davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
ACCUSES LAWYER ] DE MSUL TING HER
 THROUGH THE MAIL
Mrs. Sharps, Tn Litigation Over Custody of Child, Makes
 Unusual Charges.

Accusing Attorney Herbert E. Sharps of writing insulting letters and post cards to herself and her daugh- ter, Mrs. Helen Turney Sharps Of Fairfield has asked the superior court to allow her entire custody of the kchi1d. Mrs. Sharps makes this charge in her answer to the petition of Attor- ney Sharps who asked that the court free him from the obligation of mak- ing $25 quarterly payments for the support of his daughter, Rhoda Mar ion Sharps
 Tn the answer. filed today, it is claimed that when Attorney Sharps had the child in his custody he hu- initiated her by loud and sboisterous conduct in vaudeville theatres and other public places. It is alleged that he often left the child standing in the street while he went into a saloon He had also threatened in public places to beat the girl, the complaint states.
 Mrs sharps says her former hus- band is excitable and cratic in char acter and conducts himself in a pro- fane manner. The girl, who is 14 years old, is in fear Of her father. Mrs. Sharps says. In case the court Mrs. Sharps asks that the child be permitted to decide when and where she shall meet her father @
 The Sharps were divorced in this city in June, 1912, Since that time the child has been supported by her grandfather, Oliver Turney, a wealthy resident of Fairfield. He has paid for her. education and clothes It ia claimed that the total amount con tributed by Sharps was SIS. Mrs. Sharps admits the contention of her husband that the girl was named Marion originally but is now called Rhoda. Attorney Sharps, who for merly practiced in this city. has re- gently been located in Meriden but. declares he had to abandon his of fees there, because of insufficient in. come
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
CLARK WILL BE NAMED
 FOR TAX BOARD

Former Mayor Frank B. Clark will be named a member of the board of apportionment to succeed William T. Hincks whose term expires this year. Mayor Clark was rendered the place by Mayor Wilson and has signifed his willingness to accept. Mayor Will son today, however, refused to discuss the matter. George w. Finn, the real estate broker is said to be slated for appointment on one of the important boards. MT. Finn is a Democrat as is former Mayor Clark.
 It was reported today that the may or was endeavoring to induce Hanil- ton s. Shelton, vice-president of the Connecticut National bank to accept the place on the sinking fund com mission made vacant by the death of Samuel W. Baldwin. The latter was a. Repu blican, while MT. Shelton is a. Democrat In the natural course of events a Republican would succeed MT. Baldwin
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
LETTER TELLS
 OF FIRST BIG
 BATTLE AIR

A private letter from a German pro lessor to his brother living in this city tells the first story told in this eoun-. try of an organized battle between considerable forces fighting in the air, describes what is termed the *eIastic strategy of Won Hindenberg, in the fighting with Russia, and gives inter- esting details of the German method of keeping its people employed, and supplied with food, though cut off from all outside sources of food supply. The letter is an exceedingly interesting doc- un1eat.
 pr. Karl Duesing, professor of math- ematics at the Royal Naval college at Kfe1 Germany, in a. letter to his broth CT, Dr. Hermann 'Duesing of this city, recalls the famous maneuvers in Prus- sia, nearly six years ago, when the Kaiser personally commanding an army representing a, Russian invading force, was opopsed by von linden burg and led the invading army into a, trap which was declared to have re- suited in the capture of the Kaiser and staff.
 At review of the combined forces held shortly after the maneousvers it is said that Emperor Wilhelm standing beside the victorious general remark ed in a jocular manner. Well von Hin denburg, you captured me in the stra- tegetic moves in theory, but do not believe that would have happened in actual Warrare-
 2 The reply of the general was, eff that had been actual war you. would have been captured just the same It was but two years later that the resignation of won Hindenburg was re-. ceiVed by the war college and he was retired to private life under a pen sion.
 When the war broke out, Russia is known to have sent an invading army into Prussia, and the arms of Germany were threatened with defeat. It was then that Kaiser Wilhelm is said to have recalled without caagrin the de- feat he had suffered at the hands of the retired general, and calling upon him to defend the country made him a field marshall the highest military of fee that can be conferred on a Ger man.
 In the battle of .Tannenburgg the world today knows how the Russian was driven beyond thes frontier of Prussia. but von Hindenburg did not stop there but followed into Poland in pursuit of the fleeing army.
 It is here that German military a,I1-. thorities writing to this country of the strategy developed sby4 the great gener- al, speak of it's power and call it elastic" In the letter from Dr. Karl Dues1ng this is we'll explained
 It seems that when repuIsed the R11s- sfans outnumbered the Germans four
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28

