davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
End Came This Forenoon At Family Home After Lin5er-
 ing Illness HEAD OF LOCAL FIRE
 DEPARTMENT 21 YEARS Supt. Of Bridgeport Gas Light Co. For AZ Years --PTOmi-
 nent Mason

After lingering illness. death this morning claimed Charles A. Gerden- fer. formerly superintendent of the Bridgeport Gas Light company and for twenty-one years the chief of Bridgeport Fire department. MT. Gerdenier died at his home 174 Arch street just as the factory whistles were sounding the hour of seven. With him at the time were his wife, his son, Charles M. Gerdenier and two trained nurses who have been in con Stant attendance in his last illness
 The death of MT. GerdenIer removes one of the oldest experts in the man. ufacture of Illuminating gas in New England as well as one of the oldest in Nyack. N. r., in 1886. He was the son of John Gerdenier and Eliza Sar- want He was a self made man. Early in life has became interested in the manufacture of illuminating gas and he finally obtained the superin- tendency of the Astoria and Nyack that position in 1862 to come to Bridge port to accept charge of what is now the Bridgeport Gas Light CO
 Coupled with his interest in the man. ufacture of illuminating gas MT. Ger denier also took an interest in meth ods of fire fighting He Joined tl.e Bridgeport fire department and be- came the first chief of the department when the change was made from the volunteer to the partially paid system. This was in 1868. He succeeded John Sherman. MT Gerdenier continued as head of the department until 1889 when the late Chief Frederick P. Beardsley succeeded him. MT. Gerdenier was deeply interested in modern methods of fire fighting and fire prevention. Chief Edward Mooney the present head of the department served under him as hoseman and later as captain of one of the companies
 Q hTnI1Rhf ahnIIf the 1iZ TiOn of the Firemens' Benevolent associa- ton of Bridgeport, and when others failed, with A. c. Hendricks former chief of the New Haven department. he succeeded in having incorporated the Connecticut State Ffremens' as- sociation.
 Mr. Gerdenier attended the Dutch Reformed church of Nyack but did not affiliate with any church after com ing to this city He was one of the few surviving charter members of Corinthian lodge. No. 1O4. F. and A. NJ. He was also a member of Jeru- salem council No. Is, A. and $. M, Hamilton cornmandery, Knights TempIar, Pyramid Temple. Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine and Lafayette con sistory. He was a member of the New England Association of Gas En- gineers and the American Gas In.
 Besides his wife. he leaves two sons, Charles M Gerdenier, superintendent of the Bridgeport Gas Light Co. and Henry B. Gerdenier of 282 Clinton avenue Rev. MT. Davenport, pastor will conduct the funeral services which will be according to the Masonic rit- ual and Hamilton commandery, Knights Templar will have charge.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
Driven Insane When Soldiers.
 Seize Brother

Haunted by the rennembrance of a Russian t'press gang that dragged her young brother from their home in the old country, to impress him into the service of the Russian army, Bransilava Szczwinski, a young Rus sian woman, 27 years of age, went violently insane at her residence Ut 393 Main street and was conveyed to Lakeview Home by Investigator Alex ander Morrissey of the charities de- partment.
 The girls case will be brought be- fore the proper officials and steps will probably be taken to have her deported.
 While at her home in the old coup- try about eight months ago she was terribly frightened by visit of Rus sian soIdiery to the home of her par ents The soldiers seized her younger brother and dragged him away to serve in the army. The occurrence gave her such 8 severe shock and made such an impression on her that she was unable to shake it from her mind and her faculties succumbed under the strain.
 Investigator Morrissey, who handles and the LocomObile. car which was purchased for him by the depart menf, proves to be very useful.
 Yesterday afternoon Charles Platt. aged 20, of 624 Broad street, was conveyed to Lakeview home, suffer ing from hallucinatiOns.
 Platt imagineS himself to be af- flicted with a contagious disease and warns all corners not to approach him, under threat of communicating it to them.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
BANK EXPERTS FIND
 .S2OO,OOO SHORTAGE
A. w. Converse, of Windsor Locks Defaulter Since 1879
 According to Report
Especial from United Press.)

