davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
HOW ROCKEFELLER
SNATCHED PART
OF MILLIONS
Story Told of His Highwayman
Methods
ASSISTED BY A MINISTER
Merritt Brothers Were Robbed Of Ten
Millions by sanctimonious
John D.

Washington, Nov. 23.-This was
the last day of the Stanley Steel Com
mittee's hearings until Congress
meets, and the question OF authority
to proceed with the investigation is
thrashed out in the House OF Repre-
sentatives. 1t was day of dramatic
interest.
The story was continued OF two
lumber Jacks who discovered the i'm
mense iron deposits of the Mesaba
Range and worked hard to build a
railroad into the Minnesota wilder
ness, only, as they allege, to have II
snatched from them by John d.
Rockefeller, aided by Baptist min
lister and a brother. Members of the
committee who were squarely OPP
posed to continuing the investigation
became so interested they forgot
their objections and followed every
word of the story.
Leonidas Merritt, brother OF Alfred
who testified yesterday, said he was
introduced to Mr.. Rockefeller by a
Baptist minister the Rev. f. d. Gates
who later came to the Merritts and
proposed deal that would ruin other
stockholders while the Merritts
would remain intrenched with Rookie
Teller. To this proposal Leonllas
Merritt said he answered.
GO back to John d. Rockefeller
and tell him that when / steal | will
steal for myself
The specific charge which the Mer-
ritts make against Mr.. Rockefeller is
that on their rejecting this alleged
proposal, the ore President. through
Gates, as his agent took from them
in 1898 100000 in Mesaba Iron
Mine and Duluth, Missabe & North
ern Railroad securities to salty a
call loan of $420,000. These securi
ties were afterward sold to the
United States Steel Corporation, and
are today a part OF that corporations
vast holdings.
One of the strangest features Of
the story was the disclosure that the
two Merritts partly owed their undo
ing to brother. Louis T. Merritt,
now living on the Pacific Coast, and
said TO be worth S3O,OOO,0OO. Louis
they say, went to Mr.. Rockefeller and
told him every detail of the financial
condition of the brothers, and so
helped him to know, they say, when
to force them to the wall
Mr.. Stanley announced that John
D. Rockefeller and the Rev. Mr.
Gates would be called to testify be-
fore the committee. Mr.. Reid, coun-
sci for the steel company, asked II
the committee was competent to go
into the details OF Mr.. Rockefellers
acquisition OF the Minnesota propre-
ties, to which Mr. Stanley replied
II feel | am performing the great
est public service / ever did in my
life"
How? In connection with the in.
ter State commerce law?' asked Mr.
Reid.
ITO humanity" replied Mr.. Stan.
ley.
A strong case was made out in the
testimony showing that an ore late
of 50 cents per ton was charged over
the Steel Trusts railroad, rate by
which, for every ton carried for an
Independent company, the Steel Cor.
poration could make enough to carry
three tons of its own ore from the
mine to the Lake Superior docks.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
WILLIAMSBURG womANs LUCK
Mrs. Dudley Ward Drops a Big Buck
Near New Ashford Line

Mrs. Dudley Ward of the Hopper
at Williamstown shot a buck weigh.
ing 200 pounds Wednesday morning
close to the New Ashford line. She
went out with party of hunters but
strayed from them in the neighbor-
hood of Roaring Brook, some three
or four miles above South Williams
town. She was near the brook when
the deer came down to drink and she
dropped him the first shot
She Immediately engaged a farmer
to take her with her prize to her
home in the Hopper. She is the wife
Of Dudley Ward, Williamstown
owns a large farm in the Hopper.
Three other deer have been shot
In Williamstown since Monday. The
first was shot by Walter Blake above
Hemlock brook, the second was shot
by Robert S. Rhodes at the base of
Greylock mountain, and the third
was shot by Cleon Torrey in River
side, in full view OF the passengers
OF an electric car that was passing.
All three were bucks.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
FREAK HORNS ON
BUCK SHOT IN
SALISBURY
Harrison MiIIington's Prize Had
Seen Many Seasons
FOUR BUCKS IN A BUNCH
Bennington Party Brought Home
Fine ouartette From Kelly
Stand District

