davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
CANAAN WOLF HUNT
DEACON STEVENS REMEMBERS
 MEN WHO TOOK PART INIT
Anecdote of Hess" Knapp. Who Worked ScurV Trick on his Neigh bors and Narrowly Escaped a Coat of Tar and Feathers.
(BY H. R. STEyENS)

Editor News: When I closed my last letter mentioned that I might say some- thing of other parts of the town and I have decided to do so, but before pro. ceeding to do this will mention one or two events which happened in and near the Valley district when I was quite young, which have been brought to mind by talking to others since have been writing. In former letter I spoke of Aunt Daphne Knapp, who lived near the College. At the time of which am writing there were several families by that name on the College and at North Norfolk and among them was one named Jesse ("Jess'0 Knapp who, Mrs. Snsan Stevens tells me, was living with Aunt Daphne at this time,. and l think Inc must have been seized with an unsuitable desire to do some malicious mischief, or been possessed with an evil spirit or per haps au overpowering desire to get up an excitement. for he conceived the idea of trying to make people believe he had been murdered; so he left his friends and took to the College, where he took @ cow-path through the woods where his tracks could be plainly seen, and hav- ing killed squirrel he took his hat and after having cut hole in it, besmeared it with blood and hair and left it where it could be easily found and went to a place on Canaan Mountain where he could have a good view of the College and Valley, and watched the result.
 When he dld not re. urn, his friends felt anxious about him, and made search for him, their neighbors joining them until the whole town was stirred. They 1 finally found the hat and then there was great excitement and thorough search- ing but Jess was not to be found. But he was watching the whole proceeding from his mountain height. Finally some one on the mountain saw him and came down and reported the fact, which put an end to the search. but not to the | feelings of the people who had been so deceived, and Jess had to skip and was a fugitive for few years. He returned but the people did not forget him and being at the tavern at East Sheffield one evening where there was quite crowd, they conceived the idea of getting even with him by giving him a coat of tar and feathers or some such thing, but he got wind of 1t and escaped through the back door and became fugitive again |; but after many years he returned again and was allowed to live in peace and die a natural death.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
HAMS OVER-SMOKED
 AT WALTERS SMOKERY
Thrilling Moments at Granite Avenue Conflagration, When Smoke-House
 Fire Was at it's Height.

Thrilling Moments attGranite Avenue
 Conflagration, When Smoke-House
 Fire Was at it's Height.
 The chiet of the fire department sat in his law office, Friday afternoon, when about o'clock, the gong on his tele, phone rang out sudden warning. The chief went to the instrument and heard this
 "Say, Clint, you'd better hustle the fire department up to Granite avenue |; Dave Walters smoke-house is all afire "
 The chief waited to hear no more, but streaked it for Granite avenue. Arriv ing at the scene, he found the smoke house condagration raging with a fierce ness that threatened to consume every ham on the hooks. Len. Caldwell, fore man of Granite Hose Company Number 3, was already on the spot and was try ing to make the hose with which he had been washing Hen. Roraback's automo- bile, squirt stream to the smoke house, but meeting with indifferent success.
 Chief Roraback gave orders, through his trumpet. to get a piece of string. His trained eye had told him that the only way to save the burning building was to pull it away from the fire and blow it out. A rope was quickly brought which was fastened to the smoke house, and the building was pulled over, dis closing disclosure in toasted ham that would make the stoutest heart quail on toast, if there had been any quail handy There they lay-a dozen hams-all dead roasted to frizzle, and charred be- yond hope of Identification. By that time MT. Walter himself had arrived, but he was unable to tell one ham from another, or even to recognize the shoulder and fitch of bacon belonging to MT. Abbe, that had been placed among the rest for the smoke treatment, and met the common fate of all.
 After blowing the fire out, the depart ment returned to their several quarters to wait for the next alarm, leaving MT. Walter with his hams and the delecta- ble aroma that always attends an over heated smoke-house that has hams in it and bears close family resemblance to the smell that pervades the kitchen when the cook upsets the spider on the stove. It was fortunate that the fire was dis covered when it was. Had the discovery been longer delayed. or had the wind been blowing north, west, east and south at the time, nothing short of a mir aele could have prevented the addition of dozen roast chickens to the barbecue, from hen-coopo on the north, nor raved ten tons of ice in the ioe-house on the south from being burned to ashes. It's 8 feather in the cap of our fire depart rnent, more especially as the whole busi- ness was done without the sounding of a general alarm. MT. Walter estimates his loss at about $50,
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
Horse Ran. AWAY

