davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
Human Adding Machine Dies
 From Apoplexy
Marvellous Griffith, Who Was to Have Been at POli's This Week, Found Dead in
 Springfield

Marvellous Griffith the wizard of mathematics, who was to have been a headliner at Poli's theatre here this week, was found dead in bed at his hotel at Springfield yesterday morn. ing, apparently having succumbed during the night to a stroke of apop- lexy. He was S1 years of age. and his right name was Arthur F. Griffith. of Milford, Indiana.
 News of Griffith's death was flash ed over the wire to Bridgeport, early yesterday morning and was received with some consternation at the local theatre where Griffith was expected in the morning to rehearse his after noon's act. Manager Poli was in- formed in New Haven and the book ing forces in New York got busy and through the United Booking agency on the way to Bridgeport, within short order, to take Griffth's place on the bill
 Griffith owed his success as a vaudeville star largely to his Man. ager E: K. Nadel, a newspaper man tie town of Milford, Indiana, where Griffith was long regarded as "the town fool,' having a great penchant for mathematics and nothing else.
 Nadel quickly ascertained that Grif- filth was no fool but a mathematical WoAoSI. I1S pCiloi AASA tAChSoi oAAS1A- metical feats that would stagger an adding machine-in fact he won races with adding machines of different makes on several occasions. On a ]. bet in Chicago he took the place of 14 clerks in an auditors office for three hours He could perform the most astounding problems in his head like lightning flash. His secret lay in a number of 'short cuts'' which he had perfected by constant repeti- tion, and also in his immense power of concentration where mathematics were concerned. Give him problem and he would lose himself entirely in 1t. He thought of nothing else and in fact was very dull outside of his ex- traordinary brilliancy in this line.
 Griffith's habits were peculiar and probably led to his death. He would rise early in the morning and eat a very heavy breakfast including ar extraordinary number of eggs. During the greater part of the day he would sit in a hotel window and count the passers-by,S figuring out various numbers thus furnished him. A few act he would go to the theatre, change his coat and go upon the stage with out any makeup, ready for business His habits of. heavy eating, intense concentration and lack of exercise probably gave rise to the apoplectit condition which led to his death. Griffith's place on the Poli bill this week is taken by Charles Lawler and his two pretty daughters, who made a big hit at the opening performance yesterday.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
Foreign Pupils
 Forge To Front
Superintendent of Pennsylvania Schools Says American Stu
 dents Are Lagging

Harrisburg, Pa., Dec. 26-Warning that children of foreign-born parents are outstriping American boys and girls in the public schools of the State is contained in the annual report of pr. W. C.. Schaeffer, State superin- tendent of public instruction. Dr. Schaeffer's unfavorable contrast be- tween the attitude of American chSl- dren and those, of foreign-born par ents is drawn in the following para graph:
 Children born of foreign parents realize the advantages thus placed within their reach. Many of them study with a zeal and ,earnestness which will make them winning com petitors alongside of American youth, who waste their time at social func- tions and in the qualification of self. instead of practicing the self-denial which lies at the foundation of all true success"
 Superintendent Schaeffer makes a plea. for open-air schools for children predisposed to or afflicted with tuber- culosis.
 Superintendent Schaeffer notes that, based upon investigations in New York and Boston, it is estimated that 1000, 900 school children now in the schools in the United States will die of con- sumption before they are IS years of age, 75 per cent of whom could be saved if proper measures be adopt
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
|LlTTlE CHARLES SHERRY
 LOST CHRISTMAS EVENING
Wanders Streets of Southport All Night-Found on Sasco
 Beach Early Christmas Morn
 ing-Other News

E Southport, Dec. 26-After walking the streets of Southport all night and watching the sad sea waves roll upon ing, little Charley Sherry was found yesterday morning.
 Charlie is theNsix-year-O,d son of MT. and Mrs. John Sherry, of Sasco Hill, and is one of the eight children in the family. Charley started from his home on Sunday afternoon about o'clock to attend the. children's service at the church ands enjoyed the fes- stIvities. When it came time to go home, Charlie became lost between the church and his home, which are two miles apart .4-. iN
 With a candy cane. in one hand and a toy engine in the other, little Char ley was off on his midnight tour. or taking possible chance of meeting Santa Claus on his way from the North Pole or not, is unknown, but he did not return home that night. A searching party was formed and a score of neighbors started out to find the missing child. Telephones were used, but without result.
 It was not until yesterday morning that he was found on Sasco beach. Joseph Smith and Harold Seeley were the first to see the little form at a distance. As they approached the lit tie one they say that he was crying and shivering with cold. They took him home to his parents, who were overjoyed. He had wandered there during the early part of the evening and was unable to find his way back again He didn't know where he was, so he sat on the sand and cried all night.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
STEPNEY