Windsor Locks, Feb. 5-The pub!ica- tion today of the positive statement by Bank Commissioner Fred P. Holt that the late respected Alfred P. Con- verse footed the Windsor Locks Saw fngs Bank of s60.OOO which, with inter est, will make the banks loss $2O0. 900, created a profound sensation. The thieyinS began, according to Holt, in 1879, and continued up to Converse's s resignation, last month.
 What became Of the money Is a mystery The theory that he lost 1t in Wall Street is not held by the in vestigators. Also strong denials have been made to the story that Converse converted considerable sums into stocks, made out in the name of a woman not his wife. The latter, from whom the banker was separated, still refuses to believe him guilty of em- beZZlement
 In an effort to learn whether the missing money went to his daughters before his death, stockholders have started a probe fund for the benefit of depositors. The work Of examin- irg the bank books is progressing rapidly.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
AID FOR STRIKERS
 FROM A. F.. OF |.
Secretary Morrison Says Mill Strike Is Due to Lack
 of Leadership
Especial from United Press.) )

Washington. Feb 5-Aid was offer ed the Lawrence strikers. today, by the American Federation of Labor. Secretary Morrison, of the Federation, extended an invitation for the mill workers to join the ranks of organized labor and declared that the federation always was ready and willing to as- sist wage workers, organized or un- organized, to secure improved condi- tions.''
 Morrison attributed the Lawrence strike to lack of leadership and wis dom on the part of the workers and declared that such conditions of un- rest suffering and misery "were closely related to non-unionism.'
 ''Where a strike occurs by members of a trades union that has been orga- nized, the strike is always of a peace full nature,' said Morrison 'I cer- tainIy hope that the textile workers of Lawrence will become thoroughly organized and affiliated with the in- ternational union of their trade, the United Textile Workers of America, whose numbers now reach the 100000 mark.
 ''If they do so. their ultimate sue cess in securing improved conditions is assured. The A. F. of L. stands ready to give that guarantee The strike is the direct result of the re- fusal of the manufacturers to permit their employees to organize and can not be expected to be carried on in a reaceful and orderly manner.'
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
MUCH WEDDED MAN HELD IN
 BAIL OF $500

Under one of the newer Connecti- cut statutes, which is devoted exclu- sively to men who abandon their wives and live with other women, Salem Bestany, a Syrian, was held in bonds of $500 in the city court this morning for trial before the Superior court.
 It was shown that Bestany and his wife parted in Lawrence two years this chy and lived At 622 Warren street with q woman called Rose Bestany, whom he introduced as his wife. BeStany and the second woman have a five-months-o old baby.
 Mrs. Bestany traced her husband to this city and caused his arrest here. Detective Peter Hall located the man at 622 Warren street Detective Hall questioned BeStany and the latter 1n- troduced his companion as his wife. He said that they were married in Maine. On being questioned private ly she said that they were married in Canada
 Attorney W. W. Bent appeared for Bestany in the city court this morn ing. He claimed the release of Bes- tany on the ground that abandon ment" as required by the statute, had mitted that she left her husband. Prosecutor Redden claimed on the other hand that Mrs. Bestany had been driven away from home, which Bestany himself did not move.
 Judge Wilder decided not to take Jurisdiction in the case, although the new statutes gave him the right if he chUse. He found probable cause" and ordered Bestany held in bonds of $500. The maximum sentence for the crime with which Bestany is charged is three years in prison.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
ITALIANS LEAVE
 FOR NATIVE LAND
Have Had Enough of ''Free America" In Lawrence Brought Here By Wool Trust and Treated Like
 Dogs
Especial from United Press.)

NSpeclal rom United Press
 Lawrence. Feb. 5-Declaring they have had enough of Free America. where it looks fine until you get here Italians left Lawrence, today, to take passage on the liner Canopic for lily.
 we have come here to America poets and grand opportunities" said Arturino Masvai, the best educated of the disappointed Italians. I've have been urged to come by brilliant, Garing posters distributed through our country by the American WooIen Company and describing how the mill owners will care for us like their own children.
 Tt is false pretense. We are treat ed like dogs. Our Italy is bad but Lawrence mills, is worse. We earn more money here but the mill owners also own, our dirty tenements and the stores where we buy food so they get 1t all back again, leaving us noth- ing"
 Lawrence was quiet, today Despite Saturdays boasts of mill owners. there was anything but a stampede of operatives to take back their old places at starvation pay. If anything the mills.
 As exclusively reported in United Press despatches on Saturday, the great American Federation of Labor can. Through local representatives. the American Federation of Labor has set a precedent by approaching a ri- val labor organization, the Industrial Workers of the World. with an olive branch and the request to be told how it can help to better conditions and pay for operatives, regardless of affiliations.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
LOVE LETTER FEATURE OF
 SCHOOL ROW
Boy Said to Have Copied Missive and Then Copy Was Destroyed-G George town Excited Over Sean daI.

