The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-30
SCHOOL MASTER
 IN BAD AGAIN
More Trouble at Georgetown Because of Presidency of
 Former Prime pal
FORGED ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL
Mir. HOdgdon is Put Out as He Starts
 to Read the Morning Prayer.

South NorwaIk. Jan. s0-As he was reading the Lords prayer in the Georgetown Public School yesterday morning, James W. s. Hodgdon. the ex-principal, was grabbed by the col lar by the stalwart little committee man, John w Ferris, and pushed through the hall and down the flight of twenty steps leading to the yard These were the same steps that the physical culturist took headlong when forcefully elected by the same com m1tteeman three weeks ago.
 MT Hodgdon was just able to get out of bed yesterday after his last at tempt at resuming sessions. He in tends to bring his action for S1 900 damages against MT. Ferris today. The committee will have legal papers issued restraining MT Hodgdon from entering the school.
 The principal was summariiy dis charged the Saturday before the pre- vious fight. Yesterday morning some one picked the school lock with a hair pin. The fact immediately reached the ears of MT. Ferris and he was soon tains that MT. Hodgdon is a busybody The pupils cling to him, and after his latest ejectment they made so loud demonstration that Mrs Harry Brown low, the substitute, had to dismiss the school.
 Official Statement.
 Committeeman Ferris has given out an official statement in reference to lLS AlSCndISe OI f1OOSQOh dAQ SuDSS~ quent events which in part follows.
 MT. Hodgdon came to Georgetown under a contract which called for his attending the Danbury Normal sum- ner school for the full term of four weeks and securing there his state elementary certificate. He failed to fulfill two conditions of the contract leaving Danbury without remaining the entire session of the summer school and he has never received his state certificate. This made his con ,E1y-, ted to teach under a temporary cer- tificate issued by the Wilton school board, with the understanding that he was to get his state certificate. MT. Hodgdon was discharged because he was guilty Of conduct unbecoming gentleman and teacher while in the school his failure to secure a state certificate, and for on January 4th in citing the children in his charge to acts of insubordination and for threat ening to repeat his action if the su pervisor came into his room and crit icized his work. The committee of the town of Wilton revoked his certi- ficate, and he was discharged on Jan. 18th. On January 18th he broke into pie in one door and picking the lock on another. At s:45 he attempted to force his way into the building but of the stairway. He did not fall down stairs. and after being placed on his feet by the committee walked down stars ana OH Iu0 SCIlOOl
 Hodedon's home is said to be in Maine and it is alleged that year or more ago he suffered severe injuries to his head in an accident.
 Sentiment With HOdgdOn.
 The sentiment in Georgetown is against the action of the school com n1ittee. This fact is borne out by the following petition which has been signed by nearly every resident of the town:
 s'Georgetown, Conn, Jan. 27. 1912. Wilton town school visitors. Gentle men:
 ''We understand that MT. J. W. s. Hodgdon has been discharged from the position of principal of the No 10 district school of Wilton. If this is true WE HERE EXPRESS OUR DESIRE TO HAVE HIM PUT BACK IN THE SCHOOL.
 ''He has always conducted himself as a gentleman, so far as we know, he has encouraged our children in their work and under his teaching they have progressed well and rapid Iy We believe that he is a most competent teacher"