MT. and Mrs. Solon Wales and daughters, Pearl and Edith started they will spend the holidays with Mrs. Ernest Proudman at Hampton.
 Miss Marjorie Coiiors spent few days in New Milford and enjoyed the Christmas holiday with her parents.
 Mrs. Bertha Sutherland closed her school on Friday for a short vaca- ton. In the afternoon the children enjoyed a Christmas tree on which Mrs. Sutherland had placed gifts for all. She was in return rem embered with several pretty gifts from her pupils.
 Mrs: Edmond Lyon, Jr. has recent ly visited at the home of MT. and Mrs. Jerome Platt in Dodgingtown. E. N. Sipperly & Co., have been very busy for some time past drilling wells in this vicinity. During the past week they have been drilling a well for Edwards s. Beardsley. Miss Luella Davis of Dodgingtown is enjoying vacation with her par ents, MT. and Mrs. Robert Davis.
 A Christmas concert will be given in the Methodist church on Wsdnes- day evening, Dec. 27th. There will be a Christmas tree for the children. Everybody is cordially invited to be present.
 Miss Ella Beyer, clerk at B. Flaw ley & Co.'s. store is spending her vacation with her parents in Sher- man.
 Sunday visitors at Mir. and Mrs. Zalmon Purdy's we're MT. Leslie Pur- dy and MT. and Mrs. William Purdy of Bridgeport.
 MT. and Mrs. Fred Sutherland spent Christmas as the guest of Mrs. Suth- erlands sister in Torrington. Perry B. Hubbell had the good for tune, on Friday, to shoot valuable red fox.
 Miss Gertrude Craft of Danbury mas vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Craft. There will be an entertainment held in the Baptist church basement on Tuesday evening, Dec. 26. The entertainment will consist of songs and recitations also. Mrs. Santa Claus, Jack Frost and a fairy will be in at tree with gifts for the children. After which games will be played and a general good time enjoyed. All are cordially invited to attend.
 MT. and Mrs. John Hinckley spent Christmas in Bridgeport as the guest of their daughter, Mrs. William Skin ner.
 The Methodist prayer meeting will be held Tuesday evening this week instead of Wednesday evening. Sub- ject, '"The Good Tidings,'' chapter, Luke 2.
 Misses Vera Hubbell and Mabel Hayes are spending their ten days vaca tion with their parents in this place.
 Miss Grace Osborne spent Saturday in Bridgeport.
 The friends of Mrs. Alfred Provost will be glad to learn that she is slow ly improving.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
EAsTON

Miss Mildred Standish of wethers- field, who has been spending several days as guest of her brother and sis> ter. Mir. and Mrs. Carl Silliman has returned to her home.
 Miss Mary S. Ferris, teacher at the Sport Hill school, closed her school on Friday. The school room was very prettily decorated with greens and also Christmas tree. Miss Ferris presented the following program in Time is Coming" Christmas greet ings. Newell Warner; Ready for Christmas, Mary vankovics; solo. A Christmas; lullaby. Marjorie Jennings; A Secret with Santa Claus. Bertha Allen; Make Christmas All the Time. a duet: dialogue. No Peddlers Want ed. the Best Claus. Mary Huscsak; The Christmas Secrets, Walter Hall class exercise, Bringing Earth a Christmas Crown; dialogue, Daddy Darwin's Christmas in acts; The Christmas Tree, John Vankovics; solo, My Stocking. Evelyn Kent; A Schem- CT, Isabella Vankovics; chorus, Mer- rily, Cheerily, Swing, MT. Blue Stock ing, Alec Allen; chorus, Christmas is Here; Sly Santa Claus, Della Allen: dialogue, Santa Claus and the Chil- dren, F character in costume; A Telephone Message, William Warner; class exercise. Round the Christmas
 