chaczeW, Russian Poland, and on the German naval base at Cux- haven Inflicted considerable dam age in the aggregate. Details of the Cuxhaven exhibition still are lacking and although Berlin as serts that the British aviators ac- complfshed nothing it is said in Hambuhg that some damage was done. It is evident, however, that the heavy fog prevented the Brit ish from carrying out fully their plans.
 Activity on land and sea appar- ently is diminishing. Even in Rus sian Poland the fighting is beeom- ing less severe, without a decision having been reached Vienna ad- mfts that the Austrfans have been compelled to retreat before the Galician Carpathians and in Ser lin it is said that the attempt to cross the Bzura river, in the ad- vance on Warsaw, has been abar- doned.
 In the west the onslaught of the allies would seem to have been checked, by the counter attack of the Germans.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
BROWN TO HAVE !. SI,SOO POSITION AT HIGH SCHOOL Police Commissioner Slated to Get Place as Chief En-
 gineer of Building. TO HAVE ASSISTANT
 AT S1,OOO SALARY To Have Re-appointnent to Police Board, Then to Re-
 sign For New Job.

Police Commissioner William H. Brown is slated for the position of chief engineer at the flew Bridgeport High school at a salary of $1 300 per year. Provision for the salary of chief engineer and his assistant at $1,- 900 per year will be made in the annu- al requisition which the members of the board of education will prepare at their meeting tonight. The term of Commissioner Brown expires Jan Huary 1 but he will be reappointed and he will continue to serve as a. police commissioner until his appointment as chief engineer at the High school.
 Who will be the assistant engineer has not been decided It has been de- to look after the extensive heating and lighting apparatus which will be in- stalled in the new high school. The janitor will not have anything to do with either heat or lights but the as- sistant engineer will also be the fire man of the heating apparatus and the chief engineer will be expected to make repairs to tine lighting system
 Commissioner Brown is considered an expert engineer. At present he has charge of one of the big engines at the Crane Valve company For many years Commissioner Brown has held a position sat this concern When the late B. G. Burnham who conduct ed this business under the firm name of Eaton, Cole & Burnham, was alive Commissioner Brown spent his sum mers as engineer on MT. Bur7nha1l1s s steam yacht and the remainder of each year as an auxiliary engineer in the factory. Commissioner Brown now owns a handsome motor boat himself and is an enthusiastic yachtsman. He is also a prominent Reph bIfcan work CT in the Eleventh district
 He will. remain on the police board until the appointments are made Richard IT. Murphy. the retiring Den- oeratic member of the board, is also slated for re- appointment
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
MANY MOURNERS AT
 BALDWIN OBsEQUIEs

The funeral of Samuel Wheeler Baldwin, late president of the Con .necticut National and Peoples Savings banks well as recognized as one of the oldest bankers in the countrvs in point of service, was largely attended this afternoon at 2 :30 o'clock from the home,' 534 State street. The services were conducted by Rev Dr. Richard T.. Swain, pastor South Congregat tfona1 church, and Rev. H. D. GaIlaudet. pastor First Congregational church, and Rev. H. D. GalIaudet, pastor First Congregational church Mrs R. D. Hard sang.
 There were numerous representa- lives present from the banking and business interests of the city in which the deceased passed a lifetime of active service. Gen. H. A. Bishop, Samuel H. Wheeler, Judge M B. Beards1ey. Henry Atwater, William E.. BurrlFlar1. John Russell, W. F. Hobbs and Gen, T. l.. Watson were honorary paIIbear- CTS The ushers were Samuel Boards ley, R. E. Sprott and Mortimer Com stock.
 Burial was in Mountain Grove cem-, ete%- where a. =conneittal service was conducted by Rev. pr. Swain and Rev. H. D. GaIlaudet
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
MILLERS RECOVER FROM AUTO SMASH
Financier in This City, His Wife In NOrWaIk Hospi-
 tai, After Skid.

