davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
British Cabinet Is Expected
to Consider Draft of
Measure Today
DERBY REPORTS ON
NEW ENLISTMENTS
Between Oct. % and Dec. 15, 100000
Unmarried and 1,679,263 Married Men
Presented Themselves for Enlistment
Simon Leaves Cabinet.

LONDON, Jan. Lord Derbys re-
cruiting figures for period between Oct %
and Dec. 10 show that 1 100000 unmar-
ried men and 1,619, ,263 married men pre-
sented themselves for service OF the sin
gle men POT 600 were rejected, while 221,-
sos married men were not accepted by
the recruiting officers
The British cabinet is expected to con-
slider the draft of the compulsion bill to-
day.
Announcement was made in the house Of
commons today Of the resignation of Sir
John Simon, secretary of state for home
affairs. London considers further changes
in the cabinet possible owing to divergence
Of views over the compulsion bill prob
lem.
Petrograd chronicles further fighting on
the front from Yolhyhia to Bukowina and
claims the Russian forces are continuing to
advance.
Paris reports the failure of the German
hand grenade attacks in the Champagne
district. There has been great artillery ac-
tiyity in the Nosges south OF Hartmann
Weilerkopff
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
FIRE IN WATERBURY,.
Hotel Connecticut Burned-one Man
Dead and Five Injured.

WATERBURY, Conn, Jan. 4. - One
man was killed, five others were in
jured and the lives Of 90 guests en-
dangered in a fire that DESTROYED the
Hotel Connecticut in the heart of the
business section early today The po-
lice say that they believe all the
guests escaped from the building.
The dead man was George Cass.,
aged so, hotel employe.
Firemen rescued many of the guests
after great difficulty The dead man
and the five who were hurt received
their injuries by jumping from the
third and fourth story windows.
For q time the flames, famed by a
high wind, threatened to spread to
other buildings, including the largest
dry goods store in the city and the
office of the Waterbury Republican.
The entire fire fighting force sue
ceeded, after hard fight, in confning
the fire to the hotel. The loss is esti-
mated at 100000 The blaze started
in the cellar from unknown origin
The fremen had the blaze under
control soon after / clock, about an
hour after the first alarm was rung.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
VERDICT OF GUILTY
IN MANCTNI CASE
Defense Put in No Evidence-Sentence
Deferred-Occupants of Court
Room Thrown Off Dignity.

Frank Mancini, whose trial for a
breach OF the peace by getting into an
altercation with Deputy Sheriff Adm
+. Miller at a dance in Dummerston
Dec. II, while the officer was trying to
take some bottles of beer away from
him, was found guilty at 5.45 o clock
yesterday after the jury had been out
about 40 minutes. Sentence was de-
ferred until exceptions taken by the
counsel for the respondent are com
pleted. 1t may be pronounced late this
afternoon. Mancini was released un-
der 5000 bail furnished by Peter Bia-
giotti.
The chief witness for the state was
Deputy Sheriff Miller, whose testimony
was reported yesterday The only 9th
er witnesses heard were Constable
Charles Laughton of Dummerston. who
told of aiding the deputy sheriff in ar
resting Mancini, and Henry G. Hazel
ton, who saw some of the disturbance.
After a consultation the defense lie
clded not to put In any evidence and
the arguments were made.
State s Attorney o. B. Hughes ar
gued that a stop must be put to the
disturbances at public places in which
the use of liquor played a large part.
Society must be protected, he argued,
and those who desire to attend public
dances and entertainment must be as
sured of protection.
Referring to the states attorney s
argument E. W. Gibson of counsel for
the respondent, threw the occupants
of the courtroom off their dignity by
saying: 81 think Mancini made a mis-
take. Instead of taking few bottles
of cheap beer he should have taken a
basket Of champagne, called the dance
hall an Italian pergola and invited in
the bon-tons, and the press probably
would have reported the event as a
brilliant social occasion. And when
we all go home tonight and kneel at
the side of our beds we shall pray that
the states attorney will not be away
on vacation when society needs pro
tecting.'
Attorney Gibson said last night that
the case would be taken to the supreme
court.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
SUDDEN DEATH OF
WELLS E. THURBER
End Came in Home of Daughter, Mrs
H. w. Spaulding, This Morning
Was on Street Yesterday.

