davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
ZERO WEATHER
 FOR SLEIGH RIDE

R N. Blakeslee'S annual s1eighing party for the school children, which was scheduled to come off to-day, turned out to be a great failure, but this was no fault of MT Rlakeslee nor can it be attributed to lack of inter- est on the part of the little folks. MT Blakeslee had conveyances to acconr modate all who cared to step on and couple of thousand accepted the in yitation, but owing to the extreme cold it was decided not to continue the ride and after short trip about the city the ride came to an abrupt termination and the youngsters scam pered home. Many of the smaller ones suffered considerably from expo sure and in several instances people took pity upon them and invited them into stores and private residences and thawed them out. It was a foolish thing for parents to send small chill dren out on such a day as this. but perhaps they didn't think the mercury had gone on d rampage and was hold ing high carnival close to the freez- ing mark.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
UNDERTAKER AND
 ATTORNEY CLASH

Undertaken John Edmondson and Attorney Cole had a.lively tilt in the probate court this forenoon. X peti- tion for the appointment of an admin istrator on the estate of the late Frank lyn Todd of Cheshire was before Judge Lowe, and MT Edmondson had filed an application to be appointed to the post. Attorney Cole opposed him on one side and Attorney Root on tie other, and the latter seeing the former was taking care of the job, said nothing, but let the scrap go on. Attorney Cole want ed to know what interest the under taker had in the matter that he should be appointed administrator. Did he want to bury the living as we'll as the dead, or did he want to kill them with his cheap enlbalming stuff? What was his object in trying to be appointed ad- ministrator on this estate? Then the undertaken had his innings and he buckled into the lawyer in manner that squared things up. Attorney Cole appeared for some of the heirs and also for A. H. Wells of Watertown road aud Attorney Root appeared for the rest of the heirs. This is the sec ond time this application was given a hearing. Tn a few days Judee Lowe expects to make known his decision.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
ZERO WEATHER.
Business Hampered and Trains Stalled-.All New
 England Suffered.

Boston, Jan 4-Transportatio ton facili- ties were badly hampered to-day as the result of Saturday nights heavy fall of snow and because of zero weather. Trains were late on all rail- roads entering Boston, some of those from the west being from three to five hours behind schedules. SeveraI of the New York trains were from one to two hours late this morning an on all sub urban lines there was more or less de lay. Thousands of persons living ill the suburbs, but whose places of em- ployment are i'll the city, were late ill reporting.
 Extreme cold weather was reported by all New England districts early to day. In Boston the temperature at $40 a. h. stood 1t almost the lowest of the winter. In inland sections the mercury registered from 10 to ? de grees below zero
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
Zion Literary Officers.

The Zion Literary association held 2 very important meeting yesterday, all the members being present The following members were elected as officers for the next term: Charles A.
 Fine, president; IT. Shapiro, vice pres ident; H. Berman. treasurer; Louis Friedman. financial secretary; II. Goldstein, recording secretary; John
 uros and M Nadle. trustees; Louis
 'iedman, sergeant at arms; I. Green
 erg. librarian. President Charles Fine delivered very interesting ad- dress regarding the Jewish people in Russia and the Kishineff massacres. The rooms of the association are in the Commercial building and are open every evening free to the public.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
PAVEMENT ASSESSMENTS.

The question as to whether railroad property in this state is liable for as sessments for pavement improve ments was heard Saturday before Judge. Gager in the superior court in the case of the Naugatuck Railroad Go against Waterbury. The company appealed from the city assessors of Waterbury, who had taxed the road for the benefits derived from a pave ment in Bank street upon which the railroad station abuts. Judge Lynde Harrison, counsel for the road, argued that the pavement was of no benefit to the road at the depot, since the amount of railroad business had not been increased as q result of the city improvement. He referred to an old case which grew out of the paving of Union street in New Haven and in which the supreme court held that the union station was not benefited by the paving and was not liable to assess ment. Colonel l.. r Burpee, counsel for the city, held that the property might be given up by the railroad and become private property. Tn that event, the judge claimed, the city would lose the amount of the asy sessment. Decision was reserYedsl /
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
ASKS EQUAL RIGHTS.
Japan's Demand Upon Russia Re-
 sarding Korea

