The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-13
Presented With a Beautiful Gavel
By His Associates of the
Board of Aldermen.
JOSHUA BRIN7ON BADLY HURT.
Victoria Rebekah Lodge Installed officers, 3OO
People Being Present-Homeless on
Dexter Street-N0tes.


President OF the Board of Aldermen for
the past two years, and who has retired
from official life, was signally remembered
by his former associates of the Board OF
Aldermen. The project had been under
consideration for some time, and was
brought to successful issue last evening.
His associates in municipal affairs de-
cided to present him with gavel and ar
ranged to surprise him on the occasion OF
the presentation of it. Col. Thornton was
notified that few friends would call upon
him last evening, but he had no knowl-
edge of the number that was to come or
the purpose of their coming.
The party assembled at the residence OF
Alderman Eastwood, where they were re-
ceived by him and his family and enter
tanned. Those who gathered were Alder
men Fontaine, Keene, Barber; Council
men, President Fish, Colquhoun, Wash
burn, Cowperthwaite, Fales, Spalding, ex-
Mayor Moies, .ex-Aldermen Martin and
Schiller, Representatives John NJ. Four
nier and Charles f. Stearns, ex-Lieut. Gov.
III. A. Stearns, the Rev. j. Leech Porter,
rector ofTrinity Church, Pawtucket; City
Clerk Crawford and Deputy James b.
Gooding, N. Howard Easton of the Board
of Public Works, City Treasurer Reynolds,
City Auditor Andrew, Inspector of Build
ings Simmons, Tax Assessors William II.
Gooding and Charles w. Arnold, City Ser
geant John II. Barber, Judge Goff of the
District Court, City Physician DR.. Mann,
Overseer of the Poor Samuel Pendergrass,
City Janitor Sweet, Stephen L. Adams,
chairman of the school committee; City
Engineer Keene, Jethro Baker, James H.
Andrew and John r. Dennis.
The party then proceeded TO the resi-
dence Of Mr.. Thornton, where, after greet
ings were indulged In, ex-Lieut. Gov.
Stearns stepped forward and addressed
Mr.. Thornton, saying that his associates
In the City Government had always highly
respected him for his character and the
ability with which he transacted his share
of the city work and had . deep sense that,
largely by nis efforts, the city affairs had
been untangled and brought to their per-
feet condition. Continuing, he said the
members of the City Government wished
to present him with pleasant reminder,
which should be token of their respect
and esteem. Mr.. Stearns then placed the
gavel in its case in Col. Thornton's hands.
Col. Thornton surprised and visibly
affected, responded, saying that he was
gratified to have the respect and esteem of
his associates, with whom his relations
had always been pleasant. AS President of
the Board of Aldermen he had never felt
the need of gavel.
The company then passed a social hour
and departed, renewing their best wishes.
The gavel is of highly polished rosewood.
Its handle has final of solid silver,
finished after the fashion of a speakers
mace. 1t is fitted into the mallet and
fastened with wide silver band. On this
band is inscribed: "George M. Thornton,
FIRST president of the Board of Aldermen
of the City of Central Falls. From his
associates in the City Governments, 1896
1885,"
A Daring Robbery.
A daring robbery took place some time
yesterday between the hours of 10 q. m,
and p. m. The upper rooms Of the tene-
ment belonging to Harry Brennan, 30
Cross street, was entered and several arti-
cles Of clothing were abstracted. About
o'clock yesterday afternoon Mr.. Brennan
had occasion to go to the sleeping rooms
above, and upon entering his chamber he
found the drawers of the dressing case
turned upside down and their contents
scattered about the room.
His suspicious were aroused at once,
and upon further investigation he learned
that his sons room, adjoining his own,
had been opened by key taken from the
first room entered, and a considerable por-
tion of his wardrobe confiscated to the
strangers use. The following articles
were missing: coat, vest and pants valued
at SIS; overcoat, go; watch chain, "a, and
pair of patent leather shoes. The robber
divested himself of his old clothes, and
dressing himself in the new suit, left the
old ones there to remind the people that
some one had been there.
Mr.. Brennan, Sr., reported the affair to
the police station, and immediate steps
were taken to head of the slick young
man. Word was telephoned, however,
from the Pawtucket police station that
man had been arrested on Pleasant View
for entering houses. Mr.. Brennan was
notified, and going to Pawtucket identi-
fed the clothes the prisoner was wearing
as the ones taken from his room. Three
ladies' handerchiefs and a breastpin were
also found upon the prisoner. Mr.. Bren-
nan received all Of his property back.
Victoria Rebeksh Lodge.
The exercises at the installation of the
officers OF Victoria Lodge last evening
were of an unusual character. When the
meeting was called to order there were up
wards of three hundred people in the hall
Visitors were present from Ruth, Naomi,
Rachel, Dorcas lodges of Pawtucket, and
Florence and Leah Lodges of Providence.
There were fully rs members present from
Leah lodges Of Providence. The cere-