davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
HUGE LOSS CAUSED
BY RURAL FREE
DELIVERY
It Ran Behind $4,000, 900
During Last Fiscal Year
DEFICIT OF OVER sl7,OOo,oOO
Measures of Economy Adopted But
Not at the Cost of Efficiency,
Says Hitchcock

Washington, Dec. 27.-Confront-
ed with a deficit of $T479,77O the
present administration of the postof-
flee department began its operations
and this was the largest deficit in the
history of the postal service. So
long as the deficit in the department
aggregated only few millions of dol
lars annually, little attention was
paid to it; but when, in the last few
years, it leaped to upward of 100000
900 and finally, in 1909, exceeded $17,-
100000. Ordinary subiness prudence
suggested that the causes be definite
ly located"
These are statements in the annu-
al report of Postmaster General
Frank II. Hitchcock made public to-
day. Concerning the results of in
quiries into the deficit, the postmas-
ter general says;
Recent Investigations have shown
that the two great sources of loss to
the postal revenues are second class
mail matter and rural delivery.
THE loss on second class mail mat
ter has been increasing for many
years until it now amounts to 1884,
100000.
The loss from rural delivery, a
service begun hardly a dozen years
ago and of unprecedented growth,
reaches as high as $2S,OOO,000.
In these two items alone the pos
tai service no wsuffers an annual loss
of more than the entire national de-
ficit of the last fiscal year
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
LOS ANGELES FLYING WEEK
Over so Entries for Aviation Meet or
Pacific Coast

Los Angeles, Dec. 27.-Entries in
| the three divisions OF aeronautic and
aviation events for the aviation meet
ing to be held in this city from Jan
uary 10 to 90 have closed and list
of 80 airships of various kinds which
will compete for the prizes aggrega-
ting $4,000 was announced today.
The areoplane lists include Louis
Paulham, NJ. Maison, NJ. Miscarrol
and Baroness De Kroche of France;
Charles F. Willard and Clifford b.
Hagmon, New York and Glenn III.
Curtiss and c. K Hamilton, Ham
mondsport, n Y; II. p. Warner, Be-
lott, Wis. (these five will use Curtiss
biplanes) Roy Knabenshue, Toledo,
Ohio; Charles Morok, New York, mo-
noplane; Louis e. Bergdoll, Philadel-
phia, Bleriot monoplane; Ralph Saun-
der New York monoplane; J. w.
Curzon, Cincinnati, Farnam biplane;
s. Y. Beach, New York; H. w. Gale,
New York; also 26 entrant from Cal
ifornia whose machines include orni-
thopters, gryoplanes, monoplanes, BIZ
planes and triplanes and one aero
foil
The balloons are entered by Cliff
ford Harmon, New York; G. II. Bum
baugh. Indianapolis; II. e. Honey
well, St. Louis; J. Belts, ST. Louis;
G. Louis Won Phuhl st. Louis; A. l..
Stevens, New York; Merchants and
Manufacturers association, Los An
geles Dick Ferris, Los Angeles; Cap
tain w. H. Slotterback for the aero
nautical squad of Company A, signal
corps, national guard of California
Drigibles are entered by Roy Kna-
benshue, Toledo, Ohio; Tom s. Bald
winl New York; Lincoln Beachey, To-
ledo; j. S. Klassen Los Angeles; r..
Carter, San Jose.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
FOR LACK OF POSTAGE
Letters and Packages Held at the
Local Postoffice

Letters or packages with the fol
lyowing addresses are held at the To-
cal postoffice because of insufficient
POSTAGE
Mr.. George Alliger, Greenwich, N.
Y.
Mrs. T. R Britt, Hoosick Falls, N.
Y.
Mrs. w. F.. Bowen, LOG North St,
Jersey City, n. ].
Mrs Jessie Bushee, Glens Falls, n
II. G. Barber Esq. Brattleboro, VT,
Miss Mary Child, 1873 Lancaster St,
Albany N. Y.
Mrs Isabel Champin, Box 81
SALISBURY, VT.
Mrs. A. S. Coats, 1909 Hillegass
Ave. Berkeley, Cal.
Miss Barbara Hogan, Depot St.,
Bennington, VT.
Miss Mable Harris, Wachonat St,
Pittefield, Mass.
Mrs, b. H. Leisure, So Daniels Ave.
Pittsfeld. Mass.
Mrs. Mary Maxwell, S54 First St,
Troy, N. Y.
Miss Julia Maxwell, S54 First ST.,
Troy ~. Y.
Master Charles Mason, r. F. D.,
Pownal Center VT.
Gordon Myers, Ball ST., Hoosick
Falls, N. Y,
Mrs. j. e. Morey, Shushan, n. Y.
Mrs. Arthur Willard 2l2 Church st.
North Adams, Mass.
Mr.. Leonard Russell, r. f. D., Ar
lington, VT.
Ralph Remington. Bennington, VT
Mr.. and Mrs. Lou Remington, Ben
nington, VT
Mrs. James p. Sprague, 10O4 o. st
Washington ID. c.
Mrs. Eliza Weir, Greenwich, n. Y.
Miss Mary Child, 1873 Lancaster st
Albany, N. Y.
Master Bryan Carpenter, 191 Quail
St, Albany N. Y.
Miss Charlotte Darling. Church st.
North Adams, Mass.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
GEORGE p. SHELDON DEAD
Deposed Insurance Company Presi.
dent Under Indictment