L0NDC <, all 1.-The despondencs fn s.,il'a VI with the situa ton in the far tos, .s at last beginning to be felt on the Paris bourse, with a result that Russian bonds, which have only fallen about 5 per cent since September last, are now affected by the depressing in- Auences surrounding the foreign mar ket.
 On the Stock Exchange Chinese secu- rites have been heavily sold on Berlin account, but the Berlin boerse is still optimistic.
 Diplomatic circles confidently expect that the Russian answer to the Japa- nese proposals will be handed to the Japanese foreign office by Baron de Rosen, Russian ambassador to Japan, within very few days.
 The concihatory attitude of both gov ernments inspires belief that the an. swsr will pave the way to further ne gotiations, if indeed it does not directly lead to pacific settlement of the trou- ble. The characteristic note in the press is the doubt about the attitude of the United States in the event of a war between Russia and Japan. The Rus sian press elaborates upon American power in the Pacific in the proximity of the Philippines and Formosa and says that it Is no secret to any one in Europe that the position of the United States in the east Asiatic crisis remains k1EhlK axshlanaz
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
DEATHS AND FUNERALS.
MRS RUTH PORTER.


 Mrs Ruth Ann Sherman Porter died in her eightythird year at I o'clock Saturday morning, after short and painless illness. She was the daugh- ter of Cyrus Sherman and Mercy Peck of Woodbury, and came to Wa terbury in 1S47 as the wife of Ansel c. Porter, who died May 2. 1885. For some years past Mrs Porters health had gradually declined and she was confined almost entirely to Ser home. She retained her interest, however, in all matters pertaining to the wei fare of her friends and of the city in which she lived so long, aNd in spite of growing infirnities was always cheerful and uncomplaining Her home was a favorite resort for rela- tives and friends to whom she was much endeared by a winning and sympathetic nature combined with un- usual mental endowments She will be greatly missed. not only by her inn mediate friends. but by many poor people who were the recipients of her unostentations and systematic benevo- lence She leaves one daughter Mrs Mark L. Sperry. The funeral ser vices were held to-day at ? D. n1s at her home, 27 Cooke street Burial was private.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
STORM IN WATERBURY.
Traffic Blocked, Business at Stand
 still and Zero Weather.

Saturday night 8 snow squall visit ed Waterbury and took such liking to the place that it has not yet disap- peared. At times it looked as if we were going to have real old time blizzard and people began looking around to see how much provisions they had i'll the house. While but fourteen inches of snow fell it drift ed so that one would be over his head in some places, and as a result travel of all kinds was knocked in the head temporarily and much inconvenience experienced. The steam cars had a hard time of it and things were but little better in the trolley service. Pe- destrians kept indoors as much as possible and few were seen about the streets until late yesterday forenoon when many of the public ways were opened up by Superintendent Kelley of the street, department, who worked the snow blows for all they were worth, and to the credit of private in Gividuals 1t can be said, too, that they putsin lot of hard work clearing the walks in front of their premises. But even after paths had been opened it was difficult to get around. The wind tossed the snow about with tremen- dous fury so that openings we're block ed almost as fast as they could be opened and the difficulty ill seeing ones way on account of the bIinding snow that took folks sQuarely in the eyes added to the confusion so that pedestrians didn't venture out unless they were obliged to. Saturday night the mercury dropped three degrees below zero and Sunday night 1t went still farther in that direction, the low est being nine degrees below. This beats anything within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, although Mir Welton of the State Meteorological bu- reau says that one would have to look up the record carefully before being too sure about such things. Mir Well ton said the mercury ranged from seven to nine degrees below zero Sun day night, which was an average be- low zero all night. and that this is very unusual in this part of the coun- try.
 The street department Is hustling to-day, clearing the snow off the streets. and will have things in pret- ty good shape before night. Some peoplev who retired thinking that the storm would not amount to much were shocked when they woke up and found their water pipes frozen tight. thus adding to their suffering. but making the plumbers feel that the harvest time had come for them.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
LABOR ACTIVE.
Federationists Ask Inyesti- sation of Fire--Preacher
 DenOunceS Officials.

