davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
TO DETERMINE DEATH CAUSE
Hearing Was Held in Montpelier on Pet
er Narcotic Case.

The Vermont public service commits
sion held hearing at the state House
in Montpelier to-day in the case OF Peter
Narcotic who was killed in Montpelier
last fall after coming in contact with
current from the Tenney company plant
while he was trimming street lamp.
The hearing was held to determine the
cause of death.
Witnesses heard were DR.. c. +. Hunt,
Miss katherine Magee, Mrs. 2. II. Bur
gen. Mrs. Patrick Ryan and Charles j.
Cookson. DR.. Hunt testified to being
called to the scene and TO working over
the man in an effort to restore life He
gave il as his opinion that Narcotic was
electrocuted. The three women wit
nesses. all of whom resided nearby, tes-
tilted to seeing the body in the road and
that it was lying on its face in the mud
and water.
Mr.. Cookson, an officer of the Tenney
company. testified that the current was
shut off on the lamp when he arrived,
but he thought that crossed wires may
have been responsible. He told of the
safety appliances on the lamp and testi-
fed that they were in good condition
The witness was not sure that Narcotic
was electrocuted but he advanced the
theory that the man was thrown to the
ground by the shock and that he suffo-
Gated while lying face downward in the
water and mud. Mr.. Cookson thought
the shock from the lamp was not sufii-
eient TO kill the man. The ordinary
voltage, he said was 1000.
The hearing had not been completed
when an adjournment was taken for din
ner. the case being resumed at /; 80 this
afternoon. Because of the unexpected
length of the hearing the case of Stephen
Ala VS.. Montpelier & Wells River rail
road. which was scheduled to be held IN
Barre this afternoon. was transferred to
Montpelier and will be taken up late to-
day If there is time.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
VETERAN DIED SUNDAY.
George B. Prouty, rs, Died in West Brat
tleboro Thursday.

Brattleboro, Dec. l5.-George B..
Prouty, rs, lifelong resident OF West
Brattleboro and veteran of the Civil
war. died suddenly yesterday at his
hoome on Bonnyvale road. He had been
in falling health some time, but death
was unexpected.
Mr.. Prouty was born in West Brattle-
boro. Dec 26, lS4l, adecendant of family
that had long been prominent in the VII
lage. He served three years in the Civil
war as member of Co. c, 2d Vermont
regiment. He had been unable to engage
actively in business for number OF
year.
He leaves his wife, who was Miss
Louisa NJ Alexander. three sons, Elisha,
Elijah and George Prouty. and tour
daughters, Mrs. Leon Walker, Mrs. RI
len Cain, May and Dorothy Prouty, all
of Brattleboro. He leaves 10 grand
children and one sister. Mrs. Henry Mil
Ter of Brattleboro.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
Held Annual Bus SIS Meet
ing and B, ) .uet in
Hotel ) ARE
G. r. RC !, NEWPORT,
ELECTED PRESIDENT
L. S. Hayes of Bellows Falls
Was One of Chief
Speakers

For their annual business meeting and
banquet nearly 50 members of the Yer
mont Association of Local Fire Insurance
Underwriters came to this city yesterday
and were Hospitality received at Hotel
Barre, where the business session of the
afternoon was followed by substantial
dinner in the evening. Many OF the
members were accompanied by their
wives, most of the visitors remaining in
the city until to-day.
The principal speaker at the afternoon
meeting, which was held in the reception
room at the hotel, was l.. S. Hayes of
Bellows Falls commissioner on state in
surance, who gave the underwriters an
interesting resume of the duties attend
ant upon the office. Mr.. Hayes has the
supervision of the underwriting on all
state property and is brought frequently
in touch with local agents. His address
contained many timely suggestions on
the relations between the insurer and
the insured and the speaker was warmly
received by his auditors. A. G. Murphy
of Boston, a special agent of the Com
mercial Union of Boston, spoke briefly
on present day insurance methods with
particular reference to the Vermont field.
Officers elected for the ensuing year
included the following; President George
f. Root of Newport; first vice president,
George NJ Clay of Brattleboro second
vice president, c. C. Graves of Water
bury; secretary, l.. d. Taylor of Brattle-
boro; treasurer, +. S. Leonard of Bellows
Falls.
All of the guests subscribed literally
to the declaration that the evening din
ner was one of the finest features OF any
insurance gathering in recent years and
Barre's new hostelry as we'll as the sery
ice to be found there came in for some
commendable remarks.
After the banquet the underwriters
fingered over their cigars while Mr. Muir
ply and G.. c. Graves of Waterbury
talked shop in an entertaining fashion.
Much was made of the results that can
be achieved by underwriters through cor
operative efforts and the agents seemed
disposed to second with one accord the
suggestion that the asseeia tion strive Tor
more effective cooperative methods.
State Treasurer Walter +. Scott was
present as a guest of the association and
he spoke briefly of state insurance laws.
Among the people who were registered
at the hotel for the meeting were the
following: f. W. Cutting OF Brandon,
L. s. Hays of Bellows Falls, Maj. L. d.
TAYLOR of Brattleboro, H. H. Hickok OF
F. Fl. Burnham of Rutland,
Frank W. Williams of Brandon. r. s.
Pike of Rutland, Mr.. and Mrs. Fred II.
Kelly of Richford. F. NJ Bell of Buriing
ton. George F. Root OF Newport, Alfred
+. Watson of Hartford, A. B. Noyes of
st. ,Johnsbury, Gilbert F. Dodge OF
D. c. King of Burlington, c. c.
Graves of Waterbury, F. l.. Leonard and
F. L. Walker of Bellows Falls and George
NJ. Clay of Brattleboro.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
THREAT AT PARIS.
French Paper Tells of Attack by 10000
"Best Germans"

