davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
BRIDGEPORTER
 IDENTIFIES
 MURDERER Mueller, the Woman Slayer, Stole Wife of Katz and Collected Life Insurance Local Merchant Tells Far mer How His Home Was Wrecked By Notorious Character.

From pictures of Frederick Gebhardt the confessed murderer of three wives and the alleged slayer of four others published today in the New York newspapers Rudolph Kaatz, newsletter and barber at 576 Howard avenue re- cognized the features of "Reinhardt Mueller who wrecked his home, stole his wife and made him a bankrupt mess. in Jamaica, L.. I.
 A Farmer reporter saw Kaatz at his place of business. He said, Mueller that he was never caught before is a wonder. I spent several hundred dollars fighting him in the New Jersey courts for the life insurance he got when my wife died in order that my children might have something.
 'I was happy until he came to stay at my boarding house in Jamaica He had a smooth way with the women. He talked sweetly to them, helped them with their housework and bought them liquor. It is through liquor that he won my wife and I think that he is how he murdered all of them. The death certificate in my wife's case said she died of dropsy but she was in per- feet health IS months before.
 Mueller was a soldier in the German
 
 allied powers which stormed Pekin. China. He deserted the army in China and got into America by way of the Philippines. He was a carpenter by trade and got him a job after he came to me. He was a fine mechanic
 He was continually delving into the study of medicine and drugs. I had medical books in the house and I don't believe there was a day he did not read from them. believe he found some kind of azdrug that he could put in liquor and kill his victim by inches. He always carried a revolver. I think that his crimes bothered him for often he would leave the table in the midst of meal and go to near by saloon and start a spree which would last for weeks.
 'He was continually on the, lookout for advertisements of widows who wanted to marry. Although he lived in Brooklyn he had. his mail come to New Ycrk and he seldom had two let ters come in the same name.
 f'He was brute. A roommate he had at one time stood in mortal dread of him and yet was afraid to leave him. One time I saw him choke his roommate until his tongue hung out
 "After he got my wife in Hoboken she had to scrub and wash to support him until she died.''
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
Electric Light Company in Springfield Is Taxed on
 $1, 100000 Bridgeport Electric Light Company Is Taxed on
 $302, ,0OO Springfield Gas Company Is Taxed on Valuation of
 $1,555, ,OOO Bridgeport Gas Light Com pany Is Taxed on Valu- ation of $622,OOO

The electors should carefully note
 the difference between the tax blanks in the Republican and Dempcratic platforms. The one promises a con- tinuance of equalization under the ''block map'' system. This is what the Republican platform promises.
 But the Democratic platform prom ises tax equalization for the home owners who now unjustly bear, with the land owners, more than five eighths of the total cost of running the city.
 The block map system shows where the homes are, and where the land is on which the homes stand It is well devised to detect any home owner, or workingman, who has bohght a lot and intends to build home, who has managed to escape a little on his val uation. -t
 It is quite evident that block maps will not reach stocks bonds nor the property of water, gas and electric light companies. Nor will block maps reach any other of the forms of prop erty which most escape taxation.
 The Farmer proposes by means of two brief illustrations to show the kind of tax equalization that the or dinary, small thrifty class of people have been getting, by two brief illus trations
 The first is the Bridgeport Gas Light Company. This company has an ex- elusive right to sell gas to the people of Bridgeport. It has a monopoly of the gas business in Bridgeport. s If should be taxed upon full value, and which ought not to be favored by the city government it is the Gas Com pany.
 Springfield has a gas company. This company supplies population of S6,0oO The Bridgeport Gas Light Company supplies a population of 100000. 5i The assessed valuation of the com pany in Springfield is $1, ,555, 900. That is the sum upon which this company has to pay taxes. The assessed valua- ton of the Bridgeport Gas Light com pany on the list of 1908 is $622.400.
 The Gas company in Springfield paid i'll taxes in 1908 $A, ,943.
 The Gas company in Bridgeport paid in taxes in 1908 $9,833.
 The difference-and the difference against the home owners of Bridgeport mind you-is $15, 110.
 Those who pay taxes on homes in Bridgeport number 1000 souls. Some of these tax payers are widows. Some are children, and orphans. Some are wards or insane persons The great ar part are frugal workingmen whose is the home.
 Let these inquire on the basis of ,hese figures if,, in 1908, each of them made a contribution of little more han $2 to meet the expense of run- 1ing the city, which should have been paid by the Gas Company.
 If one man is under taxed somebody alse is overtaxed. This is plain enough.
 Here is a table showing the valua- ion of Gas, companies in certain cities n Massa achusetts for purposes of tax ltion. It will be instructive to the nan who wonders why the homes of
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
BATTLE OF THE BUGS
The Roach Variety In Re treat While the Bed Board
 CTS Stick to Their Post
POLICIAL PURlFICATION