One of the Bullock 6 Fslten delivery horses started from the Town Hall hill Friday afternoon, while the driver, Henry Scutt, was attending to some or- ders having lefta n-years-old youugster named Drum in charge of the animal. The horse plunged around the corner of Railroad street at breakneck speed, the frightened boy having absolutely no control over it. Fortunately no other teams or obstacles were encountered in the road, and'the horse ran directly to it's barn on Railroad street. turning the sharp corner without accident. No damage resulted. to either rig or boy though the youngster evidently thought his last day had arrived.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
ARCHlE'S DOG
Fine Opportunity for Anybody Who
 Wants That Kind of Dog.

Fine Opportunity for Anybody Who Wants That Kind of Dog.
 Archie Adam has a dog. It's exact breed he doesn't profess to know, but he's quite sure it's a superfuous dog i; that is, one dog too many. and he is willing to dispose of it. After careful study of it's architecture. disposition and dominating traits of character, Archie believes it is part bird dog, part bulldog, part hyena, part goat, part jackass, part mongrel, part chicken thief, part strange dog and part just ordinary. common, every day dog. Archie doesn't know how long he has owned this dog, and even expresses some doubt as to whether he owns it or not. All he knows about it Is, he says. that all of a sudden he found that he had dog, and at about the same time the dog made a similar discovery. Archie is sure it wasn't 8 case of acquisition by either purchase, lease, loan, appropriation, merger or adoption, and he ayers that the dog is not bound to him, nor he to it. by any ties of sentiment. obligation or red tape that can be construed to prevent him from seyering the relationship or dispos- ing of the dog, and he has about made up his mind to raf1e it off. He describes it as good dog, for some things, about the size of an ordinary dog, answering to any name it is called by; kind and gentle, house-broke, well trained and can be made to do anything it wants to do. He has been refused s25 for the dog and now is the time to subscribe for chances
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
]. H. RORABACK IGNORED
 BY FRIENDS IN WASHINGTON
Dinner Given in His Honor at The Will lard, and $500 Gold Watch and
 Chain Presented.

J. Henry Roraback- returned Monday from Washington, D. O., where he had been spending a few days combining business and pleasure.
 Friday night dinner was given in his honor at The Willard, by & number of his Connecticut friends and admirers, including United States Senator Me Lean, Congressman E. J. Hill, Internal Revenue Collector R. o. Eaton, Repre- sentative George B. Chandler and others. The chief feature of this festive function and one which took J. Henry completely by surprise, was the presentation to him of q magnificent gold Swiss watch-a repeater which strikes the hours and minutes in distinct and musical chime with fine chain of gold and platinum and solid gold knife as vest charm, containing an elegantly wrought mono. gram. The outfit is said to have cost | $500
 The watch is an open-faced timepiece, containing on the back, the monogram J. H. R. exquisitely designed and skill fully chased, and on the inside case the full name, J. H Roraback, and inscrip ton, "From The Boys" with date.
 It is a valuable and beautiful gift. The guest of honor received many com pliments from the speakers at the feast, On his fine generalship as leader of the republican forces in sConnectcut, and many expressions of appreciation of his sterling qualities as a man and citizen, all of which reflected the regard in which he is held among his hosts of acquaint ances throughout the state.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
A Chicken Doctor

Walter Fenn of New Milford in his study of poultry culture is becoming an expert surgeon, one of the latest oper- ations performed by him being the cutting open of a chickens gizzard, cleaning out the hay and other dyspep- sia- causing substances and stitching up the wound in true surgeon fashion. Un- like great many operations performed upon human beings, the operation not alone was successful, but the patient rallied and is hopping around with a better appetite than ever.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
Lime Rock LiverYman Who Bought
 Biddy in the Dark.

