Norwich bulletin., 1912-03-23

his acquaintanceS he met that the red car was coming with the president of the United States and that he was anxious to meet his friends with sO- ciallstic tendencies. Andy did some hustling in the short time at his dis poSal and drummed up quite an aggre- gation Of American citizens who paid their respects to the nations chief magistrate. Andy acted as master of ceremonies. He tapped on the car window, attracting the attention of the president. who on looking out on the platform and seeing the crowd congre- gated, came to the rear of the car and was received with a cheer that caused him to give exhibition of one of the kind that never wears off.
 The president thanked those assem- bled for the honor shown him by com ing out at that unreasonable hour on dark and stormy night, and said that he was gratified to meet so many of his New London friends so unexpectedly. Andy then reached up and shook hands with President Taft, and all the rest followed suit. The handshaking over, the president re- entered the car just as the train moved away, and he was given 6 cheering sendon. Andy declared that Taft was a pretty good sort of a president, a first class citi- gen. but it was a pity that such a broad minded man was not socialist instead Of a republican, for were he a socialist we all could vote for him.
 
 J. Clinton Shepard, a former mem her and lieutenant of the New London police force, died this week, and it is said that he leaves an estate valued at $30,000, all har dearned cash In early life Mr. Shepard was employed in the Pimet bottling establishment located in Bank street in the store now occupied by Jeremiah Twomey. He then went railrOading and became a passenger conductor on the New Haven road. with run between New London and New Haven. Subsequent ly he became connected with the New London police force and displayed re- markable detective ability, perhaps his best work in that line being the de- lection and arrest of Dwight Steere in Massachusetts for the murder of a companion, Frederick White. The murder was committed on Colts wharf in Water street, New London, following a steamboat excursion to Newport and robbery was the motive. Steere was sentenced to state prison for life. MT Shepard was a fearless police officer and performed his duties without favoritism.
 There came a time when he consId- cred 1t duty to arrest g well known young man for creating @ disturbance on the street, and that was the cause Of dropping him from the police force | In those days the policemen were elected annually 6y the court of com mon council, and movement was start ed to Oust MT. Shepard from the force. The matter was made local issue and only such candidates for the council as pledged themselves not to vote for Mr. Shepard for reappOintment to the force were elected. So as q victim of politics MT. Shepard was dropped. The council was republican and Mir. Shep- ard a pronounced democrat, and this was assigned as the cause. although other democrats were reelected pO- l Icemen at the same session of the council.
 Mir. Shepard then made a canvass ot l the stores and was encouraged to act as a private watchman and received weekly pay from all whom he served and brought to him larger pay than l the salary he received as lieutenant of | the New London police force. He per | formed this duty faithfully for nearly | thirty years and had the confidence of ! the whole tOwnspeople He had keys ! to all the stores he guarded so well and made nightly trips into the stores, making careful examination of the | premises as precaution against rob ! bery and fire. He knew no fear, and 1 was of considerable assistance to the
 regular police force in keeping them posted on matters that happened at night that escaped the attention of the regular officers. While burglaTies were made in stores during the long term of l Mr. Shepard as private watchman,none occurred in the stores within his juris- CictiOn during his tour of duty. He certainly gave good account of his { stewardship.