Greenwich, Conn, Dec. 27.-GeDrge
Preston Sheldon, the deposed presi-
dent of the Phoenix Fire Insurance
Company of Brooklyn, under indict-
ment for grand larceny in connection
company recently exposed by the
State Insurance Department of New
York, died at his home here Satur.
day, ignorant of the fact that detec.
tives were waiting with extradition
papers ready to take him TO New
York for trial in the event of his re.
coyery.
AT the time the affairs of the COM
pany were arraigned in statement
by the New York insurance depart.
ment recently, Sheldon lay critically
i'll of ptomaine poisoning and in view
of his condition, details of the inves-
LEGATION and news of his indictment
were withheld from him.
Sheldon had been president of the
Phoenix Fire Insurance Company OF
Brooklyn for twenty-one years prior
to his removal and was one of the
most prominent residents of Green,
witch, The report of the investigat.
ion made by William H. Hotch'yiss,
state superintendent of insurance OF
New York to District Attorney ! y
ome of New York declared that C.
company had for years evaded a
official investigation at Sheldon's die
tation, and that by consent of the
directors he had pledged the securi-
ties of the company for loans Sums
aggregating s250,000 had been loan
ed it was charged, to former officers
of the state insurance department.
Sheldon, II was further alleged had
oyerdrawn his own salary and had
used the company's funds in specula.
ton
Sheldon was born in New York 62
years ago and was graduate of Yale
and in 1883 he was elected president
of the Phoenix Fire Insurance COM
pany of Brooklyn. A widow, three
daughters and two sons survive him.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
EASTMAN BACK TO WATERBURY
big CHIEF Will Play Next Season in
Connecticut League

North Adams, Dec. 27-Fred
Eastman who has been a member of
the lodcl baseball team for the past
two seasons will return to the Water
bury club in the Connecticut league
next spring according to his present
plans. The latest bulletin of Presi-
dent Farrell shows that Eastman has
signed a contract with his old club
in the Connecticut circuit.
Eastman had plenty of trouble with
Waterbury last year and he finally
jumped the club and came to this
city after fine had been imposed up
on him. 1t was later reported that
he would be blacklisted unless he
completed the season in this city.
Eastman's chief reason for finding
fault last summer was the fact that
he was forced to play in a different
position on the nine nearly every
day He signed as a pitcher but
when not in the box he was used eth
er in the outfield or the diamond.
What agreement he reached with the
Waterbury management in regard to
cancelling the fine is not known.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
FIRE AT WATERBURY, ASYLUM
Damage About $40, ooo-RebuiIdins to
Begin at Once

Waterbury. Dec 277.-The fire at
the state insane asylum here Friday
Afternoon resulted in the destruc
ton of the roof and the entire upper
portion of the ward used for the con-
finement of the dangerous male pat
tents.
Considerable damage was done to
the third story of the structure but
the two lower uoors were damaged
principally by water which was free
ly used in quenching the flames. The
loss will amount to about $4,000,
which is fully covered by insurance.
The patients in the burning build
ing, los in all, were hustled out by
the attendants in short order and not
a soul was injured except perhaps
one or two firemen, who suffered
frost bites on account of the icy wat
err drenching their clothing and their
exposure to the freezing atmosphere.
The patients are distributed about
the other wards but 1t is expected
that about % of them will be sent to
the Brattleboro Retreat until the
building is rebuilt the work of which
will be begun immediatelS
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
BIGGEST HOLIDAY
TRADE IN TOWN
HISTORY
Bennington Merchants We're All
Kept Hustling
BIG ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
Special Campaign in This Line
Brought Many More Customers
to Stores