One Of the largest and at the same
time most curiously arranged sets
OF antlers ever seen by sportsmen in
this vicinity is on the head Of buck
deer killed in SALISBURY valley by
Harrison Millington OF that town and
exhibited this forenoon at the Burke
market on South street. The antlers
were heavy and had spread of over
20 inches but the freak feature was
two extra points, one on each side
and pointing outward and downward.
The freak points, too, do not taper
like the others but are nearly uni
form in size for the entire length and
blunt at the ends
That the buck was an old animal
was evident not only from the size
of the horns but also from general APP
pearances, and the worn condition o.
the hoofs. Both ears were slit in
the same manner which lead many
persons to the belief that the buck
was one of the original animals re-
leased in Bennington and Rutland
counties in 1873 This, however,
could not be possible, for II is known
that the average life of deer in the
wild state is not over Is years and
even in parks where they are regu-
larry fed and cared for, 20 years is
the limit
The original deer story failed in
another direction. The ears OF the
deer released in the spring of 1878
were not slit nor were tags put In
the ears as some persons have sta
ted. The ears were punched with a
punch making a round hole and the
instrument is still in the possession
OF p. W. Clement of Rutland, one OF
the men who was instrumental I'm
stocking the state 33 years ago.
There is a handsome quartette Of
bucks hanging in the Sears Brothers
market at the corner OF North and
Main streets. The deer were killed
near the Kelly stand in Sunderland
by Raymond and Leon Percy Burt
Harmon and William Sears. Two OF
the bucks will weigh over 200 pounds
and all have good heads Of antlers.
DR.. p. T. Lee returned Wednesday
from Stamford with a buck and
George Hawkins came in from Pow
nal with deer killed on Mason hill.
A woodchopper was in the village
wednesday night and stated that
there was a deer hanging in front
OF the cabin on the upper DunvilIe.
where J. NJ. Ayres and Morris Wall
are in camp.
5. +. Wood shot a small buck in
The Dunyille section Wednesday.
Charles Whitman OF Arlington was
one Of the lucky hunters in that town
and some of the venison was receiy-
ed by his brother, j. H. Whitman in
thus village.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
ArwooD's STADIUM FLIGHT
Harvard Men Hope He Won't FLY
over the Yale Contest.

Cambridge. Nov. 2s.-Regarding
the published statement OF Harry N.
Atwood, the aviator, that he would
make a flight over the Harvard Stad-
ium, on the afternoon Of the Harvard
Yale football game, Saturday. Gradu.
ate Treasurer William +. Garcelon
says.
While We recognize that there is
at present no law on the statute
books preventing an aviator from fly.
ing over the football field on the day
OF the Harvard.Yale game. | think
that all Harvard graduates feel very
strongly that such thing should not
occur.
with 10000 people in the Stadium
there must be danger In having n fly.
ing machine moving about over the
spectators. sincerely hope that Mr..
Atwood or any other aviator will not
lily over the field OF play or over the
stands In which the people are seated
IL seems to me that public opinion
ought to prevent such an occur.
renee
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
DR.. D. CIRCUIT SAYS
BIOS WOR tn is
NOT INSANE
Essex Junction Murderer Loses
His Hope
TRIAL IS NEARING END
Or. Grout Says Bosworth May Be
Mentally Inferior But Mind Is
Not Diseased

Burlington, Nov. 22.-Arthur Bos-
worth's last hope OF cheating the gal
lows by the plea that he was insane
when he shot Mae La Belle, at Essex
Junction June Z, faded as the twi-
light shadows heightened over Chit
tenden County court room late this
afternoon The witness, DR.. Don d.
Grout, superintendent of the state
hospital, upon whose testimony the
defense hoped to show that Bos-
worth is insane, testified that in his
opinion, based on his observation of
Bosworth, the prisoner was perfectly
sane.
DR.. Grout stated that the respon-
dent might be inferior mentally to
the average man but that in his opin-
ion there was not the slightest evil
dence to show that Bosworth was in
sane when he shot Mae LaBelle or at
the present time.
Bosworth turned shade paler
when this last straw, at which he
had been grasping was torn from his
reach. With this last prop by which
the defense hoped to at least save
the respondent from death, removed
from their case, the attorneys for
Bosworth rested.
Bosworth may know his fate by to-
morrow evening as the arguments
will begin tomorrow morning and
the case will probably be in the
hands OF the jury by late afternoon.
The trial moved along today I'M
marked by anything out of the or
binary. The courtroom was packed
to overlooking and women formed a
large percentage of the spectators.
Dr. Grout's positive statement that
Bosworth could not in his opinion be
considered insane followed an at
tempt on the part of the defense to
place witnesses on the stand who
would testify that the prisoner was
not a safe man to be at large. Four
witnesses from the Royal Victoria
hospital in Montreal, where Bosworth
was employed before he came to Els.
sex Junction. were called TO testify
that the man always had high tenn.
per while at the institution.
The defense was unable. however,
to show that the respondent ever
acted In anyway that would denote
that he was positively insane.
The evidence by DIR. Grout that
closed the defense's case came at the
end of a half hours questioning in
which DR.. Grout told of observing
Bosworth at Waterbury.
Have you been able TO find any
evidence OF insanity" asked Attor-
ney A. l.. Sherman.
Il have not replied DR.. Grout
The witness added in reply to a fur
Their question that his statement
should only be taken as his opinion.
based on his observation.
You stated you had given your
opinion as to his not being insane.
! want to ask you II by your opinion
you mean anything except your best
and honest judgment under the bur
den that is cast upon you by the law
OF undertaking TO determine the
truth or falsity OF that question. Do
you mean anything except your best
Judgment from your observation"
i have stated 1t just exactly as |
understand 1t, after using my best en-.
beavers to solve the problem" re-
piled DR.. Grout
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
FINES A JOY RIDER $40
Young Brattleboro Chauffeur May
Yet Face Another Charge