For several weeks past a desperate
 battle has been going on for the pos
 session of the second precinct police
 station between water bugs and bed
 bugs. The poor long suffering police
 men did not interfere with the cam
 paign of the insects until the water
 bugs broke their pledge of recognizing
 the rolicemen's clothes as neutral
 ground. But when Patrolman Arthur
 L.. Prout took his blouse out of his
 locker the other night and shook it
 and seven water bugs fell from it to
 the 0oor the policemen at once called
 to their aid Health Officer E. A. Me Lellan who with an inexhaustible sup
 ply of sulphur has led an attack on
 both bed bugs and water bugs. The
 greater part of the water bug army regiment will cross W9lter street. The
 dead and wounded are being left be- hind. The bed bugs rather than leave what has long been theirs by right of possession are sticking to their posts and dying on their hacks. No quarter
 is being given by the health officer.
 The bugs have the laugh on the po- lice however. for with the sulphur fumes all over the station Captain William Anderson and the doorman are about suffocated. This morning hanging out of the window gasping for fresh air. A pipeful of strong tobacco is the only antidote and that is un- satisfactory. The doorman cannot even hang his head out of the window for he is kept busy closing up all the holes and crevices in an effort to keep the sulphur fumes from the office.
 'It is only a matter of a few hours, said the captain "and we will stand it like brave men without a whimper." Just then a retreating roach started off with the captains pen and the wides officer made a lunge and the bug was no more.
 < The invasion of the bed bugs of the station house is ancient history. They arrived with the first prisoner. John Doe who was taken to the cells and they refused to leave when he did. The news quickly spread among the bugs that the. second precinct was great place for propagation and others be- gan to arrive with prisoners. As long as they remained in the cells the po- licemen found no cause for complaint but it was admitted that it would be to drive the bed bugs from their strong hold.
 The water bugs had held all the ter- ritory in the living apartment on the second floor of the station where. a family lived. Recently that family moved out After a council of war following the removal of their supplies the water bugs declared war on the bed bugs and immediately began to invade their territorya The bed bugs were fighting a losing game from sheer lack of numbers but they were fight ing manfully when the health officer as a common enemy after the waterbugs took up their positions in the clothes of Bridgeport's finest.
 While the place is being overrun with the fumes of General Fumigation the prisoners which would ordinarily De- taken to the Second Precinct sta ton will be taken direct to headquar- -erS.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
SETH BARNES,
 LEADING BRISTOL
 CITIZEN, DEAD
Special from United Press.

(SpeClaI frOm- -Un1teu FTtSS.I
 Bristol, Oct. 28.-Seth Barnes. one of the leading citizens of Bristol and for many years prominently identified with local Republican affairs, died this morning at the home of his son, A. F. Barnes, business manager of the Bristol Press and president of the Con- necticut Editorial Association, after an illness of three weeks. The deceased was 63 years old.
 MT. Barnes was born in Torrington Conn.,, where he received his early education. He had been a resident of Bristol for the past thirty-five years, where he engaged in a variety of pur- suits, both business and political He was also prominent in local and. State Masonry.
 Mir. Barnes is survived by wife and two sons
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
SIX MONTHS FOR CONDUCTOR WHO
 STOLE JEWELS
Mrs. Lebenthal, Who Is on Bail, May Be Discharged
 at Next Term of Court
Gordon Meant to Be Honest