Chicago, Jan A. Claiming that an at tempt is being made to make organized labor the scapegoat for the Iroquois theater horror, the Chicago Federation of Labor has voted to investigate the causes Of the fire through special committee composed of representatives of the unions concerned in the construc- tion of the building. Delegates de manded that the committee make an entirely independent examination and report to the federation rather than to the mayor.
 Chicago, Jan 1.-The Rev James $. Stone of St James's Episcopal church, in a sermon has attacked official Chi cago for '.easy- going indifference to the proper observances of law, which he characterized as the municipality $ prevailing and astounding sin This he said, after depicting the scenes of the Iroquois fire horror and the conse- quent woe of multitue.
 Impressive silence followed the ser mon Then the church choir began to sing the anthem. There was stir in the front of the church. The voices of the choir was stopped and the audi ence dismissed.
 : The picture of the fire horror, and the criticisms made by the pastor against the city administration had overcome Mrs Heaton Owsley, the sis ter of Mayor Harrison, and she had tainted in her pew. It was some time before she was revived
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
] CITY NEWS

Town Clerk Blair desires physicians to be prompt in calling for their fees for filing reports of births
 There will be an anniversary mass tomorrow morning at 7:30 o'clock at late James Meehan.
 All those who have spoken for tick cts for the St Mary's alumni banquet can get them this evening and they arc requested to call and do so.
 Mrs Evelyn T. Morris was removed from Kthe hospital for the insane at MiddletoWn Saturday to her home on Prospect street. A slight improve ment has taken place ill her condition.
 Before retiring from office Town < Clerk F. r. Brett presented to each of his clerks beautiful diamond brooch. They are very handsome souvenirs and the recipients will always regard them as priceless treasures.
 Several deeds were filed for record in the town clerks office to-day show ing transfers of property along the line of the proposed Cheshire trolley to the Connecticut Railway and Lighting Co.
 Isabell, the two years old daugh- ter of MT and Mrs Charles Kernathan of 23S River street, sdied this morn ing. The funeral will be held to- morrow morning with interment ill Riverside cemetery.
 Miss Josephine Wallace of East Main street won the handsome. gold watch which was offered to the best lady dancer in the prize two-step held at the promenade of the Waterbury mili- taTy band Saturday night.
 About 3:2O o'clock this aftei,- noon fire broke out at William Booths on Manhan street. It was caused by an explosion Of an oil stove. The damage was slight. Just as the fire was over the firemen re sponded to another call from West Side Hill.
 Seth +. Frost died suddenly Satur- day evening at his home 112 Central avenue. The funeral service will be held at II o'clock tomorrow morning. SThe remains will be taken to Plants ville for burial.
 All members of Sf AIary,s Alumni association who expect to attend the annual banquet, which is to be held tomorrow evening, should report at the rooms not later than this evening and secure their tickets. '>
 Mrs Marion Blakesley, the divorced wife of A. J. Blakesley, cashier i'll the Waterbury National bank, kidnapped her ten year old boy from MT Blakes- ley's home the other afternoon. She immediately took a train bound for New York, where she has been living since the divorce proceedings last summer. When the divorce was granted Mi Blakesley was given the custody of the child His counsel was Attorney c. c. Root. MT Root was out of town to-day. It is taken for granted that MT Blakesley will set the law in motion to regain pos session of tue boy.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
crank Healer Kidnapped Boy.

NEW YORK, Jan. 4.--singular mys- tery envelops the disappearance in the great snowstorm of little ten-year-oId Samuel scher and Jean Michel, an ec- centric Frenchman posing as St. John IT., the healer, who had organized a society of small boys called the Little Brothers of the Red Cross, with head quarters at 5 Jones street. The mother of the beautiful boy is frantic y h grief over his disappearance, and sl- eral alarm has been sent out. Inspector McClusky detailed ten of the best de- techves to run down Michel and the missing boy It is now believed the lit tie boy and Michel are already en route or safely hidden in Boston
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
GUESTS HAD
 TO LEAVE.
Early Morning Fire
 in Jewett City.
The Thermometer Was At Zero and Much Suffer ing Resulted--All the Inmates Escaped--Sav- ed Part of Clothing.