Brattleboro, Nov. 23.-Judge vii.
liam r. Daley In municipal court on
Tuesday afternoon imposed fine OF
$40 and costs of S2653 upon Harold
Shafner. the is year old chauffeur,
who ran his car at n high rate OF
speed into a dump cart driven by
Henry Goddard In this town on Sep.
TENDER 20 last and throwing Goddard
to the ground, injured him so serious.
ly that II was necessary for him to
undergo an operation at the Memoir.
ial hospital the following day.
The accident was the finale OF n
JOY ride INDUCED in by William S.
Fleming, the owner OF light touring
car. and Shaifner. a friend, who was
running the machine. States Attor.
ney Frank Il. Barber appeared for the
state and insisted that more than n
nominal fine be imposed. There Is
still a charge OF assault over shaifner
and he is held In $500 bonds. Should
Goddard die from his injuries within
year from the date OF the accident
the charge against Shaffner would be
changed to manslaughter.
Goddard is In a very feeble cohiit.
ion though he appeared in court and
told OF the accident. A. r. Schwenk
appeared for ShafIner and urged that
the second case DO discontinued but
the states attorney decided TO keen
II on the docket until the condition
OF Mr. Goddard changed for the hot.
ter.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
NEGLIGENCE AT AUSTIN DAM
President and Superintendent o,
Pulp Company Indicted.

That the Austin dam disaster ~
September 30 was due to gross ne
gligence on the part OF George C
bayless. president, and Frei N. Ham
lin, superintendent OF the Dayless
pulp and paper company. was the
unanimous verdict OF the coroner's
jury after three-hours deliheratIon
over the testimony taken at the in.
quest at Coudersport. Pa. which con.
cluded Tuesday with the Testimony
OF I. c. Hatton OF Wilmington. Del
the designing and constructing enri.
neer OF the dam.
Earlier in the day HamlIn and Mi.
chael c. Bailey. an employee in charge
OF the dam, were arrajgned on
charge of manslaughter on warrants
sworn to by the husbands IF two
victims OF the food. A warrant for
Bayiess has also been issued. He
lives in Binghamton, ~ Y. AMI is not
expected TO appear Until later sThe
district attorney represented the com
monwealth at the arraignment which
was not completed Tuesday night
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
THE FoRTNIeHTLY
Interesting Program for Saturday
Afternoon

The next meeting Of the Fortnight
ly will take place Saturday, Novem-
Der 25, in charge of the committee on
Current Events, Mrs. G. Philip En-
dress, Miss Hazel Mcleod and Mrs.
II. NJ. Richie. They will present the
subject in distinctly unique man
ner, in that several late books OF &C.
ton, and others on the questions of
the day viii be reviewed by several
members Of the club. The reviews
viii. be the personal opinions of those
who take part, and will be presented
entertainingly. The committee hopes
the members will feel interested n
these efforts and that large number
will be present.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
WOODBURY. GRANITE CO.
Gets Contract for Big Postoffice AZ
Minneapolis.