Both MT. and Mrs. Frank Miller are reported as resting comfortably aftef the painful accident in which they were victims at Sauth Norwalk Sat urday afternoon. Mr., Miller, at his home on Brooklawn avenue is still un- der the care of his physician but is said to be recovering from the shock incident to being thrown from the electric coupe in which he was riding with Mrs. Miller at the time of the accident.
 Mrs. Miller is reported as being somewhat restless at the Norwalk hos. pita1 last night but early today she showed marked improvement.
 MT. Miller, a prominent fnancier, was trying out a new car in which his wife and Elliott Upson, a demon strator for an automobile concern were riding. They were on the North Main street hill in Norwalk when the car skidded and crashed into a tele- graph pole. Besides being severely cut and bruised Mrs. Miller suffered a fracture of her left shoulder and collar bone. MT. Miller was stunned.
 Dr. Howard Ea.Fie1d removed MT. Miller to his home, but the condition of Mrs. Miller was such that it was thought best to leave her in NorwaIk.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
Canada Border Patrol Shoots
 2 Americans

Buffalo, Dec a2s-One American was instantly killed and another ser1- lously wounded by Canadian troops patrolling the Canadian border at Fort Erie, Ont.s opposite this city to- day. sThe men were hunting in a, boat when Police Officer Thomas De- laney, of Fort Erie ordered them to stop shooting.
 They declined and Delaney called upon a corporal and two privates of the fifth battalion to the Canadian militia to assist him. The corporal asked the men to come ashore and they headed their boat towards the American side, Delaney then ordered the troops to fire. One of the men, Walter Smith, was shot through the head and was instantly killed and his companion, Charles DoFsch, received a. serious wound in the shoulder.
 Following the shooting, the sol diers put out in their boat and lowed the hunters craft to shore.
 Captain Norman Fite, in command of the Canadian border patrol refused to discuss the shooting further than to say he had reported ito his super iors at Toronto.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
CRUISER TENNESSEE CARRIES REFUGEES
 FROM JAFFA, SYRIA

Washington, Dec. 2S-The cruiser Tennessee, with the permission of the Turkish government and at the re quest of American Ambassador Nor genthau, is transporting 500 refugees of various nationalities from Jaffas Syria, to Alexandria Egypt.
 Captain Decker reported thS de- parture of his vessel from Jaffa 1n 9 message fled last night and received today at the navy department Secre- tary Daniels summarized the report in this statement:
 s@The Tennessee is transporting about 500 refugees of different na- tionalities from Jaffa. to Alexandria These refugees were unable to get passage from Jaffa by any other means Captain Decker states that his action was taken at the request from the consulss which requests ap- proved by the American am nbassador to Turkey, had been made after per mission had been given by the Turk ish authorities
 No reply came today, however, from either Captain Decker of Captain Oman, of the North Carolina, to the request for full Information regarding the unofficial report that an unnamed American warship had threatened to bonn bard Tripo1i. Athens despatches said Turks attacked the crew Of an American commercial ship which per .glitted foreign refugees to board her sa the face of a protest from the Turkish authorities and that a threat to open fire on TTipoI1 fo1IoWeds
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
STATE POL LEHMAN HIT BIZ AUTO, SUES
 FOR HIS INJURIES


 State Policeman Anthony Fellow of stratford has brought suit against George F. Bushnell of this city for $1.o00 to recover for injuries alleged to have been received when he was thrown from his motorcycle in col liston with Bushnell's automobile
 The accident happened May 29 last on State street near Yale street FeI- low says the driver ofNthe auto did not slacken speed and did not give him the road. The motorcycle. which be- longs to the state. was damaged to the extent of $165- Bushnell has paid the state for this damage but is not willing to pay Fellow more than $495O for his injuries, the plaintiff declares Eel low says he was laid up for nine days and was painfully cut and bruised The action is returnab1e to the com mon pleas court, January term.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
OFFICIAL REPORTS ON THE WAR
FRENCH