Wells Elmer Thurber, 70, died sud
denly this morning in the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Harry w. Spaulding of
20 Linden street. Mr. Thurber had
been in his usual health and Yesterday
walked to Main street and back. This
morning he came down stairs, said that
he was not feeling well and went to a
couch, where he almost Immediately
expired. Heart failure and hardening
OF the arteries was the cause of death,
Mr.. Thurber was born in Reading
(Vt.) Dec. 3, 1896, a son of Barnabas
and Anna K. (Starr) Thurber. He was
9 direct descendant on his mother s
side of DR.. Comfort Starr, who came
from England about 1854 and is buried
IN King S chapel, Boston. His son. Rev.
Comfort Starr, was a graduate of Har-
ward college in 1887 and was one Of the
five fellows named in the college charter
dated May 10, 1850 Capt. Comfort
Starr, fourth in line from Dr. Comfort
Starr, in 1773 was in command Of a
company that went to break up an
English court then in session at West
minister (Vt.) He was captain of
the militia and the father of the Starr
family of Vermont. Mr.. Thurber also
was descendant in a direct line from
Lieut. Gov. Benjamin Carpenter, field
officer in the Revolutionary war.
Mr.. Thurber went as a child with his
parents to Halifax, where he lived the
greater part of his life, being engaged
in farming. He married for his first
wife, Nancy L. Swan in 1861 and she
died March %, 1905. Two daughters
by this marriage, Alice, wife of Harry
w. Spaulding of Brattleboro, with
whom Mr.. Thurber had made his home
since June, 1914, and Miss Helen A.
Thurber, a nurse of Hartford, Conn.
survive. In January. 1910, he married
Mrs. Julia Davis of Chesterfield, n. H,
who also survives. He leaves also one
brother, Albert L. Thurber of Halifax,
a halfsister. Mrs. W. c. Niles of Do
yer. and a half brother, Frank Thurber
of Brattlehnro.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
INFLUENZA SPREADS
OVER ENTIRE COUNTRY
Now a Grave Problem for Many of
the Larger Citie5-summary by
Surgeon General.

! WASHINGTON, Jan. T. - Influenza
/ is spreading over the United States
I from coast TO coast in the most serious
| epidemic ever known, taking a large
toll of lives and causing economic loss
by incapaeitating workers in all walks
of life.
Reports from public health service
officers made public last night by
Surg. Gen. Blue show that already the
disease has created a grave problem. for
many of the larger cities and is spread
ing to the rural communities
New York, Chicago, Philadelphia,
Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Gleve-
land and Detroit reported the disease
widely prevalent Clevelanl and De-
tToit each have probably 10000 eases.
The government can do virtually
nothing toward aiding in suppression
of the epidemic. 1t must be dealt
with by local authorities, and they, in
turn, it is explained, are almost
helpless without cooperation of the
public. Surg. Gen. Blue said he had
called for reports from all parts of
the country with the hope that pub
licity would tend to stimulate this CO.
operation.
Statistics on influenza are dlt @lcult
TO obtain because the disease is not
classed as "reportable - in many cities.
Consequently 11ost of the public health
officers were obliged to send in infor-
nation based to some extent on their
personal observations.
Some of the dispatches We're sum
married. by Surgeon General Blue as
follows:
Marked increase in pneumonia mCr-
over 65. Health department sending
out warnings.
! Chieago-Last week there were 81
deaths from influenza; 80 deaths the
week before. There were ], 40 cases of
pneumonia in December, with 666
deaths, of which POI occurred in the
last four days.
/ Philadelphia - Influenza epidemic
here. In five weeks ending Dee. 81, al
deaths, of which - occurred the last
week. During December SS1 cases
pneumonia. Deaths from pneumonia
the last week 2S4
4 Cleveland-Epidemic began Dee. 10;
/ widespread since Dee 20. Probably
/ 100000 cases. Pneumonia present.
Detroit-Epidemic general, estimated
at 100, 600 eases. Hospitals all crowd
ed. Twenty-Five deaths during Decem-
Der.
Boston Influenza epidemic, pneu-
monia cases doubled.
Seattle-Infiuenza reported epidemic
throughout state, including Seattle
Schools partially depopulated in many
places. Increase of 10 per cent in
deaths from all causes in Seattle dur
ing December. Influenza a factor, to
gether with complications, chiefly
pneumonia.
Memphis-Estimate 1000 or 5000
cases, but outbreak declining rapidly
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
CALLS POWER CO. NEGLIGENT.
Public Service Board Places Response
bility For Death.

