davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
CHARGED With MURDER
OF Three OF HIS WIVES
London Man Held in Con-
nection With Brides in ~
Baths Case"

London, March %, 2:1S p. M
Charged with the murder of three
women, George Joseph Smith, in the
Bow street court today, heard Public
Prosecutor Bodkin declare he had
made away with three of his wives,
the CRIME each case being COM
mitted shortly after he had mar
ried them. Each of these women was
found deads in her bath; consequently
the case has come to be known as The
Brides in Baths ease Smith has
described himself as a mar, OF inds-'
pendent means. According to the ev
idence of Scotland Yard, which has
been inquiring into the deaths Of
these women, Smith made use of varf-
Gus fictitious names in his rnatrimon-
ia1 ventures. The women he married
were found dead a few days after
the ceremony. Verdicts of accidental
deaths were returned, but now certain
of the bodies have been exhumed with
the result that the charges of murder
have been preferred.
The. public prosecutor gave names
of three women, dates of the alleged
murders as Beatrice Mundy, July.
1912; Alice Burnham, December 1913,
and Margaret Lofty. December, 1914.
Smith, according to the police, was
born in London, the son of an insur-
ance agent, and is forty five years of
age. Smith was married, according
to the evidence given at a preliminary
hearing, under the name of John
Lloyd, to Margaret Elizabeth Lofty, at
a registry office at Bath in December,
1914. The couple came to London
the same day, and the next morning
the bride was found dead in her bath,
her husband calling in doctor who
reported the matter, as a result OF
which an inquest was held. The jury
brought in verdict of accidental
DEATH
In February, information having
reached the police that Lloyd was not
the husbands name he was arrested
and identified, the police say as
George Joseph Smith, who in Novem-
Der, 1913, had married at Portsmouth
Miss Alice Durham, who month
later also had been found dead in her
bath. In this case, too, the coroner's
jury brought in a verdict of accidental
death.
The police also have had the BODY
OF another woman exhumed. This
woman, who also died in her bath
shortly after her marriage at Her1,e
Bay, was married to a man who gave
the name of Henry Williams and who
is believed by the police to be George
Joseph Smith.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
WHO is ENTITLED
TO $4,000 REWARD?
Wording of Promise of Reward Raises
Peculiar Question Which May
Have Bearing OH Decision.

SO many claimants for the $4,000
reward for the information leading to
the arrest of the murderers of Rev
Joseph Zebris and Miss Eva Gilman
aitis is causing a good deal of spec
ulation. Each one of the claimants
assert that they are entitled to the
reward, but now the question is be-
ing asked: Are they?"
In the offer of reward it was def
nitely printed for information lead
ing to the arrest and conviction of
the person or persons who murdered
the Rev. Joseph zebris and Eva Gill
manaitis.' AS a matter of fact tilG
murderers were not arrested on any
information at all. They were APP
preached by the Wilmington police
because the latter suspected them of
JeWelry thefts. They put up a fight
and murdered a policeman and then
they were arrested for that crime, but
not for the murder of the local peo-
pie or upon any information concern
ing that crime. 60.
1t has also been suggested that the
dependents Of the murdered police
man be given the reward. Again
the question Of right arises. Officer
Ilerney did not arrest the men. Nei-
ther did the colored officer, Washing
ton. The murderer was caught by
colored chauffeur who chased the
fugitive at the command of Officer
washington and finally caught him in
the street
Inasmuch as the promise of re-
Ward stated explicitly that it would
be paid for information leading to
the arrest it is hard to see where
any Of the claimants have qualified.
Local people who claim to have given
the police tips concerning the identity
OF the two men, though their tips
might have been correct, are said to
be hardly entitled to the reward, be-
cause the information they impaired
had absolutely nothing to do with
leading to the arrest of the guilty
parties.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
CRITICISE AER4
DEFENsES q
Prominent French Writcx
Zcppclins Should Not BE
Reach Capital on Starlit