High water mark in retail trade
has been reached by Bennington
merchants during the past two
weeks. Not every merchant has
broken his record but many have and
others have come so close as to make
the total Christmas business the big
gest in the history of the town.
Never before have the Bennington
merchants advertised so extensively
as this year and never before have
they done so much business. The
home people have traded more at
home and buyers from the neighbor-
ing towns have been attracted here
in larger numbers than in any previ
Gus year.
All the Bennington mills and other
industries are running to their fun ca
pacity and the business outlook for
the winter is exceptionally good. For
the first time in several years Ben
nington and vicinity are enjoying
good sleighing and If it lasts it will
be help to retail trade.
a representative Vi Tie DdHiltI tIlS
forenoon called on several of the
leading advertisers and asked them
as to their Christmas trade. 1t was
impossible to see them all and at
some places the head of the firm was
not in but the following brief inter
views will show the general business
conditions:
r. S. Drysdale: First class bust
ness, a little the best ever. Highly
satisfactory in every respect.
4. r. Hart:-Fair business. Not
up to record, however.
b. A. Quinlan: Made new record
Best holiday business store ever had.
Charles G. Cole:-Best, but one,
| store ever had.
A. c. LaMarre. Sales very large
Business exceptionally good.
H. c. Rosier:-Have done the big
ta9lished.
Burt Bros:-Much better business
than last two years and very salts
factory in every respect On Friday
had more customers in the store than
ever before in one day.
l. E. Gibson Co:-Far above stand
ard. No kick about anything. Fine
business.
A. r. Van Dette;-New store start
ed tremendously better than expect
ed. Am greatly pleased.
H. H. Nichols Very fine business
Not quite up to record but highly
satisfactory
n. Moveck; Could have done
more but had * very satisfactory
business.
Mullgan & Roche:-Fine steady
business running fully as strong as
previous years.
a. X Richie; December average
reached week before Christmas
and big selling of last week makes
us new record
c. w. Thompson; -Business very
good indeed, Am abundantly salts
fed.
l.. Cook.-Have enjoyed big trade
and sold many more goods than
usual.
w. l.. Gokay Holiday business
all that could be desired and business
in general above average
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
METHODIST CHURCH NOTES
This Will Be Busy Week for the
Members

A sleigh ride win be held tonight
under the auspices of the Methodist
church. All persons in any way as
ISOLATED with the church or the SOC
ieties are invited to go and meet at
the church at 1880 No charge. Six
sleighs have been engaged but all
are expected TO bring blankets and
horns. Tuesday evening tire cot
tage prayer meetings will be held at
the homes of A. NJ. Torrance, Rev. w.
W. Brunk and John Evans. Jr.. at
1880 o'clock.
Wednesday afternoon the primary
grades of the Sunday school will hold
their Christmas tree and exercises
from TO I O'Clock. The intermedi-
ate and adult grades will hold heir
exercises and give a tree at 1870.
Each one Of the school will receive
are asked to bring a present TO be
placed on the tree and will receive
enc in return
Thursday the prayer meeting will
be held in the interest of the special
meetings to begin next week.
Friday evening the young people
will give a midwinter picnic in the
early part of the evening. This will
have many very interesting features
and following the social part of the
evening a praise and watch night
service will be held. You need not
fear growing weary at this service
with long hours. The program. will
carry you into the new year before
you realize the lateness of the hour.
Amy one having a Christmas tree to
spare will confer a favor by telephon-
ing Lawrence Griswold at Bottum &
Torrance's or by leaving it at the
church. The young people are to
construct a forest for the picnic
Next Sunday morning the Brother.
hood will hold its first devotional.
service at 10 o'clock. At a meeting
for the men yesterday it was decided
they should take a more definite part
in the church work. The men will
meet regularly at 10 o'clock Sunday
Special meetings will be held in
the Methodist church beginning with
next Sunday. Rev. j. r. Stone of
Bristol (EvangelisD will assist the
pastor. Mr. Stone always has a sane
and wholesome message.
The financial statements for the
church are out Because of the
change in adopting the apportionment
plan there are apt to be mistakes in
the amounts. All persons are asked
to see the financial secretary in case
of corrections. There will be one
more Sunday before printing the
statements. All money put in next
kSunday on arrears will count on the
past quarter.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
OIL EXPORTS DROP.
American Experts Advocate Renewed
Reciprocal Relations with France