ST. ALBANS, Jan. 4.-The public
service commission reports that it
finds the Vermont Power and Manu-
featuring company responsible for the
death in this city by electrocution on
the evening of October 20, last, of
Clayton Parmalee, II years old. While
delivering newspapers on Congress
street the boy came in contact with
$500 volts of current and was found
dead near a pole carrying the COM
pany IS wires.
The commission s report finds that
the boy "was without fault or negli-
gence in respect to the accident which
caused his death and that the approx
innate cause of the accident was the
negligence of the Vermont Power and
Manufacturing company
The report also SAYS Hthe wire sys-
tenn of the Vermont Power and Manu-
featuring company at the pole where
| the accident occurred should be at
once changed so as to correct the de-
| fects.'' The defects are given in the
report
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
GEELoNG IS SUNK.
Vessel Owned by the Company &C
Which the Persia BELONGED.

LONDON, Jan. 4.-The Times learns
that the Peninsular s. Oriental liner
Geelong, 5000 tons, has been sunk
near the Mediterranean. All on board
the vessel were saved.
The Peninsular & Oriental Steamship
company has received q despatch from
Malta saving that II more survivors
of the steamer Persia have been land
ed, including Lord Montagu
Robert \. McNeely, the American
consul at Alden, was not among the
survivors landed 1T Malta
The Peninsular & Oriental company
says the survivors consist of three
English, one Italian and seven Las
ears
a Cairo despatch to the Evening
News says that the Jewels of the Ma
harajah Of Kapurthala, valued at 800.-
600 pounds sterling ga ,0O0,0O0), We're
lost aboard the steamer Persia. The
members of the Maharajah's suite
We're aboard the ship, but the Maha-
rajah himself intended to join at Port
Said
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
THREE PROPERTY
OWNERS AT HEARING
Attorney General Barber Not Repre-
sented Selectmen Expect to
Make Satisfactory Settlements.

The advertised hearing by the selectmen
IN their office yesterday afternoon con
cerning the taking of land on the north
side of Flat street and on Main street at
the corner Of Flat street for the purpose
of widening and Strengthening Flat street
attracted only three representatives of
property owners.
Attorney General Herbert G.. Barber,
who is the most concerned in the changes,
was not present or represen ed. Those
present were John T. Moynihan, repre-
senting the Valley Grain Co., D. Frank
Shea and Miss Katherine B. McMenimen,
property owners
No objections were offered to the pro-
posed changes by those present The Sc
lectmen, after having the changes recorded
in the office of the town clerk, will arrange
settlements with the property owners. It
Is expected that this can be done satisfac-
torily to all concerned
The property owners who were con
cerned in the taking Of land on the south
side of Flat street have all been settled
with excepting W. X Sparks with whom
the selectmen have failed to reach salts
factory agreement. On the north side of
the street, concerning which the meeting
yesterday was held, with the exception OF
Mr. Barber's property, the changes are so
slight that there is no reason to anticipate
any trouble over settlements with those
represented at the meeting. and there ap-
pears to be mutual feeling on the part Of
the selectmen and Mr. Barber that they
viii reach an agreement about the price
to be paid for the large slices taken from
Mr. Barber's property both on Flat street
and on Main street
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
AN IRISH STORYTELLING.
Seumas MacManus, Poet, to Address
woman's Club Tomorrow.

The next meeting of the Woman s
club viii be held tomorrow afternoon
at $50 in the Congregational chapel.
The Irish poet, Seumas MacManus.
will give An Irish Storytelling. Mr..
MacManus as a child and young
schoolmaster lived the life of his own
people and has kept alive the Celtic
spirit of poetry and magic That
great lover of children, Judge Ben
Lindsay says of him: Never in my
experience have l heard a more won
-derful storytelling. The storytelling
revival that he is conducting is a ben
edietion to the children, the schools
and the entire community He brings
his audience close to the mind of
another race and period, into the very
heart of Ireland, and well NAV he be
called the "poet-story teller stepped
down from ancient time There will
be appropriate songs by Abbott Rich
mond. In the evening Mr. Mac Manus
will give a public lecture under the
direction of the Knights of Columbus.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
PRISONERS MOTHER
THE WITNESS TODAY
Mrs. Peaslee Says Morrison Sided With
His Father in Divorce
Proceedings.