Paris, Dec l5.--A German attack on
Lassigny, that part of the front nearest
to Paris. was made Monday in great
force, says La Liberties correspondent
with the French armies. 1t appears to
have been concerted to coincide with Won
Bethmann- Hollwegs note, probably with
view to impressing the French by a
local success.
"The Germans brought together about
10000 men from the best divisions" adds
the correspondent, "and concentrated cor
responding quantities of artillery. The
tack was preceded by an intense bonn
bsrdment lasting for hours.
"The French were taken by surprise,
and received the assaulting waves with
fire from their three inch guns and ma
chine guns, tearing the ranks terribly.
A barrier fire thrown to the rear of the
Germans caught the supporting reserve.
"The Germans reached the French
trenches over frontage of 300 yards,
but an immediate counter attack enabled
the French TO regain the trenches. Only
a few survivors of the attacking columns
escaped Most of them were killed after
stubborn resistance.
"The Germans renewed the assault an
hour after without success. The French
heavy artillery dispersed the reserves as
they came up"
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
"WE HAVE RIGHT TO SPEAK"
Says Senator Stone Discussing Possibil-
ties of Peace

st. Louis, Dec l5.--The right of neu
trail which has suffered from the effects
of the European war, particularly the
right of the United States, to initiate a
movement for peace was to initiate a
last night before the League to Enforce
Peace by Senator Stone, chairman OF
the Senate foreign relations committee
"Since the war almost, has from the
beginning, resulted in continuing often
sive attacks on the rights and dignity OF
this sovereignty and in intlicting meal
culable injury to our national interests
all of which we have borne with pa
thence because of our friendship for the
nations involved" said Senator Stone,
sit seems to me that after enduring
these attacks and suffering these losses
for nearly two and half years, with
no end yet in sight, that we have right,
without regard to any question OF SYM
pathy or humanity, but solely on our
own account and to safeguard our own
interests, to approach the combatants as
mutual friend and open negotiations
with view to the re-establishment OF
normal international conditions.
"Our relations to the combat are such,
and our interests are so involved that
think we have right to speak-a right
so clear as to entitle us to speak with
out asking and without just otfense. We
would not speak impertinently as inter
meddlers, but as a friend who suffered
grievously and innocently from the ruth
less acts of war"
The senator declared he wished it dis
tinctly understood that he spoke on his
own personal responsibility, but said he
later might speak "in another forum"
on whether any neutral or group OF neu-
trails should attempt any affirmative ac'
ton to end the present war" He said
he would not discuss the wisdom or un-
wisdom of an approach of the bellger-
ents with peace proposals but merely of
"the propriety of the right" and pointed
out that distinguished men in this coun-
try and in the warning countries have
warned that such a movement would not
only be futile but offensive.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
LENIENCY RULED
In Disposal of State Cases in Caledonia
County Court.