Paris, Dec. 2S.-An official statement came out of Paris this afternoon read ing as follows:
 Tn Belgium we have continued to advance. To the west of Lombaert- zyde we are actually at the foot of the sand dunes on which the enemy has established his line of resistance At a point south of Ypres we have lost a section of trenches, near Holebecke
 .'In the region of Lens, near Caren- cy, the enemy yielded under our at tacks 800 yards of first line trenches.
 'In the valley of the river Aisne and in Champagne there has been inter mittent artillery fighting which was particularly severe in the vicinity of Rheims and around Perthes Here the enemy directed their artillery fire especially against the positions to the west of Perthes conquered and occu- pied by us.
 .On the heights of the Mouse there has been slight progress by our troops along the entire front.
 stIn the Vosges the enemy born- barded the railroad station at St. Die, but the railroad service has not been interrupted.
 ..In upper AIsace, to the northeast of Steinbaeh, a counter-attack on the Germans was repuIsed.' g
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
FACTORY SPRINGS
 UP LIKE MUSHROOM

Building a factory addition in nine days is the record recently set in Bridgeport by the American Chain company in an addition of brick and steel to the big plant on Connecticut avenue and Logan street.
 The addition, needed to keep pace with their rapidly growing business, was begun December 13, when trench dfggers began to throw the earth back on a. plot OK so feet. Walls 30 feet high, with roofing and steel truss sup ports had been completed on peeem- Der 21.
 Under the direction of competent foremen, over 40 brickIoyers were em- ployed on the walls which rose apace
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
.SHERIFF-ELECT PEASE NOT TO
 ACT AS JAILER
Danbu1y Man To Have Place Usually Occupied by Coun-
 ty Sheriff Himself.
TOWN COMMITTEES
 ARE NOT IN ACCORD
Split Over Men to Recommend Pease For Appointment as
 Deputy Sheriff.

Matthew w. Scott of Danbury is to be jailer at the Fairfield county Jail when Sheriff elect Pease takes office. This is the first time in 20 years that the sheriff has not acted as jailer and taken the salary which is $1,4OO per year with living apartments for him self and family at the jail. MT. Scott Danbury- He was for many years in charge of the Danbury jail and will bring to Bridgeport the experience gained in the Eattfngtown institution. Sheriff Hawley, who held the shriev- alty position for 16 years, acted as jailer and lived at the Bridgeport jail. Sheriff vollner has done the same during his term.
 According to report Sheriff f-elect Pease does not intend ato live at the jail. When asked about the matter Commissioner Pease saida
 T would rather not say anything just now. U do not take office until June and 1t is rather early to discuss any appointment I shall make. As yet I have not appointed anyone
 Asked whether he intended to live at the jail he smiled and said:
 .HOh, I don't know. The sheriff has to be at the jail a good deal, you know, but I have a nice home in Fair field and Fairfield is a good place to live. z-DOnI you L1l1Ilk SD
 However, prominent Republicans in Danbury are asserting that Matthew w Scott has been offered the position of jailer at Bridgeport and that he is seriously considering it. If he accepts he will move his family here and live in the apartments now occupied by Sheriff. VoIlmer's family In the jail.
 It is reported that sheriff -e1ect Pease has decided upon all of his appoint nnents of deputies and jail officials with a few exceptions. The only reason for delay in a1fnouneing the plums is the unsettled condition of affairs in this city, Stratford and Westport.
 The Republican town committee can not agree upon the men, to be named for deputies from this city and the lack of harmony is also said to exist in Stratford and Westport The sl1er- fff-elect said today he did not know when he would be able to announce his appointments
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
HOLY NAME MEMBERS WILL RENEW PLEDGES
 NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT

All the members of the Holy Name societies of Bridgeport will gather next Sunday evening for special ob- servance of the Feast of the Holy Name. Services will be held in St Augustine's and St. Mary's R. c. churches. Members living on the west side of the Pequonnock river will at tend St. Augustine's church and those on the east side of the river will go to St. Mary's church.
 Rev. Walter G. Moran, Dominican missionary leader of New York, will preach an appropriate sermon at St Augustine's. The preacher at St. Mary's will be Rev. James V. Huston of St. Charles church. The. services will commence at 7:30 and will con- sist of veSpers, sermon. renewal of the Holy Name pledge and benediction of the most blessed sacrament.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28