Paris, March %, 4:45 a.
Georges Clemenceau and othe
inent writer's in the Paris press.
else the aerial defenses of PariA-
declare Zeppelins should not
been able to reac CHI Paris Sunday nj
which was clear and starit. The do
ger of an air fight over the capita<
with the possibility of the fall of y
Zeppelin with it's cargo of unused ex-
plosives is pointed out.
These views are shared by the dep-
uties representing the Paris district,
who decided at meeting yesterday 20
make representa- ions on the subject
to Premier Niviani
Details have not been obtained as
to the circum stances of the second
raid upon Paris, which was attempted
last night. 1t is understood that two
fleets had planned to lombard the
capital but it is supposed they turned
back because of the heavy rainstorm
when twenty-five miles from the city.
When announcement was made that
raid was impending, French aero
plane flotillas took the air from the
entrenched camps and searchlights
were trained upon the sky from every
quarter. After the city fire once had
signalled that the danger was past, a
second alarm was sounded because OF
a report that Zeppelines had been
seen flying over the departm emit of tho
Disc. Win they had not appeared &c
3 a. M, bugles sounded the retreat
and the lights of the city were turned
on again.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
THE POSTMASTERSHIP.
Will Be Nothing Doing For at Least
Three Weeks

If statements made to the Herald
by member Of the democratic town
committee are true there will be no
solution of New Britain's postmaster
ship tangle for at least three weeks.
Word was received from Stamford
according to the Herald's informant
that State Central Committeeman
Homer S. Cummings was going on "A
trip to the south for three weeks and
had been assured that the post office
department would take no action re-
garding the New Britain postmaster
ship until he returned. Congressman
konergan has also received assur-
ances, it is said, That no action would
be taken until he returned from his
trip to California
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
AUTO SPRINKLERS
FOR LOCAL STREETS
Farrell and Spcrry Say They Can Do
Work Cheaper Than the III. II.
=
Walker Company's Bid.

walker COmpanyS BID.
James F. Farrell, we'll known OK.
pressman, and Harry Sperry are con-
sidering making an offer to take ovcr
streets and said today that they ex-
pected to make an offer to the cont
mon council tomorrow night. The
council has already approved OF y
ive-year contract with the H. r
Walker company, but Mayor Quigloy
has not affixed his O. X. to she ac-
ton of the council.
Farrell and Sperry were ~ tnc
city building this morning to consult
with the mayor regarding their pro-
posed offer. Later they talked with
reporter and said they We're Ger
tain they could take the contract,
charge the city less and still make
money. Walkers contract calls for
the payment Of thirteen mills per
lineal foot per month. Farrell ana
Sperry say they can do the work for
cent per lineal foot per month. s.,
The newest bidders for the contract
propose to purchase two autom obile
street sprinklers and they believe
they can cover the city three times
per day with these. There is ap-
proximately twenty-four miles of
street sprinkling to be done and they
are confident they can do the work.
They said they intend to push their
case before the council.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
WAR WILL NOT Be LONG,
SAYS SIR JOHN FRENCH
British Field Marshal De-
clares Spring Promises
Well for Allies.

Paris, March % (Midnight) Am
munition, ammunition, nothing but
ammunition" That is the essential
problem which the war presents, in
the opinion of Field Marshal Sir John
French, commander of the English
forces in France and Belgium, ac-
cording to the Hayas Agency's cor
respondent at British headquarters.
Ammunition is the prerequisite of
all progress and of all pushing ahead =
Sir John is quoted as saying i'm an
interview with the Havas correspon-
dent. Every one needs plenty or
ammunition, but the Germans need
it more than we do. | have had
a feeling for some time past that they
were being sparing of their shells
They don't sauander them as at the
beginning. They are economizing be-
cause. the lack of nitrates, necessary
for the manufacture OF explosives, is
making itself felt in Germany
Neither is the morale of their
troops the same. One gets from
them an impression Of fatigue and
lassitude. They had based all their
calculations on a sudden, smashing
victory That plan failed, and the
state of mind of their troops has suf-
Tered as a consequence
Economic difficulties in the inter-
ior of the German empire are daily
becoming more serious No doubt
the Germans still are far from fam
inc, but they manifestly are hamp-
cred in obtaining a food supply, and
that is a great deal.
II do not believe it will be a long
war. Spring promises well for the
allies We are convinced, / and all
those here that a decisive and definite
victory awaits us at the end of all
these hard months of war;
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
Refuses to Discuss Case.
! Letter From Bamforth.