st. Johnsbury, Dec. l5.--ln Caledonia
county court yesterday afternoon yer
dict was returned for the plaintiff in the
case of William Cross VS.. the Passump
sic Fibre & Leather Co. In a previous
trial the plaintiff was awarded $4,000
damages, which amount was upheld by
supreme court, but as question of respon-
sibility arose the case was returned to
county court.
While the jury was out three cases on
the state docket were called and disposed
of. In the case of the State VS.. Allen
Lee for larceny, the defendant pleaded
guilty and received sentence OF not
more than two nor less than a year and
half in the houes of correction. Be
cause of previous good behavior the court
suspended sentence and placed the pris-
oner in charge of the probation officer
for the term of sentence. He must also
pay the probation officer within six
months costs amounting to $50.
Albert Botto pleaded guilty to charge
of grand larceny and was sentenced to
not less than two nor more than two
and half years in the house of correc
tion at Rutland States Atty. Norton
did not ask for a long term sentence, as
he said in his opinion, "a long term tend
ed to harden rather than to correct" es-
pecially where the prisoner was young
man. The prisoner was 2l years of age
and unable to talk English.
Peter Rocus, James Brown and viii
liam Burke appeared before Judge But
Ter charged with breaking and entering
the store of George b. Wallace at East
Ryegate about month ago. They took
some merchandise and a small amount of
change. The first two gave their resi-
dence at Denver, Colo, and say they have
no parents living. The other boy comes
from Bridgeport, where he has Parents
living. They are 81, p and 20 years OF
age, respectively.
states Atty. Norton again suggested
leniency on account of age and ASKED
the court if sentence cvas imposed that
the prisoners be sent to Windsor instead
of to the house of correction. Sentence
was deferred until to-day. r. b. Shields
WAS in charge of the prisoners case.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
DIED AT PLAINFIELD.
Deputy Sheriff Edward D. Bartlett Was
Well Known in County.

Deputy Sheriff Edward d. Bartlett died
at his home in Plainfeld this morning at
o'clock. Mr. Bartlett had been in fail
ing health for several weeks, although
many OF his friends about the county
were not aware that his condition was
critical He is survived by his wife,
three children, Janice Bartlett, Joseph
Bartlett and Edward Bartlett, ir.; his
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Bartlett 9
Plainfield and two brothers, Clement
Bartlett and Roscoe Bartlett, who also
reside in Plaintield.
Mr.. Bartlett was born in Plainfeld
May 3, 1868, the oldest son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Joseph Bartlett. and had always
resided in his native town. His wife was
Miss Emma Sanborn OF Plainfeld. For
over % years, up to year ago, he had
been engaged in the mercantile business
in Plainfeld, beginning as clerk in the
store of Fred Perrin. Later he became
the owner of the store where c. p. kel-
logg is now located, and several years
ago entered into partnership with George
Nye and they carried on a general store
until year ago, when Mr.. Bartlett sold
out his share in the business.
At the time of his death he was the
town constable and tax collector and for
several years he held commission as
deputy sheriff. The duties incident to
that office as well as those connected
with commission as deputy game war
den which he held called him into various
towns in Washington county and gained
for him a wide circle of acquaintances.
He was a member OF the Montpelier
lodge of Elks and had been affiliated
with the Congregational church. His fra
ternal associations also included the Jun
ior Order of American Mechanics and Ivy
grange.
The funeral will be held at the house
Sunday afternoon at o'clock and in
terment will be made in the family lot
in the village cemetery.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
SAVINGS CHECKS MAILED.
Two Barre Banking Institutions Spread
Yuletide Cheer.

From one bank in Barre to-day pa
irons in this city and vicinity received
goodly portion of luetide cheer and
from another local institution Christmas
checks were placed in the mail last night.
The Christmas savings club, organized
bv the Barre Savings Bank & Trust co.
four wears ago. is regarded by attaches
at that bank as a fixture and now that
s54.7l4.60 has been distributed to Gus
toners to do what they win with it,
preparations are being made for the or
ganization of the fifth annual savings
club. The big package of checks which
members of the club received to-day rep.
resents more than 1900 depositors and
it is interesting to note that more than
100000 or to be exact, SAC, ,49675, Is the
sum total of the mat,med accounts, the
checks that are paid in full
Little folks and adults alike have kept
UP their deposits this year, and while
great many of the checks will be used tor
Christmas shopping. there is a substan-
tial proportion of the big fund that pa
irons are going to turn into savings ac-
counts
Bankers recognize the Christmas say
ings club as one of the most important
agents in inducing people TO establish
permanent savings accounts and in Barre
members of the club are not an exception
to the rule that obtains whereven<rhrist-
mas clubs have been started. Always
there are many subscribers who prefer
to convert their club savings to perma
nent accounts.
At the Quarry Savings bank it was
.I -. ,h Christmas checks were
mailed to patrons last evening. accounts
at the Quarry hank were well man
tanned and the officials felt satished VITA
the wears efforts. Attaches sald that
big sum Of money would lind ITS way
into the hands OF the club members. .out
they did not care to quote any figures
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
DINED WITH WILSON.
Gov Gates and Goy-Elect Graham Were
in the Party.