NorwaIz, Feb. 5-The Georgetown school incident has been reopened by J. Belden Hurlbutt, counsel for J. w. S. Hodgdon, the discharged teacher who has made public certain letters that passed between Hodgdon and John W. Ferris, of the committee Of School District, No. 10, Wilton. The letters give no hint of the reasons for the teachers discharge and the cause seems likely to be a local mystery, unless 1t becomes known in the course of the suit which Hodgdon has brought against Ferris. On Jan. g, MT. Hodg- don wrote a letter to Charles D. Hine, secretary of the state board of educa- tion. complaining of the attitude of William E. Parker, secretary of the committee. Mir. Hine replied: Your peculiar letter is here. Whatever MT Parker may be, you have written yourself down a disloyaI and unwor- thy man. I have transmitted your letter to MT. Parker
 MT. Hurlbutt says that MT. Ferris has charged Hodgdon with conduct unbecominS gentleman and teach CT while in the school. This charge also makes the following statement:
 ''Mr. Ferris has seen fit to bring in to this matter what he terms and has been characterized as a love letter on the teachers desk, and goes on to eX- plain it. and his explanation makes absurd what he has stated before. that the boy had destroyed the copy which he had made. Now, if the letter was just what Mir. Ferris says, they would be glad to have a copy Of 1t given to the public, and it is only when it is something that the public is not de- sired to be brought into confidence that they would want to destroy the letter and pursue the boy who made the copy One who is absolutely up- right and correct never wants to hide behind a door, he will be in the open and stand in the lime light
 ''In the meantime 20 of 9 parents of children in Hodgdon's room have sign ed a paper expressing satisfaction with him and his work as a teacher
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
SAW POLICEMAN
 SHOOT WOMAN
Lawrence Business Men Are Ready to So Testify
 Tomorrow
HAYWOOD BRINGS MONEY
Strikers Seek to Enjoin Mayor, Who Stopped
 Public Meeting
Especial from United Press,

Lawrence, Mass, Feb @When Justice Braley, of the state supreme court, hears the petition of joseph j. Ettor and AIturo Giovanniti. for a writ of habeas corpus. tomorrow af- ternoon, two prominent Businessmen not str1kers-of Lawrence, will testify that they saw policeman shoot down Anna Lopizzo, woman striker killed in the riot, one week ago. Ft- tor and Gioyanniti. strike leaders. ara heid in jail here as accessories to the Lopiz zzo Woman's death
 It was learned, today by a repre- sentative of the United Press, that Attorney George B. Roewer, counsel for the leaders of the 25, 900 strikfng mill operatives, will base his demzu5T for the release of his clients on tH- testimony of these two men. wno NH take the stand and swear they saw e policeman deliberately fire his revol- yer into the crowd Of strikers in a licll Anna Lopizzo was standing
 The identity of the two witnessez will not be made known until tbsz 7re called to testify in Boston, tomorrow afternoon, at o'clock, when the haoeas corpus hearing will be held:
 According to William Yates, who has assumed command of the strik- CTS, these two men visited strike head quarters, yesterday. and -4=eltIateered to tell the details of the shooting
 William D. Haywood arrived here. today, after a tour of New England textile centers. He brought with him checks and cash amounting to several thousand dollars which was immedi- ately turned over to the committee to purchase food and necessities fos needy strikers.
 ''I have tested the sentiment of mill operatives in half dozen mill towns said Haywood. today. land they ara in favor of the sympathetic strike which will bring out 800. 900 operatives and completely paralyze the New Eng land textile mills, if this Lawrence affair is not settled within a week or 10 days.''
 Following Mayor scan1on's refusal of a permit for the strikers 70 hold a mass rr=e.5 .5sszs O. the Cou4InoE, e committee vert to Salem at noon to petition for an injunction against Mayor Sacnlon, to the superior court which is, today. sitting at Salem. They will ask that Mayer ScanIon be en. joined from preventing the mass meeting on the ground that it inter feres with their constitutional rights, They will argue that there is no real martial law at Lawrence since the state Iegisla ture must act before such a condition can exist. and that. there fore. Mayor ScanIon is not within his rights in refusing them a permit to gather on the Common.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
.LAF0LLETTE TO
 REST 2 MONTHS His Presidential Campaign to Be Prosecuted With
 Vigor Able Lieutenants In Charge Senator May Take
 Ocean Voyage
(Special from United Pres.1