Lime Rock LiverYman Who Bought
 BiddY in the Dark.
 Charlie Vosburgh is born horsenan His dearest enemy-if he has any such would admit that Charlie knows horse, from bit to crupperl and that what he doesn't know about horse isn't to be found in any horse book. Just at present., however, they are relating one at Charlie's expense, which would seem to indicate that his knowledge of poultry IS somewhat less exhaustive than his horse wisdom.
 The story goes that Charlie procured a choice setting of eggs a couple of weeks ago, and, having no hen that showed a disposition to set, he drove over to a neighboring farmers one evening and purchased one. He selected from the roost a fine, robust, well built fowl which he took home and sat" the same night, on the eggs. In order to keep the hen on the nest until she became accustomed to her strange surroundings, he placed a light soap-box over her, upside down.
 The next morning, when he went out to care for his poultry, he heard the sound of rooster growing loudly in a strange, hoarse and muff1ed tone of voice, and on investigating, discovered his new setting then" standing up. on the eggs, wearing the inverted soap-box on his head like an exaggerated Merry Widow bonnet, trying frantically to shake it off. and pouring forth his inter- mittent cock, ,a-doodle-doo-o-o at the top of his lungs.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
Barnum tor Governor

Says the Hartford Post: Organized labor, so far as Hartford is concerned at least, sees in the appointment of Senator Charles w. Barnum of Lime Rock to the legislative committee on labor, succeeding Senator Spellacy, of this city who declined to serve, the sinister beginning of boom for MT. Barnum for governor. The Hartford Central Labor union was in session Wednesday night and after spirited discussion of the appointment it was voted to draft resolutions roundly scoring the senate for approving the appointments and to send them to Lieutenant Governor Blakeslee.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
RulkeleY Wouldn't Have If

A number of Hartford admirers of Senator Morgan G. Bulkeley, whose term at Washington ended Saturday had started arrangements for giving him a warm welcome on his return to his home city,. but Senator Bulkeley learned of the movement and advised his friends to ab ndon the plan.
 He preferred that there be no demon stration ill recognition of his return to private life, although tho friends of the senator had planned very fattering reception.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
Continued on Eighth Page.)
ALL BY MEN
Methodist Brethren Serve a Supper In
 Great Style.

Methodist Brethren Serve Supper In
 Great Style. For the fifth annual supper served by the men of the Methodist church, Wednesday evening a unique and origi- nal "bill" had been prepared by Pastor Cornford. On the title page of the little folio were these interesting observations: Il was told by the man that stands at the door that if called here, you would show me many excellent things"
 ''VIsitors who learn the alphabet by heart may have supper at the usual rates" The menu page stated that "the near est way to a mans heart is through his stomach," and contained also these poetical truths:
 We may live without books;
 What is knowledge but grieving? We may live without hope
 What is hope but deceiving?
 We may live without love
 What is passion but pinipR?
 But where is the man
 Who can live without dining?
 The committees were as follows: Re- ceptlon, N. k. Lawton. Rev. Ii. CHrn- ford, Judge A. T. Roraback, G. l.. Par sons, Dr. Fl. L. Ross, pr. F. H. Lee. Head waiter, A. J, Wigglesworth.
 Walters, F. F. Stevens, L. Caldwell, I. Scott, S.. Kimball, c. E. Badgley, l.. Hester. s. Briggs, Paul E. Gurney, Q. Roraback, John Adam.
 Kitchen director, F. A. Coons.
 Assistants, Seneca Strong, F. Dewey, G. P. Strong, w Beebe, H. Scutt, Nat. Storm, O. Carter.
 Carver, O. F. French.
 Decorations, J. 0. Roraback, w. Sleighter.
 Cashiers. DIV. Manvel, GIL. Parsons. Physician in attendance. pr. Ell. Lee. The "by-laws" were as follows: l. Grumblers, fault-finders and critics are requested to buy season tickets and stay away.
 9. Change on no account to be forced on customers against their wills. 8. No moneys returned uuless bad. 1. No one under three or over ninety nine admitted unless in charge of a responsible person.
 5. Automobiles and carriages sholld be ordered for 10 p. m. or sooner.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
TELEPHONE DISTRICT CUT
Whole Town of Salisbury Taken From
 Canaan District.


