The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-16
Much Interest in Westmins-
ter Street Extension.
PiainfisId Street a Rival to Hartford
Avenue for the Honor.
Last Nights Bar Room Fracas-Notes
and News.
Tur News BUREAU, OINEyvIILE,
No. Hartford Avenue.

NO. haftfOru ANthuo'
The idea OF changing the name OF
Hartford avenue TO Westminster street
has aroused much interest IN the matter
of a change of name OF Plainfield street
instead of Hartford avenue to Westmin-
sire street. 1t is expected to be brou ght
before the Business Mems Association to-
night and steps taken toward that end
Several business men were seen this
morning who expressed themselves that
IL would be much more appropriate to
designate Plainfield Westminster, as 1t 10
the business street of Johnston and ex-
tends through the center OF the most
populus portion OF the town to Thornton,
which is the largest suburban village.
Plainfleld street is as much q continua-
tion of Westminster, geographically con-
sidered, as Hartford avenue; and in point
of importance as business street always
has been and probably will be the street
Of the town.
For three-fourths of mile from Olney-
vile square Hartford avenue has moth
ing but car barns, few dilapidated
houses, Misunderstanding plants, swamp
land. vacant lots and hills with perhaps
two or three modern residences at either
end.
At Merino and beyond 1t is q pleasant
avenue. but between those points and
Olneyville It is anything but street de-
serving to be made a continuation OF
Westminster street.
OF Plainfield street the opposite Is true.
Here all the business OF the town prscti-
caily outside of the square is conducted.
II is the center of large values. land being
worth more than twice as much as on
Hartford avenue or perhaps any other
street in the town. Here are all the
business blocks and many OF the best
residences.
On this street, especially between Olnsy-
Vile square and Odd Fellows square, at
least ten times as many people pass daily
O. on Hartford avenue. This street Is
paved with block pavings from Olney-
VILE square to the end OF the Angel
street car line and is the best lighted
street in the town. II is contended that
for the dignity and Importance OF West
minister street il must be extended
through Plainfeld street. To designate
the electric cars those marked Plainfield
might bear signs Johnston" a. do East
Providence and Pawtucket cars.
BARRooM FIGHT AT THORNTON.
The village OF Thornton, which las
become so saloon ridden that 1t has been
estimated by a well posted citizen that
more than three fourths OF the earnings OF
the population there is expended for
strong drink, to the impoverishment and
ruin OF the homes IN social sense, was,
yesterday, the scene of fight in the
saloon OF Albert Weston on the Cranstor
hide OF the village George Hawkesley
was assaulted by William Gooding with {
chair. and there is reason TO fear that th'
affair may result fatally. Hawkesley anc
Gooding, with a number OF other per
sons, were in the saloon and all had beer
drinking heavily, when the two men be
came involved in a quarrel. Hawkesle
kicked Gooding, and the latter retaliate
by striking Hawkesley over the hes
with q chair with sufficient force 10 fel
him to the floor, render him unconsciou
and make an ugly wound in the seal
four inches long. DIR. O'Keefe was cslle
and dressed the wound. No fracture @
the skull could be discovered, althoug
the mans condition indicated that th
skull was pressing upon the brain
Hawkesley 10 an Englisbman, 81 years c