Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-01

From q citation issued to Louis
Celia Of Pawcatuck, to appear before
the public utilities commission in
Hartford today (Thursday). it is avi-
dent that he is the only person claim
ing ownership Of property in the town
of Stonington, who has not agreed
with the New York, New Haven &
Hartford Railroad CO.. as to the dis
position Of land required for changes
in the layout of tracks in connection
with the railroad Improvements In
progress In Westerly. Mr.. Celia ac-
companied by his attorney, Judge Her
bert W. Rathbun, will appear before
the commission at the hearing to be
held in the state capitol upon puti-
tion brought by the railroad company
for the requirement of the Celia prop
erty, so that the plans arranged can
be carried to completion.
The property is located in Mechan
ic street, close to the abutment Of the
West Broad street bridge, upon the
site Of the old one story building that
was designated as the CITY hall"
About two years ago the old building
was RACED and Mr.. Celia erected the
present two-story frame structure OH
the site. Before this building was
completed, men representing the rail-
road company entered the building.
went TO the cellar and commenced
tearing away the foundation, clealn-
ing the property was owned by the
railroad company. MIR Celia did not
bring legal action in the matter, and
thereby becoming plaintiff in the case,
but by direction Of Attorney Rathbun
and by his assistance and the help Of
Deputy Sheriff William II. Casey, the
railroad workmen and the boss of the
job were elected from the premises by
force.
On the same day the members Of
the New London law firm of Hull
MCGUIRE & Hull. came to Westerly
and TO Pawcatuck, and served notice
on Mr.. Celia that the railroad cCIa-
pany owned the property and warned
Mr.. Celia from the premises. Tie
claim was made that when the rail
road was surveyed and laid out IN
1885, the land purchased direct or
through condemnation proceedings IN
cluded the property In dispute.
Judge Rathbun advised Mr. Celia
to retain possession of the property,
as for more than half a century no
one questioned the personal owner
ship Of the property. He argued Tat
property held for twenty five years or
even fifteen years gave title to The
property fully as binding as paper
title Title of The property by l1r.
Cella's predecessors in ownership was
traced back to 1900 or thirty-five years
beyond the alleged title of the rail-
road company. In this respect how
ever, the same application is not made
to railroad companies as to indiyid-
uals, and therefore the true ownership
was questioned
Thereupon suit was brought by the
railroad company against Mr. Celia
as to the ownership of the property.
and, as plaintiff, the company Is lL-
CURED to prove claim of ownership.
This case is pending in the superior
court, and Attorney Rathbun could not
readily understand the new move of
the railroad company in bringing the
case to the public utilities commission
while 1t is yet in the superior court.
This property is actually required
In making the improvements as plan
ned, and all the other property needed
has been satisfactorily acquired Some
three years ago Mr. Cellas sold prop-
erty in Liberty street, near the prop
erty now in dispute, and the deal with
the railroad company was carried
through to his complete satisfaction.
- CANy AlasAl EiLS5 80 CdllGQ, Is Win
in the line Of the railroad retaining
wall along Mechanic street, and fitted
to the semi-circle from the end Of
the wall ito the end Of the bridge
aoutment, and the roof of the build
ing is almost level with the railroad
track and a few feet distant there
from.
Carl J. NordelI, the talented younu
artist, who YVES a former resident Of
westerly, is holding an exhibition at
the Providence Art club, which at
tracts the admiration Of many friends.
Mr.. Nordell went from Westerly to
the Rhode Island School Of Design.
He continued his studies at the Bcs-
ton Museum of Fine Arts. where he
won the Page travelling scholarship
and he spent the past two years tray
cling and studying in Europe. All Of
the paintings in this collection were
done during the past two years ard
several OF the canvases on view an
peared first in the Paris salons and
the National academy in New York
A group Of brilliant water colors was
done in Brittany and France The
feature Of the exhibition, however. Is
the number Of striking portraits and
eCquisitely painted nudes which ha1 G
won high praise for the artistA wher-
ever exhibited