Washington, d. c., Dec, l5.-The ex-
ecutive budget system of Maryland. the
only state with such a scheme OF fnan-
eial control, was given general approval
yesterday in discussion at the mint b
annual governors conference. Its provi--
ions were outlined by Gov. Harrington
of Maryland and DIR. Frank J. Gooduow,
president of joins Hopkins university
GOV. Mccall of Massachusetts pointed
out that since the speaker Of the House
had been shorn of his power in the Sc
lection of committees. federal appropria-
tions were larger than ever before
Those attending the conference were
dinner guests last night at the White
House. The guest included Cows. Ne
Call of Massachusetts,, Spaulding Of New
Hampshire. Gates Of Vermont; Cover
norelect Graham Of "ermo-t; Milliken,
Maine, and former Governors Foss, Mas
sachusetts. Quinby Of New Hampshire.
and Haines, .iains.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
GOOD PROGRESS MADE
Toward Formation OF Vermont National
Guard Band in Barre.

Satisfactory progress was made last
evening toward the formation OF mill
tary band in Barre TO be "A part OF the
headquarters company of the Vermont
National Guard; and it may be said also
that steps have been taken toward the
organization of the other two depart
ments of the headquarters company, CON
sisting of mounted detachment and a
non commissioned staff section.
The preliminary band meeting was
held in the city court room of the city
hall. having been called by Capt. {. \.
Barber of the Vermont National Guard.
Over score of musicians were present
at the meeting and considerable enthn'
siasm was aroused. OF the men present
Is signed the papers for enlistment III
the band and two others. who were un-
der age, took the papers home to secure
the signatures of their parents. In addi-
tion TO those already signed, there are
six or more musicians in Montpelier who
have signified their desire to join the
band. The full complement is % men,
so it can be seen that good start has
been made for the full company.
At the outset of the meeting Capt.
Barber was called upon to outline the
duties which would devolve upon the
band and to tell of the benefits which
would come from membership in the or
ganization A. +. Bruce presided over
the meeting and before adjournment was
taken committee consisting OF Mr..
Bruce William Gilbertson, Ernest Fleteh-
er and Amedeo Caleagni, was named to
have charge of the completion of the
work of organization. Another meeting
has been called for next Wednesday even
ing at the same place, and an effort will
be made TO secure Col. Reeves, eomman-
der Of the Vermont National Guard, and
Adit. Gen. Lee s. Tillotson to appear be-
fore the meeting. although the possibility
is somewhat uncertain because both are
very busy at this time.
The total strength of the headquarters
company is 5S men. of which % are in
the band, as already stated. The mount
ed detachment has l6 men, and already
the names of seven men have been Sc
cured for this part OF the service. The
non commissioned staff is made up OF IA
men, who must first enlist as privates.
There are several prospective enlistments
for this section of the company.
Taken all in all. the outlook is CON
sidered quite encouraging for the estab-
lishment of the headquarters company in
Barre. ANY who are desirous OF discuss
ing the chance of enlistment should com
municate with Capt. G. \. Barber.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
NO REFLECTION INTENDED.
On Any Foreign Nations Credit in Re-
serve Board Decision.