 Miklos. After the program, Santa Claus came down the chimney and distributed the presents The teach CT received many useful and pretty gifts. The proceeds went toward li- brary and music books for the school.
 Miss Mary c. Wheeler is spending a flew days as guest of Dr. and Mrs. Smythe of Bridgeport.
 MT. and Mrs Charles Burr enter tained several of their friends with a social dance at their home on We'd nesday evening. The Davis Brothers furnished the music and dancing was enjoyed until late hour. About 36 was present A fine colEation was served.
 Miss Allen of Georgia. is spending a few days as guest of her friend, Miss Ruth Mallette of Tashua.
 Miss Ruth Mallette, teacher at the Yellow school. closed her school on Friday with Christmas exercises and a Christmas tree. The children ex- changed gifts and each pupil received a gift from their teacher.
 Three schools, the Adams, the Pri- mary Centre and the Academy, teach CTS, Miss Edith Logan, Miss Annie Logan and Mir. Cook, united and held their Christmas exercises together in the Academy on Friday afternoon.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
Fairfield
Special to The Farmer)

(SOeclai to The Farmer)
 Fairfield. Dec. 26-Bacons Wakeman, Justice of the Peace. has rendered judgment in the case of Charles A. Wintzer, a painter, against pr. Louis Smirnow. of Bridgeport.
 Several months ago Wintzer and Smirnow made contracts, in which Wintzer was to do some decorating at the Smirnow home on State street, Bridgeport. The price was $85, after which other work amounting to SIS was agreed upon. It is alleged that Wintzer started his work and did a little now and then, but did not fin ish the job. He claimed he was in- terrupted by some one in the doctors family. The contractor claimed that pay, which he was refused. Dr. Smir- now then called another painter to finish the work, which cost him $33. 40 Justice Wakeman allows Wintzer $69.75
 Joseph Martin, of Danbury, was wis iting friends in town yesterday.
 The children's service Sunday even ing at the Congregational church, was pleasing After the service was end- ed, the choral singing class started from the church about 40 strong and visited many homes including those of sick and invalid members of the parish. Several songs were sung in | carried to light the way and all sang Old English hymns. Among other homes visited were Rev. Allan E Beeman. Mrs. Samuel Glover, Mrs John Nichols. Mrs. Morris Lyon, Mrs Edward Osborn. Mrs. Frances Burr Connover and Mrs. Mary S. Mills.
 Biting Deyo is with his parents, MT and Mrs. J. Biting Deyo. He is en- ployed as an instructor of a private school in South Britain.
 The B. D. Pierce company, oi shovel to Easton, where they are building piece of road for the Bridgeport Hydraulic company. Thi. shovel will double their working ca. pacity and will enable them to- rusf the work to completion early nex summer.
 R. s. Dunlop, of Detroit, Michigan is a guest at the home of MT. ana Mrs. William H. Donaldson.
 John Buckingham, is at home from college for the holidays.
 The children's Christmas tree anG exercises. Sunday evening at the St Thomas church, were we'll attended The tree was erected at one end ot the hall, and decorated in a pretty manner. Forty small electric lights were strung. The chorus of twelve little girls sang several well rendered selections. Each child in the hall re. ceived a toy, a box of candy and ar orange. There were over 300 childrer present.
 At four o'clock yesterday afternoon a couple stepped off a Bridgeport cal and upon entering the Boyle Phar macy asked is Justice of the Peace Boyle was in. MT. Boyle was out d the time and they asked if there was another marrying justice in the town They were directed to the home o1 Justice Bacon Wakeman, where the knot was later tied. He gave his name as Charles Bulkley of Fall River Mass, and said he was 53 She i: Mary Timber, divorced, of Bridge. port. She admitted 45 years.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
GETS NOTABLE PAINTING. 'tAdoratiOn of the Magi" Added t
 Wadswofth Atheneum.