Morris Gordon who confessed to stealing the jewels of Mrs. Charles M. Cole, which he gave to his uncle, Abraham Lebenthal. who yesterday afternoon was sentenced to states prison, was this morning sentenced to serve six months in the county jail. Tt was his confession of guilt, and the evidence he gave in the triaS of the Lebenthals that the ceurt took into consideration letting him off so easily. The court in imposing sentence said: 1T do not think Gordon a common thief Some features of his conduct may have been inconsistent with inte- gritty. He kept the property from about o'clock to midnight. He was astounded at the value of the property. His first impulse was to return 1t 70 the Inspector. He was advised by ms Uncle Holznann to return the prop erty. The temptation was afforded by Lebenthal to retain the property ana he did. He gave the property to his uncle. Lebenthal. and the casr was returned him.
 , .sThe story of Gordon cannot be doubted on this point. as it is zorro borated by his uncle. Holman and the lattef's wife. In view of the corrobofa- tion there may be grave doubt as 10 Gordon's intent to steal There may perhaps be a, question as to whether or not he intended to steal the cash. Gordon from that time on ev1denced a desire to return the jewels and his conduct from that time on was incon- sfstent with an intent to appropriate the Jewels to his own use. The court sentences him to six months in Jail.
 As the case of Mrs. Lebenthal Is stlii legally pending she being out on bands of $1,o0o furnished by relatives. It means probably that the case will be droppedS unless some new and unex- pected evidence comes up that Will point to her guilt more strongly than any evidence presented at the trial. The chances favor a nolle being enter ed during the next term of the court
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
HREBUG VICTIMS
Husband and Wife Burned to Death in New York Tenement Blaze.
fspeciaI from United Press.)

JSpeCIH IIU'H -OI1Ire.u E o'--5
 New York Oct. 2S.-Herman Tiedt, q, and his wife, Emma, "A, were burn ed to death and fourteen others were seriously burned as the result of an incendiary fire which early to-day de- stroyed two three-story tenement houses at 203 and POS East 18th street. Damage, $50.0 .000.
 Tiedt and his wife were penned in the burning building of fire behind Instructions which were placed across the passageways of the third floor. thS' police claim Both were driven through tF.e rooms by the smoke and flames They rushed to the top floor and reaca-. ed fhe barred windows too late to be able to retrace tLeir steps through the blaze All of those injured had tried to escape by the rear third floor win dows and were turned back by the bars They were hurt jumping from windows to the street or burned dash ing through the flames.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
POLICE ENTRAP
 QUEEN SWINDLER
Countess, Who Did Paris Jewellers Out of $50,O00,
 Lived In Swell Suite
NEAR AMERICAN EMBASSY
Especial from United Presso

Especial from United Press.)
 {, Paris, Oct. 23.-Claiming that they had entrapped the "Queen" of an in- ternational swindling organization, the police today invaded a magnificent apartment in the Avenue Kleber, inn mediately opposite the American em- bassy and arrested the Countess De Gudette and a youth who claimed to be Viscount De Gudette, her son. The couple are suspected of having swim dIed Paris jewellers out of about $50,000 worth of gems.
 Countess De Gudette and her son have been living in the Avenue Kleber apartment for some time, paying a rental of 5000 for the house, which was furnished by Count Andrikoff, to the Czar of Russia, a former occupant. The establishment included a large staff of livered ser wants, several automobiles and all the splendor of a royal mansion. The Countess was magnificently gowned when arrested. The police claim that the establishment was maintained as a means of securing prestige and credit among the jewellers
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
WHY TAX BURDEN OF BRIDGEPORT
 IS BORNE BY HOMES AND LANDS
DIR. HILL HELD
 WITHOUT BAIL Mother and Aunt of St. Jean Girl Positively Identify
 Dismembered Body HEAD IS STILL MISSING
(special from IJnitea Press.