Boston, Dec, l5,-An explanation of
the federal reserve boards recent warn.
ing TO American bankers against locking
up their money in foreign treasury bills
was made in speech here last night by
W, p, G, Harding, governor Of the board
who reiterated the declaration that there
was no intention to reflect upon the cred
IL of any nation. Soon after the boards
statements appeared short term British
treasury bills which had been offered for
sale in this country were withdrawn.
Mr.. Harding spoke last night before
the Boston City club. :,
IL know he said, "that there has been
criticism of the boards action in making
this statement, which has been given a
significance neither justified nor intend
ed in its reference TO investors. II was
not the purpose of the board to make an
attack, either open or covert, upon the
credit OF any government nor did il seek
in its statement to reflect upon any par
ticular obligation.
''ln my opinion, what the board had
in mind when it made its brief reference
TO investors was simply this; Ameri-
can investors hs 7e for I any years been
accustomed TO buying industrial securi-
ties-railroad obligations to a great ex.
tent. In dealing with these securities
certain well established rules have been
developed. The investor has acquired
the habit of requiring spe.ilic informa-
tion regarding gross earnings fixed
charges, net earnings, sinking funds, etc,
and he insisted upon knowing definitely
whether he is offered first mortgage
bond, income bond, preferred stock or
common stock.
at is the practice OF every issuing
house when offering securities to state
all necessary details either over its own
signature or that of the head OF the bor
rowing corporation. Nowhere is the i'm
portance OF authentic and complete in
formation more fully understood and APP
preciated than in Europe, both in Eng
land and on the continent, and prospect
uses for foreign loans contain all the
important facts relating thereto, in a
statement signed by an authorized rep
resentative of the foreign government
or by the issuing house, or in some cases
by both,
"The board sought merely to call at
tention to the fact that as this country
has become an important market for for
eign securities the same business like
ha bits which are well established re.
garding domestic loans, should be de
veloped in marketing foreign tlotations."
Ar. Harding denied that the stitfening
of call money rates in New York after
the statement was issued was due to the
boards action and said that any fur
ry" at that time was confined entirely to
loans secured by stock exchange collat-
eral
Discussing the inflow of gold into the
United States, he said the board did not
regard it as a danger except 'the in
flowing gold should remain uncon-
trolled and be permitted to become the
basis Of undesirable loan expansions and
of imitation"
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
sUPT. HANNoN RESIGNS.
Has Been Head of Vermont Soldiers
Home Over IS Years.

Bennington, Dec. l5.-Superinteudent
Thomas Harmon of the Vermont Soldiers
home here has rendered his resignation
to take effect when his successor is ap-
pointed. The board of trustees has called
a meeting in Rutland on December 10
to fill the vacancy
Col. Harmon was elected superintend-
ent August l. 1901, succeeding Major r.
j. Coffey. He j. a native of Guilford.
In 1862 he enlisted in Co. of the 9TH
regiment of Vermont voluntedrs and
served through the Civil war. being mus
tered out as orderly sergeant. He To-
Gated in Brattleboro in 1870 and was for
q wears superintendent Of department
in the Estev Organ works. He was one
of the original members Of the Fuller
light battery of the Vermont National
Guard. In 1892 he was commissioned
lieutenant colonel Of the lst brigade, '.
y. g.. and held the position until the
brigade was disbanded hy act of the leg
islature in 1900.
m health Is the reason for his rcsig-
nation
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-15
WIDOW AWARDED DAMAGES
In Case of Fatal Accident at Jones Bros.
Quarry.

Hearings in three accident cases in the
Barre granite district were conducted by
the state industrial accident board in
Barre Thursday afternoon. Chairman
Robert W. Simonds of St Johnsbury and
i. S. Pease of Burlington came to the
city to review informally some of the
evidence in the cases, but when petition
ers asked for formal hearing, the re-
quest was granted. The hearings were
held in the Aldrich building, two in the
offices OF McAllister & Kent and one in
the law office of J. Ward Carver.
Atty. Carver was the appearance Tor
the dependents of Ernesto Ala, young
quarrymsn who was killed in an accident
at Jones Bros quarry on Milestone hill
Nav 25. The dead mans wife and chill
dren are in Spain. The board decided
question OF establishing a medium for
making payment to the dependents by
appointing Atty. Carver to act as trustee.
Mrs. Ala and her children are to receive
the sum OF S445 for 260 weeks.
For the Royal Indemnity Co. Atty. $.
Hollister tackson appeared in the case
brought by James Daniels, who sus-
tanned broken arm at the Marr & Cor
don plant Dec Is, 1915. Daniels petit
toned for a lump payment and addition
al compensation on the ground of par
tial injury. Decision was reserved by
the board.
Frank Dudley, Barre Town quarry
man. petitioned for lump sum payment
and gave his reasons for the request.
No order was made by the board and the
case was reserved for decision. Dubey
sustained broken wrist and an injured
hin in an accident at Jones Bros quarry
June @. The ease of Arthur Isabel, whose
death in October followed injuries re-
ceived at the Boutwell,, Milne & Varnum
quarry, was considered in brief and con
tipued