Strength
of Reading was associated with ru
mors that the company would reach a
settlement out of court with the gov
ernment.
Outside of fluctuations of a few
stocks there were no movements of
importance through the morning.
Bonds were irregular. Missouri Pa
cific convertible fives declined to 67,
making a loss of six points within a
week. .
PRESIDENT AND HIS
PARTY ON WAY TO
MISSISSIPPI PORT
Charlotte, N. C, Dec. 2 4 President
Wilson and his party passed through
here at 10:05 a. m., enroute to ' Pass
Christian, Miss., where he expects to
arrive early tomorrow and spend a
three weeks vacation.'
The President breakfasted with his
family and sat out on the observation
platform during - the morning. At
Charlotte, the first big crowd greeted
him and he shook hands with many.
TRACK WALKER IS
KILLED BY TRAIN
Naugatuck, Conn., Dec. 24 Anthony
Nigro, 23 years old, was killed on the
New Haven road here today. He was
decapitated when, in attempting to
board a moving freight train, he slip
ped and fell under the wheels. He
had been employed by the company
as a track walker. He leaves a wid
ow in Italy. -
WEBB HAS PLAN
FOR MORE JOBS
FOR FAITHFUL
Secretary of City Planning
Commission to Receive
$2,500 Plum
MAN TO HELP HIM
AT WAGES UNFIXED
Three Sanitary Inspectors
Conclude Violent Assault
on Municipal Pay Roll
William" Webb, secretary to De "Ver
H. Warner, who was a delegate to
the Cincinnati Housing Conference,
Dec. 3 to 5, has rendered his report,
the most succinct parts of which call
for the creation of several new Jobs,
compensation to be paid from the
city treasury.
Mr. Webb believes there should be
a secretary of the City Planning Com
mission and of the Housing Associa
tion and he thinks a tidy little sal
ary of $2,000 to $2,500 a year will be
about right. Another job, projected
salary unstated, is to be under the
supervision of the secretary, and he
is to make a supervision of housing
conditions. The appointment of more
sanitary inspectors is suggested, three
being the number apparently con
templated. .
STATE RECEIVED
SEVEN MILLION IN
PAST FISCAL YEAR
Hartford, Dec. . 24 The report of
Comptroller Daniel P. Dunn to' the
governor, under date of October 10
and for the year ending September 30,
was made public today. It shows re
ceipts of $7,192,045, of which $5,447,045
were from general -revenue and $1,-
745,000 temporary loans. The total
expenditures were $9,090,230, including
$3,365 interest on trust funds in the
treasury. Civil list orders drawn
amounted to $8,8'0,145 and interest on
state bonds $266,720. -
The balance on : civil list . funds in
treasury is $315,431. The net debt of
the sta,te an -September 30 .was $7,064,
100, ., as compared with ?4,877,856 .in
1912.-'In 1912,"-' the total receipts.' were
$9,915,417, of which $4,000,000 was from
sale of 'State ' bonds" and $63,920 pre
mium on them. The general revenue
for the past year Was about $4,000 lejs
than in 1912. The' expenditures - were
about a million more than in' 1912.
The comptroller says that the capi
tol has been kept in usual repair but.
as the building grows older it necessi
tates increasing expense In keeping
it in good condition. Two complete
systems of water service are now. in
stalled, thus giving additional fire pro
tection. x
The gas fixtures in the . House have
been wired for electricity for use in
an emergency. The comptroller re
fers to the placing of the proof cast
of the equestrian statue of LaFayette
in the west corridor of the capitol
during the year.
Frank Hinkey to Be
Yale Football Coach
Dayton, O., Dec. 24 Frank Hin
key, famous star of the '90's, will be
head coach of the Yale football eleven
next fall.
This 'announcement was made bv
captain .Nelson Talbott, who is at his
home here for the Christmas holi
days. - . -
BOARD OF HEALTH
LAWYER IS SHOT
, BY CHICAGO MAN
Chicago, Dec. 24. An attempt on the
life of -Charles Ailing, Jr., former al
derman and now attorney (for the
state board of health, ' was made today
by an alleged quaere medical practi
tioner, Frank Klimek, who then
turned his pietol . on himself. P. II.
Sehwaba, an assistant to Mr. Ailing,
was slightly wounded.
REBELS RETAKE TORREON
AFTER. HARD BATTLE
Juarez, Mex., Dec. 24 After heavy
fighting at Torreon the rebels have
retaken that city from the federals,
according to reports brought by
couriers today frym Jiminez, half way
between Chihuahua and Torreon.
The reports said that 12,000 men
had been engaged, that there was
much loss of life and that General
Monclovio Herra, the rebel comman
der, had been wounded.
Washington, Dec."" 24 Further or
ders for the relief of battleships which
have had long duty in Mexican gulf
waters went out today from the navy
department. The Minnesota will leave
Philadelphia, Jan. 2 to relieve the
Maryland. The Georgia will leave
Boston Jan. 2, to relieve the New Jer
sey. The Jvew Hampshire and Louis
iana, relieved by the Connecticut and
Kansas, which reached "Vera Cruz
yesterday will sail to Norfojk.