Hartford, Dec. 26.-The art gallery of the Morgan Memorial of the Wadsworth Atheneum was enriched yesterday by the gift of a painting, ''The Alteration of the Magi," from the brush of Luca Giordano, one of the last of the great Italian school of painters. who died in 17O5. The do- nor is Herbert Randall, of this city, in memory of his wife, Alice E.. Saw telle. Artists who have studied the canvas call it a rare piece of coloring. MT. Randall rescued the painting from obscurity during the tearing down of a very old building in which it has lain neglected for nearly half a century. George H. Story, curator emeritus of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, later examined the work and attributed it to Giordano.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
COLONIAL BALL ROOM CROWDED

McEnelley's Singing Orchestra proved an unusually attractive draw ing card at the Colonial ball room both afternoon and evening yesterday tra which has been introduced to the Bridgeport public at great expense by Prof. Guilty, is not only novelty, but every member an adept in the use of their instrument, and the sing ing is of the very highest order. Their willingness to respond to the number less encores, the spirit with which they enter into their entertainment, and the novelty music introduced makes them an innovation, and a de- lightful surprise to all who hear them. It is well worth the price of admis- sion alone to listen to the excellent musical program which proceeds the dancing. They will make a return engagement early in January.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
AIR RIFLES PROHIBITED.

ported at the Emergency hospital, yes- terday, following the receipt of nu- merous air guns as Christmas gifts by young hopefuls throughout the city. None of the accidents was seri- ous. but all had serious possibilities. The worst was that to Harry Quick, aged 12, of 695 Beechwood avenue, who was struck in the temple with such force that the bullet f1attened against his skull
 Supt. Birmingham has instructed his men to stop boys from using air guns on the streets, owing to the numerous accidents as well as to frequent com plaints regarding broken windows, etc.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
THE SOUTHPORT SAVINGS BANK
One Hundred and Fifteenth
 Semi Annual Dividend

This Bank has declared a dividend of Two per cent, payable January 1st, 1912, on all deposits made prior to July 9th, 1911, and of One per cent. on all deposits made after July 5th and prior to October 6tn, 1911.
 Hereafter deposits made with The Southport Savings Bank, on or before the first of any month will draw in- crest from the first of that month, except that deposits made between the first and fifth of January or July will draw interest from the first.
 HENRY HI. PERRY. Treasurer Southport, Conn.
 December 20th, 1911. T21 stf
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
TEDDY WARMINGHAM OFFICIAL PRINTER
 AT HOTEL TAFT

member of the local branch of the Typographical Union assumed his du- ties this morning as official printer for the new Hotel Taft in New Ha- ven. Teddy as he is familiarly known has been employed on the Wa terbury Democrat but left his posi- tion there Friday night to accept the new position in New Haven. Mir.
 Warmingham was once foreman of the composing room of The Farmer, and has held positions with other Bridge port newspapers. He has many friends who will wish him success. .
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
YOUTHS HELD UP TROLLEY.
Waterbury Young Men Make Full
 Confession to Police.

Waterbury, Dec. 26.-Roy Birdsall, 19 and Donald Birdsall, IT, were ar- rested here last night on tEa charge of being the men who held up a troll ley car on the Watertown line last Wednesday night and robbed the con ductor of $23.70. The boys made a they were arrested and also confessed that they tried to hold up car on the Cheshire line last Saturday night, but quit when they saw that there was large number of passengers on board.
 Four revOlvers were found by the detectives when they searched the room which the boys had been occu- pying at 629 North Main street, for several days. The prisoners were taken to Watertown for a hearing to- day, as the holdup was committed in that town.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
BARBER WORKED SUNDAY

Michael Elongo, a barber with a shop at 194 Hallett street, was fined $25 and costs in the city court, yes- terday morning, for working on Sun day. He was arrested at o'clock Sunday morning by Patrolman Dali wig while two men were being shaw ed. E.ongo tried to tell the city court that his customers were rela- tives, but when questioned he couldn't remember their names.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
WANTED HER HUSBAND.

When Mrs. Hazel Cove, colored, of New Haven, was arraigned in the city court, yesterday morning, charg- ed with the theft of SPA from Frank Ward on Saturday night, she asked Judge Wilder to continue the case fir order that her husband might be in formed and that she might have the benefit of his sage advice. Judge Wilder continued the case until Thurs day under bonds of $500.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
FINED FOR AssAIJIT

Howard Baker of 1504 Pembroke street, was fined $25 and costs in the city court, yesterday morning, for as- sault on his father. Fred Baker. It was claimed that the younger Baker came home Saturday night loaded down to the gunwales with too much spirituous cheer
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
STAMFORD BRIEFS.