Washington, Dec. 27.-Alarmed by
a drop from one million dollars to
S26, 1868 in mineral oil exports to
France in month, American oil ex-
perts have begun movement to in
duce Congress to renew with France
the reciprocity treaty which expired
on October 81, last. Explorers also
hope for the renewal of the treaty
with Spain, also large importer of
American soil, which will expire on
August 81, 1910.
The November exports to Canada
have not been compiled but indicat-
ions are that they will show rela-
lively as great a falling off in oil ex-
ports as those to France.
Notwithstanding the abrogation of
the reciprocity treaty with France,
the November imports from France
and exports to France are larger
than November, last year Raw cot
ton, which France admits free, is
largely responsible for the increase
in exports, while old art works ad-
mitted free here under the new law
and diamonds and hides were respon-
sible for the increased imports.
The imports of Champagne from
France. declined from $5S4,674 in No
vember, 1908 to $5S0,006 in Noyem-
Der, 1909
A comparison of the figures for the
first month of our new relations with
France, made for the Associated
Press" by the bureau of statistics,
shows that the total value of our ex-
30 o., h., 10
was S20,013,414, against $12,092,554
in November, 1908, The value of
our imports from France Tor the last
month was $14,166,199 against $S,464,-
024 in November 1908.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
NEW CAPTAIN FOR CO NJ, V N C
J. M. Ashley Succeeds o. H. Parker
Other Promotions

The election of a captain of Com
pany M, Vermont National Guard, to
fill the vacancy caused by the resig-
nation of Capt. o. H. Parker was
held Thursday evening in the armory
at Burlington and resulted IN the un-
animous election of First Lieut.. ]. M.
Ashley to the position. Second
Lieut. M. b. Gill was elected to the
office OF first lieutenant and First
Sergeant c, c. Girard was promoted
to the second lieutenancy.
The election of Lieutenant Ashley
to the Office at the head of the COM
pany has caused general satisfaction
both because of his fitness for the DO
sition and because of his long and
meritorious service with the company
Captain Ashley has longer term OF
service with the regiment than any
other member in the company. He
enlisted at the reorganization OF the
regiment at the close of the Spanish
American war and has ever since
been identified with it.
His term of service began in Sep
tember 1899 He was promoted tc
corporal March /, 1901 and to ser
geant May %, 1902. He was trans
ferred to the non-commissioned stat
in January 1906, and the following
July was made battalion quartermas
ter with the rank of second lieuten
ant to which office he was commits
stoned on June s, 1907. The resig
.spation Of Capt. E. P. Woodbury.
ned his appointment as FIRST lieu
int on February 26, 1908.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
DEATH OF MRS. THos. o. RYAN
Well Known Resident Died Christmas
Night


Mrs. Catherine Ryan, widow of the
late Thomas d. Ryan, died at her
home on North street Saturday night
at l1:45. Death was due to a COM
plication of diseases. Sne was a
long and patient sufferer, being CON
fined to her home for several months.
Mrs. Ryan was born in County Lei
trim, Ireland, about 90 years ago.
She came. to this town when child
and had lived here continuously ever
since. Her maiden name was Cath
crime Murray Her husband, Thorn
as ID. Ryan, a well known tailor, died
about five years ago.
She was the mother of five children
three of whom survive her, two
daughters, Mrs Frank Norcross and
Miss Mary A. Ryan, and one son,
Thomas f. Ryan of this town. She
also leaves two sisters, Mrs. John
Dowd of this village and Mrs. Ann
Lynch of North Bennington.
Mrs. Ryan was a good Christian
woman and beloved by a large circle
of friends. She was a member of
the St Monica society of ST Francis
de Sales church
The funeral will be held from ST.
Francis de Sales church Tuesday
morning at 8 o'clock. The burial
will be in the old Catholic cemetery
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
BIG SMOKING DEMAND
Phenomenal Prices Paid for the Bur-
ley Product in Kentucky

Lexington, KY, Dec. 27.-At the
close of the local tobacco market for
the Christmas holidays more than
twenty million pounds of the hurley
product has been sold, or more than
two million pounds beyond what was
disposed of in the same period in
1907 the last year in which tobacco
was grown in this section previous
to this year.
Prices reached the highest in the
history of the Kentucky market when
one crop raised by Garrett Watts sold
for the phenomenal figure of $4,000
per hundred. Another crop grown by
Watts sold for $4,000 per hundred.
So far during the season more than
one and one-half million dollars has
changed hands in the local market at
an average price of 10 cents a pound.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
TERRIBLE MINING CONDITIONS
In the Past Thirty Years More Than
10000 Men Have Been Killed