Washington, Feb. 5-But two months of complete rest will be allowed Sena- tor Robert LaFollette to recover from the nervous breakdown which has in terrupted his campaign for the Presi- dential nomination. Despite his all most complete collapse, last week. the wisconsin progressive plans to resume his political activity early in April with a western speaking tour
 Meantime he will rest. For two weeks, the Senator will remain in Washington living quietly at his home here, with his family and keep ing away from politics. Then he will probably take a six weeks sea Yoy- age to southern Europe.
 LaFollette is not confined to his bed or even to his home, and his rep- resentative here was anxious to make it clear. today, that he is simply tir- ed out. He left his home for a time to visit his daughter Mary, who is recovering from an operation perform ed, Saturday Despite this fact, a number of 1 -mors as to the Senator's condition were afloat, today, due to his declining to receive all visitors.
 While LaFollette is resting, his candidacy will be pushed from his Headquarters here by Senators C1app. Bristow and Louis D. Brandeis, who will. stump the country supporting him.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
New Quarters For
 Kindergarten in
 West End School
Maplewood Youngsters Are Given '.O1d South" Build
 ing In Iranistan Avenue.

Tn order to provide more room for he grade pupils in the Maplewood avenue school, the kindergarten de- Partment hitherto conducted in con rectfon with the MapIewood school, Eas removed today to the building at haplewood and Iranistan avenue, known as the ''OId South school"
 This will give one more room to the Erades at MapIewood school, and will provide better facilities for the kinder karten pupi in the district of Maple wood school. The Board of Educa- lion has four Kindergarten schools They are at the Lincoln, Waltersville md Bostwick schools, and until today It the Maplewood school
 The removal of the Maplewood kin 5ergarten to the new quarters VIII rive the kindergarteners a schoo Eo them selves. Two rooms are util- lzed in the Old South building, which had bea@ RM=S5AlISd for kindergarten
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
CHINA'S RULER SIGNS EDICT
 OF MEDICATION
Official Document Turned Over to Premier Yuan, After Royal Family Prays at Tomb of Ancestors.
Especial from United Press )


 Pekin, Feb. 5.-The signed edict, announcing the abdication of Emper- or Pu Wi, was in the hands of Pre- mier Yuan Shi Kai, who, it was an nounced, would make it public as soon as final negotiations had been closed with the provisional govern ment headed by pr. Sun Vat Sen.
 Prince Kung, who headed the fac ton which opposed abdication, de- parted for Manchuria vOwing that he would never submit to dictation by the southern Celestials and declaring that history would repeat itself in the near future when the Tartars from the north would again sweep down upon the Chinese.
 The edict of abdication was formal iy turned over to Yuan Shi Kai, after the dowager empress. the boy en- peror and Prince Chun had prayed fervently at the tombs of their an cestors. The empress tearfully beg ged the premier not to make the ab- dlcation public until every precaution had been taken to protect the royal family from a threatened outbreak from ManchuS, who swore revenge if the terms of the revolutionists were granted.
 It was generally believed, today. that the republicans at Ranking would agree to permit pr. Sun Yat Sen and Yuan Shi Kai to act jointly in gov erning China until after a national convention had been held to draft a constitution and elect president.
 The fact that the empress called on Yuan to eJta bliSh a republic when she handed the abdication decree to him was interpreted here to mean thal she had received assurances that the premier would be elected resident. The royal family, despite the charges believes he Is the strongest man in China
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
St. PatriCk'S Debt
 Reduced By $4,OOO
Splendid Showing of Parish
 During Past Year

Payment of 5000 upon the debt of the church, as well as the meeting of all contingent expenses. was ac- complished by St Patrick's parish during the year, according to the an nual report of the parish, read at all of the masses yesterday.
 The showing Is a source of pleasure to the parishioners and to Rev. J. B. NihiIl, the pastor.
 Statistics show that there are 4Os families in the parish. During the year 63 infants and F adults were baptized; there were 14 Catholic and two mixed marriages. There were 46 deaths. Inventory of the parish property aggregates $225,O0O, with a debt of $50. 900.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
DR. 6. LINCOLN BANKS
 LEAVES FOR HOSPITAL
We'll Known Practitioner to Undergo Operation for
 Appendicitis