CONCORD, y H., Jan. Mrs
Howard w. Peaslee, mother of the de-
fendant testified for the defense to-
day at the trial of Morrison II
Peaslee of Henniker, who is charged
with the murder of his father
Mrs. Peaslee declared that her hus-
band and son always had been friend
~ and that he sided with his father
she said, i'll the divorce proceedings
which she brought against her hus-
band. The witness said that she had
learned soon after the murder that the
Peaslee family was under suspicion
but could give the officers no infor-
nation. She advised her SON not to 20
to Portland, Me-, but he insisted the
people of Henniker were against him
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
ANOTHER AUTOIST
PERISHED IN GARAGE
Robert Mcdonald of Quincy, Mass.
Started His Engine and Was Soon
Suffocated.

QUINCY, Mass, Jan. 4. - Ronald
Mcdonald, eastern representative of
Chicago Mail order house, was over
come by gas fumes in a small garage
in the rear of his home during the
night and was dead when found early
today. Mcdonald retired as usual, but
when the temperature began to fall he
went to the garage to put a blanket
on his automobile
About 2.30 his wife missed him and
hearing the engine of the automobile
running, called a neighbor to investi-
gate. All efforts to revive Mcdonald
were unavailing.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
ANOTHER ONE ON KAISER.
This Time Rumor Says He Needs an
Artificial Palate.

PARIS, Jan. 4, - Press dispatches
from Switzerland and Italy continue
TO affirm that the illness of Emperor
William is serious. 1t is stated that
he was operated on last Wednesday sue
cessfully, but the nature of the opera
tion is not specified.
1t is stated that the emperor is suf-
fering from a deep-seated affection,
of which the cutaneous eruption is
but an incidental symptom, and that
the malady is complicated by the re-
appearance of his old throat trouble
which has extended to the mouth 1t
is even asserted that it will be neces-
sary to provide him with an artificial
palate made of silver.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
PARENr-TEAcHER MEETING.
DR.. Burnett and Miss sanGel to Give
Talks Thursday

The first regular meeting of the
Main street Parent-Teacher associa-
tion viii be held IN the high school
building Thursday, Jan. 6, at
o clock. DR.. Grace Burnett and Miss
Caroline Sandel, assistant superinten-
dent of the Mutual Aid association,
viii give short talks on Child develop
ment with special reference to habits,
the way in which parents may aid the
work of the school nurse, etc. Not only
are parents of children who attend the
Main street school urged to attend,
but members of the association and
parents of children of the primary
schools, in fact anyone interested is
welcome. 1t is planned TO have the
meetings last not more than an hour
and as these meetings afford an es-
pecially good opportunity for parents
and teachers to ''get together it is
hoped that everyone will make an eff
fort to come.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
President Now Lacks Official
Information on Sinking
of Persia
FAKES CHARGE OF
FOREIGN SITUATION
gonfers with Secretary Lansing and
Senator Stone-Says Administration
Is Doing All 1t Can to Protect
American Rights.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-President
Wilson arrived here at $50 a. M, to-
day from Hot Springs, Va. He went
Immediately to the White House to
take personal charge Of the situation
brought about by the sinking Of the
British steamer Persia.
After a brief conference with Presi-
dent Wilson Secretary Tumulty issued
the following:
"The President and secretary of
state are taking every means possible
10 obtain the cold facts in this grave
matter and will act Just as soon as
the information is obtained. -
The President later called in Chair
man Stone and several members of the
senate foreign relations committee
early today to discuss the information
al crisis growing out of the submarine
campaign in the mediterranean
Chairman Stone told the President
there were intimations that some sena-
tors were preparing to make speeches
on the shaking of ships with the loss
Of American life.
The President is understood to have
simply replied that the administration
was doing all it could to protect
American rights.
1t was announced that the President
Cancelled the cabinet meeting becaus-
the state department has not yet gath
cred complete information on the Per
sia.
Senator Stone told the President
that when the foreign relations com
mittee met tomorrow he wanted to be
prepared to meet any situation that
might arise.
The senator said after his talk with
the President that until the facts re
garding the Persia were obtained moth
ing could be done.
Any nation, he declared which out
ragged the United States, should be
dealt with severely.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
sARGENT's DEATH SUDDEN.
Autopsy Performed in Case of South
Royalton Druggist.