Jewett City, Jan 4.-With the tenn perature at zero the guests in the Jewett City hotel were driven from their beds and forced to leave the place hurriedly at o'clock this morn ing by a fire which destroyed the en- tire structure and sll it's contents. All the inmates of the house escaped without accident.
 The hotel was owned and managed by Ira F. Lewis, former state sen ator, who estimates his loss at about $10,0OO. The property was partly in- slred.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
TAYLOR-KARL.

William B. Taylor of 184 North Main street, an employe of the Dan- bury Hat Go, and Miss Anna c. Karl of Mitchell avenue. formerly book keeper for. Jean Jacques, took a quiet trip to New York on New Years day and were married on New Years night by the Rev Dr Warren at his residence. His wife was a witness
 Both MT and Mrs Taylor. denied the story iii New York papers stating that they eloped.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
KILBURN'S REPORT.
Shipbuildins Trust Officials Trans
 gressed the Law.

ALBANY, N. Y., Jan. 4. - Drastic comment upon the conduct of the Trust Company of the Republic in connection with the affairs of the United States ShipbuiIding company is feature oi the annual report of Superintendent Frederick D. Kilburn of the state bank department, just made public. Upon the first intimation that the trust com pany had made unusual commitments in the case" says MT. Kilburn, "a spe- cial inquiry was instituted by me to as- certain the facts, and was amazed to find that undertakings had been en- tered into and liabilities incurred which not only .jeopardized the solvency of the trust company. but hagrantly trans gressed the law. The company had made numerous loans without colIat- eral other than shipbuiiding stock and securities one of them to MT, Dresser, the president of the company. and to Mir. Nixou Tor nearly q million and three-quarter dollars It had, besides, guaranteed loans made by other insti- tutions to MT. Dresser and Mr. Nixon amounting to $2,000, 900. I required, under the alternative that the company be referred at once to the attorney gen. eral for proceedings in insolvency to be instituted against it, that there be some very thorough straightening out of the trust conpany's affairs. The direct loan to MT. Dresser and to Mir. Nixon was excessive under the law regardless of Mir. Dresser's official relation to the company, and to him it was more than ten times the amount that could law fully be loaned.
 Under my insistence half million of 1t was soon repaid, the loans for S2,- GOO, ,O0O guaranteed to other institutions were taken up, and later the balance of the Dresser and Nixon note to the Trust Company of the Republic was paid in full. This seemed to me far better proceeding than to refer the company to the attorney general summarily, for it recovered nearly $4,000000 that in the other alternative might have proved q loss. Moreover, one plan for reorgan- izing the shipbuilding trust would have involved loss of Sso00 GOO to the trust company If carried through, which, however, was objected to and finally abandoned.
 Tt was impossible, however, to avert all of the consequences of the i'll judged and reckless commitments in which the company had become involved, and it preserved its solveney only by cutting its capital in two. It's losses on ac- count of investments in the shipbuild- ing folly and from loans upon ship building collateral aggregated nearly $900.000 and, with other minor losses and depreciation in investments, wipes out the company's entire surplus an necessitated the sacrifice by stockhold- CTS of one-half of their holdings Over million dollars was charged to profit and loss''
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
MRS MARY MURPHY.

The fnneral of Mrs Mary Murphy took place this morning from her late home on Baldwin street with q mass of requiem at the Immaculate Con- ception church by Father Brennan and interment in new St Joseph's cemetery. The bearers were John Lyons, Michael Shanhahan, James Bowling, William Connor, Morgan Bowling and, Thomas Sullivan. The floral offerings included Il standing wreath from Nellie, Catherine and Thomas Murphy; Tyre, MT and Mrs !. Bowling; pillow. MT and Mrs A. T. Conran; cross, Catherine Luddy Liz 5zie Kelly. and Maria Egan; bouquet of carnations, Mary Reilly
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
MATTHEW CoNNOR.