The reliefs make no change in the
number of warships to remain in the
gulf of Mexico.
GIFT FOR MGR. PATTERSON".
Employes of the Empire theatre last
night presented Manager Thomas Pat
terson, a handsome silver mounted
smoking set and stand. The presen
tation speech was made by Abraham
Stevens, stage manager of the theatre.
Mr. Patterson responded neatly.
Yonkers, N. Y. Rev. Father Rich
ard Ormond Hughes, St. Denis
church, Lowerre, recovering from ap
pendicitis operation.
POSTAL CLERKS ARE
UP TO THE MINUTE
Tired Employes Joyous at
Approach of Cessation of
Strenuous Labors
With thousands of patrons pushing
through the revolving doors at the
post office, today, a- corps of clerks
weighing packages for parcel post,
selling stamps and delivering the
general. mail and otherwise caring for
the exceptional rush which has beset
the postal authorities, Christmas eve
and cessation of work approached. .
Yesterday and today at the post
office, clerks and carriers were push
ed to their utmost. The - volume of
mail -matter deposited was at its
zenith and half a thousand sacks of
mail will be recorded for each day.
It is believed that towards even
ing the outward going mails will be
lighter though the incoming will con
tinue until late into the night. For
the benefit of all who may wish to
mail their packages the stamp and
parcel post windows will be kept
open until a' late hour.
Tomorrow the stamp, parcel post
and registry and general delivery
windows will be open from 8 a. m.
until noon. All other windows will
be closed for the day.
One carriers delivery will be made,
but the parcel post delivery will con
tinue until the last package reaching
Bridgeport has been delivered. A
night shift of men will work tonight
sorting and distributing the various
incoming mall as well as sending out
that mailed here.
CLAIM FILED FOR
LOSS IN MASSACRE
HALF CENTURY AGO
Echo of Generations Past
Gomes Through Action In
U. S. Supreme Court
Washington, Dec. 24 The financial
liability of the federal government for
the property loss by California immi
grants massacred at Mountain Mead
ow, Utah, in 1857, by alleged Mormons
and Indians and jnade the .basis of a
claim before 1891 is to be passed upon
by' the supreme-court.
Briefs submitting th claim of Ma-
llnda Thurston, whose father, William
Cameron, was one of those massacred
for $4,500 worth of livestock and other
property, was presented to the court
today bv her attorneys. Ft Sprigg Hen-
ry' ami Harry PeytonWi-ay". The gov.
errimeht, through -Assistant Attorney
Thompson, ia resisting the claim.
The massacre was one of the har
rowing tales of the early rush to Cali
fornia. ' All but three or four of a
string of 28. wagons, constituting what
was considered the richest train that
had ever crossed the plains, were lost,
together with about 30 mules and
horses and- approximately 900 cattle.
. When Mrs. Thurston filed her clal-n
under the Indian depredation law with
the court of claims it had to meet the
requirement of having been presented
to Congress or the interior department
before 1891. Her claim was filed in
Congress in 1877 but "that claim named
the Mormons alone as defendants.
The court of claims held it was not
an Indian claim and disallowed it.
From this an appeal was taken to the
supreme court.
MAYOR WILSON'S
CHRISTMAS GREETING
Mayor Clifford B. Wilson extended
a Christmas greeting to the citizens of
Bridgeport today in this language:
"I wish to extend to everyone in
Bridgeport my hope that they will
spend a merry, merry Christmas. This
is the time of happy and tender senti
ment and I know we all enter into the
spirit of the occasion by adhering to
the old saying, 'true happiness is
found in making glad someone else.' I
hope' that the expression of good feel
lng and best wishes extended at this
time may continue the whole year.
AMERICAN SHIP
GOES ASHORE ON
SOUTHERN REEF
Norfolk, Va., Dec. 24 The Ameri
can Steamer jrieaa, irom oa-ume
Pass, Tex., to Baltimore, loaded, is
ashore near . Little Island, south of
Cape Henry. The revenue cutter
Onondaga and the wrecking tug Mer
ritt, from Norfolk, are standing by to
lend assistance.
The vessel appears to be in no im
mediate danger. She struck last night
during a heavy fog.
$25,000 DAMAGE
SUIT AGAINST
R. R. THROWN OUT
Hartford. Dec. 24 The trial of the
$25,000 damage suit against the New
York, New Haven ' & Hartford Rail
road company in the United States
court arising from the death of Wil
liam B. Mcintosh, a brakeman, on Oc
tober 29, 1911, was brought to an abrupt
ending today, the Jury discharged and
a continuance granted by Judge Edwin
S. Thomas.
The suit was brought by Mrs. Anna
Mcintosh McGarva, administratrix of
the estate of the deceased, and the de
fendant .company was charged with
negligence.
Lawyers for the defense pointed out
to the court today that, although
Mcintosh is survived by his parents
who would be his beneficiaries in case
of a successful termination of the suit
there has been no evidence submitted
to show that they had suffered or
would suffer loss because of his death
and, under the law, this evidence is
necessary.