Over 100 men were in line yesterday morning when the members of the Holy Name Society of St. James church marched from the rectory to vice and mass at 8:30. There was special music by the choir under the direction of Miss Lulu OConnor aided by soloists. Rev M J. OConnor preached an able sermon to the men and explained the objects of the so- ciety and the desirabflity of holding the tongue in check. At 10:30 a sol emn high mass solemnized with spe- cial music.
 Miss Amy Gaines is passing the hol- idays with Mrs. c. w. Blakeslee, of King street
 Miss Frances E. Robinson has re- turned from Paterson. N. J., where she has been stopping for several weeks.
 MT. and Mrs. George Dickerson of New York, are the guests of 41rs. w. B. Futile.
 Samuel Dickinson of New York. and Mrs. Sylvanus Dickinson, of Church street.
 Rex Delacour is the guest of his mother, Mrs. Margaret Delacour, of King street.
 Capt. Moses Hyde, Oliver Park, Wal ter Park, Herbert Buck and other Stratford boys who are now in the employ of the Sealshipt Oyster Co. at East Providence. are home for the holidays
 There have been several applications from manufacturing concerns for fac tory sites at Knowlton Park. It is expected that some of these will de- eide to locate there. A rubber man. ufactory from up the road wanted a site near the track, but objections on account of the odor were made and the deal fell through. Another proposi- tions is under consideration by MT. Knowlton and decision is expected in the matter this week, perhaps to- day. The availability of the property along the track for factory locations is becoming better known, and in a few years the track will be lined with such enterprises.
 The funeral of Helen A., wife of Ephriam N. Wakelee, was held from her late residence in the north end. Sunday afternoon. The interment wSa at Union cemetery.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
MASONIC NOTES

There will be a stated communica- tion of Corinthian lodge, F. & A. M. this evening at 7:3O.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26

Nearly all the new long coats have the large sleeve.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
-P A T F N T g.

A. M. WOOSTER, AftoTrevSsf>T,svs
 Late Examiner Q. S. Pafeuf f1nfee fO04 MAIN ST BRTDGEP ST, CT Send Postal fri Booklet O. Pssenfs
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
THE NEW ELECTRIC LIGHT MAZDA

These Lamps furnished only f<y ess< toners connected with onr service
 CHEAPER and BETTER tfaaH sgy other LIGHT.
 Let us give you an esffrsate e v~frs and fit your store or o6fce with fhes~ Lamps.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-26
Snaford Nobteman
 Matrimonial Catch
Over 20 Ladies Have Offered Their Hands and Hearts to Sir George William Northey- NOrthedge
Especial to The Farmer.)

Stratford, Dec. 26-Since the news papers have announced that Stratford has a real live lord and that in addi- tion to this he is about to claim an enormous fortune in Montreal. the mails have been burdened with propo- sStions. of marriage from ladies living in different parts of the United States The object of these tender attentions from the fair sex is Sir George Will liam Northey- -Northedge, resident of Stratford avenue and prominent in Grand Army circles. Sir George is a well preserved man and born gen. tleman. He enjoys the distinction of being veteran of the civil war and is the son of aiveteran also.
 ], He has lived quietly in the town the prominence which has been forced upon him. He has received over twenty letters from ladies who desire to become Lady Northey- Northedge S Almost every State in the Union is represented in these tender missives. refined, others a little bold, have all offered their hands and hearts to the veteran.
 A few of them state they have snde- pendent fortunes, Others have only their loving hearts to offer. Sir George refuses to exhibit this volum- inous correspondence and denies that he regards any of the offers seriously. He simply states that perhaps he may answer some of the letters. AS the fortune which is to come to Sir George amounts to over $500, 900, he has ar rived at the reasonable conclusion that the e.fortune is the great attraction. Some of the offers come from young women in their teens.
 The photographs which accompanied some of the missives are of remark ably handsome women. In the lot are half dozen actresses who are willing to leave the stage and devote themselves to domestic life. A Phil adelphia widow with no incumbrances, says she owns block in that city, goes in the best society of the Quaker City and is prepared with the assist ance of Str Georges fortune to give him the time of his life. A Western woman owns a big ranch and desires a. financial as well as matrimonial partner.
 Sir George is waiting to hear from his attorneys. who have assured him that all that is needed is the usual forms of law before the estate is turn ed over to him. He has already es- tabHshed his ancestry and his claims to the estate are said to be beyond question.