Today Chief W. j. Rawlings, of the
local police departm ent, received
short letter from Detective Sergeant
Samuel Bamforth, who is in Whining
ton to assist in brin ging back Bernard
Montvid as soon the state of Della
ware is through with i'm. In this let
ter the sergeant briefly outlined the
progress made, informing the chief
that the governor has already signed
the requisition papers and he Will be
able to start back, accompanied by
State Policeman Robert Hurley, inl-
mediately after krakas' trial is con-
Guided Commenting on the trial Ser
geant Bamforth said that the Wheels
of justice are revolving swiftly in
Wilmington and the state has wasted
not y moments time in bringing the
murderer to trial. At the time of his
writing the state had completed It's
case and it was then thought to be
only few hours before the verdict
would be given by the jury.
Krakas Shows Fright.
During the process of the trial yes
terday afternoon Krakas showed his
first signs of fright Bernard Mont
vid, his supposed friend and self con-
stand as a state witness and attempted
to show by his testimony that it was
because of his connection with the
Zebris murder case that Krakas sho
so quickly when approached by the
Wilmington police. 1t was the inten-
tion of the state to show by this that
Krakas thought the officers were ar
resting him for the New Britain muir
der. After strenuous objections on
the part of Krakas' lawyer the court
ruled that Montvid could not testi-
fly about the New Britain murder as
T. was irrelevant to the case in ques-
ton. Accordingly he was asked only
a few unimportant questions and ex-
cused.
When both Montvid and Krakas |
were brought into the court room |
thcrc was tense moment as thei" |
NContlnucd on Eleventh Page)
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
WILL ATTEND HEARING.
Chamber of Commerce Men to Dino
at Hartford Club Thursday Noon.

Members of the Connecticut Cham
Der of Commerce who are to attend
the hearing on the home rule bin in
the house of representatives at 2
O'Clock Thursday afternoon will meet
at the Hartford club at 1890 o'clock
for dinner and an informal talk.
The blll relating to sewage disposal,
brought In by the state board 1f
health and which will be given a hear
ing tomorrow. is neither opposed nor
favored by inc state chamber, but
they heNe biil which provides for
the appointment of a committee to in
vcstigatc sewage disposal.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
WARSAW's SITUATION GRAVE.
Feeling of Anxiety Concerning Future
Prevails in Russian Poland Canital

LODI, Russian Poland March %.
Via London, 11:20 a. ma German
merchant of this city who has lust
returned from a trip to Warsaw saws
a general feeling of uncertainty and
anxiety concerning the future prevails
in the capital of Russian Poland
Provisions are very dear, and for
some days past there has been vir
tually no tea, sugar, tobacco or flour
to be had. People are depressed. All
officials have remained In the city
and the imperial bank is still doing
business.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
GREAT MANY PEOPLE
KILLED AT URUMIAH
Two Christian Quarters Plundcred-
Women Taken Captives-AlI Vii
lagos Burned Except Three.

New York, March 23.-The Persian
war relief committee. with headquar-
ters in this city, today received the
following cablegram from Tiflis, Rus
STA:
'All villages burned except three
Two Christian quarters of Urumiah
plundered and great many people
killed. Women taken captives. Fif-
teen thousand refugees in the Ameri-
can mission. Great danger.
THE French mission has been de-
stroyed. There are ten thousand ref
ugees in Russia"
The message was signed by Asian
off, Russian contractor at Tiflis
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
NEW BRITAIN BONDS o. X.
Big Trust Company Guarantees Their
Soundness for Investors.