Minneapolis.
Hardwick. Nov. 2s.-Word was re-.
oeived here today at the office of the
Woodbury. Granite Co. that the
United States government had award
ed to the company the contract for
furnishing the granite to be used in
the exterior construction OF the new
postoiiice at Minneapolis. This is
the largest postofIice granite contract
awarded this year and although the
price Is not given out, II is In the
neighborhood OF a quarter OF n mil.
lion dollars. The work OF supplying
the necessary stone will keep this
company's sheds busy on full force
FOR six months.
According to the wording OF the
contract the Woodbury. company
must quarry cut, carve. TRANSPORT
and put In place all of the granite
Work viii be begun at once.
This Is the twenty.secend most.
ofiice contract that the Woodbury.
company has been awarded by the
government this year.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
KILLED BY REJECTED LovERY

Waltham, Mass. Nov. 2s.-Rejec.
won OF his proposal OF marriage is
believed to have been the cause OF
the shooting last night OF Miss Clio.
Vaninio Natal, II years old
a door behind her was pushed
open while she was eating. and abe
was shot through the head The no.
nee immediately began a search for
Domanio Beninatti. aged go.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
MONEY FOR ROADS
Empire State Has Spent Nearly
Three Million Dollars.

Albany, Nov. 22.--New York state
has spent nearly $4,000. 900 this year
for maintenance OF It's state, county
and town roads, and In the opinion of
G. Gordon Reel, State Superintendent
OF Highways. II will cost 1000. 900
annually to maintain these roads
when the system now contemplated
is completed.
The burning question with the do.
partment" said Mr.. Reel today. "ls
that OF maintenance. Our system of
town roads cost s6.500,O00 this year,
l'6OO,OOO OF which the state paid,
and our system of state and county
roads cost almost n million and n
half alone, s1,2OO,OOO of which was
paid by the state"
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE
Frank Heath Of Canaan viii Not Be
Tried This Term.

Guildhall. Nov. 22.-The case of the
state OF Vermont against Frank
Heath Of Canaan will not be tried at
this term OF the Essex county court.
Heath was indicted by the grand jury
on charge OF manslaughter as re-
suit OF an automobile accident in
which he ran into wagon driven by
Mrs. Frank Halves and two children.
throwing Mrs. Halves out and infiict-
ing serious injuries. which, it is al
legged, caused her death some hive
weeks later.
This case makes the 18th homicide
case that High Sheriff Richard Beat
tie has had to do with since Decem-
Der, 1902. Previous TO that time
there had been only one such case in
the history Of the county.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
INJURED BY FALLING LOG
'Readsboro Teachers Victims
Strange Accident.

Miss Mary A. Clark, principal OF
the high school at Readsboro, VT and
John d. Hillard. principal OF the
grammar school in the same town,
were both injured last Thursday by
splinters from big log which came
tearing down a precipice in that town
while they were walking together.
Miss Clark who is the daughter OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas b. Clark OF
Lee, started for home Saturday and
got as far as Pittsheld where she col
lapsed, and since that time she has
been at the home of an aunt, Miss
Katherine M. Mitchell in Pittsheld.
Mr.. billiard was injured somewhat
less. He was for several years until
last June principal of the school at
North Pownal
The couple were walking near the
foot OF a hill Just beyond log tum
bled down the hillside where there
was n sheer declivity OF 200 feet,
carrying small trees and bushes be-
fore X.
Both pedestrians heard the thun.
der OF the falling log, but had no
time to get out of the way before It
fell down by them, striking a bould-
er, and broke In pieces. They were
struck by a shower of splnters and
both knocked unconscious.
Miss Clark's body was badly bruls-
ed, her shoulders lacerated and her
face cut. On one side OF he face was
cut four-inch cash and Just over
the left temple another long cash.
Mr.. Hlllard's injuries were nearly as
bad.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
IMPORTANT DEAL
David 6elaseo Acquires Interest In
Syndicate Theatres.

New York. Nov. 2S.-Announce.
ment ls made from the New York OF.
ices OF Klaw & Erlanger OF what is
said to be the most important theatri.
cal transaction in recent years. by
which David Belasoo acquires a one.
third interest In six Of the most i'm.
portant syndicate theatres In cities
outside OF New York and Chicago.
Two or tho theatres affected are
new houses, the metropolitan. Seattle
ana the Atlanta theatre. Atlanta. The
other playhouses are the Mason
opera house, Los Angeles, the Cen.
fury and Olympic theatres, 81. Louis
ana tho Empire theatre, Syracuse.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
JOHN F. DRYDEN DYING
Very Weak After Operation and End
Seemed Near