 Canaan District.
 Considerable local talk, more or less excited, has been aroused by the report that the Telephone Company contem- plates cutting out Chapinville. Salisbury, Lakeville, Lime Rock, and their collat- eral suburbs from the Canaan district and establishing an entire new district. with central office in Lakeville.
 The company has been making sur veys and maps of this section, and the determination to establish another dis trict, from the western section of the Canaan district, was officially settled at A meeting of the heads of the company in New Haven Monday.
 This is the second ,slicing of the Ga man district within few months, Sharon having been set off into another district a short time ago, and it is omin- ously prophesied that the near future will see the Cornwalls and other neigh boring sections divorced from this dis trict. and eventually every town made a district by itself an1 forced to pay toll for communication with it's adjoining ueighbJr.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
PUBLIC UTILITIES BILL
 HAS POOR PROSPECTS
The News" Legislative Correspond ent Thinks Governor Leans Toward
 President MeIIen's. Court of Com merce Idea-0ther Capitol Gossip.

Hartford, March Tone cannot help having ones opiaion of the sincerity of a governor who greets Republican gentlemen who approach him with the idea of compromise in a manner show ing that he knows their errand even before they hint at it. gives them no opportunity to state it and assures them off hand that he is a Democratic governor and means to appoint Democrats to office, let the Senate do with them as it may.
 Also, oueI cannot help having ones opinion of a governor who does this and and then becomes party to an arrange ment by which he is assured by a prominent Bulkeley senator that the nomination of John Howard Hale of Glastonbury as railroad commissioner will be requited by the certain approval of the nom nation of Burton Mansfield of New Haven as insurance commissioner in place of Theodore Mcdonald.
 They even say that when this more or less self constituted committee of Republicans aforesaid visited Governor Baldwin he had made this arrangement with the Republican senator, to mention whose name would but bring disvowal from him, no doubt.
 The general assembly is waking up 1 yes. and think the state is-to the fact that Governor Baldwin is past master of politics even to the inner circles of the highest degrees. He knows the game and he plays it. He is no un- sophisticated and aged recluse, as many had supposed up to 8 couple of months ago. We haven't t had Republican governors recently who knew tho Kame as he does. A
 The matter of the approval, or the opposite of the Mansfield nomination wilfhave been settled, doubtless, by the time this is read. It has seemed as if Mcdonald was going to be beaten. but there has been an undeniable change in the trend of sentiment eveu since lasI Thursdays session adjourned without arranging Friday session. The matter has become a fight between the BulR6ley and Mclean elements in the Sentre. IA matter of fact because of the knowled se of this trade of Hale for Mansfield. Col Mcdonald was not as active a Mclean man as some others and his fealty to tht present senator has been questioned, but he is receiving aid from that side of the line.
 | It has been asserted also that the governor couldn't hold the Democrats on any of these. nominations. His attitude toward Highway Commissioner Mac Donald is responsible for this, no doubt. Jim" Macdonald has 8 great deal of Democratic support. He gets much of it from Democratic selectmen; he will show the Roads, Bridges and Rivers committee next week support from selectmen such as they have little dreamed of. Macdonald plays politics to such extent as is necessary to keep
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
MANSFIELD CONFIRMED

Next a Candidate to Succeed Highway
 Commissioner M'Donald
 The senate yesterday confirmed the governors $ nomination of Burton Mans, field of New Haven, to succeed Col Theodore Mcdonald as insurance com missioner, Sy vote of 19 to IA.
 It is expected that the nomination of . Highway Commissioner to succeed James H. Macdonald will be sent -iu immediately.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
HEN" WOULDN'T SET

Continued on Eighth Page
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
TROLLEY IS COMING
SURVEYORS HARD AT WORK
 AROUND CANFIELD HOTEL
New Street to be Opened East of
 Steam Railroad, frop Pease's Cross ing to Main Street-Great Changes Coming in Center.