Word was received by the Herald
today that the United States Mortgages
and Trust company Of New York had
certified to the soundness and legal
ity of New Britain's latest bond is
sues, $4,000 for sewers and s170,0 900
for schools.
The bonds will be sold at 1890
o'clock Friday afternoon in the
mayors office, City Treasurer Cham
berlain said today
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
MRS. WEBSTER DIES.

Mrs. Abbie L. Webster of Berlin.
suffered a serious runaway accident
yesterday, died at New Britain Gen
.eral hospital at 3 o'clock this after
noon. She WAS AZ years old.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
COUNTY INFIRMARY BURNED.

Muncie, Ind, March 23.-The cour-
ty infirmary burned here early today.
One person was burned to death and
five other inmates are mlssing.. The
loss on the buildings is about SIS, 10000
The cause of the fire is unknown.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
Confictirj

San Antonio!
hicting reports
from San Loui|
sources. 50 wing
taken that cit
Villa sources, /
cupation. All
Oregon broua
from M cxico q
under most tr,
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
Defense Claims Accused Shot to
Save Self From Clubbing.
PENALTY IS DEATH BY HANGING
I<rakas Is First Man Ever Tried For
Murder i'm Delaware Who Refused
to Discuss His Case With His Own
Lawyer.

Wilmington, Delaware, March %
After two hours and fifty minutes de-
liberation the jury, which was to de-
eide the fate of Peter Kraxas. charged
with the murder of Police officer Tier
hey, and who was also one of the
lnurderers of Rev. Father Joseph
Zebr:S and Eva Gilmanaitis in New
Britain, Conn, on February s, filed
into the crowded court room this af-
ternoon and announced that they
found the prisoner guilty or murder
n the first degree. AS the foreman of
the jury announced his decision there
was absolute quiet in the court room.
RIakas, who upon hearing it must
have realized that it was the sealing
Of his death warrant, sat unmoved in
his chair, the only show of emotion
lie evidenced being a sharp intake of
breath and a slight pallor which
spread over his countenance.
Attorney Reinhardt, Krakas lawyer
asked for a rest Of judgment and the
court fixed next Friday March &c, at
10 a. m., as the date for hearing OF
reasons why the prisoner should have
a new trial.
After one of the speedest trials on
record here Attorney d. j. Reinhard-,
counsel for Peter Krakas, charged
with the murder of Policeman Tierney
closed the defenses side of the case
few minutes after court convened to-
day. .
Policeman Had No Warrant.
Lawyer Rhenhardt presented an
unusual case and astounued the spec
tators when he called but one witness
to the stand, Chief George Black of
the Wilmington police department.
Not even Krakas himself was called
t. the stand to tell of his part in the
murder of the policeman and his
motives.
Under the close questioning of Law
yer Reinhardt, CHER Black admitted
to the court that Policeman Tierney
had no warrant for Krakas' arrest
when he attempted to take him into
custody. Arguing strenuously for his
client, Lawyer Reinhardt contended
that krakas fired at the police to de-
fend himself. He pictured the cow
ering Krakas beset by officers AMI
claimed that the policeman used his
club with telling effect on the prison.
er's body, beating him severely. It
was because of this that Krakas drew
his gun and shot to defend himself,
shouted the lawyer.
Refuses TO Discuss Case.
Throughout the entire trial Krakas
sat with his eyes glued on the floor.
At intervals he would gaze distracted
ly at the ceiling, but he seemed to
evince but little interest in the pro-
ceedngs of the court. Even when
questioned privately by his own law
Yer he refused to discuss the case.
This is the first time on record in this
state that man being tried for "a
capital offense for which the penalty
is death has refused to discuss his
case with his attorney.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
WEATHER.