Ex-senator John f. Dryden of New
Jersey who was operated on last Sat.
urday for the removal OF gall stones
at his home in Newark, was said
late Wednesday night to be gradu.
ally sinking, and II was feared that
he would not live through the night
The operation seems to have been
more OF a severe test on Mr.. Dry
den's strength than was at first be-
lieved to be the case. II was said
earlier in the day that he was much
weaker but his physicians. Drs. Ed.
ward j. III and Charles ]. Ill were
hopeful that the patient would gradu.
ally regain the strength he has lost
Mr.. Dryden is president of the Pru.
dental Insurance company.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
he Friends To Value Are Those Who Your Friends Time
GIFT TO HEAToN HOSPITAL
Mary Walton Dewey Leaves $4,000
to the Prussia Walton Room.

Montpelier, Nov. 23-Mary Walton
Dewey, lately deceased has LETT
$4,000 for the care of the Prussia
Walton Room in the Heaton hospital.
She was the daughter of Gen. e. r..
Walton, a former congressman and
editor
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
DISEASED MEAT CHARGED
Preferred Against St. Adams sausao,
Maker.

ST. Adams, Nov. 23.-John POM
WIGS was arrested yesterday after.
noon on the charge OF keeping ais.
eaaed meat in his sausage factory
ana meat market on Lake street and
aiso on the charge Of putting the
meat IN sausages. The arrest was
made after the health authorities hsd
o ..,s a COW Just brought there
""u which was described as putrId
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
WEATHER FORECAST

probabilities for This Section 70, 81.
Next ~ Hours.
For eastern New York and Western
vermont rain on the coast Rain or
snow interior tonight and probablv
Friday Warmer east aud south nor.
lions tonight. ''" ''''
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-23
WILSON SEEMS TO
Be CHOICE OF
DEMOCRATS
other Candidates May be
Strong in Spots
GORE is FOR WILSON
Claim Made That the Republicans
are Growing Less Favorable
to Taft

Madison. Wis, Nov 22.-The
friends of Gov. woodrow Wilson OF
New Jersey openly proclaim that
they win carry the fight for the IN
dorsement of the candidate they rep
resent to the Democratic voters Vi
Wisconsin. 49,
In this case the same list OF dele
gates will appear under each name Oh
a Presidential candidate on the par
LOT. and although the delegate candl-
dates will be certain OF election tne
presidential candidate whom they
will support will not be known untli
after the Presidential votes in the
primary are counted. This plan
seems acceptable to the Wilson peo-
pie
If. however. the Democratic con
vention which it is proposed to holo
in February, should indorse cahai-
dates for delegates whom 1t was
believed might not give loyal support
TO Gov. Wilson, but men who were
known to be at heart friendly 10
some one OF the other Democratic
candidates for the Presidency 1t is
likely that the Wilson people VIII
bring out an entirely new slate.
Oklahoma City, Okla, Nov. u
Woodrow Wilson, according TO the
opinion of United States Senator
Thomas P. Gore, is not only the most
available Presidential candidate tor
1912 that the Democratic Party has
AT present. but the blind Senator
saws he is by far the strongest Ihe
Senator gives expression to these
views in letters to active Democratic
political workers all over the state
In his letter he says
"Since March 4 l have visited
twenty-six or seven States. harmon
is strong in West Virginia and Mary
land. Clark has a strong following In
Iowa. Kentucky and Southern Illinois
but Wilson is the man everywhere
else. | have just visited Colorado
Utah. Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico
California and Oregon, and ] think
that Wilson will carry all these
States with probably one exception:
In case the replies are favorable II
is expected that Senator Gore VIII
throw the full weight Of his influence
for Wilson.
Tacoma, Wash, Nov. 22-Many
progressives oppose the efforts being
made to induce Gov. Hay to call an
extra legislative session to pass a
law permitting direct primaries on
Presidential candidates. Gov. Hay
has decided to hold public hearing
at Tacoma on Dec to determine
this question.
Only thirty-five progressives attend
ed Pierce County meeting held
here last night. Nearly every speak
er favored President Taft, and de-
.olared against an extra session OF the
Legislature, asserting 1t would be a
useless expense.
Representative Warburton and
William l.. LaFollette favor conven-
ing the Legislature. However, Rep
resentative LaFollette, who Is a
cousin of Senator LaFollette has de-
clared his belief that Taft will be
renominated and that the Progress
sive Republicans everywhere will sup
port him.