Washington, Dec. 27.-Headquar-
ters of the American Mining Con-
gress have been opened in this city
to promote legislation for the estab-
lishment of a national bureau Of
mines.
James f. Galbreath Jr., secretary
of congress says:
Few realize the terrible conditions
that prevail in the mining industry
In 80 years more than 10000 men
have been killed and 100000 injured
in the coal mines alone. In 1907
1925 men lost their lives in the coal
mines-nearly Ave men in every min.
ing camp of 1000 men. Contrast this
with the one or two men killed in
every thousand employed In foreign
country where they have bureaus Of
mines"
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
REV. DR.. Drunk TO REMAIN
Will Not Accept Position Offered Him
in New York

Rev. w. w. Brunk, d. D., announc-
ed Sunday that on matured consid-
Grafton of the call he had received to
New York City he had decided not
to accept any proposition from out
side that will take him from his work
here at the present time. He spoke
of the kindly response of the people
and the desire to see much accom-
plished that had not yet been under
taken.
He stated that he wished to see
the church enterprise carried to full
completion and the financial social
and spiritual interests cared for in a
specific way before he can. consider
a change. While the call seemed an
attractive one he believes it his duty
to stand by the work in hand.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
PLAN ANOTHER CAMPAIGN
Tuberculosis Exhibit to be Sent Out
by State Board of Health

Burlington, Dec. 27.-At meeting
of the state board of health here Drs.
H. D. Holton of Brattleboro, G. S.
Caverley of Rutland and F. 7. Kidder
of Woodstock being present 1T was
planned to send out the tuberculosis
exhibit from the state laboratory
about the 18th of January, under the
charge of DIR. e. H. Buttles and Hugh
Thompson. The route will include
from 20 to 20 of the medium sized
towns of the state. The board also
voted to have the health officers of
the towns investigate fire escape fac
ilities.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
GOV. HUGHES KEEPS MUM
Does Not Commit Himself When Suf
fraaettes Appeal to Him

Albany, n. Y, Dec. Ex-Governor
Hughes was asked by representatives
of the New York state Woman Suffra-
gette association to recommend in his
annual message to the legislature an
amendment to the state constitution
giving women the right to vote.
The governor listened attentiyely
to the speakers and congratulated
them on the calm. earnest and dis
passionate manner in which they dis
cussed such an important question. y
So far as his personal views were
concerned he said he had nothing to
say at this time.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
Lternal Feminine

Mrs Ben Davis, who has been away
two months, returned home on Satur-
day night Before she came, Ben
cleaned up. hiring a colored woman to
assist him. On Monday morning,
while Ben was finishing his breakfast,
his wife appeared from the kitchen,
pinning on a big apron. WELL" she
said. Il must give this house a good
cleaning ."-Atchison Globe
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
NAT GOODWIN OUT s25o,ooo
And Now He's Through With Mining
Deals that are Speculative

Los Angeles. Dec. 27.-Admjtting
that he saw more than 100000 slip
from his grasp in his Nevada mining
ventures and that he had actually
lost over $250,00O in cash, Nat G..
Goodwin, when seen at his seaside
home at Santa Monica said he was
through with mining enterprises in
which there is an element of stock
speculation.
Il do not mean that have lost in
terest in mining" said Goodwin. Il
still have money invested in Alas
kan mines. Although l have given
up all my Nevada holdings / still be-
lieve the mines are good.
1T was stock speculation which
disguised me with the Nevada game.
Had the operations there been con-
fined to legitimate mining | would
not have become dissatisfied"
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
BARBOUR LEAVES THERUTLAND
General Passenger Agent to Enter
Employ of Beechnut Packing Co

Rutland. Dec 277.-F E. Barbour
has resigned as general passenger
agent of the Rutland railroad to be
come vice president of the Beechnut
Packing company of Canajoharie, n.
Y. He begins his new. duties Janu-
airy |.
Mr. Barbour has been associated
with the Rutland road for three
years He previously was the gener-
al agent at Montreal of the New
York Central Claire Hartigan the
present general agent of the Central
at Montreal, will be Barbour's sue
cessor.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27
HAVE ENGAGED OPERA HOUSE
Bennington Club Minstrel Show r
Be Given March 80

The committee appointed by the
Bennington Club to arrange for its
public entertainment has selected
Wednesday evening, March Both
next and the opera house has been
engaged for that and the preceding
evening for the purpose.
AN Evening with the Bennington
Club" as presented on January "a,
1906, was such pronounced success
that the success of this, it's Second
Evening" seems well assured.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-12-27

George Whitehead, an Englishman,
made ship, with all things pertain
ing to it,, to move as if 1t sailed upon
a table. "All hands were aloft, wo.
man made good music on lutte and
a little puppy cried in the midship, all
of which variety" says the old writer,
was pleasant and diyerting."