Hartford. March 23-CIOudy
tonight and Wednesday,, with
out any material thermal
change.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23


Brya
the
iofces
OF Gen<
in char}
gotiatios
dead ma
satisfa ctt
The
City has
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ma de a De-
killed McM
hcnded If pO
amount OF
Bryan said,
Expuls
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was reported
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forces made
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In his consul
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death at the
nevertheless.
villa
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Mato,,,a~as
the latter tow
operations
Reports I'd
Negras was
bad owing u
authorities.
troops are ID
triet. Loot
according to
vices today, N
forces under
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Et pace
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courtesies an
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in exenpting
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extend comp
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Sen oral Ange
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23
Many n

Gen. Jose |
his Villa conn
CarranZa adhd
Nuevo Leon,
heavy losses. \
oners and lard
milton.
General VII
adva ncing on
Brownsville, ID
Official desl
Gen. Alvaro q
evacuated Mc3
Hidalgo state,|
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23

CONTINUED on Eleventh Page.)
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-23

After one of the speedest trials on
record here Attorney d. j. ReinhardT,
counsel for Peter Krakas, charged
with the murder of Policeman Tierney
closed the defense's side of the case a
few minutes after court convened to-
6aV
Bisbee daily review., 1915-09-22
CHINESE PAPERS IN
VIGOROUS ATTACK
ON JAPAN'S MOTIVES
Claim Japanese Plan to Send Re-
igiouS Leaders for Hidden
Purpose of Extending Japan
csc Influence.

PEKING, Sept. 2l-China aerees
that Japanese subjects shall have the
right of missionary propaganda i'm
China"
This apparently simple statement,
which was article seven of the group
five in the recent demands Japan
made upon China, has created much
comment i'm China and is the subject
of hot discussion I'm the press.
All of the demands made under
group five were waived temporarily
by Japan. Mr. HioH, the Japanese
Minister. said. "As relates to the
question of the right of missionary
propaganda the same shall be taken
up again for negotiation i'm the future
The missionary propaganda reierr-
ed to in the treaty was the preaching
of Buddhism, and the announcement
in Chinese papers that Japanese Bud
dhists viii probably soon send dele
cations TO China 30 press their claims
for permission to preach Japanese
Buddhism 10 the Chinese is causing
uueasiness.
Chinese newspapers frankly say the
movement is purely political and that
the Japanese hope to send so-called
religious leaders who viii extend Jap
ans influence. There are more than
forty Chinese treaty ports where Jap
anese missionaries could carry on
I their work without interference and
the papers are pointing out that Jap
anese Buddhists should first 90 to
these places and demonstrate their
good intentions, just as Catholic and
I Protestant missions have done. Fur
thermore there are many inland cities
open to international trade where the
\ Chinese papers say there would be no
objection TO Japanese missionary work
ITO come and preach Buddhism in
China is like carrying Goals to New
castle" says the China Coast Post.
There is no town or village so small
that it hasn't a Buddhist temple They
Bisbee daily review., 1915-09-22

are even i'm the lonely places among
the hills, where no visitor is seen
from months end to months end.
Japan received her Buddhism from
China, but the imparting of it in no
way diminished the home supply It
is not claimed that the Japanese have
so improved the faith as to make it a
new one From the native point of
view there IS no more need for this
particular kind of missioning than
there would be for the Japanese TO
come here to teach the Chinese people
how To read their own classics and
write their own characters, both of
which Japan adopted from China"
Buddhist monks are making an ear
nest effort I'm many parts of China to
revive interest i'm Buddhism. This
was apparent even before the Japan
ese sought permission to have their
religious workers enter China, but the
Japanese request has probably assist
ed the movement among Chinese
monks AT present two celebrated
Buddhists from South China, Ti-yeu
and Shen-tsu. are holding revivals in
Picking which viii continue for fifty
days A number Of government Off
cials of considerable rank have lent
their assistance to the movement
which is commanding much space in
the local papers
1t is the desire Of the Buddhists
leaders TO establish college in Pc
king and standardize the priests and
nuns throughout the country by hav-
/ ing the government issue certificates
10 worthy leaders BY this means
they hope to subyent the impositions
of unworthy persons who pose os re-
/ liei0us leaders.