New Britain herald., 1915-09-20
Many Broken Heads as Result of
 Fight Near Dunham's Bridge
NEW HAVEN GANG NABBED
"Drunks' Make Raid On Farm Driven Off By Owner, Armed With Revolver-Scveral of the Combat. ants Injurcd-Briefs,

has Plainville experienced excitement of such proportions as that which at tcnG ed a free-fOr-all fracas near the Southington town line yesterday atfer- noon. Broken heads were numerous and while there were no serious in- juries, many of the participants are nursing painful scalp wounds and body bruises, and local physicians are busy alleviating the hurts. Inciden- tally ten of the fighters are under bonds for appearance in the town court in Southington tomorrow when they will be asked to explain their connection with the row.
 The fight was sequel to a beer party held on farm near Dunham's bridge. In the gathering were number of New Haven young men, who came here in an auto truck for a days outing. They brought a generous supply of beer with them and then encamped on the Zdimcwick place without first getting permission of the owner. After they had drained the bottles they proceeded to disport around the farm. They raid-. ed the vegetable patchers and after they could eat no more they stripped the pumpkin vines and otherwise damaged the gardens.
 Sons of Zdimcwick reported the matter to him and he attempted to chase the crowd away. They at tackled him and while he fought valiantly he was forced to retreat to the house, giving way to superior for ces. Charles Celandir, one of his neighbors, came to his assistance but he lasted only a short time a beer bottle which had been shied at him, rendering him unfit for battle Zdimc- wick finally got his revolver and fired four shots at the crowd AL though he apparently missed all the targets the attacking force retreated in disorder. They returned to their machine and were driven to Plainville where Drs. Bull, Frost and Moody dresed their wounds
 The Southington police had been notified of the battle and they called on the local authorities for assistance Constables Downing and Marino, with the aid of Sheriff McCabe and Off, cer Dutton of the Southington depart ment, took ten memb bers of the gang to the lookup. One of their num- Der was missing and they expressed the belief that he had been shot. It was later reported that he made a successful getaway. The prisoners many of them wearing head bandages for decorations, were later taken to Southington where they were released on bonds furnished by New Haven friends. The driver of the auto was the only sober member of the party. He had been hired to drive them to their destination and as he apparent ly was not implicated in the fight he was allowed to go.
 When the fight was first reported it was said that lives had been sacEi feed in the struggle and there was great excitement here while the off, cers were taking the prisoners to the lookup.
 Mrs. Cowles 1O1 Years Ago.
 Mrs. Phoebe Champion Cowles, Plainville's oldest woman, celebrated the 101st anniversary of her birth Sat urday at the home of her daughters on Broad street. Although the aged woman enjoys fair health consider ing her advanced age, her relatives wish to have her avoid excitement on account of her feebleness and her anniversary was celebrated quietly, only a few intimate friends taking part. Many of the old lady's ac- quaintances took advantage of the op- portunity, however, to remember her and she received a large number of postal cards bearing messages of a congratulatory nature.
 Mrs. Mary Morse, aged 93, a friend of Mrs. Cowles for years, was among the guests at the celebration 1 With her daus Mrs. Cowles en- tertained at tea, the old lady giving many "reminiscences that were most interesting.
 Although a year passed the century mark Mrs CoWles retains her facul- | ties to a remarkable degree. She is getting somewhat deaf but otherwise is quite normal.
 Mrs. Cowles is a native of Plain vile. She was born August IS, 1914 on a farm located about a quarter of a mile west of Scott's Swamp. Her father Stephen Crampton was born on the same farm forty years before her. Over seventy years ago Mrs. | Cowles became the bride of Ezekiel Cowles the couple going to live on the farm now owned by Selectman Johnson. They had four children two of whom died in infancy. Mr. l Cowles passed away nearly thirty l years ago. There are two daughters l living, the Misses Katherine and Eliz- abeth, with whom the aged woman makes her home.
 Served People 'Fairly We'll"
 Declaring that he had served the | people of the town fairly well for the | past five years George S. Babcock | today issued a statement to the vo- ters in which he made a plea for ! f oir nrt in, hi off f1 1h ed first selectman. George is run ming on an independent ticket, and [ while he admits that William J.