SOUTH ROYALToN, VT, Jan. A.
William Sargent, 40. druggist here
for many years, died suddenly yester-
day. He had been in his usual health
and retired Sunday night at an early
hour. He was found yesterday morn
ing suffering intense agony and died
shortly afterward
DR.. Kingsford of Hanover performed
an autopsy last night. He leaves a
wife.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
PALMER MAN SENTENCED
Linnen, Former Bank Bookkeeper, Gets
Five Years in Jail

BOSTON, Jan. 4. - Earl D. Linnell,
former bookkeeper in the Palmer Ma
tional bank at Palmer, Mass, pleaded
guilty in the federal court today TO
the charge of stealing $1,10O of the
bank funds and making false entries
in the books. He was sentenced to five
years in the Greenfield Jail.
United States District Attorney An
derson, who prosecuted the case. ex-
pressed his opinion that the sentence
was too severe, but explained it as the
minimum permitted under the statutes
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
Centre Congregational Church

Friday, 7.3O p. m.-Special meeting
of the church to organize for the ev-
cry member canvas. Rev Frank n.
sheldon of Boston will be present, al
so the pastor. 1t is hoped that every
member of the church viii be present
New members will be received into
the church Sunday morning, Jan. 16
The pastor should have the names Of
all who desire to unite with the
church at that time before next Fri.
day evening.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
MARLBORO.

Louis C. Fletcher of Marlboro and
Miss Rena B. Powers of Newfane were
married Thursday evening, Dee. 80, by
Rev. II. H. Shaw of Marlboro. A sin
gle ring service was used. After the
ceremony Mr.. and Mrs. Fletcher gave
a dance to their friends and neighbors
about 100 persons being present. The
party broke up at an early hour, the
friends wishing Mr.. and Mrs. Fleteh
er bright and happy future.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
Three Hundred Taken from
Thessaloniki by the
Steamer PATHS
THE GREEK VESSEL
is AGAIN ADRIFT
Was Being Towed by the Patris When
the Line Parted in Gale 500 Miles
From New York-Has Been Disabled
About 10 Days.

NEW YORK, Jan. 4. = The Greek
steamer Thessaloniki, which was being
towed to New York by the steame
PATHS is again adrift in a gale 300
miles east by southeast of New York.
her tow line having parted during the
night.
Wireless messages sent by the Thes-
saloniki asking aid told stations of her
plight.
She has been disabled and virtually
adrift for about 10 days
Yesterday word came that her 800
passengers had been transferred to the
PATHS, which then took the crippled
steamer in tow.
The crew of the Greek line steamship
Thessaloniki wish to abandon the ship,
which has been at the mercy of gales
and high seas for 10 days, according
to radio messages received here late
today from steamship United States
The Thessaloniki, which has been
helpless owing to the partial flooding
Of her boiler and engine room, sent a
message to the steamship United States
saying that 90 of the crew remained
in the Greek steamer, but that all pas
sengers had been safely transferred to
the steamer Patris of the same line.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
FATALLY CUT BY GLASS.
Keene Child Fell Upon Fragment of
Mirror in Her Home.

KEENE, n. H., Jan. 4. 4.-Beatrice,
the 4-year-old daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. William Mackey of South Keene,
met accidental death yesterday after
noon by cutting her throat.
The little girl was standing on j
stool with piece of looking glass in
her hand and while getting down fell
so that the glass cut her throat and
she expired before a doctor could
reach her. She leaves several brothers
and sisters.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
ORDERS TO ADMIRALs.
Sec. Daniels viii Not Allow Them to
Speak on Navy Program.

WASHINGTON, Jan. A. - Secretary
Daniels disclosed today that he had
declined to permit either Rear Admiral
Fiske or Rear Admiral Knight to spea k
on the navy program, even though he
was assured that the proposed addresses
would not be made public. The re
quest was made by John W. Scott,
president of the Commercial club of
Chicago, by telegram to President Will
son.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-01-04
MR.. FORD AVOIDED
CROWD AT DEPOT
Remained in His Private Car When
Delegation of Citizens Came
to Meet Him.

DETROIT, Mich, Jan 4--Henry Ford,
leader OF the peace mission TO The Hague,
returned to Detroit today, but at the sta
ton he avoided a delegation of citizens,
who had planned TO welcome him home
and present him with a floral piece in rec
ognition Of his peace effort
He remained in his private car and pro-
ceeded to his country home at Dearborn A
public meeting in honor of Mr. Ford is be-
ing planned for the near future