The funeral of Matthew Connor took place this morning from the res idence of his daughter Mrs John Squires on West Main street, with q mass of requiem at the Sacred Heart church by Father Shelley and inter ment in St Joseph's cemetery The bearers were Roger Connor, Dennis Connor, Matthew Connor, Joseph Con- nor, James Bloomfield, Michael Bloomfield. The floral tributes includ- < cd a harp from MT and Mrs Daniel Connor of Brooklyn, N. Y.; pillow, Mrs Falvey. sister of the deceased; ]; cross, MT and Mrs Roger Connor; wreath, Ml, and Mrs p. l.. CoDnor; wreath, John connor and wife; palms, Rev L. Finnerty. o. P; palms, Ed ward David; standing cross, Miss EtheI .O'Donnell; pillow. Miss M. Wha- len and Miss M. Lahey; wreath. Mrs k. Grogan; wreath, Joseph Corbett; bouquets, Mrs Ida Warner. Mrs Kate DonalAle and Mary Mccarthy. Among the out of town mourners were Dan- iel Connor. brother of the deceased, and his wife of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
LILLIAN GRACE HOLMES

Lillian Grace Holmes, daughter of Mrs Amelia Holmes, died at the home of her parents, No 4 Howard place, yesterday, after short illness of four
 weeks, being the third death in the family in fifteen months. The de- ceased was a bright and loving child and will be greatly missed among all her playmates, especially by her par ents. The deceased leaves a mother and one sister, Ruth, to mourn her loss. Funeral will. take place from the fam fly residence Tuesday afternoon at 1 30
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
ANNIE O,CONNELL

Miss Annie O'Connell, aged IT years, died at 11:30 o'clock this morn ing at her home, 49 Silver street. af- ter lingering illness. Until she be- came ill she was popular employe of Rogers X Brothers. She was an earnest church worker. ora genial and amiable nature, she made and re- tained many friends. The funeral announcement will be made later.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
aroubae S5vsr s5escher Memorial.

NEW YORK, Jan. Considerable i'll feeling exists between the members of Plymouth church, Brooklyn, and the Beecher monument committee over the proposition to tear down the old church lecture room and erect on it's site the proposed memorial building in honor of Henry Ward Beecher.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
Mortuary Report.

The following is the rnortuary reIi5 for the month of December, IS
 pared by Town Clerk Brett: ScaTl<k fever 1, diphtheria l, whooping couf 2, consumption 2, pneumonia 14, broE births. 33: total deaths, s. Deaths under I year. 1T; deaths between &n2 5 years, F.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
FRANK W. LOCKART.

Frank ". Loclhard, aged 8 years, manager of the Mill Plain Ice Go, died yesterday afternoon on the Meriden road. He leaves widow and five chill dren, also brother Roy, in this city, and his father and a brother, Nova Sco- tia. He was prominent Odd Fellow. The funeral will be held Wednesday,
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
CHURCH BURNED.

New H aven, January 4-St Mi chaeIs Italian Roman Catholic church was to-day destroyed by fire The loss is estimated at $3O,0O0 Two firemen were injured but it is believed their in juries are not serious.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
WEATHER FORECAST

Forecast for Connecticut: Fair and continued colder tonight and Tues day; brisk west : to north winds, di- minishfng.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
sarafofr at Rome,

ROME, Jan 4The newspapers an nounce the arrival here of Boris Sara foff, leader of the Macedonia reyoIu. ticnists.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04
TAFT IS
 NAMED.
Nomination Sent to
 Senate To-Day.
To Be New Secretary of War--Wright For Phil- ippines--P0rto Ricans Not Aliens So Says Jus tice Fuller.

Washington, Jan 4.--rhe president to-day sent to the senate the nomina- tion of William H. Taft of Ohio to be secretary of war.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04

Washington, Jan 4--In an opinion by Chief Justice Fuller of the SUI preme court of the United States to- day, he decided that citizens of Porto Rico are not aliens of the United States and are entitled to enter this country without obstruction The opin- don was delivered of the Porto Rican woman Gonzales, who in 1902 was re fused admission to the port of New York on the ground that she was lia- ble to become a public charge The decision was based entirely on the act of 1891.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04

Washington, Jan 1.-The presiden. to-day nominated Luke E. Wright of Tennessee toSbe civil governor of the Philippines and Henry G. Ide to be vice civil giyernor.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04

IMPRESS DoWAGER DEAD.
 Washington, Jan 4.-Minfster Allen, at Seoul. has advised the state depart ment that tue empress dowager of Gorea died on the morning of January
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-04

It pays to advertise in the Demo crat's s.Penny-a~Word'' column.