Especial from United Press.)
 Fall River. Oct. 2S.-Concluding his arraignment here for the murder of Amelie St. Jean whose dismembered body was found near Tiverton. R. L., Dr." Frank Hill was to-day held by Judge McDonough to the Grand Jury without bail. Despite the fact that the Grand Jury meets here next week. it is improbable that Hills case will be reached till next February.
 At the hearing to-day interest cen- tered in the testimony of Mrs. St. Jean of Woonsocket and Mrs. Eva Lamoureaux of this city. respectively mother and aunt of the St.. Jean girl, the state declares met her death at Hills hands as the result of an illegal operation. Both the mother and the aunt made excellent witnesses despite the absence of the girls head. declar- ing positively there could be no doubt as to the identity of the dismombered body.
 The only other witnesses to-day were two local Hverymen whom the state employed in an endeavor to show that Hill. after the alleged killing of the girl in his office here. had hired a buggy and conveyed her dismembered remains across the Rhode Island line to Tiverton where they were found among the bushes.
 No indication was given in the hear ing to-day of the way in which the state believes the girl died. Not on of the physicians wno maae examina- lions of the remains gave out full statements. Despite the commitment 1f Hill efforts will not be relaxed to ind the still missing head supposed to belong to the St. Jean girl and a new md thorough search of the Tiverton woods will at once be started for that admitted important clue to the suit case mystery
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
STRIKE BALLOTS v AMONG CLERKS OF
 NEW HAVEN ROAD


 New lHayen, Oct. 2S.-The secrecy with which ballots are being distribut- ed among clerks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad to determine whether the clerks are ''wll- ling to discriminate to the extent of peaeeably withdrawing from it's em- ployment until such time as the com paay sees fit to grant certain re- quests," is almost wierd.
 Though the clerks committee, of which R. G. Stearns is chairman, IS going ahead with the plans for dis tributing the strike ballots among more than 1000 clerks at various points of the system, scarcely clerk today is willing to admit that he knows of such an action.
 This is the case despite the fact that General Manager Higgins of the rail- road has agreed that the company will make no discrimination against clerks serving on committees.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
Burgomaster's Order
 For Passion Play

Especial from United Press.) ssN
 Munich, Oct. 28--A peculiar order without precedence even among the practically all-powerful mayors of German towns, was issued by the Bur gomaster of Oberammergau today. It forbids all actors in the great passion play to have their hair cut until after September 25, 1910.
 The Mayors order sets forth that it is found necessary in order that the appearance of the actors may conform strictly to the demands of the play sto be given between May and September 25, 1910.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
DEMOCRATIC RALLIES

Electors of the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth districts should not fail to at tend the mass meeting to be held to- morrow. Friday night in Eagles hall when all of the Democratic candidates will be present and address the people upon the issues of the campaign Don't forget the meeting which commences at o'clock. Campaign songs will be rendered by the Criterion quartette.
 Saturday night a big down town rally. will be held in Warner hall and besides the candidates Harry F. Por-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
TWO MEN KILLED, RUN DOWN BY
 BUFFALO EXPRESS

Special from United Press.)
 New York, Oct. 28.-Two men were killed today when the Buffalo express on the Delaware, LackawanuR & Western Railroad ran down gang of 12 track Iaborers at the eastern end of the tunnel back of Hoboken. e
 The train emerged from the tunnel before either the engineer or the men realized the danger, and though the emergency brakes were applied, two men failed to escape
 So sudden did the train stop that the passengers believed there had been a, wreck and rushed from the sleepers in their night clothes.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
DEMONSTRATORS
 AGAINST LICENSE
 TRANSFERS OF TWO

Two remonstrances against the transfer of Bridgeport liquor licenses were heard before the County Colnmis- sioners this morning. Mrs. A. F. Zakrison desires to have the license of her husband. now dead. in her name. She was opposed by Thomas F. Mur- ray on the ground that she was an un- suitable person. Murray also wants the license.
 Joseph lSoletar desires to move his place of business from Spruce street to the corner of Pine street and Han cock avenue There are five saloons already in this neighborhood, on which grounds the transfer is being objected to.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
TAFT HEADS FOR
 NEW ORLEANS
Special from United Press,

Helena, Ark, Oct. 2S.-President Taft and his party will spend to-day on the go. Barring accidents thsre will be no stop until the fleet headed by the Oleander reaches Vicksburg 295 miles below Helena The stop is scheduled for three o'clock this after noon but the Oleander left here late and the river is not in condition for fast going. Accordingly it Is likely that the whole fleet will go sloshing along all day. Mississippi on one side and Arkansas on the other and no landing will be made before dusk.
 VEksburg will probably be reached abd4k six o'clock. River men believe that the going south of Vicksburg will be Abetter and still hope to get the feet into New Orleans together, approximately on time
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
GIRL WHO DRANK ACID TO SPITE
 MOTHER WILL LIVE