to one. In order to pursue the vic tories gained in Prussia it became nec- essary to fight on Russian ground against the great odds. Von linden burg here Elaborated upon his previous tactics and rushed his army appar- Eentfy in full pursuit of the Russians, After a. certain number of miles had been covered he would recall his troops in apparent disorder, though at a spot in the rear his full force had been meanwhile intrenched, and as the Rus sians, thinking the Germans were routed, gaveN chase haphazard they were suddenly confronted by the Ger
 mans with inestimab1e slaughter and capture of men.
 It is a series of these movements which is said to have given rise to reports from Petrograd that the Ger mans were defeated, though in truth it was but ruse to decimate the ranks of the Russians at repeated intervals until such time as the numbers op- posing each other were even. The great German general is said to have remarked that he would wear out his opponents until they were equal and then push into Russia.
 An unreported event of the greatest interest in this country which has not yet crept into print is related On November IS, near Nancy, France, the first real aerial battle of the world was fought, not between individual airships but between two flying squa- drons of the opposing nations. It is said that arising from the ground nearly simultaneously a corps of French nnonopIanes arose to a great height only to be followed by a Zeppe- lin division from across the enemy's lines As the great air fleet maneou- Evered for position and came pfeciPi- tate1y to the clash it was battle roy al that temporarily suspended hostiIi- ties on earth while the armies watch ed the result. Full particulars of the strategy is not reported for the celer- ity of movement prevented watchers from graspfng the details. As re- suit of the battle three French and one German aeroplane were dropped to earth, though the Zeppelin fleet es- .caped casualty. This is reported in Berlin as a Big Battle which would indicate that at least ten and prob ably more airships were engaged on each side, including fast scouts and heavier gun bearing planes.
 Another report received in Germany November 25, indicated that the Eng fish were being. overpowered in Egypt and that Turkish troops were in pos session of the approaches to the Sue7 canal. These reports have not been verified, and while published in the larger cities of Germany are not cred tied wifh full authenticity until con
 ecentinued On Page Al
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
SUMMARY OF TODAY's WAR NEWS

The French war office says to- day that further progress has been made by the allies. parti- cJllar1y in the Mouse region. The admission is made, however, that a trench south of Ypres was lost to the Germans. The Berlin communication states that Nieu- port has again been under bonn bardment by British warships that several civilians were killed or wounded.
 It is asserted that attacks by the allies have been unsuccessful.
 The American cruiser Tennes- see is transp orting five hundred refugees of various nationalities from Jaffa, Syria, to Egypt Cap tain Decker, of the Tennessee, re- ported to Washington, that per mission to remove the refugees had been granted by the Turkish authorities.
 The initiatives in military oper- ations apparently have been left for the time being to the airmen. Aerial raids across the English Channel to the lower Thames: over. Frieburg, Nancy, Metz and So-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
AUSTRIA'S RULER
 THANKS U. S. FOR
 CHRISTMAS GIFTS

;. Washington, Dec. 2S-T11e state department announced today re- ceipt of the following telegram from Ambassador Penfield at Vienna:
 Emperor Francis Joseph has communicated to me his grateful thanks to the sympathetic friends in America who sent gifts of cloth ing and toys to the widows and orphans on the ship Jason.
 EHThe Emperor thanks every do- nor and person taking part in work of sending Christmas cheer to his suffering people,"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
REV. JosEPHUs rRAGrrr DEAD.

Seymour, Conn, Dec. 2s&Rev Dr. .Iosephus Tragitt, a retired Episcopal ian clergyman, died here last night aged 84. He is survived by two daugE- ters and two sons. one of the latter being Rev. Horatio N. Tragitt, who is located in Missouri. During his min= istry, pr. Tragitt served in several New York parishes and also did .nis- sionary work in the west His last church was at Bethany. From this he retired as rector about ten years ago and took up a residence here.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28

reserve board approved today redIse count rates of 41z per cent on rna- turtles up to thirty days and five per cent on n1aturities between 30 and 90 days for the Philadelphia federal re- serve bank. This is the first bank to establish a rate below five per cent.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-28
TWO HELD FOR ARSON.

Bristol, Conn, Dec. 2s-J oseph .Cajkoslxi of Bristol, and Frederick IStremeI. of Terryvflle. were arraigned in the city court today on a charge of arson and probable cause being found were held under s3,000 each for trial in the superior court.