Ing 10 Maln StreeL-0reaI changes Coming in Center. -..
 The trolley surveyors" were in town again last week. measuring and pacing and feeling of certain buildings and driveways, and while their mysterious actions attracted no end of curious attention, they refused to own up that they knew just what their own perform ances meant.
 They have become frequent visitors here, and evidently like the town, and are particularly infatuated with the architecture, the proportions. the feel ing, the texture, the smell and the taste of both the Canfeld Hotel and the Rhoades building, which they have measured and fondled and patted on the back and front. and strutted around on all sides.
 But they won't tell what their inten- tions are.
 As usual, the inevitable standing committees have their own notions of things, and have figured it all out that the trolley route is finally and definitely decided upon. and that radical trans formations are impending in the center of the village
 From sources likely to be well in. formed, though dlsclaimIng official Knowledge of the actual facts, informa- tion is gleaned from which it seems reasonable to conclude that three separate sets of plans of layout have been sub mitted to the railroad powers in New Haven, from which the final decision will be made. In the opinion of the sources referred to, the final plan provides for the opening of 8 new street from the Pease crossing north of the village, running through the Herden- bergh and other properties on the east side of the railroad, and intersecting Main street at 8 point between The Canfield and the Rhoades property.
 It is stated that the railroad company has finally received selling offer for the Garfield Hotel and for the Rhoades property, and that either one or both these properties will be, purchased Whether the hotel will be demolished to make room for the terminal of the trolley. is not known; nor is it known what changes will overtake the Rhoades bonen f ic
 One theory is that the road will purchase not only both the buildings mentioned but all the buildings on the east side of Railroad street, which will be razed to make room for the tracks that will be moved west and ultimately elevated to make an over head crossing over Main street, thus abolishing the grade crossing. This plan, if carried out, will mean the demolition of every building, from the Bullock 6 Felten store up to the Ives 6 Peiroe grain mill and beyond.
 Whichever plan is finally adopted it is evidently an assured fact that there is going to be something doing, in thai particular neighborhood, and that before many more weeks shall have gone by.
 The fact that something really is ''do ing" is manifested by the fact that the company has sent dispossess notice tc Mrs. Michael Goodwin, living on the east side of the railroad, above the hotel warning her to vacate the premises be- fore March 16. Mrs. Goodwin has oc- cupied the premises about 40 years.
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09

Continued on Eighth Page.)
Connecticut western news., 1911-03-09
Violent Deaths n Connecticut

Violent Deaths n Connecticut Violent deaths in Connecticut during February numbered 69, accorded to un. official records as compared with Fl for the preceding month. Of the number 46 were accidental deaths and IS sui. cidal. There were no homicides. The totals for January were 52 accidental deaths, IF suicides and two homicides. The February list is divided as follows:
 Accidental deaths, due to trains, 12; burning, 8; falls, 6; drowning, 4; crush ing, 8; asphyxiation. 8; trolleys, 9; coast ing, 9; poison, rur away, scalding, shoot ing, strangulation, patent medicine, each. Suicides, by carbolic acid i, poison other than carbolic 8, hanging 8, shooting ,. jumping 1.
The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-07-08
MI JSEIROONS IN MINE

plying a few select customers, such
as the large restaurants. know a
French waiter who today is making
$1,000 a year out Of what might be
called a small mushroom farm.
"All the work in mushroom farming
comes in starting your bed, and that
isn't real hard work. After that all
you've got to do Is see that 1t Is kept
at the proper temperature by means
of the fertilizer In six weeks you get
your crop.
tThe mushroom market to some ex-
tent has been hurt by the plan adopt
ed by some farmers of giving away
mushrooms as a bonus to their Gus
toners with the other produce. A lot
OF truck farmers are raising mush-
rooms in their cellars just for this pur-
pose.
The Long Island farmers haven't
taken up mushroom farming as COM
mercial venture to any extent and
most Of the mushrooms brought here
from Long Island are natural onesg
They are in a class by themselves and
don't bring anything like as much as
the artificial mushrooms Most people
are afraid Of the natural Mushroom
the old fear of confounding 1t with a
toadstool, suppose. Anyway, you
can't sell them like the Others"