Sadie. Smith, aged IA, who drank carbolic acid at her home. 615 Housa- tontc avenue, last night to spite her mother Mrs. Christina Smith, who chiGed her for quarreling with a shop mate will recover. She was getting along very well today.
 pr. Edward C. Krause of the Elmer gency hospital / corps gave the girl drestfc treatment when he arrived at the house in response to a call and then hurried her to St. vincent's hos pital She worked at the H. O. Can- field Rubber Co.'S factory.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
STAY OF SENTENCE
 IN DANBURY CASES

In the Superior court this morning Judge William H. Williams ordered a stay of sentence till the December, 1909, term and till furthef notice of the courts but denied motion for bail in the appeal of Fred A. Lee and Joseph M. Ziegler of Danbury, who were found guilty Monday in Danbury, and sentenced to not more than five or less than three years in States prison.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28

ter. the young Cornell man and stud ent of economies will speak MT. Por- ter is the Bridgeport boy who was a member of the American Olympic team which won all of~the big events at London. and he captured the worlds record. Porter lives here and had sound reasons why a young man should be put at the helm of the gov-s ernment
 Candidates Buckingham. Boucher, Donnelly, Thomas and Hall will speak at each of the above meetings.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
DANBURY BARBER
 KILLED BY TRAIN
Special from United Press.)

Special from United Press.)
 Danbury, Oct. 28.-David Vroom a local barber. 38 years of age. was struck on the head by an extension on the Pittsfeld Express southbound shortly before 10 o'clock to-day and instantly killed. His body was found a few moments later by boy who was passing. Vroom was walk ng along the side of the track beside some coal cars. When the express came along the space was too narrow for him to avoid the extension. The en- gineer evidently didn't know that the train had struck the victim.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28

 MEET TONIGHT

All of the candidates of the Demo- cratic party. the deputy registrars. the district chairmen, and the members of the executive committee and the Dem ocratic association will meet this even ing in Democratic headauarters. Lin coin building to discuss the conditions of the campaign. Town Chairman Michael A. Kenny will preside at the meeting.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
GOVERNMENT LOSES.
Demand to Hand Banker
 Walsh Into Custody De- s nied by Court of Appeals.

Especial from United Press.0
 > Chicago, Oct. 28.-The Circuit Court of Appeals today handed down a decis- ion denying the governments petition demanding the immediate handing of John R. Walsh to the custody of the United States marshals and taken to a penitentiary. While Walsh will be allowed his personal liberty the gov ernment will be permitted to keep Walsh under constant surveillance.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
ENGINEER DOW
 IS DISCHARGED
Especial from United Press.l

Special from United Press.1
 New Haven, Oct. 28.-Engineer A. Dow of the freight train that s.was ditched near here on October last, was today held responsible for the ac cident and discharged from the service of the New York, New Haven 6 Hart ford Railroad. It was decided that Dow disobeyed orders in running past signals.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
Murder and Suicide \
 Tragedy Before Child
(special from United Presss;.l ]

held to-day on the bodies of Irving
 Fletcher and his wife. Viola. victims of a murder and suicide tragedy which eliminated before the eyes of their
 three year old child in a Back Bay lodging house. Fletcher. who was jealous of his wife and had quarreled constantly with her, followed the wom- an to the home of girl friend with whom she had taken refuge. and fired four shots into her body and then blew out his own brains.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
THE FARMER WILL
 PRINT MAYOR LEES
 LETTER TOMORROW

The Farmasr has received from Mayor Lee a Communication in which he attempts answers to certain ques- tions asked of him, in the Farmer of Wednesday. This communication was received too late to permit it's publi- cation today. It will be printed to- morrow, word for word. The Farmer invites every voter to read it.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-28
POLL PLAYHOUSE
 DUE IN NORWALK

A Norwalk newspaper has it that Sylvester z. Poli the vaudeville mag nate was in that town during the week in conference with the manager Of Hoyt's Theatre. It is believed that MT. Poli may either erect a vaudeville house in that town or negotiate lease for Hoyt's theatre.