Dr. C. Lincoln Banks left this city this afternoon for New York where he wilt enter the Presbyterian hospital to undergo an operation for appendi- citis
 The surgeon selected by pr. Banks to have charge of the operation is Dr. Joseph A. Blake of New York, q famous operator.
 pr. Banks has been under obserVa- tion by pr. Blake for two weeks and this forenoon it was decided that an operation was imperative.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
GeOrge And Mary Get Royal Welcome From Their
 Subjects
IRISH OFFICIALS ABSENT
0rangemen Show Resentment Of Home Rule Meeting
 By AbSenteeiSm
Especial from United Press.0

London, Feb. 5--When King George and Queen Mary arrived here, today. and were greeted by thousands Sf cheering subjects. they found that he Irish had injected one bitter drop m the toast of welcome. Orangemen had refused to participate officially m the ceremonies.
 When the royal train pulled into :he Victoria station. hundreds of the glittering officials were on hand. In addition to the nobility and govern nent officials, there were scores of mayors from England, Scotland and Wales, all respIendent in their robes md chains of office, but there was none from Ireland. The Lord Mayor sf Belfast was the only Irish mayor 10 accept an invitation to participate and he cancelled his acceptance al he last moment because of the bit terness that has developed among Demonstration scheduled to be held in hat city on Feb. 8, under the aus 2ices of the Liberals
 The enthusiasm of the immense hrong that greeted the royal tour sts on their return from the Durbar festivities recomp pensed Their MaJeS- ies for the snub from Ireland. Satis- faction was expressed among all loyal Englishmen that the King and Queen had completed their journey in safe v and this feeling was reflected by
 
 The streets leading from Victoria Station to the palace were lined by troops and police while the king's own grenadiers provided guard of honor at the depot. In the process Eion from the station, sovereign's escort Of life guards, respl endent in yteeI cuirassiers and helmets. led the way. the King and Queen, the Prince of WaIeS and Princess Mary riding In an open carriage. followed by other mem bers of the royal family and .ourt attendants
 Immediately after the arrival at the palace several hunSf01 attendants sang Hes a jolly gc~d fellow The King was greatly pleased and mount sd a balcony, lowing to the singers fepeatedly.
 This afternoon, a public service was aeld in Westminster Abbey, to give thanks to God for the safe return of Their Majestiss. The King and Queen did not attend They will participate in a similar service, to- morrow, at St PauFs. Attendance will be limited to the nobility and admission will be by tickst only.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
NOISY WELCOME
 AT PORTSMOUTH.

Portsmouth, Eng, Feb. 5.-King George and Queen Mary were given . noisy welcome here, today. when arst time since they left on their Spectacular Dunbar trip. Great crowds lined the wharves and the Touth railway jetty at the dockyard where Their MaJesties landed. Cries of Long Live the King, Long Live .he Queen" could be heard above the roar of the battieship guns aS they shundered the royal salute.
 The Medina, accompanied by her battIeship escort, dropped anchor off 5pithsad during the night. At 10 o'clock, the royal vessel reached the pier and Their Majesties, accompan- led by Queen Alexandra, the Prince of Wa 'es and Princess Mary, who had gone aboard earlier in the morning, Jtepped ashore. Twenty-Five minutes was taken up in an address of well Eome and a reply. The royal party then left for London by train.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
MapIeWOOd Pupils
 Deposit $9I.43
Public School Children Con- tinue to Manifest Interest
 In Savings System

Pupils of Maplewood avenue school deposited with their teachers last week, in the savings bank system of the public schools, a total Of $91.43.
 Reports from some of the other schools came into the Board of Edu- cation today, as fo lows: Prospect, is2. ST; Training school, 5L42; Nichols Jtreet. S31. .39; Black Rock, Sz9.3O; Sum- merheld, S2S.98; Shelton, $1123.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-05
WATCHMAN CLAIMED
 THAT HE HAD BEEN HELD UP AND ROBBED

A man claiming to be a watchman at one of the local shops reported to the police that while on his way to work Friday night he was held up at the point of a gun and robbed.
 The police authorities and officials of the shop investigated the matter and have reached the conclusion that there was nothing to it.