The continuance was granted in or
der to afford the plaintiff's lawyer op
portunity to secure this.
CHAUFFEUR HARD
IS ARRESTED FOR
MANSLAUGHTER
Rigid Investigation Begun
Into Death of Little Elsie
' Back, Killed By Auto
CHILD WAS DOING HER
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
Auto on Left Side to Pas3
Trolley Car When Girl
Steps In Its Path
Andrew S. Hard, chauffeur for Mrs.
Belle Ten Eyck, was arretted for
.manslaughter today as a result of hi
running down and fatally Injuring
Elsie Back, 13, daughter of Carl C.
Back of 79 Fifth street, at FaJrfiei.l
avenue and Broad street late yester
day. Hard, who lives at 26 Bucking
ham street, was released in bail of
$3,000 furnished by Mrs. Ten Eyck,
who instructed her counsel, Judtre A.
B. Beers, to take up the chaufTeur'i
defence. Among the most important
witnesses thus far interview by the
authorities is Mrs. Elmer S. Beardlr
of 472 State street, organist in XYfi
Scuth church, who was the sole pas
senger in the car.
The fatality which occurred at the
corner of Fairfield avenue and Broad
street yesterday afternoon at about 4
o clock resulted as near as can be as
certained today from a trolley car
stopping in ' front of the Methodist
church to allow passengers to alight.
This car was traveling westward.
Likewise the automobile of Mrs. Ten
Eyck, driven by Hard and bearing
Mrs. Beardsley, was traveling west
ward and in the desire of the driver
to pass, -the car turned to the loft.
As it came abreast of the motionien
trolley car the child who was intent
upon crossing the street to attend to
Christmas shopping for a farnily who
desired & most elaborate tree stepped
in front of the car, her head prob
ably down to avoid the driving rain.
Apparently not expected traffic except
from the right she was in front c.f,
the automobile before she observed it
approach. She was struck by th
front of the car, thrown violently to
thy pavement and the car pawed par
tially over her body before its driver
could -bring it to a standstill.
Horror-stricken, both Hard and
Mrs. Beardsley -jumped from the cr
to find- the girl unconscious near th
rear- wheel. She-was taken to the
sidewalk by pedestrians and later In
to the Jamieson drug store where Irs.
LaField and Hair, who were in the
vicinity administered stimulants. Con
veyed to St. Vincent's hospital phe
never recovered consciousness and
died within a short time after arrival.
It was found that in addition to a
fracture of the skull, both lesrs had
been broken and her ribs crushed in
as the car-passed over them.
The police ordered both Hard and
Mrs.- Beardsley to continue to police
headquarters where their statement
cf the affair were taken. Hard said
that he was proceding west on Fair
Held avenue when at Broad street he
turned to the left of the trolley car
at about eight miles an hour. Th
girl stepped direotly in front of hi
machine. He did everything in his
power to prevent the accident. Mrs.
Beardsley corroborated the statement
of the chauffeur adding that she had
pal ways known him as a most careful
driver. He was permitted to return
to his home.
" In the City ' court this mornin?
Judge Coughlin fhquired why Hard
had not been arraigned and later in
vestigated the police end of the ca.
personally. - Prosecuting Attorney De
Laney was called into consultation
with Judge Coughlin and the polire,
the arrest and release, of Hard result
ed. He was charged with manalaugh.
ter, pending the investigation to be
made by Coroner John J. Phelan, up
on his return from Stamford today.
With the long list of the killings
during the past year resulting from
motor-vehicle traffic in the city
streets, and the great danger from
automobiles passing to the left of
standing trolley cars the result of this
investigation is looked forward to with 1
the greatest Interest in both police
and automobile circles.
Whether it is intended that an au
tomobile shall stop behind a trolley
car or pass to the left will be an esaen-'
tial feature of the, examination.
Neither the state law, or the city ordi
nances seem to make this point clear.
and opinion varies greatly today.
The state law reads: "If the rate of
speed of a motor-vehicle operated up
on, the public highways of this state
in passing any street railway car that
is stationary or about to stop, on the
same side of the car on which pas
sengers are ordinarily received and
discharged, exceeds three miles an
hour, such ,. rate of speed shall be
prima facia evidence " etc.
City ordinances in effect state: "A
vehicle, except when passing a vehicle
ahead, shall keep to the right" etc.
A vehicle meeting another shall
pass to the right."
A vehicle' overtaking another shall
pass to the left side of the overtaken
vehicle and shall not pull over to th
right until entirely clear of it," etc.
An ordinance of 1911 reads?: "Xo
vehicle shall pass any standing rail
way car upon the same side as pas
sengers are being received or dist- .'
charged so as to interfere in any way
with such passengers."
TWO BOYS SENTENCED
TO REFORM SCHOOL
Bristol, Conn., Dec. 2 4 Sentences
to the reform school during their
minority were given by Judge Ma
lone in the city court today to the .
two boys who were arrested by th
Danbury police yesterday and brought '
back here for breaking into Goodscll
Brothers store and office on Sunday.
They have also confessed to enter
lng the public library a fortnight aye